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A review by theelisabethan
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I hate when reviews say "nothing happens" but....
The writing was great on a line level, and the characters were interesting, but this book wasn't tense, it wasn't scary, it wasn't sad, it wasn't sexy, and it didn't deliver on any character arcs or themes. This book shows its entire hand within the first few pages and never draws new cards. It's still a good read - short and straightforward, with some of my favorite prose I've read this year, but like the vampires in the book, I quickly came to realize that the presence of hot queer people and interesting aesthetics only did so much against the repetitive slog of a boring eternity where the only thing that changes is the scenery.
The writing was great on a line level, and the characters were interesting, but this book wasn't tense, it wasn't scary, it wasn't sad, it wasn't sexy, and it didn't deliver on any character arcs or themes. This book shows its entire hand within the first few pages and never draws new cards. It's still a good read - short and straightforward, with some of my favorite prose I've read this year, but like the vampires in the book, I quickly came to realize that the presence of hot queer people and interesting aesthetics only did so much against the repetitive slog of a boring eternity where the only thing that changes is the scenery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Sexual content