Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

473 reviews

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.75

I wasn't entirely sure what this was about when I first picked up it but ended up really loving it. If you're looking for a traditional horror about vampires, this isn't it. This is more a story on how power and infatuation can affect people and how that can be abused on a backdrop of vampirism. Super good and would've been a 5 star if we didn't get the last bit of pov from Alexi. I don't think his pov was necessary. Or if his had to be included, I wouldve liked to also see Magdalena's then as well. 
READ TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNINGS. the author does provide them in the beginning before her book actually starts but I would def recommend checking them out even before that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

corabookworm's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

Perfect for fans of Addie LaRue and Interview with a Vampire, this book is a twist on the story of Dracula, following Constanta through the perils of being both a vampire and his wife.

A Dowry of Blood is primarily driven by the relationships between characters, from the abusive possessiveness of Dracula to the strange bonds developed between his lovers. Their interactions and connections guide the story in a very powerful way. The sex scenes were a little much for me, especially at the end, but I loved seeing openly queer romance in a vampire book. The overall moral and plot of this story was really good, and it was incredibly well written. I highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction, romance, and vampires.

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Confinement, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Incest, Self harm, Sexual assault, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic

codyjne's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War

Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault

cassy_smith's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• 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

4.5

Really enjoyed this book and how it explored the relationships between all of the characters. Great depiction of Dracula, and really enjoyed getting the story from a different point of view. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: War

fuitfortuna's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content and Violence

pearljean's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Blood

Moderate: Death and Murder

thart1994'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Only flaw is it both ignores AND includes Bram Stoker's novel by mentioning the Harkers but does nothing with it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault

All content handled, and written well. Not intended to shock and are both brief and only mentioned when absolutely necessary.

elizabethmmcadoo's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder

soulinthepages'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

4.5

4.5⭐️ This was an unexpected surprise. A unique story. A vampire abusive relationship..such intensity. I loved the way this was written with its metaphors and true emotions behind every word. It really painted the reality of being in an abusive relationship/marriage. The chokehold that takes part of such an intimate bond was described in a way that made this story flawless and definitely worth rereading in the future. The delicate balance the fmc had to take in order to live a life, worth living. My only issue with the book is I wish there were chapter stops instead of just the parts 1-3 but a great vampire tale and that’s just me being nitpicky.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Murder

bobsandtheirbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

• 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

4.75

This book! I could not put it down!
The way S.T Gibson wrote the differences between the relationships of the characters was spectacular! It was quite hard to read at times but that was the point. It was raw, tense, thrilling and left me speechless!

The only reason this isn't 5 stars is because I wish there was a bit more world building. That's my only critique. I

I will be reading the little short story that follows this and I will definitely check out more or S.T Gibson's work.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Abandonment