Marie O'Regan

Turning to more recent Absinthe authors now, and Tracy Fahey signed copies of They Shut Me Up for the Ennis Bookshop in Ireland, plus had a local launch at their Film Festival at the Templegate Hotel (both above).

Plus both Lee Murray (above) and Alan Baxter have sent their signing sheets back for the limited editions of The Leaves Forget and Despatches. You can find the page for all the Absinthe Books titles so far by clicking here.

Marie and Paul’s anthology from earlier this year, Twice Cursed, published by Titan Books, has just gone up for pre-order as an audio version from Audible. You can check that out here.

Speaking of anthologies, also from Titan Books, the hardback mass market In These Hallowed Halls continues to take the world by storm! Including being including in the Her Campus’ Top 5 Dark Academia Books for Autumn here and FX guru Cliff Wallace spotting a copy in the Harvard University Bookstore (above).

If you’re still undecided, you can read Paul & Marie’s introduction to the book on Nerd Daily here.

The contributors also continued to push the book, like Kelly Armstrong sharing an extract and signing/drawing in copies over at River Bend Bookshop (below)

Meanwhile M.L. Rio was interviewed at Book and Cover, plus signed copies at Barnes & Noble South Pointe (all below).

Credit: @Booksamillion

Over on Instagram bloggers were still adding it to their ‘To Read’ piles, like @KeriReadsBooks (below)

They were also doing picture reviews, like these beautiful ones from @Rivenreads (below)…

…and @Jasminnereads (below).

Then there were more Insta mini-reviews, like this one from @Somberlainy (below) ‘With the temperatures finally starting to feel like autumn, I found this dark academia anthology just in time! For me, dark academia books are often a hit or miss. I’m obsessed with them or I dislike them. I’ll leave you to guessing which ones I despised. I think this collection is perfect for dipping your toes into the genre, though, and discover plenty of new authors while reading,’

‘In These Hallowed Halls is a short story collection all set in schools. All of the stories have the dark academia vibes. There are 12 stories from authors J.T. Ellison, Olivie Blake, Susie Yang, and many more. There were definitely some stand out stories that I wished went on way longer. They all were beautifully written, but still dark and twisty. Loved every minute of this book!!’ exclaimed @ReadwithRobyn2 (below).

‘Dark academia fans, wake up! I grabbed this one at B&N solely because the cover drew me in (hello, look at its beauty!). But then when I saw M.L. Rio, Layne Fargo, J.T. Ellison, and many more authors I adore, immediately decided I needed to start binge reading this one. I’m relatively new to anthologies and typically prefer longer novels, but this was a perfect compilation that showed off just how varied the genre of dark academia thrillers can be while all falling under the same umbrella. We had tales of revenge, magical realism, forbidden and illicit affairs, uncovered secrets, and even some Black Mirror vibes. I was annotating each story as I went, highlighting pieces I loved the most and ranking them individually, but I don't want to disclose the individual rankings here because it’s honestly better to go in blind for each one. Some of them had me scribbling notes like, “I NEED THIS TO BE A WHOLE NOVEL IMMEDIATELY,” while others were more along the lines of, “I'm OBSESSED with this one but It’s perfect as a horror short story and likely would’ve hated this as a full novel.” The vast diversity across writing styles really drew me in. If you’re able to grab a copy of this one soon, I highly recommend squeezing it in alongside your existing spooky season TBR! 4 *’ said @ChapterswithCourtney (below).

‘Enjoyed it. No stories were duds. Most of the stories I’d rate a 4 or 5. Maybe one or two were a 3. But now I’ve had my fill of dark academia for a little while. The mostly autumnal, sometimes gothic settings were awesome, the murders were fun… Two thumbs up!’ said @Bookraintea (below)

And finally @thesilentcoven (below) said: ‘Dark Academia at its finest My cosy reading evenings are going to kill my social life this Autumn!’

And here we have the latest Netgalley roundup of 4 and 5* reviews for you:

‘In These Hallowed Halls is a Dark Academia anthology with 12 short stories, they were all written by different authors… Most of them were very beguiling and very self sufficient on their own – intriguing dark stories with twists and resolutions… Some stories were concise and didn’t feel like a part of some larger story, perfect on their own – secret science, accidental murder, shape-shifters and Nordic mythology, hazing at elite boarding school – you have it all. They are beautiful, dark, gothic and fascinating. Overall it is a great collection of Dark Academia stories and a good introduction if you would like to be familiar with some authors and decide whether you want to read more of their work.’ (Dasha S)

Credit: @_thats.what.she.read_

‘Dark Academia is always going to hold a special place in my heart and whenever I can read stories related to this genre/aesthetic I am so blessed! This anthology was absolutely incredible, my fave story was by Olivie Blake (I am obsessed with her writing style). Perfect book for the Fall season!’ (Rebeka S)

Credit: @bookswithboz

‘This was a collection of stories that sparked a new interest in dark academia! It was a great anthology and is certainly something I would suggest to a person who loved or was new to this genre! It was an excellent collection of short stories and certainly, while they were short, kept my attention and there were even several that took me entirely by surprise.’ (Librarian 1021076)

Credit: @Readliketheresnomidnight

‘This was a good selection of short stories to fit the dark academia genre. Whilst I did enjoy some a lot more than others it was still an enjoyable read… This book fits in well with the changing of seasons. It also gave me a sneak peak of different authors’ writing styles which will allow me to check out their books in the future. ’ (Emma H)

Credit: @TheBalancedBookshelf

‘Brought to you by popular authors of the genre, In These Hallowed Halls is a collection of 12 different dark academia short stories from 12 different authors. Think: scholarly with a gothic edge, warm leather  and tweed, murder  and mystery, chaos and madness, settings at universities, museums, and/or libraries. The fact that it’s an anthology makes it that much easier to come back to again and again. To start your morning or end your day with a dark academia story here and there feels top-tier with this change in season. With all short story collections, you get a mixed bag of different feels and energies from each story. Some are more moody and atmospheric than others; some I thought were a bit lighter and found myself giggling. I also loved how this introduced me to authors I wouldn’t have otherwise been aware of! My favorite stories (in no order) were: “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino, “Pythia” by Olivie Blake, “The Ravages” by Layne Fargo, “The Hare and the Hound” by Kelly Andrew.’ (Ashlynne M)

Credit: @ReadbyCait

You can order the book here.

October

September was, of course, FantasyCon month and Marie and Paul headed off to Birmingham where they thoroughly enjoyed themselves (pictures above and below, including at the PS launches of the three new Absinthe titles with Tracy Fahey, and Tim Lebbon standing in for Alan Baxter, and curry on the Friday, then the banquet on Saturday night where Priya Sharma’s Pomegranates was up for best novella in the BFS Awards…)

Also launching books at FantasyCon were Titan Books, including Marie & Paul’s brand-new hardback Dark Academia anthology In These Hallowed Halls (above and below, including Marie with Paul and contributor Tori Bovalino). There were even some brilliant bookmarks made especially for its release!

Only a week later, Marie & Paul went down to London to Forbidden Planet to sign more copies of the book with Tori, Kate Weinberg and Helen Grant (below). A great time was had and many books were signed!

Photo credit: Helen & Gordon Grant

If you couldn’t make it on the day, you can order your signed copy here.

Of course, when it dropped online and in shops there was more buzz about In These Hallowed Halls, including authors like Olivie Blake, Kelly Andrew and ML Rio sharing pictures – the latter signing copies in various stores (all above). Not to mention special book boxes being sent out, which included tea and a candle (below).

Marie and Paul were interviewed for Ingram’s Advance magazine, as well (below). 

And some of the authors and the editors took part in a virtual round-table interview on The Fantasy Hive (above) which you can read here.

In These Hallowed Halls was also cropping up on some ‘Most Anticipated’ lists, like this from Reads & Rants (above), as well as Gizmodo’s September Roundup here.

It was reviewed by Fandomentals (above), too, who said: ‘Editors Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane have put together quite the collection. Most exciting, at least for me, is that I only know two of the featured authors. In fact, at the time I started reading this, I had only ever read a book from one of them: M.L. Rio. That didn’t take long to change. This anthology certainly whets the appetite, so I almost immediately began Olivie Blake’s The Atlas Six. I look forward to adding many more of these authors’ works to my shelf. (The collection opens with a story titled “1000 Ships” by Kate Weinberg. It is an outlier, as it is actually a prequel story to her novel The Truants. I look forward to seeing where that character goes from here.)

Reviewing an anthology is difficult. Twelve different voices, plots, and casts of characters. What makes a good story collection, for me, is if it has at least one story that sticks with you. To keep things in the sphere of dark academia: you know those giant collections you’d read in class back in middle and high school? You know those stories that you still think of, decades later? I am always on the hunt for more of those. This collection has given me so much to think about. Olivie Blake’s story “Pythia” is arguably my favourite of the bunch. That is probably an obvious conclusion seeing as how I ran to read more of her work. Another would be “The Hare and the Hound” by Kelly Andrew. Is it because it gave me Bunny vibes? Of course! The main character, Bunny (okay, so it also makes me think of The Secret History) is haunted by a childhood prophecy involving a white rabbit. It takes a much darker turn than a Wonderland situation. “The Professor of Ontography” from Helen Grant and “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino both have different offerings on what a university-sanctioned secret could be.

That’s not to say the remaining seven stories were lacklustre in any way. I daresay there wasn’t a story I didn’t enjoy. That alone is high praise. Even now I want to discuss more of the stories. “X House” from J.T. Ellison could be a whole novel I’d read. I want to get to know those girls better. “The Ravages” by Layne Fargo is a story whose depth is much deeper than its page count lets on. If Fargo ever publishes the letters referenced in full… I’d buy them. Really, I could say something about all of these tales. I only don’t so that I may leave some things to mystery. It is the Dark Academic way…In These Hallowed Halls has nearly every subset of the genre – mystery and drama, horror and scandal, the absurd or just downright weird. You’ll find students, professors, and the ill-advised situations where the two mingle. Multiple murders, be they solved or perpetrated by our protagonists. References abound, papers are stolen, and hearts are broken. While the back of this book does offer some definitions of dark academia, I think there is a much simpler explanation. Olivie Blake said it best: Knowledge is carnage.’

Read the full thing here.

Meanwhile Good Star Vibes had this to say: ‘Literature fans are in for a treat with the release of In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology. Edited by the dynamic duo of Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane, this anthology brings together a formidable lineup of authors, including Olivie Blake, M.L. Rio, David Bell, Susie Yang, Layne Fargo, J.T. Ellison, James Tate Hill, Kelly Andrew, Phoebe Wynne, Kate Weinberg, Helen Grant, and Tori Bovalino.

This darkly beguiling collection boasts 12 short stories that delve into the depths of the dark academia genre. From the minds of these literary masters, readers can expect tales that unravel the mysteries of academia with a sinister twist. Crime and Mystery Thrillers, Thrillers, Fantasy, and contemporary fiction are just a few of the genres that these stories encompass, promising a multifaceted reading experience. Within the pages of In These Hallowed Halls, readers will encounter a range of captivating narratives. Retribution takes centre stage as it visits a Lothario lecturer, while the sinister truth is unveiled about a missing professor. A forsaken lover turns to a seance for revenge, and an obsession blossoms around a possible illicit affair. Graduates dig deep to unearth the secrets of a reclusive scholar, while horrors lurk within an obscure academic department. As if that weren’t enough, five hopeful initiates embark on a perilous task, and much more awaits to be discovered.

Published by Titan Books Ltd, this anthology spans 400 pages, each brimming with the intellectual and emotional intensity that defines the dark academia subculture. The anthology embodies the very essence of dark academia, exploring the pursuit of knowledge and the allure of death through an aesthetic lens. Picture tweed blazers, vintage cardigans, scuffed loafers, and a worn leather satchel filled with brooding poetry. Enthusiasts of this subculture are likely to be found in museums and darkened libraries, immersed in a world where academia meets the gothic. In These Hallowed Halls is a compelling addition to the literary landscape, promising readers a journey through the hallowed halls of academia, where secrets and shadows intertwine in a symphony of intrigue. This anthology is a must-read for anyone seeking a taste of dark academia’s scholarly allure.’

And the full thing is here.

Then there were more glowing recommendations on Instagram, like this 5* one from @libraryofiris (above) ‘#InTheseHallowedHalls is a remarkable collection of #darkacademia short stories filled with obsession, madness, and the macabre.’

@dear.pippa (above) posted: ‘Do you like short story collections? I admit that I don’t really. The amount of story we get is never enough for me to really connect with the characters. So they rarely leave a long-lasting impression. But I do make exceptions every once in a while for an author I love or a story that really interests me. I picked up In These Hallowed Halls for two reasons: 1) All the short stories are dark academia themed. 2) One of them is my ML Rio. I LOVE ML Rio! Most of the stories were super weird and made me go HUH??? Very atmospheric, though, and l am definitely in an autumn/dark academia mood now! Parts I found really creepy! And very eery. Some of them were LGBTQ which I appreciated! And they were all setting a very great and dark mood which I loved. I probably don’t make a lot of sense here but I don’t know how else to review this book. I think it’s a perfect fall read and I’m so glad I read this. It’ll find a place on my shelf next to Donna Tartt and the other dark academia books. I also found some new authors to check out because I loved their writing!

‘Well this is going straight to the top of my tbr pile!!’ said @waterstonesbh (Waterstones Birkenhead, above) and @kem_ward commented: ‘It’s September, so it’s time to delve into the #darkacademia on the shelves, starting with this new release...’

‘Definitely in a dark book vibe and this #DarkAcademia anthology is exactly what I needed right now. I love an anthology, especially when it includes authors I already love!’ said @rebeccadeereads (above) while @areadersalley (below) offered: ‘I started the spooky season with these amazing short stories. I absolutely loved them. They are spooky, they are short, and they are soooooo good!!’

‘I really enjoyed this collection of short #darkacademia stories!… I found some authors whose books I am now super excited to try given how much I enjoyed their stories,’ said @kellys.bookverse (below), while @wxnderingpages said: ‘This is probably one of my most anticipated books of the year and I’m so excited to delve into it. I love Blake and Rio, and I’m excited to read even more voices in this beautiful genre.’

‘This. Brings. Me. So. Much. Joy!’ declared @lonely_book.club, while @oncemorewithreading (below) said, ‘It’s rare for me to come across anthologies where I like all the short stories, however #InTheseHallowedHalls proved me wrong. Really recommend if you love #DarkAcademia or anthologies in general!’

@peachesandsage (below) had this to say: ‘#InTheseHallowedHalls is an immersive, atmospheric collection of short stories that takes us through all the shades and facets of #darkacademia. I think fans of the genre will have a lot of fun with this one.’ And @nautilusenglishbooks called it: ‘A “lethally smart” sinister collection of 12 dark academia short stories from masters of the genre, including Olivie Blake, M.L. Rio, Susie Yang and more!’

And here’s the next Netgalley roundup of 4 and 5* reviews for you: ‘From great, soaring buildings resembling cathedrals to hidden prophecies, the creaking of floorboards, the crunch of leaves beneath your shoes, to hidden mysteries and secret societies the tropes of dark academia are many and far between. While some stories form around elements of fantasy and others about the mundane, everyday aspects brought to life in stunning colour, this anthology really does have it all: betrayal, love, cracked spines of books, monsters and foreboding fog all included. As a lover and avid reader of the dark academia novel I was so excited to pick this up. Featuring some of my favourite authors and others new to me, I found myself in shock and awe at so many of these darkly-weaved tales. Dark academia is truly the perfect genre for autumn, and with cold, foggy days slowly approaching, this book is the perfect anthology to curl into on a cold, rainy night.... This was a wonderful way to find new authors and revisit new works from authors I have grown to love.’ (Jasmine M)

Credit: Barnes & Noble Milford

‘Are you a Dark Academia fan? If so, you’ll need to get your hands on In These Hallowed Halls. If you’re new to this subgenre and want to explore it more, this is the perfect place to start. This collection is comprised of 12 short stories that all tie into the Dark Academia theme. It includes stories by great authors like Olivie Blake, M.L. Rio, Layne Fargo, David Bell, Phoebe Wynne, and Susie Yang to name a few. And I even found some new-to-me authors that I really enjoyed!’ (Marie A)

Credit: Black Bond Books

‘A strong short story collection with a number of standouts! If you enjoy dark academia, give this one a try. Each story is very distinct and different from the others, so it doesn’t get repetitive. My personal favourites were the stories by M.L. Rio, Layne Fargo, and J.T. Ellison.’ (Stephanie K)

‘I loved this collection of short stories! As a lover of dark academia books, I started this adventure with very high expectations and came to the end fully satisfied! I found it a pleasantly disturbing read, intriguingly dark, deliciously mysterious, and seductively unsettling. This book is a journey into the darkest depths of the human soul, where obsession, revenge, remorse, madness, thirst for power and knowledge, resignation and more reign supreme. These are ambiguous, dark, enigmatic and often unsettling stories, where happiness and solutions are not always guaranteed. In fact, not all of the texts have an actual explanation, not all of the stories have actual closure. Some are left hanging, open to possible interpretations, emphasizing even more the cryptic atmosphere of the work. I was deeply captivated by the events narrated, absorbed by the pages, often feeling pleasantly disturbed…All in all, I found it a very intriguing and enjoyable anthology of short stories, which I absolutely recommend to lovers of dark academia!’ (Debora V)

Credit: Kem Ward

‘In These Hallowed Halls features stories that range from spooky and dark to what could be the plot of a Community episode. I enjoyed it thoroughly. As the weather gets colder, even here on the West Coast, I want to escape into cozy study spaces with multiple fireplaces. This collection of short stories scratched that itch for me. It is a perfect companion to the changing seasons. There is something in this collection for everyone and it did introduce me to a few new authors that I will be absolutely adding to my TBR.’ (Sierra B)

Credit: Lonely Book Club

‘In These Hallowed Halls is an immersive, atmospheric collection of short stories that takes us through all the shades and facets of academia, ranging from themes of the obsessive and unforgiving nature of academia, the deification of academia, student/teacher relationships and power dynamics, mental illness, secret societies and more. “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant, “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino and “Pythia” by Olivie Blake were some of my favourites, but I think there’s something for everyone within this collection. While some stories certainly stand out more than others, all the authors within this book succeed in maintaining that particular ambiance characteristic of the dark academia subgenre consistently throughout. I think fans of the genre will have a lot of fun with this one, and it comes out just in time for fall, which is, arguably, THE dark academia season.’ (Adriana V)

Credit: ML Rio

‘It is no secret that I adore the Dark Academia genre and this anthology is packed full of some of my favourite writers in the genre. In These Hallowed Halls is delectable reading, especially perfect for the autumn season as nights grow colder and that chill starts to settle in your bones. As always, anthologies can be a mixed bag but I loved this one. I’m going to run through my favourite stories, but I genuinely felt like this was such a solid anthology. We kicked off with “1000 Ships” by Kate Weinberg, which I really enjoyed. It was a slick, sickening look at power, manipulation and changing your odds. Unsurprisingly, I adored Olivie Blake’s story “Pythia”. It was such a cool concept and the story took so many twists and turns. Blake packed a lot of characterisation and conceptual intrigue into a very short space. Similarly, “The Hare and the Hound” by Kelly Andrew was a story I really loved. This was a dark and twisty tale of fate, revenge and rabbits. It proved to me that between this and The Whispering Dark, Andrew is an author I must keep my eye on. “X House” by JT Ellison was another one that threw me for a loop. It was highly enjoyable, thriving in its tight atmosphere and claustrophobic setting. The pacing was excellent, with a deliciously twisted ending. “Four Funerals” by David Bell was one that really struck me. It explores the aftermath of school shooting and survivor’s guilt. For me, it was affecting and moving. To no one’s surprise, “Weekend at Bertie’s” by ML Rio was one of my favourites. I loved the characterisation here so much and thought it was so well written. Finally, “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino was such a standout. Bovalino’s writing is darkly entrancing and this is a story I loved, with an excellent concept and great twists.’ (Emily M)

‘I love dark academia, so this was an interesting read. I love anything that might have a spooky vibe or a good twist, and these stories had that as well! There were a few familiar names as well as some new ones, so I was very happy to learn some new authors to read. All in all this was a dark and twisty book full of stories for those who crave the university atmosphere but also want a good plot.’ (Raaven H)

Credit: Reading in Red London

‘I always find it difficult to review anthologies because it’s rare for me to come across ones where I like all the short stories. However In These Hallowed Halls proved me wrong because I enjoyed each one of these and felt that they were all really well written and had me hooked! This anthology also had stories from a lot of authors I haven’t read before so I’m super excited to dive into more of their books!’ (Emma W)

‘If you’ve been around here long enough, you know that dark academia is one of, if not my favorite, subgenres in literature. I love the nostalgia of school days, especially the ones where you find yourself handed this newfound independence surrounded by different groups of people and ideas, coupled with the supernatural or somewhat nefarious goings-on. It is cozy even when it’s disturbing. And reading this short story anthology from some of the best in the game did not disappoint. I was most looking forward to reading works from two of my favourite authors, namely Olivie Blake and M.L. Rio. Blake’s “Pythia” spins the concept of AI on its head while Rio’s “Weekend at Bertie’s” walks us through two colleagues planning a money heist on their dead boss. And while I knew I’d love these stories, it was the new-to-me authors I was blown away by…Overall, this anthology was the best way to get me into the autumnal mood. I highly recommend for dark academia lovers, both new and well-versed!’ (Nicolette S)

Credit: Taylor Fenner Writes

‘An excellent collection of stories that fit the Dark Academia vibe. If you’re looking for stories that will transport you to isolated campuses filled with predatory men, literary references, and cramped student housing, you’ve found your goal. The vibe comes alive, especially in stories about dead Poe scholars trapping their assistants in a morass of cliches from his work, to stories about the AI in the basement that has fallen in love with a grad student.’ (Steph Z)

Credit: Words Byde

‘Loved this dark academia collection of short stories from some of our absolute favourites (Olivie Blake and M.L. Rio!). Each story was unique and twisted in its own way, I found myself preferring some over others but was overwhelmingly devouring each one.’ (Brooke M)

‘The reason I wanted to read this book in the first place was Olivie Blake. I love her, I love her books and I had to read her new short story asap. And no surprise: It did not disappoint. But what really took me by surprise was how I also really loved all the other stories! So unique, so dark, so different. The best start into autumn season. I can’t wait to read more books from the authors!’ (Reviewer 1164219)

Credit Wxnderingpages

‘In These Hallowed Halls was a highly interesting and truly unique dark academia anthology. This collection had a wide variety of stories, some dark and moody, others light and quick. I think a few of my favourite short stories from this anthology were “Pythia” and “The Hare and the Hound”. I loved getting to read some new stories by authors I love while discovering some new, amazing authors as well. I highly recommend for fans of dark academia looking for some pleasantly creepy short stories.’ (Autumn B)

‘In These Hallowed Halls is a collection of 12 dark academia stories written by great authors such as Olivia Blake, M.L. Rio, Susie Yang and many others! I haven’t had the chance to read anything by any of these authors yet, but thanks to In These Hallowed Halls... Well, I can’t wait to catch up on more from each of them! The unpublished stories are not very long. They are extraordinarily short but intense. It is a real journey into the hidden and dark part of the human soul. In all the works, the atmospheres are rather dark and mysterious and damn intriguing. Oh, and every work is written DIVINELY!! A pleasant and highly recommended read for all lovers of dark academia and for those looking for particularly dark settings.’ (Bibi R)

Credit: Jessy Reads

‘I had a wonderful time reading this short story collection. There was a wonderful mix of fantasy, thriller, and horror dark academia stories. Overall, I enjoyed almost all of the stories and only found 1 or 2 not as interesting to me as the rest. The collection as a whole though is very interesting and any dark academia lover will have a fun time reading through this. From shape shifters, to murders, stealing, and super computers with anxiety, we see so many interesting things happening in these short stories.’ (Brittany M)

‘If you’re ready to experience the many ways dark academia is explored through beautifully written fiction by multiple incredible authors, read this book! I enjoyed listening to a dark academia playlist while reading to add to the atmospheric and haunting prose. It was so intriguing to see how each author chose to explore the dark academia setting. reading these stories felt like wandering an ancient university on a cold autumn night. I haven’t read short stories in a long while and so many of them drew me into their world that I could have read a whole book about specific stories. As with any collection of short stories, there were some I enjoyed more than others based on my personal taste… Ones I especially enjoyed were “The Hare and Hound”, “The Ravages”, and “X House”. “Phobos” was my very favourite and I gasped at that twist ending!! Overall, I feel like this was a great read if you’re in the mood for something atmospheric, mysterious, and a little spooky.’ (Eva L)

‘Before I go into reviewing each story I think it is important to discuss the genre of dark academia itself, because it really has become such a muddled concept. To me, dark academia is many things, which can be at the authors’ discretion. Firstly, it can mean literally taking place at a college/university. Usually incorporating dark elements of life – that could mean stating the issues associated with academia itself and examining the flaws in the higher education system. Or that could mean dark occurrences occurring within that academic context. It can include elements of magic in there, or it doesn’t have to. To me, this is the basic framework of which dark academia rests, at least in my mind. Now a lot of these stories fit within this framework and some are outliers, in which case I say to each their own. What I really like about this short story anthology idea is that there is certainly something for everyone within its pages. Since dark academia can encompass many things, it contains lessons, dark overall stories, concerns about academia and power relations, murders, mystery, magic etc. Which can make it easily enjoyable. I went into this anthology a little weary, as I love dark academia and it is probably one of my favourite genres, but I was not completely sure about whether I would enjoy short stories. It can be difficult to connect to the characters when they’re only present for a short period of time. However, I have come to the conclusion that it works really well for dark academia. I think, truly, there is something for everyone in this anthology. This could be an incredible place to start if you want to get into the genre too, as it exposes you to it directly in a palatable manner.’ (Areej S)

Credit: @arielsbooksonthefly

‘I’m normally not a huge fan of short story anthologies but this one is so well put together with back-to-back stories that dragged me in! There were only a few stories that I’d rate 3/4 stars and the rest were all 5 star reads for me. Perfect gift for the spooky season and for those looking to get into dark academia but unsure where to start!’ (Shannon T)

Credit: @kwc_reads

‘College will be the death of you is something I’ve heard more than once in my life; this book breathed a whole new meaning into those words. I will say this is an excellent fall read, it’s dark and spooky and gives you enough variety to keep you glued to the pages of every story. I have to say I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, the flow of the stories, the complimentary writing style of the authors, the similar yet different locations, all of it together led to a wonderful reading experience. Now let me say the stories are the stars here, there is depth and character development and they work both singularly and in an anthology and I enjoyed all of them. Dark academia isn’t something I normally read but after this book, I’ll be getting my hands on as many of them as I can, and I kind of want to book a few college tours just to watch people.’ (Ann B)

Credit: @afrolicthroughfiction

‘This book was so beautifully, so thoughtfully written. There isn’t a single word that doesn’t have a purpose. And the prose and verses were breathtaking, and had me enthralled!! Loved it.’ (Librarian 1005357)

Credit: @seasonsreadings

‘Olivie Blake? M.L. Rio? At the cusp of autumn? Sign me up! Dark academia has taken the literary world by storm and reading these short stories really reminds you of why. It was delightful and cunning, and overall incredibly interesting. Definitely recommend for something both easy but incredibly investing.’ (Isabella T)

Credit: JT Ellison

‘Amazing collection of dark academia stories from authors I was really looking forward to hearing from! I really enjoyed all of these stories, but honourable mention to “1000 Ships” which I felt was a true, unsparing recount of the institutionalised misogyny in academia. “The Hare and the Hound” was also inventive, psychological and such a juicy revenge story! Oh, and Layne Fargo could write anything and I think I would read it.’ (Yuva H)

Credit: @gemmasbookishlife

‘I really enjoyed this collection, There was a lot of variety amongst these short stories and I liked some of them more than others, but they all fit the dark academia vibes. This book will be perfect for the change of season, particularly with a pot of tea!’ (Klaudia L)

Credit: ML Rio

‘Okay, so I’ve suddenly developed an appetite for Dark Academia, though I read The Secret History back in the 90s – I reread it recently and just keep reading what’s being written in its wake. Of course, I had to read and review this anthology. It goes along with my love of darker murder mysteries, but I’m loving the forays into the paranormal/supernatural. Emotionally, I have some unfinished business with Academia – who knows, maybe this will be seeds thrown into the field of a future story… It’s a 10-star anthology, as far as I’m concerned, an exciting addition to an expanding subgenre.’ (Jan M)

You can order the book here.

september

So, the latest batch of Absinthe book titles have been announced – just in time for their launch at FantasyCon in a few weeks. They are: The Leaves Forget by Alan Baxter (above): ‘Olivia has been missing for months. Her family have tried to accept that perhaps she’ll never be found, and they’ll never know what happened. So when her brother Craig unexpectedly receives a stack of letters from Liv, all written not long after her disappearance, he’s both excited and frightened. Reading through her correspondence, Craig begins to get a sense of where she was, but he still doesn’t know where she is now, or if she’s still alive. Using what clues he can from the old letters, Craig sets off with his partner and his father to find Olivia, hoping for the best, fearing the worst.’

They Shut Me Up by Tracy Fahey (above): ‘Life is tough. And then there's The Change… A woman, ignored and invisible, starts to discover her voice. But who – or what – is speaking though her?

Part body-horror, part feminist fiction, They Shut Me Up poses the question: how can we retell historic female narratives?’

And finally, Despatches by Lee Murray (above): ‘Daily Star war correspondent Cassius Smythe is off to the Dardanelles to report on the Allied campaign. That is, if only the War Office will let him tell the truth. But after months in the trenches at Anzac Cove, Smythe learns that it isn’t just the Ottoman who wish to claim back the land, and the truth is as slippery as a serpent…’

To celebrate, PS are offering all the other nine hardbacks in the Absinthe line for just £75 plus p&p. Just click here.

Turning to anthologies now, and the wonderful news that The Other Side of Never from Titan Books became a #1 bestseller last month on Amazon.com! (above and below).

You can pick that one up here in the US or here in the UK.

Marie and Paul’s next anthology, also from Titan – the hardback In These Hallowed Halls – was getting some well-deserved attention as well. Firstly, Barnes & Noble shared an extract from Helen Grant’s tale ‘The Professor of Ontography’ which you can read here.

Over on Instagram bloggers have been praising the book, beginning with @gee.booksandlife (above) who said: ‘Okay so if “dark academia anthology” or the list of incredible authors haven’t already enthralled you enough, lemme convince you: from inappropriate student/teacher relationships (My Dark Vanessa vibes), to a super computer that predicts scary things happening (Doctor Who episode anyone?), to psycho strangers, shapeshifters, boarding school drama with mean “it girls”, séances, school shootings, lustful relationships, murder & illegal things, secretive schools, cults and church organ players… Like, this is just screaming out to the horror/thriller/ dark academia community and you need to LISTEN to it y’all, it’s INCREDIBLE!!

Special shoutouts to: “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant; “Pythia” by Olivie Blake; “X-House” by J.T. Ellison; and “1000 ships” by Kate Weinberg.’

Her friend @anxietea.journey (above) said: ‘Long story short, I survived (’cause it’s a book of short stories, get it...?) Firstly huge thank you to my bestie @gee.booksandlife for lending me her proof copy to read! They were all so good, but my favourites were “The Professor of Ontography”, “The Hare and the Hound”, “1000 ships”, “Pythia” and “X House”...’

This was @anxiouspages’ (above) take: ‘A collection of short stories written by multiple #darkacademia authors.. INCREDIBLE! Absolutely loved these and they made my dark academia heart very happy. Adored them all but my faves were: “Pythia” – Olivie Blake; “The Hare and the Hound” – Kelly Andrew; “The Professor of Ontography” – Helen Grant!’

@coffeeattwilight (above) said: ‘I really enjoyed this little book! A collection of short stories – all dark academia, sign me up! I was hooked from the first page and each story was unique in their own way. I liked some of them more than others but, overall, I found it to be a fun read. What to expect: academic setting eerie vibes, teacher/student obsession, secrets and betrayal. I found some “new to me” authors to add to my tbr, and of course our queens, Olivie Blake and ML Rio did not disappoint! All my dark academia girlies, I can’t wait for you to check this one out! It releases next month, just in time for the spooky season.’

@alexattheathenaeum (above) was very excited at the prospect of reading: ‘A #DarkAcademia anthology?! Umm... yes, please! Perfect timing for a fall release – expected release date Sept 12th. I just came across this ARC (advanced reader copy) in our break room and #OlivieBlake caught my eye and then I may have squealed when I read the entire cover.’

@books0507 (above) said: ‘Normally I can struggle with short stories as I don’t find them long enough to get connected with the characters or invested in the story, but it was the total opposite with this book. I loved each story, some more than others but each one was written really well and had their own take and dark spin. If you are a fan of dark academia I think you will like this one. It was enjoyable and a quick read.’

@richardsreads (above) stated: ‘4/5 #InTheseHallowedHalls is a carefully woven anthology centring around the genre of #darkacademia. It contains 12 short stories, all uniquely independent. The journey itself is exciting, waiting to see how each author interprets the theme. The format is precise, making it almost like a Black Mirror type of reading experience. Certain stories stand out more than others, but as a whole it’s an adventure worth taking. It publishes in September and is the perfect spooky season read for busy minds… Standout Quotes: “Let us bin all assumptions about Shakespeare. Let us rid ourselves of any sentimentality and approach his text as any other.” – Kate Weinberg; “The spires may cast a shadow but the ivy twines just the same.” – Olivia Blake; “It hypnotized. It seduced. The sea called, and the body answered, helpless against the pull of the tides.” – J.T Ellison; “She always felt that primordial itch to howl at the moon, to warm her blood over a bonfire, to lay last year’s regrets to rest in soft hibernal earth. But what was put to rest sometimes came back to light and she wondered, would she blush to see her sins reanimated?” – M.L Rio; “Yes, Grace would like to die with her music, when it was time. But it was not time yet, she had so much more to achieve before then. It was not time to bleed into the keys.” – Phoebe Wynne.’

@scarletwitchypages (above) offered: ‘This was a great anthology! I’d definitely recommend In These Hallowed Halls to anyone who wants to read dark academia but doesn’t know where to start, but also to anyone like me who’s in the mood for some DA but can’t make up their mind what book to pick up. My absolute fav stories were “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino, “Weekend at Bertie’s” by ML Rio,“The Hare and the Hound” by Kelly Andrew, “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant and “Pythia” by Olivie Blake. “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino is dark academia at its best –  secret societies, privilege, power, murder – the whole story was like a love letter to Ninth House and all books like it, and I absolutely devoured it! As far as I’m concerned Tori can do no wrong when it comes to DA and I only wish her story was a whole novel instead. “Weekend at Bertie’s” is another one that just had me in its thrall the whole time. I’ve been meaning to read If We Were Villains for the longest time, maybe now is the time.’

@darciahelle (above) said: ‘Settle in for dark academia madness! In These Hallowed Halls is a fantastic collection of dark, sometimes creepy, often disturbing short stories. Several of these stories packed a powerful punch and will stick with me for a long time… The writing styles and content are vastly different. I loved the variety of approaches to storytelling in short form.’

@monsieurmarple (above) gave us: ‘Dark Academia. What do those words conjure up for you? This collection has me SO READY for autumnal vibes! The stories encapsulated everything I love about the genre, and now I NEED MORE! I’m putting my vote in for a second anthology... please? Pleaseeeee? Each story shines in its own right, but my personal standouts were... “1000 Ships” | Kate Weinberg; X House | JT Ellison; “Weekend at Bertie’s” | ML Rio; “The Professor of Ontography” | Helen Grant; “Playing” | Phoebe Wynne. All of the authors in this anthology are writing at the top of their game though, and truly I implore anyone who loves to dip a toe into the dark academia world to pick up a copy!! This one is out 12th Sept! Perfect for those darkening evenings coming soon.’

@xlivinginpages (above) had this to say: ‘Do you read #DarkAcademia? Do you have a favourite? #InTheseHallowedHalls is a Dark Academia anthology. I totally LOVED reading this. I did one story a day, so I would have time to think about it. By most of the stories I was so traumatised, but in a good way. It’s dark, grimy and perfect for autumn.’

Finally, @salimateez said: ‘Anyways, I read In These Hallowed Halls this week and OH MY did I absolutely LOVE it!! There were some stories that I won’t stop thinking about for WEEKS… Now, my FAVOURITES: “The Hare & The Hound” 5 ~ Kelly Andrew; “The Professor of Ontography” 5 ~ Helen Grant; “Phobos” 5 ~ Tori Bovalino. These were all INCREDIBLE!! I’m talking dark academia, spooky science, gothic, mythological EXCELLENCE!!! I seriously had to go back and reread almost all of these (not the Ontography one because that terrified me and I will actually never recover – in the best possible way, I’ve got chills just thinking about that ending). They all approach the theme very differently, and have got a range of spookiness to them but they’re all so well written, they pack SO much punch and tbh I’m now going to go and grab as many spooky anthologies as I can get my grabby hands on because I’m obsessed… A couple notable mentions: “Pythia” 4 ~ Olivie Blake; “X House” 4 ~ JT Ellison. I’ll be posting a more lengthy review for each individual one of these closer to release day because they deserve to have their praise yelled (nicely) at anyone and everyone who will listen. Overall, if you can, get your hands on this collection, it’s brilliant!’

Over on Goodreads, they included the book in their ‘Back to School’ roundup (above).

And below is a roundup of the latest 4 and 5* reviews from Netgalley, starting with Reviewer 829036: ‘A great dark academia short story collection by some great authors. Each story had me gripped and wanting more. It has also given me a list of new authors to check out too. I highly recommend!’

‘I loved this collection of short stories! As a lover of dark academia books, I started this adventure with very high expectations and came to the end fully satisfied! I found it a pleasantly disturbing read, intriguingly dark, deliciously mysterious, and seductively unsettling. This book is a journey into the darkest depths of the human soul, where obsession, revenge, remorse, madness, thirst for power and knowledge, resignation and more reign supreme. These are ambiguous, dark, enigmatic and often unsettling stories, where happiness and solutions are not always guaranteed. In fact, not all of the texts have an actual explanation, not all of the stories have actual closure. Some are left hanging, open to possible interpretations, emphasizing even more the cryptic atmosphere of the work. I was deeply captivated by the events narrated, absorbed by the pages, often feeling pleasantly disturbed. Obviously I enjoyed some stories more than others, I have my favourites, but in general I enjoyed everything. My only “criticism”, if you can call it that, is that for me some titles would have offered even more as novels…All in all, I found it a very intriguing and enjoyable anthology of short stories, which I absolutely recommend to lovers of dark academia!’ (Deborah V)

‘Oooh, this was really fun! I often struggle with anthologies and I 100% requested this solely for the M.L. Rio story…I loved the stories from past authors that I’ve enjoyed, and discovered a few new ones I want to check out! It was also a cool range of stories from a contemporary view of student-professor relationships, to genuinely terrifying horror, to gothic vibes!’ (Bethany D)

‘First things first, I loved this book!! As someone who loves dark academia, and with a short attention span this book was perfect! I feel like this was such a unique read and have never read anything like this whilst it still had the moody psyche that I love in dark academia… Some of these still have me thinking about them because the writing is so amazing you want more of the stories and more of the characters, but the stories never leave you unsatisfied.’ (Sim K)

‘If you like dark academia, you need to pick this up. I’ve only read one author out of this lineup, but I truly enjoyed all of the stories, and boy are there a variety of them! Whether you’re into real-world universities, fantastical academia, or a mix of the two, there are stories in this anthology that will meet your needs. They are all quick reads, not just because of their length but because they are fast-paced and often have a mystery at the core – there wasn’t a single story I was trudging through, unlike most anthologies I’ve read. I highly recommend this anthology and I’ve found a few authors I’ll definitely be reading more of!’ (Shelby W).

‘I was thrilled to have been approved to read this arc. I was mainly excited to read M.L. Rio’s & Olivia Blake’s pieces in this but was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining the other stories were. I am a huge fan of dark academia so all of the stories really scratched that wonderful itch. I will say I was left wanting more more often than not, but that seems to be the trend when I read anthologies. I always want the short stories to continue, especially when I like them.’ (Maitland K)

‘This dark academia anthology captured my interest from start to finish. I had read a few of the authors before, but I loved the ability to read the stories of authors that were new to me. There’s definitely a few new authors that I’ll be adding to my tbr now!! Out of all the short stories I found myself enthralled by “1000 Ships”, “X House”, and “The Unknowable Pleasures”. Anthologies are hard for me to rate since they are a collection of singular stories, but overall I give this book a 4/5*’ (Kaila M)

Credit: @sahlyereads

‘Thank you for the digital review copy, Titan Books. In These Hallowed Halls is such a wondrous collection of short stories!’ (Caleb P)

‘Let me tell you, the SECOND I saw Olivie Blake had a short story in this anthology I was SOLD. In These Hallowed Halls is a dark academia short story collection from various authors and it was honestly such a fun ride! With any collection like this, you always find there are some that are more standout than others, which was also the case here – most notably for me, “Pythia” by Olivie Blake, “The Hare and the Hound” by Kelly Andrew and “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant were my standout favourites. However, there wasn’t any I didn’t enjoy! I loved the dark academia vibes throughout (and the different takes on what this is!) and the writing styles of all the authors was very enjoyable. I’ll certainly be checking out some more published works by the authors. If dark academia is your thing, you’re going to love this!’

Credit: @spelll.bound

‘This was a must read for me. I have previously enjoyed books by Olivie Blake, Kelly Andrew, and Tori Bovalino, and have M.L. Rio on my TBR. Literally nobody disappoints in this anthology, and it was a deeply dark and exciting way for me to discover new authors that I want to read more of. This anthology captures dark academia in all its glory with twelve stories from twelve extremely competent authors.’ (Kayleigh W)

‘This was incredible! It’s started me on a spooky anthology kick, I seriously can’t get enough omg!! I definitely had my favourites but there is something in this collection for every kind of dark academia reader!’ (Salima)

Credit: @just_a_bookish_reader

‘In These Hallowed Halls really solidifies the “dark” in dark academia. All the stories in this book are based in an academic setting and have those strange, intense, kind of spooky (and well, dark) vibes that I have come to associate with this genre. All of the stories in this anthology were pretty good, but if I had to choose my favourites, I would select M.L. Rio, Olivie Blake and Kelly Andrew’s stories. Conceptually, I think they were my favourites in terms of the plot and the characters; each one of them started great and ended in a way that I felt was perfect, and at the same time left me wanting more. Honestly though, I would not mind if there was a volume 2 of this anthology with even more stories set in dark academia; because as someone who is in academia, we really need those.’ (Nihaarika)

‘In These Hallowed Halls delivered everything promised and that I hoped it would be. I finished this book a couple of weeks ago and wanted to have time to sit with the stories. These stories are all incredibly eerie and bizarre. I have not stopped thinking about them since. In These Hallowed Halls is truly a no-skip album, but I particularly enjoyed Kelly Andrew, J.T Ellison, Layne Fargo, and M.L Rio’s stories. What I love about anthologies is that it is such a nice introduction to an author’s writing style and voice. From this, I have found an entire heap of authors that I will read and recommend!’ (Librarian 1023128)

‘In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology is a captivating collection of twelve dark academia short stories that delve into the enigmatic and often sinister world of academia. From the masters of the genre, this anthology offers a mesmerizing exploration of the pursuit of knowledge, secrets, and the shadows that linger within the hallowed halls of higher education. Each story within this anthology presents a unique and beguiling perspective on dark academia. From tales of revenge and retribution to mysteries surrounding missing professors and illicit affairs, the anthology covers a wide spectrum of themes that encapsulate the essence of the genre. The authors, including Olivie Blake, M.L. Rio, Susie Yang, and others, bring their own distinctive voices to the stories, making each one a memorable and chilling experience. The beauty of this anthology lies in its ability to capture the allure of academic settings while infusing them with a sense of darkness and foreboding. The characters grapple with their desires for knowledge, power, and understanding, often leading them down treacherous paths. The juxtaposition of intellectual pursuit and the macabre creates an atmosphere of tension that keeps readers engrossed from beginning to end. The anthology’s themes are as varied as its contributors, touching on obsession, revenge, the supernatural, and the psychological. Whether through ghostly séances, sinister secrets, or enigmatic initiations, each story delivers its own unique blend of darkness and academia. The definition of dark academia provided in the introduction perfectly encapsulates the essence of this anthology. It’s a collection that embraces the scholarly pursuit of knowledge while delving into the more ominous and mysterious aspects of academia. The aesthetic principles of dark academia are vividly portrayed through the characters’ attire, surroundings, and the atmospheric settings that range from libraries to museums. In These Hallowed Halls is a must-read for fans of the genre. With its captivating stories and diverse range of themes, it offers a captivating journey into the shadowy corners of academia, satisfying the cravings of those who appreciate intellectual pursuits with a twist of the sinister. Each story in this anthology is a gem that contributes to the overall allure and mystique of dark academia.’ (Dalton S)

‘AGHHHHHHH! Okay, like I actually screamed SO LOUD when I opened this piece of book mail a few weeks ago... A BOOK FROM FRIGGIN’ TITAN BOOKS?!?!? And also it’s a Dark Academia anthology featuring some of my favourite authors?!? How could it get any better than that??? With Colleges and Universities starting back up for the Fall Semester, this is the PERFECT accompaniment for when you aren’t piled high with study hall sessions and homework. Even better, because this book is projected to hit shelves on September 12th, which isn’t that far away, and trust me y’all, you’re gonna SALIVATE over this read. I did. In These Hallowed Halls features short story contributions from J.T. Ellison, David Bell, Susie Yang, M.L. Rio, Olivia Blake, and so many other talented creators. There are narratives about haunted boarding schools with murders afoot, ravenous AI equations becoming too sentient, secret societies that operate more like murderous cults, and every other savoury angle to scratch your itches.’ (Samantha H)

‘I am usually not a fan of anthologies but I do love dark academia and some of the authors featured in this anthology so I wanted to give it a try – and I don’t regret it at all! This may actually be the first anthology I honestly enjoyed reading and, more importantly, didn’t have to force myself to finish. All of the stories – and I really mean every one of them – had me hooked after the first few sentences. Of course I enjoyed some a bit more than others but I did like every one, which is rare for anthologies I think. But every story was so weird, sometimes really dark, some felt more academic than others, but every one was really interesting and even though I finished this book weeks ago, I’m still thinking about some of the stories. I tried choosing a few favourites but I just couldn’t because I genuinely liked all of the stories a lot and I just couldn’t choose. What I find most fascinating is how memorable all of the stories are. As I said, I finished the book weeks ago but I still remember every story when I look at the titles.’ (Reviewer 439977)

Credit: @sophl3saur

Marie and Paul will be at FantasyCon this year (14-17 September), doing a signing of this book as well as Twice Cursed and The Other Side of Never at the Titan event. They’ll also be doing a signing at Forbidden Planet in London on the 23rd for In These Hallowed Halls, with Kate Weinberg, Tori Bovalino and Helen Grant (below).

You can pre-order the book here.

august

Award news first this month, and it’s been a good time for Absinthe Books! Not only did Angela Slatter win the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novella for The Bone Lantern (above), but Priya Sharma was nominated for a British Fantasy and World Fantasy Award for her novella Pomegranates (below)!

You can buy pick up both of these books at PS Publishing's dedicated Absinthe Books page here.

Turning to anthologies now, and it’s time to post the full ToC of In These Hallowed Halls (below), out in hardback next month from Titan. The line-up is: Introduction by Marie O’Regan & Paul Kane; ‘1000 Ships’ Kate Weinberg; ‘Pythia’ Olivie Blake; ‘Sabbatical’ James Tate Hill; ‘The Hare and the Hound’ Kelly Andrew; ‘X House’ J.T. Ellison; ‘The Ravages’ Layne Fargo; ‘Four Funerals’ David Bell; ‘The Unknowable Pleasures’ Susie Yang; ‘Weekend at Bertie’s’ M.L. Rio; ‘The Professor of Ontography’ Helen Grant; ‘Phobos’ Tori Bovalino; ‘Playing’ Phoebe Wynne.

And it was great to see the ARCs end up in the hands of contributing authors last month, including Olivie Blake (The Atlas Six), ML Rio (If We Were Villains) and Tori Bovalino (The Devil Makes Three) all above. Kelly Andrew (The Whispering Dark) even shared an extract from her tale (below).

Of course, it was also landing in the hands of more reviewers like A Readers Alley, Books H Spoonie and Gee Books and Life (below). 

Pages and Polish even produced a YouTube video about the book, which you can watch below.

4 and 5* reviews have been rolling in from NetGalley, as well. Here are a selection below:

‘My favourite readings were “1000 ships” (I’ve already added Truants to my TBR), “Pythia”, “The Ravages” (sapphic revenge story?! I mean come on), and “Phobos”. I had read works previously by Blake and Bovalino, and I am pleased to say that I will continue to read their work, but also begin reading the works of these other authors. The overall mood was a rainy day, a cozy blanket, and a hot chocolate. It’s summertime, but I felt like I had been transported into a gorgeous fall day at a gothic-style university. 10/10 do recommend.’ (Emily G)

‘I enjoyed reading this anthology, as a collection I rated it 4/5* but definitely found individual stories within it that could have been rated higher. “Four Funerals” touched on a very sensitive topic so I would make sure to be mindful of that upon reading it … I read quite a bit from the Dark Academia genre and I felt like most of these stories fit within the category. I would recommend adding this to your Fall TBR.’ (Destiny S)

‘I love Dark Academia books as they have a vibe like no other. They have a dark undertone of creepy and unsettling, yet strangely cosy and comforting. It’s a genre that’s really come into its own in the past couple of years so I was super excited to see the release of this one! With a stunning collection of Dark Academia short tales from a range of epic authors, there’s bound to be a story in here to tickle your dark fantasies and interests. As with any book of short stories, I always find there are some that are enjoyed more than others. Some I really got into and enjoyed and others felt a bit harder to get through and engage with, but it was an enjoyable book all in all. It’s hard to choose a favourite but I think “Phobos” was the one that topped it for me. That and “The Professor of Ontography”. Many of these stories were filled with intrigue and you never quite knew what was going to happen next or what twist the author would delight you with. They’re all fabulously written and expertly set the tone for the book. It’s a must for all lovers of this genre of book and definitely if you’re a fan of short stories.’ (Nicola W)

Photo credit: Reading with Sandra

‘Dark academia has become a prominent sub-genre in the book community over the last few years; however, the “aesthetic” conjures up different images unique to each reader. In These Hallowed Halls is a remarkable collection of Dark Academia short stories filled with obsession, madness, and the macabre. With a wide variety of tales, readers can explore the genre through authors well-versed in the literary subculture. My favourite short stories were “The Hare and the Hound” (I’ve always loved Alice in Wonderland), “X-House”, and “The Professor of Ontography”… Overall, this anthology was very easy to indulge in, and I’m sure fans of the Dark Academia genre will find at least one, if not several, short stories that haunt them long after finishing the last page.’ (Reviewer 1187080)

‘Dark Academia is definitely still a genre that I am exploring, and this is a fantastic way to find new material to read. I am already a big fan of Olivie Blake and M.L. Rio but have found some new authors to check out which is really exciting! I’ll start off with my favourite stories, I really wanted to only pick three but I ended up with four and they are: “Pythia” by Olivie Blake, “X House” by J.T. Ellison, “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant and “Playing” by Phoebe Wynne. I am very excited to check out the further works of the three authors I haven’t read before. Each story had a mystery I was trying to unravel and, even if I guessed it, I still felt gratification and excitement at the end. They were engaging, an accomplishment in short stories, and created a strong atmosphere that made them different to the others… Overall, many of the stories were strong and I would even reread and recommend a lot of them to my friends.’ (Katie S)

‘I loved this! I have read books from several of the authors and was very excited to get to read this one – it definitely didn’t disappoint. So happy to have finally read it.’ (Michelle W)

‘I usually struggle with rating anthologies because I tend to like some stories more than others. In These Hallowed Halls was no different. Individually, none of these stories were higher than 4 stars for me, but none below 3 stars. Which is not too shabby! Aside from Olivie Blake and M.L. Rio, all of these were new to me authors and I’m eager to check out several of their works. I found it interesting that a lot of these stories were lacking the elements that I enjoy and associate with Dark Academia. It definitely made me realise that I have a lot more to explore in the genre… Standouts for me were “X House”, “Weekend at Bertie’s”, “The Professor of Ontography”, and “Phobos”. “Phobos” actually being probably my favourite of all (think The Atlas Six but without magic). Overall, a spooky collection with all the fall and Dark Academia vibes. If you like anthologies and creepy stories, I recommend.’ (Amber L)

‘I have been waiting for a book like this! I was extremely excited to receive an ARC of it from Titan publishers and I have been engrossed in it ever since. In These Hallowed Halls is a Dark Academia anthology of short stories and I’m sure I’m not the only reader who couldn’t wait to get their hands on it! Dark Academia is a relatively new genre of fiction, being part dystopian, part thriller, with a heavy Gothic influence, set in traditional academic surroundings. Think prestigious seats of learning such as Oxford, Edinburgh or Cambridge Universities, lost in swathes of autumn mist and mystery and you get the idea of what this genre is all about. I have been reading DA books for a while now and they are usually fairly long novels, so I was intrigued to see how this trope would play out in a short fiction format. It works beautifully and I couldn’t stop turning the pages, reading late into the night, until I had finished the book. I always loved school stories as a child, so the adult DA genre is right up my street. This collection has everything that my scholarly heart yearns for – Gothic buildings, dusty old books, cosy common rooms, glowing fire-lit libraries on stormy winter afternoons, hot buttered toast, copious amount of tea and coffee and of course, mysteries to unravel and solve. It transports the reader to the very epicentre of elite education and top drawer universities, where wealth and intellect are the only currencies that count. It is a book that makes you want to step into that world… Written by some of the top DA authors of modern publishing such as Olivie Blake and ML Rio, the student angst rolls off the pages amid tales of sinister Artificial Intelligence, missing students and the odd murder. The collection starts off strong with “1000 Ships”, a story about sexual misconduct and plagiarism, and it goes on from there, remaining strong throughout. In these pages you will find dangerous hazing rituals, initiations, secret societies, supernatural shape-shifters, school shootings and a gifted musician with a taste for greatness and a murder mystery.

In These Hallowed Halls is a fantastic collection, being both sinister and cosy at the same time, as all the best Dark Academia should be. My favourite stories in the collection are “1000 Ships”, “The Hare and the Hound”, “X House”, “Phobos” and “Playing”. These stories held me on the edge of my seat and they are the ones that have stayed with me upon finishing the book. Each story features a skilful use of pathetic fallacy to build atmosphere and a strong sense of place. It is obvious that you are reading authors who are at the top of their game and who have made this genre their own. To distil all the complexities of Dark Academia into a short story is no easy task, but the authors of this collection have done just that, seemingly without effort. It’s a gripping book – one to read curled up in a cosy armchair, with a plate of hot buttered toast and a cup of tea, or a bag of sweeties – but no more than three sweets a night, or things turn sinister! If you like Dark Academia or the Gothic genre then you will probably love this book, and if you are new to DA, this is a great introduction. I highly recommend it and I am sincerely hoping that Titan publish a second volume, because this one was so much fun to read. It is ideal reading for all adults who are bitten by “back to school” nostalgia at this time of year. Check your doors are locked, snuggle up by the fire, and enjoy these murderous collegiate stories! Happy Reading.’ (Marie B)

Photo credit: Clettera

‘I had the BEST time reading this. I found some new authors to discover and my fave stories were “Pythia” and “The Hare and the Hound”!! So, so fun and made my Dark Academia heart very happy. I need MORE!’ (Steph L)

‘In These Hallowed Halls is a fun, varied, dark ride through many different avenues and genres of Dark Academia fiction. While some of the stories worked more for me than others, I enjoyed them all, and found some new authors I want to check out in the future. Would recommend to any fans of the genre.’ (Shannon C)

‘In These Hallowed Halls is an anthology of twelve Dark Academia stories. I have previously read six of the twelve authors and enjoyed them so I was excited for this anthology and I’m happy to say that this was such a good time! All of these stories are very different and like any collection, some work more than others but I think they are all strong in their own way! My favourite was definitely the Olivie Blake story. Unsurprising to anyone because she is my very favourite author, but her story just had its own unique style… I also loved the story by Kelly Andrew, a new to me author. All in all, I think this collection has something for any Dark Academia fan. Some stories are a little more spooky while some just have an academia vibe that will make you think about stepping on crunchy leaves. I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy of this when it releases this fall!’ (Alicia C)

Photo Credit: Rebecca Deer Reads

‘Normally I’m not a huge short story fan. I can’t connect to the characters, there’s not enough time to develop a coherent story, there’s not enough world-building or connection. However, this was enjoyable. A nice break from the long books and sagas I’ve been reading. I think if Dark Academia is your jam – you’ll love this!’ (Caitlin L)

‘In These Hallowed Halls is one of those books I was eagerly anticipating in 2023, and I was fortunate enough to read it in advance thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books, to whom I extend my gratitude for the ARC copy. The book lived up to my expectations. It’s a collection of novellas that showcases stories with the Dark Academia aesthetic, written by some of the most skilled authors in employing this in their works. I must say that some of the novellas were simply marvellous; I wished I could read entire books based on those stories, and one of my favourites was definitely the one written by Olive Blake, the author of The Atlas Six.’ (Clelia O)

‘What I love about this anthology is that there is something for everyone to enjoy within its pages… Weinberg’s “1000 Ships”, Ellison’s “X House”, and Grant’s “The Professor of Ontography” left me absolutely craving more than this short format writing could give me. If you enjoy Dark Academia, there will be a story in here that resonates with you, whether your original entry point was Tartt’s Secret History or Blake’s Atlas Six or Bardugo’s Ninth House. It was a delight to read so many prolific authors coming together, and some that I’ve been exposed to for the first time. Each author took their own approach and no two stories were even remotely the same. Anyone that has dabbled in Dark Academia and found something they like will want to have this beautiful collection for their shelf!’ (Kristen F)

Photo credit: Darcey's Library

‘As someone who spent four years at university and enjoyed learning but often wondered if anything else went on in the hallways it is odd that I’ve taken so long to branch out into modern Dark Academia. I’ve read some of the classics that have been assigned the genre but it’s only recently I’ve gone into the modern ones. So when the chance to read an anthology arose I was excited to give it a try and I have to say I feel like I have been missing out! In These Hallowed Halls contained 12 Dark Academia short stories and I have to say I adored each one in their own way but a couple really stood out to me. We have numerous goings on in this collection, retribution visiting a lothario lecturer, the sinister truth being revealed about a missing professor, a forsaken lover uses a séance for revenge (possibly my favourite), an obsession blooms about a possible illicit affair, two graduates exhume the secrets of a reclusive scholar, the horrors are uncovered in an obscure academic department (definitely a favourite), five hopeful initiates must complete a murderous task and much, much more to keep you guessing and up at night.

Of course with anthologies you may sometimes find a few misses in there but I am pleased to say, for me, that is not the case in this collection. Each story explores an aspect or part of the genre of Dark Academia and executes it perfectly. The other thing I enjoyed is the differing writing styles, which of course you would expect with 12 different authors, it kept the genre engaging and refreshing. Each new story brought something new to the table and the genre. For someone like myself who is starting out in the modern aspects of the genre I found it helpful to steer me in the direction of authors I want to try first and so on. Of course I plan to read more works by all of them anyway but it was interesting to see different takes and aspects of the genre come to life. My three top ones from this collection where “The Ravages” by Layne Fargo, “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant and “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino but the other 9 stories also captivated me and I thoroughly enjoyed each one. I think this collection is brilliant for both fans of the genre and those stepping into the world of Dark Academia. It gives you a taste of not only the genre but the style and skills of some of the best and brightest names in the genre.’ (Siobhan M)

You can pre-order In These Hallowed Halls from Amazon here.

Dryad Books did a wonderful promotion over on Instagram which featured The Other Side of Never (see previous news sections for more on this antho). You can buy the book directly from them here.

A callout for stories was announced last month, a chance to be involved in Paul & Marie’s Folk Horror book which is coming out next summer – the first of Flame Tree Press’ ‘Beyond & Within’ series (above).

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A huge, well-deserved congratulations to both Priya Sharma and Angela Slatter, whose Absinthe books (above) have both been included in the shortlist for the Shirley Jackson Awards. A hearty well done to them and all the other nominees who can be found on Locus here.

You can buy both books at PS Publishing's dedicated Absinthe Books page here.

Anthologies now, and photos above and below from the hugely successful Forbidden Planet Signing of The Other Side of Never last month, followed by drinks at the Angel pub round the corner…

The book was also getting more shoutouts online, including from Word Horde Emporium and Imaginarium Books, who’ve stocked the title, and Dr Laura Varnum who was reading it (below).

It was even being put on birthday wishlists on TikTok, like Kim’s below!

The anthology was also garnering more praise, including from editor Charles Prepolec: ‘Hat is off to Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane on another brilliant anthology. A wealth of fine and freaky fiction here. While all the stories are strong, the big standouts for me came from Cavan Scott and Paul Finch. I loved this antho from start to finish. Great read!’

And from author Rachel Knightley (below), who said: ‘Before the storm hits, in my balcony “den” with new treasure… Great to see Marie O’Regan, Paul Kane, Laura Mauro, Robert Shearman, Lavie Tidhar, Paul Finch, Anna Smith Spark, Jen Williams and lots more friends at the Forbidden Planet signing too!’

There were more 4 and 5* reviews on Netgalley as well:

The Other Side of Never is a short story collection featuring tales relating to Peter Pan, some more closely, some only very loosely adjacent to J. M. Barrie’s book. Some stories take us on adventures with characters we know, exploring what happens to them after the original story or what happened to them while other characters were doing other things, some stories take elements or lore from the original story and twist and turn them into other things. This is a great read if you like the original Peter Pan tale… I didn’t love all of the stories, but I enjoyed most and really, really loved a few, to my surprise mostly those that are only vaguely related to the source material. I found the stories really well selected to work with each other and all different enough that they each brought a new bit to the table.’ (Elizabeth L)

Peter Pan is a beloved character in my house, so I was really excited to read this anthology. I found most of the stories to be very well done twists on the Peter Pan mythos, with a diverse variety of genres and styles, some rather dark... My favourite from them all is “Chasing Shadows” by Cavan Scott, which uses 1980s pop culture references to bring Peter Pan into the modern era and invoke nostalgia that made me really connect to it. Overall it’s a great collection of tales for Neverland fans.’ (Jim C)

Plus it hit the heights of 37 in Fantasy Anthologies and 40 in All Anthologies on Amazon (below)

You can grab your copy of The Other Side of Never here.

Marie and Paul’s other anthologies Cursed & Twice Cursed were also feeling the love, with Books in my Hallway (above) saying of the original: ‘I really enjoyed these takes on what a curse is-and isn’t as told by some of my favourite authors… cannot wait to get a copy of Twice Cursed, as soon as I am able.’

And these two terrific reviews for Twice Cursed appearing on Netgalley:

‘For those familiar with the works (or world) of Angela Carter, many of the retellings seem to follow the same path in taking the fairy tales and reimagining them into something darker and modern. Whether this works for all is essentially up to the reader’s taste but personally it seems to be an excellent curated anthology of both indie and well-known writers. I personally loved “The Bell” by Joanne Harris which seemed to emulate that much-loved dark gothic fantasy with the same tone that many of our much-loved classics seem to carry; a timeless read. Kelley Armstrong’s addition was also a great read. This may be my bias talking – after all, I was in love with the “Darkest Powers” series and I cannot shake my ultimate love for whatever Kelley Armstrong writes. But I do see some of what makes her writing unique in that there is real dialogue and great descriptions pop up in “Just Your Standard Haunted Doll Drama”… I do recommend this book to those that love to see their favourite fairy tales get a fresh lick of paint that also encapsulate the essence of what a fairy tale showcases; a moral story, a gothic background and a fantastical collection of characters to ride throughout the anthology.’ (4* Rabia)

‘Many of the stories felt like fragments of a larger tale… But there are also some gems. Tales that struck a chord for me included Adam L.G Nevill’s “The Angels of London” about a man who runs afoul of a landlord at a grimy apartment block run by a sinister “family” and Joe Hill’s “Dark Carousel” about a strange carnival ride that triggers an evening of horror for a group of friends.’ (Mark S)

You can buy the original Cursed here.

And Twice Cursed here.

Marie and Paul received the ARCs of their next anthology last month, too: In These Hallowed Halls, which is out in hardback from Titan Books this September – and they look stunning (above).