What can I say about Gothikana, except - what a surprise this book turned out to be! I was expecting it to be Dark Academia, and it is, but it is also very, very saucy, so much so that I would say it's for over 18's only and the disclaimer at the front of the book is in alignment with that. The language used is quite crude at times and this is an explicit book, so be prepared for that as you go into it. I wasn't at all prepared, so it took me completely by surprise, being somewhat more graphic than say, a Highland Guard novel for instance. Having said that, it's a great story and it ticks all the DA boxes that I was looking for, so I've been tucking myself into bed with it every night for a week.
As autumn is just around the corner I have been drawn to more Dark Academia of late, so when I remembered this book was waiting for me on my tbr shelves, I decided to give it a go. Gothikana is just the kind of DA book that I enjoy, with a added slice of spice! It takes place in an old castle, situated on top of a mountain, right on the cliff-edge, overlooking a deep forest and a large, dark lake. As the title suggests, it is full of Gothic vibes, from the Collegiate-Gothic setting, to the anti-hero professor, to the witchy ways of Corvina, the main protagonist.
The castle of the University of Verenmore is isolated, mysterious and said to be haunted by the ghosts of students who have disappeared over the decades. It has a reputation for driving its students mad, with more than one suicide to taint its history. At Verenmore, students lose all sense of reality, with little to no communication with the outside world. Into this strange world comes Corvina, a strange girl in her own right, one who hears voices in her head and who sees shadows and spirits as she reads her deck of tarot cards, seeking answers to her questions. But everything that made her strange in the outside world, from her violet eyes to her precognitions, are the things that make her fit right in a Verenmore.
When Corvina realises that she is deeply attracted to her professor, Vad, she determines to uncover not only the mysteries of the university, but also the mystery of her anti-hero teacher too. This sets her on a collision course with Vad, as they struggle to process the forbidden attraction that burns between them. So when another female student goes missing in the night and Vad falls under suspicion, Corvina needs to find out if he really can be trusted.
This novel has all the best Dark Academia tropes that you could want - sexual misconduct, forbidden love, witchcraft, death cults, an isolated university with a complex history and ghostly apparitions stalking the hallways and bathrooms. The anti-hero is by turns tender and commanding, obsessive and possessive, strong yet gentle, and deliciously mercurial in the most infuriating way! The story is well-paced and the main characters come to life, but the secondary characters are less well developed. That said, there is a fantastic twist towards the end and the denouement arrives via the catalyst of a sexy masquerade ball, where anything goes, with all the Dance Macabre vibes. What's not to love?
I have enjoyed reading this novel and I will be looking out for the new prequel to it, that is out this summer. If you love Dark Academia then you will probably like this, although if you are easily offended by crude language, a domineering hero, or rampant sex scenes on a piano in a castle dungeon, you might prefer to skip this one! I'm not sure how I'm going to feel about my next piano lesson with James after reading Gothikana! Oh well, such is life.
This is a book best read by candlelight with a glass of ruby red Merlot, while listening to Camille Saint-Saens Dance Macabre on repeat. Just don't get over excited or you might spill your wine! Enjoy.
BB Marie x
AD; This book was sent to me by the publisher for the purposes of review. It is out now and available in all formats.
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