A Lesson in Vengeance

A dark academia thriller set at Dalloway School, an elite all-girls boarding academy in New England. After a year-long absence following her girlfriend's disappearance, Felicity Morrow returns to complete her final year of studies. Her new roommate Ellis Haley, a prodigy novelist, pulls Felicity into research about the school's haunted past - specifically five students accused of witchcraft and murdered in the 1700s. The two girls become entangled in uncovering the truth behind these centuries-old deaths while navigating their intense connection to each other. The story blends elements of gothic horror, psychological suspense, and queer romance against the backdrop of academia. Historical witch trials, contemporary power dynamics, and the weight of institutional legacy create an atmosphere of mounting tension. Through its exploration of truth, memory, and obsession, A Lesson in Vengeance examines how the past shapes present reality and questions what people are capable of when driven by ambition and desire.

Readers describe this as a dark academia thriller with sapphic romance elements. The Gothic atmosphere and academic setting receive frequent mentions in reviews. Readers appreciate: - The atmospheric writing and setting details - LGBTQ+ representation - Complex, morally ambiguous characters - Integration of historical witch trials - The psychological suspense elements Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in the first half - Confusing plot developments - Some found the main character unlikeable - Multiple readers mention it being overly descriptive - Several note it's darker than expected for YA Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (38,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (1,300+ ratings) BookTok: Frequently recommended, particularly for dark academia fans One reader notes: "Beautiful prose but moves at a glacial pace." Another states: "The ending felt rushed after such a slow build." Multiple reviews mention struggling with the unreliable narrator device but praising the creepy boarding school setting.

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🔮 The five accused witches in the novel were inspired by real historical witch trials that took place in colonial New England, specifically in areas near where the fictional Dalloway School is set. 📚 The book's setting, Dalloway School, shares its name with Virginia Woolf's character Mrs. Dalloway, reflecting the novel's literary influences and academic themes. 🎓 "Dark Academia" as a genre gained significant popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram around 2020, when this book was being written, helping establish its place in contemporary Gothic literature. ✍️ Victoria Lee holds a PhD in Psychology and draws on this expertise to craft the novel's complex psychological elements and exploration of mental health. 🏳️‍🌈 The author intentionally centered queer characters in a Gothic narrative, challenging traditional heteronormative tropes common in classic Gothic literature while maintaining the genre's core elements.