7 Dark Academia Book To Read This Fall

Hello everyone, it’s fall aka back to school season aka the perfect time to dive into some thrilling dark academia books and live in the world of the best and wildest academia related fantasies. Anyway, I’ve become quite a fan of dark academia this year and I’ve read and enjoyed so many dark academia book but as it always is, there are so many more that have been added to my TBR. So today I’m telling you about the top 7 dark academia books I have read or desperately want to read!

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake 

Goodreads | My Review

I love this book so much and here’s why you should read it:

– Dark academia
– Secret Society
– Enemies to lovers
– DIverse Cast
– Beautiful writing
– Well fleshed out characters
– Fast paced!

Trigger Warnings: psychological trauma, blood, death of a parent, mass-shooting (in a place of religious practices), death of a loved one (off-page), drug use, anxiety, kidnapping, suicide and suicidal thoughts, emotional/mental abuse, manipulation, blood, gambling, cheating, degenerative disease, incest, sacrifice

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Goodreads | My Review

Ace of Spades is a powerful book that is tense and unsettling right from the beginning, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It’s Black and queer and uncomfortable and it doesn’t shy away from talking about hard things and pushes you to think as you read it. 

It is full of twists and turns and I couldn’t put it down. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly urge you to pick it up! I think you’ll all really enjoy it.

Trigger Warnings: racism, homophobia, beating, stalking, murder, outting, racial slurs, police stopping, mention of suicide attempt

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

Goodreads

I haven’t read this yet but Sai has me very excited and here is a quote from his review to get you all excited too!

“As a reader, the problem with finding that Perfect Book™ is that, talking about why we love it so much makes us feel vulnerable and exposed to everyone around us. I want to tell y’all about all the minor details in this book that made me go absolutely feral, why exactly I had that sort of visceral reaction in the first place — BUT — that feels like too much vulnerable feelings and truth to reveal to strangers on the internet, so I don’t want to.”

Trigger Warnings: Toxic relationship, Murder, Emotional abuse,Suicide, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual violence

If We Were Villains by M L Rio

Goodreads

This book is probably the one that started this wave of dark academia and resides at the peak of it. It has so many great reviews, all of which praise the characters and how well they’re fleshed out, the pacing of the book and the wiring. What more could you want?

If you’ve not read this book yet, this is your sign to go read it.

Trigger warnings: bullying, drinking, eating disorder, recreational drug use, homophobia, murder, slut-shaming, substance abuse, suicide 

How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao

Goodreads | Interview with the author

If a dark academia book with a diverse cast involving a murder mystery, high expectations of Asian parents and a hyper competitive school environment is your thing, this book is definitely it for you!

I haven’t had the chance to read this book yet but I am hoping my copy arrive soon so I can read it and enjoy it!

Trigger Warnings: abuse, self-harm, violence, parental neglect, panic attacks, drug use, mental illness, a student/teacher relationship, racism, suicidal thoughts, murder, blackmail, fire, suicide, death of a friend

A Lesson In Vengeance by Victoria Lee

Goodreads

Lesbians and gothic elements in a boarding school? I am in. This book is supposed to be twisted tale which you can not put down with unreliable narrators and a lot of mystery and I couldn’t be more excited to read it.

Trigger Warnings: death of a romantic partner, death of a grandparent, blood and gore, murder, animal abuse/death, manipulation & emotional abuse, child neglect, stigma about mental health, suicide, racism, drowning, grief, emesis, discussions about body image

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

Goodreads | Publishes on September 28th

This book isn’t out and yet, I’ve already heard great things about it which have me very excited to read it. All I’m going to say is it had yearning, horror/gothic elements, perfect dark academia and ghosts.

Check out Saimon’s review because he has me so excited to pick it up!

Trigger Warnings: Body horror, Suicide, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Animal death, Biphobia 

These are some dark academia books I loved or can’t wait to read! What are some dark academia books you’ve read and loved? What are some dark academia books you can’t wait to read?

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