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Grave Matter
Horror Romance meets science fiction in this dark and delicious gothic psychological thriller by NYT bestseller Karina Halle, perfect for fans of Gothikana, Ninth House, and Mexican Gothic.
Aspiring mycologist Sydney Denik is getting a second chance. When a dream opportunity presents itself with a prestigious foundation doing promising Alzheimer’s research, Sydney leaves the shambles of her old life to join a dozen other grad students at an isolated lodge hidden away in a remote, fog-shrouded inlet on Vancouver Island.
But the Madrona Foundation harbors more than brilliant minds. Everyone around her is hiding a terrible secret—including the resident psychologist she’s falling in love with. A student disappears, and no one but Sydney seems to care. Ghosts walk the halls. Snow falls in the middle of summer. Dead animals move like the living. The more Sydney uncovers about the foundation, the more she begins to question her own sanity. And if Sydney isn’t going mad, then the horrors in the surrounding forest are real, and the Madrona Foundation may be the biggest monster of all.
NOTE: This will be a live release on Amazon for paperback, ebook and hardcover on October 23rd 2024. The paperback and ebook cover is different from the case-laminate and dustjacket hardcovers. This is a standalone novel. Check content warnings inside the book or author's IG closer to publication.
Aspiring mycologist Sydney Denik is getting a second chance. When a dream opportunity presents itself with a prestigious foundation doing promising Alzheimer’s research, Sydney leaves the shambles of her old life to join a dozen other grad students at an isolated lodge hidden away in a remote, fog-shrouded inlet on Vancouver Island.
But the Madrona Foundation harbors more than brilliant minds. Everyone around her is hiding a terrible secret—including the resident psychologist she’s falling in love with. A student disappears, and no one but Sydney seems to care. Ghosts walk the halls. Snow falls in the middle of summer. Dead animals move like the living. The more Sydney uncovers about the foundation, the more she begins to question her own sanity. And if Sydney isn’t going mad, then the horrors in the surrounding forest are real, and the Madrona Foundation may be the biggest monster of all.
NOTE: This will be a live release on Amazon for paperback, ebook and hardcover on October 23rd 2024. The paperback and ebook cover is different from the case-laminate and dustjacket hardcovers. This is a standalone novel. Check content warnings inside the book or author's IG closer to publication.
Unknown Binding
First published October 22, 2024
3249 people are currently reading
36230 people want to read
About the author
Karina Halle
122 books19.6k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,266 reviews
September 23, 2025
I don’t always read gothic psychologically thrilling dark academia sci-fi horror romance but when I do, I like it with mushrooms. Preferably glowing ones.
And this delivered.
Firstly, fungi fascinates me. Something to do with them being neither plant, nor animal and sitting somewhere between beauty + decay, life + death. If shrooms fascinate you too, you’re probably also going to appreciate this story.
Secondly, Grave Matter nails the experience of ADHD in ways that feel authentic which tracks, since author Karina Halle identifies as having it too. Sydney Denik, the FMC’s descriptions of time blindness, object impermanence and the impossibility of “just not worrying about something” felt accurate and I felt seen.
[Brief tangent, because what’s ADHD without a tangent: ADHD in women is chronically misunderstood. Too often we get slapped with co-curring diagnoses or even misdiagnosis instead of being taken seriously. We’re tired. Please don't gaslight us. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.]
Thirdly, I’ve been on hiatus from psychological thrillers for years now, because I’m too familiar with the formula and know what’s going to happen... possibly a bit of enhanced pattern recognition going on there--I've seen the majority of reviewers say how surprised they were by the twist, so make sure you read other reviews! But, I think it’s worth mentioning that while I could anticipate the twists in Grave Matter, it still worked for me.
That's because the mild horror, romance and gothic tones really set it apart from just your average cookie cutter psychological thriller. Instead, we get a remote fog-shrouded island (my favourite) and an atmosphere so uncanny I was never entirely sure what was real. So if you’re someone who avoids psychological thrillers because of genre fatigue, this one might pleasantly surprise you with its genre mish mash.
Finally, and for what it’s worth, I normally avoid student-teacher romances, especially if they have an uncomfortable power imbalance, but I didn’t hate this one at all. The spice is BDSM spicy and there may or may not be a scene within a patch of iridescent mushrooms.
Shoutout to the raven named Poe, 10/10, would hang out. Needed more scenes.
Would I recommend this? Yes! It made me remember why I love strange, genre-bending books that aren’t afraid to take risks, and also realise I need more mushrooms and botany in my fiction (running to read Mexican Gothic asap).
Thank you so much to NetGalley & Metal Blonde Books for the “advanced” review copy. Advanced in commas because this has been out for a year or something, and this sat in my backlog too long. That was a mistake, but better late than never.
Content warnings:
For all my fellow animal lovers, please be aware that there is animal death and animal cruelty in this one. Other triggers warnings I caught were deaths, death of a loved one (off-page/mentioned), violence, suicide (off-page), murder, medical content, gaslighting, grief, gore, body horror, Alzheimer's (mentioned), torture, sexual content.
And this delivered.
Firstly, fungi fascinates me. Something to do with them being neither plant, nor animal and sitting somewhere between beauty + decay, life + death. If shrooms fascinate you too, you’re probably also going to appreciate this story.
Secondly, Grave Matter nails the experience of ADHD in ways that feel authentic which tracks, since author Karina Halle identifies as having it too. Sydney Denik, the FMC’s descriptions of time blindness, object impermanence and the impossibility of “just not worrying about something” felt accurate and I felt seen.
[Brief tangent, because what’s ADHD without a tangent: ADHD in women is chronically misunderstood. Too often we get slapped with co-curring diagnoses or even misdiagnosis instead of being taken seriously. We’re tired. Please don't gaslight us. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.]
Thirdly, I’ve been on hiatus from psychological thrillers for years now, because I’m too familiar with the formula and know what’s going to happen... possibly a bit of enhanced pattern recognition going on there--I've seen the majority of reviewers say how surprised they were by the twist, so make sure you read other reviews! But, I think it’s worth mentioning that while I could anticipate the twists in Grave Matter, it still worked for me.
That's because the mild horror, romance and gothic tones really set it apart from just your average cookie cutter psychological thriller. Instead, we get a remote fog-shrouded island (my favourite) and an atmosphere so uncanny I was never entirely sure what was real. So if you’re someone who avoids psychological thrillers because of genre fatigue, this one might pleasantly surprise you with its genre mish mash.
Finally, and for what it’s worth, I normally avoid student-teacher romances, especially if they have an uncomfortable power imbalance, but I didn’t hate this one at all. The spice is BDSM spicy and there may or may not be a scene within a patch of iridescent mushrooms.
Shoutout to the raven named Poe, 10/10, would hang out. Needed more scenes.
Would I recommend this? Yes! It made me remember why I love strange, genre-bending books that aren’t afraid to take risks, and also realise I need more mushrooms and botany in my fiction (running to read Mexican Gothic asap).
Thank you so much to NetGalley & Metal Blonde Books for the “advanced” review copy. Advanced in commas because this has been out for a year or something, and this sat in my backlog too long. That was a mistake, but better late than never.
Content warnings:
For all my fellow animal lovers, please be aware that there is animal death and animal cruelty in this one. Other triggers warnings I caught were deaths, death of a loved one (off-page/mentioned), violence, suicide (off-page), murder, medical content, gaslighting, grief, gore, body horror, Alzheimer's (mentioned), torture, sexual content.
December 21, 2024
3.5 stars
I think I would have enjoyed this more if my expectations weren't so high to be honest, so that's a me problem. This was being compared to Nocticadia I think and while yes there were similar elements here and there, comparing them was unfair.
I initially picked this up because everyone was so shocked by the twist and I LOVE a good earthshattering twist , and because this had the student x professor trope- aka my catnip😌
Unfortunately these two elements fell so flat FOR ME. I kind of guessed the twist like midway through the book, it was just a theory that turned out to be true😅 (I've read lots of thrillers with a similar twist, so it was just there in the back of my mind) The twist was like an " I knew it moment" instead of an " OH MY GOD WHAT" moment. The romance in this was kind of weird?? You REALLY need to finish the book to understand the romance. The taboo tension wasn't tensioning enough for me🤣 I just didn't vibe with it that much and the BDSM element was just kind of there for no reason.. the spice could have been of the normal variety imo and would have worked better.
However, I loved everything else about the book. The mystery and horror elements were very well done. The subtle hints and clues sprinkled throughout were really good and the plot was interesting and fun! I do think , FOR ME, this would have been a lot better had the romance element been minimal😅 or if it had been executed better??
I loved the ADHD rep here and the diverse characters were A HUGE PLUS as well. I actually really liked the side characters too.
I think people who haven't read much mystery/thrillers would enjoy this. I still had fun with this, just not as much fun as I wanted😞
------------------------------------------------------
pre-read
I can't escape this book and we all know my weakness for the Student x Professor trope😭 I am weak😞🤚
I think I would have enjoyed this more if my expectations weren't so high to be honest, so that's a me problem. This was being compared to Nocticadia I think and while yes there were similar elements here and there, comparing them was unfair.
I initially picked this up because everyone was so shocked by the twist and I LOVE a good earthshattering twist , and because this had the student x professor trope- aka my catnip😌
Unfortunately these two elements fell so flat FOR ME. I kind of guessed the twist like midway through the book, it was just a theory that turned out to be true😅 (I've read lots of thrillers with a similar twist, so it was just there in the back of my mind) The twist was like an " I knew it moment" instead of an " OH MY GOD WHAT" moment. The romance in this was kind of weird?? You REALLY need to finish the book to understand the romance. The taboo tension wasn't tensioning enough for me🤣 I just didn't vibe with it that much and the BDSM element was just kind of there for no reason.. the spice could have been of the normal variety imo and would have worked better.
However, I loved everything else about the book. The mystery and horror elements were very well done. The subtle hints and clues sprinkled throughout were really good and the plot was interesting and fun! I do think , FOR ME, this would have been a lot better had the romance element been minimal😅 or if it had been executed better??
I loved the ADHD rep here and the diverse characters were A HUGE PLUS as well. I actually really liked the side characters too.
I think people who haven't read much mystery/thrillers would enjoy this. I still had fun with this, just not as much fun as I wanted😞
------------------------------------------------------
pre-read
I can't escape this book and we all know my weakness for the Student x Professor trope😭 I am weak😞🤚
October 23, 2025
Wow! The twists in this book hit me so hard, one after another! I was left speechless for a few minutes—it felt like a sucker punch!
Fact: I'm a huge fan of Karina Halle's darker works, even more than her recent romance novels about royalty or her earlier books like the Sins & Needles series and standalones. Her EIT series blew my mind, and I rooted so hard for Perry and Dex! Naturally, I jumped at the chance to read her new gothic horror set in a secluded, isolated lodge on a fog-shrouded inlet of Vancouver Island, where ghosts lurk not only in the woods but also in the creaking hallways, and mutilated animals appear as if straight out of The Last of Us set.
Sydney Denik, an aspiring mycologist, has just lost her scholarship at Stanford after an incident spiraled out of her control. She heads to Vancouver Island, where the Madrona Foundation is located—a place dedicated to curing Alzheimer’s and other terminal illnesses through the use of special fungi harvested from the indigenous land they lease.
After losing her scholarship, family support, and financial stability, Sydney’s last resort is to commit herself to research at Madrona. She's captivated by Everly, a brilliant researcher who becomes her guide and mentor. At the same time, she feels drawn to Wes Kincaid, a mysterious psychologist and her professor, who starts appearing in her highly erotic dreams. While trying to fit in, she clashes with Clayton, who always has a snarky comment, and senses that something isn’t right after seeing disturbing visions—like Amina, a recently dismissed student, or other girls appearing in eerie places. It becomes clear there’s something sinister about this place, or perhaps her own mind is betraying her. Though her chemistry with Wes is undeniable, she can't shake the feeling that he isn’t entirely trustworthy.
I’ll be honest: during the first half, I even considered stopping. The pacing was slow, the multiple plot threads left me in the dark, and I was frustrated whenever Everly insisted Sydney was "special," without any evidence to support it. The smug exchanges between Wes and Sydney had me rolling my eyes because their relationship seemed to be going nowhere. I felt lost and struggled to stay motivated through the second half. But, thanks to the glowing reviews and my trust in Halle’s talent, I kept going. And I’m so glad I did! The last third of the book felt like a bomb exploding in my face—brilliant and shocking! I didn’t see any of it coming. It may have stretched plausibility, but at least all my questions were answered and the characters' strange behavior was explained.
My initial 2 or 2.5-star rating for the first half quickly shot up to 4 stars (I even considered giving it 5, but the slow start took a bit of my enthusiasm away, even though it served a purpose). Maybe I’m just too impatient, wanting to cut to the chase quickly. That’s why waiting for the plot to pick up pace was frustrating for me.
Overall, this is a fantastic blend of sci-fi fantasy romance and gothic horror—a perfect choice for celebrating Halloween! Be patient with the pacing because the mind-blowing payoff is absolutely worth it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Metal Blonde Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this mind-bending fantasy romance in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Fact: I'm a huge fan of Karina Halle's darker works, even more than her recent romance novels about royalty or her earlier books like the Sins & Needles series and standalones. Her EIT series blew my mind, and I rooted so hard for Perry and Dex! Naturally, I jumped at the chance to read her new gothic horror set in a secluded, isolated lodge on a fog-shrouded inlet of Vancouver Island, where ghosts lurk not only in the woods but also in the creaking hallways, and mutilated animals appear as if straight out of The Last of Us set.
Sydney Denik, an aspiring mycologist, has just lost her scholarship at Stanford after an incident spiraled out of her control. She heads to Vancouver Island, where the Madrona Foundation is located—a place dedicated to curing Alzheimer’s and other terminal illnesses through the use of special fungi harvested from the indigenous land they lease.
After losing her scholarship, family support, and financial stability, Sydney’s last resort is to commit herself to research at Madrona. She's captivated by Everly, a brilliant researcher who becomes her guide and mentor. At the same time, she feels drawn to Wes Kincaid, a mysterious psychologist and her professor, who starts appearing in her highly erotic dreams. While trying to fit in, she clashes with Clayton, who always has a snarky comment, and senses that something isn’t right after seeing disturbing visions—like Amina, a recently dismissed student, or other girls appearing in eerie places. It becomes clear there’s something sinister about this place, or perhaps her own mind is betraying her. Though her chemistry with Wes is undeniable, she can't shake the feeling that he isn’t entirely trustworthy.
I’ll be honest: during the first half, I even considered stopping. The pacing was slow, the multiple plot threads left me in the dark, and I was frustrated whenever Everly insisted Sydney was "special," without any evidence to support it. The smug exchanges between Wes and Sydney had me rolling my eyes because their relationship seemed to be going nowhere. I felt lost and struggled to stay motivated through the second half. But, thanks to the glowing reviews and my trust in Halle’s talent, I kept going. And I’m so glad I did! The last third of the book felt like a bomb exploding in my face—brilliant and shocking! I didn’t see any of it coming. It may have stretched plausibility, but at least all my questions were answered and the characters' strange behavior was explained.
My initial 2 or 2.5-star rating for the first half quickly shot up to 4 stars (I even considered giving it 5, but the slow start took a bit of my enthusiasm away, even though it served a purpose). Maybe I’m just too impatient, wanting to cut to the chase quickly. That’s why waiting for the plot to pick up pace was frustrating for me.
Overall, this is a fantastic blend of sci-fi fantasy romance and gothic horror—a perfect choice for celebrating Halloween! Be patient with the pacing because the mind-blowing payoff is absolutely worth it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Metal Blonde Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this mind-bending fantasy romance in exchange for my honest thoughts.
November 5, 2025
4 stars ⭐
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ my thoughts
okay besties, grab a snack or a drink and get comfy because i have quite a lot to say about this one!
as someone who loved Nocticadia , i have to admit—i actually enjoyed the plot and romance in this book a bit more. so you might be wondering: why did i rate it lower? well, i guess it all comes down to my overall reading experience 🤷🏻♀️ when i read Nocticadia, it blew me away because i had never read anything like it before. this one, while still really good, just didn’t hit the same.
anyhoo, this book was dark, creepy and deeply intriguing. the plot twists were twistinggg and i was on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to make sense of everything. i didn’t see the ending coming at all—but if i’m being honest, it didn’t quite have that jaw-dropping impact i was hoping for. it felt a little rushed and left me slightly unsatisfied.
now onto the characters. i didn’t have strong feelings towards sydney and kincaid—i liked them, but i didn’t love them. kincaid was definitely hot, but i wasn’t completely down bad for him. even though i said i enjoyed the romance more here than in Nocticadia, it still didn’t fully deliver for me. i’m a sucker for the student x professor trope, but this one didn’t really hit. kincaid’s obsession with sydney was hot but also kinda weird—their relationship felt insta-lusty and i kept wondering why he was so obsessed with her. also, i feel like he could’ve handled some things better.
one thing that really bothered me was the NDAs. like bffr you guys… FUCK THE NDAS! there were fucked up shit happening left and right and you couldn’t tell her a single thing because of the NDAs you signed?! 🤦🏻♀️😭
anyway, i know this review is a little all over the place and my feelings are pretty mixed, but overall, i ate this up! if you enjoyed Nocticadia, i’d highly recommend picking this up too.
────────── ⋆⋅end⋅⋆ ──────────
pre-read 💀🌹🍄🟫
the blurb is giving major nocticadia vibes—you already knowww i’m reading this!
⤷ spoiler-free review!! ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ my thoughts
okay besties, grab a snack or a drink and get comfy because i have quite a lot to say about this one!
as someone who loved Nocticadia , i have to admit—i actually enjoyed the plot and romance in this book a bit more. so you might be wondering: why did i rate it lower? well, i guess it all comes down to my overall reading experience 🤷🏻♀️ when i read Nocticadia, it blew me away because i had never read anything like it before. this one, while still really good, just didn’t hit the same.
anyhoo, this book was dark, creepy and deeply intriguing. the plot twists were twistinggg and i was on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to make sense of everything. i didn’t see the ending coming at all—but if i’m being honest, it didn’t quite have that jaw-dropping impact i was hoping for. it felt a little rushed and left me slightly unsatisfied.
now onto the characters. i didn’t have strong feelings towards sydney and kincaid—i liked them, but i didn’t love them. kincaid was definitely hot, but i wasn’t completely down bad for him. even though i said i enjoyed the romance more here than in Nocticadia, it still didn’t fully deliver for me. i’m a sucker for the student x professor trope, but this one didn’t really hit. kincaid’s obsession with sydney was hot but also kinda weird—their relationship felt insta-lusty and i kept wondering why he was so obsessed with her. also, i feel like he could’ve handled some things better.
one thing that really bothered me was the NDAs. like bffr you guys… FUCK THE NDAS! there were fucked up shit happening left and right and you couldn’t tell her a single thing because of the NDAs you signed?! 🤦🏻♀️😭
anyway, i know this review is a little all over the place and my feelings are pretty mixed, but overall, i ate this up! if you enjoyed Nocticadia, i’d highly recommend picking this up too.
────────── ⋆⋅end⋅⋆ ──────────
pre-read 💀🌹🍄🟫
the blurb is giving major nocticadia vibes—you already knowww i’m reading this!
Want to read
October 9, 2024THIS SOUNDS SO PERFECT FOR MEEEE THE TROPES THE STORY THE SETTING PLS I NEED ITTT 🗣️🗣️🗣️‼️
TROPES + GENRES:
Professor (doctor) X Student (patient)
Forced Proximity
Only one tent
Isolated PNW setting
Slow burn
Dark Cottagecore
Obsessed hero
Stalker
¿ WTF did I just read
Haunted Forest
Morally grey characters
He falls first
Women in STEM
A standalone, psychological gothic dark academia romantic thriller = my drug of choice
TROPES + GENRES:
Professor (doctor) X Student (patient)
Forced Proximity
Only one tent
Isolated PNW setting
Slow burn
Dark Cottagecore
Obsessed hero
Stalker
¿ WTF did I just read
Haunted Forest
Morally grey characters
He falls first
Women in STEM
A standalone, psychological gothic dark academia romantic thriller = my drug of choice
November 17, 2025
“grief is funny like that. it lives alongside you,
sometimes in silence, and then a random thought,
or memory, or smell will punch through you like a
fist, your bleeding heart in its grasp, and you have
to relive it all over again.” ── ⋆˙⟡ 1.75 stars! ★
⌗ ❪ contains no spoilers ❫ ⸝⸝
🔎⌇ ⤿ my thoughts. ⟢ really thought i was gonna enjoy this. it sounded like nocticadia. it was nocticadia. and i loved nocticadia so i was like okay cool maybe it’s that same type of weird, isolated, haunted academia thing. but this?? i don’t even know how to explain it. nothing about it worked for me.
i was immediately thrown off by the writing. way too much detail. so much over explaining. i swear half this book is describing trees or moss or suitcases or fucking watches. i get it. we’re in the woods. please move on. and even when something interesting happened, the tone would shift. or the sentence would get overwritten. either way, it just ruined the moment. like there were lines that made me stop reading just to stare at the page in disbelief.
and yeah it started weird in a good way. i was into that. the creepy lodge. the strict rules. the missing girl. the weird staff. that was cool. and if it had kept going in that direction i might’ve liked this. might’ve. but then the romance hit. the insta lust hit. and that was it. the book lost me.
i can’t ignore insta lust. i hate it. once it starts, that’s all i see. i don’t care what the plot is doing. i don’t care how interesting it might get. every time the mc starts randomly thinking about how hot some guy looks i’m immediately pulled out. and in this case? she was doing it constantly.
also. this book was just so. weirdly. dated. like in the worst way. she said hella. unironically. and then tried to drop a keeping up with the kardashians reference. twice. the nda excuse got used so many times it started being lazy. and then there’s the whole random telepathic moment that no one explains. it just happens. like yeah. totally normal for a guy to start talking in your head for no reason. no follow up needed.
i don’t know. this just wasn’t it. and i’m annoyed because it could’ve been.
🖋⌇ ⤿ characters. ⟢ sydney denik ─ oh my god. what is wrong with this woman. she made me want to put the book down every single time she opened her mouth. she’s just so dumb. and so insanely weird. like it’s actually impressive how consistently she makes the worst possible choice. she’s not supposed to be at this foundation. if they find out, she’s getting sent home. she has no money. no backup plan. so what does she do? pick a fight any chance she gets. and it doesn’t stop there. she already lost her scholarship for hooking up with a professor. so naturally the second she meets a new one, she’s like yeah let’s do it again. and then later? she willingly goes back to someone who literally harmed her. i was losing it.
she was annoying, impulsive, whiny, and not nearly smart enough to justify being the mc of a book about scientific research.
೯ wes kincaid ─ bland. i don’t even know what to say. he’s supposed to be mysterious and intense but i didn’t feel anything about him. nothing about his character made me want to root for him, or even understand the obsession. and even once you find out more, it didn’t add anything for me. i still didn’t care.
೯ side characters ─ honestly i didn’t hate the students. mostly because i didn’t care about them at all. they barely impacted the plot, so they didn’t have a chance to annoy me.
🪡⌇ ⤿ romance. ⟢ i can’t explain how much i hated this. it was the only thing i could focus on because it was so bad. like i’m already iffy on student x professor setups, but that wasn’t even the problem. the problem was that this was nothing but insta lust. sydney sees this man once and starts fantasizing. and then it happens again. and again. and again. it took over the book. there was no chemistry. no emotional connection. just weird tension and horny narration. and yeah. i know there’s a reason for it. but that doesn’t matter when you don’t know that while reading. i just sat there wondering why she was so obsessed with this man and why every page had to remind me of it. i hated it so much it ruined the rest of the story for me. and once i was stuck in that mindset, nothing else could make it better.
🗃️⌇ ⤿ extras. ⟢ “he’s hella strong.” actually kill me.
⊹ who is genuinely still saying hella in 2024.
⊹ using an nda as an excuse to not speak for half the book? annoying as hell.
⊹ unnecessary descriptions of literally everything.
⊹ “when i was eight years old, i decided my goal in life was to become a mad scientist. not just any scientist. a mad one.” what was the reason for that second part.
📌⌇ ⤿ overall. ⟢ i love weird isolated horror stories. i love eerie research settings and creepy foundations and forests that feel alive. the concept? cool. the execution? not for me. the writing was annoying, the characters were stupid, the romance was unbearable, and every attempt at tension got undercut by how much i hated the mcs inner monologue. even the twists couldn’t save it. and after trying this author twice now, i think i’ve officially reached my limit.
. . . . . ◟੭
☆ 🖇️ pre-read 𖥻 ＜꒱ — ❪ 0369 ❫
so… i didn’t like the only other book i read by this author. but! this blurb sounds like nocticadia’s eerie little cousin and i’m kinda obsessed with that setup. i’m at least hoping this won’t be a disaster.
sometimes in silence, and then a random thought,
or memory, or smell will punch through you like a
fist, your bleeding heart in its grasp, and you have
to relive it all over again.” ── ⋆˙⟡ 1.75 stars! ★
⌗ ❪ contains no spoilers ❫ ⸝⸝
🔎⌇ ⤿ my thoughts. ⟢ really thought i was gonna enjoy this. it sounded like nocticadia. it was nocticadia. and i loved nocticadia so i was like okay cool maybe it’s that same type of weird, isolated, haunted academia thing. but this?? i don’t even know how to explain it. nothing about it worked for me.
i was immediately thrown off by the writing. way too much detail. so much over explaining. i swear half this book is describing trees or moss or suitcases or fucking watches. i get it. we’re in the woods. please move on. and even when something interesting happened, the tone would shift. or the sentence would get overwritten. either way, it just ruined the moment. like there were lines that made me stop reading just to stare at the page in disbelief.
and yeah it started weird in a good way. i was into that. the creepy lodge. the strict rules. the missing girl. the weird staff. that was cool. and if it had kept going in that direction i might’ve liked this. might’ve. but then the romance hit. the insta lust hit. and that was it. the book lost me.
i can’t ignore insta lust. i hate it. once it starts, that’s all i see. i don’t care what the plot is doing. i don’t care how interesting it might get. every time the mc starts randomly thinking about how hot some guy looks i’m immediately pulled out. and in this case? she was doing it constantly.
also. this book was just so. weirdly. dated. like in the worst way. she said hella. unironically. and then tried to drop a keeping up with the kardashians reference. twice. the nda excuse got used so many times it started being lazy. and then there’s the whole random telepathic moment that no one explains. it just happens. like yeah. totally normal for a guy to start talking in your head for no reason. no follow up needed.
i don’t know. this just wasn’t it. and i’m annoyed because it could’ve been.
🖋⌇ ⤿ characters. ⟢ sydney denik ─ oh my god. what is wrong with this woman. she made me want to put the book down every single time she opened her mouth. she’s just so dumb. and so insanely weird. like it’s actually impressive how consistently she makes the worst possible choice. she’s not supposed to be at this foundation. if they find out, she’s getting sent home. she has no money. no backup plan. so what does she do? pick a fight any chance she gets. and it doesn’t stop there. she already lost her scholarship for hooking up with a professor. so naturally the second she meets a new one, she’s like yeah let’s do it again. and then later? she willingly goes back to someone who literally harmed her. i was losing it.
she was annoying, impulsive, whiny, and not nearly smart enough to justify being the mc of a book about scientific research.
೯ wes kincaid ─ bland. i don’t even know what to say. he’s supposed to be mysterious and intense but i didn’t feel anything about him. nothing about his character made me want to root for him, or even understand the obsession. and even once you find out more, it didn’t add anything for me. i still didn’t care.
೯ side characters ─ honestly i didn’t hate the students. mostly because i didn’t care about them at all. they barely impacted the plot, so they didn’t have a chance to annoy me.
🪡⌇ ⤿ romance. ⟢ i can’t explain how much i hated this. it was the only thing i could focus on because it was so bad. like i’m already iffy on student x professor setups, but that wasn’t even the problem. the problem was that this was nothing but insta lust. sydney sees this man once and starts fantasizing. and then it happens again. and again. and again. it took over the book. there was no chemistry. no emotional connection. just weird tension and horny narration. and yeah. i know there’s a reason for it. but that doesn’t matter when you don’t know that while reading. i just sat there wondering why she was so obsessed with this man and why every page had to remind me of it. i hated it so much it ruined the rest of the story for me. and once i was stuck in that mindset, nothing else could make it better.
🗃️⌇ ⤿ extras. ⟢ “he’s hella strong.” actually kill me.
⊹ who is genuinely still saying hella in 2024.
⊹ using an nda as an excuse to not speak for half the book? annoying as hell.
⊹ unnecessary descriptions of literally everything.
⊹ “when i was eight years old, i decided my goal in life was to become a mad scientist. not just any scientist. a mad one.” what was the reason for that second part.
📌⌇ ⤿ overall. ⟢ i love weird isolated horror stories. i love eerie research settings and creepy foundations and forests that feel alive. the concept? cool. the execution? not for me. the writing was annoying, the characters were stupid, the romance was unbearable, and every attempt at tension got undercut by how much i hated the mcs inner monologue. even the twists couldn’t save it. and after trying this author twice now, i think i’ve officially reached my limit.
. . . . . ◟੭
☆ 🖇️ pre-read 𖥻 ＜꒱ — ❪ 0369 ❫
so… i didn’t like the only other book i read by this author. but! this blurb sounds like nocticadia’s eerie little cousin and i’m kinda obsessed with that setup. i’m at least hoping this won’t be a disaster.
May 5, 2025
First off, this was a little spooky for me. Walking late at night around our property had me scaaaaared because of the things I read 😂
This was great, and I had a fun time reading. I was expecting a twist, and the author definitely delivered. I was constantly trying to connect the dots the entire time.
The mystery aspect really kept me on my toes and the sprinkled in romance just made the story more interesting.
This was great, and I had a fun time reading. I was expecting a twist, and the author definitely delivered. I was constantly trying to connect the dots the entire time.
The mystery aspect really kept me on my toes and the sprinkled in romance just made the story more interesting.
November 13, 2024
4.5 stars
Oh my GOD THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED!!!! I’ve been slightly slumpy recently and this definitely pulled me out of it!
- Gothic Romance
- Dark Academia
- Thriller
- Touches of Horror
- Sci-Fi Vibes
- Professor/Student
- ADHD rep
Sydney is a mycologist (she really likes fungi) studying at Stanford and gets accepted into a program at the Madrona Foundation on an isolated island, where a fungi that is native to that island is located that is proving to be promising in a chance to cure Alzheimer’s. Catch is, no phones, no socials, no connection to the outside world is allowed so people tend to go crazy from the isolation, or at least that’s what everyone is telling her when things start to get REAL weird. She starts seeing things, seeing warnings against the Foundation and is starting to not trust her own mind… so she turns to her professor/psychologist, Dr. Kincaid, who she also may or may not be crushing on, for help.
You guys. I was so spooked at parts of this book and I LOVED IT!!!!!! It transported me and had my brain going 90 to nothing.
The ADHD rep actually made me cry. I felt so seen and didn’t even realize I needed that.
The plot twist, I NEVER saw it coming. I was trying to figure out what was going on the whole book, and I was so glad to be shocked with the outcome!!!
Also, Dr. Kincaid…. Yall his mouth. HIS MOUTH. The spice was spicing!!!!
I loved this. Read it. It’s so fun!!!
Oh my GOD THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED!!!! I’ve been slightly slumpy recently and this definitely pulled me out of it!
- Gothic Romance
- Dark Academia
- Thriller
- Touches of Horror
- Sci-Fi Vibes
- Professor/Student
- ADHD rep
Sydney is a mycologist (she really likes fungi) studying at Stanford and gets accepted into a program at the Madrona Foundation on an isolated island, where a fungi that is native to that island is located that is proving to be promising in a chance to cure Alzheimer’s. Catch is, no phones, no socials, no connection to the outside world is allowed so people tend to go crazy from the isolation, or at least that’s what everyone is telling her when things start to get REAL weird. She starts seeing things, seeing warnings against the Foundation and is starting to not trust her own mind… so she turns to her professor/psychologist, Dr. Kincaid, who she also may or may not be crushing on, for help.
You guys. I was so spooked at parts of this book and I LOVED IT!!!!!! It transported me and had my brain going 90 to nothing.
The ADHD rep actually made me cry. I felt so seen and didn’t even realize I needed that.
The plot twist, I NEVER saw it coming. I was trying to figure out what was going on the whole book, and I was so glad to be shocked with the outcome!!!
Also, Dr. Kincaid…. Yall his mouth. HIS MOUTH. The spice was spicing!!!!
I loved this. Read it. It’s so fun!!!
January 14, 2025
HOLY FUCK HOLY FUCK HOLY FUCKKKKKKK this was so insane in the best of ways, i honestly thought i was starting to go fucking nuts there for a little while??? it’s like everything made sense but absolutely nothing actually made sense until the twisties at the end 🫠🫠🫠🫠
i had my theories through out and i was right but not in the way i thought everything would go down, the way it went down was 1000000x crazier than i had theorized!!!!
this was my first book of karina’s and it damn sure wont be my last because this is the wildest ride of a book i have read recently and i had the time of my life binge reading it and silently freaking the hell out bc i had no one to run and scream to about what was happening 🤣🤣🤣 i literally cannot wait to force my friends to read this just so i can get all of their raw & unhinged reactions to this masterpiece
i had my theories through out and i was right but not in the way i thought everything would go down, the way it went down was 1000000x crazier than i had theorized!!!!
this was my first book of karina’s and it damn sure wont be my last because this is the wildest ride of a book i have read recently and i had the time of my life binge reading it and silently freaking the hell out bc i had no one to run and scream to about what was happening 🤣🤣🤣 i literally cannot wait to force my friends to read this just so i can get all of their raw & unhinged reactions to this masterpiece
November 9, 2024
one of my favorite books of the year. hands down.
October 29, 2024
Who knew fungi horror and romance could blend so well?
This is a deliciously dark psychological (spicy) horror with all the mechanisms to make this an inescapable atmosphere. Isolated island? Check. Nature becoming unnatural? Check. Medical gaslighting? Check. It’s easy to get pulled into this story and with its foreboding feel throughout, it really keeps the pages turning. I enjoyed this one a lot and it’s just fuelling my need to binge all of Karina Halle’s books.
This is a deliciously dark psychological (spicy) horror with all the mechanisms to make this an inescapable atmosphere. Isolated island? Check. Nature becoming unnatural? Check. Medical gaslighting? Check. It’s easy to get pulled into this story and with its foreboding feel throughout, it really keeps the pages turning. I enjoyed this one a lot and it’s just fuelling my need to binge all of Karina Halle’s books.
October 31, 2024
MY HEART FELL INTO MY STOMACH multiple times reading this!
🖤Dark Gothic Romance Phychogical Thriller🖤
She gets an amazing opportunity at a remote lodge set in a spooky forrest. And when they took her phone away so she wouldn't have any distractions, I immediately knew shyyyt was about to hit the fan!
Animals won't stay dead. She's seeing 'ghosts' of students who aren't at the lodge anymore. This book was insane! And it makes you feel insane as well while reading, lol!
Spice was GIVING 🥵 Professor Kincaid had a MOUTH on him ohmylordyyy.
🖤Dark Gothic Romance Phychogical Thriller🖤
She gets an amazing opportunity at a remote lodge set in a spooky forrest. And when they took her phone away so she wouldn't have any distractions, I immediately knew shyyyt was about to hit the fan!
Animals won't stay dead. She's seeing 'ghosts' of students who aren't at the lodge anymore. This book was insane! And it makes you feel insane as well while reading, lol!
Spice was GIVING 🥵 Professor Kincaid had a MOUTH on him ohmylordyyy.
July 14, 2025
This book has been on my list FOREVER, the excitement of finally getting to read it is real 😆 That combined with the fact it comes under multiple of my favourite genres, is almost too much to bear 😈
This epic story is full of dark academia, gothic romance, thriller AND science fiction vibes; it is EVERYTHING 🙌🏼
“Lying to ourselves is more deeply ingrained than lying to others”
Sydney Denik is a graduate student from Stanford university, and she is in with a second chance. Syd has been accepted by her dream opportunity, at the Madrona Foundation, to do promising Alzheimer's research. She is one of only 12 lucky people to have been chosen for this opportunity. However, the catch is this unique place is an isolated lodge hidden away in a remote, fog-shrouded inlet on Vancouver Island - completely cut off from the outside world. Yes, that means no phones, no wi-fi. Total isolation!
"If you ever feel at odds with this place, you just have to tell yourself: don’t try to change the lodge, let the lodge change you.”
In light of this isolation, people tend to go crazy 🤪 or at least, that is the excuse given to her…That is when things get WEIRD! Syd starts seeing things, discovering lies hiding around every corner 😵💫 A student disappears, and no one but Sydney seems to care. Ghosts walk the halls. Snow falls in the middle of summer. Dead animals move like the living. The more Sydney uncovers about the foundation, the more she begins to question her own sanity.
Enter: Professor/Psychologist - Dr. Kincaid… 😈🫣🤐
"Someone has been watching me. Listening to me. Spying on me. Stalking me. And in the depths of my heart, I know who it is. Kincaid." 👀
In her time in need, she turns to the ever present Dr. Kincaid…from the very beginning he seems just as intrigued by Syd as she does for him. But, everyone around her is hiding a terrible secret-including said resident psychologist she's falling in love with.
When Syd first started, she wanted to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Wanting to avenge her grandmother at all costs, to stop feeling so helpless over her loss…"Grief is funny like that. It lives alongside you, sometimes in silence, and then a random thought, or memory, or smell will punch through you like a fist, your bleeding heart in its grasp, and you have to relive it all over again." But, she got sidetracked by something even greater—the cure for death. Something there should be no cure for. She lost her way. Lost herself. Lost her life 💔
Things get super gruesome at times and I was very glad I was reading the book rather than watching the movie! Then, they get sci-fi weird…as Syd tries to find out the truth, she uncovers more than she could ever have imagined 🤯
"I know the lodge is just a bunch of buildings, but some days, particularly at night, I feel it has a personality of its own—and it’s not a nice personality. Moody, perhaps. And tonight, I feel like it wants us gone, like we’re not supposed to be here."
This book is WILD! There are some MAJOR plot twists…and the last 20% - I AM SPEECHLESS 😶 - added an extra star to my rating! 🌟 It was SO unique and the gothic vibes were so profound. And despite its creepiness, it was SO FUN to read. On a completely different note, I also loved the added ADHD representation; I have no doubt that it made many neurodivergent people feel very seen and heard. Safe to say my first Karina Halle book was a huge success, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
"I have no idea what the future will bring for us. I just know we have to keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other. “The past is past,” as Wes always says. “We only have now and tomorrow.” 🥹💖✨
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
This epic story is full of dark academia, gothic romance, thriller AND science fiction vibes; it is EVERYTHING 🙌🏼
“Lying to ourselves is more deeply ingrained than lying to others”
Sydney Denik is a graduate student from Stanford university, and she is in with a second chance. Syd has been accepted by her dream opportunity, at the Madrona Foundation, to do promising Alzheimer's research. She is one of only 12 lucky people to have been chosen for this opportunity. However, the catch is this unique place is an isolated lodge hidden away in a remote, fog-shrouded inlet on Vancouver Island - completely cut off from the outside world. Yes, that means no phones, no wi-fi. Total isolation!
"If you ever feel at odds with this place, you just have to tell yourself: don’t try to change the lodge, let the lodge change you.”
In light of this isolation, people tend to go crazy 🤪 or at least, that is the excuse given to her…That is when things get WEIRD! Syd starts seeing things, discovering lies hiding around every corner 😵💫 A student disappears, and no one but Sydney seems to care. Ghosts walk the halls. Snow falls in the middle of summer. Dead animals move like the living. The more Sydney uncovers about the foundation, the more she begins to question her own sanity.
Enter: Professor/Psychologist - Dr. Kincaid… 😈🫣🤐
"Someone has been watching me. Listening to me. Spying on me. Stalking me. And in the depths of my heart, I know who it is. Kincaid." 👀
In her time in need, she turns to the ever present Dr. Kincaid…from the very beginning he seems just as intrigued by Syd as she does for him. But, everyone around her is hiding a terrible secret-including said resident psychologist she's falling in love with.
When Syd first started, she wanted to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Wanting to avenge her grandmother at all costs, to stop feeling so helpless over her loss…"Grief is funny like that. It lives alongside you, sometimes in silence, and then a random thought, or memory, or smell will punch through you like a fist, your bleeding heart in its grasp, and you have to relive it all over again." But, she got sidetracked by something even greater—the cure for death. Something there should be no cure for. She lost her way. Lost herself. Lost her life 💔
Things get super gruesome at times and I was very glad I was reading the book rather than watching the movie! Then, they get sci-fi weird…as Syd tries to find out the truth, she uncovers more than she could ever have imagined 🤯
"I know the lodge is just a bunch of buildings, but some days, particularly at night, I feel it has a personality of its own—and it’s not a nice personality. Moody, perhaps. And tonight, I feel like it wants us gone, like we’re not supposed to be here."
This book is WILD! There are some MAJOR plot twists…and the last 20% - I AM SPEECHLESS 😶 - added an extra star to my rating! 🌟 It was SO unique and the gothic vibes were so profound. And despite its creepiness, it was SO FUN to read. On a completely different note, I also loved the added ADHD representation; I have no doubt that it made many neurodivergent people feel very seen and heard. Safe to say my first Karina Halle book was a huge success, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
"I have no idea what the future will bring for us. I just know we have to keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other. “The past is past,” as Wes always says. “We only have now and tomorrow.” 🥹💖✨
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
February 27, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 5-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
It was a slow & unsettling story yet it was one heck of a ride. Gothic & Dark, Academia, Psychological Mystery/Thriller & (Spicy) Romance. The combination of all of these are what shaped & made Grave Matter such an astonishing book. This was a full package waiting to be unpacked & im glad i opened it!
We follow Sydney as she travels to Vancouver Island, Madrona Lodge to start her internship. Despite all she’s lost & her life slowly falling apart, she sees this as her last & only opportunity. But as she arrives at the lodge, ominous & mysterious things happen which makes her question everything surrounding the island, people, research & even her mind.
⟡ Sydney Denik- our aspiring mycologist who has received her dream internship at Madrona Foundation, a foundation that specializes in studying & researching Alzheimer's disease. Throughout the story, Sydney leans towards being a very unreliable narrator with all the unexplainable things that were occurring & as a reader, i was also spiraling with her which made the story more mysterious & frightening.
When i say this was a ride, the slow & anticipation-filled journey to the top was super worth it for the sudden drop. That spiralling i felt with Sydney & the mystery surrounding Madrona felt rewarding at the end of this story.
Things that made me love the story. (1) Having visited Vancouver Islands & seeing how breathtakingly beautiful the scenic nature was, Karina Halle did an amazing job incorporating the beauty of nature & elements this remote island has & transforming it to give off such an eerie & chilling setting. (2) Even with all the troupes, the story had a perfect mix/balance of everything. (3) The mentions of neurodivergent conditions & psychology. (4) Mycology, which sent me diving into a rabbit hole filled with all the studies on fungi that i was ignorant about. (5) Munawar & his fungi-filled fashion sense which made me look forward to what pun it had next. (6) Lastly, the romance between Syd & Wes comes together meaningfully at the end.
Debated whether to give this a 4.5 or 5, as the only concern i had was the story’s pacing. However, i believe that the slow yet spine-chilling pacing contributed to giving the conclusion/ending of this book a fantastic & well-wrapped end. To conclude, this was the 5-star read i was craving & it fully delivered everything i was looking for.
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Been craving for a 5-star read & saw all the tags/troupes this had, which looks very promising & up my alley! Watch me devour another gothic/dark book like it's my favorite snack!🩶
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
It was a slow & unsettling story yet it was one heck of a ride. Gothic & Dark, Academia, Psychological Mystery/Thriller & (Spicy) Romance. The combination of all of these are what shaped & made Grave Matter such an astonishing book. This was a full package waiting to be unpacked & im glad i opened it!
We follow Sydney as she travels to Vancouver Island, Madrona Lodge to start her internship. Despite all she’s lost & her life slowly falling apart, she sees this as her last & only opportunity. But as she arrives at the lodge, ominous & mysterious things happen which makes her question everything surrounding the island, people, research & even her mind.
❝ When I was eight years old, I decided my goal in life was to become a mad scientist. Not just any scientist but a mad one. ❞
⟡ Sydney Denik- our aspiring mycologist who has received her dream internship at Madrona Foundation, a foundation that specializes in studying & researching Alzheimer's disease. Throughout the story, Sydney leans towards being a very unreliable narrator with all the unexplainable things that were occurring & as a reader, i was also spiraling with her which made the story more mysterious & frightening.
❝ They’re lying to you. They’re lying to all of us. And we all go along with it because we want to be someone so badly. That’s how they get us. Our need. Our want. To be seen and heard. But they don’t care. They don’t see us like that. They see us as something to be used and disregarded until there’s nothing left of us. ❞
When i say this was a ride, the slow & anticipation-filled journey to the top was super worth it for the sudden drop. That spiralling i felt with Sydney & the mystery surrounding Madrona felt rewarding at the end of this story.
Things that made me love the story. (1) Having visited Vancouver Islands & seeing how breathtakingly beautiful the scenic nature was, Karina Halle did an amazing job incorporating the beauty of nature & elements this remote island has & transforming it to give off such an eerie & chilling setting. (2) Even with all the troupes, the story had a perfect mix/balance of everything. (3) The mentions of neurodivergent conditions & psychology. (4) Mycology, which sent me diving into a rabbit hole filled with all the studies on fungi that i was ignorant about. (5) Munawar & his fungi-filled fashion sense which made me look forward to what pun it had next. (6) Lastly, the romance between Syd & Wes comes together meaningfully at the end.
❝ Because you are my future, Syd,” he says, his voice low and gruff. “Because that’s all there is. The past doesn’t exist anymore. Only now and tomorrow is what does. And I want you—now and tomorrow.❞
Debated whether to give this a 4.5 or 5, as the only concern i had was the story’s pacing. However, i believe that the slow yet spine-chilling pacing contributed to giving the conclusion/ending of this book a fantastic & well-wrapped end. To conclude, this was the 5-star read i was craving & it fully delivered everything i was looking for.
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Been craving for a 5-star read & saw all the tags/troupes this had, which looks very promising & up my alley! Watch me devour another gothic/dark book like it's my favorite snack!🩶
October 27, 2024
Unnerving. Addictive. Twisted. Seductive. Grave Matter by Karina Halle is a gothic psychological thriller with elements of science fiction, horror romance and dark academia. What a wild ride this was.. and SO PERFECT for spooky season!
Grad student and aspiring mycologist Sydney Denik jumps at the opportunity when she is selected for the Madrona Institute's student program to assist in research for the cure to Alzheimer's. Located on an inlet of Vancouver Island, she is thrust into isolation with some of the most brilliant minds in the field. But unsettling and absolutely inexplicable happenings cause Sydney to start questioning her surroundings... as well as the fabric of her own mental state.
This book has such an eerie atmosphere and an ominous, dreadful tone that had me questioning everything and on the edge of my seat, feverishly flipping the pages to unravel the mystery. Is Sydney crazy? Is the island haunted? Is something sinister going on at Madrona?
To top it all off, Sydney can't deny her attraction to Professor Kincaid, leading teacher and psychologist at the institute. Yes, you read that right — Halle went the extra mile to make him not only her teacher but her DOCTOR, TOO. This fictional man is so mysterious and suspicious but also forbidden (x2) and HOT AS FUCK!? Sign me up for this student program, immediately.
The tension and dynamic between Sydney and Kincaid had me sweating! If you enjoy forbidden romance with BDSM rep and a little degradation... look no further: the doctor is in.
Somehow this book is equal parts CREEPY and SEXY. I don't want to say too much because it's truly needs to be experienced... but Halle has really flexed her writing muscles with this one, delivering an absolutely delicious (though sometimes disgusting tbh), twisted and unputdownable story.
Dark academia with a science focus is so rare in the romance genre and I ate up the mad scientist vibes, the mycology theme, and the eco-horror. So incredibly refreshing!! And amidst the mindfuckery is fantastic neurodivergent representation, themes of genius vs. madness, grief and self-acceptance, and a sexy, smoldering romance.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Karina Halle can write anything! Her range within the romance genre is unmatched, and I swear she nails it every damn time. This is actually my 26th read from Karina Halle this year.. and seriously, I don't think I will ever get my fill.
"All the cures to humanity's woes, hidden just behind that mist."
Grad student and aspiring mycologist Sydney Denik jumps at the opportunity when she is selected for the Madrona Institute's student program to assist in research for the cure to Alzheimer's. Located on an inlet of Vancouver Island, she is thrust into isolation with some of the most brilliant minds in the field. But unsettling and absolutely inexplicable happenings cause Sydney to start questioning her surroundings... as well as the fabric of her own mental state.
"You must wonder why death is so fixated on you."
This book has such an eerie atmosphere and an ominous, dreadful tone that had me questioning everything and on the edge of my seat, feverishly flipping the pages to unravel the mystery. Is Sydney crazy? Is the island haunted? Is something sinister going on at Madrona?
To top it all off, Sydney can't deny her attraction to Professor Kincaid, leading teacher and psychologist at the institute. Yes, you read that right — Halle went the extra mile to make him not only her teacher but her DOCTOR, TOO. This fictional man is so mysterious and suspicious but also forbidden (x2) and HOT AS FUCK!? Sign me up for this student program, immediately.
"I have this need to restrain you... To pin you down like a butterfly. To marvel at your beauty but to know that you are caught, that you are mine."
The tension and dynamic between Sydney and Kincaid had me sweating! If you enjoy forbidden romance with BDSM rep and a little degradation... look no further: the doctor is in.
Somehow this book is equal parts CREEPY and SEXY. I don't want to say too much because it's truly needs to be experienced... but Halle has really flexed her writing muscles with this one, delivering an absolutely delicious (though sometimes disgusting tbh), twisted and unputdownable story.
Dark academia with a science focus is so rare in the romance genre and I ate up the mad scientist vibes, the mycology theme, and the eco-horror. So incredibly refreshing!! And amidst the mindfuckery is fantastic neurodivergent representation, themes of genius vs. madness, grief and self-acceptance, and a sexy, smoldering romance.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Karina Halle can write anything! Her range within the romance genre is unmatched, and I swear she nails it every damn time. This is actually my 26th read from Karina Halle this year.. and seriously, I don't think I will ever get my fill.
August 21, 2025
4.25 ⭐️Y’all, lmao…this book finished me. It scared the absolute shit out of me. I’m talking had to put on a holiday movie and sleep with the hall light on kind of scared ✨I’m just a baby✨
What a wild freaking ride. The plot was intense, and I was confused about 50% of the time, but in the best way. It’s one of those books where you have no clue what’s going on until the pieces start to click together, and then you’re hit with that grand finale ending that leaves your jaw on the floor.
This was the perfect fall TBR pick, giving all the spooky season vibes. It definitely read more like a dark thriller with a dash of romance. For me, the romance wasn’t really the focus I honestly kept thinking, okay, let’s get back to the story, I need to know what the fuck is going on right now. 😂 But don’t worry, there are still some spicy moments between the professor and his student. 🤭
THAT ENDING THOUGH. Didn’t see that coming at all! I love when a book is twisty and turny. It really makes for a great exciting experience and it’s one of those books Im going to look back on and say what the fuck did I read?
I JUST finished this and I’m still processing, but I had to jump on here while it was fresh. This author is 100% a new favorite of mine. I read the Dracula duet and now this one, and I can’t wait to dive into all her other books!
What a wild freaking ride. The plot was intense, and I was confused about 50% of the time, but in the best way. It’s one of those books where you have no clue what’s going on until the pieces start to click together, and then you’re hit with that grand finale ending that leaves your jaw on the floor.
This was the perfect fall TBR pick, giving all the spooky season vibes. It definitely read more like a dark thriller with a dash of romance. For me, the romance wasn’t really the focus I honestly kept thinking, okay, let’s get back to the story, I need to know what the fuck is going on right now. 😂 But don’t worry, there are still some spicy moments between the professor and his student. 🤭
THAT ENDING THOUGH. Didn’t see that coming at all! I love when a book is twisty and turny. It really makes for a great exciting experience and it’s one of those books Im going to look back on and say what the fuck did I read?
I JUST finished this and I’m still processing, but I had to jump on here while it was fresh. This author is 100% a new favorite of mine. I read the Dracula duet and now this one, and I can’t wait to dive into all her other books!
December 17, 2024
⭐️ 3.5
at first i was going to give it 3 stars but the end made me change of opinion because it was CRAZY .
i don’t even know how to express my words right now i’m so shock by the ending 😳, the book is good but the pacing was so slooow, sometimes i would put the book down and just not comeback after hours or i just skipped some parts (sorry 🤚🙂↕️).
the writing was decent and to be honest i didn’t care that much about the romance and im happy i didn’t bc i didn’t feel any connection between them except for the spice and i was so weird out by their relationship and by the end of the book i totally understand why. 💀
anyway with all the hype surrounding this book i had bigger expectations (or idk if im just hard to please??) but it did deliver and i still enjoyed it though but not the way i thought i would.
pre-read:
the tropes sold me 🤚😔
at first i was going to give it 3 stars but the end made me change of opinion because it was CRAZY .
i don’t even know how to express my words right now i’m so shock by the ending 😳, the book is good but the pacing was so slooow, sometimes i would put the book down and just not comeback after hours or i just skipped some parts (sorry 🤚🙂↕️).
the writing was decent and to be honest i didn’t care that much about the romance and im happy i didn’t bc i didn’t feel any connection between them except for the spice and i was so weird out by their relationship and by the end of the book i totally understand why. 💀
anyway with all the hype surrounding this book i had bigger expectations (or idk if im just hard to please??) but it did deliver and i still enjoyed it though but not the way i thought i would.
pre-read:
the tropes sold me 🤚😔
October 29, 2024
at no point did i know where this was going but 10/10 especially for haunting, spooky, thriller, halloween-y romance vibes
December 28, 2025
at first, i wasn’t sure of this book, but karina halle is truly a master at erotic horror, i think! this especially reminded me of t.kingfisher’s what moves the dead, except the twist in halle’s book is insane.
that poor little lamb, though ):
——
another karina halle book! i think i’m a fan🙂↕️🤭
that poor little lamb, though ):
——
another karina halle book! i think i’m a fan🙂↕️🤭
October 27, 2024
2.5 ★
So I’m quite disappointed, I definitely had higher expectations for this book😭
*⁀➷
main thoughts:
When I first starting reading this book I thought it was an little slow, but it wasn't bad then all of a sudden things got werid and I felt like I was in some type of fever dream🫣 not to mention everything and everyone in this book was crazy and suspicious, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. Also I was getting a bit annoyed that a lot of people were not really acting their age and the word “hella“ was used too much for me. Then there was also a few disturbing scenes that started to irk me and thats when i started feeling questionable about the book, but the idea and premise of the book sounded good so I kept on reading.
𓍊𓋼𓍊
around 50 to 60% I started to wonder if I should dnf cause I didn’t like any of the smut or scenes that were happening between the two main characters (I'll talk about that more later on) but I still was craving answers from this crazy book so i decided to just keep pushing through which I don't totally regret. Needless to say though as much as I liked the ending because everything started to make sense, it still wasn’t that shocking and I guessed a lot of what happened so the plot twist wasn’t that satisfying. I also feel like the last two chapters were incredibly rushed and didn’t completely give us all the answers we deserved. I feel like it was kinda an open ending where some of it is left to our own interpretation. So in lots of ways I disliked this book, but there were some smalls things I enjoyed. I definitely think I fell in love with the idea of this book than the actual book but the concept would have been awesome if it was developed better 👀
characters:
Sydney: honestly there were a lot of times during this book where she made me pissed and annoyed at her, I really think that she wasn't completely using all of her brain during this book like honestly she was killing me and I hated how desperate she was for sex and just already thinking she had a claim on wes but at the same time they both make more sense towards the end of the book.
Wes (Kincaid): um so I really hated him at first still mostly do😔 I think he did a lot of back and forth and was never fully trustworthy not to mention he creeped me out and just wasn't it. But just like sydney he was more tolerable towards the end and I understood him a little more eventually.
romance:
I think the way this book was written made it hard to connect with both of the mcs and then when they got together I just felt so disturbed and werid cause there was like no chemistry and it was basically all lust so I skipped through most of their smut scenes and really just didn't care about the “sorta” relationship they had. It just felt so underdeveloped and confusing for us readers to understand. I wish she wrote their relationship differently somehow, cause I love a good professors x student trope (when ages are acceptable) but this just didn’t hit like it should have, which was dissapointing.
extra:
I feel like everything didn’t hit different or make sense untill the end and so it made everything unlikable while reading and hard to make it motivated to get to the end. I wanted to like this book so bad I just think it could have been done way better. Not sure if I'm going to read any more books from this author cause I wanted to but now I’m not so sure.
*⁀➷
If you want to give this book a try go ahead, but it's so frustrating and I honestly just wouldn’t really recommend it. It also just maybe wasn’t my cup of tea exactly🤷♀️ btw sorry if this review is iffy it's so hard to write one without spoiling everything.
also pls pls check tws for this one <3
pre review:
ughh I have a thousand mixed emotions and feelings rn😅 RTC!!
pre read:
Saw this on my feed and I know it came out recently so I want to give it a chance🫣 sounds fun and spooky!!
So I’m quite disappointed, I definitely had higher expectations for this book😭
*⁀➷
main thoughts:
When I first starting reading this book I thought it was an little slow, but it wasn't bad then all of a sudden things got werid and I felt like I was in some type of fever dream🫣 not to mention everything and everyone in this book was crazy and suspicious, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. Also I was getting a bit annoyed that a lot of people were not really acting their age and the word “hella“ was used too much for me. Then there was also a few disturbing scenes that started to irk me and thats when i started feeling questionable about the book, but the idea and premise of the book sounded good so I kept on reading.
𓍊𓋼𓍊
around 50 to 60% I started to wonder if I should dnf cause I didn’t like any of the smut or scenes that were happening between the two main characters (I'll talk about that more later on) but I still was craving answers from this crazy book so i decided to just keep pushing through which I don't totally regret. Needless to say though as much as I liked the ending because everything started to make sense, it still wasn’t that shocking and I guessed a lot of what happened so the plot twist wasn’t that satisfying. I also feel like the last two chapters were incredibly rushed and didn’t completely give us all the answers we deserved. I feel like it was kinda an open ending where some of it is left to our own interpretation. So in lots of ways I disliked this book, but there were some smalls things I enjoyed. I definitely think I fell in love with the idea of this book than the actual book but the concept would have been awesome if it was developed better 👀
characters:
Sydney: honestly there were a lot of times during this book where she made me pissed and annoyed at her, I really think that she wasn't completely using all of her brain during this book like honestly she was killing me and I hated how desperate she was for sex and just already thinking she had a claim on wes but at the same time they both make more sense towards the end of the book.
Wes (Kincaid): um so I really hated him at first still mostly do😔 I think he did a lot of back and forth and was never fully trustworthy not to mention he creeped me out and just wasn't it. But just like sydney he was more tolerable towards the end and I understood him a little more eventually.
romance:
I think the way this book was written made it hard to connect with both of the mcs and then when they got together I just felt so disturbed and werid cause there was like no chemistry and it was basically all lust so I skipped through most of their smut scenes and really just didn't care about the “sorta” relationship they had. It just felt so underdeveloped and confusing for us readers to understand. I wish she wrote their relationship differently somehow, cause I love a good professors x student trope (when ages are acceptable) but this just didn’t hit like it should have, which was dissapointing.
extra:
I feel like everything didn’t hit different or make sense untill the end and so it made everything unlikable while reading and hard to make it motivated to get to the end. I wanted to like this book so bad I just think it could have been done way better. Not sure if I'm going to read any more books from this author cause I wanted to but now I’m not so sure.
*⁀➷
If you want to give this book a try go ahead, but it's so frustrating and I honestly just wouldn’t really recommend it. It also just maybe wasn’t my cup of tea exactly🤷♀️ btw sorry if this review is iffy it's so hard to write one without spoiling everything.
also pls pls check tws for this one <3
pre review:
ughh I have a thousand mixed emotions and feelings rn😅 RTC!!
pre read:
Saw this on my feed and I know it came out recently so I want to give it a chance🫣 sounds fun and spooky!!
October 22, 2024
5✨ it’s really difficult for me to put this book into words because my only reaction while reading all 376 pages was what. the. fuck.
i loved how it felt like madrona had its own personality. it was its own characters. sentient. i especially loved how the entire time, you simply could not understand why. it was just so captivating. there was nothing about this story that could have possibly let go of my attention. i was rapt by it the entire time. the visuals, the unexplainable circumstances, the people, just everything. everyone was creepy, everyone was a suspect, everything was a question mark. nothing and no one could be trusted. and i ate it up. but the setting really was magnificent. i could see it in my mind and i just know this book was make a fantastic movie.
my favourite thing about sydney’s character was that she knew as much as the reader and it was so entertaining and fascinating to see and figure things out along side her. she was so interesting and questionable in and of herself. the way she questioned everyone and everything and herself even…so confusing but then ended up making sooo much sense. she was just so determined and headstrong and i loved it.
wes kincaid. goddamn. it was obvious he had an immediate reaction to sydney but why? watching her, stalking her, protecting her. being obsessed with her. i mean, what was the plan? the goal? it was eating me alive (potential pun not intended). but i just loved the strength of his character and the ferocity of his person. man was fine as hell and everything about him was stupid hot.
this story was so unique and unlike anything i’ve read before. this is not a romance novel. the romance is subplot with lots of significance but it’s not a love story. this is a thriller with horror elements and insane creep factor. and the plot is absolutely incredible and will have you reeling. i loved the plot driven aspect with the romance being subplot. really such an incredible book. and while i don't like or eat them, i certainly never will eat mushrooms.
i could not be more grateful to have gotten an arc. thank you so much karina!
”I meet his gaze for a moment, and I swear the world goes still, like the fog wraps around us, blocking out the sporadic calls of the ravens, the haunting trill of the varied thrush, until there’s only silence.”
“But I like to think I can protect you.”
“Protect me from what?”
“From yourself.”
"I don’t trust her. I don’t trust my mind. I don’t trust this place."
“It can’t be helped. The moment I first saw you I knew I was done for.”
“So you’re not laying a single fucking finger on her head, or I swear to god I will burn this whole damn place down with you in it. Especially with you in it. […] I don’t make idle threats. […] She’s mine.”
• professor/doctor x student/patient
• forbidden
• stalker vibes
• he falls first & harder
• sci-fi
• STEM
• thriller/horror vibes
• mushrooms…
• isolated (creepy) setting
• haunted forest
• BDSM kink
• degradation kink
• slow burn
• what the fuck
i loved how it felt like madrona had its own personality. it was its own characters. sentient. i especially loved how the entire time, you simply could not understand why. it was just so captivating. there was nothing about this story that could have possibly let go of my attention. i was rapt by it the entire time. the visuals, the unexplainable circumstances, the people, just everything. everyone was creepy, everyone was a suspect, everything was a question mark. nothing and no one could be trusted. and i ate it up. but the setting really was magnificent. i could see it in my mind and i just know this book was make a fantastic movie.
my favourite thing about sydney’s character was that she knew as much as the reader and it was so entertaining and fascinating to see and figure things out along side her. she was so interesting and questionable in and of herself. the way she questioned everyone and everything and herself even…so confusing but then ended up making sooo much sense. she was just so determined and headstrong and i loved it.
wes kincaid. goddamn. it was obvious he had an immediate reaction to sydney but why? watching her, stalking her, protecting her. being obsessed with her. i mean, what was the plan? the goal? it was eating me alive (potential pun not intended). but i just loved the strength of his character and the ferocity of his person. man was fine as hell and everything about him was stupid hot.
this story was so unique and unlike anything i’ve read before. this is not a romance novel. the romance is subplot with lots of significance but it’s not a love story. this is a thriller with horror elements and insane creep factor. and the plot is absolutely incredible and will have you reeling. i loved the plot driven aspect with the romance being subplot. really such an incredible book. and while i don't like or eat them, i certainly never will eat mushrooms.
i could not be more grateful to have gotten an arc. thank you so much karina!
”I meet his gaze for a moment, and I swear the world goes still, like the fog wraps around us, blocking out the sporadic calls of the ravens, the haunting trill of the varied thrush, until there’s only silence.”
“But I like to think I can protect you.”
“Protect me from what?”
“From yourself.”
"I don’t trust her. I don’t trust my mind. I don’t trust this place."
“It can’t be helped. The moment I first saw you I knew I was done for.”
“So you’re not laying a single fucking finger on her head, or I swear to god I will burn this whole damn place down with you in it. Especially with you in it. […] I don’t make idle threats. […] She’s mine.”
• professor/doctor x student/patient
• forbidden
• stalker vibes
• he falls first & harder
• sci-fi
• STEM
• thriller/horror vibes
• mushrooms…
• isolated (creepy) setting
• haunted forest
• BDSM kink
• degradation kink
• slow burn
• what the fuck
November 13, 2024
4 ⭐️
This was sooooo different?!?! But so good!
This is sci-fi, meets dark romance, meets mystery/thriller
Sydney arrives on an island as an aspiring mycologist, and when she gets there everything is not what it seems, nothing makes sense & she’s hallucinating. Along comes Dr. Kincaid who she has an immediate connection with, who she confides in about her hallucinations, and she doesn’t know whether she can’t trust him or not, with herself psychologically or what is really going on, on the island.
Firstly, this book makes me want to read up on mushrooms (if you know you know) soooo bloody interesting honestly 🤓
Secondly, I LOVED how for literally 70% of the book I had NO IDEA where this was going. It was spooky, eerie, fast paced, unsettling but exciting!
Unfortunately for me the last 10% just didn’t quite do it for me, the twist was shocking but also it didn’t completely blow me away, and it all happens too quickly at the end! I also felt like Sydney and Dr.Kincaid were very instalust and whilst there’s an explanation for this, I’d still read 300 pages feeling this way until getting a reason for it, also I would’ve loved it to be dual POV but nevertheless a solid read!
Very unique story line!
This was sooooo different?!?! But so good!
This is sci-fi, meets dark romance, meets mystery/thriller
Sydney arrives on an island as an aspiring mycologist, and when she gets there everything is not what it seems, nothing makes sense & she’s hallucinating. Along comes Dr. Kincaid who she has an immediate connection with, who she confides in about her hallucinations, and she doesn’t know whether she can’t trust him or not, with herself psychologically or what is really going on, on the island.
Firstly, this book makes me want to read up on mushrooms (if you know you know) soooo bloody interesting honestly 🤓
Secondly, I LOVED how for literally 70% of the book I had NO IDEA where this was going. It was spooky, eerie, fast paced, unsettling but exciting!
Unfortunately for me the last 10% just didn’t quite do it for me, the twist was shocking but also it didn’t completely blow me away, and it all happens too quickly at the end! I also felt like Sydney and Dr.Kincaid were very instalust and whilst there’s an explanation for this, I’d still read 300 pages feeling this way until getting a reason for it, also I would’ve loved it to be dual POV but nevertheless a solid read!
Very unique story line!
November 28, 2024
Prepare for chills, thrills, and a serious book hangover! 🕯️🖤 🍄
Sydney Denik, an aspiring mycologist, jumps at an opportunity to work on groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research at a remote lodge on Vancouver Island. But the fog-shrouded isolation hides secrets that are as twisted as they are terrifying. From disappearing students to haunting visions, nothing is what it seems, and the enigmatic psychologist Sydney’s drawn to only deepens the mystery.
Karina Halle delivers a dark, delicious mix of gothic chills, spine-tingling mystery, and steamy romance that'll leave you breathless 🖤✨️
Sydney’s journey as she unravels the chilling secrets of the eerie Madrona Foundation had me completely hooked! With snow falling in summer, ghosts in the halls, and a love interest who’s as mysterious as he is swoon-worthy, this story will keep you guessing (and blushing) the entire time.
Read this if…
🖤 You loved the gothic, academic atmosphere of Nocticadia
🖤 You crave dark, edge-of-your-seat mysteries that leave you questioning reality
🖤 A spicy, tension-filled romance makes your heart race (check trigger warnings)
You’ll second-guess everything—including your bedtime!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5) - this book was outstanding!
Sydney Denik, an aspiring mycologist, jumps at an opportunity to work on groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research at a remote lodge on Vancouver Island. But the fog-shrouded isolation hides secrets that are as twisted as they are terrifying. From disappearing students to haunting visions, nothing is what it seems, and the enigmatic psychologist Sydney’s drawn to only deepens the mystery.
Karina Halle delivers a dark, delicious mix of gothic chills, spine-tingling mystery, and steamy romance that'll leave you breathless 🖤✨️
Sydney’s journey as she unravels the chilling secrets of the eerie Madrona Foundation had me completely hooked! With snow falling in summer, ghosts in the halls, and a love interest who’s as mysterious as he is swoon-worthy, this story will keep you guessing (and blushing) the entire time.
Read this if…
🖤 You loved the gothic, academic atmosphere of Nocticadia
🖤 You crave dark, edge-of-your-seat mysteries that leave you questioning reality
🖤 A spicy, tension-filled romance makes your heart race (check trigger warnings)
You’ll second-guess everything—including your bedtime!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5) - this book was outstanding!
December 3, 2024
This book fits into so many different genre boxes, sci-fi, dark academia, horror, and romance all into one. Who would think that mushrooms could be so scary? I already didn't like them, but now I'm thoroughly terrified by them.
Madrona Research Foundation is on the cusp of finding a cure for alzheimer's. They're into the final stages and, once again, recruit some of the brightest student minds in various backgrounds in the field to help them with their research and testing. Sydney is amongst those students with her love of all things fungi. After landing herself in trouble at college, getting selected to help at Madrona is a blessing, or so she thought. Sydney manages to fall hard for her teacher and psychologist, and things start to get confusing for Syd as she starts to questioning just what's real and what's not.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Madrona Research Foundation is on the cusp of finding a cure for alzheimer's. They're into the final stages and, once again, recruit some of the brightest student minds in various backgrounds in the field to help them with their research and testing. Sydney is amongst those students with her love of all things fungi. After landing herself in trouble at college, getting selected to help at Madrona is a blessing, or so she thought. Sydney manages to fall hard for her teacher and psychologist, and things start to get confusing for Syd as she starts to questioning just what's real and what's not.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 18, 2025
"HORROR romance with fungi?”
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Audio performance : 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5
Genre: Contemporary romance
Sub Genre: Horror romance with paranormal
Tropes:
- Check trigger warnings
- Forbidden romance
- He falls first
- Mystery subplot
- Professor x student, Red flags
- Crawling
- Cums in his pants,
- Jealousy (him)
- Stalking
Other:
- Format: Audible, Kindle Unlimited, Whisper sync
- POV: Single POV
- Narration type: 1st person
- Character gender : F/M
- Narrator names : Rachel Leblanc
- Comparison titles: Nocticadia x fungi nightmares
👨👧 Characters
Okay, first off we have to remember this is a standalone. That means the characters are solid but they’re not these over the top, larger than life icons you’d find in a sprawling series. And honestly? That’s what makes it work. The vibe? Chef’s kiss. Especially because we’ve got an unreliable narrator thrown into the mix. I LIVE for that twisty little mind game energy. It keeps you guessing, keeps you questioning, keeps you hooked.
🌎 World Building & Magic for Fantasy
Holy. Shit. If you’ve read Nocticadia buckle up because this gives off those same eerie vibes. Creepy. Unsettling. Paranormal but in this grounded, academic, contemporary way that just crawls under your skin. Imagine fungi, yes fungi becoming this entire otherworldly horror show. Straight up dark academia meets haunted lab horror.
♥️ What I Loved
This book was my first real taste of horror romance and oh my GOD it had me clutching my pillow, hiding behind imaginary trees, waiting for something to leap out and terrify me. The creepy suspense mixed with romance? Perfect. The academic fungus study? Weirdly addictive. The plot twists? Did not see them coming. This book is like the ultimate October read moody, creepy, and unnervingly romantic. It’s got just the right level of “I shouldn’t be this obsessed with a spooky fungus study but HERE I AM.”
💔 What I Didn’t Like
Honestly? I had fun. This was a ride. Was it the all consuming, knock me flat five star experience? Maybe not. But it was different. It was fresh. It was weird in the best way. And most importantly: it was worth every single page. This is one I’d still recommend without hesitation because the vibes alone? Worth it.
📝 Overall Thoughts
This book is a whole damn vibe. Creepy, fun, unique, a little academic, and a LOT unsettling. It’s the perfect pick if you’re stuck in a slump and need something that’ll shake your reading brain awake. Different? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely. And if you want something that straddles the line between horror, romance, and fantasy? This book is literally waiting for you to pick it up.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Audio performance : 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5
Genre: Contemporary romance
Sub Genre: Horror romance with paranormal
Tropes:
- Check trigger warnings
- Forbidden romance
- He falls first
- Mystery subplot
- Professor x student, Red flags
- Crawling
- Cums in his pants,
- Jealousy (him)
- Stalking
Other:
- Format: Audible, Kindle Unlimited, Whisper sync
- POV: Single POV
- Narration type: 1st person
- Character gender : F/M
- Narrator names : Rachel Leblanc
- Comparison titles: Nocticadia x fungi nightmares
👨👧 Characters
Okay, first off we have to remember this is a standalone. That means the characters are solid but they’re not these over the top, larger than life icons you’d find in a sprawling series. And honestly? That’s what makes it work. The vibe? Chef’s kiss. Especially because we’ve got an unreliable narrator thrown into the mix. I LIVE for that twisty little mind game energy. It keeps you guessing, keeps you questioning, keeps you hooked.
🌎 World Building & Magic for Fantasy
Holy. Shit. If you’ve read Nocticadia buckle up because this gives off those same eerie vibes. Creepy. Unsettling. Paranormal but in this grounded, academic, contemporary way that just crawls under your skin. Imagine fungi, yes fungi becoming this entire otherworldly horror show. Straight up dark academia meets haunted lab horror.
♥️ What I Loved
This book was my first real taste of horror romance and oh my GOD it had me clutching my pillow, hiding behind imaginary trees, waiting for something to leap out and terrify me. The creepy suspense mixed with romance? Perfect. The academic fungus study? Weirdly addictive. The plot twists? Did not see them coming. This book is like the ultimate October read moody, creepy, and unnervingly romantic. It’s got just the right level of “I shouldn’t be this obsessed with a spooky fungus study but HERE I AM.”
💔 What I Didn’t Like
Honestly? I had fun. This was a ride. Was it the all consuming, knock me flat five star experience? Maybe not. But it was different. It was fresh. It was weird in the best way. And most importantly: it was worth every single page. This is one I’d still recommend without hesitation because the vibes alone? Worth it.
📝 Overall Thoughts
This book is a whole damn vibe. Creepy, fun, unique, a little academic, and a LOT unsettling. It’s the perfect pick if you’re stuck in a slump and need something that’ll shake your reading brain awake. Different? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely. And if you want something that straddles the line between horror, romance, and fantasy? This book is literally waiting for you to pick it up.
November 2, 2024
This was one of the cringiest books I've read in a long time. I'm mad at myself for even finishing it. Way too many parts have strong "How do you do, fellow kids?" vibes.
For example the word "hella" is used over and over. Also the slang term "edging." (On edging - why is a 40+ year old author using gross slang that today's teenagers use...for characters who are supposed to be highly intelligent medical grad students?)
This book just couldn't get out of its own way, much like the main character. The main character has ADHD, by the way. How do I know this? Because she tells us no less than 208 times. She also talks about what that entails ad nauseum. This felt like a laughable attempt by the author to either A) Self-insert into her own book and vent about her own mental health or B) Capitalize on the trend in which everyone thinks they have ADHD now, and just spew every possible symptom under the sun...until something sticks with the reader to make the MC feel relatable and/or make the reader feel "seen."
The MC randomly has inner dialogue at one point about how discrimination is common against anyone who "presents feminine" in the workplace. This also has no relevance to the story whatsoever. Pretty sure the author just wanted to use another buzz phrase/word.
In the beginning it's also mentioned in passing that the main character dated a woman once. No relevance to the story whatsoever. Because of course that had to be included in the try-hard inclusivity checklist this book tries to compile. To be clear, I only mention this because it came off as insincere and "try-hard." Because again, it had NOTHING to do with the story. Just like the above topics.
I just wanted to read a unique, enjoyable Gothic romance during spooky season. This missed the mark.
***SPOILER***
Anyone familiar with Shutter Island can see the twist coming from a mile a way.
There's so much more I didn't enjoy about this book, but I don't feel like wasting any more time on it.
For example the word "hella" is used over and over. Also the slang term "edging." (On edging - why is a 40+ year old author using gross slang that today's teenagers use...for characters who are supposed to be highly intelligent medical grad students?)
This book just couldn't get out of its own way, much like the main character. The main character has ADHD, by the way. How do I know this? Because she tells us no less than 208 times. She also talks about what that entails ad nauseum. This felt like a laughable attempt by the author to either A) Self-insert into her own book and vent about her own mental health or B) Capitalize on the trend in which everyone thinks they have ADHD now, and just spew every possible symptom under the sun...until something sticks with the reader to make the MC feel relatable and/or make the reader feel "seen."
The MC randomly has inner dialogue at one point about how discrimination is common against anyone who "presents feminine" in the workplace. This also has no relevance to the story whatsoever. Pretty sure the author just wanted to use another buzz phrase/word.
In the beginning it's also mentioned in passing that the main character dated a woman once. No relevance to the story whatsoever. Because of course that had to be included in the try-hard inclusivity checklist this book tries to compile. To be clear, I only mention this because it came off as insincere and "try-hard." Because again, it had NOTHING to do with the story. Just like the above topics.
I just wanted to read a unique, enjoyable Gothic romance during spooky season. This missed the mark.
***SPOILER***
Anyone familiar with Shutter Island can see the twist coming from a mile a way.
There's so much more I didn't enjoy about this book, but I don't feel like wasting any more time on it.
December 5, 2024
5 Dirty Little Pet Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5
You ever have a book, that when you finished reading it your brain felt like it had exploded and you were just trying to play catchup… I have been sitting on this review for a while because my mind is completely reeling with trying to put together thoughts and words. Its mushroom and blowing in the air like millions of spores.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Sydney Denik is a graduate mycology student who’s life is falling to pieces. However she is given this once in a lifetime opportunity to work at the secretive prestigious Madrona Foundation as part of a summer research program studying Alzheimer’s.
However once she arrives in rural Vancouver things start to get weird. She starts seeing things and she starts wondering is she having visions, seeing ghosts. Or is she going mad with her mind playing tricks on her. While dealing with that she also has to struggle with the growing attraction she has towards one of the professors at the facility, who also happens to be her psychologist. All that she knows the longer she stays at the Madrona Foundation – the less things make sense.
If you want a book that is the epitome of “spooky creepy” vibes with a dash of dark academia and makes you yourself question your own sanity, then this is it for you! You find yourself just as confused and befuddled as Sydney…but YOU LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT!
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I ADORED Sydney, mostly because she's pretty brash at times and is pretty snarky and sarcastic. She speaks her mind very easily, often in places that I myself would never be caught dead speaking. I was giggling “listening” to her internal monologue and some of the things that she said. I personally related to a lot of her references and the pop culture she comments on. She just felt like someone I would like to be friends with. I also adored that she is so driven, tenacious, smart and intelligent. This entire book is told from her POV so there are aspects of unreliable narration which is handled so well that it keeps you engrossed but it is also done very tactfully as a display to the mental illness and neurodivergent characteristics Sydney has.
I was also super impressed by the depth of research Karina Halle put into this book. I am always apprehensive of books that feature a woman in STEM romances because they can often portray the field and representation of women very badly. However this is the type of book that does it justice! Karina Halle did such a good job. The research that went into the different mushrooms, their types, their pharmacology, and their toxicity, it felt like this was written by somebody who was an expert in the field but never felt overly technical. Its presence in the story added to the richness and the way the science was portrayed felt natural. It takes a very unique skill to blend and blur science and fantasy and make it feel like it could happen in our world.
I don't want to say too much about this BECAUSE I HONESTLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO IN BLIND!!!
BUT KNOW the reason this made such an impact is because I didn't see the twists and turns coming and the way that everything interconnected. I almost want to go back and reread it again to catch the things I missed.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Obsession
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Obsessive MMC
▶ TeacherXStudent
▶ PsychologistXPateint
▶ Age Gap
▶ Dark Academia
▶ Chronic Illness Rep
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Burn the World for You
𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
➢ BDSM
➢ Hand Necklaces
➢ Bondage
➢ Degradation and Praise
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ Use Me
▷ Good Girl
▷ Beg Me
THIS BOOK left such a lasting impression on my mind. It was perfection how everything came together! It's the type of thing that should be made a movie as it has all the elements that movies need: drama, suspense, romance, mystery/thriller allure, and just spooky vibes. Absolutely fantastic and the best book I have read from Karina Halle!
Thank you to Netgalley, Metal Blonde Books and Karina Halle for the gifted copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5
You ever have a book, that when you finished reading it your brain felt like it had exploded and you were just trying to play catchup… I have been sitting on this review for a while because my mind is completely reeling with trying to put together thoughts and words. Its mushroom and blowing in the air like millions of spores.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Sydney Denik is a graduate mycology student who’s life is falling to pieces. However she is given this once in a lifetime opportunity to work at the secretive prestigious Madrona Foundation as part of a summer research program studying Alzheimer’s.
However once she arrives in rural Vancouver things start to get weird. She starts seeing things and she starts wondering is she having visions, seeing ghosts. Or is she going mad with her mind playing tricks on her. While dealing with that she also has to struggle with the growing attraction she has towards one of the professors at the facility, who also happens to be her psychologist. All that she knows the longer she stays at the Madrona Foundation – the less things make sense.
If you want a book that is the epitome of “spooky creepy” vibes with a dash of dark academia and makes you yourself question your own sanity, then this is it for you! You find yourself just as confused and befuddled as Sydney…but YOU LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT!
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I ADORED Sydney, mostly because she's pretty brash at times and is pretty snarky and sarcastic. She speaks her mind very easily, often in places that I myself would never be caught dead speaking. I was giggling “listening” to her internal monologue and some of the things that she said. I personally related to a lot of her references and the pop culture she comments on. She just felt like someone I would like to be friends with. I also adored that she is so driven, tenacious, smart and intelligent. This entire book is told from her POV so there are aspects of unreliable narration which is handled so well that it keeps you engrossed but it is also done very tactfully as a display to the mental illness and neurodivergent characteristics Sydney has.
I was also super impressed by the depth of research Karina Halle put into this book. I am always apprehensive of books that feature a woman in STEM romances because they can often portray the field and representation of women very badly. However this is the type of book that does it justice! Karina Halle did such a good job. The research that went into the different mushrooms, their types, their pharmacology, and their toxicity, it felt like this was written by somebody who was an expert in the field but never felt overly technical. Its presence in the story added to the richness and the way the science was portrayed felt natural. It takes a very unique skill to blend and blur science and fantasy and make it feel like it could happen in our world.
I don't want to say too much about this BECAUSE I HONESTLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO IN BLIND!!!
BUT KNOW the reason this made such an impact is because I didn't see the twists and turns coming and the way that everything interconnected. I almost want to go back and reread it again to catch the things I missed.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Obsession
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Obsessive MMC
▶ TeacherXStudent
▶ PsychologistXPateint
▶ Age Gap
▶ Dark Academia
▶ Chronic Illness Rep
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Burn the World for You
𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
➢ BDSM
➢ Hand Necklaces
➢ Bondage
➢ Degradation and Praise
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ Use Me
▷ Good Girl
▷ Beg Me
THIS BOOK left such a lasting impression on my mind. It was perfection how everything came together! It's the type of thing that should be made a movie as it has all the elements that movies need: drama, suspense, romance, mystery/thriller allure, and just spooky vibes. Absolutely fantastic and the best book I have read from Karina Halle!
Thank you to Netgalley, Metal Blonde Books and Karina Halle for the gifted copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Want to read
December 7, 2024Afy said I should read this.
December 22, 2024
Було цікаво, але багато дратувала Сідні. І не дуже зрозуміла момент, коли вона щось там згадала, але воно було розмите та не точно, але вона звинуватила Веса в тому, що нібито він її вбив, АЛЕ ВОНА БУКВАЛЬНО ПАМ'ЯТАЄ ТЕ, ЯК ВІН ЇЇ ШТОВХНУВ І ФІГ ЗНАЄ ЩО ТАМ ВЗАГАЛІ БУЛО НАСПРАВДІ, вона сама підсковзнулась і вдарилась головою, тому не зрозуміло чому вона психувала на нього, і до того, ВІН БЛЯТЬ ПОМІШАН НА КАМЕРАХ, ТО ЯКОГО ЧОРТА НЕ ПОДИВИТИСЯ ТІ, КОТРІ БУЛИ В КАЮТІ БЛЯТЬ. І так вона сліпо довірилась отой головній професорці, фіг пам'ятаю ім'я, яка буквально в минулому проводила на ній дослід, окей не пам'ятаємо ми це, але ж вона в цьому відрізку житті і не була прям ідеальною, щоб не подумати, щоі вона з тарганами в голові. Більше за все шкода тварин, вони взагалі не знають що там у людей в голові, і кого наступного вони вб'ють. Тут була присутня фантастика? я її взагалі чогось не очікувала, я взагалі думала якийсь детектив або щось схоже, з романтичною лінією і все, а тут щось більше.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2025
4/5⭐️
Троп «Викладач і студентка» та та це нам потрібно 😄
Спочатку думала що це буде пародія на Норктікадію, починалось так само як вона
Потім мене дуже сильно здивувала одержимість викладача, це зацікавило
Він зразу з першої зустрічі зацікавився нею
Ще було багато моторошних моментів, авторка щей так написала правдоподібно ніби я сама там була
І мені теж було дуже страшно, навіть через екран
Події відбувались дуже швидко, мені здавалось що пройшли місяці, а виявляється тільки 3 тижні
Зразу зрозуміло, що тут щось не те
А що це виявилось в кінці, я була в повному шоці
Подумати собі такого точно не могла
Я була дуже здивована
В кінці я сумнівалась в усіх, навіть в самій собі
Ну настільки все закручено🤯
Було моторошно не спорю, але мені сподобалось
Троп «Викладач і студентка» та та це нам потрібно 😄
Спочатку думала що це буде пародія на Норктікадію, починалось так само як вона
Потім мене дуже сильно здивувала одержимість викладача, це зацікавило
Він зразу з першої зустрічі зацікавився нею
Ще було багато моторошних моментів, авторка щей так написала правдоподібно ніби я сама там була
І мені теж було дуже страшно, навіть через екран
Події відбувались дуже швидко, мені здавалось що пройшли місяці, а виявляється тільки 3 тижні
Зразу зрозуміло, що тут щось не те
А що це виявилось в кінці, я була в повному шоці
Подумати собі такого точно не могла
Я була дуже здивована
В кінці я сумнівалась в усіх, навіть в самій собі
Ну настільки все закручено🤯
Було моторошно не спорю, але мені сподобалось
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