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armband1234's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vvarieee's review against another edition
3.0
- 1000 ships | ⭐️⭐️⭐️
it’s aight. felt more like and ad tho
- pythia | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
anti-scientific sci-fi with mystical elements kinda cool
- sabbatical | ⭐️
girl wtf
- the hare and the hound | ⭐️⭐️
that’s not dark academia and it also makes no sense
- x house | ⭐️⭐️⭐️
meh
- the ravages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*laughs maniacally*
- four funerals | ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- the unknowable pleasures | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
a cool commentary on s******* culture, loved it
- weekend at bertie’s | ⭐️⭐️
- the professor of ontography | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
it was good but i’m sad now
- phobos | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
damn
- playing | ⭐️
makes no sense. actually made me mad
(the rating is the average rating for all of these)
it’s aight. felt more like and ad tho
- pythia | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
anti-scientific sci-fi with mystical elements kinda cool
- sabbatical | ⭐️
girl wtf
- the hare and the hound | ⭐️⭐️
that’s not dark academia and it also makes no sense
- x house | ⭐️⭐️⭐️
meh
- the ravages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*laughs maniacally*
- four funerals | ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- the unknowable pleasures | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
a cool commentary on s******* culture, loved it
- weekend at bertie’s | ⭐️⭐️
- the professor of ontography | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
it was good but i’m sad now
- phobos | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
damn
- playing | ⭐️
makes no sense. actually made me mad
(the rating is the average rating for all of these)
witchy_book_babe's review
5.0
I personally loved this Anthology and felt that each Author understood the assignment on "Dark Academia". I appreciate that this brought many unknown Author's to my attention and there were some definite favorites here that continue to linger in my mind.
1000 Ships by [a:Kate Weinberg|18536431|Kate Weinberg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1569770937p2/18536431.jpg]
I really enjoyed this story! It may be a slight nod to Helen of Troy mixed in with elements of deceit, trust, and naivety in an academic setting. After finishing, the Author stated that this story is a prequel to her book [b:The Truants|42379216|The Truants|Kate Weinberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539967415l/42379216._SY75_.jpg|66042624]. Which, I immediately added to my TBR pile!
Pythia by [a:Olivie Blake|16225393|Olivie Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1558925167p2/16225393.jpg]
What a weird and interesting short story. A few times, I did have to reread sentences because I wasn't certain if the passages were inner thoughts, speaking to the reader, or spoken aloud dialogue. But, overall I enjoyed it; even if I felt that this was much more in the realm of Sci-Fi (in my opinion) and pushing on the limits of a Academia setting.
Sabbatical by [a:James Tate Hill|6438269|James Tate Hill|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446463048p2/6438269.jpg]
This was a short story on a Professor, who I personally felt had a sad existence...a muted, gray life. I felt attached to his melancholy, even if it wasn't screaming on page. He seemed to have a charisma that maybe he wasn't aware of? And the event that he found himself in the middle of, was handled with such a level of cool and unbothered emotion that I found it to be the perfect end to the short story.
The Hare and the Hound by [a:Kelly Andrew|3980970|Kelly Andrew|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647045393p2/3980970.jpg]
***This was a favorite of mine*** This story really stood out to me and I am still thinking about it. It was intriguing, mysterious, slight horror element (depending on your perception, I suppose) and this wonderful Nordic Folklore sprinkled in. I loved this so much, I ran out and purchased her other available book and preordered the next!
X House by [a:J.T. Ellison|1311949|J.T. Ellison|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1665256954p2/1311949.jpg]
A school with a chilling reputation and mystery...that had a devious conclusion. I loved the bluntness of this story. It had me guessing with the more that I learned.
The Ravages by [a:Layne Fargo|17861597|Layne Fargo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1699303843p2/17861597.jpg]
What a wicked fun tale with a cherry on top of Feminine Rage. I loved this story. Scorned lover that may even be bordering a possessive nature line? The ending is open to interpretation in my opinion.
Four Funerals by [a:David Bell|8201775|David Bell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
This one may actually be quite uncomfortable for many readers and I completely understand that. The story revolves around a fatal school shooting. However, I am thinking that this Author's intent was to be thought provoking. And a zoomed in focus on all individuals affected by something as horrible and tragic as victims/families of victims/survivors of a horrific tragedy. Maybe going as far as to show the different faucets of humanity and how lives change for all during an act of unbelievable violence. It was a very sad story.
The Unknowable Pleasures by [a:Susie Yang|17525183|Susie Yang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588358393p2/17525183.jpg]
This was an interesting take on obsession to a varying degree. But, also straddles that line of longing and what motivates our dedication towards intimate relationships.
Weekend at Bertie's by [a:M.L. Rio|14954351|M.L. Rio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647195157p2/14954351.jpg]
Interesting plot line...this was kind of a story based on two questionable amoral characters that kind of get away with this terrible thing.
The Professor of Ontography by [a:Helen Grant|653461|Helen Grant|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1319476588p2/653461.jpg]
***This was another favorite*** I seriously can not stop thinking about this story. It was surprisingly sad and horrific. I feel it haunting me a bit, but in the best way. The way that this Author was able to grip me so fiercely within such a short amount of time, I was extremely impressed.
Phobos by [a:Tori Bovalino|17672189|Tori Bovalino|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1598954922p2/17672189.jpg]
This was maybe the only one that I didn't quite get pulled into with the writing. I think I needed more time with the characters and plotline in order to be interested. It was a quick peek into a Secret Society and the ending was slightly shocking just because I felt it was at odds with the character's decision. Maybe that was the point? I'm not sure.
Playing by [a:Phoebe Wynne|19593113|Phoebe Wynne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1621509023p2/19593113.jpg]
I thought that this was the perfect story for the Finale in this Anthology! The star of this story was everything she needed to be and I felt like there are not enough characters written like this, especially female characters; it was truly refreshing to read!
1000 Ships by [a:Kate Weinberg|18536431|Kate Weinberg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1569770937p2/18536431.jpg]
I really enjoyed this story! It may be a slight nod to Helen of Troy mixed in with elements of deceit, trust, and naivety in an academic setting. After finishing, the Author stated that this story is a prequel to her book [b:The Truants|42379216|The Truants|Kate Weinberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539967415l/42379216._SY75_.jpg|66042624]. Which, I immediately added to my TBR pile!
Pythia by [a:Olivie Blake|16225393|Olivie Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1558925167p2/16225393.jpg]
What a weird and interesting short story. A few times, I did have to reread sentences because I wasn't certain if the passages were inner thoughts, speaking to the reader, or spoken aloud dialogue. But, overall I enjoyed it; even if I felt that this was much more in the realm of Sci-Fi (in my opinion) and pushing on the limits of a Academia setting.
Sabbatical by [a:James Tate Hill|6438269|James Tate Hill|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446463048p2/6438269.jpg]
This was a short story on a Professor, who I personally felt had a sad existence...a muted, gray life. I felt attached to his melancholy, even if it wasn't screaming on page. He seemed to have a charisma that maybe he wasn't aware of? And the event that he found himself in the middle of, was handled with such a level of cool and unbothered emotion that I found it to be the perfect end to the short story.
The Hare and the Hound by [a:Kelly Andrew|3980970|Kelly Andrew|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647045393p2/3980970.jpg]
***This was a favorite of mine*** This story really stood out to me and I am still thinking about it. It was intriguing, mysterious, slight horror element (depending on your perception, I suppose) and this wonderful Nordic Folklore sprinkled in. I loved this so much, I ran out and purchased her other available book and preordered the next!
X House by [a:J.T. Ellison|1311949|J.T. Ellison|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1665256954p2/1311949.jpg]
A school with a chilling reputation and mystery...that had a devious conclusion. I loved the bluntness of this story. It had me guessing with the more that I learned.
The Ravages by [a:Layne Fargo|17861597|Layne Fargo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1699303843p2/17861597.jpg]
What a wicked fun tale with a cherry on top of Feminine Rage. I loved this story. Scorned lover that may even be bordering a possessive nature line? The ending is open to interpretation in my opinion.
Four Funerals by [a:David Bell|8201775|David Bell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
This one may actually be quite uncomfortable for many readers and I completely understand that. The story revolves around a fatal school shooting. However, I am thinking that this Author's intent was to be thought provoking. And a zoomed in focus on all individuals affected by something as horrible and tragic as victims/families of victims/survivors of a horrific tragedy. Maybe going as far as to show the different faucets of humanity and how lives change for all during an act of unbelievable violence. It was a very sad story.
The Unknowable Pleasures by [a:Susie Yang|17525183|Susie Yang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588358393p2/17525183.jpg]
This was an interesting take on obsession to a varying degree. But, also straddles that line of longing and what motivates our dedication towards intimate relationships.
Weekend at Bertie's by [a:M.L. Rio|14954351|M.L. Rio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647195157p2/14954351.jpg]
Interesting plot line...this was kind of a story based on two questionable amoral characters that kind of get away with this terrible thing.
The Professor of Ontography by [a:Helen Grant|653461|Helen Grant|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1319476588p2/653461.jpg]
***This was another favorite*** I seriously can not stop thinking about this story. It was surprisingly sad and horrific. I feel it haunting me a bit, but in the best way. The way that this Author was able to grip me so fiercely within such a short amount of time, I was extremely impressed.
Phobos by [a:Tori Bovalino|17672189|Tori Bovalino|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1598954922p2/17672189.jpg]
This was maybe the only one that I didn't quite get pulled into with the writing. I think I needed more time with the characters and plotline in order to be interested. It was a quick peek into a Secret Society and the ending was slightly shocking just because I felt it was at odds with the character's decision. Maybe that was the point? I'm not sure.
Playing by [a:Phoebe Wynne|19593113|Phoebe Wynne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1621509023p2/19593113.jpg]
I thought that this was the perfect story for the Finale in this Anthology! The star of this story was everything she needed to be and I felt like there are not enough characters written like this, especially female characters; it was truly refreshing to read!
adorotich's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
1000 Ships: 4.25/5 - made me want to read the novel
Pythia: 3.5/5 - engaging but I don’t get it lol
Sabbatical: 1/5 - boring and pointless
The Hare and the Hound: 5/5 - Spooky, dark and well paced
X House: 4/5 - dark, could’ve been longer and fleshed out a bit more
The Ravages: 4.5/5 - Satisfying
Four Funerals: 2 - just sad, pointless and not dark academia
The Unknowable Pleasures: 2/5 - pointless, weird and unsatisfying
Weekend at Bertie’s: 3/5 - pretentious writing, trying to be high stakes but boring
Professor of Ontography: 5/5 - creepy and satisfying
Phobos: 5/5- gripping, chef’s kiss
Playing: 3.5/5 - what a creep, musical references were cool tho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings
c_ab_bage's review against another edition
3.0
There are, in a general sense, three things that detracted from this book’s ability to be enjoyable.
Firstly, dark academia is not a genre I’d believe to lend itself well to short stories, and this proves that quite true. The draws of the genre: the atmosphere, the deep character work, the subtle building of unease— all of those are infinitely harder to include in such a succinct format as short stories. So the very concept of “In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology” is working against it.
On a similar note, dark academia is not a diverse genre, by any means. In fact, it’s one of the most monolithic genres I can think of. Many of the stories featured in this anthology lack uniqueness when it comes to plot, which is not always a bad thing, but no other aspect of them picked up the slack. The writing all felt very mediocre and did nothing to lift the relatively basic narratives. That’s the crux of the issue; I wouldn’t call any of these stories bad, but indifference is not what an author wants to invoke from readers and that’s mostly what I experienced.
And lastly, as both a caveat and valid talking point, I’m not particularly familiar with short story anthologies in general. The format has never been one I’ve read much of. This book drew me due to its genre and a few notable authors I was interested in. So as both context for my review and a heads up to anyone else looking to read this: “In These Hallowed Halls” is not the book to get you into anthologies or to sate your dark academia cravings.
I’d like to reiterate that there is nothing particularly wrong with this collection, but there is also not much in the way of excellence. It is a book, it exists, and I feel mostly nothing about that fact.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
Firstly, dark academia is not a genre I’d believe to lend itself well to short stories, and this proves that quite true. The draws of the genre: the atmosphere, the deep character work, the subtle building of unease— all of those are infinitely harder to include in such a succinct format as short stories. So the very concept of “In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology” is working against it.
On a similar note, dark academia is not a diverse genre, by any means. In fact, it’s one of the most monolithic genres I can think of. Many of the stories featured in this anthology lack uniqueness when it comes to plot, which is not always a bad thing, but no other aspect of them picked up the slack. The writing all felt very mediocre and did nothing to lift the relatively basic narratives. That’s the crux of the issue; I wouldn’t call any of these stories bad, but indifference is not what an author wants to invoke from readers and that’s mostly what I experienced.
And lastly, as both a caveat and valid talking point, I’m not particularly familiar with short story anthologies in general. The format has never been one I’ve read much of. This book drew me due to its genre and a few notable authors I was interested in. So as both context for my review and a heads up to anyone else looking to read this: “In These Hallowed Halls” is not the book to get you into anthologies or to sate your dark academia cravings.
I’d like to reiterate that there is nothing particularly wrong with this collection, but there is also not much in the way of excellence. It is a book, it exists, and I feel mostly nothing about that fact.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
hannahwhiteyy's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
3.5
these dark academia short stories were spooky, suspenseful, and definitely unsettling at times! a wonderful sample of the genre
beans_reads111's review
2.0
I don’t have much to say, this anthology was a significant let-down. I was disappointed by tye introduction, whose purpose was to advertise the book and not introducing anything to think about on the genre of dark academia. Further, a portion of the anthologies did not take place at an academy or provide any criticism on dark academia. Was more based on vibes, which is just not my cup of tea.
On a side note, Olivie’s story was incredible.
On a side note, Olivie’s story was incredible.