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jaylene's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? No
5.0
I am floored. A Dowry of Blood contains the most beautiful writing I have ever come across, it is almost lyrical with its vivid imagery and atmospheric storytelling.
Best read of the year!!
Best read of the year!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Murder, Self harm, Gaslighting, Body horror, Death, and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use
A dark retelling of Dracula from his bride's perspective.psychominnie624's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
To those who escaped a love like death, and to those still caught in its grasp: you are the heroes of this story.
Constanta was never the focus of the original story but in this retelling she finds her strength and love in the partner's that she never asked for but who love her in ways that save her from the monster who claimed to do so.
This book does not hold back from the brutality of the tale and I urge readers to look at the content/trigger warnings to make sure they are in the right headspace before reading.
Through the use of unaddressed letters we see Constanta struggle to find herself when forced into a new life by the villain we all recognize, but who is never named he is simply "you." Her relationships with Magdalena and Alexi are a source of hope but also a mirror that forces her to see the reality around her. The relationship dynamics are compelling and the prose is evocative and beautiful even at the most tragic points.
Many quote the stripping of his name but for me this has stuck
I simply broke under the weight of a thousand tense nights, a thousand thought-less, soul-stripping words. I felt like I was losing my mind in that place, and eventually my desire to do something about it, anything about it, outweighed my fear of you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Misogyny and Violence
Minor: Blood
alloftaysreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
jinnvamp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
karleeursta's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Strong trigger warnings for relationship violence and interpersonal abuse. It’s a beautiful story but it is very difficult subject matter that not everyone might be prepared for all the time. For those who are emotionally and mentally prepared, it’s a moving and powerful message of hope and survival that provides sympathy for and understanding of survivors of abusive relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Violence, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
themagicalworldofnian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Getting into this book I didn't know that much about aside from that it is a dark, twisted, queer and sapphic story about vampires, which I later learned was a reimagining of Dracula's brides.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Gore, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
hanz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Violence, Gaslighting, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Self harm, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use
bree_h_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
5.0
I lack the words to do this book justice. I knew it would shatter me the moment I started reading it and it did.
Every line is written so beautifully and it feels so unique and special. Half, if not more, of my notes are just quotes that sunk into me. Like the most beautiful rose surrounded by roses that are stunning but only a sliver less beautiful.
Each relationship and character feels so unique and well written. There’s a realism to every dynamic, every character that’s stark and clear. The abuse within the home is so carefully laid out, but as Constanta looks back and speaks on it she feels gentle with herself. Like she truly understands why it all happened and that it’s not her, or the other’s fault, they fell into the situation they did.
The narrator was also stunning. Her voice has the perfect quality and every time there was dialogue she so perfectly captured the character and how they had changed over time. It’s easily my favourite performance for an audiobook I’ve ever listened to. Just absolutely amazing.
Overall just a soul achingly beautiful book that I will, without hesitation, recommend to anyone who asks. It’s shattered me and I’m so grateful for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, Death, Physical abuse, Confinement, Blood, Gore, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Grief
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Blood, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual assault
intoshadows's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you have ever experienced emotional abuse by a narcissist. This book articulates it in such a way that it’s safe to revisit but reminds you of what it took to survive it and that you are not alone in having experienced its abyss and gravity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault