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davechua's review
4.0
A novella that really felt like it should have been twice or thrice as long. There's a lot of worldbuilding, an intriguing duo and some great prose.
However, it just doesn't come together and the second half of the book felt rather perfunctory. The main character is the monster who is not a sympathetic protagonist, and the gruesomeness might not appeal to some.
Would love to read more from the writer.
However, it just doesn't come together and the second half of the book felt rather perfunctory. The main character is the monster who is not a sympathetic protagonist, and the gruesomeness might not appeal to some.
Would love to read more from the writer.
the_alexeli's review
5.0
What a perfect note to end October on!
So. Freaking. Good.
It is rare, the novella that can make me fall in love. Before now, Muderbot was my one true novella lover. But now it seems we have another contender.
What a brutal little creature this story is. With lush writing and creative mythology, the world of Elendhaven seems both new and familiar at the same time. Filled to the brim with murder and mayhem, the story quickly drags you into it's depths and keeps locked tight with it's intrigue, magic, and, oddly, perversity.
All of the stars.
Please give me another.
So. Freaking. Good.
It is rare, the novella that can make me fall in love. Before now, Muderbot was my one true novella lover. But now it seems we have another contender.
What a brutal little creature this story is. With lush writing and creative mythology, the world of Elendhaven seems both new and familiar at the same time. Filled to the brim with murder and mayhem, the story quickly drags you into it's depths and keeps locked tight with it's intrigue, magic, and, oddly, perversity.
All of the stars.
Please give me another.
whattamess's review
3.0
Interesting. Feels as though it's riding on the skirt tails of [b:Johannes Cabal the Necromancer|5750628|Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (Johannes Cabal, #1)|Jonathan L. Howard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442673488l/5750628._SY75_.jpg|3565583] Makes a nice little horror-weekend read.
sleepieseelie's review
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Dang... I really enjoyed this until the end. It's a book with beautiful gothic prose and characters who are deliciously awful--an undead creature and a mage seeking revenge and the cure for death.
This book was a lot shorter than I expected and while that isn't a problem in and of itself (I appreciate short fiction and seeing what writers can get across in that short space!!), the ending felt almost cheap and definitely unsatisfying. A lot is left up to interpretation which isn't really my thing especially when it comes to significant plot points and worldbuilding. And then there was Florian's fate, which felt a little out of nowhere.
Overall I really really enjoyed this story and its characters, but unfortunately felt a little stung by the last 10 or so pages.
This book was a lot shorter than I expected and while that isn't a problem in and of itself (I appreciate short fiction and seeing what writers can get across in that short space!!), the ending felt almost cheap and definitely unsatisfying. A lot is left up to interpretation which isn't really my thing especially when it comes to significant plot points and worldbuilding. And then there was Florian's fate, which felt a little out of nowhere.
Overall I really really enjoyed this story and its characters, but unfortunately felt a little stung by the last 10 or so pages.
rocks_and_bones's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
clairedeluna's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so good but why did it have to end like that :(((((
spadedigsbutts's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Incest, Xenophobia, and Classism