Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc!

All That Consumes Us is a story that follows Tara, a girl in college who is the age of a teenager (16/17), who is trying to make her own way in the world. Tara wants to build a life for herself and find closeness with friends since her home life was lacking in many ways and is responsible for Tara growing up faster than a typical kid would. She is excited when a prestigious program in her school reaches out to offer her membership after initially rejecting her but the excitement wanes when she realizes she was offered the position because another student died. Tara expects to make friends, learn a lot, and dive into writing in a way she never has before. But her expectations are quickly stifled when the reality of this society's secrets begin to overtake her life.

I enjoyed much of this story. Erica Waters writing is stunning as always. I will read everything they write because it is beautifully immersive and believable storytelling with relatable characters.

This is a three star read because the pacing felt a little strange. There were times I found myself thinking the story was winding down or coming to the big climax only for there to be something else come up. I get that authors do this sometimes as a way to trick readers and shock them with the truth, but nothing in this really felt like a big shock or reveal after the initial one. So the second half of the book felt like it dragged to get to the conclusion.

My second issue is the ages of the characters. It is a weird choice to write a book set in college but the main characters are somehow still teenagers. Like high school age teenagers. I don't really understand what purpose this served in the overall story other than this book needed to be marketed to a YA audience. And I do feel like it was a strange juxtaposition to just randomly bring up how their not adults for no consequential reason. This could have been a book about college freshman and it would have been the same. Or it could have been a book about high school seniors set in a prestigious high school societal club and it would have been the same. Just seems like a weird choice.

The last issue I have is with the audiobook production. Sound quality was great. The narrator not as much. She wasn't bad, but she did often forget to look ahead to see which characters were speaking and used the wrong accent for a character. This was particularly problematic for me when she would give the non-binary character a female voice when the narrator had previously given them a more neutral voice. Also, the narrator was not great at any deeper male voices.

Overall, I would recommend. But it wouldn't be the first Erica Waters book I recommend to people.

First, thank you Netgalley for granting me access to an early copy of the audiobook. Second, I liked the narrator and the story, however I learned very quickly that an audio book for a dark academia novel is not for me. I will recommend to customers both the audiobook and the physical copy itself.

This dark (gothic?) novel was intense and beautiful. The promise of "hypnotizing, dark reverie that blurs the lines of reality and shows that the addictive nature of ambition—and its inevitable price" was fulfilled. Always looking for more Queer reads, especially in the thriller/horror genre. The atmosphere of this novel was a dark academia dream location for sure - until weird stuff started to happen. Although, that just made it all the more interesting. There were some ominous and worrying moments that may push the boundaries for some readers. Definitely look into trigger warnings if worried, but I recommend this one to all interested!

Tara has dreams of becoming a writer, but to pay for college and make a living, she decides to go the more practical route and become an English teacher. When she is offered a spot in Magni Viri, an elite academic society that comes with free tuition and guidance from some of the most successful professors at Corbin College, Tara excitedly accepts. She begins writing a beautiful novel, one so profound that it even shocks her. But Tara realizes she can’t actually recall writing any part of the novel, and there is something sinister happening in Magni Viri.

The premise of the book is super interesting. I love how it started with a suspicious classmate’s death. It created an ominous mood that made me engaged in all of the creepy things that begin to happen to Tara. I also enjoyed the twist and didn’t see it coming, though it made sense within the context of the book. However, I just felt like the book was too long, and I didn’t care about Tara’s relationship. It was underdeveloped and didn’t impact the plot in any meaningful way. Overall I liked the book, but there were some lulls and I wish it would have wrapped up sooner. Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Erica Waters for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

this book is as if the secret history was a gothic YA ghost story, very rooted in the aesthetic dark academia and the malicious tendencies of vengeful spirits. the pacing of this made it difficult to get into, moving from very slow to very fast, and there were too many characters for me to get truly invested in, but i will say that the initial twist at about the halfway point was unexpected and helped me get reinvested. if you care for ghosts this may be for you.

This dark academia story about secret societies and curses completely intrigued me! I could not stop listening to the audio version because I needed to know what was going on at Corbin College. Tara is invited into the Magni Viri, which appears to be the elite of the college, but is it? What is going on with the members of this secret society? As Tara works to solve the mystery and unearth the secret, mysterious things begins to occur. It kept me guessing throughout! The narrator was a great fit for this story! Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an advanced audio copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

The atmosphere of this book was amazing. I was thoroughly creeped out, but also so intrigued by the story. I loved the dark academia vibes. The romance was super welcome as well. It was a refreshing sub-plot (and queer - wooo!). It did feel a bit underdeveloped and I would have loved to see more, but I recognize it was not the main plot of the book and that's why it wasn't as thorough as I wanted. If you're looking for terror, this isn't it, but the unsettling spooks really creep up on you in this one and I loved it!

All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters is a fresh take on dark academia. It's a yummy, spooky, (at times a tiny bit gross) gothic mystery thriller YA. I really liked the characters, and found family dynamic. This is bound to be a best seller!

A deligtfully dark YA dark academia that had me sitting on the edge of my seat, too scared to turn off the lights. With wonderful queer and found family rep, this is a wonderufl addition to the genre and a great audiobook!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of All that Comsume us in exchange of my honest review.

All That Consume us is a YA Dark Academia Mystery book that draws a bit from The Secret History and Ninth House. Students from Corbin's College are all envious of the students that are selected to study in this exclusive, elite academic society called Magni Viri. However, they don't understand the price you pay to be part of it.

All that Consume us really brought out the eerie vibes of Dark academia with secret societies and the mystery behind them. The atmosphere was gloomy and this pursuit of academic perfection was well explored. Tara, our main character she is offered a position at this society after the mysterious death of one of their students. The whole process of her getting onboard in this group of brilliant students, her wish to be accepted and at the same time her insecurities were well explored.

Additionally I really enjoyed the diversity representation in this book. We have more than one LGBTq characters as well as people with chronic disabilities/illness.

The mystery though is not super difficult to guess, which makes sense since this is a YA book. This book however is marketed/sold as a fantasy horror. Although I agree it has horror vibes, this book is a low fantasy. In fact, the fantasy element is minimal (mostly related to ghosts).

Overall I enjoyed and I recommend for people that wants to read a less stressful dark academia book

Sadly this was not my favorite book by Waters. I love all her books and she has become an autobuy author for me but this one just wasn't for me.
I didn't really care for the way it was written. I felt like Waters was trying to evoke a sort of old English style but didn't fully commit so it just felt sort of disjointed. I also felt like we had to many characters to keep up with. I just found the whole book fell flat especially for a Waters book.

4.25/5
Devoured (or should I say consumed) this excellent book in a day! It's the type that once you get sucked in, you won't want to put it down until you're done. Perfect for fans of dark academia and paranormal mysteries.

Tara is struggling to juggle college and finances when she gets her dream offer to join a prestigious academic society. But is it too good to be true?

While I wouldn't say it's on par with The Secret History (which is mentioned a weird amount of times) or Babel, this is still an interesting critique of academia and the lengths we will go to leave a lasting impact.

I actually read this as an advanced reader's copy (thanks Netgalley and Harper Audio!) back in July, but I had a baby right after finishing and never got around to reviewing it properly on Netgalley until now. Sadly, it took some time for me to refresh my memory on this, because while I did enjoy it, it wasn't an extremely memorable read.

From what I remember, I loved the spooky, atmospheric vibes going on in this book and it had a great premise to the storyline. I also felt like the storyline and the truth about what was happening to the students felt somewhat unique/original compared to other YA titles I've read the last few years, so I appreciated that.

Things I didn't enjoy: the relationship development between Tara and her new 'friends', Tara and Penny, Tara and the professors, etc. Their closeness didn't connect for me and seemed to come out of nowhere at times.

I read in another review that the writing was considered too juvenile for a Young Adult title, and considering the plot and attempted target audience, I would have to agree.

3 out of 5 stars.

All That Consumes Us is the perfect spooky dark academia read! Corbin College has an elite student society, Magni Viri, with all the connections, prestige and benefits you can imagine - but it is also mysterious and secretive. When struggling, first-gen Freshman Tara gets the opportunity to join she jumps at the chance. So what if the only reason she gets in is because another student mysteriously dies? This is her chance and she is going to take it! But when dark and chilling things start to happen will she be able to get out?

Overall, I loved this dark story. It had everything that the synopsis promised: it is dark, full of mystery, creepy, and chilling. This story is such an original take on dark academia! The story is eerie and moody, it is a slow-burn creepy. Anyone that loves a good "light" horror story will love this book. It is very atmospheric and you will not be able to put it down!

The only reasons that you may not want to read this is if you like scary stories, but not creepy crawly ones. There are some things that happen that could be considered slightly grotesque, it is not over the top but is present. As always, make sure to check the author and publishers trigger warnings.

I really enjoyed this YA horror. It was just what I wanted during this spooky season. I love dark academia and this was no exception. So moody and creepy, the writing is spectacular and really builds the story. This author never fails to impress me with the way they build atmosphere within a story. I think that all YA horror, thriller lovers should read this one. I will definitely be recommending this wide and far!

This was everything that I wanted it to be and more. I was immediately drawn in by the amazing cover. Tara wants to be an author and will do anything to make that happen or will she? She gets into the elite academic society with the promise of inspirational professors and dream jobs once they graduate. What will the cost be? When Tara starts to write her stories turn dark. An unseen presence seems to be haunting her. I loved Tara. I also loved her group of friends. They all just helped make this gothic horror everything! I was on the edge of my seat while reading and did not want to put the book down. I highly recommend this one! Then the synopsis. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was not my usual read. It was a tad too creepy for me, but I had to finish. It is beautifully written! Dark Academia with a gothic undertone. Highly recommended this for anyone who loves this type of story.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing both an eARC and an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I really just need to stop reading dark academia.

All that Consumes Us by Erica Waters is a YA queer paranormal novel about Tara, who aspires to be a student at Corbin College. he students in Corbin College’s elite academic society, Magni Viri, have it all—free tuition, inspirational professors, and dream jobs once they graduate. When first-gen college student Tara is offered a chance to enroll, she doesn’t hesitate. Except once she’s settled into the gorgeous Victorian dormitory, something strange starts to happen. She’s finally writing, but her stories are dark and twisted. Her dreams feel as if they could bury her alive. An unseen presence seems to stalk her through the halls. And a chilling secret awaits Tara at the heart of Magni Viri—one that just might turn her nightmares into reality; one that might destroy her before she has a chance to escape.

I didn't mind most of this book, as it was a nice spooky read. But at the same time, I couldn't quite get behind Tara and the many decisions she made. Nor was the world building all that, which was dissapointing as it took away from the big plot twist. Overall, this was a good book but not one I would call a favorite.

All That Consumes Us is the perfect spooky season or horror read! The main character struggles with feelings of inferiority when she joins a prestigious society at her college after another student dies and a spot opens up. It brings up thoughtful questions about if genius makes one person's life more important than another. What do we owe the dead? What do we owe ourselves? This is a great read alike to The Ninth House, which is also a dark academia favorite of mine. What makes All That Consumes Us unique to me is that it is incredibly thought provoking -- about issues of race, class, power and control, and pursuing the life you want. I loved the characters, especially the main character Tara, the mystery, and how the story unfolded. Can't recommend enough!

I want to state upfront that I did DNF this audiobook at 42% after realizing that I am not the intended audience for it.

When first-gen college student Tara is offered a spot in the elite academic society, Magni Viri, she doesn't hesitate. But strange things begin to happen once she's settled into her new dorm. While she's finally writing, her stories seem to have a dark, twisted slant to them, and she can't shake the feeling that she's being watched. And all the things that Tara thought Magni Viri might help her achieve could destroy her before she can escape.

Overall, this gothic dark academia book was not for me, but I think it will engage young adult readers/listeners who enjoy an ambitious LGBTQ+ protagonist seeking to make great art at whatever the cost. This is perfect for fans of Ninth House.

Thank you to Erica Waters, HarperTeen and NetGalley for an advance audiobook for an honest review.

The beginning and end of this book were the best parts of this story. The beginning and end were so gripping—that prologue, when Meredith read her story, when the ghosts were banging on the mausoleum?!! I was entranced! But, I feel like the pace dropped off after Tara was accepted into Magni Viri. Her descent into her possession was so slow and yet it felt like she jumped to the conclusion. It was also a bit interesting how she would commit to fight only to end up feeling resigned to her fate. I feel like this would be an excellent movie, and maybe that means that the author did more telling than showing? Overall, I had just an okay time.