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Star Crossed Curses
Astrid Pearson’s magic is a storm she can’t contain. Since her mother’s death, the natural world doesn’t just speak to her—it screams.
Now she’s back at Deighton Academy, an arcane boarding school where the Pearson name is spoken like a hex. To some, her late mother was a legend; to others, she was a monster to be reviled. Astrid is determined to keep her head down, master her shifting power, and unlock the secrets of her mother’s stubbornly blank diary.
But Deighton’s shadows have a long memory.
Guided by a flame-eyed raven to a hidden, ancient Poison Garden, Astrid is lured into the school’s most dangerous corners. There, she is offered the one thing she can't resist: the power of necromancy.
They promise answers. They promise a way to break a generational curse.
What they don't mention are the hungry shadow demons waiting behind the veil, the lethal physical toll of witch-fire, and the fact that once you open Death's Door, something else might walk through with you.
Find out what happens in Star Crossed Curses, a gripping YA dark academia mystery featuring forbidden rituals, sentient lethal gardens, and a protagonist who must decide if her legacy is a gift or a death sentence.
Perfect for fans of Wednesday and a darker take on The Secret Garden, who are looking for their next addictive gothic mystery.
Now she’s back at Deighton Academy, an arcane boarding school where the Pearson name is spoken like a hex. To some, her late mother was a legend; to others, she was a monster to be reviled. Astrid is determined to keep her head down, master her shifting power, and unlock the secrets of her mother’s stubbornly blank diary.
But Deighton’s shadows have a long memory.
Guided by a flame-eyed raven to a hidden, ancient Poison Garden, Astrid is lured into the school’s most dangerous corners. There, she is offered the one thing she can't resist: the power of necromancy.
They promise answers. They promise a way to break a generational curse.
What they don't mention are the hungry shadow demons waiting behind the veil, the lethal physical toll of witch-fire, and the fact that once you open Death's Door, something else might walk through with you.
Find out what happens in Star Crossed Curses, a gripping YA dark academia mystery featuring forbidden rituals, sentient lethal gardens, and a protagonist who must decide if her legacy is a gift or a death sentence.
Perfect for fans of Wednesday and a darker take on The Secret Garden, who are looking for their next addictive gothic mystery.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2026
About the author
Samantha B. Cummings
4 books13 followersSamantha B. Cummings is a published Young Adult Fantasy author known for her atmospheric, character-driven novels. She specialises in genre-blending, often pulling elements from Dark Academia and mystery to create immersive worlds filled with complex magic systems and unforgettable monsters.
Her works include the well-loved Moons & Magic series, and the newly released Dark Academia novel, The Moon Is a Door, which delves into themes of grief, loyalty, and the secrets buried in old libraries and hidden societies.
When not writing, Samantha hosts a popular podcast discussing what it takes to be an indie author. Find out more on her website, and connect with her via her newsletter, The Coven.
Her works include the well-loved Moons & Magic series, and the newly released Dark Academia novel, The Moon Is a Door, which delves into themes of grief, loyalty, and the secrets buried in old libraries and hidden societies.
When not writing, Samantha hosts a popular podcast discussing what it takes to be an indie author. Find out more on her website, and connect with her via her newsletter, The Coven.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 3, 2026
If you love The Secret Garden but wish it had been darker, more gothic, and overflowing with poisonous plants instead of pretty borders, this one is for you.
One of my favourite parts of this series continues to be the way the plants are treated as living beings with their own thoughts, feelings and moods. Herbs are perfectly happy to offer up a few cuttings, while flowers and trees are a little less cooperative. It’s such a charming piece of worldbuilding.
We pick up right where book one left off, with Astrid back at Deighton Academy under strict supervision after that explosive ending. She’s still very much an outsider, and now that everyone knows who she is and just how powerful she could become, the other students are even more wary of her.
There’s a little more of Silas, but the romance definitely takes a back seat. This is still firmly YA, with the mystery and magic leading the way.
The real star for me was the poison garden. Give me deadly plants over a greenhouse any day. Throw in a lost diary, a darkly enchanted book, a touch of necromancy, more found family, and an ending I genuinely didn’t see coming, and you’ve got me counting down to book three.
One of my favourite parts of this series continues to be the way the plants are treated as living beings with their own thoughts, feelings and moods. Herbs are perfectly happy to offer up a few cuttings, while flowers and trees are a little less cooperative. It’s such a charming piece of worldbuilding.
We pick up right where book one left off, with Astrid back at Deighton Academy under strict supervision after that explosive ending. She’s still very much an outsider, and now that everyone knows who she is and just how powerful she could become, the other students are even more wary of her.
There’s a little more of Silas, but the romance definitely takes a back seat. This is still firmly YA, with the mystery and magic leading the way.
The real star for me was the poison garden. Give me deadly plants over a greenhouse any day. Throw in a lost diary, a darkly enchanted book, a touch of necromancy, more found family, and an ending I genuinely didn’t see coming, and you’ve got me counting down to book three.
July 10, 2026
Thanks for the eARC @sammowrimo
Star Crossed Curses by Samantha B Cummings.
Book 2 sees Astrid back at Deighton Academy to continue her witchy studies. It's been great to see Astrid grow into herself & her powers and starting to gather friends around her. Even if they are pushing the realms of darker magic!
In book 1 I loved Astrid's connection to nature so it was great to see that back in this book & the introduction of the locked poison garden was fantastic 😍 The Secret Garden is my favourite childhood book & it always felt like it had fantasy vibes to me, so the poison garden was one of my favourite parts.
The ending was great & I can't wait to see where it's going to take Astrid in the next book!
#SamanthaBCummings #StarCrossedCurses #arcreviews #YAFantasy #nettyslibrary
Star Crossed Curses by Samantha B Cummings.
Book 2 sees Astrid back at Deighton Academy to continue her witchy studies. It's been great to see Astrid grow into herself & her powers and starting to gather friends around her. Even if they are pushing the realms of darker magic!
In book 1 I loved Astrid's connection to nature so it was great to see that back in this book & the introduction of the locked poison garden was fantastic 😍 The Secret Garden is my favourite childhood book & it always felt like it had fantasy vibes to me, so the poison garden was one of my favourite parts.
The ending was great & I can't wait to see where it's going to take Astrid in the next book!
#SamanthaBCummings #StarCrossedCurses #arcreviews #YAFantasy #nettyslibrary
June 29, 2026
This was so good! We pick up right where we left off in book 01, and then we're off to the races of suspense and poison gardens. This one feels darker than the first, but it's just as full of emotions and friendship.
Once you start reading, you're going to get sucked in and keep turning page after page, even when you should probably be sleeping instead! I can't wait to find out what happens next - and to see if what I think is going to happen next is right!
Once you start reading, you're going to get sucked in and keep turning page after page, even when you should probably be sleeping instead! I can't wait to find out what happens next - and to see if what I think is going to happen next is right!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this book from the author and it was really really good!
It is a story of dark academia and we are back at Deighton Academy the school for student witches! We pick up where book 1 finished with the girls returning to school following their winter break.
The story is full of secrets and mystery. We follow Astrid who is trying to have a quiet term at school but it's not quite going to plan!! 🤣
There are dangerous situations, curses and a poison garden! I loved the inner conversations between Astrid and the garden 🤣🤣
The story also has some beautiful friendships that continue to grow and blossom through this book.
Astrid is so brave and loyal and has so much compassion that she wants to help her friends no matter the consequences for herself 🥰 and she learns that there are always consequences for all actions!
The story is exciting and has suspense in buckets! The story also touches on grief and betrayal 🥺 mostly between Astrid and her mum as she continues to finds out more and more about her and what she did while she attended Deighton Academy 💔
This is a very good read! It gave me Practical Magic vibes 😍 and the ending has left me with lots of questions that I look forward to getting answers to in book 3!! 🤣🫶
It is a story of dark academia and we are back at Deighton Academy the school for student witches! We pick up where book 1 finished with the girls returning to school following their winter break.
The story is full of secrets and mystery. We follow Astrid who is trying to have a quiet term at school but it's not quite going to plan!! 🤣
There are dangerous situations, curses and a poison garden! I loved the inner conversations between Astrid and the garden 🤣🤣
The story also has some beautiful friendships that continue to grow and blossom through this book.
Astrid is so brave and loyal and has so much compassion that she wants to help her friends no matter the consequences for herself 🥰 and she learns that there are always consequences for all actions!
The story is exciting and has suspense in buckets! The story also touches on grief and betrayal 🥺 mostly between Astrid and her mum as she continues to finds out more and more about her and what she did while she attended Deighton Academy 💔
This is a very good read! It gave me Practical Magic vibes 😍 and the ending has left me with lots of questions that I look forward to getting answers to in book 3!! 🤣🫶
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is the follow-up to The Moon is a Door which I was really looking forward to reading, returning me to Deighton Academy & it does not disappoint. To me this is darker than the 1st book, leaning further towards the allure of the dark arts. In typical Astrid fashion, it's not long until she's finding trouble, or trouble is finding her, despite trying to be a good student. I really liked the way the characters have evolved, especially Cordy. Samantha captures the emotions & thoughts of Astrid as more & more of her mum's past is revealed & she sees the impact not only on herself but others around her. On top of that she is still learning to deal with the complexity that comes with being a witch, a teenager, being away from her dad & the revelations in book 1. I'm already looking forward to the next book.
This is the follow-up to The Moon is a Door which I was really looking forward to reading, returning me to Deighton Academy & it does not disappoint. To me this is darker than the 1st book, leaning further towards the allure of the dark arts. In typical Astrid fashion, it's not long until she's finding trouble, or trouble is finding her, despite trying to be a good student. I really liked the way the characters have evolved, especially Cordy. Samantha captures the emotions & thoughts of Astrid as more & more of her mum's past is revealed & she sees the impact not only on herself but others around her. On top of that she is still learning to deal with the complexity that comes with being a witch, a teenager, being away from her dad & the revelations in book 1. I'm already looking forward to the next book.
September 15, 2026
Samantha B Cummings does it again bringing to life dark academia as we follow the second part of Astrid's story.
Astrid returns to Deighton Academy haunted by her past.
As she searches for answers about her mother, she finds herself in another precarious situation. Will Astrid be consumed by darkness or will she find a way to fight it?
After reading book 1, The Moon is a Door, I had to continue this series to find out what happens to Astrid and boy was I in for a surprise. The author does a phenomenal job creating an immersive dark academia setting. We find out more about Astrid's mom and as the reader even I began to question was she a good witch or bad?
Sometimes it's not as simple as good or bad but that gray area in between.
I highly recommend this for readers who love witchy vibes, dark academia, and stories that go deeper than just the surface.
Astrid returns to Deighton Academy haunted by her past.
As she searches for answers about her mother, she finds herself in another precarious situation. Will Astrid be consumed by darkness or will she find a way to fight it?
After reading book 1, The Moon is a Door, I had to continue this series to find out what happens to Astrid and boy was I in for a surprise. The author does a phenomenal job creating an immersive dark academia setting. We find out more about Astrid's mom and as the reader even I began to question was she a good witch or bad?
Sometimes it's not as simple as good or bad but that gray area in between.
I highly recommend this for readers who love witchy vibes, dark academia, and stories that go deeper than just the surface.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am speechless and DYING for book 3! I JUST finished Star Crossed Curses and enjoyed it so much. Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an arc of this phenomenal book!
I read and enjoyed The Moon is a Door and was so excited for this second book in the Deighton Academy series. Book 2 was such a page-turner! I tore through it and loved every second!
The characters, the sometimes tenuous found family, the dark academia and witchcraft - I love it all so, so much. Shadow and light, dark magic, curses, family secrets and histories, teen witches, poison gardens, and more! The list of elements that I devoured in this book is LONG.
If you like YA fantasy, dark academia, witchcraft/magic, and gothic vibes, please read this!!!
I read and enjoyed The Moon is a Door and was so excited for this second book in the Deighton Academy series. Book 2 was such a page-turner! I tore through it and loved every second!
The characters, the sometimes tenuous found family, the dark academia and witchcraft - I love it all so, so much. Shadow and light, dark magic, curses, family secrets and histories, teen witches, poison gardens, and more! The list of elements that I devoured in this book is LONG.
If you like YA fantasy, dark academia, witchcraft/magic, and gothic vibes, please read this!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews