sarahsbooklife'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: Sexism, Sexual content, Death, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Body horror, Gaslighting, Grief, Classism, Murder, and Confinement
Minor: Vomit, Cursing, Death of parent, and War
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cannibalism, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, and War
bookishwondergoth'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? Yes
5.0
'A Dowry of Blood' by S.T. Gibson was one such book for me. From the very first few pages I became utterly captivated, and then I simply did not stop reading until I'd turned the final page. Once done, I sat in stunned silence for a little while. This is definitely the best book I’ve read so far this year!
The story is the confession of Dracula's first bride, Constanta, concerning her emotionally and physically abusive relationship with Dracula and the complex, solacing love she finds with her fellow "brides", Magdalena and Alexi. There's bisexuality, polyamory and sensuality galore, as well as a lot of blood, a lot of death, and a lot of very beautiful writing.
Seriously, I am in awe of some the lovely turns of phrases S.T. Gibson uses in her work. Her words are poetic, never purple, and everything feels like a dream to read. Truly I was transported to how I felt reading Anne Rice's 'Interview with the Vampire'. The author also cites the likes of Angela Carter, Catherynne Valente and the 2004 Stephen Sommers film 'Van Helsing' as influences, and that is very apparent in the best possible way.
Loved this book. Love love loved it. Please do yourself a favour and pick it up because it truly is gorgeous.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Confinement, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Minor: War, Alcohol, and Body horror
bazkrekker111's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Misogyny, Alcohol, Drug use, Infidelity, and Confinement
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Abandonment, Torture, Cannibalism, Cursing, Sexual assault, War, Sexual violence, Incest, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
trufflebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Death, Violence, Mental illness, Murder, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Slavery and War
vixenreader'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
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Alcohol, War, Infidelity, and Murder
Minor: Abandonment, Cursing, Genocide, and Cannibalism
Huge content warnings for anyone who has experienced an abusive, toxic polyamorous relationship and how it affects everyone in the polycule. There is also an example of healthy polyamory and great bisexual representation.thesawyerbean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The writing was poetic at times, beautiful, dark, obsessive and erotic - a novel of possession, in body and mind.
I did think however that overall the story was a little shallow, one track minded and by the end, a little same-y. The additions of Magdalena and Alexi occurred to spice things up but realistically it didn’t have that much of an effect on the pacing.
In summary, an extremely fun book with fabulous queer vampire representation (which is always what we need in my opinion). Definitely worth the read!
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Cannibalism, Confinement, Cursing, and Death
pastelkerstin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Confinement, Gore, Infidelity, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness and Alcohol
Minor: Physical abuse and War
a_libra_library's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Reimaging of Dracula's brides written in letter formats. It's not glamorous or sexy as vampires are usually portrayed. It shows how dangerous and seductive and abusive relationships can get. I feel weird since its an abusive poly-relationship but the three brides find comfort in each other and are against Dracula.
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, War, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, and Murder
_forestofpages's review against another edition
- 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
The metaphors and themes of Dracula's brides used to tell this powerful and unfortunately common tale of an abusive relationship is incredible. Its so gorgeously written, so quotable. Steamy and also devastating and hard to read at times.
I recommend this to everyone. Really its an exquisitely written gothic novel about escaping an abusive relationship.
Graphic: War, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse