Debut author I.V. Marie’s novel has cover and page edge art that brought my tomescrolling (that’s doomscrolling for bookworms, I made it up, you’re welcome) to a screeching halt. So pretty! I wondered about the interior content, since that much care has been put into the outer decor. So, I read the synopsis.

This bit perked me right up: “Welcome to Blackwood Academy: the legendary school located on the fringes of the afterlife. Once a pupil enters the academy’s arched gates, there is no way out . . . except for the Decennial, a once-in-a-decade celebration in which a single, worthy student is tested and given a choice: Graduate and join Blackwood’s magical elite, or cross over to the mysterious Other Side.”

I love the Dark Academia aesthetic. It’s the opposite of my own academic experience, which I’ll admit was rather terrible from kindergarten all the way through college. Dark Academia is a do-over for this slightly cynical yet wistful, grown-up former student. I cracked into it, hoping for a good experience. I just wanted to read a few pages before bedtime to get a feel for the story.

Two hours later, I’d completely forgotten about getting a good night’s sleep. Oh well, why bother stopping now if I’d already gone too far? I read for another hour before grudgingly putting down my Kindle and getting a few hours rest.

The author’s writing style is instantly engaging. She’s got a gift for storytelling that doesn’t flatten out after a chapter or two. If anything, her style just gets better as we learn more about the six students that this story revolves around. Chapters are titled with the name of the student to be highlighted in that chapter. Chapter one is simply “Wren”. Once you get to know each of the students, you’ll go into each chapter eagerly, wanting to know more about their continuing part in the adventure.

And this is definitely an adventure! An unpredictable one—just as you start to get a handle on what’s going on, someone adds a twist that changes everything. Some of those twists feel like they’ve made the situation impossible. You won’t be able to predict what happens next, but you will be compelled to read on and find out. Say farewell to the concept of getting a good night’s sleep until you reach the last page in the book. That’s assuming you can sleep with your brain still buzzing. To call this book “immersive” is like calling the Atlantic ocean “moist”.

If you love dark, brooding, beautiful decay, this book is for you. If you feel that Harry Potter was a decent start but didn’t go nearly far enough, this book is for you. If you identify with young adults trying to find their way in the world, this book is for you. It also qualifies as a romantasy but not anything like you’d expect. While technically correct, that feels like an overly simplified label.

It’s good. Addictive, gasping out loud, turn another page and sleep be damned, good. You know you want to read it. Run, don’t walk, to Amazon and pre-order your copy. Then, go get a good night’s sleep, while you still can.

My thanks to I.V. Marie, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.