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Study in Scarlett
I arrived at The Obsidian Marrow as a Null—a hollow space where magic goes to die. I didn't realize I was the one who was going to devour it all.
In a world governed by blood oaths and ancient lineages, being a "Null" is a death sentence. At the elite Obsidian Marrow, I’m the lowest of the low, a girl with a void where a soul should be. I was supposed to be a sacrifice—a battery to be used and discarded by the elite of the Iron Vow Society.
But the mountain has other plans. And so do the three monsters who rule its shadows.
Draven, the Alpha of the Shadow Beasts. He wants to break me, to taste the fear in my veins until there’s nothing left but him. Lysander, the Unseelie Prince. He views me as a puzzle to be solved with ice and agony, a toy for his sadistic whims. Syth, the Naga Stalker. He doesn’t speak; he just watches from the darkness, his coils waiting for the moment I finally stop running.
They think they can claim me. They think I’m their prey.
But as the mountain begins to scream and the Headmaster’s betrayal is revealed, my "nothingness" starts to hunger. I am not a Null. I am the Void. And once I start consuming their magic, I might just be the only thing that can save us—or the very thing that burns The Obsidian Marrow to the ground.
Orient yourself for a dark, high-heat paranormal academy romance where the villains get the girl, and the girl might just be the biggest villain of them all.
PHYSICAL EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES: The paperback edition of Study in Scarlet features premium Lux Black Pages—a stunning, immersive reading experience for your dark academia shelf.
Tropes:
Reverse Harem (Monster Romance)
Dark Academia
Enemies to Lovers / Bully Romance
Secret Society & Blood Oaths
"Null" to Overpowered FMC
Guaranteed HEA/HFN.
In a world governed by blood oaths and ancient lineages, being a "Null" is a death sentence. At the elite Obsidian Marrow, I’m the lowest of the low, a girl with a void where a soul should be. I was supposed to be a sacrifice—a battery to be used and discarded by the elite of the Iron Vow Society.
But the mountain has other plans. And so do the three monsters who rule its shadows.
Draven, the Alpha of the Shadow Beasts. He wants to break me, to taste the fear in my veins until there’s nothing left but him. Lysander, the Unseelie Prince. He views me as a puzzle to be solved with ice and agony, a toy for his sadistic whims. Syth, the Naga Stalker. He doesn’t speak; he just watches from the darkness, his coils waiting for the moment I finally stop running.
They think they can claim me. They think I’m their prey.
But as the mountain begins to scream and the Headmaster’s betrayal is revealed, my "nothingness" starts to hunger. I am not a Null. I am the Void. And once I start consuming their magic, I might just be the only thing that can save us—or the very thing that burns The Obsidian Marrow to the ground.
Orient yourself for a dark, high-heat paranormal academy romance where the villains get the girl, and the girl might just be the biggest villain of them all.
PHYSICAL EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES: The paperback edition of Study in Scarlet features premium Lux Black Pages—a stunning, immersive reading experience for your dark academia shelf.
Tropes:
Reverse Harem (Monster Romance)
Dark Academia
Enemies to Lovers / Bully Romance
Secret Society & Blood Oaths
"Null" to Overpowered FMC
Guaranteed HEA/HFN.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 27, 2026
Rarely will I ever rate a book so low for any reason other than “not for me”… but from the synopsis and trope list, this book absolutely should have been up my alley, but at the end of the day what let this book down was the writing.
I went into this book with tropes like reverse harem, monster romance and enemies to lovers/bully romance expecting there to be some spice… but for the 2 scenes where the characters were together, we got closed door. Do I need explicit spicy content to enjoy a romance… no, no I don’t… but why put so much emphasis on the “heat” of the book, why put so much effort into the sexual tension and then not include the payoff for the reader?
I also found myself constantly confused by the progression of the story, and felt like I missed the chapters where the characters went from enemies to “ok you’re ours now”… or even a clear understanding of why they were enemies in the first place… I get “we don’t like you because you’re beneath us” but enemies is a stretch… this seemingly missed story progression occurred in the build up to the “final battle” too, without spoilers, in one chapter the villain seems to be operating in secret, but in the next chapter the villain is out in the open being villainous, and nobody seems surprised.
Lastly, and this is probably my biggest issue, this was a “short” novel, only 256 KU pages, which is fine I love a quick read… but there were ALOT on unnecessary details and descriptions, doubled up mixed metaphors and excess words that said nothing… and it felt… messy I think is apt… that excess could have been used to progress the story better, or give some more world building or character development…
Overall I liked the premise, the tropes list and what this book was trying to achieve, but I think the execution was a letdown. I’m torn about reading the second book as the synopsis doesn’t make sense to me… but I’m always willing to give Indi authors some grace… I admire their courage to put their work out there… so will most likely pick up book 2 out of curiosity.
I went into this book with tropes like reverse harem, monster romance and enemies to lovers/bully romance expecting there to be some spice… but for the 2 scenes where the characters were together, we got closed door. Do I need explicit spicy content to enjoy a romance… no, no I don’t… but why put so much emphasis on the “heat” of the book, why put so much effort into the sexual tension and then not include the payoff for the reader?
I also found myself constantly confused by the progression of the story, and felt like I missed the chapters where the characters went from enemies to “ok you’re ours now”… or even a clear understanding of why they were enemies in the first place… I get “we don’t like you because you’re beneath us” but enemies is a stretch… this seemingly missed story progression occurred in the build up to the “final battle” too, without spoilers, in one chapter the villain seems to be operating in secret, but in the next chapter the villain is out in the open being villainous, and nobody seems surprised.
Lastly, and this is probably my biggest issue, this was a “short” novel, only 256 KU pages, which is fine I love a quick read… but there were ALOT on unnecessary details and descriptions, doubled up mixed metaphors and excess words that said nothing… and it felt… messy I think is apt… that excess could have been used to progress the story better, or give some more world building or character development…
Overall I liked the premise, the tropes list and what this book was trying to achieve, but I think the execution was a letdown. I’m torn about reading the second book as the synopsis doesn’t make sense to me… but I’m always willing to give Indi authors some grace… I admire their courage to put their work out there… so will most likely pick up book 2 out of curiosity.
March 11, 2026
Scarlett is a Null, someone who doesn’t have her own magic but devours others. She is kidnapped and forced to enroll in The Obsidian Marrow, the mysterious magical school deep within a treacherous mountain. Determined to survive, Scarlett has to outlast her dangerous classmates and a historic conspiracy that undermines everything she thought she knew about the world.
I usually like dark academia stories, especially ones with strong female protagonists. Unfortunately, this book largely has one dimensional characters, which detracted from world building, relationship development between characters, and general connection with the story. Scarlett is toughTM and her observational skills allows her to know exactly what other characters are feeling and things she previously didn’t know. For example, when Syth, the immortal naga living underneath the mountain appears, Scarlett already knows his name and is unsurprised by his appearance, despite knowing nothing about the school before that point.
Because of Scarlett’s sudden knowledge ability, the world building is scattered and disjointed. Instead of slowly building tension and fully exploring the class system and objective of the school, we are presented with chunks and pieces, which largely fit together near the end of the book but without the sense of satisfaction of a larger puzzle coming together. Furthermore, since Scarlett already knows everything about everyone, the reader never gets to discover the characters for themselves. For instance, we are just told that Ravi compulsively maps things and how she typically responds. It would have been better if we had more true interactions and story telling between Navi and Scarlett to further illustrate their friendship and give depth to their characters.
Overall the writing style is verbose with a lot of descriptions, but the descriptions tend to tell you less than you’d expect. There are multiple sexual encounters that I did not realize the characters were engaging in physical intimacy until Scarlett orgasmed. I guess that just using her void could cause her to orgasm, but it created a confusing read rather than the immersive read the author appeared to be working for.
I think the plot was a good one with some exciting ideas, I just needed things to be a bit more fleshed out, particularly with characterization and character relationships to really make this book work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I usually like dark academia stories, especially ones with strong female protagonists. Unfortunately, this book largely has one dimensional characters, which detracted from world building, relationship development between characters, and general connection with the story. Scarlett is toughTM and her observational skills allows her to know exactly what other characters are feeling and things she previously didn’t know. For example, when Syth, the immortal naga living underneath the mountain appears, Scarlett already knows his name and is unsurprised by his appearance, despite knowing nothing about the school before that point.
Because of Scarlett’s sudden knowledge ability, the world building is scattered and disjointed. Instead of slowly building tension and fully exploring the class system and objective of the school, we are presented with chunks and pieces, which largely fit together near the end of the book but without the sense of satisfaction of a larger puzzle coming together. Furthermore, since Scarlett already knows everything about everyone, the reader never gets to discover the characters for themselves. For instance, we are just told that Ravi compulsively maps things and how she typically responds. It would have been better if we had more true interactions and story telling between Navi and Scarlett to further illustrate their friendship and give depth to their characters.
Overall the writing style is verbose with a lot of descriptions, but the descriptions tend to tell you less than you’d expect. There are multiple sexual encounters that I did not realize the characters were engaging in physical intimacy until Scarlett orgasmed. I guess that just using her void could cause her to orgasm, but it created a confusing read rather than the immersive read the author appeared to be working for.
I think the plot was a good one with some exciting ideas, I just needed things to be a bit more fleshed out, particularly with characterization and character relationships to really make this book work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 1, 2026
Really good book could not put it down lived it very spicy loved I love academic tropes highly reccomened
May 18, 2026
info you need before you read.
I found out this series was written with AI. It all makes sense, now that I have learned that fact. It should be required to list that info at the beginning of the book.
This explains my absolute frustration that made me want to throw my kindle across the room many times.
The AI kept changing the story in later chapters/books in the series.
Things like timelines of events, writing a scene and then later in the book, saying it didn’t happen yet or at all. I cannot express how many times I had to stop and confirm that what I had read earlier in the book/series was real, and then became so frustrated because the storyline contradicted itself or changed the scene/point completely.
This was so frequent that I tried to find a way to contact the author to let her know her editing issues. I also checked to see if 2 authors were writing it and not reading what the other author had written before they started writing their part of the story. I couldn’t find any way to contact the author except some kind of newsletter sign up and a way to sign up and give money monthly. That alone was a red flag for me.
I do like the story premise. I would have liked for the AI to have taken time to do some world building because the shifters were partially shifted, the magic users power and how they presented was not even close to explained. I have no idea how the shifters and frost people could even be in a relationship and the way the outside world worked was not explained at all.
The reason the students were even at the academy and had taken the iron vow was not explained. Why did the dregs but themselves in a school that treated them like the mud under the elites boots and what purpose was their for the elites to be at the academy.
I didn’t mind the FMC, but the relationship with the MMC’s did not have a beginning point or any depth/growth, so there was no reason for them to be together.
I did read book 2, but before I read book 3, I wanted to see what others were saying. They were saying absolutely nothing, there are no written reviews, except three for book 4. The main reason I’m not continuing is 2 fold, not only my frustrations, but because those 3 reviews let us know that the ending is the first 2 chapters of the 4th book, so there is no ending to the series.
I found out this series was written with AI. It all makes sense, now that I have learned that fact. It should be required to list that info at the beginning of the book.
This explains my absolute frustration that made me want to throw my kindle across the room many times.
The AI kept changing the story in later chapters/books in the series.
Things like timelines of events, writing a scene and then later in the book, saying it didn’t happen yet or at all. I cannot express how many times I had to stop and confirm that what I had read earlier in the book/series was real, and then became so frustrated because the storyline contradicted itself or changed the scene/point completely.
This was so frequent that I tried to find a way to contact the author to let her know her editing issues. I also checked to see if 2 authors were writing it and not reading what the other author had written before they started writing their part of the story. I couldn’t find any way to contact the author except some kind of newsletter sign up and a way to sign up and give money monthly. That alone was a red flag for me.
I do like the story premise. I would have liked for the AI to have taken time to do some world building because the shifters were partially shifted, the magic users power and how they presented was not even close to explained. I have no idea how the shifters and frost people could even be in a relationship and the way the outside world worked was not explained at all.
The reason the students were even at the academy and had taken the iron vow was not explained. Why did the dregs but themselves in a school that treated them like the mud under the elites boots and what purpose was their for the elites to be at the academy.
I didn’t mind the FMC, but the relationship with the MMC’s did not have a beginning point or any depth/growth, so there was no reason for them to be together.
I did read book 2, but before I read book 3, I wanted to see what others were saying. They were saying absolutely nothing, there are no written reviews, except three for book 4. The main reason I’m not continuing is 2 fold, not only my frustrations, but because those 3 reviews let us know that the ending is the first 2 chapters of the 4th book, so there is no ending to the series.
March 29, 2026
I went into Study in Scarlett fully expecting a dark academia, why-choose, monster romance packed with plenty of smut—because sometimes that’s exactly what you’re in the mood for. And while there is some of that, I was genuinely surprised by how quickly I became more invested in the plot and characters than anything else.
This is a fast-paced, largely plot-driven story with more complexity than I initially gave it credit for. At first, I’ll admit I unfairly boxed it into a kind of “dark Harry Potter” vibe—school setting, female MC, male side characters—but that comparison doesn’t really hold up. The academic setting feels more like a façade for something much darker, with very little actual “education” happening and a lot more going on beneath the surface.
What really stood out to me was the character work—though not always in the way I expected. Scarlett herself is… fine. I didn’t dislike her, but I also didn’t fully connect with her. Interestingly, I found myself far more drawn to the supporting characters, particularly Ravi and Lysander, who felt like they had more depth and development as the story progressed.
There’s a strong theme of coward-to-hero growth running through multiple characters, which added an extra layer to the narrative and made the progression feel satisfying in places. That said, not all characters were handled equally. Draven, for example, showed a lot of promise early on but then seemed to fade into the background, only to reappear later without much clarity on his overall contribution. It felt like a missed opportunity.
My biggest “complaint” (if you can call it that) is that the book didn’t quite deliver on the level of spice I was expecting. Given the setup and genre, I was hoping for a bit more in that department, and it’s honestly the main reason this sits at a very strong 4 stars instead of 5.
Overall, this was a more intricate, engaging, and fast-moving story than anticipated, with an intriguing plot and a cast of characters that (for the most part) kept me hooked. Despite a few frustrations, I’m definitely invested—and very much looking forward to seeing where the next instalment goes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a fast-paced, largely plot-driven story with more complexity than I initially gave it credit for. At first, I’ll admit I unfairly boxed it into a kind of “dark Harry Potter” vibe—school setting, female MC, male side characters—but that comparison doesn’t really hold up. The academic setting feels more like a façade for something much darker, with very little actual “education” happening and a lot more going on beneath the surface.
What really stood out to me was the character work—though not always in the way I expected. Scarlett herself is… fine. I didn’t dislike her, but I also didn’t fully connect with her. Interestingly, I found myself far more drawn to the supporting characters, particularly Ravi and Lysander, who felt like they had more depth and development as the story progressed.
There’s a strong theme of coward-to-hero growth running through multiple characters, which added an extra layer to the narrative and made the progression feel satisfying in places. That said, not all characters were handled equally. Draven, for example, showed a lot of promise early on but then seemed to fade into the background, only to reappear later without much clarity on his overall contribution. It felt like a missed opportunity.
My biggest “complaint” (if you can call it that) is that the book didn’t quite deliver on the level of spice I was expecting. Given the setup and genre, I was hoping for a bit more in that department, and it’s honestly the main reason this sits at a very strong 4 stars instead of 5.
Overall, this was a more intricate, engaging, and fast-moving story than anticipated, with an intriguing plot and a cast of characters that (for the most part) kept me hooked. Despite a few frustrations, I’m definitely invested—and very much looking forward to seeing where the next instalment goes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 9, 2026
As a huge fan of dark paranormal academy romances and why-choose stories, Study in Scarlett had me incredibly excited with its premise. A Null FMC, a void where magic dies, thrown into an elite academy as a sacrifice, only to discover she devours magic and has three powerful, ancient MMCs drawn to her? Sign me up! This book, the first in The Iron Vow Society, definitely sets up an intriguing world with a lot of potential.
The concept of a Null FMC is fascinating. Her journey from being considered a hollow space to realizing she might be the most dangerous thing in the mountain is compelling. Draven, the Shadow Wolf, Lysander, the Frost Prince, and Syth, the Naga God, are all distinct and alluring. Their initial reactions to her and the hint of their possessiveness and deep loyalty definitely promise an exciting reverse harem dynamic. I enjoyed the world-building around The Obsidian Marrow and the ancient lineages, which painted a rich backdrop for the unfolding mystery.
My reason for a 3.5-star rating is that, while the premise is incredibly strong, I felt the execution in this first book sometimes struggled to maintain consistent momentum. The unique Null concept, while cool, wasn't always as clearly or consistently defined as I hoped, making some of FMC’s early power moments feel a little vague. Additionally, for a book promising monsters who worship the girl, I felt like the active worship and deeper emotional connections between the MMCs and FMC were more hinted at than fully explored. It felt like a very long setup, and I was continuously waiting for the core plot or the romantic relationships to truly ignite, but they simmered more than they burned.
However, the mountain beginning to scream and the Headmaster's betrayal definitely provided a solid push towards the end, and the potential for FMC to be the thing that saves or destroys them all is genuinely exciting. This series has so much going for it with its unique magic and powerful MMCs. I am really hyped to see where things go next and for the characters to fully embrace their darker sides and deeper bonds in future installments!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The concept of a Null FMC is fascinating. Her journey from being considered a hollow space to realizing she might be the most dangerous thing in the mountain is compelling. Draven, the Shadow Wolf, Lysander, the Frost Prince, and Syth, the Naga God, are all distinct and alluring. Their initial reactions to her and the hint of their possessiveness and deep loyalty definitely promise an exciting reverse harem dynamic. I enjoyed the world-building around The Obsidian Marrow and the ancient lineages, which painted a rich backdrop for the unfolding mystery.
My reason for a 3.5-star rating is that, while the premise is incredibly strong, I felt the execution in this first book sometimes struggled to maintain consistent momentum. The unique Null concept, while cool, wasn't always as clearly or consistently defined as I hoped, making some of FMC’s early power moments feel a little vague. Additionally, for a book promising monsters who worship the girl, I felt like the active worship and deeper emotional connections between the MMCs and FMC were more hinted at than fully explored. It felt like a very long setup, and I was continuously waiting for the core plot or the romantic relationships to truly ignite, but they simmered more than they burned.
However, the mountain beginning to scream and the Headmaster's betrayal definitely provided a solid push towards the end, and the potential for FMC to be the thing that saves or destroys them all is genuinely exciting. This series has so much going for it with its unique magic and powerful MMCs. I am really hyped to see where things go next and for the characters to fully embrace their darker sides and deeper bonds in future installments!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2026
There are dark academia romances… and then there’s Study in Scarlett, a savage, intoxicating fever dream of monsters, obsession, power, and annihilation wrapped in velvet shadows and blood-soaked magic. K.S. Valentina delivers a viciously addictive paranormal academy romance that doesn’t merely flirt with darkness, it devours it whole.
From the very first chapter, the atmosphere is relentless. The Obsidian Marrow isn’t just a school; it’s a living nightmare carved into a mountain that feels sentient, hungry, and deeply wrong in the best possible way. Every corridor drips with menace. Every ritual feels dangerous. The setting practically breathes gothic tension, giving readers that delicious sense of dread that dark romance fans crave.
And then there’s Scarlett.
Scarlett is not your typical rejected heroine. She begins as a Null despised, powerless, and disposable, but the brilliance of this story lies in how quickly that narrative twists into something monstrous and magnificent. Watching her evolve from prey into something far more terrifying than the predators hunting her is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. She’s angry, raw, emotionally fractured, and increasingly unhinged as the truth unfolds. Instead of becoming softer through love, Scarlett becomes sharper. Deadlier. Hungrier. And honestly? That transformation is riveting.
The romance dynamics are equally feral.
Draven, Lysander, and Syth are not morally gray men pretending to be dangerous while secretly acting gentle by chapter five. These men are monsters from beginning to end, and the book refuses to apologize for it.
What makes the reverse harem dynamic work so well is that each relationship feels distinct. The chemistry never blurs together. Every man pulls something different from Scarlett rage, fear, desire, power, and together they create a chaotic emotional storm that keeps the pages flying.
Overall, Study in Scarlett is a viciously entertaining dark paranormal romance that embraces obsession, corruption, and monstrous femininity with zero hesitation. It’s gothic, violent, seductive, and gloriously unhinged.
From the very first chapter, the atmosphere is relentless. The Obsidian Marrow isn’t just a school; it’s a living nightmare carved into a mountain that feels sentient, hungry, and deeply wrong in the best possible way. Every corridor drips with menace. Every ritual feels dangerous. The setting practically breathes gothic tension, giving readers that delicious sense of dread that dark romance fans crave.
And then there’s Scarlett.
Scarlett is not your typical rejected heroine. She begins as a Null despised, powerless, and disposable, but the brilliance of this story lies in how quickly that narrative twists into something monstrous and magnificent. Watching her evolve from prey into something far more terrifying than the predators hunting her is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. She’s angry, raw, emotionally fractured, and increasingly unhinged as the truth unfolds. Instead of becoming softer through love, Scarlett becomes sharper. Deadlier. Hungrier. And honestly? That transformation is riveting.
The romance dynamics are equally feral.
Draven, Lysander, and Syth are not morally gray men pretending to be dangerous while secretly acting gentle by chapter five. These men are monsters from beginning to end, and the book refuses to apologize for it.
What makes the reverse harem dynamic work so well is that each relationship feels distinct. The chemistry never blurs together. Every man pulls something different from Scarlett rage, fear, desire, power, and together they create a chaotic emotional storm that keeps the pages flying.
Overall, Study in Scarlett is a viciously entertaining dark paranormal romance that embraces obsession, corruption, and monstrous femininity with zero hesitation. It’s gothic, violent, seductive, and gloriously unhinged.
May 18, 2026
Honestly with this being as short as it is I was surprised how long it took me to read this. This read like the author’s first language isn’t English. Like the grammar as in punctuation wasn’t the problem it was it felt like the wrong words were being used and that words were missing. I can overlook it a little when I read but when I’m already confused on what’s happening on top of the confusion with the writing doesn’t look great.
I’m giving it 2 ⭐️ ⭐️. Bc I really liked Syth and the concepts around it. I’m upset to say I’m dropping the series. I understand not having to explain everything all at once. And that if the readers are confused it’s b cause the MC also doesn’t know what is going on. During the bells she should have been freaking out more. Bc I was like WHAT ARE THE BELLS!!!! And why is it happening. Her inner monologue was strategize. HOW DOES ONE STRATEGIZE IF THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
My last complaint is that this book is written in a way to sound deep and poetic. Like the headmaster wants to “see” what I’m made of. Am I a tool or weapon? And who holding me? Like these aren’t direct quotes of the idea stands. The problem is when you write like this it makes this more confusing.
This sounds so harsh, I did enjoy the book generally. It just was a little lack luster.
I’m giving it 2 ⭐️ ⭐️. Bc I really liked Syth and the concepts around it. I’m upset to say I’m dropping the series. I understand not having to explain everything all at once. And that if the readers are confused it’s b cause the MC also doesn’t know what is going on. During the bells she should have been freaking out more. Bc I was like WHAT ARE THE BELLS!!!! And why is it happening. Her inner monologue was strategize. HOW DOES ONE STRATEGIZE IF THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
My last complaint is that this book is written in a way to sound deep and poetic. Like the headmaster wants to “see” what I’m made of. Am I a tool or weapon? And who holding me? Like these aren’t direct quotes of the idea stands. The problem is when you write like this it makes this more confusing.
This sounds so harsh, I did enjoy the book generally. It just was a little lack luster.
March 29, 2026
Reading Study in Scarlett by K.S. Valentina was an intense dive into a dark academia world where power, cruelty, and obsession collide. The Obsidian Marrow is brutal from the start, and watching the main character arrive as a supposed “Null” immediately sets the tone for how merciless this world is. I loved the tension between vulnerability and hidden power as her true nature slowly begins to surface. The atmosphere of secret societies, blood oaths, and dangerous magic kept me constantly curious about what would unravel next, and the darker tone of the story made every reveal feel even more satisfying.
The dynamic with Draven, Lysander, and Syth adds a deliciously dark layer to the story. Each of them brings a different kind of menace and intrigue, making the relationships feel complex rather than predictable. I especially enjoyed how the heroine isn’t just a victim of the world around her—she becomes something far more terrifying. Watching her step into that power while the academy begins to crumble around them was thrilling. If you enjoy dark paranormal academy romances where the villains get the girl and the heroine might be the most dangerous one of all, this one definitely delivers.
The dynamic with Draven, Lysander, and Syth adds a deliciously dark layer to the story. Each of them brings a different kind of menace and intrigue, making the relationships feel complex rather than predictable. I especially enjoyed how the heroine isn’t just a victim of the world around her—she becomes something far more terrifying. Watching her step into that power while the academy begins to crumble around them was thrilling. If you enjoy dark paranormal academy romances where the villains get the girl and the heroine might be the most dangerous one of all, this one definitely delivers.
April 6, 2026
I received this as an arc and did not purchase this book and my review is voluntary. I went into A Study in Scarlet thinking it would be good, but that opening line hooked me immediately. It had that “okay, I’m in” feeling right from the start.
The book is easy to read set in an academy. The world is packed with magic, monsters, and shifters where power basically runs everything, and I really liked how easy it was to picture it all. The scene building made it feel real without dragging things down. Scarlett doesn’t back down, even though she has a lot working against her. and that’s what made me like her. She’s not worried about being liked, she just refuses to be seen as weak.
Although there were “spicy” scenes they were tame which I’m totally ok with! It doesn’t overpower the plot. Could they be spicier? Sure! But not necessary.
As things start to unfold, the secrets and shifting alliances kept me interested. Just when you think you understand how the system works, it flips on you. Scarlet’s journey of figuring out who she really is—and why she matters—was probably my favorite part.
This reads YA IMO but Instill enjoyed the fast pace.
And yeah… that ending?! I’m definitely going to need the next book because I need to know what happens next.
The book is easy to read set in an academy. The world is packed with magic, monsters, and shifters where power basically runs everything, and I really liked how easy it was to picture it all. The scene building made it feel real without dragging things down. Scarlett doesn’t back down, even though she has a lot working against her. and that’s what made me like her. She’s not worried about being liked, she just refuses to be seen as weak.
Although there were “spicy” scenes they were tame which I’m totally ok with! It doesn’t overpower the plot. Could they be spicier? Sure! But not necessary.
As things start to unfold, the secrets and shifting alliances kept me interested. Just when you think you understand how the system works, it flips on you. Scarlet’s journey of figuring out who she really is—and why she matters—was probably my favorite part.
This reads YA IMO but Instill enjoyed the fast pace.
And yeah… that ending?! I’m definitely going to need the next book because I need to know what happens next.
April 6, 2026
This book was easy to read and hard to put down.
I enjoyed the story line and the characters and couldn't wait to see where it was going.
In the beginning there were some parts that repeated themselves, and some parts that felt like we were missing information to be able to understand what was happening. Which made it hard to enjoy a little bit, but then as the story goes on it happens less and less.
At some point you know what is going to happen and what they are going to find and you are waiting, reading more and more to be able to actually read that you're right. It was very captivating, wanting to see what they were going to do and reveal and how many hoops had to be jumped through.
It did have some mild kissing scenes, however some of the content mentioned was confusing to understand what was happening, I think they were trying to keep it closed door but at the same time let us know something was happening.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the story line and the characters and couldn't wait to see where it was going.
In the beginning there were some parts that repeated themselves, and some parts that felt like we were missing information to be able to understand what was happening. Which made it hard to enjoy a little bit, but then as the story goes on it happens less and less.
At some point you know what is going to happen and what they are going to find and you are waiting, reading more and more to be able to actually read that you're right. It was very captivating, wanting to see what they were going to do and reveal and how many hoops had to be jumped through.
It did have some mild kissing scenes, however some of the content mentioned was confusing to understand what was happening, I think they were trying to keep it closed door but at the same time let us know something was happening.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 7, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Scarlett is a Null in a world where everyone is supposed to have some kind of power, but she just feels empty. One day she is essentially kidnapped from the slums and thrown into a school under a mountain. Classes and the mountain work together to cull the weak, but something sinister is happening that no one talks about. Scarlett has to figure out what's happening to her (and the three strange men who cant seem to leave her alone) and the students before she is culled.
I love unhinged damaged mmcs. And when there's more than one I am in a happy place. It had brooding, angst, touch-her-and-die. All of my favorite tropes. I'm not sure where I would rate it on a spice scale because there is spice. But its described in feelings. So it felt quite tame.
We learn a lot about Scarletts ancestry but she remains a bit of a mystery. I look forward to book two and more of a certain wolf.
Scarlett is a Null in a world where everyone is supposed to have some kind of power, but she just feels empty. One day she is essentially kidnapped from the slums and thrown into a school under a mountain. Classes and the mountain work together to cull the weak, but something sinister is happening that no one talks about. Scarlett has to figure out what's happening to her (and the three strange men who cant seem to leave her alone) and the students before she is culled.
I love unhinged damaged mmcs. And when there's more than one I am in a happy place. It had brooding, angst, touch-her-and-die. All of my favorite tropes. I'm not sure where I would rate it on a spice scale because there is spice. But its described in feelings. So it felt quite tame.
We learn a lot about Scarletts ancestry but she remains a bit of a mystery. I look forward to book two and more of a certain wolf.
March 15, 2026
I DNF’d this book about 80%. I love Indi authors and dark academia books but this didn’t match the description, like at all. Scarlett is a Null who can devour magic and they it progressed made it sound like another entity. The way the romance progressed made no sense. How did she know the shadow wolf’s name right off the bat? I thought I started on the second book of the series. Enemies to lovers?? Why were they even “enemies”? Also the “spicy” parts were so confusing, I didn’t even know they were doing anything until she orgasmed. I don’t need explicit detail about couplings but there so many filler words that feral didn’t need to be in there and it made it hard to follow. Overall I was confused about the purpose of the school, why the 3 love interest were even drawn to her, and what the character development. If all that was cleared up in the last 20% I guess I missed it. I will not be trying this book again.
March 17, 2026
AI Killed the Dialogue!
I made it about halfway and couldn’t finish. The dialogue is so over the top, like each character is a seasoned poet imparting wisdom. Even thought the characters aren’t all “human”, the speech is far too inhumane. Too much is cryptic, way to much staccato and jumpyness. Looking up this book and Book Siren states in the trigger warning that AI was used and goodness does it show.
A lot could have been solved with a semi decent human editor as they would have flagged the dialogue, and actually fixed some of the “oops” formatting where punctuation is NOT used correctly.
As fa as story goes it has good bones but the pacing is super off! The main character accepts being “kidnapped” and forced into the “academy” way to fast (all basically within the same chapter). There is little to no growth or development.
Good writing takes time, and this feels like the bare minimum was taken…
I made it about halfway and couldn’t finish. The dialogue is so over the top, like each character is a seasoned poet imparting wisdom. Even thought the characters aren’t all “human”, the speech is far too inhumane. Too much is cryptic, way to much staccato and jumpyness. Looking up this book and Book Siren states in the trigger warning that AI was used and goodness does it show.
A lot could have been solved with a semi decent human editor as they would have flagged the dialogue, and actually fixed some of the “oops” formatting where punctuation is NOT used correctly.
As fa as story goes it has good bones but the pacing is super off! The main character accepts being “kidnapped” and forced into the “academy” way to fast (all basically within the same chapter). There is little to no growth or development.
Good writing takes time, and this feels like the bare minimum was taken…
March 29, 2026
I wouldn’t normally rate something so low when I know this book should’ve been right up my alley. But there was just so many plot holes and shit that didn’t make any sense, that even a vibe reader that doesn’t normally pick up on those things, noticed.
Some examples:
* when she first meets the wolf alpha, they never introduced themselves to each other, it was clear she didn’t know anything about him, but all of a sudden she just started addressing him by name..
* when she is first taken to go to the academy, wolf boy catches her mid air, and she’s transported to a car. She explicitly states the only reason she was able to stay awake was because of the shiv in her hands. A few pages later she’s at the school, complaining about how wolf boy took her shiv when he caught her mid-air….
There’s more, but you get my drift. It’s a shame too, because if this author had an editor or something, this probably would’ve been really enjoyable.
Some examples:
* when she first meets the wolf alpha, they never introduced themselves to each other, it was clear she didn’t know anything about him, but all of a sudden she just started addressing him by name..
* when she is first taken to go to the academy, wolf boy catches her mid air, and she’s transported to a car. She explicitly states the only reason she was able to stay awake was because of the shiv in her hands. A few pages later she’s at the school, complaining about how wolf boy took her shiv when he caught her mid-air….
There’s more, but you get my drift. It’s a shame too, because if this author had an editor or something, this probably would’ve been really enjoyable.
April 8, 2026
Rating: 2/5 ⭐ | Spice: 0.5 🌶️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book had so much potential, which honestly made it even more disappointing to read. The premise drew me in right away, and I was expecting a gripping story with strong character dynamics, but instead, it felt rushed and disconnected.
The pacing was one of the biggest issues. Important plot points seemed to fly by without enough development, and critical details were either glossed over or missing entirely. Because of that, it was hard to stay fully engaged or understand the weight of what was happening in the story.
Another struggle was the relationships, especially between the FMC and the three MMCs. There just wasn’t enough depth or chemistry to make those connections feel believable or meaningful. I kept waiting to feel something between them, but it never really landed.
Overall, this book left me frustrated more than anything. It had all the ingredients for something amazing, but the execution didn’t deliver. I’m hoping future books in the series slow things down, build stronger emotional connections, and give the story the depth it deserves.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book had so much potential, which honestly made it even more disappointing to read. The premise drew me in right away, and I was expecting a gripping story with strong character dynamics, but instead, it felt rushed and disconnected.
The pacing was one of the biggest issues. Important plot points seemed to fly by without enough development, and critical details were either glossed over or missing entirely. Because of that, it was hard to stay fully engaged or understand the weight of what was happening in the story.
Another struggle was the relationships, especially between the FMC and the three MMCs. There just wasn’t enough depth or chemistry to make those connections feel believable or meaningful. I kept waiting to feel something between them, but it never really landed.
Overall, this book left me frustrated more than anything. It had all the ingredients for something amazing, but the execution didn’t deliver. I’m hoping future books in the series slow things down, build stronger emotional connections, and give the story the depth it deserves.
May 10, 2026
While the premise is good, I felt that the execution was bit mechanical. There were parts that felt rushed, some unclear, and just a general sense of confusion throughout the story. I wish more aspects had been built on and developed - I felt the weird relationships between the main characters were unclear and unexplained, like I don’t even think the characters themselves knew what was going on between them (like I said, lots of disjointed unclear moments). I also felt that the voice/narration was very flat and monotonous, often stating events rather than feeling them. Even the intimate scenes were confusing, they felt rushed and vague, almost like they were included just for the sake of being included… The only thing that made me finish was trying to figure out exactly what was happening, but the ending was quite anticlimactic and did not encourage me to read any further books.
I received an advance review copy for free on BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free on BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 14, 2026
This is a 3.5 read for me because I love dark academia with monsters/paranormal & why choose but sometimes the story left me feeling that I just missed something.
The FMC is kidnapped to go to an academy where she is something different but the headmaster treats her like his personal experiment, one where we don't know if it's for her benefit or not.
I loved how Ravi treats her and becomes her best friend but I needed more conversations between them where Scarlett explain her relationship with the MMCs because we only get her pov but I don't really understand the dynamic between her and Draven, Lysander and Syth. They all know about each other but doesn't ask about it.
I'll continue reading the series to know if I get some more answers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The FMC is kidnapped to go to an academy where she is something different but the headmaster treats her like his personal experiment, one where we don't know if it's for her benefit or not.
I loved how Ravi treats her and becomes her best friend but I needed more conversations between them where Scarlett explain her relationship with the MMCs because we only get her pov but I don't really understand the dynamic between her and Draven, Lysander and Syth. They all know about each other but doesn't ask about it.
I'll continue reading the series to know if I get some more answers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 20, 2026
Would I recommend? Unfortunately no, there are too many missing pieces to even make the book intriguing.
I want to rate this higher, but am sincerely struggling to. The story line has so much promise, unfortunately it fell flat due to how it was written. The book is 3rd person which automatically makes us disconnected from the characters. Parts of if were omniscient while others weren’t. So many parts of the book (and the 2nd) I was left scratching my head. The world was built in the authors head, not in the pages.
She’s a null but in the first few chapters she’s immediately presented as a void? Knows characters names and magic types but is never introduced (even off page).
It’s presented as a romance but there is essentially no character development in the relationships. The sex scenes don’t make sense. The world is half explained, the magic system doesn’t make sense. Fighting an enemy the reader doesn’t understand.
Really needs an editor who has no knowledge of the world to point out the issues to the author.
I want to rate this higher, but am sincerely struggling to. The story line has so much promise, unfortunately it fell flat due to how it was written. The book is 3rd person which automatically makes us disconnected from the characters. Parts of if were omniscient while others weren’t. So many parts of the book (and the 2nd) I was left scratching my head. The world was built in the authors head, not in the pages.
She’s a null but in the first few chapters she’s immediately presented as a void? Knows characters names and magic types but is never introduced (even off page).
It’s presented as a romance but there is essentially no character development in the relationships. The sex scenes don’t make sense. The world is half explained, the magic system doesn’t make sense. Fighting an enemy the reader doesn’t understand.
Really needs an editor who has no knowledge of the world to point out the issues to the author.
March 7, 2026
This author is new to me. I liked her writing style, the world building was very good. I could picture the academy, the main characters and the supporting cast.
I have read quite a few academy stories but none quite so deliciously dark.
I loved Scarlett. I loved her way of thinking. and the fact that she is a null with more was interesting. Draven is an alpha . I liked how he changed his thoughts of her over time. Lysander was a surprise. He too finds Scarlett is not what he thought she should be.
Good twists and secrets revealed.
This ends in a cliffhanger. It will be interesting what and how they solve their discovery.
I received a free advanced copy of this book via Booksiren and am voluntarily leaving my review
I have read quite a few academy stories but none quite so deliciously dark.
I loved Scarlett. I loved her way of thinking. and the fact that she is a null with more was interesting. Draven is an alpha . I liked how he changed his thoughts of her over time. Lysander was a surprise. He too finds Scarlett is not what he thought she should be.
Good twists and secrets revealed.
This ends in a cliffhanger. It will be interesting what and how they solve their discovery.
I received a free advanced copy of this book via Booksiren and am voluntarily leaving my review
March 14, 2026
Honestly, there's a lot that happens in this book and it was difficult to follow. I'm still confused as to what the "void" is and how Draken, Lysander, and Syth's magic or powers affect what Scarlett does. Are Draken, Lysander, and Syth considered love interests? or is their attraction/connection just because of what Scarlett is? Why is it that these three species only affect what she does? I'm not sure I'll be continuing on with this series. The ending does end on a cliffhanger. I only checked it out because of a video I saw on TikTok.
If you like paranormal fantasy with twisty magic systems, this book may be for you. Maybe in book 2 things will be clearer, but again, there's a lot that happens in the first book that needs to be tied up.
If you like paranormal fantasy with twisty magic systems, this book may be for you. Maybe in book 2 things will be clearer, but again, there's a lot that happens in the first book that needs to be tied up.
March 30, 2026
This one surprised me a bit. I went in expecting one vibe and ended up getting way more pulled into the world and everything going on than I thought I would. It’s darker, a little intense, and has that underlying tension that keeps you locked in.
The atmosphere really stood out. It feels heavy and almost unsettling at times, like there’s always something just under the surface waiting to unfold. That made it really easy to stay invested because it never fully lets you relax.
I found myself more drawn to certain characters over others, which made the reading experience interesting. Some dynamics hit really well and kept me engaged.
Overall I had a really good time with this. It kept me curious and entertained.
The atmosphere really stood out. It feels heavy and almost unsettling at times, like there’s always something just under the surface waiting to unfold. That made it really easy to stay invested because it never fully lets you relax.
I found myself more drawn to certain characters over others, which made the reading experience interesting. Some dynamics hit really well and kept me engaged.
Overall I had a really good time with this. It kept me curious and entertained.
March 9, 2026
The book was ok overall. Definitely had potential, but I just couldn’t connect like I wish I could have. Didn’t really get the enemies to lovers claim. It tried to be that, but failed. Maybe the pacing was too fast for it?? If looking for any spice, it’s not in this book. What is assumed to be sex scenes were glossed over completely. It’s technically a why choose, but didn’t even really feel that way. I saw this recommended because of the two tropes I prefer (enemies to lovers and why choose), but it didn’t hit the mark. I doubt I will continue the series unless more reviews come in for the other books that reflect a better outcome.
March 18, 2026
This book had me confused most of the book. I did enjoy it but I was in constant waiting mood through most of the book. I was trying to figure out what I was missing and trying to figure out what exactly was happening. I felt like I kept missing something. The characters got together very quickly for me and the book ended abruptly in my opinion. There are more books to this series but I do not think I will be finishing it. I would recommend it because I do think others would like this book it just was not for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 20, 2026
This is Book 1 of The Iron Vow Society series. And a FANrastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'A dark, reverse harem paranormal academy romance where the monsters worship the girl, and the girl might just be the most dangerous thing in the mountain.'
The characters were very complex and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'A dark, reverse harem paranormal academy romance where the monsters worship the girl, and the girl might just be the most dangerous thing in the mountain.'
The characters were very complex and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2026
I thought the book was very interesting and definitely kept me intrigued but honestly I was so confused. I wish there was more explanation on the main character so I can understand her more and I wish there was more explanation on the world they live in. I was trying to understand the academy part and I was putting all the pieces together at the end but I'm still confused on how the world works with all this.
The spice scenes were kind of dull. There were some points I enjoyed but mostly I felt it was quick and didn't go into the detail I would of loved.
In all I am curious what the other books offer and would love to see the story unfold more.
The spice scenes were kind of dull. There were some points I enjoyed but mostly I felt it was quick and didn't go into the detail I would of loved.
In all I am curious what the other books offer and would love to see the story unfold more.
March 21, 2026
I found the idea behind Scarlett and her role as a "null" were refreshingly different in this academy romance. It was a little confusing at times and the spice level was a little lower than my typical preference. However, I really appreciated the over-the-top alpha males vs a much stronger than she gives herself credit for Scarlett. I love a possessive trope and this series has delivered so far.
I can't wait to see where things go!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I can't wait to see where things go!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 20, 2026
DNF’d the book.
It may sound silly but even at the beginning there was a writing mistake and my brain will not put that down or ignore it.
The FMC said while in the car to the academy / school she was holding onto her shiv the entire way as it was the only thing to give her comfort. But when she got to her room she all of a sudden did not have said shiv and Draven must’ve taken it back in the city…. And now she’s making it part of her mission in this place to get it back….
It maybe small to people but little things like this in the beginning will bug me.
It may sound silly but even at the beginning there was a writing mistake and my brain will not put that down or ignore it.
The FMC said while in the car to the academy / school she was holding onto her shiv the entire way as it was the only thing to give her comfort. But when she got to her room she all of a sudden did not have said shiv and Draven must’ve taken it back in the city…. And now she’s making it part of her mission in this place to get it back….
It maybe small to people but little things like this in the beginning will bug me.
March 24, 2026
This was my first book by the author. I wasn't really sure what to expect at first but was quickly drawn into the storyline. The world building was good and I love how the book was focused on the actual storyline and not just on the romance part. It is a book series though that is interconnected so you will have to read the next one to find out what happens next. Overall, a good read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 17, 2026
I wanted to like this more
I liked the premise of this but I was hoping for more. I'm not sure what was missing. It just felt a little surface level and I didn't end up being as invested as I thought I would be. Not a bad book in any means it just didn't vibe with me the way I thought it might
I liked the premise of this but I was hoping for more. I'm not sure what was missing. It just felt a little surface level and I didn't end up being as invested as I thought I would be. Not a bad book in any means it just didn't vibe with me the way I thought it might
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