What To Read This Back To School Season

We're bringing the dark academia, school settings and cozy autumn reads that you can't miss this 2024.

1. A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft

Folklorist Lorelei joins a group of nobles on an expedition to uncover a legendary spring, hoping its power will grant her the freedom and agency she's long desired. But when the expedition leader is mysteriously murdered, Lorelei must step up to lead the mission, reluctantly teaming up with her old school rival, Sylvia. As tensions rise between them and the threat of a hidden killer looms, the journey becomes a high-stakes race against time.

2. All The Devils by Catelyn Wilson

If you're craving dark academia with a touch of horror, this upcoming September YA release could be exactly what you need. Andy, the protagonist, is reeling from the sudden death of her sister Violet. But what if there's more to Violet's death than meets the eye? As Andy uncovers secrets within an elite boarding school and the shadowy societies controlling it, she realizes the girl in her sister's casket isn't Violet. Determined to uncover the truth, Andy embarks on a relentless quest to unravel the mystery.

3. Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

In Where Sleeping Girls Lie, a YA contemporary mystery by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Sade Hussein starts her third year of high school at the elite Alfred Nobel Academy, far from her home-schooling past. On her first night, her roommate Elizabeth vanishes, and suspicion falls on Sade.

As she navigates the school's social dynamics, especially the allure of the popular "Unholy Trinity," Sade grapples with grief, tries to fit in, and searches for the truth behind Elizabeth's disappearance. When another student is found dead, Sade uncovers dark secrets within the academy that rival even her own.

4. A Darker Mischief by Derek Milman

The Honeys meets The Secret History in this gripping dark academia thriller about a queer teen from Mississippi who finds himself entangled in the secrets of an elite New England boarding school.

Cal Ware, eager to escape his past as the poor, queer kid who never fit in, wins a scholarship to Essex Academy, where he hopes to start anew. But at Essex, Cal’s classmates mock his background, pushing him to the brink of giving up. Just as he’s ready to return home, Cal learns about a secret society on campus—a path to becoming part of the school’s inner circle.

Though he doesn’t see himself as secret society material, Cal catches the eye of Luke Kim, a charismatic and slightly dangerous student who pulls him into the world of the society’s mysterious rituals. As Cal navigates the allure of power and his first experience of love, he must confront the dark side of the society and decide how much he’s willing to risk for acceptance. But nothing at Essex is as it appears—not even Luke.

5. I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang

I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is a snarky, romantic YA novel that blends the vibes of Never Have I Ever with To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before—but with a twist. Instead of writing love letters, Sadie Wen, the perfect-on-paper school captain and valedictorian, vents her frustrations through unsent emails. Whether it’s her overbearing English teacher or her arrogant cocaptain Julius Gong, Sadie’s drafts are filled with brutally honest thoughts she’d never dare voice aloud.

But when those private emails accidentally get sent out, Sadie’s carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. Now, everyone at school knows exactly what she thinks of them, and they're not shy about telling her how they feel in return. As her world turns upside down, the one person who starts to see the real Sadie is the last person she expected—Julius, the boy she’s sworn to hate.

This is a witty, heartwarming story of love, misunderstandings, and learning to embrace your true self, even when it’s messy.

6. An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

In this dark academia novel by the acclaimed author of The Year of the Witching and House of Hunger, Lennon Carter's life is unraveling when she receives an unexpected call to take an entrance exam for Drayton College, a hidden school of magic in Savannah. Chosen for her rare gift of persuasion—the power to control others and even matter—Lennon soon becomes captivated by her studies, the school's enchanting campus, and her enigmatic adviser, Dante.

As Lennon hones her powers, she uncovers the disturbing history of Drayton and its connection to Dante’s violent past. Faced with the ultimate challenge of mastering her power without succumbing to its corruption, Lennon fears she may not pass the test.

7. Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

The Year of Catalina Ituralde is a poignant, sharply observed novel that follows the unforgettable Catalina through her final year at Harvard. Born in Latin America and raised by her undocumented grandparents in Queens, Catalina’s admission to Harvard seemed like a dream fulfilled. But as graduation looms, the realities of life without legal status cast a shadow over her future.

Catalina navigates the elite circles of Harvard with a mix of fascination and disdain, infiltrating internships, literary journals, and secret societies. Her sharp, questioning mind leaves her both enthralled by and alienated from the world of privilege she’s entered. Amidst this, she finds herself drawn to a fellow student, a budding anthropologist who seeks to reconnect her with the Latin American roots she’s distanced from.

As her life in Queens begins to unravel, Catalina is forced to confront her past, her identity, and the looming uncertainties of the future. The Year of Catalina Ituralde is a story of love, identity, and the search for belonging in a world that often feels unforgiving.

8. Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

In the industrial utopia of Tiran, powered by magic, there’s always a cost—and now, the collectors have come to claim their due.

Sciona, an orphan determined to defy expectations, has spent two decades obsessively pursuing her dream of becoming the first woman admitted to the High Magistry. But when she finally achieves the rank of highmage, she’s met with hostility from her peers. Her new lab assistant, Thomil, is a janitor with a hidden past—a former nomadic hunter who survived the deadly crossing beyond Tiran’s magical barrier.

As Sciona and Thomil navigate their tense, reluctant partnership, they stumble upon an ancient secret that could rewrite the very foundation of magic in Tiran. But the pursuit of this truth comes with dangerous consequences, forcing them to question how much they’re willing to risk for knowledge.

A standalone dark academia tale, rich with mystery, tragedy, and the weight of history, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, V. E. Schwab, and Fullmetal Alchemist.