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camilla_hovda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_p0ssum_'s review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is beautiful
rachael_amber's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received a free e-copy of this book via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
This was an enjoyable book! I liked Verna and Audrey, but I feel like their characters could have been fleshed out a bit more. I would have liked a bit more backstory of the war, and how old the main characters were when everything went down. At some point it seemed like they must have been pretty young, but at others it sounded like they were teenagers, so it was a bit confusing.
The writing was good and the story flowed well. I'm so intrigued by the monster, Elogona. What is it? Where did it come from? The mystery and suspense was great.
Overall, a solid, enjoyable book :)
This was an enjoyable book! I liked Verna and Audrey, but I feel like their characters could have been fleshed out a bit more. I would have liked a bit more backstory of the war, and how old the main characters were when everything went down. At some point it seemed like they must have been pretty young, but at others it sounded like they were teenagers, so it was a bit confusing.
The writing was good and the story flowed well. I'm so intrigued by the monster, Elogona. What is it? Where did it come from? The mystery and suspense was great.
Overall, a solid, enjoyable book :)
winniehans's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Elogona was a 4.5 star read for me.
In a postwar apocalyptic world the mainland isn’t safe anymore and people seek refuge on the island Verna calls her home. But the island is enclosed by the Seagoddess Elogona who threatens the lives of the Islands inhabitants. Once a year the people sacrifice a Maiden to Elogona. And in between all of this Verna tries to fall in love.
I really liked the characters. They were portrayed very interesting and the whole world is incredibly intriguing. Since this is a fairly short book there wasn’t much time for world building. Nonetheless it didn’t feel rushed or left many questions unanswered.
I was compelled by the story and rooting for the main character all the way.
My main point of criticism is the end. I feel as if there was just one twist too many and instead the author could have taken more time properly delving into the things that were happening.
Overall it was a really great and fast read with an interesting story and a great morale.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In a postwar apocalyptic world the mainland isn’t safe anymore and people seek refuge on the island Verna calls her home. But the island is enclosed by the Seagoddess Elogona who threatens the lives of the Islands inhabitants. Once a year the people sacrifice a Maiden to Elogona. And in between all of this Verna tries to fall in love.
I really liked the characters. They were portrayed very interesting and the whole world is incredibly intriguing. Since this is a fairly short book there wasn’t much time for world building. Nonetheless it didn’t feel rushed or left many questions unanswered.
I was compelled by the story and rooting for the main character all the way.
My main point of criticism is the end. I feel as if there was just one twist too many and instead the author could have taken more time properly delving into the things that were happening.
Overall it was a really great and fast read with an interesting story and a great morale.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
greymouse's review
3.0
Elogona was an interesting sapphic story that was almost a mix of the handmaid’s tale and hell followed with us. A really quick read both pessimistic and hopeful. I enjoyed how things didn’t end neatly nor nicely which spoke to the world that the characters found themselves living in. Although this “happy ending” didn’t occur there was still a bittersweet hopefulness to the end. It gave the impression of there being a future to live for even if it’s not the one that is ideal or envisioned for yourself.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
ericarobyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Elogona by Samantha Kolesnik is a tale of love and despair set in a town where hatred and appalling actions are commonplace in their community.
After fleeing dangers on the mainland, those who dare try to cross the sea to get to this island risk almost certain death. It’s not just the weather and the ocean that are the danger, however, it’s the sea beast, Elogona.
But can life on this island be what these refugees are seeking, or are the dangers lurking in this community even more dangerous?
Following the two main characters, we see two women hopelessly in love with one another in a town that hatefully calls them sinners and will do anything to keep them apart. But they’re not going down without a fight!
Oh boy, will this read fill you with rage! On one hand, many characters made me want to scream. The author crushed it when getting these horrible people on the page. I found myself physically shaking with anger at many things that were said and done.
On the other hand, we had the more heartwarming characters that try to balance the darkness. These characters appear like taper candles trying to light up a deep, dark, enormous cavern. Try as they might, they just can’t light up the space. Even so, it’s nice to see them try.
Working around the most terrifying question, which is more dangerous, the human monsters or the mythical ones, this tale will have you read to read while peeking through your fingers!
My Favorite Passages from Elogona –
Verna loved to worship the present moment — the sound of a summer shower raining down on the tree canopy; the soft indent of wet sand beneath her feet; and right now, most of all, the shine of Audrey’s pale-blonde hair, curled out at the ends like it was trying to grow toward a light source.
Everyone and everything wanted to feast on women. Verna only wanted to love one.
Tears cascaded, and Verna could see that there was a separate ocean within Audrey, as mythical and deep as the one surrounding the island.
Male gaze has always felt like a residue she didn’t deserve and couldn’t wash off.
Verna rapped her knuckles on the door and waited. It was scary to be there after so long away — a realization that filled her with heavy sorrow. No one should feel this scared to go home, she thought.
Most people stepped aside and let the loudest voices rule, so long as those loud voices persecuted someone else. For most, it was easy to sit back and let other people suffer.
My Final Thoughts on Elogona –
The emotional roller coaster this one sent me on… From start to finish, this read drips dread and darkness. Strap in and make sure your seat belt is fastened nice and tight before giving this one a read!
Fans of bleak horror with terrifying monsters (both human and creature), you need to experience this tale!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
remus_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I received Elogona as an ARC on booksirens. All opinions are my own and I‘m leaving this review voluntarily.
This is another sapphic horror fantasy and it did not disappoint!
It is set on an island in a dystopian society. I loved how the author explored themes of religion because it showed what might happen in the case of an apocalypse.
One religious group worships the sea monster Elogona and the christians fear it and see it as the devil.
Both groups are convinced that a maiden must be sacrificed to Elogona.
The lore and worldbuilding was very intriguing and I would have loved to know more about the world itself!
I liked the writing style and it was very clear without too flowery language. Especially in the beginning there were several beautiful quotes.
Verna had clearly dealt with and seen a lot of violence against women and I liked how much she was shown as an outsider.
„She would rather feed her body to a lonely ocean God than to a craven human man.“
I didn‘t feel much of a connection to Audrey but I did like her relationship with Verna. It wasn‘t explored much but it felt very beautiful. Audrey seemed less secure in her sexuality and was less bold than Verna.
In my opinion there should‘ve been a bit more „creepiness“ and horror vibes in the book. The themes were rather dark but it didn‘t leave me with a creepy feeling.
Overall I enjoyed the book and I‘d recommend it to fans of sapphic horror and books filled with unhinged women!
Trigger warnings for sexual assault, sexism, homophobia, human sacrifice, religious bigotry
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia
toastqueen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is such a beautiful and heartbreaking sapphic horror novella. It tells the story of Verna and Audrey, who live on an island and fall in love after the apocalypse. Unfortunately, most of the people on the island are not accepting of queer people and force them apart. Councilman Hillard decides to take Audrey as his wife and Verna is chosen to be a sacrifice to Elogona, a monster that lives in the sea. The events of this novella show how easy it can be for people who are scared to give up their freedom in exchange for security. I will someday reread this when I can handle the tragic ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Gore, Death of parent, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Death
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