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A review by toy_masterpiece
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️🎧Audiobook Listener🎧⭐️
I've never listened to a book that was read how this one was read. But wow, Abby Craden did a phenomenal job giving Constanza a voice.
This book explores the different ways emotional abuse affects the victims but with vampires. The ending got me emotional because sometimes, the best you can hope for after escaping abuse is to be a safe place for others so that the abuse is not perpetuated. And Constanza gets that opportunity, they all do, they all survive.
I enjoyed reading Constanza's experience of polyamorous love. Where she adds to the love in her heart to the point of bursting and she keeps loving anyway. I can't help but feel refreshed by a romance that does not wane with time, that does not get weighed down by jealousy because compersion (the love one feels when they see their love in love) takes its place.
Also loved: zero homophobia in this book. Even though religion is passingly mentioned a couple times, any outsider's discomfort with this arrangement is never seen in this book. The blurred lines between caretaker and lover were kind of unsettling but I think that was the point?
This was an interesting take on the vampire story that I have never read before where we actually follow them through their endless lives and what that can do to a person especially when a lot of that time is spent in an abusive relationship. Each character is unique and intriguing. With such a small cast of named characters, it's a surprise that you really get to know them. The book is is short and sweet but the time skips and leaving descriptions to necessary characterizations really help connect you with the characters.
I've never listened to a book that was read how this one was read. But wow, Abby Craden did a phenomenal job giving Constanza a voice.
This book explores the different ways emotional abuse affects the victims but with vampires. The ending
I enjoyed reading Constanza's experience of polyamorous love. Where she adds to the love in her heart to the point of bursting and she keeps loving anyway. I can't help but feel refreshed by a romance that does not wane with time, that does not get weighed down by jealousy because compersion (the love one feels when they see their love in love) takes its place.
Also loved: zero homophobia in this book. Even though religion is passingly mentioned a couple times, any outsider's discomfort with this arrangement is never seen in this book. The blurred lines between caretaker and lover were kind of unsettling but I think that was the point?
This was an interesting take on the vampire story that I have never read before where we actually follow them through their endless lives and what that can do to a person especially when a lot of that time is spent in an abusive relationship. Each character is unique and intriguing. With such a small cast of named characters, it's a surprise that you really get to know them. The book is is short and sweet but the time skips and leaving descriptions to necessary characterizations really help connect you with the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse and Fire/Fire injury