There really wasn't going to be a world in which I wasn't madly obsessed with this book. I love it. I love everything about it. It is weird. It is unhinged. It is mysterious. It is bloody. UGHHH. I just adore this book. The enemies to lovers is some of the best in the trope. It was TRULY enemies to lovers and it was unhinged. Those two had tension from the moment they met and it never relented. Tigest Girma, writer that you are!!! I will read anything she writes from now on omg. I will be sat for the sequel!!!

Oh. My. Word. This was easily one of the most unique vampire books I have read in a long time. It is dark, intense, unsettling, and absolutely riveting. The relationship between Kidan and Susenyos is absolutely fascinating and I never knew if they would kill each other or kiss, and I cannot express how much the author absolutely *nailed* the dynamic. I need the sequel DESPERATELY.

Excellent writing—Tigest Girma is a standout already! Unfortunately, enemies to lovers when they’re real, true enemies is really not my thing, but my individual taste aside, this is a really great book.

I enjoyed the dark academia fantasy setting, the world building, and the characters. This take on vampires was very different to me. It was traditional yet modern at the same time. The enemies to lovers was a lot of fun. As for Kidan, I love how sassy and unhinged she was. However, I was pretty confused and didn't connect with it. This is mainly because of the writing style and the fact that it was all over the place. I felt it was doing too much yet giving so little. This book took me FOREVER to get through. This is the dilemma when I stop enjoying something I thought I was going to absolutely love. Overall, it was okay. I wish I would've loved it as much as I thought I was.

This premise, coupled with the fact that this was being compared to The Cruel Prince basically had me stopping at nothing to get my hands on this book. And while the world building WAS in fact dark and interesting, it was unfortunately the characters that ruined this book for me. They were very one dimensional, and written in such a way that always kept me at arm’s length. I’m sad about this one because I was SO excited! i do however think I’ll give this author another try.

I loved everything about this book - the cover, its descriptions and the vibe, but I just couldn’t seem to connect to its characters nor storyline. I sat this book down and picked it back up again and again, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t working for me. I’m honestly saddened because I thought this was going to be completely “me” book. I think some readers are going to love this story and the dark academia vibes and stabby MC’s. Thank you, for the early read opportunity.

A Dark Fantasy with a Twist
Tigest Girma's Immortal Dark is a captivating blend of dark fantasy and romance. The novel introduces a unique world filled with immortal beings, ancient secrets, and forbidden love.
The story follows the intriguing protagonist, Kidan, a young woman with a mysterious past. As she navigates the treacherous world of immortals, she encounters a captivating and dangerous man, Susenyos. Their forbidden love sparks a dangerous game that could unravel the delicate balance of power.
Girma's writing style is both evocative and immersive. The world-building is intricate and well-developed, drawing readers into a world of magic, intrigue, and eternal darkness. The characters are complex and multifaceted, with compelling backstories and motivations.
While the plot may feel somewhat familiar at times, the author's fresh take on classic fantasy tropes keeps the story engaging. Immortal Dark is a promising debut that offers a thrilling escape into a world of darkness and desire.

If I could review this book in one word it'd be IRRESISTIBLE!! I had so much fun with this one. Gothic, decadent, and riddled with family secrets and dark magic!! OBSESSED!!

Immortal Dark, the debut novel from Tigest Girma, isn’t just dark academia with an enemies to lovers trope; it’s pages full of pure rage, terrifying horror, and deep emotional scars. This book isn’t dark either, it’s pitch black in an overly intricate and convoluted world of black vampires.

I enjoyed the premise and this book, although I do have a love/hate relationship with it. A book like this can’t be reduced to just a few tropes. I’ll also let you know that the ARC did not have the many trigger warnings listed. So, the amount of violence, gore, death, suicidal ideation caught me by surprise. I know this manuscript was optioned for Adult but got picked up as YA which I highly disagree with.

There is a lot going on in this book, almost too much for anyone to keep track of. The world building happens as we learn about everything at the same time as Kidan. Thank god her Aunt Silia left behind an encyclopedia of notes for both of us. It would have been easier to understand with a few chapters of world building upfront.

Kidan Adane, murderer and heiress to the horrific sentient and political House Adane, is fueled by her hatred and disgust of Drainacs aka Vampires. She is only one left in a major family that Drainacs are allowed to drink from, due to an ancient contract made by the last mage. This young girl is aggressive, mean, and constantly trying to kill her house vampire, Susenyos. She’s hard to like, immature and acts on impulse throughout the whole book.

Susenyos is my favorite character in the book. I don’t hate him right away at all, but Kidane does! She will do anything to accuse him of killing her missing sister, June. The main reason she is supposedly there in the first place - to find her missing sister. Susenyos is actually trying to warn and help her at Uxlay. Yeah, he’s cocky, but we all love that.

I love Immortal Dark for what it could be, I hate this book because it could have been done so much better. I know Tigest Girma has it in her! It has it all: Vampires, gore, sentient buildings, secret societies, scandals, trials, bloody duels, Ethiopian history, some academics, and the most ruthless enemies to lovers romance of all time. I’m will be reading the next book in the series. Enjoy it for yourself.

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley, Tigest Girma, And Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

I really really wanted to like this story because the author is Ethiopian, I am Ethiopian, and there are Ethiopian references in this book, which you just don't see in ANY contemporary novels. But I just had a really hard time connecting with the book. It could be because its Dark Academia which i'm not familiar with, but this one just wasn't for me.

Imagine if The Cruel Prince and Ninth House had a baby, and then sprinkled in some vampire drama, feuding families, and morally gray characters—all with an all-Black cast.

Kidan Adane is this badass orphaned heiress who’s spent her life far away from the elite, vampire-infested society she was born into. But when her sister, June, goes missing, she’s pretty sure the family vampire, Susenyos Sagad, is behind it. And what does she do? She enrolls in this super mysterious Uxlay University, where humans and vampires are supposed to coexist (but like, in the messiest, most dangerous way possible). Oh, and she’s got to *live* with Susenyos, who is just as cruel as you'd expect and yet somehow fascinating in that "I really shouldn’t like you, but I do" kind of way.

The vibe at Uxlay University? It’s classic dark academia. Think secret societies, intense study sessions, and a lot of "oh wow, that was messed up, but also kind of cool?" moments. The setting is this mix of African mythology and vampire lore, which honestly makes it feel fresh and different from other books in the genre. It’s like stepping into a world where everything feels a little dangerous and a lot intriguing.

Kidan and Susenyos? if you’re into enemies-to-lovers, you’re gonna love this. They *hate* each other, and the tension is off the charts. I’m talking about the kind of hate where they would happily stab each other in the back (or front) if given the chance. There’s no softening here—just two people who are dark, complicated, and can’t decide if they want to destroy or save each other. It’s brutal, it’s passionate, and I was totally here for it.

Now, about the plot—it’s got a lot going on, and while I loved the first part with all the vampire academy drama, the second half dives into more secret society stuff, which wasn’t my favorite but might be someone else’s jam. The murder mystery twist was cool, though, and definitely kept things interesting. And, oh boy, the characters are all morally gray. No one’s innocent here, which makes everything so much more intense and unpredictable.

The romance is fire. It’s a slow burn but in that gritty, “we’re only working together because we have to” way. There’s none of that awkward flirty banter—just pure, unfiltered tension. Even when they start to *maybe* care for each other, it’s still dark and complicated. I loved how their relationship didn’t soften either of them but instead made them more dangerous.

Overall, "Immortal Dark" is a gothic, decadent story full of blood, secrets, and all the dark academia vibes. If you’re into complex characters who are a little unhinged, an intense enemies-to-lovers storyline, and a world that’s equal parts fascinating and terrifying, this book is for you. Can’t wait to see where the series goes next!

Full review on Goodreads!!

This book literally had me in a complete and total CHOKEHOLD. From start to finish, it had me hooked. I literally couldn’t get enough and it was brilliant!

A phenomenonal series starter centering around a prestigious university and vampires, I loved everything about this book! I love the unique spin on vampires, the various Houses that are tied directly to the university, and I loved the air of mystery surrounding seemingly everything, including Kidan herself. From the beginning, it’s apparent that she’s hiding one heck of a big secret, one that has serious legal consequences, and slowly the things that she’s done to find her sister, including some criminal acts, are revealed.

This has been touted as The Cruel Prince meets Ninth House, and I can’t stress how accurate that is. We have the enemies-to-lovers, swoony romance of TCP and the super interesting and mysterious academy/Houses/secret society setting that really does remind me of Bardugo’s Yale and Lethe House. Those are 2 of my all-time favorite books and series, so I knew that I most likely enjoy this one. In the end, I didn’t just enjoy, but I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the sequels. 5 stars. Definitely pick this one up if you enjoy:

🍂Enemies-to-lovers
🍂Amazing cast of Black characters
🍂Romantasy
🍂Vampires
🍂Secret societies
🍂Sentient houses
🍂Morally grey characters
🍂Villainous romantic leads
🍂Dark Academia/Academy setting

I thoroughly enjoyed this! I loved the banter, the tension, and the knowledge of the history of the vampires and humans. I will say there was a lot of characters to keep up with and the plot of finding her sister was a bit weak to me. I wish she was infiltrating this society to avenge her family. But eh, it still was entertaining.

That cliffhanger had my heart beating and. I can’t wait until book 2.

Immortal Dark by Tigest Grima is a gripping plunge into the world of dark academia, vampires, and a high-stakes legacy.

Hello hello, this book might be my newest obsession and I am not kidding when I tell you that I cannot stop thinking about it : about Kidan and Susenyos🥰

Immortal Dark by Tigest Grima is a contemporary classic in dark academia, weaving together vampire lore, familial duty, and the tantalizing line between love, revenge and violence.

From the very beginning, Immortal Dark grips you with its unique premise: Kidan Adane, an orphaned heiress, must get into Uxlay University, a place where human bloodlines and vampires are inextricably linked. Kidan’s mission is intensely personal as she believes that the vampire bound to her family, Susenyos Sagad, is responsible for her sister June’s disappearance. And the only way to uncover the truth? Live alongside the very creature she suspects killed her family.

Gripping enough?

Wait till you experience what unravels in this Vampire Dark Academia as all your favourite tropes combine : forced proximity with a fascinating dance of distrust, attraction, lust and power🥰 the MMC giving of Klaus Mikaelson vibes oh and CAN WE ALL UNANIMOUSLY AGREE THAT WE NEEDED IT? 💋



What I especially loved about this book is the portrayal of female rage. Kidan is a protagonist who refuses to be passive the moment she enters the university of Uaxlay- she’s angry, vengeful, and driven by a fierce love for her sister. But this isn’t a one-dimensional rage. Grima allows Kidan’s anger to be complex, even sympathetic, as she grapples with the darker sides of her own nature.

The unexpected friendships Kidan forms along the way add layers of depth to the story. Every character, even those on the periphery, feels fully fleshed out, with their own motives and secrets that keep the reader guessing.

Grima excels at creating a brooding, gothic atmosphere where every character is hiding something, and danger lurks in the shadows of Uxlay’s elite halls.

Immortal Dark is unapologetically gritty. Grima doesn’t shy away from gore and brutality, crafting scenes that are viscerally intense, yet beautifully written.

t’s going to be hard to write this review because there are so many things about this book I loved that it’s going to be difficult to keep out all the SQUEEEEEE’s, but I will try.

IMMORTAL DARK is exactly what it says it is: a dark academia book with a unique plot full of angst, brooding, and lots of vampires. Kidan Adane is an orphan who wants nothing more than to find her missing sister, June. To do this, she enrolls in Uxlay University, an exclusive school for ancient human bloodlines who take vampires as companions, ensuring a peaceful existence between the two. To gain control of her family’s house, she must live with Susenyos Sagad, a vampire in her household who might know what happened to June.

The relationship between Kidan and Susenyos could be classified as enemies to lovers. I mean, these two truly have it out for each other in brutal ways and for a moment I forgot I was reading YA with all the tension and...UGH NGL, I wished we got a POV from Susenyos as it would have added more depth and I would have loved to read his inner thoughts when he came to Kidan.

I loved the setting but it was ALL the characters I enjoyed. Kidan is ruthless and strong and so are a lot of the vampires she comes in contact with making her a formidable foe, but the B characters also stand out on their own. Prepare for a bit of heartbreak.

Overall thoughts: solid and enemies-to-lovers and one of my favorite books of 2024

The world building in this was absolutely fascinating (a little too expository at points, but that is to be expected in a book that is re-writing the vampire myth in a really interesting way!). The suicidal ideation of the main character was difficult to read about at certain points. The cast of secondary characters were strong and added depth to the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

Oh. My. God. I didn't realize how much I was missing fantasy like this. The world building was great, but what really got me hooked was the absolutely delectable true enemies to lovers (??) that was exquisite to read. And it's not like "oh they just don't like each other" no they actively try to kill and hurt one another. On top of forced proximity? and a beautifully morally grey (errrr more on the violent side) characters??? AMAZING.

The ending killed me. I need the next one now............

5/5⭐️

“I hate you”
“As long as hating me leaves you on my lap, I can bear it. Hate me for eternity.”

Oh my goodness, I ADORE this book so much. I binged it in 24 hours and cannot stop thinking about it. Immortal dark is a dark academia paranormal fantasy. We follow an orphan heiress that has to go to this school to train to take over her families legacy while simultaneously trying to find her missing sister. It’s set in a society/school full of humans and vampires who have to coexist with each other peacefully…. but is it *really* at peace??

This is a TRUE enemies to lovers and one of my favorite dark academia books I’ve ever read. It is a diverse read full of African history as well as a super unique magic system.

The writing was absolutely phenomenal and the plot was great! I cannot recommend this one enough. PERFECT fall read but can definitely be enjoyed year round.

I want to say, that ending!!!!!!! Ahhhhh 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

Everytime I have figure out this book, and when I’m like liking characters. BOOM! Surprise! Either dead, or a freaking twist! lol I’m sorry, but this is such a good book. I could not put down, you literally kept me on my toes, and wondering if I’m going to get it right, everytime WRONG!
The cliffhanger on the ending!!! Like I did not see that one coming! What I thought it was going to be, nope. But thank you, for sharing this book with me, thank you for writing it, and I so can’t wait for the second book.