I enjoyed the mystery behind this book. The flashbacks, the bits and pieces we were given, made it feel like we were solving the mystery right alongside Ellory and Hudson. The pacing seemed a bit slow at the beginning, although it does give you the opportunity to share in Ellory’s growing suspicion. The pacing did pick up in the end, after approximately the three quarters mark. Each twist was so unexpected.

Anyone who offers me a dark academia, twisty mystery laced with paranormal events and my all-time favorite romance trope—enemies to lovers—has my full attention and immediate celebration mode activated!

This one is a heady mix: think A Deadly Education meets Katabasis, draped in Tim Burton’s Wednesday aesthetic (minus the outsiders, plus the wealthy elite), with a dash of a certain famous Christopher Nolan film’s energy. I can’t tell you which Nolan movie—it’s tied to the book’s biggest twist—but trust me, when you hit that final third, you’ll know exactly what I mean. The atmosphere is dark, tense, and deliciously intriguing, the storytelling a slow burn that still manages to pull you under almost immediately.

At first, we follow Ellory Morgan—a scholarship student, mostly solitary except for her loyal friends Tai and Cody—returning to Warren Academy after three years away caring for her ailing aunt. She’s immediately confronted by her academic arch-nemesis, Hudson Graves: rich, intimidating, maddeningly smart, and infuriating from their very first encounter. Life on campus unfolds with vivid details—her run-ins with her selfish roommate Stasie, her ambition to join the school newspaper (against her aunt’s wishes), and eerie flashes of déjà vu that make her question reality. She remembers places, events, even Hudson’s exact coffee order, despite never having learned it.

The turning point comes when she attends an exclusive dinner party as Hudson’s plus one—a chance to mingle with academic power players. But a strange reflection in the mirror and an unsettling handwriting discovery in a book confirm her suspicions: the bizarre events aren’t in her imagination. They’re real. And the only person who can help her? Hudson Graves.

Reluctant alliances form, complicated by her dating his ex-roommate Liam, and the mystery deepens. Eight student deaths have haunted Warren Academy over the years, and Ellory begins to suspect the anomalies she’s facing are connected. Solving this puzzle might be the only way to save herself—and those she loves—from a deadly fate.

I’ll be honest—the first half is a slow build, with the real fireworks arriving in the second half. But once the pace kicks in, the story takes wild, unexpected turns that hit you in the face and pull the rug out from under you. It’s twisty, surprising, and brilliantly wrapped up in a finale that left me both satisfied and impressed. I’m glad I kept reading—because when it finally takes off, it’s mind-blowing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this smart and gripping dark academia fantasy’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is my 1st book by this author but it definitely won’t be my last! I LOVED this book!!! The author kept me guessing/on my toes the entire time! I was really shocked by the twist! I loved how she infused fantasy with real life issues. It made the story feel more real.

Okay so….this book made me so upset because the writing is good, the concept was interesting but the storytelling felt so hollow? Nothing really happened until 50% of the way into the book and I’m not even sure the pay off was worth it tbh. I really do not think it was. I…I am really disappointed by this because this had a lot of potential.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book for review.

Ellory Morgan, unlike most of the students at the ivy league Warren University, doesn’t come from an influential family of means. She’s there on a scholarship, working as hard as she can to prove that an immigrant with no money is just as capable and intelligent, if not more so. But she can’t help feeling a constant sense of deja vu, and after some very strange experiences, she starts looking into Warren’s occult past with help from none other than her new academic rival, Hudson Graves. The more they learn, however, the more they realize that there are some very powerful people who will do anything to keep Warren’s secrets from getting out.

This was an intriguing premise, and the story kept me wondering what would happen next. The ivy league setting and overall spooky vibe that Kamilah Cole has crafted is perfect for fans of dark academia. I both loved and hated the dynamic between Ellory and Hudson. I enjoy a good enemies to lovers scenario, but sometimes the stubborn personalities can get tiring. Still, I liked the characters, and they were far from one-dimensional. The plot was compelling, and I was never sure where things were going to go. Sometimes, it felt a little too complicated though; near the end, there were a lot of sudden revelations that made the story feel a bit confusing. But overall, this was a fun and spooky read that would be perfect for a chilly day indoors.

Ivy League secret society intrigue meets witchcraft with a BIPOC spin on it. I loved every minute of reading this book and have taken every opportunity to recommend this book to friends. My library will absolutely be buying a copy and I will continue raving about this book for eternity.

This book finished me.

This story was so addictive and creepy and stressful and painfully romantic. Sometimes it made my head hurt (in a good way) and now my heart hurts (also in a good way).

Ellory is one of my favorites FMCs and the cast of characters are all great in their own way. The diversity in this story is just *chefs kiss* and it really made me love the story all the more, especially because the story talks so much about privilege and power. I cannot recommend this enough if you’re a fan of dark academia and mysteries.

This book has huge reread potential with all the foreshadowing and clues. I can’t wait to reread (once my emotions settle down and I’ve had time to reflect even more, because there’s a whole lot to unpack).

Ellory wants to prove her worth at Warren University, an ivy league school witha dark secrets. She feels a sense of deja vu in teh school and asked for help from fellow student Hudson....

Love the dark plot. The suspense is done well... The concept is intriguing too. A very riveting story.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.