October Finale: A Dowry of Blood (2021) - S. T. Gibson

Hi there!

Welcome to our October Finale for S. T. Gibson's 2021 A Dowry of Blood.

Trigger Warning: Emotional, Verbal, Physical Intimate Partner Abuse, Gaslighting, War, Famine, and Plague, Blood & Gore, Sexual Content (3/5 🌶), Sado/Masochism, Self-Harm, Body Horror, Violence, Murder, Alcohol Use, Depression & Mania, Brief references of Sexual Assault, Drug Use, Drowning

Overall

We both loved this book for sure, and we paid a lot of attention to how intentional it was. This book is not only beautifully written and really well-thought-out, but it is also very impactful to the more mature reader. Love does not have to require suffering or abuse to be worth it, and others will love you the way you DESERVE to be loved, beyond any abuse you may have suffered.

Alexi

Alexi is the one who sets off the dynamic of the relationship in the house. He seems like an extension of Magdlena's freedom, and the Maker was irritated almost immediately by Alexi being so needy and out of control. Alexi's youth and devil-may-care attitude were signs that the Maker may not be able to defend his piss-poor behavior against someone who was so outspoken.

Constanta

Constanta struggled the most with how badly the Maker was treating them. We think Alexi was the one who saw through him first and explained his frustrations with the Maker's behavior, but Constanta reluctantly took over the plan to kill him because she was kind of expected to be the leader due to seniority and strength. Not really because she wanted to, but because she rose to the occasion for those she loved: Magdalena and Alexi.

Constanta's narration becomes clear and angry, but not emotionally muddled. We do see some emotional feelings right at the point of killing him. She had second thoughts in that moment, but knew that he would continue harming them, so she committed to the act.

When does love turn to fear?

When Alexi has the party, and the Maker murders the young girl and destroys everything about their lives, just because he wants them to be little controllable robots. The revolution is quiet and planned, mostly because the Maker is listening. Do we agree with the way justice was served? Not that we wish death on anybody, but very few ways that they could have escaped, and it may not have gone well. They would be looking over their shoulders forever if he had been left alive. Love turns to fear when trust leaves the room.

With love, see you soon!

Ceraya & Brieanna