Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

62 reviews

aidamaria_reads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I can’t believe this is (one of) the work(s) Bram Stoker based his most famous novel on … and he actually made the whole concept boring. Carmilla should get the recognition that was carelessly bestowed on Dracula.

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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Carmilla is quite an interesting book. The plot and allure surrounding (the first of its kind of vampire novel before Dracula became a thing) intrigued, and I felt that Le Fanu’s writing lived up to the hype this book has been getting. I appreciated the quiet horror that Le Fanu employs in Carmilla rather than angling towards a jump scare approach. Additionally, I found myself wondering about the nature of Carmilla’s and Laura’s relationship, especially if Carmilla was truly in love with her (though some of her most popular quotes seem to come straight from a romance novel, if you think about it). Even after the final page, Le Fanu still leaves you second-guessing everything that occurs in the book (but it’s in a good way, I promise), and it’s the type of book that lingers around after you’re done reading it. 

An underrated classic that doesn’t get as much attention, I would recommend Carmilla for readers looking for queer vampire novellas to read this spooky season.

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noura's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5


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el_be_readin's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

2.75


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draven_deathcrush's review against another edition

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dark reflective 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'm so glad I finally got around to reading this! I usually don't like vampires, but I really enjoyed this. I liked the sapphic parts, as well as the vampire part.

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katanai's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

cannot believe it took me this long to finish this book, but ive finished it to get into the fall mood. it’s actually a pretty easy read to get you out of a slump! love lesbians. okay but seriously, this book needs to be talked ab more & I wish it had the same attention as dracula has now, especially considering carmilla INSPIRED dracula. truly a classic!
wish that laura & carmilla could’ve run away as happy lovers.

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bunnivie's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this was an excellent and quick read. i love homoerotic vampires, so it was fun.

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inkwellimps's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

I feel like the ending should bother me on principle,
Carmilla's vampirism is brought to light by a traveling character who enters the narrative at the end, functionally, in order to resolve the plot.
But, honestly, I didn't really mind it much. I found the whole book pretty enjoyable. 

As far as "lesbian vampires" go-- I hadn't realized the girls were so young, and Carmilla's more romantic feelings make the protagonist uncomfortable (and, in turn, made me a bit uncomfortable, knowing how unwanted attention feels), so be aware of this.

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infjkiki's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5


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rainbowrocky's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book must've blown minds in 19th century Ireland. I can see why it's a literary classic. I loved it a lot even if the characters are a bit one dimensional. It's more about the atmosphere, the looming threat of death. We know what's happening to Laura, but she hasn't the faintest idea since she's so innocent. Spoilers:
Carmilla's death was a bit of a let down. I thought we were building to something more shocking but her death was over so quickly and unceremoniously.

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