dnf at 50%

this is my first s.t. gibson but i have heard amazing things about her writing. and it’s true the writing is amazing and beautiful but i just couldn’t push myself more than that. the characters are not exceptional and in fact i didn’t really like them, they were annoying more than anything else. then the story is boring, or at least i was bored and i just couldn’t care about what happen.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this ARC!

*I posted a full review of the book itself on here and on goodreads*

I requested and downloaded the audiobook of this to listen to when I couldn't read the kindle copy I requested. I can be really picky with narrators of audiobooks, but I thought the one for this did an amazing job, especially with the dual pov chapters. Even though it was only one narrator, they did so well with different voices for the two povs that I couldn't tell it wasn't 2 different people!

An Education in Malice by ST Gibson
ARC BOOK REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am certain that this dark fantasy romance will deliver for it's target audience... I just don't think I'm it. Sapphic vampires felt like it COULD be my thing. As a retelling of Le Fanu's gothic vampire novel of the 1800s, it has some mystery and intrigue woven within the romance.
Laura arrives at a prestigious boarding school and finds herself under the tutalage of De LaFontaine, a poetry professor who only holds her classes at night. The professor's protégé, Carmilla, instantly feels threatened by the new girl.
Laura and Carmilla's academic rivals-turned-lovers storyline was a believable and tender romance. I would have loved more of that and less of the unrealistic "virgin who likes to dominate in bed" s3x scenes. Don't get me wrong, I like some spice, but this felt misplaced and gratuitous.
"Innocent" Laura is brought into the torrid world of vampires with little questioning or doubt. And the sudden killings on campus mystery comes to an abrupt and anticlimactic end.
Overall, I just didn't find it an engaging enough story to overlook the plot holes and obvious setups for s3x.

I received this audioARC from @netgalley and publisher Orbit in exchange for an honest review.

An Education in Malice will be released February 15, 2024.

Review of the audiobook:
5 stars
Narrator voice is clear at speeds 0.5-2.5x
The dual pov is easily distinguishable

Review of the book:
2 stars
Unfortunately such a boring book
Nothing happens, it isn't plot it isn't porn except for one scene
The description sold this story as one of obsession and yet, the characters felt so flat and their relationship was so very mild
It gives "Baby's First Vampire Story", which can be fine but disappointing

I expected like, either obsessive protective possessive vampire-human or a plot story given it's dark academia like some sort of story that'd criticize something
but no, everything it starts it just gives up on or de-escalates in a non-satisfying way

it isn't 1 star cause it wasn't overly offensively bad, but it did feel like the entire time I was waiting for things to start and they never did



Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Audio and RedHook for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

Gothic, dark academia vampire story with a rivals to lovers sapphic romance. A wonderful historical college setting in Massachusetts. The vibes of Perpetua's College grabbed me at the beginning, but unfortunately I kept waiting for something more. This was one of my most anticipated books this year. Sadly, it really never got going for me. When we got the big reveal, it just kind of fell flat. I needed more action and more background. I really wanted to love this book. It had all the tropes I love, but it just wasn't for me. S.T. Gibson will remain on my TBR for sure.

Vampires and sapphic romance?

Count me in! While the audiobook's narrator had a soothing voice, only having two distinct profiles for three main characters occasionally led to confusion about whose perspective I was hearing. It felt odd that the two protagonists shared the same voice, though.

Despite that, the main characters' connection and love story were captivating. I truly felt their journey together, and their blossoming romance was a joy to witness. However, the teacher-student dynamic made me squirm, even though I was aware of the trigger warnings. It simply wasn't a trope I anticipated disliking so much.

The side plot held potential, but its limited presence left me wanting more. I believe it could have significantly enriched the overall narrative.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an audiobook ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I received an audio arc of this book. The narrator did such an amazing job with the different character voices and I’ll definitely be seeking out more book read by this narrator. The story itself is exactly what you’d expect from a vampire dark academia and if that’s up your alley this is perfect. Dark academia isn’t my favorite so I was more invested in the vampire and romance aspects but this was a pretty slow paced book and it was hard to keep my interest. S. T. Gibson has a beautiful writing style and the narrator was the perfect complement to it.

Thank you Netgalley, Redhook Books, and Hachette Audio for the ARC.
An education in Malice is a sultry and sapphic Dark academia that set in the late 1960s. The story follows 2 FMC’s that attend Saint Perpetua Women’s College in Massachusetts, who gets tangled up with one of their professor who is also a 200 year old vampire.

I had a fantastic time immersion reading. The audio was so fun to listen to. The narrator really brought the characters to life. Very much recommend the audio.

This is my first S.T. Gibson book and I very much enjoy her story telling and can see why everyone loves it. S.T. Gibson’s way of writing romance is beautifully done. She really knows how to transport you right into her world through her writing. Everything flows so smoothly and it makes you feel sexy when you’re listening to the audio. It doesn’t come off as cheesy or cringy which is big bonus points.

I love a romance book that is full of desperation and longing. What would you do for love? Also the dark and mysterious themes in this book had me on a chokehold. I could not stop reading because I was so immersed in the story. But also a little scared at the same time (I don’t like to read gory scenes).

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I would definitely recommend to put this on your TBR during the spooky season if you’re someone like me that reads accordingly to the weather and the seasons.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for giving me the chance to listen to this in exchange for an honest review. This was such an intriguing listen for me. I was drawn in from the beginning and I found myself not wanting to get out of my car because I wanted to keep listening. The narrator I felt really carried the story and took it to new heights. The different voices used for the 3 main characters were so distinct and unique that it really brought the book to life. I would definitely recommend this book for those looking for a dark academia.

I was super pumped for this sapphic Carmilla retelling, but this was not my favorite. I loved the dark academia vibes and the supernatural element, but the relationship between Carmilla and Laura was not developed super well and didn't make a lot of sense beyond the physical.

I would recommend this to anyone who really likes dark academia, but with the caveat that the vibes are the best part.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audio-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐ (Audio) The narrator, Stephanie Cannon, is brilliant here. I listen to tons of audiobooks, and it was a delight to listen to the story in her voice.

⭐ (Story) Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint Perpetua’s College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls. Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies welcome students into the fold. On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla. Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession with Carmilla.

But as their rivalry blossoms into something far more delicious, Laura must confront her own strange hungers. Tangled in a sinister game of politics, bloodthirsty professors and magic, Laura and Carmilla must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice in their ruthless pursuit of knowledge.

This book is sumptuous and brilliantly written. Intimate, dark and dangerous, this is a the story of Laura and Carmilla, rivaling for the attentions of their dark instructor. The desperate forbidden desires and delicious ferocity makes for a fascinating and heart-pounding read. Utterly brilliant! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Alright. Sapphic vampires. Quick plot. Quick love story. Definitely a palate cleanser book. Not too fantasy based so you can enjoy it if it’s your first time reading fantasy or not an avid fantasy reader. Audiobook narrator was 100000% on point for the subject matter and time period.

I did like the narrator of this story. The performance was well done. I also enjoyed the dark academia vibes. Other than that I did not really click with any of the characters, which made it hard to follow sometimes. I got confused which pov we currently are listening to. Overall not for me.

9. This was a bit of a disappointment after Gibson’s success with A Dowry of Blood. Gibson is a writer with a lot of talent, the prose in this book was lovely and the way she can inject lush atmosphere into her storytelling is great. Unfortunately, the actual meat of the story, the characters, romance, and plot, weren’t well developed in this book.

This is a retelling of Carmilla featuring an academic rivals to lovers romance, vampires, and an unhealthy relationship between a student and a teacher. My favorite part of this book was De Lafontaine’s manipulative obsession with Carmilla that straddled a creepy line between romantically motivated and maternal. Gibson is so good at writing these sorts of toxic relationships.

On the other hand, Carmilla and Laura were boring and never really felt like actual people. I really wish the book had dug a lot deeper into their psyches and motivations because they came across as very one-dimensional and their romance lacked passion and longing. The vampires in this book did things that demonstrated they were dangerous but there was so little narrative tension that they didn’t actually feel dangerous.

I enjoyed this book but I don’t think it has the same feel as A Dowry in Blood (which was pure perfection for me). The narrator did an excellent job. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for approving my request.

I really enjoyed this book the Vibes of this book were incredible I was having a great time I don't know how dark I would put it given that I don't read dark academia very often. But I have this very sensual vibe that I was just absolutely eating up. I listen to this on audio and I have to say some parts of the narration weren't my favorite but I do think that there was a distinct voice for each character which I enjoyed.

Thank you to the Publishers and netgalley A chance to listen to this audiobook.

How the hell did i not know this was a Carmilla retelling?! I don't think I need to say how much I loved this book. I mean dark academia, sapphics, vampires, and a retelling of my favorite novel of all time, I mean come on how could I not love this.
This mcs in this book have such amazing chemistry it practically sparks off the page. They are both cute and amazingly spicy in places. They go some really rough stuff but even in this dark book their relationship stands out in the best way. I definitely recommend this one!

I was given both an e-arc and an audiobook arc for this book via Netgalley thanks to the respective publishers.

The first half of the review will be book based, and the second half will be based on the audiobook. Even though I was given these in the exchange of a review, this is my honest thought on Education in Malice.

There are a few triggers and they did show themselves but it wasn't too bad or maybe they just didn't trigger me like perhaps others. This book does hit a few sexual taboos on the head like exhibitionism and minor voyeurism. But I knew to expect it as it was one of the triggers written. I read a review stating they 1 starred it because they had no idea there was sex in it and public sex at that, the list of triggers literally state this, obviously it wasn't read correctly. The sex scenes were dominant in the moments they took place but it was more of sexual tensions and thoughts vs the actual acts. The other thing I am reading some say it was Grooming, but perhaps it was now I think of it but at the time, I saw it as a very unhealthy odd mother/daughter relationship and nothing more. Cause those weird parent child relationships the children will do anything for that parent, in some cases even kill.

I will try to keep spoilers at bay. I have given this book 4💫

For those who are picking up this Carmilla, remagining; expecting it to be similar or a retelling as often remagining and retelling is confused. You will be disappointed, though I went into it knowing it was a remagining and Gibson did not disappoint! I truly enjoyed it and her vision of Carmilla and how to intertwine it and make it her own absolute perfection.

The story takes place in the late 60s. In an all girls religious college based in Massachusetts. This is what gives it the Dark Academia vibe, the old stone gothic buildings, the chapel, the catacomb like hidden passage, and tunnels. The fact was that it was a school. Though it only focuses on a one class really and then primarily private tutor lessons, its more of a background for the stage of characters Gibson has cast in her story of love, loss, betrayal, and death.

The story revolves around the main characters Laura, who comes to St. Perpetua's from the southern United States. Carmilla, an Austrian exchange student who came just for the courses taught by Ms. Delafontane. Who is a side character, but she has a main role to the plot of the book and a strong connection to Carmilla and eventually Laura.

Laura and Carmilla are rivals with underlying tension. The compete in Ms. D's courses, and within the girls at the course and for Delafontane's praises, admirations, and affections. These tensions soon let loose to a rivals to lovers romance. They both have a bit of "touch her and die vibe," too. Other tropes are touched upon and other dark desires, but I won't get too into them due to spoilers.

Now, the twist that happened Halloween night was NOT expecting as to what led the changing of Carmilla. Though it made for a good plot turn and story. It is around the same time St. Perpetua is home to a string of unsavoury murders and especially liked Laura's thoughts on the bathtub scene. The fact it seemed perhaps the killer had stayed with this one a little longer. Definitely hit a spot with my true crime, love.

Character building was good. I wish we saw more of Eleanor I know she is a very small side character role, but I went from hating her to loving her based on how she treated and interacted with Laura; from start to Thanksgiving. Didn't see too much of the other side characters. The star roles were the three I listed previously. The scene setting was great. I did wish for a bit more about the college aspect or the surroundings and more of what it was like, but overall, it was a decent execution.

The read was pretty quick read and flowed well, and the time jumps were seamless and not clunky like other quick paced books. Each end scene seemed pretty closed, and nothing left loose. The greenhouse scene at the end was what I was expecting per the plan, but also not at the same time. Had me feeling bad for Delafontane. The ending..... this had me a little more perplexed. It was like a cliffhanger and not at the same time, or at least that's what I gathered from it. Did she pick up the cup and drink, or did she not? I STILL NEED TO KNOW!!!!

Overall, S.T. Gibson did a fabulous job at taking an 1872 Gothic Novella and remagining it into something relatable and understandable to the present. Well done, and I recommend this read.

Now for the audio portion. This will be short as same as above but with length and narration rating.

Length is about 8hrs 22mins normal speed. So those of you who can listen to things while working or doing your errands this is definitely one you can finish in a day, maybe quicker if you're like me and can listen to things at faster speeds and still retain.

Narrator, she was okay. She lost her southern accent a couple times as Laura. Her Austrian accent sounded like a poshy British accent/old Hollywood. Her Boston accent wasn't very Hahvid Yahd sounding. It would drift in and out. This was more prominent in her voicing Mazie. The way she portrayed Ms. D was EXACTLY how I pictured her to sound. Though with dialogue between Delafontane and Isis, I did get confused about who was talking as their voices were identical, it felt like. Overall, she did a pretty good job at bringing the characters to life, though isnt my favourite narrator, at least the minor issues didn't break immersion. Which was great.

Lastly, during her normal speed of speech, I found it a bit too slow for me and my liking at 1x speed. For some reason, my brain processes recordings at normal speed
1x. Speed as if it's on slowmo. So I listened to Education in Malice at 1.75x speed, and it was perfect for me. She sounded normal speed to me and did t get all high-pitched and chipmunkie.

Thank you for reading my long review, I hope it helps you decide. Thank you to the publishers, Netgalley and Gibson herself. I truly did enjoy Education in Malice

Overall, I enjoyed this book. They showed the idea of generational trauma alongside the pain and confusion of grooming pretty well. The romance was very sweet, a rivals to lovers. The trigger warnings are very important, each of them are featured pretty prominently in the book so take note of that before you read it. I love WxW books and vampire books, so this was a fun read. I used the audiobook version of this book, and the narration was impeccable. The characters are all women, but I was able to understand who was talking at all times based on the narrator's tone and accent. She switched between characters beautify and made this an even more compelling read. She was also very clear in her speaking and has a very soothing voice. Staphanie Cannon has now become one of my favorite narrators for audiobooks and I hope to listen to her read another book soon.

Thank you for the e-audio of An Education in Malice. I requested knowing it was new adult, but I wasn't expecting for there to be consensual intercourse (which good always) but including in public?! That's a hard pass for me.