Appended review: upon second reading a few years later, now after having read The Secret History, I see the parallels and imitation and it’s hard not to compare. Which really means, there is no comparison because Donna Tartt is Donna Tartt.

But if you read it about role play, performance, fate, and the very commentary of imitation itself, there’s a meta layer there that I didn’t see the first time. Which made me love it in a new, twisted way.

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This is the epitome of dark academia, mystery-meets-theater-meets-old creaky school buildings. It has one of the most captivating romances I‘ve ever read, simply because of how it lures you in without ever needing to spell it out. This book is a daze and a dream and I‘m in awe of the storytelling. I don‘t give out five stars lightly and this book earned Every. Single. One.

I knew halfway through that the story was going to leave me with a master, throbbing reading hangover. I just couldn‘t have anticipated how true that would be. 

I will read everything M.L. Rio writes after this. It‘s been awhile since I was so spellbindingly transported into the world and psyche of such complex characters. And now I‘m worried whatever book I pick up next will only leave me wanting.