I was so excited for this book. I loved that we got to see representation and I am a massive fan of vampires. But it all felt too disconnected for me.
I had to DNF 😅 the Narration of the story was very disconnected to the personality of Kidan.
I’m not a big fan of a broody MC and that’s all I got from her unfortunately. I really tried
I think this will be a cult classic and i was try and give it another go…. One day.

5/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️

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

A young adult, dark academia filled with the most rich and beautiful lore I have read in a long time. Black vampires and their future companions, with so many morally grey characters to sink your teeth into - pun intended. This book was captivating to read and superbly written.

We follow Kidan, the heiress of House Adane as she searches for her lost sister, tries to master her birthright, attends the dark and secretive Uxlay College, all while living with the vampire she believes kidnapped her sister. Kidan struggles thoughout the book not knowing who she can truly trust, and also dealing with her own dark past and changing viewpoints of the world she thought she knew everything about.

The ever building tension in this book had me on the edge of my seat. Kidan’s relationship with Susenyos developed so perfectly and left me wanting more from then both. The twists and turns in this book also kept my attention as even I wasn’t sure who Kidan’s true friends were at some points.

This may very well be my favourite fantasy read of 2024.

That was brilliant! I’m absolutely obsessed with this book! It was so unique and original I’m in awe 🙌🏻

I knew from 30% in that I was completely hooked and it was going to be a 5 star read and I was not let down, if anything it just got better and better!

We have a world with humans and vampires, and it’s nothing like you could imagine. There are sacred houses, powerful laws, violence, art, enough tension to start a fire and just so much more.

It’s dark academia meets vampires meets violence and all together it’s incredible!! I refuse to spoil anything as the story is just so unique and it will have you forever on your toes, it’s a must read!

Kidan & Yos. Well dam. I don’t know where to start and there will never be an end. The characters are just so rich and as you learn more about them you just never want to let them go, I cannot wait to read the second book just to learn more about them.

Just some of my favourite quotes:

“You will not blackmail me into caring for you.”💀

“The problem, little bird, is I can’t trust you. You are quite traitorous.” 🪶

“Lovely to hear you were a bastard from a young age.” 😅

“You can’t even fight a strong wind.” 🤣

“You made me your nightmare the moment you heard my name”

Dark and oh so seductive, I was instantly hooked!🩸

Kidan attends a secret university in order to track down her kidnapped sister, it just so happens her number 1 suspect is the vampire that’s bound to her family’s sentient home. HELLO enemies to lovers & forced proximity🙌🏼

The dance of morality takes place the entire book, it has you questioning how far would you go to save a loved one? Would you watch the world burn guilt free? Or would the guilt burn you alive ?

“If they burn , I’m afraid I’ll burn along with them” 🔥

“Cry, she ordered her image. Why? It asked. You would do it again…” 🪞

This book has it all :
>Vampires
>Dark academia
>Secret societies
>Mystery & Murder 🔪
>Enemies to lovers with allll the tension
>Sentient house
>Found family bound together is the darkest of ways
>Ethiopian mythology

Extra elements that live in my mind rent free:

🩸The location of the vampire bite reveals different memories or emotions
🩸Each room within the sentient house mirrors different emotions
🩸Not one, but 2 cliffhangers ?! I am prepared to sell my soul to a vampire for book 2!!

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

Thank you NetGalley Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

They were two snakes with fangs drawn, the poison turning them mad with the need for release.

This book is the best example of dark academia I have ever had the distinct pleasure of reading.

It’s giving Enemies to reluctant allies to enemies to lovers BUT THE LOVERS IS A BIG FAT ? AND THE ENEMIES ARE LIKE REAL ENEMIES like I am trying to end you enemies like I am going to try and end you right this second enemies.

The writing is some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read. And then we are FED with the tension. The angst?!? The pain?!? The trauma?!? The longing??? GAGGED.

I am in a state of distress and it is about a book that ISNT EVEN OUT YET. And not only that but now I need book 2 like I need air. This is an phenomonal debut and I hope you are all ready for this to become my entire personality.

THIS BOOK IS GOING TO ACHIEVE CULT STATUS AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS IMMEDIATELY!!

This is truly fitting for the world as we know it. For the misfits who are so angry at the lack of the control they’re offered and are willing to take it back.

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

I don’t have enough words to express how much I loved this story. I’ve already preordered the special edition first print release because I needed it.

There are so many reasons I loved this book but nobody wants to read a narrative length review so I’ll try and keep it simple.

Cultural representation, Ethiopian mythology, dark academia, feminine rage, a refreshing take on vampires.
I would say morally grey but grey has left the chat and we are deep in pitch black territory and unapologetically so.

The language is beautiful, the world is an ethereal gothic masterpiece. Girma has created something truly stunning that deserves every inch of praise that is being thrown her way.

THE GALA SCENE!!! When I realised what item she was obtaining my heart quite literally stopped.

THE ENDING! How is it even possible to have TWO cliffhangers at the end?!

For lovers of political intrigue, secret societies and a revenge plot that might heal your heart instead.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an ARC copy. This review is left voluntarily

A fantastic read. Edge of your seat, vampires, witchcraft, university. Well written novel and I am looking forward to reading more from this author