***May contain spoilers***

***Scroll to the bottom for my rating***

***Please make sure to read all trigger warnings before reading this book***

Dark, mysterious, sexy, and macabre. Gothikana by RuNyx was a whirlwind of unexpected events and encounters that kept me wanting more. 

This book was my first book club read, and it did not disappoint. It was interesting to hear everyone’s different takes on the book, what scenes stood out to them, and what they liked and disliked. 

We gave each other about a month and a half to read the book before we got together to discuss it. With some sushi and a themed Black Lake mocktail made by our friend Amanda, the debrief couldn’t have been better. 

Our group is a mix of new and seasoned readers, which made everyone’s insights even more enjoyable. Along with one or two other members, I had the highest rating for the book. It’s not that I was soooo crazy in love with everything that was going on, but that the book’s ability to keep me guessing was truly captivating. It had me fixated on the plot, even though the spice was so prominent and memorable. If the book didn’t have any spice, I’m pretty certain I still would have loved the storyline a very similar amount. 

The mystery of the University of Verenmore, the enigma of Vad Deverell, and Corvina Clemm’s awakening were a perfect combination. With an essence of Beauty and the Beast mixed with some Dracula, this book was an eerie case, bringing the two to fall in love.

There were signs of things happening throughout, yet they weren’t as revealing as some might think, which I loved.

Gothikana surprised, shocked, and honestly scared me at points. The spice was a tad too dark for me, but I can’t take anything away from this book in terms of rating. Which is why I am rating it five out of five stars and a five for spice. 

This read is for you if you are looking for something dark, a bit morbid, and spicy with a case to crack. And, if you get wrapped up in the secrets at Verenmore Castle, read with the lights on. 

As always, thanks for reading! 💜

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️