An Eternal Romance with Gothic Suspense
Gothikana
Erotic Dark Academia
Bramble
1/23/24
416
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 olden, 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 while 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. The moment he crosses paths with Corvina, he knows she is a danger 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 for over a hundred years. Corvina is getting clues to unravel it all, and Vad needs to keep an eye on her. So begins a tale of the mystique, the morbid, the macabre, and a deep love that blossoms in the unlikeliest of places.
I was not sure what to expect from Gothikana, but it lived up to the hype! This is an adult dark academia with lots of *spice*. The tension between Corvina and Vad was palpable and while I don’t normally like the “insta-love” trope, I will not put this book into that category as their attraction makes sense. There are definitely supernatural elements and not everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end, but that is the author’s intention. There are some questions in life that are just never answered.
“Steer clear of me, little crow,” he muttered, his eyes piercing, flaying her open. “You might be a luring siren but I’m no ordinary sailor. I’m a mad pirate and I’m trying to resist your call. If I land on your shores, I will plunder and take away everything worth having. Be very careful giving me those eyes.”
Vad is dark, handsome, mysterious, and so swoon worthy. I’m a sucker for the ‘stay away from me even though I can’t stay away from you’ trope. If dark academia with a sexy teacher who says and does even sexier things is your vibe, this book is for you!
Hi, I’m Rebecca! I’m a Maryland girl at heart, but currently live in South Central Pennsylvania. The greatest loves of my life are my husband, my three daughters, and our Alaskan Klee Kai, Yoshi. The best time I find to read is when my kids are busy with one of their numerous extra-curricular activities and my husband is gaming. Let me tell you, a reader and a gamer make an excellent partnership! Aside from quality time with my family, I believe my day is best spent with a good book in one hand and an iced coffee in the other. My hobbies include reading books, buying books, and adding books to my TBR. And yes, those are three separate hobbies, don’t @ me. I’m obsessed with YA fantasy, extra-spicy romantasy, and everything in between. I’m insatiable when it comes to reading and if I love a book – I devour it. It becomes a part of me forever.
