BLURB:

The eternal romance of Beauty and the Beast meets the gothic suspense of Dracula in this erotic dark academia story of epic love from bestselling author RuNyx.

An unusual girl. An enigmatic man. An ancient castle. What could go wrong?

An outcast her entire life, Corvina Clemm is left adrift after losing her mother. When she receives the admission letter from the mysterious University of Verenmore, she accepts it as a sign from the universe. The last thing she expects though is an old, secluded castle on top of a mountain riddled with secrets, deceit, and death.

An enigma his entire life, Vad Deverell likes being a closed book but knowing exactly everything that happens in the university. A part-time professor working on his thesis, Vad has been around long enough to know the dangers the castle possesses. And he knows the moment his path crosses with Corvina, she’s dangerous to everything that he is.

They shouldn’t have caught each other’s eye. They cannot be. But a chill-inducing century-old mystery forces them to collide. People have disappeared every five years over the past century, Corvina is getting clues to unraveling it all, and Vad needs to keep an eye on her.

And so begins a tale of the mysterious, the morbid, the macabre, and a deep love that blossoms in the unlikeliest of places.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely adored reading this book! Firstly, the book itself, with its purple-edged dark cover and the beautiful artwork on each chapter page, was clearly crafted with intention. It’s a beautifully designed book that perfectly captures the essence of its protagonist. The purple edges remind me of Corvina’s enchanting purple eyes! This book is brimming with sensual tension and wonder. There were times when I felt like I was wandering the Verenmore floors at night in my night gown. It’s an incredibly captivating read. However, there were a few aspects that didn’t sit well with me. The frequent “Little crow” and “madness” comments from Vad were a bit off-putting. I wanted the book to exude more spooky vibes, to be darker and more alluring. I can’t quite pinpoint what it’s missing, but I craved more. I longed to be gripped with fear, while simultaneously entranced by the sensual tension between Vad and Corvina. Maybe the book needs to incorporate more witchy vibes. We needed more of that spooky Verenmore atmosphere.

Would I buy Verenmore Merch? Absolutely. Can you imagine me teaching at Verenmore, or working in their HR department? Absolutely! But let’s not get carried away. This is what happens when I get lost in a book, my imagination runs wild.

I also found it quite interesting that the author decided to give Corvina a complex character with a mental illness. I would have loved to see her developed with more depth, perhaps with a touch of mystique, like someone with a special connection to the supernatural. Maybe it’s just me. Perhaps I have a taste for the mysterious!

Nevertheless, I really hope RuNyx decides to write a sequel to this book. I would be thrilled to read it.

Happy Reading Folks!