Title: A Dowry of Blood
Author:S.T. Gibson
Genre: Horror
Publisher: Orbit
Pages: 304
Release Date: 6 October 2022
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Hello fellow book lovers, today I'm sharing my review for S.T. Gibson's A Dowry of Blood— A decadently lush gothic reimagining of Dracula, from the perspective of Constanta-the first (and oldest) of the infamous Vampire Brides.
Synopsis
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
This was an absolutely Intoxicating story that I loved so much I literally finished in a single evening!
I loved that, true to the original source material (which is told through diary entries, newspaper clippings and letters) Constanta’s complex, blood soaked story unfolds in the form of a letter, addressed to Constanta’s unnamed vampire husband. Part love letter and part confession, Constanta chronicles her long life and relationship from the moment of her vampiric rebirth to the murder of her tempestuous husband, and what a mesmerisingly rich and atmospheric tale it is!
Although, steeped in dark and horror-esque imagery, Constanta’s story revolves around the abusive relationship she and the other brides endure. S.T. Gibson’s Dracula is a manipulative, patronising and possessive creature and, unlike the sexy brooding Hollywood version his monstrous actions are rooted in realism. Constanta (like many abuse victims) struggles with her complex feelings towards her husband, the creature she has equated almost god like status in their life and his vicious and hurtful actions that govern the claustrophobic life she must endure.
I did love how Constanta refuses to give him a name throughout the entire novel—he took her true name from her when he made her a bride, so she similarly robs him of his name. A fitting punishment for a creature governed by his immortality.
I genuinely liked Constanta and loved her relationship with the other brides, and it’s her love for them—and her affection for Alexi in particular that motivates her enough to break free, something she would never have done for herself.
There is also TWs for abuse (domestic, physical and emotional) and abusive relationships in general as well as: blood, gore, death, sexual content including sexual violence, gaslighting, confinement and mental illness—this is not an exhaustive list so I do recommend doing some research before reading.
Overall, this hauntingly rich, seductive and devastating tale of desire, obsession, abuse and emancipation is an absolute must read for vampire fiction lovers and fans of Anne Rice or Bram Stoker.
A massive thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for the e-arc.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
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