Review: A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson

 

A Dowry of Blood

by S.T. Gibson

October 4, 2022

Goodreads 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.

Review

In my many years as an avid reader I've not read anything quite like A Dowry of Blood. Passionate with an air of melancholy, it's a haunting tale that flashes by in the blink of an eye but was centuries in the making. An unusual but entirely unforgettable read.

A Dowry of Blood uses second person point of view which was more addictive than I could've imagined. The evocative writing conveyed an endless amount of raw emotions. I couldn't turn my eyes away from the bloody horrors and the sensuous acts. Every moment was filled with intensity.

I found the storytelling format of A Dowry of Blood to be really refreshing. Through Constanta's words to her husband, who is never directly named, we learn of the many great lives they led. Yet all the happy times could not negate the number of deeply disturbing moments that occurred. From devoted wife to suspicious partner to independent woman, Constanta slowly changed. I really enjoyed watching her evolve!! It was so satisfying when she started speaking up and standing up for herself and her loved ones.

Although A Dowry of Blood is not my usual type of read, I'm really glad I picked it up. While the dark and provocative story will not be for everyone, I dare you to give it a try. It just might open your eyes ;)

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.