Reviews tagging 'Excrement'

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

16 reviews

tamara_joy's review

dark medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Body horror, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Excrement

hellavaral's review

dark medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

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

Minor: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Excrement

rungemaille's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

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

3.25

There are aspects of this I really enjoyed — the coastal horror setting (I was reminded of the videogames Dishonored and Dredge, which I've played recently), the Hallenkind mythos, the Leickenbloom family history (although I wish we had more of it).

Others I was not so enamoured with — the rape scene (which, while it was mercifully brief and undetailed, I don't think brought much to the narrative, and could have done without), and

the detailed, brutal description of Kanya's death (I don't begrudge the author her death, it made sense thematically, but the way it happened left me rather uncomfortable)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Rape and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Incest and Excrement

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

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, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Death of parent, and Murder

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, Self harm, Terminal illness, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

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

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

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

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

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

Moderate: Child death, Genocide, and Stalking

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

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

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

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