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crybabybea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wanted a bit more out of pretty much every part of this. For the first time I actually felt like this book was too short to accomplish a really good payoff. For some reason it felt simultaneously way too slow during the beginning and then way too fast at the end. I was especially disappointed by the characters and how quickly the relationships move. Marion was a bit of a confusing character considering her backstory, and Lisavet was almost compelling but just fell a bit short for me. I did enjoy the relationships between Marion and the other girls but still felt like they were quite flat.
The plot itself is interesting and there is just enough mystery threaded through the story that it keeps your interest. I can't say that the twist itself was particularly surprising, but I still enjoyed the journey there and the resolution after.
There are a couple sapphic moments but the relationship is incredibly imbalanced power-wise and abusive, so don't expect a good time in the average sense of the word :)
The ending gave me Sucker Punch vibes which was cool.
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Classism, Vomit, Medical trauma, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Medical content, Alcohol, Blood, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Physical abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement and Gaslighting
Minor: Incest
Do NOT read this if you have a fear of needles. Also the cat does not die.bcvogel90's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Chronic illness, Classism, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Drug use
hehkhatea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really liked this book overall. Wasn’t sure what I was getting into but once I realized Lisavet was based on Elizabeth Bathory the jig was up. I think if you were unfamiliar with her or other classic literature naming conventions the twists might be more shocking.
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Addiction, Blood, Cannibalism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Classism, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Slavery
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Medical content
that_guy_bo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
And I have to say, this was one of the most gripping books I've ever read!
I've raved about it to anyone and everyone at every possible opportunity, because it really doesn't matter what your sexual orientation is, this is an entrancing book.
The scenery is dripping with every possible luxury, which makes the slowly mounting horror of the story stand that much starker against the decadent backdrop.
Additionally, as a huge fan of vampires, while this isn't technically a vampire story, it has all the trappings of one, and it certainly has the atmosphere! So if you're a fan of vampires, you'll very likely love this book.
Graphic: Medical content, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Chronic illness, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Incest, Classism, and Chronic illness
jasper_is_atypical's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Grief, Violence, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Self harm, Animal death, Cannibalism, Classism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Excrement, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Body horror, Bullying, Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual content
Moderate: Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent and Incest
jashanac's review against another edition
3.5
The beginning really hooked me, but once we get to the House of Hunger I didn't feel as connected to the story or characters. This book seemed to be trying to go for a Dowry of Blood type of vibe -- exploring abusive relationships and toxic love... however, it fell pretty short in that regard for me personally.
There definitely were "off" vibes from the Countess and she didn't seem warm & kind... but we didn't actually see much emotional manipulation and mental abuse until the very end. And we didn't really see the "how" behind Marion's sudden obsessive love for the Countess, in my opinion. She was just suddenly obsessed with her and desperate to please her and then later we were TOLD that the Countess manipulates her bloodmaids into becoming that way. But we didn't actually see it.
The other characters also were a bit too shallow for me -- Ivor, the other bloodmaids... everyone felt pretty surface level.
But again, I was still captivated with the intrigue and tension that was built, and I do think that the author has a lovely writing style that is pleasing to read. I think this just needed to be a little bit longer to really develop these things more.
Graphic: Medical content, Drug use, and Blood
maddiereadswords's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Cannibalism, Classism, Confinement, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Drug use, Gore, Trafficking, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, and Toxic relationship
birbmcbirb'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Classism, Trafficking, Murder, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Blood, Violence, Gore, Torture, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse and Drug use
asperomari's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, and Murder
eldritch_archivist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Cannibalism, Classism, Addiction, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Gore
Minor: Excrement and Death of parent