So...this was a library request for months and it happened to come on the heels of The Fortune Seller, which happens to be another dark academia book. I love the title and I'd heard great things about this author. As others have done a good job of summarizing, I'll skip that and go right to my reactions:

1) Seriously, have flawed, very unlikeable characters become a thematic element in dark academia? I didn't like any of them individually, I couldn't see what supposedly made them friends, and I definitely didn't buy any of the couplings among them. None of the characters develop over time or as the story unfolds, which I think was intentional on the author's part.

2) The plot was interesting enough in concept: someone in the friend group killed someone in their friend group, but there never seems to be much interest by the supposed friends to figure out who and why. I read the whole book, but I never much cared either. For me, the execution wasn't particularly compelling (although I did finish it, so there's that).

3) The setting while technically a college campus, didn't really lend a strong, atmospheric vibe. It's basically a backdrop and that's it. It could have been any campus or no campus at all. The setting wasn't essential to the story like it was in, say, Babel (and others).

4) Rope-a-trope.

5) I kept thinking this book has the vibe of Melrose Place or PLL (or the like) - sorta soapy. sometimes unintentionally campy, low on substance, but a shiny pretty cast.

I would try again with the author, but this one...meh...just wasn't feeling it. ( )

I am so sad that I did not love this book as much as so many other people did! i WANTED to love it. I will say this it kept me reading and it was hard to to put down but the unlikablenss of the all the characters really killed the book for me overall. I really struglled not only to care about the characters but also to care what happen. I also felt like all the characters pov felt super simialr it made me it hard to conenct to them!! This book def did not wow me! ( )

I am so sad that I did not love this book as much as so many other people did! i WANTED to love it. I will say this it kept me reading and it was hard to to put down but the unlikablenss of the all the characters really killed the book for me overall. I really struglled not only to care about the characters but also to care what happen. I also felt like all the characters pov felt super simialr it made me it hard to conenct to them!! This book def did not wow me! ( )

My twist and turns in solving the murder of a former classmate. ( )

I just loved this. What a delicious read. Dark, twisted, wicked with just the right amount of angst. Wallah!!

!!!! THIS IS A SPOILER FREE REVIEW !!!!

PLOT: This is entirely a plot driven story. The plot revolved around the mystery. The blurb was simple- six friends reunite after 10 years to relive their memories in the elite Danquete University. But there is someone who is hellbent to find out the whaht happened on that fateful night 10 years ago.

SETTING: Dark academia with looming towers, gothic spires, old structures. Who can say 'no' to that. Most of the story takes place in Danquete University with the exception of, I think 3 chapters.

CHHARACTERS: Flawed. Unlikable. But thats the beauty of this book. I will be honest, thhere was no chharacter development. The characters in this represented the untouchahble people who can go to any lengthh to hide their imperfections and fears and deathly truths.

This was a jaw dropping debut. Its been a long time since I have read a suspense thriller and actually ended up liking it. ( )