Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

603 reviews

mircheers's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse

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

starzzz's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? Yes

3.5

The writing was beautiful. Each page you can find more than one sentence that really strikes you. 

There were times where I genuinely felt myself getting sick when reading the things she was feeling or going through.

I found the storytelling to be really immersive. At times I did not find the sex scenes to be appealing, but I suppose it did coincide with the plot to show us the bonds in which they shared. 

I think the book could have ended without the “An Encore of Roses” but that is merely my opinion. I guess it can appeal to those that want to see our main characters living a better life. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War

Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault

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

baileybeloved's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

A tale of Dracula’s bride(s) - who they are, how they were made, & how it ended.

You’re told in the first five pages how the story will end, but I was still enraptured & tense, waiting for the final blow. 

Beautiful prose, a strong voice, & a character that deserved 300ish pages of contempt. Incredible story with great pacing, epic storytelling, wonderful attention to detail, & a perfect ending. Read it in one sitting!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, War, and Classism

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

sweetrosegirl76's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

4.5 I actually really liked this!! I like how it was told in a letter, similar to how Dracula is told. I don't think it's about him though, due to the ending. I remember in Dracula there were three women, I thought this would be about the 3 of them, where they rewrite this to be his brides, which would have been cool since we don't know who they are. I loved the chaotically bisexual throuple/quad vibes and would so love to read a less toxic version. I don't read a lot of books with polycules, or closed multiple partner relationships, I did like that part but bc it's told as a letter there's only so much we can say I think. Regardless, I really enjoyed this book, it was short, easy to follow the audiobook, and would love a non toxic, non abusive version of a MMFF vampire couple lol makes me wanna keep decorating my gothic themed room bc this is def the vibes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Gaslighting

Minor: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, War, and Classism