I really expected to love this one. The Cruel Prince meets Ninth House sounded RIGHT up my alley, and while I can see the comparisons to Ninth House, I'm not sure where the Cruel Prince was supposed to come in.

This had all the right elements but unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. The pacing felt a little off and I found the novel quite slow to start. I feel like things didn't really start ramping up until around the 75% mark which for me is too far into the novel.

I really enjoyed the world building and setting. The author crafted an enchanting and unique world that I was keen to learn more about, and I appreciated learning more about the Houses of Uxlay at the same time as the main character.

The main character, Kidan, should have been everything I loved as she was morally grey and headstrong, but I found myself irritated with some of the decisions she made and her refusal to look at things from a different perspective. I did, however, enjoy Susenyos and all of his complexities and moral ambiguities.

I think that I may enjoy the second book more as theoretically the pacing should improve and things should ramp up earlier. As such, I am looking forward to the next installment!

Overall, it was an enjoyable debut novel, and the things that I disliked are personal objections so I would still recommend this to readers looking for a vampiric, dark academia book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC!

Please see GoodReads review on the following link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6679728235

Please see TikTok content featuring Immortal Dark at the following links:
https://www.tiktok.com/@kimsaidkimread/video/7390255673273076999?lang=en
https://www.tiktok.com/@kimsaidkimread/photo/7387146152577158408?lang=en

I loved Immortal Dark! I did believe from the marketing that there would be more spicey scenes and I am a little confused as to where to categorise this as it reads a bit like teen fiction to me but I don't know if the sequels will go darker/spicier. I however really enjoyed the writing style and was hooked from early on. I would have loved more scene setting to help me immerse into Uxlay more, make it more dark academia vibes. I have loads of customers who would definitely enjoy this read.

“Your hate burns like ocean ice. And it's entirely... mine. I've never owned something so completely.”

I don’t even know where to begin with this. I was recommended the Arc, being told it was “vampire academy meets the secret history” - I was sold.

This book reminded me so much of what it felt like to be a teenager and getting lost in the fantasy vampiric world of books, the instant nostalgia was intoxicating and I truly can’t wait to revisit again and again.

It was so refreshing to read a truly morally grey FMC, and the balance between angst and yearning with the enemies to lovers pipeline was brilliant (even if I was left wanting more).

I so desperately want the sequel to this, but considering this isn’t even released yet I guess I’ll need to exercise some patience.

Anyways, Tigest this is truly a slay, and in your own words: You are not god, although you do enjoy answering prayers. 😗👌🏻

Um excuse me? I don’t know what was put in this book but it was freaking amazing. Vampires in a dark academia setting? I was literally sold as soon as I heard about it. But I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. So fantastic.

Wow. I was completely captivated and enthralled in Immortal Dark! The tension, the drama, the world building, lore and rules were all so incredibly unique with wonderful dimension.

The tension between our FMC and MMC was unmatched, you hated him, you loved him, you hated him…

I loved how our FMC Kidan wouldn’t be afraid to straight up ask when something doesn’t feel right. Questions you had as a reader, she also had, and you bet with knife in hand she would get to the bottom of it!

The twists and turns kept you gripped and NEEDING to know more, making it difficult to put down!

This book reminded me of why I fell in love with reading, especially fantasy! It evoked feelings and emotions that I once felt when I first picked up novels of this sort.

A dark and lustrous novel filled with black vampires, desire, rage and secrets that has left me wanting more!

4 stars 🌟

“There was no need for promises of love or for quiet tenderness. Neither was allowed to feel the smallest spark of those afflictions. But perhaps their souls were made to be eternal company. In devotion, in worship, in lust of brutality.”

Immortal Dark follows Kidan Adane as she embarks on a brutal journey to find her sister June. Uxley University brings us a dark academia story that I have not read of before with Vampires, found families and traditions.

“She wanted to create something here, a place where all their demons danced above their heads and gave them reprieve.”

The first half of the book took me through a world building journey that was at times hard to visualise but so intriguing at the same time. The tension and relationship between Kidan and Susenyos was one that I was still questioning at times right until the very end. There were twists and turns in the story that I did not see coming!

This debut novel by Tigest Girma was astonishing and look forward to its release, as I will be reading this again!

Thank you NetGalley, Hachette Australia and Tigest Girma for an advanced reader copy of Immortal Dark.

If I could give this book 6 stars - I WOULD!!!

This may be my favourite book of the year to date! I was gripped from start to finish and couldn’t get enough - it’s been so long since I’ve felt this way about a book! Where do I even begin:

The writing was amazing, the perfect style to keep me engaged and very fast-paced. I had no idea what the ending would be at all, and thankfully, the ending was great and didn’t at all let me down. I need the next book ASAP!

Great main characters but also intriguing side characters too! Following along as both Susenyos and Kidan grew and improved was so interesting, I really cared for both of them and wanted to know what was going to happen next for them.

The enemies to lovers??? This has to be the best written enemies I’ve ever read, they truly despised each other and it’s rare for me to read a book with this trope that actually does it justice. 10/10 for this and incredible slow burn with tension that had my shook.

Basically, READ THIS BOOK!!! I simply cannot wait for the next book and I am so thoroughly impressed, it’s a true work of art and Tigest Girma should be incredibly proud.

This was definitely a good debut novel!
I loved the dark academia x vampires vibes. Really loved how it had enemies to lovers as well as morally grey characters. I found the first half was a bit slow for me but once I got into it more and hit the 50% mark I found myself really enjoying it and wanting to read more. I cannot wait to see what the next book entails

This book has a little of everything and some of my most favourites being; vampires, dark academia, mystery and romance!! The premise was good, I do think it has the potential to be a good series.

The book starts off with a vengeful sister seeking retribution for her sister's murder, this spirals her down a pathway towards the one thing she hates the most, the vampires!

Definitely stacks of mystery in the book which was fun to read and find out and the romance was 🔥❤️‍🔥 I am looking forward to re-reading upon release of the book!

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma was an edge of your seat, dark academia, African origin vampire, gothic masterpiece. This book was filled with sacred sentient houses, powerful laws, art, violence and some of the best enemies to lovers tension I have read in a long time (like actual true enemies!). This book is YA - so no spice - but the tension built between the main characters is swoon worthy!

In a world with Humans and Vampires living side by side, Kidan (human!) and Susenyos (vampire!) the FMC and MMC and both are so rich, full of depth and complexities and so well written, you can't help but be invested in their story. The side characters are all so diverse and interesting, they all ass so much to the story. I really can't wait to see the development of Kidan and Susenyos and their journey to (hopefully) "lovers"!

I can not wait to see where this series leads!

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Australia and Tigest Girma for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first dark academia read and my gosh I am so hooked!

If you love a book that has you on the edge of your seat, your mind fumbling clues to try to theorise what is happening or about to happen & every time you guess it is wrong… you will enjoy this.

Kidan who is so engulfed in self hate, grief & guilt she has become numb, she attends a secret University “Uxley” with vampires (who she loathes) and mortals who were born to feed and be companions to vampires to keep balance and order between the two. Kidan has one task here and will do anything to succeed, even let evil takeover but to what end…

“You bleed red, little bird. I’d think it was black with all that hatred of yours”

The found family is everything, like attracts like and the character development through this trope is so delicious.

“Abandoned as they all were by parents, and vulnerable and desperate for family love, Kidan cared for them more then she thought was capable”

Forced proximity, true enemies to lovers, the slowest slow burn that will have you craving more!

“I will teach you if you let me, I can teach you a thousand different ways to loving yourself”

“The world loves to punish girls who dream in the dark. I plan to worship them”

"Immortal Dark" by Tigest Girma is a dark, atmospheric masterpiece that breathes new life into vampire lore with a rich infusion of black African history and customs. As a debut novel, Girma's storytelling prowess is evident, creating a world that is nothing short of mesmerising. Filled with sentient houses and complex laws, the narrative draws you in from the first page. Kidan, our determined protagonist, embarks on a gripping quest to find her missing sister, June, navigating through a world teeming with folklore and a tantalising enemies-to-lovers dynamic with the enigmatic house vampire, Susenyos Sagad. With themes of found family and dark academia, "Immortal Dark" is a moody, thought-provoking read that will leave you enthralled. The ending leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

4.5 stars

Centuries-old family secrets haunt Kidan Adane as she searches for her missing sister June, believed to be taken by Susenyos Sagad, their own vampire kin. To unravel the mystery, Kidan infiltrates Uxlay University, where humans and vampires coexist, facing danger and temptation as she delves into a ruthless underworld. She must confront her own dark impulses and navigate deadly alliances to save June and uncover the truth that threatens them all.

Immortal Dark feels like it was written just for me. I lived for the tension, the nicknames, the dark and sexy taunts, and all those vampy antics (I'm not confirming they involve feeding scenes, but I'm not denying it either). Add in messy characters, secret societies, intriguing politics and lore, and an FMC driven by love, grief, and revenge, and it gets juicy!

Now it is YA, so don't expect any spice, but Tigest Girma comes through with so much enemies-to-lovers tension that you'll be hooked on every interaction between Kidan and Susenyos.

⚔️ African-origin vamps
⚔️ Dark academia backdrop with a twist
⚔️ A house that messes with your head
⚔️ Nicknames
⚔️ A wonderfully messy found family
⚔️ A heroine out for justice for her sister
⚔️ Taj, my fave character

It was a bit difficult to follow and read, sometimes felt disconnected. But I loved the Vampires & human idea in an academy setting.

A lost heiress, a soulless vampire and a secret drenched in blood. A dangerously romantic dark academia fantasy, where a lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the vampire she suspects killed her family.

A layered plot line that will keep you guessing to the very last page, morally grey characters that you can’t help but fall I love with and a deliciously dark take on vampires. It’s a story that will sink it’s teeth into you and won’t let you go: not that you’ll want it too.

Weaving magic and myth into a story that is full realised with a main character that accepts her false and the darkness within her in her journey towards vengeance. A haunting debut with nuanced writing, immersive plot and filled with a beautiful kind of darkness.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚

If you enjoy;
Dark Academia
Vampires
Secret Societies
Intrigue
Sentient and Noble Houses
Ethiopian Mythology
Enemies turning into Allies and back
Unique Lore
You will absolutely love this book!

“You bleed red, little bird. I’d think it was black with that hatred of yours”

Immortal Dark presents a one-of-a-kind story set in a world where humans and vampires strive to coexist peacefully, governed by Sacred Houses and strong Laws within the mysterious and secretive Uxlay University. The narrative delves into themes of violence, a deep Black history, hidden secrets, and blood. The intricate World-Building and the incorporation of rich Ethiopian Mythology captivated me. The distinct Laws of each House and the rigorous education and testing that Humans must undergo to excel within their designated House was truly captivating.

“I love the shape of your mouth when you beg”

The storyline kept me guessing right from the start; nothing was as it appeared, and the suspense was expertly crafted. Immortal Dark is a book with a perfectly medium to fast pace – every chapter kept me engaged without a dull moment. If the second book were out, I'd grab it in a heartbeat! I'm eagerly anticipating how this story is going to develop.

“Your hatred burns like ocean ice. And it’s entirely . . . mine. I’ve never owned something so completely”

Kidan, our Morally Gray MFC, undergoes significant development in this book, which is one of the highlights of the story for me. Witnessing her transformation from a grieving and isolated older sister with no hope for the future to a determined and resilient woman seeking healing was an emotional journey I wasn’t anticipating. As an older sibling, I found this experience incredibly relatable. Susenyos Sagad remained an enigma to me, and it was intriguing to uncover his true intentions gradually throughout the entire book, which turned out to be completely unexpected. I enjoyed their enemies-to-lovers storyline, although there was quite a bit of mistrust and miscommunication, elements I typically am not fond of whatsoever. Nevertheless, in this particular story, I believe it adds depth, particularly given Kidan's intense distrust of vampires and Susenyos’ history. Additionally, there are captivating side characters with diverse personalities that enrich the overall narrative. I'm eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into their stories in the upcoming books and exploring their backgrounds further!

“I will teach you. If you let me, I can teach you a thousand different ways of loving yourself”

I can't wait to dive into book two and discover the next chapter of this captivating story! The unexpected double cliffhanger ending took me by surprise and left me in utter shock.

This book was just wow. The writing was insane and the metaphors were beautiful and the story was so well paced and the culture was rich and essential to the story. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I’m not disappointed in the slightest. All the characters were unique and had very clear goals and ambitions. I love how everyone was morally grey (almost bordering to the darker side) but that you could still sympathise with them. The plot twists were insane but I loved them and there was not a single point of this book in which I got bored. Such a beautiful debut

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette ANZ for my first (e)ARC!

3.5 stars

To find her sister, Kiran Adane returns to the secret society she escaped from as a child, where vampires and humans co-exist and where her parents were murdered all those years ago. Going back means living with Susenyos Sagad who she believes is responsible for not only her family’s downfall but her sisters’ disappearance. As Kiran falls deeper into the societies cursed web, she uncovers dark secrets that may or may not be the answer to it all.

Immortal Dark started strong with its gothic atmosphere and overall spooky vibes. There was a brutal cutthroat-ness throughout the entire novel that kept on shocking me (in a good way). I did struggle to grasp what was happening in the first few chapters, which I think was done for the sake of mystery, but it just felt a little too elusive for me. There were also a few other instances where things could have been explained better - there is a lot to understand about the plot and society, and it felt like at times I was missing pieces. This was all mostly in the first half of the novel, after that the writing really blossomed and I became more intrigued in the characters and the story. The romantic relationship also started brewing and it had me giggling and kicking my feet – that MMC isn’t playing around (if you want a touch her and 💀 rec, maybe give this a try). The last couple chapters had me at the edge of my seat, and interested to find out what happens next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow wow wow, this was oh so addictive!!

Vampires, dark academia vibes, enemies to lovers with quite literally some of the BEST Tension I have ever READ, AND murder & mystery vibes, I was instantly hooked by this book!

Kidan was such a badass FMC and i absolutely loved her character, the dynamic between her and Susenyos was incredible and full tension. Imagine this your attending a secret university in order to try and find your sister who you suspects was kidnapped and then you are forced to LIVE with your number 1 suspect, like come on, focus proximity at its FINEST! This was truly such an incredible book and every needs to read it!

Also that ending has be like I need book two immediately!!

4.5 ⭐️!