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A review by booksandbarbara
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
• Plot;
WOW, just WOW! The beautifully poetic writing style ensnares your attention from the first chapter, hooking you in and captivating all of your attention.
Written out as an open letter, we traverse through the life of Constanta, experiencing the ups and downs she endures throughout her life as the first wife of Dracula. Many aspects of this story fascinate me, mostly the expanse and use of time, as we see her live through plagues and wars, roaming from country to country, and reading it from the perspective of a vampire who is immune to disease and aging are just so, refreshing.
Oh, and let's not forget how spicy this is. It is wholly erotic and seductive but done tastefully and artistically. Watching each character grow and interact and how the story develops into its dramatic climax, makes this retelling a true masterpiece.
• Characters;
Some of the best well-rounded character work I've come across. Each with their own unique standout personality, aspirations and goals. It's truly beautiful how smoothly their growth and interactions are written, and it's clever how each personality differs depending on their eras and places of origin.
Constanta is a powerhouse. A fast learner, observant, protective, and motherly. I love how she sees herself as a vigilante and holds onto her religion & core values for the entirety of her existence, warping them and expanding them to her means.
Dracula is definitely a beautiful yet cruel creature. Even with all his toxicity and gaslighting, I am surprised that I find myself liking him. I believe this is due to how human he comes across at times, with his fascination and curiosity.
• World Building;
Although the world-building could be better, I think once you're in the thick of things and you're reminded every now and then, it doesn't seem quite important, considering the plotline and layout.
It's amazing to see them travel throughout both centuries and the world, how these gradually change and develop, and the ease with which they adapt and move through them with.
From the glimpses we do steal, it is wholly dark, gothic and utterly beautiful. With the events majorly occurring during the night, all I kept doing was reading with stars in my eyes.
• What I Like;
I want to talk about how much I like the research the author has done in regards to the character's names, and how they reflect their personalities. Did you know that Constanta, as well as being a place in Romania where the character is from, means constancy & steadfastness. And Alexi means helper, defender of man. I just think that their names, alongside their eras and locations, cultivating their personalities is awesome.
I began to see love on a whole new spectrum while reading this, where it explores their polygamous relationships and how this helps with their development & growth, and I think that's something interesting to take away from the story.
The gore, THE GORE! I am obsessed with the horror scenes we get. How it is both brutally & poetically written. You can tell how much hard work has gone into researching and writing this book, and it really pays off.
• What I Dislike;
During the start, I don't like how much of a wet wipe Constanta is for Dracula. I find it puzzling how drastic and quickly her emotions developed from such an early stage.
The sister parts, where they reference each other as sisters and brothers but make love all the same. I just find that to be too weird.
I was hoping for more from some things, like the violent scenes and what he was studying in more detail. And the finale is a bit short. I would prefer a more somber ending as opposed to the one we receive, but I am more than satisfied with what we get, and all these small things I have issues with are justified considering how the story is written and how things play out.
• Overall;
A dark, gothic, and beautifully written retelling of Dracula and his first bride. With seductive & lustrous qualities, this book has become one of my favourites and a staple in my own little library. I recommend everyone gives this a chance and reads it. You won't regret it, trust me.
I'm praying the author will release a side book in the style of Dracula's notebook, with all his experiments and curiosities, as unlikely as this will be, it would still be cool to see.
Given the open ending, I'm hoping that we might get a return to this world too, even if it is from the perspective of a certain other.
WOW, just WOW! The beautifully poetic writing style ensnares your attention from the first chapter, hooking you in and captivating all of your attention.
Written out as an open letter, we traverse through the life of Constanta, experiencing the ups and downs she endures throughout her life as the first wife of Dracula. Many aspects of this story fascinate me, mostly the expanse and use of time, as we see her live through plagues and wars, roaming from country to country, and reading it from the perspective of a vampire who is immune to disease and aging are just so, refreshing.
Oh, and let's not forget how spicy this is. It is wholly erotic and seductive but done tastefully and artistically. Watching each character grow and interact and how the story develops into its dramatic climax, makes this retelling a true masterpiece.
• Characters;
Some of the best well-rounded character work I've come across. Each with their own unique standout personality, aspirations and goals. It's truly beautiful how smoothly their growth and interactions are written, and it's clever how each personality differs depending on their eras and places of origin.
Constanta is a powerhouse. A fast learner, observant, protective, and motherly. I love how she sees herself as a vigilante and holds onto her religion & core values for the entirety of her existence, warping them and expanding them to her means.
Dracula is definitely a beautiful yet cruel creature. Even with all his toxicity and gaslighting, I am surprised that I find myself liking him. I believe this is due to how human he comes across at times, with his fascination and curiosity.
• World Building;
Although the world-building could be better, I think once you're in the thick of things and you're reminded every now and then, it doesn't seem quite important, considering the plotline and layout.
It's amazing to see them travel throughout both centuries and the world, how these gradually change and develop, and the ease with which they adapt and move through them with.
From the glimpses we do steal, it is wholly dark, gothic and utterly beautiful. With the events majorly occurring during the night, all I kept doing was reading with stars in my eyes.
• What I Like;
I want to talk about how much I like the research the author has done in regards to the character's names, and how they reflect their personalities. Did you know that Constanta, as well as being a place in Romania where the character is from, means constancy & steadfastness. And Alexi means helper, defender of man. I just think that their names, alongside their eras and locations, cultivating their personalities is awesome.
I began to see love on a whole new spectrum while reading this, where it explores their polygamous relationships and how this helps with their development & growth, and I think that's something interesting to take away from the story.
The gore, THE GORE! I am obsessed with the horror scenes we get. How it is both brutally & poetically written. You can tell how much hard work has gone into researching and writing this book, and it really pays off.
• What I Dislike;
During the start, I don't like how much of a wet wipe Constanta is for Dracula. I find it puzzling how drastic and quickly her emotions developed from such an early stage.
The sister parts, where they reference each other as sisters and brothers but make love all the same. I just find that to be too weird.
I was hoping for more from some things, like the violent scenes and what he was studying in more detail. And the finale is a bit short. I would prefer a more somber ending as opposed to the one we receive, but I am more than satisfied with what we get, and all these small things I have issues with are justified considering how the story is written and how things play out.
• Overall;
A dark, gothic, and beautifully written retelling of Dracula and his first bride. With seductive & lustrous qualities, this book has become one of my favourites and a staple in my own little library. I recommend everyone gives this a chance and reads it. You won't regret it, trust me.
I'm praying the author will release a side book in the style of Dracula's notebook, with all his experiments and curiosities, as unlikely as this will be, it would still be cool to see.
Given the open ending, I'm hoping that we might get a return to this world too, even if it is from the perspective of a certain other.