For me the strongest part of this book was the setting. The Appalachian setting was richly painted and atmospheric and it’s clear the author is knowledgeable about the landscape and history, and used that in crafting their fictionalized one. The authors knowledge of religion also came through clearly in the inclusion of psalms and the nuance with which religious trauma was explored.
There were a lot of characters, which were sometimes difficult to keep track of. But Zora was a very interesting MC and I loved the explorations of her family history and relationships. I also really loved the inclusion of folklore and folk magic and the balance between that and dark academia.

This is quite a delightful read!

I will warn you that it doesn't read as Southern Gothic (no matter what the description says). Yes, it takes place in the South. And, yes, there's a spooky old building. But it actually reads like Queer Dark Academic, with witchy/folk magic vibes...and that's okay!

Zora is wonderful. I adored her. I also loved reading about the school and its history.

I did find that a couple of the reveals failed for me. There's a really big one in the last quarter of the book - a reveal that was pretty obvious in the first quarter of the book. Yet, despite that, I was happy to keep reading and to enjoy that moment when our main character finds out.

The book is very atmospheric and is definitely a fast read.

I enjoyed this!

* ARC via Publisher

This book is pure chaos in the best way. It’s messy, strange, sharp, and so completely itself. The voice is unhinged in a way that feels deliberate — like the author knew exactly how weird she wanted to get and went there.

It plays with language, breaks rules, and kind of dares you to keep up. Some parts feel like a fever dream, others like a knife. You’re not reading this for plot or comfort — you’re here for the spectacle (literally), and it delivers.

It’s not going to be for everyone, but if you like things off-kilter, brutal, and theatrical, this will absolutely scratch that itch.

This is one of the most interesting and haunting books that I've read in a while. Iker has a masterful approach to building atmosphere that will leave you swimming in dread before the inevitably terrifying payoff. The characters are well-realized in this Southern gothic anchored by masc lesbian Zora Robinson, whose voicey narration, secret dog, and interactions with everyone on campus will leave you wanting more. I never thought HBCU Horror was a subgenre that could exist, but Iker balances all of the elements of the narrative so well that I need more books like this one. Check it out; you won't be disappointed!