Lessons in Corruption - Giana Darling

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I purchased this book because I had heard such great things about this book and the author from friends of mine. And also because I had gotten an ARC of book 2, and I wanted to read book 1 first.

Oh my goodness, this book was soooo sinfully good. This is a teacher-student romance that doesn't feel like a teacher-student romance. I typically don't like them because they get cheesy real easy. There was no cheesiness whatsoever in this book. I fell in love from the very first page with the characters. 

I loved the way Paradise Lost was an integral part of the book. It's been on my TBR for awhile, and let me just say that it moved up in the list! I actually love intertextuality and it makes me really happy when it is done well, and boy was it done well. From previous reviews (if you follow me) you will know that I LOVE poetry in books. It's actually my weakness. I just love them, and this book delivered in a big way. MC + poet? My knees are weak. 

Not only will the poetry make your knees weak, but the romance and lust as well. King can not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. He is absolutely sinfully beautiful. Every character was unique, and had their own voice. I loved Cress’s character development in this book. She finds herself and becomes who she is meant to be. She stands up for what and who she believes in, and loves with ferocity. 

Darling makes us reflect on our preconceptions, and our stereotypes. She not only makes us see the goodness where we wouldn't expect to find it, but also the darkness where we wouldn't. I think she is a very talented author who writes with conviction and strength. 

I cannot wait to dive into book two!