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All That We Raised
The devil is real...he just prefers tenure.
When Lexi takes a research position at St Dunstan’s, she believes it’s only a way to earn money and, quietly, to uncover what happened to her mother, a brilliant scholar who vanished after becoming entangled in the university’s occult work.
But St Dunstan’s does not give up its secrets easily. Within its marble corridors, stone cloisters conceal ritual circles, rival scholars hoard fragments of forbidden knowledge, and Lexi’s own sister keeps a wary distance.
At the center stands Professor August Hale; charismatic, unreadable, and already claimed by something far older than academia. His seminars blur the line between scholarship and summoning, intellect and temptation. To study under him is to risk obsession; to love him may be fatal.
As Lexi delves deeper into the institution’s archives and her family’s hidden history, she must decide whether she is solving her mother’s mystery, or repeating it.
Lush, unsettling, and intoxicating, All That We Raised blends the seductive allure of dark academia with the creeping dread of gothic horror. A story of legacy, desire, and the perilous hunger for knowledge and power.
When Lexi takes a research position at St Dunstan’s, she believes it’s only a way to earn money and, quietly, to uncover what happened to her mother, a brilliant scholar who vanished after becoming entangled in the university’s occult work.
But St Dunstan’s does not give up its secrets easily. Within its marble corridors, stone cloisters conceal ritual circles, rival scholars hoard fragments of forbidden knowledge, and Lexi’s own sister keeps a wary distance.
At the center stands Professor August Hale; charismatic, unreadable, and already claimed by something far older than academia. His seminars blur the line between scholarship and summoning, intellect and temptation. To study under him is to risk obsession; to love him may be fatal.
As Lexi delves deeper into the institution’s archives and her family’s hidden history, she must decide whether she is solving her mother’s mystery, or repeating it.
Lush, unsettling, and intoxicating, All That We Raised blends the seductive allure of dark academia with the creeping dread of gothic horror. A story of legacy, desire, and the perilous hunger for knowledge and power.
534 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2026
5 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Purnell
2 books4 followersSarah writes dark, romantic stories about obsession, academia, and occasionally the devil... But she also has a soft spot for small towns, second chances, and the kind of love that feels a little too dangerous to touch.
Armed with a Master’s in Professional Writing and a pepsi max dependency she insists is “part of the process", she writes stories that balance darkness with desire, exploring the fine line between tenderness and temptation.
Whether it’s a Gothic campus haunted by ambition, a forge glowing in the Kentucky dusk, or a storm-wracked keep in a world where love might cost your soul, her stories are always about flawed people finding something worth burning for.
Armed with a Master’s in Professional Writing and a pepsi max dependency she insists is “part of the process", she writes stories that balance darkness with desire, exploring the fine line between tenderness and temptation.
Whether it’s a Gothic campus haunted by ambition, a forge glowing in the Kentucky dusk, or a storm-wracked keep in a world where love might cost your soul, her stories are always about flawed people finding something worth burning for.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 28, 2026
a haunting, dark academia whirlwind that follows Lexi who becomes a research assistant in hopes to find answers about her missing mother. she soon gets swept into a pulsing, occult underworld that goes well beyond the margins of her work.
I think this book would do wonders with a good editor. There are flashes of brilliance, and I think Purnell has a great grasp on how to capture that dark academia atmosphere she sought out for. My favourite aspect of this book was how clever the dialogue was; the flow of banter and intelligent quips were perfect.
Where I think an editor would transform this story would be in its pacing and plot direction. Some sections were quite meandering, while others were blown through too fast. The plot also seemed to wander at times, muddling the main objectives and deflating the rising action. In the end, I was left feeling unclear on quite a few narrative threads that I wish were better explained and expanded upon.
Overall, this book needs some work but the potential is certainly there. I loved the witty dialogue, rich occult imagery, and of course, the professor — phew, what a man!
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the opportunity read and review!
3 stars
I think this book would do wonders with a good editor. There are flashes of brilliance, and I think Purnell has a great grasp on how to capture that dark academia atmosphere she sought out for. My favourite aspect of this book was how clever the dialogue was; the flow of banter and intelligent quips were perfect.
Where I think an editor would transform this story would be in its pacing and plot direction. Some sections were quite meandering, while others were blown through too fast. The plot also seemed to wander at times, muddling the main objectives and deflating the rising action. In the end, I was left feeling unclear on quite a few narrative threads that I wish were better explained and expanded upon.
Overall, this book needs some work but the potential is certainly there. I loved the witty dialogue, rich occult imagery, and of course, the professor — phew, what a man!
Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the opportunity read and review!
3 stars
Did not finish
February 25, 2026Thank you to Sarah Purnell for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
When Lexi takes a research position at St Dunstan’s, she believes it’s only a way to earn money and, quietly, to uncover what happened to her mother, a brilliant scholar who vanished after becoming entangled in the university’s occult work. But St Dunstan’s does not give up its secrets easily. Within its marble corridors, stone cloisters conceal ritual circles, rival scholars hoard fragments of forbidden knowledge, and Lexi’s own sister keeps a wary distance. At the center stands Professor August Hale; charismatic, unreadable, and already claimed by something far older than academia. His seminars blur the line between scholarship and summoning, intellect and temptation. To study under him is to risk obsession; to love him may be fatal. As Lexi delves deeper into the institution’s archives and her family’s hidden history, she must decide whether she is solving her mother’s mystery, or repeating it.
This is unfortunately a DNF around the 10% mark. It may be my current brain state/mood but I just could not get into this. Books definitely need to grip me within its first 10% for me to want to continue and for some reason, I just could not get attached to the words. It felt like I’d been thrown into the deep end with no context whatsoever. I’m all for a mystery to be uncovered but I need hints from the off and I didn’t get that. I didn’t find myself connected to the characters or curious about what was going on - a sign that this book wasn’t a good fit for me. Perhaps one day I’ll come back and try again but for now, I must step away.
Overall, All That We Raised is a book that just isn’t for me but truly wish Purnell all the success.
Thank you again to Sarah Purnell for an advanced copy of this book.
When Lexi takes a research position at St Dunstan’s, she believes it’s only a way to earn money and, quietly, to uncover what happened to her mother, a brilliant scholar who vanished after becoming entangled in the university’s occult work. But St Dunstan’s does not give up its secrets easily. Within its marble corridors, stone cloisters conceal ritual circles, rival scholars hoard fragments of forbidden knowledge, and Lexi’s own sister keeps a wary distance. At the center stands Professor August Hale; charismatic, unreadable, and already claimed by something far older than academia. His seminars blur the line between scholarship and summoning, intellect and temptation. To study under him is to risk obsession; to love him may be fatal. As Lexi delves deeper into the institution’s archives and her family’s hidden history, she must decide whether she is solving her mother’s mystery, or repeating it.
This is unfortunately a DNF around the 10% mark. It may be my current brain state/mood but I just could not get into this. Books definitely need to grip me within its first 10% for me to want to continue and for some reason, I just could not get attached to the words. It felt like I’d been thrown into the deep end with no context whatsoever. I’m all for a mystery to be uncovered but I need hints from the off and I didn’t get that. I didn’t find myself connected to the characters or curious about what was going on - a sign that this book wasn’t a good fit for me. Perhaps one day I’ll come back and try again but for now, I must step away.
Overall, All That We Raised is a book that just isn’t for me but truly wish Purnell all the success.
Thank you again to Sarah Purnell for an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the opportunity to read my first ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
From the very first pages, this novel sets the tone like a dramatic cloak being thrown over candlelight. The language is whimsical, poetic, and absolutely dripping in metaphor. We’re talking crows, looming academic architecture, and a deliciously dark gothic atmosphere that immediately had me thinking, oh hello old friend, a la Edgar Allan Poe and Mervyn Peake. Moody? Yes. Pretentious? No. Seductive? Entirely.
Now, full disclosure: names and characters are introduced at a pace that briefly made my brain wave a tiny white flag. I did lose track of who was who for a hot minute but thankfully the tone relaxes, the narrative steadies, and suddenly I was back in the game, leaning forward like tell me more, tell me everything. Mystery seeps in early, thick and velvety, raising far more questions than answers and sinking its teeth into you until you’re helplessly hooked.
At the heart of it all is Lexi, our FMC, piecing together the truth about her mother’s disappearance. The mystery rooted deep in her childhood and tangled up with St. Dunstan’s University, where her mother once worked. What starts as a search for answers becomes something far more dangerous: a door into a world Lexi never knew existed. And once opened… well. The real question isn’t how to walk through it, it’s whether she can ever close it again.
And then there’s August Hale. *Sigh*. I am nothing if not predictable, and yes, I love a dark, brooding, somewhat cursed MMC who looks like he hasn’t slept since 1843. The hot and cold, will they won't they tension felt like two magnets repeatedly slamming together and ripping apart, leaving behind that exquisite ache that is half frustration, half obsession. And the yearning? *Chef’s kiss.*
Quick side note because it deserves one: Marcus. Absolute standout. LGBT representation, West Indies roots, and effortlessly compelling. I loved all the side characters, but he was my favourite by far. And Nix… listen. I wasn’t supposed to want him almost as much as August, but here we are. No regrets.
This is not a book you casually skim while half distracted or knee deep in brain fog. It demands your attention and rewards it. Lectures pose questions like “What makes a devil?” with answers such as "rebellion, ambition, desire" and then reminds us these are traits society teaches us to fear, especially in women. There’s a strong undercurrent here that brought to mind the idea that when men become spiritual they’re called religious, but when women do, they’re called witches. If that doesn’t spark interest and curiosity, the steadily unfolding mystery absolutely will.
In terms of pacing, this is a true slow burn. Slower than my usual taste, if I’m honest. But curiosity (and my undeniable attachment to August) kept me turning pages. By the halfway point, I was fully attuned to its rhythm, struggling to put it down, giggling, swooning, and occasionally yelling “just kiss already” at the page. Turns out the slow burn knew exactly what it was doing.
And then… the ending. Without trying to give anything away. Consequences hit hard and fate is difficult to escape, and it all feels perfectly in step with the old school gothic heart beating beneath the story. This is the kind of book that lingers. The kind that makes you stare into space afterward, reflecting, replaying, wanting just a little more even though you were given enough.
Dark, clever, seductive, and quietly ferocious. This book didn’t just entertain me. It bewitched me. Will you let it bewitch you too?
From the very first pages, this novel sets the tone like a dramatic cloak being thrown over candlelight. The language is whimsical, poetic, and absolutely dripping in metaphor. We’re talking crows, looming academic architecture, and a deliciously dark gothic atmosphere that immediately had me thinking, oh hello old friend, a la Edgar Allan Poe and Mervyn Peake. Moody? Yes. Pretentious? No. Seductive? Entirely.
Now, full disclosure: names and characters are introduced at a pace that briefly made my brain wave a tiny white flag. I did lose track of who was who for a hot minute but thankfully the tone relaxes, the narrative steadies, and suddenly I was back in the game, leaning forward like tell me more, tell me everything. Mystery seeps in early, thick and velvety, raising far more questions than answers and sinking its teeth into you until you’re helplessly hooked.
At the heart of it all is Lexi, our FMC, piecing together the truth about her mother’s disappearance. The mystery rooted deep in her childhood and tangled up with St. Dunstan’s University, where her mother once worked. What starts as a search for answers becomes something far more dangerous: a door into a world Lexi never knew existed. And once opened… well. The real question isn’t how to walk through it, it’s whether she can ever close it again.
And then there’s August Hale. *Sigh*. I am nothing if not predictable, and yes, I love a dark, brooding, somewhat cursed MMC who looks like he hasn’t slept since 1843. The hot and cold, will they won't they tension felt like two magnets repeatedly slamming together and ripping apart, leaving behind that exquisite ache that is half frustration, half obsession. And the yearning? *Chef’s kiss.*
Quick side note because it deserves one: Marcus. Absolute standout. LGBT representation, West Indies roots, and effortlessly compelling. I loved all the side characters, but he was my favourite by far. And Nix… listen. I wasn’t supposed to want him almost as much as August, but here we are. No regrets.
This is not a book you casually skim while half distracted or knee deep in brain fog. It demands your attention and rewards it. Lectures pose questions like “What makes a devil?” with answers such as "rebellion, ambition, desire" and then reminds us these are traits society teaches us to fear, especially in women. There’s a strong undercurrent here that brought to mind the idea that when men become spiritual they’re called religious, but when women do, they’re called witches. If that doesn’t spark interest and curiosity, the steadily unfolding mystery absolutely will.
In terms of pacing, this is a true slow burn. Slower than my usual taste, if I’m honest. But curiosity (and my undeniable attachment to August) kept me turning pages. By the halfway point, I was fully attuned to its rhythm, struggling to put it down, giggling, swooning, and occasionally yelling “just kiss already” at the page. Turns out the slow burn knew exactly what it was doing.
And then… the ending. Without trying to give anything away. Consequences hit hard and fate is difficult to escape, and it all feels perfectly in step with the old school gothic heart beating beneath the story. This is the kind of book that lingers. The kind that makes you stare into space afterward, reflecting, replaying, wanting just a little more even though you were given enough.
Dark, clever, seductive, and quietly ferocious. This book didn’t just entertain me. It bewitched me. Will you let it bewitch you too?
January 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this arc!
This was such a difficult one to rate… there was some lovely, poetic and descriptive writing and if I was going on pure vibes then it could’ve been higher. Sarah hit the ‘dark academia’ nail right on the head in a lot of ways. There were plenty of moments where I did start to get really invested and then moments where I struggled to get through it.
The dialogue, unfortunately, was stiff and weird a lot of the time, there’s a time and place for ominous, cryptic one-liners, I don’t think they’re needed multiple times in every conversation.
I liked the crows at first, until it became clear that they didn’t serve much of a purpose and there were times where the story as a whole was just confusing.
That being said, I did enjoy plenty of it, I just think the story wasn’t quite there for me. I’d be very interested to see what Sarah does next and I’d definitely read more from her!
This was such a difficult one to rate… there was some lovely, poetic and descriptive writing and if I was going on pure vibes then it could’ve been higher. Sarah hit the ‘dark academia’ nail right on the head in a lot of ways. There were plenty of moments where I did start to get really invested and then moments where I struggled to get through it.
The dialogue, unfortunately, was stiff and weird a lot of the time, there’s a time and place for ominous, cryptic one-liners, I don’t think they’re needed multiple times in every conversation.
I liked the crows at first, until it became clear that they didn’t serve much of a purpose and there were times where the story as a whole was just confusing.
That being said, I did enjoy plenty of it, I just think the story wasn’t quite there for me. I’d be very interested to see what Sarah does next and I’d definitely read more from her!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much Victory Editing and Netgalley for the arc!
„Evil doesn't need faith or power. It just needs people who won't choose. People who hesitate. Who sit on the fence.“
📜 Research Assistant
🏛️ Theology department | university setting
📜 ritual sacrifices
🏛️ exorcist priest
📜 demonic possession
What I liked:
- The story begins with an interlude from the point of view of two crows, which I absolutely loved and which immediately sets the gothic mood of the story. They reappear a few times and provide an interesting, different perspective.
- The university setting, especially the fact that it’s centered around the Theology department. The characters’ discussions revolve around the definition of the devil and the temptation evil poses. Especially in the beginning the lines between religion and occultism, reality and imagination, are delightfully blurry; for both the reader and the main character.
- The side characters were amazing and I especially loved Marcus! Every time he appeared and started talking I was hooked. He’s so charming, flirty and up for anything. It’s also super cute how he pines after one of the other guys. The love interest was great too: super broody, cryptic and absolutely intriguing. There’s a constant push and pull between him and the main character.
What I didn’t like:
- I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about the writing felt off to me. Scenes often end too abruptly and feel cut off. The characters also talk in a strange way, often just exchanging sentences without really communicating. For example when her friend tells her she has stalker energy she doesn’t respond at all. There is no inner monologue, no emotional reaction, nothing. The story then simply moves on to the next theme as if it never happened.
- The main character often feels a bit unrealistic to me. She immediately gets a job just by randomly asking a professor she meets in a coffee shop. Another professor hands her his credit card to buy things like clothes after meeting her for the first time. Yet all of this is treated as if it were perfectly normal. It feels weird that the main character isn’t getting suspicious or has any doubts about the intentions.
„Because the devils here don't come with horns. They come with history. With tenure. With blood. And they are so, so hungry.“
✍🏻 Writing style: 2,5/5
👥 Characters: 4/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 3/5
📝 Story & Plot: 3,75/5
✨ Vibes: 4/5
•Is this my go to genre? Yes! I love dark academia books, obsessed characters and a university setting!
•Will I buy a physical copy: yes
•Will I read more books by the author: yes
•Where would I place it on my bookshelf: In the dark academia section, near An Arcane Inheritance and Nocticadia perhaps.
„Evil doesn't need faith or power. It just needs people who won't choose. People who hesitate. Who sit on the fence.“
📜 Research Assistant
🏛️ Theology department | university setting
📜 ritual sacrifices
🏛️ exorcist priest
📜 demonic possession
What I liked:
- The story begins with an interlude from the point of view of two crows, which I absolutely loved and which immediately sets the gothic mood of the story. They reappear a few times and provide an interesting, different perspective.
- The university setting, especially the fact that it’s centered around the Theology department. The characters’ discussions revolve around the definition of the devil and the temptation evil poses. Especially in the beginning the lines between religion and occultism, reality and imagination, are delightfully blurry; for both the reader and the main character.
- The side characters were amazing and I especially loved Marcus! Every time he appeared and started talking I was hooked. He’s so charming, flirty and up for anything. It’s also super cute how he pines after one of the other guys. The love interest was great too: super broody, cryptic and absolutely intriguing. There’s a constant push and pull between him and the main character.
What I didn’t like:
- I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about the writing felt off to me. Scenes often end too abruptly and feel cut off. The characters also talk in a strange way, often just exchanging sentences without really communicating. For example when her friend tells her she has stalker energy she doesn’t respond at all. There is no inner monologue, no emotional reaction, nothing. The story then simply moves on to the next theme as if it never happened.
- The main character often feels a bit unrealistic to me. She immediately gets a job just by randomly asking a professor she meets in a coffee shop. Another professor hands her his credit card to buy things like clothes after meeting her for the first time. Yet all of this is treated as if it were perfectly normal. It feels weird that the main character isn’t getting suspicious or has any doubts about the intentions.
„Because the devils here don't come with horns. They come with history. With tenure. With blood. And they are so, so hungry.“
✍🏻 Writing style: 2,5/5
👥 Characters: 4/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 3/5
📝 Story & Plot: 3,75/5
✨ Vibes: 4/5
•Is this my go to genre? Yes! I love dark academia books, obsessed characters and a university setting!
•Will I buy a physical copy: yes
•Will I read more books by the author: yes
•Where would I place it on my bookshelf: In the dark academia section, near An Arcane Inheritance and Nocticadia perhaps.
March 11, 2026
As per, no spoilers.
Where to start with this one! This, in my opinion, is an incredible debut.
Firstly, the plot/premise. Incredibly well thought out. Everything tied in that needed to but the way Sarah wrote these characters to make you love them but also second guess them was very clever! Strong dark academia, gothic setting, romance vibes. The main relationship was very very vaguely reminiscent of the one in Nocticadia but completely different at the same time. I also got hints of Fallen when it came to the friendship group and the good vs evil, devils vs angels line that ran through this story as well - but, again, not in the same way and completely unique to anything I've read before - including those aforementioned books.
The FMC, Lexi. She is very strong minded, sometimes to her own detriment but most of the time its beneficial. She knows the only way out is through so endures the rough knowing its for the best interests of those concerned. There were a few moments when I wanted to have a strong word with her but her actions always led to a revelation or reason, so I'll let her off :)
MMC, August. God, I loved him and wanted to smack him all at the same time. Everything he did was - like Lexi - in the interests of her, but man did he go the wrong way about it sometimes. I loved that there attraction and lust was quickly introduced but their relationship slow burned through the entire thing and made me slam through 70% of this book in one day!
The friendship group was great but I really don't want to say much about it as that is quite pivotal to the plot and I think that needs to be a surprise. But Marcus was my favourite. That's all I have to say about that!
The very dark, gothic, old English university perfectly sets the scene, and as a fellow English person, I could picture every setting. Sarah was extremely thorough with her imagery and descriptions of locations.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. Everything was hitting for me and ticking all of my boxes. The ending.....I really don't want to even say one word about but I'm definitely hoping for a second book! If you want a well thought out dark academic romance, this one is highly recommended by me!
Well done Sarah!
Thank you to Sarah Purnell for the arc book and ebook, I will treasure it :)
Where to start with this one! This, in my opinion, is an incredible debut.
Firstly, the plot/premise. Incredibly well thought out. Everything tied in that needed to but the way Sarah wrote these characters to make you love them but also second guess them was very clever! Strong dark academia, gothic setting, romance vibes. The main relationship was very very vaguely reminiscent of the one in Nocticadia but completely different at the same time. I also got hints of Fallen when it came to the friendship group and the good vs evil, devils vs angels line that ran through this story as well - but, again, not in the same way and completely unique to anything I've read before - including those aforementioned books.
The FMC, Lexi. She is very strong minded, sometimes to her own detriment but most of the time its beneficial. She knows the only way out is through so endures the rough knowing its for the best interests of those concerned. There were a few moments when I wanted to have a strong word with her but her actions always led to a revelation or reason, so I'll let her off :)
MMC, August. God, I loved him and wanted to smack him all at the same time. Everything he did was - like Lexi - in the interests of her, but man did he go the wrong way about it sometimes. I loved that there attraction and lust was quickly introduced but their relationship slow burned through the entire thing and made me slam through 70% of this book in one day!
The friendship group was great but I really don't want to say much about it as that is quite pivotal to the plot and I think that needs to be a surprise. But Marcus was my favourite. That's all I have to say about that!
The very dark, gothic, old English university perfectly sets the scene, and as a fellow English person, I could picture every setting. Sarah was extremely thorough with her imagery and descriptions of locations.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. Everything was hitting for me and ticking all of my boxes. The ending.....I really don't want to even say one word about but I'm definitely hoping for a second book! If you want a well thought out dark academic romance, this one is highly recommended by me!
Well done Sarah!
Thank you to Sarah Purnell for the arc book and ebook, I will treasure it :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
First of all… IS THERE GOING TO BE A SECOND BOOK?! Because after that ending?! I am unwell. I need answers. I need closure. I need more of whatever dark, intoxicating magic All That We Raised just injected into my soul. 🖤📚
“Dark academia meets gothic horror in a tale of legacy, desire, and the perilous hunger for knowledge and power” — and it absolutely delivers.
I don’t usually live in the dark academia genre, but wow… I have been converted. From page one, I was pulled into this shadow-drenched world of crumbling institutions, whispered secrets, and knowledge that feels dangerous just to touch. I was gripped from the start and honestly never wanted to leave. Even when I probably should have. 😅
Lexi’s story is a slow, delicious unraveling. The mystery of her past bleeding into the present is handled so brilliantly — every revelation feels earned, every clue sharp as a knife. You’re right there beside her, peeling back layers, convinced you’re getting closer to the truth… all while the devil has been standing in the corner the entire time, smiling. 😈
And can we talk about Professor August? Because THE TENSION. The possessive, high-voltage, is-this-a-bad-idea? energy is immaculate. The occult undertones, the dangerous desire, the power imbalance wrapped in silk and shadow — it’s addictive.
“The devil is real. He just prefers tenure.”
Tell me that isn’t one of the most iconic lines you’ve ever read. 🖤
The themes of legacy, ambition, and the hunger for power are woven through every page. This isn’t just a gothic aesthetic — it’s about what we’re willing to sacrifice for knowledge, for love, for recognition. And sometimes… what sacrifices have already been made for us.
It’s dark. It’s seductive. It’s unsettling in the best way. You feel like you’re trespassing the entire time — like you’ve stumbled into something ancient and forbidden and you absolutely should not keep reading… but you do anyway. 🔥
This is 100% a must-read. And one thing I can guarantee? Your love for this book will not be fatal… probably. 😉
Thank you so much, Sarah, for sending me a proof/ARC copy of this incredible novel. I am officially obsessed and very, very ready for book two… please. 🕯️✨
“Dark academia meets gothic horror in a tale of legacy, desire, and the perilous hunger for knowledge and power” — and it absolutely delivers.
I don’t usually live in the dark academia genre, but wow… I have been converted. From page one, I was pulled into this shadow-drenched world of crumbling institutions, whispered secrets, and knowledge that feels dangerous just to touch. I was gripped from the start and honestly never wanted to leave. Even when I probably should have. 😅
Lexi’s story is a slow, delicious unraveling. The mystery of her past bleeding into the present is handled so brilliantly — every revelation feels earned, every clue sharp as a knife. You’re right there beside her, peeling back layers, convinced you’re getting closer to the truth… all while the devil has been standing in the corner the entire time, smiling. 😈
And can we talk about Professor August? Because THE TENSION. The possessive, high-voltage, is-this-a-bad-idea? energy is immaculate. The occult undertones, the dangerous desire, the power imbalance wrapped in silk and shadow — it’s addictive.
“The devil is real. He just prefers tenure.”
Tell me that isn’t one of the most iconic lines you’ve ever read. 🖤
The themes of legacy, ambition, and the hunger for power are woven through every page. This isn’t just a gothic aesthetic — it’s about what we’re willing to sacrifice for knowledge, for love, for recognition. And sometimes… what sacrifices have already been made for us.
It’s dark. It’s seductive. It’s unsettling in the best way. You feel like you’re trespassing the entire time — like you’ve stumbled into something ancient and forbidden and you absolutely should not keep reading… but you do anyway. 🔥
This is 100% a must-read. And one thing I can guarantee? Your love for this book will not be fatal… probably. 😉
Thank you so much, Sarah, for sending me a proof/ARC copy of this incredible novel. I am officially obsessed and very, very ready for book two… please. 🕯️✨
February 23, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a review!
Let me tell you what absolute hogwash this book was, like, I cannot even begin to explain how terrible this novel was.
First of all, the publishers went out of their way to make everybody think that this was literary fiction or dark academia or contemporary fiction, or whatever. But that is a lie, or it is a half truth at best. Because this was 50% romance, or like, 50% dark romance. I did not sign up for that. I did not sign up for RuNyx cosplay!
Another thing that was honestly terrible about this book was the writing, like, on a sentence level. This was atrocious. Not only did the writer use the most flowery, empty purple prose you can possibly imagine, but it was just buzzword after buzzword, metaphor after metaphor, and poorly mixed metaphors, mind you! Terrible "symbolic" writing. Nothing was being communicated. It was all just fluff fluff fluff. It felt like a Pinterest board trying to be a novel. I have actually never seen a book rely so heavily on abstract language. Like, references to the devil and incense and bookshelves and rituals and darkness... without any substance whatsoever. Like, the most empty pretentious writing possible for a dark academia book.
Not to mention, I am so sure generative AI was used to edit this novel. I know that not just because of the questionable use of em-dashes and bad punctuation but also because of that weird structure where you have "it's not this, it's that": "He and I weren't just powerful. We were inevitable." Supposed to be profound but it's all just so empty. And let me not get into the misappropriation of religious language because the author thought it was poetic and deep. But it's just used poorly, like, she has the words "devout" and "devotion" and "sin" and "redemption" and "holy" written on every page but it's use
Let me tell you what absolute hogwash this book was, like, I cannot even begin to explain how terrible this novel was.
First of all, the publishers went out of their way to make everybody think that this was literary fiction or dark academia or contemporary fiction, or whatever. But that is a lie, or it is a half truth at best. Because this was 50% romance, or like, 50% dark romance. I did not sign up for that. I did not sign up for RuNyx cosplay!
Another thing that was honestly terrible about this book was the writing, like, on a sentence level. This was atrocious. Not only did the writer use the most flowery, empty purple prose you can possibly imagine, but it was just buzzword after buzzword, metaphor after metaphor, and poorly mixed metaphors, mind you! Terrible "symbolic" writing. Nothing was being communicated. It was all just fluff fluff fluff. It felt like a Pinterest board trying to be a novel. I have actually never seen a book rely so heavily on abstract language. Like, references to the devil and incense and bookshelves and rituals and darkness... without any substance whatsoever. Like, the most empty pretentious writing possible for a dark academia book.
Not to mention, I am so sure generative AI was used to edit this novel. I know that not just because of the questionable use of em-dashes and bad punctuation but also because of that weird structure where you have "it's not this, it's that": "He and I weren't just powerful. We were inevitable." Supposed to be profound but it's all just so empty. And let me not get into the misappropriation of religious language because the author thought it was poetic and deep. But it's just used poorly, like, she has the words "devout" and "devotion" and "sin" and "redemption" and "holy" written on every page but it's use
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very grateful to have gotten this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was hooked immediately. Not only by the first chapter, but rather by a casual note to the reader beforehand that encompasses wit and intrigue in a few simple lines. All the way to the end, this book had me in its teeth.
Lexi, our FMC, is desperately trying to figure out what really happened to her mother despite the muddled truths and the cost that may come to her. She is not particularly memorable at first, but rather acts as the conduit through which the story happens. The further into the mystery she gets, the more she blossoms.
Our MMC is absolutely delectable. August is broody surrounded by his own brand of intrigue. I actually found myself wanting to know more about him more than I wanted to learn about Lexi. The way I squealed whenever he spoke to Lexi, the absolute YEARNING. The looks, the tension, the everything!! The tortured soul he is, so beautifully written.
The side characters are exciting in their own regard and I found them likable and they had great depth.
The overall pacing is excellent, just enough was going on that I didn’t want to put it down, but not so much that it felt busy. I did find that there would sometimes feel like there was a disconnect within transitions, but still the plot stayed steady. I think the book itself was longer than it needed to be, but it did keep my interest especially in the second half. I didn’t want to put it down.
The writing is beautiful, poetic but still accessible. Haunting with an insurmountable tension. The theological questions that are put forth are a refreshing perspective without being overwhelming.
Highly recommend for an immersive experience and true dark academia.
I was hooked immediately. Not only by the first chapter, but rather by a casual note to the reader beforehand that encompasses wit and intrigue in a few simple lines. All the way to the end, this book had me in its teeth.
Lexi, our FMC, is desperately trying to figure out what really happened to her mother despite the muddled truths and the cost that may come to her. She is not particularly memorable at first, but rather acts as the conduit through which the story happens. The further into the mystery she gets, the more she blossoms.
Our MMC is absolutely delectable. August is broody surrounded by his own brand of intrigue. I actually found myself wanting to know more about him more than I wanted to learn about Lexi. The way I squealed whenever he spoke to Lexi, the absolute YEARNING. The looks, the tension, the everything!! The tortured soul he is, so beautifully written.
The side characters are exciting in their own regard and I found them likable and they had great depth.
The overall pacing is excellent, just enough was going on that I didn’t want to put it down, but not so much that it felt busy. I did find that there would sometimes feel like there was a disconnect within transitions, but still the plot stayed steady. I think the book itself was longer than it needed to be, but it did keep my interest especially in the second half. I didn’t want to put it down.
The writing is beautiful, poetic but still accessible. Haunting with an insurmountable tension. The theological questions that are put forth are a refreshing perspective without being overwhelming.
Highly recommend for an immersive experience and true dark academia.
February 11, 2026
This book hurt. Not in a dramatic, sweeping way — but in a slow, needling one.
I want to be honest: the first half was hard for me. I kept feeling like I had missed something crucial. Characters reacted with such intensity that I’d flip back a few pages, convinced I’d skimmed past a reveal. I hadn’t. That disconnect frustrated me. For a while, I wasn’t sure the book and I were going to work.
But I kept reading.
And the second half changed everything. The pieces began to align. The emotional weight made sense. What felt confusing earlier started to feel intentional — like the narrative wanted me to sit in that uncertainty. Once it clicked, I couldn’t put it down. I read at work, during dinner, whenever I could steal a minute. I needed to know what all that ache was building toward.
And dare I say, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge thOSE INTERLUDES!! Two crows — Aristophanes and Aeschylus — perched above it all, speaking to each other in short, sharp exchanges about what they’re witnessing. They don’t comfort you. They don’t clarify. They just observe. There’s something cold and almost clinical about their perspective, and somehow that distance makes the emotional moments land even harder. Every time one of their sections appeared, it forced me to slow down and actually sit with what had just happened.
I truly can’t decide if I want more Nix or more Crows next.
It’s not a perfect read, but it’s a powerful one. A bold, unflinching debut — and I’ll absolutely be paying attention to whatever Sarah Purnell writes next.
Miigwech to netgalley and Victory Editing for the providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I want to be honest: the first half was hard for me. I kept feeling like I had missed something crucial. Characters reacted with such intensity that I’d flip back a few pages, convinced I’d skimmed past a reveal. I hadn’t. That disconnect frustrated me. For a while, I wasn’t sure the book and I were going to work.
But I kept reading.
And the second half changed everything. The pieces began to align. The emotional weight made sense. What felt confusing earlier started to feel intentional — like the narrative wanted me to sit in that uncertainty. Once it clicked, I couldn’t put it down. I read at work, during dinner, whenever I could steal a minute. I needed to know what all that ache was building toward.
And dare I say, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge thOSE INTERLUDES!! Two crows — Aristophanes and Aeschylus — perched above it all, speaking to each other in short, sharp exchanges about what they’re witnessing. They don’t comfort you. They don’t clarify. They just observe. There’s something cold and almost clinical about their perspective, and somehow that distance makes the emotional moments land even harder. Every time one of their sections appeared, it forced me to slow down and actually sit with what had just happened.
I truly can’t decide if I want more Nix or more Crows next.
It’s not a perfect read, but it’s a powerful one. A bold, unflinching debut — and I’ll absolutely be paying attention to whatever Sarah Purnell writes next.
Miigwech to netgalley and Victory Editing for the providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 1, 2026
Dark ✅ spooky ✅ FMC on a journey of discovery/mystery ✅ Broody Professor 👀
Cults 👀 Satanic rituals 🖤
ALL THE VIBES 👏🏽
All That We Raised is a dark academia story wrapped in gothic atmosphere and simmering tension. Set in a secretive university full of buried truths, the novel follows a heroine pulled into a world of obsession, ambition, and dangerous knowledge.
Characters Lexi is well fleshed out and holds her own. August well 🤭 I will let you meet him in the book 😉
The writing leans into mood shadowy corridors, complicated relationships, and a slowburn romance that keeps the emotional stakes high. It’s the kind of book that feels immersive and brooding, it’s perfect for readers who love mystery mixed with intellectual intrigue and a touch of the forbidden 🤭👀. A real story of seeking knowledge power & desire.
The authors created such an immersive atmosphere we need this as a movie 🎥 .
If you’re into atmospheric reads with secrets unraveling page by page, this one’s worth adding to your shelf. Especially if you are a fan of books such as nocticadia:gothikana then this one’s for you it’s the perfect blend of dark academia and horror which I love 📚✨
Don’t sleep on this rec!
Cults 👀 Satanic rituals 🖤
ALL THE VIBES 👏🏽
All That We Raised is a dark academia story wrapped in gothic atmosphere and simmering tension. Set in a secretive university full of buried truths, the novel follows a heroine pulled into a world of obsession, ambition, and dangerous knowledge.
Characters Lexi is well fleshed out and holds her own. August well 🤭 I will let you meet him in the book 😉
The writing leans into mood shadowy corridors, complicated relationships, and a slowburn romance that keeps the emotional stakes high. It’s the kind of book that feels immersive and brooding, it’s perfect for readers who love mystery mixed with intellectual intrigue and a touch of the forbidden 🤭👀. A real story of seeking knowledge power & desire.
The authors created such an immersive atmosphere we need this as a movie 🎥 .
If you’re into atmospheric reads with secrets unraveling page by page, this one’s worth adding to your shelf. Especially if you are a fan of books such as nocticadia:gothikana then this one’s for you it’s the perfect blend of dark academia and horror which I love 📚✨
Don’t sleep on this rec!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you for the ARC 🥰 3.5 stars from me!
There’s a lot to love, but I feel like some things were missing, although I often find the same with dark academia. I found the ending abrupt, but again, a hallmark of the genre, it reminded me a little of Babel and that ‘oh!’ feeling after getting sucked in by the last 25%.
I liked Lexi’s character, her relationship with Marcus was a particular highlight, I’d love the found family aspect to me leaned into even more. Their casual language and fun scenes between the group was one of my favourite things, I was giggling outloud.
Nix was a bit out of nowhere for me, he feels like something the shift the plot along, I’d love his personality to be fleshed out a bit more. I also could only imagine him as Ned Flanders and I’m not sure why.
I’d have liked to have seen some confrontation with Lexi’s family, or her mother actually on the page. I’d love a little epilogue from August.
Overall it’s a cool little world, beautiful imagery and atmosphere. I think fans of Ava Reid and R.F. Kuang will eat this up!
There’s a lot to love, but I feel like some things were missing, although I often find the same with dark academia. I found the ending abrupt, but again, a hallmark of the genre, it reminded me a little of Babel and that ‘oh!’ feeling after getting sucked in by the last 25%.
I liked Lexi’s character, her relationship with Marcus was a particular highlight, I’d love the found family aspect to me leaned into even more. Their casual language and fun scenes between the group was one of my favourite things, I was giggling outloud.
Nix was a bit out of nowhere for me, he feels like something the shift the plot along, I’d love his personality to be fleshed out a bit more. I also could only imagine him as Ned Flanders and I’m not sure why.
I’d have liked to have seen some confrontation with Lexi’s family, or her mother actually on the page. I’d love a little epilogue from August.
Overall it’s a cool little world, beautiful imagery and atmosphere. I think fans of Ava Reid and R.F. Kuang will eat this up!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Full disclosure: Sarah is my best friend, so I’m somewhat biased, but All That We Raised is brilliant regardless.
I’ve probably read hundreds of thousands of words of Sarah’s writing over the course of our friendship, but this, her first published novel feels special.
The doomed, spiralling pull between Lexi and August; the suspicion of every player at St Dunstan’s; the interludes, I LOVE THE INTERLUDES; and the discussions of theology, ritual and power, and the way that women are always the pawns and victims of the men who write the rule books.
Sarah and I run a dark academia podcast together so we’ve spent hours and hours discussing what works and what doesn’t for the genre. It was so fun to see our discussions of what’s lacking in some DA novels here in All That We Raised, and to see this book and St Dunstan’s become a part of something we both love so much.
All That We Raised is dark, moody and compelling. The perfect dark academia read.
I’ve probably read hundreds of thousands of words of Sarah’s writing over the course of our friendship, but this, her first published novel feels special.
The doomed, spiralling pull between Lexi and August; the suspicion of every player at St Dunstan’s; the interludes, I LOVE THE INTERLUDES; and the discussions of theology, ritual and power, and the way that women are always the pawns and victims of the men who write the rule books.
Sarah and I run a dark academia podcast together so we’ve spent hours and hours discussing what works and what doesn’t for the genre. It was so fun to see our discussions of what’s lacking in some DA novels here in All That We Raised, and to see this book and St Dunstan’s become a part of something we both love so much.
All That We Raised is dark, moody and compelling. The perfect dark academia read.
February 23, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!
I really wanted to like this one. The premise was so intriguing, but I don’t feel like the story was what I actually expected out of it. This just felt very disorganized, and the pacing was not good. Normally when I finish reading a dark academia novel, I think about it for a long time. I don’t think this one will stick with me at all (in fact, I’m glad I finished without DNFing).
The writing style was just not for me. The dialogue felt so stilted and forced to me, even in the interactions between people who were supposed to be good friends. This carried over in the non-dialogue parts as well, with some scenes feeling like they ended abruptly.
I found this one really hard to get immersed in and as a result, I didn’t care for any of the characters, especially the main character.
I really wanted to like this one. The premise was so intriguing, but I don’t feel like the story was what I actually expected out of it. This just felt very disorganized, and the pacing was not good. Normally when I finish reading a dark academia novel, I think about it for a long time. I don’t think this one will stick with me at all (in fact, I’m glad I finished without DNFing).
The writing style was just not for me. The dialogue felt so stilted and forced to me, even in the interactions between people who were supposed to be good friends. This carried over in the non-dialogue parts as well, with some scenes feeling like they ended abruptly.
I found this one really hard to get immersed in and as a result, I didn’t care for any of the characters, especially the main character.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first dark academia and I buzzed right through. I loved the author’s writing style and the pacing and premise of the story. Some parts did feel like I could’ve used a little more detail or direction but I did enjoy the overall vibes and plot.
The romance had tension and yearning and I was very intrigued by how the relationship would turn out by the end.
I loved the Interludes they broke up the pacing in a good way by giving outside perspective and an overall view of the bigger picture before drawing us back in closer to the action.
If you’re a dark academia reader who enjoys a side of the occult you’ll have a good time!
This was my first dark academia and I buzzed right through. I loved the author’s writing style and the pacing and premise of the story. Some parts did feel like I could’ve used a little more detail or direction but I did enjoy the overall vibes and plot.
The romance had tension and yearning and I was very intrigued by how the relationship would turn out by the end.
I loved the Interludes they broke up the pacing in a good way by giving outside perspective and an overall view of the bigger picture before drawing us back in closer to the action.
If you’re a dark academia reader who enjoys a side of the occult you’ll have a good time!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars rounded up to 3. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m certain that there’s an audience that’ll love this. Unfortunately, I am not that audience. I think the writing is a bit shallow, despite the book being so long, and you can tell that it’s a very millennial writing style, which isn’t quite my thing but has its place. I wish the characters, especially Lexi (our mc), were more fleshed out and had more depth. Lexi was a bit of a Mary Sue despite her motivation being the driving force of the narrative. I do feel like this got the dark academia vibes down, and I wish we could’ve seen more of it outside of the theology department.
I’m certain that there’s an audience that’ll love this. Unfortunately, I am not that audience. I think the writing is a bit shallow, despite the book being so long, and you can tell that it’s a very millennial writing style, which isn’t quite my thing but has its place. I wish the characters, especially Lexi (our mc), were more fleshed out and had more depth. Lexi was a bit of a Mary Sue despite her motivation being the driving force of the narrative. I do feel like this got the dark academia vibes down, and I wish we could’ve seen more of it outside of the theology department.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks Netgalley and the author for this Arc.
I really loved this read.
The plot was mysterious and dark. The suspense very well done, I couldn't put it down.
The Mc was a bit of a Mary Sue in some moments at the start it felt like somehow everybody loved her even tho they didn't know her at all.
The male interest was more likeable, tbh all the characters were very well constructed.
At some points it felt like the plot was totally disconnected from the story and this has so so many mistakes, grammar and even whole paragraphs that repeat themselves.
I think with some more work this could be a 5 star read, still, amazing work for a debut novel.
I really loved this read.
The plot was mysterious and dark. The suspense very well done, I couldn't put it down.
The Mc was a bit of a Mary Sue in some moments at the start it felt like somehow everybody loved her even tho they didn't know her at all.
The male interest was more likeable, tbh all the characters were very well constructed.
At some points it felt like the plot was totally disconnected from the story and this has so so many mistakes, grammar and even whole paragraphs that repeat themselves.
I think with some more work this could be a 5 star read, still, amazing work for a debut novel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An incredible read, the writing was almost poetic and cinematic - it totally captured me from the first page. I was transfixed!! The tension 💯 the drama 💯it was so eerie, if you loved Nocticadia and gothikana you’ll love this too!
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