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Threads of Fate
Don’t walk alone. Don’t invite them in, but most all—don’t bleed.
Nearly two years after surviving the MillU Murders—a brutal killing spree that claimed her best friend’s life—Manny is trying to move on. After taking an academic leave to heal, she’s back at Millfield University, hoping to rebuild her life. But when another student is found dead in the same horrific fashion of the murders that once terrorized the campus, rumors of the killer’s return begin to spread, and Manny is forced to confront the chilling reality: the nightmare isn’t over. It’s just begun.
With the administration determined to turn a blind eye, Manny launches her own investigation, only to discover something far darker than she could have ever imagined. It’s not a serial killer on the loose—it’s something centuries old and powerful that dates back to the university’s founding—a malevolent entity preying on students, growing stronger every time it feeds.
But why now? Who awakened it? And can it be stopped before more lives are lost?
As the body count rises, Manny realizes that no one is safe—and everyone is a suspect. In this game of life and death, the only thing more dangerous than the curse’s unpredictability is the otherworldly forces—witches, vampires, and possibly werewolves—gathering because of it. With the line between myth and reality blurring, Manny knows if she doesn’t act fast, she and her friends could be next—because the curse is hungry, and everyone is on the menu.
For fans of Ninth House and Scream—Threads of Fate is a dark academia fantasy where the truth is more terrifying than any myth in a town with a history that refuses to be forgotten.
- GenresHorrorDark Fantasy
Paperback
First published November 1, 2025
About the author
Aminah Fox
8 books52 followersAminah Fox was born in Oakland, California in June 1998. She is an alumna of the University of Toronto (MI in Library & Information Science) and Hofstra University (BA in English, Creative Writing & Literature). Her sophomore novel, The Mourners: The Deadly Elite, was published in 2022. She lives in Texas (USA) and Toronto (CAN).
Keep in touch with her via www.aminahfox.com, on Instagram @aminahsfox, on Twitter @AminahFox, and on Facebook www.facebook.com/AminahFoxOfficial.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 6, 2025
This was a new author for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect , but I really enjoyed it!!
Something about a “killer on campus” trope just gives me fall vibes for some reason 😅😅 and I loved the amateur detective of it all.
Think slasher + dark academia + paranormal thriller with horror elements and you have the beautiful concoction that is this book.. literally all the best themes wrapped up tight into one spooky plot.
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes - Nov 20th
Something about a “killer on campus” trope just gives me fall vibes for some reason 😅😅 and I loved the amateur detective of it all.
Think slasher + dark academia + paranormal thriller with horror elements and you have the beautiful concoction that is this book.. literally all the best themes wrapped up tight into one spooky plot.
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes - Nov 20th
October 29, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 stars.
This was quite a wild ride if I’m being honest, if you told me how it would end from where we started I’d have been shocked that’s for sure. I always enjoy an academic setting with a supernatural theme to it, this story also expands on this with a potential serial killer on campus. After Manny’s friend is murdered and Manny returns to school, things start happening again and she’s ready to get to the bottom of it. I want to say shout out to Manny’s friends because they really stuck by her from day one even when things got insane and terrifying.
Now I’m lowkey disappointed in where things end up with Dean cause he really didn’t deserve that. The romance is this story is SOOO unexpected, and it kinda goes in a direction I could never have predicted. I do enjoy how full circle the story ends and the conclusion is how I like my stories to end.
This was quite a wild ride if I’m being honest, if you told me how it would end from where we started I’d have been shocked that’s for sure. I always enjoy an academic setting with a supernatural theme to it, this story also expands on this with a potential serial killer on campus. After Manny’s friend is murdered and Manny returns to school, things start happening again and she’s ready to get to the bottom of it. I want to say shout out to Manny’s friends because they really stuck by her from day one even when things got insane and terrifying.
Now I’m lowkey disappointed in where things end up with Dean cause he really didn’t deserve that. The romance is this story is SOOO unexpected, and it kinda goes in a direction I could never have predicted. I do enjoy how full circle the story ends and the conclusion is how I like my stories to end.
April 12, 2026
Spoilers: Aminah Bridgette Fox’s novel Threads of Fate, is similar to a Twilight Zone episode. When creating the anthology series, Rod Serling realized that he could insert his political views into a Science Fiction show. He used Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror tropes to make the connections to issues like equality, conformity, mental illness, autocracies and so on. He told a great story and also revealed basic truths that should be considered and listened to. Other creators also did the same.
Threads of Fate is like that. It is a gripping and mesmerizing Supernatural Horror Occult Academia novel about missing college students, cults, and the existence of monsters like vampires that hides important themes of marginalization, economic and racial division, gender and sexuality identities, and the secrets in educational, government, corporate and political institutions
Milford University student Tammy Moore is reported missing. Her friends, particularly her best friend and roommate Manuela “Manny” Webb are anxious and grief stricken as weeks and months pass and still no words, signs, or clues appear about her presence and whether or not she's alive. Tammy isn't the other one. Other students go missing and Manny notices some interesting sigils around campus. There might be a connection to the missing students and the mysterious sigils. It is a connection that reveals a dark sinister side to the university, faculty, staff, and student body and a conspiracy that has been going on for hundreds of years and taken countless lives.
This book walks a thin line between a realistic and paranormal thriller. The book is technically an Occult Academia but it doesn't feature magical studies or supernatural creatures as professors and students. Instead it looks like any other university, stately buildings, well tended grounds, student centers, offices, organizations, libraries, labs, and areas named after wealthy donors. Bleary eyed students and cynical professors go to and fro their daily lives to teach, study, drink coffee, publish, attend meetings, date, and everything else. It's the curriculum, focus, and classes that are unusual.
Occult Studies is an academic discipline and there are courses on the subject like “Cultural Histories of the Occult and Forbidden Knowledge.” There are professors like Beau Moreau who are authorities on the subject and some literally wrote the books on Occult Studies. Students can even major in the subject alongside Creative Writing, Communications, or Medicine.
The book doesn't say what the employment outlook is like for one who majors in Occult Studies but it would be interesting to find out. The iconoclastic studies alongside the normal setting perfectly reveal that book combining something ancient, magical, and supernatural with something modern, realistic, and relatable.
The missing students plot point provides commentary on many actual issues. There is the media frenzy particularly on social media where grief becomes a public spectacle, a person even a dead person becomes a commodity for hits, shares, and comments.
The case becomes a cause celebre then disappears when the reporters, bloggers, and law enforcement officers do. The 15 minutes of fame are sped up to about 5 in this day of quick and disposable fame and infamy.
Manny and her friends are caught between trying to solve the mystery of the disappearances and go through their usual college life but it's hard to do with people wanting to find out the gory details.
Since Manny's best friend was one of the victims, she is constantly surrounded by questions, accusations, and publicity depicting her in many roles from the actual murderer to the brave survivor. Her grief is magnified by the notoriety so she seeks therapy to sort out her grief, anger, and helplessness.
There is also commentary about the type of people being murdered. The majority of the victims are either students of color or were involved in DEI organizations and causes. This connection opens up conversations and arguments about prejudicial assumptions about the victims and their assailants.
It also puts an edge on the arrival and departure of the media circus. One could look at the constant presence as a counter, almost an overreaction to a press that is often accused of perpetuating “Missing White Woman Syndrome,” but the abrupt end could be seen as the press doing that very thing. They chase a lead with a racial narrative then step away when the consequences become too great when civilians involve themselves.
Manny is in a precarious position as a Black female asexual student who was in the right place at the right time to avoid the fate Tammy was thrown into. She knows that she could by definition become a target making her times walking alone on campus even more suspenseful in ways that some of her other friends don't have to worry about.
However, Manny is able to take actions in ways that authorities and the media will not allow. She and her friends investigate on their own. In one heart stopping chapter, she witnesses a terrifying ceremonial ritual which reveals a lot about many of the more privileged people that surround university life. When those channels fail and prove to be dangerous, she and her friends guess the potential future victims and try to protect them from the kidnappers by following them.
There is a transition between reality and fantasy when a plausible albeit supernatural novel becomes entirely a supernatural novel with very little plausibility. A discovery about one of the characters moves this character to center stage and develops their relationship with Manny in questionable potentially disturbing ways.
In making comparisons between fantasy and the reality subtext, Manny’s relationship between this character asks a lot of uncomfortable questions about sexual power and dominance, intergenerational romance, racial implications, and sexual identity. It moves the book into a different direction which may not be one for the better.
Threads of Fate is like that. It is a gripping and mesmerizing Supernatural Horror Occult Academia novel about missing college students, cults, and the existence of monsters like vampires that hides important themes of marginalization, economic and racial division, gender and sexuality identities, and the secrets in educational, government, corporate and political institutions
Milford University student Tammy Moore is reported missing. Her friends, particularly her best friend and roommate Manuela “Manny” Webb are anxious and grief stricken as weeks and months pass and still no words, signs, or clues appear about her presence and whether or not she's alive. Tammy isn't the other one. Other students go missing and Manny notices some interesting sigils around campus. There might be a connection to the missing students and the mysterious sigils. It is a connection that reveals a dark sinister side to the university, faculty, staff, and student body and a conspiracy that has been going on for hundreds of years and taken countless lives.
This book walks a thin line between a realistic and paranormal thriller. The book is technically an Occult Academia but it doesn't feature magical studies or supernatural creatures as professors and students. Instead it looks like any other university, stately buildings, well tended grounds, student centers, offices, organizations, libraries, labs, and areas named after wealthy donors. Bleary eyed students and cynical professors go to and fro their daily lives to teach, study, drink coffee, publish, attend meetings, date, and everything else. It's the curriculum, focus, and classes that are unusual.
Occult Studies is an academic discipline and there are courses on the subject like “Cultural Histories of the Occult and Forbidden Knowledge.” There are professors like Beau Moreau who are authorities on the subject and some literally wrote the books on Occult Studies. Students can even major in the subject alongside Creative Writing, Communications, or Medicine.
The book doesn't say what the employment outlook is like for one who majors in Occult Studies but it would be interesting to find out. The iconoclastic studies alongside the normal setting perfectly reveal that book combining something ancient, magical, and supernatural with something modern, realistic, and relatable.
The missing students plot point provides commentary on many actual issues. There is the media frenzy particularly on social media where grief becomes a public spectacle, a person even a dead person becomes a commodity for hits, shares, and comments.
The case becomes a cause celebre then disappears when the reporters, bloggers, and law enforcement officers do. The 15 minutes of fame are sped up to about 5 in this day of quick and disposable fame and infamy.
Manny and her friends are caught between trying to solve the mystery of the disappearances and go through their usual college life but it's hard to do with people wanting to find out the gory details.
Since Manny's best friend was one of the victims, she is constantly surrounded by questions, accusations, and publicity depicting her in many roles from the actual murderer to the brave survivor. Her grief is magnified by the notoriety so she seeks therapy to sort out her grief, anger, and helplessness.
There is also commentary about the type of people being murdered. The majority of the victims are either students of color or were involved in DEI organizations and causes. This connection opens up conversations and arguments about prejudicial assumptions about the victims and their assailants.
It also puts an edge on the arrival and departure of the media circus. One could look at the constant presence as a counter, almost an overreaction to a press that is often accused of perpetuating “Missing White Woman Syndrome,” but the abrupt end could be seen as the press doing that very thing. They chase a lead with a racial narrative then step away when the consequences become too great when civilians involve themselves.
Manny is in a precarious position as a Black female asexual student who was in the right place at the right time to avoid the fate Tammy was thrown into. She knows that she could by definition become a target making her times walking alone on campus even more suspenseful in ways that some of her other friends don't have to worry about.
However, Manny is able to take actions in ways that authorities and the media will not allow. She and her friends investigate on their own. In one heart stopping chapter, she witnesses a terrifying ceremonial ritual which reveals a lot about many of the more privileged people that surround university life. When those channels fail and prove to be dangerous, she and her friends guess the potential future victims and try to protect them from the kidnappers by following them.
There is a transition between reality and fantasy when a plausible albeit supernatural novel becomes entirely a supernatural novel with very little plausibility. A discovery about one of the characters moves this character to center stage and develops their relationship with Manny in questionable potentially disturbing ways.
In making comparisons between fantasy and the reality subtext, Manny’s relationship between this character asks a lot of uncomfortable questions about sexual power and dominance, intergenerational romance, racial implications, and sexual identity. It moves the book into a different direction which may not be one for the better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2025
This book was a wild ride from start to finish, and I mean that in the best way. I’m a sucker for an academic setting with a supernatural twist, and this novel delivered that and raised the stakes with a potential serial killer haunting the campus.
When Manny returns to school after her friend’s brutal murder, she’s hoping for a fresh start. Instead, the nightmare begins again. And honestly? Shout out to her friend group, because they stand by her even when things get terrifying, unbelievable, and outright dangerous. Their loyalty gave the story so much heart amid all the chaos.
This was my first read from this author, and I was genuinely impressed. Their attention to detail and ability to craft tension-filled scenes kept me hooked. The characters, especially Manny, are strong, layered, and constantly kept me guessing. Every twist made me rethink everything I thought I knew.
The pacing is fast, the atmosphere is gripping, and the mystery blends seamlessly with dark academia and supernatural elements. Manny’s determination to uncover what’s happening on campus makes her an easy character to root for, and watching her piece things together was addictive. I tore through chapters because I had to know what was coming next.
If you love campus mysteries, supernatural threats, and stories that blur the line between myth and reality, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I’m already excited to see what this author does next.
Highly recommend.
When Manny returns to school after her friend’s brutal murder, she’s hoping for a fresh start. Instead, the nightmare begins again. And honestly? Shout out to her friend group, because they stand by her even when things get terrifying, unbelievable, and outright dangerous. Their loyalty gave the story so much heart amid all the chaos.
This was my first read from this author, and I was genuinely impressed. Their attention to detail and ability to craft tension-filled scenes kept me hooked. The characters, especially Manny, are strong, layered, and constantly kept me guessing. Every twist made me rethink everything I thought I knew.
The pacing is fast, the atmosphere is gripping, and the mystery blends seamlessly with dark academia and supernatural elements. Manny’s determination to uncover what’s happening on campus makes her an easy character to root for, and watching her piece things together was addictive. I tore through chapters because I had to know what was coming next.
If you love campus mysteries, supernatural threats, and stories that blur the line between myth and reality, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I’m already excited to see what this author does next.
Highly recommend.
January 4, 2026
Threads of Fate seems to start off as an academia murder thriller but shifts reasonably quickly into the fantasy / romantasy genres as main character Manny finds herself increasingly entangled in a vampiric curse.
For me this has similar vibes to the All Souls trilogy, especially comparing Prof. Moreau to Matthew; or perhaps it's just that vampires are expected to be educated, erudite and stylish? 🤷♂️
Manny however, feels like a far more nuanced and layered character than Diana. Rather than being a 'witch-in-denial', she's a muggle trying to deal with returning to the normality of education and study after the unexplained death of her friend.
There are plenty of characters to try and keep track of, from the many students in Manny's social circle through to the increasing number of vampires and their minions. At one point it did feel like one 'red shirt' seemed to appear as part of a previous plot point, despite there being no mention of him previously. I was too engrossed to go back to check, and it doesn't really have any profound bearing on the story as a whole.
An excellent read, and fans of Deborah Harkness will feel right at home in this world.
Many thanks to the author and BookSirens for arranging the complimentary copy on which this review is based.
For me this has similar vibes to the All Souls trilogy, especially comparing Prof. Moreau to Matthew; or perhaps it's just that vampires are expected to be educated, erudite and stylish? 🤷♂️
Manny however, feels like a far more nuanced and layered character than Diana. Rather than being a 'witch-in-denial', she's a muggle trying to deal with returning to the normality of education and study after the unexplained death of her friend.
There are plenty of characters to try and keep track of, from the many students in Manny's social circle through to the increasing number of vampires and their minions. At one point it did feel like one 'red shirt' seemed to appear as part of a previous plot point, despite there being no mention of him previously. I was too engrossed to go back to check, and it doesn't really have any profound bearing on the story as a whole.
An excellent read, and fans of Deborah Harkness will feel right at home in this world.
Many thanks to the author and BookSirens for arranging the complimentary copy on which this review is based.
March 17, 2026
Chaotic, Spooky & Relatable (Ironically)
Manny is my favourite kind of protagonist: Sarcastic, realistic and deeply, *deeply* broken. She makes so many terrible choices throughout the novel but it feels exactly like what someone who's straight up just a regular person would do in each situation. All she's trying to do is survive the semester and occult occurrences happening at her university and uncover the mystery of her friend's death. The plot is both terrifying and hilarious at times and manages to walk a fine line of embracing the tropes of the genre, while still poking fun at them. The novel also has some of my favourite side characters (shout out to moody cat and vampire zaddy). Highly recommend checking out this book.
Manny is my favourite kind of protagonist: Sarcastic, realistic and deeply, *deeply* broken. She makes so many terrible choices throughout the novel but it feels exactly like what someone who's straight up just a regular person would do in each situation. All she's trying to do is survive the semester and occult occurrences happening at her university and uncover the mystery of her friend's death. The plot is both terrifying and hilarious at times and manages to walk a fine line of embracing the tropes of the genre, while still poking fun at them. The novel also has some of my favourite side characters (shout out to moody cat and vampire zaddy). Highly recommend checking out this book.
December 2, 2025
This is a new author for me which I enjoyed their writing skills along with their attention to details. I enjoyed how the author created characters that kept me guessing what would happen next. They are engaging, strong characters that made want to see more of throughout. This is a well written story that has twists and turns that had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Manny is a great character who is determined to find out what is happening to the students. I found this story to be fast paced, hard to put down, engaging story. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author. I highly recommend this book.
November 28, 2025
She returns to school where her best friend was killed still haunted by the death even though the killer was never caught. Another student is killed and it is suspected the killer has arrived. She is determined to find all the answers and get the killer caught at long last. See if she finds the killer
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant read
December 13, 2025
Unfortunately DNF’s this book. It had an interesting plot but it was dark in a cult type way that is not my type of book at all. I like vampires, but this wasn’t a typical vampire book. Maybe someday I’ll go back and finish it out of curiosity for who is actually killing these students, but not now.
Thank you for the opportunity to read the arc, this is a voluntary review.
Thank you for the opportunity to read the arc, this is a voluntary review.
December 18, 2025
I struggled a little to read this book. It started out slow and was difficult to (want to) read, but it picked up about halfway through and then I truely enjoyed reading. The book had a twist that I didn’t expect. It left off leaving me wanting more. I am hoping for another book to find out what happens to Manny, Dean, Daniel, and the rest of her friends.
January 17, 2026
3.5 rounded up.
A fun dark academia- gothic horror style book. Things get creepy very quickly.
The pacing goes back and forth between a fast action, and then has some hilll that move a bit slower.
Vampires have some interesting features in this book making them unique.
I enjoyed the mystery of it, and the very "new" detectives.
Thank you book sirens for the eArc.
A fun dark academia- gothic horror style book. Things get creepy very quickly.
The pacing goes back and forth between a fast action, and then has some hilll that move a bit slower.
Vampires have some interesting features in this book making them unique.
I enjoyed the mystery of it, and the very "new" detectives.
Thank you book sirens for the eArc.
March 9, 2026
Threads of Fate* delivers campus horror with teeth. Manny’s return to Millfield University is supposed to be healing… but the shadows clearly didn’t get the memo. The mystery is sharp, the supernatural twists land, and the atmosphere practically hums with dread.
March 10, 2026
Killer on campus it has got me excited for Halloween. This was just the book that I needed to get me out of a funk. I love the dark academia and the horror was just a added bonus. It made me feel nostalgic for reading R L Stine books as a kid. I really enjoyed the experience.
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June 3, 2026Manny from Threads of Fate is graysexual!
Shantelle from Threads of Fate is acespec!
https://aspeccharactersoftheday.tumbl...
Shantelle from Threads of Fate is acespec!
https://aspeccharactersoftheday.tumbl...
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