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allivenger's review against another edition
4.0
I found out that this particular audiobook is free with my audible subscription and immediately decided I had to listen to it. This wasn't a bad book but it wasn't a great book either. What was great was that this was a story of falling out of love with someone. How you can go from making them the center of your world and how it can change over the years when you realize how abusive they really were.
The story is told from Constanta's POV and only her POV. The first of Dracula's brides she is transformed from a lowly peasant into his devoted servant. But it comes at a cost. She cannot befriend humans, she cannot ingratiate herself into their lives, she can only follow him and not question his choices. Until he betrays her and adds another bride. Magdalena is the opposite of Constanta, she is alive and vibrant. She wants to talk politics and go to the theater. But even she is eventually downtrodden by their husband's rules. It isn't until the addition of Alexi that the three realize that this life can be so much better. If only their husband dies first.
The storytelling in this really picks up with the addition of Magdalena. The control that Dracula has on them isn't apparent at first. You start to think that Magdalena is just melancholy and Dracula is just protecting them. But when he adds Alexi to the mix you finally see what has happened. The slow falling out of love was beautifully done and it shows the cost of having control over your partner. And thinking you're untouchable.
The story is told from Constanta's POV and only her POV. The first of Dracula's brides she is transformed from a lowly peasant into his devoted servant. But it comes at a cost. She cannot befriend humans, she cannot ingratiate herself into their lives, she can only follow him and not question his choices. Until he betrays her and adds another bride. Magdalena is the opposite of Constanta, she is alive and vibrant. She wants to talk politics and go to the theater. But even she is eventually downtrodden by their husband's rules. It isn't until the addition of Alexi that the three realize that this life can be so much better. If only their husband dies first.
The storytelling in this really picks up with the addition of Magdalena. The control that Dracula has on them isn't apparent at first. You start to think that Magdalena is just melancholy and Dracula is just protecting them. But when he adds Alexi to the mix you finally see what has happened. The slow falling out of love was beautifully done and it shows the cost of having control over your partner. And thinking you're untouchable.
jsnchza's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
velvetcatacombs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
justinies's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Feels wrong to call a book about such a toxic relationship ‘good’ but here we are.
lydiaaizlewood's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0