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Profaned: A Dark Gothic Romantasy Novel
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC for this title.
Have you ever wanted to read a book about a hearing-impaired girl being physically and sexually assaulted by gross old men in the name of the gods and magic? Yeah. Me either. I really wanted to like this, but it was absolute torture. This girl spent half of her time being assaulted and the other half love him/love him not with the MMC. The book was beyond repetitive and I was just icked out and bored. So, it's a "no" from me. Esther is great though. But if the best character is a rabbit, there are problems.
Have you ever wanted to read a book about a hearing-impaired girl being physically and sexually assaulted by gross old men in the name of the gods and magic? Yeah. Me either. I really wanted to like this, but it was absolute torture. This girl spent half of her time being assaulted and the other half love him/love him not with the MMC. The book was beyond repetitive and I was just icked out and bored. So, it's a "no" from me. Esther is great though. But if the best character is a rabbit, there are problems.
May 10, 2026
Like if “Look What You Made Me Do” was a book.
This is a dark fantasy, kept from being EXTREMELY dark by the fact that a lot of the stuff is referenced or happens off page. But there is a lot of dark stuff happening, so TW: SA, human trafficking, sex trafficking, ritual murder, and torture.
This is also a story of justice and vengeance and, somewhat disappointingly, a lot of that happens off page as well. But both POV characters, Kira and Vallen are survivors of a TON of shit and it’s satisfying seeing them both get justice on behalf of themselves and so many others and, for one of them, seeking redemption.
Thank you to NetGalley and N.M. Peterson for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is a dark fantasy, kept from being EXTREMELY dark by the fact that a lot of the stuff is referenced or happens off page. But there is a lot of dark stuff happening, so TW: SA, human trafficking, sex trafficking, ritual murder, and torture.
This is also a story of justice and vengeance and, somewhat disappointingly, a lot of that happens off page as well. But both POV characters, Kira and Vallen are survivors of a TON of shit and it’s satisfying seeing them both get justice on behalf of themselves and so many others and, for one of them, seeking redemption.
Thank you to NetGalley and N.M. Peterson for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
Kira arrives at the Sacred Ossuarium believing she has finally escaped the suffocating judgment of Blackreach. The academy is the pinnacle of necromantic scholarship, a place where her silent communion with the dead is a rare gift. Here, she hopes to bury her past, master her craft, and carve out a future far from anyone who ever pitied her for being deaf.
But the Ossuarium’s vaulted halls are not the refuge she imagined.
Beneath its candlelit halls and scholarly rituals lies a hidden commerce in stolen lives—an ancient, forbidden trade the Church denies even as the dead whisper its truth. And the translator assigned to her, a man infuriatingly beautiful, seems to be carrying secrets dangerous enough to spell her doom.
As Kira witnesses the Church’s cruelty firsthand, her ambitions collapse into ash. Drawn into a conspiracy that threads through both the living world and the realm of the dead, she must wield forbidden magic, navigate treacherous alliances, and confront a darkness older than the Ossuarium itself.
To challenge such power is to risk everything: her future, her friendships, the dangerous pull of the man she should not trust—and her life.
In a place built on bones and lies, the one she trusts most will be the one who breaks her most completely.
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that may not be suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Tropes: Ancient/Forbidden Trade the Church Denies, Dead Whisper its Truth, Church’s Cruelty, Ambitions Collapse into Ash, Wield Forbidden Magic, Navigate Treacherous Alliances, Confront an Old Darkness, Dark Fantasy, Justice, Vengeance, Survivors, Redemption, Inclusivity, FMC is Witty/ Tenacious/Overall Badass/ is Intelligent/Determined/Emotionally Isolated/Trying hard to Carve out a place where she’s Valued for her Abilities vs. pitied, Funny, Grumpy/Sassy Rabbit Familiar, Plot Twists, Dark Academia, Interesting Magic System, Secret Society, Enemies-reluctant allies-to-Lovers, FMC is Deaf, American Sign Language/Deaf Culture Representation, Character Depth, Intriguing Plot, Enthralling Storyline, Betrayal, Realistic in Today’s Time, Gothic Romantasy, Witty Banter, Ghost Fueled Mystery, Quick Moving Plot, Morally Grey Love Interests, Systematic Oppression, Angst, Necromancy Academy, Forbidden Magic, Dead Whispering the Truth While the Church Buries It, Incredible Atmosphere, Cathedral Built from Bones, Secrets, Grief, Dangerous World, Dead Communicate with FMC, Translator is Beautiful/Secretive/Untrustworthy, Eerie Cathedral-Like Setting, Slow-Burn Tension Wrapped in Conspiracy and Horror, Haunting, Atmospheric, Emotionally Sharp.
Profaned is A Gothic Romantasy by N.M. Peterson. I have to start off by saying that this is one of those books that you seriously have to check, double check, and then triple check your triggers before even starting this book. Profaned is this Gothic Academia Romantasy with some serious triggers like detailed on-page SA moments, human and smex trafficking, ritualistic unalivings, and torture is all present in this book. With a secret society of men doing what they do the best, terrorizing women, and thinking they’re above justice just because they haven’t been stopped yet.
Profaned started out really very normally, nice and slowly with some fantastic world building and we got the background we needed on things, and while due to the triggers it might be difficult to get through certain scenes, this book starts off as most dark academia romanantasies.
It’s only once the story really gets going that you find yourself slipping into the story and becoming enthralled. And while I do think that had some of the off-page events been included on-page would have helped with further character development and making the characters stronger and we would have had a stronger connection to our characters had we gotten to see the events vs. just being told about them. And let me tell you, our MCs go through A LOT, and I mean A LOT!
N.M. Peterson gave us a massive plot twist and this in my opinion was really a very nice refreshing take on dark academia. I loved watching the plot veer away from what we consider normal in this genre and in my mind that’s a huge plus and will help to keep readers hooked and enthralled. Just trust me, pick this book up, give it a read, and you’ll completely understand what I’m talking about.
Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the diverse representation. Kira, our stunning FMC is deaf, and this is a representation that we don’t get all that often. (I am loving that more and more authors, especially indie authors, are choosing to include a diverse representation of people be it from different cultures or they have various disabilities. We all can’t be perfect skinny, fair skinned, perfect eyes, hearing and not a single blemish. And this is a trend that I am all in on.) I found Kira to be very relatable, easy to connect with. And the addition of American Sign Language and the Deaf Culture was another aspect that I absolutely loved seeing in this book.
Now here’s the point where I do have to talk about what I didn’t enjoy, or more so who I didn’t really enjoy. Vallen, our MMC. I compare him to Tamlin in terms of redemption arcs honestly. I really don’t think that there was any amount of groveling that could have saved him or his cause in my eyes. Especially after his betrayal. But that honestly goes to show the kind of person Kira is.
Kira and Vallen had some chemistry, but I can’t say that their chemistry was off the charts like so many other couples I’ve read recently. And in all honestly, I don’t think they worked best together, and together with Vallen’s track record… I couldn’t help but question how much he cared about Kira or if he even truly loved her…at all? To be perfectly honest, I still have so many questions.
Kira does in fact have one relationship that I did approve of and I really enjoyed. Elia, Kira’s best friend. Elia is the only person in Kira’s life he took the time to learn sign language so she could actually talk to Kira one-on-one. Honestly, I wish Elia and Kira had gotten more of a spotlight. Elia was truly the highlight of this book.
If you enjoy dark academia, dark romantasy, diverse representation, then I recommend this book. But again, I have to remind you to check your trigger warnings.
But the Ossuarium’s vaulted halls are not the refuge she imagined.
Beneath its candlelit halls and scholarly rituals lies a hidden commerce in stolen lives—an ancient, forbidden trade the Church denies even as the dead whisper its truth. And the translator assigned to her, a man infuriatingly beautiful, seems to be carrying secrets dangerous enough to spell her doom.
As Kira witnesses the Church’s cruelty firsthand, her ambitions collapse into ash. Drawn into a conspiracy that threads through both the living world and the realm of the dead, she must wield forbidden magic, navigate treacherous alliances, and confront a darkness older than the Ossuarium itself.
To challenge such power is to risk everything: her future, her friendships, the dangerous pull of the man she should not trust—and her life.
In a place built on bones and lies, the one she trusts most will be the one who breaks her most completely.
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that may not be suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Tropes: Ancient/Forbidden Trade the Church Denies, Dead Whisper its Truth, Church’s Cruelty, Ambitions Collapse into Ash, Wield Forbidden Magic, Navigate Treacherous Alliances, Confront an Old Darkness, Dark Fantasy, Justice, Vengeance, Survivors, Redemption, Inclusivity, FMC is Witty/ Tenacious/Overall Badass/ is Intelligent/Determined/Emotionally Isolated/Trying hard to Carve out a place where she’s Valued for her Abilities vs. pitied, Funny, Grumpy/Sassy Rabbit Familiar, Plot Twists, Dark Academia, Interesting Magic System, Secret Society, Enemies-reluctant allies-to-Lovers, FMC is Deaf, American Sign Language/Deaf Culture Representation, Character Depth, Intriguing Plot, Enthralling Storyline, Betrayal, Realistic in Today’s Time, Gothic Romantasy, Witty Banter, Ghost Fueled Mystery, Quick Moving Plot, Morally Grey Love Interests, Systematic Oppression, Angst, Necromancy Academy, Forbidden Magic, Dead Whispering the Truth While the Church Buries It, Incredible Atmosphere, Cathedral Built from Bones, Secrets, Grief, Dangerous World, Dead Communicate with FMC, Translator is Beautiful/Secretive/Untrustworthy, Eerie Cathedral-Like Setting, Slow-Burn Tension Wrapped in Conspiracy and Horror, Haunting, Atmospheric, Emotionally Sharp.
Profaned is A Gothic Romantasy by N.M. Peterson. I have to start off by saying that this is one of those books that you seriously have to check, double check, and then triple check your triggers before even starting this book. Profaned is this Gothic Academia Romantasy with some serious triggers like detailed on-page SA moments, human and smex trafficking, ritualistic unalivings, and torture is all present in this book. With a secret society of men doing what they do the best, terrorizing women, and thinking they’re above justice just because they haven’t been stopped yet.
Profaned started out really very normally, nice and slowly with some fantastic world building and we got the background we needed on things, and while due to the triggers it might be difficult to get through certain scenes, this book starts off as most dark academia romanantasies.
It’s only once the story really gets going that you find yourself slipping into the story and becoming enthralled. And while I do think that had some of the off-page events been included on-page would have helped with further character development and making the characters stronger and we would have had a stronger connection to our characters had we gotten to see the events vs. just being told about them. And let me tell you, our MCs go through A LOT, and I mean A LOT!
N.M. Peterson gave us a massive plot twist and this in my opinion was really a very nice refreshing take on dark academia. I loved watching the plot veer away from what we consider normal in this genre and in my mind that’s a huge plus and will help to keep readers hooked and enthralled. Just trust me, pick this book up, give it a read, and you’ll completely understand what I’m talking about.
Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the diverse representation. Kira, our stunning FMC is deaf, and this is a representation that we don’t get all that often. (I am loving that more and more authors, especially indie authors, are choosing to include a diverse representation of people be it from different cultures or they have various disabilities. We all can’t be perfect skinny, fair skinned, perfect eyes, hearing and not a single blemish. And this is a trend that I am all in on.) I found Kira to be very relatable, easy to connect with. And the addition of American Sign Language and the Deaf Culture was another aspect that I absolutely loved seeing in this book.
Now here’s the point where I do have to talk about what I didn’t enjoy, or more so who I didn’t really enjoy. Vallen, our MMC. I compare him to Tamlin in terms of redemption arcs honestly. I really don’t think that there was any amount of groveling that could have saved him or his cause in my eyes. Especially after his betrayal. But that honestly goes to show the kind of person Kira is.
Kira and Vallen had some chemistry, but I can’t say that their chemistry was off the charts like so many other couples I’ve read recently. And in all honestly, I don’t think they worked best together, and together with Vallen’s track record… I couldn’t help but question how much he cared about Kira or if he even truly loved her…at all? To be perfectly honest, I still have so many questions.
Kira does in fact have one relationship that I did approve of and I really enjoyed. Elia, Kira’s best friend. Elia is the only person in Kira’s life he took the time to learn sign language so she could actually talk to Kira one-on-one. Honestly, I wish Elia and Kira had gotten more of a spotlight. Elia was truly the highlight of this book.
If you enjoy dark academia, dark romantasy, diverse representation, then I recommend this book. But again, I have to remind you to check your trigger warnings.
Review of advance copy
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
TL:DR
Trigger warning for SA.
The plot overall was really intriguing and is what kept me reading. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the inclusivity and world building. But I have several issues with the plot line and characters.
I did enjoy Kira and Elja's friendship. It gave me Wednesday Addams and Enid vibes. Loved it.
FMC was awesome despite some of her choices. She has a fantastic personality and is witty, tenacious and overall badass. There were also some funny moments. The grumpy sassy rabbit familiar was so good.
The storyline was a plot twist I wasn't expecting which was a refreshing change from typical dark academia.
I wish the magic system was a bit more flushed out but it was really interesting from what we were able to learn.
I don't think I've ever said this before but I think this book should have been longer and added to it.
If you enjoy dark academia while also dismantling a secret society of evil men, give this one a shot.
+ Enemies to lovers
-----
I took a lot of notes so;
My main reasons for giving this book high marks is because 1. I absolutely loved that our FMC is deaf. It's not often that Deaf/HOH folks get representation in books. American Sign Language and deaf culture is a special interest of mine so this was fun for me to try and remember signs while she was signing. I'm not anywhere near fluent but I could picture some of the scenes in my head with her signing and I loved that. It gave her character a lot of depth and I loved that she never let it affect her ability to be a badass and persevere.
2. The plot itself was really intriguing and kept me hooked immediately. I stayed up way too late reading this because I couldn't put it down, regardless of the issues I have with the story.
With that being said, these are my issues with the story and why I couldn't rate this 5 stars.
The major issue is the romance aspect. There was ZERO chemistry between Kira and Vallen. She seemed more into his cousin than she did Vallen. They barely had 2-3 encounters before he was "falling for her" and she gave no inclination that she felt anything romantically towards him at all. And then they were just… together? It felt extremely forced and rushed. The intimate scenes were just… strange. They happened at the worst and weirdest times and felt like it came out of absolutely no where. I think maybe because it also felt so mechanical and no actual feeling behind it. If there was more chemistry between them, I think the scenes might have fit a bit better.
The betrayal I felt was way too far for him to ever find any redemption, considering the lack of emotional connection they had and the absolute brutality of the betrayal. How she managed to forgive him and regain feelings for him was astounding. I'm all for a redemption arc but there just wasn't enough there for it to make sense.
I think this story would have done better if the romance aspect was scraped entirely because it really ruined the most of it for me because it made no sense.
The ONLY person who made any effort into learning sign language was Elja, and it was merely glossed over. I don't think people understand how important it is for deaf/HOH people to have the ability to communicate and be understood and it means a lot when people just TRY to learn basic signs. Vallen didn't try AT. ALL. That really bugged me and rubbed me the wrong way. If he is supposed to "love" her but not even want to learn her language? Communicate without her having to do all the work lip reading and writing in her notebook? It just was another thing that took away from whatever sort of relationship they were supposed to have.
The magic system was confusing and I feel like it could've been flushed out more. It was interesting from what was given but I would've liked to learn more about the Gods, the history, the way the magic worked. And her studies. It felt like we didn't see her in classes except those couple times. The information we do get didn't give a rounded out picture of what the author was trying to have the magic system be.
I would've liked to know more about WHY Kira is special and her importance in the story.
I would've wanted to know a lot more about Vallen and his background. Also where the hell did Caspian go?! He just poofed! The ONE person who could sign was just thrown out of the story when he was a major person tied to the secret society. I really enjoyed Elja, I just wished she played more of a role in the story. Even through her betrayal.
Kira really had no one who didn't do her dirty, lol.
I really liked the secret society and the brutality of what the Elder and priests were doing. It felt so raw and real and unfortunately realistic in today's time so the plot being that they take this whole organization down was a big HELL YES from me. I just wish there would've been more explanation about it all.
The ending felt rushed and we didn't really have an actual "fight." This large powerful organization and there was little to no crescendo. Only the scene with the Elder was satisfying.
We never find out what happens with Thalia.
Did they save/rescue the remaining women and children? Did they unbind and release the souls in the catacombs? Did Kira ever get to learn the magic she wanted?
There were just so many questions left unanswered that made the story feel shallow which is a juxtaposition to the severity of the subject matter.
Overall, even with the plot line issues this story kept me hooked and I didn't want to stop reading.
I plan to read more from this author because I liked the writing style overall and think that I could enjoy other books by this author.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
TL:DR
Trigger warning for SA.
The plot overall was really intriguing and is what kept me reading. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the inclusivity and world building. But I have several issues with the plot line and characters.
I did enjoy Kira and Elja's friendship. It gave me Wednesday Addams and Enid vibes. Loved it.
FMC was awesome despite some of her choices. She has a fantastic personality and is witty, tenacious and overall badass. There were also some funny moments. The grumpy sassy rabbit familiar was so good.
The storyline was a plot twist I wasn't expecting which was a refreshing change from typical dark academia.
I wish the magic system was a bit more flushed out but it was really interesting from what we were able to learn.
I don't think I've ever said this before but I think this book should have been longer and added to it.
If you enjoy dark academia while also dismantling a secret society of evil men, give this one a shot.
+ Enemies to lovers
-----
I took a lot of notes so;
My main reasons for giving this book high marks is because 1. I absolutely loved that our FMC is deaf. It's not often that Deaf/HOH folks get representation in books. American Sign Language and deaf culture is a special interest of mine so this was fun for me to try and remember signs while she was signing. I'm not anywhere near fluent but I could picture some of the scenes in my head with her signing and I loved that. It gave her character a lot of depth and I loved that she never let it affect her ability to be a badass and persevere.
2. The plot itself was really intriguing and kept me hooked immediately. I stayed up way too late reading this because I couldn't put it down, regardless of the issues I have with the story.
With that being said, these are my issues with the story and why I couldn't rate this 5 stars.
The major issue is the romance aspect. There was ZERO chemistry between Kira and Vallen. She seemed more into his cousin than she did Vallen. They barely had 2-3 encounters before he was "falling for her" and she gave no inclination that she felt anything romantically towards him at all. And then they were just… together? It felt extremely forced and rushed. The intimate scenes were just… strange. They happened at the worst and weirdest times and felt like it came out of absolutely no where. I think maybe because it also felt so mechanical and no actual feeling behind it. If there was more chemistry between them, I think the scenes might have fit a bit better.
The betrayal I felt was way too far for him to ever find any redemption, considering the lack of emotional connection they had and the absolute brutality of the betrayal. How she managed to forgive him and regain feelings for him was astounding. I'm all for a redemption arc but there just wasn't enough there for it to make sense.
I think this story would have done better if the romance aspect was scraped entirely because it really ruined the most of it for me because it made no sense.
The ONLY person who made any effort into learning sign language was Elja, and it was merely glossed over. I don't think people understand how important it is for deaf/HOH people to have the ability to communicate and be understood and it means a lot when people just TRY to learn basic signs. Vallen didn't try AT. ALL. That really bugged me and rubbed me the wrong way. If he is supposed to "love" her but not even want to learn her language? Communicate without her having to do all the work lip reading and writing in her notebook? It just was another thing that took away from whatever sort of relationship they were supposed to have.
The magic system was confusing and I feel like it could've been flushed out more. It was interesting from what was given but I would've liked to learn more about the Gods, the history, the way the magic worked. And her studies. It felt like we didn't see her in classes except those couple times. The information we do get didn't give a rounded out picture of what the author was trying to have the magic system be.
I would've liked to know more about WHY Kira is special and her importance in the story.
I would've wanted to know a lot more about Vallen and his background. Also where the hell did Caspian go?! He just poofed! The ONE person who could sign was just thrown out of the story when he was a major person tied to the secret society. I really enjoyed Elja, I just wished she played more of a role in the story. Even through her betrayal.
Kira really had no one who didn't do her dirty, lol.
I really liked the secret society and the brutality of what the Elder and priests were doing. It felt so raw and real and unfortunately realistic in today's time so the plot being that they take this whole organization down was a big HELL YES from me. I just wish there would've been more explanation about it all.
The ending felt rushed and we didn't really have an actual "fight." This large powerful organization and there was little to no crescendo. Only the scene with the Elder was satisfying.
We never find out what happens with Thalia.
Did they save/rescue the remaining women and children? Did they unbind and release the souls in the catacombs? Did Kira ever get to learn the magic she wanted?
There were just so many questions left unanswered that made the story feel shallow which is a juxtaposition to the severity of the subject matter.
Overall, even with the plot line issues this story kept me hooked and I didn't want to stop reading.
I plan to read more from this author because I liked the writing style overall and think that I could enjoy other books by this author.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
----3.5 stars---
This book follows Kira (FMC) and Vallen (MMC). Kira is a very strong main character, both in personality and character stability. She loves those around her deeply, but is also extremely intelligent and willing to fight for what she believes in. Vallen follows a similar code, often developing his character traits through Kira.
This book was written beautifully. The prose was poetic, lyrical, and symbolic. I could tell the author has a passion for the craft, it bled through almost every word. This stood out to me the most and was a pleasant surprise. There were a few minor issues, though, such as typos and formatting problems. The most noticeable was that the “Interlude” appears mid-page, and the word itself is not formatted (bolded or stylized) to distinguish it from the rest of the text.
I also appreciated how original this story felt. The magic system was compelling and unlike anything I’ve read before. The setting, a gothic academy, could have felt overused, but the author made it her own, especially through the secrets carved into its walls. The world overall was beautiful and complex in a grim, tragic way. However, I felt it wasn’t fully fleshed out. The magic system wasn’t explored enough, and neither was the world surrounding the characters. Kira is implied to be special, but we never fully learn how or what impact this has on the world around her. I often felt confused about the magic and wanted more clarity about the gods and the mechanisms behind it.
I loved Elja and Kira’s friendship, as well as Kira’s relationship with Esther. Elja was an amazing friend to Kira, and Kira to her, they both made efforts to support and protect each other. While Elja has her own struggles, they are understandable given the circumstances. I just wish she had played a larger role in the story so we could get to know her better. I felt similarly about Esther, whose character sometimes felt more like plot support than a fully developed person. The same applies to Thalia—we didn’t get much clarity about her or the chance to truly understand her character.
Vallen is a major issue for me, and his relationship with Kira is an even bigger one. In my opinion, Vallen is irredeemable. His betrayal impacts not only Kira but many others indirectly. His character feels overly dependent on Kira, which was frustrating. Without her, he doesn’t seem able to stand on his own. Vallen's emotions escalate fast, but we’re never given a convincing reason why. Their relationship develops too quickly, they barely know each other before they’re suddenly in love. Kira also shows little interest at first, yet their relationship escalates quickly into both emotional and physical intimacy.
The second half of the book improves in this regard, giving more space for their relationship to develop. However, it still felt rushed and somewhat surface-level by the end, as they never truly take the time to understand each other beyond what’s already established.
Overall, the idea was solid, original, and compelling. The writing style was gorgeous, and Kira was an excellent character. However, the execution felt somewhat rushed at times and not fully developed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
This book follows Kira (FMC) and Vallen (MMC). Kira is a very strong main character, both in personality and character stability. She loves those around her deeply, but is also extremely intelligent and willing to fight for what she believes in. Vallen follows a similar code, often developing his character traits through Kira.
This book was written beautifully. The prose was poetic, lyrical, and symbolic. I could tell the author has a passion for the craft, it bled through almost every word. This stood out to me the most and was a pleasant surprise. There were a few minor issues, though, such as typos and formatting problems. The most noticeable was that the “Interlude” appears mid-page, and the word itself is not formatted (bolded or stylized) to distinguish it from the rest of the text.
I also appreciated how original this story felt. The magic system was compelling and unlike anything I’ve read before. The setting, a gothic academy, could have felt overused, but the author made it her own, especially through the secrets carved into its walls. The world overall was beautiful and complex in a grim, tragic way. However, I felt it wasn’t fully fleshed out. The magic system wasn’t explored enough, and neither was the world surrounding the characters. Kira is implied to be special, but we never fully learn how or what impact this has on the world around her. I often felt confused about the magic and wanted more clarity about the gods and the mechanisms behind it.
I loved Elja and Kira’s friendship, as well as Kira’s relationship with Esther. Elja was an amazing friend to Kira, and Kira to her, they both made efforts to support and protect each other. While Elja has her own struggles, they are understandable given the circumstances. I just wish she had played a larger role in the story so we could get to know her better. I felt similarly about Esther, whose character sometimes felt more like plot support than a fully developed person. The same applies to Thalia—we didn’t get much clarity about her or the chance to truly understand her character.
Vallen is a major issue for me, and his relationship with Kira is an even bigger one. In my opinion, Vallen is irredeemable. His betrayal impacts not only Kira but many others indirectly. His character feels overly dependent on Kira, which was frustrating. Without her, he doesn’t seem able to stand on his own. Vallen's emotions escalate fast, but we’re never given a convincing reason why. Their relationship develops too quickly, they barely know each other before they’re suddenly in love. Kira also shows little interest at first, yet their relationship escalates quickly into both emotional and physical intimacy.
The second half of the book improves in this regard, giving more space for their relationship to develop. However, it still felt rushed and somewhat surface-level by the end, as they never truly take the time to understand each other beyond what’s already established.
Overall, the idea was solid, original, and compelling. The writing style was gorgeous, and Kira was an excellent character. However, the execution felt somewhat rushed at times and not fully developed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Profaned is definitely one of those check your triggers before you read it type of book! A gothic Romantasy and academia book, with detailed on-the-page SA moments is referenced on and off the page. Human trafficking, sex trafficking, ritualistic murders, as well as torture are all present. We have yet another secret society of men, doing what they do best, terrorizing and believing they are above justice.
This book started out slow, normal with the world building and giving background on things, and it was tough to get through some scenes (again check your triggers), but once the story got going, it picked up and held my attention. I do think that some of the off-page things could have made the development of the characters stronger if we got to see it. Our MCs went through a lot. Like a lot, a lot!
The plot twist added to a refreshing take on dark academia. It was nice to see the plot veer away from the normal takes, and I think that’s definitely a plus to keep readers engaged. You’ll have to read it to understand what I mean 😉.
Did I mention the representation that this book provides? Our FMC, Kira, is deaf, and I’m loving the fact that more and more authors are representing different populations of people. Not all of us can be skinny with fair skin, perfect eyes and hearing, and not a blemish on us. I’m loving this trend! Kira is also relatable to an extent, which is a plus; readers want some type of connection.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Vallen, our MMC, as much. He’s up there with Tamlin for me, in terms of redemption. I don’t think there was any amount of groveling or help that would get me to forgive his betrayal. That just goes to show the type of person Kira is. Their chemistry was also off to me; I don’t think they were the best together, and given Vallen’s track record, I questioned if he truly loved Kira…a lot. I still have questions lol. Kira does have a relationship that I approve of and enjoy. Her best friend, Elia….who I may add was literally the only person willing to learn sign language so she could talk to Kira. I wish there was more of a spotlight on that awesomeness!
All in all, I would give this book a read. If you like dark Romantasy and academia is where it’s at, this is for you. Again, make sure to check your triggers.
This book started out slow, normal with the world building and giving background on things, and it was tough to get through some scenes (again check your triggers), but once the story got going, it picked up and held my attention. I do think that some of the off-page things could have made the development of the characters stronger if we got to see it. Our MCs went through a lot. Like a lot, a lot!
The plot twist added to a refreshing take on dark academia. It was nice to see the plot veer away from the normal takes, and I think that’s definitely a plus to keep readers engaged. You’ll have to read it to understand what I mean 😉.
Did I mention the representation that this book provides? Our FMC, Kira, is deaf, and I’m loving the fact that more and more authors are representing different populations of people. Not all of us can be skinny with fair skin, perfect eyes and hearing, and not a blemish on us. I’m loving this trend! Kira is also relatable to an extent, which is a plus; readers want some type of connection.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Vallen, our MMC, as much. He’s up there with Tamlin for me, in terms of redemption. I don’t think there was any amount of groveling or help that would get me to forgive his betrayal. That just goes to show the type of person Kira is. Their chemistry was also off to me; I don’t think they were the best together, and given Vallen’s track record, I questioned if he truly loved Kira…a lot. I still have questions lol. Kira does have a relationship that I approve of and enjoy. Her best friend, Elia….who I may add was literally the only person willing to learn sign language so she could talk to Kira. I wish there was more of a spotlight on that awesomeness!
All in all, I would give this book a read. If you like dark Romantasy and academia is where it’s at, this is for you. Again, make sure to check your triggers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy.
Profaned follows Kira as she joins the sacred Ossuarium. She has a natural affinity to necromancy that she hopes to study to improve her station, but instead finds that, like most prestigious institutions, the Ossuarium is not only a den of power abuse, but might also be hiding a greater conspiracy.
In a sea of 'witty' banter( I swear if I get one more snarky line before the MMC exits the room I'm going to lay face down on the radiator), the prose in here was more lyrical, the world is explained organically as the story develops (as opposed to info-dumping), and disability representation was just refreshing.
I was stoked to find this was a ghost fueled mystery, delivering gothic romance along with a fantasy romance.
You get true enemies to lovers(enemies to reluctant allies to lovers?), like I didn't even want him to be the MMC for awhile there, and then I warmed up, and then I didn't like him again, and so on.
The plot moved quickly, the world building and magic system introduced subtly and letting you pick up here and there without needing 200 pages of info-dumping. It did, at times leave me a little confused as to what was literally happening as opposed to metaphorically happening, but it was typically cleared up later and generally left me less frustrated than exposition for exposition's sake.
***(Mild spoilers going forward)***
*****
***
There’s a plot twist about halfway, right around the time I thought this was going to turn into insta-love, so that was welcome. If you want morally grey, it’s here. Oh boy. I also appreciated the FMC acknowledging the MMCs part in the overall systematic oppression, and not just painting him out to be another victim.
My biggest complaint would probably be that most of evil-doing hit a little too close to home(no, I am not over the R*pe Academy, thank you for asking), though I cannot fault the book for that. Fantasy can be an escape. Fantasy can also be handling real world issues in a fantastical setting, making them easier to digest.
If you’re a fan of angst, taking down secret evil men societies, and just the right amount of ‘oh my god, no!’, this is for you.
Profaned follows Kira as she joins the sacred Ossuarium. She has a natural affinity to necromancy that she hopes to study to improve her station, but instead finds that, like most prestigious institutions, the Ossuarium is not only a den of power abuse, but might also be hiding a greater conspiracy.
In a sea of 'witty' banter( I swear if I get one more snarky line before the MMC exits the room I'm going to lay face down on the radiator), the prose in here was more lyrical, the world is explained organically as the story develops (as opposed to info-dumping), and disability representation was just refreshing.
I was stoked to find this was a ghost fueled mystery, delivering gothic romance along with a fantasy romance.
You get true enemies to lovers(enemies to reluctant allies to lovers?), like I didn't even want him to be the MMC for awhile there, and then I warmed up, and then I didn't like him again, and so on.
The plot moved quickly, the world building and magic system introduced subtly and letting you pick up here and there without needing 200 pages of info-dumping. It did, at times leave me a little confused as to what was literally happening as opposed to metaphorically happening, but it was typically cleared up later and generally left me less frustrated than exposition for exposition's sake.
***(Mild spoilers going forward)***
*****
***
There’s a plot twist about halfway, right around the time I thought this was going to turn into insta-love, so that was welcome. If you want morally grey, it’s here. Oh boy. I also appreciated the FMC acknowledging the MMCs part in the overall systematic oppression, and not just painting him out to be another victim.
My biggest complaint would probably be that most of evil-doing hit a little too close to home(no, I am not over the R*pe Academy, thank you for asking), though I cannot fault the book for that. Fantasy can be an escape. Fantasy can also be handling real world issues in a fantastical setting, making them easier to digest.
If you’re a fan of angst, taking down secret evil men societies, and just the right amount of ‘oh my god, no!’, this is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book feels like wandering through a cathedral built from bones, secrets, and grief—and honestly?? I was completely obsessed 👀🖤⚰️
Necromancy academy?
Forbidden magic?
Dead whispering the truth while the Church buries it??
Yeah… this book absolutely owned me from the start.
The atmosphere is INCREDIBLE. The Sacred Ossuarium feels haunting in the best possible way—candlelit halls, ancient rituals, buried corruption, and this constant feeling that something terrible is hiding beneath the surface.
And honestly??
The setting alone could’ve carried the book for me.
But then there’s Kira.
I loved her immediately.
She’s intelligent, determined, emotionally isolated, and trying so hard to carve out a place where she’s valued for her abilities instead of pitied. Watching her navigate this dangerous world as a deaf FMC added so much depth to the story and made her perspective feel incredibly immersive and unique.
And the way the dead communicate with her??
SO eerie and fascinating 👀⚰️
Then there’s the translator 👀🔥
Beautiful. Secretive. Untrustworthy in exactly the way that makes him impossible NOT to obsess over.
The tension between them builds so well because nothing about their connection feels safe. Every interaction feels layered with suspicion, attraction, danger, and secrets waiting to explode.
What really made this stand out though is how dark and morally complicated the world becomes the deeper Kira gets pulled into the conspiracy surrounding the Church and the Ossuarium.
The story constantly balances political corruption, horror elements, emotional vulnerability, and forbidden romance in a way that feels completely immersive.
✨ If you love:
• gothic dark academia
• necromancy and forbidden magic
• morally grey love interests
• eerie cathedral-like settings
• slow-burn tension wrapped in conspiracy and horror
This one is haunting, atmospheric, emotionally sharp, and impossible to stop thinking about 🖤⚰️
Necromancy academy?
Forbidden magic?
Dead whispering the truth while the Church buries it??
Yeah… this book absolutely owned me from the start.
The atmosphere is INCREDIBLE. The Sacred Ossuarium feels haunting in the best possible way—candlelit halls, ancient rituals, buried corruption, and this constant feeling that something terrible is hiding beneath the surface.
And honestly??
The setting alone could’ve carried the book for me.
But then there’s Kira.
I loved her immediately.
She’s intelligent, determined, emotionally isolated, and trying so hard to carve out a place where she’s valued for her abilities instead of pitied. Watching her navigate this dangerous world as a deaf FMC added so much depth to the story and made her perspective feel incredibly immersive and unique.
And the way the dead communicate with her??
SO eerie and fascinating 👀⚰️
Then there’s the translator 👀🔥
Beautiful. Secretive. Untrustworthy in exactly the way that makes him impossible NOT to obsess over.
The tension between them builds so well because nothing about their connection feels safe. Every interaction feels layered with suspicion, attraction, danger, and secrets waiting to explode.
What really made this stand out though is how dark and morally complicated the world becomes the deeper Kira gets pulled into the conspiracy surrounding the Church and the Ossuarium.
The story constantly balances political corruption, horror elements, emotional vulnerability, and forbidden romance in a way that feels completely immersive.
✨ If you love:
• gothic dark academia
• necromancy and forbidden magic
• morally grey love interests
• eerie cathedral-like settings
• slow-burn tension wrapped in conspiracy and horror
This one is haunting, atmospheric, emotionally sharp, and impossible to stop thinking about 🖤⚰️
June 3, 2026
First, a huge thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC of Profaned. My apologies for taking a little longer than expected to share this review—I've been caught up in the exciting (and exhausting!) process of buying a home and moving, but I'm so happy to finally talk about this beautifully dark read.
Profaned is the kind of gothic romantasy that wraps itself around you like creeping ivy and refuses to let go. From the very first pages, N.M. Peterson creates an atmosphere thick with mystery, longing, and haunting beauty. The setting feels almost like a character itself, filled with shadows, secrets, and an ever-present sense that something dangerous is lurking just beyond reach.
What I loved most was the balance between the gothic elements and the romance. The relationship at the heart of the story unfolds with delicious tension, emotional complexity, and just the right amount of darkness. The chemistry between the characters felt natural and compelling, making it easy to become invested in their journey. There were moments that were tender, moments that were heartbreaking, and moments that left me desperately turning pages to see what would happen next.
The prose is rich and immersive, perfectly capturing the eerie and melancholic tone of the story. I found myself completely swept away by the haunting imagery and atmospheric world-building. While there were a few sections where I would have loved a little more development or exploration, it never diminished my enjoyment of the overall experience.
If you're a fan of gothic castles, dark secrets, cursed love, atmospheric settings, and romances that bloom amidst the shadows, Profaned is definitely one to add to your TBR.
A hauntingly beautiful romantasy filled with mystery, emotion, and gothic charm. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this ARC and look forward to seeing what N.M. Peterson writes next. 🖤✨
Profaned is the kind of gothic romantasy that wraps itself around you like creeping ivy and refuses to let go. From the very first pages, N.M. Peterson creates an atmosphere thick with mystery, longing, and haunting beauty. The setting feels almost like a character itself, filled with shadows, secrets, and an ever-present sense that something dangerous is lurking just beyond reach.
What I loved most was the balance between the gothic elements and the romance. The relationship at the heart of the story unfolds with delicious tension, emotional complexity, and just the right amount of darkness. The chemistry between the characters felt natural and compelling, making it easy to become invested in their journey. There were moments that were tender, moments that were heartbreaking, and moments that left me desperately turning pages to see what would happen next.
The prose is rich and immersive, perfectly capturing the eerie and melancholic tone of the story. I found myself completely swept away by the haunting imagery and atmospheric world-building. While there were a few sections where I would have loved a little more development or exploration, it never diminished my enjoyment of the overall experience.
If you're a fan of gothic castles, dark secrets, cursed love, atmospheric settings, and romances that bloom amidst the shadows, Profaned is definitely one to add to your TBR.
A hauntingly beautiful romantasy filled with mystery, emotion, and gothic charm. I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this ARC and look forward to seeing what N.M. Peterson writes next. 🖤✨
May 1, 2026
This is a dark academia romantasy, I love the atmosphere that is set so much. There’s a secret society of powerful men that are nefarious.
The magic and the awesome FMC, Kira are fantastic. I love the representation of a main character who is deaf, it adds another great layer to her story.
She is steadfast and perseveres despite the obstacles. She has great wit and is so likable. Her friendship with Elja brought some entertaining moments.
This story has a strong “down with the patriarchy!” plot and it’s so timely and downright inspiring. I adore this part of the story so much. Going against the cabal of men is such a satisfying plot line.
I love the plot twist that isn’t typical, the storyline is incredibly interesting and kept me intrigued.
I struggled with the magical elements, I don’t know if it’s because I don’t read a lot of Romantasy, I felt I needed more information on that realm.
The romance with Vallen was a bit of enemies to lovers that, then developed into more quickly. I really fell for Kira, Vallen didn’t completely win me over. The tension between them was good as well as the steamy scenes.
The end gave me satisfaction, I did feel it was ended abruptly/fast considering the magnitude of the elements at play. It’s a great atmospheric story that evoked strong emotions. A few issues that if remedied would make it even better. Overall an enjoyable read and unique aspects that I appreciate.
The magic and the awesome FMC, Kira are fantastic. I love the representation of a main character who is deaf, it adds another great layer to her story.
She is steadfast and perseveres despite the obstacles. She has great wit and is so likable. Her friendship with Elja brought some entertaining moments.
This story has a strong “down with the patriarchy!” plot and it’s so timely and downright inspiring. I adore this part of the story so much. Going against the cabal of men is such a satisfying plot line.
I love the plot twist that isn’t typical, the storyline is incredibly interesting and kept me intrigued.
I struggled with the magical elements, I don’t know if it’s because I don’t read a lot of Romantasy, I felt I needed more information on that realm.
The romance with Vallen was a bit of enemies to lovers that, then developed into more quickly. I really fell for Kira, Vallen didn’t completely win me over. The tension between them was good as well as the steamy scenes.
The end gave me satisfaction, I did feel it was ended abruptly/fast considering the magnitude of the elements at play. It’s a great atmospheric story that evoked strong emotions. A few issues that if remedied would make it even better. Overall an enjoyable read and unique aspects that I appreciate.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Profaned by NM Peterson 6 ⭐
The book description is a LIE!
This book Is a manifesto about the ugliness of human kind. There are the frilly little things that might get you through the door, like dark academia, enemies to lovers, necromancy or disability representation. But what will keep you in is much more darker, rotten and egregious then that.
It's a book where power shows its ugly head and tries to break all that is good in the world. A book that holds a mirror to our society 700 - 800 years ago, and society today and shows us the exact same thing: greed, depravity, brutality, violence of every kind.
The book also gives us the story of 2 survivors, and their opportunity for retribution. The world created by Nicolet gives the characters the possibility to take the power back, and show the world that even the most powerful in the world can be taken down, broken and even killed. That the "small and inconsequential" can come back and bite you. That they are right to fear the fighters because even when you think you destroyed them, they still have fight left in them. Well, this is a book worth reading, and dare I say worth staying with it a while to get to the core of it.
For more favorite lines and a better looking review go to my insta review here:https://www.instagram.com/p/DYEc7eyCK...
Best line: “We’re quite the pair, he sent. Two dead things in love.”
#DarkAcademiaBooks
#GothicFiction
#Necromancy
#DarkFantasyBooks
#SocialCommentary
#HumanNature
#TragicRomance
#RevengeStory
#Retribution
#DystopianFiction
#PowerDynamics
The book description is a LIE!
This book Is a manifesto about the ugliness of human kind. There are the frilly little things that might get you through the door, like dark academia, enemies to lovers, necromancy or disability representation. But what will keep you in is much more darker, rotten and egregious then that.
It's a book where power shows its ugly head and tries to break all that is good in the world. A book that holds a mirror to our society 700 - 800 years ago, and society today and shows us the exact same thing: greed, depravity, brutality, violence of every kind.
The book also gives us the story of 2 survivors, and their opportunity for retribution. The world created by Nicolet gives the characters the possibility to take the power back, and show the world that even the most powerful in the world can be taken down, broken and even killed. That the "small and inconsequential" can come back and bite you. That they are right to fear the fighters because even when you think you destroyed them, they still have fight left in them. Well, this is a book worth reading, and dare I say worth staying with it a while to get to the core of it.
For more favorite lines and a better looking review go to my insta review here:https://www.instagram.com/p/DYEc7eyCK...
Best line: “We’re quite the pair, he sent. Two dead things in love.”
#DarkAcademiaBooks
#GothicFiction
#Necromancy
#DarkFantasyBooks
#SocialCommentary
#HumanNature
#TragicRomance
#RevengeStory
#Retribution
#DystopianFiction
#PowerDynamics
Review of advance copy received from Author
Profaned completely pulled me into its atmosphere. From the beginning, everything feels heavy, eerie, and quietly unsettling in a way that made it impossible for me to stop thinking about. The Sacred Ossuarium feels less like a school and more like a place slowly rotting underneath its polished surface, and that tension carries through the entire story.
Kira was such a strong main character for me. I loved that her deafness was part of her identity without defining her entirely, and her ability to communicate with the dead gave her character this loneliness and emotional depth that really stayed with me. She feels observant, resilient, and emotionally grounded even while everything around her becomes darker and more dangerous. Also, I adored her rabbit familiar.
But Vallen was the character who really broke my heart. There’s such a deep sadness woven into him from the start, and learning more about the life he’s endured made me feel for him.
What stood out most to me was how personal the darkness felt. The necromancy, religious corruption, forbidden magic, and cruelty within the world all feed directly into the emotional journeys of the characters rather than just existing for atmosphere. It made the story feel immersive in a way that stayed with me long after I finished reading.
Overall, this felt haunting, emotional, and deeply character-driven in the best way.
Kira was such a strong main character for me. I loved that her deafness was part of her identity without defining her entirely, and her ability to communicate with the dead gave her character this loneliness and emotional depth that really stayed with me. She feels observant, resilient, and emotionally grounded even while everything around her becomes darker and more dangerous. Also, I adored her rabbit familiar.
But Vallen was the character who really broke my heart. There’s such a deep sadness woven into him from the start, and learning more about the life he’s endured made me feel for him.
What stood out most to me was how personal the darkness felt. The necromancy, religious corruption, forbidden magic, and cruelty within the world all feed directly into the emotional journeys of the characters rather than just existing for atmosphere. It made the story feel immersive in a way that stayed with me long after I finished reading.
Overall, this felt haunting, emotional, and deeply character-driven in the best way.
May 28, 2026
Necromancy. Betrayal. Subversion.
Profaned by N.M. Peterson is an absolute masterclass in atmospheric dark fantasy, and it completely consumed my weekend. From the moment I stepped into the candlelit, bone-chilling halls of the Sacred Ossuarium alongside Kira, I was entirely captivated by the sheer depth of the world-building. What truly resonated with me, however, was Kira’s character. Representation in fantasy can sometimes feel tacked on, but Peterson weaves Kira’s deafness and her unique, silent communion with the dead into the very fabric of the magic system. It made her journey feel deeply personal and grounded, even as she navigated a gothic academy filled with scholarly rituals and ancient secrets.
The story truly shines as it strips away the academy's prestigious facade to reveal the rotting corruption of the Church underneath. The tension builds beautifully, trading predictable tropes for a genuinely unsettling conspiracy that kept me guessing at every turn. The complex, slow-burn dynamic between Kira and her frustratingly beautiful translator added a delicious layer of emotional stakes, culminating in a devastating twist that left me reeling. For anyone who loves their fantasy dark, morally gray, and steeped in rich lore, this book is an absolute must-read.
Profaned by N.M. Peterson is an absolute masterclass in atmospheric dark fantasy, and it completely consumed my weekend. From the moment I stepped into the candlelit, bone-chilling halls of the Sacred Ossuarium alongside Kira, I was entirely captivated by the sheer depth of the world-building. What truly resonated with me, however, was Kira’s character. Representation in fantasy can sometimes feel tacked on, but Peterson weaves Kira’s deafness and her unique, silent communion with the dead into the very fabric of the magic system. It made her journey feel deeply personal and grounded, even as she navigated a gothic academy filled with scholarly rituals and ancient secrets.
The story truly shines as it strips away the academy's prestigious facade to reveal the rotting corruption of the Church underneath. The tension builds beautifully, trading predictable tropes for a genuinely unsettling conspiracy that kept me guessing at every turn. The complex, slow-burn dynamic between Kira and her frustratingly beautiful translator added a delicious layer of emotional stakes, culminating in a devastating twist that left me reeling. For anyone who loves their fantasy dark, morally gray, and steeped in rich lore, this book is an absolute must-read.
June 6, 2026
I am not going to lie… I stopped at one point and stared, hand on mouth, at the book saying, “Did that just happen?!” I even read the page over two more times just in case, but oh yes it did happen, and the story continued too 😏. This book was a 5⭐️ read for me. This book was so good and will live in my brain for a while.
This gothic dark academia romantasy, is just that. The way she describes the world feels almost like a dark, gothic black and white world with very few and very purposeful flashes of color. There are some dark themes, so maybe, check out the warnings. I liked the magic system and the way she described the necromancy and death magic.
I loved the FMC Kira, she was strong and determined despite what she had stacked against her. Vallen, the MMC, was dark and broody. The banter was good, and despite things I cannot name, I liked him!! I’d put him on my list of book boyfriends. The other characters were also well done and I loved Esther, Kira’s bunny familiar!!
Definitely add this one to your TBR, I was only half way through and I ordered a signed copy from the author 🤭.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ Yes
Releases: May 12, 2026
Recommend to my Book Bestie: Yes!
ARC Review - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This gothic dark academia romantasy, is just that. The way she describes the world feels almost like a dark, gothic black and white world with very few and very purposeful flashes of color. There are some dark themes, so maybe, check out the warnings. I liked the magic system and the way she described the necromancy and death magic.
I loved the FMC Kira, she was strong and determined despite what she had stacked against her. Vallen, the MMC, was dark and broody. The banter was good, and despite things I cannot name, I liked him!! I’d put him on my list of book boyfriends. The other characters were also well done and I loved Esther, Kira’s bunny familiar!!
Definitely add this one to your TBR, I was only half way through and I ordered a signed copy from the author 🤭.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ Yes
Releases: May 12, 2026
Recommend to my Book Bestie: Yes!
ARC Review - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and NM Peterson for the ARC.
Plot 4.25/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 4.25/5
Interest 4.25/5
Overall 4/5
-At first, I wasn’t really sure which route this story was going to take. From an academia setting, to the story of a romance, a deaf student entering the premises. There were so many potential paths but it took a whole different turn that I hadn’t expected. I knew there were dodgy things going on behind the scenes within the rich sector but I didn’t realise how dodgy. This book is very much divided into four parts and each part was well exploited.
-The characters were great. Kira was very interesting, she’s the silent but highly capable and intelligent character who kind of falls in with the wrong people. Those specific people are also interesting, though I find that Caspian was sort of brushed off once Vellan was fully integrated into Kira’s life. The romance did feel a little rushed but it was alright.
-I enjoyed the ending, it was very sell suited to this story. It was dark and beautiful. I enjoyed how things really took a turn for our main characters but all for the best in the end.
Plot 4.25/5
Characters 4/5
Ending 4.25/5
Interest 4.25/5
Overall 4/5
-At first, I wasn’t really sure which route this story was going to take. From an academia setting, to the story of a romance, a deaf student entering the premises. There were so many potential paths but it took a whole different turn that I hadn’t expected. I knew there were dodgy things going on behind the scenes within the rich sector but I didn’t realise how dodgy. This book is very much divided into four parts and each part was well exploited.
-The characters were great. Kira was very interesting, she’s the silent but highly capable and intelligent character who kind of falls in with the wrong people. Those specific people are also interesting, though I find that Caspian was sort of brushed off once Vellan was fully integrated into Kira’s life. The romance did feel a little rushed but it was alright.
-I enjoyed the ending, it was very sell suited to this story. It was dark and beautiful. I enjoyed how things really took a turn for our main characters but all for the best in the end.
May 31, 2026
Please, be sure to read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. This is a gothic romantasy and has very dark themes.
Normally, when I read a book with dark themes, I am like alright thanks for warning, and my feelings are fine. But this book...I was just in shock and perplexed while reading. How a group of 'religious' men can be so disgusting and hurt those innocent women. There are certain scenes where I needed to put my book down to just breathe and process everything that has happened so far.
I am just so glad that the FMC has good people in her inner circle. People who will fight for her, who will support her, who care about her. And, that tension, the angst between the main characters, especially in the beginning when they kept their distance from each other but felt that pull, was so good! I love a good slow-burn and, when the MMC has the 'touch her and die' vibes. Amazing!
The pacing was a bit uneven, mostly in the middle of the book, but the last 50 pages was so action-packed and thrilling. I really liked the ending of this story.
Thank you for the eARC, Netgalley!
Release date: May 26th
Normally, when I read a book with dark themes, I am like alright thanks for warning, and my feelings are fine. But this book...I was just in shock and perplexed while reading. How a group of 'religious' men can be so disgusting and hurt those innocent women. There are certain scenes where I needed to put my book down to just breathe and process everything that has happened so far.
I am just so glad that the FMC has good people in her inner circle. People who will fight for her, who will support her, who care about her. And, that tension, the angst between the main characters, especially in the beginning when they kept their distance from each other but felt that pull, was so good! I love a good slow-burn and, when the MMC has the 'touch her and die' vibes. Amazing!
The pacing was a bit uneven, mostly in the middle of the book, but the last 50 pages was so action-packed and thrilling. I really liked the ending of this story.
Thank you for the eARC, Netgalley!
Release date: May 26th
May 4, 2026
My Rating System
—
1 ⭐️ Gave it a chance, but DNF
2 ⭐️ Trudged through it, wouldn’t recommend.
3 ⭐️ Solid read. Wouldn’t quite recommend it *highly*, but maybe for the niche/genre it fits in (romantasy, fantasy, horror, horrantasy, etc). Had a few “issue” with it whether it was plot, characters, writing style…
4 ⭐️ Would recommend. Little to no issues.
5 ⭐️ Yes. Read it. Simple as that.
6 ⭐️ This is my personality now. I cried. I hated characters. Everything is perfect.
The concept of this book was absolutely incredible. I LOVE necromancy and gothic themes so this seemed like an absolute win for me, however, there were things *for me* that just didn’t do it.
1. I feel it was quite predictable.
-a) I knew immediately, prior to reading who the love interest would be
-b) I knew there was going to be a major betrayal
-c) of course she was the “chosen one”
-d) the MMC knew the FMC was the chosen one
-e) yes, I knew that it wasn’t a real friendship…
2. The magic was starting to be explained in the proper settings, but then 💩 hit the fan and the academic setting was abandoned for them to progress in the plot and I have no real idea how the magic works
3. I have no idea, what happened when they both died. They went to another plane of existence and were completely coherent - except for the MMC turning into a grotesque monster?! and then they were able to overthrow the previous religious hierarchy? I was beyond lost from the moment the deaths happened - until the end, unfortunately.
4. Unfortunately, the love did not break me - the relationship b/t the FMC and MMC annoyed me and was predictable.
This oddly felt like, something inspired by the Epstein files (ped0ph1lia is present and on page with ideations), stereotypical religious themes regarding predatory behavior, and extreme feminine rage.
However, minus the trope that the “love will break you,” the tropes of this book are spot on. If you love extreme feminine rage, gothic-y atmosphere, a dash of academia setting, necromancy, shady/grey MMCs, corrupt religious ideas, chosen one and rebellious characters — this is a read for you!
—
1 ⭐️ Gave it a chance, but DNF
2 ⭐️ Trudged through it, wouldn’t recommend.
3 ⭐️ Solid read. Wouldn’t quite recommend it *highly*, but maybe for the niche/genre it fits in (romantasy, fantasy, horror, horrantasy, etc). Had a few “issue” with it whether it was plot, characters, writing style…
4 ⭐️ Would recommend. Little to no issues.
5 ⭐️ Yes. Read it. Simple as that.
6 ⭐️ This is my personality now. I cried. I hated characters. Everything is perfect.
The concept of this book was absolutely incredible. I LOVE necromancy and gothic themes so this seemed like an absolute win for me, however, there were things *for me* that just didn’t do it.
1. I feel it was quite predictable.
-a) I knew immediately, prior to reading who the love interest would be
-b) I knew there was going to be a major betrayal
-c) of course she was the “chosen one”
-d) the MMC knew the FMC was the chosen one
-e) yes, I knew that it wasn’t a real friendship…
2. The magic was starting to be explained in the proper settings, but then 💩 hit the fan and the academic setting was abandoned for them to progress in the plot and I have no real idea how the magic works
3. I have no idea, what happened when they both died. They went to another plane of existence and were completely coherent - except for the MMC turning into a grotesque monster?! and then they were able to overthrow the previous religious hierarchy? I was beyond lost from the moment the deaths happened - until the end, unfortunately.
4. Unfortunately, the love did not break me - the relationship b/t the FMC and MMC annoyed me and was predictable.
This oddly felt like, something inspired by the Epstein files (ped0ph1lia is present and on page with ideations), stereotypical religious themes regarding predatory behavior, and extreme feminine rage.
However, minus the trope that the “love will break you,” the tropes of this book are spot on. If you love extreme feminine rage, gothic-y atmosphere, a dash of academia setting, necromancy, shady/grey MMCs, corrupt religious ideas, chosen one and rebellious characters — this is a read for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
This book is in two parts. It sets the scene and does a good job of world building and helping us to understand how the FMC is in the predicament that she is in. We learn a lot about the history of the place she is in, though we speed through why she is important to the storyline. The second part runs fast and the details are less extensive as the first part. It almost feels like the author ran out of steam to explain everything that was built in the first half. Reading this left me with two questions. How are they able to reach their goals with people who are supposed to be so powerful and these people don't even put up a fight? Is the end actually the end or is this a cliffhanger? The end is tidy while being untidy.
Even with the plot issues, the book was very interesting to read and kept me reading to the end. The author had disability representation with the FMC. She had a strong character arc but one of the male characters disappeared and the other betrayed her.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Even with the plot issues, the book was very interesting to read and kept me reading to the end. The author had disability representation with the FMC. She had a strong character arc but one of the male characters disappeared and the other betrayed her.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨Review of advanced copy - Thank you to NetGalley and Author for the opportunity✨
Profaned has all the makings of a great dark fantasy romance and at its core it has great bones. It was very atmospheric and an easy read - I read it in 2 sittings! I was interested to see how the story played out. I liked the FMC, I thought she was resilient and interesting. This is a pretty heavy story but I think it dealt with the topics well and brought interesting aspects to the genre.
I just wish this book was a little longer, so that the magic system could be more fleshed out and the love interest could be a bit more believable. This made the book feel a bit more clunky to me, as I always felt a bit like I was lacking some information. As for the love interest it felt like it went from dislike to love immediately without a lot of buildup so I struggled to believe their relationship.
I think it’s worth a read if you enjoy dark academia, dismantling patriarchal systems and strong/interesting FMCs.
Profaned has all the makings of a great dark fantasy romance and at its core it has great bones. It was very atmospheric and an easy read - I read it in 2 sittings! I was interested to see how the story played out. I liked the FMC, I thought she was resilient and interesting. This is a pretty heavy story but I think it dealt with the topics well and brought interesting aspects to the genre.
I just wish this book was a little longer, so that the magic system could be more fleshed out and the love interest could be a bit more believable. This made the book feel a bit more clunky to me, as I always felt a bit like I was lacking some information. As for the love interest it felt like it went from dislike to love immediately without a lot of buildup so I struggled to believe their relationship.
I think it’s worth a read if you enjoy dark academia, dismantling patriarchal systems and strong/interesting FMCs.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Actual review 3.75⭐️
This book started off a little slow for me, but once it took a dark turn, I was completely hooked.
Kira is accepted into the Sacred Ossuarium, believing she’ll finally learn to control her magic before returning home, but things quickly feel off. Enter Vallen, the Elder’s nephew: charming, mysterious, and impossible to ignore.
As secrets begin to unravel, the school reveals a much darker truth. I loved the tension between Kira and Vallen, how do you reconcile falling for someone you’re not sure you can trust?
The secret society known as the Ashes adds another chilling layer, pushing the story into unsettling territory. The deeper the story went, the harder it was to put down. I was gripping my Kindle and holding my breath through the twists.
A slow start, but absolutely worth it for the dark, twisty ride.
This book started off a little slow for me, but once it took a dark turn, I was completely hooked.
Kira is accepted into the Sacred Ossuarium, believing she’ll finally learn to control her magic before returning home, but things quickly feel off. Enter Vallen, the Elder’s nephew: charming, mysterious, and impossible to ignore.
As secrets begin to unravel, the school reveals a much darker truth. I loved the tension between Kira and Vallen, how do you reconcile falling for someone you’re not sure you can trust?
The secret society known as the Ashes adds another chilling layer, pushing the story into unsettling territory. The deeper the story went, the harder it was to put down. I was gripping my Kindle and holding my breath through the twists.
A slow start, but absolutely worth it for the dark, twisty ride.
June 3, 2026
A dark story with some difficult themes, nothing is explicitly detailed and all happens off page, but still there are heavy parts to this book! However, I did still enjoy it. It was so refreshing to see a deaf FMC who absolutely did not let that hold her back, and close ones willing to learn sign. Although I need to know how they learned so quickly because I have been struggling for years !
There's a lot that happens in this book, and as much as I love a book that doesn't need to be a full series, I feel a duology would've been better. Which is my only reason for drop in star ! Some parts felt rushed and I was confused at times at what was going on.
However, I still enjoyed this book and will be reading anything more the author writes !
There's a lot that happens in this book, and as much as I love a book that doesn't need to be a full series, I feel a duology would've been better. Which is my only reason for drop in star ! Some parts felt rushed and I was confused at times at what was going on.
However, I still enjoyed this book and will be reading anything more the author writes !
Review of advance copy received from Author
I rate this book a solid 3.75, but since there are no partial ratings, I’m rounding up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I finished this book in two days! I literally could not put it down. Certainly worth the read! You will be engaged from beginning to end! Kira is deaf and it is nice to see inclusion within books! Kira is also a badass!!! Vallen is intense. So intense that I was cracking up laughing in the beginning of the book (Part 1) picturing his actions in my head!! I did feel like part 2, was a bit rushed, and I would have liked to see more of the relationship development between Kira and Vallen, and magical development for Kira. Overall great read, I recommend!!
June 4, 2026
This one surprised me in the best way. I came for the dark academia vibes and necromancy, but stayed for the mystery, gothic atmosphere, and complicated enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
The world unfolds naturally without overwhelming you with endless explanations, and the writing has a beautifully haunting quality that fit the story perfectly. The romance kept me guessing, the tension was strong, and I never quite knew who I could trust.
If you love dark fantasy, morally questionable characters, creepy secrets, and a romance that makes you work for it, Profaned is worth adding to your TBR.
The world unfolds naturally without overwhelming you with endless explanations, and the writing has a beautifully haunting quality that fit the story perfectly. The romance kept me guessing, the tension was strong, and I never quite knew who I could trust.
If you love dark fantasy, morally questionable characters, creepy secrets, and a romance that makes you work for it, Profaned is worth adding to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just have to say, that I loved the scenes between the FMC and the MMC. I enjoyed the tension and following the twists and turns and every time they would end up together I’d be holding my breath to see what happens between them. The plot line was great and I can’t wait for Book 2 to see more of this world in detail and see what happens with the characters.
I loved the atmosphere and learning the secrets along with the FMC. Loved the disability rep and I thought the intimate scenes were so well written - and that is rare if you ask me.
Also note: The trigger warnings are really important to consider as some of the scenes were really graphic so they are not flimsy warnings that have been rattled off for shock factor; they are serious warnings.
I loved the atmosphere and learning the secrets along with the FMC. Loved the disability rep and I thought the intimate scenes were so well written - and that is rare if you ask me.
Also note: The trigger warnings are really important to consider as some of the scenes were really graphic so they are not flimsy warnings that have been rattled off for shock factor; they are serious warnings.
May 28, 2026
I don't think I've ever read another dark academia, but the necromancy and magic make this a unique read. The FMC is deaf and uses sign language, but this doesn't hurt the book in my opinion. I really enjoyed reading this book because I've not read anything like it before. The author was nice and gave us a warning: "a love that will break you and love that heals." There are true dark elements in this book; please make sure you read the trigger warnings. I don't know how to describe the darkness in this book except that it is different.
Review of advance copy
Profaned is dark academia with a hint of "touch her and die" vibes. I'll be honest, I didn't fully connect to the characters, however, I loved the disability representation and the FMC had a really strong character arc. I think this will be a really strong read for people who gravitate to this story setting (I thought I did but I think I was wrong). Also, the spicy scenes are very well done.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Definitely dark - check triggers before reading.
I loved this dark academia-style story - the Wednesday vibes were great. I did want a bit more chemistry between Kira and Vallen to help make sense of the redemption arc - the romance seemed a bit separate from the remainder of the story. The magic system was unique but could have been fleshed out a bit more as well.
I loved this dark academia-style story - the Wednesday vibes were great. I did want a bit more chemistry between Kira and Vallen to help make sense of the redemption arc - the romance seemed a bit separate from the remainder of the story. The magic system was unique but could have been fleshed out a bit more as well.
June 26, 2026
Profaned was dark, addictive, and impossible to put down. The atmosphere was intense, the characters were complex, and every chapter left me needing to know what happened next. The emotional tension and twists kept me fully invested from beginning to end. If you enjoy darker romance with morally gray characters and high emotional stakes, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
May 4, 2026
3.5 stars This book started off leaving me intrigued. The overall background of what was going on was very interesting but also infuriating which made for an entertaining time. Although there were some parts that felt slow and didn’t keep me engaged, overall I enjoyed this one.
May 26, 2026
This book was dark and amazing! While I got to read a few different versions the story that was the final version was truly amazing with the story flowing, the emotions and just everything. I absolutely loved this book and it’s one you will wanna read and not put down!
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