Reviews tagging 'Rape'

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

17 reviews

karleeursta's review

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. 

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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

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.

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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

lady_of_the_labyrinth's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Death

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Rape

colloreda's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: War and Sexual content

Minor: Rape

thecaffeinatedlibrary's review against another edition

5.0

A dark, lusty and vengeful series of letters from Constanta to her unnamed husband that inspires feelings of love and hate in equal measure. 

The relationships were complex and the prose was elegant and vicious. There is so much power to be had in words, and Gibson does this beautifully — and powerfully — through Constanta. I found myself rooting for Constanta from the very first page, and for Magdalena and Alexi later as they were introduced. I adored the complex relationship between these three, and their camaraderie in the end. There’s not much more I can say without spoiling anything, but please read it!

Please check your TW before diving into this one, but was an extremely thought provoking read that I absolutely devoured!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, and Rape

livfowler's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

faduma's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

tranquiltides's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

What a rousing read! Gibson has the gift of poetic prose that I so love from authors like Erin Morgenstern and the like. 
But the story itself… interesting, dark, and plenty bloody. I cannot, in good faith, describe this book as “sexy” For the vast majority of it. The experiences of these characters is shrouded by an aura of ilk… but the Brilliant thing is I think that was on purpose. The narrative is written like a letter, but the addressee is dead. So it feels like something you write with no intention to send for the express purpose of healing. 

I read the Bookish Box version of this book, which not only includes an epilogue, but also a bonus chapter, that helps you feel like our protagonists have finally found health and happiness in their undying in lives. 

Gibson is kind enough to give some content warnings at the beginning of the book, so you know exactly what you’re getting into before you start reading, and that alone has me solidly among Gibson’s new forever fans. 
I can’t wait to see what comes from Gibson next! I highly recommend A Dowry of Blood for any and all who love a good, dark, and bloody story. Complete with a “why choose” romance and a happy ending. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, and Rape

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, War, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Drug use, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse

bazkrekker111's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Misogyny, Alcohol, Drug use, Infidelity, and Confinement

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Abandonment, Torture, Cannibalism, Cursing, Sexual assault, War, Sexual violence, Incest, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief

hermithebs's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, Blood, Death, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Murder, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Misogyny, War, Violence, Infidelity, Alcohol, Confinement, and Physical abuse