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All Things Devour
Not yet published
Expected 1 May 26Is it the nature of monsters to be drawn to the dark, or is it fear which drives them to hide within its empty embrace?
All Theodore Villin has ever known is hiding from his own monsters—be that the feminine stranger he sees in the mirror, the sinful cravings that claw at the pits of his stomach, or the devil Father Thompson says has taken root in his very soul. His running never ends.
But when the abandoned manor atop Widow’s Peak is purchased at last, Theodore finds himself surrounded by monsters he does not wish to hide from. An artist who paints death and decay. A ghost being devoured by the wallpaper. And himself, whose monster lingers behind his teeth and waits.
He need only open his mouth,
and eat.
All Theodore Villin has ever known is hiding from his own monsters—be that the feminine stranger he sees in the mirror, the sinful cravings that claw at the pits of his stomach, or the devil Father Thompson says has taken root in his very soul. His running never ends.
But when the abandoned manor atop Widow’s Peak is purchased at last, Theodore finds himself surrounded by monsters he does not wish to hide from. An artist who paints death and decay. A ghost being devoured by the wallpaper. And himself, whose monster lingers behind his teeth and waits.
He need only open his mouth,
and eat.
Paperback
Expected publication May 1, 2026
4 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Mawce Hanlin
4 books62 followers(They/Them)
Mawce Hanlin is a queer, neurodivergent author and editor with a Master’s of Arts in English and Creative Writing through Southern New Hampshire University.
When they aren’t writing, they’re playing D&D or hunched over some sort of creative project—whether that be digital art, cosplay creation, or whatever recent hyperfixation has sunk its claws into their brain.
Currently living in Oklahoma with their partner and fur babies, Mawce writes fantastical stories that focus on queer and disabled characters learning to love themselves, finding their people, and finding their home.
Mawce Hanlin is a queer, neurodivergent author and editor with a Master’s of Arts in English and Creative Writing through Southern New Hampshire University.
When they aren’t writing, they’re playing D&D or hunched over some sort of creative project—whether that be digital art, cosplay creation, or whatever recent hyperfixation has sunk its claws into their brain.
Currently living in Oklahoma with their partner and fur babies, Mawce writes fantastical stories that focus on queer and disabled characters learning to love themselves, finding their people, and finding their home.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Received an ARC from the Author*
All Things Devour is an achingly beautiful book, one that I'll think for for a long time coming. It is unashamed to look into blood and decay to see the beauty within.
The prose and writing really swept me away at times. (I have so many highlights!!)
The characters spring to life and you can feel their struggles and desperation as if they were your own. Theodore, Azizi, and Kolfina hold a special place in my heart and they deserve the world!! Their dynamic is so sweet and really lovely to watch unfold. (also the spice...emotional and raw in the best way)
Themes of self acceptance, being truly seen, and finding your people really hits. Sprinkle in realizing the 'otherness' within you that you thought could only be weakness but really it was one of your greatest strengths? chefs kiss!
Devour the world and all it has to offer, all you have to do it take that first bite
All Things Devour is an achingly beautiful book, one that I'll think for for a long time coming. It is unashamed to look into blood and decay to see the beauty within.
The prose and writing really swept me away at times. (I have so many highlights!!)
The characters spring to life and you can feel their struggles and desperation as if they were your own. Theodore, Azizi, and Kolfina hold a special place in my heart and they deserve the world!! Their dynamic is so sweet and really lovely to watch unfold. (also the spice...emotional and raw in the best way)
Themes of self acceptance, being truly seen, and finding your people really hits. Sprinkle in realizing the 'otherness' within you that you thought could only be weakness but really it was one of your greatest strengths? chefs kiss!
Devour the world and all it has to offer, all you have to do it take that first bite
February 24, 2026
4.5
I received an ARC from the author. Thank you!
CW: transphobia, deadnaming, moments of blood/gore, murder/dismemberment, and a wee bit of cannibalism.
This was a well-crafted story about, more or less, finding your people. A vampire, a “beast”, and a ghost all finding one another within a long abandoned manor and falling in love amidst trials in their lives.
It seems hard to believe that pacing was an issue in a book of this length, but Kolfina’s backstory felt a bit like it came out of nowhere about three quarters of the way through the book, and suddenly we learned some pretty pertinent information that perhaps should’ve been hinted at a bit earlier. It felt like throughout most of the book, she was simply there, before her past was really delved into.
Despite this one complaint, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would definitely recommend checking it out once it releases!
I received an ARC from the author. Thank you!
CW: transphobia, deadnaming, moments of blood/gore, murder/dismemberment, and a wee bit of cannibalism.
This was a well-crafted story about, more or less, finding your people. A vampire, a “beast”, and a ghost all finding one another within a long abandoned manor and falling in love amidst trials in their lives.
It seems hard to believe that pacing was an issue in a book of this length, but Kolfina’s backstory felt a bit like it came out of nowhere about three quarters of the way through the book, and suddenly we learned some pretty pertinent information that perhaps should’ve been hinted at a bit earlier. It felt like throughout most of the book, she was simply there, before her past was really delved into.
Despite this one complaint, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would definitely recommend checking it out once it releases!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was incredible. I generally read quickly but this one was one I had to savor because it was decadent.
I fell in love with each of the characters and their stories were moving and haunting.
The way Mawce wrote about the rejection and violence Theodore faced was so deep.
Their writing makes me feel so entranced that I feel the emotions deep in my own body.
There are so many great quotes and I can talk in length about how this book moved me, the love and admiration between the characters was so strong even in the direct face of their deepest fears.
Definitely read this one!
I fell in love with each of the characters and their stories were moving and haunting.
The way Mawce wrote about the rejection and violence Theodore faced was so deep.
Their writing makes me feel so entranced that I feel the emotions deep in my own body.
There are so many great quotes and I can talk in length about how this book moved me, the love and admiration between the characters was so strong even in the direct face of their deepest fears.
Definitely read this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Please know that I would give (and will be giving) a 4.5 if I could.
There's a lot of really intriguing threads at play here, from religious trauma to having to legitimately ask if relations with a possessed corpse is still necrophilia and if you care. Multiple character PoVs are really difficult to pull off in novels, and I am pleased to say that all the PoV characters are well fleshed out, without the typical pitfall of Clearly The Favorite having the best chapters with the others left in the lurch. Also, a polycule without stupid jealousy?? Let's go, this book has that too.
A quite lovely, Gothic little time, even for someone like me who is a little skittish with gore and the like.
The author has told us that the final copy is expected to have internal illustrations as well, which I am sure will only make this book more worth buying.
Please know that I would give (and will be giving) a 4.5 if I could.
There's a lot of really intriguing threads at play here, from religious trauma to having to legitimately ask if relations with a possessed corpse is still necrophilia and if you care. Multiple character PoVs are really difficult to pull off in novels, and I am pleased to say that all the PoV characters are well fleshed out, without the typical pitfall of Clearly The Favorite having the best chapters with the others left in the lurch. Also, a polycule without stupid jealousy?? Let's go, this book has that too.
A quite lovely, Gothic little time, even for someone like me who is a little skittish with gore and the like.
The author has told us that the final copy is expected to have internal illustrations as well, which I am sure will only make this book more worth buying.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mawce Hanlin’s All Things Devour is a lyrical, evocative, and visceral love letter to Gothic literature. It very much evokes the sublime; everything is heightened and in florid, grotesquely beautiful detail. The characters are vicious and monstrous, and like one character paints macabre portraits, Hanlin paints a vivid atmosphere. There is also a tenderness throughout the narrative, too. The haunted setting is alive with its own story and past tragedies. If you want to read something with bite and a Gothic flourish, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews