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When Shadows Burn #1
When Shadows Burn
Not yet published
Expected 24 Nov 26Vanessa Le's new fantasy duology starter follows a demon-hunting duo in an exorcist university layered with magic, murder, and corruption — perfect for fans of BABEL and DIVINE RIVALS.
In Yennington, exorcism is a job for two: a demon caller and a demon slayer. Kiet Sren is a hotshot caller despite dropping out of the esteemed Phenbridge University; his blood attracts any demon. Song Sarna is the top slayer of her class; her blade and wit kill any demon. Together, they run Inkspill Agency.
When Kiet's estranged family hires them to hunt an aberrant demon, they are propelled into the most dangerous job of their lives — an investigation that could uncover the workings of a deadly group seeking to destroy the university from the inside out.
But as their investigation dredges up long-buried history, they discover that the one behind this criminal group is closer to home than they realized, and that perhaps the upstanding Phenbridge University is hiding secrets of its own. To exorcize the aberrant demon and put an end to the deadly possessions, Kiet and Song must decide how much they're willing to bleed: for their families, for their city — and for each other.
Vanessa Le's latest crossover fantasy combines dark academia with a propulsive detective tale at its finest — with a slow-burn romance and medical magic system as intricate as lab work.
In Yennington, exorcism is a job for two: a demon caller and a demon slayer. Kiet Sren is a hotshot caller despite dropping out of the esteemed Phenbridge University; his blood attracts any demon. Song Sarna is the top slayer of her class; her blade and wit kill any demon. Together, they run Inkspill Agency.
When Kiet's estranged family hires them to hunt an aberrant demon, they are propelled into the most dangerous job of their lives — an investigation that could uncover the workings of a deadly group seeking to destroy the university from the inside out.
But as their investigation dredges up long-buried history, they discover that the one behind this criminal group is closer to home than they realized, and that perhaps the upstanding Phenbridge University is hiding secrets of its own. To exorcize the aberrant demon and put an end to the deadly possessions, Kiet and Song must decide how much they're willing to bleed: for their families, for their city — and for each other.
Vanessa Le's latest crossover fantasy combines dark academia with a propulsive detective tale at its finest — with a slow-burn romance and medical magic system as intricate as lab work.
- GenresFantasyDark Academia
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 24, 2026
1 person is currently reading
1067 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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November 15, 2025⋆⭒˚｡⋆ ୭ | pre-read
i will read anything vanessa writes. hopefully i can get the arc of this, when it comes out 🤞🏽
i will read anything vanessa writes. hopefully i can get the arc of this, when it comes out 🤞🏽
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November 12, 2025wow im so early this feels weird
so exciting
so exciting
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November 21, 2025ᝰ .ᐟ 📖 ⌗ pre-read: came across this book on sns and I think it would be a good match for my taste. Really excited to read it once it comes out!
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November 18, 2025this book is so good I've read it twice already (pre-pub) and when I tell you you're not ready—
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November 13, 2025I came across this title on BookTok. Dark academia and fantasy crossover with STEM and magic. Sounds intriguing!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews