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Grotesque
A darkly erotic fairy tale of death and redemption.
Bedhyndann is a small seaside town in Cornwall. A town that travellers feel uncomfortable in. A town where sailors often choose to stay on their ships rather than coming into port. A town where the golem Denvyth has lived for nearly two hundred years and where he has been waiting for his master, the sorcerer Arderne, to return for one hundred and fifty of those. To pass the time he amuses himself at the siren Victoire’s private club, helping the humans around him fulfill their most dangerous desires. Until he crosses paths with Summers, a client who wants more from Denvyth than he should and who has the clues to unlock the secret of Arderne’s disappearance. But Arderne sought to release an old god and once Denvyth follows his master’s last instructions and finishes the sorcerer’s spell, what he unleashes could make him the monster he’s always feared being and destroy the world.
Bedhyndann is a small seaside town in Cornwall. A town that travellers feel uncomfortable in. A town where sailors often choose to stay on their ships rather than coming into port. A town where the golem Denvyth has lived for nearly two hundred years and where he has been waiting for his master, the sorcerer Arderne, to return for one hundred and fifty of those. To pass the time he amuses himself at the siren Victoire’s private club, helping the humans around him fulfill their most dangerous desires. Until he crosses paths with Summers, a client who wants more from Denvyth than he should and who has the clues to unlock the secret of Arderne’s disappearance. But Arderne sought to release an old god and once Denvyth follows his master’s last instructions and finishes the sorcerer’s spell, what he unleashes could make him the monster he’s always feared being and destroy the world.
300 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 7, 2026
this one surprised me.
a golem who’s spent 150 years waiting on his sorcerer master to come back, passing the time at a siren’s private club helping people chase their most dangerous desires. The premise alone had me, and the book delivered on it. Bedhyndann is creepy in the best way. You can feel how wrong that town is from the first page, and the dark gothic fairy tale vibe never lets up. It also doesn’t hold back on the sex or the violence, so check the content warnings before going in. Denvyth carried this for me. He’s a monster who’s scared of becoming one, and his dynamic with Summers kept me locked in. Underneath all the darkness it’s really about identity and finding where you belong, and that part hit harder than I expected.
half a star off for a couple of slower stretches, but that’s nitpicking. If you like your fairy tales dark, weird and a little filthy, pick this up.
4.5
a golem who’s spent 150 years waiting on his sorcerer master to come back, passing the time at a siren’s private club helping people chase their most dangerous desires. The premise alone had me, and the book delivered on it. Bedhyndann is creepy in the best way. You can feel how wrong that town is from the first page, and the dark gothic fairy tale vibe never lets up. It also doesn’t hold back on the sex or the violence, so check the content warnings before going in. Denvyth carried this for me. He’s a monster who’s scared of becoming one, and his dynamic with Summers kept me locked in. Underneath all the darkness it’s really about identity and finding where you belong, and that part hit harder than I expected.
half a star off for a couple of slower stretches, but that’s nitpicking. If you like your fairy tales dark, weird and a little filthy, pick this up.
4.5
October 26, 2026
Thank you netgalley for the arc!
I was not prepared for just how much this book was going to hurt me. A good hurt, but damn it really hurts. It is exactly the kind of book that feels like it was written with me in mind so that it could reach into my chest and rip my heart out.
Grotesque is a book about outcasts and the oppressed. It is a book about loneliness and grief and healing. It is a book about identity and building your sense of self from the ground up. It is a book about found family.
I love this book.
I was not prepared for just how much this book was going to hurt me. A good hurt, but damn it really hurts. It is exactly the kind of book that feels like it was written with me in mind so that it could reach into my chest and rip my heart out.
Grotesque is a book about outcasts and the oppressed. It is a book about loneliness and grief and healing. It is a book about identity and building your sense of self from the ground up. It is a book about found family.
I love this book.
November 6, 2026
Before picking this book up, check the content warnings. This author does not pull punches when it comes to depictions of violence and abuse in many forms. None of them feel gratuitous, and all are important to the plot, but some of them are very difficult to read.
This one took a bit for me to get into it, but somewhere around the 40% mark I was deep in it and I couldn't put it down. From the descriptions of Bedhyndann, to the characters at Victoire's club, the people Denvyth meets and is changed by, the developing relationship between Denvyth and Summers, and Denvyth's journey to understand and accept himself -- I was completely taken with it all. There weren't any characters who felt flat; every single one came alive on the page and made you feel for them, even if they were only there for a few paragraphs.
Grotesque explores race, sexual identity, personal identity, and the strength it takes to be vulnerable against the backdrop of an early modern Cornish seaside town. If you like your gothic horror with an erotic twist and a touch of the Lovecraftian, this is for you.
I received a free copy for review purposes. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.
This one took a bit for me to get into it, but somewhere around the 40% mark I was deep in it and I couldn't put it down. From the descriptions of Bedhyndann, to the characters at Victoire's club, the people Denvyth meets and is changed by, the developing relationship between Denvyth and Summers, and Denvyth's journey to understand and accept himself -- I was completely taken with it all. There weren't any characters who felt flat; every single one came alive on the page and made you feel for them, even if they were only there for a few paragraphs.
Grotesque explores race, sexual identity, personal identity, and the strength it takes to be vulnerable against the backdrop of an early modern Cornish seaside town. If you like your gothic horror with an erotic twist and a touch of the Lovecraftian, this is for you.
I received a free copy for review purposes. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.
Did Not Finish
October 5, 2026ARC
No rating as I unfortunately DNF this book at 35%. The story is so intriguing but I had difficulty with the writing style, it's very poetic and would lose me quite often. I think if you like that type of writing style you would really enjoy this! The cover is also absolutely stunning and I enjoyed the gender fluid/ non-binary aspects of this story. I will likely come back to this at another time!
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC for review.
No rating as I unfortunately DNF this book at 35%. The story is so intriguing but I had difficulty with the writing style, it's very poetic and would lose me quite often. I think if you like that type of writing style you would really enjoy this! The cover is also absolutely stunning and I enjoyed the gender fluid/ non-binary aspects of this story. I will likely come back to this at another time!
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC for review.
Did Not Finish
October 14, 2026DNF @ 45%
This started out really great as a story about a gender fluid golem working at an underground BDSM type club in a little ocean town with other mythical creatures like sirens and werewolves. I was here for it. But, then I was lost at the journal entries our dear Denvyth finds. There are mentions of old Gods and Hebrew culture and other things that I am just not sure how these things will be woven into the story. It confused the heck out of me. I may come back to this later but for right now, too many things are going on for me to be able to enjoy the story.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
This started out really great as a story about a gender fluid golem working at an underground BDSM type club in a little ocean town with other mythical creatures like sirens and werewolves. I was here for it. But, then I was lost at the journal entries our dear Denvyth finds. There are mentions of old Gods and Hebrew culture and other things that I am just not sure how these things will be woven into the story. It confused the heck out of me. I may come back to this later but for right now, too many things are going on for me to be able to enjoy the story.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
August 22, 2026
Elliott Dunstan’s novel Grotesque is a beautifully crafted, gender fluid tale of outcasts and arcane power, old gods and hidden tunnels, monstrous inhumanity and startling tenderness. Its narrator, a patchwork golem working at a gothic BDSM club in a rough Cornish harbour town, longs for the return of the mage who’d created them two centuries earlier. But when they recover that mage’s stolen book of secrets from a descendant of someone from that distant past, the narrative takes a brutal Lovecraftian turn.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC—especially since it’s my first ever!
First and foremost, the title and cover art lured my gothic-literature-loving heart in. The heartbeat of the novel rests in the dialogue and interactions between characters. Our main character, Denvyth, is grappling with the concept of creation, their identity, and what it means to be a person. Whether they were platonic, romantic, or somewhere in the middle, each side character felt integral to Denvyth's story. As much as Denvyth's own thoughts fleshed him out, characters from his past and present truly shaped him. Despite violent impulses, Denvyth is an incredibly sympathetic character I loved from the start. He's a great example of how to make an imperfect character lovable.
In some novels, time skips can be a hit or miss. These were easy to follow and served a narrative purpose to Denvyth and the plot at large. It set up later information that landed incredibly well, quite literally making my jaw drop at times. The novel does contain eroticism, including what I believe is BDSM, but it's done well. It lends to Denvyth's exploration toward personhood and is a way (in my opinion) to reclaim bodily autonomy. Pinpricks of romantic tension between Denvyth and various characters were likewise palpable in moments outside of sex, so I think the author just has a natural grasp for chemistry between characters.
My one semi-negative note is that there are certain moments where descriptions and details drag on for a page longer than they probably should. Then again, one can argue this is par the course for gothic literature. I also kept reading for a reason, and did not find that deterring enough to DNF the novel. Overall, it's a wonderful novel I would love to have on my shelf someday.
Readers seeking LGBTQIA+ representation, especially trans or gender non-conforming stories, should pick up this book. We should all diversify our shelves not for the sake of brownie points, but to genuinely expose ourselves to truths and experiences beyond our own. A very lovely gothic book about self-discovery, community, and sexual freedom.
First and foremost, the title and cover art lured my gothic-literature-loving heart in. The heartbeat of the novel rests in the dialogue and interactions between characters. Our main character, Denvyth, is grappling with the concept of creation, their identity, and what it means to be a person. Whether they were platonic, romantic, or somewhere in the middle, each side character felt integral to Denvyth's story. As much as Denvyth's own thoughts fleshed him out, characters from his past and present truly shaped him. Despite violent impulses, Denvyth is an incredibly sympathetic character I loved from the start. He's a great example of how to make an imperfect character lovable.
In some novels, time skips can be a hit or miss. These were easy to follow and served a narrative purpose to Denvyth and the plot at large. It set up later information that landed incredibly well, quite literally making my jaw drop at times. The novel does contain eroticism, including what I believe is BDSM, but it's done well. It lends to Denvyth's exploration toward personhood and is a way (in my opinion) to reclaim bodily autonomy. Pinpricks of romantic tension between Denvyth and various characters were likewise palpable in moments outside of sex, so I think the author just has a natural grasp for chemistry between characters.
My one semi-negative note is that there are certain moments where descriptions and details drag on for a page longer than they probably should. Then again, one can argue this is par the course for gothic literature. I also kept reading for a reason, and did not find that deterring enough to DNF the novel. Overall, it's a wonderful novel I would love to have on my shelf someday.
Readers seeking LGBTQIA+ representation, especially trans or gender non-conforming stories, should pick up this book. We should all diversify our shelves not for the sake of brownie points, but to genuinely expose ourselves to truths and experiences beyond our own. A very lovely gothic book about self-discovery, community, and sexual freedom.
October 26, 2026
This book is WEIRD in exactly the way I wanted it to be.
Grotesque is dark, gothic, unsettling, strange, erotic, violent, and somehow incredibly tender at the same time. I went into this expecting a creepy story about a golem and old gods, but this turned into something much more layered than I expected.
Denvyth is such an unusual character. He is a golem who has spent nearly two hundred years waiting for his creator to return, while trying to figure out who he is and where he belongs. His struggle with identity, loneliness, sexuality, and what it means to be a monster gave the story an emotional depth I wasn't expecting.
And the horror? It gets DARK. There are old gods, supernatural forces, violence, sex, disturbing imagery, and this constant feeling that something ancient and terrible is waiting underneath everything. The world Dunstan created feels like a twisted fairy tale that wandered into cosmic horror and decided not to leave.
I also really connected with the themes of being seen as different, trying to understand yourself, and wondering whether being created to be a certain way means you have to remain that way. Denvyth's journey toward connection and figuring out who he wants to become ended up being just as important to me as the horror.
This is definitely not a straightforward horror novel, and I loved that about it. It's gothic, fantasy, horror, dark fairy tale, mythology, and character study all mashed together into something completely its own.
Some books are creepy. Some are disturbing. Some are beautiful.
Grotesque somehow manages to be all three.
This is the kind of strange, dark book I love discovering, and I absolutely recommend it if you're looking for something completely different from the usual horror read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Grotesque is dark, gothic, unsettling, strange, erotic, violent, and somehow incredibly tender at the same time. I went into this expecting a creepy story about a golem and old gods, but this turned into something much more layered than I expected.
Denvyth is such an unusual character. He is a golem who has spent nearly two hundred years waiting for his creator to return, while trying to figure out who he is and where he belongs. His struggle with identity, loneliness, sexuality, and what it means to be a monster gave the story an emotional depth I wasn't expecting.
And the horror? It gets DARK. There are old gods, supernatural forces, violence, sex, disturbing imagery, and this constant feeling that something ancient and terrible is waiting underneath everything. The world Dunstan created feels like a twisted fairy tale that wandered into cosmic horror and decided not to leave.
I also really connected with the themes of being seen as different, trying to understand yourself, and wondering whether being created to be a certain way means you have to remain that way. Denvyth's journey toward connection and figuring out who he wants to become ended up being just as important to me as the horror.
This is definitely not a straightforward horror novel, and I loved that about it. It's gothic, fantasy, horror, dark fairy tale, mythology, and character study all mashed together into something completely its own.
Some books are creepy. Some are disturbing. Some are beautiful.
Grotesque somehow manages to be all three.
This is the kind of strange, dark book I love discovering, and I absolutely recommend it if you're looking for something completely different from the usual horror read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Elliott Dunstan for the opportunity to read this ARC.
The title, cover and premise really made me think I was going to love this book, I'm a sucker for new age gothic horror type stories. However, I ended up DNF-ing this book at around 46%. This story initially draws you in with a fun spicy scene but kept taking hard lefts away from the story that I ultimately wanted to hear/read. This book just has way too much going on with it. From the story elements, to the plot, to the writing. The story elements include golems/monsters, sadism/BDSM, gender identity, racism, all the different religions (seriously), romance, historical town, witch/sorcerers, alternating timelines, etc. The plot too followed all of these differing elements, but in such a way that didn't really keep me interested. I would have preferred if the story line stayed around Victories and the differing monsters/creatures that worked there.
Lastly, the writing style, it seemed as though this author cared more about 'how' the story was told rather than the story itself. Its written in such an overly explanatory way that it gives off a pretentious tone and ends up stalling the narrative flow. I wish the author would have focused on the actual story line and plot instead of the excessive poetic narration. I have only ever really DNFed two books and it is usually due to this type of writing style. If you are going to write in this poetic narration style it needs to be done in a very specific way that, in my opinion, only few writers have ever actually accomplished. Sorry, but this book just wasn't for me in the end.. well at the 46% mark.
The title, cover and premise really made me think I was going to love this book, I'm a sucker for new age gothic horror type stories. However, I ended up DNF-ing this book at around 46%. This story initially draws you in with a fun spicy scene but kept taking hard lefts away from the story that I ultimately wanted to hear/read. This book just has way too much going on with it. From the story elements, to the plot, to the writing. The story elements include golems/monsters, sadism/BDSM, gender identity, racism, all the different religions (seriously), romance, historical town, witch/sorcerers, alternating timelines, etc. The plot too followed all of these differing elements, but in such a way that didn't really keep me interested. I would have preferred if the story line stayed around Victories and the differing monsters/creatures that worked there.
Lastly, the writing style, it seemed as though this author cared more about 'how' the story was told rather than the story itself. Its written in such an overly explanatory way that it gives off a pretentious tone and ends up stalling the narrative flow. I wish the author would have focused on the actual story line and plot instead of the excessive poetic narration. I have only ever really DNFed two books and it is usually due to this type of writing style. If you are going to write in this poetic narration style it needs to be done in a very specific way that, in my opinion, only few writers have ever actually accomplished. Sorry, but this book just wasn't for me in the end.. well at the 46% mark.
October 20, 2026
Thank you to Wolsak and Wynn Publishers for the e-ARC.
I really wanted to like this. I was intrigued and picked it up because of mention of the Golem, and as a Jew obsessed with our folklore and mythology, I was excited to see another queer take on the story. However, Dunstan, like many authors before them, falls into the trap of thinking of the Golem as a monster, not a protector. Turning what was a story of creation and protection, of desperation and hope, into a story of a man making something and then forgetting it/ignoring it just doesn't sit well with me. It feels like the author views the Golem as just another mythological monster, and not what it was in terms of our history. You cannot compare werewolves and golems and act like they are the same within mythological context. It would like be comparing the Fates from Greek mythology with vampires.
Anyway, I dnf'ed around 50% in because I just didn't vibe with this portrayal of the golem story. I like the author's writing, otherwise, and would maybe read another book by them.
I really wanted to like this. I was intrigued and picked it up because of mention of the Golem, and as a Jew obsessed with our folklore and mythology, I was excited to see another queer take on the story. However, Dunstan, like many authors before them, falls into the trap of thinking of the Golem as a monster, not a protector. Turning what was a story of creation and protection, of desperation and hope, into a story of a man making something and then forgetting it/ignoring it just doesn't sit well with me. It feels like the author views the Golem as just another mythological monster, and not what it was in terms of our history. You cannot compare werewolves and golems and act like they are the same within mythological context. It would like be comparing the Fates from Greek mythology with vampires.
Anyway, I dnf'ed around 50% in because I just didn't vibe with this portrayal of the golem story. I like the author's writing, otherwise, and would maybe read another book by them.
Read
October 21, 2026This had all the right premises of an interesting historical gothic novel, but I had to stop reading 50% of the way through.
My main concern with the plot was the fact there were too many different elements introduced throughout the novel, which made it difficult to follow. Especially if you are not already familiar with the folklore, it can be hard to keep track of. I did appreciate the ambition of the author to try and present a variety of gothic horror elements & folklore that you may not typically see in this genre.
Another note to highlight is the author's storytelling. The prose and language utilized to convey the plot weren't for me, and it overshadowed the narrative. It placed a difficulty on the reader to follow the numerous characters introduced, the folklore behind them, and then the prose.
Unfortunately, this novel wasn't for me but I appreciated having the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Thank you to Netgalley!
My main concern with the plot was the fact there were too many different elements introduced throughout the novel, which made it difficult to follow. Especially if you are not already familiar with the folklore, it can be hard to keep track of. I did appreciate the ambition of the author to try and present a variety of gothic horror elements & folklore that you may not typically see in this genre.
Another note to highlight is the author's storytelling. The prose and language utilized to convey the plot weren't for me, and it overshadowed the narrative. It placed a difficulty on the reader to follow the numerous characters introduced, the folklore behind them, and then the prose.
Unfortunately, this novel wasn't for me but I appreciated having the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Thank you to Netgalley!
November 13, 2026
Grotesque is a dark, unsettling fairy tale with a wonderfully strange premise and an atmosphere that feels almost as dangerous as the creatures inhabiting it. Denvyth, a golem who has spent nearly two centuries waiting for his missing master, is a fascinating central character, especially as he struggles with his own nature and the fear of becoming the monster he believes himself to be. The eerie seaside town of Bedhyndann, the siren’s private club, and the mysterious disappearance of the sorcerer Arderne create a wonderfully gothic setting, while Summers brings new complications and secrets into Denvyth’s carefully established existence. I especially enjoyed the blend of dark fantasy, desire, and questions of redemption, though I would have liked a little more time to connect with some of the characters and explore the mythology behind the looming threat. It’s an unusual, atmospheric story with plenty of darkness and an intriguing heart beneath its grotesque exterior.
October 18, 2026
**** Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC of this novel!
Grotesque is a wonderfully dark, gothic tale following our main character as they go through motions of finding themselves.
This book takes us through grief, love, gender discovery, sexuality discovery, and the discovery of purpose and a family through friends.
I highly recommend this novel for spooky season, October is the perfect month to release it and if you liked Guillermo Del Toros Frankenstein with a LGBTQ+ twist on it then this is the perfect story for you.
I truly loved almost every moment of this book. I will say that I docked it a star due to some parts confusing me and I almost felt like I was reading a completely different story but it almost always made sense later in the book.
Grotesque is a wonderfully dark, gothic tale following our main character as they go through motions of finding themselves.
This book takes us through grief, love, gender discovery, sexuality discovery, and the discovery of purpose and a family through friends.
I highly recommend this novel for spooky season, October is the perfect month to release it and if you liked Guillermo Del Toros Frankenstein with a LGBTQ+ twist on it then this is the perfect story for you.
I truly loved almost every moment of this book. I will say that I docked it a star due to some parts confusing me and I almost felt like I was reading a completely different story but it almost always made sense later in the book.
November 4, 2026
This kind of dragged for me at first, even if it was conceptually intruiging. I liked the way it was written, but sometimes it was a little too much for me to process. I think the existence of the other monsters shouldve been expanded upon to make the finale pack an actual punch. Some twists here and there a bit obvious to me. I fuck with the gender queer aspects a lot. Around halfway, the tone shifts a looot and it's sort of baffling. At that point, I was just trying to get through the damn thing. It was an entertaining read, certainly had me quite disturbed at moments. I don't know how to put it, but I wasn't a huuuge fan of some of the ending. It was a bit more cliche than I expected for how dark this story can be, but it was fine I guess.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A beautifully strange, gothic tale of outcasts, arcane power, old gods, and startling tenderness.
Denvyth being a non-binary MC made my heart happy, and I loved how naturally the story explored gender, consent, bodily autonomy, and power. The representation felt genuinely woven into the world rather than performative.
I loved the eerie, fairy-tale atmosphere and all the wonderfully strange ideas. My only critique is I wanted more emotional depth in some of the relationships, which felt a little too focused on physical attraction.
Overall, a dark, weird, beautifully crafted read with some fascinating themes.
Denvyth being a non-binary MC made my heart happy, and I loved how naturally the story explored gender, consent, bodily autonomy, and power. The representation felt genuinely woven into the world rather than performative.
I loved the eerie, fairy-tale atmosphere and all the wonderfully strange ideas. My only critique is I wanted more emotional depth in some of the relationships, which felt a little too focused on physical attraction.
Overall, a dark, weird, beautifully crafted read with some fascinating themes.
October 16, 2026
This book started as a Frankenstein, then by part four, 80% in, turned into intellectual slog. At the end of the book we met 10+ new characters of various beliefs and ethnicities, which I suppose were referential to every culture’s monster/golem/Frankenstein. It started to read too intellectual and “tell me” rather than letting us draw our own conclusion. It wasn’t easy to read the first 80% either, you are constantly made to feel uncomfortable. Norms are pushed just so, over and over throughout the book. So I warn you, don’t expect it to get easier, quit while you are ahead.
Did Not Finish
October 9, 2026Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an arc of this book for an honest review.
I ended up DNF'ing the book about 20 % into it. Historical/gothic books are hit-or-miss for me, and while the premise sounded really good. It just did not line up with what I wanted from those expectations. I had a hard time trying to determine what the book was about. It seemed to dabble a bit into everything, and that's totally okay. Just wasn't for me.
I ended up DNF'ing the book about 20 % into it. Historical/gothic books are hit-or-miss for me, and while the premise sounded really good. It just did not line up with what I wanted from those expectations. I had a hard time trying to determine what the book was about. It seemed to dabble a bit into everything, and that's totally okay. Just wasn't for me.
November 2, 2026
Lovely amazing cover. I'm seeing more collage/gothic/dark/floral covers and they are just so pretty and cool!
The synopsis with a port town where sailors do not enjoy some shore leave because of the towns reputation and disappearances is fascinating! It's so cool! It's crazy to have so much emotion trapped inside of 300 pages! 300 BEAUIFUL pages! Read slow, you only get to read it for the first time once!
The synopsis with a port town where sailors do not enjoy some shore leave because of the towns reputation and disappearances is fascinating! It's so cool! It's crazy to have so much emotion trapped inside of 300 pages! 300 BEAUIFUL pages! Read slow, you only get to read it for the first time once!
October 30, 2026
I absolutely love this book. It was a very rough start for me cuz I thought I was walking into something completely different but the writing was beautiful, poetic, and then shit just gets weird which I love and I was immediately hooked. I love love love this book!
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