Reviews - Enigma | The StoryGraph

911 reviews for:

Enigma

RuNyx

3.79 AVERAGE

wikhalisah's review against another edition

4.0

dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

kabokeyokey's review against another edition

Library hardcover
Deeply stupid and reductive pretty sure it was written by AI

sarahsssnake's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

larissaleest's review against another edition

I got bored, nothing interesting is happening for the plot. I like Caz and Salem but it's too insta lusty and the story doesn't seem to go anywhere mystery-wise.

I've learned from my mistakes with Nocticadia and City of Gods and Monsters. I'm not wasting time on books that I'm not enjoying anymore.

madbookpro's review against another edition

3.5

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

becarty's review against another edition

4.5

dark mysterious

spillthetbr's review against another edition

3.5

dark mysterious tense 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

Book Review: Enigma by RuNyx

3.5 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️

This was… something. I am finishing this book asking myself, “What did I just read?!” But in the best way possible.

This is a dark academia book with a gothic twist that will keep you invested. The story follows Salem, who is starting school at Mortimer, an elite university for the wealthiest people. Salem is different and weird, but that is what makes me like her even more. She is factual, morose, and downright awkward, but so true to herself.

Her mission is to find out the mystery behind countless deaths, including her sister’s, by a secret society. Salem will stop at nothing for answers, but along the way, she meets a rival who turns her entire world upside down with his crazy. This rival’s name is Caz, and this man is crazy for her. He comes with a ton of secrets and is morally gray, but so hot your head will literally spin. The things this man SAYS. 🥵

Now, where this book loses me is in the clunkiness of its storytelling. I found that the dialogue between characters shifted from more conversational to 1950s-esque (think Grandmama—no, she literally calls her that). I also struggled with the pacing of the story; it wasn’t fast, but it wasn’t slow. It kept just enough of my interest to finish it, though a couple of times I debated letting it go. Then I’d read something that I needed to get answers for.

Lastly, the story itself was interesting and dynamic. I enjoyed the break from my contemporary and fantasy novels. But towards the end, things came together a bit too easily. As much as our FMC questioned things she seemed to get real complacent towards the end. The grand reveal was a bit too on the nose, and I felt like we didn’t get clarity on the secret society structures. I can’t help but wonder if this is something the author will explore a bit more.

All in all, though, I did enjoy this read for what it was. Caz and Salem’s scenes (🥵😍) kept me going. It is a bit insta lusty but boy do I enjoy their interactions. There is a psychological safety these two weirdos establish with each other that I just love.

Should this spill into your TBR? Maybe. Do you like dark gothic tales and morally gray characters? I say consider it.

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Content Warnings