Have you ever felt drawn to some books with a similar vibe? It is like a amazing moment when you realize there is a name for the sub-genre you have been loving.
These books often feature elements like campuses, libraries, and academic settings. They’re dark, atmospheric, and sometimes involve elite groups or societies. Murder is also a common theme. I found myself consistently attracted to these elements.
Once I knew the term “dark academia,” it became easier to find book recommendations. Looking back, I realized that many of the books I would read before fit into this sub-genre.
If you’re looking for some dark academia reads this fall (or anytime, really they make great fall books), I hope this list helps you discover some top dark academia books across genres like literary fiction, romance, fantasy, and mystery.
Best Dark Academia Books To Read
In this list of books, we are going to discuss some of the best dark academia books. Stay tuned until the end of this article, to know everything in detail:
Babel by R.F. Kuang
The book The Secret History has always been my benchmark, but now another one is vying for that position especially when it comes to fantasy dark academia. This book demands rereads because it’s packed with so much content (literally it’s massive).
In Babel, he becomes skilled at converting different languages into English and perfects the craft of silver working. This special skill involves a magical technique that gives magical abilities. These abilities have been crucial in keeping Britain in a powerful position, thanks to the magic infused in the translations.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
I have been a big fan of Leigh Bardugo’s young adult (YA) books, and her debut into adult fiction really impressed me. As someone who enjoys dark academia, darker fantasy, murder mysteries, and elite societies, this book hit the mark. However, I will warn you it is intense and violent, with a slow-burn pace.
Let me introduce you to Alex Stern. She is a young woman who has faced significant challenges in her life. Against all odds, she receives a full scholarship to Yale as a freshman. However, there is a twist: she has unique abilities she can see ghosts.
Her admission leads her into a magical secret society tasked with monitoring other secret societies’ occult rituals and keeping supernatural forces in check.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
I am not the biggest fan of Shakespeare, but I have always had a soft spot for his tragedies, so this book really caught my attention. It was so engaging and I really liked that it was divided into acts and scenes, just like a play.
For those who enjoy dark academia with a literary twist, full of suspense and mystery similar to ‘The Secret History’ this book is a must-read. Just make sure there is a good gap between reading them, as they can seem quite similar. I enjoyed this book on its own because it had been a long time since I read the other.
Detective Colborne is about to retire, but he has one last thing he wants to do. He asks Oliver Marks a man he once arrested for a murder and who spent 10 years in prison to reveal the whole truth about what happened ten years ago.
Oliver agrees to tell his story, which begins at Dellecher Classical Conservatory. There, a group of young actors who perform Shakespeare plays start to mix up their real lives with their stage characters. Their close friendship turns dark and dangerous, leading to a terrible death.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Secret History is a well-known example of the genre, and it essentially set the blueprint for what the genre would become, in my opinion.
Despite coming from a very different background, Richard is determined to fit in with this group. Eventually, he becomes part of it and gets caught up in everything the morally ambiguous group represents. The story culminates in a murder that forever changes everyone involved.
What I really appreciate about this book is the way it is told. We know who is murdered right from the start, but we gradually discover all the events leading up to the murder and the significant aftermath. It is not about the “who” but rather the “why.
Dark Academia Horror/Fantasy Picks
This book is perfect for fans of Fourth Wing (especially if you enjoyed the academy aspect) and for adults seeking a new Hogwarts-like experience!
The story unfolds at a magical boarding school, where we follow El, a dark sorceress and outcast during her junior year. El faces various “survival of the fittest” challenges thrown by the school, deals with lurking monsters, and navigates interactions with other students.
El’s ultimate goal is to graduate, but that means facing the Lovecraftian monsters surrounding the school. She also grapples with her own destructive powers, which could harm her peers, while trying to impress others and form alliances.
The only problem? Orion Lake, who annoyingly keeps rescuing her before she can showcase her abilities. El wonders whether she can trust him or if he has ulterior motives for always showing up.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
This book is one that I read a long time ago, and today I realize it is a perfect example of dark academia.
Back in 2008, I would not have chosen this book myself, but it was popular in some Goodreads groups I followed (this was before Bookstagram and Booktok became popular). I’m really happy I decided to read this big, unique book.
The book dives deep into history and research, which is a big part of dark academia, and it includes a lot of travel details. I enjoyed these aspects, but I know they might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
The story has several storylines and jumps in time, but at its heart, it is about a young woman searching for the truth about the Dracula legend and Vlad the Impaler. She is trying to find her father, who was investigating this legend around the world and looking for his own mentor, who disappeared while trying to prove that the legend might be true.
Vita Nostra by Marina & Sergey Dyachenko
This book, originally written in Russian and translated, combines magic, philosophy, and fantasy in a trippy and unusual way. Although there were moments when I felt my brain might not be up to the challenge, I enjoyed this dark academia story.
The protagonist, 16-year-old Sasha, encounters a mysterious man while on holiday. After confronting him, she agrees to perform some strange tasks and challenges. These lead her to the Institute of Special Technologies, where refusing has consequences.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
I will be totally honest with you. I had a hard time getting into this book at first, but then it really caught my interest. The book has received mixed reviews, and I understand why. However, it really embodies what I enjoy about the dark academia genre, and I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
Just so you know, out of all the fantasy dark academia books I have read, this one is probably my least favorite. I appreciated the concept, but the execution did not quite live up to my expectations.
The story revolves around six talented young magicians who are selected to vie for one of the five available spots in the Alexandrian Society. This society is incredibly exclusive and allows its members to study the hidden secrets of the legendary lost Alexandria library, as well as to safeguard all the knowledge it contains.
The competition is fierce, and the magicians soon realize there is more at stake than they initially thought. They begin to uncover deeper secrets about the competition and the Alexandrian Society itself.
In the end, they face a tough decision: they must choose one among them who will not secure a spot, which has dire consequences.
Dark Things I Adore by Katie Lattari
This story is not set in a usual school environment. Instead, it is in a distant and highly regarded group of artists. I was really drawn into the story and could sense the ominous vibe among this group of creative people.
The story takes us back to 1988 at an art camp filled with driven artists. This is where hidden motives and sinister desires come together, leading to dangerous outcomes.
Fast forward to 2018, we are introduced to Audra and Max.
Max, a respected art teacher, is asked to visit the isolated house of his talented student to review her art project, which might also spark a romantic relationship.
What Max is unaware of is that Audra has deliberately arranged this weekend to bring him here. She is aware of his dark secret from the summer of 1988.
Audra intends to confront him and make him face the consequences of his actions from that summer and the time that followed.
Some Questions
What Are Dark Academia books?
Dark Academia books are stories that often happen at schools or universities and have a mysterious, gloomy feeling. They usually involve things like secret societies, intense friendships, and sometimes crimes like murder.
Why Read Dark Academia books?
People enjoy Dark Academia books for the suspenseful plots and the deep, often complicated characters. They are perfect for readers who like a mix of learning, drama, and a bit of darkness in their stories.
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