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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“ I was looked at, but was never seen.“
— Albert Camus
The misunderstanding
I have so much to say about this wonderful tome. I would first like to start up with my appreciation to McMillan Audio, the author RuNyx, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for this honest review.
Before I begin, I just would like to advise you to check your trigger warnings before you start this journey. 🌶️🌶️🌶️.75
So many beautiful layers interwoven throughout this story between the multi layer complex characters and the interwoven prose from classics such as The Misunderstanding, Wuthering Heights, and both Emilys (Dickinson and Brontë) to name a few. That not only add depth to the story for the reader, but also provoke thought as the author draws you further into this world.
Cazimir Van der Waal. A name born not merely of sound, but of science— of unseen forces that draw bodies closer than reason allows. Why does this matter? Because our MMC, christened with these names, embodies those same invisible tethers. The Casimir effect speaks of neutral objects in close proximity, their very presence warping the fabric of space between them until an irresistible force pulls them together. Van der Waals forces, though delicate, are profound whispers of attraction that transcend the strength of chemical bonds. They are ephemeral, yet inescapable. And so too is the gaze of our MMC; meticulous, consuming, and seeing the FMC not as the world has taught her to see herself, but as something elemental. Something worthy. Our FMC Salem Salazar is a soul long dismissed, overlooked, and worn thin by the weight of invisibility. She finds herself altered by his attention, transformed by his unwavering presence. Caz becomes the catalyst for her metamorphosis. And if this name, crafted with both purpose and poetry, does not embody his role in the story, then perhaps nothing ever could.
These two are not merely lovers, they are twin flames drawn together across a chasm of pain, both haunted by the ghosts of their pasts. Both seeking not just redemption or revenge… but resurrection. Their paths, though twisted and shrouded in shadow, were always meant to cross. And when they do, something ancient and undeniable blooms between them. It is more than desire. It is a bond forged in darkness, made luminous through love.
The tale unfolds with the air of a whispered curse. A gothic university veiled in secrets and sorrow sets the stage. Each revelation is delivered with precision; some slowly bled from the text like ink in water, others held until the author chooses to shatter us with them. This deliberate storytelling crafts an atmosphere heavy with mystery and suspense, enticing the reader ever deeper into its dark halls.
It would be easy to mistake this novel for another tale of dark academia romance. But to do so would be a disservice. This is no ordinary love story, it is a requiem, an ode, an incantation. A masterwork of storytelling that binds self discovery, sorrow, passion and purpose, into a world that breathes and bleeds. The author conjures characters so intricately wrought, so painfully real, they seem to step off the page. Their world, rich with lore and layered truths, feels lived in, haunted, and achingly familiar.
Through dual perspectives, we are drawn into the innermost sanctums of both our leads. We walk with them through betrayal, longing, and the slow-burning agony of becoming. Their inner conflicts echo like cathedral bells— resounding, sacred, and impossible to ignore. Their love is not soft, it is a tempest. It is survival. It is sacred alchemy.
Threaded throughout this tale are themes as sharp and aching as winter air: rebirth, resilience, and the fragile audacity of hope. The tension is suffocating in the best of ways, the chemistry electric and earned with every turn of the page.
On the surface, this may appear to be a romance. But it is something more. It is love sculpted from ruin. It is a call to rise when you’ve been broken. It is an echo of the truth that even in your most shattered state, you are not only lovable— you are worth saving.
Where once there was silence, now there is song. Where once there was death, now there is a heartbeat. Memento vivere. Remember to live. And remember this story, for it will linger like a ghost in your bones.
I will carry these characters, and the spellbinding ache of their love, for years to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Murder
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
thank you to RuNyx, Bramble Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC of Enigma in exchange for an honest review!
In this we follow Salem, who has just arrived at Mortimer University. Salem is secretly searching for answers to what happened to her older sister because the story her family was told just doesn’t add up. On her hunt for information, she discovers her sister wasn’t the only student to mysteriously go missing at the University. Then we meet Caz, the dark and mysterious artist that won’t let Salem out of his sight. As Salem continues trying to uncover the dark secrets of Mortimer, she falls into the dangerous world of secret societies and decides to use her self as bait, much to Caz’s dismay.
I absolutely devoured this!! This was full of secrets, intrigue, suspense, dark, lush descriptions and lots of chemistry. The audiobook narration was so well done!!
RuNyx knows how to write a brooding, tortured artist so well! I love Salem and Caz’s characters so much! The romance between Salem and Caz was so fun. Caz definitely had me kicking my feet and giggling at the things he would say to her!! 🤭 His comments to her were so unhinged sometimes and Salem’s reactions to them were priceless!!
I loved the way they really understood each other’s dark secrets and comforted one another the way nobody else could! I loved following Salem on her journey of solving the mysteries lurking through Mortimer, finding herself and finding people who truly loved her along the way!
I highly recommend this for a twisty, mysterious, and steamy dark academia read!!
In this we follow Salem, who has just arrived at Mortimer University. Salem is secretly searching for answers to what happened to her older sister because the story her family was told just doesn’t add up. On her hunt for information, she discovers her sister wasn’t the only student to mysteriously go missing at the University. Then we meet Caz, the dark and mysterious artist that won’t let Salem out of his sight. As Salem continues trying to uncover the dark secrets of Mortimer, she falls into the dangerous world of secret societies and decides to use her self as bait, much to Caz’s dismay.
I absolutely devoured this!! This was full of secrets, intrigue, suspense, dark, lush descriptions and lots of chemistry. The audiobook narration was so well done!!
RuNyx knows how to write a brooding, tortured artist so well! I love Salem and Caz’s characters so much! The romance between Salem and Caz was so fun. Caz definitely had me kicking my feet and giggling at the things he would say to her!! 🤭 His comments to her were so unhinged sometimes and Salem’s reactions to them were priceless!!
I loved the way they really understood each other’s dark secrets and comforted one another the way nobody else could! I loved following Salem on her journey of solving the mysteries lurking through Mortimer, finding herself and finding people who truly loved her along the way!
I highly recommend this for a twisty, mysterious, and steamy dark academia read!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting
Minor: Pregnancy
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enigma by Runyx started with promise, grabbing my attention with intriguing characters and a compelling setup. Unfortunately, the momentum didn't hold; the pacing faltered midway through, and key plot points felt glossed over to reach a tidy conclusion. Additionally, the male audiobook narrator lacked believability, which detracted from the overall experience, and the inclusion of a double epilogue felt excessive. An okay listen, but not one I'd strongly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide, Murder
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enigma by RuNyx is exactly the kind of dark academia romance I love to dive into. It’s marketed as Hades and Persephone meets The Secret History which seems accurate. Plenty of gothic vibes, shadowy secret societies, and sizzling chemistry—basically everything you'd want for a moody, immersive listen.
Salem Salazar arrives at Mortimer University with a mission: uncover the truth behind her sister’s mysterious death. She's smart, inquisitive, and determined—exactly the kind of heroine I adore. Salem’s journey from withdrawn to strong and confident was incredibly satisfying to experience.
Enter Cazimir van der Waal: dark, enigmatic, and complicated. His interactions with Salem are nothing short of electric, making for some seriously steamy scenes. While I absolutely loved their dynamic, I found myself craving more chapters from Caz’s perspective because he was such an intriguing character. A deeper look inside his head would have elevated the story even more.
Plot-wise, Enigma delivers plenty of twists and suspense, though if you're familiar with secret society tropes, you might anticipate some of the revelations. Even so, the story was well-executed, making for an immersive and enjoyable ride.
As for the audiobook, Jaclyn Kelso nailed Salem’s character perfectly. She truly captured Salem’s strength and curiosity. While I'm usually a huge fan of Aiden Snow’s narration, I'm not entirely sure his smooth, suave voice matched Caz’s grittier character. It was enjoyable, just perhaps not the perfect fit this time around.
Overall, Enigma was a highly entertaining listen and a great introduction to RuNyx’s writing. It’s dark, spicy, and atmospheric, earning a solid 4.25 stars from me. This might have been my first RuNyx book, but it definitely won’t be my last!
Many thanks to RuNyx, Macmillan Audio, and NetGally for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Classism
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Enigma #review
Huge thanks to Netgally, RuNyx, and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book to review ❤️
This wasn’t my typical read/listen, but I already had Gothikana on my bookshelf. So when I saw RuNyx was coming out with another book, I rannnn 🏃🏻♀️ to request it on #Netgally
I LOVED the names of the characters in this book. Salem Salazar, and Cazimir Van der Wal? The names dripped gothic elegance, and I absolutely adored them. Never thought I would fall in love with the name Salem for a girl, but here we are. Obsessed 😂
Narrators Jaclyn Kelso and Aiden Snow did such an amazing job bringing these characters to life. There was quite a bit of inner monologue, but honestly it was all so intriguing and well performed by Jaclyn that it kept me enraptured the entire time. I also loved the ending. I feel like it wrapped everything up soo well, while leaving small openings for further explorations if RuNyx would ever deign to turn it into a series.
Even tho the characters on their own seemed soo odd and eclectic, you couldn’t help but fall under their spell and quickly become enraptured. I absolutely loved that Salem finally found her people and place while at Mortimer after everything she had been though growing up.
Along with the suspense, intrigue, mystery, and dark academia vibes, below it lies an Epic gothic love story. It kept me just as enthralled as Salem and Caz were by each other. For this kind of book, RuNyx deserves all the props in the world for that.
Overall rating-5✨
Narration- 4.5✨
Spice- 2.5🌶️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Murder
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
RuNyx has a way of world-building and creating characters that feels fully fleshed-out, so when I read her books not only am I transported, I can also envision everything very clearly. I always feel her books are perfectly written to be movies, and in my mind they read cinematically. Enigma is no different. I could very clearly picture Salem, Caz and Mortimer University in ways that made the storyline quick-paced and entirely whole. I love this about her books!
This is a dark academia goldmine! Secret societies, possible hauntings, seemingly desolate beach-scape with ominous lighthouse. The mood was spot on. Salem and Caz are a not too slow, slow-burn romance, and have some great tension at the start. Caz may just be your new favorite dark and broody, tattooed, MMC. He has a dark past, he’s territorial, and he’s a mercurial artist. Salem is a curvy FMC, and I much appreciated an FMC that is not the usual body type.
Enigma had multi-faceted themes of found family, finding confidence in self, and learning to trust that really can speak to readers on a deeper level as well.
RuNyx never disappoints. Her books, to me, are great palate cleansers. You can pick them up knowing you’re going to have a hard time putting them down. They move quickly, and you can transport into her Gothic-themed worlds entirely. Perfect for a train ride books. Perfect for a rainy day in bed books. Enigma is a perfect entry level to dark romance books!!
If you loved Gothikana, you will love Enigma. However, if her Dark Verse series is more your cup of tea this might not be dark enough for you. Give it a try though!
Enigma was a joy to read. I was waiting for this after I saw it pop up as to be published and I was not disappointed. 12/10 recommend.
Thank you to RuNyx and Tor Publishing for giving me an ARC of Enigma to read and review.
This is a dark academia goldmine! Secret societies, possible hauntings, seemingly desolate beach-scape with ominous lighthouse. The mood was spot on. Salem and Caz are a not too slow, slow-burn romance, and have some great tension at the start. Caz may just be your new favorite dark and broody, tattooed, MMC. He has a dark past, he’s territorial, and he’s a mercurial artist. Salem is a curvy FMC, and I much appreciated an FMC that is not the usual body type.
Enigma had multi-faceted themes of found family, finding confidence in self, and learning to trust that really can speak to readers on a deeper level as well.
RuNyx never disappoints. Her books, to me, are great palate cleansers. You can pick them up knowing you’re going to have a hard time putting them down. They move quickly, and you can transport into her Gothic-themed worlds entirely. Perfect for a train ride books. Perfect for a rainy day in bed books. Enigma is a perfect entry level to dark romance books!!
If you loved Gothikana, you will love Enigma. However, if her Dark Verse series is more your cup of tea this might not be dark enough for you. Give it a try though!
Enigma was a joy to read. I was waiting for this after I saw it pop up as to be published and I was not disappointed. 12/10 recommend.
Thank you to RuNyx and Tor Publishing for giving me an ARC of Enigma to read and review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Classism