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clrouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
kelseydaffodil's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the vampire lore was different to other vampire books and shows i have consumed which i really enjoyed. i love when people extend the vampire universe and think of different ways vampires can exist in media. obviously, sapphic enemies and rivals to lovers was perfect. the way s.t gibson writes is always so beautiful.
i did, though, at times, feel like i was crawling through it. i'm still unsure about ms de lafontaine being the only vampire presence for half of the book. i also thought that the rivals to lovers dissolved far too quickly after carmilla was changed. there was a good amount of laura lusting after carmilla before their relationship, but i felt there was a lack of arguments or just anything else that would make their relationship more rivals/enemies to lovers. it just kinda went, they hate each other, mostly carmilla hating laura, carmilla drinks laura's blood, carmilla suddenly doesnt hate her at all.
i feel there was too much going on in the book at times. enemies to lovers, religious trauma/guilt, carmilla's obsession with ms de lafontaine, ms de lafontaine's ex lover, dark academia, murder. it felt like a lot got lost. especially things like how isis would paint the toenails of the girls she murdered, what was the significance ? it was never developed and i found it to be an interesting tell of isis being the murderer.
i rate this book 4/5 stars because though i have quite a lot of qualms with it, i still absolutely loved this book. s.t gibson is certainly up there with my favourite authors, but i did enjoy a dowry of blood more.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Gore, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
torrentsofhayl's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
edamamebean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Toxic friendship
horsehearted's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Blood
vic_to_ria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a fun read once I got into that romance mindset- this reminded me of well written sapphic fan fiction with how the characters acted and how they talked about their love interest. It was very cheesy, lovable romance- more heated and sexual than I normally read so be warned if you aren’t into that.
I was really confused about the relationship between the teacher and one of the main characters just because it felt like the teacher chose her just because she was the main character but near then end I understood more that she was the readers view of the malicious & toxic relationship between the teacher and the other student and how love and hate is a fine line that you need to understand and be able to differentiate sooner rather than later. A lot of this book was me being like “ OH COME ON WHO DOES THIS? STRANGER DANGER?” But it was set in the 60’s-80’s(??) I believe so I can sort of understand how trusting these students are of adult figures.
I do love the slow character development or self actualization both the students go through and how they grew as individuals by the end.
Overall this was an interesting read that I did enjoy :)
Also loved the sapphic representation
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence
theyellowbrickreader's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Murder
ceredonia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
okgm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Religious bigotry