This is labeled as a retelling, but unlike a lot of retellings that switch the setting, Carmilla follows the exact same setting and characters as the original, only with an explicitly reciprocated romance.

I love the clear respect the author had to the original text, with many of its scenes and phrasings reused for this story. But it never becomes redundant, rather a great addition to the original that gives Carmilla and Laura the development they deserve.

The story does not shy away from or try to lighten Carmilla's darkness, she is still a sinister vampire who lures girls to their deaths. Carmilla is not a mere misunderstood victim, but against the social oppression of the time, her dark and bloody life has an appeal in its freedom, and you can see why Laura is tempted by it.

It's a difficult task to retell such a classic, but Simper did it more than well.