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emeliah21'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Death, Mental illness, Confinement, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking, Incest, Misogyny, and Kidnapping
Minor: Physical abuse
livfowler'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, War, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
ameliabee33'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
4.25
Bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.
"A Dowry of Blood" is a poignant tale of Dracula's wives, the tale of the abuse Constanta and the other consorts face at the hands of a monster. Constanta was the first, the oldest, she has existed with him the longest. Learned how to make herself in his image, so she can stay safe. The others don't know how to do that. Until they do. Constanta wants out, but escaping an abuser isn't easy, especially when she has two others to worry about. Together, the three consort unwrap the mystery that is their husband, lover, in the search for freedom. But monsters don't let their prey go easily.
This is a story of abuse. It isn't a lighthearted book, it portrays and shows in detail what it is like living in an abusive relationship - so please check the tws before you dive in. It shows how difficult it is to break out and escape from the abuser. It also shows the lengths the abused will go to justify their abusers actions. Because he loved his wives. He really did. He just took away their autonomy and freedom.
He's a good man Savannah! (Not really)
It is written from the perspective of Constanta, in a series of letters to her beloved, justifying why she and the others did what they did. The prose is very lyrical and I found the letter format to be a very compelling mode of telling the story. Readers really get drawn into the relationships between all the characters from Constanta's pov because she is always there, watching. Her realization that this isn't how love is supposed to be and her initiative to investigate her beloved to be a great start of a character arc for her. However, it was short and rushed, I believe it should have gotten more on-page time. I wanted more evidence of growth of Constanta's character on page. I was left with the feeling thay the revenge plotlinr was only half done.
The relationship between Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi is very sweet at times, that they have such love and support from one another. However, Constanta takes on a sort of "mother" role with Magdalena and Alexi which makes their romantic physical relationship a bit odd to me. As I was reading it, it just felt weird. There is some comments where Magdalena insists that her and Constanta become sisters. And then there are many times where Constanta refers to Alexi as her son, the only relationship they have is emotional (until it's not). I know they aren't biologically related, but I'm just personally not into the taboo and it came off as awkward while reading it.
Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Infidelity, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Grief
sarahsbooklife'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Death, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Body horror, Gaslighting, Grief, Classism, Murder, and Confinement
Minor: Vomit, Cursing, Death of parent, and War
marsh_mall0w's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, Death, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Sexism, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Alcohol, Stalking, Medical trauma, and War
roxfoxreads89's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Misogyny
faduma'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: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Torture, Violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
n0elle'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
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual content, and Blood
hailstorm3812'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Violence and Domestic abuse
Minor: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
allisonmspiers's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexism, and Self harm
Minor: War, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Drug use