A magic system, in an academy, possibly even a romance or a fantasy? I AM SAT. I've been really enjoying this kind of dark academia-cum-romantasy genre (I'm using that word in the Latin sense, don't be so disgusting! Although admittedly Sloopies, som... Please comment if you have any recommendations for me!! I love to read.
Sections
4
Newly published
In-between (not quite, but worth mentioning)
The classics for paranormal dark academia
TV/Film adaptation
Newly published
Or at least published more recently, in the 2020's
My god, this had me PACING in thought.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
I know Kuang's not for everyone, but I love her writing so god damn much.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Book 1 in a duology. If you like the writing style of Holly Black, this is similar.
Arcana Academy
Dark academia, romance. Less magic, more sci-fi ish? Age gap.
Nocticadia by Keri Lake
You'll either hate this or you'll love it so much it will literally take over your entire life.
Zodiac Academy Series by Caroline Peckham
This series is so good but beware the FMC is a little annoying. The MMC though? Delicious. Only the first book has a true academic setting.
City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards (House of Devils series)
Okay so I might be trolling you with this next rec slightly, check the trigger warnings first, but given I recommended Potter it felt fitting to add this too.
Alchemised
Leigh Bardugo always wins with her writing. I can never get enough!
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
In-between (not quite, but worth mentioning)
Ok, so I'm not classing this as an original series, but its not recently published either?
Not set at a school per se, but a big chunk of this book is set around a university so there is academia lore
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The classics for paranormal dark academia
Not like the 19th century novel classics, I just mean like, the O.G series in this genre. Not published in the last 4-5 years, but think slightly older. Like 2016. Wait, 2016 was 10 years ago??? When did that happen
City of Bones is the O.G book that set this whole obsession of fantasy academia books into motion for me
Shadowhunters Novels
They're at school in the first ones okay!
The Twilight Saga
Okay, so, less magic. They are at a reform school though and theres some freaky magical shit happening. This is also a great TV show..
Fallen Series by Lauren Kate
Witches, vampires, set at Oxford uni. Need I say more?
A Discovery of Witches (All Souls, #1) by Deborah Harkness
How could I not add this here?
Harry Potter Box Set by J.K Rowling: The Complete Collection
Before it was an iconic TV show… it was a good book
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith
TV/Film adaptation
For if you're not in the mood to embark on an entire book series right now
a CW classic
The Vampire Diaries (TV Series 2009–2017)
the Shadowhunters film adaptation
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)
Matthew Goode is so good in this
A Discovery of Witches (TV Series 2018–2022)
Watched the first 5 episodes on a plane and then went on a rampage through the internet to find the rest of this series. So good!
Fallen
a cult classic! Deserves a rewatch if only for the scene with Emmet's bag of eggs, or to hear Jacob say ‘Bella! Where the hell have you been loca?’
