TIigest Girma is the moment! Like yaaaaaaaas give me more black vampires! I can't describe how it feels to see characters who look like me depicted in popular tropes that had the world in a chokehold (Twilight) and it's so much better that this isn't a "love letter" to those kinds of books it's just BLACKITY BLACK BLACK with no apologies.

Now, I did think Kidan was annoying AF, but Susenyos!!! HONEY he was sooooo amazing! Give me book two neeeeoooow

Tigest Grima is the queen of vampires! Stop it, this was so fun. The academy setting, the vampires! I’m obsessed

Okay, give me a second to catch my breath…

This book was everything. It had everything. It WILL be everything. I don’t think someone could’ve pried my kindle from my hands if the tried to. I may have growled at them, that’s how obsessed I was with this book.

For a debut novel, Tigest Girma truly couldn’t have done better, and she will no doubt go very, VERY far after a book like this.

The vibes were immaculate, the characters fully fledged and well developed, and I was gripped from the first chapter. A lot of YA books struggle to hold my attention as they can fall short in a lot of areas like world building and character development, but Girma truly said “hold my pen” and delivered a knock out book.

I couldn’t recommend this more.

It's hard to put into worlds just how much I enjoyed this dark and refreshing masterpiece by Tigest Girma. As one of my most anticipated releases for this year, Immortal Dark was a very exciting concept for me; black vampires, family feuds, everchanging houses and of course, enemies to lovers.

I don't think I released just how much I would devour and love this book after reading the first few chapters, but I can easily say it's the best debut I have ever read. This book is an utterly irresistible decadent tale weaved full of dark magic, family secrets and morally grey characters.

Tigest Girma has outdone herself with the detailed worldbuilding, interesting characters - even the 'side' characters I felt were particularity intriguing. I loved Kidan, she was everything and more from what I wanted in an FMC. She is dedicated, well thought out and my personal favourite; a big nuisance to Susenyos.

There are no awkward details or banter between characters, it's very cutthroat and straight to the point, which I enjoyed. I felt like there could have been a bit more detail as to the Uxlay rules, it felt as though the students really did whatever they wanted at Uxlay and got away with it. But, that being said I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the immoral things the MCs got up to.

The relationship development between Susenyos and Kidan was superb. It was made very clear from the get go that these two were not your typical enemies to lovers, no - they actually wanted to kill each other and are not shy about acting on it. They were very harsh to each other throughout the book and very late in we start to get these tender moments between the two.

Everything about this book screams dark seduction, vampires and secrets. A powerful debut that will stick with me. I can't wait for the rest of the triology.

I’ve been really struggling to write a review for this book for over two weeks now because I loved it so much. I could write you a whole lot of incoherent gibberish and half formed sentences (this review will probably be that anyway, and I am TRYING) quite easily. I could fangirl. I’m part of a whole street team group chat dedicated to fangirling over this book (it’s epic).

This book is just EVERYTHING!! Angsty and angry and romantic and tense and atmospheric and fun and entertaining and dark and well written and well plotted and well paced and fire-y and ugh…so many more adjectives.

I wish this book was longer. I wish the story wasn’t broken up. Why is this a trilogy. Why Tigest!!!! I would have happily and sat and read this book for like a 1000 more pages. I wasn’t ready for it to end. I kept swiping and swiping on my tablet (e-arc via Netgalley, don’t judge me) and I was like no….no….WHAT!! I thought the file was broken. I HOPED the file was broken. Because GAH that ending!!!! SEQUEL TIGEST PLEASE!!!!

Only thing stopping this from a 4 is sometimes the world building was a little confusing for my brain and I didn’t always keep up, I think somethings could’ve been better explained / explained a bit more…but like always maybe that’s just me being thick and

This book was a lot of fun, but I don’t think it was for me! I really didn’t connect with the main character, she felt very bratty to me and when she started destroying stuff it just kind of annoyed me? I really liked the side characters though and would love to see more of them! The love interest also wasn't for me, I just couldn't connect to them at all.

I thought the vampire lore was interesting but there were so many moving parts I was getting confused. I was also left unsatisfied with the ending.. (which is probably my fault as I didn’t realise it was a trilogy).

Overall I feel this book has a lot potential and I think it could be a really strong series, and I will be picking up book 2 as the cliffhanger has been stuck in my head for days!

Whilst I appreciate that Immortal Dark is a brilliant and richly crafted debut I found that I just couldn’t get into it myself. I definitely think this is more of a me situation than the book. Others have suggested it’s a slower start that is worth sticking to as the story builds and I certainly anticipate going back to it. I think it was a case of right book, wrong time. Though I’m pleased that it’s finding its audience and is being enjoyed by others.

Immortal Dark was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it absolutely delivered.
I originally started reading it in early August but put it aside as it has such good fall vibes and the summer heat just wasn't a match for it, and I am so glad I waited until I got some fall weather finally.
I picked it back up yesterday and was GLUED to it!

The vibes are just immaculate, it's not really overly descriptive but the whole atmosphere of the book was so on point, it just felt eerie.
Academic settings are always a favorite and I really appreciated the way the academic side of this story was designed, it felt quite unique but perfectly matched the story and the worldbuilding.

Speaking of the worldbuilding, I was obsessed! I generally love any book that has vampires, but having deep background lore and politics just really takes my excitement to the next level. The history and workings in this book were so unique and I love how it was really like a puzzle that you have to piece together to understand all the mechanics and how it is all connected.

I adored the main characters. They were truly morally gray in every sense of the word, and I especially loved the revelations that made it all a bit more sick and twisted.
The romance also had me kicking my feet, there's just nothing that quite compares to two morally corrupt characters slowly falling in love and lust, especially with the vampiric elements adding to it all.

The plot was amazing and kept me at the edge of my seat, I love how it started as a bit of a mystery and that kept getting bigger and bigger.
I am very excited to see what the sequel brings, I just know it's going to get epic!

The book is a bit dark, so make sure to check TWs.
I'm also not sure what made the publisher classify this as YA, as there is nothing YA about this book in my opinion.

Overall, I absolutely loved this and highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

I really enjoyed this one! "Immortal Dark" by Tigest Girma has a fresh take on a vampire story that's rooted in Ethiopian culture, which I found super intriguing. I absolutely LOVED the dark academia vibes, and Kidan is one bad-ass character. The writing style is fantastic, and the gothic vampire atmosphere is just the best. I got strong 'Ninth House' vibes from it, probably because it's set at a university, but also because of the characters. All in all, 'Immortal Dark' is very well done and an absolute must-read if you’re craving a new vampire book!

Immortal Dark is an exciting YA romantasy with a gothic atmosphere and elements of dark academia. I think this might be the next romantasy obsession for many readers. It has all the ingredients, like enemies-to-lovers romance, an entire cast of morally grey characters, and a fascinating vampire MMC. The book is also well written, has complex world-building that includes Ethiopian mythology, and is filled with secrets, intrigues, politics and power play. It’s a bit dark and sensual for a YA novel. The romance is a slow burn, where the characters start as true enemies and continue to be cruel to each other throughout the book. Honestly, it seemed to me that the romance was overtaking the narrative, which I never enjoy. I would rather read a compelling story with romance as a subplot.

Still, I think it’s a fantastic position, and I am curious about the second book in this series.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

My feelings are mixed for this book: on the one hand I enjoyed the characters and worldbuilding, but the prose was a bit too purple for me and the narrative was all over the place. I wish that the author would have given more time for us to connect with the characters instead of having so many plot points.

Dnf 40%
I can’t believe some of my most anticipated reads were such big disappointments
This one had such a lot of potential and i was expecting so so so much more than this but the characters felt bland to put it mildly, i didn’t expect for them to annoy the heck out of me
The story itself had such a great promise and also premise but unfortunately it did not live up to the expectations and the hype that surrounded the book

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc

This is slow to start but even as I was infuriated with Kidan I was gripped and by the end fully invested in her relationship with her friends and Susenyos. Girma has created a rich world, with fantastic lore, savage politics and brutal secrets that keep Uxlay's students surviving on a fatal knife edge.

The ending was great and I'm keen for the next book which is fun cos I'm not usually a vampire girly and I make very few exceptions! Well worth a read!

Tropes include Enemies to Lovers, Romantasy, Vampires, Sentient Houses and Dark Academia.

Tick, tick and tick. These tropes checked all my boxes for me and I loved it. The only con for me is that it went on alittle too long but if you love world building and quite alot of things to unpack in the book then this is for you.

We follow Kidan Adane who is trying to track down her missing sister, who is the only family she has left. To find her sister, she attends a secret university that is full of Vampires. When she gets there, her main suspect is her enemy Susenyos. This gothic tale full of secrets, politics, magic and of course a slow burn romance. This book also has morally grey characters and it does not disappoint in that area. Both of our main characters and love interests are brutal and cold. People compare this to Cruel Prince and I'd say it's even more brutal than that.

And the cliffhangers -chefs kiss-

For a debut novel, Girma did a great job! I can't wait to see more of their work.

“𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥. 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬? 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐠?”


–---

If it's a literal enemies to lovers, you want— literally trying to kill each other every now and then, then yes. You must read this.

The Cruel Prince but vampires? Read this.

As expected, I love everything vampire, especially if it's done in a captivating and immersive flow. Put an interesting myth/ lore along with it that would make it even more compelling. There, you have it. 

Also, the writing for Immortal Dark– it was one of the page turner writing I ever read.

I also enjoyed the boarding school type of a setting or the academic setting of the plot. That part was also interesting for me. Getting to know the other families was a ride, if I'm being honest. Additionally, the mystery solving going on here was another thing I enjoyed. 

Taj, Inoki, Sen, The Dean— side characters that I was really intrigued and liked having around, and the other characters at the end that I shall be not naming that I am 50/50 about. I'm looking forward to them in the next book.

Kidan, and Yos. Their dynamic is really fun. As a reader, or as I get on the story– specifically, you can't help but feel frustrated, rooting, and like meditating for them. That's what I felt honestly. They really give off the vibes of Jude and Cardan, but more intriguing for Yos, for me (I think at some point I did hate Cardan once upon a time on the early chapters but I could be wrong). I believe I regard Kidan the way I regard Jude (frustrated and rooting for my girl). 

Anyway, their tandem was really fun, I also did enjoy their relationship growth. It was just perfect for their dynamic. 

Overall, this was a good read for me. I'm really looking forward to how the story goes. Also, the world-building here to be more fleshed out since I noticed that it wasn't really that visible here and more of character focused plot built.


Thank you, publisher, for the e-arc opportunity via Netgalley 🫶

—----

Released Date: September 5, 2024
Date Read: August 28- September 5, 2024
Ratings: 4⭐️

4.5 stats

This was such a dark, addictive and tense read that had me on the edge of my seat. I found myself loving the world Grima has created and found myself so intrigued by the different families and the idea of human bloodlines gaining more power through their companionship with vampires.

I really liked how ruthless and flawed the main characters were in this book. They are incredibly complex and morally grey which I loved! I really liked getting to know Kidan who is angry at the world and the fact that she is thrown into a crap situation because of her bloodline. All she wants to do is find her sister June and she will do whatever it takes to accomplish that.

If you're a fan of enemies to lovers then this is the book for you. I'm a sucker for the trope and it was executed so well in this one. I mean they truly hate each other and are literally ready to kill each other even though they aren't allowed to. They push each other's buttons and do whatever they can to ruin the others existence.

Full of family secrets, politics and gothic dark academia vibes, Immortal Dark is the perfect book for fans of vampires and darker young adult books. I cannot wait to see how the story progresses in the next book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Kidans sister June is missing, and Kidan is convinced she has been kidnapped by a vampire... you see, their family is part of an ancient bloodline, one of the select bloodlines that can feed vampires.

In order to secure her heritage and find her sister, Kidan must attend, and graduate, at Uxlay University. Uxlay offers a peaceful co-existance between vampires and humans, as long as both play by the rules.

Susenyos is the vampire tied to Kidans house, Adane, and if Kidan doesn't keep her place in her ancestral home, Susenyos will gain control. The two form a *very* uneasy alliance whilst Kidan tries to find her place at the University whilst also finding her place in her family line and figure out what part Susenyos plays in the bigger picture as well

Kidan will face even more challenges than this, along with finding her place amongst the people she gets to know during her studies. Can she survive the year and solve the many mysteries that surround her...

Such a great story. I loved the rich history around Uxlay and its residents. I also liked that even with the rules in place, the dark nature of the vampires was ever present.

This is a book I've been very excited to read and so happy it lived up to what I hoped! Out 05 September so still time to get your preorder in

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette/Hodder for the early review copy, all opinions my own

Thank you to Hachette Children's Group, Hodder Children's Books, and Tigest Girma for sending me a physical proof of Immortal Dark. What a fabulous debut! This a phenomenally stunning book with a gripping plot, intriguing world-building, and fiendishly good characters. Not sure what they put in Susenyos and Kidan's coffee, but we need more of that in enemies-to-lovers stories across the board!

Tigest Girma's writing is vivid, simply elegant, and steals your breath away. She's unleashed a deliciously dark, violent story with lots of bite, perfectly straddling the line between horror and fantasy. Her style is easy to consume and fast-paced, with intricate storytelling that sinks teeth into you with the mystery and subterfuge afoot at Uxlay. Rich characters fill the halls and house of the Uxlay campus with secrets, emotional conflict, grudges, and relatable flaws, and you can understand why they turned into monsters or dark deeds. The campus of Uxlay immerses you into this gritting, fascinating world based on African influences celebrated in the gorgeous representative form of the culture, history, and characters (we need lots more of this in the publishing). The vampire lore is fresh, unique and builds an intriguing dynamic between the Dranaics and Actis companionship bonds and the history of their binding.

Susenyos and Kidan are pitted against each other in the most deviously and debauched ways by their own making and phantom enemies lurking in the shadows; you never know who is behind the powerplays, scheming, manipulating, or plotting until the next plot twist. The animosity drips like blood from the pages of Immortal Dark between Susenyos and Kidan as they are constantly at each other's throats and desperate to rid themselves of each other. I swear I could hear the snarling, hissing, and murderous plotting vibe humming from the pages with the question, 'Will they kiss or kill each other?'

When they aren't trying to murder one another in their tumultuous relationship, Susenyos and Kidan make a deadly team with a talent for masterminding evil, revengeful plans, and possess a smouldering seduction vibe and tense tenderness for one another. A perfect match of violent, unapologetic, and unhinged forces of nature with internal compasses pointing to the darker side of morally grey, hiding their true personas, which are caring, loyal, and unafraid to do whatever it takes to protect those they care for, even if it costs their soul.
Vampires are bringing sexy back with a rich, intoxicating dark academia story in Immortal Dark! How do I sum this book up? A blend of the grittiness and fiendishness of the vampires from Buffy, house rivalries from Game of Thrones, sent it to university and gave it houses like Hogwarts inspired by the sentient castle from Howl's Moving Castle to make a devilishly dark and decadent vampire story. If this isn't on your Vampire era TBR, quickly make it so.

What a great book to kick off the creepy season! After discovering Immortal Dark at BOOKFEST, and completing a fun questionnaire I was placed into House Quaros. That’s when I knew I had to read it! Being one of my first Dark Academia Fantasy reads, it’s set the bar high! The twists and turns were relentless, the pace was FAST and just when I thought I had a characters morals figured out, I was proven wrong, repeatedly…

I adored GK and Yusef’s characters so much and thought the character development of Kidan evolved perfectly and I can’t not mention ‘Little Bird’ - every time those two words were mentioned my heart melted 🥺

Im torn, I can’t decide if I hate or annoyingly love that this book has been left on multiple cliff hangers, but I can’t wait for book two. Although book one technically hasn’t been released yet!

The only thing that could have made this even better would have been duel pov’s, but that’s probably just my personal preference. I just think seeing inside Susenyos’ mind- (biting aside) would have been a delight and some more released tension wouldn’t have gone a miss either, but we’re getting a triology, so there’s time!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

UK Publication Date - September 5th 🗓️

#ImmortalDark #NetGalley

black vampires. enemies to lovers. dark academia. everything I love in a book and more. I experienced an array of emotions whilst reading this and I loveeeee it.