A review by padi390
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Beautifully horrifying. I don't think this is spoilery because most of this is described in the blurb but feel free to tell me to remedy it. That's the only way to describe this book—a haunting retelling of the Brides of Dracula, that delves headfirst into what it is like to be in an abusive relationship. From the fresh obsession that overtakes the characters to the slow descent into the realisation of what the abuser is doing to them. I think to me that was the most important part of the story. It is easy to think that abuse is quick it just starts one day and devolves from there but we see the manipulation over literal centuries. A well-crafted story about taking back power and finding one's strength and voice after having it torn from you. A new 5⭐ read to add to my collection.
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