Over the past couple of years, reading dark academia books has quickly become a favorite of mine. The whole aesthetic is… *chef’s kiss*. Studying in a dark corner of the library on a rainy day, grabbing coffee before a long lecture, and bustling through the windy courtyard to get to class! It gives me chills just thinking about it.
I think the reason this genre really appeals to me is that I didn’t get this experience in college. Although I wouldn’t change my college experience for anything, I have always dreamed of going to a school with beautiful brown-stone architecture and people running around in peacoats and scarves. You know, like the movies. My school was full of young adults in flip-flops rushing between ugly white-painted buildings. I know the aesthetic doesn’t matter when it comes to college, but I always felt like I missed out on something.
So, since I have finished college, and I am unsure whether I will be going back to school again, I have to live vicariously through books. Like we all do. I have read a couple dark academia books, The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, but I still have so much more exploring to do in this genre. So, I created this list of some of the dark academia books I want to read in the very near future. Some of these are set in college, others in boarding school, but they are all dark!
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A Lesson in Vengence by Victoria Lee
This is a new one, released in August of 2021, but it was quickly added to my TBR. It follows students at a school with hallways filled with dark magic. Soon, the students of this school start to be affected by this magic. Honestly, I added this to my TBR because of the genre, but learning more about the book, I am hooked. I got my hands on a copy of this book a couple of weeks ago, and I can’t wait to read it!
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Following a group of Shakespear students studying at an elite college, If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is a perfect addition to my dark academia TBR. Throw in a murder mystery, and you have me hooked. I have heard nothing but good things about this book, I can’t wait to read it.
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is another newer book on my list, released in June of 2021. Two students at an elite private school are having their secrets texted to the whole school. I love the idea of mixing such a dark concept with the modern technology of texting. I can’t wait to read this debut novel.
How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao
How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao is your classic murder mystery set with the backdrop of a boarding school. The students have a lot to lose when someone claims they will release all their dark secrets if they don’t solve the murder of a fellow classmate. I have always loved murder mystery stories, and this one sounds very high stakes and intriguing.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
I have actually started reading Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. I am about 100 pages in and I am already a huge fan. But since I haven’t finished, I decided to add it to my TBR list. This book is a retelling of the mythology of King Arthur, set in the real world at a college. I love the myth of King Arthur, I had no doubt I would enjoy this book.
Plain Bad Heroins by Emily M. Danforth
The premise of Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth is unlike anything I have ever read. When a film is being created about an old secret society at a boarding school, the present and past start mixing together, their tales entertaining so much they can’t be detangled. If that sounds confusing to you, same. But I’m curious and that’s good enough for me to pick up a book.
The Furies by Katie Lowe
When a friend of the main character, Olivia, from The Furies by Katie Lowe goes missing, the mystery begins. But some of Olivia’s friends are starting to act strange and she doesn’t know who to trust. This sounds like it will be similar to all the murder mysteries set at private schools, and I love them. I can’t get enough of them. Bring on all the pretentious main characters and murder-y surprises.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Until I did some research, I had no idea that A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara was considered dark academia. I initially added it to my TBR because I am currently on a mission to find a book that will make me cry. I have never cried while reading a book and I want to. So I am going big with the book everyone says traumatized them! Wish me luck!
If you do read this book, please check the trigger warnings. I know this book talks about some intense and dark subjects.
We Wish You Luck by Caroline Zancan
We Wish You Luck by Caroline Zancan has some… not-so-great reviews on Goodreads. But how could I not want to read this book with such a beautiful cover? This book follows a group of students who take revenge on a professor for destroying their love for writing. I love a good revenge plot in a book, so I am hoping I will be in the minority of people who enjoy this book.
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Vicious by V.E. Schwab has been on my TBR for years. A while ago, I got into a morally grey character kick, and everyone was recommending me this book. Of course, I still have yet to read it, but I know it takes place at a college, so it fits perfectly into this dark academia list. Theoretically, according to this blog post, I will be reading this book this year. We will see if that actually happens.
I am so glad that the dark academia genre has seen a little bit of a resurgence over the past couple of years. I love reading dark and atmospheric books, especially during the fall and winter months. With this list, I don’t think I will be running out of options for a while.
What is your favorite dark academia book? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to expand this TBR!
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