Into the Shadows: Dark Academia Book Recs
Who else loves books that make them want to wear turtlenecks, solve a murder, and brood in a library for hours? Here’s a list of dark academia reads to fuel your mysterious intellectual vibe!
Vilest Things Book Review
Vilest Things by Chloe Gong is a brilliantly layered sequel that surpasses the first book in its complexity and depth. The political intrigue, high stakes, constant plot twists, and the intoxicatingly dysfunctional romance subplot make it such a good read. Gong’s ability to mix humor, tragedy, and romance within such a dark, twisty framework is impressive. A must-read for fans of retellings, star-crossed lovers, morally gray characters, and fantasy worlds where the price of power is steep.
Echoes of the Raven Book Review
Andddd the slow-burn continues … Echoes of the Raven by Ingrid Seymour is a solid continuation of The Eldrystone series, picking up immediately where House of the Raven left off. The story plunges into darkness right from the start, which sets the tone for the intense journey ahead. The book shines in its second half, where the pacing quickly picks up, the plot thickens, and the character development deepens. Not to mention that ending?!!
Immortal Longings Book Review
Do the ends justify the means? Book 1 of the Flesh & False Gods series, Immortal Longings, by Chloe Gong takes you on a gritty, high-stakes journey through the twin cities of San-Er, where body-jumping assassins and exiled aristocrats battle for power and survival. This Antony and Cleopatra retelling weaves themes of power, loyalty, and deception with a narrative that challenges conventional ideas about identity and consent.
July 2024 Wrap-Up
This month was filled with ARCs, editing, and finishing up my re-read of Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series before moving on to her Crescent City series! There were a LOT of good reads this month, including Olena Nikitin’s Oath of Betrayal, Rebecca Ethington’s Crimson Stained Catalyst, and more!