I really, really wanted to love this book, but....I did not. There were issues galore, the first of which being that the two viewpoints were so similar that I kept losing track of whose point of view I was reading. The twists were underwhelming also, so unfortunately I think this one just wasn't for me. 1 star.

DNF @ 35%

I really wanted to like this one. However, the voices between the two fmcs were too similar and not distinctive enough on the personality scale. It was frustrating, constantly having to flip to the beginning chapter heading to know WHOSE perspective I was reading because they were practically the same girl narrating.

I liked what the author was trying to do, especially with a retelling of a horror classic, but it just wasn't well developed to me, especially with our fmcs. What I did really like was the setting and how the writing truly reflected and atmosphere of unsettling spookiness. I may revist this one again on audio, but for now, it was too painful to read with my eyeballs.

1.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.

This is a retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I have never read a retelling of this, but the author did a good job of setting the scene for it.

The pacing was a bit off because some chapters seemed like it was building up to an amazing event, but when it actually came it didn’t feel as good as the buildup. The only thing I liked was how she gave a backstory of the school and dove right into all the main characters flaws.

Overall the book was average, it took me awhile to start reading it and finish it.

Carvell Academy of the Arts reopens a decade after a chilling unsolved murder shook the school, drawing students back despite its dark past. Freshman Lottie Fitzwilliam is determined to uncover the truth, but when her roommate Alice discovers a sinister ritual in a hidden library book, the deadly legacy of the North Tower threatens to continue.

As a fan of isolated settings, elite academic institutions, and dark academia, I was eager to dive in and found much to appreciate. The characters felt authentic and distinct, which was the novel’s strongest point for me. However, the supernatural twist didn’t fully land, and some plot twists were predictable. The pacing sometimes dragged, with moments of repetition, and I wished the story explored darker themes and the eerie setting more deeply.

While it didn’t quite meet my expectations, the compelling characters and intriguing premise may still appeal to fans of atmospheric, character-driven mysteries.

Laura Steven’s *The Society for Soulless Girls* is a masterclass in atmospheric tension. The brooding, gothic setting of Carvell Academy brims with an eerie allure, wrapping the reader in a fog of mystery and unease. The way Steven crafts the dark academia aesthetic—haunted halls, whispered secrets, and a constant sense of something lurking just beyond sight—makes every page feel steeped in suspense. The novel’s chilling yet mesmerizing atmosphere pulls you in and refuses to let go, making it an unforgettable read.

i was very much in the mood for this book and enjoyed the intrigue and weirdness, wanting to know what was coming next. but it is not intersectional by any means. historical violence against women has been disproportionate based on race, but there was no mention of that, nor of trans women and disabled women. like, yes, we all experience misogyny and some of the darker things in this book, but denying the history of marginalized women annoyed me. hafsah never mentioning anything regarding race or ethnicity made me think a) the author doesnt know how to write bipoc b) the character doesnt trust the white characters (because i dont talk about race with anyone i dont trust).
imo lottie sounded demisexual, which is under the ace umbrella, so i also got annoyed every time she said/thought "maybe i'm not asexual." it's a spectrum!
yes anger is a normal human emotion and yes we shouldnt hide it, especially as women BUT also therapy can be helpful.
overall enjoyed, will probably not post about it on instagram. thank you netgalley for a free ecopy!

I absolutely loved this YA dark academic thriller with some supernatural twists! It was fast paced, edge of my seat with an awesome true crime vibe. I really enjoyed the atmospheric vibes and the characters. Definitely recommend to all!

No idea why it took me three years to read this book. It’s the sapphic dark academia novel of my dreams!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to the ARC.

What I liked: It’s a nice change to read a young adult dark academia book that doesn’t have a devastating ending. The chapters seemed to fly as I read this book, and you could feel the tension between the two main characters. The book has a strong feminist message that draws on the experiences of women who challenged social norms in one way or another throughout history.

What I didn’t like: description of animal abuse. It was a brief scene but any animal lover might have a difficult time getting through it

I think this book would appeal to fans of My Darkest Dearest.

The blurb for this book was interesting for me so I requested to read it, but this wasn't really good. I became disinterested towards halfway through it. I felt that the main characters were immature and judgemental.

Give me all the queer character books. This one was like a dark academia version of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde & I was fully invested. Not related to the plot review but the cover with the moths is way better than the other cover. So much more aesthetically pleasing. Loved this. What a pleasant surprise

The Society of Soulless Girls by Laura Steven is a thrilling, darkly addictive read that completely pulls you in. Set in a mysterious boarding school, the story follows a group of girls who are caught up in a dangerous, centuries-old secret. Steven’s writing is sharp and clever, balancing humor with moments of real emotional depth. The characters are complex and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles around identity, power and friendship. The pacing is spot on, with twists that keep you guessing. It’s a refreshing mix of mystery, horror and empowerment, and by the end, you’ll be fully invested in these characters' journeys. This book has it all, and I’m giving it 5 stars

Honestly not what I expected, but still good. A modern retelling of Jekyll and Hyde. I was told this was sapphic but was a little disappointed on that front since nothing really happens until the very end.
This is twisty and turny and perfectly dark academia vibes for the colder months.
The setting being a haunted school was perfect for the vibes of moody, gothic, supernatural. And I think the characters of Alice and Lottie were relatively well developed.

A sapphic female empowerment retelling of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is not something I would have ever thought about writing or even imagined, but now that I’ve read it, I can’t stop thinking about it.

This was such an interesting concept for a book. Mixing gothic romance, dark academia, and the retelling of a classic tale, The Society for Soulless Girls is the perfect book for spooky season.

I’m always here for a murder mystery with the back drop of an old, seemingly haunted academy and this one has seen far too many young girls falling to their death. Carvell Academy has just reopened; 10 years ago, 4 girls died. The cases are all unsolved, but that doesn’t stop the students and faculty from theorizing about what could have happened.

I’m not sure if I read the synopsis for this book before I started, because I didn’t really know what I was getting into. And while I ended up liking it, there were a lot of ups and downs along the way, a few of which I had to push through.

An interesting dark academia book. It kept me engaged with the characters

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this review copy

Thank you NetGalley and the publishing house for allowing me to read and enjoy this novel. I really enjoyed this book! The funny and dark suspenseful vibes of this book is what really drew me in. I seen it marketed as a sapphic mystery and I completely agree with that.

Dark academia has become a literary phenomenon in recent years, with its alluring mix of enigmatic, morally complex characters and the brooding atmosphere of ancient schools and secret societies. From the crumbling walls of ivy-covered campuses to the magnetic pull of forbidden knowledge, it's easy to get lost in the genre’s spell. Yet, for all its appeal, dark academia is a crowded genre, brimming with similar tropes and settings that can sometimes feel repetitive. So, to truly stand out among the overwhelming sea of dark academia fiction is no small feat. But The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven does exactly that—offering a unique twist on familiar themes and delivering a story that is both captivating and refreshingly original.

This novel tells the story of Lottie and Alice, two roommates at an elite university that pulses with secrets, dangerous magic, and an air of mystery that clings to every corner. At first glance, Lottie and Alice are an unlikely pair. They don’t exactly hit it off when they first meet, and their initial relationship is filled with tension, misunderstandings, and animosity. But as the pages turn, their dynamic begins to shift—slowly, almost imperceptibly. For fans of the "enemies to friends to lovers" trope, this book will undoubtedly hit all the right notes. But even if that particular trope isn't your cup of tea, there’s something profoundly compelling about the way their relationship evolves.

What truly sets The Society for Soulless Girls apart is the depth with which Laura Steven explores the emotional undercurrents of Lottie and Alice’s evolving bond. Their connection isn’t rushed or forced; it’s a slow burn, one that grows quietly over time. The tension between them crackles in the smallest, most intimate moments—a glance, a touch, a word left unsaid—and it’s this subtle, simmering yearning that gives the book its emotional weight. As a reader, you can feel the chemistry building between the two of them with every page, and it’s impossible not to get swept up in their journey, both as individuals and as potential lovers.

But the novel is far more than just a romance. *The Society for Soulless Girls* is also a deliciously dark exploration of power, secrets, and the lengths people are willing to go to uncover hidden truths. The university setting, with its ancient traditions and shadowy societies, creates an atmosphere of danger and intrigue that pulses through the narrative. The sense of mystery is palpable as Lottie and Alice slowly unravel the web of secrets surrounding the society that haunts their school. There's an eerie sense of tension throughout, as though something is always lurking just beneath the surface, ready to break free.

What I found particularly striking about this novel is how it blends these two elements—emotional depth and dark intrigue—without letting one overshadow the other. The relationship between Lottie and Alice is central to the story, but the plot also stands on its own, with twists and revelations that keep you turning the pages long into the night. There’s a careful balance between the emotional intimacy of their growing connection and the shadowy, suspenseful mystery that keeps the reader on edge.

Lottie and Alice are both complex, flawed characters, and watching them evolve over the course of the book is a true pleasure. Lottie, in particular, is a fascinating protagonist—intelligent, independent, but also carrying a heavy emotional burden. Alice, meanwhile, is more guarded, more enigmatic, and as the story unfolds, we begin to see the layers of her character peel away. Together, they form an unlikely but irresistible team, and the way their personalities complement each other is what makes their relationship so magnetic.

As a reader, I was completely absorbed in their world, and the slow-burn nature of their connection made it all the more satisfying when the pieces finally started to fall into place. The tension and yearning between Lottie and Alice had me on the edge of my seat, waiting for the moment when they would finally realize the depth of their feelings for each other. And when it happens—well, it’s all the more powerful because it has been earned.

What’s also worth noting is the beautiful writing style Laura Steven employs throughout the novel. Her prose is rich and evocative, and she has a true gift for capturing the emotional subtleties of her characters. The language is immersive, drawing you into the atmosphere of the book and making you feel as though you’re walking alongside Lottie and Alice in the shadowed halls of their university. The tone of the book—dark, mysterious, yet undeniably romantic—blends together perfectly to create an unforgettable reading experience.

In short, The Society for Soulless Girls is a triumph of dark academia fiction. It delivers on all the familiar elements of the genre—secrets, magic, forbidden love—but with a unique twist that makes it stand out from the crowd. The relationship between Lottie and Alice is one of the most compelling I’ve read in recent memory, and the slow-burn romance between them is nothing short of addictive. Add in the suspenseful mystery and the haunting atmosphere of the university setting, and you have a book that’s as thrilling as it is emotional.

If you’re a fan of dark academia or simply enjoy a well-crafted, character-driven story, The Society for Soulless Girls is a must-read. It's a book that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

1- I love the differences between Lottie and Alice as characters.

2- Alive is such a great character and I really enjoy her.

3-It’s interesting to see the weaving of the current story with details of the murders of the past.

4- I’m so curious about the North Tower. I’m interested to see what’s there now.
she was.

5- I feel like Alice knew who Poppy Kerr was and that she was covering for something or someone.

6-I’m so curious about what Alice knows. She seems to know something is going on but won’t reveal or remember.

7- Alice is such an interesting character and now we have an answer to the lingering question.

8-Now that both Lottie and Alice have things going on with them, I think they have a stronger bond and more of a mission to search for answers.

9-I love the bookstore trip so much!

10-Hafsah being more interested in video games than people and Lottie being more interested in books than people is such a mood.

11-I thought Dean Modue knew more than what she was letting on, and now it’s starting to make sense.

12-The end of this book is wrapping up to be wild! I’m really enjoying it.
13-Alice and Lottie have gotten closer in this book, and I love that.

14- I loved that the romance in this book happened!

15- I was not expecting this book to have a happy ending. I’m delighted by how it ended.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I know this one was a new release in the US but already out in the UK. I loved the title of this book, I love that it gives the immediate dark academia vibe. It did fall a tad short for me on this one. It said Jekyll and Hyde vibes but I don't think it completely gave that. The twists were predictable, leaving me with really no excitement. I was really excited for this.

Ooooooo this was the fantastic amount of spooky! Lottie and the rubies, Alice and the split! I loved it and seeing how they both moved through their suspicions of each other to come together and solve the decade long mysteries. I loved seeing how their relationship developed from brazen dislike for each other to loving each other!

*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*