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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
His name represented the force in the universe between atoms, stronger when they were closer, weaker when they were apart.
I really enjoyed this and liked the vibes of this book with all the gothicy romance and dark academia, but the ending was underwhelming. If you take anything from my review, take this:
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the first 75% of this book but then the ending had too little of the right stuff but also too much of the wrong stuff? The characters were beautifully depicted and I loved seeing those relationship grow and evolve throughout the story. The ending was just disappointing and not necessarily for the content but more for the pacing and writing itself. Stilll recommend to people who enjoy a mildly dark academia romance!
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Wtf was that ending?? It was all this big buildup of a plot and backstory for such a meh and anticlimactic reveal.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
dark
mysterious
slow-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
This book was exactly what I needed in between a bunch of fluffier romances. I was so invested in the plot of this book by page 1. That mixed with the romance really made a great book. I definitely liked this book better than Gothikana. Perfect book if you are looking for an intro dark romance or just need a break from other genres!
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enigma by Runyx opens with an intriguing premise: mysterious deaths, a secretive university, and an outsider protagonist born into high society. From the very beginning, I was pulled in by the dark academia setting and mysterious deaths. Salem, the main character, is socially withdrawn and doesn’t quite fit into the elite world she was born into, which made her both relatable and compelling.
The tension between Salem and the MMC was another early highlight. Their dynamic was intense and layered with an edge of danger, promising a slow-burn romance that matched the shadowy tone of the narrative. The mystery surrounding a secret society added to the suspense, and for much of the book, the buildup kept me engaged.
However, as the story progressed, the pacing started to falter. The buildup stretched longer than necessary, and when the resolution finally arrived, it lacked the twist or impact I was hoping for. The ending felt somewhat rushed and didn’t quite deliver the payoff the story seemed to be leading toward. Similarly, while the romance started off with great tension and complexity, it eventually veered into “insta-love” territory, which deliver the slow burn I expected with slow and dark/forbidden start.
That said, Runyx’s prose is immersive, and her character development, especially of Salem, was strong throughout. The writing style and overall aesthetic will definitely appeal to fans of dark academia and secret society tropes. While I was ultimately left wanting more from the plot’s resolution, Enigma is still a worthwhile read for those who enjoy moody, character-driven mysteries with gothic undertones.
dark academia
It was really enjoyable! Caz is incredibly attractive, truly the perfect morally gray guy. I absolutely loved the MFC; she is such a strong and intelligent character—it’s truly inspiring!
It was really enjoyable! Caz is incredibly attractive, truly the perfect morally gray guy. I absolutely loved the MFC; she is such a strong and intelligent character—it’s truly inspiring!