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Mothsblood
Brought to you by Penguin.
WELCOME TO UNIVERSITÉ MEURDRAC.
HOME TO BRILLIANT ALCHEMISTS.
THE HEART OF AN IMPOSSIBLE CRIME.
When Larkspur Lee arrived in Paris, it was with nothing more than the ambition in her veins and the magic under her skin.
As a student of Meurdrac, one of the few remaining alchemical universities, she burns to prove herself, but lacking the wealth, privilege and connections of the other students, she has to fight twice as hard - and be twice as cunning - if she wants to be considered worthy of immortality.
So when Petronelle Flamel, the Grand Magistra of Meurdrac and Third amongst the Deathless, begins searching for an apprentice, Lark decides she'll do whatever it takes to be selected. Failure is not, and never has been, an option.
But after a shocking death, she instead finds herself at the heart of an impossible crime - one where the only evidence whispers of Lark's past. And matters are further complicated when the mentor she crossed an ocean and a continent to escape re-enters her life, enticing her to his side once again while secretly wielding an agenda of his own.
As the investigation begins and the mysterious Knight assigned to the case, Violaine, becomes convinced that more sinister works are responsible for the murder, Lark must wrestle with both the university's dark secrets and her own as the life she's meticulously built for herself begins to unravel.
And as everything around her delves into chaos, Lark has no choice but to decide if the power she desires is truly worth the price.
'A triumph of a debut.' CHLOE GONG, NO. 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF IMMORTAL LONGINGS
'An absolutely captivating and lusciously vicious tale, Jung's debut is a must-read for lovers of complex protagonists and dark academia fantasy.' KIERSTEN WHITE, NO. 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF LUCY UNDYING
'With prose so beautiful I wanted to underline every single line, Lynn D. Jung crafts a world that feels vividly, tangibly real and characters that feel even flawed, full of longing, and wonderfully complex. MOTHSBLOOD is a gorgeous, haunting debut'
BAR FRIDMAN-TELL, AUTHOR OF HONEYSUCKLE
'This is dark academia examined through its most illuminating and necessary lens. Jung is carving out a league of her own.'
K. M. FAJARDO, AUTHOR OF LOCAL HEAVENS
Lynn D. Jung 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
WELCOME TO UNIVERSITÉ MEURDRAC.
HOME TO BRILLIANT ALCHEMISTS.
THE HEART OF AN IMPOSSIBLE CRIME.
When Larkspur Lee arrived in Paris, it was with nothing more than the ambition in her veins and the magic under her skin.
As a student of Meurdrac, one of the few remaining alchemical universities, she burns to prove herself, but lacking the wealth, privilege and connections of the other students, she has to fight twice as hard - and be twice as cunning - if she wants to be considered worthy of immortality.
So when Petronelle Flamel, the Grand Magistra of Meurdrac and Third amongst the Deathless, begins searching for an apprentice, Lark decides she'll do whatever it takes to be selected. Failure is not, and never has been, an option.
But after a shocking death, she instead finds herself at the heart of an impossible crime - one where the only evidence whispers of Lark's past. And matters are further complicated when the mentor she crossed an ocean and a continent to escape re-enters her life, enticing her to his side once again while secretly wielding an agenda of his own.
As the investigation begins and the mysterious Knight assigned to the case, Violaine, becomes convinced that more sinister works are responsible for the murder, Lark must wrestle with both the university's dark secrets and her own as the life she's meticulously built for herself begins to unravel.
And as everything around her delves into chaos, Lark has no choice but to decide if the power she desires is truly worth the price.
'A triumph of a debut.' CHLOE GONG, NO. 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF IMMORTAL LONGINGS
'An absolutely captivating and lusciously vicious tale, Jung's debut is a must-read for lovers of complex protagonists and dark academia fantasy.' KIERSTEN WHITE, NO. 1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF LUCY UNDYING
'With prose so beautiful I wanted to underline every single line, Lynn D. Jung crafts a world that feels vividly, tangibly real and characters that feel even flawed, full of longing, and wonderfully complex. MOTHSBLOOD is a gorgeous, haunting debut'
BAR FRIDMAN-TELL, AUTHOR OF HONEYSUCKLE
'This is dark academia examined through its most illuminating and necessary lens. Jung is carving out a league of her own.'
K. M. FAJARDO, AUTHOR OF LOCAL HEAVENS
Lynn D. Jung 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Audible Audio
First published October 13, 2026
About the author
Lynn D. Jung
2 books211 followersLynn D. Jung is a speculative fiction writer from southern California. She has since dwelled in France, Costa Rica, and Thailand, but she is currently based in the Midwest.
Lynn loves to write about complex women, haunted scenery, and strange magic. You can find her most often out amongst the trees or through the videos on her eponymous YouTube channel, where she discusses her writing and her publishing journey thus far.
Lynn loves to write about complex women, haunted scenery, and strange magic. You can find her most often out amongst the trees or through the videos on her eponymous YouTube channel, where she discusses her writing and her publishing journey thus far.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
September 3, 2026
What if you got everything you could want off the dark academia moodboard and it still sucked?
Mothsblood follows Larkspur, a student attending the alchemical school Meurdrac in Paris, and the series of alchemical trials she undertakes in order to become an apprentice to the (in)famous Pernelle Flamel. But after Pernelle is abruptly murdered and her former mentor Victor Goodwin reappears, Lark's past begins chasing after her.
Mothsblood reads like a dark academia Pinterest board. CIGARETTE in the PARISIAN RAIN. BLACK COAT on the COBBLESTONES. RED WINE and CROISSANT while READING an OLD BOOK. At times we approach the territory of camp. At first I saw the story as good, but not particularly novel for the genre. Fans of RF Kuang's Katabasis, Mark Prins' The Latinist, and Kamilah Cole's An Arcane Inheritance would find *more* of what they're already interested in, but nothing *new*.
I think this changes by the halfway point. Mothsblood is only the dark academia book I've found that actually considers that academia isn't for everyone - which is a huge part of academia! By the end of my freshman year of college, half of the people in my circle had dropped out or transferred. For a genre so concerned with the shortcomings of higher learning, it's interesting that most don't see leaving as an option. Mothsblood acknowledges the archetype of a student who's willing to risk it all, who's given everything to be here, and also acknowledges that it's possible (and maybe even right) for that person to step out.
I also love that Larkspur is a total bitch and that she doesn't explain that away.
I'm not sure that Mothsblood is quite at the level of Dark Academia Canon; there's still a few too many inconsistencies with plotting and pacing to really define the genre. But I was pleasantly surprised by it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC
Mothsblood follows Larkspur, a student attending the alchemical school Meurdrac in Paris, and the series of alchemical trials she undertakes in order to become an apprentice to the (in)famous Pernelle Flamel. But after Pernelle is abruptly murdered and her former mentor Victor Goodwin reappears, Lark's past begins chasing after her.
Mothsblood reads like a dark academia Pinterest board. CIGARETTE in the PARISIAN RAIN. BLACK COAT on the COBBLESTONES. RED WINE and CROISSANT while READING an OLD BOOK. At times we approach the territory of camp. At first I saw the story as good, but not particularly novel for the genre. Fans of RF Kuang's Katabasis, Mark Prins' The Latinist, and Kamilah Cole's An Arcane Inheritance would find *more* of what they're already interested in, but nothing *new*.
I think this changes by the halfway point. Mothsblood is only the dark academia book I've found that actually considers that academia isn't for everyone - which is a huge part of academia! By the end of my freshman year of college, half of the people in my circle had dropped out or transferred. For a genre so concerned with the shortcomings of higher learning, it's interesting that most don't see leaving as an option. Mothsblood acknowledges the archetype of a student who's willing to risk it all, who's given everything to be here, and also acknowledges that it's possible (and maybe even right) for that person to step out.
I also love that Larkspur is a total bitch and that she doesn't explain that away.
I'm not sure that Mothsblood is quite at the level of Dark Academia Canon; there's still a few too many inconsistencies with plotting and pacing to really define the genre. But I was pleasantly surprised by it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC
April 10, 2026
Oh my god?????
Mothsblood is an utterly brilliant debut - truly, I am so blown away by Lynn’s ability to weave (or perhaps I shall say transform) syntax into something equal parts lyrical, heartrending, and transportive - Lynn took us to the heart of Paris with her lush descriptions of the cityscape.
When does the pursuit of knowledge become the pursuit of power?
This is the question that Mothsblood wrestles with, and it is the question that each character must separately contend with. It truly reads like a novels-length power struggle, casting a critical eye on elitism and power hierarchies within the institution of academia. It is almost disconcerting how the hunger for power transforms and alters individuals into something unrecognizable and even grotesque, and we are forced to watch as each character clamors over the others in a desperate bid to be the one to come out on top.
Mothsblood follows Larkspur Lee, who has traveled to Paris to attend Meurdrac, the world renowned institution for alchemical studies. Lark is an alchemist, and she plans on making her name in the world of alchemy known - what better way to do this than to win the contest for apprenticeship under Petronelle Flamel, one of the Deathless alchemists who have cheated death through the use of the Philosopher’s Stone?
However, immortality remains a fickle and imperfect science, and Lark soon finds herself in the middle of Petronelle’s murder investigation. Who killed Petronelle, and how? And why does Lark’s former mentor from California appear at the academy shortly after her death?
And most importantly, what is the price of ambition, and at what point does it become too steep?
Mothsblood is an utterly brilliant debut - truly, I am so blown away by Lynn’s ability to weave (or perhaps I shall say transform) syntax into something equal parts lyrical, heartrending, and transportive - Lynn took us to the heart of Paris with her lush descriptions of the cityscape.
When does the pursuit of knowledge become the pursuit of power?
This is the question that Mothsblood wrestles with, and it is the question that each character must separately contend with. It truly reads like a novels-length power struggle, casting a critical eye on elitism and power hierarchies within the institution of academia. It is almost disconcerting how the hunger for power transforms and alters individuals into something unrecognizable and even grotesque, and we are forced to watch as each character clamors over the others in a desperate bid to be the one to come out on top.
Mothsblood follows Larkspur Lee, who has traveled to Paris to attend Meurdrac, the world renowned institution for alchemical studies. Lark is an alchemist, and she plans on making her name in the world of alchemy known - what better way to do this than to win the contest for apprenticeship under Petronelle Flamel, one of the Deathless alchemists who have cheated death through the use of the Philosopher’s Stone?
However, immortality remains a fickle and imperfect science, and Lark soon finds herself in the middle of Petronelle’s murder investigation. Who killed Petronelle, and how? And why does Lark’s former mentor from California appear at the academy shortly after her death?
And most importantly, what is the price of ambition, and at what point does it become too steep?
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
oh my buttery bagels
you are not ready
Stunning. full review when I have calmed down
you are not ready
Stunning. full review when I have calmed down
May 15, 2026
3.5 stars if I could (thanks goodreads 🙄)
I have very mixed feelings about Mothsblood, there’s a lot here that I really admired even though I’m not entirely sure it was 100% the book for me personally.
First of all, this book is DEEPLY character-driven. If you love messy protagonists and stories that really dig into the uglier sides of trauma, grief, obsession, and survival, I can absolutely see this hitting incredibly hard!! Lynn D. Jung clearly had a very specific vision for these characters and committed to it fully.
Lark especially is SUCH an interesting protagonist because she is not written to be easily lovable. She’s sharp-edged, guarded, selfish at times, angry, deeply affected by everything she’s been through, and the book never tries to smooth those traits over to make her more palatable. I actually really respected that. Her trauma feels woven into the way she thinks and reacts rather than existing as backstory decoration, which made her feel very real.
That said, I also think this was part of why I struggled to fully connect emotionally at times. Because the story is so tightly rooted in Lark’s perspective and inner world, some of the side characters ended up feeling less developed than I wanted them to be. Characters like Kareem and Violaine especially fascinated me, and I kept wishing we had a little more time with them outside of how Lark perceived them.
The writing itself is beautiful in a very dark, atmospheric way. The whole book has this heavy, almost suffocating tone that completely immerses you in the world and the emotional state of the characters. There’s a constant sense of tension and unease simmering underneath everything that I thought was really well done.
I think where the book slightly lost me was that sometimes the interpersonal dynamics and emotional subtext seemed to take precedence over plot momentum. Which is obviously intentional!!! But it did mean there were points where I felt more intellectually engaged than emotionally invested.
Still, even though this wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I can absolutely appreciate what the author was doing here. It’s ambitious, emotionally raw, and refreshingly uninterested in making its characters “easy.” I have a feeling this is going to be one of those books people either completely adore or bounce off hard.
Thank you to Lynn D. Jung, Cornerstone, and NetGalley for the eARC!
I have very mixed feelings about Mothsblood, there’s a lot here that I really admired even though I’m not entirely sure it was 100% the book for me personally.
First of all, this book is DEEPLY character-driven. If you love messy protagonists and stories that really dig into the uglier sides of trauma, grief, obsession, and survival, I can absolutely see this hitting incredibly hard!! Lynn D. Jung clearly had a very specific vision for these characters and committed to it fully.
Lark especially is SUCH an interesting protagonist because she is not written to be easily lovable. She’s sharp-edged, guarded, selfish at times, angry, deeply affected by everything she’s been through, and the book never tries to smooth those traits over to make her more palatable. I actually really respected that. Her trauma feels woven into the way she thinks and reacts rather than existing as backstory decoration, which made her feel very real.
That said, I also think this was part of why I struggled to fully connect emotionally at times. Because the story is so tightly rooted in Lark’s perspective and inner world, some of the side characters ended up feeling less developed than I wanted them to be. Characters like Kareem and Violaine especially fascinated me, and I kept wishing we had a little more time with them outside of how Lark perceived them.
The writing itself is beautiful in a very dark, atmospheric way. The whole book has this heavy, almost suffocating tone that completely immerses you in the world and the emotional state of the characters. There’s a constant sense of tension and unease simmering underneath everything that I thought was really well done.
I think where the book slightly lost me was that sometimes the interpersonal dynamics and emotional subtext seemed to take precedence over plot momentum. Which is obviously intentional!!! But it did mean there were points where I felt more intellectually engaged than emotionally invested.
Still, even though this wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I can absolutely appreciate what the author was doing here. It’s ambitious, emotionally raw, and refreshingly uninterested in making its characters “easy.” I have a feeling this is going to be one of those books people either completely adore or bounce off hard.
Thank you to Lynn D. Jung, Cornerstone, and NetGalley for the eARC!
September 8, 2026
4,5⭐️
Ohhhh wow masterpiece de las academias con alquimia, transmutaciones etc etc
Me ha gustado mucho muchísimo. Lo oscura que es la prota?? Bffff perfecta, toma decisiones egoístas constantemente pero que es TAN REAL
La ambientación me parece otro de los puntos fuertes, esta súper lograda. Creo que lo peor puede ser que es algo complicado de entender al principio sobre todo, y hay cosas del sistema de alquimia que me hubiera gustado entender mejorrrr
Que sea lento es necesario porque los personajes tienen una construcción brutal. Ojo los trigger warnings, y les añadiría que tiene escenas un poco repugnantes. No llega a gore pero si que da repelus
Nosequemadecir, la trama ha trameado, todo bien hilado y con sentido sisisisisi
Lo único por lo que no pongo las 5 es por eso de que se hace a veces algo complicado y denso peeeero que es la vida sin complicaciones?
Epílogo OBLIGATORIO de leer 🖤
Ohhhh wow masterpiece de las academias con alquimia, transmutaciones etc etc
Me ha gustado mucho muchísimo. Lo oscura que es la prota?? Bffff perfecta, toma decisiones egoístas constantemente pero que es TAN REAL
La ambientación me parece otro de los puntos fuertes, esta súper lograda. Creo que lo peor puede ser que es algo complicado de entender al principio sobre todo, y hay cosas del sistema de alquimia que me hubiera gustado entender mejorrrr
Que sea lento es necesario porque los personajes tienen una construcción brutal. Ojo los trigger warnings, y les añadiría que tiene escenas un poco repugnantes. No llega a gore pero si que da repelus
Nosequemadecir, la trama ha trameado, todo bien hilado y con sentido sisisisisi
Lo único por lo que no pongo las 5 es por eso de que se hace a veces algo complicado y denso peeeero que es la vida sin complicaciones?
Epílogo OBLIGATORIO de leer 🖤
September 8, 2026
4.25 stars. Wow I am shocked that this is a debut novel. Incredibly lush and poignant writing. This is a dark academia fantasy that felt unique within the genre. We are thrown into the crowded, rainy streets of Paris and into a world renowned Parisian alchemical school of magic called Meurdrac. The headmistress is Petronelle Flamel, an undying magician with dark secrets, and we follow our main character Larkspur, who is incredibly complex and comes from a very dark past.
This book has everything you could want in a dark academia fantasy - the shadowy, eerie vibes, a murder mystery, a class competition, buried secrets, institutional corruption, abuse of power, and tons of moral ambiguity. Jung’s writing style was so immersive, I felt I was present within this story rather than watching it unfold from the outside. And I truly believe she nailed the moody atmospheric setting and developing a reader-character connection.
That being said, the plot itself at times had a choppy pace. It made it difficult to transition from scene to scene or connect different parts of the book together, which is the main reason this wasn’t a higher rating for me.
Overall, this was a really well-done debut. Please be aware that this book is quite dark and contains heavy subject matter, so check content triggers before reading: grooming of a minor, SA, coercive power, and significant drug and alcohol use.
This book has everything you could want in a dark academia fantasy - the shadowy, eerie vibes, a murder mystery, a class competition, buried secrets, institutional corruption, abuse of power, and tons of moral ambiguity. Jung’s writing style was so immersive, I felt I was present within this story rather than watching it unfold from the outside. And I truly believe she nailed the moody atmospheric setting and developing a reader-character connection.
That being said, the plot itself at times had a choppy pace. It made it difficult to transition from scene to scene or connect different parts of the book together, which is the main reason this wasn’t a higher rating for me.
Overall, this was a really well-done debut. Please be aware that this book is quite dark and contains heavy subject matter, so check content triggers before reading: grooming of a minor, SA, coercive power, and significant drug and alcohol use.
tbr-physical
January 20, 2026Update: We have a cover reveal! The target audience being for those who loved Ninth House and Blood Over Bright Haven, oh my dark academia fantasy heart cannot be contained☕️🕯️🍂 If someone wants to slip an arc my way, I would not be mad about it🙏🏼
I've had my eyes on this since stumbling on Lynn D. Jung's WIP on Twitter/X. Have been following Jung's writing journey on YouTube ever since, and so excited we've reached this point!
I've had my eyes on this since stumbling on Lynn D. Jung's WIP on Twitter/X. Have been following Jung's writing journey on YouTube ever since, and so excited we've reached this point!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I need this book injected into my veins!
The prose in this is so beautiful I was instantly drawn into this book. The story is set against the backdrop of a secret alchemy university in the heart of rainy Paris and the world that the author created was so atmospheric and interesting. I loved the morally grey protagonist with her unabashed ambition and drive and I thought that her characterisation and character arc were handled really well. Most of the characters are very morally grey but I loved their relationships and how they slowly grew on each other.
This is true dark academia - it digs into the science of alchemy but also explores the darkness of these types of institutions. It does have some dark themes (abuse and body horror) but I really liked how these were used to further the story. There is also a sapphic romance subplot which I really enjoyed and I loved how the moths were incorporated in the book.
If you like Babel and A Study in Drowning then you will love this!
This is a standalone dark academia fantasy book set at Meurdrac University for alchemy in Paris. We follow Larkspur Lee, a Korean-American student at Meurdrac, when the immortal alchemist Petronelle Flamel announces a competition for a role as her apprentice. Lark is determined to win because the apprenticeship doesn't just prove that she is the best but it also comes with the chance to become immortal. But when Petronelle is murdered Lark is thrust into a conspiracy that exposes secrets lurking behind the university and darks ties to Lark's past. When the abusive mentor she has spent years running from arrives in Paris, Lark decides to work with Violaine, her fellow competitor for the apprenticeship, to solve Petronelle's murder.
Thank you so much to Del Rey for this proof copy! 🦋
The prose in this is so beautiful I was instantly drawn into this book. The story is set against the backdrop of a secret alchemy university in the heart of rainy Paris and the world that the author created was so atmospheric and interesting. I loved the morally grey protagonist with her unabashed ambition and drive and I thought that her characterisation and character arc were handled really well. Most of the characters are very morally grey but I loved their relationships and how they slowly grew on each other.
This is true dark academia - it digs into the science of alchemy but also explores the darkness of these types of institutions. It does have some dark themes (abuse and body horror) but I really liked how these were used to further the story. There is also a sapphic romance subplot which I really enjoyed and I loved how the moths were incorporated in the book.
If you like Babel and A Study in Drowning then you will love this!
This is a standalone dark academia fantasy book set at Meurdrac University for alchemy in Paris. We follow Larkspur Lee, a Korean-American student at Meurdrac, when the immortal alchemist Petronelle Flamel announces a competition for a role as her apprentice. Lark is determined to win because the apprenticeship doesn't just prove that she is the best but it also comes with the chance to become immortal. But when Petronelle is murdered Lark is thrust into a conspiracy that exposes secrets lurking behind the university and darks ties to Lark's past. When the abusive mentor she has spent years running from arrives in Paris, Lark decides to work with Violaine, her fellow competitor for the apprenticeship, to solve Petronelle's murder.
Thank you so much to Del Rey for this proof copy! 🦋
Did Not Finish
September 10, 2026DNF at 35%
I tried my best... Sadly after reading so much I still had no real connection or emotional attachment to story and characters. Mothsblood is character driven story in climatic Paris that is the cradle of alchemy.
My biggest issue was writing - use of (too many) metaphors, very flowery descriptions with narration written in past tense gave such weird mix! I understand that this was attempt to made atmosphere more "french", gothic, mysterious and magical, but for me it clearly missed the mark.
What stole my heart? Each scene where alchemy was put into use it felt more than just magical and I really loved read these paragraphs - one of the most interesting parts of the story!
I am not saying this book is bad, just doesn't fit my tastes and looking at other reviews I can tell other people will give it love it deserves!
Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for arc in exchange for my honest review
I tried my best... Sadly after reading so much I still had no real connection or emotional attachment to story and characters. Mothsblood is character driven story in climatic Paris that is the cradle of alchemy.
My biggest issue was writing - use of (too many) metaphors, very flowery descriptions with narration written in past tense gave such weird mix! I understand that this was attempt to made atmosphere more "french", gothic, mysterious and magical, but for me it clearly missed the mark.
What stole my heart? Each scene where alchemy was put into use it felt more than just magical and I really loved read these paragraphs - one of the most interesting parts of the story!
I am not saying this book is bad, just doesn't fit my tastes and looking at other reviews I can tell other people will give it love it deserves!
Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for arc in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
E-ARC generously provided by Bloomsbury in exchange for a review! Thank you so much.
4 stars. Feverishly beautiful and dark academia in the truest sense, Mothsblood is a hypnotic debut from an author to watch.
4 stars. Feverishly beautiful and dark academia in the truest sense, Mothsblood is a hypnotic debut from an author to watch.
February 24, 2026
Unfortunately I think I wasn’t the right reader for this book! The world building, set up, and magic based on Alchemy was true exciting and innovative. Even the dynamics that the school creates is fascinating and it was a very good take on the elitism and “social capital” necessary to make it through elitist institutions.
For some reason, I couldn’t get hooked on the story, and some aspects of the storyline were confusing for me. Thank you NetGalley and Cornerstone for the ARC.
For some reason, I couldn’t get hooked on the story, and some aspects of the storyline were confusing for me. Thank you NetGalley and Cornerstone for the ARC.
October 1, 2026
If you're here for an unlikeable FMC and extremely moody Parisian dark academia vibes, without too many boring bits sitting around in classrooms and libraries -- have at it (and skip the rest of this review.)
Personally, I wasn't expecting the unlikeability, and though I am entirely here for the woes of a disaster human from time to time, Lark was unappealing to me because she was So Passive. She's taken one really big action before the book starts, and even that takes way too long to be explained in the story, given how much it is teased. But now she's now at the premier school for alchemy where she, and I quote, "breezes through her classes" and is top of her class, and is working on her own project -- but all the intensity is told, not shown. A heap of plot happens near her, she makes as few decisions as possible, mostly letting the story shove her along, and then we get to some actively bad and painful actions. Yeah, zero redeeming "watching the carcrash" moments here.
Add to that the whiplash of some genuinely lovely turns of phrase, mixed up with excessively fancy words used wrongly or awkwardly, and I really did struggle. Some examples (that I'll delete if they turn out to be gone from the release copy, I can but hope!): a prettily-described pâtisserie paragraph, followed by "Against this rather puerile backdrop" ... what was 'childish', exactly? "The café sits on an innocuous corner", surely most corners are innocuous, in fact, I'm not sure I can picture a menacing corner. A "near-omniscient cloud of cigarette smoke" -- I hope that's 'omnipresent' or else this is a completely different level of horror to the one marketed. By the time I got to the "black mold gestating on the ceiling" and shouting at my tablet, 'that is biologically wrong and metaphorically weird', this book and I were thoroughly done. Shoutout for a reasonable level of closure at the end, at least.
Rating: 13/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance review copy provided by the publisher at NetGalley.
Personally, I wasn't expecting the unlikeability, and though I am entirely here for the woes of a disaster human from time to time, Lark was unappealing to me because she was So Passive. She's taken one really big action before the book starts, and even that takes way too long to be explained in the story, given how much it is teased. But now she's now at the premier school for alchemy where she, and I quote, "breezes through her classes" and is top of her class, and is working on her own project -- but all the intensity is told, not shown. A heap of plot happens near her, she makes as few decisions as possible, mostly letting the story shove her along, and then we get to some actively bad and painful actions. Yeah, zero redeeming "watching the carcrash" moments here.
Add to that the whiplash of some genuinely lovely turns of phrase, mixed up with excessively fancy words used wrongly or awkwardly, and I really did struggle. Some examples (that I'll delete if they turn out to be gone from the release copy, I can but hope!): a prettily-described pâtisserie paragraph, followed by "Against this rather puerile backdrop" ... what was 'childish', exactly? "The café sits on an innocuous corner", surely most corners are innocuous, in fact, I'm not sure I can picture a menacing corner. A "near-omniscient cloud of cigarette smoke" -- I hope that's 'omnipresent' or else this is a completely different level of horror to the one marketed. By the time I got to the "black mold gestating on the ceiling" and shouting at my tablet, 'that is biologically wrong and metaphorically weird', this book and I were thoroughly done. Shoutout for a reasonable level of closure at the end, at least.
Rating: 13/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance review copy provided by the publisher at NetGalley.
April 30, 2026
There’s no denying that this is beautifully written. Lynn D. Jung is an absolute wordsmith, crafting a rich, deeply immersive academic world layered with a dark, gothic atmosphere. Set in a modern-day Paris that somehow feels suspended in a bygone era, Mothsblood leans fully into its dark academia roots, complete with lectures, thesis work, and a tangible sense of intellectual obsession. If you want your dark academia to actually feel academic, this delivers. Entomology lovers especially will enjoy this.
I loved the alchemical university setting at Meurdrac and the intricate, well-researched worldbuilding. The integration of alchemical sciences into a contemporary setting was fascinating, and the inclusion of historical figures will be a treat for anyone familiar with the history of alchemy and the Philosopher’s Stone. The atmosphere is easily one of the book’s strongest elements: moody, gothic, and almost suffocating at times.
Thematically, this explores identity, elitism in academia, the pursuit of knowledge, the abuse of power, blind ambition, and who ultimately pays the price for it. There’s also a sapphic romance subplot woven through the story, which I really enjoyed, but wish had been a little more developed.
That said, this is where my experience became more conflicted. The pacing felt inconsistent, and at times the heavy focus on atmosphere and verbose prose came at the expense of narrative momentum. I found it difficult to stay connected to both the plot and the characters, and certain threads were introduced with weight but never felt fully resolved (Petronelle’s journal, the automatons, and the contention between magic and alchemy).
The murder mystery initially hooked me with a compelling setup, but it seemed to resolve surprisingly early, which left the latter half of the book feeling somewhat directionless. I’m usually able to build theories about where a story is going, but here I felt a bit lost until the end. The final 15% was the most gripping part, finally delivering the tension and momentum I had been waiting for, though getting there was a struggle at times.
There is also this surreal, fever-dream quality to parts of the narrative. While likely intentional, it made it difficult to fully trust what was real or stay grounded in the story. Between alchemised substances, alcohol, hallucinations, mentions of black mould, and body horror, I often found myself questioning how reliable Lark was as a narrator.
Lark herself is a complex and flawed FMC, clearly shaped by her trauma and abuse. Her self-destructive coping mechanisms make her feel real and layered, but also, at times, difficult to like and root for. Outside of her dynamic with her mentor/abuser, which is one of the more developed and disturbing relationships, many of the side relationships felt underexplored, making it hard to form a deeper emotional connection with her peers, romantic interest, and teachers.
I do want to highlight that the eARC I received did not include content warnings, which significantly impacted my reading experience. I also could not find any listed on the author’s website at the time of reading. Had I been aware beforehand, I likely would have made a different choice about picking it up. While I think the abusive relationship and its impact on Lark was handled well and realistically, the fawning and subsequent abuse were difficult to read.
There were aspects I genuinely loved, but ultimately this just wasn’t the right fit for me 💔 Despite my mixed feelings, I still think this is an incredibly strong debut. It is ambitious, atmospheric, and clearly written with a lot of care and intention. I can absolutely see this resonating with readers who love richly detailed dark academia, gothic fantasy, and morally complex characters, especially if you do not mind slower pacing and heavier subject matter.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers at Random House UK, Del Rey for the advanced copy!
Content Warnings: (mild spoilers)
I loved the alchemical university setting at Meurdrac and the intricate, well-researched worldbuilding. The integration of alchemical sciences into a contemporary setting was fascinating, and the inclusion of historical figures will be a treat for anyone familiar with the history of alchemy and the Philosopher’s Stone. The atmosphere is easily one of the book’s strongest elements: moody, gothic, and almost suffocating at times.
Thematically, this explores identity, elitism in academia, the pursuit of knowledge, the abuse of power, blind ambition, and who ultimately pays the price for it. There’s also a sapphic romance subplot woven through the story, which I really enjoyed, but wish had been a little more developed.
That said, this is where my experience became more conflicted. The pacing felt inconsistent, and at times the heavy focus on atmosphere and verbose prose came at the expense of narrative momentum. I found it difficult to stay connected to both the plot and the characters, and certain threads were introduced with weight but never felt fully resolved (Petronelle’s journal, the automatons, and the contention between magic and alchemy).
The murder mystery initially hooked me with a compelling setup, but it seemed to resolve surprisingly early, which left the latter half of the book feeling somewhat directionless. I’m usually able to build theories about where a story is going, but here I felt a bit lost until the end. The final 15% was the most gripping part, finally delivering the tension and momentum I had been waiting for, though getting there was a struggle at times.
There is also this surreal, fever-dream quality to parts of the narrative. While likely intentional, it made it difficult to fully trust what was real or stay grounded in the story. Between alchemised substances, alcohol, hallucinations, mentions of black mould, and body horror, I often found myself questioning how reliable Lark was as a narrator.
Lark herself is a complex and flawed FMC, clearly shaped by her trauma and abuse. Her self-destructive coping mechanisms make her feel real and layered, but also, at times, difficult to like and root for. Outside of her dynamic with her mentor/abuser, which is one of the more developed and disturbing relationships, many of the side relationships felt underexplored, making it hard to form a deeper emotional connection with her peers, romantic interest, and teachers.
I do want to highlight that the eARC I received did not include content warnings, which significantly impacted my reading experience. I also could not find any listed on the author’s website at the time of reading. Had I been aware beforehand, I likely would have made a different choice about picking it up. While I think the abusive relationship and its impact on Lark was handled well and realistically, the fawning and subsequent abuse were difficult to read.
There were aspects I genuinely loved, but ultimately this just wasn’t the right fit for me 💔 Despite my mixed feelings, I still think this is an incredibly strong debut. It is ambitious, atmospheric, and clearly written with a lot of care and intention. I can absolutely see this resonating with readers who love richly detailed dark academia, gothic fantasy, and morally complex characters, especially if you do not mind slower pacing and heavier subject matter.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers at Random House UK, Del Rey for the advanced copy!
Content Warnings: (mild spoilers)
August 8, 2026
I honestly don’t even know how to coherently formulate my thoughts, what a whirlwind of a book, of a story.
In this debut, we follow an alchemist that find herself in the middle of a murder at her university. Where a dark with dark secrets past resurfaces & entangle itself in the present.
I have mixed feelings about this book. There are some things that I enjoyed, and while also thinking it might not 100% be the book for me. Our FMC is an unlikeable character, it was hard for me to form an opinion on her.
One of the biggest things that was hard for me, is that it was difficult to connect to the story and characters, and found myself confused and lost a lot. For a standalone, there were also quite a lot of plot holes and things left unanswered (the moths being a major one!), which frustrated me in the end.
This story is definitely intriguing and will leave you guessing for the entirety of the journey. It is dark & twisted, and oh so gothic and dark-academia coded! Which I did enjoy.
With all of that being said, it may not have been the perfect fit for me, but I do appreciate the author’s depth that she put into this story and the details for the alchemy-based magic set up.
Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury for the earc and the chance to read this book early 🫶
In this debut, we follow an alchemist that find herself in the middle of a murder at her university. Where a dark with dark secrets past resurfaces & entangle itself in the present.
I have mixed feelings about this book. There are some things that I enjoyed, and while also thinking it might not 100% be the book for me. Our FMC is an unlikeable character, it was hard for me to form an opinion on her.
One of the biggest things that was hard for me, is that it was difficult to connect to the story and characters, and found myself confused and lost a lot. For a standalone, there were also quite a lot of plot holes and things left unanswered (the moths being a major one!), which frustrated me in the end.
This story is definitely intriguing and will leave you guessing for the entirety of the journey. It is dark & twisted, and oh so gothic and dark-academia coded! Which I did enjoy.
With all of that being said, it may not have been the perfect fit for me, but I do appreciate the author’s depth that she put into this story and the details for the alchemy-based magic set up.
Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury for the earc and the chance to read this book early 🫶
August 5, 2026
Soul shattering, haunting and beautifully flawed, Moothsblood is the kind of book that leaves a lasting impression.
Our FMC is complex and hard to grasp at times, but she has so many layers to her that explain the precise nature of her character. I felt her unease and confusion so clearly through her contradicting actions, and it kept me invested in her character because I was desperate to understand why she was the way she was.
Moothsblood is about dismantling a system that is wrong on so many levels. It’s a journey of discovery, where we, alongside the main character, find out just how wrong our perception was towards the magical system and the hierarchy within it.
The ending was phenomenal. Full of tension, secrets that are revealed and rage that makes us boil, and, amidst it all, a quiet yet very persistent love that was there all along. In absolute awe with the way this story unfolded and with where it brought us readers at the end.
Tears were shed. Hearts were broken and chests were left hollowed out, a feeling that can only be experienced when an incredible story comes to an end.
Our FMC is complex and hard to grasp at times, but she has so many layers to her that explain the precise nature of her character. I felt her unease and confusion so clearly through her contradicting actions, and it kept me invested in her character because I was desperate to understand why she was the way she was.
Moothsblood is about dismantling a system that is wrong on so many levels. It’s a journey of discovery, where we, alongside the main character, find out just how wrong our perception was towards the magical system and the hierarchy within it.
The ending was phenomenal. Full of tension, secrets that are revealed and rage that makes us boil, and, amidst it all, a quiet yet very persistent love that was there all along. In absolute awe with the way this story unfolded and with where it brought us readers at the end.
Tears were shed. Hearts were broken and chests were left hollowed out, a feeling that can only be experienced when an incredible story comes to an end.
Read
June 2, 2026I really wanted to love this and I mostly did - it grappled with a lot of themes similar to RF Kuang's Katabasis and Babel, and was extremely atmospheric and eerie. Unpacked the unbalanced power structures of academia hidden within of universities and mentorships, picked at threads of misogyny, emotional manipulation and abuse, substance abuse, sexual violence, and how being 'the other' particularly the racial discrimination faced as a Korean in Paris, worked to unsettle and unseat our deeply problematic protagonist. I loved her at times (yay for messy bisexuals) but god she needed a break.
It was fascinating and I enjoyed the body horror inherent in the alchemy of it all - transformation big important vibe here - but I was disappointed by the momentum in the middle, where all our energy was sapped. Important context sadly did bog us down, and this felt long.
It was fascinating and I enjoyed the body horror inherent in the alchemy of it all - transformation big important vibe here - but I was disappointed by the momentum in the middle, where all our energy was sapped. Important context sadly did bog us down, and this felt long.
Review of advance copy
This was an interesting one to me, for sure. I think there is so much here that I appreciated and enjoyed, starting with how interesting and complex the characters were, the prose was wonderful and so immersive, the world this is set in also is incredibly wonderful, so well developed, and so easy to get lost in. I most definitely enjoyed the narration, which played a huge part in my overall experience with this one.
I think my main issue is that I had troubles connecting with the story itself and the characters, maybe exactly because of everything I have mentioned. I feel like at times it all somehow went to damage the rest of it on a more basic level, if that makes sense? I also felt like the pacing was a little all over the place, which led to it dragging on for way longer than needed at times.
This is an incredibly well-written, interesting, clearly carefully thought-out novel, and I can genuinely appreciate that. And I do, I really do. Which is why I feel very reluctant to say I think it simply wasn't for me. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy; I did venture out of my comfort zone with this one, so I knew what I was stepping into. But honestly, I would do it over again, because it was fun, I had fun. I just don't think it will stick with me.
Biggest thanks to Libro.fm & Bloomsbury for the ALC; all opinions are my own.
I think my main issue is that I had troubles connecting with the story itself and the characters, maybe exactly because of everything I have mentioned. I feel like at times it all somehow went to damage the rest of it on a more basic level, if that makes sense? I also felt like the pacing was a little all over the place, which led to it dragging on for way longer than needed at times.
This is an incredibly well-written, interesting, clearly carefully thought-out novel, and I can genuinely appreciate that. And I do, I really do. Which is why I feel very reluctant to say I think it simply wasn't for me. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy; I did venture out of my comfort zone with this one, so I knew what I was stepping into. But honestly, I would do it over again, because it was fun, I had fun. I just don't think it will stick with me.
Biggest thanks to Libro.fm & Bloomsbury for the ALC; all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF
I really need to stop trusting publishers/apps when they label books as "lesbian" and thats totally on me. This was very bisexual and I love that for the baddie bi's.
But please stop saying a books is prominently lesbian when most of the book has M/F sex.
This is in no way me being negative towards the author as I know they have very little to no control over how things are labeled/marketed.
I think other people will love this one! However it is, unfortunately, not for me.
I really need to stop trusting publishers/apps when they label books as "lesbian" and thats totally on me. This was very bisexual and I love that for the baddie bi's.
But please stop saying a books is prominently lesbian when most of the book has M/F sex.
This is in no way me being negative towards the author as I know they have very little to no control over how things are labeled/marketed.
I think other people will love this one! However it is, unfortunately, not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Otros
Este librito era una de mis novedades más esperadas de A Octubre y os puedo adelantar que si buscas en el diccionario dark academia, debería salir este libro 🤭
🦋 Tiene los ingredientes perfectos: Una academia en París donde sólo tienen cabida los mejores o los que pertenecen a la élite, una protagonista con muchísima ambición y un misterio por resolver.
La ambientación te mete dentro de la historia enseguida, con ese toque de oscuridad.
Hacía mucho tiempo que no leía un libro de este género que representase tanto al género.
🪄 El sistema de magia me ha sorprendido muchísimo: Yo no soy ninguna enamorada de la alquimia. Pero aquí, la alquimia cobra tantas formas y caben en ella tantas posibilidades, que me atrapó desde la primera página.
Los personajes... Son realmente muy buenos. Creo que la moralidad gris está muy bien introducida y todos tienen su complejidad en la historia.
🍁 Sé que a priori puede destacar mucho la protagonista. Pero la relación de ella con el villano... Realmente es un tipo de relación que por desgracia está muy presente en la vida real y había bastantes escenas que me han parecido increíbles de lo bien retratadas que están.
Sin embargo el sapphic yearning me ha parecido muy bien introducido. No esperéis mucho romance en esta historia pero uf, podía sentir todo el tiempo ese anhelo y deseo por estar juntas.
💥 La idea de la trama es buenísima. Es verdad que no le doy cinco estrellas porque venía con mucho hype, la ambientación me estaba recordando a La maldición de la sangre y sin darme cuenta estaba esperando alguna escena que me hiciera volar la cabeza y no ha llegado. Pero esto es únicamente al final fruto del hype que yo me he creado jaja.
En definitiva, una lectura indispensable este otoño.
🦋 Tiene los ingredientes perfectos: Una academia en París donde sólo tienen cabida los mejores o los que pertenecen a la élite, una protagonista con muchísima ambición y un misterio por resolver.
La ambientación te mete dentro de la historia enseguida, con ese toque de oscuridad.
Hacía mucho tiempo que no leía un libro de este género que representase tanto al género.
🪄 El sistema de magia me ha sorprendido muchísimo: Yo no soy ninguna enamorada de la alquimia. Pero aquí, la alquimia cobra tantas formas y caben en ella tantas posibilidades, que me atrapó desde la primera página.
Los personajes... Son realmente muy buenos. Creo que la moralidad gris está muy bien introducida y todos tienen su complejidad en la historia.
🍁 Sé que a priori puede destacar mucho la protagonista. Pero la relación de ella con el villano... Realmente es un tipo de relación que por desgracia está muy presente en la vida real y había bastantes escenas que me han parecido increíbles de lo bien retratadas que están.
Sin embargo el sapphic yearning me ha parecido muy bien introducido. No esperéis mucho romance en esta historia pero uf, podía sentir todo el tiempo ese anhelo y deseo por estar juntas.
💥 La idea de la trama es buenísima. Es verdad que no le doy cinco estrellas porque venía con mucho hype, la ambientación me estaba recordando a La maldición de la sangre y sin darme cuenta estaba esperando alguna escena que me hiciera volar la cabeza y no ha llegado. Pero esto es únicamente al final fruto del hype que yo me he creado jaja.
En definitiva, una lectura indispensable este otoño.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
UPDATE: decided to be nice and give mothsblood an extra half star. still think part of this was written by AI but at least the author isn't being an asshole about it and shading me on threads and plotting with her friends to report my account ahh the bar is underground these days.
Original review: I want to say I'm not the audience and someone else might enjoy mothsblood, but I truly question anyone who reads this book and is able to root for the main character. tw: bullying. the main character remind me so much of one of my high school bullies, who is unnecessarily mean, even when other people try so hard to be nice to her. I findthe main character to be very narcissistic and only cares about herself, and is deeply selfish, and rude, and just MEAN! unless you have a kink for a narcissism and enjoy watching mean girls bully her fellow students, I would not recommend this book. I made it 32% before dnfing. maybe the book gets better later on, but at 32% nothing has happened. the book is very meandering, and nothing makes sense. the writing is also TERRIBLE. so bad I questioned multiple times whether some lines were written by AI because it did not make sense!!!!!! i wonder if the author put lines into an ai software and asked it to rewrite it, and it spew out the most thersaurus nonsense anyone has ever read. has anyone read that meme where the original line is the tree is green and looks up on thersaurus and comes out with the tree is photosenthesis? this is what reading this book felt like.
free copy from edewleiss all opinions are my own. I am not a professional reviewer and do this in my spare time so please be nice
Original review: I want to say I'm not the audience and someone else might enjoy mothsblood, but I truly question anyone who reads this book and is able to root for the main character. tw: bullying. the main character remind me so much of one of my high school bullies, who is unnecessarily mean, even when other people try so hard to be nice to her. I findthe main character to be very narcissistic and only cares about herself, and is deeply selfish, and rude, and just MEAN! unless you have a kink for a narcissism and enjoy watching mean girls bully her fellow students, I would not recommend this book. I made it 32% before dnfing. maybe the book gets better later on, but at 32% nothing has happened. the book is very meandering, and nothing makes sense. the writing is also TERRIBLE. so bad I questioned multiple times whether some lines were written by AI because it did not make sense!!!!!! i wonder if the author put lines into an ai software and asked it to rewrite it, and it spew out the most thersaurus nonsense anyone has ever read. has anyone read that meme where the original line is the tree is green and looks up on thersaurus and comes out with the tree is photosenthesis? this is what reading this book felt like.
free copy from edewleiss all opinions are my own. I am not a professional reviewer and do this in my spare time so please be nice
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS A DEBUT.
Mothsblood was stunning. Lynn D. Jung pays attention to every little detail, and it made the world feel so vivid. I especially loved the European setting—the multiple languages, the reluctance to speak English, the tourists in Paris. Those little details made such a difference.
We follow Larkspur Lee, our FMC, who is ambitious, brilliant, and so difficult to fully understand. Her thoughts and actions constantly contradict each other, and I kept turning pages trying to unravel the truth.
And there were SO many questions:
🦋 Why does she see moths everywhere?
🔥 What does her flame tattoo mean?
⚗️ Why does she need to become immortal?
🩸 What happened to Shea?
🏃♀️ Why did she run away from Cali and her mentor?
👀 Who can she actually trust?
I loved the worldbuilding, especially the unique take on alchemy in a modern world. Add in dark academia, a murder mystery, and a cast of incredibly complex characters, and I was completely hooked.
The question that stayed with me most: when does the hunger for knowledge and immortality become too high a price to pay?
And that ENDING. Phenomenal. So much tension, rage, and revelation—and underneath it all, this quiet love that had been there all along. The way she waited for the storm in California. 😭
And Lark!!! Smart, independent, an outsider—I just wanted to know MORE.
If you love dark academia, alchemy, murder mysteries, complex characters, and books that make you question everything, add this to your TBR.
I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut. I need to see what Lynn D. Jung does next. ✨
Mothsblood was stunning. Lynn D. Jung pays attention to every little detail, and it made the world feel so vivid. I especially loved the European setting—the multiple languages, the reluctance to speak English, the tourists in Paris. Those little details made such a difference.
We follow Larkspur Lee, our FMC, who is ambitious, brilliant, and so difficult to fully understand. Her thoughts and actions constantly contradict each other, and I kept turning pages trying to unravel the truth.
And there were SO many questions:
🦋 Why does she see moths everywhere?
🔥 What does her flame tattoo mean?
⚗️ Why does she need to become immortal?
🩸 What happened to Shea?
🏃♀️ Why did she run away from Cali and her mentor?
👀 Who can she actually trust?
I loved the worldbuilding, especially the unique take on alchemy in a modern world. Add in dark academia, a murder mystery, and a cast of incredibly complex characters, and I was completely hooked.
The question that stayed with me most: when does the hunger for knowledge and immortality become too high a price to pay?
And that ENDING. Phenomenal. So much tension, rage, and revelation—and underneath it all, this quiet love that had been there all along. The way she waited for the storm in California. 😭
And Lark!!! Smart, independent, an outsider—I just wanted to know MORE.
If you love dark academia, alchemy, murder mysteries, complex characters, and books that make you question everything, add this to your TBR.
I genuinely cannot believe this is a debut. I need to see what Lynn D. Jung does next. ✨
October 18, 2026
Oh, Lark, you really made some interesting choices… Overall, I really enjoyed this. It was dark and very academic (which I love), and, of course, a murder tied it all together. I just felt like the second half dragged on a little which made it hard for me to want to pick it up.
We follow Lark, a bright alchemist with a complicated past. Her many (and I mean many) traumas have shaped who she is and, evidently, the decisions she made at one of the last alchemical universities, Meurdrac.
We follow her journey and the trials she faces as she tries to prove herself worthy of becoming the Grand Magistra’s apprentice, until said Magistra is suddenly murdered. The Grand Magistra, third amongst the deathless... suspicious, right?
Determined to uncover exactly what happened, Lark sets out to investigate, with the reluctant help of Knight Violaine. Actually, technically, it was the other way around. Along the way, we discover just how complicated things really are and how much is being hidden from Lark and her peers.
The headmaster’s death also brings Lark’s old mentor back into the picture, and, in my opinion, this is where things really start to get interesting. And scary and uncomfortable. I don’t want to say more without spoiling. Only that I hate Victor. And I mean hate. What a sick bastard.
Anyways, if you love dark academia, you should definitely pick this up, and I mean we’re in moth season, so it would be rude not to! Thank you so much Penguin Australia for the ARC
We follow Lark, a bright alchemist with a complicated past. Her many (and I mean many) traumas have shaped who she is and, evidently, the decisions she made at one of the last alchemical universities, Meurdrac.
We follow her journey and the trials she faces as she tries to prove herself worthy of becoming the Grand Magistra’s apprentice, until said Magistra is suddenly murdered. The Grand Magistra, third amongst the deathless... suspicious, right?
Determined to uncover exactly what happened, Lark sets out to investigate, with the reluctant help of Knight Violaine. Actually, technically, it was the other way around. Along the way, we discover just how complicated things really are and how much is being hidden from Lark and her peers.
The headmaster’s death also brings Lark’s old mentor back into the picture, and, in my opinion, this is where things really start to get interesting. And scary and uncomfortable. I don’t want to say more without spoiling. Only that I hate Victor. And I mean hate. What a sick bastard.
Anyways, if you love dark academia, you should definitely pick this up, and I mean we’re in moth season, so it would be rude not to! Thank you so much Penguin Australia for the ARC
Did Not Finish
October 1, 2026Thank you Raincoast books for the paperback arc and Librofm for the alc 🫶
DNF @ 48%
This book sounded so good and I had high hopes but sadly it just didn’t work for me. I was liking it for the first 15-20% but then it just kinda fizzled out for me. I felt like the story was kind of meandering and I just wasn’t that interested in where it was going. I wasn’t particularly invested in the characters. I also felt like certain terms and world building concepts weren’t explained at all and that left me feeling a bit disconnected.
DNF @ 48%
This book sounded so good and I had high hopes but sadly it just didn’t work for me. I was liking it for the first 15-20% but then it just kinda fizzled out for me. I felt like the story was kind of meandering and I just wasn’t that interested in where it was going. I wasn’t particularly invested in the characters. I also felt like certain terms and world building concepts weren’t explained at all and that left me feeling a bit disconnected.
July 19, 2026
So an arc of this got sent to the store specifically for me, I’d never heard of it but it sounded interesting enough so I took it home, and ultimately I’m glad I did.
I am a huge sucker for urban/contemporary fantasy, and I appreciate when things billed as “dark academia” actually decide to interrogate the privileges academia is actually built on and isn’t just Sparkling Tweed, and this has both of those. The juxtaposition of the old world magic with the modern setting made for a fascinating atmosphere that I had a lot of fun getting immersed in. I looked forward to seeing what new and horribly magical thing the book was gonna throw at me next!
It was also an incredibly tough read for me personally, as it’s a lot of chapters of this ostensibly queer girl getting groomed and spiraling into self destruction while the aforementioned insular academic privilege closes in on her. It’s SUPPOSED to be icky but oof.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. There are a couple things I still wonder about so if the author wanted to write a sequel I’d read it, and I’ll also keep an eye out for whatever else she writes.
Also a quick note, the queerness was a bit of a pleasant surprise. As I read I was like “am I reading too much into this?” Especially since there is a scene of “girls getting it on at a party while I douchey guy is there like 👀” which made me roll my eyes, but by the end it’s abundantly clear that Lark is some kinda queer, even if exact labels aren’t used on page. Hell, I don’t think the character herself knows! Just that she loves this woman enough to want to move the world for her.
I am a huge sucker for urban/contemporary fantasy, and I appreciate when things billed as “dark academia” actually decide to interrogate the privileges academia is actually built on and isn’t just Sparkling Tweed, and this has both of those. The juxtaposition of the old world magic with the modern setting made for a fascinating atmosphere that I had a lot of fun getting immersed in. I looked forward to seeing what new and horribly magical thing the book was gonna throw at me next!
It was also an incredibly tough read for me personally, as it’s a lot of chapters of this ostensibly queer girl getting groomed and spiraling into self destruction while the aforementioned insular academic privilege closes in on her. It’s SUPPOSED to be icky but oof.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. There are a couple things I still wonder about so if the author wanted to write a sequel I’d read it, and I’ll also keep an eye out for whatever else she writes.
Also a quick note, the queerness was a bit of a pleasant surprise. As I read I was like “am I reading too much into this?” Especially since there is a scene of “girls getting it on at a party while I douchey guy is there like 👀” which made me roll my eyes, but by the end it’s abundantly clear that Lark is some kinda queer, even if exact labels aren’t used on page. Hell, I don’t think the character herself knows! Just that she loves this woman enough to want to move the world for her.
February 20, 2026
Review to come but GOD this was so good
October 17, 2026
One of my favourite things about Mothsblood was the writing style. It was beautifully lush and atmospheric, creating that dark, unsettling feeling that I love in gothic fiction. The setting definitely delivered on the dark academia vibes, and I really enjoyed how character-driven the story was.
Our main character, Lark, was a highlight for me. She was messy, complicated, and not always loveable, but that’s exactly what made her so interesting to follow. I loved exploring her emotions and the ways grief, abandonment, grooming, and her desire for control shaped her. There was something fascinating about getting to know her through all her flaws and contradictions, even when I didn’t necessarily agree with her choices.
Being a shorter read, the story felt quite focused on Lark and her internal world. While I appreciated that intimate character study, I did find myself wanting more. I would have loved more context surrounding the wider organisation within the university, as well as the political dynamics between the powerful families involved. Those elements felt like they had so much potential, and I wanted to dig deeper into the power structures at play.
I was also really intrigued by the side characters and would have loved to spend more time understanding their motivations and perspectives. However, because the story is told entirely through Lark’s POV, we’re limited to what she sees, knows, and understands. While this works for keeping us close to her experience, it also left me wishing we could peek behind the curtain a little more.
Overall, Mothsblood was an atmospheric, character-driven read with gorgeous writing, a gothic setting, dark academia vibes, and a murder mystery at its heart. Although I wanted a little more world-building and depth beyond Lark’s perspective, I still found plenty to appreciate.
If you love gothic settings, dark academia, murder mysteries, morally complicated characters, and stories that explore the darker sides of human emotions, this one might be right up your street!
Our main character, Lark, was a highlight for me. She was messy, complicated, and not always loveable, but that’s exactly what made her so interesting to follow. I loved exploring her emotions and the ways grief, abandonment, grooming, and her desire for control shaped her. There was something fascinating about getting to know her through all her flaws and contradictions, even when I didn’t necessarily agree with her choices.
Being a shorter read, the story felt quite focused on Lark and her internal world. While I appreciated that intimate character study, I did find myself wanting more. I would have loved more context surrounding the wider organisation within the university, as well as the political dynamics between the powerful families involved. Those elements felt like they had so much potential, and I wanted to dig deeper into the power structures at play.
I was also really intrigued by the side characters and would have loved to spend more time understanding their motivations and perspectives. However, because the story is told entirely through Lark’s POV, we’re limited to what she sees, knows, and understands. While this works for keeping us close to her experience, it also left me wishing we could peek behind the curtain a little more.
Overall, Mothsblood was an atmospheric, character-driven read with gorgeous writing, a gothic setting, dark academia vibes, and a murder mystery at its heart. Although I wanted a little more world-building and depth beyond Lark’s perspective, I still found plenty to appreciate.
If you love gothic settings, dark academia, murder mysteries, morally complicated characters, and stories that explore the darker sides of human emotions, this one might be right up your street!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes + Experience:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: Minor scenes, sex is often discussed.
Would I recommend? Absolutely!
Trigger warnings: Classism, elitism, coercive control of a minor, drug/substance abuse
character-driven • dark academia • Korean-American MC • bisexual rep • trials • murder mystery • secret society
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for letting me read the eARC of Mothsblood by Lynn D. Jung. This review is my own opinion, and I have not been paid to post it.
Larkspur Lee has escaped her past and arrived at Meurdrac University in Paris determined to prove that she deserves immortality. As a Korean-American student attending on scholarship, Lark is constantly competing against students who have the wealth, privilege and connections she doesn't. But when the immortal wife of Nicholas Flamel, and Grand Magistra of Meurdrac, announces that she is searching for an apprentice, Lark decides that she will do whatever it takes to be chosen. Failure isn't an option. Then a murder occurs, and suddenly, Lark's chance at immortality is at risk.
I loved this so much.
Normally, this would probably be a 4-star read for me, but the way I connected with Lark and her journey of confronting and understanding her past really spoke to me and earned that extra half star. But I know not everyone would connect with a character like that or have experienced similar scenarios, so it might not feel like the character spoke to you.
Nevertheless, Lark's character arc is INSANE.
She's messy. She's ambitious. She's selfish. She's not always particularly likeable, but I absolutely loved that about her. It made her feel real. Her choices aren't necessarily good, but they make sense. Her backstory explains so much about who she's become without feeling like an excuse for her behaviour. And throughout the story, she's repeatedly given opportunities to take the easier path. She does take it sometimes, but she also grows, learns and starts to understand herself in the process.
I genuinely loved watching that happen.
My only real complaint is that I wanted more depth from some of the other characters, particularly Violaine, Matthieu and Kareem. Lark is so thoroughly developed that some of the surrounding characters felt a little less fleshed out in comparison.
Otherwise, the pacing was SO good for a standalone. I never felt like I was struggling to get through it, and the story balanced the mystery, character development, magical elements, and Lark's past without dragging. I am a HUGE fan of interludes, and I love how these were incorporated to dive into Lark's past!
I also really enjoyed the magic system. Alchemy and witchcraft exist as separate magical entities, with alchemists using lithmus through metals such as gold, iron, silver and mercury to power their workings. There are also historical references to figures like Nicholas Flamel, which added another layer to the whole academic/alchemical atmosphere.
And the ending??? Phenomenal. These days, I feel like some books have lost the art of letting the ending just exist, and not needing a solid finale for everything. I miss having that tiniest little glimmer of maybe we're getting a complete happy ending??? Anddd, I may have giggled to myself a little at that.
Overall, this was exactly the kind of dark academia fantasy I wanted: atmospheric, mysterious, ambitious, morally messy and centred around a protagonist whose flaws are just as important as her strengths.
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes + Experience:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: Minor scenes, sex is often discussed.
Would I recommend? Absolutely!
Trigger warnings: Classism, elitism, coercive control of a minor, drug/substance abuse
character-driven • dark academia • Korean-American MC • bisexual rep • trials • murder mystery • secret society
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for letting me read the eARC of Mothsblood by Lynn D. Jung. This review is my own opinion, and I have not been paid to post it.
Larkspur Lee has escaped her past and arrived at Meurdrac University in Paris determined to prove that she deserves immortality. As a Korean-American student attending on scholarship, Lark is constantly competing against students who have the wealth, privilege and connections she doesn't. But when the immortal wife of Nicholas Flamel, and Grand Magistra of Meurdrac, announces that she is searching for an apprentice, Lark decides that she will do whatever it takes to be chosen. Failure isn't an option. Then a murder occurs, and suddenly, Lark's chance at immortality is at risk.
I loved this so much.
Normally, this would probably be a 4-star read for me, but the way I connected with Lark and her journey of confronting and understanding her past really spoke to me and earned that extra half star. But I know not everyone would connect with a character like that or have experienced similar scenarios, so it might not feel like the character spoke to you.
Nevertheless, Lark's character arc is INSANE.
She's messy. She's ambitious. She's selfish. She's not always particularly likeable, but I absolutely loved that about her. It made her feel real. Her choices aren't necessarily good, but they make sense. Her backstory explains so much about who she's become without feeling like an excuse for her behaviour. And throughout the story, she's repeatedly given opportunities to take the easier path. She does take it sometimes, but she also grows, learns and starts to understand herself in the process.
I genuinely loved watching that happen.
My only real complaint is that I wanted more depth from some of the other characters, particularly Violaine, Matthieu and Kareem. Lark is so thoroughly developed that some of the surrounding characters felt a little less fleshed out in comparison.
Otherwise, the pacing was SO good for a standalone. I never felt like I was struggling to get through it, and the story balanced the mystery, character development, magical elements, and Lark's past without dragging. I am a HUGE fan of interludes, and I love how these were incorporated to dive into Lark's past!
I also really enjoyed the magic system. Alchemy and witchcraft exist as separate magical entities, with alchemists using lithmus through metals such as gold, iron, silver and mercury to power their workings. There are also historical references to figures like Nicholas Flamel, which added another layer to the whole academic/alchemical atmosphere.
And the ending??? Phenomenal. These days, I feel like some books have lost the art of letting the ending just exist, and not needing a solid finale for everything. I miss having that tiniest little glimmer of maybe we're getting a complete happy ending??? Anddd, I may have giggled to myself a little at that.
Overall, this was exactly the kind of dark academia fantasy I wanted: atmospheric, mysterious, ambitious, morally messy and centred around a protagonist whose flaws are just as important as her strengths.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
A strong debut from the author, Mothsblood is a dark academia that is slightly let down by an unlikeable main character. There were also darker themes than I expected so I would recommend checking trigger warning as it was uncomfortable reading at times.
The blurb will have the reader believe this a murder mystery, but that isn’t the main focus of the plot at all which I was slightly disappointed by. The focus of the story really is on Lark and her past which has followed her to Paris. She has suffered a lot of trauma in her life which is slowly uncovered through flashbacks and reveals as the book progresses. Despite feeling some sympathy for her and what she has suffered, she is still very unlikeable - something I wish I had known before picking the book up. The other characters could have used some more development (although this could be as we are only in Lark’s pov), particularly the knight Violaine who is so pivotal to the plot.
The descriptions and world building was where the writing excelled for me. The author was able to conjure up a moody Paris in my mind, and it felt very atmospheric. I also thought the second to last climactic scene was incredibly well written as one character got their comeuppance (IFYKY) and I did find myself smiling once they realised they were in trouble. The pacing was a bit hit and miss but overall I would say the story kept me invested.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.
A strong debut from the author, Mothsblood is a dark academia that is slightly let down by an unlikeable main character. There were also darker themes than I expected so I would recommend checking trigger warning as it was uncomfortable reading at times.
The blurb will have the reader believe this a murder mystery, but that isn’t the main focus of the plot at all which I was slightly disappointed by. The focus of the story really is on Lark and her past which has followed her to Paris. She has suffered a lot of trauma in her life which is slowly uncovered through flashbacks and reveals as the book progresses. Despite feeling some sympathy for her and what she has suffered, she is still very unlikeable - something I wish I had known before picking the book up. The other characters could have used some more development (although this could be as we are only in Lark’s pov), particularly the knight Violaine who is so pivotal to the plot.
The descriptions and world building was where the writing excelled for me. The author was able to conjure up a moody Paris in my mind, and it felt very atmospheric. I also thought the second to last climactic scene was incredibly well written as one character got their comeuppance (IFYKY) and I did find myself smiling once they realised they were in trouble. The pacing was a bit hit and miss but overall I would say the story kept me invested.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.
October 15, 2026
Thank you Bloomsbury for the ARC!
Paris? Check. Dark Academia? Check. Alchemy? Check. A cult? Check. Bad things happening to bad people?? Check.
AKA this book was written SPECIFICALLY for me, and I really loved it.
The vibes of this book were IMMACULATE. Not only is it dark academia in the sense of murder and cult adjacent things running rampant, but the vibes were dark. Everything was spooky, the characters are all mysterious, and the use of French throughout the book (it's limited and context is enough to help you understand, I promise!) really sold the energy here. Absolutely loved it.
It's SO rare to see alchemy in a modern setting, and I was genuinely surprised at how well it worked! Do I think it's perfect? No. Were there some points I was thinking "Mmm, I do think we have a 21st century solution to the problem..." yes. But it was still a really entertaining and refreshing insight into alchemy.
I DO want to say to please keep the trigger warnings in mind when starting this--they're absolutely valid and I can see how some of the material near the end could be distressing to folks if you go in blind or are sensitive to some of the content. It IS nice to see there are consequences for actions here, but let's be honest--if you've read it, you know they deserved worse.
Overall I really loved this and I hope Lynn writes more dark academia in the future! I would eat it UP!
Paris? Check. Dark Academia? Check. Alchemy? Check. A cult? Check. Bad things happening to bad people?? Check.
AKA this book was written SPECIFICALLY for me, and I really loved it.
The vibes of this book were IMMACULATE. Not only is it dark academia in the sense of murder and cult adjacent things running rampant, but the vibes were dark. Everything was spooky, the characters are all mysterious, and the use of French throughout the book (it's limited and context is enough to help you understand, I promise!) really sold the energy here. Absolutely loved it.
It's SO rare to see alchemy in a modern setting, and I was genuinely surprised at how well it worked! Do I think it's perfect? No. Were there some points I was thinking "Mmm, I do think we have a 21st century solution to the problem..." yes. But it was still a really entertaining and refreshing insight into alchemy.
I DO want to say to please keep the trigger warnings in mind when starting this--they're absolutely valid and I can see how some of the material near the end could be distressing to folks if you go in blind or are sensitive to some of the content. It IS nice to see there are consequences for actions here, but let's be honest--if you've read it, you know they deserved worse.
Overall I really loved this and I hope Lynn writes more dark academia in the future! I would eat it UP!
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