rene_kampfer'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
neomreads'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
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Blood, Sexual content, Self harm, Body horror, Vomit, Gaslighting, War, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use
sproutedpages'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Self harm, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Blood, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Gore
Moderate: Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use
tranquiltides's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
But the story itself… interesting, dark, and plenty bloody. I cannot, in good faith, describe this book as “sexy” For the vast majority of it. The experiences of these characters is shrouded by an aura of ilk… but the Brilliant thing is I think that was on purpose. The narrative is written like a letter, but the addressee is dead. So it feels like something you write with no intention to send for the express purpose of healing.
I read the Bookish Box version of this book, which not only includes an epilogue, but also a bonus chapter, that helps you feel like our protagonists have finally found health and happiness in their undying in lives.
Gibson is kind enough to give some content warnings at the beginning of the book, so you know exactly what you’re getting into before you start reading, and that alone has me solidly among Gibson’s new forever fans.
I can’t wait to see what comes from Gibson next! I highly recommend A Dowry of Blood for any and all who love a good, dark, and bloody story. Complete with a “why choose” romance and a happy ending.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, and Rape
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, War, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug use, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse
alittleoverrated'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: Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Physical abuse, Blood, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Violence, Murder, and Body horror
Moderate: Drug use and War
This whole book is obviously about a very toxic relationship with someone emotionally abusive and manipulative. You are often in the head of the abused, even as she is describing how she loves/ loved him. It all handled pretty well in general but if you think you might have trouble with any of of that mind frame, not the book for u.allisonmspiers's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexism, and Self harm
Minor: War, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Drug use
loveitall's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Gore, Violence, and War
Minor: Drug use and Sexual assault
catalyst226's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The overall theme was pretty dark and very clearly a story about emotional abuse with content warnings spelled out by the author right out the gate.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Mental illness, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Self harm, Body horror, Gore, and War
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use
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
smash_timms'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
4.0
This book was captivating, easy to read and I would read it again. It is written in a poetic way from the view point of Constanta writing her last love letter to "You". I will admit the first few pages I had to adjust to reading that style of writing.
You know from the start that "You" died, but it doesn't matter because you want to know the journey. You want to know how the MFC developed over the course of time to reach that decision.
There is spice throughout the book. Like the rest of the book it is written very poetically, though you do know the details of what is happening. There are also polygamous scenes.
TW:
This book does have some dark themes, but the author has listed these at the start of the book.
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Murder, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Mental illness, Gaslighting, War, Body horror, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault and Drug use