2.75k reviews for:

Vita Nostra

Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko

4.02 AVERAGE

jessicah_25's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

stellakent's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

apieceofskye's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

npliego's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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

theyarelex's review against another edition

3.75

dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ebeyland's review against another edition

4.0

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Fascinating book, definitely not for everyone. I did end up skimming some of it and felt betrayed by the ending, though in hindsight I probably should not have been expecting a tidy wrap up.

I really enjoyed the writing (impressive for a translation) but did find it confusing as all of the characters seemed to have 3 different names used interchangeably.

7918737916's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Dope

pk1's review against another edition

5.0

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Wow. Hovering between a 4 and 5 stars. I couldn't put this down! This is the oddest, most unique book I have ever read. I don't even know how to explain the plot. I didn't understand the ending . . . It's something you have to experience for yourself.
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9/17/2023: I seriously have not stopped thinking about this novel since I read it last year, so I'm bumping this up to a 5 star. I often look for other weird dark academia books like this but so far haven't one that is comparable to the vibes this gave me. Looking forward to re-reading this one day.
~~~~~
Re-read May 2025 in preparation for the third and final book to be finally translated into English next month! Excited to continue on in the series, as I've never read the second installment. I understood a lot more this time and am glad I revisited it. This remains the weirdest book with the most interesting plot conceit I've ever read. Part magical realism, dark academia, students being students, and metaphysical philosophy - an odd mixture that shouldn't work and yet is entirely gripping.

keyoest's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

aed2655's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes