Vampires Brides and Gaslighting : “A Dowry of Blood” by S.T. Gibson Review

“You could have kissed me or slit my throat and either would have made as much sense.”
— S.T. Gibson, A Dowry of Blood

It’s queer, it’s gothic, it’s toxic, it’s lyrical, and it has polygamous vampires.

Honestly, that’s all I needed to know before wanting to read the book. But I understand that some of you might want a little more, so I’ll try to convince you through this review that A Dowry of Blood is definitely worth checking out!

This book is a love letter written in blood and grief. It’s intense, poetic, at times devastating, and yet somehow still incredibly tender. However, before anything else, I should start by noting that this book is intended for mature audiences: It includes vivid depictions of sex, emotional and psychological abuse, and violence (because, vampires).

At its heart, A Dowry of Blood is a story about surviving a toxic, controlling relationship and growing into your own power all the while discovering yourself. We follow Constanta, the first of Dracula’s brides, as she recounts their history. The writing is absolutely stunning. The prose flows like poetry, full of imagery that completely envelops you in its gothic atmosphere. Gibson chose to write the story as a series of letters addressed directly to Dracula, though she never once names him. That choice alone makes the narrative feel more personal, more raw, and even more intimate.

As we navigate their story, we travel across different parts of the world and through various time periods. I loved this aspect of the novel, as it allowed us to glimpse different cultures and ways of living throughout history. From plague-ridden cities to decadent castles and bustling theaters, I felt like I was right there, standing in the background, watching it all unfold. The book is immersive and moody, soaked in gothic seduction without ever losing sight of its emotional core.

I also really enjoyed the vampire lore. The magical aspect of it was beautiful, and I appreciated how becoming a vampire wasn’t an overnight transformation. There’s a slow evolution (senses sharpening, humanity slipping away) which made it feel both grounded and believable.

And while I wouldn’t personally engage in polygamy, especially not in real life, I think in magical fiction it adds an interesting layer to the story. Here, it creates space to explore power dynamics, control, intimacy, and ultimately, the idea of found family.

What Gibson does so brilliantly is show the slow erosion of autonomy in an abusive relationship. Dracula is charismatic, loving even, but everything he gives, he later uses as a weapon. He chooses vulnerable people, shapes them, controls them, and calls it love. The gaslighting is so well-written that I found myself getting genuinely angry on Constanta’s behalf more than once.

And yet, it’s also sexy. And that’s what makes it complicated.
This book doesn’t shy away from that tension. It acknowledges that abusive relationships can be intoxicating, that love can coexist with harm, and that sometimes the scariest thing isn’t the violence, it’s how much you still want to stay.

The other brides are also what makes this story great:

• Magdalena is a standout. Her arc from rival to soulmate is beautifully nuanced. I loved the way jealousy turned into love, and how her relationship with Constanta grew organically into something layered and meaningful.
• Alexis brought so much chaotic energy into the story. He added life and humor to a household that otherwise felt heavy and oppressive. He challenged Dracula’s unspoken rules and injected some much-needed rebellion. The only small critique I have is that sometimes Alexis and Constanta’s dynamic leaned a little too close to a mother/son vibe while still being romantic, which felt a bit odd, but it wasn’t enough to really bother me.

In summary, A Dowry of Blood is equal parts tragic, romantic, and empowering. And it’s absolutely book club material, there’s so much to unpack: emotional abuse, survival, chosen family, power dynamics, and liberation, all woven into one elegant, gothic tapestry.

If you’ve already read A Dowry of Blood, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Did you fall for Dracula at first? Did you spot the red flags from the beginning? Let’s talk about it!

And if you haven’t picked it up yet, trust me, it’s worth sinking your teeth into!