17.3k reviews for:

A Dowry of Blood

S.T. Gibson

4.06 AVERAGE

dark emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

i didnt expect the smut scenes but ya chill i guess? i cared about the "wives" dynamic and the revenge but at least the books short

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Beautiful, gothic, very bisexual
dark emotional mysterious 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

This is a unique and beautifully written story, and I fully understand why it has received so much love. I liked the writing style and appreciated the portrayal of the polyamorous dynamic. But my personal aversion to vampires and romance did hinder my enjoyment of the book. This story has a strong focus on the dynamic and power struggles between the characters. And it does THAT really well, but it doesn't do much else.

The prose was richly descriptive and towards the end of the book, I felt really connected to the main character and the emotions she was parsing. The depiction of the poly relationship was one of the book's strongest aspects. The exploration of the complexities of multiple romantic connections felt genuine and well-developed.

3.5 stars
challenging dark emotional tense medium-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
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
dark slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
dark reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The best part about the story was the unique set up. As its Constanta writing to herself in way to find closer for her past toxic relationship with Dracula. What's so special about that was instead of reading their love story and learning with Constanta how manipulative her husband was, it instead starts with Constanta stating the relationship was bad and ends bad. While also commentating his and her past actions. Showing how different her current thoughts was from her younger life and adding intrigue to how she ended up that way.  
The story has a very dark tone so on some days it can become a difficult read.
adventurous dark reflective fast-paced
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

i support women's rights AND women's wrongs!