Enigma
by RuNyx
TheStory
Salem arrives to attend Mortimer University to investigate her sister’s apparent suicide. Immediately upon her arrival, she stumbles upon a dead body, furthering her investigation into not only her sister’s death but the mysterious deaths of 10 other students over recent years.
During Salem’s investigation into the mysterious death of her sister, as well as others on campus, Salem meets Caz and the two find themselves drawn to one another. But both have secrets they aren’t willing to share - ones that could spell death for both of them.
TheReview
If you are looking for dark academia, mystery, and fantastic MCs - look no further.
I loved every aspect of this book but let’s jump right into the heart of the story…
Salem is a quiet, odd, curios woman that just hasn’t been able to fit into society the way “normal” people do. She’s just an oddball but seeing most of this book from her perspective, I thought she was less “odd” and more just not fitting into the cookie-cutter daughter that her mother wanted her to be. She’s withdrawn and quiet.
The best part about her was her character development. She started out insecure, pained from her childhood, untrusting, and completely self-sufficient. Watching that grow into self-assured, understanding of her parents and sister, trustful of those that deserve it, and embracing the help of her people was just beautiful.
Truly, Salem is the heart of the story.
But a heart by itself is really only a half and we need a whole heart! (Was that weird?)
Enter CAZ!
Caz is everything I want in an MMC. Mysterious? Check. Broody? Check. Alpha? Check. He has so many secrets that he’s keeping but he just can’t help himself from riling Salem up and desiring to be around her all the time. He’s obsessed. And I’m here for that.
Caz was the perfect person to break down Salem’s walls. She needed someone like him and he needed someone like her. Literally, if they had been written any differently, it wouldn’t have hit the same. Their growth together and the way they helped each other blossom into the best versions of themselves was everything.
While their relationship was my favorite part (hence all the blabbering), the storyline does focus a lot on the mystery of the university. It’s the whole purpose really of Salem coming to Mortimer, her and Caz relationship just happened to be what really fulfilled her (and me - the reader).
That’s to say that it was a perfect blend of dark academia, mystery, and all-consuming love and passion. I was in love with every part of this book as I read it. I will say, I was able to guess the ending. While I am pretty good at that, I found it to be a little predictable only in the wrap up of the mysteries and the answers to our questions. But still, loved every minute I read this book.
FavoriteQuotes
“You could bring gods to their knees, you know that?”
“Just one glance from these eyes would have driven men to commit murder in old times. Still might.”
ProminentTropes
Dark Academia
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Insta-Attraction
Mystery
Secret Society
Slow Burn
