Morbid Curiosities

by S. Hati

An ambitious teen enrolls at an elite science institute in Morbid Curiosities, a young adult thriller from author S. Hati.

When the Institute’s invitation arrived at my doorstep, it felt like it had been inked in my blood, sweat, and tears.

Aarya’s life plan has been set for as long as she can remember: finish high school with a bang, attend the best college she can get into, then land a prestigious biology research job. Her ticket to this dream is a one-year program at the Elizabethan Institute, the preeminent organization for life sciences in the United States, currently on the cusp of revealing a major project that could transform the worlds of biology and medicine.

But as Aarya tries to settle in to a school with sky-high academic expectations and research cloaked in mystery, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want her there. As the scholarship student surrounded by rich, cutthroat peers who seem all too willing to torment her, she never expected to make friends, but the notes warning her to run rattle her to her core. She finds an ally in Sofia, a mysterious girl who claims to be the subject of closed-door experiments at the Institute and begs for Aarya’s help in figuring out what the Institute is really working on.

As rumors of mutated flora and fauna in the nearby city circulate and a murder investigation rocks the Institute, Aarya will have to navigate Sofia’s growing paranoia and her own increasingly unreliable memory to determine which classmates she can trust―and which would rather see her dead.

Genres: Young Adult, Dark Academia, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 21, 2026

About the author

S. Hati is a speculative fiction writer, currently residing in the Bay Area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from UCLA and a master’s degree in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, and pretends to use them both while working in health tech. She writes about brown girls in strange worlds that straddle the line between magic and science.

Reviews

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this title 


50 First Dates meets a science experiment gone wrong! 


This was just SO.. OMG!.. I honestly don't even know where to begin.. Here we have a dark academia that's set in the real world. Which for ME is an exciting change. A lot of the dark academia I have personally read usually has magic, or other worldly lands, which I do love. But I found the switch up to reality rather refreshing. We have , not exactly enemies to lovers but more rivals to lovers. I loved the San Francisco backdrop with the ever so soft gothy undertones 


This is another sound example of why I will absolutely never understand adults who think they're too good for YA books.. And if I was at a debate to argue such topics, this is one of the first examples I would whip out.. Now don't get me wrong, YA isn't a favorite genre of mine but again, books such as this are why I could never completely write them off.. I personally think YA is the PERFECT choice for the adult looking for an "easy" & fun time. And that's exactly what I had here! It kept me on my toes from start to finish .


I don't even like reading my science, ok!?.. Ive always been a visual learner. Not to mention ADHD doesn't just run in my family, it practically gallops. So normally once my brain starts hearing certain things ( such as math & science) it just starts going to sleep.. noooot here though! Not even for a second! I devoured every single inch of this book! I felt like Matilda. We could have had a zombie apocalypse going on while I was reading this book and I would have been none the wiser 🫠

[Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with things I love. It is set in a super selective school, and our protagonist is there with only a few other teenagers to study biology and genetics. Weird things are happening in the vicinity of the school, mutations of animals and plants mainly, so it's all very strange and the scientists are cagey.
I loved the atmosphere, it was so immersive and I had that feeling I was missing something during the entire book(the sign of a good mystery!!). The characters were really well written, and the research talk was so interesting, it kept me focused even when biology is not something I'm crazy about. The mystery is so good, I loved trying to figure out what the hell was happening.
It technically can be called a dark academia book, but in a way I haven't seen before. Morbid Curiosities is a great book, it feels like a thriller in the way you can't stop reading, I finished it in a day and there's no better compliment.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan's Children Publishing Group for the ARC!

[Erin Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. I read it all in one day.
This is a Dark Academia book, but without the magic that usually comes along with that genre.
A group of 6 high achieving students make up this years cohort at a super selective science academy. Things seem off to Aarya right from the start. Then, she meets a young girl, Sophia, who claims to be the subject of an experiment. As things continue to get stranger, Arya doesn't know if she can trust her classmates, Sophia, or even her own memories.

The pacing kept me hooked, the characters were interesting, and it has just the right amount of unpredictability.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing for an early copy for review.

[Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5✨
This book was truly entertaining! The main character is nuanced and relatable. The book has an atmosphere of mystery that is very engaging for the reader. Even though chemistry and biology are not my forte, the explanations of science are easy to understand. The plot? GREAT! It sucked me in and I was genuinely excited to see what happens next. All the details were thought out with much precision.
*small spoiler*
However, I do have some problems with the actual conclusion - it happened way to fast. The pacing in the last two chapters differed from the rest of the book. It seemed like the author had a deadline she needed to fill. In my opinion this book needed AT LEAST three more chapters.

Overall, this book was very enjoyable and I would recommend it to every dark academia lover, especially the ones wanting more science in this genre.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the early access copy!

This was an intense and quick YA read. I haven’t read a lot of dark academia, but Morbid Curiosities was a great blend of youthful determination and scientific exploration with the undertones of “holy cow what on earth is going on!”. I thought the character arcs were nicely done and the setting was perfect. Some parts felt a bit rambling and I found myself skimming through them, even outside of the intention of the book, which is why I’m giving this 4 instead of 5 stars. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys science, dystopic/corrupt styled villains, and main female leads determined to get shit done.

[Kelsey Daughtry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: ebook/ARC via NetGalley

The older I get the more I feel like Ariel’s dad sometimes 🫠
At the start of our book, Aarya, has run away despite her parents feeling to an exclusive academy to fight for a spot in a prestigious program. I was like “girl what are you doing?!”

This dark academia book is actually an academic book! These young kids are working on projects, in the lab and discovering the secrets of this mysterious school.

The secrets? You will have to read to find out. 😏

This book was a little slow for me in the beginning and is filled with a lot of science some just going clear over my head 😂 although it did not take away from understand the plot of the story.
But once it hit the 40% mark I read the rest in just a couple hours and stayed up late past my bedtime to finish!

Over all I found this book a fun read! Some twist I figured out but the main one I did not! The kids decisions were very 🤦🏻‍♀️ at times but it all makes sense in the end. The characters were likable and enjoyed getting to know them better throughout the book!

Recommend picking this up and enjoying this morbid read.

[rach:)]

5/5 stars 🫶🏻

This was so insane! The beginning is a bit dense, but things start to pick up and then everything starts to rapidly come apart at the seams. This is clearly intentional though, as it perfectly mirrors Aarya's perspective. Aarya has that same slow start to the program but then slowly descends into the insanity that is her experience at the institute, until everything comes crashing down at once.

You get completely engrossed in her character, getting confused and making realizations along side her. Nothing is clear to you until it's clear to her. Even though you might not know what's going on, the atmosphere is so well developed that you can feel the shifts before they explicitly happen on the page.

Really there are so many parts of this story that make it worth reading, but what stuck out to me the most is the bond that develops between Aarya and her classmates. It's honestly one of my new favorite friendship trios I've read. It feels so human and natural, and seeing the progression of it over time as they find loyalty in each other is so heartwarming in a novel that is otherwise anything but.

Also, the commentary on STEM research and how it constantly pushes you to overperform at all times or else you risk disappointment and falling behind was greatly appreciated as someone who's been involved in that world. There are also some other very good insights but I don't want to get more specific and risk spoiling!

I do think that this could be controversial in that people will either love or hate it, but I really loved this & have a feeling I'm going to be thinking about this one for a while.

Thank you so much to netgalley for the arc!!

[Samantha Zimmermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC from netgalley

this cover caught my attention and I wanted to give this book a try. I was able to get a arc copy.
this book was strange in a good way. I loved the science and the spooky elements in this one. This book will be great for teens and young adult who enjoy science and little thrill. I totally would have been reading this at a young age!

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

S. Hati’s “Morbid Curiosities” is a dark academia thriller unlike most in the genre; there are no spells, no secret societies of magic, but a chillingly realistic focus on science, ambition, and obsession. Set in a highly selective research academy in San Francisco, the story follows Aarya, one of six brilliant students chosen to study biology and genetics. From the start, strange things surround the institute: mutated animals, inexplicable plant life, and faculty members who seem to be hiding far more than they’re revealing. When Aarya meets Sophia, a mysterious girl who claims to be the subject of a dangerous experiment, the line between reality and paranoia begins to blur.

The atmosphere is electric—claustrophobic, immersive, and dripping with unease. Hati excels at pulling readers into Aarya’s perspective: the slow, methodical beginning mirrors her entry into the program, and as the plot accelerates, the pacing fractures into a whirlwind descent into chaos. You don’t just read Aarya’s confusion; you feel it. The story is peppered with clever scientific discussions, written in a way that’s accessible even for those who usually shy away from STEM-heavy books. Rather than dragging the story down, the biology and genetics elements heighten the tension, grounding the unsettling events in unnervingly plausible science.

The book thrives on relationships, too. The dynamics between Aarya and her classmates evolve beautifully, forming bonds of loyalty and friendship that feel authentic and heartwarming in a narrative otherwise filled with darkness. There are even hints of rivalry-to-romance threads, adding emotional texture against the eerie backdrop.

If there’s one flaw, it’s the rushed conclusion. After such a carefully layered buildup, the final chapters unfold a bit too quickly, which left me wanting more space for the unraveling. Still, the abruptness mirrors the crash of Aarya’s world collapsing, and the lingering questions may be part of the point.

Overall, “Morbid Curiosities” is dark academia reimagined for the real world: unsettling, intelligent, and compulsively readable. With its gothic undertones, gripping mystery, and incisive commentary on the pressures of high-performance STEM research, it’s the kind of YA book that proves the genre’s ability to captivate readers of any age. Whether you’re here for the suspense, the science, or the friendships, this book will keep you hooked—and leave you haunted long after you close it.

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Netgalley review, possible plot points mentioned below.

I came into this book excited for a medical academia book and I think it fell short in expectations for me personally. Which isn't to say others wouldn't enjoy it, I think people will, I just didn't as much as I thought I would.

I don't think there was as much academia as I thought there was going to be. The description of the book talks about a prestigious college program and cutthroat peers but it didn't feel like that really happened, yes it took place in a college program but we didn't see too much about it other than a group project that they partly worked on and when they were in the labs testing things at the end. Also the cut throat part felt more from Aarya than the other students as she didn't allow anyone to be friends with her until at least half way through. She felt the most rude out of all the students. Jaden was annoying to start but he came around pretty quickly and Tassinee had been trying so hard to talk to her whether that was her own accord or her mother's.

I didn't get interested in the plot until around the time where Aarya, Tassinee, and Jaden find Maccauley's body in the woods, except how he died which lost me a little because it's pretty anticlimactic. I will say however the twist was very interesting and saved my opinion of this book. I love when a book can follow through with a twist that is truly unexpected. I loved finding out that all along she was a bit of an unreliable narrator, as she had been the true experimentation of the project all along. It's interesting to see that this isn't the first time she lost her memories, that Aarya had multiple tries at being a normal student and how she did different things each time (like if she remembered to take her medication or not).

Overall, I wasn't a fan because I thought with the book being about a prestigious school we would go more into that and it didn't quite hit the mark for me but it had a few spots here and there that kept me reading.

I thank the authors and netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morbid Curiosities is a DELIGHTFULLY weird and unique read! This book is very genre-bendy, blending sci-fi, mystery and physiological thriller and it is done so well!

Morbid Curiosities tells the story of Aarya, an ambitious and brilliant teen who has received an invitation to attend one of the most prestigious science institutes in the country. While this has been Aarya's dream for as long as she can remember, the institute is not at all what she expects. Aarya who is attending the institute on a scholarship quickly begins to feel like an outcast among her fellow wealthier peers. Additionally, the institute has recently been receiving negative press/attention from concerned locals as rumors spread about the institute's unusual and mysterious science experiments and potential impact on the local wildlife. Her only friend is Sophia, a young girl who is the subject of a secret research project run by the institute. Sophia claims to be in danger, but is unable to explain the details of her situation. Aarya, determined to help her new friend, sets out to solve the mystery of what exactly is happening to Sofia. However, while trying to solve the mystery of Sofia, Aarya begins to experience strange symptoms and lapses in memory. She can't help Sofia alone and has to learn quickly which of her fellow peers will help her and which might be intentionally trying to sabotage her.

While this is not a typical genre I read, I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The mystery elements of the book had me absolutely hooked and I love a good unreliable narrator. I will definitely recommend this book to fans of sci-fi and mystery thrillers.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the digital ARC.

[Laura (crofteereader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was kind of a hot mess. It felt like it didn’t know where to draw the audience’s focus so it ended up feeling half-baked. The MC has an immediate and inexplicable hatred for the only Black character in the room (and not the white boys who are actually assholes?) - was it just for an “enemies to lovers” tagline?? So much of the first 2/3 of the book is wasted on this forced hatred when we could have been seeding more intrigue for the big reveal at the end. The same Black character has a handful of really poignant lines about racism in scientific research and the history of scientific discovery but they’re always shown in a moment when the MC is directly at odds with him and they’re either argued against (!!) or brushed off.

Our characters are not introduced as FirstName LastName so when the last names randomly dropped throughout the book one had to rely pretty heavily on context clues. Also Aarya (our MC) never gets a last name in the text or in the synopsis or anywhere so that was kind of weird. Aarya in general is not very anchored

We only meet like 3 adults in the whole book and there’s no way Prof Clarke is teaching all their super intensive classes. So what are all the other adults like? What sort of influence do they have?

And then when we finally get answers it was kind of a jumbled mess. Who exactly was leading Aarya around? How did any of those conversations with the younger girl actually happen, given those half-baked explanations? And also how the heck can the one year later epilogue work? What about identity documents and various government requirements for personhood??

{Thank you FierceReads for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

MORBID CURIOSITIES by S. Hati (April 21, 2026)

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the eArc

Aarya's life has always been set in stone. Graduate high school and get a job in research. When she gets invited to an elite institute, it's like everything is falling into place. When she gets there, things go awry. She can't settle as she realizes someone doesn't want her there. She finds solace in Sofia, a mysterious girl who is a subject if an experiment. When a m*rder racks the school, Aarya must determine what happened, who she can trust, who might want her d*ad.
MORBID CURIOSITIES is a YA dark academia thriller. This is wildy different than most dark academia. It's focus is on the science mishappenings at the school. It's very hard to grasp what's going on. In my opinion, that was actually a good thing. It added to the aura of mystery that is woven throughout.
This is an interesting read. Very eerie and curious with everything happening with the environment, etc. I went into this book blind. The cover and title drew me in before anything.
MORBID CURIOSITIES is full of characters you love to dislike. You really only get a glimpse of Aarya and her "group." There are other's at this "school," but I feel like they were forgotten about until necessary.
This is weird, it's mysterious, and science-y. Though it's unique, I'm still not entirely sure what I just read...

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me on a fascinating, time bending journey that was as sly as a magic trick. At the start, I wasn’t sure about Aarya— she was a bit unlikeable, and I could see why the other students weren’t really connecting with her because I was struggling to connect with her and understand what her motivations were. But the mystery of the novel kept me reading; the secrets were revealed at the perfect pace, and made it really satisfying to put things together. By the mid point of the book, I was completely on Aarya’s side and understood what was happening- it was a great payoff since I’d been so unsure of her at the beginning. The progression of the relationships between Aarya and the other students at the Elizabethan Institute were satisfying to read, too. It felt like things really changed, and that all of them grew as they interacted with each other, and that the growth furthered the plot. Essentially, it really felt like this book kept changing as I read: it was an academia, and then a mystery, and then a thriller. It kept me reading and guessing and wondering, and the ending was really, really satisfying! Many thanks to S. Hati, Feiwel and Friends, and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Yoaris Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morbit Curiosities is a dark, thought provoking and brilliantly twisted YA thriller that hooked me from the very first chapter. The setting is exceptional, rich in detail yet perfectly paced, drawing readers into a place where science, academia and morality collide in unsettling ways. From the opening, the tension is palpable with a series of cliffhangers and masterfully executed plot twists that keep you questioning every character’s motives.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is its protagonist whose growth and resilience feel both authentic and compelling especially given the relentless challenges thrown her way. The moral undercurrent that not everything should be acceptable or sacrificed in the name of science adds a depth that lingers long after the last page. The story never loses momentum and the atmosphere remains immersive from start to finish.

If you enjoy thrillers with an academic backdrop, complex characters and a constant sense of unease where no one can truly be trusted, Morbit Curiosities should be at the top of your TBR. I highly recommend it for fans of intelligent, high tension YA mysteries with a dark edge.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick very high level summary.
Aarya is an ambitious teenager who is accepted into the leading institution for life sciences called the Elizabethan Institute. Once there she soon discovers that she will need a lot more then ambition and excelling grades to make it out.

My Take.
We have scientific intrigue with a suspenseful plot that focuses on the dark side of ambition and the consequences of going unchecked. Then, along with all that, add dark academia elements and you have S. Hati’s latest novel. The tense heavy dark feel to this story starts from page one and continues to build. Turning into suspicion and paranoia, even leading to questioning what is reality and what may be imagined. The characters are well done, complex and continuously evolving and the plot is full of suspense. This novel truly kept me engaged from the first chapter. Overall a well done story that maintains a creepy uneasy feel throughout and keeps the reader guessing as well as questioning long after the novel has ended.

[marelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS!!! BOOK!!! blew me away, wow. it started off as dark academia, turned into a mystery, then became an absolute fever dream. the writing fostered an unsettling atmosphere and extreme paranoia. i didn’t know who to trust. the ending felt a *bit* rushed, with some cheesy moments, but that did not deter it from being an amazing book. there were recurring themes of transparency and morality in science, at the expense of holding back research that could benefit others/“the greater good”. and discourse about what the greater good actually is. the characters (especially Aarya at the beginning) were insufferable and pretentious - that improved as the story continued. also, the lab references were great. i was looking up random stuff like “activated luminol”(among many other scientific terms). there were so many impactful moments that i will absolutely want to reread this.

thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing this arc!

[Hailey Rae Griffin ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 ARC REVIEW | Mystery & Thriller, Teens & YA 📚

This book was a whirlwind—and I was absolutely here for every second of it. Without giving away spoilers, here’s what I can say: it’s a brilliant fusion of science, Sherlock Holmes–style sleuthing, and edge-of-your-seat thriller, with a surprising thread of self-discovery woven in.

From the very first pages, I was hooked. The pacing pulled me in instantly, and I quickly thought I had everything figured out… only to realize I was so wrong—in the best possible way. The twists kept me guessing, and when I finished, I was left with thought-provoking questions about the power of science and what might really happen behind closed doors at elite research institutes.

A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the opportunity to read this early. I can’t wait to see it hit shelves in 2026—and yes, I’ll be grabbing a physical copy the moment it does.

[Mackenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick and captivating read because I never really knew where things were going. Every time I had an idea of what could potentially be happening it was something I would've never of thought of! The plot was amazing and I loved it so much and honestly really loved this authors writing.
This was spooky and very atmospheric and all the science that was included really added to it. I wouldn't say it's too sciency where someone who doesn't understand much science would struggle getting into the book. What was added was perfect and it was a balance of spooky and science.
The characters, I loved them all I found myself actually interested in them all which is rare for me in books most of the times at least one character falls flat for me but in this book I loved them all!
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Mim_Who _Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This got me hooked from the start. The setting itself I thought was intriguing and kept me wanting to keep reading. From the moment the MC Aarya steps into the institute, the reader can tell something isn’t right. There was a lot of intrigue from that moment... the mean classmates, the whispers of secret experiments, and the unnerving notes warning her to leave. I really liked the blend of science, mystery, and dark-academia energy, I thought it made the story both smart and creepy with a good balance of the both.

I really enjoyed the MC Aarya herself. She’s ambitious and pretty smart, but also noticed how vulnerable she could be and that alone made it easy to root for her. The ending had a few great twists too, which added to the overall plot. If you’re into thrillers that feel a little unsettling but still grounded in the human condition, this one could be for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the ARC

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be one of the best books I read this year I fear.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was not my normal kind of read, and I’ll admit I was fully drawn in by the cover, and I’m so glad I read it! The story is based at an Institute of Science in San Fran, where the brightest kids are challenged and pushed to become the next great scientists. While weird things keep happening in the city that are being suspected to come from the school, our main character, Aarya finds herself fighting for her position at the school.

The twists and turns in this book had me EATING UP the pages. I did have to refresh my vocabulary on a good amount of the scientific terms but that’s no biggie. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending to friends looking for something different but entertaining!

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seventeen-year-old science nerd Aarya is stoked to be welcomed into the Elizabethan Institute’s yearlong intensive, complete with a chance to be awarded a job at the Institute (plus all the power and connections that come with it). But when she glimpses mutated animals on the San Diego campus, Aarya begins to suspect something sinister's afoot in the Institute’s labs. Threatening notes, a an overgrown treehouse filled with sus messages hidden in kid-created art, and creepy encounters with a girl who has an “ultrarare autoimmune disease” and claims to be an unwitting Institute test subject soon confirm her fears. But as Aarya delves deeper into the Institute’s enigmas, she suffers from memory gaps and flare-ups of personal health issues. Could her own past be linked to the Institute?

Cool concept, but the ending felt a bit rushed and left me with a lot of unanswered questions!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something isn’t right at the Elizabethan Institute where Aarya and other brilliant high school students have been invited to live while attending there. With strange things happening, it takes a lot of courage and determination to find out what is happening at the institute. It has a twist at the end that wraps things up in an unexpected way.

I liked the plot because it was unique and had me engaged in guessing what was happening. However, I did not like the PG-17 language at all. This is listed as a book for readers 14-18 years old, but due to the swearing and underage drinking, I think it should be for readers 18 and older. I am giving the book a 4 star rating, but would leave a lower rating due to the things I mentioned.

I received a gifted copy from the publisher and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. There were so many twists and turns. I'm not usually a thriller or mystery reader, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book has all of my favorite elements: set at a university, a secret group doing shady stuff, scientists, and a strong fmc trying to figure out what is going on. I enjoyed how much we got to see the students go to class and discuss their science projects. It makes me more intrigued. I had no idea how this book was going to end, but wow. I look forward to when the audiobook comes out. I will have to give it a listen. I can only imagine it will be incredible. Overall, this was such a quick and interesting read. I would highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, S. Hati, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Cgarsidereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gripping and chilling journey into the darker corners of human nature and the unknown. The writing is beautifully atmospheric, with rich descriptions that immerse you fully in a world where mystery and macabre intertwine effortlessly. The characters are complex and deeply flawed, which makes their stories even more compelling and believable. I loved how the book balanced suspense with moments of introspection, making it much more than just a typical horror story. It did seem rushed at the ending but did not change how I feel about the book. If you enjoy psychological horror and gothic tales that leave you thinking long after you’ve finished, this is definitely a must-read. S. Hati’s storytelling is masterful.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will stick with me for a while. If you mix dark academia with a thriller, you get this book and it is absolutely nuts, in the best possible way. The layers, the details—very well written and it kept me engaged and thinking. I loved every minute of it and I only figured out half of the ending, in advanced. Normally, I keep reviews light hearted and quippy but I can’t, in this case. I had mixed feelings about the FMC, but clearly, the reader is supposed to, so it fits. The bio-speak and nerd stuff was delightful and endearing, and it made me miss college. If the author made me look back fondly on long hours in a lab, even longer hours studying in a library and perpetual exhaustion, they’re doing something right.

[chelsegoose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing for the ARC.

4.25 stars
This was a fantastic dark academic thriller! Aarya is one of several students selected to study at the prestigious Elizabethian Institute to study biology and genetics. However, it soon becomes clear that someone doesn't want Aarya to be learning at this institute full of cagey scientists and mutations. This kept me intrigued the whole way through, and I did not see the ending coming. As someone who studied biology in university, the science overall was believable enough that it did not take me out of the story, and there also wasn't too much jargon to make it inaccessible for a general audience. Overall, a creepy mysterious read!

[Maricela Timmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

What a fun dark academia read! The character development was fantastic. Each character had their own quirks, making them easy to love and connect with. The plot kept me hooked, and I found myself constantly reaching for my Kindle to see what would happen next. As a science nerd myself, I really appreciated the little details about lab procedures and scientific wording; they made me feel like I was right inside the mind of a young scientist. Overall, it was such a fun and immersive story perfect for the upcoming spooky season!

[Danielle Patee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say I was first drawn in by the cover. I love creepy, mysterious books! This book did not disappointed on that front. I loved the academic setting. The twist and turns. Some of the characters were unbearable at times. I did wish some of the scientific wording was broken down. Atleast with some context clues. I was constantly having to search what things meant. But all in all it was a good book.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the blend of dark academia and the whodunnit vibe of this book. The reveals kept me guessing right up until the very end. The focus on STEM and the detailed world-building were especially refreshing, and I think this would be a perfect read for young adult readers who enjoy clever, suspenseful mysteries.

I also really agree with another review of this being 50 first dates, albeit a very dark version of the that lol.

Thank you MacMillan for an advanced copy!