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ingyingyy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
So bad that it wasn’t even almost good. Worst book I’ve ever read. The plot gets lost and questions don’t get answered. How are there people giving this 5 stars?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
aubreynicole18's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Dark, moody, and spicy! The University of Verenmore is full of secrets and it's ready to burst. The plot, the intrigue, the spice = chef's kiss!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Death of parent
anisalehman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
wordsbychiara's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Did I enjoy Gothikana? Overall, yes. It follows a strange girl who hears voices in her head, an enigmatic professor with secrets and it's set in a castle-academy where students have the uncanny ability to end up unalived. I went in looking for an atmospheric and romantic read, and I got it (though I think the romance won't appeal to anyone who doesn't regularly read and enjoy dark romance).
Did I expect more? Also yes. While offering all the elements I mentioned above, this book somehow manages to only scratch the surface of all of them. At its core, that between Deverell and Corvina is a standard student-professor relationship that leaves little room for surprises. It burns hot and fast, and despite attempts to cast suspicion on his character, Corvina never really doubts him. A shame, because I feel like there were all the elements for a tumultuous, angsty slow burn with these two! I also wanted more mystery, more investigation. A lot of times, I felt like Corvina was doing...nothing. That the mystery just happened upon her and elements were "told", but not discovered.
And yet despite all this... I can't say I didn't enjoy the book. Ultimately, I think this is one of those stories that is polarizing, and that readers will react to differently based on a lot of personal triggers, preferences and experiences. So if it's been on your radar before, or you want to try a spicy gothic romance, I would recommend trying it.
Things to expect in this book:
🔥 spicy romance (3-4 level, depending on your personal scales)
📚 academia vibes
🖤 student/professor romance where he is enigmatic and morally gray
🔍 mystery
👻 spooky elements
Did I expect more? Also yes. While offering all the elements I mentioned above, this book somehow manages to only scratch the surface of all of them. At its core, that between Deverell and Corvina is a standard student-professor relationship that leaves little room for surprises. It burns hot and fast, and despite attempts to cast suspicion on his character, Corvina never really doubts him. A shame, because I feel like there were all the elements for a tumultuous, angsty slow burn with these two! I also wanted more mystery, more investigation. A lot of times, I felt like Corvina was doing...nothing. That the mystery just happened upon her and elements were "told", but not discovered.
And yet despite all this... I can't say I didn't enjoy the book. Ultimately, I think this is one of those stories that is polarizing, and that readers will react to differently based on a lot of personal triggers, preferences and experiences. So if it's been on your radar before, or you want to try a spicy gothic romance, I would recommend trying it.
Things to expect in this book:
🔥 spicy romance (3-4 level, depending on your personal scales)
📚 academia vibes
🖤 student/professor romance where he is enigmatic and morally gray
🔍 mystery
👻 spooky elements
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
tiara_rose's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I appreciated the author choosing to start Corvina in college late so she was 21 instead of 18. Made the age gab reasonable for me. I enjoyed the suspense but found myself asking even more questions at the end which was slightly frustrating.I would love to read a continuation. The spice was there but not a focus which was a refreshing change of pace for me. I’d read another book by this author and highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, and Murder
katharina90's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I was underwhelmed by the writing, plot and characters, but I loved the setting, moody images and overall dark academia vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Sexual assault, and Dementia
cleverbibliophile's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Mostly great story with memorable characters. Magnificent & mysterious setting. Sex scenes a bit cringy. Unnecessary repetitive descriptions of the same things. A bit too rushed at the end. Unanswered questions. Amateur writing. TERRIBLE editing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
marymarieta's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sooo well done! The dark setting, the mystery surrounding the castle, the attraction between Vlad and Corvina, I loved it all.
"This will last until the day roses on my grave stop sharing roots with the roses on yours. I will have you even in death, little witch. I'm your beast, I'm your madness, and you, you are my afterlife."
"This will last until the day roses on my grave stop sharing roots with the roses on yours. I will have you even in death, little witch. I'm your beast, I'm your madness, and you, you are my afterlife."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
beehanc1929's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Steamy and intoxicating with a mystery between the walls of a gothic castle. Highly recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
jlunn_28's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A gothic, dark romance, dark academia book, with paranormal/psychological themes & spicy scenes.
The MMC is the typical morally grey dark romance type (*chefs kiss*). I loved the utilisation of the FMC to portray the message about being different & not fitting in. Didn’t expect the twist at the end & surprisingly enjoyed that some of the mysterious goings on in the castle were left unanswered.
Also, the hardback copy of the book is absolutely stunning; loved the classic literature excerpts at the beginning of each chapter.
The MMC is the typical morally grey dark romance type (*chefs kiss*). I loved the utilisation of the FMC to portray the message about being different & not fitting in. Didn’t expect the twist at the end & surprisingly enjoyed that some of the mysterious goings on in the castle were left unanswered.
Also, the hardback copy of the book is absolutely stunning; loved the classic literature excerpts at the beginning of each chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, and Murder