This review post is all about “A Dowry of Blood” by S.T. Gibson.
CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, HORROR, PARANORMAL ROMANCE
ABOUT THE BOOK
title: A DOWRY OF BLOOD
AUTHOR: S.T. GIBSON
GENRES: HORROR, PARANORMAL ROMANCE, FANTASY, HISTORICAL ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: REDHOOK
PUBLISHING DATE: (REPRINT EDITION) 5/2/2023
FORMAT: PAPERBACK
PAGE COUNT: 320 PAGES
SOURCE: SELF-PURCHASED
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HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A VAMPIRE BRIDE SCORNED!
MY THOUGHTS ABOUT “A DOWRY OF BLOOD”
On a whim, I purchased this book after a glowing recommendation from one of my favorite bookstagrammers, @sydneyyybooks.
It grew dusty and unread on my shelf, its beautiful cover art and deckled edges beckoned me to finally dive in. My usual genres are fantasy and thrillers, but this novel promised something different – a captivating blend of dark Gothic horror and paranormal romance.
The premise was irresistible: a Dracula retelling from the perspective of one of his brides. But would the rest of the novel live up to this enticing hook? Let’s discuss.
this review post is all about "A DOWRY OF BLOOD" BY S.T. GIBSON
goodreads: a dowry of blood book summary
S.T. Gibson’s sensational novel is the darkly seductive tale of Dracula’s first bride, Constanta.
This is my last love letter to you, though some would call it a confession. . .
Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things.
Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband’s dark secrets. With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.
"A DOWRY OF BLOOD" BOOK REVIEW
THE PLOT:
In one word, this novel is unsettling. From the opening pages, it pulls no punches. Through a series of letters to her husband, Constanta unapologetically reveals her betrayal. The book is a deep exploration of her marriage, delving into the reasons she fell in and out of love.
The decay of their relationship, reminiscent of those with narcissistic partners, is deeply unsettling – in a thrilling way.
Constanta’s maker and husband cannot maintain his charming facade forever, and when it crumbles, she must face the monster beneath.
“But, I’ve grown to understand that you have in you more of the scientist obsessed than the lover possessed, and that your examinations lend themselves more towards a scrutiny of weakness, imperfection, any detail in need of your corrective care.”
I was unsettled by the complex dynamics between Constanta and Dracula’s other consorts. Their relationships are a tangled web of jealousy, lust, sisterhood, and maternal instincts, leaving the reader reeling. All the main characters are sexually fluid which makes for an interesting read.
Note: The novel tackles psychological and emotional abuse. Sensitive readers, please heed this warning; this book is not for the faint of heart.
The plot is well crafted with the question of why Constanta turned on her husband hanging in the air. “A Dowry of Blood” delivers a chilling depiction of a depraved vampire family and their terrifying creator. Prepare for a tale that’s as seductive as it is unsettling and jaw-dropping.
My only major issue with the plot was the anticlimactic ending – we were setup for fireworks from the beginning, but received merely sparklers in the end.
A Dance with the Undead: THE CHARACTERS
Constanta: From Naivety to Femme Fatale
Constanta’s journey is one of vengeance and self-discovery. Resurrected from death, she seeks retribution against those who wronged her – a mission fueled by her desire to protect the weak from predators.
Her transformation from an innocent peasant girl to a formidable femme fatale is mesmerizing. The internal battle she wages makes her perspective an interesting read. Her ultimate target? Her beloved maker, the very one who transformed her. Constanta’s complex character arc is a highlight of the novel.
“I know you loved us all, in your own way. Magdalena for her brilliance, Alexi for his loveliness. But I was your war bride, your faithful Constanta, and you loved me for my will to survive.”
Magdalena: Eternal Life, Fleeting Dreams
Magdalena embodies the vibrancy of 15th-century Spain. A woman of rank and beauty, she engages with the era’s greatest minds. Her lively nature captivates even the Lord of Darkness.
Despite the freedoms her status affords, she craves more, believing immortality will provide it. However, her dream of eternal life turns to dust. Her character serves as a poignant reminder that even the undead are not immune to disappointment.
“You could never resist a survivor. Or a mirror. You took her hand and pressed an open-mouth kiss to the pulse on the inside of her wrist. The nobles were watching; people could see you.
You didn’t care.”
Alexi: The Youngblood
Alexi’s arrival shakes things up. Plucked from early 20th-century Russia, this young actor/model injects a much-needed spark into the gloomy vampire household.
His love of people complicates his immortal existence. As the sole male companion, he unwittingly stirs jealousy in the patriarch.
Alexi’s rebellious nature sets him apart from the other consorts, making him a wild card. Despite his intriguing position, his character did not resonate with me. For one, I read no concrete reason for him wanting to be turned into a vampire. Perhaps his POV story, “An Encore of Roses,” will shed light on the inner workings of his mind.
The Maker: A Nameless Nemesis
Constanta never reveals the name of her husband throughout the novel, which I thought was a interesting stylistic choice. However, we can assume he is Dracula from the synopsis.
He’s a classic narcissist, demanding absolute devotion while offering manipulation and gaslighting in return. His interests are narrow: hunting and secret scientific pursuits.
I was somewhat disappointed that this character did not come with the folklore that we typically associate with Dracula. Where’s the iconic coffin? The supernatural powers? Van Helsing, his arch-nemesis? Absent, replaced by a figure more reminiscent of Anne Rice’s Lestat.
THE WRITING STYLE
As I turned the pages, I found myself mesmerized by the lyrical prose. “This is breathtakingly beautiful,” I thought. “The author must be a poet.” And then I read her bio, confirming my suspicion.
I’m a total sucker for writing that reads like poetry, and this book utterly floored me. I was highlighting so many quotable passages that by the third act, I’d run out of sticky tabs!
The short, cliffhanger chapters masterfully kept me hooked until the very end. The story is brilliantly presented as if Constanta is writing a letter to her husband, creating an intimate sense of reading a genuine historical account of their centuries together.
While some of the sexual and gory scenes were undeniably disturbing, they weren’t gratuitously over-the-top. I appreciated the author’s boldness in pushing boundaries. If you can’t handle the darker side of things, this might not be the book for you. But personally, I found it thrilling.
So, Is “A Dowry of Blood” Spicy?
Absolutely, but in a dark, twisted, sometimes unsettling way. If you’re sensitive to BDSM themes, you might want to steer clear. And if you can’t stomach the likes of Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire” (especially the new series remake), this book isn’t for you. But if you, like me, enjoy the dark side, you’ll find it captivating. I give it three chili peppers 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
“But, I’ve grown to understand that you have in you more of the scientist obsessed than the lover possessed, and that your examinations lend themselves more towards a scrutiny of weakness, imperfection, any detail in need of your corrective care.”
Terrific! The writing in “A Dowry of Blood” is so vivid and evocative that it’s like peeling back the layers of an onion – the deeper you go, the more likely you are to cry. Although it’s a work of fiction, it offers a chillingly realistic portrayal of psychological abuse and the subtle ways a narcissist can exert control.
The ending was satisfying, but it felt a little anticlimactic after the intense buildup. Still, the lyrical prose, the cliffhangers at the end of each short chapter, and the enigma of Dracula kept me engaged until the very end.
I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment, “An Encore of Roses,” which promises to tell the story from Alexi’s perspective.
This is a true gem that you won’t want to miss. Click the link below to read it for yourself, and be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts if you’ve already devoured it.
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If you’d like books with similar themes as “A Dowry of Blood” check out this book review of “The Housemaid” here.
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