Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

9 reviews

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt