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

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

The relationship to the source material feels a little strange - in a lot of ways it feels like an adaptation of Carmilla in name only.  But the relationship dynamics really compelling.   I love these fucked toxic lesbians <3

I think my main problem with the novel is that I find the dynamic between Laura/Carmilla/DaLafontaine so interesting in the first part of the novel - the way Laura and Carmilla are constantly vying for DaLafontaine's approval, the way DaLafontaine pits them against each other.  There's this moment where it almost seems like Laura is about to eclipse Carmilla in their competition for DaLafontaine's affection - but then Carmilla is turned and Laura spends the rest of the novel feeling like a 3rd wheel.  This is also where I feel like the novel stops being a Dark Academia and just feels like a supernatural love story that happens to take place at a school.  I enjoy Carmilla and Laura's dynamic together a lot - though i feel like they went from being rivals to being girlfriends way to quickly.  I still like their dynamic together very much.