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abegailev's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What book am I talking about? None other than Gothikana by RuNyx. When I read the blurb about this book, I was intrigued: "the eternal romance of Beauty & the Beast meets the gothic suspense of Dracula." I mean, come on! Who wouldn't be interested?
It did not disappoint, Besties. Was it dark and mysterious? ✅ Did it have paranormal/supernatural undertones? ✅ Was the setting memorable? (I mean Castles?? Ruins?? Dark Lake??) ✅ Did it have imperfect characters that you can't help fall in love with? ✅ Was it spicy? ✅🌶️✅ Did it have memorable quotes? ✅
The pacing was on point. Nowhere in the story did I get bored/felt like it dragged or felt like things got rushed. RuNyx introduces us to this mysterious world and she weaves this magical story. I just want to know, "CAN WE HAVE SOME MORE PLEASE??"
I leave you with my favorite quote from the male character, Vad. The way he describes his devotion/commitment to Corvina..this is why they say, chose the Villain and not the Hero.
“This will last until the day the roses on my grave stop sharing roots with the roses on yours,” he declared. “I will have you even in death, little witch. I am your beast. I am your madness. And you, you’re my afterlife.”
Graphic: Suicide and Death
Moderate: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
asims723'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
3.0
So what did I like? This book pairs nicely with a Pinot Noir. The atmosphere was dark and vibing. Ruins, woods, dungeons, towers, creepy shacks...those were all highlights.
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Death
Minor: Death of parent
kristanjenkins'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
2.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, Death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Death of parent, Torture, Body horror, and Dementia
lallabc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, and Mental illness
Moderate: Dementia and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
wii3rdo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
this book exceeded my expectations for how much i’d love it. if the exterior didn’t do it for me, the descriptions and the way the author made me feel exactly what the characters felt, THAT DID IT! 🙂↕️ everything was so vivid i felt like i could see exactly what they wanted me to see down to the specks of dust in the library. Y’ALL AS CREEPY AS VERENMORE IS, I FUCKING LOVE IT!
i will say that i have a few unanswered questions and i explained the entire book to my friend on the phone the night after i finished, and not only does he want to read it, but he has the same questions i do.
i was suspicious of everyone EXCEPT who i needed to be suspicious of. even anticipating a twist, i NEVER would’ve guessed the story’s outcome. when i tell you i flipped this book closed and looked around so many times, i felt like i was being watched 😭 as good as it was, i will say, the first half of the book felt like a drag. with how detailed everything was, in some places, it felt like there was too much emphasis on the scenery and otherwise minor details. the book was hard to put down, but in some places it made me question “is this relevant?” but i still loved it!
and i’ll say this and be done: PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF SANITY, LET THERE BE A CONTINUATION OF THIS STORY BECAUSE I HAVE SOME MAJOR QUESTIONS THAT I FEEL LIKE ONLY ANOTHER STORY COULD ANSWER 😭
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Suicide, and Torture
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Dementia
brianna_soto's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual content
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
booknerdcoco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The story follows Corvina, an outcast and her teacher, Vad, and their forbidden romance. With some strange, seemingly paranormal activity.
It was my first gothic read, and it really did not disappoint. The spice was nice, but the plot twist was nicer and something I never saw coming.
I wish it was a series as I wasn't ready for it to end!!!
Graphic: Sexual content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Mental illness, Murder, Cursing, and Death
Moderate: Dementia
tashieee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Dementia
kaylak58'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
4.5
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Mental illness, and Suicide
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, Death, Cursing, and Forced institutionalization