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steen19's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Dark academia 🤝 vampires
A sapphic enemies-to-lovers, on a college campus, with dark themes and crisp fall vibes. It’s dual POV, there’s catacombs, there's a monster, and a possessive poetry professor.
I flew through this. Quite literally I started it at dinner and stayed up until 1am to finish it. The writing was so smooth and vibrant.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for my advanced digital copy!
A sapphic enemies-to-lovers, on a college campus, with dark themes and crisp fall vibes. It’s dual POV, there’s catacombs, there's a monster, and a possessive poetry professor.
I flew through this. Quite literally I started it at dinner and stayed up until 1am to finish it. The writing was so smooth and vibrant.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for my advanced digital copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Murder
sproutedpages's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley, Redhook Books/Orbit Books, and author S.T. Gibson for providing me with a digital proof copy of this novel! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
An Education in Malice is a sapphic, vampiric dark academia novel that is a reminder of why I so deeply adore queer vampire novels: they are deliciously indulgent and passionate. And although the narrative voices are younger and less luxuriant than that of A Dowry of Blood, it feels appropriate given the more modern setting, and the ages of the viewpoint characters.
It is beyond evident that S.T. Gibson loves the characters that she creates (and the relationships that these characters cultivate), and those in An Education in Malice are no exception. The lust-tinged academic rivalry that Laura and Carmilla share is absolutely divine, and the manner in which their relationship continues to develop is very enjoyable— though the rivalry could have been extended a bit longer. I would have also preferred more time spent detailing the shift in the dynamic between Carmilla and Professor De Lafontaine, which begins (or becomes perceptible) around the halfway point of the novel.
An Education in Malice is a sapphic, vampiric dark academia novel that is a reminder of why I so deeply adore queer vampire novels: they are deliciously indulgent and passionate. And although the narrative voices are younger and less luxuriant than that of A Dowry of Blood, it feels appropriate given the more modern setting, and the ages of the viewpoint characters.
It is beyond evident that S.T. Gibson loves the characters that she creates (and the relationships that these characters cultivate), and those in An Education in Malice are no exception. The lust-tinged academic rivalry that Laura and Carmilla share is absolutely divine, and the manner in which their relationship continues to develop is very enjoyable— though the rivalry could have been extended a bit longer. I would have also preferred more time spent detailing the shift in the dynamic between Carmilla and Professor De Lafontaine, which begins (or becomes perceptible) around the halfway point of the novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, and Religious bigotry
CWs, as provided by the author: Uneven power dynamics, inappropriate relationships between a professor and students, toxic academic environments, blood, gore, murder, consensual sexual content (including public sex), kink (negotiated and spontaneous), alcohol and drug use, smoking, as well as brief references to: racist political policies, homophobia, and religious discrimination against women.takarakei's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
First and foremost I want to say that if you (like me) did not care for A Dowry of Blood - you might give this one a shot anyway!
I absolutely devoured this book. Almost read it in a day but ended up taking a little more time with it intentionally. Some beautiful writing and lush descriptions:
I absolutely devoured this book. Almost read it in a day but ended up taking a little more time with it intentionally. Some beautiful writing and lush descriptions:
Mississippi was a study in green, crawling with Spanish moss and bedecked with heavy-laden magnolia trees, but I never realized how many colors there were to be found in nature until that first fall in New England.
I am obsessed with Laura’s character and I really identified with aspects of her personality. There were some just real good quotes about female rage, feeling othered, and life. The academic rivals to lovers I thought was well done with the appropriate amount of angst.
Slight pacing issues that dragged about 70-80% of the way through. The ending was both expected and unexpected in different ways.
🌶️4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use
The teacher is the emotional abuse/toxic relationship w a studentbrittonmc1221's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
sestrout's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Dark, sapphic vampire dark academia romance set in the 70’s at an all girls school. If you like gritty, obsessive romance, this for you. So much tension, such a sexy book. Definitely check your triggers, which the author (as all should!) has them listed at the beginning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Sexual content
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is my first time reading from S.T. Gibson and I really enjoyed the writing! It was lush, atmospheric, mysterious, and solemn. We read the dual first-person POVs of Laura, a new student at Saint Perpetua's College and Carmilla, engimatic and a pretentious favorite student. They are posited as academic rivals but quickly build up sexual tension as they are invited to their professor De Lafontaine's house for an elusive "poetry group". Dark secrets unfold, and Laura and Carmilla navigate fears, uncertainty, and danger well through the last few pages of the book.
I have been going into books blindfolded (as opposed to blind, which I learned to use as my IG friend @beautyandthebookworms told me this verbiage hehe), and I am very glad that I did so with An Education in Malice too, because what a fascinating ride! I was not expecting the reveals!!! I was genuinely shocked and I hope you will be too!
Someone marketed this book as a f/f/f love triangle, and I don't know if I am fully behind that; the dynamic between Carmilla and Evelyn De Lafontaine absolutely has sexual undertones in the beginning. However, towards the end, the professor explicitly states she has seen Carmilla as a daughter, so I am inclined to believe that Carmilla simply adored and admired Evelyn in the way a student may have a crush or fixation on their well-read, enigmatic professor. Been there! I also never saw any attraction between Evelyn and Laura, so I don't think this fits the brief for a love triangle.
Carmilla and Laura's academic rivals turned hurt/comfort sapphic romance was sexy and absolutely delectable. I loved the moments of longing that Carmilla especially displayed towards Laura, and was thoroughly annoyed every time one of their intimate moments was interrupted, usually by Professor De Lafontaine! Let the lesbians makeout, my gawwwwd!
The ending with Laura's life-changing choice was perfect - in most paranormal romances, someone is offered this option, and I enjoyed how it was laid out here. We don't know what Laura will choose, but either choice is valid.
I saw that A Dowry of Blood (S.T.' Gibson's book that was published in 2021) was optioned for tv/film so I'm excited to see that when it's adapted and I am definitely going to add that book to my TBR.
cw: murder, blood, violence, manipulative professor/student relationship, toxic relationships, emotional abuse, gore
This is my first time reading from S.T. Gibson and I really enjoyed the writing! It was lush, atmospheric, mysterious, and solemn. We read the dual first-person POVs of Laura, a new student at Saint Perpetua's College and Carmilla, engimatic and a pretentious favorite student. They are posited as academic rivals but quickly build up sexual tension as they are invited to their professor De Lafontaine's house for an elusive "poetry group". Dark secrets unfold, and Laura and Carmilla navigate fears, uncertainty, and danger well through the last few pages of the book.
I have been going into books blindfolded (as opposed to blind, which I learned to use as my IG friend @beautyandthebookworms told me this verbiage hehe), and I am very glad that I did so with An Education in Malice too, because what a fascinating ride! I was not expecting the reveals!!! I was genuinely shocked and I hope you will be too!
Someone marketed this book as a f/f/f love triangle, and I don't know if I am fully behind that; the dynamic between Carmilla and Evelyn De Lafontaine absolutely has sexual undertones in the beginning. However, towards the end, the professor explicitly states she has seen Carmilla as a daughter, so I am inclined to believe that Carmilla simply adored and admired Evelyn in the way a student may have a crush or fixation on their well-read, enigmatic professor. Been there! I also never saw any attraction between Evelyn and Laura, so I don't think this fits the brief for a love triangle.
Carmilla and Laura's academic rivals turned hurt/comfort sapphic romance was sexy and absolutely delectable. I loved the moments of longing that Carmilla especially displayed towards Laura, and was thoroughly annoyed every time one of their intimate moments was interrupted, usually by Professor De Lafontaine! Let the lesbians makeout, my gawwwwd!
The ending with Laura's life-changing choice was perfect - in most paranormal romances, someone is offered this option, and I enjoyed how it was laid out here. We don't know what Laura will choose, but either choice is valid.
I saw that A Dowry of Blood (S.T.' Gibson's book that was published in 2021) was optioned for tv/film so I'm excited to see that when it's adapted and I am definitely going to add that book to my TBR.
cw: murder, blood, violence, manipulative professor/student relationship, toxic relationships, emotional abuse, gore
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Murder
gothbaby's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An Education in Malice was easily my most anticipated read for 2024. As a huge S.T. Gibson fan, I decided to go into this book completely blind and was very excited once I started to put the pieces together.
Gibson, as expected, really excels in creating the most atmospheric setting possible which immediately sucked me in. There was something incredibly satisfying about not only being able to picture but also to feel Gibson’s writing. Their writing is truly sublime and very consistent throughout the book, thus keeping me engaged throughout the story. I found the characters to be consistent in both their motivations and their voices. I have never highlighted a book so much; Gibson is truly talented.
I was absolutely enamoured by De Lafontaine, Laura, and Carmilla. I all but salivated at the mouth any time De Lafontaine gave Carmilla a crumb of affection.It was easy enough to figure out she was a vampire but I was particularly impressed by Gibson’s ability—and almost insistence—on maintaining De Lafontaine’s humanity. Despite De Lafontaine’s obsession with Carmilla, she was much less cruel than I anticipated and, in a way, hoped. I kept waiting for their relationship to escalate—romantically as well as in terms of the tension due to said obsession—but found it mostly tame. I think I was a little disappointed by that. While well executed, I wanted to be just a little darker, a little angstier, a little more than it was.
Similarly to my thoughts on how the makeshift throuple’s relationship could have been more, especially more angsty, I found that the book was almost stagnant in terms of emotions. The atmosphere that Gibson introduced and created at the beginning is consistent, yes, but there was no escalation of emotions. One example is the indication that Laura is interested in BSDM elements. While I didn’t expect Gibson to delve into that aspect of Laura’s interests and personality, I anticipated seeing a shift in her relationship with Carmilla once Carmilla was turned. Given Carmilla’s obviously more powerful physique, I anticipated seeing a shift in her submissiveness to Laura in more ways than it was expressed.
When it came to Isis, I was a little unsatisfied with the way that unfolded. I wanted more emotion and intrigue out of her reawakening. I kept expecting other students or staff to notice more than they did, and I think I ended up disappointed when they didn’t. The climax was quite underwhelming and led to a rather rushed ending to the three women involved.
Overall I was very pleased with An Education in Malice and want nothing more than to delve right back into De Lafontaine’s apartment with Laura and Carmilla. It was certainly an enjoyable read, and I will easily purchase the book as soon as it is released, but the last 10% or so lost a lot of steam for me thus making me feel like the ending was okay rather than spectacular. My overall rating is titillating between 3.75 and 4 stars.
Thank you to Redhook Books, S.T. Gibson, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Gibson, as expected, really excels in creating the most atmospheric setting possible which immediately sucked me in. There was something incredibly satisfying about not only being able to picture but also to feel Gibson’s writing. Their writing is truly sublime and very consistent throughout the book, thus keeping me engaged throughout the story. I found the characters to be consistent in both their motivations and their voices. I have never highlighted a book so much; Gibson is truly talented.
I was absolutely enamoured by De Lafontaine, Laura, and Carmilla. I all but salivated at the mouth any time De Lafontaine gave Carmilla a crumb of affection.
Similarly to my thoughts on how the makeshift throuple’s relationship could have been more, especially more angsty, I found that the book was almost stagnant in terms of emotions. The atmosphere that Gibson introduced and created at the beginning is consistent, yes, but there was no escalation of emotions. One example is the indication that Laura is interested in BSDM elements. While I didn’t expect Gibson to delve into that aspect of Laura’s interests and personality, I anticipated seeing a shift in her relationship with Carmilla once Carmilla was turned. Given Carmilla’s obviously more powerful physique, I anticipated seeing a shift in her submissiveness to Laura in more ways than it was expressed.
When it came to Isis, I was a little unsatisfied with the way that unfolded. I wanted more emotion and intrigue out of her reawakening. I kept expecting other students or staff to notice more than they did, and I think I ended up disappointed when they didn’t. The climax was quite underwhelming and led to a rather rushed ending to the three women involved.
Overall I was very pleased with An Education in Malice and want nothing more than to delve right back into De Lafontaine’s apartment with Laura and Carmilla. It was certainly an enjoyable read, and I will easily purchase the book as soon as it is released, but the last 10% or so lost a lot of steam for me thus making me feel like the ending was okay rather than spectacular. My overall rating is titillating between 3.75 and 4 stars.
Thank you to Redhook Books, S.T. Gibson, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Sexual content
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
I am obsessed with this book through and through. A dark academia take on one of the most famous sapphic vampire novels - Carmilla.
Our MCs are named Carmilla and Laura Sheridan. Laura after the human in the original classic and Sheridan after the author. And Carmilla after our famous protagonist.
Their teacher is named after De Lafontaine who was a famous poet and teaches them poetry and the darker side of reality.
We have found family to a degree. Enemies to lovers. Being prepared to give up everything for the one you care about. I couldn’t put this down for a second and stormed through it with every free moment I had.
Hands down became my new favourite book before I reached halfway.
Our MCs are named Carmilla and Laura Sheridan. Laura after the human in the original classic and Sheridan after the author. And Carmilla after our famous protagonist.
Their teacher is named after De Lafontaine who was a famous poet and teaches them poetry and the darker side of reality.
We have found family to a degree. Enemies to lovers. Being prepared to give up everything for the one you care about. I couldn’t put this down for a second and stormed through it with every free moment I had.
Hands down became my new favourite book before I reached halfway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, and Murder
booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
The best Carmilla retelling I have read to date! A lyrical, poetic and seductive dark fable that is impossible to put down.
Thank you redhook books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The prose, the chemistry, THIS BOOKS WAS EVERYTHING AND I NEED MORE OF IT! I devoured An Education in Malice. This was a delectable dark academia retelling of Laura and Carmilla. I loved everything about it and Gibson's story telling flows off the page with so much passion and desire from all the characters that it has easily become a top read for me this year.
Warning this will make you want to rewatch the Carmilla web series
Cw
Inappropriate relationship between students and professors
Toxic academic environment
Blood
Gore
Murder
Sexual content
Kink
Alcohol
Drugs
Racism
Homophobia
Thank you redhook books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The prose, the chemistry, THIS BOOKS WAS EVERYTHING AND I NEED MORE OF IT! I devoured An Education in Malice. This was a delectable dark academia retelling of Laura and Carmilla. I loved everything about it and Gibson's story telling flows off the page with so much passion and desire from all the characters that it has easily become a top read for me this year.
Warning this will make you want to rewatch the Carmilla web series
Cw
Inappropriate relationship between students and professors
Toxic academic environment
Blood
Gore
Murder
Sexual content
Kink
Alcohol
Drugs
Racism
Homophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry