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librarymouse's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
As a Dracula retelling, A Dowry of Blood was unique in its total dismissal of the vampire sire in the story. He remains unnamed as an intentional choice to take away his power in the story. I laughed out loud when the Harkers are mentioned, just brushed aside in a quick aside to Alexei. Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexei's relationship is so dedicated, and though I enjoyed the idea of a happy ending for them, the ending somehow felt like it fell short for me. Still, poly vampires is a fun thing, especially when one is an angel of vengeance, the second is a more creative version of Machiavelli, and the third is a sweet Dionysian actor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Alcohol and Colonisation
lifeofchrstnlvly's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
But a few flourishes and embellishments couldn’t change the fact that the very fabric of our life together was tangled and suffocating. I had given you a thousand second chances, made a thousand concessions. And this wasn’t just about me anymore.
The writing in A Dowry of Blood was exceptional and the second-person narrative was a unique touch that made sense for the story. While the ending was satisfying, I found myself wanting more substance in the second half of the book. Specifically, I wished to delve deeper into Constanta's emotional journey leading up to her realization of what she needed to do. While I understand the book's depiction of abuse was an important theme, I would have preferred it to be limited to the first half. It would have been interesting to see Constanta's transformation from an abused wife to a powerful woman seeking revenge, including her planning and emotional state leading up to it.
My main issue with the book was its pacing in the second half. Despite being glad that it was a short read, I found it dragged on. I also believe that while the book contained elements of horror due to the presence of vampires, it should not be classified solely as a horror novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and War
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