Readers’ Advisory: Dark Academia

September 21, 2023, By Library Staff in Readers' Advisory.

ImagineIF Libraries Readers’ Advisory

Looking for your next great read? The expert library staff at ImagineIF are here to help!

Graphic image of a dark-toned library, overlaid with the phrase "DARK ACADEMIA", and artistic images of a Greek bust, leafy plant, open book, and spectacles.

Old ivy-covered stone buildings, shadowed hallways, dusty libraries, tweed jackets, secret societies… and maybe murder? If this sounds like your vibe, try one of these Dark Academia titles.

Adult Fiction

Book cover of "Babel" by R. F. Kuang Book cover of "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt Book cover of "The Atlas Six" by Olivie Blake Book cover of Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

Babel by R. F. Kuang
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

Book cover of "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro Book cover of "If We Were Villains" by M. L. Rio Book cover of Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo Book cover of "Vita Nostra" by Marina Dyachenko

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko (translated by Julia Meitov Hersey)

Young Adult Fiction

Book cover of "Ace of Spades" by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Book cover of "Killing November" by Adriana Mather Book cover of "Don't Breathe a Word" by Jordyn Taylor Book cover of "Truly Devious" by Maureen Johnson

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Killing November by Adriana Mather
Don’t Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Book cover of "A Great and Terrible Beauty" by Libba Bray Book cover of "The Raven Boys" by Maggie Stiefvater Book cover of "A Lesson in Vengeance" by Victoria Lee Book cover of "How We Fall Apart" by Katie Zhao