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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
dark
fast-paced
Overall, I enjoyed this collection of stories. While some of course are always better than others I liked the mix of concepts and storytelling ability. I’m happy my favorite Dark Academia authors did not disappoint and that’s shown in my rating.
1000 ships - 4 Stars
While a quick story we get a glimpse into who both of the people are and how they act in an academic setting. I liked the Helen of Troy reference and how she used it to her advantage. I was slightly disappointed to find out the story was a prequel to one of her other works. It just feels like it takes away from the aspect of a short story if you’re pulling from something pre established.
Pythia - 4.5 stars
This felt like a Black Mirror episode. I liked the format with the mix between the story and interviews. It was a different and interesting take on the genera that held more of a sci-fi approach.
Sabbatical - 3 stars
This one was not my favorite. The story didn’t do much for me.
The Hare and the Hound - 5 stars
Of course this one is my fav so far. Andrews writing is always so immersive and this short story was no different. It’s dark, enticing, and mysterious. Perfect dark academia short story.
X House - 3.5 stars
This one moved a little too quickly and had a lot going on. I liked the concept but didn’t love how it played out. I’m not sure we needed both perspectives.
The Ravages - 3 stars
I liked the message but this one was quick and I felt like I’ve read something similar.
Four Funerals - 4 Stars
I liked that this is from the perspective of a victim but also someone that feels responsible. It’s an interesting out look on a sad but familiar situation.
The Unknowable Pleasures - 5 Stars
This one was so good. I like how it revolves around the idea of what is happening and another persons fantasy of a situation. How obsessive she became in the lives of two people she knew so little about and how it affected her relationships.
Weekend at Bertie’s - 4 stars
I enjoyed this one. Not to much to say but I liked the symbolize of the house falling.
The professor of Ontography- 4.5 stars
This one was really good. I liked the creepy setting and the ending was great.
Phobos - 5 stars
I would read a whole book about this one. It was so dark and I felt like it could have so much to offer and those last pages could be the ending. I loved it!
Playing - 3 stars
I liked the idea of this but not the way it was written. The prose was hard to comprehend at times and I wasn’t a fan of the style.
dark
mysterious
fast-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
dark
mysterious
tense
It's hard for me to rate anthologies because I feel differently about each story. Some of them I liked more than others. Overall, I really enjoyed the vibes and themes surrounding dark academia. This anthology also showed me the spectrum of what's considered dark academia and how it can be interpreted by different authors. I had a good time with this and was happy that I decided to give it a chance.
fast-paced
1000 ships / Kate Weinberg 4
A good opening.
Pythia / Olivie Blake 4
This added sci-fi to dark academia and I found it interesting.
Sabbatical / James Tate Hill 1
My least favourite story in this anthology, it was boring.
The Hare and the Hound / Kelly Andrew 4
This story gripped me from beginning to the end.
X House / JT Ellison 3
I can see this being a full length novel, the pacing was off.
The Ravages / Layne Fargo 3
Entertaining and I liked the writing.
Four Funerals / David Bell 1
Boring.
The Unknowable Pleasures / Susie Yang 3
This one was very interesting. The ending was sort of anticlimactic but maybe it was intentional.
Weekend at Bertie's / ML Rio 1
I was looking forward to this story the most. I've never read IWWV so this was sort of to see if I should even bother. It was confusing and I didn't like the writing.
The Professor of Ontography / Helen Grant 3
The atmosphere was there and I liked the ending.
Phobos / Tori Bovalino 3
It ended how I wanted it to.
Playing / Phoebe Wynne 3
Predictable ending but I liked the story.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
1,000 Ships: 4/5
- this is what I think of when I hear “Dark Academia”. Really well done
Pythia: 2.5/5
- Meh, really dense and had to skim most of it
Sabbatical: 2/5
- Forgettable
The Hare and the Hound: 3.5/5
- Really unique concept, definitely rememberable
X House: 3.75/5
- I wish it was longer and more developed. This would be so good as a fully written out story, felt too rushed.
The Ravages: 4/5
- yes, yes, yes. Very well orchestrated had all the detail that made it life like but not dense.
Four Funerals: 4.5/5
- I really liked what David Bell did with this. Not really Dark Academia but still so good.
The Unknowable Pleasures: 2/5
- this was just really weird and fetishy. Yuck.
Weekend at Bertie’s: 2/5
- really dense and kind of confusing, skimmed most of it.
The Professor of Ontography: 3.5/5
- I was really able to see this story in my head. I liked it!
Phobos: 3.5/5
- great ending, predictable but enjoyable.
Playing: 2.75/5
- Meh, pretty predictable but well written
- this is what I think of when I hear “Dark Academia”. Really well done
Pythia: 2.5/5
- Meh, really dense and had to skim most of it
Sabbatical: 2/5
- Forgettable
The Hare and the Hound: 3.5/5
- Really unique concept, definitely rememberable
X House: 3.75/5
- I wish it was longer and more developed. This would be so good as a fully written out story, felt too rushed.
The Ravages: 4/5
- yes, yes, yes. Very well orchestrated had all the detail that made it life like but not dense.
Four Funerals: 4.5/5
- I really liked what David Bell did with this. Not really Dark Academia but still so good.
The Unknowable Pleasures: 2/5
- this was just really weird and fetishy. Yuck.
Weekend at Bertie’s: 2/5
- really dense and kind of confusing, skimmed most of it.
The Professor of Ontography: 3.5/5
- I was really able to see this story in my head. I liked it!
Phobos: 3.5/5
- great ending, predictable but enjoyable.
Playing: 2.75/5
- Meh, pretty predictable but well written
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first anthology I've ever read - but as a big dark academia fan I thought it would be a good one. Overall I'd say I had a pretty good time with it. There were some duds within the stories, but I wouldn't expect to love every one of them.
Average rating: 3.42 stars (rounded up to 3.5)
1000 ships by Kate Weinberg - 4 stars
I really enjoyed the writing style and the main character. I think this was a great start to the anthology and I'm definitely interested in picking the book this story is related to now.
Pythia by Olivie Blake - 4 stars
I am a huge fan of everything Olivie Blake writes, and this was no exception. Like the majority of her work, this story doesn't really make all that much sense until you get to the end, but I still really enjoyed it. This is definitely a more scifi take on dark academia, which was very interesting to read.
Sabbatical by James Tate Hill - 1 star
This was definitely my least favourite story of the anthology, I found it incredibly bland and boring. I think the plot could have had potential, but I really didn't enjoy the writing style and overall I just didn't think it was very well done.
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew - 4 stars
This one was really great. I love Kelly Andrew's writing and this was full of the dark academia atmosphere I adore. I really enjoyed how the revenge story was twisted to follow the person upon which revenge was sought.
X House by JT Ellison - 5 stars
May favourite story of the lot - this was dark, eerie and reminiscent of a lot of the dark academia books I have read and loved. The writing was incredibly atmospheric and I really enjoyed seeing the story through two different perspectives - something that could very well not work in such a short story, but definitely did here.
The Ravages by Layne Fargo - 3 stars
This story didn't really seem much like a dark academia story to me, aside from the location. It was a good enough story and I liked the writing, but it didn't really fit the anthology in my opinion.
Four Funerals by David Bell - 2 stars
Another one that definitely didn't fit the dark academia theme. The plot could have been more enjoyable if there was some kind of twist, but it just felt quite boring to me.
The Unknowable Pleasures by Susie Yang - 3 stars
I found this one just really weird. The idea of an obsession so intense it overcomes everything else certainly has the vibes of a dark academia story, I just think the subject of the obsession was so odd it really took me out of the atmosphere. The writing was good, though.
Weekend at Bertie's by ML Rio - 4 stars
Probably the story I was most looking forward to reading, and it didn't disappoint. The writing did get a bit dense in places but it definitely had the atmosphere I was hoping for and felt quite reminiscent (in mood, not plot) of If We Were Villains, a book I absolutely love.
The Professor of Ontography by Helen Grant - 4 stars
This was, to me, probably the creepiest story of them all. It took a while to get to the point, but the pacing helped to build up the creepy atmosphere that was reached by the end of the story.
Phobos by Tori Bovalino - 4 stars
I love Bovalino's writing style, and I definitely enjoyed this book. It didn't have quite the satisfying ending I was hoping, but it was very dark academia.
Playing by Phoebe Wynne - 3 stars
I think the ending of this one was quite obvious, but it was very dark and atmospheric. Again, I'm not sure if I would consider this one dark academia, probably just simply crime.
Average rating: 3.42 stars (rounded up to 3.5)
1000 ships by Kate Weinberg - 4 stars
I really enjoyed the writing style and the main character. I think this was a great start to the anthology and I'm definitely interested in picking the book this story is related to now.
Pythia by Olivie Blake - 4 stars
I am a huge fan of everything Olivie Blake writes, and this was no exception. Like the majority of her work, this story doesn't really make all that much sense until you get to the end, but I still really enjoyed it. This is definitely a more scifi take on dark academia, which was very interesting to read.
Sabbatical by James Tate Hill - 1 star
This was definitely my least favourite story of the anthology, I found it incredibly bland and boring. I think the plot could have had potential, but I really didn't enjoy the writing style and overall I just didn't think it was very well done.
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew - 4 stars
This one was really great. I love Kelly Andrew's writing and this was full of the dark academia atmosphere I adore. I really enjoyed how the revenge story was twisted to follow the person upon which revenge was sought.
X House by JT Ellison - 5 stars
May favourite story of the lot - this was dark, eerie and reminiscent of a lot of the dark academia books I have read and loved. The writing was incredibly atmospheric and I really enjoyed seeing the story through two different perspectives - something that could very well not work in such a short story, but definitely did here.
The Ravages by Layne Fargo - 3 stars
This story didn't really seem much like a dark academia story to me, aside from the location. It was a good enough story and I liked the writing, but it didn't really fit the anthology in my opinion.
Four Funerals by David Bell - 2 stars
Another one that definitely didn't fit the dark academia theme. The plot could have been more enjoyable if there was some kind of twist, but it just felt quite boring to me.
The Unknowable Pleasures by Susie Yang - 3 stars
I found this one just really weird. The idea of an obsession so intense it overcomes everything else certainly has the vibes of a dark academia story, I just think the subject of the obsession was so odd it really took me out of the atmosphere. The writing was good, though.
Weekend at Bertie's by ML Rio - 4 stars
Probably the story I was most looking forward to reading, and it didn't disappoint. The writing did get a bit dense in places but it definitely had the atmosphere I was hoping for and felt quite reminiscent (in mood, not plot) of If We Were Villains, a book I absolutely love.
The Professor of Ontography by Helen Grant - 4 stars
This was, to me, probably the creepiest story of them all. It took a while to get to the point, but the pacing helped to build up the creepy atmosphere that was reached by the end of the story.
Phobos by Tori Bovalino - 4 stars
I love Bovalino's writing style, and I definitely enjoyed this book. It didn't have quite the satisfying ending I was hoping, but it was very dark academia.
Playing by Phoebe Wynne - 3 stars
I think the ending of this one was quite obvious, but it was very dark and atmospheric. Again, I'm not sure if I would consider this one dark academia, probably just simply crime.
Thank you to Netgalley and Titan Books for approving me of an ARC! I was highly anticipating this due to the anthology being dark academia, but sadly it didn't meet my expectations.
There are some that I enjoyed, like Olivie's and Tori's. I especially loved Olivie's because the way she integrates artificial intelligence into dark academia, which I think was a really unique twist to the genre especially as the genre usually focuses on non-STEM topics. So seeing a STEM topic such as AI being put into dark academia was really refreshing and in Olivie's story, it made sense.
However, the rest of the stories just did not scream dark academia to me. I know the genre is broad and there could be multiple understanding of how dark academia should be, but in my opinion, these stories do not really have that "dark academia" element. Like yes, most of them are set in a school or has that "mystery/thriller" aspect but none of the stories have that kind of passionate drive/obsession that I always see in dark academia (imo being obsessed with a professor or a student/professor affair is not dark academia sorry).
There are some that I enjoyed, like Olivie's and Tori's. I especially loved Olivie's because the way she integrates artificial intelligence into dark academia, which I think was a really unique twist to the genre especially as the genre usually focuses on non-STEM topics. So seeing a STEM topic such as AI being put into dark academia was really refreshing and in Olivie's story, it made sense.
However, the rest of the stories just did not scream dark academia to me. I know the genre is broad and there could be multiple understanding of how dark academia should be, but in my opinion, these stories do not really have that "dark academia" element. Like yes, most of them are set in a school or has that "mystery/thriller" aspect but none of the stories have that kind of passionate drive/obsession that I always see in dark academia (imo being obsessed with a professor or a student/professor affair is not dark academia sorry).
Some of these stories I loved, some were just not for me
My five star standouts were:
1000 Ships - Kate Weinberg
Pythia - Olivie Blake
The Hare and the Hound - Kelly Andrew
The Ravages - Layne Fargo
The Professor of Ontogrpahy - Helen Grant
Phobos - Tori Bovalino
My five star standouts were:
1000 Ships - Kate Weinberg
Pythia - Olivie Blake
The Hare and the Hound - Kelly Andrew
The Ravages - Layne Fargo
The Professor of Ontogrpahy - Helen Grant
Phobos - Tori Bovalino
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes