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kyra_joy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Murder
jblago's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The plot does feel somewhat predictable even if you haven’t seen the film adaptation but admittedly the general premise is just… cool. The sort of subtle suggestion that there is a larger “lore” is also very tantalizing. The writing is detailed enough and focuses on what I would consider the more interesting parts of a gruesome and uncomfortable story.
Although, as not a big fan of sort of “erotic horror”, and the many possibilities that sub genre can lead to, there were some parts I liked less than other.
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
hearth_hobbit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
This is a very uncomfortable story if you do not like horror and body horror. Definitely look up trigger warnings if you are on the fence. It can get pretty descriptive.wellreadsquid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It will definitely not be for everyone as it deals with very intense subject matters alongside the horror aspect. But I would invite anyone to give it a try!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Murder, Blood, Gore, and Sexual content
benreadshorror's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Torture, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
zegim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Sexual content
zeleya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Torture, Body horror, Cursing, Murder, Sexual assault, and Violence
flowtjo's review against another edition
4.5
More, MORE!!
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
barrybj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Incest
clayby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Hellbound Heart, by Clive Barker
No tears, please. It's a waste of good suffering.
I just finished reading a few minutes ago, and I think my heart's still pumping fast at the time of writing this, haha.
The Hellbound Heart is a well-written, horrific story, filled with gore, interesting lore, and scary, badass, esoteric, inter-dimensional beings. It's a bit on the short side (it's a novella, after all), but boy does it pack a punch. I've loved Hellraiser for a long time, but like my other spooky October read (Mary W. Shelley's Frankenstein), I feel like this book ended up being in a league of its own compared to the film/s.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Clive Barker's works, especially those related to The Hellbound Heart, and I hope more people begin to recognize what Mr. Barker has brought to the table.
Graphic: Gore, Body horror, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Sexual content