Morbit Curiosities is a dark, thought provoking and brilliantly twisted YA thriller that hooked me from the very first chapter. The setting exceptional, rich in detail yet perfectly paced, drawing readers into a place where science, academia and morality collide in unsettling ways. From the opening, the tension is palpable with a series of cliffhangers and masterfully executed plot twists that keep you questioning every character’s motives.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is its protagonist whose growth and resilience feel both authentic and compelling especially given the relentless challenges thrown her way. The moral undercurrent that not everything should be acceptable or sacrificed in the name of science adds a depth that lingers long after the last page. The story never loses momentum and the atmosphere remains immersive from start to finish.

If you enjoy thrillers with an academic backdrop, complex characters and a constant sense of unease where no one can truly be trusted, Morbit Curiosities should be at the top of your TBR. I highly recommend it for fans of intelligent, high tension YA mysteries with a dark edge.

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan.

3.75

I really enjoyed this. I think the plot was interesting. It seems to fit in with the authors sense of climate issues. Which is interesting overall, it's more than a dark academic thriller but an interesting idea of how far science is willing to go for progress and whether or not it's ethical. While the last 20% definitely does dive more into a sense of uncertainty and overall vagueness that I wouldn't align with science. It still is interesting. I think my only big complaints would be that the characters are very unlikeable I fear for majority of this book. Also I wish the story delved into more of the story of our Main character, Aarya's life before the school and a bit more of the after. Overall although I enjoyed this.

I would like to thank Netgalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this title

50 First Dates meets a science experiment gone wrong!

This was just SO.. OMG!!.. I honestly don't even know where to begin.. Here we have a dark academia that's set in the real world. Which for ME is an exciting change. A lot of the dark academia I have personally read usually has magic, or other worldly lands, which I do love. But I found the switch up to reality rather refreshing. We have , not exactly enemies to lovers but more rivals to lovers. I loved the San Francisco backdrop with the ever so soft gothy undertones

This is another sound example of why I will absolutely never understand adults who think they're too good for YA books.. And if I was at a debate to argue such topics, this is one of the first examples I would whip out.. Now don't get me wrong, YA isn't a favorite genre of mine but again, books such as this are why I could never completely write them off.. I personally think YA is the PERFECT choice for the adult looking for an "easy" & fun time. And that's exactly what I had here! It kept me on my toes from start to finish

I don't even like reading my science, ok!?.. Ive always been a visual learner. Not to mention ADHD doesn't just run in my family, it practically gallops. So normally once my brain starts hearing certain things ( such as math & science) it just starts going to sleep.. noooot here though! Not even for a second! I devoured every single inch of this book! I felt like Matilda. We could of had a zombie apocalypse going on while I was reading this book and I would have been none the wiser

This review as of now will be on the following platforms:
Goodreads
Tiktok
Fable
Bookmory
StoryGraph

I found this book entertaining but semi repetitive. First two stories were amazing. The last 3 really lost my attention. I enjoyed the Grinning man the most. Very well detailed, really felt for the little girl!

5/5 stars 🫶🏻

This was so insane! The beginning is a bit dense, but things start to pick up and then everything starts to rapidly come apart at the seams. This is clearly intentional though, as it perfectly mirrors Aarya's perspective. Aarya has that same slow start to the program but then slowly descends into the insanity that is her experience at the institute, until everything comes crashing down at once.

You get completely engrossed in her character, getting confused and making realizations along side her. Nothing is clear to you until it's clear to her. Even though you might not know what's going on, the atmosphere is so well developed that you can feel the shifts before they explicitly happen on the page.

Really there are so many parts of this story that make it worth reading, but what stuck out to me the most is the bond that develops between Aarya and her classmates. It's honestly one of my new favorite friendship trios I've read. It feels so human and natural, and seeing the progression of it over time as they find loyalty in each other is so heartwarming in a novel that is otherwise anything but.

Also, the commentary on STEM research and how it constantly pushes you to overperform at all times or else you risk disappointment and falling behind was greatly appreciated as someone who's been involved in that world. There are also some other very good insights but I don't want to get more specific and risk spoiling!

I do think that this could be controversial in that people will either love or hate it, but I really loved this & have a feeling I'm going to be thinking about this one for a while.

I will say i was first drawn in by the cover. I love creepy, mysterious books! This book did not disappointed on that front. I loved the academic setting. The twist and turns. Some of the characters were unbearable at times. I did wish some of the scientific wording was broken down. Atleast with some context clues. I was constantly having to search what things meant. But all in all it was a good book.

Stellar read!!! I loved the academic setting. The atmosphere felt so real, I could see myself there. The mystery itself was so well done I genuinely always felt one step behind. A rare feeling for me to have with books as I tend to guess plots quite fast!

As my first S.HATI book this was a magnificent surprise. I requested the book because of the premise it looked so promising, and I am happy to say that it did live up to my expectations. I loved the plot. I found it really unique and interesting. The writing was phenomenal and really well crafted as well as the characters which were intriguing and really well thought out. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for their next best read.

Absolutely gripping and chilling journey into the darker corners of human nature and the unknown. The writing is beautifully atmospheric, with rich descriptions that immerse you fully in a world where mystery and macabre intertwine effortlessly. The characters are complex and deeply flawed, which makes their stories even more compelling and believable. I loved how the book balanced suspense with moments of introspection, making it much more than just a typical horror story. It did seem rushed at the ending but did not change how I feel about the book. If you enjoy psychological horror and gothic tales that leave you thinking long after you’ve finished, this is definitely a must-read. S. Hati’s storytelling is masterful.

This will be one of the best books I read this year I fear.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was not my normal kind of read, and I’ll admit I was fully drawn in by the cover, and I’m so glad I read it! The story is based at an Institute of Science in San Fran, where the brightest kids are challenged and pushed to become the next great scientists. While weird things keep happening in the city that are being suspected to come from the school, our main character, Aarya finds herself fighting for her position at the school.

The twists and turns in this book had me EATING UP the pages. I did have to refresh my vocabulary on a good amount of the scientific terms but that’s no biggie. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending to friends looking for something different but entertaining!

This book was well written and a joy to read! There were several snippets that I highlighted or that stuck with me. It was engaging and fast paced, I never lost interest. I would read it again and I would recommend it to friends.

From the very first chapter, Morbid Curiosities had me completely hooked. The story follows a group of 17-year-olds selected for a mysterious research project at an elite science institute in San Francisco. What begins as an exciting opportunity quickly unravels into something far more disturbing—and nothing is quite what it seems.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, the characters are impressively well-developed, and the pacing is spot on. One of the standout elements is the use of an unreliable narrator, which is handled masterfully and keeps the reader questioning reality right up to the final page.

I give this book a solid 6 out of 5 stars. It’s a must-read for fans of thrillers, psychological mysteries, and anyone who loves stories that challenge your perception and keep you guessing. Morbid Curiosities is gripping, eerie, and unforgettable.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Aarya's been accepted into The Elizabethan Institute, the renowned organization for life sciences. Along with five other students, she will compete for an actual job at the prestigious institution, but then strange things begin to happen. When faced with four eyed rabbits and creepily alive trees, will Aarya make it out alive?

This was an odd one indeed. It's laden with scienc-y lingo but not so much that it's hard to follow. The main character. Aarya is initially very unlikeable, but does soften throughout the story. In fact, most of the characters are unlikeable, coming off as haughty and spiky at times, but they are well written and interesting. I was not a fan of the reveal, it got a little too strange for me. An interesting plot, but a little weak on the execution. 2.75 stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I think it’s so awesome that the author used her science background to write this book! S. Hati has crafted an incredibly unique and interesting theoretical scientific concept in her new book Morbid Curiosities. She does a great job of balancing real-life scientific information with thrilling storytelling. Zenedine is such a cool name and the reveal of what it actually was ended up being very compelling. (!!!!)

I felt at certain points the plot was too convenient (relying on overhearing) and I really really hated the line about ignoring HIPAA violations. Sometimes the scene changed but I didn’t feel the formatting showed that.

I will read any and every women in STEM novel so I hope to see more books like this!!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future

A fast-paced, suspenseful, and mysterious read! I could not put this book down. The writing was easy to follow, the characters were well-developed, and I was surprised at every turn of the page!

This book is filled with things I love. It is set in a super selective school, and our protagonist is there with only a few other teenagers to study biology and genetics. Weird things are happening in the vicinity of the school, mutations of animals and plants mainly, so it's all very strange and the scientists are cagey.
I loved the atmosphere, it was so immersive and I had that feeling I was missing something during the entire book(the sign of a good mystery!!). The characters were really well written, and the research talk was so interesting, it kept me focused even when biology is not something I'm crazy about. The mystery is so good, I loved trying to figure out what the hell was happening.
It technically can be called a dark academia book, but in a way I haven't seen before. Morbid Curiosities is a great book, it feels like a thriller in the way you can't stop reading, I finished it in a day and there's no better compliment.