A review by musingswithmiranda
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
5.0
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly do not think there has been a single day since this book’s release that I have not seen something positive about it posted on Goodreads or Twitter. The author said it is like a dark and sexy retelling of Dracula’s brides, which just sounded so cool to me. I did try to read Dracula before this, but I ended up marking it as dnf because I could not get into it. Knowing that this book would have similar vibes but with a fresh and unique take on the classic, I was super excited to dive into this book. I was immediately interested by the fact that it would feature an all bisexual cast, a m/f/f/m poly relationship, and sapphic yearning at the opera.
S.T. Gibson’s A Dowry of Blood is an open letter to Dracula from one of his bride’s named Constanta. He rescues her from the brink of death, but she soon learns that he has a lot of secrets and is capable of cruel and evil things. However, she is stuck between this reality and her love for her husband. The two spend their lives together traveling before they invite Magdalena and Alexi into their marriage. They all have their own struggles with their husband that eventually become too much to bear, but in the end, Constanta is torn between love, freedom, and protecting herself along with her other partners.
I cannot even begin to sum up how much I loved Gibson’s writing. The whole book felt atmospheric, lyrical, and dark. At times, I found the writing style to be very poetic. I really enjoy books that follow an epistolary style too. It can be very unique and focuses the story more sometimes. I also find that they have a very personal and stream of consciousness vibe. Constanta’s story is a very good example of this. It is like being let into someone’s life and seeing their past and secrets laid out. It is almost so personal that you feel like you are invading a space that is not meant for you.
I found myself really drawn to the main cast of characters, obviously excluding Dracula. Constanta is an incredibly intriguing character. I appreciated the choice Gibson made in having Constanta be the narrator. This gave her power and a voice to use against her husband, which is why she decides to leave him unnamed. I enjoyed seeing her development and growth throughout the story as well. Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi all complimented one another very well. Their relationships were all very complex and complicated at times. At first, it is like they are rivals competing for love and attention. In reality, they build something so beautiful together. Their interactions were one of my favorite parts of the whole book. I really did not want their story to end.
Gibson ultimately crafts a powerful narrative about toxic relationships and overcoming abuse. She explores how love can morph into control, abuse, and fear. It can be very difficult to leave this kind of situation. I think Constanta’s internal struggle about this is very well done because it shows the depth of this type of relationship. The different reactions Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi have to their husband’s rage and abuse are very unique to show how some people manage and navigate toxic relationships. This all felt so honest and raw.
A Dowry of Blood was a perfect read for me. I truly loved everything about it. Gibson’s writing and the story itself are both very enthralling. This book honestly deserves all the hype and positive reviews I have seen for it. I was incredibly lucky to get a copy from NetGalley but had to immediately buy one for myself because I know it is something I will want to collect and revisit.
*Content warning: depictions of emotional, verbal, and physical intimate partner abuse, gaslighting, war, famine, plague, blood, gore, consensual sexual content, sadomasochism, self harm, body horror, violence, murder, alcohol use, depression, mania, brief references to sexual assault (not directed at any named character), drug use, drowning*
Thank you to the publisher, Nyx Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I honestly do not think there has been a single day since this book’s release that I have not seen something positive about it posted on Goodreads or Twitter. The author said it is like a dark and sexy retelling of Dracula’s brides, which just sounded so cool to me. I did try to read Dracula before this, but I ended up marking it as dnf because I could not get into it. Knowing that this book would have similar vibes but with a fresh and unique take on the classic, I was super excited to dive into this book. I was immediately interested by the fact that it would feature an all bisexual cast, a m/f/f/m poly relationship, and sapphic yearning at the opera.
S.T. Gibson’s A Dowry of Blood is an open letter to Dracula from one of his bride’s named Constanta. He rescues her from the brink of death, but she soon learns that he has a lot of secrets and is capable of cruel and evil things. However, she is stuck between this reality and her love for her husband. The two spend their lives together traveling before they invite Magdalena and Alexi into their marriage. They all have their own struggles with their husband that eventually become too much to bear, but in the end, Constanta is torn between love, freedom, and protecting herself along with her other partners.
I cannot even begin to sum up how much I loved Gibson’s writing. The whole book felt atmospheric, lyrical, and dark. At times, I found the writing style to be very poetic. I really enjoy books that follow an epistolary style too. It can be very unique and focuses the story more sometimes. I also find that they have a very personal and stream of consciousness vibe. Constanta’s story is a very good example of this. It is like being let into someone’s life and seeing their past and secrets laid out. It is almost so personal that you feel like you are invading a space that is not meant for you.
I found myself really drawn to the main cast of characters, obviously excluding Dracula. Constanta is an incredibly intriguing character. I appreciated the choice Gibson made in having Constanta be the narrator. This gave her power and a voice to use against her husband, which is why she decides to leave him unnamed. I enjoyed seeing her development and growth throughout the story as well. Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi all complimented one another very well. Their relationships were all very complex and complicated at times. At first, it is like they are rivals competing for love and attention. In reality, they build something so beautiful together. Their interactions were one of my favorite parts of the whole book. I really did not want their story to end.
Gibson ultimately crafts a powerful narrative about toxic relationships and overcoming abuse. She explores how love can morph into control, abuse, and fear. It can be very difficult to leave this kind of situation. I think Constanta’s internal struggle about this is very well done because it shows the depth of this type of relationship. The different reactions Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi have to their husband’s rage and abuse are very unique to show how some people manage and navigate toxic relationships. This all felt so honest and raw.
A Dowry of Blood was a perfect read for me. I truly loved everything about it. Gibson’s writing and the story itself are both very enthralling. This book honestly deserves all the hype and positive reviews I have seen for it. I was incredibly lucky to get a copy from NetGalley but had to immediately buy one for myself because I know it is something I will want to collect and revisit.
*Content warning: depictions of emotional, verbal, and physical intimate partner abuse, gaslighting, war, famine, plague, blood, gore, consensual sexual content, sadomasochism, self harm, body horror, violence, murder, alcohol use, depression, mania, brief references to sexual assault (not directed at any named character), drug use, drowning*
Thank you to the publisher, Nyx Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.