A brilliant collection of perfectly gothic short stories that not only introduced me to some new authors but also made for great reading throughout the week. A great starting point into the world of dark academia, The Ravages and Pythia were particular favourites of mine from this collection. I highly recommend picking this up!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my eARC

I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed some of these stories as much as I did! The Layne Fargo story blew me away. I really liked Susie Yang's as well. There were a few others that were excellent. I can't bring myself to read M.L. Rio's. but I hope to get to it one day.

This was a wonderful dark academia anthology, with some fantastic authors on board! A great starting point for anyone who's new to Dark Academia and wants to get a feel of what it entails and the kind of vibe to expect. I particularly enjoyed 1000 ships- felt familiar, a little like My Dark Vanessa

I always love collections of short stories, there’s just something so fun about jumping into different tales all within one publication!
The authors of this one truly peaked my interest, Olivie Blake was my main reason for picking this up as well as my love of dark academia.

I think this definitely bridges into themes of horror, lgbtq+, mystery, thriller and so much more! I think there’s definitely something for everyone and this would be the perfect start to someone’s dark academia reading journey.

My favourite stories were:
• Pythia by Olivie Blake (I don’t think I was surprised by this as Olivie’s writing wows me everytime)
• 1000 Ships by Kate Weinberg - what a way to make me feel a strong NEED to pick up the Truants to see more of this character.
• The Ravages by Layne Fargo - tapping into that horror/revenge element that I LOVE.


That’s just the top three, there were only a select few I didn’t really enjoy which is amazing out of a book containing so many new authors for myself. I will definitely be looking into many of these authors now.

Thank you netgalley!

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really disappointed with this. I expected it to be thrilling and a collection of amazing pieces with such emotion as these writers of dark academia have done in their own books. I am sad to say, it really lacked this and felt flat. This may be because the stories were so short and the writers tried to pack as much as they could into it, that it just felt so rushed and you didn’t get a good feel of the characters, so couldn’t possibly connect with them. This may just be my personal preference - I don’t read short stories much for this reason. Nevertheless, the writing was good.

This anthology was very interesting!!

I found myself pulled into a few of these short stories, where as a few others fell short. I did enjoy the collective set of stories and can see why they were all bundled together in a perfect little collection for dark academia lovers.

Some of my favorite stand out stories were;
Pythia, Phobos & the Professor of Ontography.

The writing across these stories was various in its magical realism, fantastical elements and most prominently, the dark academic nature.

Here are a few more of my thoughts on a few of the stories:

Pythia: 4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this which is no surprise as i’m a big olivie blake fan, it kept my attention and was so interesting. I would love to read more of a story like this from her. I think the writing style was especially fun for a short story in the interview format, as it was a great way to keep your attention in such a short story.


Professor of Ontography: 3.5⭐️
This one took a bit to catch my attention and it felt eerie throughout, but by the end I was interested and left with goosebumps at the ending…..

Phobos: 4⭐️
This was a very interesting read, a classic secret society story with the most dark academic vibes in the whole anthology!

For those who enjoy short stories this is FOR YOU!! I found myself bored in a few places and skipping a few stories in the anthology, but as a collective whole this is the perfect set of stories for the dark academia lovers!

Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for the ARC.

When I saw the list of authors attached to this project, I knew it was going to be a great one. An anthology of dark academia short stories is already an amazing idea, and including names like Olivie Blake, Kelly Andrew, and M. L. Rio was a big selling point for me. Each of the stories felt different enough but still cohesive enough to be included in the same anthology.

I ADORE THIS BOOK. Every short story was just magical, and I couldn't help but absolutely devour this book. My absolute fave had to be The Hare and The Hound.

The stories in this anthology were hit or miss for me but there were far more hits than misses so overall I really enjoyed it. I liked that each story had a completely different concept, setting and characters and I found myself looking forward to the next time I could sit down and devour a story.

Wow. This was such a perfect autumn read! The mystery. The dark academia vibes. And even the form - I usually don't enjoy short stories much, but I got this at an extremely busy period of my life and it was a relief to have something I could read quickly, with no need to remember important clues for a few weeks until I get the next chance to sit down and read. And then, the list of authors involved should tell you all you need to know about the quality. I really loved this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

While some of the stories in this collection kind of stretch the definition of "dark academia", on the whole I liked this anthology. There were many stories that I would love to see fleshed out into novel (or even novella) form, like Olivie Blake's "Pythia" or Tori Bovalino's "Phobos". I'd also like to give special shout outs to Helen Grant's "The Professor of Ontography" for being delightfully creepy, and to Kelly Andrews' "The Hare and the Hound" for showing a really nice descent into madness.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, that could have used a little better curation.

This book is an anthology of dark academia stories from some well-known authors.

As a dark academia enthusiast, I expected much more from this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The definition of this genre is very fluid, but I consider not only an academic setting but a dark/gothic atmosphere necessary. The best stories I read had a bunch of researchers or students obsessed with their subject and some secret buried at the centre of the plot. Many of the stories in this anthology can hardly be called dark academia, as the only element of the genre is the setting. X House is a thriller or a crime story, and not the best one. Sabbatical and The Ravages are rather weird plots that should not be included. The only stories I truly enjoyed were Pythia by Olivie Blake, The Hare and the Haund by Kelly Andrew, and Weekend at Bertie’s by M. L. Rio, even though it can hardly be called dark academia. To sum up, it was hard to judge such an uneven collection of brilliant and horrible stories. I will definitely reach for something written by Olivie Blake or Kelly Andrew in the future.

3.87 stars

Overall, I liked this anthology a lot - there were a few stories that really gripped me and that I would absolutely loved to read full length novels of, while there were also a couple of stories that didn't feel like they fit in with the others selected. My favourite short story in this anthology was The Professor of Ontography by Helen Grant!

1000 Ships - Kate Weinberg
So interesting! I found myself wanting to read more straight away - it had the same vibes as "My Dark Vanessa", so it was incredibly gripping. I do wish we'd had more insight into what happened with the student case that was occurring in the background. I also think that if it is a short story, it should be able to be wrapped up within that story, rather than functioning as the first chapter of a full novel.
4/5

Pythia - Olivie Blake
I felt very confused throughout this. I didn't understand what was going on or what Pythia was - is it a Scythe Thunderhead situation? So baffled sadly.
3/5

Sabbatical - James Tate Hill
This had me very intrigued! There was a lot that felt quite confusing, but it was tense and I enjoyed the buildup to the climax of the story! It was a little predictable but enjoyable, and I would definitely read this as a full-length book!
4/5

The Hare and the Hound - Kelly Andrew
Okay now this is what I was waiting for! Creepy, unsettling, eerie, mysterious, this was exactly the kind of short story I was wanting. I loved that it wrapped up perfectly, and how the story played out was very satisfying!
5/5

X House - J.T. Ellison
Honestly it just felt a bit underwhelming. I like the setting, but having dual POVs in such a SHORT short story meant that there was no tension, and it also felt as though there was no clear reasoning for the events that happened either?
3/5

The Ravages - Layne Fargo
I enjoyed this a lot! It was entertaining and a bit spooky - I loved the revenge plotline and the characters were very interesting; this felt a lot like a classic ghost story told around a campfire which was very cool!
4/5

Four Funerals - David Bell
Interesting, but I'm not sure this exactly fits with the other dark academia short stories. There is murder involved, but the story is actually quite quiet and sad, really. I did like it though, I'm just not sure it fits with the others.
4/5

The Unknowable Pleasures - Susie Yang
I was really enjoying this up until the end! The ending was pretty disappointing, but the rest of the story was so intriguing and ever so slightly eerie. Reading from the perspective of Sophie, in the beginnings of a stalker/obsessive mindset, was really fascinating, I just wish it hadn't ended in such an anticlimactic way!
4.5/5

Weekend at Bertie's - M.L. Rio
Again, I don't really see how this fits in with the other dark academia stories? There is a death, but it's really just two people chatting in a house for the vast majority of the story. I also didn't understand why the two characters didn't call the police straight away? It didn't make much sense to me.
3/5

The Professor of Ontography - Helen Grant
I both hate and love this story - it was so, SO good, and I could not wait to find out the ending; I was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading it. The last bit was just so creepy and weird that I felt a bit ill, but that also just added to the atmosphere!
5/5

Phobos - Tori Bovalino
Quite interesting - I love reading about a secret society of course, but I was surprised that it didn't feel that tense, especially given the plotline of there needing to be a murder committed.
3.5/5

Playing - Phoebe Wynne
I did enjoy this story, but it was obvious from the beginning what the "twist" was going to be, and yet there was no explanation for the character's motivations behind what they did; was it really all just about money?
3.5/5

"In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology" is an enthralling literary collection that offers a mesmerizing journey into the mysterious and intellectually charged world of academia. The character development within these tales is impressive. Each story introduces a diverse range of characters, each with their own enigmatic depth, secrets, and flaws. They are relatable yet shrouded in intrigue, making it easy to connect with their journeys.

The plot development is a true highlight. With a blend of dark and atmospheric storytelling, these authors immerse you in academia's eerie, intellectual, and secretive settings. The pacing is well-crafted, drawing you deeper into the academic mysteries and personal revelations. The establishment of the dark academia elements is masterful. From secret societies to ancient libraries, the anthology creates a sense of intellectual obsession and hidden knowledge that dark academia enthusiasts will adore. The tone is suitably mysterious and intellectual, befitting the genre. It embraces the enigmatic allure of academia, leaving you craving more.

"In These Hallowed Halls" is a must-read for fans of the dark academia sub-genre and anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and mysterious tales. The combination of rich character development, atmospheric plots, and the embodiment of dark academia's allure makes this anthology an exceptional literary treat. Each story is a unique journey into the darker side of intellectual pursuits, leaving you both exhilarated and craving more.

Unfortunately this one is a DNF. It didn’t work for me. I thought calling it Dark Academia is a bit misleading as most of these aren’t really Dark Academia.

These were generally good stories, but I did feel like some of them concluded too quickly. They left me feeling a bit unfinished and unsatisfied. Making a few of the stories even a little longer would have made them feel more complete.

Edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, and featuring stories from ML Rio, Phoebe Wynne, Kelly Andrew and Olivie Blake, this book was a no-brainer for me.

Though I am kind of sad to report that it didn’t really live up to my expectations. While I enjoyed half of the collection, I only loved a few, and lots of the others didn’t do anything for me. And they also didn’t really hit what dark academia actually is either.

‘1000 Ships’ by Kate Weinberg
I read ‘The Truants’ several years and really enjoyed it, and this story takes us back to events before the novel began. It’s an interesting story from the perspective of someone who has read the full novel and knows what’s to come, but as a story standing alone, there was very little of the dark academia about it - just a general feeling of supreme ickiness about the characters’ situations. I do want to reread ‘The Truants’ though, possibly for our dark academia podcast, The Dark Academicals.

‘Pythia’ by Olivie Blake
I don’t like Olivie Blake’s writing in general, but love her ideas and themes, and yet this was one of my favourites in the collection and the best thing I’ve read from Blake so far.

The structure of a phone interview telling the story of Pythia - a mysterious computer system built in a university - actually reminded me a little of RF Kuang’s ‘Babel’. It was clever, and the main character was both spiky and really engaging.


‘Sabbatical’ by James Tate Hill
This was fine, but it didn’t do much for me. There were lots of characters to grapple with in a short story and ultimately, a story about college professors doesn’t make a story dark academia. I didn’t find much to cling onto and not much stuck with me either.

‘The Hare and the Hound’ by Kelly Andrew
I adore Kelly Andrew and her debut ‘The Whispering Dark’, and this story cemented what an incredible writer she is - it made me excited for what she has to come.

It’s dark and unsettling, tense and gripping story that really captured my imagination. The blend of mythology versus psychology with a student being haunted by a rabbit, and a burgeoning relationship with a new girl really stuck with me. It’s clever and engaging and I would have loved to have read it as a full novel.

‘X House’ by JT Ellison
I really liked the bones of ‘X House’, but I think that it needed a whole lot more development, I wanted to know where it came from? It needed to be a little longer and a bit more developed. A little more being explored and explained would have pushed this from ‘fine’ to ‘really good’ as it reminded me a little of Phoebe Wynne’s ‘Madam’.

‘The Ravages’ by Layne Fargo
A story about the literary archives of a spurned poet? Now that’s dark academia! It’s also querr and filled with revenge and betrayal and up until the every end I really loved this one. There’s a character who knows something about what’s going on (vagueness to avoid spoilers!) and I feel like it would have been more effective if we didn’t know that about them - surprise me!

‘Four Funerals’ by David Bell
This story centres around a teacher in the aftermath of a school shooting as he goes to the funerals of those who died. It’s not dark academia in anyway, it’s not even close. It’s very sad and thoughtful, but I don’t believe it really had a place in a dark academia anthology. This was my least favourite story in the whole collection.

‘The Unknowable Pleasures’ by Susie Lang
I really enjoyed the element of obsession in this story, especially from an outside perspective of observing the relationship of your teacher and a fellow student rather than being a part of the relationship. The tension from the start was palpable, so the anti-climactic ending when the big uumph and the build up to the story was just…walked away from. It felt a little like the whole idea of the story was undermined.

‘Weekend at Bertie’ by ML Rio
This is by far my favourite story in the collection and it was such a joy to read ML Rio again. I want more from them asap.

Finding your dead professor in her house and colluding to steal her money while exploring ideas of class, money and the realities of a life in academia were pitch-perfect - I adored it.

‘The Professor of Ontology’ by Helen Grant
When Phoebe’s boyfriend goes missing on the night of a uni dance in search of the mysterious Department of Ontology, it’s a night that will haunt her for the next 40 years. Until she returns to the college to teach and desperate for closure…

A genuinely haunting story from Helen Grant - I really need to read more of her work! ‘The Professor of Ontology’ is tense, sombre and deeply unsettling; it also goes full horror at the end of the story. This might be very very favourite out of all twelves stories…

‘Phobos’ by Tori Bovallino
‘Phobos’ had a really interesting concept and I enjoyed it a lot - what would you do to join a secret order that will open up the entire world to you - and I so wanted to know more about every aspect of the Order of Prometheus. This is another story that i would have loved to have read as a full novel because there was so much room for it to go deeper. I did, however, adore the ending - what a twist!

‘Playing’ by Phoebe Wynne
This is the story of a strange and quiet scholarship organist obsessed with the recent string of elderly deaths in her university parish. Phoebe Wynne is a masterful writer; the way she builds suspense and keeps the reader on the edge of what’s really going on had me enthralled. The twist of this story, while expected, was incredibly well done and I adored it. It’s easily a favourite from the collection.

This collection was a real mixed bag for me, especially when looking for actual dark academia, but I’m still I read it. I got extra writing from ML Rio and Phoebe Wynne and that is always worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the review copy.

Written by Sophie

This was hit and miss. Some of the stories I enjoyed, but there were quite a few that I couldn’t connect with. Overall though, it’s worth a read. Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for a chance to read and review this book.

In These Hallowed Halls, a dark academia anthology of short stories, is an eclectic mix that will keep readers turning the pages. With contributions from some of the best in the genre, including Olivie Blake and Susie Yang, the anthology delves deep into the sinister and eerie side of academia. From stories about a lothario lecturer's comeuppance to the secrets unveiled in an obscure academic department, the range of stories offers something for every fan of dark academia.

However, while the anthology was engaging and a quick read, it gets a 3.5/5 rating from me (rounded down for whole numbers). Not all of the stories felt like they truly belonged to the dark academia genre, and some felt more like mystery or horror without much of the academic setting or themes that define dark academia. The collection offers a range of genres and creative directions, ensuring that there's never a dull moment, but also means that some stories may not be to everyone's liking. Regardless, In These Hallowed Halls is a good pick for anyone looking for a break from lengthy novels and wanting to delve into the academic side of mystery and horror.

I tried so hard to love all these short stories but some of them just didn't hold my attention!

I did enjoy some of them, and the writing throughout was great with the different styles, formats etc but honestly some were more boring and harder to get through !