Book Review: Gothikana by Runyx | A Dark Academia Gothic Romance
Gothikana by Runyx is a Gothic, Dark Academia romance set in a mysterious school that is a castle set atop a hill that has rumours of students disappearing, suicides, and ghosts haunting the castle surrounding it. Full of chilling vibes that will have you sitting glued to the book, read the book summary, genre, publication history, favourite book quotes, and book review of Gothikana by Runyx in this post below.
About Gothikana by Runyx:
No. of Pages: 456
Publication Date: June 15th 2021
Genre: Gothic Romance, Dark Romance, Adult Romance, Dark Academia, Mystery, Thriller, New Adult Romance, Indie Author, Romantic Suspense, Horror
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Gothikana by Runyx Review:
An unusual girl. An enigmatic man. An ancient castle. What could go wrong?“
Gothikana by Runyx
Gothikana by Runyx is the first book by the author that I have read and it was because of the blurb and a friend’s recommendation that I decided to pick it up. A gothic mystery with an enigmatic anti-hero, a heroine who hears voices in her head, and an ancient castle that houses a mysterious school with rumours of students disappearing, suicides, and ghosts haunting the castle surrounding it, this book promised a spooky, atmospheric, thrilling and entertaining ride. While, overall I enjoyed reading this book and count it among one of Njkinny’s favourite books, I still think it could have been better!
An outcast all her life, Corvina Clemm’s life changes when she receives an admission letter from a mysterious University called the University of Verenmore. So, taking this as her chance at a better life with new opportunities, she accepts to come here. Even the rumours of mysterious deaths, disappearances, and ghosts don’t deter her.
She becomes friends and roommate with a girl named Jade who has had a past misadventure at the University but is back to complete her studies. Then she meets the enigmatic and shrouded in mystery, Vad Deverell, a Professor who is feared by everyone because no one knows anything about him and lusted over by the female students and staff due to his handsome and intensely captivating looks. Corvina and Vad’s connection is immediate. With heated looks and dire warnings, they try to resist the attraction but to no avail. Meanwhile something dark and dangerous is lying in wait. So, with unexpected students committing suicides and the time of the century old mystery of students going missing every five years coming close, will Corvina and Vad solve the mystery behind it all or will history repeat itself again?
Favourite Quote:
I’m scared one day Verenmore will have more ghosts than people. I just hope we don’t end up as one of them.”
Gothikana by Runyx Quote
What I liked about Gothikana by Runyx
I have to admit that I was hooked right from the start. The author nails the spooky world building and the whole dark, dreary and scary atmospheric gothic feel in this book. The way she keeps the readers guessing about Corvina, Vad, all the secrets they are hiding and not telling each other, and why they feel this pull towards each other that seems almost supernatural, is splendidly done.
The narration is fluid, vibrant and immersive.
The characterizations are done well. Corvina is almost borderline sociopath who shows her true emotions only in front of Vad and Vad is the same which suits the suspenseful, spooky, spine-tingling and mysterious feel of the story. So, I also adored how they had nicknames for each other and the depth of their feelings for each other had me sighing, fanning myself and swooning!
The story is fast paced and narrated so beautifully that everything, however fantastical seemed so believable.
So, I sat totally engrossed throughout and pulled an all-nighter to finish this book!
Favourite Quote:
You’re the mountain I build a castle on, brick by brick.”
Gothikana by Runyx Quote
What could have been better:
While Vad and Corvina’s romance is electric and intense, it was so instantaneous that it didn’t get the scope of development that it demanded to make it more connectable to the readers. I would have loved more heart-to-heart scenes than the sex scenes.
Moreover, the century old mystery is not solved and the readers are diverted to the recent mystery with the villain behind it caught. I also wanted to know what happened to the villain. And most of all, what is the mystery behind the disappearances that have continued till now!
The book ended with a happy ending but enough leeway that it has given me hope that maybe, there will be a sequel to this book and I am so hoping this is the case!
Conclusion:
All in all, Gothikana by Runyx held me captive and gave me the chills like a good gothic mystery should. I loved the anti-hero, Vad and the strong yet unusual heroine, Corvina. There past touched my heart and had me shedding many tears, and there romance had me sighing and swooning. I lost myself in the Verenmore world and loved each second spent there. So, the myths, legends, mysteries, and the rumours added an extra layer of entertainment and had me quickly turning pages to know more. Hence, I give it 4 out of 5 stars to it and Njkinny recommends this gripping and atmospheric suspenseful read to all gothic, dark academia, and mystery/thriller lovers above the age of eighteen.
Had the author addresses the above mentioned aspects of the story, this would have been a perfect 5 star book. However, even now, I will count it among my best reads of 2021. So, go read it now!
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