An Education in Malice follows the story of two young students who are attending an all-girls college, studying poetry. They rival for the attention of their alluring professor — who is harboring a dark secret that both women want to uncover, even as their rivalry starts evolving into something more.

I had so many highlights in this book because the writing was absolutely gorgeous. The rhythmic quality of the writing was captivating. The tone changes style a bit as the POVs change between each woman, which I thought really did a lot to help you connect with and understand each of them. This felt like a very cozy and vibe-y sort of read because it wasn’t overly high stakes or stressful, which made me feel like I could just relax and enjoy the writing.

𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
✦ stand-alone novels
✦ dark academia
✦ a little bit of mystery
✦ poetry
✦ you have a taste for the dramatic
✦ yearning and pining
✦ something a little different

4/5 stars

S.T. Gibson has done it again and blessed us with another hauntingly beautiful piece of literature. Something is captivating about the way she puts words to the page, and it never fails to draw me in.

An Education in Malice is a gothic, dark academic romance that hooks you from the first page. While reading, I felt as if I was transported to the forgotten hills of Massachusetts. The architecture of the college was described so well that you could picture the setting.

I devoured this in one sitting and was delighted to find it takes place in the same world as A Dowry of Blood. This was such a happy surprise!

The story starts with some academic rivalry but blooms into so much more. The alternate points of view from Laura and Carmilla complement one another in just the right way. We get insight into their respective views and grow to love the other from their perspective. Every character no matter how true their heart may be, is flawed and we get a feel for what they’ve gone through to become the person they are.

I’m a sucker for classic literature, and the incorporation of poetry is done so well. —And of course, we can’t forget about the vampires. This was such a fascinating read!

* Thank you to the publisher Redhook Books/Orbit and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my unbiased opinion and is given with free will. *

I was absolutely enamored by S. T. Gibson imagery, character reimagining, and overall writing. I devoured this book and could not stop thinking about our main characters long after I finished reading.

An Education in Malice follows Laura and Carmilla at St. Perpetua's College in MA. Both girls are talented, driven, and lyrical in their writing. This garners their Professor's attention and puts them in a battle of both the heart and word against each other. As secrets are revealed, both girls must figure out how to proceed and whether it is all worth it.

I both wanted to binge this book to devour it, and take my time reading it because I was enjoying it so much. It was dark and atmospheric, there was so much angst, and overall it is an excellent addition to the dark academia genre. Although set in 1968, this book has a timelessness to it - and the storytelling is fantastic. If you were a fan of A Dowry of Blood, there is no doubt that you will be obsessed with Gibson's newest release.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review!

4.75/5

Sometimes a book is so good that it's hard to review and this is one of those cases, but I'll make a valiant effort!

Laura Sheridan is drawn to her academic rival Carmilla as they both compete for the attention and praise of De Lafontaine, a renewed poetry professor. Though a bit naive, Laura soon realizes that there's more than meets the eye about Carmilla and even Saint Perpetua's College...what dark secrets lie beneath and what will happen if they come to light?

S. T. Gibson's prose is elegant yet efficient and will sweep you along. This is the kind of book that will sink its teeth into you and won't let go until you've read the final page. And even the final page might leave you thirsting for more. Luckily, this isn't the only book that Gibson is publishing in 2024!

Another lyrical venture from Gibson. I've come to realize that I will likely always have a fun time with Gibson, so everything she releases is a good choice to pick up--and An Education in Malice was no different: well-rendered characterization, lush and atmospheric prose, and spicy lil numbers along the way. Towards Act III, I felt the plotting could have been punched up a bit (something I also felt was a bit lacking in A Dowry of Blood), but I enjoyed the journey we took nonetheless. As a Carmilla reimaging, I found it successful and evocative of its source material; Gibson's familiarity and knowledge of the original is clear. Can't wait for The Summoner's Circle and her other upcoming series--I will be picking them up sight unseen at this point haha. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this early look at this highly-anticipated book!

As someone who loved Carmilla I was beyond excited to read this especially after also reading A Dowry of Blood from S.T. Gibson. If there's one thing I love it's a vampire novel and Gibson's ability to write them AND make them gay has caused my favorite author list to grow by one more. The names in this novel made me giggle with the recognition and anticipation and I was beyond excited to see where this new more modern version of the story would go. The idea that Carmilla is in love with Laura in every universe means everything to me and I am so happy that they got a better ending this time around. Thank you S.T. Gibson!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5 stars. I ate this UP!

I think fans of A Dowry of Blood are really going to like this one. S.T. Gibson has a way with words that just makes everything feel so luscious and decadent, and An Education in Malice continues to invite readers into this gothic and romantic world.

Everything about this novel was expertly crafted. The dark academia setting, pacing, characters, romance, and even some intrigue and intense moments were so well done. We also explore young women coming into their own, with a side of sexual liberation during the 1960's. I'm not always a fan of toxic power dynamics, but in this setting I thought it worked really well and added to the story.

My only qualms are that I would have liked a deeper character study across the board, and some of the sentence structure felt a little off. I also wish it was longer because I love living in this world.

A dark and lovely twist on academic enemies to lovers set in the 1960's between two young women at an all girls college. Enter a morally grey professor with some dark secrets and an inclination towards jealousy, sparking rivalry, and encouraging competition.

More a love story than fantasy with a bit of mystery. I enjoyed this story but it was a quick read. Always appreciate a dual POV. Not quite enough slow burn, but I'd chalk that up to progressing the storyline. I would have loved a little more world building or historical background on the fantasy side of things. Maybe a little more character development outside of the main storyline. A dash of spice for those who enjoy that kind of thing. Not really a page turner but I appreciate a cute little vampire love story.

3.75 ⭐️'s

ARC received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I had no idea what “secrets” Laura and Carmilla would have to keep. That piqued my interest to request An Education in Malice off NetGalley. This enemies to lovers forces two rivals to trust each other and their teacher. I say enemies to lovers but honestly they had mild dislike and quickly flipped to being in love, which I didn’t really buy into.
I did think it was odd for a college class to start at 9pm but it made sense pretty quick. I’ve read two books back to back that had the inappropriate teacher relationship and I’ve decided I’m not a fan. The relationships in the two books are pretty different and the students are at least of age but still not my favorite trope.
The title makes me think this has more to do with the college itself and would be something along the lines of Ninth House but it actually has little to do with the school and more of the…beings in and around it.
Overall an alright read. I don’t think I would read again but was able to get through it without too many complaints.

If you like lesbians, dark academia, and gorgeous atmospheric writing, this is the book for you. I loved the dual POV and I honestly didn't know it was a vampire book. The fact that it stood on its own without the fantastical aspect just shows how strong the writing and characterizations were

thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC for early reading

-
-
-

this story follows Laura and Carmilla, two students of an exclusive poetry program in university. fueled by obsession and a strange, dark fascination these two fall headfirst into the realm of their reclusive mysterious professor. but she’s not like other girls, obviously. she’s a vampire.


these characters were all fueled by the same things. desire, lust, obsession, and the need for control. they seemingly have no other hobbies except looking for each other in a crowded room. but honestly, i didn’t care about that.

i loved the prose and flow of this story. i enjoying watching the descent into blind obedience turned blind love.

S.T. Gibson has definitely become and autobuy author for me

Apparently I’ve been missing out with it comes to S.T. Gibson. This book was so well done. The prose was exquisite, the imagery was beautiful, the characters, including the side characters, felt really well rounded. If you’re looking for a sapphic dark academia that features vampires, this is absolutely the one for you.

This book has academic rivals, spicy angsty sapphic romance, a plus size heroine, beautiful prose, bloody secrets, and vampires. Yes please, thank you S.T. Gibson.

After reading A Dowry of Blood I was a little worried about it taking place in the 1960's, but St. Perpetua's College was the perfect atmosphere with its gothic architecture, underground passages, and dark secrets of its own. There's a dual POV, both of which I found interesting throughout the whole book as they struggled with their own difficult choices and growing desires. Laura in particular was most relatable for me because she's perceived as virginal and innocent, but you soon learn she's more complicated (and dark) than that. Especially after she meets Carmilla. ;] The only things that might be a negative for me is the ending felt like it was there too quickly, and overall I wish the book was longer so the themes could be explored more. I still I ate this up and would LOVE to read more books set in the A Dowry of Blood world.

I have stated previously that I have not always been a fan of retellings, and this statement holds true.

I was looking forward to reading S. T. Gibson’s work, and jumped at the opportunity to read an early copy of “An Education in Malice.” Carmilla is one of my all time favorite stories, being a huge fan of vampires (especially when they are gay) and while I enjoyed this novel because it was a new retelling of Carmilla, it was just that: a retelling of Carmilla. There were some aspects to the book that I didn’t fully understand and didn’t see a real point for including. However, one aspect of the novel I did enjoy was the juxtaposition between Carmilla and Professor De Lefontaine both sharing different sides to the original Carmilla story which I did appreciate. Overall “An Education in Malice” was a fun book to read and enjoyed quite a bit. Always love a good sapphic vampire story.

I really enjoyed of of this book, it had dark academia, lesbians and vampires I loved it. It was very atmospheric, really pulling you in and I was intrigued by the characters their motivations and their entangled, obsessive relationships. The only issue for me was the climax, everything was set up well and then it just fell flat it makes sense but I just wanted more.

*Thank you NetGally, Redhook books, and the author for providing a copy of the book*

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher on NetGalley.

I rated this book a 3.5/5. As usual with S.T. Gibson, the writing was beautifully done. I had a little bit of a hard time getting into the story but it picked up for me halfway through so I am glad that I stuck with it. I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would have liked to otherwise my rating probably would have been higher.

Gothic, sexy, chilling, and full of twisted love in the tradition of ST Gibson.

When I started this book, I'll admit I was a bit disappointed that it didn't have another gothic Victorian setting. However, this story setting was no less gothic despite being in the 1970s (? if I remember correctly). The dark academia setting on a gorgeous sprawling gothic campus with underground passageways and secrets was every dark academia lover's dream.

The three main characters were all incredibly interesting and unique. For example, we've seen the innocent, virginal trope a million times. But Laura is so much more complicated than that. Her dark desires have been tamped down so hard that she has steered clear of love and intimacy her whole life. So what is perceived as virginal, is actually her trying to keep her dark appetites in check. All three of the main characters are terrifically written.

This book also had a bloody horror storyline to it as well that Dowry of Blood lacked. Added some urgency to the plot for sure.

All in all really amazing! I rated it 4.5 because I inevitably compared it to Dowry of Blood, which in my opinion, is a literal masterpiece. Still an excellent read!

All of dark academia vibes. Beautiful prose. Vampires. Secrets. Murder.

Laura Sheridan chooses to attend St. Perpetua’s College, nestled deeply in the hills of Massachusetts, to pursue her academic dreams of writing and poetry. On her first day of class, she finds herself foisted into an academic rivalry with the beautiful and charismatic Carmilla. Together the two compete for the academic attentions of their demanding poetry professor De LaFontaine. Soon Laura is pulled into their orbit and witnesses firsthand the unhealthy bond that Carmilla and De LaFontaine have formed. The trio draws closer together in the wake of sinister games, dark obsession, and bloodthirsty secrets, and the girls lives are forever changed.

I will say that I’ve never read Carmilla, so I cannot compare this retelling with the Gothic novella of the 19th century. S. T. Gibson is a lovely writer - their works are always enthralling and well written, with intriguing characters. The relationship between Laura and Carmilla was obsessive, full of chemistry, passion, and longing. I really liked the dual POV between the two of them as the story progressed, but I wish there would have been more focus on Laura as she wrestled with growth and difficult choices as opposed to the increasingly codependent relationship between Carmilla and De LaFontaine. I feel as though the ended was a little rushed, but it was wrapped up nicely. If there were to be a sequel to this book, I would read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: February 13, 2024.

An Education in Malice, sadly missed for me. The prose and setting along with wonderful morally grey (at best) characters had all the makings of everything I adore. Compared to Evocation this one fell flat and feels a little played out. Perhaps better as a novella

Overall this story was engaging and interesting. I felt like it was a little hard to connect to the characters and genuinely care or have context for how and why they acted the way they did. Overall on the surface level this is a nice gothic sapphic novel.