Dark academia books you should definitely read

As the term suggests, a “dark academia” book includes an academic setting, such as a prominent institution or prep school, where something horrible or peculiar typically occurs, like a homicide or fantasy magic. If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve definitely seen images and videos that have a gritty, academic feel to them. Uncertain about where to begin?  we’ve compiled the best dark academia literature for you in this article. 

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The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

A bookworm’s fantasy, Erin Morgenstern’s 2019 follow-up to The Night Circus is a beautiful, magical book about books. There are countless stories that will draw you in, even though The Starless Sea is set in our world and Zachary Ezra Rawlins is the son of a fortune teller and a student at a Vermont college. Readers can relish the world Morgenstern creates for them through his beautiful words and connected storylines that are reminiscent of fairy tales.

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

A sinister, suspenseful thriller about a spooky boarding school with a long history of witchcraft. Fans of dark academia will love A Lesson in Vengeance’s eerie backdrop, ethically dubious characters, and ambiguity. A Lesson in Vengeance is one of the most well-liked dark academic books of the year because of its endearing characters, darkly witchy and Gothic atmosphere, and some perilous situations.

Catherine House by Elizabeth Thomas

Catherine House, a fascinating, Gothic-influenced tale of literary suspense, marks the debut of a remarkable new voice. The book chronicles the tale of Catherine House, a prestigious institution that produces some of the brightest minds in the world. One of the essential dark academic classics, Catherine House is perfectly Gothic and enigmatic.

If we were Villains by M.L Rio

The dark academic novel If We Were Villains, which has elements of The Secret History, has received positive reviews from reviewers.   The plot of this book centers on a group of actors who are studying Shakespeare at a prestigious arts university. The students will now face the greatest acting challenge of their lives: pretending they are innocent enough to convince the police and themselves. However, their preoccupation with the theater quickly becomes lethal.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn 

One of the most talked-about YA books in recent years, Legendborn is a hit.  Legendborn, a novel based on the tale of King Arthur, follows Bree Matthews, a teenager who enrolls in a UNC-Chapel Hill residential programme for gifted high school students. A secret club of “Legend Born” students hunts down the flying demon that threatens the college. Bree wasn’t supposed to see any of this, so “Merlin,” a magician, makes an effort to erase Bree’s memories. But when he tries to achieve that, he instead awakens Bree’s latent abilities.

Final thoughts from dark academia buffs!

While ‘nerds ‘ are frequently mocked in popular culture for having a hunger for information, Dark Academia enthusiasts think that living “the dark academia lifestyle” is cozy and familiar. They are able to experience firsthand a privileged academic existence with unrestricted access to knowledge.

The thriller sub-genre occasionally bleeds over into the academic world. It can be fantasy, but it doesn’t always have to be. If that sounds too general, it is.

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