Thank you to NetGalley & Little Brown Book for a copy of an e-arc in exchange for an honest review 

I was so hyped for this book. It had all of the elements involved that I would absolutely devour. Unfortunately this just didn’t live up to the highs that A Dowry of Blood gave me. I don’t know why, but the writing felt off. 

It still had the lyricism and the creativity that of its predecessor, but where I think it lacked for me, was in the characters. It may have been a hindrance that I know and love Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu and had that in the back of my mind? But there was no tension. I like a bit of yearning in my gothic fantasy and there was none, in fact it felt very ‘insta-lovey’ with the enemies/rivals-to –lovers trope dissipating rather quickly. 

So much could have been explored with Laura, Carmilla & Mrs D, but it all felt a bit rushed. 

That being said, I did love the setting of a 1960’s all girls college and the cameo from a familiar character. 

3 stars