Where can you find me on a stormy night? Reading some some Dark Academia with forbidden magic, and gothic themes. Dark Academia is a subculture and literary aesthetic that revolves around classical literature, scholarly pursuits, and dark, often macabre themes. Here are five books that fit within the Dark Academia realm:
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Robin Swift's world is turned upside down when his family succumbs to cholera in China. Taken in by a strict English professor, he is transported to an alternate Oxford in 1828. There, he undergoes rigorous language lessons in the hopes of one day joining the Royal Institute of Translation, also known as Babel. As he delves deeper into his studies, Robin becomes obsessed with unlocking the secrets of silver-working, a magical process that has helped the British Empire maintain its global dominance. However, his growing awareness of the injustices perpetuated by Babel and silver-working leads him to join the Hermes Society, a covert organization dedicated to sabotaging British expansion and stealing silver from within.
The Atlas Six by Olivia Blake
The Alexandrian Society, shrouded in secrecy, boasts the most exceptional magical scholars in the world. Their members are entrusted with safeguarding lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity, and those who gain entry into their ranks secure a life of unimaginable wealth, power, and prestige. Every ten years, the Society selects the world's six most extraordinary magicians for initiation - and among them are the chosen few.
Handpicked by the enigmatic Atlas Blakely, the candidates must spend a year together to qualify for initiation. During this time, they are granted access to the Society's vast archives and evaluated on their contribution to the arcane fields of knowledge. Five will be initiated, and one will be eliminated. The stakes are high, and if they prove themselves to be the best, they will survive - but most of them may not.
The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Follow the story of Alex Stern, a troubled young woman with an unusual gift. Despite her lack of academic qualifications, she is given a rare opportunity to attend Yale University as a freshman. Her gift? The ability to communicate with ghosts. This gift attracts the attention of the Ninth House, a secret society at Yale responsible for monitoring the activities of other secret societies involved in various forms of magic and supernatural practices.
But as Alex delves deeper into the Ninth House, she uncovers a web of deceit, corruption, and danger that threatens not just herself, but the entire world. With the help of her mentor, Darlington, Alex must confront her own fears and weaknesses to uncover the truth about the Ninth House and its dark secrets. Leigh Bardugo's "Ninth House" is a gripping and atmospheric novel that combines elements of fantasy, horror, and mystery to create a complex and thrilling story that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
