𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒎, 𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆.

Enigma | @authorrunyx

What to expect:

🧊Secret societies
🔥Odd rivals to lovers
🧊She’s ice, his fire
🔥Mystery
🧊Dark romance
🔥Elite exclusive university

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

Salem Salazar is the odd one out within her family, and pretty much life. Her interests, passions and mind make others distant. When family tragedy strikes, Salem takes things into her own hands and vows to get to the truth of disappearing girls so she enrols at Mortimer University to uncover the secrets.

Cazimir van der Waal at Mortimer University for his own reasons and hidden secrets intwines with Salem. She’s ice and his fire and together they just WORK!

𝑰’𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐.

Love love love this book. Secret societies, murder mysteries. Give me it all. The scene setting, the character building, it’s always so damn good.

These characters! I love the complexities to them, their quirks, their differences, it gets me so invested in the world that has been created enabling you to not want to put the book down or for it to finish.

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

The core emotions of loneliness and grief are so powerful. I love that it also shows everyone has a story, everyone deals with things differently and you never know someone’s full true truth.

𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆.

Quick thoughts:
- Salem is my type of girl. I love her.
- Caz’s mind! I wanted to be in it more.
- ‘𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘱’ ❤️‍🔥
- Aditi & Baron pulled me in too. I loved these characters as much as the main.
- Reading this is just a reminder to always be yourself 🖤

RuNyx has done it again!

Dark, atmospheric, rolling waves of tension and mystery, Enigma is a standalone gothic romance perfect for a rainy spring/summer day.

Caz van der Waal takes the crown for the best written RuNyx MMC, in my opinion. I loved his point-of-view, his way of thinking and his creative mind. Salem is sweet, a little spicy, and highly analytical, making them a dynamic duo to keep you on your toes.

I really enjoyed moving through the halls of Mortimer University. It's set in modern times with a wonderful air of gothic, dark, and spooky vibes. And the friendships between Salem and her peers made me giggle and kick my feet.

I'm so proud of RuNyx and this release - we've been waiting for a new story to love and Enigma is a delectable treat.

Thank you so much to Bramble and RuNyx for a copy of Enigma and the opportunity to leave my honest, voluntary review! All thoughts and opinions are my own :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for this ARC of Enigma. Enigma is a dark academia gothic romance filled with rivals to lovers, secret societies, mystery solving. Salem Salazar is brilliant, aloof, and beautiful. She attends Mortimer University to learn more about becoming a forensics physicist but to also uncover the dark truths behind this university including her sister’s untimely death. Her paths cross with the broody, enigmatic, and secretive student artist Cazimir van Der Waal. As Salem digs deeper, so do her feelings for Caz, and the line between danger and desire begins to blur. I could feel the chemistry building between Salem and Cal throughout every chapter. The concepts of grief and trust are handled really well and the plots twists kept me on edge. RuNyx nails the dark academia aesthetic with eerie atmosphere, sharp dialogue, and a slow burn romance that hurts in the best way.

Enigma is one of those books that has all the ingredients to be an absolute standout in the dark academia romance space—secret societies, missing girls, a mysterious university dripping with secrets, and a steamy, enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The premise is rich with promise and the setup pulled me in quickly. I wanted to love this. And while there were definitely moments I enjoyed, it ultimately left me somewhere in the middle.

The story follows Salem Salazar, the black sheep of a scandal-ridden legacy family, as she enrolls at Mortimer University determined to uncover the truth behind her sister’s disappearance. She soon discovers Mortimer is hiding more than just academic secrets—and that several girls have vanished under strange circumstances. Enter Cazimir van der Waal: chaotic, brooding, and magnetic. Their chemistry is intense, their banter sharp, and their attraction undeniably addictive. If you love an icy heroine melting for the one man she shouldn’t want, you’ll find plenty of that here.

But for all the setup, I kept wishing the story pushed just a bit further. The mystery was interesting, but the reveals often felt like they landed with a thud instead of a bang. Even the friendships and emotional layers skimmed the surface without quite digging deep enough. It just kept feeling like something was missing in every aspect and I couldn't always put my finger on what it was.

Salem is a complex, layered character, but I still felt unclear by the end on what truly defined her. Maybe that was intentional—but it left her arc feeling a little unresolved for me.

Also, it’s worth noting that Enigma is framed as a Hades and Persephone-style story, but I didn’t really get that vibe in any concrete way adding to the overall sense of under-delivery on what could have been a standout narrative.

Still, I can’t deny that I had fun reading it. There’s good spice, solid pacing, and that dark academic energy so many of us love.

Ok, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this one!! I feel like it would be such a perfect fall/spooky read.

A dark academia, gothic romance that was intense, addictive and full of angst. Caz's emotions for Salem were SO BEAUTIFUL and so powerful. Salem, who is used to feeling invisible, is finally truly seen.

The constant danger/secret society made this book so fast paced. It kept you wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next.

— Murder Mystery
— Dark Coastal Setting
— Secret Societies
— An Elite, Old University
— Rivals to Lovers tension so thick you could cut it with a knife
— Possessive MMC
— Mysterious Artist MMC + Morbid Criminology-Obsessed FMC

Enigma is dark, mysterious, and impossible to put down.
RuNyx masterfully builds tension and intrigue, layering romance with just the right amount of tension.
Caz is the standout-brooding, intense, and the perfect counterpart to Salem's fire and resilience. Their chemistry and understanding of one another was my favorite.
If you're into slow-burn romance with a twist of death and secret societies, this one is for you.

If there’s one thing I can always count on with a RuNyx book, it’s the beautiful, poetic writing and the instant feeling of being completely immersed in the story. I swear, it feels like I'm right there, experiencing everything alongside the characters.

The atmosphere in Enigma? Mysterious, eerie, and just the right amount of creepy—I loved it! There's just something about a dark academia/secret society setting filled with secrets and uncertainties that never ceases to captivate me. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end, trying to piece everything together.

Caz and Salem were incredible, both as individuals and as two halves of a whole. Each had a dark side, their own complexities and quirks, but together they complemented each other perfectly. Everything about them was intense, magnetic, and completely addictive—just like this new world RuNyx created.

I really hope we get the chance to revisit Mortimer in the future because I definitely have my eye on certain characters (iykyk)!

Ru Ru Ru- ya did the damn the thing !!!🙌🏼✨🤌🏼

Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥

This was creepy, mysterious, delicious, and kept me on my toes. I absolutely loved the two main characters and watching the way they evolved towards the end was everything I wanted. My only complaint is that it ended and it’s a stand alone 😭💔

“You could bring gods to their knees, you know that?” he murmured softly, his hands tightening on her hips, before drifting to the corner of her eyes, tracing them like he did. “Just one glance from these eyes would have driven men to murder in old times. Still might.”

"She had started it all for her dead sister. He had started it all for his missing brother.”

OMG! Brilliant, eerie, seductive, shocking and tragically twisted. It is a dark and suspenseful academia story that had me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails with anxiety and continually picking my jaw up off the floor. I devoured every delicious, dangerous and depraved moment of it.

The emotions that pour off the pages and the depth that they go had me utterly and completely hooked, obsessed and craving so much from these two main characters.

Caz and Salem had me all twisted up inside with their similar traumas and brilliant minds. They both had me in a chokehold with their backstories and the secrets they keep close to their hearts.

The banter was phenomenal, the sexual tension was insane and the spicy moments were chef’s kiss.

I absolutely loved this phenomenal story. Extremely well written, with complex and dangerous characters and with a plot filled with suspense, danger, emotional turmoil, passion and an undeniable love. It was amazing from start to finish.

I feel quite strongly that the description of this book is highly inaccurate. At no point did this read as Hades and Persephone. Instead it was a dark romance in a dark academia setting.

Salem, long obsessed with forensics, enters Mortimer University on the heels of family tragedy. She plans to discover who killed her sister, the sister who supposedly committed suicide. There is no shortage of suspects, with every male character extremely suspicious. She also meets the mysterious Caz, a graduate student and talented artist. They are drawn to each other like magnets, even knowing the other could expose them as they seek truths.

Salem was a strange character, a lot of time is spent with her referring to herself as icy when she is drowning in feelings. Her family makes almost no sense. Caz isn't much better. Then there is repetition. The same facts are rehashed over and over and over and over. This book could have been SIGNIFICANTLY shorter, which would have majorly improved it!

I think there will be people who will enjoy this book. While I enjoy dark academia, I do not love dark romance, nor mystery and thrillers. Not to my taste, but maybe to yours?

Thank you to Net Galley, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramle for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book felt very similar when I first started it. So much so that I had to look up the author to see if the book was a re-working of Gothikana. It is not but there are so many things that are so similar I spent the whole book a little confused. The book was very entertaining, and I will definitely read more, but it has combined with Gothikana in my brain as the same book/world.

I really wanted to like Enigma by Runyx, especially after seeing so many glowing reviews, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The pacing felt incredibly slow, and I struggled to stay engaged through most of the book. The characters, especially the protagonist, came across as one-dimensional and their motivations often didn’t make sense. I found myself constantly questioning their decisions rather than being drawn into their story.

The writing style was also a bit too melodramatic for my taste. There were moments that tried to be intense or emotional, but they often felt forced and overdone. And while I understand the appeal of dark romance for some readers, the dynamic between the main characters sometimes bordered on toxic rather than compelling.

By the time I finished it, I felt more frustrated than satisfied. It had potential, but for me, Enigma just didn’t deliver. I doubt I’ll be picking up the next book in the series.

RuNyx's Enigma doesn't just whisper secrets; it exhales them in a plume of dark academia atmosphere and heart-stopping romance. This isn't a gentle unfolding; it's an immersion into a world where ancient stone walls hold centuries of shadows, and the pursuit of truth is as perilous as the clandestine societies that thrive within Mortimer University's hallowed halls. At its core lies the magnetic, volatile connection between Salem and Caz, a dance between ice and fire that ignites the very pages.

Salem, a creature of quiet intensity, arrives at Mortimer draped in the weight of her family's notoriety and the haunting mystery of her sister's disappearance. Her fascination with death isn't morbid curiosity; it's a relentless quest for understanding in a world that has dealt her a profound loss. She moves with a composed logic, a sharp intellect dissecting the cryptic clues that Mortimer so readily offers. Yet, beneath this cool exterior lies a vulnerability, a yearning for the very answers that might shatter her.

Then there is Caz, a figure carved from shadow and raw artistic energy. As a teaching assistant with a veiled past, he exudes an untamed magnetism that both intrigues and unsettles. His world is one of vibrant emotion, of instinct and impulse, a stark contrast to Salem's measured approach. He sees in her something primal, a spark beneath the frost, and his fascination quickly spirals into an all-consuming obsession.

What makes Salem and Caz's relationship so utterly captivating is their unspoken language. RuNyx masterfully portrays their understanding through the brush of a hand, the lingering intensity of a gaze. A touch can convey volumes of unspoken fear, desire, or trust. A look can bridge the chasm between their seemingly disparate worlds, revealing shared vulnerabilities and a dawning recognition of a kindred spirit. It made their connection feel so real, so tangible.

It's a testament to RuNyx's skill that Salem's sense of safety with Caz feels totally believable, even amidst his acknowledged darkness. He is unhinged, possessive, and undeniably dangerous, yet with Salem, this intensity transforms into a fierce protectiveness, a recognition of her inherent worth and strength. He sees beyond her composed facade, acknowledging the shadows that mirror his own. In his chaotic embrace, she finds an unexpected anchor, a sense of being truly seen, flaws and all.

Like RuNyx’s previous couples, Salem and Caz feel destined. There's no room for anyone else in their orbit; their connection is a gravitational pull, undeniable and absolute. Salem's quiet strength finds its perfect counterpoint in Caz's passionate volatility. She provides the grounding force, the meticulous mind that can navigate the treacherous paths they tread. He, in turn, ignites her hidden depths, stirring emotions she might have otherwise kept locked away. They are the quintessential puzzle pieces, their edges jagged and unique, yet fitting together with a satisfying click, completing a picture that is both beautiful and dangerous.

Enigma is a descent into a world where secrets fester and danger lurks in every shadowed corner. But it is the incandescent connection between Salem and Caz, their ability to find solace and understanding in each other amidst the encroaching darkness, that truly sets this book ablaze. It's a story for those who crave the thrill of the unknown, the allure of the forbidden, and a love that burns with the intensity of a hidden flame. Enigma is a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page.

SO SO SOO OBSESSED WITH ANYTHING RUNYX PUTS OUT. This book means so much to me the way it healed me the way it made me feel loved i genuinely cannot express the amount of emotions i feel when i think about the characters that live in Mortimer. I will never recover

Fire meets Ice
Enigma reminded me once again why I always drop everything when RuNyx releases a new book.
 There’s just something about the way she writes — atmospheric, electric, emotional — that draws me in every time.

Honestly, Gothic Romance + RuNyx = a match made in eerie heaven.
The way she describes scenes, and especially eyes, is so special. It feels like you're seeing the characters' souls.

At the heart of this story is a theme that resonated with me deeply: loneliness, healing, and finding your people. Both Salem and Caz start off isolated, dealing with their personal scars and the weight of their pasts. But in each other, they slowly discover what it means to belong.

I always feel this buzz, this kind of electricity between her main characters, and Salem and Caz were no different. Their dynamic is intense: he’s pure fire, she’s ice cold - and together, they’re explosive.
You can feel the push and pull between them with every unspoken word. Every glance, every moment of tension had me hooked, and RuNyx build that intensity so beautifully.

Another thing I loved about Enigma is how real, raw emotions were woven into it: Themes of not feeling like you belong and complicated family ties grounded the gothic romance and made everything hit harder. The journey of healing and learning to trust again was emotional.

And the incorporation of art in this book? I’m obsessed!


The mystery kept me fully intrigued, always giving that eerie feeling like the other shoe was about to drop. Even though, toward the end, the mystery wrapped up a little too quickly for my taste, and I would’ve loved a slightly bigger payoff for all that buildup. But it didn’t diminish my love for the book.

I have SO many quotes I want to share (seriously, RuNyx’s writing is making my inner quote-obsessed emo teen melt), but I’ll hold off to avoid spoilers.

As always, I’m excited for everything this author writes next.
If you love moody, dark academia romance with secret societies, mystery, and intense chemistry, Enigma should be on your tbr. 🖤

*A huge thank you for the ARC!*

🗂Genre: Dark Gothic Romance
📕Type: Standalone


🏷 Tropes:
- Dark Academia
- Cold FMC x Passionate MMC
- He's obsessed
- Mystery & Secret Society

⚠️Safety: check warnings at the beginning of the book
📖Format: 3rd person, multiple POVs
🎧Theme song: Gods & Monsters - Lana Del Rey
📚If you loved this, check out: Gothikana by RuNyx

One thing guaranteed, I’m always going to be transported to wherever Runyx wants me to go. Her writing feels like it’s teasing you at first and then before you know it you’re sucked in her character’s world. Honestly, the atmosphere and setting are the main character here and I LOVE it!
In this case, I feel like the setting overpowered the main characters which really wasn’t what I was looking for. I enjoyed both characters but personally I wanted to be a little more obsessed and root for them as couple.
Overall, still enjoyable and I def be going to back to listen to the audio <3

𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐌𝐀
By @authorrunyx

“𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞… 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞.”

Salem and Caz don’t fall—they collide. Brilliant minds. Buried secrets. Slow-burning chaos. And a connection that feels inevitable, no matter how much they try to outmaneuver it.

This wasn’t just a romance. It was a mental game. A battle of obsession, intellect, and tension thick enough to cut.

If you're looking for your next dark, academic spiral—this is it.

🔥 Dark Academia
🔥 Dark Romance
🔥 They’re both jealous. Both possessive.
🔥 Odd rivals to lovers
🔥 Mysteries to be solved
🔥 An old, elite, exclusive university drenched in secrets
🔥 That dark, gloomy, misty atmosphere we live for

Caz is a storm disguised as still water—art-stained, calculated, and the kind of man who ruins you with a single look.
Salem is intellect wrapped in fire—ruthless, soft, unflinching.
Together, they don’t just fall in love. They ignite.

And as always, Runyx doesn’t just write romance—she creates entire worlds. Ones you don’t simply read, but sink into. Enigma feels like walking the halls of a cursed university with secrets in the walls and obsession in the air. Every scene is steeped in atmosphere, every word soaked in meaning.

For the lovers of all things RuNyx — this is the one we’ve been waiting for. If you adored Gothikana, you need to drop everything and dive in.

Leave it to RuNyx to pen absolute magic. Once again I found myself inextricably drawn by the words she’d written and the world of Enigma. It’s as intriguing as it is secretive and I absolutely adored every single second of reading this book! I still find myself going back and reading my favourite scenes because I just cannot get over them! I’m in love with yet another intricate, magical masterpiece by RuNyx. Be sure to pick up this book and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

5 stars!

I already cant wait to re-read; this is certainly my new favourite read :)
I was thoroughly engaged in this read from the get go, I LOVE LOVE LOVEE Salem and I can relate to her. Before starting this, I was in a reading slump and this pulled me right back out of it; I cannot recommend this book enough!

Dark academia, murder mystery, age gap romance, academic rivals, forensic student x painter TA (and throw in some cults, gothic vibes and so much more). I am absolutely in love with this book. It's everything I could want and more. I adore gothic romances so much and this book perfectly captures the seaside academy with a romance and mystery. Seriously pick up this book immediately if you want a gothic romance!!!

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*