Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint Perpetua's College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls. Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies welcome students into the fold.
On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla. Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession with Carmilla.

I was obsessed when I read A dowry of blood last year from this author so of course I jumped at the chance to read this Sapphic academic rivals vampires??? Say less. Following Laura and Camilla was a ride they are both strong minded, competitive and out for blood. Camilla the favourite in De Lafontaine's poetry class gets a shock when Laura shows up a freshman in the most elite class on campus, unheard of. She is fiercely protects of her teacher and her spot as the bright start but Laura comes in and gets under her skin like no one has before.
I like the vampire aspect of this book it was subtle but definitely there, I like that it wasn't what ruled the story. What ruled the story was the dynamics of these characters and their relationship. I had to keep reminding myself that Lafontaine was a teacher and abusing her power. I think this is what I like about Gibson's work I've read so far they take a fantastic story and insert real emotions and situations making something like a vampire story have mundane issues is a nice and refreshing take on a genre that normally means you have to suspend you beliefs. With the right mix of magical and reality they do such a good job of sweeping you up the narrative.
I really wanted to give this a book five stars but there was a plot line that I just wish went further, I think it was in there and it was interesting but it could have went the distance. I wanted to see the people outside this trio reacting to them and the situations arising in this books more. It would have gave more of urgency if we got more panic in the story but then part of me feels like it was a choice to lower the impact because this trio is so wrapped in each other that it's not until the danger is right at their doorstep they feel the need to act.
I loved the ending of this book and I can see it splitting peoples opinions but felt it worked so well with the story and the character. I loved seeing Magdalena return from meeting her in dowry it was nice to see her again. (I'm 99.9% sure it's the same character)

If you're looking for a sapphic story, with two strong woman and a vampire. This ones for you!