The Best Dark Academia Fantasy Books to Read in 2024
Out of all the many subgenres within fantasy, Dark Academia might be my favorite. I can’t get enough of the mysterious atmosphere, scholarly (and usually morally grey) characters, intricate plot, moody libraries, dark secrets, and political intrigue. They just hit a little differently than your average fantasy fare.
But it can be hard finding the best dark academia fantasy books because it’s not as clearly a defined genre as say epic or romantasy. But I’ve read a fair few by this point so if you’re jonesing for those dark academia vibes, this list of my favorites should go straight to the top of your TBR!
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Babel by R.F. Kuang
Babel is the first book I read in the dark academia subgenre and to this day it is one of the best books I have ever read. My full review of this book is basically a gushing love letter to the story, which is all at once clever, gripping, and emotionally devastating in the best possible way.
Taking place in an alternate universe version of the 1830s England, the magic system is like nothing else I’ve ever read. Language and translation are used to bestow magical properties on blocks of silver that are used to power the city.
Our protagonist, Robin Swift, is a Chinese orphan who is raised by Professor Lovell to study language and translation at Oxford University in order to help create such magic in the mysterious campus tower known as Babel.
But as Robin learns the true nature of the power they wield and its influence on the world – and his home country – he is faced with some seriously tough choices to do what he believes is right. He soon gets wrapped up in a secret society determined to end the imperial expansion of the British.
This is one of those books that will stop and make you question your assumptions. The last few chapters are positively explosive and I still think about this book and its ending all. The. Time.
Go read it.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
Blood Over Bright Haven is tied with Babel for my favorite dark academia fantasy book of all time. (Indeed, they are both neck-and-neck on my “all-time-favorites” shelf on Goodreads.) M.L. Wang is the queen of Standalone fantasy, being able to convey fully developed characters, worlds, magic systems, and intricate plots in under 600 pages.
The main characters are Sciona, the sole woman to ever be initiated into the High Magistry of Magics and Industry, and Thomil, a Kwen janitor-turned-mage-assistant. The two have opposite backgrounds and conflicting ideals, yet their individual goals form an unlikely alliance between them.
It’s better for me not to say too much more about the plot as its one of those books best experienced without knowing anything going into it. But it is a riveting read right from the first page and is full of mysterious magic, political drama, melancholy romance, and devastating revelations.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Starless Sea might be considered “low fantasy” in that it takes place in our world, but the hidden magical world beyond it will make you feel like you’re reading about a different planet.
The story is about graduate student Zachary Ezra Rawlins who finds a strange book hidden within the library. Soon, he is whisked away from his normal life into the world of the ancient underground libraries.
Full of masquerade parties, time-separated lovers, and mysterious threats, it’s the kind of book that makes you wonder what the heck you’re reading – but in the best possible way!
This book is as unique and imaginative as it comes, I’ve never read anything quite like it!
The Will of The Many by James Islington
One of 2023’s hit releases of the year was this first installment of the Hierarchy series. In a setting strongly reminiscent of ancient Rome, the story follows Vis Telimus, an orphaned young man who gets adopted by Ulciscor Telimus, the high-ranking member of Catenan’s military senate in order to serve as his spy at the Catenan Academy, and investigates the mysterious death surrounding Ulciscor’s brother.
Meanwhile, Vis has his own goals – namely, to not become a part of the Will system imposed by the government that forces individuals to give up their Will (or some of their life force) to grant powers to those further up the chain.
As Vis moves up through the ranks at the Academy, he discovers the horrifying nature of what is hidden on the island and the plots of those in power.
The magic system is very complex, yet the way Islington weaves it into the story makes it easy enough to follow. For me, the entire 600+ page book flew by in feverish page-turning, knocking my socks off with twists and turns every few chapters, and ended off with a sucker punch that has me despairing over the fact that the sequel, The Strength of the Few, is still months away from publication.
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
If you’re into villain origin stories, morally grey protagonists that lean closer to black, and superhero-like powers, Vicious is the dark fantasy book for you.
Writing by the incomparable V.E. Schwab, author of the Shades of Magic trilogy, this story follows the rivalry between two former friends, Victor and Eli. They discover that humans can take on exceptional superpowers when brought back from the brink of death. They dub these people EO’s (Extra-Ordinaries) and figure out a way to become EOs themselves.
It explores the concept of heroism and villainy in a fresh, interesting way, with plenty of action sequences and twists to keep you gripped until the end.
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
I don’t read a ton of YA fantasy anymore, but every now and then I come across one that I absolutely love, and A Study of Drowning is one such book. Taking place in the fantasy world, the story begins with our protagonist, Effy Sayre, winning a contest for the redesign of a house belonging to her favorite author, the late Emrys Myrddin.
She arrives to the manor to find it on a cliff near the crumbling sea edge, extremely dilapidated half-consumed by the sea. On the grounds are Ianto, Emrys’s son, and Preston, a literature student intent on proving the reclusive Myrddin was a fraud.
She and Preston get off on the wrong foot but soon find themselves working together to uncover the mysteries of the house and Emrys Myrddin.
Oh, and Effy is continually haunted by visions of the Fairy King.
Touching on surprisingly heavy themes such as anxiety, assault, faith, and faith, I flew through this dark academia rivals-to-lovers story in two days flat.
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Earlier this year, I read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and fell in love with her writing style and imaginative approach to storytelling. When I learned she had previously written a 1000+ page dark academia novel set in an alternate 1800s England, I knew it had to go straight to the top of my TBR – especially once I discovered a 20th-anniversary edition has been released with an Introduction by V.E. Schwab, and a blurb splashed across the cover from R.F. Kuang that declares the books as the book she wishes she’d written.
Mr. Norrell is a reclusive dude who is not good with people. Nevertheless, when he reveals the extent of his powers one day, he becomes a celebrity, moving to London with hopes of convincing the government to use magic in the war with the French.
Norrell takes on an apprentice, Jonathan Strange, to assist him in this endeavor. But soon Strange shows a penchant for more wild, dangerous types of magic that threatens everything.
I have never read anything like this before. It’s written with a scholarly flair, chock-full of pithy British wit and footnotes detailing the background between every magic text, story, or historical occurrence that is referenced throughout the book.
It’s one of the most unique and richly developed stories I’ve ever read!
Other Dark Academia on my TBR
The following is a list of books that I can’t recommend because I haven’t read them yet, but I have heard fantastic things about these and they are all on my priority TBR!
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blakedark
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this list of my favorite dark academia books. You can bet I will continue to update this list as I read more that are worthy to join the ranks.
In the meantime, be sure to pick these up or add them to your TBR. You won’t be sorry!
FAQ
What is dark academia fantasy?
Dark academia usually takes place in a school of magic, or follows characters who study magic. These books always have dark, moody, gothic vibes, and there is usually some kind of dark mystery surrounding the magic, school, or characters.
What does it mean if you like dark academia fantasy?
It probably means you dig books with mystery and magic featuring an intellectual aspect and meloncholy vibes. They tend to promote critical thinking, introspection, and exploration of complex or controversial themes and topics.
Is Harry Potter Dark Academia?
Harry Potter certainly checks off a lot of dark academia boxes, taking place in a magical school and featuring plenty of mystery. The dark vibes are most prominent in the later books, whereas the earlier ones have a more lighthearted tone.
