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When We Were Monsters
Åtta elever har valts ut för att delta i en skrivkurs med Meredith Graffam, en omsusad, mytomspunnen författare, tillika regissör och skådespelare. En av dem är Effy, vars pappa sitter i fängelse för att ha kört ihjäl hennes mamma. En annan är Arlo, som just förlorat sin bästa vän. Två år tidigare var Effy och Arlo stormande förälskade i varandra. Nu ska de tillbringa sexton dygn i samma hus, isolerade från omvärlden, omgivna av snötäckta skogar och ett stormigt hav. Vid kursens slut ska Graffam välja en av de åtta deltagarna, och hjälpa denne att förverkliga sitt kreativa projekt. Få sin roman utgiven, sin långfilm inspelad, sin pjäs uppsatt. Sin dröm uppfylld. För att imponera på Graffam pressar eleverna sig till bristningsgränsen, tar farliga risker och avslöjar sina mörkaste hemligheter. Men den mörkaste hemligheten tillhör deras lärare.
När vi var monster är en vibrerande psykologisk thriller i dark academia-miljö. Det är en berättelse om de monster som lever bland oss, i oss, och vad vi är beredda att göra för att försonas med vårt förflutna.
När vi var monster är en vibrerande psykologisk thriller i dark academia-miljö. Det är en berättelse om de monster som lever bland oss, i oss, och vad vi är beredda att göra för att försonas med vårt förflutna.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2025
235 people are currently reading
15055 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Niven
25 books15.1k followersJENNIFER NIVEN is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of All the Bright Places, Holding Up the Universe, and Breathless. Her books have been translated in over 75 languages and have won literary awards around the world.
An Emmy-award winning screenwriter, she co-wrote the script for the All the Bright Places movie— currently streaming on Netflix and starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. She is also the author of several narrative nonfiction titles and the Velva Jean historical fiction series.
Her latest YA novel, When We Were Monsters, was published September 2, and she has an adult novel-- Meet the Newmans-- releasing January 6, 2026.
Jennifer divides her time between coastal Georgia and Los Angeles with her husband and literary cats.
An Emmy-award winning screenwriter, she co-wrote the script for the All the Bright Places movie— currently streaming on Netflix and starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. She is also the author of several narrative nonfiction titles and the Velva Jean historical fiction series.
Her latest YA novel, When We Were Monsters, was published September 2, and she has an adult novel-- Meet the Newmans-- releasing January 6, 2026.
Jennifer divides her time between coastal Georgia and Los Angeles with her husband and literary cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
October 13, 2025
Before diving into this one, I skimmed a few mixed reviews—but the premise had already hooked me. A dark academia setting, an eerie mansion cut off from civilization during a storm, and a group of ambitious young writers competing for a life-changing opportunity? Yes, please! Add Jennifer Niven’s name to the cover—whose past works I’ve enjoyed—and I was sold. I went in with high hopes and braced myself for a slow-burn thriller, and that’s exactly what I got (with some surprises along the way).
Interestingly, I happened to be watching Nine Perfect Strangers season two while reading this, and I couldn't ignore the uncanny similarities. This felt like a younger, more literary twist on that concept—a YA version set in a hauntingly atmospheric writing retreat instead of a wellness spa, run by a woman who’s just as enigmatic and unsettling. Eight talented students are invited to this prestigious and highly secretive program, led by the one and only Meredith Graffam—a multi-award-winning author, playwright, filmmaker, and actress with a notorious past. There’s scandal clinging to her name, from a possible wrongful conviction tied to her best friend’s death to accusations of plagiarizing her bestselling book from her ex-husband. And yet, despite the rumors (or perhaps because of them), her mystique and influence make her irresistible to young writers.
The competition she proposes is bold: one of these students will walk away with a $15,000 scholarship and the chance to see their work adapted for publication or the screen. That dream alone is enough to make anyone ignore the red flags. But as soon as the retreat begins, Meredith’s methods spiral from eccentric to extreme. She demands emotional vulnerability, confession, and fear-facing tasks that veer into the terrifying—like leaping from dangerous heights or standing in the path of speeding traffic. And those are just the milder examples.
From the very beginning, I was especially drawn to the dual POVs of Effy Green and Arlo Ellis-Noon. Effy is a character with a heavy past—her father killed her mother in a drunk driving accident, served prison time, and was recently released. She's lived a quiet, emotionally contained life with her grandmother, and writing has always been her outlet. When she gets accepted into the retreat alongside her best friend Ness (a shy, perceptive scholarship student with major wallflower vibes), she’s shocked to find Arlo there too—the boy who once humiliated her, ghosted her, and still manages to stir up complicated feelings. Their chemistry, buried history, and unresolved tension added an engaging emotional layer that I really enjoyed watching unfold.
Arlo, for his part, is a classic tortured genius: clever, sarcastic, hiding grief and guilt over the loss of his best friend Jonah. He wants redemption, maybe even reconciliation—with both his family and Effy. Their connection isn’t just romantic tension; it’s layered with heartbreak, unfinished conversations, and trust slowly being rebuilt.
The rest of the group is a mix of personalities that keeps the story on edge. There's arrogant, polished Isaac Williams—who sees the retreat as his birthright; nosy and brash Peter Tobin—who brings all the chaotic energy of a tabloid heir; Leela Kim—determined to step out of her twin’s shadow and forge her own path; Ramon Santos—queer, principled, and constantly on the outside looking in; and Joey Fiske—who, admittedly, felt a little underdeveloped and didn’t leave much of an impression.
As the days unfold and Meredith’s psychological games intensify, students begin to unravel, secrets come to light, and the boundary between mentorship and manipulation grows dangerously thin. The atmosphere becomes increasingly claustrophobic, tension rises, and the creeping sense of dread—something I always appreciate in thrillers—settles in like fog over the estate. The looming mystery of what’s really going on keeps you guessing: is Meredith a genius with unconventional (albeit disturbing) methods, or is she completely unhinged? Is the competition even real? Or are they just pawns in some elaborate personal experiment?
While the setup was compelling and the characters intriguing, I’ll be honest—the pacing dragged quite a bit in the first half. I had to push myself through some slower sections that leaned heavily into introspection and emotional backstory. It’s not a flaw per se, but it did affect my overall engagement. That said, once the second half kicks in, the stakes intensify, the twists arrive, and the plot tightens into a suspenseful, high-stakes climax that was well worth the wait.
The strength of this novel lies in its chilling atmosphere, emotionally layered characters, and the way it plays with themes of ambition, fear, trauma, and identity. There’s a deliciously sinister edge to it all—the kind of book that makes you feel like something is watching from the shadows, waiting to pounce.
Overall, I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to a solid 4. This is a dark, eccentric, and moody YA thriller that will definitely appeal to readers who love locked-room mysteries, unsettling mentorship dynamics, and slow-burn psychological unravelings. If you have patience and a taste for character-driven storytelling with a touch of the macabre, it’s worth checking out.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Knopf Books for Young Readers for sharing this hauntingly unique digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts!
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Interestingly, I happened to be watching Nine Perfect Strangers season two while reading this, and I couldn't ignore the uncanny similarities. This felt like a younger, more literary twist on that concept—a YA version set in a hauntingly atmospheric writing retreat instead of a wellness spa, run by a woman who’s just as enigmatic and unsettling. Eight talented students are invited to this prestigious and highly secretive program, led by the one and only Meredith Graffam—a multi-award-winning author, playwright, filmmaker, and actress with a notorious past. There’s scandal clinging to her name, from a possible wrongful conviction tied to her best friend’s death to accusations of plagiarizing her bestselling book from her ex-husband. And yet, despite the rumors (or perhaps because of them), her mystique and influence make her irresistible to young writers.
The competition she proposes is bold: one of these students will walk away with a $15,000 scholarship and the chance to see their work adapted for publication or the screen. That dream alone is enough to make anyone ignore the red flags. But as soon as the retreat begins, Meredith’s methods spiral from eccentric to extreme. She demands emotional vulnerability, confession, and fear-facing tasks that veer into the terrifying—like leaping from dangerous heights or standing in the path of speeding traffic. And those are just the milder examples.
From the very beginning, I was especially drawn to the dual POVs of Effy Green and Arlo Ellis-Noon. Effy is a character with a heavy past—her father killed her mother in a drunk driving accident, served prison time, and was recently released. She's lived a quiet, emotionally contained life with her grandmother, and writing has always been her outlet. When she gets accepted into the retreat alongside her best friend Ness (a shy, perceptive scholarship student with major wallflower vibes), she’s shocked to find Arlo there too—the boy who once humiliated her, ghosted her, and still manages to stir up complicated feelings. Their chemistry, buried history, and unresolved tension added an engaging emotional layer that I really enjoyed watching unfold.
Arlo, for his part, is a classic tortured genius: clever, sarcastic, hiding grief and guilt over the loss of his best friend Jonah. He wants redemption, maybe even reconciliation—with both his family and Effy. Their connection isn’t just romantic tension; it’s layered with heartbreak, unfinished conversations, and trust slowly being rebuilt.
The rest of the group is a mix of personalities that keeps the story on edge. There's arrogant, polished Isaac Williams—who sees the retreat as his birthright; nosy and brash Peter Tobin—who brings all the chaotic energy of a tabloid heir; Leela Kim—determined to step out of her twin’s shadow and forge her own path; Ramon Santos—queer, principled, and constantly on the outside looking in; and Joey Fiske—who, admittedly, felt a little underdeveloped and didn’t leave much of an impression.
As the days unfold and Meredith’s psychological games intensify, students begin to unravel, secrets come to light, and the boundary between mentorship and manipulation grows dangerously thin. The atmosphere becomes increasingly claustrophobic, tension rises, and the creeping sense of dread—something I always appreciate in thrillers—settles in like fog over the estate. The looming mystery of what’s really going on keeps you guessing: is Meredith a genius with unconventional (albeit disturbing) methods, or is she completely unhinged? Is the competition even real? Or are they just pawns in some elaborate personal experiment?
While the setup was compelling and the characters intriguing, I’ll be honest—the pacing dragged quite a bit in the first half. I had to push myself through some slower sections that leaned heavily into introspection and emotional backstory. It’s not a flaw per se, but it did affect my overall engagement. That said, once the second half kicks in, the stakes intensify, the twists arrive, and the plot tightens into a suspenseful, high-stakes climax that was well worth the wait.
The strength of this novel lies in its chilling atmosphere, emotionally layered characters, and the way it plays with themes of ambition, fear, trauma, and identity. There’s a deliciously sinister edge to it all—the kind of book that makes you feel like something is watching from the shadows, waiting to pounce.
Overall, I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to a solid 4. This is a dark, eccentric, and moody YA thriller that will definitely appeal to readers who love locked-room mysteries, unsettling mentorship dynamics, and slow-burn psychological unravelings. If you have patience and a taste for character-driven storytelling with a touch of the macabre, it’s worth checking out.
A huge, heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Knopf Books for Young Readers for sharing this hauntingly unique digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts!
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September 1, 2025
3.5 stars don't you just love it when your teacher is totally and utterly mad
October 6, 2025
girl, i don't care how good of a writer you were, your ass is getting sued to death day 1
edit: i just noticed it sounds like it could be about the author lol, it's about the character. hope you have a nice day Jen 🙂↕️
edit: i just noticed it sounds like it could be about the author lol, it's about the character. hope you have a nice day Jen 🙂↕️
September 28, 2025
I received a copy from NetGalley & Penguin Teen Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately this was nothing like the premise makes it seem. This is largely a (pushing-it) YA romance, with some “mystery/thriller” elements that come and go from the 60% mark onwards.
I think this would have been stronger with only 1 POV instead of 2 alternating, because the FMC and MMC chapters are very hard to tell apart in narration style.
The book starts with the first sentence saying they killed their teacher. I expected some build up, but the house/“dark academic” setting lacked any atmosphere, and we don’t return to this plot until the last 95% of the book. I think the reason why books like “if we were villains” work is because the deaths in question don’t occur at the very end but instead are an obstacle in the mid point forward.
Overall, didn’t deliver on what it promises and the writing wasn’t very engaging.
Unfortunately this was nothing like the premise makes it seem. This is largely a (pushing-it) YA romance, with some “mystery/thriller” elements that come and go from the 60% mark onwards.
I think this would have been stronger with only 1 POV instead of 2 alternating, because the FMC and MMC chapters are very hard to tell apart in narration style.
The book starts with the first sentence saying they killed their teacher. I expected some build up, but the house/“dark academic” setting lacked any atmosphere, and we don’t return to this plot until the last 95% of the book. I think the reason why books like “if we were villains” work is because the deaths in question don’t occur at the very end but instead are an obstacle in the mid point forward.
Overall, didn’t deliver on what it promises and the writing wasn’t very engaging.
September 11, 2025
This work is told from dual POVs. In one of the POVs the character would sporadically use the second person to refer to someone, but other times would remain in the third person. I really disliked this as it felt disjointed and somewhat sloppy. I also disliked that the prologue revealed the big event of the final portion of the book - this greatly took away from tension that could have been present otherwise.
I know this is YA, but I also really disliked the complete turnaround that happened with the "romance." It almost felt like Effie's feelings changed with the turn of a page. But in other instances aside from the romance, it felt like this book took much too long to achieve what it was trying to.
Overall this wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't memorable for me. If you're looking for a YA read that is more like a dark second-chance romance than a mystery/thriller, you may enjoy this one.
I know this is YA, but I also really disliked the complete turnaround that happened with the "romance." It almost felt like Effie's feelings changed with the turn of a page. But in other instances aside from the romance, it felt like this book took much too long to achieve what it was trying to.
Overall this wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't memorable for me. If you're looking for a YA read that is more like a dark second-chance romance than a mystery/thriller, you may enjoy this one.
June 30, 2025
ARC for review. To be published September 2, 2025.
3 stars
At a fancy pants boarding school eight students are selected for a special January term to be taught by multi-hyphenate and massive star (and alum) Meredith Graham. However, Graffam’s methods of instruction are as unusual as she is, and borderline unethical, but she offers so much the students can’t say no.
The book is narrated by two of the students, Effy and Arlo, who have their own history. It’s all a bit intense (not to read about, but definitely too much for high school students to be faced with.) It’s a YA book and young adults will probably like it.
3 stars
At a fancy pants boarding school eight students are selected for a special January term to be taught by multi-hyphenate and massive star (and alum) Meredith Graham. However, Graffam’s methods of instruction are as unusual as she is, and borderline unethical, but she offers so much the students can’t say no.
The book is narrated by two of the students, Effy and Arlo, who have their own history. It’s all a bit intense (not to read about, but definitely too much for high school students to be faced with.) It’s a YA book and young adults will probably like it.
Read
December 15, 2025DNF @20%
I just cannot bring myself to care about anyone or anything happening in this book.
I just cannot bring myself to care about anyone or anything happening in this book.
September 11, 2025
I usually love Jennifer Niven books, but WHEN WE WERE MONSTERS didn’t cut it for me.
The two main characters were well-developed, imperfect, interesting and easy to champion. Niven’s word-building was beautiful and the strongest part of the story.
The ridiculous plot premise was a turn off. A boarding school would never allow a famous writer and actress to run a workshop without any school personnel present. The underwhelming story was slow-paced and held no tension. WHEN WE WERE MONSTERS lacked plot twists and surprises. The bad guy was evident from the beginning.
The two main characters were well-developed, imperfect, interesting and easy to champion. Niven’s word-building was beautiful and the strongest part of the story.
The ridiculous plot premise was a turn off. A boarding school would never allow a famous writer and actress to run a workshop without any school personnel present. The underwhelming story was slow-paced and held no tension. WHEN WE WERE MONSTERS lacked plot twists and surprises. The bad guy was evident from the beginning.
August 17, 2025
Received an ARC from work!
Oh my god. This book literally called my name when we received it in. Upon reading the first line, I was HOOKED. Effy, Arlo, Ness, Issac & Meredith dragged me headfirst into a Dark Academia Wonderland. It is very similar to If We Were Villains, but instead of my love of acting that M.L Rio used as a backdrop for the mystery, Niven uses my other love of writing boot camp for her murders. I didn’t know I needed a book like this until I picked it up, it felt like it was written for me. PRE-ORDER IT NOW!!!
Oh my god. This book literally called my name when we received it in. Upon reading the first line, I was HOOKED. Effy, Arlo, Ness, Issac & Meredith dragged me headfirst into a Dark Academia Wonderland. It is very similar to If We Were Villains, but instead of my love of acting that M.L Rio used as a backdrop for the mystery, Niven uses my other love of writing boot camp for her murders. I didn’t know I needed a book like this until I picked it up, it felt like it was written for me. PRE-ORDER IT NOW!!!
September 18, 2025
3,5/5 ✰
kicking off early autumn the only way i know how : reading a dark academia book. i was immediately absorbed by the atmosphere of the story, by its mysteries and the characters’ complex personalities
i’d say the real asset of this novel is how the power dynamics between the “master” and the students are depicted. it’s always interesting to see how far people are willing to go under the influence of someone they admire… manipulation, power play, darkness and secrets are without a doubt the watchwords of this book
”i don’t want to make myself so goddamn small anymore. (…) i’d like to make myself as large as possible. and i’d like to feel like i belong”
kicking off early autumn the only way i know how : reading a dark academia book. i was immediately absorbed by the atmosphere of the story, by its mysteries and the characters’ complex personalities
i’d say the real asset of this novel is how the power dynamics between the “master” and the students are depicted. it’s always interesting to see how far people are willing to go under the influence of someone they admire… manipulation, power play, darkness and secrets are without a doubt the watchwords of this book
”i don’t want to make myself so goddamn small anymore. (…) i’d like to make myself as large as possible. and i’d like to feel like i belong”
August 30, 2025
4.5⭐️
Surprising no one, this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Jennifer Niven is easily one of my favourite authors and I feel like I’ve waited so long for more of her words.
This is a dark academia young adult psychological thriller. It was atmospheric, spooky, and kept me questioning many things. I both wanted to be there with them and also as far away as possible.
I was captivated by the characters and the details, and the storyline made it hard to put it down.
This was exactly what I hoped for.
Pub Date: Sept 2
Thank you penguinteen for the earc 🤍🤍
Surprising no one, this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Jennifer Niven is easily one of my favourite authors and I feel like I’ve waited so long for more of her words.
This is a dark academia young adult psychological thriller. It was atmospheric, spooky, and kept me questioning many things. I both wanted to be there with them and also as far away as possible.
I was captivated by the characters and the details, and the storyline made it hard to put it down.
This was exactly what I hoped for.
Pub Date: Sept 2
Thank you penguinteen for the earc 🤍🤍
December 12, 2025
3,5 ⭐️
Ich hatte eine richtig gute Zeit mit dem Buch. Hab die prämisse sehr geliebt, Teenager abgeschottet in einem geheimnisvollen Anwesen mit einer Lehrerin die mysteriöse Absichten hat. Leider hatte es für mich auch im Vergleich zu anderen Dark academia Büchern irgendwie keinen richtigen roten Faden. Das „warum?“ wurde meiner Meinung nach zu wenig behandelt. Dafür ging’s im Mittelteil viel um die Romance die dieses Buch gar nicht nötig hatte. Hätte mir so gewünscht mehr über die Beweggründe einzelner Charaktere zu erfahren. So hatte das Buch keinen Plottwist (weil man direkt zu Beginn erfährt, was passiert) und die Tiefe hat gefehlt. Ich würde es aber trotzdem als Einstieg in Dark Academia empfehlen. Aber da ist Luft nach oben!
Ich hatte eine richtig gute Zeit mit dem Buch. Hab die prämisse sehr geliebt, Teenager abgeschottet in einem geheimnisvollen Anwesen mit einer Lehrerin die mysteriöse Absichten hat. Leider hatte es für mich auch im Vergleich zu anderen Dark academia Büchern irgendwie keinen richtigen roten Faden. Das „warum?“ wurde meiner Meinung nach zu wenig behandelt. Dafür ging’s im Mittelteil viel um die Romance die dieses Buch gar nicht nötig hatte. Hätte mir so gewünscht mehr über die Beweggründe einzelner Charaktere zu erfahren. So hatte das Buch keinen Plottwist (weil man direkt zu Beginn erfährt, was passiert) und die Tiefe hat gefehlt. Ich würde es aber trotzdem als Einstieg in Dark Academia empfehlen. Aber da ist Luft nach oben!
November 4, 2025
The author’s obsession with 15 year olds having sex is fucking weird
October 25, 2025
3.75 ⭐
June 10, 2025
All the Bright Places is one of my all-time favorite books so when I saw that Jenifer Niven had a new book coming out, I was so excited! Niven tackles a genre that she loves but has never written. When We Were Monsters is a psychological thriller that explores the concept of free will and both the light and darkness that dwells in each of us. I loved the prose and the interwoven literary references such as the works of Mary Shelley and Sylvia Plath. The setting plays a huge role in providing a dark suspenseful atmosphere. I mean who doesn't love an isolated New England estate on the grounds of an elite boarding school in the middle of the winter where a murder happened many years ago. Eight students were chosen to attend a three-week immersive writing workshop under the mentorship of a highly acclaimed bestselling author, actress, director, and screenwriter. The dual POVs is very interesting especially since Effy and Arlo had a past together. It doesn't take long before it becomes apparent that Meredith, the mentor, is a bit deranged as some of her "lessons" are questionable and even dangerous. Each student feels a personal connection with Meredith, but the lines of trust become blurred as they discover they are being manipulated and pitted against one another. The stakes are high and the winning student at the end of three weeks will win a 15,000 scholarship and have their work published and produced. This is definitely a different version of Jennifer Niven but it's an enjoyable book that is hard to put down.
dnf
November 22, 2025Dnf @14%
I think this is a good book but just not for me because it's too ya for my personal taste! I do think the plot is interesting and a lot of people will enjoy it!
I think this is a good book but just not for me because it's too ya for my personal taste! I do think the plot is interesting and a lot of people will enjoy it!
September 6, 2025
I feel torn about this book. The premise sounded like the perfect blend of two of my favourite books- For Your Own Good but set inside something similar to Catherine House. It did deliver in some places, but missed a lot of the "it factor" these two books had.
↪▶The unhinged teacher felt diluted and comical.
↪▶There was some tension, but it was muddled by the dragging plot.
↪▶The sense of atmosphere was very little.
↪▶The book focused too much on the romance, and there wasn't enough time to pull off the mystery.
↪▶ I didn't know why I felt like the descriptions of the love interest felt so reused, like I've read similar phrases, until I looked up the author. There is something so 2010s about this book, which makes sense now.
↪▶The 15yos didnot read like they were 15. They read more like 20 something.
↪▶ And why do we need explicit descriptions of two 15yos having sex? Yuck 😣
2⭐ It was okay
↪▶The unhinged teacher felt diluted and comical.
↪▶There was some tension, but it was muddled by the dragging plot.
↪▶The sense of atmosphere was very little.
↪▶The book focused too much on the romance, and there wasn't enough time to pull off the mystery.
↪▶ I didn't know why I felt like the descriptions of the love interest felt so reused, like I've read similar phrases, until I looked up the author. There is something so 2010s about this book, which makes sense now.
↪▶The 15yos didnot read like they were 15. They read more like 20 something.
↪▶ And why do we need explicit descriptions of two 15yos having sex? Yuck 😣
2⭐ It was okay
September 9, 2025
Told through the dual POV of students Effy and Arlo, and set within an isolated mansion steeped in gothic imagery and psychological tension. This was a jaw-droppingly suspenseful, Dark Academia Thriller I was completely obsessed with!
It follows a group of students in a competitive storytelling workshop, where its charismatic, and unreliable teacher (Meredith Graffam) attempts to cultivate their grief, trauma and ambition—to shockingly deadly effect.
And I absolutely loved it! Jennifer Niven’s prose was soo atmospheric with a gothic, morally ambiguous undertone that had our characters confronting their own morality, and what they’re willing to do to succeed.
I really enjoyed exploring Effy and Arlo’s POVs, which gave us not only a front row seat to Graffam’s individually tailored manipulations. But also, insight into how two people (each with their own trauma) explore the same toxic environment with different results.
I won’t go into the details in case of spoilers, but I will say Effy and Arlo’s respective experiences were really compelling. Especially in their contrasting vulnerabilities, moral complexities and complicated romantic history.
Though I will say, Meredith Graffam, despite not being a POV character, really steals the show. Mostly due to her unorthodox actions (and unsettling escalations.) But also because she’s such a well written antagonist!
Like an unhinged Mr. Keating (from The Dead Poet’s Society) she manipulates her students into ever more dangerous situations; the chaotic aftermath of which she seemingly thrives on. And in my opinion, perfectly embodies the novel’s overarching theme: what defines a monster, or drives someone to commit monstrous acts.
I don’t think my words can truly do this novel justice! So if you love gothic, dark academia settings, atmospheric tension or morally ambiguous characters (who linger long after you’ve finished.) Then I highly suggest checking this out! But do check the TWs.
Also, thanks to Penguin UK for the proof.
It follows a group of students in a competitive storytelling workshop, where its charismatic, and unreliable teacher (Meredith Graffam) attempts to cultivate their grief, trauma and ambition—to shockingly deadly effect.
And I absolutely loved it! Jennifer Niven’s prose was soo atmospheric with a gothic, morally ambiguous undertone that had our characters confronting their own morality, and what they’re willing to do to succeed.
I really enjoyed exploring Effy and Arlo’s POVs, which gave us not only a front row seat to Graffam’s individually tailored manipulations. But also, insight into how two people (each with their own trauma) explore the same toxic environment with different results.
I won’t go into the details in case of spoilers, but I will say Effy and Arlo’s respective experiences were really compelling. Especially in their contrasting vulnerabilities, moral complexities and complicated romantic history.
Though I will say, Meredith Graffam, despite not being a POV character, really steals the show. Mostly due to her unorthodox actions (and unsettling escalations.) But also because she’s such a well written antagonist!
Like an unhinged Mr. Keating (from The Dead Poet’s Society) she manipulates her students into ever more dangerous situations; the chaotic aftermath of which she seemingly thrives on. And in my opinion, perfectly embodies the novel’s overarching theme: what defines a monster, or drives someone to commit monstrous acts.
I don’t think my words can truly do this novel justice! So if you love gothic, dark academia settings, atmospheric tension or morally ambiguous characters (who linger long after you’ve finished.) Then I highly suggest checking this out! But do check the TWs.
Also, thanks to Penguin UK for the proof.
August 19, 2025
Ambition becomes poison in Jennifer Niven's "When We Were Monsters," a dark academia thriller that kept me awake until 3 AM two nights straight.
The setting alone sells the story: eight talented students isolated in a grand house bordered by ominous woods, filled with antique furniture whispering secrets, and staffed by numbered employees who never meet your eyes. The atmosphere drips with foreboding from page one.
Niven brilliantly crafts characters who initially read as privileged elites but gradually reveal wounds so raw I found myself sympathizing with people I might otherwise despise. Their creative ambitions mask deeper hungers that feel uncomfortably familiar.
The complicated history between Effy and Arlo creates a relationship tightrope that amplifies the competition's stakes. Their unresolved past bleeds into every interaction, making casual conversations dangerous.
Meredith, the mentor, dominates every scene. I watched in horror as these intelligent students fell under her spell despite obvious red flags, her methods growing increasingly disturbing while they cling desperately to her approval.
The challenge scenes blur reality until I questioned what was happening versus what existed in the characters' fraying minds.
As an audiobook, Amanda Stribling's performance captures each character's descent from ambition to desperation with chilling precision.
Fans of "The Secret History," "If We Were Villains," or psychological films like "Black Swan" will find familiar comfort in this discomfort. This is dark academia perfected, where talent corrupts and the pursuit of greatness reveals the monsters we all harbor within.
Special thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for my advance copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.
The setting alone sells the story: eight talented students isolated in a grand house bordered by ominous woods, filled with antique furniture whispering secrets, and staffed by numbered employees who never meet your eyes. The atmosphere drips with foreboding from page one.
Niven brilliantly crafts characters who initially read as privileged elites but gradually reveal wounds so raw I found myself sympathizing with people I might otherwise despise. Their creative ambitions mask deeper hungers that feel uncomfortably familiar.
The complicated history between Effy and Arlo creates a relationship tightrope that amplifies the competition's stakes. Their unresolved past bleeds into every interaction, making casual conversations dangerous.
Meredith, the mentor, dominates every scene. I watched in horror as these intelligent students fell under her spell despite obvious red flags, her methods growing increasingly disturbing while they cling desperately to her approval.
The challenge scenes blur reality until I questioned what was happening versus what existed in the characters' fraying minds.
As an audiobook, Amanda Stribling's performance captures each character's descent from ambition to desperation with chilling precision.
Fans of "The Secret History," "If We Were Villains," or psychological films like "Black Swan" will find familiar comfort in this discomfort. This is dark academia perfected, where talent corrupts and the pursuit of greatness reveals the monsters we all harbor within.
Special thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for my advance copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.
October 13, 2025
Absolutely riveting.
I became absorbed in Niven's writing almost immediately. "When We Were Monsters" is a genre-bender, melding dark academia, murder mystery, thriller, romance and YA. Arlo and Effy are the main narrators, with bits interspersed from their special Jan term teacher. This intensive storytelling course is a three-week stay in a mansion for a select 8 students every year, with a famous guest teacher whose connections could easily land the hopeful high schoolers the careers of their dreams. But this particular Jan term is one for the history books, like the one in 1995 when a student was murdered. Dun dun dun. My only small quibble is that the end seemed to drag a bit, but honestly that's me nitpicking for lack of anything else to find fault in.
The audiobook voices and production are amazing. Snaps all around.
"Frankenstein" is a motif throughout the novel, going along with the themes of monsters (and what makes someone a monster) and fate vs. free will. Definitely a book for book lovers, yet it's such a juicy story that it transcends the nerd-dom and easily appeals to the masses -- after all, who doesn't love a good true crime story? If nothing else, that mystery will definitely pull readers in.
I became absorbed in Niven's writing almost immediately. "When We Were Monsters" is a genre-bender, melding dark academia, murder mystery, thriller, romance and YA. Arlo and Effy are the main narrators, with bits interspersed from their special Jan term teacher. This intensive storytelling course is a three-week stay in a mansion for a select 8 students every year, with a famous guest teacher whose connections could easily land the hopeful high schoolers the careers of their dreams. But this particular Jan term is one for the history books, like the one in 1995 when a student was murdered. Dun dun dun. My only small quibble is that the end seemed to drag a bit, but honestly that's me nitpicking for lack of anything else to find fault in.
The audiobook voices and production are amazing. Snaps all around.
"Frankenstein" is a motif throughout the novel, going along with the themes of monsters (and what makes someone a monster) and fate vs. free will. Definitely a book for book lovers, yet it's such a juicy story that it transcends the nerd-dom and easily appeals to the masses -- after all, who doesn't love a good true crime story? If nothing else, that mystery will definitely pull readers in.
September 16, 2025
A new YA dark academia thriller by @jenniferniven
😈
8 students arrive at an exclusive writing program in the middle of nowhere in a gigantic mansion. Their hostess is Meredith Graffam, an eccentric and controversial writer, director and actress who will be judging their work and at the end of the program will allow only 1 student to win. Effy wants the validation of winning after the loss of her mother and her father’s subsequent imprisonment. She won’t get it from her ex, Arlo, who also shows up to the seminar, three years after ghosting her. As kids are sent home one by one they’re left with their own secrets and the risks Meredith is making them take. Who will be the final one?
🌊
The vibes are perfect for those who love a good fall dark academia book! Fans of The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed or Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson will love this novel. High school young adult readers will adore the atmospheric setting, character depth and twists and turns along the way!
CW: alcohol, drugging, death, murder, blood, death of a parent, imprisonment, grief, suicide, emesis, emotional abuse
It was overly long, but I did enjoy it. 3.5 ⭐️
😈
8 students arrive at an exclusive writing program in the middle of nowhere in a gigantic mansion. Their hostess is Meredith Graffam, an eccentric and controversial writer, director and actress who will be judging their work and at the end of the program will allow only 1 student to win. Effy wants the validation of winning after the loss of her mother and her father’s subsequent imprisonment. She won’t get it from her ex, Arlo, who also shows up to the seminar, three years after ghosting her. As kids are sent home one by one they’re left with their own secrets and the risks Meredith is making them take. Who will be the final one?
🌊
The vibes are perfect for those who love a good fall dark academia book! Fans of The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed or Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson will love this novel. High school young adult readers will adore the atmospheric setting, character depth and twists and turns along the way!
CW: alcohol, drugging, death, murder, blood, death of a parent, imprisonment, grief, suicide, emesis, emotional abuse
It was overly long, but I did enjoy it. 3.5 ⭐️
September 12, 2025
Dark Academia, gothic mansion sets the scene as an elite boarding school.
I am a fan of Jennifers writing, no surprise i flew through this book in one sitting.
8 students have been selected to participate in a three-week immersive writing workshop led by notorious Meredith Graffam - the multi award winning writer, filmmaker and actress. Scandals, rumors and mystery to Meredith are an alluring combination which the 8 young writers cannot resist and accept the invitation.
Nestled away in an isolated gothic setting, the eerie atmosphere is unsettling and ups the tension in this book. We get the POV from Effy and Arlo. It quickly becomes apparent that Meredith - the mentor is unhinged, NQR and her lessons are becoming more questionable and dangerous.
With the students on edge, unsure who to trust its clear they are being manipulated to turn against each other.
I loved the literary references to Mary Shelley and the parallels to Dorian Gray. The pretty portrait wilts and decays showing the true rot beneath.
If you love dark academia psychological thrillers, I highly recommend picking this one up.
Thanks so much to the lovely team and Penguin Teen Australia for my ARC of this fabulous book! Out now across Australia.
I am a fan of Jennifers writing, no surprise i flew through this book in one sitting.
8 students have been selected to participate in a three-week immersive writing workshop led by notorious Meredith Graffam - the multi award winning writer, filmmaker and actress. Scandals, rumors and mystery to Meredith are an alluring combination which the 8 young writers cannot resist and accept the invitation.
Nestled away in an isolated gothic setting, the eerie atmosphere is unsettling and ups the tension in this book. We get the POV from Effy and Arlo. It quickly becomes apparent that Meredith - the mentor is unhinged, NQR and her lessons are becoming more questionable and dangerous.
With the students on edge, unsure who to trust its clear they are being manipulated to turn against each other.
I loved the literary references to Mary Shelley and the parallels to Dorian Gray. The pretty portrait wilts and decays showing the true rot beneath.
If you love dark academia psychological thrillers, I highly recommend picking this one up.
Thanks so much to the lovely team and Penguin Teen Australia for my ARC of this fabulous book! Out now across Australia.
June 15, 2025
The devils in the details and sometimes that’s the fun of it all.
“We Were Monsters” brings 8 students together for a chance to have their work turned into what every art media they desire promising fame and fortune beyond their wildest dreams as long as they impress their mentor, a famous author in her own right and the survivor of an attack on the school during her term but things are not as they seem and as the group gets smaller they find themselves curious as to how much is real and how much is fiction.
I loved this book! What a fun and exciting ride! A lot of literary references are made with a majority being tied to Frankenstein, however I thought the moments teasing Dorian Gray was fantastic in describing this story where the pretty portrait wilts and decays showing the true rot beneath.
All of the characters were fantastic especially as the tension rises and you see how quickly they can turn on each other with Effy and Arlo’s connection being one of the strongest. With two people having that kind of history it would have been easier to play into that pain and anxiety and it was nice to see them work through that, as well as their individual problems, while also dealing with forces that were doing their best to keep them as enemies.
I love dark academia and the psychological element or torture rather they endure is absolutely wild to read and just the eagerness to prove themselves without fully understanding the risks they are taking was such fun and there’s a little bit of a Yellowjackets like moment sprinkled in that I really enjoyed.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
“We Were Monsters” brings 8 students together for a chance to have their work turned into what every art media they desire promising fame and fortune beyond their wildest dreams as long as they impress their mentor, a famous author in her own right and the survivor of an attack on the school during her term but things are not as they seem and as the group gets smaller they find themselves curious as to how much is real and how much is fiction.
I loved this book! What a fun and exciting ride! A lot of literary references are made with a majority being tied to Frankenstein, however I thought the moments teasing Dorian Gray was fantastic in describing this story where the pretty portrait wilts and decays showing the true rot beneath.
All of the characters were fantastic especially as the tension rises and you see how quickly they can turn on each other with Effy and Arlo’s connection being one of the strongest. With two people having that kind of history it would have been easier to play into that pain and anxiety and it was nice to see them work through that, as well as their individual problems, while also dealing with forces that were doing their best to keep them as enemies.
I love dark academia and the psychological element or torture rather they endure is absolutely wild to read and just the eagerness to prove themselves without fully understanding the risks they are taking was such fun and there’s a little bit of a Yellowjackets like moment sprinkled in that I really enjoyed.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
September 14, 2025
I was very intrigued by this book’s premise and was excited to start it immediately once my ARC copy arrived. Seeing the description, it seemed exactly like the kind of story I love reading, especially this time of the year. In some ways, it was, in others it wasn’t really what I was expecting.
I loved the setting, the atmosphere and the overall premise. I also enjoyed the twisted tasks set by Meredith Graffam and the complicated nature of this character. I didn’t trust her at all. However, I went in expecting a murder mystery, but that isn’t what we got. Things start taking a turn only within the last 100 pages or so. I also think the second chance romance between Effy and Arlo moved a bit too quickly.
Rating 3.5⭐️
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC copy. Opinions are my own.
I loved the setting, the atmosphere and the overall premise. I also enjoyed the twisted tasks set by Meredith Graffam and the complicated nature of this character. I didn’t trust her at all. However, I went in expecting a murder mystery, but that isn’t what we got. Things start taking a turn only within the last 100 pages or so. I also think the second chance romance between Effy and Arlo moved a bit too quickly.
Rating 3.5⭐️
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC copy. Opinions are my own.
November 22, 2025
Eight students from an elite boarding school are picked for Jan Term, a few weeks in January where they attend a creative course to realise their full potential. This year's Jan Term is being headed up by Meredith Graffam, an infamous writer and actress who was involved in a scandal from her own time at Jan Term many years ago.
The students all arrive with their own histories and issues that they will be encouraged to work through as they delve deep into their own psyches.
But the house where they are staying has its own history, and secrets are engrained everywhere. As they start to unravel the secrets, what they find will change them forever.
This book is highly atmospheric and the prose is very poetic and profound. The setting of the creepy house was great, and I really enjoyed the creative process shown throughout. I do think that the character of Graffam could have been fleshed out a bit more, I felt a bit of a lack there. It was a great concept but more could have been done with it overall. I think a prequel of the Odds, the original founders, could be great.
I was gifted this book as part of the Penguin YA bookclub readalong.
The students all arrive with their own histories and issues that they will be encouraged to work through as they delve deep into their own psyches.
But the house where they are staying has its own history, and secrets are engrained everywhere. As they start to unravel the secrets, what they find will change them forever.
This book is highly atmospheric and the prose is very poetic and profound. The setting of the creepy house was great, and I really enjoyed the creative process shown throughout. I do think that the character of Graffam could have been fleshed out a bit more, I felt a bit of a lack there. It was a great concept but more could have been done with it overall. I think a prequel of the Odds, the original founders, could be great.
I was gifted this book as part of the Penguin YA bookclub readalong.
August 13, 2025
I love a YA thriller/mystery dark academia book and was so excited to read this one. Jennifer Niven was an author whose books I read as a teen and I was excited to revisit with her latest release. This one had some elements that I really enjoyed and find myself hooked in. But, there were some things that fell flat, like the ending. Also, as a teacher and someone who’s entered their mid-late 20s, I really get uncomfortable with sex scenes in a YA book. Like I’m not naïve and know what teenagers get up to, but I appreciate a fade to black over some detail in scenes with teenagers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
September 26, 2025
3.5 stars
I so wanted to love this one, and for the most part I did. But I wasn't a huge fan of the way the POV changes were written; there were times when it became hard to distinguish between the two character voices. I did like the mystery aspect though; I think that was done well. Although I think that the prologue shouldn't have revealed the actual crux of the tale so early; if that hadn't happened; this would be an easy 4/4.5 star read.
I so wanted to love this one, and for the most part I did. But I wasn't a huge fan of the way the POV changes were written; there were times when it became hard to distinguish between the two character voices. I did like the mystery aspect though; I think that was done well. Although I think that the prologue shouldn't have revealed the actual crux of the tale so early; if that hadn't happened; this would be an easy 4/4.5 star read.
September 25, 2025
4.25/4.5
I unfortunately got the ending spoiled BY the description on NetGalley? I would be interested to see what my opinion would have been of the book otherwise.
Writing? Amazing. Allusions? Beautiful. Characters? Realistic yet loveable. DEFINITE recommendation!
I unfortunately got the ending spoiled BY the description on NetGalley? I would be interested to see what my opinion would have been of the book otherwise.
Writing? Amazing. Allusions? Beautiful. Characters? Realistic yet loveable. DEFINITE recommendation!
September 28, 2025
*Actual rating: 2.5*
Mad writers, isolation, winter woods, the wild hunt—there were so many great elements in this book, and I should have loved it. Unfortunately, while it wasn’t terrible, it just never gelled, weighed down by unlikeable characters and a convoluted plot. The first person present tense POV alternates between two of the students, Effy and Arlo, and I had a hard time remembering who was who.
In sum: it was an okay read, but it could have been great.
Mad writers, isolation, winter woods, the wild hunt—there were so many great elements in this book, and I should have loved it. Unfortunately, while it wasn’t terrible, it just never gelled, weighed down by unlikeable characters and a convoluted plot. The first person present tense POV alternates between two of the students, Effy and Arlo, and I had a hard time remembering who was who.
In sum: it was an okay read, but it could have been great.
October 25, 2025
4,5⭐️
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