An Education in Malice is a fantastic Carmilla retelling that is filled with sapphic longing and tension. Laura Sheridan is a freshman who has been accepted into Professor DeLafontaine’s elite poetry class. The pace is grueling and the class rarely accepts freshmen. Laura quickly finds a rival in the beautiful Carmilla. As Laura learns about the affairs between Carmilla and their enigmatic professor, she must decide how many of their secrets she truly wants to know. 

I was immediately interested when I saw this book was a Carmilla retelling and it did not disappoint! An Education in Malice is at times melancholy, filled with sapphic longing, and desire that sometimes slips into obsession. Laura and Carmilla have such a compelling relationship, especially as it grows from rivals to something more. The dark academia themes create a shadowy and atmospheric mood. 

DeLafontaine and Carmilla share a twisted bond, with complicated power dynamics. When Laura becomes a factor, the strength of the connection between Carmilla and Laura is tested. It did take me a bit to feel emotionally invested in the characters, but I was fully hooked by the end. An Education in Malice is an enthralling and delightful Carmilla retelling. I would highly recommend it to anyone! If you enjoy complicated power dynamics, sapphic love, and dark academia then you should check out this book. 

Thank you to S.T. Gibson, Redhook Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.