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A review by nightmarebees
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
HOLY SHIT. i absolutely devoured this story, every bit as horny and bloody and twisted as it was. what a gorgeous psychosexual nightmare. constanta looking back on the past is such a perfect narrator: she is able to explore both what she felt in the past and what she knows now to be the truth after so much time being suppressed.
“You made it into an art form, this quiet sort of violence. You were so far into our heads your gentle suggestions so often felt like our own thoughts.”
this does exactly what a good vampire story should do: examine what immortality might do to the human psyche, how a person’s feelings and emotions might warp over centuries. this is also what makes it the perfect background to explore the intricacies of emotional abuse and power dynamics. this is not a comfortable tale, but i couldn’t put it down.
“It isn’t a contest, there are no winners or losers. There is only love.”
at the same time, it manages to be a moving love story. constanta, magdalena, and alexi are ultimately saved by their love for each other, and it’s the same thing that makes them realize their capacity to love others. the last chapters are a beautiful portrayal of healthy polyamory full of trust, vulnerability, and honesty. which should be part of any relationship, no matter how many people are in it.
gibson’s writing is beautiful and painful all at once. i felt both deeply uncomfortable and enthralled the whole time. i cannot wait to read more of her work.
“You made it into an art form, this quiet sort of violence. You were so far into our heads your gentle suggestions so often felt like our own thoughts.”
this does exactly what a good vampire story should do: examine what immortality might do to the human psyche, how a person’s feelings and emotions might warp over centuries. this is also what makes it the perfect background to explore the intricacies of emotional abuse and power dynamics. this is not a comfortable tale, but i couldn’t put it down.
“It isn’t a contest, there are no winners or losers. There is only love.”
at the same time, it manages to be a moving love story. constanta, magdalena, and alexi are ultimately saved by their love for each other, and it’s the same thing that makes them realize their capacity to love others. the last chapters are a beautiful portrayal of healthy polyamory full of trust, vulnerability, and honesty. which should be part of any relationship, no matter how many people are in it.
gibson’s writing is beautiful and painful all at once. i felt both deeply uncomfortable and enthralled the whole time. i cannot wait to read more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gaslighting and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse