Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for this thrilling ARC!

This Carmilla re-telling woven in the threads of dark academia meets traditional vampiric bite, in the familiar vein of Anne Rice with a Donna Tart twist. An Education in Malice was my introduction to S.T. Gibson, and it did not disappoint. An Education in Malice is a shade of dark fantasy, romantasy, and the dark academia genre, certainly a treat for all varieties of a reader’s palette. Full of angst, unrequited love, and visceral rage—this book was a beautiful work of rendition meets entirely new prose. I enjoyed it!

DNF at 35% education in malice is beautifully written but it seems it just wasn't my cup of tea if you like vampires LGBT and romance you will love this I'm not sure what it was that wasn't making me catch on because I love all of those genres but that was just me you might be different so give it a read!!

"She kissed me with a martyr's desperation, like I was the only sword she ever wanted to fall on. I kissed her right back like the cutting edge of a blade, trying to inflict as much damage as possible."

I don't even have any words for this. I devoured this in one sitting and am now in mourning. Everyone had terrible relationships with each other and very little desire to make them healthier, until they were all faced with the consequences of it, and only then did they turn a leaf. It was incredible, and moving, and so much YEARNING I don't even know what to say.

I could not stop reading this book. The characters are intoxicating, the words are beautiful, like one big poem. I read this book everywhere. On the elevator, on my couch, at my family's house on Thanksgiving. I'm so selfish I want more. I can't wait to get my
hands on a physical copy of this wonderfully written book. I need more Carmilla and more Laura, more Elenore and De Lafontaine.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC copy.

sapphic vampires!!

this was what i’ve been waiting for.
i have to say i didn’t really expect that ending tho.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

i will love any type of carmilla retelling and this one is no exception. i genuinely didn’t know that much abt this book when going into it but i was definitely surprised at how atmospheric the author made st perpetuas college sound especially with the rituals (idk if they’re called that) and stuff the students were doing. also loved carmilla and laura’s relationship. my only criticism was that i wish we got to see laura and carmilla together more but other than that i had so much fun reading this!

3.5

‘An Education in Malice’ is a haunting novel about toxic love, obsession, the brutality of academia, and the terror of stepping out of your comfort zone into the unknown.

Our story follows Laura and Carmilla, two precocious poetry students at an exclusive all girls college in the 1960s. If you’re familiar with your classical queer literature, the name Carmilla should already be ringing a bell. If not, give her a google (it’s worth it). These two girls become academic rivals in the poetry class of their elusive and mysterious professor Ms. De Lafontaine. But as their academic (and other) tensions increase, so does the danger.

Vampires are an overdone trope. That isn’t really up for debate. However, in ‘An Education in Malice’ Gibson manages to tap into the heart that most modern vampire novels are missing, using the fantastical elements of their nature to highlight real world fears and struggles. These vampires aren’t vampires just because it’s sexy to be a bit dangerous, or simply to add the angst of immortality to a backstory (though I won’t lie, those elements are present). These characters are vampires to allow for a cutting and vicious analysis of the predatory power dynamics of academia, and the ways that they can be exploited. When it comes down to it, vampires and dark academia are a match made in heaven. For most of this book, the explorations of how academia can be structured to foster hero worship and desperation, and how that can so easily lead to grooming, are wonderfully juggled.

I have two issues with this book that lowered the rating.

The first is primarily structural. There are several connecting points in this story where it feels a bit as though we’re having information dropped on us so we can ‘get to the good stuff’. This is particularly evident near the beginning, where we are brusquely told several things about the characters that could have been shown or developed more slowly. To me it felt as though the author knew what dynamic she wanted our characters to have and where we needed them to be for the story to start, so she got those establishing scenes and details out of the way as quickly as possible. Especially in a book as atmospheric sensual as this one, that felt jarring. For me, the structural issues weren’t enough to stop me from enjoying the story, but they were noticeable.

The second is that I felt the ending softened the impact of the story in a way that REALLY wasn’t for me. I won’t say any more to avoid spoilers, but it’s not the ending I would have chosen.

All in all, I liked this book, but I wanted to like it more. It's certainly a good read, especially if you're searching for your next dark academia fix, or looking for more sapphic fall reads, but there was the potential there to be a life changing novel and I feel it fell a bit short.

Note: eARC was provided by NetGalley and RedHook in exchange for my honest review.

I can’t tell you how excited I was to read this book. A sapphic, dark academia retelling of Carmilla? YES PLEASE.

I did enjoy this book. It’s very fast paced and it got me out of a reading slump I had been in for weeks. But there was just that something missing that kept me from full on loving it.

Amazing. I love the mix of vampires with dark academia. It goes together so well. Laura is literally the best. The ending really had me on my seat.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review. This book was intricately BEAUTIFUL. This author is my favorite and she has such a way with words. The haunting quality of this work leaves an imprint on the mind. Really amazing retelling of Carmilla, a dark and sensual dark academia story full of evocation.
5 stars.

ST Gibson has a way with words and with retellings.

An Education in Malice is a unique take on a Carmilla retelling, focusing on an academic enemies-to-lovers story. She continues to explore dark themes, as she did in Dowry.

The pacing was excellent. The story was intriguing.

I will continue to recommend ST Gibson books.

I actually still can’t believe I got an arc of An Education in Malice, after A Dowery of Blood was one of my favorite reads of the year and honestly of all time.

S.T. Gibson creates the vibes like no other. Her prose is beautiful, poetic and inspires deep, conflicting longing. The atmospheres conjure dark, haunting settings that you know you shouldn’t be intrigued by, but you can’t help yourself. Hey Alexa, play Take Me Back to Eden by Sleep Token 🎶 I’m a winged insect, you’re a funeral pyre 🎶

This was a heavily anticipated read for me, and I really loved the story. I loved Laura and Carmilla, and I’m still so conflicted about De Lafontaine. Gibson weaves such complex examples of abuse in both of her stories, and I left both stories feeling oddly sympathetic to the antagonist. “Unless keeping us starved for her approval, fighting over scraps of her love like neglected puppies, had always been her aim.”

However, even though I loved this, I’m having a hard time feeling as strongly as I did about Dowry. I think that will be a common theme with readers, as this story, while beautiful, did not have the same level of suspense and betrayal that I loved in the first book. But dark academia is for me.

“I’ll face death bravely then, and greet her as a lover. I never liked the sun anyway.”

As someone who loved A Dowry of Blood I could not wait to get my hands on An Education in Malice.
Going in blind I was glad to see S.T. Gibsons beautiful writing again. Did I learn a few new words? Absolutely haha
Laura from the beginning feels like me in any new setting and instantly had me in the story of feeling anxious. Carmilla’s demeanor towards Laura creates intrigue with how both women are equally obsessed with something they can not have. Dark gothic sapphic academia; not my normal go to but I enjoyed this book. I will definitely keep reading Gibson’s work in the future.
I would highly recommend NOT going into this book and expect a direct sequel to Dowry as Education is a companion novel, each can be read on it own.

Thank you NetGalley, Redhook, and S.T. Gibson for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I was very excited to read a retelling of Carmilla with a dark academia setting. Some of the writing in this was beautiful, but I think the main issue I had with it was that there were too many convenient parts of the plot that made the story not flow like a story. It felt contrived at some points, and the characters felt generic.

This book was just not for me. I think the author does a great job of creating a world that you can get lost in, and the characters were well fleshed out, but I just didn't connect to them or the plot. I won't give it less than three stars because I am sure others will love it, it just wasn't my cup of tea :)

Hmm......I am slightly confused about how to leave this review as according to Goodreads, this is book #2 in the A Dowry Of Blood series. I read the original book and gave it 5 stars (and it's in my top 5 books of all time), I also read An Encore of Roses (book 1.5) and also gave that 5 stars and it was a clear continuation (although short) of book #1, however this book seemed completely unrelated to the first two books at all aside from the random mentioning of Magdalena (who I assume in the Magdalena from the first 2 book?) and I am not really sure what the point of this book was.

I think my expectations were set exceptionally high for this book due to me being blown away by Gibson's gorgeous prose in A Dowry of Blood. When I read that book, it felt like luxury. I was like "Look at me, a wealthy woman!" However, with An Education in Malice, I did not get ANY sense of Gibson in the writing. I also did not see how it was connected to the series AT ALL aside from including vampires. The 1960s setting was not what I was expecting, there were a lot of dated terms that I had to stop and google (that's probably a ME problem), but I did not have to do this with the first 2 books.

During some parts of the books I got REALLY excited seeing Laura's hidden carnal desires, etc, but there were so many things that I did not like about this story that it wasn't enough to make me enjoy it although I did finish it quite quickly. I thought the character of Isis was a bit silly and took me out of the book and Laura's personality changed so much during the book that it almost felt like she was bipolar.

Despite me not really liking this book, I still rated it a 3 star. I won't be buying this book when it comes out, but I will probably recommend this to my friends who are a bit younger than me as this felt EXTREMELY YA at times.

Thank you SO MUCH for giving me the opportunity to read this book. S. T. Gibson is still going to be an auto-read for me because I am so entranced by the first 2 books in this series. Book #1 was absolute perfection and I don't think I've ever read a more beautifully written book in my life. THAT book felt so PERSONAL as though Gibson poured her heart and soul and her past into that book, but in this book, it just felt like any book that I would pick up off a shelf at any book store. I do not mean that in a condescending way, but it was missing the "soul" that was in Book #1.

My only last iinput is that despite the cover being beautiful, I do not know if it "fits" the story. I loved the cover before reading the book, but after reading it and looking at the cover again, it just feels like something is missing maybe? What that is, I don't know, but it is still a lovely cover either way.

When I say I was absolutely thrilled to get a ARC of this book would be an understatement. I absolutely loved A Dowry of Blood and the dreamy sexy atmosphere Gibson can create so quickly and beautifully.
Elements In this book I loved:
* Teacher & Student taboo relationship
* Dark Academia
* LGBT centered relationship
* Academic Rivalry
I for sure love the way S.T. creates such a vibrant atmosphere and vibe of Sensuality in this book. Very poetic, dreamy and ensnaring you into its clutches before you can gasp.
The academic rivalry and the burning desire/hate relationship between Laura and Carmilla is such hot aspect to witness. It’s such a delicious and dangerous burn with a taboo relationship with a vampire professor between them.
I loved every page of this book and it felt like I couldn’t get enough of this dark poetic world that S.T. Gibson Created.
Overall this book is a dark sensual promise of a book. It will hang with me for a while afterwards and that’s the a key to a stunning book. I would for sure recommend this book to anyone looking for a stunning book that will keep you hooked from the opening page to the last…
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley & Redhook Books for a ARC copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

S.T. Gibson once again weaves a lush and captivating tale that draws you in from page one. Her character work combined with setting descriptions make this story one you can’t help but fall into, turning Saint Perpetua’s into a welcome respite from the real world. The ending of the book felt a little rushed, as both the climax and resolution took place within two chapters, but the character work and world building within the rest of the story more than makes up for it. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to anyone who loved Gibson’s other works!

i know this is a carmilla retelling but this read like a "mulholland drive" novel set in a new england college with a hint of dark academia and lots of vampire lore to chew on. as a result, i went through this quickly as it played out like a film in my head. i do wish the relationships were more developed but i don't mind that when a novel reads more like a film. it gives the reader more to think about.

Possible Triggers:
The beginning of the book comes with an in depth detailing of possible triggers that elaborates much more fully.
Death | Mild Gore

Characters:
This book follows two distinct points of view (Carmilla and Laura).

Positives:
+ The writing style of this story. Holy heck. Such depth of emotion! Such passion! This is one of those books that if I wasnt horrified by the idea of annotating in the margins of pages that there would be scrawlings of accolades of expertly put together sentences and feelings all over the place.

Final Thoughts:
This book was such an awesome read. Gothic dark academia with Jane Austen vibes (aside from the fact that the romance was much more spicy than anything you would find in one of Jane Austens works). I had to stop at multiple points to highlight passages that really spoke to me because they were written so beautifully. I love when you find writing that is so emotion provoking. SLAIN BY WORDS! If you enjoyed “A Dowry of Blood” you will enjoy this as well.