Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for this ARC.

Reading my first Dark Academia book, 'An Education in Malice' by S.T. Gibson, was a really interesting experience. The author creates a mysterious and academic world that got me hooked.

The story unfolds with lots of secrets and complex characters that make it all intriguing. Gibson's writing is elegant, making the setting feel both spooky and full of smart vibes.

As someone new to Dark Academia, this book introduced me to the genre in a compelling way. It made me think about academic pursuits, secrets, and the mysteries in schools.

S.T. Gibson did a great job making a story that's not just smart but also connects on an emotional level. 'An Education in Malice' has sparked my interest in Dark Academia, and I'm excited to explore more books in this cool genre.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

God the first of half of this book has re-sparked in me a love affair with poetry, for which i am very grateful--the scene setting was magnificent. I just wish that certain tones from the first half of the book carried through out the rest of the novel—once De Lafontaine’s secret is out, we lose a lot of academic spark that drove the narratives in the beginning (for me the academic rivalry and obsession felt more compelling than any of the vampiric elements). As the story progresses and as the characters enmesh more I felt myself losing interest because it seemed like the separate POVs became more muddled. I struggled with finding footing with the characterizations of Laura and Carmilla and it was hard for me to follow their emotional journeys in the second half of the book. Their rivalry turned lovers moment felt rushed and therefore unconvincing, and the climax of the novel left me feeling unsatisfied. Still, the very readable prose made this a hard book to put down and I still enjoyed a good amount of it—3.5/5 rounded up to 4. Based on other reviews I might need to look into Gibson’s other work ‘A Dowry of Blood’.

3 ⭐️
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC to review!

This was a decent gothic academia x sapphic vampire retelling. While I didn’t love it I did like it. The author had a way with words that many would enjoy. But I just couldn’t get into the plot at sometimes, it just felt a bit boring.

This was the perfect dark academia story with vampires. I enjoy S.T. Gibson's writing so much. Once I pick up their stories I cant put them down!

I loved the cameos of the Dowry of Blood Characters!

I really liked this one! The academic setting was so darkly bewitching and had me yearning to go back to college. I absolutely loved the scenes in which we dove into poetry. The character's academic passions were written so well. They both screamed their prowess, and I loved it. As for the tension between Carmilla and Laura, their chemistry was off the charts. Every scene had me questioning if they were going to kill or kiss each other, which is how you know enemies-to-lovers is written well. I usually say that enemies-to-lovers doesn't work as well in contemporary settings, but An Education in Malice proved me entirely wrong. Now, I do have to say, I wish we'd gotten more from this. I wanted to know more!! Especially with that ending. I need an epilogue. Screw that, I need an entire book. I know that A Dowry of Blood is set in the same world (haven't read it yet, don't kill me) so hopefully we'll get to see Carmilla and Laura again? Fingers crossed!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I went into this book blind, aside from knowing that it was a dark academia vampire story, and I ATE.IT.UP.

A lot of it was a little plot and all vibes, but the vibes were truly immaculate. I sometimes have trouble with flowery prose because I’ll focus so much on trying to understand what the author is saying and the story will go over my head, but S.T. Gibson’s prose here is so poetic, beautiful, and I could ground myself in the story.

I think a really wonderful thing about S.T.’s writing is that some people prefer A Dowry of Blood (which I recognized as a beautiful story, but didn’t connect with as much) and others prefer An Education in Malice (my personal fave), but most of us agree that ST Gibson is extremely talented. She is becoming an auto buy author for me.

Beautiful story and beautiful cover! <3

A late 1960s sapphic dark academia Carmilla retelling. This book is packed full of poetic references and written with academic elegance. Thoroughly researched fine details and oozing with blood and emotion.

I did find this a bit slow to start and felt as though Laura and Carmilla’s relationship was due to forced proximity. Laura expressed her attraction while Carmilla was more of a bully and only grew to like Laura because of De Lafontaine. I personally would have liked this to have been a smoother relationship to reflect the original.

This was my first book by S.T. Gibson and I was overall impressed. I did read Carmilla beforehand to ensure it was fresh in my mind and I found that it gave me a better understanding of STG’s creative outlook and spin on the story. I’ll definitely be picking up more of her work.

There were a few very minor editing errors (grammatical and punctuation).

Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
An Education in Malice is a vampiric Carmilla reimagining mixed with dark academia. Laura arrives at St. Perpetua’s College in the 1960’s with the intent to study poetry. She is thrust into an academic rivalry with the lovely Carmilla, both of them vying for Professor De Lafontaine’s approval. Laura comes to realize her feelings for Carmilla are complicated, and the relationship between Carmilla and De Lafontaine is even more so.

If you’re looking to be immersed in a gothic, dark academia atmosphere then this is the book for you. I was immediately drawn into this world by the poetic imagery and captivating characters. The story revolves around obsession and unequal power dynamics. De Lafontaine knows the power she holds over the two young girls, and she wields both kindness and cruelty to keep them close to her. Laura must change herself to fit into their world, and Carmilla is forced to reevaluate her feelings for De Lafontaine. Overall this was a dark, angsty story that was highly entertaining. Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the advance reader copy!

An Education in Malice is a queer dark academia book that takes place in the 1960s. We follow Laura and Carmilla as they attend a women’s college in Massachusetts. Carmilla is a senior, while Laura is just starting out there as a freshman. Carmilla is the prized star student of the poetry professor De Lafontaine, but newcomer Laura is also talented poet and the two become academic rivals, striving constantly to impress their professor.

The relationship between Laura and Carmilla was very compelling to read about. The rivals to lovers is played out so well here, and you really feel the tension between the two.

This is the queer gothic academia book I’ve been looking for. S.T. Gibson has a way with words, and I absolutely love the prose in this book. There are so many great lines such as:
I often felt like a wolf wearing the skin of a girl, balancing on two legs and hoping no one would notice.

This story is a retelling of Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. I have not read the original but that did not seem to take away from anything as I really enjoyed this book. In fact, it’s made me want to read Carmilla now.

An Education in Malice is a companion novel to A Dowry of Blood, but you do not need to have read that to enjoy this one. They are both standalone novels. If you have read A Dowry of Blood and wanted more like I did, I think you’ll enjoy this latest book by S.T. Gibson. I think you’ll find that many of the elements of that story are present in this one.

A dark and melodic story about the dangers of toxic love. The writing was beautiful, the motivations clear, and the setting a small college, as most dark academia books require. I'd recommend this book for fans of A Secret History with a little more paranormal.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the advance readers copy!

This is a Carmilla retelling. Dark academia, sapphic, slow burn, rivals to lovers. The relationship between carmilla and Laura is absolutely raw and depicted so well. Especially when their lives become forever entangled, whether they wanted it to or not. Although, I was getting mad as Ms. De Lafontaine for her actions and the way she kept acting selfishly. But was glad to see her change at the end of the book.

All in all, I do recommend this book. It was a fun read.

I absolutely LOVED A Dowry of Blood so when I received an ARC for this book I literally screamed (no exaggeration) and I was ecstatic. Vampires? Sapphic? Carmella?! Yes, please!

However, I don’t know if it was my current reading mood or the book but I had a difficult time really getting into this book. I will absolutely read it again, but will make sure to try it when I’m in a more spooky, atmospheric vibes mood for what I’m reading.

I fully believe this book deserves a second chance from me. The atmosphere is definitely there and I recognize that the S.T. Gibsons writing style is beautiful. Even though I wasn’t able to fully immerse myself into the story, I don’t think that this was the story’s fault. I’ll definitely be purchasing this book at release!


*thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc copy*

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Laura expected to be swept away in when she went to college, what she didn't expect was to be swept away by the beautiful Carmilla.

I would like to start out by saying the writing of this book is beautiful! However this was just a little too similar to a Dowry of Blood for my liking. I understand with a sequel that things can be a little similar but I was hoping for something different. The author created such an amazing world I feel like she could have gone so much farther with it.

I really loved the prose in this novel. As with a Dowry of Blood, the writing is lush, and it really gives an enchanting feeling to the book. That said, I think my expectations coming in regarding the overall plot (based on the original Carmilla) impacted my enjoyment. I kept expecting certain story beats (overall, I came in anticipating a kind of retelling) and think I would have enjoyed the novel for what it is even more if it had no connection to the original. The main conflict towards the end left me at the edge of my seat, and I think it was masterfully done!! The open ending made me want to disappear a little though ahah! I think overall it’s a 3.75 star book for me!

Lonely lesbian vampire grows obsessed with a lovely human. The age old tale of Carmilla.

These elements are obviously here in An Education of Malice, but beautifully woven into a different take.

Laura is a shy virginal college coed with a taste for a less vanilla sexual lifestyle.

Carmilla is the brooding experienced upper class men who can’t help but feel the scintillating warm of submission.

The two share an obsession of their poetry professor that soon turns deadly as bodies begin to liter the campus grounds. The blame somewhat falling on themselves.

I enjoyed this reimagining, but felt the switch from Carmilla’s hate/love obsession with Laura was too swift. I’m not sure if her supernatural powers exacerbated them but it felt too rushed for my liking.

Overall it was a very compelling dark academia read.

Thank you to Redhook and NetGalley for this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Set against the forgotten hills of Massachusetts, this novel explores the complex dynamics of an isolated institution where knowledge comes at a sinister price. The narrative centers around Laura Sheridan, a newcomer thrust into the intense academic rivalry between herself and the beautiful, enigmatic Carmilla. The relationship between the two protagonists becomes the linchpin of a story that masterfully weaves elements of competition, obsession, and the occult. The ancient college, with its dark secrets and strange ceremonies, becomes a character in its own right. The tension builds gradually, drawing readers into a world where every whispered secret and hidden motive adds layers to the overarching mystery. The characters, especially Laura and Carmilla, are well-developed and compelling. As their rivalry transforms into something more complex and delicious, readers are taken on a journey that explores the boundaries of desire and the consequences of ruthless ambition. The enigmatic poetry professor, De Lafontaine, adds an additional layer of intrigue, her dark obsession with Carmilla casting shadows over the unfolding drama. The novel successfully blends elements of the gothic, the supernatural, and academic intrigue. The sinister game of politics among bloodthirsty professors keeps the narrative dynamic and unpredictable. Gibson's prose is rich and evocative, enhancing the overall immersive experience.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who fell deeply in love with S.T. Gibson's writing through a Dowry of Blood, I was SO incredibly excited to see what she would have in store next, but I also knew it would have big shoes to fill, as A Dowry of Blood was my #1 read of 2023.
An Education in Malice carries not only the same, lush prose that made me swoon for Gibson's writing, but tells the story of Carmilla in a refreshed, unique way. I was truthfully a little hesitant to see this took place in the 60s, but it never felt at all cliched or like it was trying too hard to remind the audience of it. Certain references to popular fashion styles like mod appear, but it's nothing I wouldn't expect to be mentioned for a book that takes place at a college.
Per usual, Gibson writes supernatural elements that enrapture you but don't feel costume-y or over baked in an attempt to create a new lore. The discovery of inhuman beings is something that's brought about and flows in a way that feels practical, and I love that.
Now... our two main characters and their dynamic is truly what swept me off my feet. The spiteful, academic rivals-to-lovers is all my little queer heart wanted and more. I went into this knowing I would adore Carmilla, but was shocked to find myself even more in love with Laura Sheridan by a pitifully small percentage of my way through the book.
I will say, I was also nervous about the fact that the school setting fringes quite heavily on a poetry group-- I was scared going into this that it would just take me out of the story by feeling like the poetry was either going over my head or was lackluster. But I'm happy to report I was pleasantly surprised! The few times it did pop up, especially in the beginning, where we see Carmilla and Laura's writings, I felt it gave me a good peek into the mindset of the characters. It was really, really lovely to see Gibson give both of them a unique writing voice.
The only major critique I will give this book is that the actual resolution of the conflict felt kind of sudden/convenient, but it still absolutely did what it needed to do! I think a lot of it was about building the right characters emotionally to the point they would make the right decisions, so I can't hold too much against it for that.
Overall, I'm so thrilled with the contents of this book. It felt dreamy, and dark, and complex as ever. With how frustratingly difficult it is to find good queer rep-- especially wlw rep-- I'm so thankful for this book, and to have received an e-ARC. This is undoubtedly one of my most anticipated releases of 2024 and I can't wait to hold a copy in my hands when it's out.

TLDR; The execution of this retelling is phenomenal and so atmospheric, the characters are so full of life and personality, and the fantastical/supernatural elements blend so seamlessly into things. It's eerie and romantic and incredible.

S.T. Gibson does it again with another dark, queer vampire novel. Set at an all girls school in the 1960s, this novel seamlessly blends fantasy and history into a Carmilla retelling that draws the reader in. This book is peak dark academia, and I have no doubt that the DA girlies are going to add this book to the list of key novels in the genre.

I was such a fan of A Dowry of Blood and An Education in Malice did not disappoint. It's decadently lush, teeming with tension and desire, and crafted in absolutely stunning prose. Laura is a captivating protagonist, and the relationships between Laura, Carmilla, and De Lafontaine are so complicated and well developed that the pangs of wanting and witholding take on a visceral quality at times. Though I've seen it referred to as dark academia, it feels much more like a classic gothic work with all the atmosphere you could ever desire.

OVERALL:
Well dark academia isn't typically to my taste, but ST Gibson is the one who could change that for me, apparently! I quite enjoyed Evocation (though I personally feel like that's way less 'academia' than what you usually see referred to as dark academia) and I LOVED this!

I thought the character work was stellar, and the plot was intriguing, though for me it was mostly vibes, which is what I love in dark, gothic works. This, to me, is excellent as far as gothic fiction goes.

RE-READABILITY:
I will definitely be purchasing a copy of this with the intent to re-read in the future.

CHARACTERS:
I loved these characters and how well Gibson fleshed them out in such a short amount of time. Laura and Carmilla both felt like very real people, and their rivals-to-lovers dynamic was top tier. The tension that their dynamic created was also top tier!

The complexities of how Carmilla felt about Laura and about Mrs. D... how Laura felt about Carmilla and Mrs. D... and how Mrs. D felt about Carmilla and Laura and Mysterious Other Character... it was all incredibly compelling to me.

PLOT:
Over the past year or so I have really come to confirm that I tend to love gothic fiction. Which is a little odd, since I often don't love melodrama, and gothic fiction is heavy on the melodrama. The plot in this one was fairly straight-forward and I wouldn't say that there was high levels of intrigue in that regard -- for a bit there was a mystery that we as the reader were not in on, but then after that was revealed there was a mystery that the side characters were ignorant to, that we were in on as the reader.

But it worked for me, because the eerie vibes were HIGH, and I was mostly invested in the "what's-going-to-end-up-happening-between-these-three-characters" plot. The dynamic between Laura, Carmilla, and Mrs. D.