leahrosereads
Written on May 3, 2020
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 loves 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.
- ISBN10 125022568X
- ISBN13 9781250225689
- Publish Date 24 September 2019
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 5 April 2024
- Publish Country US
- Imprint St Martin's Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 160
- Language English
Reviews
Quirky Cat
Written on Oct 1, 2019
Elendhaven is an old city, and quite possibly a cursed one. It's been decimated by war, plague, and over industrialization. Not much is left to the city. Just it's surviving citizens and a thrilling tale involving the poisoned shores.
The monster of Elendhaven is a creature of the city's making. Perhaps if it wasn't so careless, or so cruel, this creature would never have been born. But that was not to be. No, instead this monster walked out from the ocean to follow a path he doesn't yet understand.
“He got the name when he was three feet and four inches tall, kneeling on the dock with a coin in his palm, from a sailor who stank of rum and fish oil.”
The Monster of Elendhaven was a thrilling and absolutely enchanting read. It's one of those tales that'll worm its way into your skull and take up permanent residence there. There are just some stories you can't walk away from, and this is one of them.
I don't know what I loved more about this story, the lush details and writing style, the characters, or the deliciously dark tone. Individually any of these elements would have been enough to make me fall in love with a novel, but together? Game over. I'm smitten and desperate for more.
Johann and Florian were fascinating characters – almost tragically so. It was thrilling to try and piece together their backstories, while also trying to suss out what the future held for these maladjusted men.
The plot had a delightful way of twisting and turning as the story went on. The storytelling lent for so many detailed and exquisite moments, the sort that takes your breath away. And even when it was over, I found myself desperate to see just a little bit more.
While I'm talking about it – the conclusion itself was truly unique. It made me stop and think, which is really the best sort of ending. I can honestly say that I don't know if this is the last tale for this world, but part of me hopes that we'll be seeing more of Elendhaven someday.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Stephanie
Written on Sep 30, 2019