Reviews with content warning for Violence - An Education in Malice

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson is a standalone sapphic dark academia retelling of Carmilla.

It was mostly an enjoyable read for me even though some things bothered me about the plot. Specifically the lack of urgency on the part of DeLafontaine, Laura and Carmilla to dispatch an out of control vampire on the college campus sooner in the narrative. Instead DeLafontaine introduces them to vampire society (specifically Carmilla who she’s turned earlier in the story; with her human companion Laura in tow), Laura goes for Thanksgiving break to San Francisco to spend time with her friend’s family, and DeLafontaine holds these private poetry readings between Carmilla and Laura. There doesn’t seem to be a sense of urgency until towards the end of the book to prevent more murders of the student body which I found bizarre.

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librariamortis's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5 stars

Netgalley Review

“After all, what horror wouldn’t I tolerate, if it was meted out by the hand of my beloved?”

Screaming, crying, throwing up, kicking my feet, blushing AND giggling.

What a wonderful read, I couldn’t have been more engaged and enthralled from start to end.

Also that little ADOB Easter egg???? Obsessed obsessed obsessed.

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bergha1998's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad 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

3.75

Beautifully written and the setting was gorgeous. As with Dowry of Blood there is so much psychological and interpersonal conflict. It can be difficult and a bit triggering to be honest. However, I really liked Laura and Carmilla.

Fantasy, Enemies to Lovers, Emotional, 2 1/2 🔥

“Life doesn’t seem worthwhile without synthesizing my experiences into art, the catharsis of putting it all out onto the page. It’s the only way I’ve ever been able to get other people to understand how I’m feeling.”

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missreaderlove's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

A dark academia retelling of the classic Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu.
I loved that Gibson stayed true to the majority of the plot in Carmilla, but added in her own little changes and quirks to make it her own.
The last quarter of the book was what dropped it down a star for me - I wished there was a focus other than the romantic story, like the previous parts.
Overall, an intense and engaging novel.

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coffeecass's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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