I've been eager to get my hands on a copy of this ever since I heard about it on Twitter, and finally tucking into it on a cold, rainy day did not disappoint in the least. This is a relatively quick read but it is not a light one; it's lyrical and macabre and devastating and romantic and complex, and it's definitely a dark journey but manages to be ultimately cathartic and satisfying by the last page. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to read a really fantastic take on the classic Dracula story, but it's also an incredibly successful piece of vampire, Gothic, horror fiction that will keep you riveted.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

To quote a famous scholar "after teasing us with the most problematic relationship of the year" this book explores intimate relationships and the addiction, enthrallment and toxicity than can come from them. It is a dark, seductive ride full of vampires, blood and sex.

We are following Constanta, one of dracula's brides (although he is never named, it's very clear this is who he is character) as she is telling her story to dracula, presuambly after his death as we find out in the first chapter she has allegdly killed him. This is ultimately a story of getting revenge on your abuser.

Journeying around Europe, we follow Constanta and Dracula, shortly after Constana has been turned, and along the way they pick up some new brides, Magdealena and Alexi, who then all form a polyamourous relationship. I love polyamory in books so I was obviously very here for this. I also really enjoyed the sex scenes, I thought they were tastefully written and honestly gay vampires are so sexy. I think he author has said all the characters are bi and we love to see it!! There is a meme which is like straight people having period sex -> abstience, gays having period sex -> bathed in blood, that is what this book feels like.

The characters were all such interesting characters, Constanta is quieter and almost motherly later on, you see her slowly throughout the novel become more of a jaded immortal and she is not afraid to occasionally stand up to dracula. Magdalena is fiery and passionate and Alexi is such a sweet golden boy, who also butts heads with dracula a lot, ultimately leading to the final conflict.

The writing is very immersive and really fits the whole vibe of the story, the writing is first person but also addressing a 'you' (dracula) and I feel like this was such a good choice to explore the complex and nuanced feelings of love than can come from an emotionally abusive relationship.

In conclusion this is the perfect book if you are in the mood for a quick read that is dark and twisted.

Thank you, NetGalley and Nyx Publishing for this ARC! 4.5 out of 5 stars.

What is love, to an immortal? What is it like, to love an immortal as an immortal yourself? What is it, to be the one to make someone immortal, to be able to control them and manipulate them, to be kind to them? Is that a kind of love? To take the needy, and give them what seems a glory, to let them learn who they are, all under your protective hand? To save lives, and to see to it that they do not despoil what a gift *you* have given them? What is the toll of traveling about, to remain both unseen and obedient?

The prose is a style newer to me, in that I don't usually read epistolary (near or otherwise), and while there were a few times I was caught up in confusing "you" for the protagonist-- something, however, easily remedied by the "I" in the next paragraph or so. Still, I found it highly enjoyable, and it worked extremely well for Constanta's near-passiveness in love, her emotional distance, and her decisions. She makes it clear: this is about him, but *she* is in charge. She will not let him have so much as a name, for all the years he has manipulated and hurt her, for how he has treated her and their spouses.

This is an abusive relationship. There is a huge disbalance of power between their maker, the vampire stripped of his name, and those he chose to turn: with Constanta, with Magdalena, and with Alexi. He loves them. This is all true. Constanta clings to parts of her human life: her spirituality, her morals, her love, as she cannot cling to her name.

Delightfully queer and the relationships true, love is infused in all of them: the love between Constanta and Magdalena, the love they have with Alexi, the love they all have for their maker, even the love he carries for them. There is no homophobia for the Constanta, Magdalena, "Dracula", or Alexi to move through: they're simply attracted to each other, and act upon it.

A fantastically gothic, queer book to curl up on a cold night to read!

I truly don't have the words to describe how painfully beautiful this story is. I feel no matter what I say, it will not do it the justice that it deserves. The prose, the story, the characters - there wasn't a part of it that I didn't enjoy; that didn't pull me in deeper and deeper until I could do nothing but devour this book. A Dowry of Blood could have gone on for another 400 pages and I wouldn't have complained. There are few stories that I could read again and again, even among my favorites, but this certainly is one of them.

God, I want more. I'm as greedy for these glorious brides as Dracula himself was. I'm truly grateful I was allowed the opportunity to receive an early copy, and I will be talking about this book non-stop for a long time to come. I've already ordered a physical copy, and I can't wait to have that stunning cover on my shelf to show off.

Please... treat yourself and pick up this beautiful, haunting queer story.

I saw one (1) tweet about this book talking about vampires, an all bi cast, sapphic longing, & a polyamorous relationship, and I was sold. We all know I have a soft spot for vampires and gay girls, so I had to get my hands on this book.

A Dowry of Blood is written in the point of view of one of Dracula's brides, Constanta. It's an open letter from her to Dracula, telling him about her feelings, about the way she experiences her life with him, about her relationship both with him and with the other brides, about her love, her jealousy, her fear, her doubts.
The writing is beautiful, it reminded me of Deathless in so many ways. And any book that reminds me of Deathless is an absolute wonderful book. I've highlighted so many gorgeous quotes.
I fell in love just as Constanta did, with Magdalena, with Alexi, with Dracula even. I fell in love with their family, their relationships, their love. It's a book about love, but also about power, and violence, and abuse, and freedom. It's a journey, from loosing yourself to finding yourself again, finding out who you are and what you want and need.

As soon as I had finished this book I preordered a physical copy (I mean look at that cover), and I know I'm definitely going to reread it, that's how much I loved this book.