Books Like...
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee follows the story of 17-year-old Felicity Morrow, who returns to her elite boarding school after taking a year off for her mental health. Haunted by the death of her best friend Alex, Felicity is drawn into a plot with mysterious teen writer Ellis Haley to investigate the deaths of the infamous Dalloway Five. As Felicity delves deeper into the past, she must confront her own guilt and unravel the truth behind the tragedies that occurred at the school. The book is a beautifully written dark academia novel filled with suspense, vivid descriptions, and intricate character relationships that keep the reader hooked until the very end.
If you liked A Lesson in Vengeance, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide is a gripping and timely YA thriller that follows the lives of two Black students, Chiamaka and Devon, at the prestigious Niveus Academy. The story delves into themes of racism, classism, homophobia, and the pressure to succeed in a predominantly white institution. As the two protagonists navigate the cutthroat world of Niveus, they must join forces to uncover a stalker's identity and face the dangerous repercussions of the secrets being revealed.
The novel intricately weaves together elements of mystery, thriller, and social commentary, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Through rich characterization, tight plotting, and thought-provoking discussions on race and sexuality, Ace of Spades offers a chilling portrayal of the impact of white supremacy and systemic discrimination on marginalized individuals.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for structure. Ask any of my friends. Correction—friend. I’m pretty sure that, even though I’ve been here for almost four years, no one else knows I exist. Just Jack, who g... - #2
Catherine House is a prestigious and exclusive college hidden in the woods where students are offered full scholarships and a chance at a prestigious career. The story follows Ines, a student running from her past, who finds herself drawn into the mysterious and unsettling world of Catherine House. The setting is described as gothic and eerie, with elements of mystery, mind control, and secret experiments, creating a dreamlike and unsettling atmosphere. The plot revolves around the students' isolation from the outside world, the unconventional curriculum, and the hidden agenda within the school's walls.
I ran a hand over my stomach. I was going be sick. The back of my throat tasted like sour wine and my ears rang with the echoes of a party: a smutty, fucked-up bass line reverberating through the floo... - #3
The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould is a compelling YA horror thriller with paranormal elements set in the small, rural town of Snakebite, Oregon. The story follows Logan, an adopted teenager with two dads who return to Snakebite to film for their ghost hunting show. When teens start disappearing and strange occurrences unfold, Logan teams up with local Ashley to uncover dark family secrets and confront The Dark, an enigmatic entity. The book weaves together themes of grief, love, isolation, and features LGBTQ representation, creating a suspenseful and atmospheric narrative that keeps readers engaged till the end.
BRANDON VOICEOVER:We’re back in the basement of the Calloway House in New Prague, Minnesota. Local legend says that Agatha Calloway once used this basement for satanic rituals, but no evidence to back... - #4
'Plain Bad Heroines' by Emily M. Danforth is a novel that intertwines two timelines, one set in 1902 at an all-girls school in Maine where students are obsessed with a book that encourages lesbian relationships, and another set in the present day following the production of a movie based on the events at the school. The story delves into mysterious deaths, curses, and hauntings, with a focus on the relationships between different characters across time periods. The writing style includes commentary, footnotes, and a chatty narrator, creating a multi-layered and complex narrative structure.
Though I am young and feminine—very feminine—I am not that quaint conceit, a girl: the sort of person that Laura E. Richards writes about, and Nora Perry, and Louisa M. Alcott,—girls with bright eyes,... - #5
'The Devil Makes Three' by Tori Bovalino is a dark academia young adult novel that follows the story of two high schoolers who accidentally summon a demon in an old spooky library. The book combines elements of horror, family dysfunction, and romance, creating a subtle blend that works quite nicely. The plot is gripping and atmospheric, giving off dark academia vibes with a touch of spooky. The author's writing style is beautifully written, with word choices paying homage to classic books, creating a thrilling and bone-chilling read.
The story revolves around Tess, a strong yet brittle character, and Eliot, a privileged peer, who discover an ancient book that leads to the accidental release of a demon. The book is filled with suspense, romantic tension, and well-fleshed-out characters, making it a page-turner that keeps readers wanting more. Set in a boarding school library, the novel delves into themes of magic, possession, and deals with the devil, creating a unique and intriguing storyline that appeals to fans of horror and dark academia.
TESS MATHESON WAS ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE ON CAMPUS who didn’t think that the Jessop English Library was haunted. This wasn’t because of a lack of belief in the paranormal. Tess, who’d grown up under th... - #6
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is a dark and suspenseful novel set in an eccentric conservatory college where seven fourth-year acting students are deeply immersed in Shakespearean theater. The story unfolds through the memories of Oliver, who has just been released from prison after serving a ten-year sentence for a crime that is gradually revealed. The book delves into the relationships, secrets, and tragedies that unfold among the students, all while incorporating Shakespearean quotes and themes throughout the narrative. The writing style is described as captivating, emotionally arresting, and filled with tension, making the book a thrilling and engrossing read.
I sit with my wrists cuffed to the table and I think, But that I am forbid / To tell the secrets of my prison-house, / I could a tale unfold whose lightest word / Would harrow up thy soul. The guard s... - #7
'Wilder Girls' by Rory Power is set in the Raxter School for Girls, placed under quarantine due to a mysterious disease called the Tox. The Tox affects the girls in various ways, from physical mutations to death, leaving them largely isolated. The protagonist, Hetty, embarks on a journey across the island to uncover a dark secret while navigating friendships, survival, and the horrors of the Tox. The writing style is described as engaging, with a forward-focused plot that keeps readers on edge, while the author successfully balances scene-setting with a dramatic finish that leaves readers hoping for a sequel.
That size, it must be a coyote, one of the big ones hitting shoulder high. Teeth that fit like knives in the palm of my hand. I know because I found one once, the end of it just poking through the fen... - #8
'Special Topics in Calamity Physics' by Marisha Pessl follows the story of Blue van Meer, an intelligent adolescent who moves to a small liberal arts college community with her college professor father. Befriended by a high school teacher and four students under her influence, Blue uncovers the true nature of those around her. The book is filled with literary and film references, written in a unique 'faux' research paper style, with a labyrinthine plot that keeps readers engaged despite its length. The writing style is described as clever, witty, and filled with endless references and allusions, showcasing the author's intelligence and imagination.
Dinner at Hannah's was a honey-bunch tradition, held more or less every Sunday for the past three years. Charles and his friends looked forward to the hours at her house (the address itself, a little ... - #9
'The Grimrose Girls' by Laura Pohl is a young adult murder mystery combined with a little magical realism set in an elite Swiss boarding school. The story follows four girls, Ella, Yuki, Rory, and Nani, as they investigate the mysterious deaths at Grimrose Académie that seem to follow the endings of fairy tales. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the girls, each with unique personalities and backgrounds, as they delve into dark secrets, blurred lines between magic and reality, and the importance of friendship, coming of age, and self-discovery.
The writing style of Laura Pohl in 'The Grimrose Girls' is described as fantastic, compelling, and gripping. Pohl's ability to build well-developed characters with depth and singularities adds intrigue to the storyline, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. The incorporation of fairy tales, suspenseful plot twists, and the exploration of themes such as friendship, identity, and fate make this book a captivating blend of fairytale magic and thrilling dark academia.
This was not, of course, the usual for the Grimrose Académie for Elite Students, whose student body mostly went on to command corporate conglomerates or win Academy Awards, Nobel Prizes, and other suc... - #10
'The Atlas Six' by Olivie Blake follows six powerful Medians who are invited to participate in a fellowship to gain access to a secret society. Only five of them will continue on, while the sixth will be eliminated. The plot is medium-paced, filled with twists and turns, keeping readers wondering about people's motivations and alliances. delves into the complexity of relationships, where characters can read minds and manipulate emotions, while posing thought-provoking existential questions about perceptions and the world. The writing style includes pretentious dialogue that some readers found off-putting, with a unique narration approach using six different narrators, one for each main character.
Perhaps it was a tired thing, all the references the world had already made to the Ptolemaic Royal Library of Alexandria. History had proven it endlessly fascinating as a subject, either because the o...