Lovely Dark and Deep is a beautifully written young adult novel that blends dark academia, magic, and emotional depth in a way that feels both refreshing and powerful. Elisa A. Bonnin creates a vivid world tucked away on a secret island off the coast of Washington, where magic is real and danger lurks in the shadows of a mist-covered forest.

Faith is a deeply layered and unforgettable protagonist. Her character is shaped by past trauma, cultural displacement, and an overwhelming sense of guilt and fear, yet she remains determined, thoughtful, and resilient. Throughout the book, we witness her wrestle with loneliness, the pressure to conform, and the need to reclaim control over her future. She carries a heavy emotional burden, and the narrative does a beautiful job of exploring how her internal struggles influence the way she wields magic. Her emotional intensity isn’t just compelling, it drives the story forward and makes the stakes feel personal and urgent. I admired her quiet strength, her vulnerability, and her fierce desire to protect her place in a world that feels like the only home she has ever known.

The emotional depth of Faith’s journey is mirrored in the diverse and well-developed cast of supporting characters. Each of them brings their own history, voice, and growth to the story. The Red Stripes, in particular, are misfits forced together by circumstance, but the way they gradually form trust and kinship is truly touching. Their found family dynamic feels earned and heartfelt, offering comfort, conflict, and connection in equal measure. I truly found myself wishing the book was longer, just to spend more time with them.

The pacing was strong and the mystery surrounding the forest and its dark magic kept me hooked from start to finish. This story expertly balances suspense and character growth, all while exploring themes of isolation, belonging, and courage.

Thank you to the author Elisa A. Bonnin, NetGalley, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this captivating ARC. Lovely Dark and Deep is a memorable and moving read, and I look forward to seeing what this talented author creates next.
I give this book 4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Lovely Dark and Deep is an atmospheric and introspective gem that offers a refreshing twist on the dark academia genre. Elisa A. Bonnin weaves a haunting, slow-burn narrative set at Ellery West, a secretive magical academy hidden on a misty island, where power is precious—and perilous.

Faith, a Filipina student navigating her place in a foreign land and an unforgiving school, is a compelling protagonist. Her quiet resilience and deep longing for belonging hit hard, especially as she’s cast out after surviving a mysterious incident in the forest that leaves another student missing. Her punishment? A dreaded Red Stripe on her uniform—branding her as dangerous and placing her under constant surveillance.

Bonnin’s writing is as misty and lyrical as the setting, exploring themes of isolation, identity, and institutional injustice. The Red Stripes, outcasts with jagged pasts and uncertain futures, form a compelling, reluctant found family. Their slow growth into something like trust gives the story emotional warmth amidst all the gloom and creeping dread.

The magic system here is subtle but fascinating—less wand-waving spectacle, more ritual and weight. And as the darkness creeps in, the story leans into psychological horror, unraveling what fear and guilt can do to a young mind already under pressure.

This is dark academia with teeth, but also with heart. Lovely Dark and Deep isn’t just about solving a mystery or surviving a semester—it’s about fighting to be seen as more than the worst thing that’s ever happened to you.

If you liked Ninth House or A Lesson in Vengeance, but want something a little more tender and a little more magical, don’t miss this one.

This is a book in one of my favorite genres, dark academia. If you're looking for a story with just the right amount of pacing, lovable characters and a character-driven storyline, look no further.

With found family and a diverse cast of characters who have beautiful character arcs, I can't help but sing this book's praises. The Filipino and queer representation also had me feeling very seen. I loved this book and all it's little magical details. Give it a read!

Thank you for the eARC, NetGalley and the publisher!

This was one of those dark academia books that i genuinely wished was a series and not a standalone novel. Faith is one of the most complex characters I've read this year I believe. I learnt so much about her - her conflicts, past, guilt, hope, fear, responsibilities, and i trust that this doesn't encompass everything that her character represented. And it's not just Faith, even the side characters were so intriguing, I would have loved for the book to be divided into parts and explore each of them (still am). The story explained the magic system really well, I wasn't left hanging thinking what was going on. Since the magic system was connected to elements, I loved how the author delved deeper into a character's emotions - since that usually controls the elements to a larger extent. Red Stripes were such a cool bunch, they formed a family amongst themselves that was an endearing thing to read. I'm pretty sure I'd be glad to pick up another book by the author anyday!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for an advanced copy of this book.

Faith is a rising senior at Ellery West, a prestigious school for magic on a hidden island off the coast of Washington. She knew the forest surrounding the school is off-limits, but she'd do just about anything for her best friend Sydney, so when Sydney suggests they sneak into the forest to do dark magic, Faith reluctantly agrees. Things go terribly wrong and Faith flees, condemning Sydney to the forest and herself to the dreaded probationary status. She enters senior year a Red Stripe, in danger of losing her magic forever if she doesn't "behave." However, there is more going on at Ellery West and in the forest than anyone imagines, and its up to Faith and her newfound friends and fellow Red Stripes to solve the mystery and save the school.

I loved the Red Stripes and the theme of found family. Each character was well-developed and interesting. Even snooty Rose, a girl from Sydney's hometown, is more than just a mean girl or schoolyard bully. Faith's family emigrated to the US from the Philippines because some of their family and neighbors were afraid of Faith's innate ability to conjure and manipulate fire, so Faith has struggled for years with not fitting in, which only continues at Ellery since she is from a mundane (non-magical) family. She also must come to terms with her own sexuality, being a social pariah, and learning to trust others.

I thought Bonnin did a great job developing Ellery West and the island just enough that the reader felt immersed without info-dumping. The characters were well-fleshed out and felt like teenagers. Since Faith is a high school senior, her ability to reflect on her own actions and feelings didn't come across as too mature for her age; it felt authentic for a 17- or 18-year-old to be thinking. I liked the representation among the students as well. While Lovely Dark and Deep is listed as YA, it is mature enough in its themes to appeal to adults as well.

Elisa A. Bonnin’s Lovely Dark and Deep blends mystery, magic, and emotional depth in a boarding school fantasy that balances atmospheric worldbuilding with a strong, character-driven narrative. Set on a hidden, mist-shrouded island off the coast of Washington, the novel introduces Ellery West—a magical academy that’s supposed to be a haven. For Faith, a Filipino immigrant trying to belong, it has been just that—until everything changes after one terrifying night in the forest.

The premise is gripping: students marked with the Red Stripe are cast out from regular society within the school, exiled because they’re considered too dangerous. Faith’s journey from being one of Ellery West’s model students to a social outcast is both heartbreaking and compelling, especially as she wrestles with guilt, identity, and the fear of losing her magic permanently.

Bonnin excels in exploring themes of otherness and found family, especially through the bond between the Red Stripes, a group of students who’ve all been scarred—physically or emotionally—by the same darkness Faith encountered. Their alliance is tense, messy, and ultimately powerful as they come together to confront the threat lurking beyond the trees.

The pacing occasionally falters, particularly in the middle, where the mystery slows down to make room for interpersonal drama. Still, the narrative finds its footing again as the stakes escalate. The magic system is intriguing, and the island setting is lush and eerie—perfect for a story about isolation and survival.

Ultimately, Lovely Dark and Deep is an emotionally rich, suspenseful read that balances supernatural intrigue with timely themes of identity, trauma, and community. A satisfying blend of dark academia and fantasy with just the right amount of heart.

Pretty good! A little boring at times but overall a fun read. Really liked the characters and the atmosphere.

I'm gonna say 3.75 rounded up. The ending was a little bit of a let-down for me because I felt like it was building in a different direction but I overall enjoyed the story. It was nice to be in a magical school system without the shadow of someone ruining it. I liked the magic system and the little found family most of all. It felt like how a true YA magical school book she feel like for the actual target audience which was refreshing. Definitely one I can say I'd easily recommend to teenagers today.

Such a fun book to read kept me hooked the whole way! All the characters coexisted in a way where it slowed they cared about one another but weren’t letting the others slide is they did something wrong. I’ve been in such a long reading slump (since last summer) yet this was still an easy read. It also has great representation, 100% recommend it!

Faith, the main character, finds herself at Ellery West in the Pacific Northwest. After an incident, she becomes a Red Stripe, a group of people that have one final shot to prove that they're able to keep their magic and use it responsibly. I like how certain things in the book are clearly an allegory for immigration and queer identity, and I appreciate the LGBT rep especially in a magic world.

I love a good queer-confused friendship... set in a dark academia environment? Sign me up! This book was full of mystery and hope and friendship, three things that keep me engaged and turning pages constantly, until the very end. I loved the dark, foggy atmosphere, the Red Stripes and how tight they all are, the magic system, and of course, Faith's questioning journey paired with her magical one.

I think you’ll enjoy this if you are in the mood for a dark academia featuring questioning characters, a magical forest and the found family trope.

This book has so much going for it. I love anything with a magical school in it. But I struggled to get into it and felt like I was forcing myself to read it and that's just not what I want for my hobby activity. I might give it another try if my library ends up getting the audiobook though.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

For fans of HP and Percy Jackson look no further.
This is a YA dark academia found family, with a magic system. I enjoyed this one as lot. I think its important to consider who this book is written for while reading.
I will say the writing was pretty good!
The plot was pretty intriguing.
Two best friends go into a forbidden forest and only one makes it out. Did she kill her best friend?
Will she find out what happened?
I loved the Filipino heritage discussion and leaving your home country.
Towards the end the book just started to slow down for me and that's why I didn't rate a full 5!

4.5 ⭐️

Lovely Dark and Deep takes place in a magical high school on an island with 3 schools of magic and lots of representation including autism, POC, immigrant, and queer. It follows a group of outcast students, called the Red Stripes, who are close to being expelled for either breaking rules or being too "powerful." If they get expelled they lose their magic forever; otherwise they get a magical license. The book's plot revolves around investigating the island's forest, looking into the disappearance/deaths of a few students including Syndey who is Faith's (FMC) best friend and the reason she got Red Striped, and what happened to the school when it was founded by Ellery. The world reminded me of Harry Potter. For example, magical people whose parents are nonmagical are called mundanes. However, I think it had better world building for what mages can do after graduation.

There is a lot of representation and I think it was all handled well. Faith is a baby gay and an immigrant who came to America from the Philippines when she was a child. I loved that there was one romantic relationship in the book, and it was between two of Faith's friends. The non-verbal autism representation was excellent. Alex writes everything she wants to say in a notebook for others to read, her friends are all considerate about her differences, and they handled her meltdown really well.

I hope this book has a sequel. I'm not ready to leave this world, and I want to see what comes next for this found family. I would love for Cari to find her sister and explore more what it means to lose your magic forever.

This hit that really classic YA boarding school vibe like nobody’s business and I am not mad about it!!

I really liked Faith as a main character. She was a really interesting character with a lot of depth and realistic flaws, and I felt like I understood her motivations and why she made some of the bad choices that she did. The side characters were all really well done too, and I liked the way that Faith’s friendships with the other Red Stripes progressed. The magic system was nothing unique, but it was entertaining and I enjoyed it.

The plot was really interesting and I feel like it set things up really well for a sequel, which I would for sure read. I want to know more about this forest and I want to know if there’s other sentient landforms to meet!

Overall: nothing absolutely spectacular, but a really good spooky YA dark academia that hit exactly how I was hoping it would.

Lovely Dark & Deep is the kind of YA dark academia story that pulls you in slowly—quiet and atmospheric at first, then completely sweeps you away as it goes on. Set at Ellery West, a secret school for magic hidden on the misty coast of Washington, this book grabs you right from the start with a unique magic system that's neatly introduced. The school’s color-coded uniforms (Naturalists = green vines, Artificers = silver geometrics, Luminaries = gold starbursts) are a great way to break down the system, and I loved how clearly everything was explained. It made it so easy to dive into the world without feeling lost or confused.

But the real magic here is the characters. Watching Faith—marked as a Red Stripe and ostracized after a tragedy in the forest—fight for her future was raw and real. I especially loved the way the story layered her personal growth with the friendships she builds among the other "dangerous" students. There’s such a deep, complicated sense of belonging that grows between them. It’s messy and beautiful in the best way. Faith learning to trust herself and control her anger, Alex navigating their identity and social dynamics—there’s just so much heart in their journeys. The inclusion of authentic autistic representation and LGBTQIA+ characters added such depth and richness to the story, making it even more meaningful.

I didn’t give Lovely Dark & Deep a perfect 5 stars simply because the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle for me, but honestly, I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters long after finishing the book.

My first ARC! This was such a fun, fast paced read. I loved the characters and the representation was great!! The dark academia vibes were amazing and the magic system was so interesting. Thank you netgalley!

I love the cover of this book! Faith needs to graduate so she can keep her magic. Students who fail out, have their magic taken away forever and she can’t let that happen to her!

Throughout the story, Faith learns to put herself first and finds a good group of friends. I think it was a wonderful story. A little slow but I think it’s wonderful inclusive the story was.


Thank you NetGalley, Elisa and Simon and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the eARC!

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I was super excited to read this book. I thought the magic system and the world building was interesting and unique. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, so it made it a bit tough to really get into the book. Cool concept. I just don’t think it was my cup of tea.