Give me a secret society, a suspiciously exclusive school, or a group of brilliant people making terrible decisions, and I’m probably going to listen to the whole audiobook in one weekend… or even an afternoon.
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Dark academia is one of those genres where the setting can be just as captivating as the plot. There’s something so fun about stories filled with old libraries, beautiful campuses, obscure subjects, complicated friendships, and secrets that have been buried for far too long. And somehow, even when things start getting very dark, I still find myself wishing I could step into the world for a little while. And if it’s set at Oxford? All bets are off. I’m there.
The books on this list have that same combination of atmosphere and intrigue that makes dark academia so addictive. Some lean more toward mystery and suspense, while others bring in fantasy, romance, or even a little horror. And, as always, this list contains NO SPOILERS.
And PS: Some of these titles may be exclusive to an Audible subscription, which I find definitely worth my while. If you’re interested in checking out Audible, you can use this link for a free 30-day trial.
Looking for something a little more magical? Check out My Top 10 Best Fantasy Audiobooks. Plus, you can find all of my audiobook favorites here.
1. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
If dangerous magical schools are your thing, look no further than A Deadly Education, the first book in the Scholomance trilogy by Naomi Novik. The story takes place at the Scholomance, a magical school where students are supposed to learn how to control their powers, but surviving long enough to graduate is its own challenge. It’s dark, clever, and surprisingly funny, with plenty of danger and complicated relationships to keep you hooked. And all of the books in the trilogy are out, so it’s a great binge listen!
2. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Ninth House, my love. Dark academia with magic secret societies set at Yale with a badass female protagonist? Sign me up again and again. Leigh Bardugo is one of my favorite authors, and this trilogy was her first foray into adult fiction. The story follows Alex Stern, a young woman who has been given an unusual opportunity to attend Yale despite having a very different background from the other students. There, she discovers that Yale’s secret societies are involved in far more than strange traditions and exclusive parties… they’re practicing real magic, with consequences that can be deadly. The audiobook does jump back and forth in time and between two protagonists, but thankfully the dual narrators make it easy to follow.
3. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
In Ace of Spades begins with two students who receive anonymous messages exposing their secrets, and it quickly spirals from there. Devon and Chiamaka are two of the most successful students at their elite private school, but someone known only as Aces is determined to bring their carefully constructed lives crashing down. I really enjoyed the way the mystery unfolds as the characters try to figure out who is behind the messages and, more importantly, why they’ve been targeted. The story tackles some serious themes around racism, privilege, and power while still keeping the suspense high. It’s tense, unsettling, and full of twists, making it a great audiobook if you want your dark academia with more of a psychological thriller feel.
4. Babel by R.F. Kuang
If you like the idea of nerding out over linguistics and colonial history just as much as you do the magical system, Babel is for you. The story follows Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton who is brought to England and eventually sent to Oxford’s prestigious Babel program, where students study translation and the magical power of silver. And, of course, things go awry from there. It’s a longer and more thought-provoking listen, but if you like dark academia that gives you something to think about long after you finish, this is definitely one to add to your list. It’s also a standalone, which feels like a rarity these days!
5. The Will of the Many by James Islington
The Will of the Many is dark academia with a fantasy twist that draws on influences from the Roman Empire. Intriguing, right? The story follows Vis, a young man with a dangerous secret who is sent to attend the elite Catenan Academy, where students compete for status and power while learning a system of magic that literally draws strength from other people. As Vis tries to survive the brutal school environment, he becomes caught up in a much larger mystery involving the academy and the society around it. I loved the combination of the competitive school setting, political intrigue, and slowly unfolding secrets.
6. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Dark academia at a top arts college with thespians, murder, and mayhem? Yes, please. If We Were Villains follows a group of seven acting students at an elite conservatory, where their lives become increasingly intertwined as they spend their days studying Shakespeare and their nights becoming almost indistinguishable from the characters they play. I loved the moody atmosphere of the conservatory and the way Shakespeare is woven so deeply into the story… a joy for the English and Theater majors amongst us. It’s dramatic, mysterious, and full of complicated friendships.
7. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is one of those books that’s difficult to describe without giving away the magic of it. The story follows Piranesi, a man living in a mysterious, seemingly endless house filled with enormous halls, statues, and an ocean that regularly floods the lower levels. I loved how atmospheric and mysterious this audiobook is. It’s quiet and dreamlike rather than fast-paced, but there’s always this underlying feeling that something isn’t quite right. If you enjoy dark academia with a more surreal, mysterious feel, Piranesi is a really memorable listen. And the narrator? Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, and I would happily listen to his voice for days. This performance won Audiobook of the Year at the 2021 Audie Awards (the Oscars for audiobooks).
8. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
If you love murder mysteries, secretive schools, and plucky young detectives, Truly Devious is for you. The story takes place at Ellingham Academy, an elite boarding school founded by a wealthy philanthropist in the 1930s… and one of its most famous mysteries involves a kidnapping and murder that was never solved. Years later, teenage sleuthing savant Stevie Bell arrives at the academy determined to figure out what really happened. I loved the combination of the creepy old-school mystery and Stevie’s modern-day investigation, making it a great audiobook if you like your dark academia with a classic whodunit feel.
9. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
An Oxford setting with witches, vampires, and secret prophecies? Yep, I’m there. A Discovery of Witches follows Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch who accidentally summons a long-lost magical manuscript. That one discovery puts her in the middle of a world filled with witches, vampires, and daemons. I loved the combination of the academic setting, supernatural rivalries, and slow-burn romance, and it’s one of my favorite trilogies of all time. Possibly because Matthew Goode looks so great in the TV adaptation and I just picture him throughout the trilogy, but whatever works for you.
10. Middlebridge Mysteries by Ken Cuperus
Okay, let’s take a complete left turn because it’s time for the only cozy addition to this list… Middlebridge Mysteries. Does that disqualify it from being dark academia? Quite possibly. But there is a lot of murder, so that makes it kind of work, right? This Audible Original series is free with an Audible subscription and follows teenage Violet Wilner (voiced by Anna Cathcart of XO Kitty), as she makes her way to university to study criminology. And like in any good cozy mystery series, the murders just keep on coming, and it’s up to her to solve them. And Violet’s grumpy professor? Voiced by Eric McCormack (Will & Grace).
PS: If you like the idea of this genre, check out My Top 10 Best Cozy Mystery Audiobooks.
I hope this list helps you as you search for your next great dark academia audiobook! If you’re looking for something dark but outside an academic setting, check out My Top 10 Best Dystopian Audiobooks, or find all of my favorite audiobooks here.
