Scan barcode
catalyst226's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The overall theme was pretty dark and very clearly a story about emotional abuse with content warnings spelled out by the author right out the gate.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Mental illness, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Self harm, Body horror, Gore, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use
jackieyvette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was a bright light after a week of slumming through my last book at sloth speed. It’s was dark and cryptic and sad, but also the three are so caring and loving to each other it makes you see them for who they are and not what they’re become.
Read the TW for this book though there is a lot to deal with.
It’s a super quick read though I finished it in one sitting.
Crying score: No, but yes. But no.
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Gore, Misogyny, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Torture, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Death, Sexism, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Body horror, Cannibalism, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
bookishwondergoth'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? Yes
5.0
'A Dowry of Blood' by S.T. Gibson was one such book for me. From the very first few pages I became utterly captivated, and then I simply did not stop reading until I'd turned the final page. Once done, I sat in stunned silence for a little while. This is definitely the best book I’ve read so far this year!
The story is the confession of Dracula's first bride, Constanta, concerning her emotionally and physically abusive relationship with Dracula and the complex, solacing love she finds with her fellow "brides", Magdalena and Alexi. There's bisexuality, polyamory and sensuality galore, as well as a lot of blood, a lot of death, and a lot of very beautiful writing.
Seriously, I am in awe of some the lovely turns of phrases S.T. Gibson uses in her work. Her words are poetic, never purple, and everything feels like a dream to read. Truly I was transported to how I felt reading Anne Rice's 'Interview with the Vampire'. The author also cites the likes of Angela Carter, Catherynne Valente and the 2004 Stephen Sommers film 'Van Helsing' as influences, and that is very apparent in the best possible way.
Loved this book. Love love loved it. Please do yourself a favour and pick it up because it truly is gorgeous.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Confinement, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: War, Alcohol, and Body horror
bazkrekker111's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Gore, Violence, Murder, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol, Confinement, Infidelity, Drug use, and Misogyny
Minor: Mental illness, War, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Incest, Cannibalism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Cursing, Rape, Sexual violence, and Torture
ash_valkyreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Genre: dark, romance, drama, low-fantasy
Spice: 🌶️
Steam: 1.5
Representation: Polyamory, bi-sexual, BPOC main character (lover/bride)
Review:
I don’t think I’ve ever team anything quite like this. The story telling was immaculate and immersive. The prose beautiful and deep. It was a very different book than I usually read, and I savored it. It explores the nature of love, relationships, and coming into one’s own self and power. The love in this felt fantastic but also relatable.
If you have ever been in a toxic kind of codependency or abusive relationship with a partner you may recognize the nuances and inner turmoil one faces in that situation. I found it cathartic and I felt seen as the author told this story.
Plot:
This is a Dracula and his brides story. Only from the point of view from his first bride, Constananta. It is written in a memoir style in the format of letters to someone she will never send. You truly feel you are on this journey with Constantana and grow with her.
Steam / smut:
The steam was driven by emotional expression and so was the sex. Which was light in both IMO, but not off completely page. Each physical scene was a reflection of the emotional stakes. With the only more explicit scenes towards the end.
Triggers / content warning:
The font of the book has a list. Which I found really helpful. Please consider them before reading. This book while not overt does have some hard to read moments.
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, and Physical abuse
moonchild_cos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Violence, Grief, Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Gore
Moderate: Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
Minor: War
smash_timms'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
This book was captivating, easy to read and I would read it again. It is written in a poetic way from the view point of Constanta writing her last love letter to "You". I will admit the first few pages I had to adjust to reading that style of writing.
You know from the start that "You" died, but it doesn't matter because you want to know the journey. You want to know how the MFC developed over the course of time to reach that decision.
There is spice throughout the book. Like the rest of the book it is written very poetically, though you do know the details of what is happening. There are also polygamous scenes.
TW:
This book does have some dark themes, but the author has listed these at the start of the book.
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Murder, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Mental illness, Gaslighting, War, Body horror, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault and Drug use
krisalexcole's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Confinement, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and War
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, War, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Death
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
leahisdudish's review against another edition
3.0
was a good, quick read.
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, Mental illness, Violence, War, Confinement, and Toxic relationship