I had high hopes going into Carmilla, but unfortunately, it was a struggle to finish. The book ended up being more of a chore than an enjoyable read. The plot was predictable, and I found myself trudging through the story, especially after about the first quarter. By the time I hit the 60% mark, I was forcing myself to keep going. The pacing felt sluggish, and the story dragged on, leaving me uninterested and disengaged for long stretches. 

That said, there were moments that showed promise. The story had some poignant and intriguing elements, particularly in its portrayal of the mysterious Carmilla, but these moments were too few and far between. The final stretch of the book, with its heavy exposition, really tested my patience. 

Despite my disappointment, I'm still glad I read it, as it holds historical significance and offers a glimpse into early vampire fiction. However, Carmilla didn't live up to the expectations I had going in, and for me, it ultimately didn’t deliver the gothic thrill I was hoping for. If you have the patience for slow builds and long passages of setup, you may find it more rewarding, but for me, it was just hard to get through.