All's Fair in Love and Blood
Jennifer Peel
5.0
An Education in Malice
by S. T. Gibson
About this book
Set against the haunting, ivy-covered backdrop of Saint Perpetua’s College, this atmospheric dark academia novel weaves a seductive tale of obsession and blood. When shy student Laura Sheridan arrives at the isolated Massachusetts campus, she finds herself locked in a volatile academic rivalry with the enigmatic and dangerous Carmilla. What begins as a sharp competition for the approval of their sinister poetry professor soon spirals into a labyrinthine game of power, forbidden magic, and mounting desire.
As the lines between intellectual pursuit and primal hunger blur, the two women are pulled into a web of ancient secrets. The story masterfully reimagines the classic vampire myth, transforming the academic setting into a hunting ground where ambition is as lethal as the thirst for blood. This is a lush, sapphic dark romance that thrives on the tension between academic rigor and the uncontrollable, gothic impulses of its leads.
For readers who crave a paranormal romance defined by enemies-to-lovers dynamics and a heavy, brooding atmosphere, this story offers a decadent escape. It is a sharp, atmospheric exploration of what happens when the pursuit of knowledge demands the ultimate sacrifice, making it the perfect choice for those who like their vampire lore served with a side of poetic malice.
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2026
- ASIN
- B0C7HKZYVV
Reader Reviews
April 30, 2026
A modern retelling of Carmilla. )
August 27, 2024
I don't often find myself leaving written reviews for books as I do not feel I have much to add from other takes. However, after finishing this novel and going back to read others thoughts, I believe there are too many harsh critiques and wanted to share for those who are interested in diving into this story! Whether or not you've read any other Gibson novels, I truly found this one to be delightful and enchanting! A dark academia sapphic enemies to lovers vampire tale? Sign me up over and over...
August 27, 2025
This was an easy sapphic read! I always enjoy books that take place in an academic setting. My only gripe with this book is that it did a lot of telling instead of showing when it came to the romantic dynamic between the main characters so I didn't really 'feel' it. Other than that it wasn't a half bad read ) One person found this helpful
February 19, 2024
Ahhh I am screaming and need more now!!! The ending!!!! But before we get ahead of ourselves this book was everything I wanted and more! When I heard S.T. Gibson was writing a sapphic vampire book I was already sold. A Dowry of Blood is one of my favorite books and knew she would do it justice and that she did!! Laura is a quiet shy girl from Mississippi. She loves poetry and is at St. Perpestua’s college to study to be a parish priest but writing is her true love. Carmilla is a posh senior...
December 16, 2024
An Education in Malice is a dark academia that is part vampire novel, part sapphic romance. When I first picked up this book the only thing I knew about it was that it was about two girls vying for the attention of a brilliant professor. I had no idea there would be vampires and romance too. Laura is a talented, competitive, and pragmatic freshman whose academic rival and obsession, is Camilla. Camilla is a stunning beauty whose both talented and haughty. Both girls compete for the attention...
