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

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.0

i found that this book somewhat baffles me in terms of my own mixed feelings on it. at times it truly felt like something mediocre that was just falling short of its mark, but then it would hit me with the most beautiful prose and my appreciation would grow again.

when this is good, it’s so good. i imagine a more dedicated fan of YA would find themselves more thoroughly and continually impressed than i was. 

but then there were times where the writing just felt… clumsily put together. in moments where what was happening was so crucial, too! i felt like an editor receiving a rough draft in certain chapters, which made for a less than immersive experience. 

gibson does, however, absolutely demonstrate a writing talent. the characters are wonderfully distinct and crafted with precision and care, and there are moments within this that have definitely stuck with me. i find myself thinking my likelihood towards recommending this would depend on who i’m talking to. i think fans of vampire media should consider giving it a shot - perhaps without expecting anything too world-changing, however.