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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
dark
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Gaslighting
Minor: Racism
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As a bi vampire lover, I liked this book and found it interesting to see the resemblance and differences to more modern adaptations of the vampire myths.
I also liked how Carmilla's and Laura's queerness was not directly demonised and found it very progressive for its age in comparison to other classics.
It was, as one of the first influential vampire stories, predictable but nevertheless an enjoyable read.
Did I get that right though? That Carmilla was actually remotely related to Laura? The thing I actually did not expect and threw me off a bit oof
I also liked how Carmilla's and Laura's queerness was not directly demonised and found it very progressive for its age in comparison to other classics.
It was, as one of the first influential vampire stories, predictable but nevertheless an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Minor: Death, Incest, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Classic lesbian vampires. Sign my gay ass up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicide
adventurous
dark
fast-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:
N/A
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4/5 stars
A LOT OF ORIGINAL VAMPIRE LORE IN THIS *review to come*
A LOT OF ORIGINAL VAMPIRE LORE IN THIS *review to come*
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
Going into this I expected an action-packed Gothic novella with lesbian undertones. What I got was a long, drawn out tale told in hindsight that was so predictable it was almost painful.
Maybe it’s Le Fanu’s writing or the fact that it was written in the 1800s but it truly wasn’t at all captivating as I thought it would be based on other Gothic novels I had read from that time period. Sure, there were ancient schlosses secluded in the scenic countryside, a coffin filled with blood, and stark lesbianism however the novel didn’t provide much else.It is, however, the commentary on suicide and it’s connection to vampirism that truly swayed my perceptions and left me feeling uneasy at the conclusion of this story.
Despite my opinions, I am happy to have finally gotten around to reading this and would recommend Carmilla to anyone. It is still a marvel of its time and deserves its flowers in helping lay the foundation for tales such as Dracula and Twilight to exist.
Maybe it’s Le Fanu’s writing or the fact that it was written in the 1800s but it truly wasn’t at all captivating as I thought it would be based on other Gothic novels I had read from that time period. Sure, there were ancient schlosses secluded in the scenic countryside, a coffin filled with blood, and stark lesbianism however the novel didn’t provide much else.
Despite my opinions, I am happy to have finally gotten around to reading this and would recommend Carmilla to anyone. It is still a marvel of its time and deserves its flowers in helping lay the foundation for tales such as Dracula and Twilight to exist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Child death, Racism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder