A review by hedonsgaybookshelf
An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

dark mysterious tense 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
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.


Dark academia, obsessive sapphic romance, vampires, kink, and gore? Yes please!

As in ‘Dowry of Blood,’ Gibson swiftly establishes a lush and immersive atmosphere of dark tension and intrigue. The characters’ relationships are consuming and dangerously intertwined, characterized by both sick fascination and a craving for violence. We see this cruelty become sweeter and more intimate over time, mirrored in the sexual power play between the two young women MCs. Several plot turns are refreshingly unpredictable, moving faster in the second half and racing toward an imperfect but hopeful ending.

I enjoy the exploration of attachment beyond the romantic, the different relational forms that love and lust can take. The professor-student power dynamics are notably not sensationalized, thoughtfully balancing themes of predation/exploitation with the classic queer experience of infatuation  with a mentor. I appreciate Gibson’s consideration with handling toxic academic power dynamics, as well as the race, class, and body size representation in this book.
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