sashahc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Addiction, Drug use, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Classism
tarawade17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Drug use, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Drug abuse, Blood, Body horror, and Gun violence
prairieraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Alcoholism, Car accident, Child abuse, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Rape, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Stalking, Suicide, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Excrement, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, and Violence
carmencolette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Rape, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Murder, Drug use, and Adult/minor relationship
wright_rendon_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really liked and cared for Alex. She's sassy, tough, and has been through a lot. I enjoyed her character arch and the flashbacks helped flesh her out since the book takes place over a short period. She's a bit of a Mary Sue, and I know we're in a reality with magic but she does dodge death a few too many times. Darlington and Dawes were great side characters and I look forward to seeing them more.
Plot and Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I might be a little skewed on this one since I picked it up as school started and I got sick in the middle of reading it. It definitely wasn't a page turner but the mystery and investigations kept me coming back and reading 30-50 pages in a sitting.
World Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nine secret magic societies at Yale hidden in plain sight? Sign me up. I found the index in the back to be helpful especially since some of the names are similar. I liked the magic in this book and look forward to more in the second.
Themes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Part of what drew me to the Dark Academia genre was the fact that it critiques academia. This book definitely tackles privilege and fraternity culture throughout.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was enjoyable and I want to read the sequel. It definitely is weird at times and would not recommend for everyone.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gore, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Murder, Violence, Sexual violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
imjustmaria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual harassment, Grief, Murder, Sexual assault, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Classism, and Emotional abuse
ezzysweeney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Drug abuse
thenoodlevore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Classism, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Body horror, Sexual violence, Rape, Murder, Misogyny, Mental illness, Grief, Gore, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Drug use, Excrement, Gun violence, Bullying, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Body shaming, Colonisation, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Car accident, Death, and Terminal illness
readingwurm's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Sexual harassment
aryaa_05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Murder, and Violence