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kathryn_reads_paiges's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I’m a little torn on this one. Full RTC
avniavnipatel's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
cortaknee9's review against another edition
4.0
I originally missed the fantasy tag on this book and at like 30% I was caught off guard!
Spice: 3/5
Massachusetts
All female college
Set in the 1960s
Enemies to lovers
LGBTQ
Spice: 3/5
Massachusetts
All female college
Set in the 1960s
Enemies to lovers
LGBTQ
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
I might revisit this, but I just didn’t realize it was historical fiction and that’s not what I want to read rn.
aelzz93's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bright_night's review against another edition
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
4.25
_kir's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
willrefuge's review against another edition
4.0
7.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/02/13/an-education-in-malice-by-s-t-gibson-review/
“It sounds dark.”
That was my friend’s take upon reading the back cover of An Education in Malice. And exactly the reason I requested it in the first place. Because I don’t read books primarily for their depiction of romance—it’s not my thing. A little bit of darkness, a little bit of magic, a little bit of chaos, yes, even a little bit of romance—that’s my jam.
And this one does start with a little bit of darkness, as something is dark at the heart of this women’s college. I dunno what I was hoping for exactly: occult, for the Massachusetts’ Salem-witches vibe; demons, for the college-summoning vibe; death cults, vampires, ghosts, myths and legends—it’s all on the table. I’m not going to spoil it, but while this does deliver on some element of darkness, it really could’ve been better. The tinge of shadow only really lasts til about the halfway point, when the wool is removed from our eyes. What takes place after that is basically a straightforward (and unoriginal) plot, a straightforward romance, a satisfying end, and an overall lack of darkness.
Now I’ve already stated that I don’t really go in for just romance, so I’m not going to analyze that part too closely. It’s… fine. Entertaining enough, though I felt it went over-the-top at times—basically how I feel about the romance genre in general. Certainly no worse. There’s a bit of a love-triangle, but it’s well done, as it’s not a triangle in the traditional sense, which I very much appreciated.
The leading three characters are deep, immersive, and well thought out, each with their own sense of realism (while not being completely realistic in the way of typical romance leads). However those outside the top three were quite a bit less substantial. Elenore in particular I was expecting more of, as she is much more present in Laura’s life. But the last time we hear from her is entirely inconsequential, and then she’s gone for good. It’s quite a disappointment, as strong as the main cast is.
The story itself (while fairly straightforward and unoriginal) honestly kept me reading. It’s an easy tale to get into, and more than enough to see you through to the end. A fairly quick read; entertaining, immersive, a good distraction from the demands of life. Not 100% that it’s worth the $15 ebook price, but that’s the way of things nowadays. And for you yourself to decide.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/02/13/an-education-in-malice-by-s-t-gibson-review/
“It sounds dark.”
That was my friend’s take upon reading the back cover of An Education in Malice. And exactly the reason I requested it in the first place. Because I don’t read books primarily for their depiction of romance—it’s not my thing. A little bit of darkness, a little bit of magic, a little bit of chaos, yes, even a little bit of romance—that’s my jam.
And this one does start with a little bit of darkness, as something is dark at the heart of this women’s college. I dunno what I was hoping for exactly: occult, for the Massachusetts’ Salem-witches vibe; demons, for the college-summoning vibe; death cults, vampires, ghosts, myths and legends—it’s all on the table. I’m not going to spoil it, but while this does deliver on some element of darkness, it really could’ve been better. The tinge of shadow only really lasts til about the halfway point, when the wool is removed from our eyes. What takes place after that is basically a straightforward (and unoriginal) plot, a straightforward romance, a satisfying end, and an overall lack of darkness.
Now I’ve already stated that I don’t really go in for just romance, so I’m not going to analyze that part too closely. It’s… fine. Entertaining enough, though I felt it went over-the-top at times—basically how I feel about the romance genre in general. Certainly no worse. There’s a bit of a love-triangle, but it’s well done, as it’s not a triangle in the traditional sense, which I very much appreciated.
The leading three characters are deep, immersive, and well thought out, each with their own sense of realism (while not being completely realistic in the way of typical romance leads). However those outside the top three were quite a bit less substantial. Elenore in particular I was expecting more of, as she is much more present in Laura’s life. But the last time we hear from her is entirely inconsequential, and then she’s gone for good. It’s quite a disappointment, as strong as the main cast is.
The story itself (while fairly straightforward and unoriginal) honestly kept me reading. It’s an easy tale to get into, and more than enough to see you through to the end. A fairly quick read; entertaining, immersive, a good distraction from the demands of life. Not 100% that it’s worth the $15 ebook price, but that’s the way of things nowadays. And for you yourself to decide.
abigalelouise12's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Toxic relationship