Reviews

I genuinely loved this, I loved the toxic mess of emotions that was so erotic and sexually charged at times. I feel like more sapphic literature should be unapologetically horny, it's a good look and a break from... well women not being allowed to have these feelings.

I am glad De Lafontaine was able to come back from the brink of doing what was done to her. It was nice to see the break from an abusive relationship, even if I was tearing my fingernails off as I read. Gibson did a good job to keep me guessing at Ms. D's motivations and her alignment. Granted, at the end of the book she isn't suddenly reformed, which I also appreciate because once you lose an abuser a switch doesn't magically switch in you, making you good. Seeing the abuse but unable to stop yourself from doing it to others is powerful.

Carmilla and Laura's romance was utterly delicious and I wasn't expecting it to get as deep as it did. There was a little whiplash, like when she went to SF with her friend, but... ya know. College drama I guess XD I can forgive it.

The biggest critique I have is Laura and her weight. Just call her fucking fat. Every single descriptor of her body was sheepish or infantilizing, which I get from Laura's perspective because she's self-conscious, but why not from Carmilla's? I remember Laura daydreaming about Carmilla and her super hot skinny goddess body, but not once was Carmilla AVIDLY fantasizing about Laura's... there were instances of attempted body worship for Laura (respect) but it's undermined by all of the above. Laura being the only fat girl in the story and described in embarrassing moments or putting down her own body isn't really a good look for trying to be body positive. Every other woman in the story is described as a goddess, thin, and so on. So having at least ONE other fat girl who wasn't super down about her body would've been a reprieve.

But these are only things you only notice if you're fat I guess.

Aside from that, it does not negate that I did enjoy this book. By the end of it I was miffed that Laura's view of her body never evolved but! At least we have a fat main character who is sexually forward after a certain point and the dommy babe in the relationship.

A great rivals to lovers experience that deals with abuse and the cycle that it causes.

alcopops's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5*

So this is my first S.T Gibson book and I was really excited, but I got very underwhelmed. I'm not sure what I should have expected, but I just wanted a bit *more*.

My biggest issue is the pacing, really. I like instalove sometimes but for me it just didn't work. I understand that it's meant to be enemies to lovers but it just, wasn't. Nothing really gave me "they hate eachother" and their love was just way too quick. Generally the book was just, too fast with nothing to show for it for me personally.

I did enjoy the spice scenes but there wasn't really enough of that for me either. The premise of the book I couldn't wait for but I think my expectations were just too high.

I can understand why people like/love this book, but I think it's just not for me.

sydsmith23's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

whatyoutolkienabout's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved Dowry of Blood and since then have been a fan of S.T. Gibson as such I was excited to read her dark academia upcoming novel and I was not at all disappointed. The prose was one of the things I loved the most, told through dual point of views we get a beautiful, sultry and haunting look into the heart and minds of Laura and Carmilla. I was dragged into the world from the start.

The enemies to lovers is a trope I had not fully understood but I can say that now I am a fan. This is a beautiful if sometimes violent sapphic horror. As always Gibson brings her world to life in such a way that you feel as if you are alongside them. For me the main thing that kept me hooked was the yearning and elements of dark academia (it spoke to the academic in me).

If you are looking for a beautiful but haunting sapphic gothic horror this is it. it’s hard to mention more without spoilers but if you have read a Dowry of Blood you know exactly what to expect and will not be disappointed.

bethiguess's review against another edition

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dark funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The perfect follow up after A Dowry of Blood. I'll never tire of a well written vampire story especially when it's sapphic

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