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hanz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Grief
bugcollector's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book read like someone trying to imitate a classic today, and I kept having to remind myself that it was actually written in 1800s
Perhaps the illustrations are to blame-they were lazy and disconnected from the story.
I felt like I was reading those modern-day romance books, with horrible, faceless characters design cover, that keep popping into your head at unwanted times . (except you couldn't escape the illustrations in this edition of Carmilla, They kept coming back with different backgrounds throughout the book)
It's kind of a shame, because scrolling thorough Wikipedia afterwards, you find that Carmilla has inspired many paintings and drawings which would have done a much better job delevering the gothic, eerie feeling it tried to convey. (instand of the children-coloring-book drawing attempt we got here)
What I did enjoy was the editors introduction, which brought a nice touch and a fresh perspective on the book.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
celestriakle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Violence, Blood, and Abandonment
Minor: Death, Grief, and Alcohol
amalyndb's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Homophobia, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Racism
dannythestreet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Murder
katielaine_w's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship
house_of_hannah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am very happy to have finally read the predecessor of Dracula. It was very interesting to see all the vampire traits and lore that we still know and love today. Carmilla is the definition of beauty, and uses that completely to her advantage.
One thing I found interesting is how romantic and sexy this book is described, but I really didn't feel that. The "romance" is quite one-sided as Carmilla uses her charms to cast a sort of spell over her victims, but the MC, Laura, is quite bothered by the words Carmilla says.
As this is gothic horror, don't expect too much action. It is mainly Laura recounting her experience 10 years later, so a majority of the story is conversations. The climax of the story is also only about two paragraphs, so we reach a conclusion very quickly and directly. I feel like the story is less about Carmilla, and more the emotional manipulation that Laura experienced.
If you're looking to get into classics I think this is a good one to start with. The language is a little uncommon, but not difficult, and it is such a quick read. Definitely worth it !
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood and Grief
zombiezami's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Grief