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The Deadliest Candidate
Ten formidable candidates. Two prestigious jobs. One deadly library.
The Carthane Athenaeum selects only the best for the role of Grand Archivist. So when stalwart librarian Fern Sullivan is finally invited to compete for the role, she’s ready to sacrifice everything for it.
But as she contends with a host of extraordinary competitors, Fern quickly learns that she cannot trust anyone. Especially not elusive, enigmatic Léo Lautric—the scion of the corrupt arcane dynasty Fern has warred with for years.
When candidates begin to vanish, the candidacy scholarly competition transforms into a deadly game of power and ambition. As the lines between rivals, foes, and allies grow ever murkier, Fern finds herself forced to make impossible choices.
The Carthane Athenaeum selects only the best for the role of Grand Archivist. So when stalwart librarian Fern Sullivan is finally invited to compete for the role, she’s ready to sacrifice everything for it.
But as she contends with a host of extraordinary competitors, Fern quickly learns that she cannot trust anyone. Especially not elusive, enigmatic Léo Lautric—the scion of the corrupt arcane dynasty Fern has warred with for years.
When candidates begin to vanish, the candidacy scholarly competition transforms into a deadly game of power and ambition. As the lines between rivals, foes, and allies grow ever murkier, Fern finds herself forced to make impossible choices.
471 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2025
2 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 13, 2025
I really enjoyed reading "The Deadliest Candidate" by Aurora Reed! This dark academia book made me very happy because it has so many good things in it.
The story is about Fern, a hard-working librarian who wants to get a special job at the Carthane Athenaeum. Then we meet Leo Lautric, who is quiet but very smart and has many secrets. I really liked both of these characters! They do not trust each other at first, but they have interesting conversations that I enjoyed reading.
The book has a lot of mystery and magic. The story starts simple with Fern trying to get a job, but then it becomes more dangerous and exciting. Every chapter made me want to read more and more!
I loved how the writer tells the story only from Fern's view. This makes some parts more surprising because we don't know what other people are thinking. The ending was so unexpected! I was very shocked but also happy.
The setting in the Carthane Athenaeum is very cool and special. It feels like a magic old library where anything can happen. The tension between the characters kept me reading for hours.
The story is about Fern, a hard-working librarian who wants to get a special job at the Carthane Athenaeum. Then we meet Leo Lautric, who is quiet but very smart and has many secrets. I really liked both of these characters! They do not trust each other at first, but they have interesting conversations that I enjoyed reading.
The book has a lot of mystery and magic. The story starts simple with Fern trying to get a job, but then it becomes more dangerous and exciting. Every chapter made me want to read more and more!
I loved how the writer tells the story only from Fern's view. This makes some parts more surprising because we don't know what other people are thinking. The ending was so unexpected! I was very shocked but also happy.
The setting in the Carthane Athenaeum is very cool and special. It feels like a magic old library where anything can happen. The tension between the characters kept me reading for hours.
March 11, 2025
i adore aurora reed's writing and mind, and I can see the vision but the execution left a lot to be desired with languish pace.
i would have liked to feel more connected to the characters, but i didn't, yet the interdynamic between them was interesting and fascinating. i think the next book will probably change my stance on this book after some things are revealed, but this was a decent read for her dark academia debut
i would have liked to feel more connected to the characters, but i didn't, yet the interdynamic between them was interesting and fascinating. i think the next book will probably change my stance on this book after some things are revealed, but this was a decent read for her dark academia debut
March 10, 2025
OMG THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS 😭😭
This book captivates with its rich world that does not really get much exploration, but what glimpses of it do spark the desire to find out more. All the characters are somewhat gifted in the field of alchemy and magic, be it through spells or simple elemental manipulation. Beyond the Sumbra realm lie gateways to other-worldly beings.
The characters are wonderfully diverse in their appearances, age, and personality traits. The roles they play in the story revolve around the protagonist, Fern, speaking in the first person, and being a rather obstinate fellow. With a simple twist in perspective, "The Deadliest Candidate" intricately weaves in tension, mystery, and cosmic magic, supplemented by an aspect of professional rivalry that keeps readers well entertained throughout.
Fern, the determined and ambitious librarian, pursues her aims with unflinching determination, while the other main character, Leo Lautric, is mysterious, voiceless, and perhaps hiding secrets deeper than his eyes betray. Their interactions are charged with subtle tension: a mix of reluctant cooperation and growing distrust, a very interesting dynamic.
I will admit that Fern was an infuriating main character to follow. She is quiet biased and that messes with the perception of events in the books. Also Leo final reveal. I predicted as much but his delivery was 😮💨😮💨😮💨
This was an ARC, given to review in a honest way.
This book captivates with its rich world that does not really get much exploration, but what glimpses of it do spark the desire to find out more. All the characters are somewhat gifted in the field of alchemy and magic, be it through spells or simple elemental manipulation. Beyond the Sumbra realm lie gateways to other-worldly beings.
The characters are wonderfully diverse in their appearances, age, and personality traits. The roles they play in the story revolve around the protagonist, Fern, speaking in the first person, and being a rather obstinate fellow. With a simple twist in perspective, "The Deadliest Candidate" intricately weaves in tension, mystery, and cosmic magic, supplemented by an aspect of professional rivalry that keeps readers well entertained throughout.
Fern, the determined and ambitious librarian, pursues her aims with unflinching determination, while the other main character, Leo Lautric, is mysterious, voiceless, and perhaps hiding secrets deeper than his eyes betray. Their interactions are charged with subtle tension: a mix of reluctant cooperation and growing distrust, a very interesting dynamic.
I will admit that Fern was an infuriating main character to follow. She is quiet biased and that messes with the perception of events in the books. Also Leo final reveal. I predicted as much but his delivery was 😮💨😮💨😮💨
This was an ARC, given to review in a honest way.
March 6, 2025
Genuinely in so much shock after that. The last few chapters had me both freaked out and curious as hell. I need more like right now because oh my god. The characters were created so carefully so that everyone had a role in the book. Fern, my little librarian who literally never gave up and Leo Lautric, the mysterious dude with a great fashion sense. God their tension was so yum.
Also the fact it was just from her point of view how legit was it? She's clearly an unreliable narrator as she isolates herself from the others and we don't learn much about the other candidates,
I cannot get over this book. It was so perfect and anything by Aurora Reed is just great and thank you Aurora for the physical arc <3
Also the fact it was just from her point of view how legit was it? She's clearly an unreliable narrator as she isolates herself from the others and we don't learn much about the other candidates,
I cannot get over this book. It was so perfect and anything by Aurora Reed is just great and thank you Aurora for the physical arc <3
February 28, 2025
⋆｡°✩ Spoiler Free Reviews ⋆｡°✩
I was kindly provided with this book (censorship is BS and I hate it but here we are!)
4.5 stars.
Right let’s get this out the way: I am confused by the ending. Hella confused. Are we getting a sequel? I will be researching cause if not I WANT TO CRY. If we are, I’ll be waiting patiently!
The tropes; dark academia, betrayal, forced proximity, rivals to reluctant allies to enemies, slow burn, pining and yearning.
It’s a cliffhanger, I think. I’m WORRIED cause I haven’t yet seen mention of a book 2 but I’ll bide my time.
No spice though the tension is RIGHT THERE the whole time.
I will say, I was nervous. I adore Aurora Reed’s writing but this being a diversion from her normal genre, and the heavy emphasis on romance being NOT the main plot point, I was anticipating it not gelling well with me.
Only Ms Reed can make a lack of romance CAPTURE MY MF ATTENTION THE WHOLE BOOK. Make no mistake, it’s there. If you want it in your face, read a different book. But it’s subtle, it’s yearning, it’s pining and it’s angst and I’m LOVING IT.
I was kindly provided with this book (censorship is BS and I hate it but here we are!)
4.5 stars.
Right let’s get this out the way: I am confused by the ending. Hella confused. Are we getting a sequel? I will be researching cause if not I WANT TO CRY. If we are, I’ll be waiting patiently!
The tropes; dark academia, betrayal, forced proximity, rivals to reluctant allies to enemies, slow burn, pining and yearning.
It’s a cliffhanger, I think. I’m WORRIED cause I haven’t yet seen mention of a book 2 but I’ll bide my time.
No spice though the tension is RIGHT THERE the whole time.
I will say, I was nervous. I adore Aurora Reed’s writing but this being a diversion from her normal genre, and the heavy emphasis on romance being NOT the main plot point, I was anticipating it not gelling well with me.
Only Ms Reed can make a lack of romance CAPTURE MY MF ATTENTION THE WHOLE BOOK. Make no mistake, it’s there. If you want it in your face, read a different book. But it’s subtle, it’s yearning, it’s pining and it’s angst and I’m LOVING IT.
March 1, 2025
*arc received in exchange of an honest review*
Dark academia genre is always a hit or a miss and The Deadliest Candidate is absolutely a hit imo. The plot was full of suspense and tricky enough to keep you engaged. Meanwhile the characterization of each person in the book was very intriguing. I particularly loved reading Leo’s scenes. He’s so mysterious yet soft and I definitely need his pov in next book. The pace was good since it’s part of a series. I cannot wait to read the next one.
Dark academia genre is always a hit or a miss and The Deadliest Candidate is absolutely a hit imo. The plot was full of suspense and tricky enough to keep you engaged. Meanwhile the characterization of each person in the book was very intriguing. I particularly loved reading Leo’s scenes. He’s so mysterious yet soft and I definitely need his pov in next book. The pace was good since it’s part of a series. I cannot wait to read the next one.
March 15, 2025
6. Freaking. Stars. 💫 This book was luscious in every sense. Perfectly captured the dark academia vibes I've been craving since reading the big three (Secret History, If We Were Villians, Atlas Six). The Deadliest Candidate is a delicious blend of tension, mystery, and cosmic magic, with an added layer of professional rivalry that keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
Fern is a strong-willed and ambitious librarian, both determined and unapologetically focused on her goals. Then there’s Léo Lautric, the soft-spoken but enigmatic scion, who seems to be hiding far more than he lets on. Their interactions are subtly electric, with a perfect balance of reluctant alliances and mounting distrust, making for an addictive dynamic.
What begins as a job candidacy quickly devolves into something far darker. The stakes are high, and the competition is deadly. Welcome to the arcane halls of the Carthane Athenaeum. 🕯️
Thank you to the author for providing me with both a physical and e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fern is a strong-willed and ambitious librarian, both determined and unapologetically focused on her goals. Then there’s Léo Lautric, the soft-spoken but enigmatic scion, who seems to be hiding far more than he lets on. Their interactions are subtly electric, with a perfect balance of reluctant alliances and mounting distrust, making for an addictive dynamic.
What begins as a job candidacy quickly devolves into something far darker. The stakes are high, and the competition is deadly. Welcome to the arcane halls of the Carthane Athenaeum. 🕯️
Thank you to the author for providing me with both a physical and e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2025
I need this book to be injected into my veins so bad
Coming from a girl who worships dark academia, this book was everything I needed.
- Libraries everywhere? Check.
- Unreliable narrator? Check.
- Eerie vibes? Check.
- An overwhelming amount of internal monologue which would scare anyone but overthinkers? Check.
- Palpable tension I can practically taste? Check.
- Rivalry so hot I want to jump in and join? Check.
- Suspenseful, intriguing, keeps me on my toes on every page and leaves me salivating for more? Check, check, check and check.
Right from the very first page, my intrigue was piqued because of how mysterious Fern was even though everything was in her pov. Her ambition and unwavering determination to achieve the coveted position of Grand Archivist made her such a compelling enigma to me. With her every move, more questions are asked than answered and that to me, is how this book grips me by the throat. As for Léo, I desperately need more of him in the next book. A puzzling softie but no less intimidating. Their interactions crackle with SO MUCH ELECTRICITY that it left me on edge clutching my pearls and made it impossible to look away. Another thing, and I know this might be controversial, but single pov books are my favorites and this one executed it perfectly. No one was to be trusted, and that heightened all the danger and adrenaline rush for readers.
Though one of the best things in this book is the writing. It is nothing short of lyrical, with every sentence dripping with poetic beauty and academic elegance. The prose is so sophisticated and delicately crafted. The author has captured the essence of the dark academia and turned it into something so poetically mesmerizing. Though I wouldn’t mind seeing more academic-related parts in the book, as there was so much going on and secrets kept unravelling, that is not to say the story wasn’t rich. The layers of tension, mystery, and magical intrigue more than made up for it.
As a REALLY big fan of all of this author's previous books, I say this one is no exception. The Deadliest Candidate is definitely a gem for those with a love for intellectual suspense and dark academia. It blends mystery, rivalry, and a deep exploration of ambition in a world where knowledge and power intersect in dangerous ways. The stakes are high, the competition deadly, and the atmosphere haunting. With its poetic flair and its compelling twists of trust and deceit, this book is an unforgettable journey into a world you don’t want to leave.
Thank you so much Aurora Reed for the opportunity to read an e-ARC, and I really can't wait to read book 2 soon!
Coming from a girl who worships dark academia, this book was everything I needed.
- Libraries everywhere? Check.
- Unreliable narrator? Check.
- Eerie vibes? Check.
- An overwhelming amount of internal monologue which would scare anyone but overthinkers? Check.
- Palpable tension I can practically taste? Check.
- Rivalry so hot I want to jump in and join? Check.
- Suspenseful, intriguing, keeps me on my toes on every page and leaves me salivating for more? Check, check, check and check.
Right from the very first page, my intrigue was piqued because of how mysterious Fern was even though everything was in her pov. Her ambition and unwavering determination to achieve the coveted position of Grand Archivist made her such a compelling enigma to me. With her every move, more questions are asked than answered and that to me, is how this book grips me by the throat. As for Léo, I desperately need more of him in the next book. A puzzling softie but no less intimidating. Their interactions crackle with SO MUCH ELECTRICITY that it left me on edge clutching my pearls and made it impossible to look away. Another thing, and I know this might be controversial, but single pov books are my favorites and this one executed it perfectly. No one was to be trusted, and that heightened all the danger and adrenaline rush for readers.
Though one of the best things in this book is the writing. It is nothing short of lyrical, with every sentence dripping with poetic beauty and academic elegance. The prose is so sophisticated and delicately crafted. The author has captured the essence of the dark academia and turned it into something so poetically mesmerizing. Though I wouldn’t mind seeing more academic-related parts in the book, as there was so much going on and secrets kept unravelling, that is not to say the story wasn’t rich. The layers of tension, mystery, and magical intrigue more than made up for it.
As a REALLY big fan of all of this author's previous books, I say this one is no exception. The Deadliest Candidate is definitely a gem for those with a love for intellectual suspense and dark academia. It blends mystery, rivalry, and a deep exploration of ambition in a world where knowledge and power intersect in dangerous ways. The stakes are high, the competition deadly, and the atmosphere haunting. With its poetic flair and its compelling twists of trust and deceit, this book is an unforgettable journey into a world you don’t want to leave.
Thank you so much Aurora Reed for the opportunity to read an e-ARC, and I really can't wait to read book 2 soon!
March 9, 2025
Wow. What a great dark academia magic filled fantasy book! I really enjoyed this book, from the magic system, to the characters, and the unreliable narrator. With all the twists and turns, it was hard to determine who the deadliest candidate really was. All I know is that Fern, the FMC, was way too hot headed and impulsive and I wanted to smack some sense into her multiple times during the story. But that made the book fun, and it was definitely an interesting story.
Definitely want to see what happens next! And now the wait for book 2…
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Definitely want to see what happens next! And now the wait for book 2…
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 7, 2025
Well, now I need to read the next one!! My first Aurora Reed novel was an intriguing dive into dark academia. It definitely left me curious for what comes next.
March 19, 2025
(gifted ARC in return for a review, but all opinions are my own!)
(3.75 rounded up) I'm not a very common dark academia reader; not necessarily because of an aversion, just because I haven't gotten around to many of them yet! But when this was offered to me I thought it sounded interesting and it'd be a nice opportunity to have another go at the genre, and I'm pleased to report I enjoyed! This is atmospheric, compelling and very competently written; I admire the writing style immensely, which was both lush and readable, and it's extra impressive considering this is self-published. I liked (though occasionally didn't entiiiirely understand) the magic system and the depictions of how it was used, I thought the pacing was pretty good and the world was vividly imagined, if not that deeply explored. I can see the way it's all sketched out, and that there's clearly a lot going on beneath the fairly surface-level look we get, but we don't get quite as much detail or throwaway mentions to help worldbuild as I would like; I couldn't quite tell if this was futuristic or a fantasy alternate history, for example? Perhaps that's on me lol. I imagine that a lot more explanation might come in future books, and I do appreciate that we didn't get info-dumped to death, but a little bit more might have helped to connect with some of the other characters we meet at Carthane. I liked reading about the other candidates, and though I didn't always think I felt massively connected to them, I did like Josefa and the Doctor, and the creepy twins were definitely engaging lol. I saw the appeal of Lautric and didn't find him half as irritating as I do a lot of love interests (I know that sounds like it's damning with faint praise but I promise it's not lol!), but I did feel as if we didn't really get very far with him; he was still as much of an enigma at the start as the end, which was a little bit frustrating. I have my own suspicions of course, but unfortunately I can't know for sure right now!
I think that was my main criticism of the book, actually; I would have liked a few more threads tied up! Considering the book is underpinned by lots of mysteries, the split between what we do and don't find out feels a little unbalanced. It's not unambiguously Bad that we didn't find out certain people's fates or motivations, or what exactly goes on with Lautric, or Fern's tutor, or the tower, of course... but with lots of little mysteries going unanswered, the cliffhanger nature of the ending feels a bit too extreme, and it feels more like it's focused on being part of a series, rather than each book being its individual narrative. But I still had a good time!
(3.75 rounded up) I'm not a very common dark academia reader; not necessarily because of an aversion, just because I haven't gotten around to many of them yet! But when this was offered to me I thought it sounded interesting and it'd be a nice opportunity to have another go at the genre, and I'm pleased to report I enjoyed! This is atmospheric, compelling and very competently written; I admire the writing style immensely, which was both lush and readable, and it's extra impressive considering this is self-published. I liked (though occasionally didn't entiiiirely understand) the magic system and the depictions of how it was used, I thought the pacing was pretty good and the world was vividly imagined, if not that deeply explored. I can see the way it's all sketched out, and that there's clearly a lot going on beneath the fairly surface-level look we get, but we don't get quite as much detail or throwaway mentions to help worldbuild as I would like; I couldn't quite tell if this was futuristic or a fantasy alternate history, for example? Perhaps that's on me lol. I imagine that a lot more explanation might come in future books, and I do appreciate that we didn't get info-dumped to death, but a little bit more might have helped to connect with some of the other characters we meet at Carthane. I liked reading about the other candidates, and though I didn't always think I felt massively connected to them, I did like Josefa and the Doctor, and the creepy twins were definitely engaging lol. I saw the appeal of Lautric and didn't find him half as irritating as I do a lot of love interests (I know that sounds like it's damning with faint praise but I promise it's not lol!), but I did feel as if we didn't really get very far with him; he was still as much of an enigma at the start as the end, which was a little bit frustrating. I have my own suspicions of course, but unfortunately I can't know for sure right now!
I think that was my main criticism of the book, actually; I would have liked a few more threads tied up! Considering the book is underpinned by lots of mysteries, the split between what we do and don't find out feels a little unbalanced. It's not unambiguously Bad that we didn't find out certain people's fates or motivations, or what exactly goes on with Lautric, or Fern's tutor, or the tower, of course... but with lots of little mysteries going unanswered, the cliffhanger nature of the ending feels a bit too extreme, and it feels more like it's focused on being part of a series, rather than each book being its individual narrative. But I still had a good time!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2025
The Deadliest Candidate is the first volume in Aurora Reed’s new dark academia duology, filled with secrets, magic, and rivalries. I was very lucky to receive an ARC from the author herself.
First of all, I just want to say that this is the best I’ve seen from Aurora’s writing so far. The prose in this book was so well-crafted. The overall vibe, the atmosphere—everything felt incredibly academic, even magical (which fits the story’s events perfectly!). I was honestly so excited right from the first chapter when we were suddenly thrust into the scene, finding ourselves in the middle of cryptic events.
However, while the story was very promising, I personally didn’t think the execution lived up to its potential. I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but I couldn’t connect with or even like any of the characters (not even the MC). I also never felt that sense of urgency, that edge-of-my-seat anticipation as secrets unraveled. I think this was largely because the characters lacked depth and detail, which made it hard to connect with the story as a whole. The stakes were presented as incredibly high, and the events were eerie, but I never felt the full weight of them. Instead, it was like watching everything unfold through a blurry window—there, but distant.
That being said, since this is a duology, the author may be saving much of the depth and revelations for the second volume.
First of all, I just want to say that this is the best I’ve seen from Aurora’s writing so far. The prose in this book was so well-crafted. The overall vibe, the atmosphere—everything felt incredibly academic, even magical (which fits the story’s events perfectly!). I was honestly so excited right from the first chapter when we were suddenly thrust into the scene, finding ourselves in the middle of cryptic events.
However, while the story was very promising, I personally didn’t think the execution lived up to its potential. I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but I couldn’t connect with or even like any of the characters (not even the MC). I also never felt that sense of urgency, that edge-of-my-seat anticipation as secrets unraveled. I think this was largely because the characters lacked depth and detail, which made it hard to connect with the story as a whole. The stakes were presented as incredibly high, and the events were eerie, but I never felt the full weight of them. Instead, it was like watching everything unfold through a blurry window—there, but distant.
That being said, since this is a duology, the author may be saving much of the depth and revelations for the second volume.
March 10, 2025
4.5 ★
This was my first book by Aurora, but it definitely won’t be my last! I went in expecting an immersive dark academia atmosphere, and that’s exactly what I got. The writing was fantastic, and the setting felt so fresh and unique—I absolutely loved the concept of competing for the role of Grand Archivist.
The story started off a bit slow, but once it picked up, I was completely hooked. The twists and turns towards the end had me on the edge of my seat, and now I have so many questions! I can’t wait for the conclusion.
Also, even though the author doesn’t market this as a romance, it’s definitely there—and I lived for every single interaction!
This was my first book by Aurora, but it definitely won’t be my last! I went in expecting an immersive dark academia atmosphere, and that’s exactly what I got. The writing was fantastic, and the setting felt so fresh and unique—I absolutely loved the concept of competing for the role of Grand Archivist.
The story started off a bit slow, but once it picked up, I was completely hooked. The twists and turns towards the end had me on the edge of my seat, and now I have so many questions! I can’t wait for the conclusion.
Also, even though the author doesn’t market this as a romance, it’s definitely there—and I lived for every single interaction!
March 13, 2025
Thank you, Ms. Reed for the ARC ebook.
I liked the book but I really hope we understand more of the world in the next book. It was full of academia and a new world with magic, science, politics and everything that devours our world. It was good. I loved Fern Sullivan and Léo Lautric. I am not one for heroism and morality but this one made me question every righteousness I have ever seen. Such a good book but I feel as though it did not live up to its potential.
I liked the book but I really hope we understand more of the world in the next book. It was full of academia and a new world with magic, science, politics and everything that devours our world. It was good. I loved Fern Sullivan and Léo Lautric. I am not one for heroism and morality but this one made me question every righteousness I have ever seen. Such a good book but I feel as though it did not live up to its potential.
May 22, 2025
Holy shit. Slower start but oh my god I loved every moment of this. Dark academia romance but make it slow burn and really just incredible except Fern hates him still at the end of this book and, really, rightfully so. Cannot explain how much I love Fern, she's definitely an unreliable narrator but she's actually smart and Léo too. I can't wait to learn more about him, 2026 cannot come fast enough.
Want to read
February 5, 2025GIVE IT TO ME RACHELLLLLL
Read
February 27, 2025Dnf: 35%
I got the arc of this one, but I can't finish it for now, sorry
I got the arc of this one, but I can't finish it for now, sorry
April 8, 2025
So good and cured me from me a major slump. imo dark academia magic esque books are hit or miss but this is definitely a hit. i think fern was such an enjoyable main character (unreliable narrator??) and leo was also great. mysterious and pretty? 👍. and also the magic and the library itself was cool.
i’m glad the plot didn’t fall flat and i think i would’ve enjoyed this a lot more if id read it in one sitting. the characters were all uniquely interesting and Ugh the fernleo tension was so palpable i Need more of them in book 2! will be purchasing 🙂↕️
i’m glad the plot didn’t fall flat and i think i would’ve enjoyed this a lot more if id read it in one sitting. the characters were all uniquely interesting and Ugh the fernleo tension was so palpable i Need more of them in book 2! will be purchasing 🙂↕️
April 19, 2025
When the author approached me about the ARC of this book, I immediately agreed. I love all dark academia stories, and this one sounded fascinating.
The Deadliest Candidate is a quick and enjoyable read. I found the story and the world-building captivating. When the candidates started to disappear, I needed to know what happened to them. The author created a cast of mysterious characters, and anyone could be guilty.
I loved the idea and the world created by the author, but I would love to see more detailed world-building and characterisation. I think this book could be exceptional, but it lacked in complexity.
Still, I would recommend it as a lighter read in the dark academia genre, and I will definitely reach for the second book when it becomes available.
The Deadliest Candidate is a quick and enjoyable read. I found the story and the world-building captivating. When the candidates started to disappear, I needed to know what happened to them. The author created a cast of mysterious characters, and anyone could be guilty.
I loved the idea and the world created by the author, but I would love to see more detailed world-building and characterisation. I think this book could be exceptional, but it lacked in complexity.
Still, I would recommend it as a lighter read in the dark academia genre, and I will definitely reach for the second book when it becomes available.
March 5, 2025
I would first like to thank Aurora Reed so much for giving me the opportunity to read the arc before its release in exchange for my review. I would also like to preface this with how big of a fan I am of Aurora Reed and her previous work.
I saw the vision for the concept and characters clearly but sadly the execution seemed to fall short of my expectations. Having the story be told by one pov may not have been the correct route to take in my opinion. There seemed to be too many details lacking, with too much focus on Fern. I understand that she is a main character but the plot of the book is that she is there competing in a candidacy against 9 other people yet we hardly get to read much about these characters and I really think if the povs shifted throughout the story it would have allowed me to build much better connections with said characters.
Seeing as this book is described as “dark academia” I would have loved to see much more of it! Ferns focus bounced around too much between her side missions and the assignments they were given, it felt like there was not much time dedicated to the academic aspect. The world building and magic has so much potential, I would love to see it be explored more in depth in the next book.
I saw the vision for the concept and characters clearly but sadly the execution seemed to fall short of my expectations. Having the story be told by one pov may not have been the correct route to take in my opinion. There seemed to be too many details lacking, with too much focus on Fern. I understand that she is a main character but the plot of the book is that she is there competing in a candidacy against 9 other people yet we hardly get to read much about these characters and I really think if the povs shifted throughout the story it would have allowed me to build much better connections with said characters.
Seeing as this book is described as “dark academia” I would have loved to see much more of it! Ferns focus bounced around too much between her side missions and the assignments they were given, it felt like there was not much time dedicated to the academic aspect. The world building and magic has so much potential, I would love to see it be explored more in depth in the next book.
December 27, 2025
I NEED BOOK 2 RIGHT NOW! 2026 why are you so far away???
Honestly, this book filled the hole that the third installment of the Scholomance trilogy left in me.
Beautiful descriptive language, a magical and mysterious setting, likeable if stubborn characters and a cat. What's not to like? And the cliffhanger, are you kidding me? I cannot wait to discover how this ends!
Honestly, this book filled the hole that the third installment of the Scholomance trilogy left in me.
Beautiful descriptive language, a magical and mysterious setting, likeable if stubborn characters and a cat. What's not to like? And the cliffhanger, are you kidding me? I cannot wait to discover how this ends!
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