Name: Molly M's review of The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht
Item: The Monster of Elendhaven
Rating: 3
Author: Molly M

Jennifer Giesbrecht

“A black tide of perversity, violence, and lush writing. I loved it.” —Joe Hill Debut author Jennifer Giesbrecht paints a darkly compelling fantasy of revenge in The Monster of Elendhaven, a dark fantasy about murder, a monster, and the magician who love both. The city of Elendhaven sulks on the edge of the ocean. Wracked by plague, abandoned by the South, stripped of industry and left to die. But not everything dies so easily. A thing without a name stalks the city, a thing shaped like a man, with a dark heart and long pale fingers yearning to wrap around throats. A monster who cannot die. His frail master sends him out on errands, twisting him with magic, crafting a plan too cruel to name, while the monster’s heart grows fonder and colder and more cunning. These monsters of Elendhaven will have their revenge on everyone who wronged the city, even if they have to burn the world to do it.

The Monster of Elendhaven

☽ jess ☾

Molly M

this book is not as good as it thinks it is. i might have loved it in early high school

it was sooooo good and then florian being introduced ruined it !!

envie,

Krystyna 

Overall, I enjoyed this story. It took me a little bit to decide how I felt about this book and I'm still not quite sure. There were times that I felt confused while reading. But, I enjoyed the writing and the story was definitely a gory, dark fantasy. The story involved magic, murder, and revenge. But, it also involved a relationship between two characters that found comfort and solace in one another. I also found parts throughout this story humorous. I enjoy novellas but the only issue I have with them is that most of the time I wish they were longer, as with this one. I wanted more from the story. I wanted more history and back story of these characters. This is a quick read that would be ideal for the fall, especially October.

C. J. Daley 

This was on my wishlist for so long! I recently saw it on a list of great ‘horror novellas,’ so I decided to finally grab it for this spooky season. Such a cool cover and nice quality for a little hardcover novella. 

Firstly, this story is very inventive. A dark and criminal world, the dark and criminal city of Elendhaven, the dark and criminal population, all of it read well for me. This is best labeled as a fantasy horror. There’s world-building, magic, a sorcerer, an industrial-era-esque cityscape, an assassin/gutter rat, and a mage-hunter. I enjoyed the writing and also how the author presented the world. Whenever a story has swords/knives, magic, and firearms, my mind always goes directly to the Dishonored video game franchise. Which is a good thing, because I love Dishonored. Not to mention the dirty, back-alleyed hustle of the city. Definitely a hit for me. 

Secondly, with this being a novella, the pace was fast. With that being said, I still kind of felt like it didn’t exactly lead somewhere, there should have been more, or a more definite ending. I didn’t dislike the way it ended, it just felt like it didn’t exactly jive with where it was headed originally, but maybe that’s the point… 

Personally a 3.5/5*. Enjoyable, quick, spooky.

This was weird, just so weird (in a good way though. If you want something short and spooky with strange characters read this! I’m glad it’s a novella really because I couldn’t have read more than this of the story so it was great for me.

Alice Main

Really loved this book, the characters and world were so fascinating to get into. Johann was my favourite character for sure, I loved his twisted, yet somehow innocent and immature world view.

The romance was perverse and steeped in blood and I loved it, loved how wrong and barbaric it was. A relationship more akin to a dog and his master than a love.

The only thing preventing me from giving the book 5 stars was the ending, as to me it felt quite unclear as to what had transpired between Johann and Florian at the end of their time together. It was as if we were left of a cliff hanger, and then given another cliff hanger.

Other than the last few pages I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the writing style. Would definitely reccomend, and I hope that there is more to come.

Sheena

First and foremost, the author did an amazing job building up the storyline that focused on Florian and Johann sick and twisted relationship that hit the odd and quite romantic venture in this horror and fantasy novel. At first I wasn't sure where this read was heading to but due to the easy writing style and the author's ability to create a unique concept and verse group of leading characters, it was not hard to become immersed in our lead monsters fantasy world. I would notate that despite actually somewhat kinda sorta liking this horror read, the characters lacked depth and towards the end, the grittiness lost its momentum when the romantic aspect dropped in but that did not in any way shape or form defer me from enjoying this read. To sum it all up, I would definitely consider reading from this author in the future if she continues to release similar concepts and refreshing characters such as she did with "The Monster of Elendhaven".

Haley Sherman

I just finished this. I almost want to pick it up again and start it over. This is one of those books where a second read through would point out so much. Loved every minute of it. Highly recommend though it is rather violent. Little gory. Nothing unmanageable though.

Brianna

Fullmetal alchemist meets Frankenstein mixed with a bit of serial killer intrigue. A world I would have liked to see more of.

i am very torn up about this book.

on one side, it has a fantastic premise - it is deeply atmospheric and gothic, it is gorey and gruesome. the story itself is intriguing and the motives and themes are incredibly appeaing to me. it has a (potentially) fantastic dynamic between its main characters (i could easily see myself obsessed with it).

however, the execution of it all leaves a lot to be desired. the writing style seemed not as refined as the story called for - or maybe the story was just very poorly suited for this medium. for example, anna from readsrainbow - whose opinion i greatly trust - said that the audiobook was fantastic. i, personally, think this would make a delicious limited series. but as a traditional read, it felt rushed, underdeveloped and unpolished.

(a side note but apparently the author is a former homestuck fanfic author and you could enjoy or not enjoy the book without knowing that - i, myself, found out only halfway through - but so many things about this book suddenly make sense.)

Charlotte Rayfield

This book was sort and gothic and creepy and very very very gay. The characters were real and somewhat intoxicating. Will definitely read next year.

Natalie Sypeck 

2.5 stars
I don't quite know what to make of this story. It was so strange and I could never get a grip on what was happening. I always had a vague idea, but nothing solid, especially when it came to the ending. I though the writing was odd but somewhat poetic at times. When I tried to think of a word to describe this book I kept thinking "greasy". I rather new to horror and I find that I struggle to make it through books that don't seem to have an snippets of light in them. I guess it's something I'll have to get used to since I do want to get into the horror genre more. I think if you want a dirty and odd book, then this is the book for you. I really do wish I understood the characters relationship better. I almost feel as if I should re-read this someday to see if I can wrap my head around it a bit better.

Jordan Robinson

Wow, I didnt like that. What was the point?

Isabela L.

“Monster was the best, his favorite word. The first half was a kiss, the second a hiss.”
HELL YEAH BE GAY DO CRIME

Jales

it was just ok for me, i mean nothing that bothered me or anything, but also nothing that impressed me a lot. the chemistry between those two was on point tho.

Elodia

** spoiler alert **
           So I’m definitely in the minority here but I didn’t like this. The characters were one-dimensional, and while I liked the romance, it took over the story, which I didn’t like. The ending left me really confused.

Chloe Parpworth-Reynolds

 Bruna Acioly Leão

This was a very good creepy read for this time of the year. 

I felt involved in the atmosphere of the story right away and I also really like how the author explored the themes of monstrousness and what it means to be a monster and how monsters are created, or who the monsters really are. There is a lot of darkness in this and I approve.

It is more on the weird side of fantasy and some things are left open-ended and unexplained, which doesn't bother me, as it fits with the mysteriousness of the story.

☽ jess ☾ &
The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

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☽ jess ☾ &The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

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☽ jess ☾ &
The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht