I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh Ru, how good it feels to be back in your worlds. With your characters, words, setting, atmosphere. It was dark, mysterious, filled with secrets, and oh so seductive. And I loved every single moment. Salem is unique, brilliant, so fascinating and I loved learning about her. Her aura was so easy to get sucked into and really identify with. Caz is a mysterious, brooding artist, who I easily fell in love with. I loved how beautifully both Salem and Caz came together. It took some time, but once it finally happened, it was so satisfying. This is one book I’d love to listen to on audio. Maybe I’ll experience it again later this year, but on audiobook. I really don’t want to say too much, just know that this was an experience. A really great one. Filled with so many secrets, mystery, and intrigue. This isn’t one you want to miss.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This scratched an itch I didn't know I had. The vibes were immaculate. Dark academia. Murder mystery. Spicy. RuNyx checks all the boxes.

“love, deep, true love, was immortal”

That’s it, I’m officially calling anything and everything RuNyx writes: my brain nourishment, cause the way she writes and weaves these beautiful stories is simply all the sustenance my brain needs. I love this quote so much, cause it’s really the center of Salem’s story at Mortimer University.
It creates this parallel between death which is final and absolute, and immortality and love meaning transcendence and going beyond death and any finality or conditions it brings with it. How poetic is that? Because Salem and Caz’s love story is exactly that. It has no bounds.
Honestly I could ramble on about a single quote for the rest of the day and haven’t even scratched the surface of the essence of this book. So idk insta captions aren’t enough for my thoughts either way.

Enigma was one of my most anticipated books in 2025 if not THE anticipated book of all.
It has everything you want in a book, it’s dark academia, it’s romance, it’s mystery, a bit of spook here and there and lots of secrets. And let me tell you something: RuNyx has never let me down. I love her brain so much, the way she writes, the characters she creates, the worlds she builds, everything is so unique and mesmerizing just like this new setting in Enigma: Mortimer University. it’s located on a cliff on the outskirts of an old town, its tale steeped in bloody stories and eerie
local folklore and its legacy is entangled in secret societies and legends, some more morbid than others.

And in the center of it all, are our two protagonists.
Cazimir van der Waal is a mysterious painter and Salem Salazar is his muse. She’s also a legacy student meaning she comes from a long line of a legacy family, their story tightly woven with that of the university. Salem is bent on avenging her sister’s death and investigate the circumstances leading to it.
Two students, one epic love story.
Guys, the tension and angst between these two was chefs kiss! And not only that but it was so wholesome how Caz brought out the best version of her. How he was obsessed with her hair (love😍) and her intelligence. I love love love when the MMCs are obsessed with the intelligence and mind of their partner. The most attractive thing about another person is their mind and brain and intellect, periodt.

Enigma is special and it’s a book that stays with you even days or probably weeks after.

I really enjoyed the dark academia vibes of this book and the neurodivergent representation was done very well, in my opinion! True crime meets gothic university vibes and the coziest bookish coffee shop...a mysterious, "You shouldn't have done that.." man. Yes, all of it.

I enjoyed this book. It was broody and atmospheric just like RuNyx's other work that I've read. I thought that the chemistry between the characters was well done and it felt very natural which made the story even more compelling. I also really enjoyed the writing itself--sometimes these stories lose me because the writing is unclear or difficult to follow, but the narrative voice in this was clear and very accessible. Overall, a great read if you're interested in this genre!

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Enigma by Runyx is a dark and mysterious story set in an old, secretive university called Mortimer. In this story, Salem Salazar went to find out what really happened to her sister, who disappeared under strange circumstances. As she looks for answers, she discovers a hidden world full of danger, secrets, and people who may not be who they seem.

I really love the characters in this story. Salem is such a strong and smart character where she's determined to figure out the truth. Caz, on the other hand, seems calm on the outside but carries a lot of secrets and pain. Together, they balance each other out, and their chemistry makes their relationship feel real and powerful.

Salem and Caz's chemistry and connection made the whole book a lot more interesting. Their relationship is full of tension and deep emotions that grow stronger as the story goes on.

Runyx's writing really got me hooked from the beginning till the end. It gives such a spooky and emotional vibe. The setting of the university is full of dark hallways, hidden messages, and creepy events. The story moves at a slow but steady pace, pulling the reader in with every chapter. RuNyx uses beautiful language and clever clues to keep readers guessing.

Salem and Caz’s story is unforgettable, and their journey is full of both heartbreak and hope. If you like dark romance and stories set in secretive schools, this book is definitely worth reading.

❝ She had looked like a goddess, a mystical creature hovering over the dead, come to life from the sea behind her. And in that one instant, she had become his muse. ❞

I am so happy that I can now freely screech about my love for this book at the top of my lungs. ♡

Salem, Caz, and Mortimer University have stolen my heart.

I'm not even a little bit surprised at how much I loved this. Gothikana is still my all time favorite book, but my oh my, Enigma really sunk its claws into me. It was a spellbinding and evocative read. The moody atmosphere and eerily tranquil seaside setting immediately transported me into the pages and dark mysteries lurking in Mortimer.

Salem and Caz captured my heart from their peculiar first meeting and my love for them only grew. Their fervid banter, heated tension, hidden connections, and forbidden longing turned to deep devotion healed something in me. The story beautifully weaves in emotional themes of loneliness, death, and grief that brings more depth to their connection.

The plot focuses on the sinister murders and the whispers of a secret society. The suspense kept me right on the edge, trusting absolutely no one, and constantly trying to suss out who was involved. The twists and reveals were both fascinating and heartbreaking.

Enigma has become another instant comfort read for me. RuNyx writes books that speak directly to my soul and this one was no exception. I can't wait to return to these pages over and over again.

Secret Society ✔️
Dark Academia ✔️
Rivals to Lovers ✔️✔️

Salem is trying to uncover what happened to her sister and in doing so she finds herself also trying to uncover the mystery of Caz. He is someone she can’t shake even when she wants to.
Caz is drawn to Salem from the moment he sees her standing over a dead body. There is just something about her that speaks to him.

“I want to be the only villain you see. I want to be the only devil who drags you to hell.”

Both are such a mystery and both have secrets they’re not willing to share and yet their questions seem to be coming from such a familiar place.

You will have so many questions and with every turn of the page you will be drawn to find the answers. This story isn’t only about the mystery Caz and Salem are trying to figure out but also loss. Death is everywhere and touches both of their lives so deeply. Watching them find comfort in one another was beautiful.

Ru takes you on not only a journey of mystery and needing answers but also of loss and what comes after. How you choose to go on and who you want to become despite that sadness.

What an absolute wild ride this book was. It gave me SUCH Gothikana vibes (but also totally different) which made me so happy as that’s one of my favourite books to this day. RuNyx truly knows how to mix it all in to make a masterpiece. Romance, mystery, thriller, SPICE (obviously), this woman knows exactly what she’s doing to hook her claws into her readers and keep them exactly where she wants them!!!! Or maybe that’s just me. Not that I care because I will absolutely keep reading anything and everything she puts out!

Enigma was no different. One thing I love about a good book is when the author has me asking a million questions throughout. It keeps me on the edge of my seat, and if you read RuNyx’s books before, you know her mind is complex. Everything she writes, there’s a purpose behind it. It almost makes me focus that much harder when reading 😂 So, if you aren’t excited for Enigma well, get pumped folks. I loved every single thing about it.

Enigma by RuNyx is for all of my dark academia romance readers!

-Old, elite, exclusive university
-Secret societies
-Dark, gloomy, misty cliffside setting
-Rivals to lovers
-Murders to solve
-Both jealous and possessive
-She's aloof/icy, he's passionate/fire
-SO.MUCH.TENSION. with payoff.

RuNyx has created another insanely atmospheric dark romance standalone that captured by attention from the opening scene to the end. Salem enrolls at Mortimer University to investigate her sister's mysterious death. She has a unique obsession with forensics, so uncovering that multiple deaths have occurred puts her on a one way collision course with danger. Caz is a graduate art student, and Salem's TA, but his own dark reasons for being at Mortimer are another mystery for Salem to solve. Written with palatable sensual tension, angst, and passion, Salem and Caz's interactions grow into a fire. I loved the dual POVs, the descriptive writing, and the blur between obsession and love.

i thought enigma was a super intriguing premise! i've never had a female protagonist that was so obsessed with true crime and had a dark side to herself, and she was honest to a fault. i thought enigma was a fun, mysterious read with a great touch of romance. i would definitely recommend!

”I want to be the only villain you see. I want to be the only devil who drags you to hell.”🤍

There is nothing better than a new RuNyx release! If you’re a dark academia fan, you’re going to love this. And while it has no connection to Gothikana whatsoever in terms of plot, it has the vibe and the feel that you love from that story… so you need to dive into this one.
Salem Salazar is probably one of the most complex characters RuNyx has written, in my opinion, in terms of the way she thinks and moves about her world. Her mind is fascinating and I loved the analytical way she picks apart her surroundings, her relationship, and her mission at Mortimor to find answers about her sister. When she meets Caz, we get the perfect torture of slow burn and tension as these two dance around the way they feel for each other. Caz has all the elements of the broody, possessive morally grey MMC that you want out of a dark romance and I LOVED seeing him spiral into his obsession with Salem. The description of the grounds and the dark academia theme of this romance was gorgeous and I think the third person view for the chapters really worked, especially with Salem’s thought process. I absolutely couldn’t put it down and was on the edge of my seat through the end. I can’t recommend it enough!

Enigma – a bunch of elite university students, secret societies, the whispers, the gossip, this all sounds like a very exciting, mysterious, and suspenseful dark academia story. It is, and yet, I think this book had more promise than it delivered. I will tell you that I enjoyed this read. I had the ALC and e-arc and was able to immersively read Enigma. My favorite way to read. I was completely hooked with the start of the story. Salem Salazar is our FMC. She is odd, eccentric, and she does not have friends. She is curious about life and death. Wants to know how things die. She isn’t like her perfect older sister. They are both destined to attend Mortimer University an elite school where they are generational legacies. But Salem’s sister dies at Mortimer. It is ruled a suicide, but Salem does not believe it. Her intent is to investigate what happened to her sister. She keeps a murder board so she can track all the information including the other mysterious deaths. A strange thing happens to Salem while at Mortimer, she makes friends and has a boyfriend. I am not an insta-love fan. It avoids the work of seeing the relationship develop. That being said, Salem and Caz are great characters and I enjoyed the two of them together. The side characters in this story are also good – I liked Salem’s friends and I really liked Baron and for that you will need to read the book.
There is so much to like with this story, but the ending is anti-climactic. In my reading of Enigma, Caz tells Salem what just happened instead of Salem solving the mystery. I hated that. Truly.

There is a lot of spice in this book, and the dialogue in a lot of this is just cringe. We all deserve better. What, is with the ‘good girl’ obsession?
I enjoyed the read/listen. The narration from Aiden Snow and Jaclyn Kelso was perfection. Just outstanding.
I need to thank Net Galley, MacMillan Audio and TOR Publishing Group for my advance copies.

4.25 STARS!!
Our gothic goddess is at it again with yet another bingeable romance read that brings you everything you have come to expect from RuNyx plus so much more!

Do you get the mystery, the slightly unhinged possessive MMC (Caz), the intellectual FMC (Salem), and a love story for the ages? ABSOLUTELY!

Yet Enigma also left me feeling an overwhelming sense of loneliness…almost bereft at times. I think it could possible be due to the fact that I could so easily identify with Salem. While our personal histories vary greatly, our day to day struggles and thought processes felt eerily similar and it had me connecting with her in ways I don’t typically allow (y’all know me…I’m not good with ✨big feelings✨).

Enigma takes place in a classic gothic setting—complete with cliffs, mist, ruins in a forest, secret societies, and mysteries to be solved. And OBVIOUSLY a loner-esque artist. Caz is a complex character with layers that go beyond his hot tortured artist vibe. Watching Caz go completely mad for Salem was sinfully delightful!

If you’re looking to dive into a fast-paced gothic story with enough romance to make you fan yourself, look no further!

As book lovers, we read for a variety of reasons. But sometimes a book comes a long at the exact right time. A book that captivates your mind, pulls you in, and has you turning the pages of a story that resonates so deeply, you know it has become a part of you.

That is what Enigma was for me.

At its core, it is a story of healing, growth, and loneliness.

Without giving too much away, I can say that some of the specific themes that came through hit me at a time that I am experiencing myself, bringing me further into this captivating story.

As always, the Ru-inverse brings us an enthralling setting, depicted on page in such vibrancy it's a place that will stay with you always.

The romance is kick your feet in the air - worthy and I loved the development of our couple both separately and together.

The ode to many places we've been before made me smile.

And the mystery was well built, with an ending that was just so well executed.

Remember to live was one of my first tattoos so many moons ago and to see that same message in a fabulous story by one of my favourite authors just gives me ALL the warm and fuzzies.

RuNyx does it again!!

I absolutely loved our FMC Salem. I wish I had the same mentality that she had at times when it came to her caring about what others thought about her. She was confident enough in herself that it made her more beautiful to me.

Our FMC? I am obsessed. Caz is the perfect dark and broody bad boy we all love to love. The fact that he’s also an artist? Makes for perfect combination!

I loved their love for one another and the deep, soul connection they shared together. The gothic, dark, cult like vibes of the book are perfect for fans of this genre.

For once, I am gonna keep my review on a shorter side. And it is not because i didn't like this book, more like the opposite - I loved it and I don't know what to say...

Mortimer University. Caz Van der Vaal - a man seeking revenge. Salem Salazar - a woman trying to solve mysteries surrounding her sister's death. She is quiet but observant, he is wild and scaring at times. They truly are an unusual pair and while I wasn't invested in their connection right from the beginning, they grown on me throughout the whole story and i think that is even more precious. Learning more about them as individuals and seeing them become each other's special person, seeing them become an anchor and safe place for each other and disrupting them from their loneliness... it was simply beautiful.

Without giving away too much about the story, I can say that Enigma doesn't felt like a typical romance. Of course, in its core it is a story about profound love and connection, but there are also darker themes as revenge, loneliness and grief. And I feel like the emotional aspects of the story, together with eerie, haunting and tension dripping atmosphere of Mortimer is what makes this story special. I was immersed in this new corner of runyxverse right from the start...

One of the readers classified Enigma as a mistcore genre, and while this beautiful word was unknown to me, i can wholeheartedly agree. Atmospheric, foggy and haunting setting of Mortimer, a sense of ambiguity and loneliness and quietness, together with secret societies and murder mysteries... RuNyx serves something so unique and so out of the usual borders of romance genre that it grips your attention (and heart) and simply doesn't let go.

Few things that are probably a reason for me not giving it 5 stars: RuNyx excels at building a plot, creating nerve wrecking tension and mysterious atmosphere. It was a poignant part of Enigma too, which is amazing, but i felt that i needed more in the end. More explanations, deeper dive into the secret society plot in general... And also, this is totally subjective and probably doesn't even make sense, but i missed some WOW moment. Like, i was reading this book and loving it at all times but it didn't give me that lasting feeling of sadness and wholeness and joy I usually have after finishing a 5 star read... despite that, it is a stellar 4.5 star and story that is very close to my heart.

Thank you, my dear Ru, for giving me yet another story that means so much to me. Yet another story to come back to when i feel down and need a hug. The power of your storytelling never ceases to amaze me 🤍

... and i think my plan to keep it short failed epically 😂 I AM SORRY.

Thank you Tor, Bramble and RuNyx for an Advanced Reader Copy

Wow!

This book was nothing short of phenomenal. The authenticity and originality of the plot are mind-blowing, the characters are unforgettable and the writing is soul-marking. The unique atmosphere of it entangles you in a poetic mystery and leaves you yearning for more and more. The title does it justice by introducing us to an enigmatic and mesmerizing world, where you get sucked in, in a kind of spell (the best kind).

I myself had high expectations for it, since every RuNyx book always hooks me up, even if in different ways. But Salem, Caz, Mortimer and the author herself went above and beyond any expectations I could have had. Dare I say: I've never read a book like this one. It felt like unraveling a new map, discovering a new world or learning a new language. It was an unknown and mysterious path that consumed my curiosity and, like the overthinker I am, my need to make the puzzle fit.

RuNyx's talent with words will never fail to amaze me. She was born to have a pen in her hands and papers on her desk (or well, a computer to type on). She's like a sorcerer, and her words are her spells. The world building and choice of words are truly unique and uncanny. I feel like nothing that I write or say will be able to describe the eerie poetic way this book was written. And let me not talk about the quotes!!! Oh my, I'll never get tired of reading her characters express themselves!

About Salem: Her character authenticity left me speechless and her layered personality made me love her even more. Reading her journey and development was such an amazing experience. Her inner thoughts and perceptions are haunting and beautiful. When reading Enigma, I started to analyze our similarities and our differences. I am a person who dislikes self-analysis and if I'm being frank, kinda lost of who I truly am. Reading about her made me dive deep also into myself and, well, get to know me better too.

Caz: Hot. Hot. Hot. Even his name is hot: Cazimir van der Waal. Like, what type of hotness is this? Ever since he made his first appearance I knew his mysterious aura would be the death of me. He's unhinged, talented, hot, mysterious, intense and weak for his woman. Is there anything not to love in this man? And he PAINTS! (And he dirty talks too...) He is perfect for Salem. Next step: Enroll in Mortimer and find a Caz for myself.

One of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! This book is in a category of its own. It's an amazing balance between the gothic, the mystery and the romance. The words flow through you and you become captivated by them and by what they are telling you, engrossing you in Mortimer's world. Funny how I knew the expression "memento mori" but had never heard of "memento vivere" until Enigma. The duality of it and the message behind them are delivered in such a poetic and meaningful way.

A masterpiece of a book that everyone should read.

Read This Book If…you love a dark and twisted tale - with spice!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Enigma by RuNyx

Genre: dark academia romance
Spice Level: 4/5🌶, 3-4 explicit scenes, kinky
Setting: fictional university
POV: dual, 3rd person, past tense
Tropes: insta lust, “good girl”

My Thoughts:
I was simply obsessed with the setting for this one! It’s giving castle on the English coast but also Ivy League university and it was the perfect atmosphere.

There’s gothic vibes, secret societies, and plenty of suspense and mystery.

I love getting a peek into Salem’s history as we join her healing journey. Caz is possessive in the best way and these two were meant for each other! And their spice was spicing!

Make sure you read the trigger warnings for this one - it does get pretty dark at times!

While I enjoyed the story overall, the pacing was a little off. It was a super slow start (typical with a mystery), but the ending felt way too quick! I was convinced this was going to be a duology with how late everything was revealed and resolved!

Memorable Quote: “I want to be the only villain you see. I want to be the only devil who drags you to hell.”

Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!

A woman seeking answers. A man chasing vengeance. A university dripping in secrets, death, and haunting truths.

"You make me want to live, Salem. You give me a modicum of peace in a world of chaos."

Runyx crafts a setting so rich in mystery and quiet intensity that it wraps around you and refuses to let go. From the moment Salem arrives at Mortimer University, I felt like I could step right into this world; it's just that tangible.

The plot is intricate and deeply satisfying. Despite the complexity, it’s comprehensible and never confusing. The story unfolds with precision, dropping hints and answers in just the right places to keep you hooked without ever losing you.

But what truly brought the story to life was Salem. She is Enigma. I firmly believe that without her, there would be no story. She breathes life into every page with her quiet aura, her morbid curiosity for death, and her unwavering need for answers. Her sister’s death, which is brushed off as suicide, gnaws at her until she follows it to Mortimer University, where she's studying to become a forensic scientist. A literal STEM queen!

"A girl who liked science, wasn't afraid of dead bodies. [...] Names were nooses, and she held hers close to her neck."

Watching Salem evolve—from being nearly invisible to becoming a woman who accepts, understands, and embraces herself—was a journey that deeply resonated with me. In my eyes, she felt so real.

And then there's Caz.

"He had an air around him, something chaotic, unpredictable. [...] Caz. The Psycho Painter."

Caz enters like a wrecking ball: bold, magnetic, and brimming with secrets. He has this smirking, king-like energy that demands your attention. The first time we meet him, he's literally sketching a dead body. That should tell you everything. He's clearly unhinged... and yet, when he's with Salem, there's a softness, a quiet reverence that peeks through. He may be a storm, but around Salem, he becomes something gentler, even tender.

They’re both enigmas in their own way. Together, they're electric.

Their romance is entirely breathtaking, and their chemistry is undeniable; it's raw and passionate. I was squealing, going absolutely feral, and getting emotionally wrecked all at once. But beyond the heat, there’s deep vulnerability between them. They give way for each to be truthful and vulnerable without demanding it all at once. They choose each other, again and again. It’s the kind of love that sees and stays, even when it doesn’t fully understand.

"They don't own your mind, not like I do."

What truly broke me (in the best way) was how Caz sees Salem, down to the most minute detail. For someone like Salem—who’s been ignored, dismissed, and made to feel unworthy—his attention, his adoration, is transformative. And as someone who’s also felt unseen, I saw myself in her. That feeling of being chosen, loved, even when you think you're unlovable? Yeah, it destroyed me!

Now I have to talk about the "snakes".

"I found my muse on a beach on a dark night. And she was the most stunning creature I had ever seen, with living snakes in her hair and fire in her eyes, yet made of ice."

Caz’s obsession with Salem’s curls—"snakes," as he calls them oh-so reverently—felt like a personal love letter. I’ve been told my curls are a distraction, a mess, unprofessional. I’ve spent years feeling like they were something I had to tame. But in Enigma, Salem's curls are worshipped; they're beautiful and desired! It made me feel seen and validated in a way I didn’t expect.

Enigma is more than a dark academia romance. It’s a haunting love story that is wrapped in grief, longing, curiosity, and pacts of truth. More importantly, it's about finding yourself in the quest for answers. It's also about the kind of love that breathes life into you, the beautiful kind that isn't there to save you, but to primarily show you you're worth saving just as you are.

I’ll be thinking about Salem and Caz, along their messy, beautiful, passionate love, for a long, long time.

- dark academia
- gothic vibes
- murder mystery
- possessive mmc
- rivals-to-lovers
- secret society
- touch her and die