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dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
This is a dark romance set in an academic setting. Forbidden love student teacher relationship. This is a beautifully written story. The world it is set in is so very fascinating and it had me wanting to keep reading. The only thing that made it hard was the third person POV. It had nothing to do with the book it’s just not a thing I like. The audiobook was good and I recommend it. Scarlett Dorian and Aiden Snow did an amazing job.<
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Gothikana’s secret societies are clearly good at being secret because I still have no idea what’s going on.
I was wavering between 2 or 3 stars until the climax, which was over and done in a single short chapter and left me completely unsatisfied. Some reviewers hate this book, I just don’t have that strong of feelings.
Some quick thoughts: I appreciated the neurodivergence representation. The writing, though, often felt like the author was trying a little too hard to be ✨different✨. It’s spooky, expect spookiness. I enjoyed the friendship with Aditi, but Melissa’s felt too surface-level. Honestly, does Caz think about anythingbesides Salem? The main plot read more like a flimsy excuse for a Wattpad-style gothic Jane Eyre/Hades mash-up fanfic.
It’s an odd book. Set your expectations accordingly, and you can enjoy it.
Gothikana by RuNyx – 3.5⭐
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this one since insta-love/lust isn’t really my thing, but the book ended up surprising me in a good way. The gothic setting and the way the mysteries unfolded kept me hooked, and the plot twists added enough depth to balance out the romance trope. The ending did feel a bit rushed, almost like it wrapped up too quickly after such a build-up, but I liked that the author gave us not one but two epilogues, it added some nice closure. Overall, not a perfect read for me, but still an enjoyable one.
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this one since insta-love/lust isn’t really my thing, but the book ended up surprising me in a good way. The gothic setting and the way the mysteries unfolded kept me hooked, and the plot twists added enough depth to balance out the romance trope. The ending did feel a bit rushed, almost like it wrapped up too quickly after such a build-up, but I liked that the author gave us not one but two epilogues, it added some nice closure. Overall, not a perfect read for me, but still an enjoyable one.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
STANDALONE Book
Original series (not a spin off/not same world as previous series)
Spice: 4/5 (Explicit Open Door based on romance.io)
Available on Kindle Unlimited
First Release Date: 2021
I loved this book! This was one of my first dark and spooky/gothic books and I ate it up! It was such a good read and offered something new and different to my romantasy tbr. I loved the characters and unique magic!
My rating: 5/5
I would definitely recommend this book!
Specifically for:
- any Romantasy reader
- readers that love standalones that move a little faster
- readers that love dark/spooky/gothic vibes
PS There's a lot of GORGEOUS deluxe editions so if you want a trophy like me, make sure you shop around and find the prettiest one!
Original series (not a spin off/not same world as previous series)
Spice: 4/5 (Explicit Open Door based on romance.io)
Available on Kindle Unlimited
First Release Date: 2021
I loved this book! This was one of my first dark and spooky/gothic books and I ate it up! It was such a good read and offered something new and different to my romantasy tbr. I loved the characters and unique magic!
My rating: 5/5
I would definitely recommend this book!
Specifically for:
- any Romantasy reader
- readers that love standalones that move a little faster
- readers that love dark/spooky/gothic vibes
PS There's a lot of GORGEOUS deluxe editions so if you want a trophy like me, make sure you shop around and find the prettiest one!
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this because I kept getting bookstagram recommendations for it. I kept seeing it in random places, and even saw some friends think it was okay at least.
I don’t think this genre is for me. This is the closest to intentionally DNFing a book I ever got.
I powered through this mostly because I wanted to get it over with. I had bought this on an audible sale and I’m glad I didn’t spend more on it but also wanted to get my moneys worth.
Some spicy scenes were good some were odd but I just did not like the main character and found some of the details included to be a bit bizarre.Like…why does her not liking to wear a bra or underwear keep coming up? I rolled my eyes so many times. It also felt like the lust ramped up super fast for no raisin. Overuse of pebble as a verb too. If I never hear about nipples pebbling it will be too soon.
Also this school makes no sense at all. It’s a college but you’re not allowed to leave campus during the semester? You have to get permission to make a phone call? Bells to signal class time ending? It read more high school than community college which was weird to me. Also basically a school sanctioned orgy ball? What the Helly R.
Never found out what happened to Ajax’s ex girlfriend either.
The twist at the end was interesting but again at that point I just wanted my suffering to end.
I don’t think this genre is for me. This is the closest to intentionally DNFing a book I ever got.
I powered through this mostly because I wanted to get it over with. I had bought this on an audible sale and I’m glad I didn’t spend more on it but also wanted to get my moneys worth.
Some spicy scenes were good some were odd but I just did not like the main character and found some of the details included to be a bit bizarre.
Also this school makes no sense at all. It’s a college but you’re not allowed to leave campus during the semester? You have to get permission to make a phone call? Bells to signal class time ending? It read more high school than community college which was weird to me. Also basically a school sanctioned orgy ball? What the Helly R.
Never found out what happened to Ajax’s ex girlfriend either.
The twist at the end was interesting but again at that point I just wanted my suffering to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content