The Bloody Allure of Saint Jude’s: An Introduction
Deep in the 1960s at Saint Jude's college, a bright student named Laura finds herself caught in a lethal intellectual and physical competition with her rival, overseen by an enigmatic and predatory professor who promises them more than just knowledge—he promises eternal life. This is the stage set by S.T. Gibson in her latest gothic endeavor. It is a world where the ink is as black as the coffee and the blood is as red as the velvet curtains of the professor’s office.
For readers who found themselves haunted by the lyrical prose of Gibson’s previous work, this new entry offers a familiar yet distinctly sharp flavor. The atmosphere is thick with the scent of old paper and the static of a decade on the brink of social revolution. Yet, inside the walls of Saint Jude’s, time feels like a stagnant pool, waiting for a stone to be cast. That stone arrives in the form of a rivalry that transcends the grade book.
An Education in Malice isn't just a book; it’s an invitation to a séance where the ghost of Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla is summoned and then promptly dissected. As we dive into the murky waters of this narrative, we must ask ourselves: what does it mean to be a student of a monster? And more importantly, what happens when the students decide they no longer need the teacher?
This article will serve as your syllabus for understanding the dark complexities of the plot, the psychological underpinnings of the characters, and the true meaning behind that transformative ending. If you are looking for clarity amidst the shadows of Saint Jude’s, you have come to the right place. Let us begin the lecture.
You can find the initial buzz and reader impressions over at Goodreads, where the community is already debating the merits of this dark academic pursuit.
The Connection: Is This a Sequel to A Dowry of Blood?
One of the most frequent questions echoing through the digital halls of BookTok and Reddit is whether An Education in Malice is a direct sequel to the beloved A Dowry of Blood. The answer is both simple and layered with gothic nuance. While it is not a sequel in the traditional sense of a chronological continuation of the same characters' lives, it exists firmly within the same thematic and stylistic universe.
Gibson utilizes what many are calling a 'spiritual succession' model. If A Dowry of Blood was a deconstruction of Dracula’s brides, then this work is a reimagining of the Carmilla mythos. The connective tissue is the author's obsession with the power dynamics of vampirism—specifically, the predatory nature of the sire and the eventual rebellion of the fledgling.
Professor De Lafontaine serves as the archetypal center of this dark universe, a figure who echoes the charismatic yet suffocating presence of the previous book’s antagonist. He is the sun around which the two Lauras orbit, providing warmth that eventually burns. For those looking for a reading order, you can jump into this book without having read the previous one, but the experience is enriched by knowing the author's pedigree in handling toxic immortality.
According to the official Hachette Book Group page, the novel is positioned as a standalone that expands the 'Gibson-verse.' This allows the author to explore the same dark themes of agency and desire without being shackled by a single timeline, much like the gothic tradition of recurring archetypes across different stories.
The Rivalry: A Seductive Descent into Malice
The core of An Education in Malice lies in the relationship between our protagonist, Laura, and her academic foil, also named Laura. This doubling is no accident; it is a classic gothic trope meant to blur the lines between the self and the other. From the moment they meet at Saint Jude’s, their interaction is charged with a mixture of resentment and undeniable attraction.
Professor De Lafontaine facilitates this obsession, pitting them against each other in a series of academic trials that feel increasingly like blood sports. The 1960s setting adds a layer of repression to their rivalry. They are women in a male-dominated academic space, fighting for the crumbs of attention from a man who views them as nothing more than beautiful experiments.
As the competition intensifies, the academic turns physical. Their rivalry evolves into a sensual, bloody affair that challenges the traditional boundaries of romance. This is not a 'clean' love story; it is a messy, dark academia dream that prioritizes the visceral experience of obsession over the safety of traditional courtship. Some readers have noted that the middle section can feel repetitive, but this cycle is intentional.
It mirrors the 'doom loop' of many toxic relationships, where the high of reconciliation is only possible because of the low of the conflict. The characters have been criticized for their perceived immaturity, but in the context of a 1960s collegiate setting under the influence of an ancient vampire, their dramatic flair is a symptom of their environment. They are young, they are brilliant, and they are being hunted by an expert manipulator.
For a deeper dive into the community discussion regarding these tropes, the Reddit Fantasy discussion offers a wide array of perspectives on whether this rivalry hits the mark or overstays its welcome.
The Ending Explained: Breaking the Master’s Chains
The climax of An Education in Malice is a masterclass in gothic liberation. Throughout the novel, Professor De Lafontaine has positioned himself as the ultimate prize and the ultimate predator. He intended for the two Lauras to remain his consorts—perpetual rivals for his affection, locked in a cycle of eternal servitude. He didn't just want their blood; he wanted their autonomy.
However, the resolution takes a sharp turn away from the expected tragedy. In a move that subverts many traditional vampire stories, the two women realize that the real enemy isn't each other, but the man holding the leash. Their unity is the ultimate act of malice against the professor's design. By choosing each other, they effectively render the professor’s power over them obsolete.
They do not necessarily kill him in a grand, cinematic explosion—the gothic tradition often favors a more lingering sort of defeat. Instead, they leave him behind, stripping him of the one thing he craved: their presence. They step out into the world as a vampire duo, bound not by a sire’s command, but by their own mutual, albeit dark, affection. It is what we call a 'Gothic Happy Ending.'
This ending provides the 'closure' that many readers seek after the angst-ridden middle sections. It confirms that while the journey was toxic, the destination was one of empowerment. The two Lauras escape the patriarchal confines of both the 1960s academy and the vampire's lair, carving out a space for themselves in the shadows of history.
As noted in the review at Books, Bones & Buffy, the ending resonates because it prioritizes the female gaze and the reclamation of power. It’s a thematic bookend to the professor's arrogance, proving that even an ancient vampire can’t account for the unpredictable nature of human—or un-human—defiance.
The Verdict: Is the Malice Worth the Tuition?
So, does An Education in Malice live up to the high bar set by S.T. Gibson’s previous work? If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller, you might find the academic pacing a bit slow. However, if you are here for the atmosphere, the sensory details of 1960s gothic aesthetics, and a deep dive into the psychology of obsession, then this book is a must-read.
The 'rivals-to-lovers' arc is handled with a level of intensity that is rare in contemporary fiction. Gibson understands that for a romance to feel high-stakes, the danger must be internal as well as external. The two Lauras are not just fighting the professor; they are fighting their own desires to be the 'best,' a desire that the professor groomed in them.
While the complaints about 'dramatic' characters are valid from a realistic standpoint, the gothic genre has never been about realism. It is about heightened emotions, the sublime, and the grotesque. In that regard, the book succeeds brilliantly. It provides a lush, dark escape for those who want to lose themselves in a world where every touch is a threat and every word is a spell.
For those interested in the Sapphic elements specifically, The Lesbrary provides an excellent breakdown of how this book fits into the broader landscape of queer gothic literature. It’s a significant addition to the genre, offering a rare happy ending—however blood-soaked—to a community often starved of them in historical settings.
Ultimately, An Education in Malice is an exploration of what we are willing to sacrifice for knowledge and immortality. It suggests that the most important lesson we can learn is how to walk away from those who claim to be our masters. It is a sharp, elegant, and thoroughly malicious read that will linger in your mind long after the final page is turned.
FAQ
1. Is An Education in Malice a sequel to A Dowry of Blood?
Not exactly. It is a standalone novel set in the same thematic universe. While it shares the author's signature style and exploration of toxic vampire dynamics, it features a new cast of characters and a different setting in the 1960s.
2. Is the ending of An Education in Malice happy?
It is a 'Gothic Happy Ending.' While the story is dark and full of angst, the two protagonists ultimately find liberation and choose to spend their immortality together, free from their manipulative professor.
3. What is the spice level of An Education in Malice?
The book features high levels of 'spice' with descriptive, sensual scenes that reflect the intense, obsessive nature of the relationship between the two main characters. It is intended for mature readers.
4. Do I need to read Carmilla before reading this book?
No, it is not necessary. While An Education in Malice is a retelling/reimagining of the classic Carmilla mythos, it stands perfectly well on its own. Knowledge of the original story simply adds a layer of appreciation for the subversions Gibson makes.
5. Does the professor die at the end?
Without spoiling the exact details, the professor's fate is less about his physical death and more about his total loss of control and relevance in the lives of the two women he tried to possess.
References
goodreads.com — Goodreads: An Education in Malice
hachettebookgroup.com — Hachette Book Group Official Title Page
reddit.com — Reddit Fantasy Discussion
lesbrary.com — The Lesbrary Review
booksbonesbuffy.com — Books, Bones & Buffy Review