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joareads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
A Dracula retelling written from the point of view of Constanta, his first wife whom he transformed from a medieval peasant into a resplendent bride. Constanta has everything she could desire, except perhaps freedom as she is drawn further into her husband's clutches which seemed innocuous to begin with but have turned sour. Soon he brings other poor unfortunates into his dark and starving trap and things take a grim turn for them all.
This is a very short and fast-paced book written in the second person narrative which felt a little odd and jarring at times. Constanta is writing to her husband and recounting her life with him, a ghastly collection of journal entries detailing her nightmarish centuries. What first seemed like a saviour morphs into a jailer as Constanta comes to realise the monstrous reality of who her husband really is.
Two more characters are inserted into their relationship and the four become a dysfunctional family, dreading their husband yet also yearning for his love. They share a twisted relationship with him, Constanta likening them to his children and her other wife and husband her sister and brother. This made for quite a disturbing read at times; it was very unsettling to read about them experiencing his wrath and punishment but also being enamoured with him.
The years fly by just like how reading a journal feels and soon the story is over with some resounding consequences. I wasn't very keen on this form of narrative - being told from Constanta's perspective - and written almost like a love letter to her husband. I didn't like any of the characters much and the book lacked any plot - it was just a miserable recount of a life with a controlling partner which obviously wasn't enjoyable to read.
This book wasn't for me as I didn't like the structure of it and it was rather dark and gloomy with some grave themes explored.
sabrimata's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
2.0
rachele's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tazmae79's review against another edition
3.0
Author writes beautifully. However, story fell a little flat for me.
taryn_it_up09's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
salem99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
gmonnie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-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
bookmothmav's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow… this book…
Seeing how S. T. Gibbon articulates an abusive with how the three spouses react to Dracula was so intriguing. One may adapt and learn to live with it, another may fall into a deep depression that at times consumes them, and another may fight back. But we see them break constantly under Dracula’s control as they are lead to believe he loves them even though they know he doesn’t.
This obsessiveness Dracula has with his spouses is so toxic but he’s able to wrap it up as a dream, to make them dependent on him. When they finally find a way to break free of him, them almost back out because of this. The seeds of dependency he planted in all of them are rooted so deep that they almost don’t take the risk of leaving.
This is such a beautifully toxic story and I wish we where able to see more of all the spouses after that climax.
Seeing how S. T. Gibbon articulates an abusive with how the three spouses react to Dracula was so intriguing. One may adapt and learn to live with it, another may fall into a deep depression that at times consumes them, and another may fight back. But we see them break constantly under Dracula’s control as they are lead to believe he loves them even though they know he doesn’t.
This obsessiveness Dracula has with his spouses is so toxic but he’s able to wrap it up as a dream, to make them dependent on him. When they finally find a way to break free of him, them almost back out because of this. The seeds of dependency he planted in all of them are rooted so deep that they almost don’t take the risk of leaving.
This is such a beautifully toxic story and I wish we where able to see more of all the spouses after that climax.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Blood