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jordanreads24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Gaslighting
crybabybea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? No
4.0
Dark and gorgeous. I was constantly impressed by S.T. Gibson's writing, from her ability to set scenes with palpable energy, to crafting allegories that would fit right into classic gothic literature, to perfecting every word used to add tone and emotion. Definitely the best part of this is the writing, hands down. S.T. Gibson elegantly crafted a lush gothic setting, and although we spend most of the book in the head of our narrator Constanta, the world behind it feels atmospheric and dark.
If you dislike melodramatic writing, you will probably roll your eyes, but I ate it uppp. Here's an example of one of my many favorite quotes:
If you dislike melodramatic writing, you will probably roll your eyes, but I ate it uppp. Here's an example of one of my many favorite quotes:
Don’t ask me why I did it.
I was tired of being your Mary Magdalene. I was tired of waiting expectantly at your tomb every night for you to rise and bring light into my world once again. I was tired of groveling on my knees and washing blood off your heels with my hair and tears. I was tired of having the air sucked out of my lungs every time your eyes cut right to the heart of me. I was tired of the circumference of the whole universe living in your circled arms, of the spark of life hiding in your kiss, of the power of death lying in wait in your teeth. I was tired of carrying around the weight of a love like worship, of the sickly-warm rush of idolatry coloring my whole world.
I was tired of faithfulness.
I made you into my private Christ, supplicated with my own dark devotions. Nothing existed beyond the range of your exacting gaze, not even me. I was simply a non-entity when you weren’t looking at me, an empty vessel waiting to be filled by the sweet water of your attention.
A woman can’t live like that, my lord. No one can. Don’t ask me why I did it.
God, forgive me.
Christ, forgive me.
There isn't much in terms of a plot since it heavily focuses on Constanta and her relationships with Dracula and his other consorts. Because Dracula is controlling and hides as much as he can from the characters, there isn't much in terms of world-building and it's not the kind of book that explores vampiric power. It isn't a fun paranormal book with thrilling twists and magical settings.
Instead, the author takes us through Constanta's struggles in an abusive, coercive relationship, which fits perfectly in the gothic world she sets up for us. The writing is strung along with confusion, like you know something isn't right but you almost want to convince yourself that you're reading too much into things and seeing things that aren't there. I think it's such a brilliant way to portray a relationship like this, filled with constant gaslighting, walking on eggshells, fear and anxiety. It's a bittersweet journey to take as you watch Constanta swing from devotion to terror so quickly, and the way she is programmed by her abuser's behavior to watch for every tiny micro expression and hidden meaning behind every word he speaks, until the very end when after centuries of abuse she snaps and determines to find her way out.
The way the novel is written is super unique as well, an epistolary story written in second-person perspective. Constanta details her life in letters addressed to her abuser in hopes of explaining why she felt she had to make the choices she made.
I found the ending brilliant and incredibly accurate to what it feels like to finally cut yourself loose from an abuser; it's not only full of rage and hatred but also love and grief, and as much as you are grieving the glimpses of happiness you found during your abuse, you grieve the life you could have had, the years wasted, the confusion and the intoxication of adoration and passion mixed with hatred and anger. I really loved this portrayal so much.
The novel does include sexual content, but I didn't find the sex scenes to be about pleasuring the reader like typical smut scenes do. To me, they served to depict the intense passion wrapped up in all of the character's lives, the way they clung to each other and the way they defined love for themselves in a space that was suffocating and controlling. The codependency and the way they loved each other like family made the scenes feel less sexually gratifying and more for the purpose of storytelling and furthering the bonds between the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Murder, Body horror, Grief, and Physical abuse
Heavy depictions of gaslighting and abuse. One of the main characters experiences severe mental illness due to the abuse which results in her developing a pattern of depression/mania.alysbookclub's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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
4.0
This ended up being a lot more reflective than I was expecting, but I loved it. A study on manipulative control, found family, and what being free means. Would absolutely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Blood, and Emotional abuse
jaylene's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I am floored. A Dowry of Blood contains the most beautiful writing I have ever come across, it is almost lyrical with its vivid imagery and atmospheric storytelling.
Best read of the year!!
Best read of the year!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Murder, Self harm, Gaslighting, Body horror, Death, and Blood
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug use
A dark retelling of Dracula from his bride's perspective.straw_hat_kd's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found this book to be OK. From the description of the book, I was expecting Dracula to be bigger monster (pun intended). To me he just seemed to be a narcissist and a nymphomaniac. The problems he has with his brides and groom mainly come down to communications and wants.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Sexual content
Moderate: Gore
catletterer's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A story of queer, tense, dark, polyamorous, vampires told from the point of view of one of Dracula’s brides? Um, yes please!
This book may be short but it’s the kind of gothic, horror, romance that I can’t help but consume in one sitting. Obsessed.
This book may be short but it’s the kind of gothic, horror, romance that I can’t help but consume in one sitting. Obsessed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Stalking, and Murder
evgeorge's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a layered and empowering retelling of the Dracula story. It’s not a gore fest but has enough murder and mayhem to carry the story quickly to the conclusion we all see coming. It’s a great ride!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
mrskc4's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Blood, Violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
abies's review
medium-paced
4.0
beautifully written. well crafted prose, characters, and story. i especially appreciated how the voice of the narrator reads, descriptive and wordy like someone from her time might be without being dry at all. absolutely would recommend, though be sure to heed the content warnings as this book deals with potentially sensative themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
mals_library's review
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Blood, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and Physical abuse