Nightshade by Autumn Woods: A Dark Academia Book Review

Do you have an insatiable need for Jelly Babies and shortbread? You will soon. In this Nightshade book review, I'm looking at Autumn Woods' opener to the Sorrowsong duology, a dark academia romance that has taken over BookTok, and it's easy to see why. The sequel, Daybreak, is already out, so you can binge the whole duology back to back.

Nightshade Book Review: What It's About

The story is set at Sorrowsong University in Scotland, where Ophelia Winters begins a scholarship at the elite institution. She isn't there to climb the social ladder: she wants revenge. Her parents were employees of the university and died in an accident on the grounds, and she's convinced it was murder.

A Grief-Stricken Heroine Who Feels Real

I went in assuming romance would be the driving force of the plot, especially once Ophelia realises she's taking classes with her prime suspect's son. Instead, I quickly found myself enraptured by the characterisation and emotional depth in the writing.

I read a lot of fantasy, so an orphaned protagonist is nothing new to me, but Ophelia stood out as a genuinely living, breathing person working through insurmountable grief. She reflects often on her emotions, describing the emptiness and loneliness that overwhelm her. I don't think I've read such a consistent, honest portrayal of grief in fiction before: it wasn't written to provoke pity, but sincere respect for anyone carrying feelings that heavy.

Alex and the Slow-Burn Romance

Alex is fighting his own demons, and the dual POV lets you see the gap between Ophelia's perception of him and the reality underneath it. He's drawn to her from the start, but his attraction develops slowly and naturally rather than being rushed, which is where a lot of romance novels tend to stumble.

The Murder Mystery That Keeps You Hooked

The murder-mystery thread is one of Nightshade's strongest elements. Someone is always watching Ophelia, and the taunting messages she receives make it clear they're one step ahead of her. It's genuinely tense: I felt real dread building as the story approached its climax, and I couldn't put the book down.

Final Verdict

Nightshade works because it refuses to lean on typical tropes. A cast of complex,

lovable characters, an authentic and moody Scottish setting, and a blend of modern humour with dramatic suspense all combine to make this feel wholly original. At 395 pages, it's all killer, no filler (pun intended), and Autumn Woods has written something close to a modern classic. And the best part: Daybreak came out on 31st July, so you don't even need to wait to finish the duology.

Written by: Heather, Bonus Chapter Host

Heather joined Chapter 25 in 2024 when she discovered a club in her small town. After meeting many like-minded readers, she was invited to host the Bonus Chapter clubs for her favourite genres: fantasy and romance. Using her knowledge of book trends and keen eye for spotting the next big thing, she hopes to share books that will excite and thrill Chapter 25 members.