Great narrator for this audiobook. Loved S.T Gibson’s writing in A Dowry of Blood so I was excited to read another classic vampire reworking by this author. However while A Dowry of Blood is true to its time and has the benefit of being independent from its source material, this book strays from the originals time period, setting, circumstances, and story. This book does not feel like a retelling of Carmilla to me. It is more of a vampiric dark academia romance that just happens to use the same names as the characters from Carmilla. I think this could have been just as good of a story without the reference. Apart from the lack of adherence to the source material, this was a fun sapphic supernatural story which benefits from the current trend of dark academia bolstered by the cult classic The Secret History. I do however feel that in comparison to The Secret History as well as A Dowry of Blood this read as more of a young adult novel than an adult book. But I do think this is a symptom of Dark Academia. Books such as The Society of Soulless Girls and Every Exquisite Thing also attempt to capture The Secret History’s charm but feel juvenile in their approach. I think this is reinforced when An Education in Malice is compared to A Dowry of Blood which feels so much more adult in comparison.

Unfortunately I didn't think this book delivered in most any area it seemed it wanted to explore. It was somewhat a dark academia story, somewhat a dissection of inappropriate relationships between students and their mentors, somewhat a paranormal mystery, but unfortunately it was not enough of any one of those pieces.

I'm still happy to try other works by this author, as I do enjoy the writing itself, but due to how those other elements were delivered, I can't say I enjoyed this one.

Was about 20% into this and wasn't enjoying like I enjoyed Dowry of Blood at all and realized life's too short to torture your way through a book. DNF.

The narration was enjoyable but the plot wasn’t really my cup of tea. I can see what elements will draw readers to pick this up but this will not be on my shelves at home.

I liked the supernatural elements and the dark academia vibes, but this was more of an okay/not bad audiobook for me. I think it had to do with the pacing and the narrator. There were a couple slow spots, and it was not always clear to me when the POV switched from Laura to Carmilla. I did enjoy the rivals to lovers’ aspect. I liked their competitive nature when it came to their classes and De Lafontaine attention at times. I think I was waiting for more to happen with the secret that De Lafontaine was hiding. It kept my attention, and I was interested to see where it went but I wasn’t as quick to pick it up as some of my other reads at the time.

Thank you Hachette Audio, Redhook, and Netgalley for the gifted audio.

I was grateful to receive an audiobook copy of this from NetGalley!
I had heard this was better as an audiobook and I do have to say I think the narrator did a GREAT job of voicing each character with different accents. The story itself follows two young girls at an all girls school who both find a sort of infatuation with their professor. They both soon find out secrets of their professors world and grow closer together through heir journey.

S.T. Gibson's An Education in Malice offers a unique take on the classic vampire tale, blending elements of Gothic romance and dark academia. The novel's strong point lies in its atmospheric setting and the intriguing dynamic between the two central characters. The narration, particularly of Camilla's character, is captivating and adds depth to the story.

However, the pacing can feel uneven, and the plot occasionally falters. While the exploration of themes of desire, power, and identity is compelling, the execution sometimes lacks the depth and complexity that could elevate the narrative.

Ultimately, An Education in Malice is a decent read for fans of vampire fiction, but it may leave some readers wanting more.

S.T.Gibson does it again with her inclusive, steamy, vampire toxic romance. The setting details were superb. I adored the character, an aspect the narrator absolutely nailed! I listened to this at least three times. If you enjoy vampire stories, this is a must read (or listen). Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity.

DNF at 50%

I was so excited about a dark academic story with vampires, but this has taken me months to read. Unfortunately, I never want to pick it up. I don't think I will ever finish, so I am DNFing.

I liked the vampires. However, the school setting was undeveloped. I wanted more from that setting. The characters were a bit bland as well.

The narrator was great.

Thank you to Hachette Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson is an enthralling audiobook that seamlessly blends dark academia with suspense. The narrator’s engaging voice captures the tension and intrigue of the story, immersing listeners in a world of secrets, ambition, and moral ambiguity. Gibson’s sharp prose and vivid imagery bring the characters and their twisted motivations to life, creating a captivating atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The pacing is impeccable, making it hard to hit pause. This audiobook is a must-listen for fans of psychological thrillers and those who enjoy stories that challenge the boundaries of morality.

Thank you to S. T. Gibson (author), Stephanie Cannon (narrator), Hachette Audio, Redhook and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "An Education in Malice" for an honest review. I absolutely did not expect to fall into this retelling of Carmilla as fast and hard as I did. I love the remaking of our main two girls, their love story, and the mixing of their lives with their teacher. There's a dark, dizzy descent into sensuality and vampirism, into knowledge and self-expansion that I found deeply captivating.

The narrator also does such a great job of letting you slip into the voice of the characters she's doing, so much so that you feel that it truly is their yearning feelings and slow unfolding of self in a further, more expansive fashion than simply reading it off the page. I forgot for long periods that it wasn't simply our heroine riding side by side with me through this delightful darkness.

This book was ADDICTIVE. I read it and listened to it and am compelled to tell you--it delivers a story that you will be unable to put down! Absolutely captivating your attention and interest for hours on end!

Some really lovely writing and great audiobook narration, plus the manipulation and power dynamics were realistic and well-executed, but it was also a book I didn't find myself with any strong feelings about?

I was a bit stressed at the midpoint, but ultimately I just felt very neutral about the whole thing? Like, I recommend it as a vampire book, a book about sexual self-discovery and exploration, as something dark and compelling, but it also feels like something I won't ever think about again in a week or two.

More on audiobook narration: The difference between Laura’s voice and Camilla's voice was distinct and authentic without sounding forced or silly, and the narrator captured their individual personalities quite well. In particular I enjoyed Camilla's haughty air and the subtle but marked aristocratic way she carried herself.

Everyone and their pet lizard always says 'this felt like The Secret History' about a dark academia book… but really, An Education in Malice is a spiritual successor to The Secret History. It's a dark academia retelling of Carmilla and S.T. Gibson's beautiful, evocative writing elevated the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I absolutely love the prose of this novel. The narrator did a beautiful job if narrating to match the prose.

If you enjoy dark academia, you’ll enjoy this novel. It’s dark, poetic and sapphic. If you love rivals to lovers, this is for you.

There are few things I love more than sapphic vampires. I absolutely ate up the storyline, and the narration really did it justice. It felt like the author kind of held the reader's hand a little to much in the end, though.

"And I would die before I sacrificed art and beauty. Life simply wasn't worth living if it wasn't by those principles."


I'm so bummed that I didn't like this book more. Dark vampire and gothic vibes? Yes please. I loooved A Dowry of Blood so much.
I feel maybe the author bit off more than she can chew in this one. The pacing for me was off.
An Education in Malice is supposed to be dark academia and sapphic vampires, which I was ready for after Dowry of blood. It had lots of potential, but just ended up being fine.

Unfortunately I DNFd this at 40%. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was clear, but i struggled when there was a POV change as it wasnt obvious to me at all. I only realised there was a POV change when i was like what? I though she was the one who was the blood provider, why is she shocked? Great sapphic representation and school setting, but other than that there wasnt much to grip me in the first 40% for me to continue unfortunately. What i did listen to was only 2 stars.

I do love a good vampire story. This one felt unique and included lots of sapphic elements. Plus the rivals-to-lovers was excellent. The narrator did a good job switching accents as well.