matissaflono's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
phoenyxsworn's review against another edition
5.0
Words fail me... this was beautifully sinister and Im ready to throw a hallenroe into the waters so I can get another book from Jennifer Giesbrecht!
benreadshorror's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cypherly__'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shadowspinner's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Death of parent
literarynessie's review against another edition
3.0
Power was sweeter than apples. It was cheaper than water, and sustained the soul twice as well. If Johann was going to be a Thing with a name, then from now on he would be a Thing with power, too.
If I had to sum up this novella, I'd describe it as a weirdly enchanting horror novel. I found the prose descriptive and lush. Unfortunately, it took me an entire year to want to finish the story. I read about half last year, got bored, and started over just in time to finish before 2020 ended. This was a really different book and it's definitely an acquired taste. I rate books I read based on personal enjoyment more than I do quality. I will say that the ending was satisfyingly full of action!
"Unwise to dream of death in a world where someone has the power to make those dreams come true."
If I had to sum up this novella, I'd describe it as a weirdly enchanting horror novel. I found the prose descriptive and lush. Unfortunately, it took me an entire year to want to finish the story. I read about half last year, got bored, and started over just in time to finish before 2020 ended. This was a really different book and it's definitely an acquired taste. I rate books I read based on personal enjoyment more than I do quality. I will say that the ending was satisfyingly full of action!
"Unwise to dream of death in a world where someone has the power to make those dreams come true."
joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
Such a curious and quick novella. Giesbrecht's writing is lyrical and lovely, carrying the momentum of the story along easily with a balance of character, action, and worldbuilding. There is plenty here that is left unexplained or touched on simply, but the story doesn't suffer for the brevity. Gritty, disturbing, and humorous in equal measure, The Monster of Elendhaven is multiple things. At its center, we find the monster himself--an uncertain being of violence and wit in an world teetering on the edge, a creature if mystery and magic uncertain even to himself.
But the monster finds himself not so alone as he once believed. An illegal sorcerer, hiding his nature from society, has his own dark plans for the city that holds him. And so the monsters are drawn together in a quest for vengeance and bloodshed. And so the story unfolds, but not so simply as might it might seem at first.
While the delivery is occasionally uneven in its construction, Giesbrecht brings together ideas of myth and industry, determination and identity, sexual desire and harbored secrets. The past shapes the course forward and a name is a powerful piece of knowing who a person truly is. But as secrets and violence are dealt out or forgotten, ignored and revealed--the nature of the monsters and the mark they will leave upon the world is still to be revealed.
But the monster finds himself not so alone as he once believed. An illegal sorcerer, hiding his nature from society, has his own dark plans for the city that holds him. And so the monsters are drawn together in a quest for vengeance and bloodshed. And so the story unfolds, but not so simply as might it might seem at first.
While the delivery is occasionally uneven in its construction, Giesbrecht brings together ideas of myth and industry, determination and identity, sexual desire and harbored secrets. The past shapes the course forward and a name is a powerful piece of knowing who a person truly is. But as secrets and violence are dealt out or forgotten, ignored and revealed--the nature of the monsters and the mark they will leave upon the world is still to be revealed.