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A review by cristina_margarita
An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A Dowry of Blood was maybe my favorite book I read last year. This was one of my most anticipated reads of this year. Saying I am disappointed is an understatement. This book was not written with any of the beauty or care that A Dowry of Blood was.
Firstly, this was not a Carmilla retelling.
The characters were all descriptions, I learned nothing about them through their actions. Any “development” in their relationships or as individuals (not that anyone developed really at all as an individual) was told to me & never elaborated on; it felt so forced & unbelievable.
There was simultaneously too much & not enough going on. The story with Isis needed to be expanded upon as did the rest of Evelyn’s backstory. The vague threat of the police & dangling of vampire society (just to facilitate a sex scene) felt unfinished. Evelyn’s relationship with both girls but especially Carmilla needed to be fleshed out, the book told me she was hugely influential but the internal monologues & her actions did not demonstrate that. The way the relationship with Dracula was handled in A Dowry of Blood was so delicate & real whereas this relationship was so flat.
Additionally, throwing Magdalena in to the mix but not telling us what happened to Constanta & Alexi?!!!??!!! Homophobic & downright rude!! (I was very happy to see Magdalena but still)
Also, this book was initially marketed as being a polyamorous story so it was very jarring to be waiting for Evelyn to join the relationship the whole time & for that to never happen.
Firstly, this was not a Carmilla retelling.
The characters were all descriptions, I learned nothing about them through their actions. Any “development” in their relationships or as individuals (not that anyone developed really at all as an individual) was told to me & never elaborated on; it felt so forced & unbelievable.
There was simultaneously too much & not enough going on. The story with Isis needed to be expanded upon as did the rest of Evelyn’s backstory. The vague threat of the police & dangling of vampire society (just to facilitate a sex scene) felt unfinished. Evelyn’s relationship with both girls but especially Carmilla needed to be fleshed out, the book told me she was hugely influential but the internal monologues & her actions did not demonstrate that. The way the relationship with Dracula was handled in A Dowry of Blood was so delicate & real whereas this relationship was so flat.
Additionally, throwing Magdalena in to the mix but not telling us what happened to Constanta & Alexi?!!!??!!! Homophobic & downright rude!! (I was very happy to see Magdalena but still)
Also, this book was initially marketed as being a polyamorous story so it was very jarring to be waiting for Evelyn to join the relationship the whole time & for that to never happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content