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themagicalworldofnian's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Ableism, Gore, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
xapoptosisx'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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Gore
Minor: War
gondorgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Gore, Murder, Death, Infidelity, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Cannibalism, Stalking, Grief, Blood, Alcohol, Body horror, Cursing, Misogyny, and Self harm
torrentsofhayl'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
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Blood, Confinement, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
jackiepreston's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Alcohol
emilywemily6'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
3.5
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, and Death of parent
rene_kampfer'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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
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
discarded_dust_jacket's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
One of the most effective elements of this story is the way that it handles the relationship between Dracula and his—partners? lovers? children (ew)?— because I feel like it’s such a good depiction of the cycle of abuse.
Dracula isn’t always cruel. He’s often charming, doting, tender, and sometimes I found myself genuinely wishing for his redemption. I wanted to make excuses for him, the same as Constanta did. As much as I wanted Constanta to escape Dracula, I also empathized with her genuine heartbreak over having to destroy him to do it.
Also, without spoilers, I’ll just say: the epilogue was the perfect way to end this story. I finished the book with the biggest smile on my face. Such an emotional read!
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Physical abuse and Alcohol
neomreads'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
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Blood, Sexual content, Self harm, Body horror, Vomit, Gaslighting, War, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use