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horsehearted's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Blood
rookeatsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
For some godforsaken reason, I finished this book in one day. In the little praise I'll offer for this book, I guess it means I was intrigued enough by the plot to keep reading. BUT, and this is a big but, the writing is quite poor. I googled the author mid-read, thinking that this book must have been written by a teenager with a dark academia tumblr obsession. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
My biggest problem with this book is Gibson's tendency to tell and not show. The first 20-30% of the book is infodump exposition about "This is how Laura feels about this. This is how Carmilla feels about this. And they're both sooooooo mad at each other and have such a tense rivalry (You believe me, right?)" Also, a nitpick but Gibson's tendency to start multiple chapters with "Month verbed XYZ'" made me want to bash my head against a wall. Find a better way to make time transitions!
The telling instead of showing was especially notable when considering that a huge theme in the story is love and obsession and the ways that they cross over onto each other and can make people do crazy things. This is all fine and dandy, except for the fact that none of the writing makes you feel like any of these people are genuinely obsessed with one another. I didn't feel any chemistry or magnetism between the characters and considering that one of the main conceits of the plot is Laura and Carmilla's academic rivalry and competition for De Lafontaine's attention, you would think that DLF would actually be an interesting character. Wrong! In addition, I lost my mind over the sheer amount of times you read "Laura hates Carmilla. Carmilla hates Laura. But Laura's obsessed with Carmilla. And Carmilla's obsessed with Laura" in so many words. Again, show don't tell.
The prose was also bland. All of the reviews claiming that it's lush and beautiful and whatever........ have you read good prose? There was a lot of "devouring" and "feverishly" and things of the sort and it comes off both incredibly pretentious and also like Gibson didn't want to put the effort into describing things in an interesting way. There are many sections where she just spells out exactly what she wants you to deduce thematically from a situation and so many overwrought metaphors that I wanted to vomit.
For your viewing pleasure, here is a passage that made me audibly say "barf" out loud because of the cliche, overplayed, and just dumb and cringey figurative language:
(Not major spoilers since this is tagged as a romance, but spoilered just in case)
She kissed me with a martyr's agonized desperation, like I was the only sword she ever wanted to fall on. I kissed her right back like the cutting edge of a blade, trying to inflict as much damage as possible.
Honorable mentions:
Bound by blood and secrecy, with no recourse to anyone but each other. It would almost be romantic, under more advantageous circumstances.
"I'll go first, Carmilla said, draping herself elegantly across the couch. Everything she did was elegant.
I've always had the strangest instinct to run towards whatever is hurting me, to bare my neck to any predator that caught my scent
Love is sacrifice, Professor. Whether it's you on the butcher's table or not, someone always bleeds.
Also, completely separate conversation that I do not have the brainspace to go over in this review, but you would think that someone who writes queer romance would possibly realize that framing lesbians (or sapphic women in general) as predatory monsters who prey on younger women *cough cough, De Lafontaine* is problematic??? Like did the author think about the implications of that for more than 10 microseconds.
In conclusion, I don't know what possessed me to read this trainwreck of a book but I would not reread. I was so hyped by the premise and was severely disappointed by the execution. Rather than a thoughtful reimagining of Carmilla in an invigorating setting, it came off as a wannabe The Secret History with half the wit or writing skill.
My biggest problem with this book is Gibson's tendency to tell and not show. The first 20-30% of the book is infodump exposition about "This is how Laura feels about this. This is how Carmilla feels about this. And they're both sooooooo mad at each other and have such a tense rivalry (You believe me, right?)" Also, a nitpick but Gibson's tendency to start multiple chapters with "Month verbed XYZ'" made me want to bash my head against a wall. Find a better way to make time transitions!
The telling instead of showing was especially notable when considering that a huge theme in the story is love and obsession and the ways that they cross over onto each other and can make people do crazy things. This is all fine and dandy, except for the fact that none of the writing makes you feel like any of these people are genuinely obsessed with one another. I didn't feel any chemistry or magnetism between the characters and considering that one of the main conceits of the plot is Laura and Carmilla's academic rivalry and competition for De Lafontaine's attention, you would think that DLF would actually be an interesting character. Wrong! In addition, I lost my mind over the sheer amount of times you read "Laura hates Carmilla. Carmilla hates Laura. But Laura's obsessed with Carmilla. And Carmilla's obsessed with Laura" in so many words. Again, show don't tell.
The prose was also bland. All of the reviews claiming that it's lush and beautiful and whatever........ have you read good prose? There was a lot of "devouring" and "feverishly" and things of the sort and it comes off both incredibly pretentious and also like Gibson didn't want to put the effort into describing things in an interesting way. There are many sections where she just spells out exactly what she wants you to deduce thematically from a situation and so many overwrought metaphors that I wanted to vomit.
For your viewing pleasure, here is a passage that made me audibly say "barf" out loud because of the cliche, overplayed, and just dumb and cringey figurative language:
(Not major spoilers since this is tagged as a romance, but spoilered just in case)
Honorable mentions:
Also, completely separate conversation that I do not have the brainspace to go over in this review, but you would think that someone who writes queer romance would possibly realize that framing lesbians (or sapphic women in general) as predatory monsters who prey on younger women *cough cough, De Lafontaine* is problematic??? Like did the author think about the implications of that for more than 10 microseconds.
In conclusion, I don't know what possessed me to read this trainwreck of a book but I would not reread. I was so hyped by the premise and was severely disappointed by the execution. Rather than a thoughtful reimagining of Carmilla in an invigorating setting, it came off as a wannabe The Secret History with half the wit or writing skill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
rabbitsdolly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
sassafrasscommon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
2.75
I really wanted to love this story so much more. Gibson’s prose and atmospheric descriptions are wonderful and lush, but the story felt so lacking. I lost steam around the midway point, realizing that I wasn’t truly sure what either of our MC’s wanted and what was stopping them from getting it. The climax was deflated and lacking in tension. I didn’t care for the characters as they fell flat for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
_p0ssum_'s review against another edition
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
5.0
I can't put my finger on why I love this book but it just works. It's a sapphic vampire carmilla retelling why wouldn't I love it ? It's also written by the same women who created "a dowry of blood" so I already knew it would shoot my expectations out of the park
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
cottagecoregrandma's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I absolutely devoured this book and completed it one sitting I just could put it down!
I didn’t like it as much as I liked Dowry of Blood but it was still a fun ride.
However, I cant remember an exact example, but there were a couple times i felt vampirism in this book contradicts the vampirism in Dowry in certain parts and I’m pretty sure this is the same universe (?).
That, and I felt personally their rivalry (in a rivals to lovers plot) ended a lot quicker than I would’ve liked, and I’m not the biggest fan of spice in general is the only reason its not a 5 star read for me.
I didn’t like it as much as I liked Dowry of Blood but it was still a fun ride.
However, I cant remember an exact example, but there were a couple times i felt vampirism in this book contradicts the vampirism in Dowry in certain parts and I’m pretty sure this is the same universe (?).
That, and I felt personally their rivalry (in a rivals to lovers plot) ended a lot quicker than I would’ve liked, and I’m not the biggest fan of spice in general is the only reason its not a 5 star read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood
sageofthearts's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Murder
kelnicash's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was SO WORTH THE 12 WEEK LIBRARY WAIT. Oh my god. The sapphic Carmilla retelling we all deserved! ST Gibson doesn’t ever let us down with her beautiful storytelling and characters. I loved the dual perspectives, and enemies to lovers is always a winning trope for me.
I would have given this five stars, however, the ending felt very rushed. Things were still happening up until the last ten pages and the suddenly it was just…over. And not in a cliffhanger, fun kind of way. It felt like “I need to end this right now”. I genuinely enjoyed every second other than that, and highly recommend it. It was a fantastic book.
I would have given this five stars, however, the ending felt very rushed. Things were still happening up until the last ten pages and the suddenly it was just…over. And not in a cliffhanger, fun kind of way. It felt like “I need to end this right now”. I genuinely enjoyed every second other than that, and highly recommend it. It was a fantastic book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Blood
ceredonia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
exhumedprince's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sapphic poetry? Kinky vampire parties?? Excellent, stellar, perfect. I love Carmilla, and this is a very interesting and creative retelling. Some parts of the climax and resolution, I didn't like. Also, I know she's not a main character in the story, but I loved Elenore and wished there was more of her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail