Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

39 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

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

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

bitter_rabbit's review

dark mysterious reflective

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Body horror, and Gore

Moderate: Blood, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Murder

Minor: Child abuse

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

miyothecat's review

challenging dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Blood, and Body horror

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

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

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