The Monster of Elendhaven
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4.1 • 25 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
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.
Set against the backdrop of the plague-ridden city of Elendhaven, clinging to the edge of the ocean and stripped of all hope, you’ll find a tale of retribution, magic, and the monstrous.
The city isn't the only one fighting against demise; lurking in the shadows dwells a monster. With a soul as icy as it is cunning, it weaves itself around throats, immune from the grips of death. A puppet to its fragile master who sends it on perilous errands, it becomes a weapon in a scheme too monstrous to name. As the bond between the master and the monster tightens, a catastrophic revenge plan is formed.
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.
“A tight, perfectly crafted story about retribution and what monsters deserve; stylish, quirky, and weirdly sexy? I’m into it.” —R. F. Kuang, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Full of foul, intoxicating odors and fouler characters, this disquieting short novel employs serial suicide and multiple homicides to offer criticism of its decadent setting. In vaguely Victorian, coal-grimed Elendhaven, Johann, a supernatural companion mistakenly summoned by sorcerer Florian Leickenbloom, becomes Florian's assistant in crafting a plan to reintroduce a deadly plague. Florian, last heir of the fallen Leickenbloom fortune, schemes to collapse Elendhaven's nouveau riche elites and take vengeance on the neighboring countries who profited on the devastation wrought by the previous plague outbreak. Opposing him and Johann is a Mage Hunter who's charged with removing either Florian's magic or his life. Giesbrecht tries for a sardonic tone in showing how societies deserve the monsters that they produce, but the imagery of pestilence and splattered bodily fluids tips the balance from picaresque to grotesque. Her work goes beyond grimdark to something more like grimglum, and few readers will be able to stick it out even for the brief length of this misery-marinated story.
Customer Reviews
Engrossing, dark, and substantial.
Had access to it before release and it’s an impeccable first novel. Whip smart and darkly humorous, Monster of Elendhaven is a novel carved as expertly as its titular characters leave their victims. Revenge, sensuality, necromancy: guaranteed a fun time even in lesser hands. The world building and characters will leave you hungry for so much more from the author. Can’t wait to see her future work!