Reviews tagging 'Genocide'

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

7 reviews

tinyjude's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

From the get go I fell in love with the atmosphere the author transports us into. The gothic vibes, the gorey and unhinged characters, the gruesome and fatally flawed (aka toxic) situations situasionship these two has going on. It reminded me of Bloodborne or Dishonored in some aspects, either by the vibes and monstruousity in it all, or the revenge at all costs plotline. I loved the writing too, hollow and haunting, full of imagery that surely clicks much better on a second read. The descriptions of the characters and the mythical aspect of the city, with us as spectators rooted in the city yet still watching everything unfold from a deep mist that clouds our perceptions in the same way the sorcerer manipulates everyone here. The idea of a master-monster also reminded me a lot of Frankenstein, although both stories differ in a lot of aspects. Nonetheless, I believe it's a gritty novella perfect for when you are in the mood to read dark, gory, stuff like for Halloween, and be left wondering about the world a little bit (a sense of acrid lingering that follows you around like the shadow of Elendhaven.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Body horror, Child death, Classism, Stalking, Child abuse, Sexual content, Death, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Gore, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Genocide, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Torture, Rape, Alcohol, Drug use, Self harm, and Grief

Minor: Incest

thescenery's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I had a hard time rating this book. 

It was fun, it had everything that I liked: gay people, gore and a bit of sadness. The first half got me obsessed and I wanted to devour the book in one sitting. The characters were fun put together, even if completely horrible to each other. 

However, I think I got more and more confused by the second half. Once I thought I finally understood it, the book ended. I knew from the start it would be an unsatisfying ending, and I was right (not that this is a bad thing), but it felt almost too underwhelming.. Almost.

I think I'm still trying to figure out what quite happened on its last chapter, and I'm not sure we are meant to. But I guess I'll have to think about it for a while. 

Read this for the Halloween Challenge, and it sure was a good start! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Excrement, Gore, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Genocide

blacksphinx's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

When I looked up the author's name to see if she had written anything else, I was not surprised in the least to see she was one of the writers of the much-despised Homestuck Epilogues. I can feel the glimmer of Homestuck in the dialogue and humor, so take that as you will. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, Violence, Self harm, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Medical content, Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Child death

Minor: Stalking, Excrement, Genocide, Rape, and Incest

wichbich's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

• 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

3.75

The first book from this author. It wasn't my favorite story ever, but I enjoyed many of the conventions that were played with and really liked the world building a lot. Would definitely pick up another book from this author, especially if it expands on this world more. The lore was definitely the best part though I did really enjoy the grimey romance element. The characters themselves didn't really have much of an arc but it's a very short book so it makes total sense. All in all I thought it was a fun, interesting read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Suicide, Child death, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Gore, Sexual violence, Murder, Suicide attempt, and Violence

Minor: Blood, Physical abuse, Excrement, Genocide, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts

thelittle_seokmin's review

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I had a lot of fun with this!! Love a dark atmosphere and Giesbrecht does s0 damn well delivering this. Obsessed with the writing!! ☆▪︎☆ (chapter one could've been a short story in of itself o0Ooo0 it's so good~)

I just could've done with more from it? Like i even more depth to the characters, even more explaination of what Florian's goal was. And I need closure in an ending which this didn't really give. It is a bit rushed and a bit too vague. Add a hundred or more pages for more greatness and this probably would've ended up as a fave. ♡♡♡

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Gun violence, Murder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Self harm, and Violence

Moderate: Stalking, Genocide, and Child death

Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Excrement, Incest, Grief, Alcoholism, and Addiction

mthevice's review

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beautiful writing

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Sexual content, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual violence, and Genocide

keen's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Stalking, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Excrement, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence