Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

261 reviews

taylorreads17's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Physical abuse

booksandcatsand's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

4.25

I loved this!! The concept was everything. I also felt that the author’s depiction of toxic relationships and domestic violence was raw and honest without romanticizing these aspects of the book. Some of the word choices were a bit awkward/used a lot which slightly pulled the book’s emotional punch for me. But all in all, really interesting read that I’d recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Physical abuse

gisblanketfort's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

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

jinnvamp's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault

karleeursta's review against another edition

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

leedolee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This was the most entertaining read ever. I love reading anything involving vampires and retellings of Dracula. It was a fast paced book and written as if it were in letters. I've never read a book quite like this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Gore, Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, and Toxic relationship

masoncasper's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

A dark, sometimes erotic, vampire story that details the journey of a woman on her journey to establish independence and her own power and life. I enjoyed how it was written as a letter to her abuser which was phenomenal. I also really enjoyed the progression through time, it emphasizes the eternity and the longevity of the abuse and of their vindication. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Blood, Violence, and Emotional abuse

nightmarebees's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

HOLY SHIT. i absolutely devoured this story, every bit as horny and bloody and twisted as it was. what a gorgeous psychosexual nightmare.  constanta looking back on the past is such a perfect narrator: she is able to explore both what she felt in the past and what she knows now to be the truth after so much time being suppressed. 

“You made it into an art form, this quiet sort of violence. You were so far into our heads your gentle suggestions so often felt like our own thoughts.”

this does exactly what a good vampire story should do: examine what immortality might do to the human psyche, how a person’s feelings and emotions might warp over centuries. this is also what makes it the perfect background to explore the intricacies of emotional abuse and power dynamics. this is not a comfortable tale, but i couldn’t put it down. 

“It isn’t a contest, there are no winners or losers. There is only love.”

at the same time, it manages to be a moving love story. constanta, magdalena, and alexi are ultimately saved by their love for each other, and it’s the same thing that makes them realize their capacity to love others. the last chapters are a beautiful portrayal of healthy polyamory full of trust, vulnerability, and honesty. which should be part of any relationship, no matter how many people are in it. 

gibson’s writing is beautiful and painful all at once. i felt both deeply uncomfortable and enthralled the whole time. i cannot wait to read more of her work.

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Gaslighting and Violence

Minor: Physical abuse

bethsreading's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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

3.5

A dark and intoxicating exploration of love, polyamory, and abusive relationships. While I did find the writing style to be somewhat too overindulgent, it still worked given the gothic nature of the story. I think the relationships and dynamics felt real and nuanced and the vampire element added to the gothic atmosphere, but did not overshadow the real focal point of the book which was the relationships. I definitely recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Blood, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: War

hottermelon's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, War, Gaslighting, Child death, Child abuse, Blood, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Mental illness