Dark academia, forbidden romance, and one morally gray professor you’ll never recover from, here’s my full review of Nocticadia by Keri Lake and why Doctor Death lives rent-free in my brain.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

If morally gray men and candlelit mystery are your brand…

You know that feeling when you finally pick up a book you’ve been hyped about for months (okay, a year in my case) and it wrecks you in the best way? That was Nocticadia.

Keri Lake has always delivered dark, layered romance, but this? This is gothic academia with fangs. Nocticadia takes place at a secluded, coastal university with a creepy history and a forbidden romance at the center, but somehow, it doesn’t feel like a trope dump. It’s thoughtful, atmospheric, and every thread weaves together so smoothly.

Can’t stop thinking about it? Me neither. I talked about Nocticadia in my Best Books of 2024 video. Watch it below!

We follow Corvina, a determined and curious heroine who’s chasing answers about her mother’s mysterious illness and death. When she lands a spot at the prestigious Dracadia University, she gets more than she bargained for, specifically in the form of her infamously cold professor, Devryck Bramwell (aka Doctor Death, and yes, that nickname is earned).

The tension between them is slow-burning, taboo, and honestly kind of feral. But what really elevates this story is the depth. There’s family legacy, ancestral myth, secret societies, even a cursed island history going back millennia. And instead of competing with the romance, it all adds to it.

If you’re a fan of forbidden dynamics that actually build emotional connection, dark academic settings with just the right amount of supernatural dread, and a hero who is damaged, intense, and unexpectedly tender, this book is it. It’s obsessive in the best way.

Final Thoughts on Nocticadia by Keri Lake

Nocticadia is the kind of book that sticks with you, not just because of the romance, but because it’s layered. It’s the kind of story that gives more the longer you sit with it. The campus lore, the worldbuilding, the emotional slow burn… it’s unforgettable.

If you’re already a Keri Lake fan, this might be her most immersive work yet. If you’re new to her writing, this is a perfect place to start, especially if you like your love stories twisted, gothic, and full of secrets.

My suggestion?
Read it. Obsess over it. Then come back here and scream with me about Doctor Death.

Grab Nocticadia on Amazon

Read More

• Best Kindle Unlimited Books of 2024
• 6 Books Like Nocticadia by Keri Lake
• Gothic Romance Books You’ll Obsess Over
• Secret Society Books and College Romance
• Find the perfect book for your mood

Pin it for later