What Are The Top Dark Academia Romance Books Like The Secret History?

2025-07-07 18:23:10 275

2 Answers

Bradley
Bradley
2025-07-10 18:57:52
I’ve been obsessed with dark academia ever since I read 'The Secret History', and I’ve hunted down every book that gives off that same vibe—murder, obsession, and a unhealthy dose of intellectual pretension. 'If We Were Villains' by M.L. Rio is a must-read. It’s like 'The Secret History' but with Shakespearean actors instead of classics students. The way the group dynamics unravel under pressure is so gripping, and the romance is twisted in the best way. The prose is lush, almost poetic, and the tension between Oliver and James is electric.

Another favorite is 'Bunny' by Mona Awad. It’s weirder, more surreal, but it nails the dark academia aesthetic with its cliquey, cult-like MFA program. The 'romance' here is more psychological—a toxic, almost parasitic bond between the protagonist and her so-called friends. It’s not traditional romance, but the emotional intensity scratches the same itch. Then there’s 'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova. It’s slower, more atmospheric, blending academic obsession with gothic horror. The romance is subtle, woven into the hunt for Dracula’s legacy, but it adds this layer of melancholy that sticks with you.
Uma
Uma
2025-07-12 15:52:14
For dark academia romance, 'these violent delights' by Micah Nemerever is a standout. It’s about two college boys whose intellectual connection spirals into something darker—think 'The Secret History' but gayer and more visceral. The way their relationship mirrors their descent into moral ambiguity is chilling. Also, 'vita nostra' by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko. It’s a Ukrainian fantasy with a bizarre, oppressive academy and a romance that’s more about power and transformation than love. The vibes are impeccable—unsettling, philosophical, and impossible to put down.
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