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phoricho's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was my introduction to dark academia and also S.T. Gibson, and it did not disappoint.
Gibson writes such individual and layered characters, and it really shines through. Although the main cast of characters is quite small, they are realistic and complex, each with their own struggles and journeys that, at times, align with each other and, at others, conflict. This creates extremely complex relationships between them.
Although told in dual POV, this book is narrated only by Stephanie Cannon, who did an incredible job. Cannon didn’t just read, she put on a performance. Distinguishing the characters with different accents not only helped to know whose POV I was in but also added to the depth of the characters and the overall immersion of the story. At first, I didn’t even realise that there was only one narrator.
Some of the themes in the book include the exploration of sexuality and desire, discovering who one is as a person, complex relationships and power dynamics, the dangers and consequences of getting what you want and losing yourself in obsession. These were such powerful themes that each character explored in their own way.
Overall, I loved this book. Even days later, I still find myself thinking about it. It’s the perfect book if you love dark academia, complex characters & themes, and a dark, twisted and thought-provoking story.
CW/TW: Uneven power dynamics, inappropriate relations between professor and students, toxic academic environments, blood, gore, murder, consensual sexual content, public sex, kink (negotiated and spontaneous), alcohol and drug use and smoking. Brief references to racist political policies, homophobia, and religious discrimination against women.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for sending me this audiobook for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Vomit, and Religious bigotry
herelieshenry's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
In the interest of full disclosure, this review is specifically regarding an ALC copy of the audiobook from Net Galley, so while I imagine this audiobook was pretty close to finalized, some details may have been changed between my copy and the official release.
If you’re interested in sapphic adult romance, dark academia aesthetics, intense relationships, and vampires, I think this book is worth the time. My usual strongest vs weakest aspect evaluation is a little different this time: they both deal primary with character dynamics. The strongest aspect of this is the core relationship between Carmilla and Laura, from rivalry to infatuation; the weakest, to me, is the failure to really bring the subplot about Carmilla and De Lafontaine’s relationship to a meaningful conclusion. I would have really liked for the book to get more into dark academic themes and historical (1960s) elements; they work fine as set dressing for the novel, but I feel it would go from a good book to a very compelling one if those elements were more developed. I’m very interested in checking out the author’s other work.
The narrative at hand is coherent overall, but it did leave me wanting. It feels a little undercooked. I enjoyed the overarching development of Laura and Carmilla throughout the narrative as individuals and as a pair, growing from rivals to friends to lovers. The dynamic shift after Carmilla’s transformation in particular is very interesting. Character voice was compelling, particularly in conjunction with the stellar narration of the audiobook. The extended cast wasn’t really memorable, though for the purposes of this book, I think that’s just fine.
The secondary plotlines, I think, could have been bolstered some to really make this book feel complete. It sometimes feels like the Isis subplot was only put in to justify Carmilla’s transformation , and was otherwise rushed over. I feel like the dynamic between De Lafontaine and Carmilla is realistic to one where someone is being preyed on by a person in a position of power , and as a result, I find the conclusion to that relationship very unsatisfactory. It does feel like the author is trying to portray it that way, but I feel like the amicable ending to it just doesn’t track, especially with how emotionally abusive De Lafontaine was towards Carmilla for a majority of the book . I think the dark academia aspect would be heightened beyond its aesthetics if the story actually delved into the weeds of how much power professors have over their students .
The writing style is very well-developed and characteristic, being one of the better parts of this book. The use of visual and sensory description is, for the most part, poetic and pleasant, but I’d have enjoyed more being present. Some of the themes were strong and well-incorporated, particularly that of power and control; others were a bit murky and vague. The pacing is adequate, and paired with the straightforward flow of the book, makes a pretty quick read. Exposition was relatively effective, not bogging the story down much or detracting from the linear quality of the story. I think the narrator did a stellar performance here, and enhanced the reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Death, Violence, and Abandonment
Body image issues; Secondary relationship with power imbalanceblakeandbooks's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Thank you to Rehook Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The overall premise of this book definitely had me excited. Dark academia? Vampires? Sapphic? Sounds amazing.
The aesthetic was great, but I think it was overall lacking in substance. I really enjoyed Laura and Carmilla’s academic rival to lovers process. You could feel the tension between them and how much they wanted to outdo the other in De Lafontaine’s class. I enjoyed Laura having a friendship with Elenore, and I was definitely disappointed that it almost immediately dissolved and became unimportant the moment she decided to be with Carmilla, but I understand the reasoning behind it given the ending of the book.
For the rest of the book though, I felt like there was just something missing. I felt like the vampire aspect needed to be delved into more, because it all felt like too low stakes for me to be fully invested. De Lafontaine’s relationship with Carmilla was a main focal point of the book, and it just felt off to me. All of this to say: it felt very anticlimactic.
Now, I will say: I really enjoyed the ending of the book between Laura and Magdalena. Leaving the ending of the book with that ending was a great choice. I think it was the only choice given that Laura and Carmilla were committed to each other.
Overall I think this was a good book, just not enough substance for me.
The overall premise of this book definitely had me excited. Dark academia? Vampires? Sapphic? Sounds amazing.
The aesthetic was great, but I think it was overall lacking in substance. I really enjoyed Laura and Carmilla’s academic rival to lovers process. You could feel the tension between them and how much they wanted to outdo the other in De Lafontaine’s class. I enjoyed Laura having a friendship with Elenore, and I was definitely disappointed that it almost immediately dissolved and became unimportant the moment she decided to be with Carmilla, but I understand the reasoning behind it given the ending of the book.
For the rest of the book though, I felt like there was just something missing. I felt like the vampire aspect needed to be delved into more, because it all felt like too low stakes for me to be fully invested. De Lafontaine’s relationship with Carmilla was a main focal point of the book, and it just felt off to me. All of this to say: it felt very anticlimactic.
Now, I will say: I really enjoyed the ending of the book between Laura and Magdalena. Leaving the ending of the book with that ending was a great choice. I think it was the only choice given that Laura and Carmilla were committed to each other.
Overall I think this was a good book, just not enough substance for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
jamieleepilk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you so much @orbitbooks_uk for this proof.
You really can't go wrong with S.T Gibson vampires 🩸❤️
I adored 'A Dowry of Blood' and I loved this one too.
S.T has such a trademark way of writing, this beautiful lyrical style that is addictive to read. She sucks you in (lol) and keeps you hooked with every page.
This is a retelling of 'Carmilla' told from the perspective of Laura and Carmilla as their lives get entwined with each other and their college professor. I loved the blend of the vampire elements with the dark academia vibes. Between this release and 'Evocation' later in the year, S.T Gibson is going to have one hell of a 2024.
UK Release - 15th February 🗓️ from @orbitbooks_uk
You really can't go wrong with S.T Gibson vampires 🩸❤️
I adored 'A Dowry of Blood' and I loved this one too.
S.T has such a trademark way of writing, this beautiful lyrical style that is addictive to read. She sucks you in (lol) and keeps you hooked with every page.
This is a retelling of 'Carmilla' told from the perspective of Laura and Carmilla as their lives get entwined with each other and their college professor. I loved the blend of the vampire elements with the dark academia vibes. Between this release and 'Evocation' later in the year, S.T Gibson is going to have one hell of a 2024.
UK Release - 15th February 🗓️ from @orbitbooks_uk
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
brittonmc1221's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
skillyillian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book! This is my honest review.
An Education in Malice is an extension of the world of Gibson's absolutely devastating A Dowry of Blood. Set in a more modern time period, with new characters (and some returning!) with new desires, this is a dark academia, romantic retelling of Carmilla that will hold you close and whisper in your ear about the revelations of immortality and obsession.
Laura is an intriguing character, so naive when she arrives at Saint Perpetua's but with a side she never lets anyone see. Carmilla is up front about her attitude towards Laura, and it's fun to see them combat each other throughout the beginnings of their time together. De Lafontaine adds such an interesting twist to things, both with her relationships with the girls individually and between the three of them.
The rivals to lovers played out really well, I enjoyed the tension that shifted into craving immensely. The dark academia vibes were very present and well-done, too. The romance felt real in such an intense way, I think it was one of my favorite parts. The smut was 10/10, WHEW, got me blushing with no one even around! Gibson very deftly takes the reader through an exploration of self and sexuality, and validates the experience of not knowing what exactly it is you want, even when you have it. There's a lot of room for discussion about morality and love, where those two things intersect, and how they change - independently and together - if time and distance stop mattering entirely.
The only things I didn't entirely love was that we didn't get as much background info as I would like to have had. We know some things about Laura, but hardly anything about Carmilla, and even less about De Lafontaine. I think the lack of information on De Lafontaine was intentional and it makes sense, considering she's the only of the three without a POV in the book and she was purposely secretive with the girls. But I wish we knew more about the other two. Besides that, I also would have liked to have seen more of Laura and Carmilla's school lives. Saint Perpetua's was an excellent, stunning backdrop to this story, and the New England autumn was gorgeous, I just wish we'd gotten to experience more of it.
I do wish that Isis's appearance had been more urgent. She started killing people and it felt like both the girls and the school were just like, "yup, okay! that sucks!" and the girls went back to being in love and the school just increased patrol of their grounds. It made Isis feel like less of an issue than I think she was meant to be, so when the climax and resolution of the story came around, it didn't feel as severe as I think it was meant to. Not a big deal, but it would've been nice to see Isis a little more up close and personal, and have her be more of a threat.
Overall, this book is a gorgeous companion to A Dowry of Blood, although slower paced and tragic in a much different way, which I appreciate because it didn't need to be Dowry again. This book has its own story to tell and I think Gibson told it beautifully, with the same prose she's known for from Dowry. Her writing style is consistently graceful and flowing. I think the book could have been longer, with more fleshing out of the school and the characters, but it wasn't way too short by any means, either. It's a very enjoyable read and if you liked Dowry then I think you'll like this, as well. I really loved this and the very minute I can get myself a physical copy I will be doing exactly that. 🖤
An Education in Malice is an extension of the world of Gibson's absolutely devastating A Dowry of Blood. Set in a more modern time period, with new characters (and some returning!) with new desires, this is a dark academia, romantic retelling of Carmilla that will hold you close and whisper in your ear about the revelations of immortality and obsession.
Laura is an intriguing character, so naive when she arrives at Saint Perpetua's but with a side she never lets anyone see. Carmilla is up front about her attitude towards Laura, and it's fun to see them combat each other throughout the beginnings of their time together. De Lafontaine adds such an interesting twist to things, both with her relationships with the girls individually and between the three of them.
The rivals to lovers played out really well, I enjoyed the tension that shifted into craving immensely. The dark academia vibes were very present and well-done, too. The romance felt real in such an intense way, I think it was one of my favorite parts. The smut was 10/10, WHEW, got me blushing with no one even around! Gibson very deftly takes the reader through an exploration of self and sexuality, and validates the experience of not knowing what exactly it is you want, even when you have it. There's a lot of room for discussion about morality and love, where those two things intersect, and how they change - independently and together - if time and distance stop mattering entirely.
The only things I didn't entirely love was that we didn't get as much background info as I would like to have had. We know some things about Laura, but hardly anything about Carmilla, and even less about De Lafontaine. I think the lack of information on De Lafontaine was intentional and it makes sense, considering she's the only of the three without a POV in the book and she was purposely secretive with the girls. But I wish we knew more about the other two. Besides that, I also would have liked to have seen more of Laura and Carmilla's school lives. Saint Perpetua's was an excellent, stunning backdrop to this story, and the New England autumn was gorgeous, I just wish we'd gotten to experience more of it.
Overall, this book is a gorgeous companion to A Dowry of Blood, although slower paced and tragic in a much different way, which I appreciate because it didn't need to be Dowry again. This book has its own story to tell and I think Gibson told it beautifully, with the same prose she's known for from Dowry. Her writing style is consistently graceful and flowing. I think the book could have been longer, with more fleshing out of the school and the characters, but it wasn't way too short by any means, either. It's a very enjoyable read and if you liked Dowry then I think you'll like this, as well. I really loved this and the very minute I can get myself a physical copy I will be doing exactly that. 🖤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
malily8312's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5
‘An Education in Malice’ is a haunting novel about toxic love, obsession, the brutality of academia, and the terror of stepping out of your comfort zone into the unknown.
Our story follows Laura and Carmilla, two precocious poetry students at an exclusive all girls college in the 1960s. If you’re familiar with your classical queer literature, the name Carmilla should already be ringing a bell. If not, give her a google (it’s worth it). These two girls become academic rivals in the poetry class of their elusive and mysterious professor Ms. De Lafontaine. But as their academic (and other) tensions increase, so does the danger.
Vampires are an overdone trope. That isn’t really up for debate. However, in ‘An Education in Malice’ Gibson manages to tap into the heart that most modern vampire novels are missing, using the fantastical elements of their nature to highlight real world fears and struggles. These vampires aren’t vampires just because it’s sexy to be a bit dangerous, or simply to add the angst of immortality to a backstory (though I won’t lie, those elements are present). These characters are vampires to allow for a cutting and vicious analysis of the predatory power dynamics of academia, and the ways that they can be exploited. When it comes down to it, vampires and dark academia are a match made in heaven. For most of this book, the explorations of how academia can be structured to foster hero worship and desperation, and how that can so easily lead to grooming, are wonderfully juggled.
I have two issues with this book that lowered the rating.
The first is primarily structural. There are several connecting points in this story where it feels a bit as though we’re having information dropped on us so we can ‘get to the good stuff’. This is particularly evident near the beginning, where we are brusquely told several things about the characters that could have been shown or developed more slowly. To me it felt as though the author knew what dynamic she wanted our characters to have and where we needed them to be for the story to start, so she got those establishing scenes and details out of the way as quickly as possible. Especially in a book as atmospheric sensual as this one, that felt jarring. For me, the structural issues weren’t enough to stop me from enjoying the story, but they were noticeable.
The second is that I felt the ending softened the impact of the story in a way that REALLY wasn’t for me. I won’t say any more to avoid spoilers, but it’s not the ending I would have chosen.
All in all, I liked this book, but I wanted to like it more. It's certainly a good read, especially if you're searching for your next dark academia fix, or looking for more sapphic fall reads, but there was the potential there to be a life changing novel and I feel it fell a bit short.
Note: eARC was provided by NetGalley and RedHook in exchange for my honest review.
‘An Education in Malice’ is a haunting novel about toxic love, obsession, the brutality of academia, and the terror of stepping out of your comfort zone into the unknown.
Our story follows Laura and Carmilla, two precocious poetry students at an exclusive all girls college in the 1960s. If you’re familiar with your classical queer literature, the name Carmilla should already be ringing a bell. If not, give her a google (it’s worth it). These two girls become academic rivals in the poetry class of their elusive and mysterious professor Ms. De Lafontaine. But as their academic (and other) tensions increase, so does the danger.
Vampires are an overdone trope. That isn’t really up for debate. However, in ‘An Education in Malice’ Gibson manages to tap into the heart that most modern vampire novels are missing, using the fantastical elements of their nature to highlight real world fears and struggles. These vampires aren’t vampires just because it’s sexy to be a bit dangerous, or simply to add the angst of immortality to a backstory (though I won’t lie, those elements are present). These characters are vampires to allow for a cutting and vicious analysis of the predatory power dynamics of academia, and the ways that they can be exploited. When it comes down to it, vampires and dark academia are a match made in heaven. For most of this book, the explorations of how academia can be structured to foster hero worship and desperation, and how that can so easily lead to grooming, are wonderfully juggled.
I have two issues with this book that lowered the rating.
The first is primarily structural. There are several connecting points in this story where it feels a bit as though we’re having information dropped on us so we can ‘get to the good stuff’. This is particularly evident near the beginning, where we are brusquely told several things about the characters that could have been shown or developed more slowly. To me it felt as though the author knew what dynamic she wanted our characters to have and where we needed them to be for the story to start, so she got those establishing scenes and details out of the way as quickly as possible. Especially in a book as atmospheric sensual as this one, that felt jarring. For me, the structural issues weren’t enough to stop me from enjoying the story, but they were noticeable.
The second is that I felt the ending softened the impact of the story in a way that REALLY wasn’t for me. I won’t say any more to avoid spoilers, but it’s not the ending I would have chosen.
All in all, I liked this book, but I wanted to like it more. It's certainly a good read, especially if you're searching for your next dark academia fix, or looking for more sapphic fall reads, but there was the potential there to be a life changing novel and I feel it fell a bit short.
Note: eARC was provided by NetGalley and RedHook in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia
tinybluepixel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received a free ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
Oh boy. Oh boy! I loved this.
I admit, I had a hard time with S.T. Gibson's A Dowry of Blood, not because it wasn't good, but because it featured a man who was very clearly abusive and reminded me a lot of my father, which is a big yikes for me! But I could still see that Gibson is a most talented writer with a grasp of language that is almost unparalleled in this genre.
Gibson really leans into this retelling of Carmilla, having it mainly take place in a poetry class. I admit two things, here: One, I have never read Carmilla. Just ... it wasn't on the curriculum in my very conservative school, and I could barely stomach Dracula, so I never reached for it. Two, I hate poetry. God, I hate poetry. I hate reading it, I hate writing it even more. I see poetry in life, and I see poetry in prose. Writing it down on a page, and even worse, analyzing it and taking it apart in metaphors and similies and other technichalities makes it lose all of it's appeal. Thankfully, Gibson didn't make me suffer through a whole bunch of poems, just two at the beginning, and then only references. So if you're a big old poetry hater like me, don't fret.
While A Dowry of Blood features some innovative storytelling in the way of its formatting, An Education in Malice is written in more of a "typical" structure. Instead of Dowry's almost letter-like writing, adressed to Dracula, An Education in Malice has two first-person narrators, being Laura and Carmilla. These two obviously correspond to the Laura and Carmilla in the original story of Carmilla. However, in that book, Carmilla is the villian. In Education, she's more of a rival to Laura, and eventually, of course, a lover. Since she's also a narrator, she loses that villain-appeal of the original story. Instead, there is not a clear villian (except for the more-or-less minor character of Isis, who is clearly evil), but I would argue that Carmilla and Laura's poetry teacher, Evelyn De Lafontaine, is one of the more nefarious villians in modern fiction. At the beginning, she seems almost alike to Julian from The Secret History, and we all know how that story ended. She is clearly an antagonist. If she's actually a villian - that's up to the reader. However, their relationship in this sort-of love triangle is clearly abusive, but you get the sense that she really cares about Carmilla.
I'm honestly really glad that Gibson decided to make Carmilla a protagonist, and not a villain. There's just not enough sapphic books that have a good, happy relationship at the center. And I truly believe that what Laura and Carmilla have in this book will be a good and happy relationship, even though it can get kind of oppressive at times. And sometimes you just need a good and happy ending. And I think we got the best sort of ending possible with this book. Gotta admit, I was kind of worried at around the middle that it would end in tragedy. And, spoiler alert! It didn't. Sometimes, it is good to see even a very toxic character make a turnaround instead of spiraling downwards. I would still send all of those girls to therapy, though.
Two more things I loved but I don't necessarily need to elaborate on: One, maybe a non-important thing to others, but very important to me and probably a lot of others - the inclusion of trigger warnings at the beginning. Two, the positive portrayal of Laura's religion. I don't know why, but it was really heartwarming to read.
That's it, now. Do yourselves a favor and read this book.
Oh boy. Oh boy! I loved this.
I admit, I had a hard time with S.T. Gibson's A Dowry of Blood, not because it wasn't good, but because it featured a man who was very clearly abusive and reminded me a lot of my father, which is a big yikes for me! But I could still see that Gibson is a most talented writer with a grasp of language that is almost unparalleled in this genre.
Gibson really leans into this retelling of Carmilla, having it mainly take place in a poetry class. I admit two things, here: One, I have never read Carmilla. Just ... it wasn't on the curriculum in my very conservative school, and I could barely stomach Dracula, so I never reached for it. Two, I hate poetry. God, I hate poetry. I hate reading it, I hate writing it even more. I see poetry in life, and I see poetry in prose. Writing it down on a page, and even worse, analyzing it and taking it apart in metaphors and similies and other technichalities makes it lose all of it's appeal. Thankfully, Gibson didn't make me suffer through a whole bunch of poems, just two at the beginning, and then only references. So if you're a big old poetry hater like me, don't fret.
While A Dowry of Blood features some innovative storytelling in the way of its formatting, An Education in Malice is written in more of a "typical" structure. Instead of Dowry's almost letter-like writing, adressed to Dracula, An Education in Malice has two first-person narrators, being Laura and Carmilla. These two obviously correspond to the Laura and Carmilla in the original story of Carmilla. However, in that book, Carmilla is the villian. In Education, she's more of a rival to Laura, and eventually, of course, a lover. Since she's also a narrator, she loses that villain-appeal of the original story. Instead, there is not a clear villian (except for the more-or-less minor character of Isis, who is clearly evil), but I would argue that Carmilla and Laura's poetry teacher, Evelyn De Lafontaine, is one of the more nefarious villians in modern fiction. At the beginning, she seems almost alike to Julian from The Secret History, and we all know how that story ended. She is clearly an antagonist. If she's actually a villian - that's up to the reader. However, their relationship in this sort-of love triangle is clearly abusive, but you get the sense that she really cares about Carmilla.
I'm honestly really glad that Gibson decided to make Carmilla a protagonist, and not a villain. There's just not enough sapphic books that have a good, happy relationship at the center. And I truly believe that what Laura and Carmilla have in this book will be a good and happy relationship, even though it can get kind of oppressive at times. And sometimes you just need a good and happy ending. And I think we got the best sort of ending possible with this book. Gotta admit, I was kind of worried at around the middle that it would end in tragedy. And, spoiler alert! It didn't. Sometimes, it is good to see even a very toxic character make a turnaround instead of spiraling downwards. I would still send all of those girls to therapy, though.
Two more things I loved but I don't necessarily need to elaborate on: One, maybe a non-important thing to others, but very important to me and probably a lot of others - the inclusion of trigger warnings at the beginning. Two, the positive portrayal of Laura's religion. I don't know why, but it was really heartwarming to read.
That's it, now. Do yourselves a favor and read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder and Alcohol
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