The Book of Autumn by Molly O’Sullivan is a richly imagined fantasy that stands out for its unique take on magic and a world that feels both fresh and lived-in. One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its intricate world-building, which immediately draws you in and keeps expanding in fascinating ways.

At the heart of the story are characters who struggle deeply with the bonds that tie them together—both magical and emotional. Their journey to find their own identities while trying to stay connected adds a powerful emotional layer. I really appreciated how the book explored the tension between personal growth and shared destiny, without offering easy answers.

The mystery driving the plot is also well-executed. It kept me turning the pages, eager to unravel the truth alongside the characters. Even when things got difficult for them, their determination to work together and solve the central crime was compelling and inspiring.

Overall, I give The Book of Autumn 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a thoughtful, engaging read with strong emotional stakes and a world you’ll want to revisit.

Molly O’Sullivan writes a complex and fun to read
story. The Book of Autumn has a main character FMC of Dani who is at the center of everything. The other characters have very different views on Dani. I would recommend Molly O’sullivan The Book of Autumn to other readers. The primary genres of General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers | Sci Fi & Fantasy. Tropes the writer focuses on are not mentioned in available information. The book is recommended for readers
who enjoy Adrienne Young, Olivie Blake, Erin Sterling, Hazel Beck, and Leigh Bardugo’s.

A unique take on magic and the way it is accessed and harnessed.

I loved the setting and that it wasn’t the typical magic academy/dark academia building. I would’ve loved more chapters on its interesting magical history.

I thought the character of Cella was well developed and I wanted to know her story and history. Max was a bit less developed and felt more like a side character and I didn’t feel like I knew him well or felt much for him by the end. Maybe it was the Kindle format and I missed out on the footnotes from his point of view at the time they would be in the physical book? (On the Kindle they are all at the end of the book).

I was thoroughly into the story and could’ve read on for more. I’ll be looking forward to the authors next book!

Rating: 4 / 5 ⭐

No matter where I was, he always found me.

So I absolutely loved this book. It was a very interesting take on dark academia. Rather than being written in prose, The Book of Autumn is written as a case study that includes footnotes, references and primary sources.

The Book of Autumn follows Cella as she returns to her (magical) college to investigate the murder of a student. She is reunited with Max her ex and her literal other half. As they investigate, they find more questions than answers.

I absolutely loved this book. It was a very interesting take on dark academia. Rather than being written in prose, The Book of Autumn is written as a case study that includes footnotes, references and primary sources.

Her return to Seinford and Brown College of Agriculture (and Magic) means her return to rural New Mexico. Most of the dark academica I’ve read has been east coast based so the ambience and setting of New Mexico was a breath of fresh air. This might be the first dark academia book that mentioned horses and cattle but it was incredibly authentic to both Cella and Max. I will say that I would have loved learning more about Cella’s background as an indigenous woman; it was mentioned in passing but I would have loved more.

As the book unfolds, we see Cella struggling to deal with the loss of her brother. The way she deals with grief is unhealthy but so achingly real. Watching her refind her footing as she stops running away is poignant. She reconnects with the community that she could have had if she wasn’t running away.

On top of the beautiful setting, the magic was well written and had a lot of accuracy. I loved the idea of the two magical colleges and their different approaches to magic. The focus of Cella and Max’s research was fascinating and honestly I’d read that research paper as well. Also, bonus points to Molly O’Sullivan for doing her research; multiple books they found as they researched are real books written by real occultists. It added a depth to the academic side of the paper that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Overall I enjoyed The Book of Autumn and highly recommend it. Even the cover art took a deviation from the expected. The cover included the traditional dark academia colors we’ve come to know and love but with the imagery of New Mexico. Bulls over snakes. If I had to sum up the book I’d go with unexpected .

Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
I was intrigued by this one since I love dark academia and magic but it just didn't capture my attention. I kept trying to push through but I was frustrated by so many footnotes. It drives me nuts when footnotes have important aspects of the plot when they are so clunky on kindle. I didn't feel much connection or chemistry with the characters at all.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really cute and atmospheric book. There was a jarring difference in the quality of the prose vs dialogue. I almost wanted the whole book to just be prose.


Really reminded me of the Old Kingdom series in the first few chapters!

I absolutely loved this book. For me personally, it was an easy read, loveable characters and the plot was fabulous.

3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)

This dark academic murder mystery set in new Mexico was uniquely written in the form of an academic research paper.

This book wove together mystery, magic, and romance. This books premise was sooo interesting, but I did find myself struggling with the execution.

I did enjoy the prose and hkw descriptive the author was. I enjoyed learning about Cella and Max as well as the inner monolog. I had intermittent issues with the pacing and I felt there were certain things that the reader was just supposed to take for fact (why were Cella and Max only able to solve this mystery?).

Overall it was a good book and for those that enjoy dark academic genre it was worth the read.

The Book of Autumn follows Marcella Gibbons, who struggles being a dimidium, one half of a pair of Magicians, forever tied together to enable the other's powers. Called back to Seinford and Brown in New Mexico, Cella must partner with ex-boyfriend Max to find out who is behind a brutal hex/killing on campus. This book offers a unique magic system with a fresh take on dark academia + a murder mystery.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read in advance this fantasy dark academia murder mystery! It is a gripping story full of plot twists, magic, and complex characters, and I couldn't rip myself away from it until I finished the whole thing. It reads like a very long academic paper turned narrative whilst still retaining the dark academia and fantasy vibes that we love, as well as the thrill of a mystery. Would definitely recommend.

I really wanted to love this book .... but I didn't. The beginning really pulled me in and for the first quarter I was all in. The setting was unique and I like the mystery but eventally the 'investigation' seemed to drag with endless questioning that went no where and not much seemed to happen. As the story took a deep dive into ancient Greek philosophy it kinda lost me. By the end, I really couldn't tell you what was happening. I'm sure some readers will dive in and the plot will resonate with them. It just wasn't for me.

Set against the moody, otherworldly backdrop of a magic-infused college in rural New Mexico, this debut novel follows Cella Gibbons, an anthropologist and reluctant half of a magical pair (“dimidium”) who’s been trying to leave that life behind—until her ex-partner, Max, shows up asking for help. What follows is a mystery tied to death, ancient magic, and messy, unresolved feelings.

this book was such a fun, dark academia book that kept me on the edge of my chair! the format of this book was interesting, to say the least, but i really think it'd be fantastic in a paper copy! some parts of the book was really slow at parts, which is the reason this book isn't a five star, but i truly did enjoy it! the mmc was snarky and enjoyable, and i loved his dynamic with the fmc! reading this in the fall with blankets wrapped around me would be the dream, tbh

thank you to netgalley and molly o'sullivan for this arc in exchange for an honest opinion! <3

Book of Autumn had an engaging start making me think of the exorcist meeting Deadly Education. The theme throughout about humanity and magic, with a bit of historical background was delightful. Unfortunately, there were several pages that I slogged through in the middle because it wasn't filled with enough action elements. It felt too long before they tried to speak with Dani. However, I pushed through because there was enough suspense to entice me to know what the ending would be.

I really enjoyed The Book of Autumn and loved the dark academia vibe throughout. I liked Cella and Max as characters, and I looked forward to picking it up and continuing with the story each day. I just wish there was a bit more detail on the school--I felt the world-building there was a small bit lacking. But...definitely a recommended read!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is a debut novel?!

I loved how this story was put across, almost like a journal, I did find it it to be a little slow in parts due to the format, but dark academia X forced proximity X magic school X unsolved murder?? Sign me UP

I loved Cella, I saw so much of myself in her that it made her super relatable and as the other half of her dimidium, Max brought some real fun as the MMC. I loved the world building and how the story unfolded as we learned more truths and uncovered more secrets, overall, a fun (sometimes even spooky) read that had me giggling, gripping my kindle for death life and even shedding a little sneaky tear.

'The Book of Autumn' is a gripping, suspenseful debut novel by Molly O'Sullivan. The novel is centered in the themes of magic, academia, and overcoming one's past. Set in the rich landscape of the deserts of New Mexico, this novel comes to life with complex characters and a unique take on magic and it's practioners.

Marcella 'Cella' Gibbons and Max Middlemore are both alumni of Seinford and Brown College of Agriculture (or as it is known by its students: Seinford and Brown College of the Three Arts). Once PhD partners and dimidiums - two halves of a magical pair that amplify each other's magic - Cella and Max have now been estranged for several years after Cella's disastrous final semester at Seinford and Brown. Precipitated by the unforeseen death of her brother, Cella stays away from magic, Max, and anything that reminds her of the past until when Max shows up on her doorstep one day. A student at Seinford and Brown is experiencing a magical affliction that the council thinks only Max and Cella can solve with their area of expertise in magic. The stakes quickly raise once Cella and Max start investigating, as do long buried feelings between the dimidiums. With a sprinkle of romance and a magic system that was both intriguing and different from anything I've read recently, 'The Book of Autumn' weaves a magical spell around readers from beginning to end.

This novel is uniquely written in the format of a first-person retelling in the form of some kind of research paper or academic document. Interspersed between these chapters are diary entries and other magical journal pages that add depth and history to the story. While the reference notes are a little clumsy to read in an ebook format, I think this will be a fun addition in the print version of this novel. All of the events are seen through Cella's point of view, and her traumatic past skews her viewpoint, causing her to be an unreliable narrator. We learn of her past at Seinford and Brown through flash backs, and her complicated relationship with Max. Information is given to us in digestible bites, both of the backstory and the current investigation.

I do wish we had seen a little more development of Max and Cella's present day relationship, perhaps seen them exploring their magic and feelings about reconnecting after so long apart. Because our view of Max is given through Cella's eyes, and she has some complicated feelings about him, it made it kind of hard for me to like him as a love interest for Cella. He comes across as self-absorbed, with Cella always feeling like she was a footnote beside him even though they were equals in magic and their research. I really couldn't decide if I liked him or not until the last 15 percent of the book or so.

The mystery is well plotted, with a twist towards the end that definitely felt like it raised the stakes in Cella and Max's quest to solve what is afflicting student Danica. The cast of characters kept me guessing - so many people had motive to be involved in the mystery; I enjoyed searching for clues alongside Cella to try to figure out which characters were actually the bad guys. I would actually enjoy seeing a future book with these same characters to see how they are dealing with the events and changes to their lives that happen in this current novel.

I loved Molly O'Sullivan's debut novel, and I'll be keeping an eye out for news of future new releases from her. Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington, and the author for allowing me to read an eARC of this novel.

A spellbinding novel about ambition, privilege and ancient magic. Set at an enchanted school tucked among the red mesas of a rural country where a formidable pair of magicians are summoned to pursue an alleged killer. A second chance romance blooms when two halves of one whole are thrust together to unravel the truth and challenge a power neither can rival alone. A fascinating dark academia fantasy with spellbinding magic, steeped in centuries of bloodshed and heartache.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐎'𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐧

A murder mystery, wrapped up in magic, and thrown into dark Acadamia, sign me up. The premise of this was so promising and interesting I couldn't be more excited to start it.

At first glimpse we see Cella, our main female lead who is intectually brilliant, but struggles when it comes to her own confidence. She's so filled with self doubt and distrust, that it's hard not to feel for her and hope she finds a way to grow into herself. Which she eventually does. Max is her complete opposite, but alos the other magical half of her soul. Many of the snippets we see come from flashes from the past rather than forming opinions on him in the now. I did wish there was more present interaction between the two of them, so we could feel thier connections, but I did enjoy the recounting of thier first meeting.

The way this is written, in an interesting and unique format, almost like an academic paper, intermingled with diary entries, was interesting but also made the story feel very slow. There was a lot of introspection while a whole lot of nothing in the story or investigation happened. There were too many dead ends and noy enough mystery clues left for us to unravel. The footnotes may have been clever in a physical format but in the ecopy I have was more annoying and frustrating than anything, at some point I stopped reading the footnotes because it was too much work to look for them then try and refind my place, and remember what's going on in the story.

For a story with magic there's actually very little actual magic in it which is frustrating, especially when our two "investors" seem to be the only ones capable of solving the mystery due to the magic that they never use. All in all I thought it was good writing, and had a great promise, but felt it fell a little short on the delivery.

Marcella and Max, dimidiums - two Magicians who's magic is bound to each other - return to their former college of Magic to solve the murder of a student, and the possible hex of another, while facing a past Marcella would rather leave behind.

I'm not usually a huge fan of fantasy set in the modern day, but in The Book of Autumn, it is not so overpowering as in other modern-day fantasies, and it is just as important as the past. I really enjoyed how fleshed out the lore and history is in this story, and I can appreciate how much went into getting it right.
I enjoyed the mystery element in this, and I was forming my own guesses and theories throughout. I do wish there was more magic involved however. I can understand the reason behind there not being much, due to the related trauma and past of certain characters, but I think for me it would have been that bit more interesting to see more of.
The characters were likeable, and it was easy for opinions to change ad evidence came to light, or more suspects were brought into the fold.

Thank you so much to Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC through netgalley!