Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

182 reviews

bchat001's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Murder, and Confinement

dodiejoyle's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Body horror, Pandemic/Epidemic, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Confinement, Racism, Violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, War, Kidnapping, Blood, Cannibalism, and Death

wickeddelights's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

I loved this book. It made me feel so many things, and gave name and words to parts of myself still healing. It is told in a beautiful and impactful way, and it is inspiring. A story of survival, and self actualization, reflection, and love. I am so glad I read it, and proud to call this my first 5* read of 2024

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Blood, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Confinement, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Infidelity

booking_along's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Toxic relationship, Gore, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Gaslighting, Murder, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, and Violence

gondorgirl's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective slow-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

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

tomesxox's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I had a pretty fantastic time with this one. I enjoyed Constanta’s pov and the way she developed as the story moved along. And goodness knows I enjoy a happy ending! Definitely give this one a try if you’re down for something moody featuring vampires. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Confinement and Domestic abuse

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual content, and Torture

caitlinemccann's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

3.0

Dowry of Blood was a solid read for me, but I don't think my experience with it lived up to the hype from its release. Lyrically written, with an apt handling of sensitive topics from the perspective of a survivor of trauma and literal centuries of domestic abuse. Yet, I still struggled to feel invested in the overall story. Some of that issue came from not feeling like I understood the main character Constanta on her own; I only ever grasped her in relation to other characters and the emotions they brought about in her. And maybe that's the point? That Constanta's finally able to make meaning in her life in the wake of

murdering her tyrannical, abusive maker

. If so, I sadly don't think that resonated with me in a way that makes this novel shine. If you're a fan of classics and/or retellings of classics, this is still a worthwhile read though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Mental illness

Moderate: Grief, Self harm, Sexual content, Abandonment, and War

bree_h_reads's review

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

sylvestra'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Domestic abuse, and Blood

Moderate: Murder and Confinement

Minor: Death and Grief

chelsea_nailpolishlover's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I could not put this down. It’s a short read, and every chapter was filled with meaning and thoughtfulness for the readers understanding and enjoyment. 

This is book was about love. But not the kind you assume. This is about the kind of torturous toxic love that you delude yourself into thinking their love is worth the pain, worth the bad, that’s it’s because they love you that they treat you that way. 

This was about finding one’s self, breaking free, living to live and not for the whims of someone else’s existence. It was painful, heartbreaking, exhausting to witness. And I loved every word. 

It was beautifully written. It held my attention at every turn. The ending was perfect. I honestly have not one single criticism for this book. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child death, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Sexual content, Blood, Mental illness, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Death, Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic, Confinement, and Toxic relationship