This was truly creepy, compelling, and hard to put down! It is a story with a chilling blend of campus drama and supernatural terror. As students die and dark secrets unravel, the author builds relentless anticipation that keeps you racing toward the end. This book unearths a hidden world within a quiet university, blending mystery, suspense, and the paranormal into a gripping tale. Twists, secrets, and complex characters kept me hooked—and left me hungry for the next installment! This is a must-read for fans of eerie mysteries and thrillers where the impossible feels terrifyingly real.

Thank you NetGalley and @cityowlbooks for the #gifted copy

Superstition by James Blakey is a gripping psychological thriller that blends mystery with suspense. The story delves into the darker side of human nature, exploring the impact of superstition and belief on its characters. Blakey's writing is tense and engaging, keeping readers on edge with unexpected twists and a compelling plot. It's an excellent choice for fans of psychological dramas and thrillers.

This is a fast paced read with everything you could want, gorgeous writing, mystery and murder, a sprinkle of romance and plenty of characters to be invested in!

I really liked the premise of this one, students dying after superstitions are broken. A thriller with a twist, what’s not to like?
And after reading it, I can say it really was a hit. This is a perfect start to a series, and I’m already looking forward to reading more.

This book is set at Van Buren University. Our main character here is Jerry Williams, he starts the story with a girlfriend, Busby, but moves on (a bit too) quickly to Darla. Jerry is studious, strong willed, stubborn and annoying. His character is one that could grate on you, but because of the way the author has written him, you find yourself actually getting behind him, willing him on.
The female characters though, don’t seem to have that redeeming feature about them and can be just plain irritating.
The concept of the story is well thought through and executed to perfection.
The author has done an excellent job with the world building, setting the scene and is extremely talented when it comes to bringing the whole thing to life. It’s eerie and atmospheric, and gives you the feeling of danger and anticipation.
The whole thing together gives you a good solid immersive read, that you can get entirely lost in.
I can’t wait for more from the author and to return to Van Buren.

I was so excited to read this one! And I was not disappointed! It was really good. When you can't guess whodunnit and you feel like you might be next then you know the book is a real winner. And what a surprise ending! You won't see it coming! If you were not superstitious before then you might be now.

If you're in the mood for a fast-paced thriller with a unique twist, Superstition is for you! This book is a clever blend of college drama, relationships, investigative journalism, and a touch of the paranormal that'll have you side-eyeing every black cat in your vicinity!

Students at Van Buren University start dying after breaking common superstitions. It's a setup that feels both familiar and fresh - who hasn't joked about bad luck after spilling salt or stepping on a crack? But Blakey takes these old wives' tales and dials them up to deadly.

Our main character, Jerry Williams, is the kind of character you root for, but also get irritated with. He starts the story with his girlfriend Busby, immediately moves on to Darla after that sours, and gives mixed signals to both throughout the whole book. In my opinion, both girls were insufferable, but that's just me. Jerry is the kind of guy I'd like to give a swift kick in the ass to in the real world, but I found myself liking him in this book. He's sharp, determined, and stubborn to a fault - a classic journalist archetype, but with enough vulnerability to make him relatable. When Jerry gets suspended from the university's paper, "The Chronicle", due to clashing with the editor when all of his stories get shut down, he starts writing for "The Underground" which is the school's secret paper. With his new girlfriend Darla's help, together they risk everything to expose the truth of the deaths on campus before it's too late.

Blakey excels at building tension. The stakes escalate with each broken superstition, and by the time Friday the 13th looms closer, you're shouting at your book telling the characters to stop tempting fate! The pacing is relentless in the best way, keeping you hooked as Jerry and his friends dig deeper and deeper into the mystery. The mix of skepticism and belief among characters adds depth, making you question whether the deaths are really supernatural or the work of a deranged killer.

What makes Superstition stand out is the atmosphere. Blakey paints VBU as a vivid setting, from the bustling campus to the shadowy corners where danger lurks. The superstitions themselves feel like characters, adding a creepy, almost omnipresent threat.

My reasoning for this book getting 4 stars instead of 5, is some of the side characters could use a bit more development. They're memorable enough, but a few feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out people. Some of them could have added so much more to the story. That said, the novel was gripping so it's easy to overlook this.

Superstition is a fun, spooky read perfect for Halloween- a blend of classic superstitions with modern-day suspense. Whether you believe or are a hardcore skeptic, you'll find yourself second-guessing everything and everyone as you dive into this. Perfect for fans of campus mysteries, witchy reads, and the paranormal, you'll be kept at the edge of your seat from start to finish!

Don't break a mirror before reading this one - you won't want any bad luck interrupting your reading time! I can't wait for the second book to come out!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, City Owl Press, for providing this eARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based on an uncorrected proof which did not sway my opinion either way.

This book was so good! It was exactly the type of book I needed to try out before the end of 2024. Thank you NetGalley and Owl City Press for granting me access to this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I needed a bit of a spooky book that left me with goosebumps. I used to watch Final Destination every year but recently I haven’t really stuck to that. Luckily, this book scratched that itch!

I would highly recommend giving this book a read if you’re in the mood for a spooky read, I will say that it felt more YA though, so keep that in mind.

I really hope to see more books from this author soon!

Con Supersticion, se inicia la serie The Secrets of Van Buren University , en una historia que mezcla muy bien misterio, romance y giros sorprendentes en una universidad. La intriga se mantienen muy bien mientras se van desvelando los oscuros secretos de Van Buren, gracias al dinamismo y al buen funcionamiento de la trama. Los personajes también escapan del estereotipo universitario y están bien modelados . En conjunto, una buena y entretenida lectura de intriga supernatural.
Gracias a @NetGalley y @CityPressOwl por esta copia

I found this book to be unique and interesting. The premise is what a person would give up to be successful or find their love. I loved the way this story was written, and the fact that it combined superstition with magic. It was a interesting paranormal thriller to read. I will definately be suggesting this to others.

Thank you Net Galley ARC

Struggled to get into this at time. I enjoyed the premise from the description and in general it sounded like something I'd typically enjoy.

Writing at times feels stunted which I think is because of how much dialogue is included (very little description) and the plot is predictable at times. Feels like several stories going on at once and none really join together. Potentially better suited to a younger audience.

The use of a lot of dialogue, however does mean this is a quick read (one or two sittings) and is quite an easy read if you don't try piece all the sub plots together.

Review submitted to amazon

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this

Whilst I could see how all the superstitions started to link I felt this took some time to get to the link, the character descriptions (what they were wearing etc) were really detail but I think this overshadowed some of the story

It just didn’t hit the mark for me this one which I felt was a shame

James Blakey’s Superstition is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that turns everyday superstitions into deadly omens. With its blend of investigative journalism, campus intrigue, and supernatural suspense, the novel weaves a tale that keeps readers hooked from its eerie opening to its pulse-pounding conclusion.

Content Overview

The story follows Jerry Williams, a driven sophomore journalist at Van Buren University, whose curiosity lands him in the middle of a chilling mystery. Students are dying in bizarre, seemingly unrelated accidents—but Jerry uncovers a startling connection: each victim has broken a common superstition. Despite resistance from his editor, university administrators, and even his friends, Jerry risks everything to uncover the truth. As the deaths escalate and Friday the 13th looms, Jerry must act quickly to prevent a catastrophe.

Strengths

Blakey excels at creating a tense, foreboding atmosphere. The campus setting, with its shadowy corners and mounting sense of dread, becomes a character in its own right, perfectly amplifying the book’s sinister tone. The superstitions—ordinary and seemingly harmless—are transformed into chilling harbingers of doom, adding a unique twist to the thriller genre.

Jerry is a compelling protagonist. His relentless pursuit of the truth, despite personal and professional risks, makes him both admirable and relatable. His relationships, particularly with his girlfriend Darla, add emotional stakes to the story, making the threat of danger feel even more urgent.

The pacing is another highlight. Blakey masterfully balances investigative journalism, character development, and suspense, building the tension as the stakes rise with each broken superstition. The climax, centred on the ominous arrival of Friday the 13th, is satisfyingly intense and keeps readers guessing until the very end.

Themes

Superstition explores themes of fear, belief, and the power of tradition. It questions whether our adherence to superstitions is irrational—or if there’s something darker lurking behind them. The novel also delves into journalistic integrity and the courage it takes to pursue the truth in the face of opposition.

Critique

While the book’s concept is fresh and its execution strong, some readers might find the explanation behind the deaths a bit far-fetched, especially if they lean toward logical resolutions. Additionally, certain side characters, such as Jerry’s editor or members of the university administration, could have been developed further to provide more depth to the story’s conflicts.

Conclusion

Superstition is a chilling and original thriller that turns everyday bad luck into a deadly curse. With its intriguing premise, relentless pacing, and a protagonist readers will root for, James Blakey delivers a story that’s as eerie as it is entertaining. Fans of supernatural mysteries and campus thrillers will find this book hard to put down. Be warned: you may never look at a broken mirror or spilled salt the same way again.

When murders begin to happen involving superstitions only one student sees the connection. No one wants to believe that people could die from breaking a superstition. I am plenty aware of what happens when people push the limits. I think a lot of people follow what might be superstitions. We hear about sports figures who complete certain rituals in hope of continuing a winning streak, there are students who use certain instruments or wear certain clothes to pass a test and finally believers in religions practice certain rituals to help control their spiritual life. Some of the people who experienced tragedies failed to listen and found out the hard way that the occult was responsible for the deaths. I found this book enjoyable and well worth the read. I myself have never messed with an ouija board because I am not willing to allow something else to come through that may not be a spirit I am wanting to contact.

Superstition is a fascinating start to The Secrets of Van Buren University series, and I am already craving the next instalment. I requested this book as soon as I saw it was Dark Academia as I know immediately in for a brilliant ride with hidden secrets and dark undertones.

This book contains an enticing blend of mystery, suspense, and supernatural intrigue. James’s writing pulls you in as its vivid and richly descriptive, the book will have you in a chokehold as the dark secrets of the university start to unravel.

As this is set at a university we get to meet a large cast of characters. I also appreciate how James didn’t rely on stereotypical college stereotypes but instead, we are given well thought out and developed characters.

Jerry Williams is a great protagonist; he is instantly likable, and it was easy to start rooting for him. I appreciate his unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth, no matter the cost as it made him both courageous and flawed but human.
I can wait to read the next instalment.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I find it a little difficult to review this book. I Loved the premise and was really hoping for something more than what I got. I was able to finish it easily, but the whole time I kept expecting something exciting to happen. But unfortunately, it never really did. I think if there had been more time given to making it more of a supernatural atmosphere, rather than the endless amounts of time given to descriptions of what every single student was wearing every single time, it would have helped with the credibility of the story line. But it just seemed silly. And the clothing descriptions added nothing.

Overall, it was a letdown. Sorry.

It may help to target a younger audience, instead of an adult audience.

Superstition prompts you to consider what you would be willing to give up to achieve success or find love. This story easily combines elements of dark magic, superstition, and captivating technology, creating a mesmerizing and addictive paranormal thriller. While it may seem irreverent to call it a fun read, that’s precisely what it is. It's fast-paced, filled with plot twists and manages to balance very serious criminal activity with light-hearted comedy.

This book is perfect for the cosy/spooky season. A murder mistery with some magic and romance.

I found it a bit difficult to follow at first as there were many new characters but once you get used to the names it's easy to figure out who the main characters are.

It's a very easy to read YA story - it's quite short as well, so if you're looking for an easy book to read in a short time, this would be the perfect one to go for!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication!

Book Review: Superstition by James Blakey

Rating: 3 Stars

So, I just finished Superstition by James Blakey and I’d give it a solid 3 stars. Let me break it down for you.

The story kicks off at Van Buren University, where a bunch of seemingly harmless superstitions—like opening an umbrella indoors or having a black cat cross your path—start to take a dark turn when they lead to actual deaths on campus. Our protagonist, Jerry Williams, is a sophomore journalist who’s super passionate about his reporting. He connects the dots between these gruesome happenings and the superstitions, but his editor isn’t having it. She shuts him down, and he finds himself suspended from the school newspaper. Talk about a buzzkill!

As the body count rises, Jerry’s girlfriend Darla gets caught up in the chaos, barely escaping with her life. This pushes Jerry into full-on detective mode as he decides to publish his findings in an alternative newspaper. But of course, the university administration isn’t thrilled about that either and threatens him with suspension for causing panic. It’s a race against time as Friday the 13th approaches, and Jerry has to figure out who—or what—is behind these bad luck deaths before it’s too late.

Now, onto my thoughts. Honestly, the beginning didn’t really grab me. It took a little while to get into the groove, but once I did, it was a fun read. The premise is intriguing—who doesn’t love a good murder mystery mixed with a bit of romance? The writing is beautiful and flows nicely, making it a quick read. However, I felt like the story got bogged down with too many extra tropes that didn’t quite fit together. There were all these cool ideas about superstitions leading to horrible deaths, but somehow it turned into a bit of a mishmash that didn’t fully click for me.

In the end, while I enjoyed the fast pace and the engaging writing style, I’m not sure I’m ready to dive into more books in this series. It was definitely entertaining but left me wanting something more cohesive. If you're looking for a light YA mystery with a sprinkle of romance, this might be right up your alley!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This was a really good book. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. It definitely helped pull me out of a reading slump. I will definitely pick up more of this author’s books.

This was fun! It felt like a YA Final Destination, if y’all catch my drift. Not a horror at all, however; more so a thriller and mystery. I truly didn’t see the little twist at the end coming! Not a spooky season worthy read, but it wasn’t a regret by any means.

Having said all that, it is definitely written by a man.. This statement will be understood by many who read this book and observe the main character. Y’all remember back in the 90s/ early 2000s when every show had a smoking hot woman and a painfully white toast man? And those women weren’t just hot, they were smart. And somehow they are also into the unbuttered bread Fred…
That ending was just silly lol.