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A Little Unhinged, A Little Learned
15
items All of the books to read for when you are needing a little Dark Academia in your life.
This book is absolutely sensational, a true work of brilliance. It's quite clever and beyond invigorating - the type of story that fully immerses you whilst reading it. The passion which radiates throughout this story makes me feel so in love with Sh...
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
The classic, gold standard for Dark Academia for a reason. This is an alarmingly beautiful story, as all the best greek tragedies tend to be; full of sorrow and struggle, but often accompanied by pure loyalty and divine inspiration. It makes sense wh...
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This book is fascinating and mysterious in all the same ways that people who seem untouchable are. But what those on the outside don't see is the narcissism, ambition, jealousy, desire, and rage. This story thrillingly captures those exact imperfecti...
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
This is a story of: obsession, violence, intellect, passion, and cruelty. And it consumed me entirely.
These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever
An old, historic NYC museum. A scholar dedicating his life to uncovering the secrets of renaissance occult and astrology. A summer intern who is no stranger to death. Is it fate that brought her to this moment and all the tragedy around it? This has ... radiates mystery, the subject material is interesting, the story demands answers of the world around it, and the characters suffer from their own hubris. It ticks all the boxes.
The Cloisters by Katy Hays
This was one of my most anticipated releases when it came out and it didn't let me down. I honestly inhaled this. AM is the master of short chapters. He truly understands how to get readers to say, “just one more and then I will go to bed.” And then ...
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
If books were people, this story would be my perfect match. Because this is the equivalent to tall, dark, and handsome. It's also intellectual, mysterious, and passionate. What can I say - I have a type. And it's Dark Academia (the fantasy element in...
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence by R.F. Kuang
This is such an ambitious novel for a debut and I think it has paid off rather extraordinarily. At the end of this, I felt learned, debauched, enlightened, bereft, and full of longing. Which is exactly what I want from this kind of novel.
The Orchard by David Hopen
Leigh Bardugo is synonymous with five stars, as far as I'm concerned. So believe the hype for this story, because it's real, its here, and it's very adult. Alex Stern is doing Slytherin proud. 🖤🐍
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
The writing and narrative structure alternating between past and present are good vehicles for this type of story. It's also unreliable and gives a couple of good revealing moments.
Black Chalk by Christopher Yates
This book really says “psychopaths, but make it fun.” What a totally wild experience. The premise is super interesting. I think it does attempt at times to show that not everyone with a conduct or personality disorder is a murderer/criminal. I think ...
Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurlan
What I loved most is the plot - a stolen manuscript being published and then implicating the thief in a murder is honestly top notch content. And the pacing in this is really well done. The chapters are short, but don't feel rushed. They give enough ...
Kill All Your Darlings by David Bell
I had so much fun with this! Definitely a hidden gem in the world of Dark Academia and publishing. What really had me going was the thrill of the cat and mouse game between mentor and mentee. I was also surprised by how many emotions the characters m...
The Mentor by Lee Matthew Goldberg
This book went by so incredibly fast - I feel like it ended just minutes after I started. I read it one sitting as it's the kind of story that glues your eyes to the page. Every single character in this has something seriously wrong with them. They'r...
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
This book is a trip, let me tell you what. There are so many characters, so many POVs, and the chapters are short so there's a lot of switching back and forth, it got to the point where I was halfway through and wondering what the heck was going on. ...
For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing