Dark Academia (380 books)

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Novels set primarily in an institution of learning whose sinister atmosphere gives readers a sense of unease. The school must play a prominent role for these to be "dark academia." Ominous plot occurrences are connected in some way to the lessons, the building, the teachers, or, ideally, all three. The school itself is a character.

Please do not add books to this list that don't fit this description well. "Dark academia" does not refer to sinister or gothic novels that merely have teachers or school-age characters. "Dark academia" does not refer to gothic or dark books you had to read for school. For guidance, keep in mind Donna Tartt's The Secret History, a benchmark book in this category.

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1	The Secret History by Donna Tartt 4.14 avg rating — 1,121,164 ratings score: 71,161, and 716 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 441,615 ratings score: 47,999, and 486 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Ninth House (Ninth House Trilogy, #1) by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 422,268 ratings score: 27,042, and 277 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Babel by R.F. Kuang (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 541,153 ratings score: 19,332, and 198 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 410,965 ratings score: 14,071, and 144 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Bunny (Bunny, #1) by Mona Awad (Goodreads Author) 3.44 avg rating — 370,000 ratings score: 12,404, and 129 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Atlas Six (The Atlas, #1) by Olivie Blake (Goodreads Author) 3.53 avg rating — 289,156 ratings score: 10,868, and 115 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1) by Naomi Novik (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 232,188 ratings score: 9,834, and 103 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 4.20 avg rating — 573,939 ratings score: 8,773, and 92 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 29,834 ratings score: 7,961, and 83 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Truly, Devious (Truly Devious, #1) by Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 189,953 ratings score: 7,842, and 82 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1) by Ransom Riggs 3.92 avg rating — 1,380,301 ratings score: 7,064, and 74 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	A Discovery of Witches (All Souls, #1) by Deborah Harkness (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 570,228 ratings score: 5,604, and 59 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 242,687 ratings score: 5,584, and 60 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova 3.80 avg rating — 281,161 ratings score: 5,222, and 55 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 911,866 ratings score: 5,074, and 53 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 104,254 ratings score: 4,788, and 51 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Vita Nostra (Vita Nostra, #1) by Marina Dyachenko really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 24,530 ratings score: 4,328, and 47 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee (Goodreads Author) 3.51 avg rating — 24,527 ratings score: 3,995, and 43 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Maidens by Alex Michaelides (Goodreads Author) 3.61 avg rating — 467,525 ratings score: 3,917, and 42 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Magicians (The Magicians, #1) by Lev Grossman (Goodreads Author) 3.53 avg rating — 282,644 ratings score: 3,838, and 41 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas (Goodreads Author) 3.11 avg rating — 29,785 ratings score: 3,707, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1) by V.E. Schwab 4.03 avg rating — 446,187 ratings score: 3,662, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis 4.18 avg rating — 142,706 ratings score: 2,832, and 31 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu 3.86 avg rating — 227,083 ratings score: 2,770, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	A Study in Drowning (A Study in Drowning, #1) by Ava Reid (Goodreads Author) 3.68 avg rating — 112,201 ratings score: 2,757, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Possession by A.S. Byatt 3.90 avg rating — 86,529 ratings score: 2,514, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights, #1) by Chloe Gong (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 173,563 ratings score: 2,253, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Maurice by E.M. Forster 4.08 avg rating — 61,925 ratings score: 2,208, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian (Goodreads Author) 3.61 avg rating — 39,830 ratings score: 2,142, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	They Never Learn by Layne Fargo (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 88,264 ratings score: 2,070, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (Goodreads Author) 3.63 avg rating — 29,819 ratings score: 1,954, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	One of Us Is Lying (One of Us is Lying, #1) by Karen M. McManus (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 1,110,661 ratings score: 1,807, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 202,622 ratings score: 1,806, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami 3.98 avg rating — 770,974 ratings score: 1,745, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 137,931 ratings score: 1,710, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 19,625 ratings score: 1,689, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Hell Bent (Ninth House Trilogy, #2) by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 193,001 ratings score: 1,665, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Legendborn (The Legendborn Cycle, #1) by Tracy Deonn (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 203,207 ratings score: 1,564, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum 4.17 avg rating — 166,657 ratings score: 1,525, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 180,558 ratings score: 1,490, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Wilder Girls by Rory Power (Goodreads Author) 3.44 avg rating — 103,186 ratings score: 1,488, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson 3.76 avg rating — 13,305 ratings score: 1,467, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The Atlas Paradox (The Atlas, #2) by Olivie Blake (Goodreads Author) 3.49 avg rating — 85,878 ratings score: 1,417, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates (Goodreads Author) 3.20 avg rating — 12,523 ratings score: 1,401, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1) by James Islington (Goodreads Author) 4.56 avg rating — 285,172 ratings score: 1,369, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	The Ivies by Alexa Donne (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 20,120 ratings score: 1,355, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3) by V.E. Schwab 4.29 avg rating — 202,347 ratings score: 1,334, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	People Like Us by Dana Mele (Goodreads Author) 3.51 avg rating — 19,968 ratings score: 1,290, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Don't Let the Forest In (Don't Let The Forest In, #1) by C.G. Drews (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 66,815 ratings score: 1,230, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Vicious (Villains, #1) by V.E. Schwab 4.17 avg rating — 343,706 ratings score: 1,135, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	How We Fall Apart (How We Fall Apart, #1) by Katie Zhao (Goodreads Author) 3.31 avg rating — 6,674 ratings score: 1,130, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1) by Victoria Schwab (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 78,772 ratings score: 1,095, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2) by V.E. Schwab 4.18 avg rating — 244,010 ratings score: 1,054, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Waking the Moon by Elizabeth Hand 3.79 avg rating — 2,510 ratings score: 1,025, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 7,096 ratings score: 1,024, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Have You Seen Me? by Alexandrea Weis (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 195 ratings score: 1,000, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, #12) by Dorothy L. Sayers 4.19 avg rating — 33,053 ratings score: 944, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Death in the Spires by K.J. Charles (Goodreads Author) 4.17 avg rating — 5,913 ratings score: 906, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	The Cloisters by Katy Hays (Goodreads Author) 3.39 avg rating — 75,261 ratings score: 900, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson (Goodreads Author) 3.47 avg rating — 25,305 ratings score: 899, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Lessons by Naomi Alderman (Goodreads Author) 3.60 avg rating — 3,045 ratings score: 891, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	The Bellwether Revivals by Benjamin Wood (Goodreads Author) 3.63 avg rating — 4,213 ratings score: 889, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Nightshade (Sorrowsong University, #1) by Autumn Woods (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 83,961 ratings score: 888, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Anatomy: A Love Story (The Anatomy Duology, #1) by Dana Schwartz (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 114,420 ratings score: 870, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle, #1) by Libba Bray (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 226,329 ratings score: 861, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce, #7) by Alan Bradley (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 29,966 ratings score: 857, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 51,044 ratings score: 853, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	The Lying Game by Ruth Ware (Goodreads Author) 3.52 avg rating — 222,493 ratings score: 843, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine 3.96 avg rating — 32,635 ratings score: 801, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (Goodreads Author) 3.61 avg rating — 36,263 ratings score: 786, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	Picnic at Hanging Rock (Hanging Rock, #1) by Joan Lindsay 3.66 avg rating — 33,962 ratings score: 774, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 15,646 ratings score: 767, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	Our Violent Ends (These Violent Delights, #2) by Chloe Gong (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 78,988 ratings score: 767, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	The Basic Eight by Daniel Handler (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 7,384 ratings score: 766, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 42,836 ratings score: 751, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
77	The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell 3.29 avg rating — 38,977 ratings score: 730, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
78	Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 8,717 ratings score: 727, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
79	The Golden Enclaves (The Scholomance, #3) by Naomi Novik (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 109,202 ratings score: 715, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
80	We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 1,481,203 ratings score: 714, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
81	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling 4.47 avg rating — 11,797,116 ratings score: 696, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	The Last Graduate (The Scholomance, #2) by Naomi Novik (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 138,547 ratings score: 683, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
83	The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap 3.89 avg rating — 10,313 ratings score: 657, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games, #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 1,153,131 ratings score: 638, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	S.T.A.G.S (S.T.A.G.S, #1) by M.A. Bennett 3.54 avg rating — 11,898 ratings score: 633, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 512,218 ratings score: 611, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
87	Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 24,170 ratings score: 608, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
88	King Street Run by V.R. Ling 4.41 avg rating — 17 ratings score: 600, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
89	The Betrayals by Bridget Collins (Goodreads Author) 3.46 avg rating — 14,482 ratings score: 590, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	The Swallows by Lisa Lutz (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 9,498 ratings score: 586, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
91	The Truants by Kate Weinberg (Goodreads Author) 3.33 avg rating — 11,240 ratings score: 584, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino (Goodreads Author) 3.58 avg rating — 4,965 ratings score: 578, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
93	The Rebels by Sándor Márai 3.46 avg rating — 1,358 ratings score: 567, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	Gothikana (The Verenmore Volumes) by RuNyx (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 129,174 ratings score: 562, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1) by Seanan McGuire (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 32,673 ratings score: 555, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology by Marie O'Regan (Editor) 3.34 avg rating — 3,799 ratings score: 555, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd 3.62 avg rating — 83,102 ratings score: 542, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
98	The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling (Goodreads Author) 3.23 avg rating — 24,660 ratings score: 538, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1) by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 889,370 ratings score: 529, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
100	A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft (Goodreads Author) 3.48 avg rating — 20,290 ratings score: 520, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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380 books · 1,509 voters · list created October 15th, 2018 by Ա․.

Tags: academia, aesthetic, college, dark-academia, foreboding, ominous, school, sinister

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message 1: by Tenisha (new)

Jan 31, 2019 10:57AM

Just wondering why vicious is listed here? Did I miss something in my reading of it?? I must know!

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message 2: by Lia (new)

Apr 22, 2019 12:59PM

Tenisha wrote: "Just wondering why vicious is listed here? Did I miss something in my reading of it?? I must know!"

It's set only partly in an academic setting but it does fit many of the themes of dark academia: strong friendships, death/murder, characters who are driven by their passions, resulting in tragedies. So while it strictly probably shouldn't be considered a dark academia book, it does really fit well with the genre.

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message 3: by Ag (new)

May 18, 2020 02:19PM

Ninth house, Secret history and Frankenstein ar all listed twice

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message 4: by Corbin (last edited May 29, 2020 09:38AM) (new)

May 29, 2020 09:37AM

"The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier seems like a glaring omission here assuming I'm not misunderstanding this latest literary/aesthetic trend.

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message 5: by roma (new)

Aug 02, 2020 12:37PM

why is the foxhole court listed? It's dark and set in college yes, but there is no academia

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message 6: by unicorn_is_reading (new)

Aug 14, 2020 02:29AM

Tenisha wrote: "Just wondering why vicious is listed here? Did I miss something in my reading of it?? I must know!"

I think that it is just about kind of Victors fascination with pain.

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message 7: by Kai (new)

Sep 05, 2020 12:31PM

what is the base of dark academia genre??

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message 8: by Rosa (new)

Feb 05, 2021 05:40PM

Yeah, a description would be nice.

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message 9: by Claire (new)

Feb 08, 2021 04:44AM

Kai wrote: "what is the base of dark academia genre??"

This genre can be defined broadly, but generally speaking the books have an academic setting and feature characters exploring darker urges, navigating crimes or dark secrets, or exploring dark speculative elements.

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message 10: by Ana (new)

Aug 12, 2021 10:05PM

wow, midnight sun on the list, oh my god stop messing up the dark academy lists

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message 11: by Merry (new)

Sep 04, 2021 06:27AM

You folks do realize that not every Gothic novel is 'dark academia' just because it contains gothic elements, right? Half of the classics on this list don't even feature a school.

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message 12: by Daisy (new)

Nov 02, 2021 09:55AM

Merry wrote: "You folks do realize that not every Gothic novel is 'dark academia' just because it contains gothic elements, right? Half of the classics on this list don't even feature a school."

Most of them fit the aesthetic for the most part though. They defiantly have dark academia vibes

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message 13: by Vince (new)

Nov 18, 2021 07:51AM

Daisy wrote: "Most of them fit the aesthetic for the most part though. They defiantly have dark academia vibes"

Yeah, but then we just end up with a generic list of classics.

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message 14: by Rosa (last edited Nov 18, 2021 03:16PM) (new)

Nov 18, 2021 03:16PM

Vince wrote: "Daisy wrote: "Most of them fit the aesthetic for the most part though. They defiantly have dark academia vibes"

Yeah, but then we just end up with a generic list of classics."

Yeah. And you misspelled "definitely", Daisy.

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message 15: by Daisy (new)

Nov 18, 2021 05:37PM

👌

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message 16: by Emily (new)

Mar 23, 2022 08:29AM

Got to add The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz.

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message 17: by Jack (new)

Jun 16, 2022 04:04PM

Merry wrote: "You folks do realize that not every Gothic novel is 'dark academia' just because it contains gothic elements, right? Half of the classics on this list don't even feature a school."

Dark Academia novels don't need to include a school. The reading of those novels can in itself be the vibe.

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message 18: by Megan (new)

Sep 02, 2022 08:05AM

SIX OF CROWS?! wtf lmao

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message 19: by john (last edited Oct 17, 2022 04:16PM) (new)

Oct 17, 2022 04:11PM

I'm confused -- very confused -- by this list. Many of the books listed -- perhaps a majority -- don't have anything to do with academia.

Where are the universities, colleges, or schools in "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey?" In "The Great Gatsby?" -- sure, there's about a page or less, if my memory serves me well, about Gatsby's days at Oxford, but that hardly makes it a novel with an academic setting.

Etc., etc., etc., etc., etc. . . .

I also don't understand the comments that say "the aesthetic" makes many of the books on the list literature about "academia." Ladies and gentlemen, most literature is concerned with the aesthetic, in that the author is an artist in the medium of literature.

Just because you were assigned to read the book in school does not make the book literature of academia.

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message 20: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Oct 17, 2022 09:42PM) (new)

Oct 17, 2022 09:41PM

@johnc
I guess it depends upon the term 'dark academia' ..... (I studied The Great Gatsby in university)

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message 21: by Madly Jane (new)

Nov 20, 2022 03:47PM

Six of Crows is DEFINITELY NOT a dark academia book. NOT at ALL.

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message 22: by Ivy (new)

Jun 30, 2023 05:57AM

It's funny to see everyone in the comments debating over what books belong on this list but no one cared to mention that book #37 is 'The Haunted School (Goosebumps, #59)' 🤣

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message 23: by Daisy (new)

Jun 30, 2023 08:07AM

Ivy wrote: "It's funny to see everyone in the comments debating over what books belong on this list but no one cared to mention that book #37 is 'The Haunted School (Goosebumps, #59)' 🤣"

LOLLL

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message 24: by Grack21 (new)

Sep 21, 2023 08:35PM

How is The Odyssey on here? How....what?

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message 25: by Grack21 (new)

Sep 21, 2023 08:37PM

Ivy wrote: "It's funny to see everyone in the comments debating over what books belong on this list but no one cared to mention that book #37 is 'The Haunted School (Goosebumps, #59)' 🤣"

Honestly it fits the list more than some of the others. This list makes me feel insane.

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message 26: by Sasha Eden (new)

Nov 13, 2023 06:06PM

Literally half of these books are not even close to dark academia??

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message 27: by Mir (new)

Nov 17, 2023 01:52AM

Grack21 wrote: "Ivy wrote: "It's funny to see everyone in the comments debating over what books belong on this list but no one cared to mention that book #37 is 'The Haunted School (Goosebumps, #59)' 🤣"

Honestly it fits the list more than some of the others. This list makes me feel insane."

Right?! Some people are talking about dark academia on twitter rn (there's a giveaway for Wilted Pages: An Anthology of Dark Academia) and people have to say their favorite. Half the votes are "some movie set in high school with hot actors."

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message 28: by john (new)

Nov 22, 2023 05:19PM

Would Shirley Jackson's novel "Hangsaman" qualify as "dark academia?"

It is set in a small women's college, and traces the progress of a young woman as she loses her mind.

I don't think that the college is described as a dangerous place. If there is anything strange about it, it is that the college on the surface seems so ordinary.

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message 29: by [deleted user] (new)

Sep 23, 2024 09:33PM

Merry wrote: "You folks do realize that not every Gothic novel is 'dark academia' just because it contains gothic elements, right? Half of the classics on this list don't even feature a school."

~~~~~~~

I agree! This is ridiculous. Why is Rebeccahere? she was a companion before she married Max.

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message 30: by Janet (new)

Dec 01, 2024 10:27AM

I was hoping to find a list on exactly the topic--this one fails miserably. As a librarian, I have a strong temptation to delete about half of the titles, but will let that fall to the list owner, who I would encourage to do some strong editing!

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message 31: by Eva (new)

Dec 23, 2024 10:17AM

By this definition, Ender’s Game is dark academia too.

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message 32: by Joy (new)

Jan 01, 2025 12:50PM

I understand the comments about aesthetics, but some books on this list don't fit because they aren't about the world of Academia. The setting is in the name. It's about the power imbalance between teachers/professors and their students. It's also about the student's newly found freedom, paired with a lack of real-world understanding of responsibility. Otherwise, you can just throw in any old dark, dank, creepy book where everyone wears wool in muted colors.

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message 33: by Mariam (new)

Oct 30, 2025 10:18AM

Carmilla? The web-series sure, it was sort of dark academia. But the original Carmilla novel?

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message 34: by Mariam (new)

Oct 30, 2025 10:21AM

Most of these books don't actually fit. They are either not "dark" or not "academia".

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message 35: by Caroline (new)

Oct 30, 2025 10:38AM

Thanks for your input, Mariam. I agree. I don't think most readers understand what "dark academia" means. I've cleaned up the list in the past but don't have time to keep up with it. I'll delete Carmilla in a few minutes. Let me know if any others you see don't fit the definition in the Listopia description at the top. Thanks.

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