Midnight at Soulfield: A Dark Academia Fantasy of Incubi, Secrets, and Surrender

by Neyha Liu

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

439 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

About the author

For a long time, Neyha Liu was very good at being the version of herself that the trading and tech world rewarded—sharp, strategic, untouchable. It took her years to realize she'd locked something essential in a room and thrown away the key.

She found it eventually. Midnight at Soulfield came from that journey—a world of shadows, unconscious desire, and a dangerous incubus.

She lives in Hawaii with her beloved, their baby, and their beast.

Reviews

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, complicated, whiplash inducing, action packed, high drama, spicy times, and a cliffhanger that makes me want to spit nails. Midnight at Soulfield plays like a K-drama—or in this case, a C-drama—as I read. The very last chapter kind of jumped the shark a bit, hate it when that happens. Overall, pretty good read. *** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Alisdair
✨Demon
✨Jack
FMC:
✨Midnight
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨to be continued, bittersweet ending, cliffhanger
Series:
✨book 1
Tropes:
👉dark fantasy romance
👉demon romance
👉academy romance
👉love triangle
👉curses & prophesies
Triggers: ⚠️ See content warning page for full list of triggers ⚠️
💥18+
💥sex, dub-con
💥profanity
💥violence, abuse, sexual assault, bullying
💥death
💥manipulation, betrayal
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amber Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC!

This was an interesting story. A young woman is accepted at a school for magic, called Soulfield. She has never practiced magic before, especially soul magic. When she first arrives, she is accused of being a demon by members of the staff and student body. She begins to believe they may be right as she begins to have erotic dreams of an incubus and people close to her get hurt.

The book had me guessing who the demon actually was, and when it was revealed, I was glad to know it was one of the two I thought it was. However there was a twist I didn't see coming and that was fun to learn about.

I would have given 4⭐, however some of the story came across as jarring and cobbled together. I really think with some edits, this will be great! I'm looking forward to reading the second installment in the series!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Overall, this was a very engrossing and entertaining book.

Our main character, Midnight, has inherited soul magic from her parents. At 18, she finally gets notified that she has been accepted to Soulfield, the magic academy both of her parents attended. So she transfers there to finish out her senior year. Midnight doesn't know what exactly, but when her mom attended she was part of some scandal which has all the students thinking Midnight is either a demon or possessed by one. Midnight is decidedly NOT a demon, and she doesn't think she is possessed. But she does have a secret. For a while now, what is essentially a sleep paralysis demon (but apparently an incubus!) has been visiting her in her sleep, doing sexual things with her, and telling her that they are meant to be together. On top of dealing with that, she is trying to learn her place at the school, figure out what happened to her mom, and maybe decide to kiss either of the two guys, Jack and Alaisdair, who seem to be into her.

My favorite part of this, and what had me continuing to pick it up constantly, was the mysteries of what/who is this demon and what happened with Midnight's mom? There is a lot happening, and it is both interesting and very dark. That, to me, is a good reason to pick up this book.

Now, here are the things that bugged me about this book:

- Virginity trope: Not only is Midnight a virgin, but she has never been kissed. The promotion/tagline of this makes it clear that there is an incubus involved, so having a naïve virgin and a sex demon was a bit of an eye roll for me at times.

- How does this school work?: Midnight is 18 and finishing out high school. So this takes place in what is her senior year. She transfers in part way through the year, but all the students seem to be the same age as her. Is the school only seniors? Also, if it ISN'T only seniors, and they have been learning magic (and no normal human subjects) for four years, how is it even possible she is catching up? She's 3 and, like, an extra .25 years behind. I think this would have bugged me less if it was like a first year of college type scenario. Because, seriously, no math, science, etc. and my brain couldn't forget it.

- Confused by the end: Trying to keep this spoiler free, but once you get to the end of the mystery and everything starts working itself out, there are plotlines with some of the romantic characters that seem to both work themselves out and then destroy themselves with minimal explanation. I'm hoping/thinking those will be explained in book 2, but right now I'm left a little bit confused.

Thanks to NetGalley, Nehya LLC, and Neyha Liu for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Midnight at Soulfield by Neyha Liu drew me in immediately with its dark academia setting and supernatural twist. A mysterious school, dangerous magic, and an incubus lurking within the story? That combination alone had me curious to see where the book would go.

The atmosphere was definitely one of the highlights for me. Soulfield has that moody, candlelit academic vibe—ancient halls, whispered secrets, and the feeling that something dark is always hiding just beneath the surface. The dark academia aesthetic really shines through and creates a setting that feels both eerie and intriguing.

The concept of the incubus element added an interesting layer to the story as well. It brought a darker, more seductive tone to the romance, and I appreciated how the supernatural aspect intertwined with the mysterious events happening around the academy.

That said, the pacing felt a little uneven for me at times. Some sections of the story moved quite slowly, while other moments that could have used more development seemed to pass by quickly. I also found myself wanting a bit more depth from some of the characters, especially when it came to their motivations and emotional connections.

Even with those elements, the story still held my attention enough to keep reading. The premise is unique, and the darker themes combined with the academic setting make it stand out in the romantasy space.

Overall, this was an intriguing read with a great gothic atmosphere and an interesting supernatural concept, even if it didn’t fully capture me the whole way through.

[Andrea Nagy]

If you like Nevermore (Wednesday), The Coven, dark academia, magic and curses then this is the book for you! I was reading this and I felt so suspicious of everybody - you don't expect the twists, you don't expect to feel so hopeless and helpless - like everything that Midnight was experiencing you experience and your heart just breaks for her - shoved into a world that nobody really explains to her but everyone judges her for every choice and decision that she makes and all she is trying to do is just have friends and get through school. For everything that Midnight went through - I am impressed that she found hubris and was able to unlock a higher understanding by letting go of her ego - understanding that every action has some kind of sacrifice and that the bigger the sacrifice the stronger the manifestation - a lesson that I plan to delve deeper into in my own life. From the beginning of the book to the end there is monumental growth in Midnight's thought process and actions. Understanding that some people are poisonous because their anger and jealousy protrudes and bleeds into their aura. That ultimately, we should all check how high our horses are and re-evaluate our distance from the earth. The way Midnight unravels the rules of magic - using simple thought to dismantle complex situations - chefs kiss - it's important to remember that sometimes its the simplest of solutions that solve the most complex of situations. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I’m trying to do the right thing but you’re so ready to think the worst of me. It’s like nothing counts but the mistakes.”

“Midnight at Soulfield,” by Neyha Liu

This book had a lot of elements I normally really enjoy — magic academy, demons, curses, and creepy supernatural vibes. The story follows Midnight as she arrives at Soulfield Academy, a mysterious school hidden away where students train dangerous magic and uncover secrets about their powers. The academy itself was one of my favorite parts. It has that classic dark magical school atmosphere with strange rules, hidden dangers, and the feeling that something is always watching. Midnight is also dealing with something pretty terrifying — she’s being haunted by a dream demon, which adds a creepy layer to the story. The curse and demon elements made the book feel darker than a typical academy fantasy, and I liked that supernatural tension.

3 out of 5 stars. I liked the dark magical academy and supernatural elements, but the romance choice at the end just didn’t work for me.

-Love Triangle
-Academy
-Magic
-Demons
-Curses

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

“I hope you never have to learn how fast people forget the suffering of others.”

[Destiny Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚠️ Check trigger warnings before reading this book. Midnight at Soulfield by Neyha Liu dives deep into dark themes like possession, psychological manipulation, and morally gray relationships, so it’s definitely a story that won’t be for everyone. That said, I found the concept incredibly intriguing. Midnight’s struggle with her awakening magic and the demons—both literal and internal—creates an intense atmosphere that kept me curious about what was really happening at Soulfield. The magic system rooted in shadow work added a unique psychological depth that made Midnight’s journey feel just as much about self-acceptance as survival.

What really kept me invested was the tension surrounding the multiple forces pulling at Midnight from different directions. Each relationship brings out a different side of her, blurring the lines between protection, temptation, and control. The mystery surrounding the attacks and Midnight’s connection to them kept the story layered with suspense, and I enjoyed watching the truth slowly unravel. Dark, emotional, and unsettling at times, this book leans heavily into the idea that sometimes the only way forward is by embracing the very darkness you’ve spent your life trying to hide.

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midnight at Soulfield is a mysterious and atmospheric start to The Soulfield Revelations series. The story blends supernatural elements with suspense and emotional discovery, drawing readers into a world where hidden truths slowly unfold.

The novel introduces readers to the eerie town of Soulfield, a place where secrets linger beneath the surface and the past refuses to stay buried. As strange events begin to unfold, the protagonist is forced to confront mysteries tied to identity, destiny, and forces beyond the ordinary world.

What makes this book engaging is the gradual unraveling of secrets. The author builds tension through the setting and atmosphere, making Soulfield feel both haunting and intriguing. As the story progresses, readers begin to realize that the truth about Soulfield may be far more complex than anyone imagined.

This first book lays the groundwork for a larger story filled with supernatural intrigue, emotional conflict, and unanswered questions that will likely unfold further in the series.

If you enjoy mystery-driven fantasy with supernatural undertones and small-town secrets, this book is an interesting introduction to a developing saga.

[Corina Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Neyha LLC for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Midnight at Soulfield was unique. I was intrigued by the sleep paralysis and Incubus aspects and the magical school that focuses on soul magic. Midnight's feelings of floundering as a new student with minimal magic training was realistically portrayed. Her peers were more advanced in magic than her and already had formed cliques. She was very much the outsider and then the circumstances with possibly being possessed by a demon and those closest to her becoming grievilously injured, everyone was suspicious of her. I appreciated that she wasn't suddenly the strongest magic wielder or had some super unique power. She very much felt like a normal girl trying to navigate this new world of magic. While I was intrigued by the premise of incubi and the magical school setting, I felt the interactions between the characters lacked authenticity and the writing style was not to my taste.

[Tiara (TheBookishDelight) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young woman who gets accepted into a magical school even though she doesn’t know any magic. She is also being haunted by a demon and even though she gets accepted, the staff and school accuse her of being a demon. She struggled to find the truth and she continues to have erotic dreams involving this demon. She must also navigate learning soul magic, her relationships, and the curse that haunts her.

The premise has a lot of potential. I liked the mystery surrounding Midnight’s predicament and the concept surrounding soul magic.

However, the execution didn’t quite land for me. The writing felt disjointed and cobbled together at times, which made the plot difficult to follow.

I received an Advanced reader copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Heather Bolin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a touching story with action, intrigue, suspense, betrayal, dark romance, loss, and love. We get Dark Academia, Dark Romance, and so much more. Please check your trigger warnings before reading. This touches on things that might make you uncomfortable. We have a unique magic system that well defined and you learn it right along with the FMC. We have two MMC's that are total opposites and you will love them both. The spice in this is well written. Demons are a large topic in this book and the lore for them was great. You also have an emotional journey in this book. I loved this. Will be waiting for more from Soulfield.

[Paige Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m gonna be very honest when I say I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book for the first half. The characters were good and the world building was done in a way that I could envision what I was reading, but the story itself didn’t have me super hooked. Once I started learning more (along with Midnight) I slowly became more attached to her and wanted to know how she was going to navigate everything. The last 100 pages were my favorite part and I am curious to know what happens from here

*Honored to have received an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*

[Jo Wyld · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ARC from Netgalley

A fantasty story set in Soulfield, a school for magical people!

The storyline includes demons too! In fact it has spicy dream scenes with demons!

The main female character Midnight is part of a prophecy that will see demons enter the world, the question is: Who is trying to make the prophecy come true!?

The book is full of likeable characters and sets up nicely for a follow up too!

You may want to check trigger warnings before diving in!

[Bookworm From Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Demons and a dark academy setting where our FMC Midnight learns more about herself and the magical world and magic.

I liked the created environment. Unfortunately, at no point did I warm up to Midnight or the decisions she made or the romance the book offered. The narrative seemed to lack coherence, the book seemed to consist of very different scenes, some of which I liked and some of which I didn't.

Thanks you to Neyha LLC and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy!

[Lauren Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Single POV

Tropes/TW:
Dark academy incubus romantasy
Virgin FMC x protective MMC x morally grey MMC
Love triangle + demon
Mind control
magic & curses
seduction during sleep paralysis / somnophilia / non-consensual scenarios / possession / SA / violence / death

Thank you Neyha Liu and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.

*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

[amel · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5⭐
The concept of this book seemed very promising, but unfortunately, I really really did not like this book. First of all, the writing felt excessively juvenile, save for the very gratuitous and romanticized sexual content (the presence of trigger warnings is arbitrary when they are inaccurate and not descriptive enough). Unfortunately, this book lacked the care that this content requires. Nothing worked in this book; the plot was confusing and fell flat, the characters (and plot) were very one dimensional, and nothing kept me engaged. It’s a shame, because the premise was very promising.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantasy world of demons and dark academia. I enjoyed meeting Midnight and her dreams were absurdly good. I love the demons.

[The Book Dragon's Assistant · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf'd after 25 pages.
The blurb sounded so exciting and I had high hopes for this book. But unfortunately the writing style threw me so off that I had to stop reading.
It definitely reads like a debut. The writing style seems 'young' and not edited enough. It reads very choppy and all over the place and as if we're missing information we should have.
I might consider picking this up again if it gets more good ratings in the future but for now I'm deciding to divert my time away from this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for a e-arc of this book! All of my opinions are my own.

[Genoveva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing story where we have a FMC that gets accepted to a magical school that she had no clue even existed. The secrets that were in her life definitely had my on the edge of my seat to figure out. This was entertaing from start to end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stina Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t just read this book, I devoured it.

From the first page, I was completely pulled into Midnight O’Young’s world, a place where desire and danger blur, and a faceless demon whispers that they are bound by fate. The nightly hauntings are unsettling and sensual all at once, and I found myself both terrified for her and unable to look away. It’s rare for a story to capture that razor-thin line between fear and longing so convincingly.

When Midnight arrives at Soulfield, the secret magic school her parents once fled, the story deepens into something even more addictive. I loved the concept that magic comes from the psyche, that you don’t destroy your monsters, you integrate them. That idea alone elevates the book beyond typical dark academia and into something far more intimate and powerful.

The romantic tension is just as gripping. Alisdair’s steady, protective presence, Jack’s volatile darkness, and the demon’s possessive claim on her create a push and pull that had me constantly second-guessing where my loyalties lay. But what stayed with me most was Midnight herself, her struggle to stop running from her demons and start embracing them.

Dark, provocative, and emotionally charged, this is the kind of book that lingers after you close it. I was captivated from beginning to end, and I’m still thinking about it.

[Kardelen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dark academia story with demons

After suppressing her magic for all her childhood, Midnight decides to enter Soulfield, a school for magic users. It was supposed to be a new start for her but there are mysterious happenings and a demon wreaking havoc in the academy. All the clues point to Midnight.

I was very excited about this book after reading the blurb; unfortunately it didn't work for me.
Although Midnight was dealing with the demon's abuse for a long time she didn't seem too concerned about it. She only began to feel terrified and miserable when her friends were in danger.

The romance aspect could be more developed; Midnight's feelings for the boys were developing too quickly and changed rapidly. It could be due to all the characters being teenagers, but it made the romance lacking real chemistry.

The world building and plot was well done, I liked the slow unraveling of the mystery. The different uses and general concept of magic laws were very interesting. I liked that it wasn't just spells and mana, but conscious decisions made by the users. The idea of how curses and prophecies can be altered and how they gain power was unique.

Although the concept of abuse was not addressed properly, the concept of grief was done very well.

Overall, it was a good story. If you enjoy dark academia with mystery and soul magic, you should read it. You should check the trigger warnings before reading.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.