Genre: Dark Fantasy, Horror
Publication date: December 30, 2026
Published by: Poisoned Pen Press
A modern-day dark academia fantasy with a twist, perfect for fans of Babel and A Deadly Education.
Warren University has stood amongst the ivy elite for centuries, built on the bones—and forbidden magic—of its most prized BIPOC students…hiding the rot of a secret society that will do anything to keep their own powers burning bright. No matter who they must sacrifice along the way.
Ellory Morgan is determined to prove that she belongs at Warren University, an ivy league school whose history is deeply linked to occult rumors and dark secrets. But as she settles into her Freshman year, something about the ornate buildings and shadowy paths feels strangely…familiar. And, with every passing day, that sense of déjà vu grows increasingly sinister.
Despite all logic, despite all reason, despite all the rules of reality, Ellory knows one thing to be true: she has been here before. And if she can’t convince brooding legacy student Hudson Graves to help her remember a past that seems determined to slip through her fingers as if by some insidious magic…this time, she may lose herself for good.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate and admire the cover. It’s absolutely gorgeous!
A university with a past. Possible secret society. Dark undertones. I was here for it. The pacing for this story is slow but picks up around the 70% mark. I enjoyed the mystery vibes and the magic elements. Everyone felt suspicious, which got my curiosity going, pushing me to keep reading. I will say the twist was a good one!
This is a fantastic read! A read that has stayed with me long after I finished reading it. I enjoyed the authors writing style and look forward to reading more books by her. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy with POC characters, I highly recommend this book!
The Literary Vixen 