Dark Academia (363 books)

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.

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	The Secret History by Donna Tartt 4.15 avg rating — 1,018,939 ratings score: 68,976, and 694 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) 4.09 avg rating — 407,415 ratings score: 47,241, and 478 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 (Alex Stern, #1) by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 398,927 ratings score: 26,502, and 271 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) 4.15 avg rating — 462,725 ratings score: 18,552, and 190 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 — 401,533 ratings score: 13,391, and 137 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) 3.46 avg rating — 323,451 ratings score: 11,825, and 122 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) 3.55 avg rating — 276,020 ratings score: 10,524, and 111 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 — 220,419 ratings score: 9,293, and 97 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 4.21 avg rating — 460,026 ratings score: 8,123, and 85 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) 3.92 avg rating — 27,484 ratings score: 7,886, 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
11	Truly, Devious (Truly Devious, #1) by Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 180,570 ratings score: 7,704, and 80 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 — 1,354,753 ratings score: 6,579, and 69 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	The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab 4.17 avg rating — 1,488,484 ratings score: 5,239, and 56 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 — 233,538 ratings score: 5,219, and 56 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	A Discovery of Witches (All Souls, #1) by Deborah Harkness (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 555,181 ratings score: 5,148, and 54 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	The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova 3.80 avg rating — 276,296 ratings score: 4,926, and 52 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	Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 849,094 ratings score: 4,893, 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	Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 100,383 ratings score: 4,439, 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) 3.52 avg rating — 23,772 ratings score: 3,944, 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
20	Vita Nostra (Vita Nostra, #1) by Marina Dyachenko really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 23,058 ratings score: 3,909, 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 Maidens by Alex Michaelides (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 439,106 ratings score: 3,754, 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
22	A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1) by V.E. Schwab 4.03 avg rating — 429,131 ratings score: 3,671, 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	The Magicians (The Magicians, #1) by Lev Grossman (Goodreads Author) 3.53 avg rating — 278,073 ratings score: 3,567, and 38 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	Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas (Goodreads Author) 3.11 avg rating — 29,036 ratings score: 3,441, and 37 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	A Study in Drowning (A Study in Drowning, #1) by Ava Reid (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 100,936 ratings score: 2,620, and 28 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	Stoner by John Williams 4.35 avg rating — 244,817 ratings score: 2,572, 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
27	Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu 3.87 avg rating — 194,469 ratings score: 2,409, and 26 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	The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis 4.18 avg rating — 136,919 ratings score: 2,368, and 26 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	Possession by A.S. Byatt 3.90 avg rating — 84,303 ratings score: 2,213, 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 — 38,246 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	Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 28,810 ratings score: 2,055, and 23 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	These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights, #1) by Chloe Gong (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 169,261 ratings score: 1,991, 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	They Never Learn by Layne Fargo (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 80,442 ratings score: 1,978, and 21 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	Maurice by E.M. Forster 4.08 avg rating — 57,757 ratings score: 1,943, and 21 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	Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 439,981 ratings score: 1,719, 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
36	In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 130,747 ratings score: 1,613, 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
37	Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami 3.99 avg rating — 725,321 ratings score: 1,551, 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
38	One of Us Is Lying (One of Us is Lying, #1) by Karen M. McManus (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 1,055,245 ratings score: 1,528, 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
39	Gentlemen and Players (Malbry, #1) by Joanne Harris (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 19,208 ratings score: 1,450, 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
40	Hell Bent (Alex Stern, #2) by Leigh Bardugo (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 178,740 ratings score: 1,421, 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
41	Legendborn (The Legendborn Cycle, #1) by Tracy Deonn (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 187,924 ratings score: 1,402, 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) 3.45 avg rating — 99,856 ratings score: 1,392, 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
43	The Atlas Paradox (The Atlas, #2) by Olivie Blake (Goodreads Author) 3.50 avg rating — 80,398 ratings score: 1,341, 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
44	Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates (Goodreads Author) 3.21 avg rating — 12,226 ratings score: 1,331, 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
45	A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3) by V.E. Schwab 4.29 avg rating — 193,717 ratings score: 1,262, 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
46	The Ivies by Alexa Donne (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 19,145 ratings score: 1,208, 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
47	People Like Us by Dana Mele (Goodreads Author) 3.51 avg rating — 19,518 ratings score: 1,205, 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
48	Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 119,134 ratings score: 1,151, 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
49	How We Fall Apart (How We Fall Apart, #1) by Katie Zhao (Goodreads Author) 3.33 avg rating — 6,475 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
50	City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1) by Victoria Schwab (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 76,658 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
51	Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 102,359 ratings score: 1,090, 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
52	Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson 3.76 avg rating — 11,987 ratings score: 1,038, 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	The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 5,357 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
54	Have You Seen Me? by Alexandrea Weis (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 194 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
55	A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2) by V.E. Schwab 4.19 avg rating — 234,270 ratings score: 984, 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
56	Vicious (Villains, #1) by V.E. Schwab 4.18 avg rating — 319,852 ratings score: 982, 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	Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 41,811 ratings score: 948, 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	As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce, #7) by Alan Bradley (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 29,389 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	The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1) by James Islington (Goodreads Author) 4.59 avg rating — 189,033 ratings score: 942, 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	Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum 4.17 avg rating — 153,535 ratings score: 911, 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	The Lessons by Naomi Alderman (Goodreads Author) 3.61 avg rating — 2,936 ratings score: 892, 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	Waking the Moon by Elizabeth Hand 3.81 avg rating — 2,438 ratings score: 877, 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 Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 50,785 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
64	The Lying Game by Ruth Ware (Goodreads Author) 3.52 avg rating — 213,571 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
65	The Cloisters by Katy Hays (Goodreads Author) 3.39 avg rating — 71,788 ratings score: 813, 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
66	Campusland by Scott Johnston (Goodreads Author) 3.67 avg rating — 984 ratings score: 800, 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
67	Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey (Goodreads Author) 3.61 avg rating — 35,346 ratings score: 777, 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	Anatomy: A Love Story (The Anatomy Duology, #1) by Dana Schwartz (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 107,579 ratings score: 773, 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 Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 15,404 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
70	The Basic Eight by Daniel Handler (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 7,308 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
71	Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, #12) by Dorothy L. Sayers 4.19 avg rating — 32,038 ratings score: 759, 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
72	For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 40,663 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
73	An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson (Goodreads Author) 3.49 avg rating — 23,000 ratings score: 732, 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
74	Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella (Goodreads Author) 3.70 avg rating — 8,520 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
75	The Golden Enclaves (The Scholomance, #3) by Naomi Novik (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 102,010 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
76	Our Violent Ends (These Violent Delights, #2) by Chloe Gong (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 76,558 ratings score: 698, 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 Betrayals by Bridget Collins (Goodreads Author) 3.47 avg rating — 14,030 ratings score: 689, 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	A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle, #1) by Libba Bray (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 225,524 ratings score: 672, 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	Gothikana by RuNyx (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 118,037 ratings score: 660, 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
80	The Bellwether Revivals by Benjamin Wood (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 3,994 ratings score: 642, 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
81	The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell 3.29 avg rating — 38,548 ratings score: 637, 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
82	S.T.A.G.S (S.T.A.G.S, #1) by M.A. Bennett 3.54 avg rating — 11,638 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
83	Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine 3.96 avg rating — 32,084 ratings score: 620, 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	We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 1,388,480 ratings score: 615, 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	The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 478,515 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
86	The Last Graduate (The Scholomance, #2) by Naomi Novik (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 130,665 ratings score: 606, 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	King Street Run by V.R. Ling 4.77 avg rating — 13 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
88	The Swallows by Lisa Lutz (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 9,298 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
89	The Truants by Kate Weinberg (Goodreads Author) 3.33 avg rating — 11,006 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
90	The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino (Goodreads Author) 3.59 avg rating — 4,827 ratings score: 579, 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
91	Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1) by Seanan McGuire (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 31,898 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
92	Death in the Spires by K.J. Charles (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 5,213 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
93	The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games, #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 1,066,475 ratings score: 540, 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
94	The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling (Goodreads Author) 3.20 avg rating — 22,559 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
95	Nightshade (Sorrowsong University, #1) by Autumn Woods (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 36,559 ratings score: 531, 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
96	Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 21,016 ratings score: 528, 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	In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology by Marie O'Regan (Editor) 3.36 avg rating — 3,481 ratings score: 496, 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
97	Picnic at Hanging Rock (Hanging Rock, #1) by Joan Lindsay 3.66 avg rating — 30,669 ratings score: 496, 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	The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap 3.88 avg rating — 7,218 ratings score: 479, and 5 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	The Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis 3.72 avg rating — 51,590 ratings score: 478, and 5 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

← Previous 1 2 3 4 Next →

363 books · 1,492 voters · list created October 15th, 2018 by Ա․ Հ․.

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

1190 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (1492)

Zoe 3526 books
16 friends

Isaac 316 books
0 friends

jude 700 books
6 friends

Clara 1022 books
176 friends

Sarah 1925 books
79 friends

Erin 2099 books
93 friends

Shyenika 518 books
36 friends

St. Martin's Press 1927 books
3129 friends

More voters…

Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-35 of 35 (35 new)

date

newest »

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!

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

message 3: by Ag (new)

May 18, 2020 02:19PM

Ninth house, Secret history and Frankenstein ar all listed twice

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

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

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

message 7: by Kai (new)

Sep 05, 2020 12:31PM

what is the base of dark academia genre??

reply | flag

message 8: by Rosa (new)

Feb 05, 2021 05:40PM

Yeah, a description would be nice.

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

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

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

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

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

message 15: by Daisy (new)

Nov 18, 2021 05:37PM

👌

reply | flag

message 16: by Emily (new)

Mar 23, 2022 08:29AM

Got to add The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz.

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

message 18: by Megan (new)

Sep 02, 2022 08:05AM

SIX OF CROWS?! wtf lmao

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

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)

reply | flag

message 21: by Madly Jane (new)

Nov 20, 2022 03:47PM

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

reply | flag

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)' 🤣

reply | flag

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

reply | flag

message 24: by Grack21 (new)

Sep 21, 2023 08:35PM

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

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

message 26: by Sasha Eden (new)

Nov 13, 2023 06:06PM

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

reply | flag

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."

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

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!

reply | flag

message 31: by Eva (new)

Dec 23, 2024 10:17AM

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

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag

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?

reply | flag

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".

reply | flag

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.

reply | flag