Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

439 reviews

strawhat_kd's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I found this book to be OK. From the description of the book, I was expecting Dracula to be bigger monster (pun intended). To me he just seemed to be a narcissist and a nymphomaniac. The problems he has with his brides and groom mainly come down to communications and wants.

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evgeorge's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a layered and empowering retelling of the Dracula story. It’s not a gore fest but has enough murder and mayhem to carry the story quickly to the conclusion we all see coming. It’s a great ride!

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lhailey's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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mals_library's review against another edition

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4.5


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huntland's review

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dark emotional medium-paced

2.75


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ninasmilliondreams's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring 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

4.5

“We will rebuild. We will survive. It’s what we’re best at”

This book was phenomenal!
At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it but the book really pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down. The prose was beautiful and Constanza, Magdalena and Alexi were such well written characters. I found it really impressive that a book this short can have such an impact. Also loved the fast that the book was addressed to her abuser. 
The relationship dynamics were so realistic and well written that I felt like I was experiencing the relationship with them. Constanza’s journey was very realistic and I understood her completely. Her conflicting emotions and feelings about him and their relationship were beautifully written and depicted the nature of a toxic relationship very well. I loved the ending and that they each went after what they wanted. 
There were so many beautiful quotes and the last few sentences made me tear up I was just so happy that they managed to free themselves  

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peregrinwho's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

This was so beautiful. A haunting, sublime sort that evoked velvet imagery on every page. It's so easy to get swept up in that kind of beauty, and once they were able to step out of that church, away from worship, the night began to feel like endless warm days.

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elskede's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.25


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lailybibliography's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

I made you into my private Christ, duplicated with my own dark devotions. Nothing existed beyond the range of your exacting gaze, not even me. I was simply a nonentity when you weren’t looking at me, an empty vessel waiting to be filled by the sweet water of your attention.

A woman can’t live like that, my lord. No one can. Don’t ask me why I did it.

I think this might just be my favourite retelling. The dynamic between Constanta, Magdalena and Alexi is so touching and tragic, soaked in blood yet so enticingly erotic and horrific. I’m left in awe of how S. T. Gibson weaved this masterclass in depicting the centuries-long abuse of these three lost souls by an intricate web of gaslighting, isolation, love-bombing and manipulation. Equal parts a love story and escaping a monster, I am so in love with this novel. I cannot wait to read more of this author’s works.

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theelisabethan's review against another edition

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

3.0

I hate when reviews say "nothing happens" but....

The writing was great on a line level, and the characters were interesting, but this book wasn't tense, it wasn't scary, it wasn't sad, it wasn't sexy, and it didn't deliver on any character arcs or themes. This book shows its entire hand within the first few pages and never draws new cards. It's still a good read - short and straightforward, with some of my favorite prose I've read this year, but like the vampires in the book, I quickly came to realize that the presence of hot queer people and interesting aesthetics only did so much against the repetitive slog of a boring eternity where the only thing that changes is the scenery.

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