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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"A Lesson in Vengeance" by Victoria Lee revolves around Darrow Hall, an elite boarding school with a dark past, infamous for a series of witch trials during the 17th century. The story follows Felicity Morrow, a senior returning to Darrow Hall after the tragic death of her girlfriend. Once there, she crosses paths with Ellis Haley, a brilliant and enigmatic new girl. Ellis is obsessed with the school's witchy history, particularly the Darrow Five—five students who were rumored to be witches and who mysteriously died years ago.
Ellis convinces Felicity to join her in researching the Darrow Five for her next book, diving deep into the history, myths, and witchcraft surrounding them. As they become more engrossed, eerie events start to occur. The boundary between the past and the present blurs, and Felicity starts questioning everything she believes in and everyone she trusts. The tale is suspenseful, dark, and atmospheric, filled with twists, betrayals, and a chilling quest for power and vengeance.
The novel is a gripping gothic thriller that masterfully blends elements of witchcraft, mystery, and psychological horror. Victoria Lee's vivid prose paints a haunting portrait of Darrow Hall, making the school itself feel like a central character with its own secrets and intentions. The story's strength lies not just in its spine-tingling atmosphere, but also in the complex dynamics between Felicity and Ellis. Their relationship is intoxicating, weaving between attraction, obsession, and distrust.
Lee does an impressive job of exploring themes of grief, trauma, and the lengths one might go to for power or recognition. Moreover, the incorporation of the school's dark history with the present-day intrigue keeps the reader constantly questioning the line between myth and reality. However, some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in the middle, as the story sometimes lingers on Felicity's internal struggles and emotions. Despite this, the book builds up to a compelling climax that is both unexpected and thought-provoking.
Overall, "A Lesson in Vengeance" is a haunting tale that will appeal to fans of dark academia, suspense, and tales of witchcraft. It serves as a potent reminder of the dangers of obsession and the shadows that history can cast on the present.
Ellis convinces Felicity to join her in researching the Darrow Five for her next book, diving deep into the history, myths, and witchcraft surrounding them. As they become more engrossed, eerie events start to occur. The boundary between the past and the present blurs, and Felicity starts questioning everything she believes in and everyone she trusts. The tale is suspenseful, dark, and atmospheric, filled with twists, betrayals, and a chilling quest for power and vengeance.
The novel is a gripping gothic thriller that masterfully blends elements of witchcraft, mystery, and psychological horror. Victoria Lee's vivid prose paints a haunting portrait of Darrow Hall, making the school itself feel like a central character with its own secrets and intentions. The story's strength lies not just in its spine-tingling atmosphere, but also in the complex dynamics between Felicity and Ellis. Their relationship is intoxicating, weaving between attraction, obsession, and distrust.
Lee does an impressive job of exploring themes of grief, trauma, and the lengths one might go to for power or recognition. Moreover, the incorporation of the school's dark history with the present-day intrigue keeps the reader constantly questioning the line between myth and reality. However, some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in the middle, as the story sometimes lingers on Felicity's internal struggles and emotions. Despite this, the book builds up to a compelling climax that is both unexpected and thought-provoking.
Overall, "A Lesson in Vengeance" is a haunting tale that will appeal to fans of dark academia, suspense, and tales of witchcraft. It serves as a potent reminder of the dangers of obsession and the shadows that history can cast on the present.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
So this book was not what I was expecting!!! I did enjoy it partially and was interested in what had happened before, and the way it was going to go. However, I’m not the biggest fan of an unreliable narrator and this was basically what this was. I saw a review saying they loved Ellis and I mean… just no. Didn’t like either of the characters and the ending did feel flat despite me being interested for the majority of the book. Didn’t guess the ending which I usually like but yeah I just expected to like it more I guess.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
I had very low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. It was a lot darker than I thought it would be.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, then. Uhhh that was interesting.
This was pitched as dark academia and that's exactly what I got. I can't say A Lesson in Vengeance went above and beyond but it was haunting nonetheless. I can't condense my words so read my book review in length here
This was pitched as dark academia and that's exactly what I got. I can't say A Lesson in Vengeance went above and beyond but it was haunting nonetheless. I can't condense my words so read my book review in length here