September 2025
- Lindsay Mattison
- Aug 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Dark Academia
Dark Academia can be described as a moody wing of fantasy that tends to be set in elite schools where arcane study curdles into obsession.
Instead of clashing armies, the conflicts tend to be intellectual and personal—friends turned rivals, rivals to (reluctant?) allies, obsessions spiraling into tragedy, and ambition tipping into corruption. It leans heavily on gothic atmosphere...
Candlelit libraries, secret societies, and forbidden texts lure brilliant misfits past moral lines. It's gothic, brainy, and asks a timeless, unsettling question: what's knowledge worth if it costs your soul?
Nevernight
by Jay Kristoff
Mia Corvere isn’t just chasing revenge—she’s carving her name into the dark itself. Born under a ruined empire and armed with the ability of shadows that answer her call, she attends the Red Church, a deadly school for assassins where failure is punished with blood. Between venomous rivalries, sadistic mentors, and gods who meddle in silence, Mia must master the art of death before it claims her first. But vengeance has sharp edges, and as secrets coil tighter, she learns that destiny isn’t handed down—it’s stolen, with blood-stained hands and a smile that dares the world to stop her.
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Verdict: Hit or Miss
Cons:
Footnote fatigue: Divisive—some loved them, others found them disruptive, confusing, or unnecessary.
Writing style: Poetic metaphors and florid prose sometimes felt like “trying too hard.”
Romance/sex scenes: Mixed reactions—many felt unnecessary, awkward, or inappropriate given Mia’s age (16).
Female perspective issues: Several readers felt Kristoff didn’t capture an authentic teenage girl voice; some found it objectifying.
Narration quirks: Audiobook listeners disliked the narrator’s voice and structure with footnotes.
Uneven entry point: Some struggled with the opening scene and narrative jumps between past/present.
Pros:
Rich worldbuilding: Fantasy-Rome vibes, assassin school, detailed classes, tests, and a library of unwritten stories.
Complex characters: Main and side characters felt vivid and memorable, even minor ones.
Dark and daring tone: Gore, blood portals, shadows, assassins—unapologetically brutal and gothic.
Unique structure: Footnotes added history and world flavor (some loved them as fun, quirky context).
Strong pacing & reveals: Backstory was seamlessly woven in; major plot reveals felt earned.
Memorable moments: Haunting death scenes, shocking twists, and deeply cinematic imagery.
Mr. Kindly and Narration: The shadow cat/narrator element charmed many.
Series payoff: Sets up a trilogy with escalating stakes and a satisfying arc.
Immortal Dark
by Tigest Girma
Kidan Adane is born tied to a legacy she never claimed—and when sister vanishes, that legacy becomes her battleground. Kidan infiltrates Uxlay University, a hidden school where humans and dranaics (vampires) are bound by blood contracts. She must live under the same roof as Susenyos Sagad—the vampire she believes is responsible for her sister’s disappearance. As she digs deeper, Kidan uncovers ancient laws, lethal power struggles, and secrets buried in her own family’s roots. She’s willing to cross every line: to kill, betray, even bleed—for her sister. But when hate tastes like longing, and vengeance blurs with temptation, Kidan must ask: is she truly saving June—or losing herself more in the process?
More Info:
Verdict: Hit or Miss
Cons:
Plot execution: Many found the story hard to follow, with unclear or rushed connections and info-dumps late in the book.
Romance fell flat: The “hate/love/kill/don’t kill” dynamic felt shallow or unearned for some.
Kidan’s darkness: Readers were divided—her impulsive rage and destruction turned some off.
Character development gaps: Several wished her anger had been explored or resolved more deeply; others found her underdeveloped.
Uneven pacing: Strong beginning and strong ending, but the middle felt muddled.
Missed opportunities: World, lore, and revenge plot had potential but didn’t fully land.
Pros:
Unique perspective: Dark, raw, and realistic take on a sheltered, angry main character (Kidan).
Fresh vampire lore: Magic system tied to draining different body parts felt original and well-crafted.
Diverse voice: Written by an Ethiopian author, celebrated for representation and unique cultural lens.
Worldbuilding details: The house, the map, and the magic system stood out as immersive.
Bold character choice: Many enjoyed Kidan’s rage and refusal to soften, making her distinct.
Compelling side characters: Susenyos earned a lot of love.
Cliffhanger ending: Kept readers curious for Book 2.
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