”You filled me with your loving guidance, stitched up my seams with thread in your favorite color, taught me how to walk and talk and smile in whatever way pleased you best. I was so happy to be your marionette, at first. So happy to be chosen.”

Written as a letter from Constanta, one of Draculas three brides, A Dowry Of Blood tells the story of their tumultuous life together and portrays the struggle of breaking free from an abusive relationship. It  addresses the difficulty of letting go when you love someone who is bad for you, because how do you start living for yourself after having spent so long living for someone else?

I really enjoyed this book! The writing was beautiful and the story had a nice pace. I liked the characters and their relationship with each other — especially the relationship between Constanta, Magdalena and Alexi. I just think i needed the book to be longer in order to truly connect with the story and the characters on a deeper level. Though i still think the author managed to capture who they characters are at their core and portray the complicated circle of abuse well.