Katherine Villyard reviewed Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson
None
3 stars
I know I wrote a review!
So, I love epistolary novels, and do appreciate An Attempt To Be Art, so stylistically I’m down for this! I also enjoyed the historical periods, and the casual reference to “the Harkers.” Also, I do like the concept.
But psychologically…
1. Too much insta-love. Honestly, it’s off-putting.
2. As someone whose parents are both dead, I would have expected more grieving from Constanta.
The emotion Constanta is feeling when Dracula rescues her and enables her to take her revenge? That’s gratitude, or should be, rather than love. Am I supposed to read this as Dracula’s gaslighting? He’s manipulative enough, but I expect more self-awareness because this isn’t written in the moment, but after she’s murdered him.
