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I liked the first 3/4 of the book, the ending was terrible because it happened within 50 pages. the whole explanation for the book was 2 paragraphs
This is just [b:Gothikana|57426932|Gothikana|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706192941l/57426932._SY75_.jpg|89011108] but in a different font, and I’m *not* mad about it. My incredible enjoyment of [b:Gothikana|57426932|Gothikana|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706192941l/57426932._SY75_.jpg|89011108] seems to be a hot take so I’m not the best judge for this, but Enigma is worth the read. If we’re all being honest with ourselves, it’s because I love gothic dark academia so my bar is incredibly low; I’ll always enjoy it.
Like [b:Gothikana|57426932|Gothikana|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706192941l/57426932._SY75_.jpg|89011108], MMC is a grad TA (which grosses me out a little since I’m a GTA), we’re in an old architecturally interesting gothic college for the elite families only, and there’s secret societies. Those are all pros, but if you’re looking for something different from [b:Gothikana|57426932|Gothikana|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706192941l/57426932._SY75_.jpg|89011108], this isn’t it. Go read The Predator or something.
The complaints I’ve mostly seen for [b:Gothikana|57426932|Gothikana|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706192941l/57426932._SY75_.jpg|89011108]/RuNyx is the bad writing. Again, I wasn’t bothered when I read like 4 of her other books so I’m not the best judge but there were only three times that I noticed the writing being an issue. One was a typo, one was the use of the same word twice in the same sentence (e.g., “the responding something or other did something in response”), and a sort of lazy “the secret society so secret we’re forbidden from even thinking its name”.
All that being said, I love these sorts of books. Despite how it’s marketed, this was a light read. I think the reason this isn’t 5 stars for me is that the climax of the book was about 2 pages; there was really no conflict despite all the suspense. I did love the two epilogues (5 years and 10 years later), though.
Like [b:Gothikana|57426932|Gothikana|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706192941l/57426932._SY75_.jpg|89011108], MMC is a grad TA (which grosses me out a little since I’m a GTA), we’re in an old architecturally interesting gothic college for the elite families only, and there’s secret societies. Those are all pros, but if you’re looking for something different from [b:Gothikana|57426932|Gothikana|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706192941l/57426932._SY75_.jpg|89011108], this isn’t it. Go read The Predator or something.
The complaints I’ve mostly seen for [b:Gothikana|57426932|Gothikana|RuNyx|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706192941l/57426932._SY75_.jpg|89011108]/RuNyx is the bad writing. Again, I wasn’t bothered when I read like 4 of her other books so I’m not the best judge but there were only three times that I noticed the writing being an issue. One was a typo, one was the use of the same word twice in the same sentence (e.g., “the responding something or other did something in response”), and a sort of lazy “the secret society so secret we’re forbidden from even thinking its name”.
All that being said, I love these sorts of books. Despite how it’s marketed, this was a light read. I think the reason this isn’t 5 stars for me is that the climax of the book was about 2 pages; there was really no conflict despite all the suspense. I did love the two epilogues (5 years and 10 years later), though.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
I’m not typically one for a slow burn but this book had me hooked from the start. I enjoyed the characters development of both Caz and Salem, especially seeing Salems walls come down slowly due to meeting the right people at the right time.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
dark
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Yes
RuNyx really knows how to write atmospheric books! She just has this way with words that makes you instantly sucked into the scene with the characters - it's like you're there with them too!
Salem was definitely a very unusual FMC, the lairs that RuNyx put into her characters were the chef's kiss! I really loved how her dynamics with her mom and sister were written. She wasn't perfect, sometimes a BIT TOO death obsessed lol but nonetheless a very intriguing character.
Her chemistry with Caz was absolutely explosive. Caz was an eccentric character too. Somehow, both Caz and Salem's eccentricities complimented each other and they seemed like the perfect pair.
However, I personally felt that the ending was a bit too abrupt. The mystery was easy to guess, not like a lot of efforts were put into hiding it. The ending just felt a bit rushed, perhaps it could've been written in 2/3 chapters, the mystery didn't really hit hard enough.
Nonetheless, it was a good book. If you enjoyed Gothikana then you would definitely enjoy this.
Salem was definitely a very unusual FMC, the lairs that RuNyx put into her characters were the chef's kiss! I really loved how her dynamics with her mom and sister were written. She wasn't perfect, sometimes a BIT TOO death obsessed lol but nonetheless a very intriguing character.
Her chemistry with Caz was absolutely explosive. Caz was an eccentric character too. Somehow, both Caz and Salem's eccentricities complimented each other and they seemed like the perfect pair.
However, I personally felt that the ending was a bit too abrupt. The mystery was easy to guess, not like a lot of efforts were put into hiding it. The ending just felt a bit rushed, perhaps it could've been written in 2/3 chapters, the mystery didn't really hit hard enough.
Nonetheless, it was a good book. If you enjoyed Gothikana then you would definitely enjoy this.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced