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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
First of all, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook arc!
I’m not a fan of dark academia, shocking in today’s climate, I know. But I don’t find the setting or the storylines it usually involved as interesting. It’s a thing I have fought myself long and hard for, but it was futile, or at least it was, up until I read An Education in Malice.
I loved this book. The prose were gorgeous, the characters felt like actual companions by the end of the book that I didn’t want to part with, their struggles felt, somehow, very real. I found myself sympathizing with them, fearing for them, concerned about their eventual wellbeing. I adored the dynamic between Laura and Carmilla, and was pleasantly surprised by how subversive the relationship between Carmilla/Laura and De La Fontaine, though there was still plenty of toxicity to go around, I was incredibly relieved that it didn’t go down the sexual route.
The setting itself felt captivating, the school, its not quite prestigious but also not for commoners vibe was done well, though I would’ve like more insight into the inner culture of the school itself. We got hints of it at the beginning when Laura and Carmilla’s relationship didn’t dominate the plot (not that I’m complaining about that), and I would’ve loved to know more about the girls, their perspectives about our protagonists. A little outsider view is always fun.
As for the romance, it was magnificent, the initial rivalry bordering on hostility from both girls was fascinating, it hooked me and didn’t let go. The development was done very well, and so seamlessly it felt absolutely natural, which is something difficult for an enemies to lovers romance to pull off in a relatively short book,
De La Fontaine herself was an incredibly interesting character, I sympathized with her half the time, and couldn’t stand her the other. Her conflicting feelings, her catastrophic lapse of judgement on that fateful night, and the events that followed because of it were some of my favorite parts about the book. I would’ve loved to get some chapters from her perspective, I think it would’ve added so much to the story.
All in all, I loved this, and I’m looking forward to reading more things by S. T. Gibson!
4.25/5
I’m not a fan of dark academia, shocking in today’s climate, I know. But I don’t find the setting or the storylines it usually involved as interesting. It’s a thing I have fought myself long and hard for, but it was futile, or at least it was, up until I read An Education in Malice.
I loved this book. The prose were gorgeous, the characters felt like actual companions by the end of the book that I didn’t want to part with, their struggles felt, somehow, very real. I found myself sympathizing with them, fearing for them, concerned about their eventual wellbeing. I adored the dynamic between Laura and Carmilla, and was pleasantly surprised by how subversive the relationship between Carmilla/Laura and De La Fontaine, though there was still plenty of toxicity to go around, I was incredibly relieved that it didn’t go down the sexual route.
The setting itself felt captivating, the school, its not quite prestigious but also not for commoners vibe was done well, though I would’ve like more insight into the inner culture of the school itself. We got hints of it at the beginning when Laura and Carmilla’s relationship didn’t dominate the plot (not that I’m complaining about that), and I would’ve loved to know more about the girls, their perspectives about our protagonists. A little outsider view is always fun.
As for the romance, it was magnificent, the initial rivalry bordering on hostility from both girls was fascinating, it hooked me and didn’t let go. The development was done very well, and so seamlessly it felt absolutely natural, which is something difficult for an enemies to lovers romance to pull off in a relatively short book,
De La Fontaine herself was an incredibly interesting character, I sympathized with her half the time, and couldn’t stand her the other. Her conflicting feelings, her catastrophic lapse of judgement on that fateful night, and the events that followed because of it were some of my favorite parts about the book. I would’ve loved to get some chapters from her perspective, I think it would’ve added so much to the story.
All in all, I loved this, and I’m looking forward to reading more things by S. T. Gibson!
4.25/5
I enjoyed this stand alone! The characters were compelling and I love a good enemies-to-lovers story. I almost wish I'd gotten more of the school atmosphere, the narrative quickly focused on Carmilla and Laura's relationship and I felt a little sad to not read more of their day to day lives.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book! If you liked a Dowry of Blood, I think you will love this book too. Sexy sapphic vampires with elements of taboo and darkness. It's a Carmilla retelling btw!
Like A Dowry of Blood, I wish the author took this book all the way. It could have been much bloodier and sexier. I think this author could say a whole lot about perversion and taboo if she went for it fully, which she seems to miss. Still I enjoyed this book.
I loved Laura and Carmilla. But I am unimpressed with the conflict with Isis. ST Gibson has a habit of wrapping up conflict super quick and easy and it's like... if it was so easy why wasn't it fixed earlier?
I also wasn't sold on De Lafontaine. I didnt quite understand what about her drew Laura and Carmilla to her so much. Honestly, she annoyed me and was a bit of a loser. There was nothing mystical about her.
Like A Dowry of Blood, I wish the author took this book all the way. It could have been much bloodier and sexier. I think this author could say a whole lot about perversion and taboo if she went for it fully, which she seems to miss. Still I enjoyed this book.
I loved Laura and Carmilla. But I am unimpressed with the conflict with Isis. ST Gibson has a habit of wrapping up conflict super quick and easy and it's like... if it was so easy why wasn't it fixed earlier?
I also wasn't sold on De Lafontaine. I didnt quite understand what about her drew Laura and Carmilla to her so much. Honestly, she annoyed me and was a bit of a loser. There was nothing mystical about her.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I fundamentally have a problem with this book in that it claims to be a modern retelling of carmilla yet keeps nothing but the character names. The characterization, themes, etc are all so wildly different that it feels like false advertising to call it Carmilla - it’s cool to write your own story! Just don’t call it something it’s not to market it you know? I also just thought it was annoying how the characters so willingly give up their autonomy and never actually make decisions for themselves
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An Education in Malice is a story about obsession, love, jealousy, immortality and devotion.
Like «A Dowry of Blood» this work is extremely poetically written. Prose that is as magical as poetry made me put the book aside at times to let the words sink in.
I really liked the choice to have both Carmilla and Laura narrate the story; both are complex characters with beautiful language who regularly romanticize their surroundings.
At the end of the novel, I am left with more questions that are not answered in the plot. However, this is done in a good way, as it keeps the story magical and mystical.
An Education in Malice is a work that is not easy to forget, and Carmilla, Laura and De Lafontaine will definitely stay with me for some time.
Like «A Dowry of Blood» this work is extremely poetically written. Prose that is as magical as poetry made me put the book aside at times to let the words sink in.
I really liked the choice to have both Carmilla and Laura narrate the story; both are complex characters with beautiful language who regularly romanticize their surroundings.
At the end of the novel, I am left with more questions that are not answered in the plot. However, this is done in a good way, as it keeps the story magical and mystical.
An Education in Malice is a work that is not easy to forget, and Carmilla, Laura and De Lafontaine will definitely stay with me for some time.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Lesbian vampires, love it
