5aru 's review for:

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

4.0

dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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While initially reminiscent of The Secret History, If We Were Villains, and other staples of (homoerotic) dark academia, These Violent Delights manages to tread its own ground nevertheless. With an ending that felt fitting yet rather underwhelming for the wild ride it takes you on throughout, the novel's poetic yet raw exploration of grief and all-encompassing loneliness still manages to hook you as the characters sink into passion, fear, and increasing despair. Suffice it to say, this really puts the dark in academia, so approach with caution.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Grief

Moderate: Homophobia, Murder