Highly addictive book. The action and secrets are mysterious and drew me in. I devoured this story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Dark academia tropes are so popular now, and Merit does it justice with this title.

Okay, I just finished Starling Nights and honestly, I had such a good time with it. If you love books with dark academia vibes and secret societies in old rainy cities, this is definitely one to check out. The Cambridge setting is moody in the best way, and it makes the whole story feel kinda magical and a little bit mysterious.

The romance is a slow burn but it’s so worth it. The main characters are both super interesting and I loved watching them circle around each other and slowly get closer. There are also just enough supernatural moments to keep things interesting, but it never gets too over the top.

I also really liked the writing style. It’s smooth and easy to read, so I ended up reading way later than I meant to. My only little complaint is that the story starts off a bit slow, but once things get going I was hooked. The ending left me wanting the next book right away, but in a good way.

So yeah, if you want something with a moody setting, a bit of mystery, and a romance you can really root for, I think you’ll enjoy this one. Perfect for a cozy night in with some tea.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

What a gorgeous novel! The cover instantly drew me in like I knew it was going to be good! This isn’t my typical genre but I have to say I was drawn in my the cover and premise. I could totally see this becoming a movie! It was such a unique blend of real and fantasy. I highly recommend this to someone looking for something outside their usual genre that has romance, fantasy, and action.

A moody, atmospheric novel about identity, secrets, and the quiet ache of wanting more. Niemeitz writes with the kind of lyricism that feels like stargazing—beautiful, dark, and full of wonder. It’s haunting in the best possible way.

I loved it!! I love the dark academia aspect of it. The twist and turns and not knowing what was going to happen next. It wasn’t predictable to me at all and nothing like anything I have ever read before. The main characters flowed well and I felt the buildup was done exactly right. The plot was thriving and overall a super good read! -Kerin Ray

If you wanted The Secret History to have a supernatural flair then this is the book for you. It's a classic dark academia with a paranormal romance twist that I thought I had figured out about halfway through, but was genuinely pleased to be wrong at the end. The romance burn is slow, the mystery is enticing, the spice is closed door, and the setting is atmospherically modern gothic. Perfect for new adult and above dark academia, or even dark romantasy fans.

This is a dreamy, atmospheric, and beautifully written story. The story has this soft, magical quality that pulls you in slowly and then completely wraps around you like a blanket. I loved the blend of mystery, emotion, and quiet wonder-there’s a warmth to the storytelling that makes the world feel real.

The characters are layered and easy to connect with, and the pacing feels smooth, like being carried along by the story rather than pushed through it. It’s the kind of book that stays with you afterward, not because of big plot shocks but because of how heartfelt and immersive it is. A lovely, enchanting read. I loved every last moment and would recommend this read!!

Wow I had the best time with this book! The vibes are immaculate, I loved the dark academia combined with a really unique supernatural element! I got so invested in the characters and the ending low key killed me! Such a fantastic book