Reviews with content warning for Blood - Carmilla - Audible Performance

Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Carmilla - Audible Performance by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

300 reviews

organizedxchaos's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

I went into this book thinking I would enjoy it far more than I did. I found myself constantly comparing it to Dracula, despite it being the “inspiration”. I think there was quite a bit that worked better with it, than did with this book. At times it felt like the plot got lost in the sensuality of the story telling and I felt like it could’ve been done better. Overall, it’s a decent story but ultimately I think I prefer Stoker’s work to this. However, if you’re in the market for a spooky atmospheric tale, this book definitely fits the bill!

Content Warnings

dark_marble_eyes's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Read this for a queer goth book club! I had seen the YouTube series inspired by this book long before reading this, but I’m glad to have finally seen the inspiration! I can see why this has such a long legacy. Off to consume more sapphic vampire stories… that are hopefully a bit happier!

Content Warnings

noxxmog_'s review against another edition

3.25

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Content Warnings

metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

aidamaria_reads's review against another edition

3.75

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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.

Content Warnings

elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

An odd novella, to be sure, and yet one that has earned its place among my favorite classics. An interesting take on sapphic desire, love, and identity accompanied by very intriguing, lore-heavy vampirism.

Content Warnings

torrentsofhayl's review against another edition

2.0

dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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.

Content Warnings