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Ink and Shadows: A gripping YA dark academia thriller set within a secret occult society, the perfect witchy read for spooky season
In a society shrouded in secrets, who can you really trust? A sumptuously gothic YA murder mystery.
All students offered a place at St Augustine's University will get an elite education, but only a chosen few will be invited to join The Society of Ink and the elusive group dedicated to practising the occult arts.
Having struggled to fit into university life, Eve is overjoyed when this invitation is extended her way. But when a fellow society member is maliciously attacked, setting off a series of deadly incidents across the campus, she soon learns that there's a price to pay for being part of such an exclusive circle.
As society members are picked off one by one, Eve must race to unmask the killer before she becomes the next victim. But can she trust her new friends, or is there a traitor among them?
All students offered a place at St Augustine's University will get an elite education, but only a chosen few will be invited to join The Society of Ink and the elusive group dedicated to practising the occult arts.
Having struggled to fit into university life, Eve is overjoyed when this invitation is extended her way. But when a fellow society member is maliciously attacked, setting off a series of deadly incidents across the campus, she soon learns that there's a price to pay for being part of such an exclusive circle.
As society members are picked off one by one, Eve must race to unmask the killer before she becomes the next victim. But can she trust her new friends, or is there a traitor among them?
- GenresMysteryDark Academia
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 20, 2026
Thank you to Tempest for sending me a finished copy of this book!
My first book by Lauren Willmore, and what a great debut! The writing was immersive and engaging, and I had such a fun time with this one. The mystery kept me guessing with so many suspects, questions, and twists that had me flipping the pages. Eve was a great character to follow, and I genuinely felt tempted to step inside the book just to experience everything alongside her!
A perfect gothic, dark academia mystery for spooky season. I’m definitely impressed!
My first book by Lauren Willmore, and what a great debut! The writing was immersive and engaging, and I had such a fun time with this one. The mystery kept me guessing with so many suspects, questions, and twists that had me flipping the pages. Eve was a great character to follow, and I genuinely felt tempted to step inside the book just to experience everything alongside her!
A perfect gothic, dark academia mystery for spooky season. I’m definitely impressed!
September 16, 2026
The beautiful cover of this book caught my attention. It matches the atmosphere of this university set urban fantasy story, which has a nice, if murderous, vibe. Nothing too gruesome though.
Eve, a bit reclusive, a bit of a loner, not exactly through choice, finally finds a possible friend and an offer to join a secret witch society.
But when her new friend dies Eve isn’t willing to accept that this is anything other than a murder.
When the Police refuse to investigate she decides to do that herself. She thinks there is a major connection to the society, her friend’s murder and the witch history of the area.
Too many suspects and more murders leave her not knowing who to trust. As she starts to come out of her shell, using her knowledge of past witch trials and deaths means she finds lots more friends and a particular deadly enemy.
Thank you to Tempest and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Eve, a bit reclusive, a bit of a loner, not exactly through choice, finally finds a possible friend and an offer to join a secret witch society.
But when her new friend dies Eve isn’t willing to accept that this is anything other than a murder.
When the Police refuse to investigate she decides to do that herself. She thinks there is a major connection to the society, her friend’s murder and the witch history of the area.
Too many suspects and more murders leave her not knowing who to trust. As she starts to come out of her shell, using her knowledge of past witch trials and deaths means she finds lots more friends and a particular deadly enemy.
Thank you to Tempest and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
October 24, 2026
Lauren Willmore has created a thrilling piece of dark academia with Ink & Shadows. From the very first chapter, the eerie, atmospheric vibes hooked me, and I couldn't put it down.
The plot is packed with twists and turns that kept me constantly guessing right up until the very end. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another secret was uncovered.
What truly elevated this story for me, though, were the characters. They were written with just enough depth and nuance that by the end, I felt like I genuinely knew them.
If you love atmospheric dark academia & a compelling whodunit, you need to add this to your TBR!
The plot is packed with twists and turns that kept me constantly guessing right up until the very end. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another secret was uncovered.
What truly elevated this story for me, though, were the characters. They were written with just enough depth and nuance that by the end, I felt like I genuinely knew them.
If you love atmospheric dark academia & a compelling whodunit, you need to add this to your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A thrilling murder mystery set within a gothic university town where the students dabble in the occult. We follow the FMC as she has to deal with both her feelings for the Darcy-esque boy who talks history to her and a spree of murders targeting the secret society that promises wealth and prestige to those who join. With plot twists and turns that keep you up reading past 1am (because you need to know what happens next and one more chapter cant hurt) this is the perfect book to curl up under a blanket with, light a candle and listen to the rain pouring down outside as you get lost inside the pages of rich worldbuilding and relatable characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Loved this debut - excellent and immersive writing, an MC with a relatable and humorous voice, loads of twists and turns, and the cover is STUNNING.
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October 25, 2026May the Society of Ink & Shadows never find me. This was such a great murder-mystery set against a backdrop of dark academia and historical witchcraft trials. A fantastic read for the spooky season!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews