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Dove's Eyes: a gothic neo western horror
Queer horror in the style of House of Leaves and Cormac McCarthy.
Hallucinatory. Hidden ciphers. No quotation marks.
This is a challenging read. Proceed with caution. Consult sample chapters and content warnings.
A disgraced detective is hired to investigate a ritualistic killing in an isolated prison town. Falls into the hands of a charming doctor on a crusade to cure mankind of sin.
a queer gothic neo western horror novel, ergodic literature, psychological horror, religious trauma, lobotomies, tm/m, ace, 70k
Bentham, Wyoming. A deserted ghost town built upon abandoned coal mines. Once windtorn woodrot, now a private penitentiary set in a reformative community pledged to clinical testing.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Wayne Sykkes truly believed he had found the cure for all sin. But one year into testing and Belle Rivera, twenty-four, was found dead. Bloodied in the underbrush. A sprig of hyssop pressed to her lips.
Enter Corey Handler Delgado. Fallen angel scorned. Five years ago he was nothing more than a scruffy detective. For an act of brutal justice he was arrested in the attempted murder of an innocent man.
One call and the charming doctor has convinced him to take a second chance. Insists that he can be saved. But something is wrong.
Something is wrong with this town.
Something is wrong with this body.
Something is wrong with this cure.
Cora isn't dead.
Hallucinatory. Hidden ciphers. No quotation marks.
This is a challenging read. Proceed with caution. Consult sample chapters and content warnings.
A disgraced detective is hired to investigate a ritualistic killing in an isolated prison town. Falls into the hands of a charming doctor on a crusade to cure mankind of sin.
a queer gothic neo western horror novel, ergodic literature, psychological horror, religious trauma, lobotomies, tm/m, ace, 70k
Bentham, Wyoming. A deserted ghost town built upon abandoned coal mines. Once windtorn woodrot, now a private penitentiary set in a reformative community pledged to clinical testing.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Wayne Sykkes truly believed he had found the cure for all sin. But one year into testing and Belle Rivera, twenty-four, was found dead. Bloodied in the underbrush. A sprig of hyssop pressed to her lips.
Enter Corey Handler Delgado. Fallen angel scorned. Five years ago he was nothing more than a scruffy detective. For an act of brutal justice he was arrested in the attempted murder of an innocent man.
One call and the charming doctor has convinced him to take a second chance. Insists that he can be saved. But something is wrong.
Something is wrong with this town.
Something is wrong with this body.
Something is wrong with this cure.
Cora isn't dead.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2025
11 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 10, 2025
4.5
TW: heavy Christian motifs and homophobia and transphobia and cheating and cannibalism (like romantic cannibalism) and dual suicide
Repressed (internalized homophobia) gay man thinks he can cure sin then falls in love with a man and makes it everyone’s problem and makes sure you know that he is TOTALLY not in love with this guy they’re JUST friends guys
I’m a little confused still but I tried to TW adequately
This book doesnt use any quotation marks (like Cormac McCarthy) and some sentences take a whole page (think house of leaves) so take that into consideration before reading
TW: heavy Christian motifs and homophobia and transphobia and cheating and cannibalism (like romantic cannibalism) and dual suicide
Repressed (internalized homophobia) gay man thinks he can cure sin then falls in love with a man and makes it everyone’s problem and makes sure you know that he is TOTALLY not in love with this guy they’re JUST friends guys
I’m a little confused still but I tried to TW adequately
This book doesnt use any quotation marks (like Cormac McCarthy) and some sentences take a whole page (think house of leaves) so take that into consideration before reading
Read
September 21, 2025release date 10/8/25
DOVE'S EYES: a queer gothic neo western horror novel
Content Warnings:
sample chapters, links on my ko-fi @kiennwrites
DOVE'S EYES: a queer gothic neo western horror novel
Content Warnings:
sample chapters, links on my ko-fi @kiennwrites
October 16, 2025
I have to confess that I will typically rank books that are bold and experiment with a higher score, especially if they pull it off! (I am a huge sucker for this). Dove's Eyes has a specific writing flair that enhances the experience of the horror. It's disorienting, slams me back to a double whammy of flu x bronchitis, and completely sets me in the mental landscape of our MC. I also was reminded by the voice and setting of Cormac Mccarthy's writing, The Road, and The One Who Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. What also was especially appealing and refreshing is that the story really uses the show, don't tell, technique and subtle but thematic dialogue to carry the weight. It's literally everything I was taught in classes to max out peakness of writing.
The author was generous enough to give me access to the ARC of this amazing mesh of genres where everything feels deceptive, seductive, and dangerous. This is literally the kind of read I was hoping to find from self-published authors--breaking boundaries of what could be, stylistic, bends genres in ways trad pub are afraid to touch. It's giving me so much inspiration, as both artist and writer. The moment I can get a print copy; I am going to annotate and doodle.
Dove's Eyes can be both enjoyed as a writer's writer read and a general audience (particularly those who resonate with its themes). It's a perfect balance of both making it a must for anyone who reads queer gothic literature.
As with all reviews, I write more in-depth reviews on my blog at Medium.com. (Because the info doesn't get reaped by ai there :/ ) If you subscribe there, you'll eventually get delivered more of a breakdown of techniques I really like in this story and how the plot is working (with the ability to avoid spoilers).
I also should add this is transgender medical horror, particularly focusing on the terror and cruelty of lobotomies. In the current times, that may or may not be something you can handle now. The Spirit That Bares Its Teeth is in the same transgender medical horror genre, as well as Hazelthorn.
The author was generous enough to give me access to the ARC of this amazing mesh of genres where everything feels deceptive, seductive, and dangerous. This is literally the kind of read I was hoping to find from self-published authors--breaking boundaries of what could be, stylistic, bends genres in ways trad pub are afraid to touch. It's giving me so much inspiration, as both artist and writer. The moment I can get a print copy; I am going to annotate and doodle.
Dove's Eyes can be both enjoyed as a writer's writer read and a general audience (particularly those who resonate with its themes). It's a perfect balance of both making it a must for anyone who reads queer gothic literature.
As with all reviews, I write more in-depth reviews on my blog at Medium.com. (Because the info doesn't get reaped by ai there :/ ) If you subscribe there, you'll eventually get delivered more of a breakdown of techniques I really like in this story and how the plot is working (with the ability to avoid spoilers).
I also should add this is transgender medical horror, particularly focusing on the terror and cruelty of lobotomies. In the current times, that may or may not be something you can handle now. The Spirit That Bares Its Teeth is in the same transgender medical horror genre, as well as Hazelthorn.
October 6, 2025
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from the author.
Corey, a disgraced detective, has finally received a second chance to prove his worth as a detective after his career went up in flames. A Neurosurgeon, who has found the cure for all sin, needs him to solve the murder of one of his patients. Once Corey joins the small penitentiary where criminals are given a chance at redemption, he soon discovers that there is no way to back out. He’s not even sure if by the time the doctor is through with him, he’ll want to leave.
Told in a strange and dreamlike fashion, the narrative moves slow and dreamlike and despite knowing the stakes as well as that something was horrible wrong, it was hard not to get drawn into Dr. Sykkes narrative of A Town Made Well. Just like Corey I found myself too overwhelmed to keep raging against the things that were clear injustices being done (with queerphobia and misogyny not being considered sins by Dr. Sykkes or the other townspeople) and helpless to struggle against the constant barrage of how to be normal/cured/fixed.
The prose was very effective in dreamlike scenes, in scenes that should make you question your perception, in its depictions of body horror as well as in creating a deeply oppressive and haunting atmosphere. However, it was not always easy to follow along and I found myself having to reread parts of the story to make sense of the timeline as I had lost track of the narrative. It is certainly not a story that you can just blast through in one evening and consider done, but that is part of the beauty of it. Also be aware that no quotation marks are used to indicate speech, nor are speakers directly indicated, however with strong and very distinct character voices this wasn’t a problem for me after an initial adjustment period and added to my enjoyment of the strangeness of the story.
I also really enjoyed the characters we were presented here. Despite my distrust of Wayne Sykkes I understood why Corey fell for him and why he became so enamored with him and found myself snared by the narratives he wove to keep the people inside the penitentiary calm and complacent. Corey was also a very intriguing character, his guilt weighing heavily on him, as well as being just the right type of weird and obsessive to fit in here perfectly and find his way into dangerous situations to solve the mystery.
All in all, this is a mystery that will haunt me for a while longer, a perfect read for this season, a transmad novel in style and plot and character, a rallying cry for autonomy and against oppression, a strange and weird and deeply enjoyable read.
TW: alcohol, animal death, animal hunting, arson, assault (physical), birthing imagery, body horror, cannibalism, conversion therapy, cosmic horror, cults, death, eugenics, eye trauma, forced mental health hospitalization, gore, grief, gun violence, hallucinations, incarceration, knives, lobotomy, loss, manipulation, medical experimentation, medical malpractices, memory disorders, murder, natural disasters (flooding, snow), occult horror, parasitism, psychological horror, self-harm (self mortification, whipping, cutting, starvation, immolation), self-mutilation, strangulation, surgical imagery, violence
Corey, a disgraced detective, has finally received a second chance to prove his worth as a detective after his career went up in flames. A Neurosurgeon, who has found the cure for all sin, needs him to solve the murder of one of his patients. Once Corey joins the small penitentiary where criminals are given a chance at redemption, he soon discovers that there is no way to back out. He’s not even sure if by the time the doctor is through with him, he’ll want to leave.
Told in a strange and dreamlike fashion, the narrative moves slow and dreamlike and despite knowing the stakes as well as that something was horrible wrong, it was hard not to get drawn into Dr. Sykkes narrative of A Town Made Well. Just like Corey I found myself too overwhelmed to keep raging against the things that were clear injustices being done (with queerphobia and misogyny not being considered sins by Dr. Sykkes or the other townspeople) and helpless to struggle against the constant barrage of how to be normal/cured/fixed.
The prose was very effective in dreamlike scenes, in scenes that should make you question your perception, in its depictions of body horror as well as in creating a deeply oppressive and haunting atmosphere. However, it was not always easy to follow along and I found myself having to reread parts of the story to make sense of the timeline as I had lost track of the narrative. It is certainly not a story that you can just blast through in one evening and consider done, but that is part of the beauty of it. Also be aware that no quotation marks are used to indicate speech, nor are speakers directly indicated, however with strong and very distinct character voices this wasn’t a problem for me after an initial adjustment period and added to my enjoyment of the strangeness of the story.
I also really enjoyed the characters we were presented here. Despite my distrust of Wayne Sykkes I understood why Corey fell for him and why he became so enamored with him and found myself snared by the narratives he wove to keep the people inside the penitentiary calm and complacent. Corey was also a very intriguing character, his guilt weighing heavily on him, as well as being just the right type of weird and obsessive to fit in here perfectly and find his way into dangerous situations to solve the mystery.
All in all, this is a mystery that will haunt me for a while longer, a perfect read for this season, a transmad novel in style and plot and character, a rallying cry for autonomy and against oppression, a strange and weird and deeply enjoyable read.
TW: alcohol, animal death, animal hunting, arson, assault (physical), birthing imagery, body horror, cannibalism, conversion therapy, cosmic horror, cults, death, eugenics, eye trauma, forced mental health hospitalization, gore, grief, gun violence, hallucinations, incarceration, knives, lobotomy, loss, manipulation, medical experimentation, medical malpractices, memory disorders, murder, natural disasters (flooding, snow), occult horror, parasitism, psychological horror, self-harm (self mortification, whipping, cutting, starvation, immolation), self-mutilation, strangulation, surgical imagery, violence
October 11, 2025
I received an eARC copy from the author.
3.75 stars
Dove’s Eyes is like nothing I’ve read before, and probably will never find again. It is unique in its own right, and overall, I did enjoy it!
The writing style is unlike anything I’ve seen. The author doesn’t use quotation marks, and rather formats the talking in a different way than the regular text. It is so different and by the end, I got a hang of it, but it’s not my favourite. It’s MUCH better than a book not using quotation marks but formatting it the same, so I did enjoy this change!!
The story itself is something I don’t think I can do justice to try to explain; you just gotta go in blind like I did. All I knew was what Nguyen marketed it as. And it worked to go in knowing nothing! I enjoyed it overall and I do recommend it!!
3.75 stars
Dove’s Eyes is like nothing I’ve read before, and probably will never find again. It is unique in its own right, and overall, I did enjoy it!
The writing style is unlike anything I’ve seen. The author doesn’t use quotation marks, and rather formats the talking in a different way than the regular text. It is so different and by the end, I got a hang of it, but it’s not my favourite. It’s MUCH better than a book not using quotation marks but formatting it the same, so I did enjoy this change!!
The story itself is something I don’t think I can do justice to try to explain; you just gotta go in blind like I did. All I knew was what Nguyen marketed it as. And it worked to go in knowing nothing! I enjoyed it overall and I do recommend it!!
October 3, 2025
I can almost feel the hot dusty air in a small town. There's something strange going on here! I love Dr. Sykkes, he's very charming in an unsettling way. I want to comment on more details but giving up one may ruin the fun! This is not for vibe readers. The details are worth the journey!
September 30, 2025
(3.5) I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion.
a lurid, swirling, fever dream of a novel, DOVE’S EYES prods at societal expectations by exploring a town that believes people can be cured from any imperfections with lobotomies.
In Nguyen’s setting of Bentham, criminals are given safe harbour and a chance at redemption, creating an air of paranoia and tension. Corey, a detective, has sinned in such a way, and has been invited to investigate the murder of Isabella Rivera by the doctor Wayne Sykes. Immediately, Corey is overwhelmed by the wrongness of it all. Who chooses what is sin and what isn’t? Actions Corey knows are wrong are dismissed, yet things such as self-expression and queerness, integral elements of identity, are condemned. It is impossible to blame anyone in a town where everything is in some part guilty, so Corey turns his attention towards Wayne, who is desperate for Corey to be “saved.”
Nguyen’s visceral prose, particularly effective in scenes of body horror, lends itself well to the atmosphere, creating a delirious and strange narrative. However, at times I was left feeling like I had missed out a chapter, struggling to keep up what I can only describe as a slow-moving, action-filled plot. The characters often feel like they lack willingness to act, feeling like they are simply reciting expected motions rather than acting on their emotions. Corey gives up on the case after a year, after doing only half-hearted investigation. While Wayne acts in his own interests, he acts slowly, and his actions do not bear consequences until much later, making them lacklustre. This, coupled with the experimental writing style, made the plot difficult to follow.
When I was confused, I leaned heavily on my love for the characters. I was enamoured with Corey and Wayne, both so perfectly messy. Their relationship, which swings continually from flirtatious banter to harm, was executed well, balancing the tension between the two. Nguyen also characterises the minor characters well, and I enjoyed how their actions played out towards the end of the book.
I appreciated Nguyen’s constant questioning of societal expectations, a much-needed dialogue considering the increasingly conservative approach to individual choice and expression. This theme was handled well, explored through different characters and the setting. I look forward to watching how this author will grow in his skills and abilities.
a lurid, swirling, fever dream of a novel, DOVE’S EYES prods at societal expectations by exploring a town that believes people can be cured from any imperfections with lobotomies.
In Nguyen’s setting of Bentham, criminals are given safe harbour and a chance at redemption, creating an air of paranoia and tension. Corey, a detective, has sinned in such a way, and has been invited to investigate the murder of Isabella Rivera by the doctor Wayne Sykes. Immediately, Corey is overwhelmed by the wrongness of it all. Who chooses what is sin and what isn’t? Actions Corey knows are wrong are dismissed, yet things such as self-expression and queerness, integral elements of identity, are condemned. It is impossible to blame anyone in a town where everything is in some part guilty, so Corey turns his attention towards Wayne, who is desperate for Corey to be “saved.”
Nguyen’s visceral prose, particularly effective in scenes of body horror, lends itself well to the atmosphere, creating a delirious and strange narrative. However, at times I was left feeling like I had missed out a chapter, struggling to keep up what I can only describe as a slow-moving, action-filled plot. The characters often feel like they lack willingness to act, feeling like they are simply reciting expected motions rather than acting on their emotions. Corey gives up on the case after a year, after doing only half-hearted investigation. While Wayne acts in his own interests, he acts slowly, and his actions do not bear consequences until much later, making them lacklustre. This, coupled with the experimental writing style, made the plot difficult to follow.
When I was confused, I leaned heavily on my love for the characters. I was enamoured with Corey and Wayne, both so perfectly messy. Their relationship, which swings continually from flirtatious banter to harm, was executed well, balancing the tension between the two. Nguyen also characterises the minor characters well, and I enjoyed how their actions played out towards the end of the book.
I appreciated Nguyen’s constant questioning of societal expectations, a much-needed dialogue considering the increasingly conservative approach to individual choice and expression. This theme was handled well, explored through different characters and the setting. I look forward to watching how this author will grow in his skills and abilities.
October 1, 2025
I received this book as a free e-arc. My opinions are my own.
Did I have any idea what was going on? No!* Did I enjoy every word? Yes!
Dove's Eyes is truly unlike any book I've ever read, not even mentioning the formatting!
When detective Corey Delgado arrives at a small town in Wyoming to investigate a girl's death, he discovers that nothing is as it seems. He grows closer and closer to the town's doctor as the town unravels around him.
That's about all I can say about the story. The less you know the better in this regard, but mind the triggers; this is a horror story.
My absolute favorite aspect of this book is Corey. I love that little freak <3. Beyond his general unhingedness, he's extremely well written. Every action he takes felt like a natural progression.
Wayne was also super interesting! He charmed me as much as he infuriated me, but that’s a plus!
I adored how Dove's Eyes is written! Its like a puzzle with hidden messages and solutions you wouldn't know were there at first glance. The lack was quotation marks made the character voices have to stand out, and Kienn succeeded with that!
All in all, this is a superb read, and perfect for Halloween!
*This is a feature, not a bug.
Did I have any idea what was going on? No!* Did I enjoy every word? Yes!
Dove's Eyes is truly unlike any book I've ever read, not even mentioning the formatting!
When detective Corey Delgado arrives at a small town in Wyoming to investigate a girl's death, he discovers that nothing is as it seems. He grows closer and closer to the town's doctor as the town unravels around him.
That's about all I can say about the story. The less you know the better in this regard, but mind the triggers; this is a horror story.
My absolute favorite aspect of this book is Corey. I love that little freak <3. Beyond his general unhingedness, he's extremely well written. Every action he takes felt like a natural progression.
Wayne was also super interesting! He charmed me as much as he infuriated me, but that’s a plus!
I adored how Dove's Eyes is written! Its like a puzzle with hidden messages and solutions you wouldn't know were there at first glance. The lack was quotation marks made the character voices have to stand out, and Kienn succeeded with that!
All in all, this is a superb read, and perfect for Halloween!
*This is a feature, not a bug.
September 16, 2025
Twin Peaks meets Hannibal in this western gothic noir fever dream! Kienn throws you right into the storm of Bentham and its residents in a way that instantly enthralls you.
The amount of detail in this is amazing!! There were times I felt lost, but it helped me immerse myself in the mystery. The cast of characters is so unique and intriguing. My favorite part of this story is that it pulls no punches. It’s DARK, and the characters are complex. Corey is a mess and I loved watching his story unfold as much as it made my stomach churn. Overall, I definitely enjoyed this and recommend it!
The amount of detail in this is amazing!! There were times I felt lost, but it helped me immerse myself in the mystery. The cast of characters is so unique and intriguing. My favorite part of this story is that it pulls no punches. It’s DARK, and the characters are complex. Corey is a mess and I loved watching his story unfold as much as it made my stomach churn. Overall, I definitely enjoyed this and recommend it!
October 6, 2025
I think I will eventually have to re-read this because holy fuck.
Thank you to the author for providing an e-arc.
This book is immensely complex with stylistic experimentation on top of the layered imagery. Honestly, there were times I just flat out did not know was happening and at the same time was feeling dread and anxiety from what was playing out. The dichotomy of confusion and horror added complexity to the story in ways I just cannot explain.
I'm starting to believe I half-hallucinated this book in a very good way. Could I describe the plot to you? No. But god, Corey and Wayne were brilliant, I loved them so much.
Please read so I can talk to someone about this?
Thank you to the author for providing an e-arc.
This book is immensely complex with stylistic experimentation on top of the layered imagery. Honestly, there were times I just flat out did not know was happening and at the same time was feeling dread and anxiety from what was playing out. The dichotomy of confusion and horror added complexity to the story in ways I just cannot explain.
I'm starting to believe I half-hallucinated this book in a very good way. Could I describe the plot to you? No. But god, Corey and Wayne were brilliant, I loved them so much.
Please read so I can talk to someone about this?
September 21, 2025
This is the book I have been looking for! I’ve been dying to read a book that makes me feel like I’m watching “Midnight Mass” again for the first time. And this one does it!
I really enjoyed this book, but it is DENSE! It is so descriptive, the mystery is great, I just wish I got more of the repressed gay love element. There were a few times I got lost, but I am unsure if that was by design or not. It is also SO beautifully written. I was not even into the 3rd chapter and I had to stop and appreciate just HOW beautiful this book is.
The characters were so diverse, unique and original. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like them in the book world.
It is dark, it is gripping, it throws you through loops. I couldn’t get enough.
I really enjoyed this book, but it is DENSE! It is so descriptive, the mystery is great, I just wish I got more of the repressed gay love element. There were a few times I got lost, but I am unsure if that was by design or not. It is also SO beautifully written. I was not even into the 3rd chapter and I had to stop and appreciate just HOW beautiful this book is.
The characters were so diverse, unique and original. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like them in the book world.
It is dark, it is gripping, it throws you through loops. I couldn’t get enough.
December 29, 2025
✨ ARC review ✨
4.5 stars
"i see god in you."
– Kienn Nguyen, 'Dove's Eyes'
Oof, where do I even start? Dove's Eyes was a thoroughly weird, unusual, and confusing read — in the best way!
Kienn Nguyen's writing style is really unique and expetimental, which I greatly enjoyed. It's hauntingly beautiful at times, eerily grotesque at others, and always conveys the mood of a scene immaculately. I felt transported right into the messy, dream-like narrative of this book, and was hooked from the start.
The setting is super interesting, the plot is intriguing until the very last word, and so are the characters and their complex dynamics. Corey is such a cool POV character. Wayne is so multi-faceted and difficult to understand and all the more interesting for it. Loved the side characters, too. Big bonus points for a very diverse cast as well as excellent banter between the main couple.
I'm not 100% sure I understood this book fully on the first read, but that only makes me want to re-read it. I didn't find it confusing in a bad way, but in the same way great horror movies with unreliable narrators and disorienting storylines feel — my confusion just makes me want to dive in again to catch more details and put more and more together with each repetition, ya know? Never experienced that before in a book, and I think I like it.
The only thing I didn't quite enjoy was the unusual formatting of dialogue. There are no quotation marks and no speech tags here. The author instead indicates changes in speaker via formatting. I did get the hang of it eventually, and ended up not struggling as much figuring out who was speaking as I initially thought I would, but personally, I still would have preferred a speech tag here and there to clear things up / make it easier to read.
Thank you to the author for sending me an e-ARC! This book was truly a wild and strange journey, and I'm so grateful I got to read it. 🖤✨️
4.5 stars
"i see god in you."
– Kienn Nguyen, 'Dove's Eyes'
Oof, where do I even start? Dove's Eyes was a thoroughly weird, unusual, and confusing read — in the best way!
Kienn Nguyen's writing style is really unique and expetimental, which I greatly enjoyed. It's hauntingly beautiful at times, eerily grotesque at others, and always conveys the mood of a scene immaculately. I felt transported right into the messy, dream-like narrative of this book, and was hooked from the start.
The setting is super interesting, the plot is intriguing until the very last word, and so are the characters and their complex dynamics. Corey is such a cool POV character. Wayne is so multi-faceted and difficult to understand and all the more interesting for it. Loved the side characters, too. Big bonus points for a very diverse cast as well as excellent banter between the main couple.
I'm not 100% sure I understood this book fully on the first read, but that only makes me want to re-read it. I didn't find it confusing in a bad way, but in the same way great horror movies with unreliable narrators and disorienting storylines feel — my confusion just makes me want to dive in again to catch more details and put more and more together with each repetition, ya know? Never experienced that before in a book, and I think I like it.
The only thing I didn't quite enjoy was the unusual formatting of dialogue. There are no quotation marks and no speech tags here. The author instead indicates changes in speaker via formatting. I did get the hang of it eventually, and ended up not struggling as much figuring out who was speaking as I initially thought I would, but personally, I still would have preferred a speech tag here and there to clear things up / make it easier to read.
Thank you to the author for sending me an e-ARC! This book was truly a wild and strange journey, and I'm so grateful I got to read it. 🖤✨️
October 14, 2025
Was this book creepy and unsettling? Yes. Was it what I was hoping for when I read the words "a queer gothic neo western horror novel"? No.
There were parts that were absolutely beautifully written, capturing me whole. However, most of the book just didn't make sense to me. The writing itself was strangely stitched together at times, with weird grammar that caused me to reread sentences more than a few times before I could decipher the meaning. I think myself a pretty advanced reader, but reading this book made me question that.
There were parts that were absolutely beautifully written, capturing me whole. However, most of the book just didn't make sense to me. The writing itself was strangely stitched together at times, with weird grammar that caused me to reread sentences more than a few times before I could decipher the meaning. I think myself a pretty advanced reader, but reading this book made me question that.
October 10, 2025
So I ended up binging this book all in one night because I don't have to wake up early tomorrow and who cares about sleep when a book is *this* unique, *this* wild, *this* utterly devastating?
Let me try to organize my thoughts in a coherent manner (I will probably fail, haha.)
On its surface, Dove's Eyes is about a disgraced private eye summoned out to an isolated prison town in Wyoming to solve a murder. But it's not long before you realize that the murder mystery aspect might be the most normal part of this entire book, and that the plot stretches far deeper and far wider than you ever could have predicted. Seriously. Whatever prediction I made about the plot, at any point, was wrong.
The narrative of Dove's Eyes is difficult to describe. The book is classified as ergodic (according to google this means: "any literary text that requires the reader to make a nontrivial effort to navigate the text, making the act of reading an active, investigative, or even co-creative process rather than a passive one.") and OH BOY does it live up to this. Dove's Eyes just tosses you straight into the deep end and you better learn how to swim if you want to see this story through to the end (which, trust me, you'll want to).
Dove's Eyes did something very strange to my brain. The story shifts and weaves like a snake through undergrowth. The best word I can think of to describe the vibe I got from this book was "dreamlike" and on the other side of the coin, "nightmarish." Deeply, deeply nightmarish. While the prose is sparse, the setting is described well enough that I really felt like I was there, watching the narrative play out like a ghost from a distance. It's the kind of setting that leaves a smell lingering in your nose and a taste lingering in your mouth, if you know what I mean.
If anyone's looking for a reference point, I guess it could be aptly compared to something like Twin Peaks? At least in my opinion.
Anyway, the characters?? You easily get a feel of who's-who right away and they're all so *fascinating.* I would read books about several of the side characters alone, like Miranda, and the relationships between characters, Like Corey and Lee, were one of the driving things that propelled me through this novel.
Anyway, I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to step into the waters of a delicious, mind-bending nightmare of a story with queer themes at its core...just don't lose your mind as you let let the current of the story pull you under >:)
Let me try to organize my thoughts in a coherent manner (I will probably fail, haha.)
On its surface, Dove's Eyes is about a disgraced private eye summoned out to an isolated prison town in Wyoming to solve a murder. But it's not long before you realize that the murder mystery aspect might be the most normal part of this entire book, and that the plot stretches far deeper and far wider than you ever could have predicted. Seriously. Whatever prediction I made about the plot, at any point, was wrong.
The narrative of Dove's Eyes is difficult to describe. The book is classified as ergodic (according to google this means: "any literary text that requires the reader to make a nontrivial effort to navigate the text, making the act of reading an active, investigative, or even co-creative process rather than a passive one.") and OH BOY does it live up to this. Dove's Eyes just tosses you straight into the deep end and you better learn how to swim if you want to see this story through to the end (which, trust me, you'll want to).
Dove's Eyes did something very strange to my brain. The story shifts and weaves like a snake through undergrowth. The best word I can think of to describe the vibe I got from this book was "dreamlike" and on the other side of the coin, "nightmarish." Deeply, deeply nightmarish. While the prose is sparse, the setting is described well enough that I really felt like I was there, watching the narrative play out like a ghost from a distance. It's the kind of setting that leaves a smell lingering in your nose and a taste lingering in your mouth, if you know what I mean.
If anyone's looking for a reference point, I guess it could be aptly compared to something like Twin Peaks? At least in my opinion.
Anyway, the characters?? You easily get a feel of who's-who right away and they're all so *fascinating.* I would read books about several of the side characters alone, like Miranda, and the relationships between characters, Like Corey and Lee, were one of the driving things that propelled me through this novel.
Anyway, I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to step into the waters of a delicious, mind-bending nightmare of a story with queer themes at its core...just don't lose your mind as you let let the current of the story pull you under >:)
December 10, 2025
I very rarely publicly review books. My reading experience is always very personal, as my enjoyment for a story almost entirely hinges on my personal feelings. I didn't go to school for any sort of writing degree, so I feel that I don't have enough experience to confidently speak on the technical aspects of a book.
For this book, I had to change that personal rule.
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.
This is such a me-core book that I'm shocked it wasn't a pivotal aspect of adolescence.
There's such a reread-ability to this book that when I finished, I wanted to immediately pick it back up again.
Hidden messages, ciphers, and acrostics add layers upon layers to this story. This is a book that I want to write notes on and have debates with my friends on. It's a book I want to share just so I can see other people's interpretations of the story and (in particular) the ending.
From a technical standpoint, it's a masterclass in how to break form. I could feel the consideration of every word that was chosen, as well as those purposefully left out.
To be clear, if you're someone who is bothered by experimental layouts, then this isn't for you. I happen to be someone who enjoys seeing that, but I totally get not feeling compelled to read something that (for example) doesn't have quotation marks or indents.
A lot of my feelings on this are personal. I won't get into how I see myself in some of the characters, or I found some of the story points gut-wrenching. In part because I want the reader to go in as blind as I did, but also because I felt a whole lot of things that I didn't expect to feel.
Of course, check content warnings. There's a lot that happens.
Bold, experimental, and a story very carefully crafted. It was truly a stunning read, and I can't wait to pick it back up again.
For this book, I had to change that personal rule.
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.
This is such a me-core book that I'm shocked it wasn't a pivotal aspect of adolescence.
There's such a reread-ability to this book that when I finished, I wanted to immediately pick it back up again.
Hidden messages, ciphers, and acrostics add layers upon layers to this story. This is a book that I want to write notes on and have debates with my friends on. It's a book I want to share just so I can see other people's interpretations of the story and (in particular) the ending.
From a technical standpoint, it's a masterclass in how to break form. I could feel the consideration of every word that was chosen, as well as those purposefully left out.
To be clear, if you're someone who is bothered by experimental layouts, then this isn't for you. I happen to be someone who enjoys seeing that, but I totally get not feeling compelled to read something that (for example) doesn't have quotation marks or indents.
A lot of my feelings on this are personal. I won't get into how I see myself in some of the characters, or I found some of the story points gut-wrenching. In part because I want the reader to go in as blind as I did, but also because I felt a whole lot of things that I didn't expect to feel.
Of course, check content warnings. There's a lot that happens.
Bold, experimental, and a story very carefully crafted. It was truly a stunning read, and I can't wait to pick it back up again.
September 29, 2025
I felt like the story was interesting and engaging. I felt for the characters and easily developed an emotional attachment to them, especially towards the middle of the book. The present themes of acceptance, trans identity, and the overwhelming dread that religious guilt puts on queer people were well woven into the atmospheric elements of this book. I was motivated to keep reading to understand the complex issues at play, and how it would end with Corey and the doctor.
However, while I knew this would be written in an experimental style before cracking open this book, I did not realize how challenging it would be to get used to this style. I found myself lost in the prose and the experimental elements, and that often clouded the actual progression of the story for me. I feel that if this had been written in a more conventional style, the story would have been better understood and executed.
That said, I still think the story was a solid read. And as a queer person myself, I felt connected to the characters.
However, while I knew this would be written in an experimental style before cracking open this book, I did not realize how challenging it would be to get used to this style. I found myself lost in the prose and the experimental elements, and that often clouded the actual progression of the story for me. I feel that if this had been written in a more conventional style, the story would have been better understood and executed.
That said, I still think the story was a solid read. And as a queer person myself, I felt connected to the characters.
October 6, 2025
I was incredibly lucky to have received an ARC for this book, and what a ride it was.
Dove's Eyes plays heavily on religious dogmatism, and the internal struggle between said views and personal truth.
It was hard at times to fully understand what was going on, but the story blends 'reality' and hallucination, so it built in a level of immersion.
The story is heartbreaking, especially against the backdrop of current affairs around trans rights. Corey as a character was tragic and beautiful, and I just wanted to hug him.
I did leave the story with questions, but that might just be because it is a very complex narrative!
My only slight critiques are that sometimes it was hard to tell who was speaking due to the formatting, but it wasn't a big issue. Also, I wasn't always 100% sure of the timescales within the story, but again it didn't impact it much.
Dove's Eyes plays heavily on religious dogmatism, and the internal struggle between said views and personal truth.
It was hard at times to fully understand what was going on, but the story blends 'reality' and hallucination, so it built in a level of immersion.
The story is heartbreaking, especially against the backdrop of current affairs around trans rights. Corey as a character was tragic and beautiful, and I just wanted to hug him.
I did leave the story with questions, but that might just be because it is a very complex narrative!
My only slight critiques are that sometimes it was hard to tell who was speaking due to the formatting, but it wasn't a big issue. Also, I wasn't always 100% sure of the timescales within the story, but again it didn't impact it much.
September 30, 2025
3.5
Dove's Eyes was an absolute engaging read.
The premise was extremely interesting and the book having queer/bi main character was a plus for me (though the mention of Corey's bisexuality was brief and I wish it was made evident.)
The sense of mystery was so compelling and the unreliable narrator was incredible.
The writing was descriptive and horrifying. It's dark though it gets confusing at times and I felt lost. But once I got through such parts, it was fine.
The characters were intriguing and messy and I couldn't really pinpoint their objectives which added to the mystery.
The toxic romance was absolutely entertaining.
Check this book out if this seems like somethings you'd like!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Dove's Eyes was an absolute engaging read.
The premise was extremely interesting and the book having queer/bi main character was a plus for me (though the mention of Corey's bisexuality was brief and I wish it was made evident.)
The sense of mystery was so compelling and the unreliable narrator was incredible.
The writing was descriptive and horrifying. It's dark though it gets confusing at times and I felt lost. But once I got through such parts, it was fine.
The characters were intriguing and messy and I couldn't really pinpoint their objectives which added to the mystery.
The toxic romance was absolutely entertaining.
Check this book out if this seems like somethings you'd like!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
November 9, 2025
I absolutely loved this book!
The writing style was unique but not at all difficult to follow or understand.
The characters were all incredibly well developed and had distinct voices/personalities— they were written well and sounded accurate to how real people would act in the circumstances of the book.
The relationship between Corey and Wayne was amazingly toxic, I loved the constant push and pull between them.
The horror and especially the gore was written so perfectly visceral it actually made me uncomfortable a couple of times (this is good! I enjoy books that push my limits)
All in all, this is an amazing well written book and I would recommend anyone who enjoys disturbing books to give Dove's Eyes a chance!
The writing style was unique but not at all difficult to follow or understand.
The characters were all incredibly well developed and had distinct voices/personalities— they were written well and sounded accurate to how real people would act in the circumstances of the book.
The relationship between Corey and Wayne was amazingly toxic, I loved the constant push and pull between them.
The horror and especially the gore was written so perfectly visceral it actually made me uncomfortable a couple of times (this is good! I enjoy books that push my limits)
All in all, this is an amazing well written book and I would recommend anyone who enjoys disturbing books to give Dove's Eyes a chance!
November 26, 2025
Okay, okay I get the hype now.
This was unlike anything I've ever read before. In both structure and content it is so unique and something that is nearly impossible to explain and so much better if you just go in and experience it.
It's incredibly unsettling (in the most fun way). I think actually the unconventional structure of the writing added to that feeling too. There were large swatches where I didn't know what was going on beyond a feeling of unease and it made it so much fun. It also takes a deeper look into a lot of issues without hitting you over the head with it.
If creepy and body horror is your jam, you wont want to miss this one.
This was unlike anything I've ever read before. In both structure and content it is so unique and something that is nearly impossible to explain and so much better if you just go in and experience it.
It's incredibly unsettling (in the most fun way). I think actually the unconventional structure of the writing added to that feeling too. There were large swatches where I didn't know what was going on beyond a feeling of unease and it made it so much fun. It also takes a deeper look into a lot of issues without hitting you over the head with it.
If creepy and body horror is your jam, you wont want to miss this one.
September 26, 2025
I thought I knew what sort of thing to expect from a book pitched as “neo-western christian horror with old man yaoi” but gods I was wrong
I really struggled to follow the “real” plot but that’s kind of the point because so much of it is metaphorical and/or hallucinations but I LOVED IT SO MUCH
And the descriptions and actual writing is so beautiful and horrific and I love
I have simply never read a book like this before and I likely never will and I will definitely be rereading because aaa
Enormous thank you for my ARC!
I really struggled to follow the “real” plot but that’s kind of the point because so much of it is metaphorical and/or hallucinations but I LOVED IT SO MUCH
And the descriptions and actual writing is so beautiful and horrific and I love
I have simply never read a book like this before and I likely never will and I will definitely be rereading because aaa
Enormous thank you for my ARC!
November 23, 2025
This is a very purposeful book. It made me feel like I was falling into madness just like Corey, the main character. It feels like walking through a dreamlike state. Time isn't real, is it?
The structure of this book is unlike anything I've ever seen. The prose is captivating.
If you crave something unlike anything you've ever read before, check this out.
Don't expect to know what is happening. Just go with it. 😌
The structure of this book is unlike anything I've ever seen. The prose is captivating.
If you crave something unlike anything you've ever read before, check this out.
Don't expect to know what is happening. Just go with it. 😌
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