ALA Booklist (Wed Dec 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

In her first year at her exclusive Appalachian college, Tara Boone hoped to join the mysterious academic society Magni Viri mbers receive full scholarships, allowing them to focus on academic pursuits while living in an atmospheric mansion. She didn't get in, though, and now she's working three campus jobs. When a troubling and tragic event vacates a spot for Tara in Magni Viri, she accepts, desperate for a chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer. Soon after she joins, however, she's plagued by strange occurrences and disturbing nightmares. She suspects Magni Viri hides something sinister, but the other students in her cohort are tight-lipped. Stoker Award winner Waters pens an eerie academic psychological thriller perfect for the upcoming Halloween season. The standard paranormal elements presented in this tale have fresh, surprising twists, and an unexpected turn of events creates tension and mystery. Sensitively explored topics such as class discrimination, familial estrangement, and academic pressure add depth. LGBTQIA+ and ethnically diverse characters written with empathy and care help modernize this gothic horror for young adults.

Kirkus Reviews

Tara Boone has escaped her mother and is finally going to college.She wasn't able to land a spot in the prestigious Magni Viri program at Corbin College, something that comes with a full-ride scholarship, not to mention invaluable connections. But Tara was able to secure a couple of on-campus jobs to help offset her massive student loans, allowing her to major in English for secondary education through the college's regular track. A forlorn Tara attends classes, goes to work, and tries to ignore her unfriendly roommate, all while being jealous of the enchanting Magni Viri students she sees around campus. When one of the MV students dies under mysterious circumstances, Tara is offered her spot in the coveted academic society. Maybe now she can finally achieve what she's always wanted: to be a world-famous writer. For the first time in her life, Tara has close friends and feels like she finally belongs somewhere. Unfortunately, her new friends are harboring a huge and deadly secret. This gothic horror story is an enjoyable though at times predictable read. The drawn-out plot lacks enough twists that could keep readers guessing and instead ambles toward an expected, yet still satisfying, conclusion. Despite the bland narrative, readers will empathize with Tara and root for her success and developing self-esteem. The main character is cued white; there's racial diversity among the supporting characters.Mild gothic horror for fans of dark academia. (Fantasy. 14-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In the wake of the tragic death of a gifted classmate at elite Corbin College, 17-year-old Tara Boone, a white university student, is offered the chance to take the deceased’s place in the exclusive and secretive Magni Viri program. Tara eagerly accepts, lured by the promise of a full-ride scholarship and a tight-knit community of talented peers, and hoping to fulfill her lifelong ambition of becoming a famous novelist. With her fledgling membership comes mandatory Sunday night ragers in the school cemetery, as well as long walks in picturesque Tennessee woods with her crush. But Tara soon starts having recurring nightmares of being buried alive and often wakes up at her desk to new pages of a brilliant, twisted story that she can’t remember writing. As her nighttime drafting becomes increasingly disturbing, and her mental and physical health drastically decline, Tara must ask herself what she’s willing to sacrifice for greatness. In this slow-burn psychological horror novel, Waters (The Restless Dark) creates tension around the pressures of class inequality and impostor syndrome, filtered through Tara’s acerbic first-person narration. Moody and disquieting prose combine with paranormal intrigue to drive this dark tale of exploitation and academic greed. Ages 13–up. Agent: Lauren Spieller, Folio Literary Management. (Oct.)