I want to provide some constructive feedback on my experience with the audiobook rendition of this novel. While I appreciate the effort put into the narration, I must admit that I wasn't entirely impressed with it. In my opinion, the decision to include both Carmilla and Laura's perspectives didn't quite hit the mark. I believe the story could have been more impactful if it had focused solely on Laura's perspective, creating a stronger sense of mystery and atmosphere.

One issue I encountered was the difficulty in distinguishing between the voices of the narrators. This made it challenging to follow the shifts between characters, leading to some confusion on my part. While I understand that this might have been intentional for thematic reasons, it unfortunately detracted from my enjoyment of the audiobook.

Furthermore, I found the pacing to be quite slow, which made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged with the narrative. Despite the novel's potential, I couldn't help but feel that it fell short of delivering a truly captivating experience.

Overall, while there were aspects of the audiobook that I appreciated, such as the opportunity to experience the story in a different format, I couldn't shake the feeling that it didn't quite live up to its potential.

Content warnings: inappropriate teacher-student relationships, abuse of power, blood, murder

Some readers may not be aware that DRACULA is not actually the first vampire story put into the written word. in 1872, Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu published the novella Carmilla... a whole 25 years before Stoker's novel. On top of that, Carmilla was not only a vampire, but a queer one. Given all that, I was excited to see what Gibson would do with bringing our beloved vampiress into a more modern setting (modern being relative since this book is set in the late 1960s predominantly in Massachusetts).

A lot of AN EDUCATION IN MALICE follows the standard vampire story of an innocent young woman unknowingly coming into contact with a vampire and becoming enthralled by them. Because of this connection, this young woman is then exposed to debauchery and sin. Though Laura isn't entirely innocent and is definitely not an unwilling player when it came time for debauchery.

The dark academia vibes are strong, I was honestly expecting more spice but when it did hit (around the 70% mark), it hit hard. I was caught a bit by surprise while listening to the audiobook through earbuds out in public. I may have blushed.

I don't think the dual POVs entirely works for this book though, while I enjoyed Carmilla's parts, it took away the uncertainty and suspense of Laura's part of the story since readers are seeing their romance unfold from both angles. Laura and Carmilla might have been questioning what the other was thinking or feeling, but readers had the full story all along. Because of this, the unsettling feeling that is so well known to Gothic Literature is missing and I think if if had been there, that would have made this story even better.

De Lafontaine's character was a bit uneven and the final conflict and what happens after was a bit anticlimactic and predictable. Despite being slightly disappointed with how things wrap up, I do think this is an enjoyable and quick read and will be a great title in the Fall to usher in spooky season.

Stephanie Cannon does a decent job with the audiobook narration, but I wish the voices used for Laura and Carmilla weren't so similar. Luckily the chapter titles clued readers in on who the POV would be from for that chapter, otherwise it would have been a bit murky.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Redhook in exchange for an honest review.

When Laura Sheridan starts to attend Saint Perpetua’s College, she is not prepared for the challenges it will bring. Participating in Professor De Lafontaine's class was meant to further her own artistic pursuits, improve her writing and broaden her horizon; instead, she immediately is picked out by Carmilla, the professor's favourite student, as her arch nemesis. Whilst Professor De Lafontaine keeps pushing and encouraging Laura, Carmilla tries to spew venom her way whenever possible, but when she finally is invited to their after hour lessons, Laura realizes that there is much more to the duo than she thought.
I love love love S. T. Gibsons's writing. I'd already enjoyed A Dowry of Blood quite a bit, so I had high expectations, and An Education in Malice did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the dual POV of Laura and Carmilla and I loved the way the characters were shaped. I was completely taken by surprise by a few turns in the plot, which rarely happens to me in a way I find reasonable and I think the atmosphere and setting of the novel were incredibly well done. I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator also did a fantastic job.

I was very underwhelmed by this novel. It was not only a slow burn but slow paced. There wasn't much world building. The main character was flat and the love interest was too needy. The teacher was a narcissistic hag with no redeemable qualities.

This audiobook is a dark romance that takes place at a college for young women. The story line is about personal relationships between a teacher and her students. The relationship isn't proper and takes a turn for the worse when we discover the teacher is a vampire.

Absolutely loved this. Bit of a slow burn, I didn't realise it was even fantasy so the appearance of a vampire was a surprise. I also didn't realise it was a romance, and usually stay away from those after SJ Maas ruined romantasy for me. But, wow. Lots of LGBTQ+, lots of suspense. Not too much happened in the book, but I very much want a sequel, which I'm about to go and look for. Right now.

Disclaimer that this book was consumed via audiobook which may change how I perceived it.

Sometimes having such a fantastic experience with an author’s book sets up future books for a higher standard. I tried to go into this book completely separate from Dowry of Blood. In the end, I didn’t have enough connection with the characters and wasn’t as drawn in to the story as I’d hoped. The narration did not fit what I would imagine for this character which made it very difficult to immerse myself into.

I don’t think this is in any way a bad book or one that deserves criticism but I think it does fall victim to following up a phenomenal and unique book from the same author which set the bar so high.

This is Gibson's take on Carmilla, just as Dowry of Blood was her take Dracula, and both are set in the same universe. Honestly, this read to me like an earlier work of the author which had been reworked or tweaked to form a pair with Dowry of Blood, after the latter's success. All of which is fine except that it invites a direct comparison which doesn't really hold up to scrutiny.

This book is fine. It doesn't break new ground and it doesn't swing between being surprising and ridiculous (though always beautifully written) as DoB does. It wasn't as bad as some reviewers are saying in my opinion, but I do agree that it has weaknesses. One is that nothing really happens. The first 60% appears to be exposition, not even internal journey. If you just love Gibson's writing, that might work just fine for you. I found it a little directionless. The enemies to lovers relationship turns on a coin toss which I found unbelievable. Then again, there seemed to be zero chemistry there so I really did wonder what the fuss was about. It also felt as if Gibson shied away from showing a female abuser at the last minute which I find intellectually cowardly - abuse happens in lesbian relationships to. In fact, if that's the bee that keeps buzzing in your bonnet, then go the whole hog and really explore it. Maybe that's why this felt a little shallow?

Anyway, this was ok. I largely enjoyed it, despite the weaknesses. I wouldn't classify it as dark academia since it doesn't lean into any of those themes. I also don't feel there's enough clues in the text to place this in the 60s. My overall takeaway opinion was that this was promising lesbian vampire fic that really needed another couple of passes.

If you enjoyed A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson, then I feel you will enjoy this book as well! A Sapphic Carmella retelling. Definitely some triggers and toxic relationships, so be sure to check trigger warnings before you read!

I really enjoyed the narrator, I feel they did a really good job with the accents. It was a quick listen for me.

AN EDUCATION IN MALICE is set at Saint Perpetua’s College. Laura is new to the school, excited to be accepted into Professor De La fontaine’s writing program on the basis of her poetry submissions. Her acceptance into the class puts her into the crosshairs of the current teacher’s pet, Carmilla. Laura soon learns there is something more dark to the mutual obsession between Carmilla and De Lafontaine, even as she starts to find more than rivalry in her relationship with Carmilla.

This was pitched as a vampire story, and a “dark academia tale of blood, secrets and insatiable hungers” and the book really delivered in that regard. I really enjoyed the dark academia and gothic vibes this story delivered. The atmosphere was really top notch!

This is a book where checking the trigger warnings would be recommended (and the author does include a list in the beginning which I appreciated). The author does tell us up front that there is an inappropriate element to the student/teacher relationship in the book and that didn’t go quite the direction I feared it might. There were some elements that weren’t quite to my preferences in terms of there being very public sex on page.

I really enjoy S.T. Gibson’s writing in general, though I would say that I enjoyed A DOWRY OF BLOOD a bit more. Still, I am glad that I picked this up and I look forward to reading more of Gibson’s work!

An Education in Malice was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it didn’t disappoint. I have loved S.T. Gibson’s previous works and was excited to read this Carmilla retelling.

In An Education in Malice we follow Laura as she navigates her new life at a prestigious college. Here she finds herself entangled in a rivalry with Carmilla in their highly competitive Poetry class.

I was nervous about the audiobook having one narrator but she does a great job with accents so there’s no confusing which characters pov we are listening to. Overall I think the audio book was well done and easy to listen to.

Had a really fun time with this one, loved the prose and the ideas it tackled and I’m looking forward to reading more in the future.

This story was well written and very atmospheric. The story is set at St. Perpetua’s Women’s College where freshman Laura Sheridan arrives to pursue higher knowledge and meets the enticing Carmilla. They become rivals as the new girl catches Professor DeLafontaine’s attention. There is more than meets the eye with this professor who is obsessed with Carmilla and enjoys playing games with these two while remaining in control. This is a dark academia story where secrets and blood reigns, and rivals become something more.

I had a hard time with this story due to the controlling and manipulative behavior of the professor towards her two students. The story was well written and voiced as I received an audio of it. The voice actress did a fantastic job not only of telling the story but conveying the tension that permeated some of the chapters. The story was told from the two main characters perspective and the actor did a great job in portraying each one.

The story and character were well done, there are triggers, the relationship between the professor and Carmilla is toxic and obsessive. The ending was satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing with an audio arc for an honest review.

This book was intoxicating. Dark, gothic, and full of passion. A taboo relationship between teacher and student, but not in the way you might think, rivalry between students that becomes so much more, dark secrets that can’t be contained, powerful emotions of lust, longing, and loyalty… this book has it all.

Really enjoyed getting to know these characters, and I feel it has been left in a way where there could be more to come. If there is, I am here for it.

Sapphic Carmella Retelling, say less. An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson is the second book I’ve read by this author with A Dowry of Blood being the first. I had super HIGH hopes for this one as I was blown away with the incredible storytelling in the first book I read. Sadly, this one just didn’t hit the same. I truly think this was a me issue. Hear me out, I really enjoyed this one but set my expectations too high and just simply didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first book I read. S.T. Gibson’s writing is truly some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read.

I think I’m going to read the physical book and see if I enjoy that more and if I’ll having a better ability to connect with the characters as I was riding the struggle bus with the narrators.. I think the disconnect with the narrators is why I wasn’t blown away. I would love to give this another chance because I simply loVEd A Dowry of Blood.. in fact it was one of my favorite books read in 2022.

I will continue to pick up S.T. Gibson’s books time and time again. Again, the writing is too beautiful but the narrators were a miss on this one, 3 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 51%

While the prose is beautiful and lyrical, enchanting at all times, the plot is non-existent. Gibson has a gorgeous way of describing things and I devoured the first quarter of the book, but the insta-love, non-sensical infatuation, slow pace, and linear, underdeveloped characters, I quickly lost interest. The narration was gorgeous as well, giving it texture and emotion, but one major flaw for me was that there was barely any difference between Carmilla's and Laura's voices besides a slight, oh so faint accent in Carmilla's voice.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though I didn't like it quite as much as A Dowry of Blood, the rivals to lovers arc was well written. I really enjoyed all of the characters and felt they were written very well. I also loved how the vampire element was tied in.

Laura and Carmilla dis like each other with a passion. Both are fighting for their professor,Miss. D’’s approval. Little did Laura know what she was getting herself into when she wanted to be more. Miss. D is a vampire and Carmilla is the one who is feeding her. Carmilla loves her professor so much that Carmilla lost her life. Miss. D loved Carmilla too much to watch her die for Miss. Ds love that she turned Carmilla into a vampire as well. But then the tables were turned and Laura and Carmilla became close and ended up falling in love.

This will be a surprise to fans of A Dowry of Blood. The lyrical prose and heart-aching voice that carries the narrative are not present. But, this is not entirely misplaced in Gibson's canon. Even though they exist in the same universe, it's safe to say that Gibson doesn't want to stick to one trick (plus, why would a young woman at a boarding school speak like a forlorn, abused wife of Dracula?). This might have a harder time finding its audience but it won't be impossible.

DNF. This book was great of what I read. I really enjoyed the academic rivals and the teacher conflict. I would recommend this book for people who like the Atlas Six. I DNF this book due to the not connecting with it. I was heavy on English terminology that I made me get lost easily. I think a lot of people will enjoy this!

The narrator was great. Other than that the book was just okay the characters just got together and got less interesting