Good book for those looking for a YA dark academia vibe, magical academia, stories about immigrant teenagers, stories about Filipino teenagers, stories with neurodivergent characters, and stories with LGBTQ+ characters. Three stars due to: Pacing - some scenes felt drawn out while others were too fast, and long spaces between events were briefly mentioned where they could have been left out. Repeated beats - main character kept going off alone into danger, repeated instances where others would have to rescue them. Jarring scene placement - a scene exploring gender identify feels thrown in, occurring immediately after the main conflict without a strong explanation of the timing. Positives of the story include a well-done atmosphere, interesting magic system, school and society, complex main character, developed secondary characters, good exploration of friendships, and good exploration of identifying when guilt is misplaced.

3.5 stars
The book had a bit of a slow start for me, with some character moments feeling a little premature and not entirely earned. Additionally, some emotional scenes came across as a bit too heavy-handed. However, by the end, I found myself really attached to the main cast. Each character was so endearing on their own, and the way they cared for each other without question was genuinely touching. I haven’t read much dark academia before, but I did wish the school setting had been explored more deeply—there was a lot of potential there that wasn’t fully realized. That said, I appreciated how everything came together in the end and how the themes of the book were thoughtfully explored. Plus, there’s excellent representation of both autistic and queer characters.

This is a book that I think will be widely loved by the right audience, I think it was well written and very intriguing, it just read a little too YA for me.

Lovely Dark and Deep is a heavily character driven book, which suits it as the characters, relationships, and found family are the standout elements.
The time and thought put into each character certainly showed, the diverse group of friends was really special. Great queer and neurodivergence rep that I loved reading. The main character is angry and actually has a good reason for it, and some good development and growth.
There's a good bit of light horror which I really enjoyed! The forest and Desdemona house were really good atmospheric settings.
The worldbuilding and overarching plot were a little weak, underdeveloped, and the inspiration felt a bit unoriginal, but I think it was well suited to the target audience and well worth the read for YA readers.

3.5/5 rounded up. Thank you Fierce Reads and NetGalley for the ARC!

After allegedly murdering her best friend, Faith has been tagged as a Red Stripe—an outcast. For this school year, on top of mundane college applications, Faith has to uncover the truth about her best friend and, possibly, save the school and magical world while at it.

Magical school, forest setting, queer rep, diverse cast? I’ve been sat for this book since its announcement. The found family was adorable and so special. I honestly felt like there’s a bit of a struggle with balancing the character-driven and plot-driven aspects of the story as well as keeping up with the vibes and worldbuilding. Still, everyone’s character arc was done beautifully. Elisa’s strength truly lies in character building. The ending was especially satisfying and heartfelt as well.

Also, Maria Faith Castillo is such a Filipino name I love it so much — plus the Ilonggo and Hiligaynon rep? SLAY.

Thank you to Elisa Bonnin for the early copy! :>

Oh, this was gorgeous! I was lost in the book from the very first moment and it never let me go. I loved the characters and the setting and the worldbuilding and just everything. The author did a particularly good job of explaining the world to the reader succinctly and very naturally without it becoming a wall of exposition. Really. Kudos!

I am happy to say I will never get tired of magical academia books they just hit all the right notes.

I'm always happy to see new magical boarding school YA books so that teens have more inclusive options to read! I think this was a really solid entry into that subgenre. Some parts felt a bit rushed, particularly at the ends, and in particular I think Alex being trans could have been handled with a bit more care instead of just being shoved in at the end. Overall though I really liked these characters, and I think this world could make a great series!

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In “Lovely Dark and Deep,” Elisa A. Bonnin crafts a YA dark academia tale filled with mystery, magic, and the powerful bonds of found family. The story follows Faith, a student at Ellery West—a hidden school of magic shrouded in mist and secrets off the coast of Washington. After a tragic incident in the forest where she loses her friend Sydney, Faith is marked as a Red Stripe, a designation for students too dangerous for regular classes, and is shunned by her classmates. Facing the prospect of losing her magic forever if she fails to graduate, Faith must navigate her final year under the cloud of suspicion and loneliness.

The book’s strength lies in its diverse and endearing characters. Faith’s journey from isolation to finding a supportive group among the other Red Stripes is beautifully portrayed. The theme of found family shines as each character brings something unique to the table, offering support and friendship despite their shared outcast status. The members of the friend group are all very unique and engaging. Also within the friend group, there is a nonverbal, autistic character—a refreshing and well-handled addition to YA fantasy. The found family aspect was my favorite part of the book as Faith always had the support of her friends throughout the book even when it seemed like everyone else around her had abandoned her due to their own preconceptions.

Bonnin keeps the magic system straightforward, making the story accessible to younger readers. Though the world-building around Ellery West could have been expanded, particularly given the intriguing, eerie school setting, Bonnin focuses instead on emotional connections and themes of redemption and resilience. As the plot develops, the characters' bonds feel more organic, creating a story that’s both heartwarming and suspenseful. The mystery aspect of the book was well done as Ellery and her friends attempt to uncover a threat that is attacking the other students, which casts suspicion on the other Red Stripes. I enjoyed the mystery, though I did find it to be a bit boring and predictable at times. The unique aspects of the magic and the setting, however, kept me engaged throughout.

If you’re drawn to tales of dark forests, mysteries, and characters who find belonging in unexpected places, “Lovely Dark and Deep” offers a fresh perspective on the familiar magic-school trope. With a diverse cast, a touch of eerie magic, and an emphasis on friendship and loyalty, Bonnin’s novel is a satisfying addition to the world of YA dark academia.

I received a free ARC of this book from Elisa A. Bonnin as part of her street team membership! Thank you, Elisa!

This dark, atmospheric tale follows Faith, a student at Ellery West, a hidden magical school on an uncharted island off the Washington coast. After an unsettling incident in the forest leaves Faith marked as a Red Stripe - a designation for students deemed too dangerous - she becomes an outcast, navigating a lonely final year where failure would mean the loss of her magic forever. Yet, sinister forces continue to threaten the school, and Faith must reluctantly join with other Red Stripes to confront this danger.

Despite a slow start and some rushed character moments, "Lovely Dark and Deep" bloomed with the found family trope that felt deeply touching. The diverse cast, including LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent representation, added richness, while the forest fantasy and unique magic were compelling.

Though I wished for more world-building, the end felt satisfying, bringing everything together beautifully (Alex's character development particularly brought tears to my eyes). This book is a must-read for fans of dark academia and complex friendship stories!

I give this book a 4.50/5 stars! Would recommend this book to any readers looking for a dark, atmospheric fantasy with a haunted school, mysterious magic, and a gripping found-family dynamic! Thank you again, Elisa, for a free ARC of your book! So excited to be on your street team!

"Lovely Dark and Deep" is a teen/YA dark academia fantasy novel by Elisa A. Bonnin. Set on a secluded island off of the coast of Washington, Ellery West is a high school for magical teens to learn how to expand and control their powers. The novel follows Faith, a Filipina-American teen who feels pressured by the sacrifices her family has made for her to come to Ellery West. The narrative switches back and forth in time and we learn that Faith went into the forbidden woods with her best friend and only Faith escaped the fury of the forest. Due to this, Faith is now given a red stripe and secluded with other students that are considered too dangerous to be with the rest of the student population. Faith starts to make friends with the other Red Stripes, but when more strange events happen related to the forest, she must decide if she can trust them enough to solve this mystery and stop the dark magic from attacking more students. This novel is interesting and keeps you enthralled. It also features far more realistic diversity among students than Harry Potter ever did. Makes me wish this could be a series, but it is set up as a standalone novel.
A must-buy for teen/YA fantasy collections.

This book had a bit of a rough start for me since there were some character moments that came too early and don't feel quite earned. There were also some emotional moments that felt spoonfed. However, upon finishing the book I found myself attached to the main cast of characters as a group because of how endearing they were individually and how much they unquestioningly cared for one another. I haven't read much dark academia before, but I did find myself wishing there was more world-building, particularly in terms of the school setting which seemed interesting but never really got the full exposure it could have had. I did like how everything wrapped together at the end though and how the themes this book was trying to tackle were explored. There's also some great autistic and queer rep here.

This is going to appeal to so many people who love this theme of books. It was dark and written well! The characters had me in the edge of my seat.

Ellery is my spirit animal I love her. The cover is also stunning. I'm super happy I came across this book, and it was a great book to read during commutes and fill time. Thank you net galley for the arc!

Elisa Bonnin’s LOVELY DARK AND DEEP has everything a dark academia literary fan could desire. The plot moves at a fast clip, and the mystery of what’s hiding in the forest and haunting the students at Ellery West is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. If you like books about magic schools with supernatural horror themes, this is for you!

This book was so eerie and spooky with a lot of mystery and thrill mixed in as well. I can't wait to see what else the author comes out with.

In Lovely Dark and Deep, my favorite element has to be the found family. I am a sucker for a good story about friends which come together and support us. To witness how it feels when we find people who see us, who will support us, and listen to us. For Faith after being ostracized, she hasn't felt what it feels to have friends. To have people in our corner, who care where we sneak off to at night.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.