7 Dark Academia Books That’ll Pull You Into a World of Secrets, Obsession and Mystery
From Deborah Harkness to R.F. Kuang, these atmospheric page-turners will enthrall!
Sprawling campuses, hushed libraries, sinister secrets, Gothic towers…dark academia books are wildly popular in the literary world right now. With more than 6 billion views, the #darkacademia fascination has also exploded on TikTok—the aesthetic now extends past books into home decor, fashion and beyond.
Of course, here at Woman’s World, we’re all about the book trend. If you’ve never read this subgenre, here’s what you can expect: Dark academia books are typically highly atmospheric, suspenseful stories set at universities, boarding schools and elite academies. But what sets this book subgenre apart from others is that it defies specific labels. You can find dark academia in romance, fantasy, mystery, thriller… the list goes on. The term ‘dark academia’ functions more like an umbrella than a rigid genre label. For a book to be considered dark academia, the only defining characteristics are a premise rooted in, well, academia, varied intellectual pursuits and the presence of darker themes like mystery and morally gray characters.
Whether you’re new to the genre or a longtime fan looking for a new book rec, you’re in the right place! (Plus, in our opinion, autumn is the perfect time of year to curl up in your favorite armchair with a gripping dark academia book.) Here, we gathered up 7 of the best dark academia books—from Donna Tartt’s Secret History (this modern classic is referred to as the blueprint for the genre) to new releases like R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis.
Keep scrolling for all of our must-read book picks.
‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt
When Donna Tartt wrote The Secret History in 1992, she had no idea she was writing a book that would one day be considered the blueprint of dark academia. The compelling premise centers around a group of six students studying at a New England university under a charismatic professor, Julian Morrow. Their studies in Greek lead them to discover a new way of thinking and living—one that’s far away from their everyday life. As morals slip, obsession leads to betrayals and, ultimately, murder.
What readers are saying: “The Secret History is both an intellectual novel of ideas and a murder mystery without the whodunit element. Donna Tartt’s great gift as a writer is her magnificent talent for description. Her evocation of life at a small private university in New England with its oddball mix of ivory-tower intellectuals is rich in detail. If it’s not entirely realistic, she makes it so. Likewise, her skill at characterization is superb. This is very much a book about friendship. It’s about the very human yearning to belong and be accepted by people we admire.”
‘Katabasis’ by R.F. Kuang
Known for her hit bestseller Yellowface, R.F. Kuang’s latest novel, Katabasis, is another riveting genre-bender. In Ancient Greek, the word ‘Katabasis’ signifies a journey to the underworld. Alice Law is studying Magicks at Cambridge when her mentor, Jacob Grimes, dies in a magical accident that might be her fault. To bring him back, Alice embarks on a twisty, perilous quest to the underworld with her academic rival—and former crush—Peter Murdoch.
What readers are saying: “Some books are too magnificent to simply be described—they must be devoured and savored slowly to fully appreciate their brilliance. This is one of them—a spellbinding blend of enemies-to-lovers romance and dark academia fantasy, featuring a mind-blowing journey through the underworld.”
‘An Academy for Liars’ by Alexis Henderson
Magic, betrayal and academic intrigue collide in this stunning story written by Alexis Henderson. When Lennon Carter is invited to attend Drayton College—a secretive school of magic—she begins to unlock her rare gift of persuasion—a powerful ability to influence others or, in extraordinary cases, manipulate matter itself. Drawn in by the mysterious campus and her enigmatic adviser, Dante, Lennon finds herself facing buried secrets and simmering temptation. As the darkness around her grows, she must learn to wield her power without losing herself to it.
What readers are saying: “The journey was long, yet I wished it wouldn’t end. The story’s progression, pacing, characterization, backstories, tension-building, balance of horror and paranormal elements and a forbidden love story captivated me entirely. It felt like I was reading an entire trilogy because there was so much happening: betrayal, lies, academic politics, secrets and backstabbing. I’m giving this book my highest dark academia rating and eagerly await more works from this author!”
‘The Cloisters’ by Katy Hays
This sweeping debut novel by Katy Hays was a Read With Jenna book club pick and its plot blends academic curiosity with danger and a deadly game of cat and mouse. Ann Stilwell’s summer was supposed to be spent working as a curatorial associate at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Now, she finds herself at the Cloisters—a Gothic museum and garden known for its collection of medieval and Renaissance art. While researching, she becomes entangled in medieval mysteries after discovering a set of 15th-century tarot cards. Before long, Ann is drawn into a dangerous game where the past and the present mix, propelling her on a risky quest for truth and survival.
What readers are saying: “This has all the components of a deeply captivating and dangerously thrilling story. Dark academia will always be my favorite genre and this story is a great example why. The atmosphere just radiates mystery, the subject material is interesting, the story demands answers of the world around it and the characters suffer from their own hubris. It ticks all the boxes.”
‘A Discovery of Witches’ by Deborah Harkness
This spellbinding novel, which was adapted into a TV series of the same name starring Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer, follows Diana Bishop, a university historian and reluctant witch descended from a powerful magical lineage. When she uncovers Ashmole 782—an ancient, enchanted alchemical manuscript—her world is upended. With the help of Matthew Clairmont, a 1,500-year-old vampire and geneticist, Diana sets out to unravel the book’s secrets. Their search takes them back to 1590s England in a journey through time, magic and forbidden knowledge.
What readers are saying: “What was so enchanting here was the author’s way of transporting the reader to the respective setting. No matter if it was the dark wood of Oxford’s Bodleian Library, the stone walls of Ysabeau’s Chateau Dauphin near Pontgibaud in the Auvergne (complete with orchard, stables, resident horses and surrounding woods) or the frankly awesome house of Aunt Sarah with its adjusting rooms, eccentric cat and ghosts—one could feel all of it.”
‘I Have Some Questions for You’ by Rebecca Makkai
Deeply gripping and atmospheric, this dark academia thriller centers on Bodie Kane, a film professor and podcaster determined to leave her troubled past behind. But when she’s invited to guest teach at her former New Hampshire boarding school—the site of her roommate’s long-ago murder—unanswered questions slowly begin to resurface. As Bodie digs into the old case, she’s pulled into a chilling search for the truth that refuses to stay buried.
What readers are saying: “This is one of the most brilliant novels I’ve read this year. It combines different genres in a seamless and professional manner, including whodunit mystery, dark academia, suspense, legal thriller, psychological thriller, women’s fiction and drama.”
‘Night Shade’ by Autumn Woods
If you’re interested in dark academia vibes but prefer plots that lean more swoon-worthy, Night Shade by Autumn Woods delivers. When Ophelia Winters accepts a scholarship at an elite Scottish university to prove her parents’ death was the fault of aviation tycoon Cain Green, she vows to blend in and follow her plan. But her meticulous scheme is off to a terrible start when she comes face to face with Alex Corbeau-Green—Cain’s eldest son. When they’re forced together for a project, Ophelia has no choice but to work with Alex. But when they become each other’s alibi for a murder, they grow closer.
What readers are saying: “If you like dark gothic academia with Hogwarts vibes and love reading about two broken characters falling for each other, this book is a perfect pick for you. I can’t recommend this book enough!”
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