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A review by intomybookshelf_
An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"After all, what horror wouldn't I tolerate, if it was meted out by the hand of my beloved?"
I feel very ambivalent about A Dowry of Blood, but I absolutely loved ST Gibson's writing style and so I was still very excited about this one.
This book felt similar to A Dowry of Blood in the atmosphere and the vibes, but very different in other ways and how I felt about it.
It's a book that you have to savour. The contemplative gothic vibes are exquisite, and you have to take the time to appreciate them.
I feel like the school had some Jane Eyre dark academia elements, and with the sapphic element, it was perfection.
The dynamics between the characters were entrancing. How De Lafontaine basked in the love and admiration her students had for her ; how she pitted them against each other ; how she couldn't help reminding them how inconsequential they are to her. You can't help but analyze the characters' relationships to one another and try to understand how deeply they affect their personal growth.
I feel like ultimately, it shows that love can make or break you. How your perception of it and how you act on it can elevate you or bring you down the darkest of path.
I don't think this book is for everyone tbh. If you like fast paced novels then move along. But if you don't mind a slow, character and vibes driven story, then this is for you.
Bonus quote : "Poetry was the only antidote to my temper."
Thank you NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I feel very ambivalent about A Dowry of Blood, but I absolutely loved ST Gibson's writing style and so I was still very excited about this one.
This book felt similar to A Dowry of Blood in the atmosphere and the vibes, but very different in other ways and how I felt about it.
It's a book that you have to savour. The contemplative gothic vibes are exquisite, and you have to take the time to appreciate them.
I feel like the school had some Jane Eyre dark academia elements, and with the sapphic element, it was perfection.
The dynamics between the characters were entrancing. How De Lafontaine basked in the love and admiration her students had for her ; how she pitted them against each other ; how she couldn't help reminding them how inconsequential they are to her. You can't help but analyze the characters' relationships to one another and try to understand how deeply they affect their personal growth.
I feel like ultimately, it shows that love can make or break you. How your perception of it and how you act on it can elevate you or bring you down the darkest of path.
I don't think this book is for everyone tbh. If you like fast paced novels then move along. But if you don't mind a slow, character and vibes driven story, then this is for you.
Bonus quote : "Poetry was the only antidote to my temper."
Thank you NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.