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Elogona
An evocative tale of sapphic love in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by religious zealots and supernatural monsters.
Kolesnik’s Elogona transports readers to a time after the world’s end, when a long-dormant sea creature has awoken to stake its claim against one of the last human settlements.
Verna must battle both man and monster to protect her family and her newfound love for Audrey, a refugee from the mainland.
Meanwhile, the Elogona calls…
Kolesnik’s Elogona transports readers to a time after the world’s end, when a long-dormant sea creature has awoken to stake its claim against one of the last human settlements.
Verna must battle both man and monster to protect her family and her newfound love for Audrey, a refugee from the mainland.
Meanwhile, the Elogona calls…
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2023
7 people are currently reading
2850 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Kolesnik
15 books447 followersSamantha Kolesnik is a retired author, filmmaker, and artist. She is best known for her books Waif (2021) and True Crime (2020).
She is also the author of the YA novella Elogona (Weirdpunk Books) and the short fiction collection Tales From Between Presents: Samantha Kolesnik’s Lonesome Haunts.
Her short films have screened at festivals internationally. Her directorial debut, Mama's Boy, premiered at the Telluride Horror Show.
After enduring significant trauma and focusing on recovery from PTSD, Kolesnik has chosen to step away from writing and publishing.
She is also the author of the YA novella Elogona (Weirdpunk Books) and the short fiction collection Tales From Between Presents: Samantha Kolesnik’s Lonesome Haunts.
Her short films have screened at festivals internationally. Her directorial debut, Mama's Boy, premiered at the Telluride Horror Show.
After enduring significant trauma and focusing on recovery from PTSD, Kolesnik has chosen to step away from writing and publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 22, 2023
I don't read a ton of YA, so I'm reviewing this solely on story alone regardless of age group or genre.
ELOGONA is the latest from Samantha Kolesnik and one of the many things I love about Samantha and her writing is that she does something markedly different each and every time she puts out a book. The unique voice and style are there no matter what but Kolesnik proves she can write in pretty much any genre or headspace at this point. Southern gothic killer road elegy with TRUE CRIME, sapphic grindhouse with WAIF, extreme horror and splatterpunk with her half of BELETH STATION, and now queer YA dark fantasy with ELOGONA.
You'd be hard pressed to find a lot of other legitimately talented authors unafraid to explore something different with each release. Like an auteur director tackling a new film genre, this bodes so well for future books from Samantha Kolensik.
A somber, aching, yearning, porofundly sad and yes even angry post-apocalyptic dark fantasy romance drama thriller. This has a ton going for it and it literally jumps right in with the forbidden romance between Audrey and Verna. No long preamble, no awkward setup. We are thrust into the daily lives of a community of survivors after the end of the world as we know it, all of them living out their existence on an isolated island lorded over by a massive sea monster known only as ELOGONA. Some worship it as a deity and give sacrifices to it, others say it is a punishment from God. Of course, no good comes from any of this and young newcomer Audrey and outcast islander Verna struggle to stay together depsite all the meanness and cruelty swirling around them.
Did I mention there's a sea witch?
Yeah there's a sea witch, too.
And Elogona's out there. Waiting to swallow up another ship foolish enough to brave the waters.
Follow it's siren song to the heart of human vice and corruption. To the evils of man and the woe it brings upon the world.
You'll root for Audrey and Verna's love to conquer all. But if you've read ANYTHING from Samantha Kolesnik, you know such a thing isn't exactly easy to come by.
To say I can't wait for what she tackles next genre-wise is a massive understatement.
Eve if you don't read YA much, I think you'll really enjoy this moody and unforgettable look into the dark heart of survival and the insipid lengths people will go to in order to remain comfortable and uninvolved in the horrors all around them.
ELOGONA is the latest from Samantha Kolesnik and one of the many things I love about Samantha and her writing is that she does something markedly different each and every time she puts out a book. The unique voice and style are there no matter what but Kolesnik proves she can write in pretty much any genre or headspace at this point. Southern gothic killer road elegy with TRUE CRIME, sapphic grindhouse with WAIF, extreme horror and splatterpunk with her half of BELETH STATION, and now queer YA dark fantasy with ELOGONA.
You'd be hard pressed to find a lot of other legitimately talented authors unafraid to explore something different with each release. Like an auteur director tackling a new film genre, this bodes so well for future books from Samantha Kolensik.
A somber, aching, yearning, porofundly sad and yes even angry post-apocalyptic dark fantasy romance drama thriller. This has a ton going for it and it literally jumps right in with the forbidden romance between Audrey and Verna. No long preamble, no awkward setup. We are thrust into the daily lives of a community of survivors after the end of the world as we know it, all of them living out their existence on an isolated island lorded over by a massive sea monster known only as ELOGONA. Some worship it as a deity and give sacrifices to it, others say it is a punishment from God. Of course, no good comes from any of this and young newcomer Audrey and outcast islander Verna struggle to stay together depsite all the meanness and cruelty swirling around them.
Did I mention there's a sea witch?
Yeah there's a sea witch, too.
And Elogona's out there. Waiting to swallow up another ship foolish enough to brave the waters.
Follow it's siren song to the heart of human vice and corruption. To the evils of man and the woe it brings upon the world.
You'll root for Audrey and Verna's love to conquer all. But if you've read ANYTHING from Samantha Kolesnik, you know such a thing isn't exactly easy to come by.
To say I can't wait for what she tackles next genre-wise is a massive understatement.
Eve if you don't read YA much, I think you'll really enjoy this moody and unforgettable look into the dark heart of survival and the insipid lengths people will go to in order to remain comfortable and uninvolved in the horrors all around them.
December 15, 2024
Well that was weird.
December 22, 2023
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.
March 18, 2025
I was a little confused about the backstory, like what happened in the outside world that they had to go to the island? Also the point of having elogonites v. christians since it seemed like there wasn't a noticibale difference between the religions. I thought Elogona was a beautiful mythical creature and would have loved to hear jer tunes. I would def be an elogonite that feared but respected her, that's usually how i feel about the spiritual world. I love verna's tenacity and kill all men attitude. I feel tenderly towards the outcast lesbian that refuses to bow down to men. "Everyone and everything wanted to feast on women. Verna only wanted to love one." I think her love story with Audrey was really sweetie. I didn't liek the ending where she did all that work and then Audrey ended up dying and she just saved her ass???? like idk the ending felt really rushed. i would have loved if the fever dream of Elogona turning all the sacrificed maidens into mermaids was real. "Verna did not fear the water because the men feared the water, and anything that the men feared could be a friend to women."
January 20, 2024
This novella is a dystopian YA novella, which is vastly different from the previous novella I read by this author. That being said, I really enjoyed this one.
We follow Verna & Audrey on an island that doesn’t recognize them or their love of each other. It’s a world where women are coupled off to men to “save themselves” from being sacrificed to the beast of the ocean, Elogona.
This novella is both heartbreaking and infuriating. My heart absolutely broke for both our MC’s, their lives, and the absolute travesty that their lives are. They’ve both endured so much trauma, so much pain, so much sorrow.
The writing is flawlessly done, and has a way of pulling you in. It’s a beautiful broken tale of lost love in my opinion, and she does a wonderful job of writing it.
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is I feel the ending was a bit rushed, and left a bit to be desired. If it weren’t for that, this would have been an absolute 5 🌟 read for me.
I want to thank #booksirens & the author for allowing me to read this!
We follow Verna & Audrey on an island that doesn’t recognize them or their love of each other. It’s a world where women are coupled off to men to “save themselves” from being sacrificed to the beast of the ocean, Elogona.
This novella is both heartbreaking and infuriating. My heart absolutely broke for both our MC’s, their lives, and the absolute travesty that their lives are. They’ve both endured so much trauma, so much pain, so much sorrow.
The writing is flawlessly done, and has a way of pulling you in. It’s a beautiful broken tale of lost love in my opinion, and she does a wonderful job of writing it.
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is I feel the ending was a bit rushed, and left a bit to be desired. If it weren’t for that, this would have been an absolute 5 🌟 read for me.
I want to thank #booksirens & the author for allowing me to read this!
November 11, 2024
GRANDE fan de Weirdpunk books, merci pour l’horreur gay, c’est l’fun
Want to read
December 13, 2023I LOVE THIS COVER SO MUCH WTF!!! It looks like a cool vintage movie poster to me...
December 10, 2023
When the new Samantha Kolesnik novella was announced to be released by Weirdpunk Books, I was overwelmed with excitement. One of my favorite writers releasing a novella on one of my favorite presses is the best gift I could ever receive. Samantha Kolesnik has made a name for herself with two smash hit novellas True Crime and Waif. Both of these novellas, along with a couple chapbooks, some anthology stories, and editing the anthology Worst Laid Plans, has made her book announcements always rocket to the top of my most anticipated releases list. Elogona is no exception.
Set in a post-war apocalyptic world, the novella is about two girls, Verna and Audrey. They live on an island that is terrorized by a sea creature, Elogona. The way the Council helps appease this creature is to give a yearly sacrifice at the Maiden’s Feast. Since Verna and Audrey’s love for each other is blossoming, it is not surprising that they become the targets of the island Council to be the next maidens for Elogona.
The story is compelling, and the writing is so perfect. Kolesnik has a talent for the way she tells a story, constructs scenes, and develops worlds in a way that cannot be taught. Within the first five pages, with just Audrey and Verna talking as friends on the beach, we know so much about the community they are living in, the dangers in the sea, the corruption of the council officials, and how no woman on the island is safe. She naturally portrays the power dynamics on the island between the men and women, the original settlers and newer refugees, and the clash of the generations. She does this with no long paragraphs of information dumps for world building. The scenes feel so organic that it would not take much to convince me that there really is a huge sea creature that is eating the inhabitants of an island, and Samantha Kolesnik is right there documenting events as they happened. Her writing is so clear and her stories are so compelling because they all feel believable.
I received Elogona as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I am excited to have a new Samantha Kolesnik novella, and I hope to read more of her work in the future.
Set in a post-war apocalyptic world, the novella is about two girls, Verna and Audrey. They live on an island that is terrorized by a sea creature, Elogona. The way the Council helps appease this creature is to give a yearly sacrifice at the Maiden’s Feast. Since Verna and Audrey’s love for each other is blossoming, it is not surprising that they become the targets of the island Council to be the next maidens for Elogona.
The story is compelling, and the writing is so perfect. Kolesnik has a talent for the way she tells a story, constructs scenes, and develops worlds in a way that cannot be taught. Within the first five pages, with just Audrey and Verna talking as friends on the beach, we know so much about the community they are living in, the dangers in the sea, the corruption of the council officials, and how no woman on the island is safe. She naturally portrays the power dynamics on the island between the men and women, the original settlers and newer refugees, and the clash of the generations. She does this with no long paragraphs of information dumps for world building. The scenes feel so organic that it would not take much to convince me that there really is a huge sea creature that is eating the inhabitants of an island, and Samantha Kolesnik is right there documenting events as they happened. Her writing is so clear and her stories are so compelling because they all feel believable.
I received Elogona as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I am excited to have a new Samantha Kolesnik novella, and I hope to read more of her work in the future.
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January 7, 2024I 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
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
January 11, 2024
If you're looking for a YA leaning, sapphic-dystopic-folk horror this one is for you.
I'm a huge Samantha Kolesnik fan, and I'm always delighted by how diverse her writing is. This doesn't read like any of her other books, but it's very distinctly a SK story.
For such a small book the world-building is concise and fully formed. We're years deep into a catastrophic, world shattering event, that has flipped civilization back to it's misogynist roots. This is a patriarchal cultish society that performs rites and rituals to sate a malevolent entity that resides deep in the sea.
The story revolves around two young women, girls, who refuse to conform to the hetero-polygamist norms to it's inevitable violent ends.
Samantha always writes such incredible female characters, and Verna and Audrey are so clever and strong. My only regrets are that we don't get to spend more time with them since this is just a novella.
It's a great read.
Thank you so much to Book Sirens and WeirdPunk Books for an arc of this title.
I'm a huge Samantha Kolesnik fan, and I'm always delighted by how diverse her writing is. This doesn't read like any of her other books, but it's very distinctly a SK story.
For such a small book the world-building is concise and fully formed. We're years deep into a catastrophic, world shattering event, that has flipped civilization back to it's misogynist roots. This is a patriarchal cultish society that performs rites and rituals to sate a malevolent entity that resides deep in the sea.
The story revolves around two young women, girls, who refuse to conform to the hetero-polygamist norms to it's inevitable violent ends.
Samantha always writes such incredible female characters, and Verna and Audrey are so clever and strong. My only regrets are that we don't get to spend more time with them since this is just a novella.
It's a great read.
Thank you so much to Book Sirens and WeirdPunk Books for an arc of this title.
January 20, 2024
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.
February 10, 2024
*Thank you so much to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!*
For a novella about a post-apocalyptic setting, Samantha Kolesnik knows how to punch her readers in the gut with raw emotion and impactful storytelling.
Following Verna and Audrey's love story was an amazing ride, through thick and thin you felt their chemistry through the pages and you could connect to each of them. They were a couple that I rooted for and begged for them to conquer through the crappy circumstances they were thrusted into. However, the novella also looks at things in a rather realistic light and while it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it was mine.
The setting managed to be equally engaging, as well as the elements of the world crafted by the author. I found myself very intrigued and the writing was well balanced.
I look forward to checking out more of Samantha Kolesnik's work for sure!
For a novella about a post-apocalyptic setting, Samantha Kolesnik knows how to punch her readers in the gut with raw emotion and impactful storytelling.
Following Verna and Audrey's love story was an amazing ride, through thick and thin you felt their chemistry through the pages and you could connect to each of them. They were a couple that I rooted for and begged for them to conquer through the crappy circumstances they were thrusted into. However, the novella also looks at things in a rather realistic light and while it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it was mine.
The setting managed to be equally engaging, as well as the elements of the world crafted by the author. I found myself very intrigued and the writing was well balanced.
I look forward to checking out more of Samantha Kolesnik's work for sure!
December 19, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Elogona is a tale about two girls who are falling for each other, but due to the new world order on their refuge island, are unable to truly act on their budding feelings. It is a good story about how easily a world disaster would change societies acceptance of queer citizens in the name of repopulation. Or, as in Elogona, what people are told is for repopulation, but is really a patriarchal society blooming in an echo chamber. The story was interesting and honestly didn't end how I thought it would, but it was realistic and I loved that the author didn't shy away from a more brutal ending for the sake of pleasing the audience. If you don't mind unhappy ever afters, and like dystopians with monsters, definitely grab a copy of this novella.
Elogona is a tale about two girls who are falling for each other, but due to the new world order on their refuge island, are unable to truly act on their budding feelings. It is a good story about how easily a world disaster would change societies acceptance of queer citizens in the name of repopulation. Or, as in Elogona, what people are told is for repopulation, but is really a patriarchal society blooming in an echo chamber. The story was interesting and honestly didn't end how I thought it would, but it was realistic and I loved that the author didn't shy away from a more brutal ending for the sake of pleasing the audience. If you don't mind unhappy ever afters, and like dystopians with monsters, definitely grab a copy of this novella.
December 23, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🦑🌊🚣🏻♀️👭🦴
This dystopian horror sapphic novella is quick and horrific in all good ways.
Verna and Audrey live on an island post-war, where several men control all the women and the sea is controlled by a sea monster called Elogona. Women are expected to marry men, even if that man already has a wife. Or several. But Verna and Audrey don't want that, they want each other, and not to be claimed by the sea monster.
This novella is not for the faint-hearted. It is dark, with human-eating monsters, monsters who are the real monsters, and has a bunch of triggers including S/A, but if you have no triggers, and get through a sapphic book with an unhappy ending, then this book is perfect.
It is well-written, very engaging, and very easy to read.
Thank you to BookSirens and Samantha Kolesnik for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.
🦑🌊🚣🏻♀️👭🦴
This dystopian horror sapphic novella is quick and horrific in all good ways.
Verna and Audrey live on an island post-war, where several men control all the women and the sea is controlled by a sea monster called Elogona. Women are expected to marry men, even if that man already has a wife. Or several. But Verna and Audrey don't want that, they want each other, and not to be claimed by the sea monster.
This novella is not for the faint-hearted. It is dark, with human-eating monsters, monsters who are the real monsters, and has a bunch of triggers including S/A, but if you have no triggers, and get through a sapphic book with an unhappy ending, then this book is perfect.
It is well-written, very engaging, and very easy to read.
Thank you to BookSirens and Samantha Kolesnik for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.
January 7, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Reading the concept for Elogona, I was excited for what was to come. The religious versus non-religious aspect was interesting to me, the dystopian setting, the scary monster in the ocean, sapphic romance... amazing. This book partially delivered on these things. The religious tension was pretty understated and the romance felt really unnatural and surface-level. I love and seek out books with LGBTQ+ representation, but being in love with women felt like Audrey and Verna's main character trait, so it felt kind of fake and in-your-face. I liked the ending though and for the last half of the novella, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things would turn out.
Reading the concept for Elogona, I was excited for what was to come. The religious versus non-religious aspect was interesting to me, the dystopian setting, the scary monster in the ocean, sapphic romance... amazing. This book partially delivered on these things. The religious tension was pretty understated and the romance felt really unnatural and surface-level. I love and seek out books with LGBTQ+ representation, but being in love with women felt like Audrey and Verna's main character trait, so it felt kind of fake and in-your-face. I liked the ending though and for the last half of the novella, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things would turn out.
December 28, 2023
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.
January 9, 2024
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.
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!
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!
My full review here:
(COMING SOON!)
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!
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!
My full review here:
(COMING SOON!)
February 18, 2024
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 :)
Read
December 22, 2023Really enjoyed this story, truly unique and a perfect romp into YA sapphic apocalyptic cosmic horror. Also wanted to note that it was an important step to see that SA can be committed by both men and women, which isn’t represented often. Only critique I have was that I found the blending of YA and adult storytelling a bit clunky in areas. I am a fan of their work so it was a bit more obvious to me but I feel like it won’t be for most. As always super imaginative, wonderful story telling and heinous creatures.
December 22, 2023
4 stars. I really hope that there is going to be another book because this was fantastic and I feel like there’s still so much of this world that the author could explore. Also, the author and that ambiguous ending leaves it open for a sequel. This was really well written and dark and gritty. and I really enjoyed it. It’s short, less than 200 pages, but it feels full and the characters were well developed. A lot happens and it is a really intense read but I would recommend it if you’re looking for something quick, dark, and heavy.
December 27, 2023
This is a tragic sapphic love story I didn’t know I needed in my life. When religion creates a stronghold around people, families and friends make some heartless decisions. While I received an arc, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
This novella centers around conflict between a religious sector, a sea creature, and a sea witch. The antagonism between all the characters is visceral. You quickly find yourself rooting for the two main characters and sad at the hardships they endure.
This novella centers around conflict between a religious sector, a sea creature, and a sea witch. The antagonism between all the characters is visceral. You quickly find yourself rooting for the two main characters and sad at the hardships they endure.
January 8, 2024
Elogona is a sapphic YA love story in a post apocalyptic setting, with a controlling group of councilmen and supernatural monsters.
Verna is an outcast on the island who has fallen in love with the beautiful Audrey. When Councilman Hillard finds out, he sets out to punish them and their families. Wanting to save her beloved Audrey from Councilman Hillard, Verna lures him to a deep dark cave, where the last sea witch resides. Verna struck up a deal with the sea witch, but all doesn’t go as planned.
What I liked: I love when characters take revenge on other characters who deserve it! I definitely had some sad feelings reading this… in a good way. I like books that make me feel.
What I didn’t like: I just didn’t seem to really connect with the characters in the way I would have liked to, except Audrey’s brother. He just seemed to have to most emotions, and his character created the most emotions from me. I was confused if the Elogona was real? Not sure if that was on purpose, but I had no idea what to think!
I wouldn’t say this was my favorite of Samantha’s, but it’s clear she can tell a story, no matter the subject. I will be keeping an eye out for what Kolesnik comes up with next.
I give this 3 1/2
Verna is an outcast on the island who has fallen in love with the beautiful Audrey. When Councilman Hillard finds out, he sets out to punish them and their families. Wanting to save her beloved Audrey from Councilman Hillard, Verna lures him to a deep dark cave, where the last sea witch resides. Verna struck up a deal with the sea witch, but all doesn’t go as planned.
What I liked: I love when characters take revenge on other characters who deserve it! I definitely had some sad feelings reading this… in a good way. I like books that make me feel.
What I didn’t like: I just didn’t seem to really connect with the characters in the way I would have liked to, except Audrey’s brother. He just seemed to have to most emotions, and his character created the most emotions from me. I was confused if the Elogona was real? Not sure if that was on purpose, but I had no idea what to think!
I wouldn’t say this was my favorite of Samantha’s, but it’s clear she can tell a story, no matter the subject. I will be keeping an eye out for what Kolesnik comes up with next.
I give this 3 1/2
February 4, 2025
I wanted to enjoy this a lot more than I actually did..
The writing is beautiful, it’s short and fast paced and you get glimpses of the old world and the loss characters have had but you never really understand how the world “ended” and you get thrown in with the two FMC’s already being romantically involved so you never see it blossom, it just meant I didn’t really care. It felt very juvenile. And the ending was just… sad and weird and anticlimactic.
Huge TW for sexual assault too.
The writing is beautiful, it’s short and fast paced and you get glimpses of the old world and the loss characters have had but you never really understand how the world “ended” and you get thrown in with the two FMC’s already being romantically involved so you never see it blossom, it just meant I didn’t really care. It felt very juvenile. And the ending was just… sad and weird and anticlimactic.
Huge TW for sexual assault too.
January 16, 2024
This book was great and vivid and horrifying and heartbreaking. Two women railing against the injustice of a patriarchal society in the shadow of a relatively recent apocalypse and the title named sea monster.
It's not a pleasant read, but it's beautiful in it's horror and has heart.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It's not a pleasant read, but it's beautiful in it's horror and has heart.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 6, 2024
A world that’s hopeless and ran by a group of masochists…..two young ladies find love and comfort to have it uprooted by their twisted religious community….a different style of a dystopian tale….a nice quick read that makes it hard to put down. The ending was a bit disappointing but overall a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
such a short book, but the author did a great job jumping into the story quickly while still being able to do enough world building. that said, the ending was not satisfying for me. i love angry women.
February 16, 2024
Notes from a Decaying Millennial :
I received this Elogona as part of the Weird Punk Books SUBCLUB
THIS IS NOT A PAID REVIEW
-
When you begin reading Samantha Kolesnik's ELOGONA , you receive a small papercut. It stings, but you keep reading. At the Novella's conclusion, your dominant hand is stripped to the bone, you're feet are crushed to a pulp, your ribs are cracked. You're left hulled out, cradling your heart in the crook of your one good arm, feeling the sting of the salty air, as all fades to black.
The shadow of Elogona looms over life on the island, but it is people who make the choices. Verna and Audrey, pushing back against the lingering, poisonous grasp of patriarchy. Navigating the realities of a world of ash, salt and benign terror. At the same time, it's a time and a place that offers the promise of raw vulnerable love and righteous rage.
When written well, Post-apocalyptic fiction is not mere disaster porn, it's speculative fiction that that demands we consider humanities strengths and its faults. Works of note that ask the uncomfortable question " Faced with utter annihilation, will humans move past the faults that brought them to the precipice? Will they fall back on them, even if it means fading away?" Samantha Kolesnik's novella, sits with some of the greats of this genre. It deserves a place of recognition next to works like The Earth Abides, The Giver, The Postman and others.
I received this Elogona as part of the Weird Punk Books SUBCLUB
THIS IS NOT A PAID REVIEW
-
When you begin reading Samantha Kolesnik's ELOGONA , you receive a small papercut. It stings, but you keep reading. At the Novella's conclusion, your dominant hand is stripped to the bone, you're feet are crushed to a pulp, your ribs are cracked. You're left hulled out, cradling your heart in the crook of your one good arm, feeling the sting of the salty air, as all fades to black.
The shadow of Elogona looms over life on the island, but it is people who make the choices. Verna and Audrey, pushing back against the lingering, poisonous grasp of patriarchy. Navigating the realities of a world of ash, salt and benign terror. At the same time, it's a time and a place that offers the promise of raw vulnerable love and righteous rage.
When written well, Post-apocalyptic fiction is not mere disaster porn, it's speculative fiction that that demands we consider humanities strengths and its faults. Works of note that ask the uncomfortable question " Faced with utter annihilation, will humans move past the faults that brought them to the precipice? Will they fall back on them, even if it means fading away?" Samantha Kolesnik's novella, sits with some of the greats of this genre. It deserves a place of recognition next to works like The Earth Abides, The Giver, The Postman and others.
October 14, 2024
I’ll be thinking about this book for a while. For a short book, it packs a punch.
Song: Wasteland, Baby! By Hozier
Song: Wasteland, Baby! By Hozier
June 9, 2025
A short read full of yearning and heartbreak.
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