Gothikana
Ratings73
Average rating3.4
This had me giggling, kicking my feet and at the edge of my seat. The gothic vibes were immaculate
Not really much to say about this one. I didn't love it but I also didn't hate it. It read like a young adult novel, but it is definitely made for adults with the scenes that are in this one. Overall though, it was just an okay read.
I didn't really like the ending but after reading the Acknowledgements, it makes a bit more sense.
The book also has a content warning so that was thoughtful of the author.
i planned on reading the first few chapters before bed.. then stayed up all night reading this cover to cover ✨
Honestly Im probably mean for giving it two stars but I just genuinely didn't really like it, The actual plot of the book was amazing I loved it. The spicy romance not so much and by not so much I mean not at all.
Gothikana captivates with its unique concoction of fantasy and dark academia romance. Its narrative weaves an intricate tapestry of mystical elements with the intellectual allure of dark academia, setting a stage for an enthralling experience. The book excels in delivering tastefully crafted erotic scenes that are both intense and integral to the development of its complex characters, enhancing the depth of their relationships. Amidst the thrilling escapades and dark mysteries, Gothikana is peppered with poignant quotes on love and devotion, offering readers moments of heartwarming introspection. This novel not only entertains but also profoundly touches on the essence of loyalty and love, making it a standout read for enthusiasts of both genres.
There were points in this book where I got Wednesday Addams vibes but with smut. I was not disappointed.
I enjoyed it but wanted more. Specifically, more about Corvina and her uniqueness: her eyes and her abilities? More relationship building, not just instant lust=love.
I did like the mental health presence and acceptance by MMC.
I'm not really sure how I want to rate this book because there are some things that i loved and some things that annoyed me to no end.
Great parts, the vibes were GIVING. The gothic setting and those descriptions, I felt transported to the castle of verenmore. Absolutely loved the setting.
I actually really liked Vad's character too. He was always shrouded in a mystery, and I was curious to know more about him.
The running plotline was cool too. A compelling history of an enchanted castle on a hill.
Also I think this is the one decent student teacher romance I've read. I've tried a few but they always feel so cliche, so i was surprised that I enjoyed the romance.
The bad parts, the side characters were painfully underdeveloped. They had zero dimension, zero personality, and only were introduced in scenes to hype up Vad. Seriously, 2 separate people walk up to her on her very first day, to tell her she has great sexual tension with the teacher, just because of a ‘lingering stare'. On the very first day?
If I took a shot for every time someone said they were ‘unsettled' by Vad's presence, I would be hammered. I felt like they were having the exact same conversations over and over again.
So yeah, i would say this would be great for a mood read, if you're feeling dark academia, gothic, witchery, pick this up.
Did I Miss Something?
I found myself questioning the widespread acclaim for Gothikana by RuNyx as I read through its pages. While not entirely devoid of enjoyment, my motivation to finish the book dwindled by the end. Despite high expectations fueled by positive reviews, the narrative unfolded like a predictable fan fiction with a writing style reminiscent of high school attempts at crafting a Hot Topic goth romance.
The characters lacked depth, and the situations felt excessively convenient, straining even the limits of suspension of disbelief. The plot, regrettably, offered little innovation and failed to adhere to the “show, don't tell” rule of storytelling. Instead, crucial aspects were narrated rather than skillfully revealed, leaving the reader feeling spoon-fed information.
The supposed chemistry between the characters, especially the brooding gothic figure Vad, felt forced and lacked authenticity. Vad, a one-dimensional caricature, came across as more mundane than mysterious. Even the intimate scenes, intended to be hardcore and sexy, fell flat due to the juvenile writing that constantly emphasized these aspects rather than letting them naturally unfold.
The protagonist, Corvina, struggled to evoke genuine empathy, and her constant tragedy seemed unconvincing. The overall writing resembled the efforts of a teenager seeking feedback, displaying potential but not quite ready for publication. The setting, while decent, adhered to a basic and predictable template, and the mystery element failed to sustain intrigue.
Throughout the book, the portrayal of professionals such as professors, doctors, and private investigators lacked authenticity, making their dialogues appear absurd and detached from reality. The narrative suffered from a lack of depth and research in these areas.
In conclusion, Gothikana, while having moments of mediocrity, could benefit significantly from a thorough editorial review. If readers approach it with tempered expectations, aware of its shortcomings, they might find elements to enjoy, but it falls short of being a polished and engaging work.
3.5 stars
- Dark Academia
- Gothic Fantasy
- Horror/Thriller
- College/University
- Insta-Love
- Verenmore
- Little Crow!
- Teacher (28) / Student (21)
- Forbidden
- Scary Stories
- Psychological Trauma
- Death/Suicides
- Sexual Chemistry
5 stars
I loved it. I loved Corvina, and the gothic setting. A dark mysterious castle on the mountain. There is mentions of mental illness, but done in a non offending way. I liked it.
The romance with Vad was steamy, and mysterious. The romance had many tropes like Forbidden, possessive, and Student x Professor.
All you need to know is that I cried at the end while watching Hell's Kitchen with my mom
Corvina Clemm ha vivido una vida muy solitaria, hasta que un día recibe una carta de la universidad de Evenmore, un antiguo castillo, en un bosque que todos dicen que esta encantado. Ella cree que esta es su oportunidad para hacer amigos. Pero lo que ella no esperaba era encontrar el amor en el lugar más insospechado.
A Vad Deverell le dijeron que se quedara con la chica de ojos morados. Pero mientras la encontraba decidió que su trabajo sería resolver el misterio que acechaba la universidad donde trabajaba como profesor. No pretendía que nadie le apartara de su tarea, y menos, aun, una chica extraña a la que le gustan los cuervos, viste de negro, lee el tarot, y quizá tiene los ojos morados. Guiño, guiño.
Vaya aventura hemos vivido en Evenmore, florecillas. Misterio, romance, acción, fantasmas, la linea delgada entre la psicología y lo paranormal, found Family, escenas calientes, un amor prohibido. La importancia de la salud mental. Un giro inesperado que no te esperas. Una estética dark academia que te hace querer estudiar en un castillo. Imagínate poder leer en la biblioteca de un viejo castillo. O a poder ser, tener escenas románticas en ellas.
Aún quedan muchas cosas por descubrir, esperemos que en Arkana nos den las respuestas que necesitamos, aunque la autora ya ha dicho que no resolverá todo, ya que como en la realidad en este tipo de lugares siempre te vas sin saber realmente qué sucedió.
Un libro con un aura oscura, muchos misterios por resolver y que te deja con ganas de más.
For the life of me I can't remember who on Bookstagram recommended this to me but if you're reading this THANK YOU.
Slow paced books seem to be what I needed because this is my second in a row, I finished it quickly and I loved it. I loved the atmosphere, the 2 MCs, the iffy morals, how my teacher kink was floating, how I couldn't decide if there was a paranormal element or if it was all in Corvina's head. I needed nothing else. Except maybe to read RuNyx's other books to see what the eff I'm missing out on.
It was extremely atmosphereic if you are looking for a gothik spooky romance. You get it here but the plot holes and unanswered questions kind of spoiled it at the end
The physical copy of this book is beautiful/stunning. NOTE TO SELF: There's a reason you don't like creepy books.
It took a really long time to get into this story and when I finally did I was wishing for it to end quickly. Spoiler- It didn't end quickly. Apparently, a lot of people I follow felt the same way but they DNF'd.
Did the author create a vibe that oozed mystery and terror? Yes. Did the author make you feel safe and unsafe at the same time? Yes. Did you feel like you didn't know what was going on? YES. THE WHOLE DANG TIME. That's not good.
One- I knew who “done” it from the beginning but I still wanted to see if the author could prove me wrong or at the very least how it all played out. It was kind of a anti-climactic or maybe I was just done with the whole thing.
Corvina was 21/22(has a birthday in the middle of the book) and speaks like she's in high school. She's not the only one. Everyone in the friend group speak like they are 14 year olds. The whole book gave me high school vibes instead of New Adult/Adult University vibes. Vad was strange but everyone in this world were unique in that way. LOL. I didn't mind the teacher/student romance because he's only a few years older than her and they were both over 20 years old. It just didn't feel like a thing for me even though it was abundantly clear it was a thing in this story.
The thing about these kind of books is that you(me) is set up to not trust anything that is happening. The entire time I didn't know whether the other shoe would fall between Corvina and Vad. It was not easy to trust that he had her back. He was saying it. She believed it to be true but as a reader I was not convinced. You had characters constantly questioning her loyalty to him and even though she reassured the character/reader that she trusted him and that we should too, I just didn't feel that confidence. So even now, even after getting two epilogues, I hope it will be true and they find peace.
There were so many aspects of this story that wasn't explained thoroughly and I was disappointed. It's almost like the author just wanted conclusions to be drawn up and whatever the reader felt was good and good with them.
I just thought of something that was a bit jarring. Corvina and many of the people in this world speak in old world and then you have Vad throwing in a few lines that scream 2021 and it felt so out of place. It was hard to place when this actually took place.
Ooof another DNF. I made it halfway through. IDK I might try again at some point cuz I'm a little curious who is the murderer but I also sort of don't care so we will see.