*ARC Review* recieved from NetGalley and Macmillian.

My long waitied anticipation for this book did not end in disappointment! This book took dark academia, murder mystery, and romance to hook readers in from the beginning. A dark, steamy mystery with an intriguing storyline, "Engima" was a huge hit for me!

After reading "Gothikana," also by RuNyx, last year, I knew I had to read more. The setting itself was very misty and mysterious, making the perfect backdrop for our plot. Salem and Caz had such an interesting dynamic that readers saw progress as they attempted to work through the murders happening on and near their campus.

I highly recomend this book to other readers! The writing was great, narrator even better!

This book is for my dark academia, dark romance readers. Taking place at the exclusive cliffside college of Mortimer University, this story follows Salem Salazar on her journey to uncover the truth about her sister's death. She finds her TA, the ultra-sexy, super mysterious Cazimir van der Waal , is also hiding secrets. Welcome to Mortimer where it seems everyone is hiding something. Told in dual POVs, the narrators do well with voice inflection and different voices for the many different characters. Their voices kept me engaged in the story.

ENIGMA, by popular booktok author, @authorrunyx is out now. This is my first read by the author, and I'm not disappointed. I definitely want to back track now and go read the first stand-alone, Gothikana. I loved the haunting backdrop that Mortimer University provides for this suspenseful, mysterious read. I love secret societies (I was such a Cruel Intentions girlie back in the day...iykyk) and a good who-done-it mystery. Top it off with a tall, broody, snarky MMC, and I was hooked. The audio production was really well-done. Aiden Snow @aidensnowvoice never disappoints as a male lead, and Jaclyn Kelso got me really invested in the FMC. I'd love to hear more from both narrators.

This is my first introduction to the author and I’m intrigued enough to read more of their works!

Enigma is the dark romance, mystery, fantasy standalone that many try to do well but few can achieve. The characters are intriguing and well thought out. The story line is interesting and leaves you wanting to know more even when it’s over. It’s a lightly spiced tale of self discovery and secret crime society.

The FMC perceives the world through analytics which I can relate to. It was nice to read through the eyes of a character who also struggles to understand social dynamics and feelings. I wish there would have been more focus on her career interests since that was a shaping part of her character.

The audiobook had two narrators and I wish it had been done duet style as the male narrator only has a couple chapters and has an amazing voice. Both narrators were captivating and added to the story nicely.

Enigma by RuNyx is a Dark Romance with a side of mystery, suspense, and some serious spice!

This story is centered around Salem Salazar a girl who is fascinated by death at a young age and as she grew up, was viewed by all as the odd sheep in her affluent and scandal-ridden family. After her sister’s untimely death, Salem hopes to uncover clues in her first year at Mortimer University, studying criminology. Little does she know that she’s being watched from all sides the moment she steps on campus.

One of the sets of eyes watching her is Cazimir van Der Waal, also known as Caz. He is the definition of tall, dark and handsome, with an emphasis on DARK. He is mysterious and aloof and the only thing people know about him beyond his good looks, is that he is an amazing artist, although no one outside of the faculty has seen his work. Caz is instantly pulled to Salem and despite being told by many to stay away, she has ensnared him in her web and he can’t seem to break free…nor does he want to.

When reading Enigma, you can expect:
🖤 Dark romance
🔎 Mystery
🤫 Secret society
🏫 Dark academia
💀 Morally gray
❤️‍🔥 Obsession
😱 Fear play
🪦 Touch her & die

Aiden Snow and Jaclyn Kelso took this audiobook to another level! They both really connected to their characters and brought them to live. Their performances were perfection and I’ll definitely be looking for other works from them both in the future.

Enigma tackles some really dark subject matter including death, childhood trauma and child predators, so check the trigger warnings before committing.

While I received a physical ARC copy from Bramble Romance at their private event at ApollyCon, when I saw the audiobook available on NetGalley, you know I had to try for it, and I was lucky enough to get it! So special thank you to Bramble Romance RuNyx and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this new release!

This book was well worth read if you haven’t read it please do. It’s definitely a dark romance, this is my favorite

The story follows Salem, a girl with a tragic past who enrolls in a college that holds its own secrets. As she navigates her new life, she discovers another soul, Caz, who might just have the missing pieces to the puzzle surrounding her sister's tragic fate.

I listened to the audiobook, which was an absolute masterpiece with dual narration that brought the characters to life. The narrators perfectly captured the emotional depth and intensity of Salem and Caz's journey, allowing me to immerse myself fully in the story. Their distinct voices added layers to the characters, making every twist and turn even more engaging.

The gripping plot and emotional depth kept me turning the pages late into the night! The chemistry between Salem and Caz is palpable, and their shared experiences create a bond that drives the narrative forward. The exploration of grief, resilience, and the quest for truth is beautifully woven throughout the book, making it a thought-provoking read.

If you love a good mystery filled with heart and suspense, "Enigma" is a must-read!

I really enjoyed reading this one!

I always love academic setups in books and dark academia. This was very nicely written and very mysterious. From the first chapter, it was captivating. It was such an easy read that I finished it in one day.

My only problem, and my problem in general with RuNyx books, is that after building this complex world, plot, and fascinating characters, the book ending is always very anticlimactic. It's almost like watching a Scoopy-Doo episode and learning the monsters were around us all along. I start with the highest expectation and feel disappointed at the end.

A dark academia romance with secret societies? Yes, please!
The atmospheric worldbuilding and mysterious, gothic like vibes pulled me in right away. I was immediately intrigued. The slow pacing worked in the story’s favor, and it kept me invested in the unfolding mystery. And of course, I loved the forbidden love in this story. The narrators, Aiden Snow, and Jaclyn Kelso are fantastic. Their tones and inflections are spot on and I was engaged till the very end!

Runyx nailed it with Enigma! If I could tweak one thing, it’d be to have dual narration: Aiden Snow for all of Caz's lines and Jaclyn Kelso for Salem's.

Enigma produces the same wild, mysterious atmosphere as its predecessor, Gothikana. The elite college town of Mortimer, set on the coast where its constantly raining, cold, and foggy, gives all the gothic vibes and is the perfect setting for a secret-society, murder mystery such as this. The college itself is comprised of old stone buildings, including a castle. Full of secret societies, secret rooms, and just plain secrets, the college is a character in and of itself. It's this overcast, brooding setting that we find our main character, Salem, attending Mortimore as a legacy student. Salem has a dual purpose to attending Mortimore - both to get a degree in the field of forensics, and to find out what happened to her older, perfect sister Olivia when she attended the college a few years before.

I've not seen confirmation of such, but to me, Salem presents as neurodivergent (possibly from a combination of who she is as a person, her raising, and as a result of trauma that she experienced when she was younger) and let me tell you, this was one of the most refreshing main female characters that I've read this year. As someone who is neurodivergent myself, it was so fun to see little pieces of myself that I could identify with in Salem, and it made me connect to her even more as a character. Add to that the fact that our leading man, Caz, is UNHINGED for her, accepts her wholly as she is, and supports her whole-heartedly, and you have a book that is so much more than the dark academia what it is advertised as. This book was healing to read, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Tropes:
*Dark Academia
*Enemies to Lovers
*Secret Societies
*Touch her and d!e

Spice level 4/5 chili peppers.

The sexual push and pull tension between Salem and Caz will have you both drooling and screeching in frustration. I loved the build-up of feelings and frustrations between them, and Caz is the perfect level of unhinged male for the woman he claims.

I listened to the audiobook of this novel, and I loved the female narrator. Her voice was easy to understand and not too slow paced. I also appreciated that it did not sound robotic as some audiobooks do. There are a few chapters in this novel told to us from Caz's point of view, and those are voiced by a gravelly, sexy male voice that makes Caz an even more intriguing character.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for providing me with an eARC of the audiobook for my listening pleasure.

Thank you Macmillan audio for the ALC!

This story was fast paced and had my attention the whole time. I really enjoyed Salems character and her struggles with understanding people around her. She’s smart and can problem solve like no other but when it comes to relationships she can be clueless. Caz was a 10/10, I’m obsessed with him and he’s a new book bf for sure!
I feel like this story mostly focused on their relationship rather than the answers Salem was looking for. Don’t get me wrong she still searches for those answers nonstop but most of the time it leads her to Caz.
For me the ending got wrapped up a little too quickly and the reveal kind of felt brushed over. However the vibes of this book were eerie and I enjoyed that, I also loved Salem and Caz together and their epilogue was one of my favorite parts!

Oh boy. This was rough. There’s some fun going in, but once you’re inside… it’s just a whole lot of nothing. It’s like being promised a rollercoaster and ending up on one of those sad mall trains that goes two miles an hour.

The unnecessary in-depth details were a full-on sensory attack. And him? Why does he sound like a predator lurking in plain sight? I was less worried about romance and more worried about filing a missing person report.

This is my second book from this author and at this point I think it’s time for us to see other people. Every time my friends asked how it was going I just stared into the void and whispered “Bored.” The last few chapters finally picked up but by then I was emotionally checked out and halfway planning my escape.

My first thought after finishing was “I’M FREEEEE.” Picture me running through a field, arms wide, screaming with joy. This book may have taken hours of my life, but at least now I can frolic in peace.

This is a dark romance book full of mystery, twists, a FMC that grew up prim and proper but with a darker side. She always had interest in death and the details. What caused it? How to recognize different aspects of the death itself. Unfortunately she was looked as a black sheep and like she was strange. Especially after her sister died by suicide… but she knew better. She knew her sister and there was more to it. So what did she do? She decided to investigate at the place where it all happened. Her sister’s school.
Little did she know just how much was hiding behind the beautiful walls and smiling faces.
Little did she know just what dark and evil things were around each corner.
Little did she know she could lose everything with what she discovers.

This book I received the netgalley and am giving my review of my own honest opinion.

This book has it all. The mystery, the plot that just getting bigger and bigger, the characters you don’t know if you can trust no matter how close to the FMC they are and an poor FMC that doesn’t let what scares her the most stop her from finding not only answers but here opportunity for better for herself. She is so strong and doesn’t let fear sneak in and make her stall her progress. She learns and grows as a person. Her confidence grow tremendously and I enjoyed watching her develop into that character.

I never know what to expect or what would happen next. You would have a tiny hint revealed just to feel like the two steps forwards was actually more steps backwards and brining her closer to danger. I loved the atmosphere of the setting of the book. I love that it played into this storyline that makes you think and wonder. That makes you doubt what you know and yet still be hopeful.

Definitely recommend reading it!

I went into this book pretty blind and I’m so glad I did. The story was unique, haunting, beautiful, thought provoking and awe inspiring. It was like Gothikana but 10x better (I absolutely loved that story as well).

Caz was dark, mysterious, brooding alpha male energy all wrapped up in one. And the way he loved Salem was obsessive but beautiful. The way he was able to give her exactly what she needed without her having to put words to it was heartwarming.

Salem was intelligent, determined and loyal. It was so nice watching her blossom thanks to the love of Caz and her friends. Her analytical mind and insatiable curiosity are amazing.

Thank you to Macmillan audio and Bramble romance for the ALC. Both narrators did a beautiful job bring Caz and Salem to life.

This was just okay. I was expecting to be wowed like I was when I read Gothikana. I definitely think my high expectations is part of the reason why I didn't love this book. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect and I found myself more interested in that than the romance itself. The narration was fantastic and the narrators did a great job! Thank you to netgalley and the author for the ALC. I really appreciate it.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Salem is the black sheep of her family -- quiet, odd, obsessed with death. When she heads to Mortimer University, she becomes determined to discover what happened to her older sister -- the perfect one, the one her parents actually wanted. Cazimir -- mysterious artist with a dark past and hidden agenda -- is drawn to Salem from the moment he sees her. They might be total opposites, but the two of them are drawn together. But when Salem discovers that her sister isn't the only one to have gone missing, she discovers there's something sinister happening on campus, something that haunts her, and she'll need Caz if she has any hopes of surviving.

There is a lot to unpack in this one. You have the dark academia setting, you have the Hades X Persephone retelling, you have the romance, the danger... I love the fact that she wants to go into forensics; I love the fact that he was an artist. And then there's the secret society and the murders, the mystery. The atmosphere was so dark, the characters were very well written, but I think the romance in this book was just absolutely phenomenal. I loved Salem and Caz together, and the spice was absolutely **chef's kiss** perfect. I was literally hooked from beginning to end and I am so obsessed with this whole book.

The audio is absolutely fantastic, but if I can suggest anything it's to also pick up the physical copy because those drawings are absolutely gorgeous.

This was an interesting dark academia book that had all the tropes that people enjoy. Forbidden lovers, possessive, touch her and you 💀, found family, secret societies. The main story outside of the romance was an interesting tale of mystery and whodunnit.

The romance was steamy and the spice was spicy. My one gripe was how casually the MMC was written as a stalker in the beginning of them getting to know each other. I definitely understand that this is a dark academia book and there are dark themes but that was a gripe of mine.

I will say too that I got the same feeling that I had after reading Gothikana where I enjoyed the story, but the conclusion felt rushed and not fully settled. It seemed like a lot of the main story took a backseat to the romance and the spice. And trust me I love a good spicy book, but I really enjoy when the author can balance it well with the main story.

Overall, I did enjoy reading this, I was just a little disappointed with the ending.

I'm beginning to think maybe Runyx books just aren't for me.

I listened to this via an advanced listeners copy so my spelling of names might be wildly incorrect.

My first issue is that I struggled to connect with the characters. This is written in third person, which I don't dislike, but I think in the case if this book, it may have helped connect me with the fmc Salem.

Another issue is the setting description. When a book is labeled as Gothic, I expect some darker themes but I also expect vivid descriptions. Again, I did not connect with the setting.

The entire plot seemed all over the place. Salem is attending Mortimer, an elite school for the ludicrously wealthy, to investigate her sister's (and other student's) suspicious deaths. There just wasn't much of a mystery to it and the ending wasn't surprising at all. I'm not sure it was intended to be, though.

The mmc Cazimer (I probably butchered the spelling) almost feels completely unnecessary to the entire plot. He could have been removed and aside from the spicy scenes, he wouldn't have been missed.

The narrators did an excellent job with the audiobook, the story itself just didn't captivate me the way the beautiful cover did.

As my very first RuNyx read, Enigma was an absolutely immersive, dark, and stunning experience. RuNyx has such a distinctive and poetic writing style — vivid, atmospheric, and so rich in imagery. I found myself pausing often just to re-listen or highlight lines purely for the beauty of her words. It felt like she was painting a picture with every scene.

The narrators brought this world to life in such a powerful way. Between the writing and the audio performance, I felt like I was right there — surrounded by a stormy, shadowy, lush environment that fit the dark academia vibe perfectly. What made this story especially compelling was how the darkness wasn’t just part of the setting — it was deeply woven into Caz and Salem themselves. Their connection, their inner shadows, and the community they found in each other felt raw and beautiful.

One of the standouts for me was the way darkness became a kind of shared language between the characters. Their unique brand of brokenness was not something to be fixed, but rather something to be seen and accepted — and that really drew me in.

If I had one small qualm, it would be the ending. While the mystery kept me hooked, the resolution came on a little quickly. I almost felt like I’d missed something — like we could’ve used just a bit more time, or even some of Caz’s POV, to help flesh out the behind-the-scenes elements. Still, the emotional payoff was strong -- the epilogues were perfection!

And I have to shout out the quotes at the end of each chapter — they were so perfectly curated and added a beautiful finishing touch to each piece of the story.

RuNyx has officially landed on my must-read list. This book was not only a standout debut for me but also a reminder of how style and storytelling can work hand in hand to create something hauntingly beautiful. I'll be easily giving Enigma, a 4.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.

4.5 stars, I really loved this one! The vibes were vibing, the romance was romancing.

I love the dark atmosphere with intense romance and murder mystery elements with this one, and the fmc was incredibly relatable.

The parts centered around Salems relationship with her mom made me really emotional because the progression of the relationship repair is really moving.

The reason it didn't quite get to 5 is because the twist at the end was really predictable and I was hoping to see more from that.

Caz? What. A. GUY!!! Runyx REALLY knows how to write a romance, I was actually kind of blown away at parts.

Overall I think this was a great book and| fully recommend!