Arkana

The Verenmore Volumes #2

by RuNyx

A rumored sorceress. A villainous scoundrel. An ancient castle. What could go wrong?

A woman in hiding, Lenore Emmeranne finds herself at Verenmore after a series of unfortunate events, hoping it would be a clean slate for her. Keeping her head down and blending into the shadows, she simply wants to rest her feet before taking off again.

A man in power, Draven Constantine knows every crack and crevice of the castle. So when he finds her, it breaks his ennui and piques his interest, and their descent into doom begins.

Set in 1872 at the University of Verenmore, death, deceit, and darkness invade the mountain. Something beyond the understanding is at play, slithering down the spine as Lenore and Draven weave through lies, sink into lust and hold onto life.

From the bestselling author of Gothikana, comes a gripping tale of the gloomy, the grotesque, the gothic, and the gravest flavor of love in the unlikeliest of places.

Genres: Dark Romance, Gothic, Fantasy, Romance, Dark Academia, Dark, Gothic Romance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 5, 2027

About the author

RuNyx is a New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of romance. Her stories range across subgenres from dark contemporary to gothic to historical to fantasy and more, and are currently being translated into over 10 languages.

Her pen name has a very special meaning to her. When she's not writing, she's reading, traveling, meditating, daydreaming, and most of all, procrastinating.

Join her newsletter tribe for all updates and stalk her on her social media.

Website ➡️ https://runyxwrites.com
Newsletter ➡️ https://runyx.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Instagram ➡️ instagram.com/authorrunyx
Reader Group ➡️ facebook.com/groups/runyx

Reviews

[Grace Btrs (semi ia - mostly overwhelmed)]

Pre-read:
SCREAMING SQUEALING SCREECHING
eARC is in my inbox!!!!!!
will be BRing, ranting, and yapping with bestie Hera



--
ANNOUNCEMENT
How much do we bet this is Ru's announcement tomorrow?

Ummmm THIS IS HAPPENING!!!!!
Bramble???? 12 Jan 2027????
Why is Ru in her cave now???? We need details!!! I thought this was going to be indie published in 2026!! Um please!!!!
Hera had to snoop around for us to know this happening???

[bookwormriss]

If this gets pushed back one more time… 🤬

[Lucia]

I cannot tell you how I started shaking upon discovering this. foaming at the mouth.

[Wobilba]

Someday this book will finally be released and all will be right with the world 🙏🏾

[manas (traveling)]

WE GOT A COVER AND DATE

[Clace]

I'm confused with this one..should I read it before or after gothikana??

[‌]

see y’all in 2030

[Bookishness]

I cant wait for this one~~ Queen RuNyx..

[becca ୨୧]

i need this rn, i can't wait

[autumn ✶]

edit: we’re actually getting this aaaaah


prettiest cover i've ever seen omfg

[Toriఌ]

Coming out January 12 2027

IT IS REAL!!
— —
Please tell me the date is real!!
— —
I heard it’s a live release as well. I listened to the playlist and looked on Pinterest for the aesthetic and IT’S SOO GOOD. Such a gothic vibe!!
— —
No idea when this gets published but we hope for the best

[Inés Molina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't need to read the book to rate it, it's runyx !!! No one makes a dark romance like her. Gothikana left me wanting more, i am excited for the release of Arkana.

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction )]

RUNYX writes 🤝🏻 I read😍

Can't wait for this to drop!

My Bookstagram

[daisy]

this hasn’t been released yet but it’s already my favourite, i’m so serious

[Zana]

Why does every RuNyx book sound the EXACT same lmao

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED IT I NEED IT I NEED IT

[Payal]

so, miss runyx is finally releasing this book??? and it better be pre-syndicator era cuz I cannot handle one more disappointing read by her🙏🙏

[nika]

runyx writing a dark historical gothic romance??? yeah i can’t wait for dravenlenore

[Annabelle Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When is this being released originally it was in September, then October and now we have no date at all? Can’t wait to read it though!

[tiana ♡]

pre-read notes:

I just finished Gothikana and you’re telling me there’s more and we’re going back to Verenmore?? I 100% need this 😭

[SheReads]

On my knees for this to be released already 😭

[Knjigomoljka | Ana Maria Žura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for this one 😍😍😍😍

[alexa]

OHMYGOD!! This cover is everything 🤩

[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Gothikana (way earlier than my reading calendar said to lol) and I knew without a doubt I needed more from this author immediately. I cannot WAIT for this to come out, and as soon as it does I'll be updating my review - Just know that it's going to be my whole personality for at least a month. 🖤

It always amazes me when I find an author that I've never read and become immediately obsessed? It's a joy knowing you'll still be surprised to find new authors. 🖤

[Blossom & Gin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited for the release of this dark & gothic Historical Romance 9/2022!!!

[bookish.renata]

i am still literally reading gothikana but i am already signing up for more pls-

[Stella Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book by RuNyx so far. Arkana was a perfect amalgamation of things that I love in books, dark, gothic, academia, with a love story that was nothing short of swoon worthy. “Arkana” follows Lenore, who is on the run from her past when she finds herself at the University of Verenmore, where she is tasked with the job of “assistant” to Draven Constantine, the dean of the school. Lenore was actually hired to keep a close eye on Draven to make sure he is kept “in check” as per his Aunts request. His unsavory aunt just wants to ensure that Draven is deemed fit to be the Dean of the school and come into his large inheritance once he is approved by the board. She believes him to have “anger issues” but it goes much deeper than that, even deeper than Draven himself is aware of. Lenore is determined to help Draven however she can as well as uncover all of the mysteries that Verenmore holds. Like I said in the beginning, this was my favorite book that I have read from RuNyx. To be quite frank, I liked everything about this book. Starting with our main characters, Lenore was so lovely to get to know. She was so strong in her own way. All she wanted was what was best for Draven and she never let him hide from her. Draven treated Lenore with such care and gentleness that I almost forgot I was reading a dark romance. These two accepted one another for who they are, despite their pasts and inner demons. Another thing that I loved was how the romantic plot line coincided with the main plot line. Sometimes I feel like the romance and the actual plot of the book are so separate from each other that it disrupts the flow of the story. That was not the case here, the romance and the story were interwoven so seamlessly. Draven and Lenore’s love story was like a breath of fresh air. Despite the doom and gloom around them they persevered like none other. “You undo me Lenore, you undo me and put me back together in the same breath.” If you read this book you will discover how true that quote really is. RuNyx you have outdone yourself and now Arkana will be my new dark romance recommendation to people. Thank you to Netgally and Bramble for allowing me to read this early and give an honest review!

[Pam (Phoenix) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prequel to: Gothikana

•Loved the writing and the gothic setting
•Enjoyed the chemistry between the FMC and MMC

Dark gothic romance
Dark academia
Forbidden love
Death
Secrets/Curse

FMC... Lenore a healer is summoned to Verenmoreto be an assistant to Draven by his aunt. Lenore is tasked with keeping an eye on Draven and to make sure he stays to schedule and doesn't have any episodes and prove to the Verenmore board he is of sound mind to inherit his family's fortune on his upcoming birthday.

MMC...Draven is the Dean of Verenmore and is plagued with the family curse it appears. Draven doesn't want Lenore around and does best avoid her, but eventually he is drawn to her... starting a forbidden love also while discovering the truth behind Draven family curse.

[Annie Deo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

a bit too lust-driven for me, but interesting story, binged this in one go.

I do love this line: "If you are a storm in a cage, I will be the iron that contains it. If you are smoke, I will be the wind that holds it. If you are a haunting, then I will be the ground that gives you rest.” ♥