Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

8 reviews

readingpicnic's review

3.75

I don't really know how I feel about this book...it has to marinate a bit more. I will say that these are some actually morally gray characters in very fucked up ways, which was fun sometimes. I think I got confused about what was happening at some points in the book, and I didn't really understand the ending, so I almost want to reread it... It did keep me guessing the whole book about what was going on, and most of my theories ended up being wrong lol. The lack of consent in this book was upsetting...I'm not sure if it was because the main characters are meant to be fucked up or if it's romanticizing the SA? Pretty fucked though. They are sooo toxic. I don't think I understood either of the main characters' motivations for the entirety of the book whic lended to my confusion. The atmosphere in this book was so incredibly well done: the oiliest, greasiest, grimiest gay book I've ever read. The body horror was also amazing, with disgusting lines like "curdled genitals" on a dead body. Also, why is Johann literally Addie LaRue? Reading this felt like reading a toxic gay anime fanfiction; like, this is what I imagine Noé and Vanitas fanfics are like from the anime The Case Study of Vanitas.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Torture

Moderate: Stalking

tey_lynn's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Gore, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Child death

the_bookish_witch's review

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Gore, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Confinement

cathgotaknife's review

dark lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, and Self harm

Moderate: Rape, Pedophilia, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Vomit, Stalking, Gore, Animal death, Blood, Violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Death of parent, Child death, and Death

abc27's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This novella has been on my radar for quite some time now and how or why I haven’t picked it up til just recently is beyond me. It’s a gory little package that packs one hell of a punch (maybe a couple punches)?

From the writing, to the imagery, to well developed characters. It’s hard to believe 158 pages flew by so quickly. 

Johann and Florian are the perfect brew of gothic vibes and just enough pressure to scare you, but not enough to kill you. 

Anyway, onto another crisis of figuring out what a name is. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Body horror, and Body shaming

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

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

bookishvicky's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

How do I find the words to describe this book. First of all, Johann. Johann. Monster himself. Good golly god in heaven. Oh my god. Sorry I actually can’t finish this review I need to stare at a wall and think about the absolute chaos, longing, suffering, lusting, killing—this book is revenge and filth and honey and I just wish it was 300 pages longer. This will have you smirking and gasping and laughing and just hating/loving every character. This is a gem. 

Although

as awful as the cherubic bastard was, really wish we got more Johann/Florian scenes. I Loveeed their dynamic

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Death, and Blood

Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt