February 17, 2025 • 46 mins
Vintage Lenses & Gothic Pages
BOOKCLUB TIME!!
We decided to dive into A Dowry of Blood by ST Gibson. We wanted to break this up into two parts so this is part one of the book. Make sure you have read from the beginning to page 152 aka stop when you get to part three of the book.
Come join us on the vampy side!
Cover Art by: Fabienne and Jordan
Contact email: thebookishhourpod@gmail.com
Intro/Outro music: Season Two: Ramaramaray by Aiyo via Epidemic Sound Season One: Sweet Psycho via TikTok’s Offical Sound Studio on Capcut
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Podcast: @thebookishhourpod
Fabienne: @oxonheart
Jordan: @sipsoffiction
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jordan (00:07):
welcome to the bookish hour with jor and fab.
Fabienne (00:11):
We really need to insert, like, some musical
instruments.
I feel like I'm gonna I feelgonna try and find some drums
like a drum roll oh my gosh.
Jordan (00:19):
But then I feel like that would have to be at the
beginning, like can I get a drumroll please?
I don't know if you can hearthat, but that was me drum
rolling you know what?
Fabienne (00:29):
I am actually going to edit a drum rolling now so
people will hear, like thesecond intro, like introducing
us, like with the drum roll, butwe digress already.
Um, we should have startedrecording sooner, because I
already asked you before, likehow are you doing?
What have you been up to?
Huh, yeah, yeah, how are you?
Jordan (00:50):
doing?
What have you been up to?
Fabienne (00:54):
I haven't, uh, been doing anything remarkable, to be
honest, like nothing out of theordinary, nothing really
thunderous, nothing really new.
Um, oh, that is actually acomplete lie.
I'm sorry.
I am sorry.
I I sort of like, um, um, no,wait, let me, let me backtrack.
Okay, so I am into somethingnew photography with like an
(01:18):
actual film wait, but I thoughtyou've always been into that I.
Jordan (01:22):
I kind of have.
But it's.
It's kind of mistaken, likeit's oh okay, okay, put in the
background like getting backinto it into it sort of yes, I
say very carefully.
Fabienne (01:35):
Um, I feel like, say, eight months ago, like nine,
nine months ago, you know, likejay is into state and like into
investors and everything, etc.
Well, one time he was buying uplike a property but the woman
who wanted to rent it backreally situation I'm not gonna
dive into that she gave him likean entire box of old cameras
(02:00):
okay, I definitely remember wehave pictures of this like of
like giving youcameras yeah, and it was like a
while ago and we just like theywere just like sitting here like
collecting dust and everything,um, but I figured they sound
like they're working.
So last saturday, like lastweekend, I went into the city
(02:22):
center and I looked up some, youknow, like some camera stores
online and I walked in and said,hey, I've come into the
possession of like a few ofthese.
Can you just check for me ifthey actually function, if they
still work?
And then it was away like forabout 10, 15 minutes and he came
back and he was like, yeah,they work.
So it was nothing special, butI was freaking out.
I'm like, oh my, I have likethese at home, like these old
(02:52):
things, and they actually work.
Granted, I only checked thisone.
I still have to get the othercameras and go into the store,
but they're pretty heavy.
This is like almost a kilo,which is I don't know how many,
I feel like it's some type ofuse pounds right
because, America's stupid?
I don't know.
No, no, no, america's notstupid.
They have you.
They're not stupid.
(03:13):
Yeah, but yes, a kilo is prettyheavy for like a camera, I'd say
it is okay, just the oneanyways, but it's really cool.
So I bought like a new batteryfor it.
I it was like missing a cap, sohe gave missing a cap.
So he gave me a cap for free,which is always nice, and he
showed me how to work itbasically, and I got a film for
(03:37):
it and it's black and white andI'm now on.
Jordan (03:47):
I think it has like 20 or 25 pictures that you can take
with it and I'm now at picture11, or actually 12, I should say
, and then you'll have to likego get the film like developed
and stuff, yeah, yeah, that'sexciting.
Fabienne (03:57):
I want to see these pictures.
Oh, you will.
So because I kind of likespiraled in, you know, like
these photograph accounts andeverything, and sometimes you
see like people share how toedit some stuff in Lightroom,
adobe, lightroom, even thoughyou only have like the negative,
(04:18):
like the negatives of a photo.
So apparently, if you just pullout the negatives and you just
put it up to light and you takea very sharp picture with your
phone or tablet or whatever, andyou can edit the negative part
counterwise in Lightroom and youcan actually develop your
negatives on your app, like onyour phone.
Are you still?
Jordan (04:39):
following, but wait.
So do you not want to get themdeveloped?
You just want them.
No, I will get them developed.
I will get them developed, youjust want them.
Fabienne (04:45):
No, I will get them developed.
I will get them developed, butthen obviously you get your
negatives back.
So then afterwards I want totry that.
I don't want to say it's a hack, but then I want to see if it
actually works yeah, oh my god,yeah, how cool would that be
right.
The only thing I'm reallymissing, though, because it
doesn't.
I mean it has like thisviewfinder, I think is what you
(05:06):
call it, but it doesn't havelike a screen.
Um, and I I really need ascreen because blind as shit.
So when, when you look likethis, obviously what the cap is
on, you do have like a certainlike imagination of what the
photo is going to look like, butit's so different again from
like your phone or like anactual camera with like a bigger
(05:26):
viewfinder, like with thescreen, etc.
But uh, so this is what whatI've been up to really for the
past week or like this pastweekend exciting though.
Jordan (05:36):
So what have you?
Fabienne (05:36):
been taking pictures of honestly just random shit.
So saturday, like I said, wewent out, like I went out and
came back home and I was like Iwas down, um, I was saying to
jay, like okay, we have to goout, I just have to take some
pictures, see if like works, youknow, like trying to get to um,
get into it again, like youknow, like have an understanding
of how the mechanics work.
So we just went out, uh, justwalked around a bit like through
(05:59):
the streets here, um, obviously, uh, flowers, trees, took a
photo of him, took a photo ofmyself, a car that went past,
because I wanted to see how itdoes with motion pictures, like
when the subject is like inmotion, um, and some shade
(06:19):
pictures like where, um, or likelow exposure pictures is what I
should say.
So really too much.
But also because filmapparently is pretty expensive,
it's like expensive how much wasthe film you got?
15 euros, which is basically 15for like 25 pictures.
(06:44):
Yeah, that's a lot, you know,like.
Can you recall like when youwere younger and you would like
develop these pictures, youwould have like maps of like or
like folders of like hundreds ofpictures.
Jordan (07:00):
That was a guess of fortune well, yeah, because I
just remember it's like when youget the the pictures developed,
you have to pay for that.
So it's like almost like somuch more money, because it's
just like having it on yourphone and then like printing it
like on your computer.
I mean, granted, it won't be asnice quality, but you know what
I mean.
Fabienne (07:20):
Yeah I know it's just uh, just it's an expensive hobby
I'm finding out, but you knowit's worth it.
And it's not like I'm takingpictures every other day or like
every day.
It's just Also because you onlyhave like a limited amount.
You were trying to save it forthe right moment.
Jordan (07:38):
Fair, fair, but I mean it's also like if it's something
you like to do, it's almostworth it.
Fabienne (07:47):
It.
It's also like if it'ssomething you like to do, it's
almost worth it it's true, soit's like if you're enjoying it,
and you really, that is true.
I mean, I could just likebalance it, you know, like 150
euros for a book, 150 euros fora camera roll yes, you can so
now I have another expensivehobby.
Jordan (08:06):
It could be worse, it could be true, true, what can
you put the camera, the film onyour wish list and then,
hopefully, people buy that foryou technically, I could hinted,
hinted, yes, I shall look intoit.
Fabienne (08:25):
Yeah, exactly, um, so that's what's, uh, what's up
with me.
So I was lying.
Nothing too exciting.
This is actually prettyexciting.
But yes, as soon as I happen todevelop, I will let you know
okay, because I need to seethese.
Jordan (08:42):
So you have to show yes have to.
Fabienne (08:47):
Also, I love your microphone, isn't?
I don't think your microphoneis connected.
Like I hear you, but like Ihate my microphone there well,
why don't you you?
Jordan (09:04):
should have put a mic on your wish list.
I hate my microphone.
Fabienne (09:07):
Well, why don't you already?
Jordan (09:11):
You should have put a mic on your wishlist.
You should have.
Fabienne (09:15):
You need to send me your mic.
I will.
I'm going to text it.
I'm going to text it to youright now.
By the way, just just have itout of the way, because I am
notorious for saying like I'lldo it later and then just never
do it.
Oh the way, because I amnotorious for saying like I'll
do it later and then just neverdo it.
Jordan (09:27):
Oh my God, I'm so bad.
Wait, so do I sound better now.
Yes, perfect, yes, I don't knowwhat it is, but like nobody,
nobody like my microphonedoesn't want to connect to like
discord and I don't, or it likedisconnects, like when we like
are recording or something likethat and I just, and it sucks,
(09:49):
because this microphone was likea hundred bucks and it's poop,
it's a fluke.
I wonder if I got like a lemonthat's the only thing I can
think of, because I'm like notthat I would, and I know
microphones can probably be moreexpensive like, if I get like a
really nice one, it's probablylike way more money, but you
would still think $100 would belike this one was $100 thought
(10:15):
that was like $150 or $200 oh,that could also be it because I
didn't buy it myself.
Fabienne (10:26):
I'll look into it, I'll.
Yeah, I'm so sorry, that's whatI thought oh my god but it's
almost like worth it though,actually it is because, didn't
you know, this won't pick it,this won't pick up, but it has
like a mute button on here.
Look at the screen like on themicrophone on.
(10:46):
Yeah, so if I just click, thisis a test.
So if I click it, no, did yousee, like the red?
Uh, the red light, uh-huh, wow,the red ring of light.
Jordan (11:01):
Then it's, and then I couldn't hear you no see, that's
really cool and I am jealous.
I'm looking up your microphonenow.
Yeah, it'd be like 150.
Actually there's two differentones, so I'm gonna have to like,
I'm just gonna screenshot theseand then I'm gonna talk to you
(11:25):
later about which ones, becausethere's like 120, 150, so I
don't really know.
Fabienne (11:31):
I don't remember so many options.
But yes, yes, we'll talk aboutthat later.
Um the blood, or like a dowryof blood, sorry of blood.
Jordan (11:45):
Oh yes, sounds so like, ominous, so like it is ominous
in a way kind of sinister,that's what that's the word.
But then ominous works rememberkb rose's books ominous
sinister yeah, but like I don'tknow of blood, just sounded more
(12:07):
sinister than ominous okay, Iget that.
Fabienne (12:13):
Yeah, no, no, no, I kind of agree, I don't not agree
okay, do you concur?
Jordan (12:23):
I concur, I concur do you concur?
Fabienne (12:27):
I concur, yes, yes.
So a dowry of blood.
Let it be known that this is areread technically for you.
Yes, had you actually reread ittechnically for you.
Yes, had you actually reread it?
Jordan for this episode.
But it's fine, we'll justspitballing To page 27.
Jordan (12:45):
Oh well, you know it's just one more than 26, so
Exactly I got 27 pages in and Iknow for our next episode I will
have read the whole book.
Fabienne (12:55):
So Like, okay, you already did, but it's fine.
It was my first read and I haveto say I am fucking hooked.
I need the next page as much asI need blood.
Jordan (13:08):
Yeah yeah, our writing style is very lyrically written,
but it's not difficult to readdefinitely not.
Fabienne (13:20):
I had a feeling that it would be a little bit
difficult because of like how?
Um?
Well, not because, but when Isaw, like, the formatting off,
like also, I took your adviceand started reading from this
paperback, because I have twoversions I have the
self-published one and I havethe red hook published.
Jordan (13:42):
I think it's sure I think it's part of his chat.
I think it's part of I'm notglad.
Fabienne (13:48):
Anyways, it's a cool edition, but like these, like
these little I don't want to say, because they're not chapters,
they feel more like they'reentries.
Jordan (13:59):
Yeah, it's like a diary, yeah, it's almost like a diary,
diary, wow that was reallydifficult to say.
But I feel like we need to tellpeople that you should read
parts one and two, and if youhaven't, then don't listen to
(14:20):
this, because we'll be talkingabout parts one and two.
Stop at part three.
Fabienne (14:24):
I feel like that's pretty, yeah, yeah, solid, great
information.
Thank you, could not leave thatout.
I already forgot.
No, but like you say, it's verylyryrically, poetically written
and not difficult at all.
I thought it was gonna be alittle like difficult.
(14:46):
Yeah, I expected it to be alittle bit difficult because I
felt, like you know, it's old inenglish, because she is from a
very, you know, an old age.
Jordan (14:55):
Yeah, like you don't you don't have like a time frame,
like you don't know when likethis is happening, like you just
know, but you know it's like ofan older time but you have no
years.
I like, well, the first time Ipicked it up I thought so too.
Um, like I thought it was goingto be a lot harder to read.
(15:16):
And and then you like startreading it and you're like, wow,
I also, and why I like this?
No, nothing against her likeself-published edition, but I
really like her.
Like this edition by Red Tower,which is an imprint of Orbit,
which is part of Fichette had toput that out there.
The font is way bigger.
(15:36):
Like the font is bigger andit's almost like it's easier to
like read and follow along thanlike the self-published.
But I have to say I really likethe cover of the self-published
edition.
I do too, it's like these littleskeletons.
Fabienne (15:55):
I feel like the.
I love like the elegance of theofficially published or
traditional, traditionallypublished that's what you call
it right, yeah, I like theelegance of this, but I love the
macabre of this one and I feellike it shows her creativity too
(16:19):
, because obviously this isalways like done with someone,
unless the author is also verycreative and like an illustrator
themselves or like a Graphicdesigner.
Thank you very much, but yeah,I I can't wait for like a
(16:39):
special edition of this whereit's like combined.
Jordan (16:43):
I was thinking the same thing, like I really want her to
do a special edition if she'slike, wants to like, if that's
like one of her goals.
But I would love for somebodyto pick it up.
But I don't know how that workswith being traditionally
published, like they might shemight not have be able to.
I think it kind of just likedepends, um, like how, how that,
(17:06):
like how her contract is.
But I think like a specialedition would be so cool and I
want it I want it too.
Fabienne (17:14):
I wanted to.
Um, obviously, what first stoodout to me, like what was
remarkable at the very firstpage, again, uh, the second
person narrative.
Technically, the main characterhere is Constanta, or that's
(17:38):
her name, right, constanta,constanta, how do you say it?
Jordan (17:43):
I, I think it's like I have no idea how you pronounce
it, like I know, if I say bothways pronounced it, then I would
know how to say it both ways.
Fabienne (17:56):
If I pronounced it, then I would know how to say it,
but like my Dutch earinterferes, because I know it's
like this supposedly like thefirst chapter, which is not a
chapter, took place somewhere,either Romania or like Bucharest
.
Is that Romania?
Jordan (18:14):
the entry?
Like this first entry, or areyou talking about like?
Fabienne (18:19):
Yeah, where she like.
I don't think that it's beenmade clear in that first entry
where they are from or, likewhere she is from.
Yeah, I don't think so, but Ihave a feeling it's like either
Romania.
Jordan (18:38):
You think that she's from or like where they are when
she's like writing these?
Fabienne (18:43):
No where she is from.
And now I have to looksomething up because I do not
want to come across as stupid.
Okay, yeah, see, I saidsomething stupid.
I said, oh, she's either fromRomania or either from Bucharest
, but Bucharest is the capitalcity of Romania.
Jordan (19:06):
I have a feeling she's from.
Fabienne (19:09):
Romania, because.
I do remember someone sayingBucharest at one point at least,
oh in here?
Jordan (19:13):
Yes, are you reading it?
Yes, oh, and that I have tokeep my eyes out for that.
I have to say like, honestly,though I've like noticed Granted
, I did read this like for thefirst time, like two years ago
at this point, but like readingit again, knowing certain things
, what you pick up on, which iskind of cool.
Fabienne (19:33):
That always happens with a reread it's very
interesting to see.
Jordan (19:38):
Well, I feel like not all books, but like certain
books.
Have you had a book where itdidn't happen for you?
No, because I don't rereadthose.
Fabienne (19:50):
True, fair point.
Jordan (19:52):
But I do want to like.
I just want to because I madesure to get to this part.
My literal favorite part and itwas my favorite part then and
it's still my favorite part wasthe quote in.
I almost wish there were likeentry numbers so I could like
read it to you, but it's on page21, where she's like you did
not let me keep my name, so I'llstrip you of yours.
(20:14):
And then there's like a lot oflike saying that you're a ghost,
a long night's fever dream,like basically saying you're
nothing.
And then I say you do not havea name.
And I just loved that part somuch that, like she, it's like
everything that he did to herand it was like you, I'm going
(20:43):
to tell my, my story, but you donot get like a face in it.
But like you are part of mystory but you don't, you don't
get a face, and I just oh, Iloved it then and I love it now
still but you don't really seethat.
Fabienne (20:53):
I feel like I mean, yes, I do not want to take away
your thunder here, I'm so sorry,but can I add to that?
Because I feel like I mean, yes, I do not want to take away
your thunder here, I'm so sorry,but can I add to that?
Because I feel like the secondperson narration here works
really well with that, becausethe you in this story is him,
but we as readers feel like weare so much more immersed in
this story because of thatsecond person narrative.
(21:13):
Well, the second point, likethe second person point of view
I'm not really sure how you sayit first person, second person
narrative or the second point,like the second person point of
view, I'm not really sure howyou say it first person, second
person, yeah, second personworks, um, like you're so
immersed within the story butyou don't know who she is
addressing to or like who she'saddressing um.
So you almost feel like that youare the bad guy story but you
(21:36):
are not named, you are not givena name.
Really, don't you read it likethat?
I feel like I am being sort oflike taken from my reality and
taken into the story and I amappointed the bad guy because of
the you Like you said it, itfeels very accusatory.
(21:57):
Guy because of the you like yousaid it, it feels very
accusatory and it works reallywell because of that.
Quote what you just like.
What, uh, that you justmentioned too.
Jordan (22:04):
It's like in concord, like it's in accord with one
another interesting because I Ialmost read it as in like it's
diary entry.
So I'm, I'm, I'm like takinglike a step back and I'm looking
at it from almost like thatoutside perspective, knowing
that she's not talking about mebecause she's talking about this
(22:25):
nameless person.
So I almost like, I don't feellike I'm, I almost feel like I'm
the fly on the wall whenreading it.
This is so interesting.
I did not think we would havelike two different perspectives
I like it me too for a changeyou like
(22:45):
it and that's kind of why andthat's like kind of why I like
that line almost, because it'slike we get to see basically how
she was made and how she becamewho she is now from like the
beginning.
But it's basically this likeone person, and it's almost like
(23:06):
like you know how, like whenyou like, when you like when
you're trying to remember adream, but like as the you're
waking up and you, everythingbecomes like really blurry.
So you like almost like see,like you know that that's
supposed to be a person, but youcan't make any like
distinguishing, like factors ofthat person because everything's
(23:30):
kind of like fading away.
That's almost like how I feellike you could picture who this
like like my lord is, but youdon't know, like you don't know
like what he looks like, youdon't know, like you just know
he's like a faceless person andso that's what I love.
Fabienne (23:50):
Yeah, I like the um.
I guess anonymity works in thiscontext.
I like the um how he remainsanonymous and again it circles
back to that specific one quotelike she takes away his power by
not giving him a name.
It's almost like voldemort ofharry potter, he who shall not
(24:14):
be named.
Jordan (24:17):
Oh, that's true.
Fabienne (24:20):
In a way.
But this is so much more betterthan Harry Potter, mind you,
total different Calibre as well.
Calibre Not Calibre, calibre,um.
But yes, I also very muchenjoyed the I guess, her first
psychology of her being forcedor like navigated or like
(24:43):
directed into this polyamoroussort of relationship with
magdalena, and how she explainsthat she doesn't really feel
like it was consented at first,but then she kind of grew into
the idea because of how it allcame together.
Pun intended, um, but it was.
It's a bad pun, but I, I I likeit.
(25:07):
I really like where this storyis going and I also love how
it's not I mean, we have.
Well, you are not the biggestfan of reverse harem.
This is obviously not a reverseharem.
This is a somewhat traditionalharem.
Jordan (25:23):
Yeah, yeah, this is like more of like the polyamorous.
Fabienne (25:29):
Yes, traditional, yeah , but I love the, I guess,
subtletyety, subtleness,subtlety of how it's written,
like you know, like obviouslythere is like smut in this, but
it's not as prevalent as thesmut that we also read in
(25:50):
different books like it's.
Jordan (25:51):
You see it happening, you see it on the pages, you
read it and it's spicy, but it'snot like it's not it, but it's
not like um, it's um, it's likenot it's not like porn spicy,
it's like sensual spicy yes, yes, because I I don't want to say
it's like not kinky in its likeway, yeah, and maybe also partly
(26:22):
because it's like not totallyconsensual, but like kind of
fallen into in a way.
Not gonna lie, I haven't gottento that part in my reread so I
kind of don't totally rememberit.
So that's my bad but I do.
(26:42):
I also like, from what I'm likeremembering to of like reading
it.
It was almost like becausethere's it's not that there's
that many of them, likeso-called vampire vampires.
Well, I for I forgot, I don'tknow how to pronounce like what
she calls them, but basicallylike the m, oh the yes, but I
(27:07):
thought it ended in.
Fabienne (27:08):
I do not pronounce the I well, maroi like hawaii maroi
because that's like what hergrandma do you pronounce like
the french way, like the mo, themoho.
That is really difficult.
Jordan (27:24):
Nobody can pronounce that yeah, and I like don't know
how you pronounce it, but I Ifeel like it's almost kind of
like there's not many of them,so she knows that he's the one
that made her and he has.
She has to stay with him,because where else is she going
to go.
So it's like whatever he kindof sets the ground rules of,
(27:47):
like he's the Lord, their Lord,and like you can't like, whether
you like it or not, this islike how it's going to be and
you can't deviate from this pathanymore yeah sorry.
Fabienne (28:02):
Um, I also looked up what moroy is and apparently
okay, so I think it's safe tosay that she's from bucharest,
because I distinctively rememberbucharest being mentioned in
the book Moroi.
Again, however you indeedpronounce it, it says here Moroi
is a type of vampire or ghostin Romanian folklore, oh, and in
(28:27):
some versions a Moroi is aphantom of a dead person which
leaves the grave to draw energyfrom the living.
Jordan (28:35):
And then it says they're also often associated with
other figures in, uh, romanfolklore, romanian folklore, um,
but yeah, that's gotta be likewhere she stemmed, like where
she's from nails from, yeah,like where she's from hails from
, yeah, like where he found herand you know, like he found her
(28:59):
in like war.
It was like the end, yeah, oflike a battle that happened,
yeah.
So it's kind of like you kindof, but you don't, I still like
I like that you don't know thatmuch, like I like that you don't
have a year, you don't have,you don't have it telling you
where it is.
Like you can kind of like fromlooking it up you can find out.
Fabienne (29:25):
There are some signifiers here and there.
I mean she talks about Suleyman, like the Turkish emperor at
one point.
Layman, like the turkishemperor at one point.
Um she talks about the um, likethe war in vienna, like austria
, and I want to say hungary likeaustria.
Jordan (29:49):
Hungary, that was like an empire before yeah, and I
feel like too, like as they'retraveling, she mentions like
kind of where they go or likewhere they went and things like
that, so you can kind of pick upon that.
But I like that it does.
It's like not where it's at thebeginning of each like entry.
Being like Romania, yeah, whichyou would normally have with
(30:13):
entries, by the way exactly, soI really like how this one is
done yeah, yeah, me too.
Fabienne (30:23):
I'm trying to um remember, because I also recall
seeing like 1800 being mentioned, like thes.
So I feel like they are.
It's the 1800s.
Is that like the enlightenmentperiod, like the renaissance?
(30:46):
Oh, I think so.
Jordan (30:46):
A piece of history I don't remember.
I'm like so bad With history,not going to lie.
When is you are bad withhistory?
Fabienne (30:55):
Not going to lie.
When is you are fantastic withhistory?
Do not lie.
Jordan (31:06):
Are you looking it?
Fabienne (31:07):
up.
Jordan (31:12):
Yeah, but the Renaissance, yeah, but the
renaissance, oh, the renaissancearrived at different countries
at varying, varying times.
So italy was the first toexperience the movement in the
14th century, so that's way offfrom 1800s, but that's italy.
That's italy, though, so I feellike it doesn't oh, and I don't
(31:34):
know, and I don't what well,because there's three major
phases to like early, high andlate.
So I feel like, oh, I guessfrom the 14th to the 17th
century, but then that would be1600s.
Right, because it's like a year.
Fabienne (31:52):
Yeah, 14th century is 1300s.
Jordan (31:58):
Yes, so 13 to 16.
Fabienne (32:04):
Yes, hmm, yeah, then we're way off, like at least by
200 years.
Jordan (32:12):
We tried, we tried.
It was a solid effort on ourpart a for effort.
Fabienne (32:17):
Here's a star, you get a star, we all get a star.
Um, yes, do you and this isobviously like a spoiler for the
entire book again, because I'mtrying to fish whatever I can
fish from this very good pondthat we have found ourselves in
um, does it, does it tackle likecontemporary times?
Or are you saying, are yougoing to say, like, you just
(32:39):
have to read to find out?
Jordan (32:41):
I'm not going to tell you, but I do.
Let's just say you know thetime frame it ends in.
I remember being so excitedgetting to that like last couple
entries, and being like, oh mygosh, and so you'll know that.
(33:05):
So, like that's where I'm goingto leave it, but I'm not going
to tell you if it ends in likecontemporary times or whatnot.
Fabienne (33:14):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay .
Well, it doesn't tell meanything at all.
So, thanks for that.
You're welcome.
I'll just have to read on then.
Jordan (33:22):
You'll just be really excited.
You'll be really excited.
If I'm not, I'll buy a ticket.
Fabienne (33:29):
I'll come knocking at your door, honey.
You said I was going to beexcited, but I'm not.
You promised me and you lied,finger pointing and all.
I love this quote, by the way.
The desire makes idiots of allof us.
But you already knew that part,didn't you?
What?
Jordan (33:53):
page.
Is that on?
Okay, so I have the red hookbook like this one, so do so.
Do I okay?
On 107.
Fabienne (34:11):
Oh, oh yeah, that's good.
Jordan (34:12):
That's a good quote.
I choked on my own spit.
She has just like great linesLike I've just like I've
basically highlighted.
Everything Like even loneliness, hollow and cold becomes so
familiar when it starts to feellike a friend.
Fabienne (34:29):
Yep, I have never heard of her.
Dare I say ST Gibson.
I have never heard of herbefore.
Jordan (34:40):
Is this like a?
Fabienne (34:41):
first novel.
Jordan (34:42):
Yeah, she has like, I think she has like a kind of a
small like novella that shepublished a while ago like
Robber Girl.
She published a while ago, um,like robber girl, but, um, a
(35:04):
dowry of a blood was basicallyher first one, and I think now
that this, yeah, I think because, yeah, this one, um, now that
this, the traditionallypublished one, is out in the
world, it shows as, like, may2023.
But that one, theself-published one, I believe,
(35:27):
was 2020.
Oh yeah, do you have a date inthere?
2020.
Oh yeah.
Fabienne (35:34):
Do you have a date in there?
Um, this says here, publishedby Nick's publishing 2021.
Jordan (35:42):
Oh, okay, so 2021.
Okay, I thought it was like2020.
Maybe not, but she has robbergirl and that that came out in
2019.
That's, oh, that's out in 2019.
Oh yeah, oh, that's actually200 pages.
I didn't know.
That was not a novella.
No, and I thought it was anovella, but it does say that
(36:03):
was Kindle Pages.
Let me look at this KindlePages.
Fabienne (36:07):
Kindle Pages are not reliable.
Oh, okay.
Jordan (36:11):
That was actually pretty reliable, but I'm pretty sure.
Now I'm double.
I have to double check, but I'mpretty sure, saint, yeah, she,
her, that's what I thought, um,saint gibson.
But she has two more bookscoming out in, ones in February,
(36:34):
the an education in malice thatI'm so excited for, and she has
sorry no, you continue.
Fabienne (36:43):
Continue, please, no, no, no, I apologize.
Jordan (36:46):
And she has another one coming out in the summer that I
don't know the name of Wait thissummer, like this summer still,
or like next summer no likenext summer.
So she has like the educationin malice is coming out in
February 2024.
And then the other one is insummer 2024, but I am so excited
(37:09):
for an education in malice, Ithink can you see what it's
about?
Fabienne (37:17):
I'm so sorry, I cut you off.
Jordan (37:18):
Oh my god.
No, it's a dark academia.
Rivals to lovers.
Carmilla, reimagining thesapphic companion novel to A
Dowry of Blood.
Fabienne (37:30):
Oh my god.
Jordan (37:32):
It's gonna be so good and I'm so excited.
Fabienne (37:35):
Honestly, the the dark academia is what sold me I feel
like we have um, gravitatedtoward like a different type of
genre that we have come toreally enjoy.
I mean, we've already like,loved the goth system, like, and
like the dark romanticismaspect of, again, dark romance,
hence the name.
But for some reason, like theoverall or like accompanying
(38:00):
genre of dark academia, love itso much and it ties in with like
one of your favorite tropes,like rivals to lovers.
There we go oh my gosh.
Jordan (38:15):
Yes, it's just.
I don't know what it is about.
Dark academia, that is justlike so great.
But I think it's just.
I love the whole like.
I think like ever since readinglike gothicana, I just like
want to like have that again andagain and again, and whether
(38:37):
it's like slightly different orlike similar in those kind of
settings.
But I feel like this is very.
This isn't quite dark academia,but it gives off those like.
But I think it's more of herwriting style that gives it off
yeah it like what.
Fabienne (38:57):
What would qualify as dark academia, by the way, do we
know that?
I mean we slightly digress, butthen again, what's new we're
tackling?
Jordan (39:04):
the subject anyways, it's almost like it has to be
like in.
I feel like I get an oldlibrary kind of setting like
dark, musty, it's cloudy Likeand that's I know I'm describing
like a scene.
But that's like what I feel itworks for me.
(39:25):
It's like, but that's like whatI feel like dark academia would
be, like I want to be in like anold, like mansion, or Like an
estate, or even like I'll takean old school, like an old
university, kind of likeGothicana.
But I feel like and it's weirdBecause I would almost Like,
(39:51):
like, even though I Okay, soDoes it hurt?
I feel like if they wound upnot on a lighthouse on an island
, but like, let's say, it was anestate on an island, I think it
would have counted as like darkacademia.
But because it wasn't thatestate, it was like a lighthouse
, it's not.
But I feel like, what do youthink Like you?
(40:14):
What do you think like?
What do you think for?
Fabienne (40:20):
um, I think like um canon literature, like classic
literature, like greek, um greekplays, like greek tragedies, um
gothic literature as well.
Cathedrals is what I vision,like, envision in my head.
If I think of dark academia um,the name suggests academics I
(40:45):
think of like scholarly settings, um the will to learn, like to
study um the occult, the unknown, like mysticism, gloomy and
dark weather.
Again, I'm also setting a scene, because that just like comes
with the image.
You know, like if I, if I haveto pick like take a picture with
(41:08):
my new camera or old camera,depending how you look at it and
I had to like capture darkacademia, I would go to a
cathedral and all the people arelike either reading or wearing,
like you know, like um classictrousers, like fall outfit yes,
it's fall like the weather isgloomy, it's slightly drizzling,
(41:30):
there might be thunder coming,uh, coming up um classical music
.
It is more.
I feel a feeling that comeswith a certain I don't agree,
it's so much.
Yeah, I don't really know howto explain it.
(41:51):
It's like, obviously it's anaesthetic, people classify it as
an aesthetic, but it's also afeeling.
Jordan (41:57):
It is Because I googled what is dark academia, just for
the fuck of it, and it says darkacademia is defined by darkness
that overshadows the students,creating a solemn tone and
aesthetic.
It is often a murder,overpowered professors and
difficult student life.
That was from october 2022, um,and so dark academia is both an
(42:24):
aesthetic and a subculture thatis primarily focused on higher
education, the arts, calligraphy, museums, museums, writing and
reading, and the shadowy classic, greek and Gothic architecture.
Totally agree.
Didn't even think of museums,but yes, museums would be like.
Fabienne (42:43):
Like the statues, you know, like the Greek busts and
everything.
Yes, yes, yeah, I don't knowwhy.
I feel like it's also thenostalgia that comes with um in
a way not really sure what typeof nostalgia, because I sure as
hell didn't experience darkacademia in my studies no me um
(43:04):
me either, but I wish I did um Iknow, for this spooky season
which I don't know what happenedto it.
Jordan (43:12):
I'm reading Dracula.
I am reading Dracula.
Fabienne (43:16):
I want to read it so badly.
Jordan (43:17):
Really.
Yes, I bought it somewhere.
I had a copy, and that's why Ididn't buy the one at Barnes
Noble when we were there inTexas.
But I don't know where it went.
It just disappeared in thenight, just like dracula does.
(43:40):
But yeah, so I like, Idefinitely am reading that.
I'm like looking at mybookshelves trying to find it,
but I can't find it.
But yes, I want to read thatthis like fall or like November
oh, you want to.
Fabienne (43:55):
I'm so sorry.
I thought you meant that youare reading it now, but you want
to read it.
Jordan (43:59):
Oh, oh yeah, no, no, I want to read it.
Fabienne (44:08):
I mean, this is the smutty book podcast.
But you know, just for thehealth we could do a buddy read.
Jordan (44:19):
We can just like we're broadening our horizons.
Fabienne (44:27):
Thank you, I got you.
Jordan (44:29):
Oh my gosh, it's been a long day Fab.
Fabienne (44:33):
It's been a long day yeah no, I know, know,
sweetheart, it's fine.
We'll just wrap it up soon too,so you're good, okay, cool,
cool, but we can.
We can read dracula together,maybe, and maybe not even for
the smyboot podcast, but justlike for the hell of it for
ourselves, oh my gosh, wehaven't done that in so long.
And I apologize.
(44:57):
Why do you apologize?
I don't know, it's just part ofwho I am.
Don't do that, I'm sorry, You'reright, but I remember like we
used to do that all the time Iknow A podcast, yeah, and then
life happens, and then you startturning 30, and then shit just
(45:20):
like gets turned around All goesdownhill and you don't know
what's happening anymore.
Yes, no, let's just wrap it up,because otherwise we'll just
actually spiral down this reallyweird hole.
But this was a fantastic firstpart of A Dowry of Blood.
We have a little bit morespoilers maybe in the next book,
(45:41):
because we will be discussingthe entire book.
Jordan will have read it too,right, jordan?
Yes, good, good, my bad girl,Good girl.
And yeah, that's it for today,folks.
Thank you so much for listening.
Jordan (45:59):
And please don't forget to rate and review wherever you
can find us.
So catch you next time.
Bye.
welcome to the bookish hour with jor and fab.
Fabienne (00:11):
We really need to insert, like, some musical
instruments.
I feel like I'm gonna I feelgonna try and find some drums
like a drum roll oh my gosh.
Jordan (00:19):
But then I feel like that would have to be at the
beginning, like can I get a drumroll please?
I don't know if you can hearthat, but that was me drum
rolling you know what?
Fabienne (00:29):
I am actually going to edit a drum rolling now so
people will hear, like thesecond intro, like introducing
us, like with the drum roll, butwe digress already.
Um, we should have startedrecording sooner, because I
already asked you before, likehow are you doing?
What have you been up to?
Huh, yeah, yeah, how are you?
Jordan (00:50):
doing?
What have you been up to?
Fabienne (00:54):
I haven't, uh, been doing anything remarkable, to be
honest, like nothing out of theordinary, nothing really
thunderous, nothing really new.
Um, oh, that is actually acomplete lie.
I'm sorry.
I am sorry.
I I sort of like, um, um, no,wait, let me, let me backtrack.
Okay, so I am into somethingnew photography with like an
(01:18):
actual film wait, but I thoughtyou've always been into that I.
Jordan (01:22):
I kind of have.
But it's.
It's kind of mistaken, likeit's oh okay, okay, put in the
background like getting backinto it into it sort of yes, I
say very carefully.
Fabienne (01:35):
Um, I feel like, say, eight months ago, like nine,
nine months ago, you know, likejay is into state and like into
investors and everything, etc.
Well, one time he was buying uplike a property but the woman
who wanted to rent it backreally situation I'm not gonna
dive into that she gave him likean entire box of old cameras
(02:00):
okay, I definitely remember wehave pictures of this like of
like giving youcameras yeah, and it was like a
while ago and we just like theywere just like sitting here like
collecting dust and everything,um, but I figured they sound
like they're working.
So last saturday, like lastweekend, I went into the city
(02:22):
center and I looked up some, youknow, like some camera stores
online and I walked in and said,hey, I've come into the
possession of like a few ofthese.
Can you just check for me ifthey actually function, if they
still work?
And then it was away like forabout 10, 15 minutes and he came
back and he was like, yeah,they work.
So it was nothing special, butI was freaking out.
I'm like, oh my, I have likethese at home, like these old
(02:52):
things, and they actually work.
Granted, I only checked thisone.
I still have to get the othercameras and go into the store,
but they're pretty heavy.
This is like almost a kilo,which is I don't know how many,
I feel like it's some type ofuse pounds right
because, America's stupid?
I don't know.
No, no, no, america's notstupid.
They have you.
They're not stupid.
(03:13):
Yeah, but yes, a kilo is prettyheavy for like a camera, I'd say
it is okay, just the oneanyways, but it's really cool.
So I bought like a new batteryfor it.
I it was like missing a cap, sohe gave missing a cap.
So he gave me a cap for free,which is always nice, and he
showed me how to work itbasically, and I got a film for
(03:37):
it and it's black and white andI'm now on.
Jordan (03:47):
I think it has like 20 or 25 pictures that you can take
with it and I'm now at picture11, or actually 12, I should say
, and then you'll have to likego get the film like developed
and stuff, yeah, yeah, that'sexciting.
Fabienne (03:57):
I want to see these pictures.
Oh, you will.
So because I kind of likespiraled in, you know, like
these photograph accounts andeverything, and sometimes you
see like people share how toedit some stuff in Lightroom,
adobe, lightroom, even thoughyou only have like the negative,
(04:18):
like the negatives of a photo.
So apparently, if you just pullout the negatives and you just
put it up to light and you takea very sharp picture with your
phone or tablet or whatever, andyou can edit the negative part
counterwise in Lightroom and youcan actually develop your
negatives on your app, like onyour phone.
Are you still?
Jordan (04:39):
following, but wait.
So do you not want to get themdeveloped?
You just want them.
No, I will get them developed.
I will get them developed, youjust want them.
Fabienne (04:45):
No, I will get them developed.
I will get them developed, butthen obviously you get your
negatives back.
So then afterwards I want totry that.
I don't want to say it's a hack, but then I want to see if it
actually works yeah, oh my god,yeah, how cool would that be
right.
The only thing I'm reallymissing, though, because it
doesn't.
I mean it has like thisviewfinder, I think is what you
(05:06):
call it, but it doesn't havelike a screen.
Um, and I I really need ascreen because blind as shit.
So when, when you look likethis, obviously what the cap is
on, you do have like a certainlike imagination of what the
photo is going to look like, butit's so different again from
like your phone or like anactual camera with like a bigger
(05:26):
viewfinder, like with thescreen, etc.
But uh, so this is what whatI've been up to really for the
past week or like this pastweekend exciting though.
Jordan (05:36):
So what have you?
Fabienne (05:36):
been taking pictures of honestly just random shit.
So saturday, like I said, wewent out, like I went out and
came back home and I was like Iwas down, um, I was saying to
jay, like okay, we have to goout, I just have to take some
pictures, see if like works, youknow, like trying to get to um,
get into it again, like youknow, like have an understanding
of how the mechanics work.
So we just went out, uh, justwalked around a bit like through
(05:59):
the streets here, um, obviously, uh, flowers, trees, took a
photo of him, took a photo ofmyself, a car that went past,
because I wanted to see how itdoes with motion pictures, like
when the subject is like inmotion, um, and some shade
(06:19):
pictures like where, um, or likelow exposure pictures is what I
should say.
So really too much.
But also because filmapparently is pretty expensive,
it's like expensive how much wasthe film you got?
15 euros, which is basically 15for like 25 pictures.
(06:44):
Yeah, that's a lot, you know,like.
Can you recall like when youwere younger and you would like
develop these pictures, youwould have like maps of like or
like folders of like hundreds ofpictures.
Jordan (07:00):
That was a guess of fortune well, yeah, because I
just remember it's like when youget the the pictures developed,
you have to pay for that.
So it's like almost like somuch more money, because it's
just like having it on yourphone and then like printing it
like on your computer.
I mean, granted, it won't be asnice quality, but you know what
I mean.
Fabienne (07:20):
Yeah I know it's just uh, just it's an expensive hobby
I'm finding out, but you knowit's worth it.
And it's not like I'm takingpictures every other day or like
every day.
It's just Also because you onlyhave like a limited amount.
You were trying to save it forthe right moment.
Jordan (07:38):
Fair, fair, but I mean it's also like if it's something
you like to do, it's almostworth it.
Fabienne (07:47):
It.
It's also like if it'ssomething you like to do, it's
almost worth it it's true, soit's like if you're enjoying it,
and you really, that is true.
I mean, I could just likebalance it, you know, like 150
euros for a book, 150 euros fora camera roll yes, you can so
now I have another expensivehobby.
Jordan (08:06):
It could be worse, it could be true, true, what can
you put the camera, the film onyour wish list and then,
hopefully, people buy that foryou technically, I could hinted,
hinted, yes, I shall look intoit.
Fabienne (08:25):
Yeah, exactly, um, so that's what's, uh, what's up
with me.
So I was lying.
Nothing too exciting.
This is actually prettyexciting.
But yes, as soon as I happen todevelop, I will let you know
okay, because I need to seethese.
Jordan (08:42):
So you have to show yes have to.
Fabienne (08:47):
Also, I love your microphone, isn't?
I don't think your microphoneis connected.
Like I hear you, but like Ihate my microphone there well,
why don't you you?
Jordan (09:04):
should have put a mic on your wish list.
I hate my microphone.
Fabienne (09:07):
Well, why don't you already?
Jordan (09:11):
You should have put a mic on your wishlist.
You should have.
Fabienne (09:15):
You need to send me your mic.
I will.
I'm going to text it.
I'm going to text it to youright now.
By the way, just just have itout of the way, because I am
notorious for saying like I'lldo it later and then just never
do it.
Oh the way, because I amnotorious for saying like I'll
do it later and then just neverdo it.
Jordan (09:27):
Oh my God, I'm so bad.
Wait, so do I sound better now.
Yes, perfect, yes, I don't knowwhat it is, but like nobody,
nobody like my microphonedoesn't want to connect to like
discord and I don't, or it likedisconnects, like when we like
are recording or something likethat and I just, and it sucks,
(09:49):
because this microphone was likea hundred bucks and it's poop,
it's a fluke.
I wonder if I got like a lemonthat's the only thing I can
think of, because I'm like notthat I would, and I know
microphones can probably be moreexpensive like, if I get like a
really nice one, it's probablylike way more money, but you
would still think $100 would belike this one was $100 thought
(10:15):
that was like $150 or $200 oh,that could also be it because I
didn't buy it myself.
Fabienne (10:26):
I'll look into it, I'll.
Yeah, I'm so sorry, that's whatI thought oh my god but it's
almost like worth it though,actually it is because, didn't
you know, this won't pick it,this won't pick up, but it has
like a mute button on here.
Look at the screen like on themicrophone on.
(10:46):
Yeah, so if I just click, thisis a test.
So if I click it, no, did yousee, like the red?
Uh, the red light, uh-huh, wow,the red ring of light.
Jordan (11:01):
Then it's, and then I couldn't hear you no see, that's
really cool and I am jealous.
I'm looking up your microphonenow.
Yeah, it'd be like 150.
Actually there's two differentones, so I'm gonna have to like,
I'm just gonna screenshot theseand then I'm gonna talk to you
(11:25):
later about which ones, becausethere's like 120, 150, so I
don't really know.
Fabienne (11:31):
I don't remember so many options.
But yes, yes, we'll talk aboutthat later.
Um the blood, or like a dowryof blood, sorry of blood.
Jordan (11:45):
Oh yes, sounds so like, ominous, so like it is ominous
in a way kind of sinister,that's what that's the word.
But then ominous works rememberkb rose's books ominous
sinister yeah, but like I don'tknow of blood, just sounded more
(12:07):
sinister than ominous okay, Iget that.
Fabienne (12:13):
Yeah, no, no, no, I kind of agree, I don't not agree
okay, do you concur?
Jordan (12:23):
I concur, I concur do you concur?
Fabienne (12:27):
I concur, yes, yes.
So a dowry of blood.
Let it be known that this is areread technically for you.
Yes, had you actually reread ittechnically for you.
Yes, had you actually reread it?
Jordan for this episode.
But it's fine, we'll justspitballing To page 27.
Jordan (12:45):
Oh well, you know it's just one more than 26, so
Exactly I got 27 pages in and Iknow for our next episode I will
have read the whole book.
Fabienne (12:55):
So Like, okay, you already did, but it's fine.
It was my first read and I haveto say I am fucking hooked.
I need the next page as much asI need blood.
Jordan (13:08):
Yeah yeah, our writing style is very lyrically written,
but it's not difficult to readdefinitely not.
Fabienne (13:20):
I had a feeling that it would be a little bit
difficult because of like how?
Um?
Well, not because, but when Isaw, like, the formatting off,
like also, I took your adviceand started reading from this
paperback, because I have twoversions I have the
self-published one and I havethe red hook published.
Jordan (13:42):
I think it's sure I think it's part of his chat.
I think it's part of I'm notglad.
Fabienne (13:48):
Anyways, it's a cool edition, but like these, like
these little I don't want to say, because they're not chapters,
they feel more like they'reentries.
Jordan (13:59):
Yeah, it's like a diary, yeah, it's almost like a diary,
diary, wow that was reallydifficult to say.
But I feel like we need to tellpeople that you should read
parts one and two, and if youhaven't, then don't listen to
(14:20):
this, because we'll be talkingabout parts one and two.
Stop at part three.
Fabienne (14:24):
I feel like that's pretty, yeah, yeah, solid, great
information.
Thank you, could not leave thatout.
I already forgot.
No, but like you say, it's verylyryrically, poetically written
and not difficult at all.
I thought it was gonna be alittle like difficult.
(14:46):
Yeah, I expected it to be alittle bit difficult because I
felt, like you know, it's old inenglish, because she is from a
very, you know, an old age.
Jordan (14:55):
Yeah, like you don't you don't have like a time frame,
like you don't know when likethis is happening, like you just
know, but you know it's like ofan older time but you have no
years.
I like, well, the first time Ipicked it up I thought so too.
Um, like I thought it was goingto be a lot harder to read.
(15:16):
And and then you like startreading it and you're like, wow,
I also, and why I like this?
No, nothing against her likeself-published edition, but I
really like her.
Like this edition by Red Tower,which is an imprint of Orbit,
which is part of Fichette had toput that out there.
The font is way bigger.
(15:36):
Like the font is bigger andit's almost like it's easier to
like read and follow along thanlike the self-published.
But I have to say I really likethe cover of the self-published
edition.
I do too, it's like these littleskeletons.
Fabienne (15:55):
I feel like the.
I love like the elegance of theofficially published or
traditional, traditionallypublished that's what you call
it right, yeah, I like theelegance of this, but I love the
macabre of this one and I feellike it shows her creativity too
(16:19):
, because obviously this isalways like done with someone,
unless the author is also verycreative and like an illustrator
themselves or like a Graphicdesigner.
Thank you very much, but yeah,I I can't wait for like a
(16:39):
special edition of this whereit's like combined.
Jordan (16:43):
I was thinking the same thing, like I really want her to
do a special edition if she'slike, wants to like, if that's
like one of her goals.
But I would love for somebodyto pick it up.
But I don't know how that workswith being traditionally
published, like they might shemight not have be able to.
I think it kind of just likedepends, um, like how, how that,
(17:06):
like how her contract is.
But I think like a specialedition would be so cool and I
want it I want it too.
Fabienne (17:14):
I wanted to.
Um, obviously, what first stoodout to me, like what was
remarkable at the very firstpage, again, uh, the second
person narrative.
Technically, the main characterhere is Constanta, or that's
(17:38):
her name, right, constanta,constanta, how do you say it?
Jordan (17:43):
I, I think it's like I have no idea how you pronounce
it, like I know, if I say bothways pronounced it, then I would
know how to say it both ways.
Fabienne (17:56):
If I pronounced it, then I would know how to say it,
but like my Dutch earinterferes, because I know it's
like this supposedly like thefirst chapter, which is not a
chapter, took place somewhere,either Romania or like Bucharest
.
Is that Romania?
Jordan (18:14):
the entry?
Like this first entry, or areyou talking about like?
Fabienne (18:19):
Yeah, where she like.
I don't think that it's beenmade clear in that first entry
where they are from or, likewhere she is from.
Yeah, I don't think so, but Ihave a feeling it's like either
Romania.
Jordan (18:38):
You think that she's from or like where they are when
she's like writing these?
Fabienne (18:43):
No where she is from.
And now I have to looksomething up because I do not
want to come across as stupid.
Okay, yeah, see, I saidsomething stupid.
I said, oh, she's either fromRomania or either from Bucharest
, but Bucharest is the capitalcity of Romania.
Jordan (19:06):
I have a feeling she's from.
Fabienne (19:09):
Romania, because.
I do remember someone sayingBucharest at one point at least,
oh in here?
Jordan (19:13):
Yes, are you reading it?
Yes, oh, and that I have tokeep my eyes out for that.
I have to say like, honestly,though I've like noticed Granted
, I did read this like for thefirst time, like two years ago
at this point, but like readingit again, knowing certain things
, what you pick up on, which iskind of cool.
Fabienne (19:33):
That always happens with a reread it's very
interesting to see.
Jordan (19:38):
Well, I feel like not all books, but like certain
books.
Have you had a book where itdidn't happen for you?
No, because I don't rereadthose.
Fabienne (19:50):
True, fair point.
Jordan (19:52):
But I do want to like.
I just want to because I madesure to get to this part.
My literal favorite part and itwas my favorite part then and
it's still my favorite part wasthe quote in.
I almost wish there were likeentry numbers so I could like
read it to you, but it's on page21, where she's like you did
not let me keep my name, so I'llstrip you of yours.
(20:14):
And then there's like a lot oflike saying that you're a ghost,
a long night's fever dream,like basically saying you're
nothing.
And then I say you do not havea name.
And I just loved that part somuch that, like she, it's like
everything that he did to herand it was like you, I'm going
(20:43):
to tell my, my story, but you donot get like a face in it.
But like you are part of mystory but you don't, you don't
get a face, and I just oh, Iloved it then and I love it now
still but you don't really seethat.
Fabienne (20:53):
I feel like I mean, yes, I do not want to take away
your thunder here, I'm so sorry,but can I add to that?
Because I feel like I mean, yes, I do not want to take away
your thunder here, I'm so sorry,but can I add to that?
Because I feel like the secondperson narration here works
really well with that, becausethe you in this story is him,
but we as readers feel like weare so much more immersed in
this story because of thatsecond person narrative.
(21:13):
Well, the second point, likethe second person point of view
I'm not really sure how you sayit first person, second person
narrative or the second point,like the second person point of
view, I'm not really sure howyou say it first person, second
person, yeah, second personworks, um, like you're so
immersed within the story butyou don't know who she is
addressing to or like who she'saddressing um.
So you almost feel like that youare the bad guy story but you
(21:36):
are not named, you are not givena name.
Really, don't you read it likethat?
I feel like I am being sort oflike taken from my reality and
taken into the story and I amappointed the bad guy because of
the you Like you said it, itfeels very accusatory.
(21:57):
Guy because of the you like yousaid it, it feels very
accusatory and it works reallywell because of that.
Quote what you just like.
What, uh, that you justmentioned too.
Jordan (22:04):
It's like in concord, like it's in accord with one
another interesting because I Ialmost read it as in like it's
diary entry.
So I'm, I'm, I'm like takinglike a step back and I'm looking
at it from almost like thatoutside perspective, knowing
that she's not talking about mebecause she's talking about this
(22:25):
nameless person.
So I almost like, I don't feellike I'm, I almost feel like I'm
the fly on the wall whenreading it.
This is so interesting.
I did not think we would havelike two different perspectives
I like it me too for a changeyou like
(22:45):
it and that's kind of why andthat's like kind of why I like
that line almost, because it'slike we get to see basically how
she was made and how she becamewho she is now from like the
beginning.
But it's basically this likeone person, and it's almost like
(23:06):
like you know how, like whenyou like, when you like when
you're trying to remember adream, but like as the you're
waking up and you, everythingbecomes like really blurry.
So you like almost like see,like you know that that's
supposed to be a person, but youcan't make any like
distinguishing, like factors ofthat person because everything's
(23:30):
kind of like fading away.
That's almost like how I feellike you could picture who this
like like my lord is, but youdon't know, like you don't know
like what he looks like, youdon't know, like you just know
he's like a faceless person andso that's what I love.
Fabienne (23:50):
Yeah, I like the um.
I guess anonymity works in thiscontext.
I like the um how he remainsanonymous and again it circles
back to that specific one quotelike she takes away his power by
not giving him a name.
It's almost like voldemort ofharry potter, he who shall not
(24:14):
be named.
Jordan (24:17):
Oh, that's true.
Fabienne (24:20):
In a way.
But this is so much more betterthan Harry Potter, mind you,
total different Calibre as well.
Calibre Not Calibre, calibre,um.
But yes, I also very muchenjoyed the I guess, her first
psychology of her being forcedor like navigated or like
(24:43):
directed into this polyamoroussort of relationship with
magdalena, and how she explainsthat she doesn't really feel
like it was consented at first,but then she kind of grew into
the idea because of how it allcame together.
Pun intended, um, but it was.
It's a bad pun, but I, I I likeit.
(25:07):
I really like where this storyis going and I also love how
it's not I mean, we have.
Well, you are not the biggestfan of reverse harem.
This is obviously not a reverseharem.
This is a somewhat traditionalharem.
Jordan (25:23):
Yeah, yeah, this is like more of like the polyamorous.
Fabienne (25:29):
Yes, traditional, yeah , but I love the, I guess,
subtletyety, subtleness,subtlety of how it's written,
like you know, like obviouslythere is like smut in this, but
it's not as prevalent as thesmut that we also read in
(25:50):
different books like it's.
Jordan (25:51):
You see it happening, you see it on the pages, you
read it and it's spicy, but it'snot like it's not it, but it's
not like um, it's um, it's likenot it's not like porn spicy,
it's like sensual spicy yes, yes, because I I don't want to say
it's like not kinky in its likeway, yeah, and maybe also partly
(26:22):
because it's like not totallyconsensual, but like kind of
fallen into in a way.
Not gonna lie, I haven't gottento that part in my reread so I
kind of don't totally rememberit.
So that's my bad but I do.
(26:42):
I also like, from what I'm likeremembering to of like reading
it.
It was almost like becausethere's it's not that there's
that many of them, likeso-called vampire vampires.
Well, I for I forgot, I don'tknow how to pronounce like what
she calls them, but basicallylike the m, oh the yes, but I
(27:07):
thought it ended in.
Fabienne (27:08):
I do not pronounce the I well, maroi like hawaii maroi
because that's like what hergrandma do you pronounce like
the french way, like the mo, themoho.
That is really difficult.
Jordan (27:24):
Nobody can pronounce that yeah, and I like don't know
how you pronounce it, but I Ifeel like it's almost kind of
like there's not many of them,so she knows that he's the one
that made her and he has.
She has to stay with him,because where else is she going
to go.
So it's like whatever he kindof sets the ground rules of,
(27:47):
like he's the Lord, their Lord,and like you can't like, whether
you like it or not, this islike how it's going to be and
you can't deviate from this pathanymore yeah sorry.
Fabienne (28:02):
Um, I also looked up what moroy is and apparently
okay, so I think it's safe tosay that she's from bucharest,
because I distinctively rememberbucharest being mentioned in
the book Moroi.
Again, however you indeedpronounce it, it says here Moroi
is a type of vampire or ghostin Romanian folklore, oh, and in
(28:27):
some versions a Moroi is aphantom of a dead person which
leaves the grave to draw energyfrom the living.
Jordan (28:35):
And then it says they're also often associated with
other figures in, uh, romanfolklore, romanian folklore, um,
but yeah, that's gotta be likewhere she stemmed, like where
she's from nails from, yeah,like where she's from hails from
, yeah, like where he found herand you know, like he found her
(28:59):
in like war.
It was like the end, yeah, oflike a battle that happened,
yeah.
So it's kind of like you kindof, but you don't, I still like
I like that you don't know thatmuch, like I like that you don't
have a year, you don't have,you don't have it telling you
where it is.
Like you can kind of like fromlooking it up you can find out.
Fabienne (29:25):
There are some signifiers here and there.
I mean she talks about Suleyman, like the Turkish emperor at
one point.
Layman, like the turkishemperor at one point.
Um she talks about the um, likethe war in vienna, like austria
, and I want to say hungary likeaustria.
Jordan (29:49):
Hungary, that was like an empire before yeah, and I
feel like too, like as they'retraveling, she mentions like
kind of where they go or likewhere they went and things like
that, so you can kind of pick upon that.
But I like that it does.
It's like not where it's at thebeginning of each like entry.
Being like Romania, yeah, whichyou would normally have with
(30:13):
entries, by the way exactly, soI really like how this one is
done yeah, yeah, me too.
Fabienne (30:23):
I'm trying to um remember, because I also recall
seeing like 1800 being mentioned, like thes.
So I feel like they are.
It's the 1800s.
Is that like the enlightenmentperiod, like the renaissance?
(30:46):
Oh, I think so.
Jordan (30:46):
A piece of history I don't remember.
I'm like so bad With history,not going to lie.
When is you are bad withhistory?
Fabienne (30:55):
Not going to lie.
When is you are fantastic withhistory?
Do not lie.
Jordan (31:06):
Are you looking it?
Fabienne (31:07):
up.
Jordan (31:12):
Yeah, but the Renaissance, yeah, but the
renaissance, oh, the renaissancearrived at different countries
at varying, varying times.
So italy was the first toexperience the movement in the
14th century, so that's way offfrom 1800s, but that's italy.
That's italy, though, so I feellike it doesn't oh, and I don't
(31:34):
know, and I don't what well,because there's three major
phases to like early, high andlate.
So I feel like, oh, I guessfrom the 14th to the 17th
century, but then that would be1600s.
Right, because it's like a year.
Fabienne (31:52):
Yeah, 14th century is 1300s.
Jordan (31:58):
Yes, so 13 to 16.
Fabienne (32:04):
Yes, hmm, yeah, then we're way off, like at least by
200 years.
Jordan (32:12):
We tried, we tried.
It was a solid effort on ourpart a for effort.
Fabienne (32:17):
Here's a star, you get a star, we all get a star.
Um, yes, do you and this isobviously like a spoiler for the
entire book again, because I'mtrying to fish whatever I can
fish from this very good pondthat we have found ourselves in
um, does it, does it tackle likecontemporary times?
Or are you saying, are yougoing to say, like, you just
(32:39):
have to read to find out?
Jordan (32:41):
I'm not going to tell you, but I do.
Let's just say you know thetime frame it ends in.
I remember being so excitedgetting to that like last couple
entries, and being like, oh mygosh, and so you'll know that.
(33:05):
So, like that's where I'm goingto leave it, but I'm not going
to tell you if it ends in likecontemporary times or whatnot.
Fabienne (33:14):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, okay .
Well, it doesn't tell meanything at all.
So, thanks for that.
You're welcome.
I'll just have to read on then.
Jordan (33:22):
You'll just be really excited.
You'll be really excited.
If I'm not, I'll buy a ticket.
Fabienne (33:29):
I'll come knocking at your door, honey.
You said I was going to beexcited, but I'm not.
You promised me and you lied,finger pointing and all.
I love this quote, by the way.
The desire makes idiots of allof us.
But you already knew that part,didn't you?
What?
Jordan (33:53):
page.
Is that on?
Okay, so I have the red hookbook like this one, so do so.
Do I okay?
On 107.
Fabienne (34:11):
Oh, oh yeah, that's good.
Jordan (34:12):
That's a good quote.
I choked on my own spit.
She has just like great linesLike I've just like I've
basically highlighted.
Everything Like even loneliness, hollow and cold becomes so
familiar when it starts to feellike a friend.
Fabienne (34:29):
Yep, I have never heard of her.
Dare I say ST Gibson.
I have never heard of herbefore.
Jordan (34:40):
Is this like a?
Fabienne (34:41):
first novel.
Jordan (34:42):
Yeah, she has like, I think she has like a kind of a
small like novella that shepublished a while ago like
Robber Girl.
She published a while ago, um,like robber girl, but, um, a
(35:04):
dowry of a blood was basicallyher first one, and I think now
that this, yeah, I think because, yeah, this one, um, now that
this, the traditionallypublished one, is out in the
world, it shows as, like, may2023.
But that one, theself-published one, I believe,
(35:27):
was 2020.
Oh yeah, do you have a date inthere?
2020.
Oh yeah.
Fabienne (35:34):
Do you have a date in there?
Um, this says here, publishedby Nick's publishing 2021.
Jordan (35:42):
Oh, okay, so 2021.
Okay, I thought it was like2020.
Maybe not, but she has robbergirl and that that came out in
2019.
That's, oh, that's out in 2019.
Oh yeah, oh, that's actually200 pages.
I didn't know.
That was not a novella.
No, and I thought it was anovella, but it does say that
(36:03):
was Kindle Pages.
Let me look at this KindlePages.
Fabienne (36:07):
Kindle Pages are not reliable.
Oh, okay.
Jordan (36:11):
That was actually pretty reliable, but I'm pretty sure.
Now I'm double.
I have to double check, but I'mpretty sure, saint, yeah, she,
her, that's what I thought, um,saint gibson.
But she has two more bookscoming out in, ones in February,
(36:34):
the an education in malice thatI'm so excited for, and she has
sorry no, you continue.
Fabienne (36:43):
Continue, please, no, no, no, I apologize.
Jordan (36:46):
And she has another one coming out in the summer that I
don't know the name of Wait thissummer, like this summer still,
or like next summer no likenext summer.
So she has like the educationin malice is coming out in
February 2024.
And then the other one is insummer 2024, but I am so excited
(37:09):
for an education in malice, Ithink can you see what it's
about?
Fabienne (37:17):
I'm so sorry, I cut you off.
Jordan (37:18):
Oh my god.
No, it's a dark academia.
Rivals to lovers.
Carmilla, reimagining thesapphic companion novel to A
Dowry of Blood.
Fabienne (37:30):
Oh my god.
Jordan (37:32):
It's gonna be so good and I'm so excited.
Fabienne (37:35):
Honestly, the the dark academia is what sold me I feel
like we have um, gravitatedtoward like a different type of
genre that we have come toreally enjoy.
I mean, we've already like,loved the goth system, like, and
like the dark romanticismaspect of, again, dark romance,
hence the name.
But for some reason, like theoverall or like accompanying
(38:00):
genre of dark academia, love itso much and it ties in with like
one of your favorite tropes,like rivals to lovers.
There we go oh my gosh.
Jordan (38:15):
Yes, it's just.
I don't know what it is about.
Dark academia, that is justlike so great.
But I think it's just.
I love the whole like.
I think like ever since readinglike gothicana, I just like
want to like have that again andagain and again, and whether
(38:37):
it's like slightly different orlike similar in those kind of
settings.
But I feel like this is very.
This isn't quite dark academia,but it gives off those like.
But I think it's more of herwriting style that gives it off
yeah it like what.
Fabienne (38:57):
What would qualify as dark academia, by the way, do we
know that?
I mean we slightly digress, butthen again, what's new we're
tackling?
Jordan (39:04):
the subject anyways, it's almost like it has to be
like in.
I feel like I get an oldlibrary kind of setting like
dark, musty, it's cloudy Likeand that's I know I'm describing
like a scene.
But that's like what I feel itworks for me.
(39:25):
It's like, but that's like whatI feel like dark academia would
be, like I want to be in like anold, like mansion, or Like an
estate, or even like I'll takean old school, like an old
university, kind of likeGothicana.
But I feel like and it's weirdBecause I would almost Like,
(39:51):
like, even though I Okay, soDoes it hurt?
I feel like if they wound upnot on a lighthouse on an island
, but like, let's say, it was anestate on an island, I think it
would have counted as like darkacademia.
But because it wasn't thatestate, it was like a lighthouse
, it's not.
But I feel like, what do youthink Like you?
(40:14):
What do you think like?
What do you think for?
Fabienne (40:20):
um, I think like um canon literature, like classic
literature, like greek, um greekplays, like greek tragedies, um
gothic literature as well.
Cathedrals is what I vision,like, envision in my head.
If I think of dark academia um,the name suggests academics I
(40:45):
think of like scholarly settings, um the will to learn, like to
study um the occult, the unknown, like mysticism, gloomy and
dark weather.
Again, I'm also setting a scene, because that just like comes
with the image.
You know, like if I, if I haveto pick like take a picture with
(41:08):
my new camera or old camera,depending how you look at it and
I had to like capture darkacademia, I would go to a
cathedral and all the people arelike either reading or wearing,
like you know, like um classictrousers, like fall outfit yes,
it's fall like the weather isgloomy, it's slightly drizzling,
(41:30):
there might be thunder coming,uh, coming up um classical music
.
It is more.
I feel a feeling that comeswith a certain I don't agree,
it's so much.
Yeah, I don't really know howto explain it.
(41:51):
It's like, obviously it's anaesthetic, people classify it as
an aesthetic, but it's also afeeling.
Jordan (41:57):
It is Because I googled what is dark academia, just for
the fuck of it, and it says darkacademia is defined by darkness
that overshadows the students,creating a solemn tone and
aesthetic.
It is often a murder,overpowered professors and
difficult student life.
That was from october 2022, um,and so dark academia is both an
(42:24):
aesthetic and a subculture thatis primarily focused on higher
education, the arts, calligraphy, museums, museums, writing and
reading, and the shadowy classic, greek and Gothic architecture.
Totally agree.
Didn't even think of museums,but yes, museums would be like.
Fabienne (42:43):
Like the statues, you know, like the Greek busts and
everything.
Yes, yes, yeah, I don't knowwhy.
I feel like it's also thenostalgia that comes with um in
a way not really sure what typeof nostalgia, because I sure as
hell didn't experience darkacademia in my studies no me um
(43:04):
me either, but I wish I did um Iknow, for this spooky season
which I don't know what happenedto it.
Jordan (43:12):
I'm reading Dracula.
I am reading Dracula.
Fabienne (43:16):
I want to read it so badly.
Jordan (43:17):
Really.
Yes, I bought it somewhere.
I had a copy, and that's why Ididn't buy the one at Barnes
Noble when we were there inTexas.
But I don't know where it went.
It just disappeared in thenight, just like dracula does.
(43:40):
But yeah, so I like, Idefinitely am reading that.
I'm like looking at mybookshelves trying to find it,
but I can't find it.
But yes, I want to read thatthis like fall or like November
oh, you want to.
Fabienne (43:55):
I'm so sorry.
I thought you meant that youare reading it now, but you want
to read it.
Jordan (43:59):
Oh, oh yeah, no, no, I want to read it.
Fabienne (44:08):
I mean, this is the smutty book podcast.
But you know, just for thehealth we could do a buddy read.
Jordan (44:19):
We can just like we're broadening our horizons.
Fabienne (44:27):
Thank you, I got you.
Jordan (44:29):
Oh my gosh, it's been a long day Fab.
Fabienne (44:33):
It's been a long day yeah no, I know, know,
sweetheart, it's fine.
We'll just wrap it up soon too,so you're good, okay, cool,
cool, but we can.
We can read dracula together,maybe, and maybe not even for
the smyboot podcast, but justlike for the hell of it for
ourselves, oh my gosh, wehaven't done that in so long.
And I apologize.
(44:57):
Why do you apologize?
I don't know, it's just part ofwho I am.
Don't do that, I'm sorry, You'reright, but I remember like we
used to do that all the time Iknow A podcast, yeah, and then
life happens, and then you startturning 30, and then shit just
(45:20):
like gets turned around All goesdownhill and you don't know
what's happening anymore.
Yes, no, let's just wrap it up,because otherwise we'll just
actually spiral down this reallyweird hole.
But this was a fantastic firstpart of A Dowry of Blood.
We have a little bit morespoilers maybe in the next book,
(45:41):
because we will be discussingthe entire book.
Jordan will have read it too,right, jordan?
Yes, good, good, my bad girl,Good girl.
And yeah, that's it for today,folks.
Thank you so much for listening.
Jordan (45:59):
And please don't forget to rate and review wherever you
can find us.
So catch you next time.
Bye.
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Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.