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hottermelon's review against another edition
- 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
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
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
ljp817'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Minor: Abandonment and Infidelity
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
dodiejoyle'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? It's complicated
3.0
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
hanz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Violence, Gaslighting, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Self harm, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use
hmaggs's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Gaslighting, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence
Minor: Murder
marief21'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Blood
Minor: Physical abuse
coelwa's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Death, Physical abuse, and Violence
clarabelle94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: War