Reviews tagging 'Excrement'

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

13 reviews

scottsland_yard's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

2.5

I was excited to read this after finding a signed copy in a local bookshop, though I was a little let down once actually reading it. Though at times I found the characters fun/likeable at times, the majority of the time I was too busy trying to figure out what was going on with the plot (and not in a fun mystery way) 

The plot line is convoluted and difficult to follow, the characters come across as a bit try-hard edgy (though they do have their moments), and the world building is lacking in substance and clear rules, especially around the use of magic. 

It reads like a Sweeney Todd fan adapted a fanfiction, which is unfortunate. 

That being said, it's definitely not the worst thing I've read, and I'm sure some would find it quite enjoyable. It's fantastical and gory, and it's a huge bonus that the main two characters are gay. Or at least, into each other. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Child death, Murder, Physical abuse, Excrement, Gore, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Cursing

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

jenareuter's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Medical content, Violence, Death of parent, Body horror, Gore, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content, Stalking, Physical abuse, Bullying, Self harm, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Child death and Alcohol

vigil's review

dark emotional funny tense slow-paced

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

3.75

the venn diagram of comedy and horror is a circle.

the plot is mostly straightforward until you reach the ending where things get murky.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Excrement, Grief, Murder, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Violence, Blood, Body horror, and Chronic illness

micheala's review

dark medium-paced

• 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

2.5

This is a case of knowing a book isn't going to be your cup of tea, and reading it anyways. The author is from Halifax, Nova Scotia and as this is my first weekend since moving here, when I saw it at the thrift store I just had to buy it.

It's a weird horror novella, kind of steampunk/fantasy feeling. It's super dark and graphic, and totally out of my comfort zone.

While I didn't necessarily like the plot or the characters, I will say that it is well written. So if your a fan of horror I would definitely give it a shot. I would recommend looking up some content warnings as it has some big ones.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicide, Stalking, and Violence

Moderate: Excrement, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, and Vomit

orcamagicka's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

A short and easy gothic read full of homoerotic tension, lush prose, absolutely disgusting yet clever descriptions of gore and filth, and two wicked men with near polar opposite yet equally captivating personalities. And despite Johann’s depraved behavior and blackened morality, his witty commentary and “out of pocket” personality had me a bit charmed (then again I love a good nasty villain 👀).

I wish the story could have been 30-50 pages longer, the world building was interesting and has a LOT of potential. It seems like the city was its own character rather than just being a setting, which I love. And while captivating, I wish Johann and Florian’s relationship could have developed more slowly and been a bit more in depth, that way the climax could have had way more of an emotional punch.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Excrement

Minor: Rape and Sexual harassment

inferiorwit's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Stalking, Self harm, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Drug use

Moderate: Sexual violence and Rape

Minor: Sexual content and Excrement