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A review by lesbianbarista
An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I genuinely loved this, I loved the toxic mess of emotions that was so erotic and sexually charged at times. I feel like more sapphic literature should be unapologetically horny, it's a good look and a break from... well women not being allowed to have these feelings.
I am glad De Lafontaine was able to come back from the brink of doing what was done to her. It was nice to see the break from an abusive relationship, even if I was tearing my fingernails off as I read. Gibson did a good job to keep me guessing at Ms. D's motivations and her alignment. Granted, at the end of the book she isn't suddenly reformed, which I also appreciate because once you lose an abuser a switch doesn't magically switch in you, making you good. Seeing the abuse but unable to stop yourself from doing it to others is powerful.
Carmilla and Laura's romance was utterly delicious and I wasn't expecting it to get as deep as it did. There was a little whiplash, like when she went to SF with her friend, but... ya know. College drama I guess XD I can forgive it.
The biggest critique I have is Laura and her weight. Just call her fucking fat. Every single descriptor of her body was sheepish or infantilizing, which I get from Laura's perspective because she's self-conscious, but why not from Carmilla's? I remember Laura daydreaming about Carmilla and her super hot skinny goddess body, but not once was Carmilla AVIDLY fantasizing about Laura's... there were instances of attempted body worship for Laura (respect) but it's undermined by all of the above. Laura being the only fat girl in the story and described in embarrassing moments or putting down her own body isn't really a good look for trying to be body positive. Every other woman in the story is described as a goddess, thin, and so on. So having at least ONE other fat girl who wasn't super down about her body would've been a reprieve.
But these are only things you only notice if you're fat I guess.
Aside from that, it does not negate that I did enjoy this book. By the end of it I was miffed that Laura's view of her body never evolved but! At least we have a fat main character who is sexually forward after a certain point and the dommy babe in the relationship.
A great rivals to lovers experience that deals with abuse and the cycle that it causes.
I am glad De Lafontaine was able to come back from the brink of doing what was done to her. It was nice to see the break from an abusive relationship, even if I was tearing my fingernails off as I read. Gibson did a good job to keep me guessing at Ms. D's motivations and her alignment. Granted, at the end of the book she isn't suddenly reformed, which I also appreciate because once you lose an abuser a switch doesn't magically switch in you, making you good. Seeing the abuse but unable to stop yourself from doing it to others is powerful.
Carmilla and Laura's romance was utterly delicious and I wasn't expecting it to get as deep as it did. There was a little whiplash, like when she went to SF with her friend, but... ya know. College drama I guess XD I can forgive it.
The biggest critique I have is Laura and her weight. Just call her fucking fat. Every single descriptor of her body was sheepish or infantilizing, which I get from Laura's perspective because she's self-conscious, but why not from Carmilla's? I remember Laura daydreaming about Carmilla and her super hot skinny goddess body, but not once was Carmilla AVIDLY fantasizing about Laura's... there were instances of attempted body worship for Laura (respect) but it's undermined by all of the above. Laura being the only fat girl in the story and described in embarrassing moments or putting down her own body isn't really a good look for trying to be body positive. Every other woman in the story is described as a goddess, thin, and so on. So having at least ONE other fat girl who wasn't super down about her body would've been a reprieve.
But these are only things you only notice if you're fat I guess.
Aside from that, it does not negate that I did enjoy this book. By the end of it I was miffed that Laura's view of her body never evolved but! At least we have a fat main character who is sexually forward after a certain point and the dommy babe in the relationship.
A great rivals to lovers experience that deals with abuse and the cycle that it causes.