Set at Saint Perpetua's College in Massachusetts new student Laura Sheridan is instantly finds herself in an academic rivalry with fellow student Carmilla. Dark magic, politics, obsession, and desire rule the halls of Saint Perpetua's College. While some of the plot was really slow and a chore to get through the writing is just so gorgeous and the plot so immersive you have to read on to find out how everything will end.

Dual POV, Spicy, Dark Academia, Sapphic Romance, Vampires, LGTBQ+ Rep, Rivals to Lovers

S.T. Gibson has done it again!! Her prose, and the way she crafts words.... phenomenal. The setting and world building? perfection. This book is pretentious in the best possible way. It was relatable, but still had that dark academia feel. if you're a plot driven reader, this may not work for you, but if you're a character driven reader and will watch characters you love do anything, this is the book for you. It has a very similar writing style to A Dowry of Blood, but more of a narration rather than the letters. Cannot wait for her next book!

I've been sitting on my thoughts on this book for a week now. And, here's the thing. I still don't know. Did I like the writing of this book? Absolutely. It was lovely. S.T. Gibson can WRITE. And in A Dowry of Blood her writing and the narration carried me through the whole book like, "Wow, this is so lovely." But in this book? I hated the plot. Honestly, just absolutely hated it. So how do you balance the beautiful writing with a plot where you're just left upsetti spaghetti because what do you mean that's how it ended? Like, there wasn't even a reckoning of the ramifications of this weird relationship with the professor. I... At the end of the day, I'm not a literary fiction girlie, I'm really not, so maybe it's not fair for me to be like, I hate the choices made by this book, 3 stars, but also, you're here for my opinions, so that's it. When you're tackling a subject like grooming, which I KNOW that these girls were a bit older than children, but when you're tackling a subject with professor student relationships like this... I just think you have to really get into the ramifications and this book had WILD stakes of ramifications and we STILL don't really get to see the characters reckoning with them? What I loved about A Dowry of Blood and the way that it looked at this predatory/abusive relationship with Dracula is that it was reflective. Magdelena was looking back on this relationship and therefore the lyrical writing was also complete with messaging. Not An Education in Malice. It's written too contemporaneously with the events so the actual messaging is lost or left to you and while I can appreciate authors not treating me like I can't draw my own conclusions, I do not like to leave characters before they've even begun to disentangle themselves emotionally... This is really just turning into more of a rant than a review of this book, so I am going to restrain myself. If you love S.T. Gibson's writing, I still think this book is beautifully written. But if you're at all sensitive to power imbalances in relationships, I think you should steer clear.

Thanks to Red Hook Books, NetGalley, and S. T. Gibson for the chance to read this enjoyable book. I do enjoy a great Dark Academia book and this definitely fits in that category. The story takes place in Massachusetts boarding school. Laura and Camilla have an attraction to one another that is hard to deny. However, they both have an extreme attachment to their poetry professor that is of a rather supernatural nature. She demands their loyalty and their blood and nothing less will do. Makes cramming for tests seem rather tame seeing what these poor girls go through. I do recommend this for anyone who loves dark academia, vampires, and gothic literature.

the experience of reading this book is the equivalent of getting drunk on a delicious cocktail of sapphic vampirism, dark academia and gothic poetry. hot and horny, 10/10 recommend. will read again and need to fan myself and keep my favorite ~vibe~ on hand LOL forcing my book club to read this for spooky season !!

Overall I thought this was a remarkable dark story. You can see how much care and love Gibson has for her characters and literature as a whole. Though I found it a little wordy at some points that was more of a preference thing. Thank you so much to NetGalley for this awesome opportunity and S.T Gibson for writing a spooky sapphic story.

If there’s one thing I love, it’s dark academia. A moody, vibey college campus in the 1960’s? With a mysterious, hard to impress poetry professor who only takes on the best? Academic rivalry? Vampires? Sign me up!

This was a really great read. It was dark and haunting, and the intricate dynamics between our main trio gave just the right amount of intrigue. I loved the rivalry between Laura and Carmilla, and the way their contrasting personalities complimented one another in their efforts to keep De Lafontaine’s attention.

The fantasy elements in this books fit in seamlessly into the rest of the plot and the setting, and added an interesting layer to a classic academic rivals trope.

As someone who was a big fan of a Dowry of Blood (if you haven’t read that one yet, do yourself a favour), I really liked the slight nods back to that story and its characters, as well as a couple of familiar names and faces.

Where a Dowry of Blood was told from the perspective of a vampire, this story is told from the perspective of people who are just getting their first tastes of that world, but are, like Constanta was, learning about it as they go through the story.

An Education in Malice is decadent and enthralling, and absolutely nothing less than I expect from S.T. Gibson.

An average book. Not bad and not great.
I went in hoping it would be a great sapphic dark academia book but it was just so mediocre. The characters weren't likable or memorable they all came off has flat, insufferable, self centered. This book felt one note and underachieved.

I received this book as a free ARC from NetGalley.

A sapphic dark academia gothic horror dream of a novel! S.T. Gibson chose an east coast college campus as the setting for this Carmilla retelling and she really nailed the atmosphere and the vibes! It has just enough paranormal elements and blood to keep it in the supernatural realm, and just enough spice to keep it steamy without being just straight smut. Such a well done retelling, between this one and A Dowry of Blood it's safe to say that S.T. Gibson is definitely a new auto buy author for me! The books are like a comforting hug of horror... I don't know if that makes sense to anyone but myself but I love them!!

An Education in Malice is a dark academia novel centered around academic rivals Laura and Carmilla and the professor that turns their rivalry into something much more sinister.

I want to start this review stating that I was not the intended audience for this book. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and it just didn’t quite deliver for me.

The writing was beautiful and atmospheric. I was entrenched in the world that Gibson created, but just wasn’t completely invested in the plight of the characters. In the end I identified more with the professor (the villian) than Laura or Carmilla.

Thank you Redhook and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

S. T. Gibson could write a phone book or a how-to manual and I would still think it's the best thing I've ever read.

The fact that An Education in Malice is a stunning dark academia Carmilla retelling makes this my official favorite thing ever. As a companion to A Dowry of Blood, this book works beautifully -- similar sumptuous first-person prose, dark themes, toxic polycules, and, of course, vampires. There is even a cameo from a beloved Dowry of Blood character and I loved getting to see what this character's been up to since the end of ADoB. However, I would say this novel could also stand on its own or as an intro to Gibson's work before reading her debut.

Told in the dual POVs of Laura Sheridan and Carmilla Karnstein, students at the prestigious university St. Perpetua's, An Education in Malice explores the tangled and inequitable relationships between both rivals and their charismatic professor, De Lafontaine. Like ADoB, not every relationship here is healthy, and I love how S. T. Gibson's explores the toxicity and blurred lines between jealousy and longing. For me, both of Gibson's vampire books have been cathartic in a way I can't quite explain. She manages to capture the gothic so well.

If there is one thing I wish, it's the same thing as ADoB: more pages, please! I wish we could've spent more time on the fledgling relationship between Carmilla and Laura, as they go from rivals to lovers rather fast. I also wish we could've spent more time on the relationship between the main villain (trying to avoid spoilers) and De Lafontaine. Also, Gibson's atmosphere is simply so stunning that I really didn't want to turn the last page.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Redhook Books, and S. T. Gibson for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I absolutely love S.T. Gibson, and I can see what this book was trying to be.
And I liked it for that!
I just think compared to Dowry this one was missing something.

The aesthetic was on point, the characters were good. I just don't know why this didn't hit me right.

I really enjoyed this sapphic re-telling of Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla. I had not read Carmilla before reading this novel, and that did not affect my enjoyment while reading An Education in Malice whatsoever. I think this novel could have used an extra chapter or even just a few more pages to provide a little more detail as the ending was a bit rushed, but I still really enjoyed this story. I look forward to reading S. T. Gibson's next novel!

S.T. Gibson has done it again and written a stunning novel with An Education in Malice! The words flow effortlessly in this romantic sapphic dark academia novel. Did I mention there are Vampires? 👀😍 A slower paced story, but one that I literally could not put down. This author has absolutely become an auto-buy author for me now!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review!

This is a sapphic dark, gothic academia story and a Carmilla retelling, with a rivals to lovers trope.

The two love interests, Laura and Carmilla, we’re quite different which I really enjoyed. Laura was a shy and reserved southern girl who hadn’t experienced much life prior to moving to the university. Carmilla was experienced, bold and confident, forming a quite interesting and mysterious relationship with the professor, De Lafontaine. I enjoyed seeing the walls come down for both Carmilla and Laura, the way they couldn’t resist each other and found comfort and love with one another. Their love story was raw and real.

De Lafontaine was a character I disliked. She was possessive, obsessive and controlling towards Carmilla. She wanted to mold her in to the person she wanted and would become vindictive and jealous when Carmilla showed happiness outside of their bond. I found myself not enjoying the manipulation and unpredictability De Lafontaine brought to the story, but I do think that was the point of her character. I found the climax of the story, revolving around De Lafontaine to be frustrating.

Laura had a great friend, Elenore who I thought was absolutely incredible. She was always there for Laura and I adored her and her strong, sweet personality.

The crumbs of Magdalena in the story made me so, so happy. She is such a light and if you have read A Dowry Of Blood you will enjoy the way she makes an appearance.

The plot was slow at times but I did enjoy reading Laura and a Carmilla’s story. The ending ending like that though??? I need answers.

I devoured this book. I am already missing the character and the world that S. T. Gibson artfully built. I loved the mixture of prose and poetry. Can't wait to read more in the future.

"An Education in Malice" by S.T. Gibson is a gripping and atmospheric exploration of darkness and redemption set in a world where magic and mystery intertwine. Through richly drawn characters and a vividly realized setting, Gibson weaves a tale that is both haunting and thought-provoking.

At the heart of the novel is protagonist Lydia Trinket, a young woman with a troubled past and a gift for the arcane arts. As Lydia navigates the treacherous world of magic and intrigue, she grapples with her own demons while uncovering sinister secrets that threaten to unravel everything she holds dear. Gibson's portrayal of Lydia is nuanced and compelling, capturing her inner struggles with empathy and depth.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its world-building. Gibson paints a vivid picture of a society teetering on the brink of chaos, where magic is both feared and revered, and danger lurks around every corner. From the shadowy alleyways of the city to the opulent halls of power, the setting is rendered in exquisite detail, immersing readers in a world that is as enchanting as it is perilous.

In addition to its compelling characters and rich setting, "An Education in Malice" also delves into themes of power, morality, and the nature of evil. Through Lydia's journey, Gibson explores the complexities of human nature and the choices we make in the face of adversity. The novel raises important questions about the nature of good and evil, challenging readers to confront their own beliefs and assumptions.

While "An Education in Malice" is undeniably dark and atmospheric, it is also a story of hope and redemption. As Lydia struggles to find her place in a world that seeks to destroy her, she discovers inner strength and resilience she never knew she possessed. Gibson's narrative is ultimately one of triumph over adversity, reminding readers that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.

In conclusion, "An Education in Malice" is a spellbinding tale of magic, mystery, and redemption that will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end. With its compelling characters, richly realized setting, and thought-provoking themes, S.T. Gibson's novel is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and atmospheric storytelling alike.

This is the first book I've read of Gibson's, and while I like her writing style, the story left much to be desired. The first half of the story dragged and all the "action" happened in the last few chapters, which felt rush and unbelievable. I felt no chemistry between any of the characters, and for a story about lust and obsession, it should have been dripping with chemistry.

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Book Group for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I did enjoyed reading An Education in Malice tremendously. S.T. Gibson's writing did not disappoint. She has such a way with words that transform everything and make the world these characters live in seem so real and have a timeless feel to it, even though this is set in the 1960s. I have so many thoughts about the characters as I loved all 3 of them in different ways, but Carmilla has to be my favorite.

I took a star off as the ending was as strong or as climatic as I thought it would be, it was just overall too predictable and did not have the effect that A Dowry of Blood was able to accomplish. With that being said, Gibson's writing is a one of a kind and I look forward to reading her future works.

A sapphic retelling of Carmilla (I think?) that makes me want to read A Dowry of Blood really badly.

S. T. Gibson can write, there's no doubt about it, but the first 25% of the novel truly annoyed me. Carmilla and Laura are meant to be rivals turned to lovers, but the development to reach the latter is rushed and feels far from earned. Additionally, the world has so much potential but was not utilized enough to build on the atmospheric potential this story had.

I did appreciate what this story had to say about power dynamics and breaking cycles of abuse, though. But for how much I have hyped up S. T. Gibson in my head, I was expecting more. This doesn't stop me from wanting to read A Dowry of Blood or her upcoming release, Evocation, though!