The Academy: A Novel (The Academy Series, 1) by Elin Hilderbrand (Author), Shelby Cunningham (Author)

The Academy marks a notable departure for #1 New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand. Traditionally known as the "Queen of the Beach Read" for her Nantucket-based romances, this novel—co-authored with Shelby Cunningham—dives into the high-stakes, elite world of boarding school life.

Core Plot & Setting

Set at the prestigious Comstock Academy in Rhode Island, the story follows a group of students and faculty navigating a world of immense privilege, grueling academic pressure, and deep-seated secrets.

The narrative centers on:

• The Newcomer: A student or faculty member (often a Hilderbrand staple) who enters this closed-off society and begins to peel back the layers of its polished exterior.

• The Power Dynamics: The friction between "old money" legacies and those there on scholarship or merit.

• The Scandal: Like most "Dark Academia" influenced stories, a central mystery or moral dilemma threatens the reputation of the institution.

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Key Themes

• Ambition vs. Ethics: How far will students go to secure an Ivy League future?

• Social Hierarchies: The invisible rules that govern elite private schools.

• Expectation: The crushing weight of parental and institutional pressure.

Why It’s a Notable Release

1. Genre Shift: While it maintains Hilderbrand’s signature "polished" aesthetic, the shift to a boarding school setting introduces a sharper, more suspenseful edge than her coastal dramas.

2. Collaboration: Working with Shelby Cunningham brings a fresh perspective to the "Academy" trope, blending Hilderbrand’s character-driven style with a modern, fast-paced plot.

3. Series Potential: As "Book 1," it is designed to establish a recurring cast of characters, allowing readers to follow the graduating classes and faculty over multiple installments.

 

Ninth House (Ninth House Series, 1)

 

Ninth House (Alex Stern, Book 1)

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is a dark, dizzying descent into "Dark Academia." Known for her Grishaverse novels, Bardugo pivots here to adult contemporary fantasy, trading whimsical magic for a brutal, occult-drenched Yale University. It is a story about privilege, ghosts, and the literal monsters that run the Ivy League.

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The Plot: The Shepherd of Lethe

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the ultimate outsider. A high school dropout and survivor of a horrific mass murder, she is given a full ride to Yale under one condition: she must serve as the "Shepherd" for Lethe, the secret ninth house that monitors the occult activities of Yale’s other eight secret societies.

While the other societies (like Skull and Bones) practice "blood magic" to manipulate global markets or influence elections, Lethe’s job is to keep them from accidentally tearing a hole in reality. Alex has a unique gift—she can see "Grays" (ghosts) without the use of specialized potions. When a local girl is found murdered on campus, Alex suspects it’s linked to the societies’ dark rituals, even as her mentor, Darlington, goes missing.

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Why This Novel is a Dark Academia Masterpiece

• The Setting: Bardugo uses the real architecture and history of New Haven, Connecticut, to ground the story. The Ivy League setting feels claustrophobic, elitist, and genuinely dangerous.

• The "Grey" Heroine: Alex is not a "chosen one" in the traditional sense; she’s a survivor with sharp edges and deep trauma. Her journey is about reclaiming her power in a world designed to suppress people like her.

• Complex World-Building: The magic system is unsettling. It involves ritualistic surgeries, consumption of "nectar," and a heavy toll on the practitioners. It feels earned and ancient.

• Themes of Power: At its core, the book is a scathing critique of class, gender, and how the powerful use the vulnerable as "fuel" for their ambitions.

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Final Verdict

Ninth House is a haunting, atmospheric thriller that stays with you long after the final page. It is gritty, occasionally graphic, and deeply rewarding for readers who like their fantasy mixed with murder-mystery and social commentary.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐