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othersociologist's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Racism
bitterlyenthusiastic_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Philip Fracassi’s Gothic is a masterclass in gothic horror, following all the essential rules: a cursed object with a dark history, an atmosphere of decay, and a slow corruption of innocence. In this case, it’s an antique desk with sinister origins that begins to consume its new owner, Tyson Parks. As his writing career revives, his personal life crumbles, pulling him deeper into a nightmare.
For anyone who loves classic horror, Gothic hits all the right notes. It’s a nod to the old-school horror novels of the ‘70s and ‘80s, combining familiar gothic elements—witchcraft, sacrifice, haunted artifacts—but delivering them with fresh energy. Tyson’s character feels believable, and his descent is a slow, eerie build rather than an immediate plunge into chaos. The book excels at layering tension and unease without relying too heavily on gore or shock value.
The novel strikes a great balance between honoring the traditions of gothic horror while still feeling modern. Fracassi doesn’t rely on irony or deconstruction—he takes the haunted desk and occult themes seriously, and the result is a genuinely unsettling story.
For anyone who loves classic horror, Gothic hits all the right notes. It’s a nod to the old-school horror novels of the ‘70s and ‘80s, combining familiar gothic elements—witchcraft, sacrifice, haunted artifacts—but delivering them with fresh energy. Tyson’s character feels believable, and his descent is a slow, eerie build rather than an immediate plunge into chaos. The book excels at layering tension and unease without relying too heavily on gore or shock value.
The novel strikes a great balance between honoring the traditions of gothic horror while still feeling modern. Fracassi doesn’t rely on irony or deconstruction—he takes the haunted desk and occult themes seriously, and the result is a genuinely unsettling story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
grimandgleeful's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Murder
caeliniscreepy's review against another edition
2.75
That lady had it right — this dude was pure trash long before he got a haunted desk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Transphobia and Mass/school shootings
dareaderho's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
As someone who is somewhat unfamiliar with the horror, I found Philip Fracassi’s Gothic mostly satiated my desire for particular components native to the genre. It was dark, it was gory, and somewhat reminiscent of 80s horror movies (which I adore) for it’s clichés and corny comedic elements.
While the beginning of the story had me hooked with it’s characterization, setup, and pacing the latter half is where the story began to fall short for me. Particularly, I don’t care for the author’s utilization of female characters in this story. Maybe this was because it makes callbacks to old school horror where women are mostly used for the convenience of bad happenings, or simply to highlight the main characters personal conflict; either way, I was not a fan. I feel that so much more could have been done with the female character. There were moments where they could have taken initiative that would have intensified the plot.
All in all, I found the read to be worthwhile and would consider reading more of the authors works.
While the beginning of the story had me hooked with it’s characterization, setup, and pacing the latter half is where the story began to fall short for me. Particularly, I don’t care for the author’s utilization of female characters in this story. Maybe this was because it makes callbacks to old school horror where women are mostly used for the convenience of bad happenings, or simply to highlight the main characters personal conflict; either way, I was not a fan. I feel that so much more could have been done with the female character. There were moments where they could have taken initiative that would have intensified the plot.
All in all, I found the read to be worthwhile and would consider reading more of the authors works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
hagss's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
blacksphinx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Of all the things this book contains, all the very many trigger warnings I want to place upon it, the one that turned my stomach the most is the fatphobia expressed in the narration. What was even the point of its long, vile description of a fat man that dripped with disgust and hate? It added nothing to the story - if you wanted us to hate the first person to encounter this minor character, that character is already a rapist so... Even the most sympathetic character in the story can't help but think about that man's body in sneering ways.
This author came highly recommended to me and I am now questioning the judgement of those people, that is how pointless and vile I found this book to be.
This author came highly recommended to me and I am now questioning the judgement of those people, that is how pointless and vile I found this book to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Transphobia, Violence, and Blood
archaicrobin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tyson is a famous horror writer struggling to stay relevant in the digital age. When his longtime girlfriend buys him a beautiful but mysterious desk for his birthday, he’s struck by a sudden urge to write. Creating a bestselling, gruesome, horror novel basically overnight under the dark influence of this new desk. Tyson starts to experience a relief to his writers block but at what cost? With violent urges, troubling dreams, and aggressive behavior, it quickly becomes clear the desk is more than just a furniture piece.
I really enjoyed this novel’s classic horror vibes and while I usually hate books being compared to others, this one really did remind me of King’s novels in the masculine characterizations and the dark turns the book takes. I love haunted items and this desk was truly monstrous.
A few minor things that I didn’t like was the pacing and some of the more dated tropes, the usual misogyny, sexual violence and a weird fat phobia scene that felt very unnecessary. The book starts doff strong, slowed to a crawl, sped up again, and then kinda fizzled out at the end. If this was paced a little better, it might have had a stronger impact but was still a fun ride.
Also trigger warning for violence, rape, and domestic abuse!
If all that sounds like things you can handle I would suggest trying Gothic, it’s a solid horror novel with a haunted object which we don’t see a lot these days! I would also highly suggest the audiobook, the narration really brought the characters to life .
I really enjoyed this novel’s classic horror vibes and while I usually hate books being compared to others, this one really did remind me of King’s novels in the masculine characterizations and the dark turns the book takes. I love haunted items and this desk was truly monstrous.
A few minor things that I didn’t like was the pacing and some of the more dated tropes, the usual misogyny, sexual violence and a weird fat phobia scene that felt very unnecessary. The book starts doff strong, slowed to a crawl, sped up again, and then kinda fizzled out at the end. If this was paced a little better, it might have had a stronger impact but was still a fun ride.
Also trigger warning for violence, rape, and domestic abuse!
If all that sounds like things you can handle I would suggest trying Gothic, it’s a solid horror novel with a haunted object which we don’t see a lot these days! I would also highly suggest the audiobook, the narration really brought the characters to life .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
ahhhhmanda's review against another edition
Unexpected graphic sexual assault. Descriptions of female characters as if we're back in the 70s.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual violence and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol