Thank you so much NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC! Jennifer Niven is one of my favorite authors and I was excited for her thrilling new release! This story takes you to a remote mansion in the woods where kids are left under the care of a celebrated artist and alumni. They compete against each other for the chance at a scholarship and Meredith Graffam pushes them to the limits. This novel was eerie, addictive, haunting, and left you on the edge of your seat!

I had heard so much about this book I just knew I was going to love it. I never check reviews until I’ve written my own, but I’m starting to think that practice isn’t the best. Because I could have warned my self that this wasn’t what I thought it was. And Lordt knows I could have used the time on another book.

OK so I’m being dramatic. This isn’t a badddd book, but it also wasn’t great. As a regular thriller reader I was expecting this to be crazy and thrilling from the very beginning to hook me and keep me there. But this has so many different POVs that it takes some time to establish a backstory. And then when they finally do, it’s too late. It’s super far into the book and by then I was already looking for something to happen. And then when it did, it was more like the person was just really crazy and they didn’t need to be doing what they were doing. And then out of nowhere it was like BOOM shit started popping off and I was sitting there like wtf. Now if that is ok with you, then that’s fine. But it’s not somethign that I love. I don’t even like slow burn romances, so just know what you’re getting yourself into.

The characters in this were ok. They didn’t stand out at all. I didn’t understand the reason why we got all of those characters but we didn’t get the information on the one that mattered. Why in the world would you not give that person who has the craziest story a part in the story? We were left making our own inferences about what happened and I can’t tell y’all how that annoys me lol Why would I read this whole book if you’re going to make me make up some stuff anyway? Ugh, I know most people don’t mind that, but it’s not at all my favorite lol

The reason I didn’t DNF this was because it wasn’t bad. In fact I think I would have really enjoyed it if it had gotten started a little earlier. But overall, this was just ok for me. It’s one of those ones where I was sad because I thought I’d read it wrong. So many people were saying that it was the title of the year and I’ guess I just didn’t get it. But there’s plenty more books out there. It’ll be fine.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven is a chilling addition to your list of boarding school books, set on a elite campus in winter.

A group of students is accepted into a small and competitive January program for aspiring writers.

Meredith Graffam, the leader of the workshop is a talented but controversial writer.

The story is told by Effy and Arlo. She's still haunted by the tragic death of her mother, an incident that got her father sentenced to prison. He can't forget a tragedy in his past that left his best friend dead. Meredith should understand: her own best friend died in the very woods they are living and working in.

Twisty and suspenseful, this story will really keep you guessing. The wintry boarding school atmosphere was fun and atmospheric.

I now understand the love that is dark academia! Huge fan of All The Bright Places and I think this read was even more my taste. Had bits of thriller, and a great setting for the story. A dual POV that I could go either way on, but the style of writing wins me over the most — almost prose-like.


I think this would be a great read for those who liked (or even wanted a little more from) If We Were Villians. Also would be a great read for fans of Mona Awad!

Thank you for the ARC!

This is a compulsively readable, if slightly predictable, thriller set at a boarding school. If that sounds like a good pitch to you, you'd probably enjoy it. However, I think marketing it as "dark academia" is misleading. It completely misses the hallmarks of dark academia, it's set at the high school not in higher ed, the teacher is not even a real teacher or part of academia -- shes a celebrity, and it completely fails to dive into any of the themes of dark academia looking at the rotten underbelly of ivory tower institutions. In sum, it's a pretty fun read but I don't think it's going to satisfy dark academia lovers.

A new YA dark academia thriller by @jenniferniven
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8 students arrive at an exclusive writing program in the middle of nowhere in a gigantic mansion. Their hostess is Meredith Graffam, an eccentric and controversial writer, director and actress who will be judging their work and at the end of the program will allow only 1 student to win. Effy wants the validation of winning after the loss of her mother and her father’s subsequent imprisonment. She won’t get it from her ex, Arlo, who also shows up to the seminar, three years after ghosting her. As kids are sent home one by one they’re left with their own secrets and the risks Meredith is making them take. Who will be the final one?
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The vibes are perfect for those who love a good fall dark academia book! Fans of The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed or Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson will love this novel. High school young adult readers will adore the atmospheric setting, character depth and twists and turns along the way!

CW: alcohol, drugging, death, murder, blood, death of a parent, imprisonment, grief, suicide, emesis, emotional abuse

It was overly long, but I did enjoy it. 3.5 ⭐️

Honestly, I didn’t know where this book was going for the bulk of the book. Graffam rarely spent any time with the students. And with all the eliminations, they still kept going along with it. Uhm, you didn’t notice in all the pics of all the other “odds,” that their numbers weren’t dwindling? That there were always 8 in the pics through the years?

I think teens forgive a lot, but this was all bananas from the jump, which was confusing and really made me dislike the storyline. This book had its moments. I liked everyone’s persistence, and that there was a core group who stuck together through their differences.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the ARC! Jennifer Niven is a literal queen!!! This book was a wild ride! I absolutely enjoyed reading this novel. Having read her other books, I was interested to see what this one had in store for her readers as it seemed different than her other books, and I truly do not think they will be disappointed! Just in time for the spooky season!

wow was this was a dark psychological YA thriller! The perfect read if you are looking for an autumnal read that is the opposite of cozy. This book was hard to put down and ended up being a five star read for me. Especially that second half!!

I am, and will always be, a fan of Jennifer Niven; and, this book only solidifies that. This is still her contemporary fiction style with some creepiness thrown into the mix. A select group of students are invited to a special mid-year term to be taught by a guest teacher and they find out much more about her and themselves, than they ever imagined. Strange things start happening and it's up to the dwindling group of teens to figure it out before it's too late. Told from alternating viewpoints, we get to know two of the characters well and learn about why they were chosen. Both characters are very likable and enjoyable to get to know. This is a great atmospheric choice for an Autumn read and I would recommend to others easily. Jennifer Niven knows how to tell a good love story while dealing with some tough life stuff. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review. I also purchased my own copy for my personal library.

This work is told from dual POVs. In one of the POVs the character would sporadically use the second person to refer to someone, but other times would remain in the third person. I really disliked this as it felt disjointed and somewhat sloppy. I also disliked that the prologue revealed the big event of the final portion of the book - this greatly took away from tension that could have been present otherwise.

I know this is YA, but I also really disliked the complete turnaround that happened with the "romance." It almost felt like Effie's feelings changed with the turn of a page. But in other instances aside from the romance, it felt like this book took much too long to achieve what it was trying to.

Overall this wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't memorable for me. If you're looking for a YA read that is more like a dark second-chance romance than a mystery/thriller, you may enjoy this one.

I almost DNF with this book, as the plot was too far-fetched. While I appreciated main characters, Effy and Arlo, the other characters fell flat or were over-the-top (especially Meredith Graffam). This book was way too long and the plot too convoluted. Overall, this just didn't do it for me, although I'm sure it'll find its fans in those who love Niven or dark academia in general.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Niven, and Random House Children's Books for the eARC. This fast-paced thriller, with its Hunger Games–like intensity, was packed with twists and turns. I especially enjoyed the multiple perspectives and how each character’s story added depth to the plot.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven is a dark and mysterious book for young adults. From the very first page, it pulls you into a high-stakes writing retreat at an isolated mansion called the Moss. Eight high school students—including main characters Effy and Arlo—each have a chance to win a big prize. But everyone is hiding dark secrets, and their pasts could unravel their futures. The moody, seaside mansion feels just like the house from the movie Knives Out. The book is full of suspense, romance, and non-stop action, and you'll love rooting for the main characters as Niven's impressive story unfolds.


Note: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Niven has already traumatized me in All the Bright Places so I came into When We Were Monsters expecting the same and somehow, despite the vastly different content, she has done it again. This time, devastating me with a sharp psychological thriller perfect for the first crisp days.

A bit slow to start, but ultimately really drawing the reader in, When We Were Monsters tells the story of a select group of 8 students at an elite prep school. These seniors return for an early winter term before the spring semester begins. The students are challenged to play dangerous games and stay at The Moss, a mansion that formerly served as the residence of the school's founder. What seems like a great opportunity to get ahead in their last semester of school begins to feel like a trial they might not come out the other side of. Told in dual POV, I truly loved the cast of characters and felt like the second half of the book was impossible to put down. Perfect for fans of dark academia (on the YA side) and Maureen Johnson.

This YA psychological thriller kept me hooked from the start. A select group of students arrive at an elite boarding school program expecting creative mentorship, but the experience quickly takes a dark turn. As secrets unravel and the stakes grow deadly, the question becomes less about art and more about survival. A tense, gripping read.

Thank you penguin teen for a free copy of this book! All thoughts are my own and honest.

I was really excited for this book but I was close to DNF it in the start. With that being said if you can make it to 60% don’t give up because the last 40% are amazing and where all the good thriller stuff happens!!! Overall I enjoyed the book, I just found the start to not have enough suspense in it. I still do recommend people read it especially if you’re a fan of dark academia!

This was an enjoyable YA psychological thriller. A small group of hand selected students are attending Jan Term at their prestigious boarding school before their final high school semester. Housed in the private residence of the founder of the school, the students get the opportunity to improve their creative pursuits with an Alumnae mentor who is renowned for her books, movies, and directing. However, the students are required to share their deepest secrets and play games that turn more dangerous. And begin to wonder if they will actually survive.

This plot was entertaining and mysterious. There’s a Iittle romance, enjoyable plot twists, and great psychological suspense.

When We Were Monsters is available now.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this e-ARC. All opinion are my own.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven is a young adult dark academia novel that is sure to draw readers in from the very first page, which deftly establishes high stakes and a tense atmosphere at the Moss, the site of a three week intensive writers retreat for eight seemingly lucky high school students, each of whom have the chance to earn a cash reward and a head start in their writing careers. Each of the eight students, including our lead characters, Effy and Arlo, harbors dark secrets and haunting questions that drive their writing projects, yet have the power to undo them. The location of Jan Term -- the Moss, a large, isolated, seaside mansion that belonged to the school's founder is reminiscent of the house from Knives Out in it's moody tone. When We Were Monsters is a suspenseful, romantic, and intense ride from start to finish. Readers are sure to love the cast of primary characters, the majority of whom are easy to root for, and equally likely to feel unsettled by the stellar story Niven weaves.

There’s a phenomenon with Broadway musicals where they have Junior versions of popular shows, tailored for a younger cast. These shows are often abridged and any PG-13 material is removed.

This book feels a lot like The Secret History Junior. I don’t mean that in a disparaging way; rather this book is dark academia for a younger audience than the flagship entry in the genre.

It has a lot going for it: eclectic group of teens, a charismatic teacher, lots of brooding. The book is moody and atmospheric as the stakes get higher and higher. The pacing was taught with plot twists and surprises along the way.

The narrative unfolds from the dual points of view of Effy and Arlo who have different goals for their Jan Term. They, along with their fellow students, begin the exclusive class competing against each other, but quickly realize that they are not engaged in a conventional competition.

I would absolutely recommend When We Were Monsters. This taut thriller kept me engaged and interested. I’ve read several YA dark academia titles in the last year or so but this is the only one that has truly lived up to my expectations.


I received a digital ARC of this book from Random House/NetGalley.