ŷ������

It was like the ardor of a lover; it embarrassed me; it was hateful and yet over-powering; and with gloating eyes she drew me to her, and her hot lips traveled along my cheek in kisses; and she would whisper, almost in sobs, "You are mine, you shall be mine, you and I are one for ever."

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐��

��This review may contain some minor spoilers��


This book is a literary masterpiece!! It is absolutely riveting. I loved everything about it, even with the ridiculously complicated use of the English language that I struggle with every time I read a classic novel. I read it on my Kindle, and there isn't a single page where I didn't highlight at least one unknown word, yet it didn't tarnish my reading experience in the slightest.

To begin with, the plot is incredible!! Even with the unquestionable knowledge that Carmilla is a vampire, I still found the book astonishing. It is full of subtle mysteries and shocking plot twists that never really crossed my mind until they were revealed. I am particularly fascinated by the way Le Fanu interpreted vampirism and the lore that surrounded it. Although, revealing that suicide turns a person into a vampire is problematic. That definitely did not age well... Other than that, the lore is so original, and I can clearly see the way it has influenced literature, television, and cinema to this day, especially Bram Stoker. It is obvious from the numerous similarities between Carmilla and Count Dracula precisely how Stoker was inspired. I should say that while both novels are wonderful, Dracula doesn't hold a candle to Carmilla, and it's an absolute shame that her story never got equal recognition.

Moreover, Carmilla is a phenomenal character. I loved how she charmed and manipulated her way into her victims' lives and slowly drained them until their death. It is a little weird and absolutely hilarious that it's so easy to convince people to let her stay with them in their homes for long periods of time, even though she is a complete stranger. I guess she really knows how to use her gender to her advantage 😏😏 She even has her own familiar to help her scam unsuspecting people's blood right out of their necks. I particularly love how, despite all her power, she still has flaws and insecurities. She not only craves blood but also affection and devotion from her victims. She needs to feel loved as much as any living creature, maybe even more so.

Additionally, there's also Carmilla's current victim, the guileless, kind-hearted Laura, who is also the narrator of the story. Laura is a lonely young girl who has experienced strange encounters since she was a child involving the deceitful vampire. Her point of view is a first-hand account of exactly how Carmilla manipulates and uses her victims, the emotions she elicits from them, and the full extent of the relationship she has with them.

Furthermore, I am wholly confounded by the stark same-sex relationship between Carmilla and Laura. I went into this book with the knowledge that there is lesbian content depicted inside, but I was absolutely clueless as to how it is presented. I only assumed there would be some undertones indicating the true relationship between the two women but I ended up being completely, and happily wrong. These girls couldn't have been clearer about their relationship, and it is truly AWESOME!! Yes, the relationship is incredibly toxic. Yes, it is obvious from the start but, until the shit hits the fan, it is quite lovely. What surprised me the most, however, is the absurd impossibility that such an anachronistic book was written in the nineteenth century and was actually published, yet here it is. That is until I realised that people back then in their ignorance were unable to realise that same-sex relationships between two women existed and were hilariously blind to what was really written on the pages of this book. I also got the impression that Carmilla might actually be bisexual as she had been in a relationship with a man before she turned. Unfortunately, there isn't enough exposition on this topic. However, this love story is also pretty adorable.

All in all, this book is wonderful. It deserves more love than it gets, and I honestly wished I had read it sooner, before I read Count Dracula.


��Thank you for reading��