Four Delirium Stars
*ARC Review*

Death Smiles
Salem Salazar has always loved to dissect the tiniest of details, to explore. Her curiosity gets the betters of her when on the first week of school she finds a dead body by the beach, and a mysterious Caz finds her exploring the crime scene. So begins a two way obsession, and a journey to find answers about the secrets of Mortimer, a university that hides more than its' dark history.
"Death was a curious thing. Planned or unplanned, mitigated or unmitigated, cruel or comfortable, it was the only universal truth that everyone lied about."


Decay and Rot
I genuinely enjoyed following Salem Salazer and her journey to uncover buried secrets. She was such a unique character to read about, being a tangled mess on the inside while wearing an ice-y exterior. Her curiosity got the better of her, more often than not, but she was smart about it, and knew how to explore without getting caught. I truly felt her loneliness, and her desire to be wanted and seen, and her push and pull within herself.
"She was better than this. She was not better than this. The fear didn't control her. There was nothing but terror."

Cazimir Van Der Waal, I have to say I'm annoyed with you. You were madness incarnated, absolutely crazy and yet you sneaked your way into my heart. Caz was everything Salem wasn't - warm, very much out there for the world to see, uncaring and unhinged. He was definitely different than all the other heros we've seen from Runyx so far, it was kind of refreshing. His loneliness and motives throughout the book didn't really stood out for me, and I felt as though we needed a few more scenes from his perspective, but all in all, I still loved his character.
"Caz van der Waal was an enigma, an unknown variable in her equation, an unsolved mystery, and she had always loved and hated those in equal measure."


Unknown Variables
This book truly felt like a letter Runyx wrote for herself, as she mentioned, after her mother's death. The loneliness through Salem's eyes was real, so was the loss and pain, and the need for someone to fill in the void, for someone to truly see her, to find answers. It's also the way Runyx knows how to convey it all in her prose, in the unspoken words between the lines, the way her characters think and express themselves - this book truly was different, and you could feel the sorrow and loss the author must have felt through everything.
I loved Salem's character , even though I could understand why some people would see her as "not like other girls", I didn't really feel it while reading, since there wasn't any indication to. Salem wanted to find what happened to her sister, and she stopped at nothing to get to the answers, all the while resisting the pull she had with Caz. There wasn't really much focus on her not being like "other girls".
I did have some problems with Caz, though, as much as I loved his character, he didn't feel as real as Salem did. He felt very much like a background character at times, and there were times I couldn't really connect with him. Also, his character was doing a lot of one-eighties through the book, and it was difficult to have an image in my head of who he was supposed to be. In the end, I still appreciated how much he was obsessed with Salem, and how he somehow knew what she needed, and I did fall in love with the character towards the end. But it took a while to get there.

The romance between the two was very much appreciated, however I think the book would have survived without it. The mystery plot was the main one, and the romance was nice and I did love the two of them together, but I just keep thinking how much more of a thriller this book would be without the romance. Oh well, that's just me.
"I own your mind. I'm going to own your body. And then, I'll take your soul.
Because you're coming for mine, aren't you? Mind, body and soul."

There was something that really annoyed me with the two of them throughout the book though - and that's the constant push and pull, going on in circles around the answers and the secrets. It got tiring very quick.

The writing was beautiful, absolutely incredible, especially after how disappointed I was from the last book I read by this author. You could really feel the wind touching your skin, the cold, the fog and the chills from Mortimer. However, saying "x dick energy" in the middle of a very packed scene, the reveal of it all - ruined the scene for me. I was pulled back from being in Mortimer to sitting in my bed reading on my phone so fast it gave me whiplash. I hate current slang being used in books, especially in the climax of the book.
Also, talking about the climax of the book - it was way too rushed in my opinion, spanning one and a half chapters. The entire book was about the secrets Mortimer kept buried, what happened to Salem's sister, what was up with Caz and his involvement in it. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for this scene, but I barely blinked and it was over. The ending left too many loose ends in my opinion, and tried to tie them up in a cute bow but it turned out a mess.

Memento Vivere
I did very much love this book, and as I have said before, it truly felt like a letter the author wrote to herself and decided to share with the world. It was raw with emotions, and despite being all over the place at times, it conveyed the message it tried to deliver - Remember to live.
At times, this book said what I've been too scared to tell to myself, and it spoke to my heart in a way no book did in a very long time. Thank you for sharing this with us, Runyx.
I do want to say, I like the long version of the quote better - Memento Mori, Memento Vivere. Remember you must die, so remember to live.
"״I found my muse on a beach on a dark night,״ he told her, holding the back of her head, his eyes blazing. ״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.״"



Tropes: college romance, gothic romance, obsessed hero, secret society.
Trigger warnings: mentions of suicide, death, murder, human sacrifices, drug abuse.
Heroine: 5/5
Hero: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Ending: 2/5
Writing: 5/5
Side characters: 4/5
Re-read: yes.

Arc review
This is the longest review I have ever written so get ready to get deep dived into the beautiful world of Enigma.

Writing: RuNyx has a talent for writing books that grab you from the very first page. Her writing flows so naturally that, while reading, I lost myself in the story and forgot I was even reading. The way she paints the setting makes you feel like you're truly at Mortemir University. Almost as if the entire scenery is right in front of your eyes, because it's so easy to visualize it. The Dark Academia vibes are steeped in a gothic atmosphere that lingers with each chapter. Even the characters' conversations felt dark due to the setting and atmosphere and I absolutely love books with mystery vibes. It's clear that the author has a keen eye for detail.
She doesnt write to fill space, she writes to fill the page with meaning.
Each letter, word, sentence, entire page carries a deeper meaning, and it invites you to analyze it, which is so fun and exciting. I find so much comfort in her writing because it feels both familiar and magical. You could give me a stack of 100 books to read and I would be able to say which one is written by her. There is something about the way she writes that feels like home.
plot: Okay the plot was PLOTTING. If I wasnt moved to tears , I was on the edge of my seat, losing it over every twist.The FMC, Salem comes to the Mortimer University to find out more about her sisters mysterious death and there she meets the mysterious Cazimir Vander Vaal.
You enter the university, surrounded by stories and rumors, and that sparks an interest to delve deeper and find out more.
The more hints that we would get, the more intensity I would feel. I was constantly stressing myself out because I wanted to know more and more. One moment you are rooting for characters and all of the sudden you question everyone. You don't really know who to trust. RuNyx leaves hints, and you don’t even realize they’re hints until the plot twist hits, and you’re left asking yourself, 'What the hell just happened?. It hit me like a bucket of cold water. I was either emotional or stressed while reading because I wanted to know what was going on. After finishing each chapter, you can't help but turn to the next one. It’s just how the story pulls you in. It never got boring, not even in the quieter moments. As we all know, the last 20% of RuNyx’s books are always a rollercoaster, making you feel every emotion imaginable. After finishing the book, I had a good cry—not because I finished it, but because it finished me.
Caz being an artist and Sal a criminology student added so much more depth to the story especially her, because it was important to the main plot.
Now lets move on to the characters and their relationship
First we have Salem . She is one of the most complex characters I have ever encountered but at the same time one of the most easiest to understand? Make it make sense. Perhaps because I saw so much of myself in her. Her thoughts mirrored my own. Reading about her left me raw and exposed in a way no other character ever has.
I admire her so much—her beauty, her intelligence, and her ability to think five steps ahead. She has an eye for details and notices things that no one else would.
Sal has a keen eye and ear for everything happening around and she cant ever rest her mind. Constantly overthinking, never knowing peoples intention. That’s why she developed this hard shell that is not easy to break. My heart ached for her in so many ways, and her thoughts often left me feeling deeply emotional because It felt like I was being in my own head .
Salem is ice. She’s wild. Reading her point of view was always such a ride because the way her mind works is utterly fascinating. She is termined, stubborn and so curious. Always earning to find out more.This girl could march straight into death, and nothing would stop her from pushing forward . I loved seeing her character growth during the book. It felt like a flower who was slowly blooming, nurtured by sun and rain- and for her, it was love, genuine affection, and acceptance that made her bloom.
Cazimir Van der vaal.
At this point, I am adding a new book boyfriend to my list every time Ru releases a new book. At first you dont really know much about this man. What are his intentions? What is he hiding? Cause he is a man full of secrets. Secrets that no one knows about and seeing his secrets slowly unfold was so exciting but also shocking. (no comment, you have to read for yourself)You should be cautious of him, but me? Honestly, I fell for him the moment he made his first appearance. They say, "You know you’re f*cked when his voice turns you on." As soon as he spoke, I was like, 'Yup, I’m done for.
This man knows exactly what to do and say to make you fall to your knees. The moment he steps into a room, chaos follows, and just like that, he has everyone’s attention.
Like Sal, he also has sharp eyes and ears. I have seen people say that he is unhinged but he was more unhinged than I expected which made me kick my feet because we love a unhinged man. Whatever he did or said, I ate it up. My favorite thing about him was the way he saw Sal. He didn’t just see her—he witnessed her, like a painting that moved when no one else was looking . Caz’s fire didn’t just warm Sal, it undid him, melting walls that had never known a crack. Reading how he looked at her made my heart ache in the most intense way. For him she tastes like every dark thougth he has.
Caz and Sal, individually? Amazing. But together? Perfection!
In my eyes they were the missing piece to each others puzzle.
Each of their dark sides called to the other. From the very first moment they have met, you could feel the tension, so thick, you could cut it with a knife. The chemistry and sexual tension were off the charts. You might think it’s insta-love, but for me, it wasn’t. It felt like the connection had already existed before the characters even knew of each other. It was hidden and just waiting to come out for the right time. Each time they spoke, the air seemed to hum with a tension that could be felt from miles away. So when the explosion finally happened, it was out of this world.
Once it happened, I was kicking my feet. The spice was so powerful. There is one certain scene that was so good, It might even be my favorite spicy scene because I could feel the shift in the air.
Despite their intensity and darkness, I was hooked on their vulnerable side. The slow process of them learning to trust each other was important, but once it happened, it felt raw and real. They were only vulnerable with each other, and seeing them drop their guards made my heart swell with such warmth, I thought it might burst . Slowly but surely, everything started to make sense. The connection, the chemistry, the dynamic. They’re just meant to be together.

Final thoughts: Most of the time while reading Enigma, I felt overwhelmed by my own emotions, because of the plot, the characters, and the quotes. You don’t just escape to the Mortemir university while reading, you get completely trapped there, body and mind and honestly, you don’t even want to leave.
This book shattered me and put me back together piece by piece. It wasn’t just a story, it was like a personal healing journey, one that will stay with me long after I turned the last page. I found so much honesty behind every word and It felt like reading a letter for myself. My thoughts and fears written on paper and I know that only Ru is able to do that with her books.I’ve been reading books since I was 8—14 years now—and I can honestly say I’ve found the author for me. An author whose words make me FEEL.
To wrap it up, reading Enigma is an experience that everyone needs to make once (or even more ) and I am already looking forward to the day where I will be rereading it!

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.