A Dowry of Blood Review

I was so excited to pick up A Dowry of Blood. I really enjoyed Dracula, so I figured I might enjoy this retelling. But I was so wrong. So, let’s get to my review.

Synopsis

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.

My Thoughts on A Dowry of Blood

A Dowry of Blood started well. The writing was beautiful and atmospheric. But then it became repetitive. The plot never really developed, and overall, it felt anticlimactic. I guess I just expected more from a Dracula retelling.

Another thing, since this was supposed to be from the perspective of Dracula’s wives I expected it to reference the original story a bit more. But the male character was never named, and he didn’t have any of Dracula’s characteristics. He really could have been anyone.

And lastly, the book ended in a strange way. The entire book had been from Constanta’s point of view, but for some reason the ending switched to Alexi’s point of view. I wasn’t even remotely attached to him. He was only in 1/3 of the book but suddenly everything focused on him. I wasn’t really attached to any of the characters, but Alexi was the least developed.

I just really didn’t enjoy this one. Again, the writing was beautiful, but the substance wasn’t there.

My Rating: 2/5