This book is a classic for vampire lovers. Carmilla is the original sapphic vampire story that is absolutely excellent. I really enjoyed the deluxe edition and it was a pleasure to read it again.

I voluntarily received a eARC of Carmilla via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Carmilla is classic Gothic literature. Following the tale of a seductive vampire and a young woman who falls into her web.

This is definitely classic literature and some may find it a big rough to read. However, once you get use to the older writing style it is such a good story. Carmilla has inspired the modern Vampire in so many ways and it is such a treat to see how it affected later stories.

Oh and its sapphic. So its and extra amazing classic novel!

Getting into this novella I didn’t know it was a literal classic, I just requested it because the cover is pretty.
Anyway, what I think is really cool is that this is where stoker got his inspo for Dracula, though I haven’t read Dracula so I could not tell you if I can see the similarities.

Also, I didn’t know THIS WAS SO GAY, and I mean it in a good way, I was so shocked when I read these very homoerotic scenes and my eyes couldn’t believe it, I mean this is a novella written in the 19th century, but I guess people just thought ‘’they were really good friends ‘’

Apart from this, I think this was a very solid story, it was creepy and gothic as it should be, and the atmosphere the author created was so eerie and I never was bored and that’s something I struggle with a lot (I get bored very easily) but this being said, I can’t point exactly why this wasn’t a higher rating. Don’t get me wrong, I think this novella was really good and very accessible to read (I’m not a big classics reader but I really liked this one).

I would really recommend it.

This is an amazing story! It's crazy how it predated Dracula and how much it has impacted sapphic and gothic literature. It is truly one of the blueprints that led to the increasing popularity of vampires in fiction and the publishing of books such as The Vampire Chronicles and Twilight. It's a relatively short, fun, sexy read and is great for fans of gothic literature and/or LGBTQ+ fiction. I recommend it!

*may* contain spoilers.

Written in 1871 and 1872 (serialized in a publication of the time), this novella predates Dracula. There is some beautiful writing, with several passages begging to be reread. At the same time, the author uses the word "languid" so many times, it made me wonder if he was trying to invent the drinking game.

It's a creepy story, and like (all) most vampire stories, there are gay/lesbian characters. I love that the "evil" character is beautiful, rather unlike so many stories. I think, reflecting the time period and the publication method, the characters are completely oblivious to the obvious and are also very trusting. Also, thankfully, there's no glitter. But what happened to the oft-disappearing mother? Was there supposed to be a sequel or a spinoff?

Le Fanu missed a golden (or should I say "blood red") opportunity. He could have written at least four more Carmilla books if he'd only left her head on. I'd read Lilarcam, or Racallim, or Cimallar, or Aracmill. You see, Carmilla kept getting away with her dastardly deeds by appearing under new names at each castle, all anagrams of Mircalla. She was Carmilla and Millarca (which sounds like malarkey) so why not Cimallar? If Le Fanu won't come back from the dead to write sequels, I guess I will. Write sequels, not come back from the dead, although I won't eliminate that as an option.

Carmilla actually was kind of a relaxing read. Carmilla, herself, was the epitome of of lazy, though she's called "languid" because that's a more high-brow way of saying lazy. Nobody saw her doing anything but lying around and occasionally strolling at dawn. The story does leave an unanswered question. Who are those people who keep dumping Carmilla at different homes and never come back for her? "Here, keep my daughter whom you've never met and keep her for a few months. I'll be back for her. Heh, heh, heh.

If you want a quick read that is also a historic read (as the stepping stone to Stoker's Dracula) take a look at Carmilla, the Deluxe edition. I'm reading it a second time so I can learn how to live with rich people while they feed me (feed me, Yikes!) and I basically lay around all day and get waited on. If a 150-year-old woman can do that, I should be able to also. Meanwhile, I'll be writing the sequel to Carmilla...Aracmill.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for letting me read the upcoming Deluxe edition of Carmilla. I'd thank Le Fanu but he's dead...unless he keeps coming back like Carmilla.

What a great. deluxe re-publishing of a great sapphic story of vampires, blood, lust... and more. This is every bit romantic and dark, full of scenes that will sink their teeth into your neck and never let go... thank you for the e-arc!

A female vampire written 25 years before Dracula who happened to enjoy women? Sign me up! The writing was spectacular. The atmosphere, the plot line, the ‘Oh my god, I can’t put this book down’ — it was all there. Highly, highly recommend.

Very cool to read the OG vampire story and even cooler to have it be about lesbian vampires. I would love to see a modern retelling of this.
All opinions are my own, thank you to Netgalley for this arc ebook.

This book was a fascinating and engrossing vampire read, especially when considering that it inspired Dracula. The tension between Laura and Carmilla, the depiction of the slow ensnarement, and the suspenseful recounting of an illuminating tale all combined to make for a fast, easy, and fun read. The atmosphere of fear and suspicion starts slowly and then builds. I would recommend this for anyone interested in Victorian vampire literature, or anyone looking for a fast, thrilling read. Fans of Dracula would likely also enjoy.

3,5 stars

I've been meaning to read this book for many years now and I wasn't let down. This book is very unique but a bit on the short side.

Another vampire story??! Well not really! It was a nice surprise to find out Carmilla is not a typical Dracula tale.
Published first as a serial in The Dark Blue magazine during 1871-1872, the author, Sheridan La Fanu, has certainly made history by introducing the first lesbian vampire! As it can be expected from the era, there isn’t much exploration in physical relationship of the characters, but the sexual preference of the blood thirsty Carmilla is made obvious throughout the book as she confess her love to Laura in multiple cases.
“You are mine, you shall be mine, and you and I are one for ever.”
Narrated by Laura, a witness to a series of unusual events, the story covers different periods of her life.
The story is fast paced and exciting and though short it has enough elements of mystery and goth to absorb the reader’s attention.
With so many cliche vampire related materials out there these days, I believe many of us readers would find this story a refreshing change in the genre.

Actual Rating = 3.25

Lesbian vampires. Need I say more?

Oh, okay.

"My gouvernantes had just so much control over me as you might conjecture such sage persons would have in the case of a rather spoiled girl, whose only parent allowed her pretty nearly her own way in everything."

Originally published in 1871, Carmilla pre-dates Bram Stoker's Dracula by about 20 years. A pretty short novella, this story tells the tale of Laura, a young girl who lives in an isolated region of Eastern Europe with her English father and his staff. Through a pretty odd encounter, they end up with an unexpected house guest - the beautiful and gracefully lazy Carmilla. Horror ensues.

I knew going into it that Carmilla was about lesbian vampires...well, vampire I guess...but I was surprised by how straightforward that theme was, considering when it was written. I found the plot pretty predictable and can't say I felt much in the way of fear, but that's to be expected as the target audience existed like, 200 years ago.

I would recommend this if you're interested in sticking your toe into the "classic literature" pool, as it's pretty readable and a generally fun story.

How fascinating is it, let’s take a moment to appreciate, that this female-centric vampire story actually predates Dracula. The fact that it is a novella will really work for modern readers keen to get into classic literature or (specifically) vampire literature. It’s much more digestible than “Dracula” and remains plotty and intriguing throughout.

One of the things I loved and didn’t expect was that it was focused on intimacy between the female characters high surely would have been out of place in the time. Camilla is terrifying, and enthralling to the reader, much as she is to the girl falling victim to her.

I really loved the way this story was told. The only negative I can even say is that it ended abruptly, leaving the conclusion to be a bit dissatisfying. Overall, though, it is a worthwhile and groundbreaking addition to the canon and highly recommend to anyone interested in vampire classics and further recommend it as a starting point to the genre. The fact that you always know what’s happening and who Camilla is doesn’t spoil the read, at all.

This edition is beautiful. It embodies the gothic nature of the tale and allure of the vampire, Camilla, herself.

CW- death, blood, murder
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Carmilla is the classic vampire story that inspired Dracula and was also revolutionary for sapphic fiction.
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I was interested in Carmilla because of the premise of “sapphic vampires” and the fact that it was a short classic that many enjoyed, and thankfully I am part of that group.
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Although it took me a little while to get the hang of the writing style, it is relatively tame compared to other classics. It’s length also helped with that.
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Once I got into the story, however, I couldn’t put it down! I loved reading this story about all that was transpiring, and it was just wonderful.
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In terms of the deluxe edition of this book, the chapter headers were very nice and I love the cover!
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this gothic, sapphic vampire story, and I'm really interested in the ways it influenced vampire fiction. I can definitely tell that Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, and other writers in the genre gained inspiration from this work. Overall, this was an amazing read. I took off a star because the formatting of the e-arc was kind of flawed. It lacked proper spacing, so it was difficult to read.

carmilla is an eerie little vampire novella in which a bunch of stuffy old men take issue with a lesbian vampire just doing her thing. (personally, i think you give up the right to be surprised if you move to a remote castle in the woods and a pretty vampire proceeds to seduce/murder your daughter. what did you expect to happen?)

i just found carmilla delightful. laura and her widowed father are living a rather isolated existence when a carriage accident near their castle introduces them to the lovely carmilla. laura and her new companion bond quickly and fiercely even as word spreads of a mysterious illness killing other young women—until laura herself falls ill.

this novella had all the spooky, romantic vibes i could ask for from a gothic horror story, and a surprisingly ambiguous portrayal of homosexuality for the time period. rather than being othered, carmilla is viewed as a suitable companion for laura and becomes a beloved member of the household, which i found so intriguing. i subtracted a star because i wanted le fanu to explore that theme further in the book’s final chapters. what does it mean to kill the monster you’ve invited into your home?

I’ve had this one recommended to me and never got around to reading it until now. It was wonderful and I could go on forever about all sexy and the lore. Instead I’ll just say this classic won’t bore you.

Spooky season is around the corner and this would be a great gift for your Dracula loving friends. This is the inspiration of Dracula, Anne Rice and pretty much every piece of vampire literature that followed.
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I love old gothic tales and this one published in 1872 is the perfect precursor to vampire stories that I love so much.

Thank you #NetGalley and #PushkinPress for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
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This book comes out September 7th

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of Carmilla in exchange for an honest review!

This was a pretty solid gothic read. I enjoyed reading a vampire story with a lead female vampire character. Considering this was written prior to Bram Stoker's Dracula, I found this to be fascinating. Carmilla is a beautiful and mysterious young woman who Laura, the protagonist, is immediately drawn to. It was easy to see where the story was going but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This was a quick read, only 160 pages which I believe was the perfect length to tell this story. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys vampire/gothic reads.