Deathbringer by. Sonia Tagliareni | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️

Title: Deathbringer (#1)

Author: Sonia Tagliareni

Pages: 432

Format: ebook (kindle unlimited)

Categories: Dark Academia, Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Murder Mystery, Series

Born with the ability to speak with the dead, Viola hates her magic. It killed her sister, Olivia, and if she doesn’t learn why, it will kill her too. Her only hope lies within the perilous walls of Gorhail Institute of Magic, where Olivia spent her final days.

There, Viola clashes with Sylas, a poison mage whose magic stems from three magical snakes. Immortal, tormented, and reckless, Sylas is tethered to a life he never asked for and haunted by guilt for his father’s death. His hatred for death mages runs deep, and he’s determined to keep Viola at a distance. But when an attack forces him to heal her, their fates become intertwined by a magical bond that threatens to upend his loyalties—and his common sense.

As more students start turning up dead, Viola and Sylas are drawn into an uneasy alliance that pulls them deeper into Gorhail’s treacherous passageways, where secrets fester beneath the stone and the dead do not rest. And as enemy lines begin to blur and their undeniable attraction grows, Viola and Sylas uncover a chilling someone is hunting mages for their magical relics, and if they can’t uncover the killer in time, Viola will be next.

Content Warning: death, violence

+~ Viola hates her magic, but when her sister is killed and she is brought to Gorhail – she learns even more about her family, and her magic. There is a murder mystery going on because her sister is not the only one killed, and though mysteries move a little too slow for me, the dark academia aspects sucked me into the story. I also liked the magic and different houses ~ especially the asperi (snakes), I just wish we got to see use Viola use more of hers.

+~ Though Viola hates her magic and wants nothing to do with it, she does what she can to help with figuring out who is killing people at the academy. I definitely see growth in her but it would have been nice to see her learn how to use her magic. I did enjoy the found family in the story, especially Sylas’s family that kind become Viola’s friends. His sister Lyria and his adopted brother Beau are great.

+~ I liked the enemies to lovers romance at first, though it is a very slow burn. Their families have bad blood, but Viola is really innocent to it – she doesn’t know the past of their family like Sylas does. He holds a grudge against Viola because of it but then falls for her. But he lets doubts in his mind about her which really turned me off. Viola doesn’t do anything to earn his distrust and yet, his prejudice against her family line hurts her. So…although he confesses his love and apologizes, I was not moved by him. Also, I do think they needed more interactions to solidify their relationship, it did come off a little bit like insta-love.

+~ The story is a murder mystery which means it does move at a slow pace. There is a lot of info to process but I do think there needs to be a little more world building so we could learn more about the academy.

Final Thoughts:

This was going to be a 4 star read…but then Sylas left me wanting. His behavior annoyed me, but I did like the romance until he annoyed me. I did enjoy Viola, Lyria and Beau. The murder mystery means this was slow paced but I like the magic and dark academia. I think it needs a little more world building but this was a solid first book in a series.

Read if you like:

found family
forbidden romance, slow burn
dark academia
murder mystery

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Hallowed Bones by. Lucy Smoke | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Hallowed Bones (Sons of Salem, #1)

Author: Lucy Smoke

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 10/6/26

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Categories: Why Choose, Witches, Dark Academia, Romance, New Adult, Mystery, Paranormal, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The first in the Sons of Salem series— a seductive, dark why-choose romance filled with cursed bloodlines, secret societies, and a powerful heroine destined to save the coven.

Four cursed heirs. One forbidden witch. A desire that burns bright.

I was warned to stay away from the Sons of Salem. Not because they’re monsters—but because they’re broken enough to recognize one.

Ezra Bishop.
Cameron Goode.
Lyall Corey.
Reyes Scott.

And me—Haven Wardwell.

Legacies. Witches. Something far worse than myths.

Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what Now that I’m here, there’s no telling what the Dark Gods will ask for in return.

Ghosts haunt the corridors of Ipswich College, and if I’m not careful, I might just become one of them.

Content Warning: violence, death, gore, self harm

Set in Ipswich College in Massachusetts, I love the vibes of this book. It’s got the cobwebbed filled, creepy college (that’s the dark academia element of it); the Salem Witch Trials history in the background, and rich, hot boys who are in a coven. All of it worked for me! I even love the scary monsters from the Veil, and the murders leaving bodies in ritualistic, gory poses. I kept thinking this would be a perfect book for spooky season!

I do think the murders get a little bit overshadowed by the main story of Haven figuring out she’s a witch and one the Sons of Salem need badly, in a provocative and practical sense. They have to convince her she’s a witch and need to learn how to control her powers but Haven gives them a hard time. I like Haven though, she’s practically alone, and has been dealing with visions and nightmares for years, so I would be skeptical like her too, plus she’s brave and strong enough to deal with these four guys.

As for these Sons of Salem – Cameron, Ezra, Reyes and Lyall, all hot, all with different powers, temperaments and ways of seduction – I’m not the biggest Why Choose romance, it has to be done right and so far I think this is starting off good. Is there instant lust? Yes, but it’s a slow burn and hey a new witch is coming into her wild powers and have to be a priestess in a male dominated coven? The instant lust feels normal honestly and all it came with was a few kisses. There is one full spicy scene and I was actually pleasantly surprised by this because I thought she was gonna get with all the guys in this first book. I wasn’t ready for all of that yet! So I’m glad this only had one graphic spice scene. I actually want to see how she connects with each guy as the story goes on.

So I do hope we get more of the murder mystery, but I felt like this first book did a good job of setting the stage for things to come.

Final Thoughts:

I kind of devoured this one because I loved the setting, the paranormal elements, monsters and even the gory murders! I think it all fits together and though this was insta-lust it was also a slow burn when it comes to the spice, I think it’s setting us up for way more to come though. I think out of all the guys Ezra is the one that intrigues me, but I like all the guys so far. I would like more about the murder mystery though so I look forward to reading the next book.

Read if you like:

cursed bloodlines, Witches, Werewolf
Why Choose romance but low spice so far
creepy setting, dark academia
murder mystery

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Winterveil by. Ava Reid | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Winterveil

Author: Ava Reid

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 448

Publication Date: 9/15/26

Publisher: HarperCollins

Categories: Dystopian, Cold War, Dark Academia, Sci-Fi, Young Adult, LGBT+, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to HarperCollins for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

There is no application process for Valeran Academy, but it boasts the brightest – and precociously criminal – students in the nation.

A disgraced politician from a powerful American dynasty.

A coldly brilliant strategist who will sacrifice anything to win.

A former pageant queen with a talent that could change the world.

A prodigious female soldier with an enigmatic past – and a dangerous secret.

With eerie war simulations, cutthroat competitions and foreboding new technology, Valeran trains its students to be elite assets in a Cold War that has dragged on for nearly a century. But as a sinister conspiracy takes shape and these four are drawn together for a mysterious mission, their loyalties are tested, their convictions shaken and they all begin to are they ushering in a new era of freedom, or tyranny?

Content Warning: violence, death, sexual harassment/assault, mentions of abusive parent

Set in 2037, the Cold War, with Russia (USSR) is still going on and USA is still trying find ways to win the war. Already I had to suspend my belief a lot, so I was wary about this book and didn’t think i would like it. But to my surprise, I could not put it down.

I like the different teenagers that are assembled at Valeran Academy to supposedly help end this war. They are misfits, some of them are criminals of a different variety, which made things very interesting. The main four characters are Nadiya, Giselle, Klaudia and Julian. They are all flawed which I enjoyed. I got attached to the three girls because they had fascinating backgrounds and skills. I loved Nadiya and Giselle’s growing relationship and I was drawn to Klaudia and her ice princess personality. Julian was at times detestable and I don’t know if that was on purpose but I don’t know that he can redeem himself in my eyes in the sequel. But I did like his rivalry with Klaudia.

Valeran Academy is a secret institute training the best of minds to help with the war efforts and they train students through simulations. They have other classes to round out their education but the simulations are what will ultimately help them with their missions. The kids are vying for top rankings so they can get a good job after graduation maybe with the CIA or other government sectors but the competition is fierce.

There were some instances that made me feel uncomfortable in the story, but I’ve noticed with the two books I’ve read from this author, that this is a common feeling while reading her books. It can get dark, for example there are teachers being inappropriate with the students. Or Julian and some of his thoughts about Klaudia, especially during a certain scene. It definitely gave the tone that Valeran Academy and the people that run it, though it is all for protecting the USA, have some sinister motives. Also, some of the aspects about the simulations did go over my head because we are in it with them, it seems so real, and I still don’t know how Giselle can do what she does – she doesn’t either so I’m hoping it will be explained more in book two.

Despite that, I flew through this book because of Klaudia and her intelligence, Nadiya and her protectiveness and Giselle with her rare skill or powers (not sure yet). I like the high stakes and puzzles as this team has to figure out their mission.

Final Thoughts:

This was a quick read for me, I really liked the pacing. And although I didn’t care much about the Cold War and what the government was doing to end it, I cared a lot about the characters especially Nadiya, Giselle and Klaudia. I think they are what made the book so enjoyable. They are complex and I admired their intelligence and what they brought to the table. They had different traumas, and fascinating backgrounds. Okay, I guess Julian is a part of the team with his charm, but there are things about him I just don’t like. The only part I did like about him was his rivalry with Klaudia. The story has high stakes, fierce competition, and some betrayal. I’ll definitely be reading book two to see how the story progresses!

Read if you like:

dystopian
dark academia
complex characters

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

A Theory of Dreaming by. Ava Reid | ARC Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A Study in Drowning by. Ava Reid | Book Review – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sorrow and Strangers by. Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Sorrow and Strangers (Avalon University, #2))

Author: Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune

Format: eBook (Simon Maverick) and paperback (Simon Maverick)

Pages: 754

Publication Date: 9/8/26

Publisher: Simon Maverick

Categories: Dark Academia, Dark Romance, Fantasy, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from Simon Maverick in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Simon Maverick for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Fear. Fury. And Fire.

To Know is Never Enough.

Summer Tuatha De Daanan reluctantly returns to Avalon University for her second year after spending the summer with her vampire best friend in Draculea. She’s a shell of her former self, and the peace promised to her has never felt further from her reach. All Summer wants is to keep her head down and get through the year cloaked in her depression, but looming threats linger, and she quickly finds herself thrust into a dangerous position once again; entangled with a friend turned enemy, the protector of her beloved family, and the target of two very powerful kings.

Unwilling to suffer any further loss, Summer must push through her emotions to prepare herself for the enemies who threaten everything she holds dear. Through runic training with the revered and brooding Headmaster Emrys, combat with the aloof and strong-willed Max, and improving her mental walls with the dark and mysterious stranger, each step pulls her further from the edge of despair. Yet, nothing will be simple for Summer, and the more she trains, the more she discovers who she truly is, forcing her to confront her inner darkness. The beast within that purrs for her enigmatic stalker.

A darkness that is waiting to be explored. A darkness that will not be denied.

Content Warning: grief, violence, *read the trigger warnings at the start of the book*

+~ I think this sequel is more character driven than plot driven, which was a little frustrating because I needed more plot. It’s a long book and if constant spice is not your thing, you might want to skip this one because there is a lot of it. We are back at the school but we hardly see these characters go to school, it’s everything to do with outside school hours like partying and training at the gym. I wanted more plot, but it happens at the end of the book. It’s one of those addictive reads that don’t require much brain power though, I even guessed who Stranger was earlier in the book.

+ The portrayal of grief in this book is so real. A little too real that I was missing Connor so much in this book. He really was the character I loved the most in book one and I can’t even believe he’s gone. Summer is grieving in the beginning of the book and she goes through it. She’s wasting away before Alice’s eyes and goes through all the stages of grief.

+~ Summer as a character was never one who I totally loved, not even in book one. So there are a lot of moments in this book she was testing my patience especially with the back and forth with Stranger. Again, her mental state was going through some trauma, but it was whiplash. I would really love to know more about Summer. I need more about her history, being Seelie, what makes her powerful and I’m sure that’s coming in book three but I need more.

+ My favorite characters in this book are Alice and Rafe, the secondary characters who I feel deserves books of their own. Alice is an amazing best friend who is there for Summer thick and thin, through the grief, through the boy drama (she’s the no-judgment best friend), I love her. Rafe is Connor’s brother and I love the Morningside family, they are just good people including Rafe even though he’s going through a hard transition in his life. I also loved Mira, a new character. Stranger is also very intriguing and we get to know him a bit more in this one, he’s still a major stalker though but he has a lot of patience with Summer.

+~ The romance between Summer and Stranger, it’s inevitable, and it’s tumultuous. It’s toxic. There is a lot of spice in this one, and it felt like it was half the story. The spice with Max, it was exciting at first and then got stale because it was repetitive. At least the ones with Stranger were different but it was hard seeing Summer go back and forth between them, putting boundaries and then breaking them without putting up any real fight. My favorite romance in the story was actually Rafe and Mira’s! Sure it was insta-lust and love but those two had the romance I was waiting for between Summer and Stranger.

Final Thoughts:

After reading two books in the series, I think it’s safe to say, the books will always be long. I miss Connor and the book did accomplish relaying the “sorrow” and grief Summer was experiencing after losing him. I would love more world building and a plot that isn’t overshadowed by the spice. The highlights of the book for me were Alice, Rafe and Mira. I also find Stranger fascinating and I can’t wait to learn more about Uncle Luc and Hell.

But if you loved book one, you will love this one too because you will get more of Summer and her boy drama, and lots of spice. For me I just needed a little more world building and a little less spice and hope I get that in book three.

Read if you like:

relationship drama, dark romance
lots of spicy scenes
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Blood & Betrayals by. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune | Book Review – 2.5 stars/3 🌶️

Daybreak by. Autumn Woods | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Daybreak (Sorrowsong University, #2)

Author: Autumn Woods

Pages: 479

Format: ebook (own)

Publication Date: 7/28/26

Categories: New Adult, Dark Academia, Dark Romance, Romance, Mystery, Series

Alex’s Corbeau-Green’s world is burning down around him, and Ophelia Winters is desperate to prove she didn’t light the fire.

When Ophelia first accepted a scholarship from Sorrowsong, an elite university in the Scottish Highlands, she wanted nothing more than to destroy Alex and his family at any cost. But that was before she knew him, before they became each other’s everything. Now, after an unthinkable betrayal and the disappearance of his father, Alex is forced to return to New York, desperate to forget what they had, and salvage the damage done to his family. In Scotland, Ophelia is left reeling, alone . . . and watched.

With a new anonymous tormentor threatening to release evidence that Ophelia and Alex committed a murder on campus, it’s clear that they’re going to need each other once again. But can they find a way to trust each other, and repair the love that they had? And even if they can—will it be enough this time to keep them alive?

Content Warning: mentions of abuse, death, grief, illness, mental health, depression, stalker

I loved Nightshade so I had to get this book ASAP.

I have to say this book is less dark academia and mystery than the first book and more romance. I did feel like the mystery of the stalker and where Alex’s dad was hiding out got a little lost in the romance between Ophelia and Alex. I would have loved more breadcrumbs about the stalker and Alex’s dad. The stalker reveal felt a bit anticlimactic too and the way the situation played out was just sad.

Speaking of Alex, if I was rating this book just because of him alone, it’s 5 stars. He is dealing with depression, dealing with his horrible father in hiding and trying to keep his mom and sisters safe. Plus he is so madly in love with Ophelia and needs her so bad…it broke my heart so bad to see him try and hold on and not fall apart. I feel like this is Alex’s book. It shined a light on his troubles, his vulnerabilities and the story really focuses on mental health and depression. I don’t know if I’ve loved a male character as I love Alex – he’s just so gentle with the women in his life. Okay, maybe he is just outnumbered and they wear him down 😅 but the way he loves them is just amazing and all I wanted was for him to feel loved back. He’s just trying his best and I needed him to have a happy ever after with Ophelia.

And the romance? Ugh, my heart…Alex and Ophelia are my favorite young couple and they have the best banter. And I love their inside jokes and things only that is special to them like the crossword puzzles, and the “until midnight” sayings. 🥰 They are the cutest couple ever when they aren’t trying to push the other away. They even try to have a long distance romance. They are two broken people, who find each other in the midst of grief, depression, revenge and secrets. They had so much to work to do in their relationship…and I love that they DO work things out. There is spice, but with them I feel like their spicy moments are fun and heartfelt.

Also, the secondary characters are great. Ophelia finally has friends, and I love Colette, she is so funny! I also love how Bella who isn’t her “friend” actually, tells her off because sometimes Ophelia needed it! She’s found a family with Alex’s mom and sisters, she grows and accepts help and open up to people. And Vincenzo? He is such a goofball and made me laugh.

Quotes From the Book:

“Right people, wrong universe. That’s what she thinks about us.” – Daybreak by. Autumn Woods

“To be loved by Alex Corbeau-Green is unlike anything I’ve ever known.” – Daybreak by. Autumn Woods

“A relationship won’t fix your depression, no matter how much you love her.” – Daybreak by. Autumn Woods

“She’s everything. She’s the words, the clues, the black spaces that hold the whole puzzle together.” – Daybreak by. Autumn Woods

Final Thoughts:

This is Alex’s book and I love Alex so I’m biased. The romance is a 5 star, the whole book and how it flowed I’d actually give 4 stars so I’m settling at 4.5. This sequel is filled with trauma, heartache, mental health issues like depression, but so much love also and even some hope. Alex’s love is amazing – he loves his mom and sisters like crazy and his love for Ophelia? Never ending. As for Ophelia, she grows, finds friendship and even a family (Alex’s family) – she learns to open up to others. Did the mystery about the stalker and even Alex’s dad become a little lost among the romance drama? I think it did a little. The stalker reveal felt anticlimactic and overall it was a sad situation. I wish it played out differently. But despite that issue this story had me in a chokehold because of the romance and Mr. Alex Corbeau-Green. Alex and Ophelia has been through so much and I’m glad they get their happily ever after! Can’t wait to see what this author writes next.

Read if you like:

Alex Corbeau-Green 🥰 yearning
mystery
romance with dark themes – mental health

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Nightshade by. Autumn Woods| Book Review – 4.5 stars/2 🌶️

Song For Another Home by. Bora Lee Reed | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Song For Another Home

Author: Bora Lee Reed

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 320

Publication Date: 7/21/26

Publisher: 37 Ink

Categories: Historical Fiction, Korean War

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to 37 Ink for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko meets Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing in this powerful story of family separation and reunion, as well as love and war from a Reese’s Book Club LitUp fellow.

When news hits that the Americans have entered the war between North and South Korea, everyone believes the war is all but over. Surely it is only a matter of time before Oksoon’s dad and brother will return from the south where they have gone to look for opportunities. As they wait, they are surprised to see the Chinese have also now entered the war, bombing their capital city Pyeongyang. They must quickly decide if they too should flee south toward Seoul or wait for their family. With winter closing in and very few resources left, the trek won’t be easy—and their father is the head of the family, after all. But neither will it be easy living under a communist regime.

Meanwhile, far to the south near Jinju, Oksoon’s cousin Junho flees the war to find refuge at the Lord’s Beloved Home for Children. As the orphanage struggles to keep its doors open, Junho is put in charge of drafting letters to rich American benefactors, convincing them to send money to Korea. But when the enigmatic orphanage director brings her aristocratic niece to stay at the Home, Junho finds himself caught between his impulse for survival and his growing affections, which put him at risk of being expelled from the only safe place he knows.

Movingly rendered, Song for Another Home highlights the tension between personal dreams and duty to family, the power of resilience, and how choices made in a brief moment have consequences that reverberate for lifetimes.

Content Warning: death, sexual harassment, violence, starvation, suicidal ideation

World Building: Set in Korea during the Korean war between North and South. There are two POVs told in 3rd person. Oksoon and her family flee Pyongyang because of the war but also they are in search of her father and older brother. Junho is Oksoon’s cousin who ended up helping at at orphanage because who fled to avoid going into the military. Both characters have different stories to tell, each dealing with the effects of the war on the people, and their situations but their stories merge by the end.

Characters: I was drawn most to Oksoon because she’s a young woman desperately hoping to find her father and brother while helping her mom and other brother survive their trek from Pyongyang. They meet people along the way, others who are suffering but trying to make the best of things until again they are torn from their safe place. I felt for Oksoon and her family, but mostly for her from beginning to end. Her mom is a strong lady who is trying to keep her kids close and help them survive. Her brother also is trying to help where he can. Junho had an interesting situation at the orphanage which had it’s own dramas with the director trying to find funding for the place and her niece, who comes to help at the orphanage but hiding a secret. The Boatman was an interesting character, as well as Dolly who was a prostitute.

Story: I did find the story riveting but also the ending left me so empty because I was just super sad for Oksoon and the circumstances that led to the decision at the end. I was also mostly drawn to her story. Junho story at the orphanage was important too but for some reason I kept looking forward to Oksoon’s story. The story explores so many themes like family, duty and even women’s roles back then. Overall the story captures the realities of living in a war very well – the strength and determination to survive, families split apart, death, dying, prostitution, lack of food and resources…just everyone trying their best to survive such a harsh reality. It didn’t go into the explanation of the war, it’s more about what happens to the victims of war.

Final Thoughts:

This story captures the ugly side of war, where it comes down to the people caught in the crossfire. Oksoon and her family makes a harrowing journey south to find her father and brother. Junho is pretty much safe at an orphanage but it still isn’t easy when everyone is starving and desperate to keep the place open. I was mostly drawn to Oksoon’s story but overall, I thought this was a riveting read.

Read if you like:

historical fiction

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

An Arcane Education by. Lyla Andrews | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: An Arcane Education (Arcadia Academy, #1)

Author: Lyla Andrews

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 363

Publication Date: 7/20/26 (paperback)

Publisher: Lyla Andrews

Categories: Dark Academia, Romantasy, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Lyla Andrews for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

An Arcane Education is a dark academia romance with fantasy elements, a slow burn professor/student relationship, atmospheric gothic vibes, and found family. Perfect for fans of Nocticadia, Gothikana, and Blood & Betrayals.

Magic. Wealth. Beauty. Reputation.

Here, all of them amount to the one thing everyone Power.

Welcome to Arcadia Academy. Trust no one.

The day I’m attacked is the day I discover magic is real – and I have the power to wield it.

Two days after the incident, I receive an invitation to the graduate program at Arcadia Academy, an elite, mysterious school of magic hidden on an island somewhere off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. With the courage to finally leave behind the mundane life of responsibility I never asked for, I enroll at the prestigious institution, determined to find my place and prove myself.

Unfortunately, my goal isn’t as simple as it seems. New to the world of magic, years behind my classmates, and struggling to control my powers, I’m barely surviving – until the strict, enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome Professor Alaric Vale offers to tutor me. But the longer we spend together, the harder it becomes to deny the forbidden spark burning between us.

Furthermore, not everything is as it seems at Arcadia Academy, with its crawling ivy, ancient stone buildings, and dense forests shrouded in fog. Everyone has secrets to hide, some darker than others. Darker still are the strange plant aberrations occurring in the depths of the forest – ones seemingly related to Professor Vale’s suspicious top-secret research.

When my personal investigations lead to me becoming the talk of campus as a primary suspect in another student’s death, I’m forced to prove my innocence, all while learning to control my magic, concealing the secrets I share with Professor Vale, and uncovering a shocking mystery related to my own past.

Content Warning: death

World Building: Vivian is invited to attend Arcadia Academy where she finds out magic is real and she has it. She has plant powers. The academy is on an island and students of different species and magic attend the school, and though Vivian is a Freshman because she just learned about magic, she is a graduate student as well. Vivian has always been a caretaker of her sibling so she’s never really had time to herself but at the academy she learns to make friends, and even go to a party or two – but then she finds out her dad (who died before she could meet him) went to that academy and learns that not all is as it seems on campus. But for the first 20% of this book it is just world building and learning about the classes and academy.

Characters: I like Vivian, she’s a graduate student but has to learn the basics of magic. She has a difficult time controlling her magic so she takes the initiative to seek help for that. Living away from home is also a challenge, especially because her roommate is a grumpy vampire named Max. Vivian is a good student, a good person, and smart. She does make a few friends eventually but I would love to know more about them. Alaric is the hot professor on campus and he’s hiding a few secrets but he and Vivian are drawn to one another.

Romance: There is a student/professor romance in this one that I thought for the most part was pretty good. I wish there was a little more chemistry between them but maybe because it’s Alaric’s personality – he’s focused on academics and doesn’t display much emotion. There is spice and things are more interesting because of their status as student and professor, but there were some things I questioned about Alaric.

Story: This is a slow moving story, especially the first 25% where it’s world-building. I felt like most of the story in the was about Vivian going to school, being in class, and making friends and not much was happening. Even after finishing it I thought the mystery about what Alaric is studying and keeping secret is way too vague. He just tells Vivian he can’t tell her for sake of her safety but I wanted to know something, just even a crumb of information to keep me interested. After Vivian starts settling into campus life she does take on the mystery of her father being a student once at the academy and she tries to do an investigation but again, it really doesn’t go anywhere. This story is easy to read and it is atmospheric – it definitely gives the dark academia vibes, something sinister is happening but we just have no clue as to what – which was the frustrating part for me. Also, the names Clarissa and Callista had me confused in one scene because she talked to these girls one after the other and I had to re-read that section. 😅

Final Thoughts:

If you like dark academia you will enjoy this one, but for me, I just needed a little more from it. It’s almost got a cozy vibe to it but all the dark academia elements are there also, which I enjoyed. I wanted more information about Vivian’s dad and Alaric’s research but since this is a series, it’s probably being drawn out. Even though I found some parts of this to be too slow for me, I did like how it was easy to read, and love the new friend group for Vivian. The romance was spicy and enticing because of the forbidden aspect of student and professor but even with their relationship I wanted a little more chemistry – but maybe it’s just Alaric’s personality. Overall, a solid start to a series.

Read if you like:

dark academia
mystery
student/professor romance

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Ruinous Ends by. I.V. Marie | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: Ruinous Ends (The Souls of Blackwood Academy, #2)

Author: I.V. Marie

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 480

Publication Date: 7/14/26

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dark Academia, Romance, Paranormal, Series, LGBT+

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Delacorte Press for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Decennial is over, but for the students of Blackwood Academy, the fight for the afterlife has just begun.

The infamous school was hiding more secrets—and lies—than any of the Decennial’s participants could have imagined. And there’s still so much that remains buried beneath its ancient foundations. Now the future of the academy, and all the souls within it, rests in the hands of six former pupils:
The charmer and the golden boy . . .
The traitor and the girl desperate to save her . . .
The Chosen One and the one who would choose her over and over again . . .

Any of them could be the hero the afterlife needs . . . or the villain who will destroy it for good. Because the truth is, Blackwood’s biggest secret has yet to come to light—and when it does, it will shake the institution to its core.

Content Warning: violence, death

This is the conclusion to The Souls of Blackwood Academy duology and we are back with the crew from book one, but this time they are separated. With them separated I didn’t feel like the found family trope was as strong as it was in book one. I think that’s why I wasn’t as into this book as I was into book one, I missed them all together. Also, because there are multiple POVs, I did find it hard to reconnect to these characters except for my favorites like Olivier and Emilio. But I did like how each little group was doing what they needed to do to save the afterlife.

There are a few romances going on – I love Olivier and Emilio still, they are sweet together. August and Wren have the romance that is full of angst and yearning, August will do anything for Wren which was admirable. Masika is still pining for Catherine, but they can’t work that out until near the end.

I felt like the beginning was a bit slow but things in the second half of the book really picks up with some twists and turns.

Final Thoughts:

For me, I thought it was a solid ending, but the first half was slower than the second half. I enjoyed the romances especially Olivier and Emilio’s. Overall, I think if you loved book one, you will love this conclusion.

Read if you like:

mulitiple POVs
multiple romances

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Immortal Consequences by. I.V. Marie | Book Review – 3.5 stars/1 🌶️

White Lights by. Lauren Kate | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: White Lights (#1)

Author: Lauren Kate

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 6/9/26

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Categories: Contemporary Fantasy, Romance, Angels, Dark Academia (film school), Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

When mysterious Rafe de la Cruz rolls into Desdemona’s life to recruit her to the elite film school Acheron, Dez has no reason to trust him—and no other option. A violent attack has just put her brother in the hospital…and Dez is the only suspect. Guilt-ridden and grieving, she finds herself running from the law to chase her longtime dream of making movies, at a school she’s never heard of. Soon, she’s dropped into Acheron’s cutthroat world of seductive intrigue, power on an otherworldly scale, and deadly competition.

Acheron may seem like the ticket to a future Dez has always wanted, but as she delves deeper into the secret work being done there, she finds herself trapped in an existential conflict on a cosmic scale—with more than her heart on the line.

Content Warning: violence, death

World Building: Set in present day, Dez goes from living in Death Valley to attending a supposedly exclusive Film School in the Rocky Mountains. And there was a lot of belief I had to suspend to believe a lot of the things happening in this book. But I did push through and I did say things got very interesting. The film school is not what Dez expects it to be and there are a lot of secrets to be unraveled by the end. There were a lot of confusing things about the film school – but mostly because we don’t know the big deal about this school, we are just like Dez, going into it blind but we don’t get more information closer to the end.

Characters: Dez is very interesting – she wants to be a film maker. But her start in this story is pretty wild and strange – things get stranger. One thing that bothered me was how she readily went with things without questioning it. Rafe is a hot stranger who picks her up on the side of the road after a violent event and then says she’s going to attend an exclusive film school…I just needed her to think about things a bit more. As for Rafe…he’s hot, but as we find out more about angels – we find they aren’t really emotionally available, and that relates to Rafe also. I liked seeing the differences between angels and humans, and how Dez has to figure out if ascending is right for her. I did enjoy the secondary characters, they were interesting.

Romance: Dez isn’t looking for romance – but there is a guy she keeps remembering, Asher. He was in a film she made. She only had a day with him and never saw him again but she can’t forget him. But now she’s with Rafe at Archeron and he’s her mentor, he is hot but not exactly a nice or trustworthy person. There is an attraction between them but when some things about angels are revealed, I became team Asher. Can Rafe redeem himself? Is this going to be a love triangle? I feel like Dez will be forced to be with Rafe in book two and I don’t like that idea but I guess we shall see. There are spicy scenes, more than I expected actually and some of them not including Dez and Rafe.

Story: This story is a little wild, a little strange but so unlike anything I’ve read. It’s violent, and then has the dark academia film school element added to it. And though I thought it was a little too unbelievable for me, sometimes it felt like a train wreck of a story, I kept reading because the premise was very unique. Angels? A film school? How do they tie in together? I had to keep reading to find out. It doesn’t seem to make sense but it starts to when things are explained, and it’s a very interesting reveal. Also, speaking of spice, it’s everywhere at the school apparently angels are very open and very sexual, which isn’t a new concept – I’ve read some spicy angel books but one thing that made me cringe was some of the descriptions of angels and what happens when they do the deed. It’s this big deal but I for some reason couldn’t take it seriously. The ending of this story kept me invested and though this story was all over the place, I was very entertained and will probably read book two. I think readers are either going to love or hate this one.

Vibes: film, angels, sex and secrets

Final Thoughts:

This was definitely something I haven’t read before. And I did read Fallen back in the day, but this is much different. It’s a little chaotic, and strange, but I did read it in two days, which means I was addicted to something about this story and I want to say it’s the uniqueness of the film school and how it ties into the angels. I felt okay about the romance, didn’t love it – but I do want to see where it goes in book two, a love triangle? I did find Dez an interesting character and would love to learn more about the angels. Also, that ending with Asher, makes me want to know what will happen next! I do think readers will either hate this one or love it. I was entertained by it so I think I will be reading book two.

Read if you like:

angels – spicy angels
dark academia but a film school
unique story

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Malachite by. Ashley Andersen | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Malachite (#1)

Author: Ashley Andersen

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 416

Publication Date: 5/7/26 | on KU 4/29/26 | on B&N 5/19/26

Publisher: Hachette New Zealand

Categories: New Adult, Dark Academia, Romantasy, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Hachette New Zealand for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Malachite is the start of a dark academia romantasy series that gives you enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, elemental powers, forced proximity, found family and the perfect amount of spice…

Malachite. Opal. Agate.
Three stones, three powers, three magical units.
Choose your unit … and hope that it chooses you back.

Arianell Nocthare has been waiting her whole life to enter the prestigious Valmora Academy, where students prepare for war by honing their elemental magic in one of three units. But there are two problems facing Aria on the night of her initiation ceremony. Firstly, her family has been cast into disgrace after her brother was executed for allegedly killing four students in an attempt at dark magic. Secondly, so far Aria has been unable to summon any magic—and being magic-less in an academy where everyone wants to spill your blood is a dangerous game. How will she enter the unit of her choosing and survive without a scrap of power?

Facing blatant scorn from every angle, especially from her brother’s best friend (the tall dark and lethally handsome, Sebastian) Aria is determined to clear her brother’s name and seek justice for his death. Forging a tentative and fraught relationship with Seb, she begins to uncover some terrifying truths about the academy. And a revelation about Aria’s power throws her world into chaos…

Content Warning: violence, death

World Building: Set in a fantasy world where stones give you power, I did enjoy this world a lot though it is mostly set in Valmora Academy. I thought the academy was an interesting place because of the three factions: Malachite (warriors), Agate (academics) and Opal (healers). Would have like to see them work together and learn about different powers but for now because it’s book one the story focuses on Arianell’s training and surviving the school where her brother died and was accused of killing other students. The ending explains much more about the academy and it’s origins.

Characters: For most of the book this read like a young adult novel, so I’m saying this is upper YA because there are spicy scenes. Arianell’s brother, Lukas, died at Valmora, leaving him a bad reputation as a murderer. But she only remembers him as the best brother she ever had and she wants to know what happened to him. Sebastian was Lukas’ best friend but he is far from friendly when Aria ends up at the academy. He is angry, hostile, mean and cruel to her but I like how Aria deals with bullies, and with him – she doesn’t give up and there is so much growth for her in this story. I love how she goes from hurt and weak to strong and brave. I also love seeing her make new friends with Tilly and Xavier.

Romance: This is a slow burn. Aria has had a crush on Sebastian for a long time so she is confused as to why he hates her now. And for most of the book I didn’t like how he treated her, so I am glad that she doesn’t fall for him right away. She questions her feelings of how she felt about the old Sebastian and seeing for what he is now, the one that has been hurting her – and she has to decide if the reason he is acting that way towards her is a forgivable offense. Because she wants him, but can she forgive him and I like that she tries to work that out instead of falling for him right away. There are some fun steamy scenes.

Story: I would have rated this higher if only the transitions between some paragraphs were fixed. I didn’t know if some sections were supposed to be separated into chapters – it made for a jarring reading experience at times because I had to read back to see if I missed something. So maybe because this is the arc – it will be fixed in the final copy? But other than that I was immersed in the story even though there were times I needed to be patient with Aria and her growth. Also, I felt like it took awhile to find out anything about Aria’s brother since no one wants to talk about him, Sebastian was keeping too many secrets. I loved the twist at the end and the ending feels like the world is going to sort of open up in book two – would love more world building.

Vibes: dark academia, girl who’s powers haven’t manifested, brother’s best friend but enemies to lovers

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I actually really enjoyed this one because I love gemstone powers, also the enemies to lovers romance progressed nicely though some communication and trust would have helped Aria and Sebastian out. I loved the friendship with Tilly and Xavier but the ending has a pretty entertaining twist I didn’t see coming and I want to see what happens next.

Read if you like: