Thank you so much to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC; it is greatly appreciated.

I am very happy to have finally read the predecessor of Dracula. It was very interesting to see all the vampire traits and lore that we still know and love today. Carmilla is the definition of beauty, and uses that completely to her advantage. 

One thing I found interesting is how romantic and sexy this book is described, but I really didn't feel that. The "romance" is quite one-sided as Carmilla uses her charms to cast a sort of spell over her victims, but the MC, Laura, is quite bothered by the words Carmilla says. 

As this is gothic horror, don't expect too much action. It is mainly Laura recounting her experience 10 years later, so a majority of the story is conversations. The climax of the story is also only about two paragraphs, so we reach a conclusion very quickly and directly. I feel like the story is less about Carmilla, and more the emotional manipulation that Laura experienced. 

If you're looking to get into classics I think this is a good one to start with. The language is a little uncommon, but not difficult, and it is such a quick read. Definitely worth it !

You gotta love works that establish a trope or an archetype. I marked this as funny because, as a person reading this in the 21st century, it's just hilarious that they don't know Carmilla is a vampire.