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themagicalworldofnian's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
And OMG this book. I absolutely loved it and it is a new all time favourite.
The books starts of with "I never dreamed it would end like this, my lord: your blood splashing hot flecks onto my nightgown and pouring in rivulets onto our bedchamber floor. But creatures like us live a long time. There is no horror left in this world that can surprise me. Eventually, even your death becomes its own sort of inevitability". Reading this sentence alone, I knew this was going to be a 5 star read for me.
Just how lyrical the prose is, astounding. It adds to the amazing gothic vibe throughout the story.
The book is written in the form of an open letter from the point of view of Constanta, the first bride. It shows thin line between love, obsession and evil.
I just loved that it was written in the form of an open letter, since it made the book way more personal and you could just feel the on going struggle of feelings.
The ever changing relationships were also so intriguiging to see and be a part of.
Further the power dynamics, manipulation and gaslighting in the story illustrate how it can sometimes be very hard to see the abusive nature of a relationship. And the nature of consent, how it can sometimes feel impossible to say no.
This will definitely be a book that will reappear into my mind. And overall I cannot recommend this book enough.
However keep in mind the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
Triggerwarnings: emotional, verbal, and physical intimate partner abuse, gaslighting, war, famine, and plague, blood and gore, consensual sexual content, sadomasochism, self-harm, body horror, violence and murder, alcohol use, depression and mania.
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
xapoptosisx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: War
dodiejoyle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
hanz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault
clarabelle94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: War
crispynugget's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, and Murder
bookswithbethx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and War
caitlinemccann's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, and War
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Blood, and Gaslighting
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault
pimklasagna's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, and War
Minor: Incest