TikTok has given us dozens of aesthetics, from cozy soft life to gloomy gothic dark academia. The latter is inspired by centuries-old universities, secret societies and the love of old libraries, where there is the smell of dust and ink instead of Wi-Fi. If you like the atmosphere of whispers under the arch and mysterious night rituals, this selection is for you.
Dark Academy has long moved beyond trendy sweaters and plaid skirts. This is a special genre in literature where study becomes a test and knowledge becomes a forbidden temptation. Here heroes sometimes make discoveries for which they pay a very high price.
This selection includes 14 books, each of which reveals the darkness within the walls of academies and hearts in its own way:
- “The Hermits” by Katie Hayes – a summer of mysticism, ancient tarot cards and secrets.
- “As if we were the bad guys” ML Rio – Shakespeare, friendship and murder that changed students’ lives forever.
- “The Testament” of Joanna Margaret – a doctor, a lost friend and Scottish curses.
- “A Study on Red Waters” by Ava Reed – a mysterious mansion, fairy tales and dark forces.
- “The Ninth House” by Leigh Bardugo – The magic lurking in Yale’s secret societies and elite circles.
- Ashley Winstead’s “I Dream of a Knife in My Hands” – a reunion haunted by the past.
- Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” is the cult novel that started the entire dark academy.
- “Rabbit” by Mona Awad – absurdity, horror and irony within the walls of the university.
- “Betrayals” by Bridget Collins – an ancient game, art and philosophy as a battlefield for the soul.
- “A Deadly Education” by Naomi Novik is set in a magic school where students are constantly at risk of being eaten by monsters.
- “Babylon. The Secret History by Rebecca Kuang – an orphan who attends the alternative Oxford of the 1830s and the Royal Translation Institute.
As a reminder, the dark academy aesthetic emerged on Tumblr in the 2010s, combining a love of gothicism, intellectualism, and the romanticization of learning. Today, it is experiencing a rebirth thanks to TikTok and new creators inspired by Donna Tartt’s book The Secret History. Readers around the world are once again opening old books, keeping leather-bound diaries, and dreaming of studying in universities whose very atmosphere is saturated with mystery. Read how to stick to this aesthetic here.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
