I received an early copy of this book via @netgalley and was intrigued by the premise. A dark academia story set in St Andrews in Scotland. The book takes place during the 90’s and follows a group of university students searching the ancient Scottish countryside for Viking secrets. However the story takes a turn when they end up creating some deadly secrets of their own

This is a fairly fast-paced thriller with hints of The Secret History/Saltburn (not those hints 🛁). It deals with themes of loss, guilt, privilege, rivalry, social class, obsession, drug-use and murder

There’s plenty of in-depth historical information in this book, mostly about St Andrews, the university grounds and Vikings. I didn’t dislike the detail, but sometimes it took me out of the story as I felt like I was occasionally slipping into a non-fiction book

I had a lot of time for the main character Finn. He was working through a lot of emotional turmoil after losing his family as a child in a tragic accident and he was looking for acceptance and a place to belong. Unfortunately for him, he ended up finding a pretty terrible group of people to spend time with. That is where I struggled a bit with the story. The group started out academic and fairly harmless, but things escalated pretty quickly and got out of control. At multiple points I was left thinking, leg it!!

There were some nice tense moments and the story flowed from chapter to chapter with a dream-like quality. I would have liked a little bit more background on the other members of the group, particularly Madri as her reactions to situations felt very extreme, I kept anticipating some sort of further reveal about her character, but sadly it never arrived

The ending felt a little rushed, particularly as everything was building to an exciting atmospheric showdown. It was a real shame that it ended prematurely - I would have liked more!

Overall I enjoyed the story and the world that Barrington built, I would have just liked a few more pages on the characters, perhaps an extra chapter on their friendship developing and also for that ending to be given the time it deserved

Review based on an ARC copy kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley. I thank the publisher and the author for this opportunity.

Within the stone corridors of St Andrews University, where the scent of the sea mingles with centuries of history, unfolds a story that captures Scotland's deepest essence, weaving together tradition, mystery, and darkness.

The narrative follows Finn Nethercott, a first-year student who finds himself thrown into a world where privilege rules and the boundaries between reality and folklore become increasingly blurred. His encounter with four history scholars, obsessed with Scotland's ancient roots, pulls him into a spiral of increasingly dangerous adventures.

One of the book's most fascinating aspects is the exploration of the protagonist's spirituality, masterfully interwoven with Scotland's diverse cultural traditions. Through Finn's eyes, we discover a rich mosaic of influences: from the Gaelic to the Vikings, from paganism to animism, to Christianity. In particular, Laurie's character shines through his ability to narrate these multicultural traditions with contagious passion and an aura of mystery that significantly enriches the plot.

The setting is simply magnetic. Ancient fortress ruins and mist-shrouded lochs create a mystical backdrop where legends of faeries seem more real than ever. The author's evocative prose paints these landscapes with precise and suggestive strokes, immersing the reader in an atmosphere dense with mystery and ancient charm.

The characters are portrayed with great mastery: figures with sharp edges harboring complex emotional depths, revealed gradually through sharp-edged dialogues that alternate between wit and frustration. Their characterization contributes to creating an atmosphere of constant tension, where nothing is as it seems.

As the story progresses, the layers of complexity multiply. What begins as an apparently simple tale of university friendships transforms into a deeper exploration of obsessions, rivalries, and midnight rituals, culminating in the search for an ancient hallucinogen that could change everything.

However, there are some less convincing aspects. The narrative rhythm is uneven, with some sections proceeding more slowly than others, creating a reading experience reminiscent of a roller coaster. Despite the plot always being interesting, not all parts maintain the same level of narrative tension.

Despite these minor flaws, the book remains highly recommended for lovers of dark academia and those who appreciate stories that blend historical and supernatural elements. The author succeeds in creating a work that, while not always keeping you glued to its pages, leaves a lasting impression thanks to its unique atmosphere and the depth of its themes.

An atmospheric thriller that masterfully blends history, folklore and suspense, pulling the reader into a hypnotic journey through the mists of Scotland's most ancient and mysterious realms.

Thank you to Head of Zeus for approving this ARC for me to enjoy. I was not familiar with this author or his previous works before picking this up, and had only the description to go by. I am only 20% finished with the material, but my low feedback rating compels me to respond to what I’ve read so far. This author is clearly educated, much like his characters and has a wonderful vocabulary. A few words, I had to highlight and look up. I love learning, so this is a good thing for me. I also noticed the author also has a passion for traveling and that comes across in his characters as well. Places of European historical significance play a huge role in this story, I can tell already. The prose is taut, smart and moves along quickly. I will update my rating once I’ve finished. Great work, C. F. Barrington!

Five friends. One deadly obsession.

This book had if we were villains on psychedelic drugs vibes it had my interest from the start. I really enjoyed it.

Source: Netgalley for an honest review.

1 ⭐️

DNF @ 30%

This book is suggested for those who are fans of “If we were villains” by ML Rio. That’s what initially pulled me this book.

Unfortunately, at 30%, and I can finally say that I am bored beyond measure. Though most of the Shakespeare in ML Rio flew over my head, I was at least interested in the characters and what was happening to them. This book seemed to be “if we were villains” in an alternate universe. Not only does the plot resemble each other. But so do the character dynamics.

I read in another review that they believed only people who were a fan of religion would be a fan of this and as a religious person I’m here to say that isn’t true. 😂 The book does discuss history and Christianity in detail. There was definitely a lot of research done for this book which I can appreciate but even so it still wasn’t enough to keep my interest.

Though this book wasn’t for me, I’m excited to see what this author will be releasing in the future and will definitely give it a try.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

Oh my goodness - what a long winded tale of the, generally, over-privileged! I kept going (barely!) in order to give an honest review. By the end, I wish I hadn't wasted hours of my life I could have spent doing something more interesting....like ironing...

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

When We Were Killers by C.F. Barrington is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that blends elements of crime, mystery, and psychological tension. The story follows a group of characters whose dark pasts come to the forefront when they are forced to confront the consequences of their actions. Barrington's writing is gripping, with well-drawn characters and a plot full of twists and moral dilemmas that keep readers on edge. The exploration of guilt, redemption, and the blurred line between right and wrong adds depth to the story. While the book’s darker themes may not be for everyone, When We Were Killers offers a compelling and suspenseful read for fans of psychological thrillers and crime fiction.

Thank you to the publishers, author, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I was very intrigued with the premise of this book, and while it was a bit slower for my liking, the last 100 pages had me excited to get to the end to find out what happened. I felt that this was a neat capture of the exploration of drugs and Viking history. While not a fast read for myself, I can see the fascination and excitement some might have surrounding this book.

I did enjoy that this was in first person so that the reader could explore the trips of the drugs along with Finn. Not knowing what was reality and what was in his mind helped the psychedelic feeling and helped readers stay on Finn’s side after each trip. A few twists in the book helped keep me involved in the story and made me feel for the five.

#netgalley #whenwewerekillers

When a circle of so called friends turn deadly. This is the story of five friends from Ancient Scotland with a secret to hold. In a place where privilege counts and and the right backgrounds can get away with anything. Fin learns he is no different from the others, but his own adventures will find him new friends, new fun, new rivalries, and a new passion searching for the unknown. Who can Finn trust, can he even trust himself?

When We Were Killers by C.F. Barrington is an atmospheric dark academia thriller with a twist of historical mystique, drawing heavily on Viking mythology and folklore. The depth of research is evident, especially with the cultural and historical details surrounding the berserker legends, which gave the story an edge and made it stand out. The setting in the Scottish Highlands also added to the haunting, moody vibe that made this a deeply immersive read.

One of my favorite parts was the vivid descriptions of the celebrations and how substances began to influence the characters, gradually pushing them to lose control. These scenes were intense and well-executed, making the sense of transformation feel authentic. Finn’s complex backstory, which reveals the roots of his aloofness, was another strong point, bringing an unexpected depth to his character. And Anna, with her sweetness and charm, offered a welcome balance to the darker personalities in the group.

That said, the writing style, while authentic to the setting, was sometimes overly formal, making it harder to connect with. The pacing felt slow, with much of the plot outside the berserker mythos feeling flat, and many of the characters felt shallow, overshadowed by Finn’s development. Also, while this was presented as a thriller, it often felt more like a sci-fi or fantasy novel, which may disappoint readers expecting intense suspense.

Overall, When We Were Killers offers a unique story for those who enjoy atmospheric dark academia with historical and mythological layers. However, those looking for a true thriller might find the tone and pacing less intense than expected.

** I received an ARC copy in return for an honest review**
This as it states is definately a fever dream full of obsession.
I don't think this was particularly for me, most of the time I didn't even know what was happening.
I loved the Scottish folklore but unfortunately to me it was slow, confusing and rushed at the end.

Wow what did I just read

Awesome book. 5.stars. Totally gripping

Thanks for the opportunity to review

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. When We Were Killers is an atmospheric dark academia novel set in 1990’s Scotland. Themes of friendship, secrecy and early European history are the main drivers. Barrington illustrates that the stark difference in social class that lead to irreversible consequences of all those involved but especially for those that have everything to lose. All breathlessly pacing towards a tragic ending worthy of becoming legend.

It wasn’t terrible by any means but it wasn’t the most enjoyable book I’ve ever read. Dark Academia is somewhat of a new genre for me, initially it gave “Babel spinoff” vibes and I wasn’t mad about it. Part 1 was just very very slow, I’m not someone to not finish a book, but this was really hard at times to keep reading - as much as I appreciate how informative it was, it was very heavy at points.

Part 2 did pick up a little bit, but being so far into the book, it was a little underwhelming. Overall, not a bad read but won’t be in a rush to pick up again unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aries Books for the chance to read the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly had a hard time completing this. A little too weird for me. I pushed through in hopes that it would get better but it was a struggle all the way. It was very confusing and even the ending didn't clear things up for me.

I wasn't a fan of not addressing the characters by name and by the end of the book I was confused as to what happened and who was who.

This is a book you need to read with total focus, not just to sit back and enjoy a good story.

In this novel, Finn, a first year divinity student at the university, hooks up with a group of four individuals who are obsessed with Scotland. It’s not a normal obsession .. and these friends do some not normal things, rituals etc. I enjoyed the plot twists in the book. Although well written, and kept me reading, the style of writing wasn’t my favourite, hence the 4 star rating.

I thought that this would be your typical thriller but the more I read, the more I realised it wasn't and it also wasn't the kind of book I'd usually go for. I absolutely flew through the beginning of the book, but slowed when I reached just shy of the halfway point. I did end up enjoying it a lot more than I expected once I realised what it was really about.

3.5

4 stars for this one, and I wasn’t sure I would like it at all, at first.

Finn Nethercott (because, yeah, people are named that) arrives at St. Andrews University (isn’t that actually a real place and possibly where Prince William and Kate Middleton went to school or am I creating that in my head?) and is immediately absorbed into a new group of friends, Madri, Laurie, Magnus and Hope, four history student obsessed with ancient Scotland. But it’s not all fun and beer pong. There are rivalries within the group, plus odd rituals and the search for an ancient drug. Because I guess our current drugs are simply not good enough. Finn, my friend, please meet heroin.

If you think this sounds like a poor man’s SECRET HISTORY I’m not going to tell you you’re wrong. Oh, and no one does heroin.

I see the author uses initials to disguise whether they are a male or female, but the fact that the male characters are described consistently as “men” while the female characters are almost always called “girls” gives me a pretty good idea. Do better, people!

Despite the fact that this is not THE SECRET HISTORY the book isn’t bad at all and I enjoyed it…page turner for those who enjoy dark academia (me.).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this EARC. It isn’t my usual genre but it was very interesting. Finn Nethercott was a first year student at a prestigious university. He joins a “clan” with a bunch of other students that have been going there. They experience with drugs. Magmus wants to figure the correct combination to act like a berzerk. Read it and find out if he ever does
I gave my honest opinion and was not paid to do so