A review by mj_nightingale
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

dark mysterious sad tense slow-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

2.0

I've heard so much about this book, and it disappointed me so much I can't even. The one thing to know when you go into it especially being a reader from Ukraine is there is glorification of the neighboring terrorist state. In a book written in 2022. Because there's literally nowhere else in the world this story could go, right? Disgusting. 
Up until the third part I was thinking, well, it's an ok read a 3 or maybe even a 4 if it picks up, a bit repetitive, and not very well written out. I tried to explain the shallowness of the narration by the fact that it is addressed to someone who was there to see it all so no need to go into the details, not that it made my experience as a reader any better toh. But I tried to justify it for myself. 
But the freaking 3d part just did it for me. There's literally nowhere else to go, right? Nowhere in the world that would not glorify a terrorist country destroying thousands of lives in the modern day. I'd really love to see a mention of that at least somewhere in the description of the book, so that I can avoid picking it up since I know that I am not interested in anything trying to glorify imperialism especially in this case. 
But there was nothing. So in writing this review, I warn whoever intends to pick it up. I'm disgusted and really upset on where this went. 
I had high expectations of this book, it being so universally praised but it's just not good.
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