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gloomypanda's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Rape and Physical abuse
ryleezittlau's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
0.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
archaicrobin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tyson is a famous horror writer struggling to stay relevant in the digital age. When his longtime girlfriend buys him a beautiful but mysterious desk for his birthday, he’s struck by a sudden urge to write. Creating a bestselling, gruesome, horror novel basically overnight under the dark influence of this new desk. Tyson starts to experience a relief to his writers block but at what cost? With violent urges, troubling dreams, and aggressive behavior, it quickly becomes clear the desk is more than just a furniture piece.
I really enjoyed this novel’s classic horror vibes and while I usually hate books being compared to others, this one really did remind me of King’s novels in the masculine characterizations and the dark turns the book takes. I love haunted items and this desk was truly monstrous.
A few minor things that I didn’t like was the pacing and some of the more dated tropes, the usual misogyny, sexual violence and a weird fat phobia scene that felt very unnecessary. The book starts doff strong, slowed to a crawl, sped up again, and then kinda fizzled out at the end. If this was paced a little better, it might have had a stronger impact but was still a fun ride.
Also trigger warning for violence, rape, and domestic abuse!
If all that sounds like things you can handle I would suggest trying Gothic, it’s a solid horror novel with a haunted object which we don’t see a lot these days! I would also highly suggest the audiobook, the narration really brought the characters to life .
I really enjoyed this novel’s classic horror vibes and while I usually hate books being compared to others, this one really did remind me of King’s novels in the masculine characterizations and the dark turns the book takes. I love haunted items and this desk was truly monstrous.
A few minor things that I didn’t like was the pacing and some of the more dated tropes, the usual misogyny, sexual violence and a weird fat phobia scene that felt very unnecessary. The book starts doff strong, slowed to a crawl, sped up again, and then kinda fizzled out at the end. If this was paced a little better, it might have had a stronger impact but was still a fun ride.
Also trigger warning for violence, rape, and domestic abuse!
If all that sounds like things you can handle I would suggest trying Gothic, it’s a solid horror novel with a haunted object which we don’t see a lot these days! I would also highly suggest the audiobook, the narration really brought the characters to life .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexism, and Sexual assault
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