Reviews

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

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markwillnevercry's review against another edition

4.25

I have no clue where I picked up this book from or why, but it was pretty good. I do not think that I heard of many other stories where there is an abuser in a poly relationship and it is actually adressed, specifically when it is adressed in such a way. I was a bit uncomfortable because of the accents that the narrator was making, but overall, this was a great experience and I wish that the ghost never existed.
And then An Encore of Roses happened. There were sex scenes throughout the book, they were good and did not overstay their welcome, they mattered. And then this basically erotic short story came in. I am not judging anyone, just kinda wish there was a warning. Also, I am just kinda uneasy about sex right after a very emotional conversation. Also, Alexi makes me feel uncomfy.
Overall, everything was great, run from abusive partners.

Book notes:

The trigger warnings, oof, that seems like quite a bit

Not gonna lie, it seems like reminding yourself that you want it, does not sound like actually wanting it

I do not appreciate the accent that the narrator puts on for Constanta

FEET

Ooof, the ghost is such a dick

Turns out, everyone gets that accept, except for the ghost

Me when they settle in Berlin at the sunset of the 19th century

The ghost is a cuck

Me when Alexi is boarding the Titanic

Nepotism? In Magdalena?

qjbrown96's review against another edition

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3.0

Caveat to this review is that it’s a romance novel and that isn’t really my forté.

I went into this knowing nothing about it other than that it involved Vampires. I personally love supernatural horror especially involving vampires so I thought this would be perfect for me during October but this had little to no horror.

The story was told from the perspective of one of Dracula’s wives. Its told similar to Bram Stoker’s Dracula in the sense that it’s told through the medium of letters. She is writing to Dracula talking about their lives over the centuries and all the different partners they had before she kills him and why she kills him. (Not a spoiler because it’s on the first page)

I will say on a positive note the prose is really good and I blew through this book but it had little pay off for me being that there was little to no action at all, but that’s not what to expect of this novel. If you enjoy romance with a vampire twist then I urge you to read this but it’s just “meh” for me.

samanthah2000's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

bratzdoll444's review

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5.0

Constanta is the mother, wife, and girlfriend that stood up.

seriously i love this book, it’s amazing!

i’d probably fall in love with magdalena too tbh… and i loved alexi such a precious angel

ashcid's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The way it was written in forms of letters to Dracula was very interesting. Wish I had Dracula’s POV unironically loved him. Constanta and Magdalena were beautifully written and I loved him. <3

moth_dance's review against another edition

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5.0

Phenomenally dark and sexy.

I expected a lot from a "brides of Dracula" retelling, and this delivered in full! Not much else to say other than I stand by S.T. Gibson's ability to bring new life into old stories; can't wait for [b:An Education in Malice|64414866|An Education in Malice|S.T. Gibson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686147492l/64414866._SY75_.jpg|99987184].