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These Mortal Bodies
I’m ready to be part of something bigger, I told myself, whispering the words over and over, visualising myself at the centre of things, never alone again.
It’s the start of the new academic year and Ivy is ready for her future to begin at a prestigious university far from home. But her first year will be everything and nothing like she expected.
Flung into a world of rigorous academics, secret societies and intense relationships, Ivy finds her feet quicker than she expected – things couldn’t be going better if she had planned them. But Ivy is keeping secrets. She hasn’t told anyone about her best friend, who drowned just months ago. She can’t tell anyone about the way water grounds and guides her, or about the heron she sees everywhere she goes, her own personal talisman.
As she immerses herself into her new life, becoming the heart of an elite social circle and uncovering the truth behind the witchy legacy of her college, the lines between past and present become murky. And with the year racing towards summer, Ivy will have to decide how far she’ll go to become the person she was destined to be.
It’s the start of the new academic year and Ivy is ready for her future to begin at a prestigious university far from home. But her first year will be everything and nothing like she expected.
Flung into a world of rigorous academics, secret societies and intense relationships, Ivy finds her feet quicker than she expected – things couldn’t be going better if she had planned them. But Ivy is keeping secrets. She hasn’t told anyone about her best friend, who drowned just months ago. She can’t tell anyone about the way water grounds and guides her, or about the heron she sees everywhere she goes, her own personal talisman.
As she immerses herself into her new life, becoming the heart of an elite social circle and uncovering the truth behind the witchy legacy of her college, the lines between past and present become murky. And with the year racing towards summer, Ivy will have to decide how far she’ll go to become the person she was destined to be.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 9, 2024
⭑ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
~
I really struggled with this one. I just couldn’t get into it and was just not my kinda vibe. I was finding myself getting really bored and wanting to do literally anything else than read this book.
~
Thanks to NetGalley and Elspeth Wilson for the ARC copy just unfortunately wasn’t for me 🫶🏼
Publication date 16th July 2025
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I really struggled with this one. I just couldn’t get into it and was just not my kinda vibe. I was finding myself getting really bored and wanting to do literally anything else than read this book.
~
Thanks to NetGalley and Elspeth Wilson for the ARC copy just unfortunately wasn’t for me 🫶🏼
Publication date 16th July 2025
May 23, 2025
I see the potential, but I don't think it managed to fulfill it. It was lengthy, and the ending was quite confusing. I don't think the book addressed a genuine conflict, so I'm unsure what kind of resolution ultimately took place at the end.
It's interesting how Ivy forgave Martha so easily and was happy to move on, but refused to even look at George in the eye for the same offense. Talk about double standards.
It's interesting how Ivy forgave Martha so easily and was happy to move on, but refused to even look at George in the eye for the same offense. Talk about double standards.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2026
Actually would give zero stars if I could and if it weren't for a few nice sentences in here. There's so much hate on men in here. Non-binary people are apparently women light. The whole book culminates in the belief that women are better than men. Which is bad in itself and not made better by the fact that the book contradicts itself. The protagonist writes an essay about freedom and criticises the kind of "freedom" that excludes other people and diminishes their freedom. Immediately afterwards, the protagonist is thinking about which female students (and non-binary, I guess) to include in the society - and which to exclude.
The only truly good and insightful part is the (fictional) criticism on the (fictional) essay about freedom. (Harold, you're a real one.) It actually made me wonder if the whole rest of the book with its man-hating might be ironic? Satiric? But seeing how it ends (the continuation and exhortation of the exclusive and man-hating society), I don't think that's likely.
The only truly good and insightful part is the (fictional) criticism on the (fictional) essay about freedom. (Harold, you're a real one.) It actually made me wonder if the whole rest of the book with its man-hating might be ironic? Satiric? But seeing how it ends (the continuation and exhortation of the exclusive and man-hating society), I don't think that's likely.
September 18, 2026
this was just... a nothingburger. all aesthetics and no substance. this is why i hate tags like 'dark academia' -- just being a bit witchy in a university setting does not make a good story.
very little happened in this book, and when things finally did, they didn't really feel meaningful or amount to anything. there are a few ideas about gender and following the crowd in here but because of how vague everything was, i can't figure out if the author was on one side or the other.
if they added toxic yuri in here it could have been a 3 stars. ivy wanted to kiss martha so bad. on the topic of lesbians, it drove me crazy that the one lesbian character is seen flirting with girls three times and every time they have a fun dyed hair colour which just felt so stereotypical. all lesbians have blue purple pink hair guys, pack it up.
all in all disappointing and i wouldn't have finished it if it wasn't for book club. i feel bad since it's clearly a very small author, but this just wasn't it.
very little happened in this book, and when things finally did, they didn't really feel meaningful or amount to anything. there are a few ideas about gender and following the crowd in here but because of how vague everything was, i can't figure out if the author was on one side or the other.
if they added toxic yuri in here it could have been a 3 stars. ivy wanted to kiss martha so bad. on the topic of lesbians, it drove me crazy that the one lesbian character is seen flirting with girls three times and every time they have a fun dyed hair colour which just felt so stereotypical. all lesbians have blue purple pink hair guys, pack it up.
all in all disappointing and i wouldn't have finished it if it wasn't for book club. i feel bad since it's clearly a very small author, but this just wasn't it.
September 21, 2024
These Mortal Bodies is a novel set at an elite university in which a young woman is drawn into the world of secret drinking societies and ancient power. Ivy grew up by the coast, but now she's about to start at a prestigious university. Despite feeling like a outsider, she quickly finds intoxicating new friends and becomes intrigued by the drinking societies and the witchcraft-related history of her women-only college, but she has to decide how far she will go.
This is a dark academia novel that blends detail about Oxbridge with invented history of women accused of witchcraft, and blurs the lines between traditions and rituals, power and mysticism. The narrative focuses on Ivy and her friends' first year at university, structured around each week of term, but it is more about small dramas and Ivy's trajectory that big plot points, with the ending being more about characters coming into their own as 'sisters' at the college. For me, the ending felt more like a setup for a sequel than an actual ending, with lots of unexplored areas and unanswered questions.
The settings in the book are never specified, but the words used give it basically away, so the blurb I read specified that Ivy is from Scotland, but only particular terminology like Hogmanay' made that clear, and the university is clearly Oxbridge (I assumed Cambridge as I was reading because it has a women's college still and Oxford doesn't, but given that it is fictional, it could be purposefully either). One downside of this is that I think anyone without a familiarity of the terminology used at Oxbridge may end up confused, trying to guess where it is set and unfamiliar with concepts like different colleges, drinking societies, and the short terms. As I am familiar with them, I liked the detail (and I like dark academia that manages to be realistic with the university detail of where it is set), and it did accurately explore the balance between academic work and other elements that becomes all the more apparent when terms are short and workloads are high.
The characters were intriguing but perhaps lacking in detail at times, even Ivy as the narrator (anyone else you could blame on Ivy's perspective, as a lot of the side characters seemed to have no personality traits at al). Again, the blurb I read said Ivy is neurodivergent, but the book itself leaves that unspoken as far as I remember, and there are a lot of points like this where things are hazy and unspoken, but which perhaps actually needed to be spoken. Ivy's obsession with binaries, which is foregrounded at certain points in the book, brought something interesting to what I was starting to think was a book obsessed with the difference between men and women, but again, it wasn't really followed through on, not even with the one lesbian character or the one singular mention of the concept of non-binary people in the 'dear' part of a letter/email. I think it is a perspective on Oxbridge that often isn't explored—how so much is set up as some kind of binary—so I would've liked more depth around it (particularly as a non-binary person who went to Oxbridge myself).
The toxic friendship and obsession stuff is enjoyable, reminding me of things like The Craft in which there's a blurry line between this kind of obsessive female friendship and ideas of witchcraft. Oxbridge drinking societies do work quite nicely as a way to do dark academia (they are perhaps one of the most famous 'dark' aspects of the places) and the way they are worked into the characters' dramas and relationships make them integral rather than background. I think the darkness and actual narrative drama could've gone further, as what actually happens in very tame (and I assumed things were setting up for darker plot points, but then didn't). And once again with dark academia I feel that ideas around kinds of obsession and betrayal are so focused on female friendships and boys as the distraction from them that they don't even explore the homoeroticism they contain, not even in this case where one of the friends is a lesbian (though she never really mentions this).
These Mortal Bodies is fun if you like dark academia vibes with an accurate (if trying to be non-specific) Oxbridge setting, but for me it lacked substance and the combination of darkness and charm that makes The Secret History continue to be a standout book amongst its many successors. It felt like the first half of something, without the 'fall' or fallout from events ever happening (I do find it hilarious that Ivy gets a first even when she constantly admits she doesn't take her work as seriously as she should). However, I do appreciate when dark academia books do actually understand how to combine the academic setting with the 'dark' obsession side, and it was a good book to read in autumn with the new academic year feeling.
This is a dark academia novel that blends detail about Oxbridge with invented history of women accused of witchcraft, and blurs the lines between traditions and rituals, power and mysticism. The narrative focuses on Ivy and her friends' first year at university, structured around each week of term, but it is more about small dramas and Ivy's trajectory that big plot points, with the ending being more about characters coming into their own as 'sisters' at the college. For me, the ending felt more like a setup for a sequel than an actual ending, with lots of unexplored areas and unanswered questions.
The settings in the book are never specified, but the words used give it basically away, so the blurb I read specified that Ivy is from Scotland, but only particular terminology like Hogmanay' made that clear, and the university is clearly Oxbridge (I assumed Cambridge as I was reading because it has a women's college still and Oxford doesn't, but given that it is fictional, it could be purposefully either). One downside of this is that I think anyone without a familiarity of the terminology used at Oxbridge may end up confused, trying to guess where it is set and unfamiliar with concepts like different colleges, drinking societies, and the short terms. As I am familiar with them, I liked the detail (and I like dark academia that manages to be realistic with the university detail of where it is set), and it did accurately explore the balance between academic work and other elements that becomes all the more apparent when terms are short and workloads are high.
The characters were intriguing but perhaps lacking in detail at times, even Ivy as the narrator (anyone else you could blame on Ivy's perspective, as a lot of the side characters seemed to have no personality traits at al). Again, the blurb I read said Ivy is neurodivergent, but the book itself leaves that unspoken as far as I remember, and there are a lot of points like this where things are hazy and unspoken, but which perhaps actually needed to be spoken. Ivy's obsession with binaries, which is foregrounded at certain points in the book, brought something interesting to what I was starting to think was a book obsessed with the difference between men and women, but again, it wasn't really followed through on, not even with the one lesbian character or the one singular mention of the concept of non-binary people in the 'dear' part of a letter/email. I think it is a perspective on Oxbridge that often isn't explored—how so much is set up as some kind of binary—so I would've liked more depth around it (particularly as a non-binary person who went to Oxbridge myself).
The toxic friendship and obsession stuff is enjoyable, reminding me of things like The Craft in which there's a blurry line between this kind of obsessive female friendship and ideas of witchcraft. Oxbridge drinking societies do work quite nicely as a way to do dark academia (they are perhaps one of the most famous 'dark' aspects of the places) and the way they are worked into the characters' dramas and relationships make them integral rather than background. I think the darkness and actual narrative drama could've gone further, as what actually happens in very tame (and I assumed things were setting up for darker plot points, but then didn't). And once again with dark academia I feel that ideas around kinds of obsession and betrayal are so focused on female friendships and boys as the distraction from them that they don't even explore the homoeroticism they contain, not even in this case where one of the friends is a lesbian (though she never really mentions this).
These Mortal Bodies is fun if you like dark academia vibes with an accurate (if trying to be non-specific) Oxbridge setting, but for me it lacked substance and the combination of darkness and charm that makes The Secret History continue to be a standout book amongst its many successors. It felt like the first half of something, without the 'fall' or fallout from events ever happening (I do find it hilarious that Ivy gets a first even when she constantly admits she doesn't take her work as seriously as she should). However, I do appreciate when dark academia books do actually understand how to combine the academic setting with the 'dark' obsession side, and it was a good book to read in autumn with the new academic year feeling.
August 26, 2024
As an anthropology graduate // documentary filmmaker who studied an university with its own dark history, I was pulled in very close to the main character, Ivy, from the very start.
These Mortal Bodies is about contemporary witches who are part of a secret society, the Coven, and echoes with the story of the Saint Clair sisters, killed during witch trials. It explores the murky waters of « sisterhood » and questions whether the character’s relationships are virtuous, treacherous, toxic or a mix.
The book is a page turner, as the reader longs for the unravelling of kept secrets, although Cara’s plot line left me longing for more depth.
Ivy is an autistic coded character which was refreshing and enjoyable to read; I wish she became more skeptical of the power of her friendships, as she does not seem to learn from the damages they have caused.
I recommend These Mortal Bodies for a moody read, especially for students ahead of a new academic year.
Thank you NetGalley for a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!
These Mortal Bodies is about contemporary witches who are part of a secret society, the Coven, and echoes with the story of the Saint Clair sisters, killed during witch trials. It explores the murky waters of « sisterhood » and questions whether the character’s relationships are virtuous, treacherous, toxic or a mix.
The book is a page turner, as the reader longs for the unravelling of kept secrets, although Cara’s plot line left me longing for more depth.
Ivy is an autistic coded character which was refreshing and enjoyable to read; I wish she became more skeptical of the power of her friendships, as she does not seem to learn from the damages they have caused.
I recommend These Mortal Bodies for a moody read, especially for students ahead of a new academic year.
Thank you NetGalley for a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 6, 2026
I did enjoy this one but was unsure what to rate it. I enjoyed the fact that the main character is a bit of an outcast when joining her new college and has to navigate through the confusing world of drinking societies, essays and class inequality. I also liked that some parts of her character were relatable and demonstrated a lot of insecurity, there are lots of situations where she just stays in her friends' shadows. I felt some of the plot was a bit repetitive, one character kept popping up and being annoying without much depth. I also think I would have enjoyed it more if it leaned more into the witchy themes. But overall a fairly decent and easy read.
April 21, 2026
This is a dark academia novel which is a genre I’ve not delved into before. Ivy starts at a prestigious university with Oxbridge vibes and becomes involved in a secret society and witchcraft history of her college. Written by autistic author Elspeth Wilson, Ivy definitely felt autistic-coded too!
February 9, 2025
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, the author and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. When I read the blurb, it sounded really intriguing. Dark academia, obsession and toxic friendship, but unfortunately I just didn't enjoy it at all. I would have almost DNF'd this at 50% if it wasn't an ARC and it took me well over a month to finish as I had little motivation to pick it up.
The book is very character driven and I didn't feel like there was any plot going on at all to keep me interested. The description was long and at times made my mind wander on to other things.
There is a feeling of anxiety and mystery running through the book with Ivy's ex friend which piqued my interest the most, but this never amounted to anything which was disappointing and then the ending felt like it came out of nowhere.
I did enjoy getting to know the characters and the book at times gave me similar feelings to if Mean Girls met Saltburn, but overall just fell really flat and the relationships between the characters didn't feel very deep or connected.
The book is very character driven and I didn't feel like there was any plot going on at all to keep me interested. The description was long and at times made my mind wander on to other things.
There is a feeling of anxiety and mystery running through the book with Ivy's ex friend which piqued my interest the most, but this never amounted to anything which was disappointing and then the ending felt like it came out of nowhere.
I did enjoy getting to know the characters and the book at times gave me similar feelings to if Mean Girls met Saltburn, but overall just fell really flat and the relationships between the characters didn't feel very deep or connected.
April 1, 2025
Thank you to netgalley and publishers for providing this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited for this read, unfortunately it was really difficult to get into and I found myself bored for a lot of the book and wanting to pick up other things to read instead. I couldn't really get on board with the story, it seemed to drag for a lot of the book and I was unable to develop any connection to the characters.
I was really excited for this read, unfortunately it was really difficult to get into and I found myself bored for a lot of the book and wanting to pick up other things to read instead. I couldn't really get on board with the story, it seemed to drag for a lot of the book and I was unable to develop any connection to the characters.
May 19, 2026
These Mortal Bodies is an atmospheric and haunting coming-of-age novel that blends dark academia, folklore, and self-discovery into a compelling and emotionally rich story. Set against the windswept backdrop of coastal Scotland and the cloistered world of an elite university, the novel follows Ivy Graveson, a neurodivergent young woman desperate to reinvent herself and find a place where she truly belongs.
What makes the novel especially powerful is Ivy herself. She is not written as a stereotypical outsider; instead, Elspeth Wilson creates a protagonist who is intelligent, observant, vulnerable, and deeply human. Ivy’s struggle to navigate wealth, privilege, and unspoken social rules feels authentic, and her longing for acceptance is both heartbreaking and relatable. Her neurodivergence is portrayed with sensitivity, shaping her perspective without defining her entirely.
The university setting is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Wilson captures the seductive allure of ancient traditions, secret societies, and inherited power while also exposing the exclusivity and quiet cruelty hidden beneath the surface. The parallels between the institution’s dark history and Ivy’s present-day experiences add layers of tension and mystery throughout the narrative.
The novel’s recurring imagery of water and the heron creates a dreamlike atmosphere that lingers long after reading. These symbols give the story an almost mythical quality, reinforcing themes of identity, transformation, and destiny. Wilson’s prose is elegant and immersive, balancing lyrical description with emotional intensity.
At its heart, These Mortal Bodies is about belonging: the lengths people will go to for connection, the danger of losing oneself in the pursuit of acceptance, and the complicated power of female friendship and sisterhood. The ending leaves readers reflecting on whether destiny shapes identity or whether identity is forged through choice.
What makes the novel especially powerful is Ivy herself. She is not written as a stereotypical outsider; instead, Elspeth Wilson creates a protagonist who is intelligent, observant, vulnerable, and deeply human. Ivy’s struggle to navigate wealth, privilege, and unspoken social rules feels authentic, and her longing for acceptance is both heartbreaking and relatable. Her neurodivergence is portrayed with sensitivity, shaping her perspective without defining her entirely.
The university setting is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Wilson captures the seductive allure of ancient traditions, secret societies, and inherited power while also exposing the exclusivity and quiet cruelty hidden beneath the surface. The parallels between the institution’s dark history and Ivy’s present-day experiences add layers of tension and mystery throughout the narrative.
The novel’s recurring imagery of water and the heron creates a dreamlike atmosphere that lingers long after reading. These symbols give the story an almost mythical quality, reinforcing themes of identity, transformation, and destiny. Wilson’s prose is elegant and immersive, balancing lyrical description with emotional intensity.
At its heart, These Mortal Bodies is about belonging: the lengths people will go to for connection, the danger of losing oneself in the pursuit of acceptance, and the complicated power of female friendship and sisterhood. The ending leaves readers reflecting on whether destiny shapes identity or whether identity is forged through choice.
Did Not Finish
August 10, 2025[ad/gifted] These Mortal Bodies by Elspeth Wilson*, a review📚
*This ebook was gifted to me through @netgalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
synopsis: Leaving behind her childhood in coastal Scotland, neurodivergent Ivy Graveson arrives at a prestigious university and throws herself into the deep end of life on campus.
Though her fellow students all seem to come from money and to have known each other their whole lives, outsider Ivy is determined to belong. She embraces the world of secret societies, and as she discovers the legacy of her college, the parallels between its past and her present become striking. Because however hard she tries to ignore it, Ivy has always felt one with water and her own personal talisman, a heron, is never far away.
In just one life-changing year in these hallowed halls, Ivy will have to decide how much sisterhood means to her and how far she’ll go to become the person she was destined to be..🔍
rating: no rating/dnf😶
review: Unfortunately this book just did not give me what I wanted. I was really excited for this as I love a dark academia novel, however the writing style of this one just did not work for me and I found the structure to be extremely choppy and unorganised which led to me ultimately stop reading the novel. However, I think if you like a spooky atmosphere/campus setting and a seemingly unreliable narrator (I cannot vouch for this 100% as I did not finish the novel however the portion I did read did allude to this) then you should give this one a go!🖤
Thank you very much to @netgalley , the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review!
*This ebook was gifted to me through @netgalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
synopsis: Leaving behind her childhood in coastal Scotland, neurodivergent Ivy Graveson arrives at a prestigious university and throws herself into the deep end of life on campus.
Though her fellow students all seem to come from money and to have known each other their whole lives, outsider Ivy is determined to belong. She embraces the world of secret societies, and as she discovers the legacy of her college, the parallels between its past and her present become striking. Because however hard she tries to ignore it, Ivy has always felt one with water and her own personal talisman, a heron, is never far away.
In just one life-changing year in these hallowed halls, Ivy will have to decide how much sisterhood means to her and how far she’ll go to become the person she was destined to be..🔍
rating: no rating/dnf😶
review: Unfortunately this book just did not give me what I wanted. I was really excited for this as I love a dark academia novel, however the writing style of this one just did not work for me and I found the structure to be extremely choppy and unorganised which led to me ultimately stop reading the novel. However, I think if you like a spooky atmosphere/campus setting and a seemingly unreliable narrator (I cannot vouch for this 100% as I did not finish the novel however the portion I did read did allude to this) then you should give this one a go!🖤
Thank you very much to @netgalley , the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review!
April 18, 2025
A light grey academia-lite
—
Ivy leaves behind her hometown and a tragic incident to start at an (annoyingly) unspecified collegiate university. There she meets new female friends and together they join a drinking society with links to an historic coven allied to her women’s college, while university life swirls them up and spits them out of heartbreak, parties and academia.
Ivy is supposedly coded as neurodivergent but on the page this doesn’t come across (read the brilliant Life Hacks for a Little Alien for an awe-inspiring depiction of neurodivergence); perhaps she is so grief-stricken by the (at first) undefined tragedy that her emotions are dialled down and therefore susceptible to others’ dominating personalities, but the writing gives few clues. Although the age of the characters is 18+ and much of the thematic subjects are clearly adult-oriented, this read as more of a YA novel, and a not very well put together one. The historic coven is threaded throughout but simply as a flourish, not a signal of any genre crossing, and instead the focus is on the relationships between Ivy and her new friends, with barely any mention of her life before university, or anything that might come after.
This wants to be the Life and Death Brigade meets Mean Girls but fails to reach even that relatively low bar. The themes and subjects could have formed the basis of a true dark academia novel, one where Ivy’s responsibility for the past tragedy echoes into her new present, a Carrie redux if you like, but this feels like a missed opportunity.
—
Ivy leaves behind her hometown and a tragic incident to start at an (annoyingly) unspecified collegiate university. There she meets new female friends and together they join a drinking society with links to an historic coven allied to her women’s college, while university life swirls them up and spits them out of heartbreak, parties and academia.
Ivy is supposedly coded as neurodivergent but on the page this doesn’t come across (read the brilliant Life Hacks for a Little Alien for an awe-inspiring depiction of neurodivergence); perhaps she is so grief-stricken by the (at first) undefined tragedy that her emotions are dialled down and therefore susceptible to others’ dominating personalities, but the writing gives few clues. Although the age of the characters is 18+ and much of the thematic subjects are clearly adult-oriented, this read as more of a YA novel, and a not very well put together one. The historic coven is threaded throughout but simply as a flourish, not a signal of any genre crossing, and instead the focus is on the relationships between Ivy and her new friends, with barely any mention of her life before university, or anything that might come after.
This wants to be the Life and Death Brigade meets Mean Girls but fails to reach even that relatively low bar. The themes and subjects could have formed the basis of a true dark academia novel, one where Ivy’s responsibility for the past tragedy echoes into her new present, a Carrie redux if you like, but this feels like a missed opportunity.
August 3, 2026
I got this book while in Scotland, looking for something which captured the dark academia and witchcraft intertwined with Scottish. I wasn’t disappointed. The book created a palpable atmosphere, extremely vivid. This would be an incredible read for the fall.
However, my issue lies with the plot. While the book didnt lack in vibes, that seems to be largely all it had. I saw myself in the main character at first, relating to Ivy’s anxieties, but as the book went on it seemed her emotional repression was favoured over any growth. Ultimately, George’s death at the end of the book serves as a closing-by-return, though this time Ivy is directly responsible. She struggles with this, but not in the same way she has with Cara’s death, and she even seems to make strides towards forgiving herself, as this time the person who died served the sisterhood in doing so.
I have too many unanswered questions to give this book higher than a 3.5, though maybe thats the author’s intention. Were George and Martha’s drinks spiked by the Presidents the night they slept together, as a means to cause Ivy and George to break up? What is Martha’s story as it relates to those seizures? Why did it seem that the spell wore off of Agatha as time went on? Was Ivy just descending into madness with the spells? What actually happened leading up to Cara’s death?
Overall, a very atmospheric read!
However, my issue lies with the plot. While the book didnt lack in vibes, that seems to be largely all it had. I saw myself in the main character at first, relating to Ivy’s anxieties, but as the book went on it seemed her emotional repression was favoured over any growth. Ultimately, George’s death at the end of the book serves as a closing-by-return, though this time Ivy is directly responsible. She struggles with this, but not in the same way she has with Cara’s death, and she even seems to make strides towards forgiving herself, as this time the person who died served the sisterhood in doing so.
I have too many unanswered questions to give this book higher than a 3.5, though maybe thats the author’s intention. Were George and Martha’s drinks spiked by the Presidents the night they slept together, as a means to cause Ivy and George to break up? What is Martha’s story as it relates to those seizures? Why did it seem that the spell wore off of Agatha as time went on? Was Ivy just descending into madness with the spells? What actually happened leading up to Cara’s death?
Overall, a very atmospheric read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
Thank you Simon & Schuster UK, and Netgalley for this ARC.
This was a really interesting look into sisterhood through the lens of new age dark academia. I must admit, it was a bit of a tough ride. When I first read the synopsis, I was hooked—it sounded right up my street. However, it took a while for me to truly settle into the story.
The book is definitely character driven, and as I am someone who needs a bit of world building in my life, I felt that aspect was lacking. The characters gave off Mean Girls/The Craft vibes, but our FMC didn’t really evolve as the story progressed. In fact, she seemed to lose herself even more in her desire to be wanted and loved—especially by her friends.
What I did love was the detailed history of witchcraft, the secret societies, and their rituals. That’s where the real magic of the book lay for me, and I wish those elements had been developed further.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I wasn’t completely blown away, but I’m definitely curious to see what else the author has to offer. There were moments that really intrigued me, but others that fell a bit flat.
This was a really interesting look into sisterhood through the lens of new age dark academia. I must admit, it was a bit of a tough ride. When I first read the synopsis, I was hooked—it sounded right up my street. However, it took a while for me to truly settle into the story.
The book is definitely character driven, and as I am someone who needs a bit of world building in my life, I felt that aspect was lacking. The characters gave off Mean Girls/The Craft vibes, but our FMC didn’t really evolve as the story progressed. In fact, she seemed to lose herself even more in her desire to be wanted and loved—especially by her friends.
What I did love was the detailed history of witchcraft, the secret societies, and their rituals. That’s where the real magic of the book lay for me, and I wish those elements had been developed further.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I wasn’t completely blown away, but I’m definitely curious to see what else the author has to offer. There were moments that really intrigued me, but others that fell a bit flat.
July 28, 2025
This book had everything in it that usually would really hit the mark for me. Dark Academia, history of witchcraft, women led colleges as well as battling toxic friendships and relationships with each other. I am unsure if this is leading up to a sequel or if this will be the start of a longer series which may lend to reasons this book for me felt a little unfinished. But that doesn't mean that this book doesn't have great merits!
I loved that these witches that are part of a secret society which I thought was a nod to the story of the sisters killed during witch trials. As you'd expect with these kinds of secret societies, this is where the toxicity of relationships are creeping in. They're toxic with a large dose of treachery.
These Mortal Bodies really does embody the "slow burn" as most of the real action in this story seems to kick into gear towards the final quarter of the book.
A huge thank you to netgalley and simon & schuster for these reader copy and should there be a follow up for this book I will look that up also.
I loved that these witches that are part of a secret society which I thought was a nod to the story of the sisters killed during witch trials. As you'd expect with these kinds of secret societies, this is where the toxicity of relationships are creeping in. They're toxic with a large dose of treachery.
These Mortal Bodies really does embody the "slow burn" as most of the real action in this story seems to kick into gear towards the final quarter of the book.
A huge thank you to netgalley and simon & schuster for these reader copy and should there be a follow up for this book I will look that up also.
August 11, 2025
This is a story about belonging, obsession and class-conflict, so, unsurprisingly, the blurb stood out to me.
I was immediately hooked by the delicious, dark atmosphere and I love how Wilson writes about nature, threading imagery into her writing to build tension.
However, I felt like there needed to be more plot and more drama as payoff for all the initial world-building.
The concept for the novel is brilliant but I’m not sure if it really gets to the heart of the issues it presents, partly because there aren’t many consequences for the main character so she isn’t able to learn from her actions (she just gets more immersed in her behaviour).
Overall, I’m giving this novel four stars because I really enjoyed reading it, which is a feeling I haven’t had much this year.
Read my full review on my blog
aminasbookshelf.com and check out IG/Tiktok @aminasbookshelf
for more book reviews and recommendations
I was immediately hooked by the delicious, dark atmosphere and I love how Wilson writes about nature, threading imagery into her writing to build tension.
However, I felt like there needed to be more plot and more drama as payoff for all the initial world-building.
The concept for the novel is brilliant but I’m not sure if it really gets to the heart of the issues it presents, partly because there aren’t many consequences for the main character so she isn’t able to learn from her actions (she just gets more immersed in her behaviour).
Overall, I’m giving this novel four stars because I really enjoyed reading it, which is a feeling I haven’t had much this year.
Read my full review on my blog
aminasbookshelf.com and check out IG/Tiktok @aminasbookshelf
for more book reviews and recommendations
February 5, 2025
Ivy leaves behind her childhood town, after her friend died in a tragic accident. Ivy is so desperate to fit in with the students at her new college, and is easily lead a stray. She becomes apart of a Sisterhood, which in my opinion leads her down the wrong path, where she makes the wrong choices. I enjoyed the links to the ancestral witches. That being said, I was left wanting more from this book. There were hints at Witchcraft - But nothing really came of it. I wish the mentions of the witches and their sisterhood could have evolved into something more supernatural, given the title of the book. I enjoyed reading this book, but wish it was less teen drama and heavier on the witch side of things. I hope to see another book, where Elspeth tells us more about the Witches mentioned.
My favourite quote from this book was;
"Leaves fall around us. We dance as they fall, knowing that we will see them in bud again soon enough."
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC.
My favourite quote from this book was;
"Leaves fall around us. We dance as they fall, knowing that we will see them in bud again soon enough."
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC.
June 19, 2025
I was really looking forward to this book but unfortunately it failed to hit the mark for me. While I could grasp the intent of where the book was trying to go with the academia element, it just wasn’t compelling. It felt flat and honestly quite boring.
The way Cara was introduced had me believing she’d have more to give to the story, it piqued my interest, but alas she was only there to give meaning to some mental trauma for Ivy. it really felt like a missed opportunity.
Nothing really happened until 80% through and even then it was left wanting. It didn’t feel like any of the elements of the book were fully explored, just touched on leaving me wondering what was the real story here. The blurb claimed Ivy was neurodivergent but was she really?
I feel like this has the potential to be a really good book but as it is it’s just not there.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read this title.
2.5/5
The way Cara was introduced had me believing she’d have more to give to the story, it piqued my interest, but alas she was only there to give meaning to some mental trauma for Ivy. it really felt like a missed opportunity.
Nothing really happened until 80% through and even then it was left wanting. It didn’t feel like any of the elements of the book were fully explored, just touched on leaving me wondering what was the real story here. The blurb claimed Ivy was neurodivergent but was she really?
I feel like this has the potential to be a really good book but as it is it’s just not there.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read this title.
2.5/5
September 25, 2025
Rating this is really hard because I enjoyed listening to the audio, the narrator was great and it was a good reading experience, but I can’t say I’d recommend the book to anyone. There’s nothing necessarily “wrong” with it, I liked the writing, it was atmospheric, it simply didn’t go anywhere…
Like other reviewers have mentioned, you’re waiting for a big reveal, something from Ivy’s past and the history of the school, but it never comes. The ending had me frowning in a “is that it?” kind of way.
Even as a character driven story, Ivy just isn’t compelling enough to keep the narrative going, and honestly I was never quite sure what the narrative was. Is it about female friendship, is it a coming of age, is it an exploration of class, is it about witches?! It could have been all those things, and maybe that’s what it was trying to do, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me.
Three stars for the writing and the audio performance, but if I’d eyeball read this I think I’d have DNF.
Like other reviewers have mentioned, you’re waiting for a big reveal, something from Ivy’s past and the history of the school, but it never comes. The ending had me frowning in a “is that it?” kind of way.
Even as a character driven story, Ivy just isn’t compelling enough to keep the narrative going, and honestly I was never quite sure what the narrative was. Is it about female friendship, is it a coming of age, is it an exploration of class, is it about witches?! It could have been all those things, and maybe that’s what it was trying to do, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me.
Three stars for the writing and the audio performance, but if I’d eyeball read this I think I’d have DNF.
Did Not Finish
June 7, 2025I wish I had better things to say about this book but unfortunately, I struggled to get through it before ultimately DNFing it. Going in, I thought this would be atmospheric and dark (especially with that gorgeous cover!) but the story lacked in both these aspects.
I was looking forward to starting this but the further I got into it, the more it fell flat. It's long in a, doesn't *actually* go anywhere kind of way, and the main character didn't feel fleshed out. For this reason, it was very difficult to make myself care about her point of view or anything that happened to her. Furthermore, Ivy is a neurodivergent character who doesn't come across as being neurodivergent.
Unfortunately, this isn't a book I'd want to finish or recommend. All the same, thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for the opportunity to review it.
I was looking forward to starting this but the further I got into it, the more it fell flat. It's long in a, doesn't *actually* go anywhere kind of way, and the main character didn't feel fleshed out. For this reason, it was very difficult to make myself care about her point of view or anything that happened to her. Furthermore, Ivy is a neurodivergent character who doesn't come across as being neurodivergent.
Unfortunately, this isn't a book I'd want to finish or recommend. All the same, thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for the opportunity to review it.
August 26, 2024
These Mortal Bodies is an eerie, empowering dark academia novel about female friendship, obsession and finding the power within. It reminded me of the witchy history of Weyward by Emilia Hart, the lust and female obsession in Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth which I loved. Ivy is also a great new addition to neurodivergent heroines in fiction even though she isn't labelled as such on the page.
This book bewitched me from the very first page. I particularly love the ambiguity in the story – we're never quite sure if the magic is real or not. But what is real – and something we can all relate to – is the comfort to be found in small rituals, and the sheer power of finally finding, and connecting with, your people. It made me yearn to be part of a community like the Coven!
This book bewitched me from the very first page. I particularly love the ambiguity in the story – we're never quite sure if the magic is real or not. But what is real – and something we can all relate to – is the comfort to be found in small rituals, and the sheer power of finally finding, and connecting with, your people. It made me yearn to be part of a community like the Coven!
May 15, 2025
I did enjoy this as the aspects of the sisterhood and relation to the coven was nicely done but other than that the overall plot kind of just fell..flat.
Ivy is described as neurodivergent, but as a fellow neurodivergent, ivy doesn’t come across as such, she’s gone through trauma and is having trouble processing it with a sprinkle of very briefly mentioned anxiety that is “healed” through sisterhood of the coven.
The use of educational settings throughout was good but could of been better, there’s constant moments where we are told Ivy is at college when she is actually in university (it didn’t bother me until I really noticed it and now I can’t unsee it)
I’d still recommend this if you’re interested in Dark Academia and witches but that’s about it
Ivy is described as neurodivergent, but as a fellow neurodivergent, ivy doesn’t come across as such, she’s gone through trauma and is having trouble processing it with a sprinkle of very briefly mentioned anxiety that is “healed” through sisterhood of the coven.
The use of educational settings throughout was good but could of been better, there’s constant moments where we are told Ivy is at college when she is actually in university (it didn’t bother me until I really noticed it and now I can’t unsee it)
I’d still recommend this if you’re interested in Dark Academia and witches but that’s about it
July 3, 2025
I was excited to read this book after hearing the author speak about it on a panel at Cymera. I was intrigued by the premise and it didn’t disappoint! I didn’t want to put it down (I had to at times, otherwise I would have finished it even faster). I loved the descriptions of the college, the town and the natural world surrounding them. Ivy’s feeling of being an outsider was deeply relatable (an at times uncomfortable truth, given the choices the character makes, but the truth nonetheless). The way the author wove the history of women’s persecution in with the peculiarities of modern day secret societies (something I didn’t know existed!) fascinated me. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future works by this author.
December 4, 2025
God forbid women have hobbies.
I really enjoyed this book! It was very reminiscent of the craft or the heathers. Dark academia and weird girl lit fic rolled into one.
I enjoyed how the writing was a little disjointed. I think it gave Ivy's character more credibility as an unreliable narrator. It adds a kind of tension where you're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I did fall into a mini slump about 70% of the way through and found it a little harder to read. Without giving away spoilers there's a kind of fight between some characters and I thought the pacing of the story slowed down a lot directly after that.
The last 100 pages and the ending was so satisfying so I'm very glad I powered through the slump!
I'd low key love a prequel...
I really enjoyed this book! It was very reminiscent of the craft or the heathers. Dark academia and weird girl lit fic rolled into one.
I enjoyed how the writing was a little disjointed. I think it gave Ivy's character more credibility as an unreliable narrator. It adds a kind of tension where you're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I did fall into a mini slump about 70% of the way through and found it a little harder to read. Without giving away spoilers there's a kind of fight between some characters and I thought the pacing of the story slowed down a lot directly after that.
The last 100 pages and the ending was so satisfying so I'm very glad I powered through the slump!
I'd low key love a prequel...
October 19, 2024
I wanted to love this but just couldn’t get into it at all. I found the main character vapid and annoying; the language was confusing and I kept having to pull myself back into the prose instead of having it pull me in and become engrossed.
I didn’t attend oxbridge and didn’t understand a lot of those references / lost on me perhaps. But as a grad of a UK university you’d have thought they’d be somewhat familiar. Hated the ‘bop’ term.
And the story just sort of didn’t go anywhere for ages. I found the interactions between characters shallow.
Just no. I’m sorry.
Thank you to netgalley and publishers for the ARC of this book. Maybe next time!
I didn’t attend oxbridge and didn’t understand a lot of those references / lost on me perhaps. But as a grad of a UK university you’d have thought they’d be somewhat familiar. Hated the ‘bop’ term.
And the story just sort of didn’t go anywhere for ages. I found the interactions between characters shallow.
Just no. I’m sorry.
Thank you to netgalley and publishers for the ARC of this book. Maybe next time!
February 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
As much as I wanted to hate Ivy, I (disappointingly) related to her experiences with Martha and George - except I cut my toxic friends out 🤣 she was annoyingly desperate for friends and it just led her to ignore EVERY red flag they gave.
Despite being the main character, we never see a background to Ivy’s home life (her mums illness, the friendship and loss of Cara). I felt detached from her, as the things that made her were never explored.
I was excited for some witchy vibes, but there wasn’t as much as I expected. It was an easy read, with minimal drama but I wanted more from this.
NetGalley ARC
As much as I wanted to hate Ivy, I (disappointingly) related to her experiences with Martha and George - except I cut my toxic friends out 🤣 she was annoyingly desperate for friends and it just led her to ignore EVERY red flag they gave.
Despite being the main character, we never see a background to Ivy’s home life (her mums illness, the friendship and loss of Cara). I felt detached from her, as the things that made her were never explored.
I was excited for some witchy vibes, but there wasn’t as much as I expected. It was an easy read, with minimal drama but I wanted more from this.
NetGalley ARC
July 15, 2025
Leaving behind her childhood in coastal Scotland, neurodivergent Ivy Graveson arrives at a prestigious university and throws herself into the deep end of life on campus.
Though her fellow students all seem to come from money and to have known each other their whole lives, outsider Ivy is determined to belong. She embraces the world of secret societies, and as she discovers the legacy of her college, the parallels between its past and her present become striking.
I think the writing is wonderful. The way the narrator describes feelings and situations is excellent. It’s quite a slow burn that doesn’t quite ignite, sadly.
Though her fellow students all seem to come from money and to have known each other their whole lives, outsider Ivy is determined to belong. She embraces the world of secret societies, and as she discovers the legacy of her college, the parallels between its past and her present become striking.
I think the writing is wonderful. The way the narrator describes feelings and situations is excellent. It’s quite a slow burn that doesn’t quite ignite, sadly.
November 8, 2025
On paper, this looks like the kind of book I’d love. Dark academia, a fictional college with a history steeped in witchcraft and secret societies, and a female friendship group with staying power. In reality I was just a bit underwhelmed.
There’s some good stuff here, it’s a well written book, with an interesting protagonist with a secret she’s keeping. I liked the sense of being away from home and finding yourself a new identity or becoming your true self. I think perhaps the book could just have been a bit less meandering.
I mostly enjoyed this, and look forward to seeing what the author does next. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
There’s some good stuff here, it’s a well written book, with an interesting protagonist with a secret she’s keeping. I liked the sense of being away from home and finding yourself a new identity or becoming your true self. I think perhaps the book could just have been a bit less meandering.
I mostly enjoyed this, and look forward to seeing what the author does next. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
September 13, 2026
The protagonist of this novel, Ivy, attends an all-girls college, makes some friends, and gets a boyfriend, who she later falls out with. The book was often well-written but the plot was very dull, such that it was a chore to read.
The college contains secret societies with hints of the occult, and at several points, I thought that either a fantasy element was going to be introduced or a cult/conspiracy. However, the secret societies turned out to just be clubs with silly names where rich teenagers go drinking. I'm unsure why the author didn't make something of these, as without them, the entire novel comprises of descriptions of vapid teenagers writing essays and arguing.
The college contains secret societies with hints of the occult, and at several points, I thought that either a fantasy element was going to be introduced or a cult/conspiracy. However, the secret societies turned out to just be clubs with silly names where rich teenagers go drinking. I'm unsure why the author didn't make something of these, as without them, the entire novel comprises of descriptions of vapid teenagers writing essays and arguing.
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