Reviews tagging 'Death'

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

336 reviews

stacey_unchecked's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

4.25

Written in a very classical fiction way, A Dowry of Blood is beautiful while also being brutal. A great read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Blood

crispynugget's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

I picked this book up on a whim before a flight and was pleasantly surprised but how captivated I was by the story. It is short and flows very well. Without giving away too much, the story is about how DV and DA change the people involved over their lives. What keeps it interesting is that the characters are all vampires in a poly relationship. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, War, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Blood, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual content, Mental illness, Infidelity, Murder, and Grief

niamhyjay's review against another edition

dark 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

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

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

bookswithbethx's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Child death, Gore, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Sexual content, and Violence

Minor: Death of parent and War

kailynpaig's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Grief, Sexual content, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Violence

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 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

lexyverstraete's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

I absolutely devoured this book. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of love and resistance. I do highly recommend checking the trigger warnings ahead of reading this book. But, if you are able to handle those topics, this book is well worth it. The love that Constanta has for her consorts while facing the wrath and unpredictability of her husband gives hope they will one day be free from his rule. I could not put this story down until I knew how it ended. Definitely recommend reading!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death and Body horror