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The dark academia genre has taken the book world by storm in the last few years. I believe it is because a lot of us can see ourselves in these stories of students that love literature, that love learning, and love classics as well as the gothic.
However, the genre is not exempted from criticism. Such as: a lot of the main characters are white rich cis boys and a lot of the works mentioned in the books are of western origin.
It is my belief that there will be more diversified voices in the dark academia genre. But this is a whole topic for another day. I only want to warn to be aware and to look up the issues and the trigger warnings involved in these books.
Here is my list of the 10 best dark academia books to read during the school year! These books will make you fall in love with classics, studying, and the gothic. 💀
1. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
“The Secret History” has to be on this list as it is the first dark academia book people normally have heard of, read, or started their dark academia reading list with! It’s not without its flaws and critiques but I do believe it’s worth the read.
The story follows Richard Papen who leaves his hometown to attend an elite College in Vermont. There, he studies Ancient Greek. He meets a group of 5 mysterious students that are selectively chosen by a charismatic Classics professor.
The school year takes a dark turn when one of the five students is declared dead. Soon enough, the students find themselves in a Greek tragedy for themselves.
I also mentioned this book in my list of 20 Best Fall Books You Need to Read this Autumn!
Buy “The Secret History” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
2. “The Maidens” by Alex Michaelides
“The Maidens” is a dark academia book is set at Cambridge University. A therapist Mariana Andros becomes obsessed with a professor as she believes that he’s committed a murder.
Edward Fosca is a Greek tragedy professor and he’s admired by the Maidens, which is a secret society of female students.
Then, one of the girls from the Maidens dies, and Mariana goes down a dark path to uncover the mystery.
Buy “The Maidens” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
3. “Ninth House” by Leigh Bardugo
“Ninth House” is a magical dark academia book. And the exciting thing is that there will be many books in this series!
It follows “Alex” Stern who has a full scholarship at Yale University. But there’s a catch: she has to monitor the school’s secret societies and their dark practices.
Buy “Ninth House” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
4. “Bunny” by Mona Awad
In “Bunny,” we follow Samantha Heather Mackey. She’s different than the other students of her master’s program in New England’s elite Warren University. She especially cannot stand a clique of rich girls who call each other “Bunny.”
She then gets an invitation by the Bunnies and becomes enthralled with them and their off-campus workshop. This involvement, however, will cost her.
Buy “Bunny” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
5. “Catherine House” by Elisabeth Thomas
“Catherine House” is another great dark academia book to read during the school year.
Set in the deep woods of rural Pennsylvania lays Catherine House, a school of higher education. It’s a school that has produced the greatest minds.
The school director, Viktória, encourages the students to explore their minds.
The story follows Ines, for her, Catherine House is the closest thing she’s ever called home. But the school protocols and its societies start to feel more like a prison than a sanctuary.
Buy “Catherine House” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
6. “These Violent Delights” by Micah Nemerever
“These Violent Delights” is another dark-academia novel – set in the 70’s – ideal to read in the back-to-school season. The book follows Paul and Julian who met at university during their freshmen year.
Julian is from the working class, whereas Paul comes from a wealthy family. They’re intellectually compatible. However, their bond is all-consuming, so much so, that they’re forced to confront the truth in a demanding, violent matter.
I also mentioned this book in my list of 20 Best Fall Books You Need to Read this Autumn!
Buy “These Violent Delights” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
7. “Magic for Liars” by Sarah Gailey
“Magic for Liars” is another magical dark academia book.
The story follows Ivy Gamble, she’s a private investigator. She wants nothing to do with magic but when a murder happens at the private academy of Tabitha, who is a very magically gifted professor, she’s pushed to get involved. It is up to Ivy to solve the mystery revolving her estranged sister’s academy.
Buy “Magic for Liars” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
8. “A Deadly Education” by Naomi Novik
“A Deadly Education” is another fantastic magical dark academia book.
The story takes place at the Scholomance which is a school for the magically gifted. In this school, academic ‘failure’ equals literal death.
However, there are no professors at the school. No allies either.
A gifted girl, named El, is determined to survive and unlock the school’s secrets.
Buy “A Deadly Education” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
9. “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles
“A Separate Peace” is another older book on this list much like “The Secret History.”
It follows a set a boy at a New England boarding school in the early years of World War II.
The story focuses on Gene the intellectual and Phineas the handsome. One summer, something happens between the two and innocence is lost, a war is fought.
Buy “A Separate Peace” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
10. “Vicious” by V.E. Schwab
“Vicious” is another dark academia tale filled with rivalry.
Victor and Eli started out as college roommates. Through the senior year, they’ve shared a lot of interest and research that could lead them to extraordinary abilities.
But things go awry when they start experimenting. The old friends become foes. A decade later, Victor breaks out of prison and he’s going after Eli. Both sides are very powerful, question is, who will survive in the end?
Buy “Vicious” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
I hope you enjoyed this list of the 10 best dark academia books! Let me know what are your favourite dark academia books! As I plan to make more dark academia lists in the future! 🕯
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