5/5

Dripping with blood and brimming with desperation, An Education in Malice is an intoxicating gothic academia intimately entangled with fraught relationships, desire, and obsession. S.T. Gibson places her own twist on the story of Carmilla, reinvigorating it with an intense dark academic atmosphere and rivalry between two young women aspiring for the attentions of their poetry professor. Dark urges intensify and in the dark corners of Saint Perpetua’s College lie in wait something that could test the growing bond between two former adversaries. Gibson’s prose is suffused with hunger and violence, a glittering and deadly knife point through which she ensnares her readers in the journey from estrangement to complete and utter devotion. This is a gorgeous story. An Education in Malice is a bloody feat made ready to devour. A retelling I will be singing praises to for ages to come.

Full review will be posted on my blog closer to publication!

A sapphic vampire retelling that is immersive and enthralling. The writing was so perfectly atmospheric and absolutely riveting. I highly recommend this book!

"An Education in Malice" by S. T. Gibson offers readers a dark academia tale filled with blood, secrets, and insatiable hungers. The story is set in the ancient and isolated Saint Perpetua's College in the hills of Massachusetts, a place not for the faint-hearted. Within the walls of this mysterious institution, secrets hold value, ambition is the essence of life, and peculiar ceremonies welcome students into a realm of unknowns.

The narrative centers around Laura Sheridan, a new student whose academic journey takes an unexpected turn as she becomes entangled in a fierce rivalry with the captivating and mysterious Carmilla. Their competition unfolds under the watchful eyes of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who harbors her own dark obsession with Carmilla.

As Laura and Carmilla's rivalry evolves into something more intricate and captivating, the story delves into a sinister world of politics, bloodthirsty professors, and magic. The characters must grapple with their own desires and make difficult choices in the ruthless pursuit of knowledge.

Readers who enjoy dark academia, atmospheric settings, and tales of rivalry, obsession, and magic might find "An Education in Malice" to be a compelling and immersive read. If you've had the chance to read this book, feel free to share your thoughts—whether you found the dark elements engaging, appreciated the atmospheric setting, or were intrigued by the characters' complexities.