A Guide To Gothikana By RuNyx
I will not let you go into the unknown alone.— DraculaWhat’s It About?
Gothikana is a dark gothic academia romance written by RuNyx.
An outcast her entire life, Corvina Clemm is left adrift after losing her mother. When she receives the admission letter from the mysterious University of Verenmore, she accepts it as a sign from the universe. The last thing she expects though is an old, secluded castle on top of a mountain riddled with secrets, deceit, and death.
An enigma his entire life, Vad Deverell likes being a closed book but knowing exactly everything that happens in the university. A part-time professor working on his thesis, Vad has been around long enough to know the dangers the castle possesses. And he knows the moment his path crosses with Corvina, she's dangerous to everything that he is.
They shouldn't have caught each other's eye. They cannot be. But a chill-inducing century-old mystery forces them to collide. People have disappeared every five years over the past century, Corvina is getting clues to unraveling it all, and Vad needs to keep an eye on her.
And so begins a tale of the mysterious, the morbid, the macabre, and a deep love that blossoms in the unlikeliest of places.
The book is available on Kindle Unlimited. You can find it in my Amazon Shop here, or you can click the images below to go to each book.
Tropes Include: dark romance, gothic romance, college romance, dark academia romance, age gap romance, professor/student romance, forced proximity, happy ending, romantic suspense, and more.
Book description comes directly from the book listing.
The Setting
Gothikana takes place at Verenmore University on Mount Verenmore, a fictional location in RuNyx’s book universe. The University of Verenmore is an imposing castle nestled high on Mount Verenmore, a secluded location that civilians are rarely permitted to access. Surrounded by mist and shrouded in fog, the castle looms over the valley below, exuding an air of exclusivity and mystery. A massive iron gate marks the entrance, secured by the mountain wall on one side and overlooking a sheer drop into the valley on the other, making it nearly impenetrable. The castle’s gothic architecture is both beautiful and eerie, with high turrets that grace distinct towers and stone walls lined with arched windows. Dark vines, some blossoming with roses near the base, snake up the stonework, adding to the building’s ancient elegance. Gargoyles jut out from high points on the walls, grotesque sentinels that mask the gutters, watching over the castle grounds. The roofs of the towers are capped with deep blue stones that contrast sharply against the light brown of the rest of the building, giving it a unique, captivating appearance. Cobblestone pathways wind through well-manicured gardens that separate the castle’s various wings. The air is fresh and light, carrying a sense of isolation and tranquility. At night, the castle groans softly, as if alive, making it a place both timeless and haunting—a perfect backdrop for those who seek refuge, knowledge, or power within its hallowed halls.
The Main Characters
While there are many characters in this book series, there are 2 that the books center around: Corvina Clemm and Vad Deverell.
The Side Characters
My Rating For Gothikana
★★★★★ — 5/5 Stars
This book made my inner gothic heart sing. From the wording to the setting to the characters, it was the perfect mix of both that dark academia and gothic vibe. I really enjoyed the two main characters, Vad and Corvina. Forced proximity has my heart as a trope and RuNyx did it well.
The plot itself was good and kept me turning the pages. I was not expecting the ending — well, the big climax. When it was revealed what was really happening. Talk about major delusion. Either way, it wasn’t something I was expecting so that was a nice twist.
I will be honest in saying I was hesitant to read this because of the mixed reviews. That, and because the writing style is just not one I typically read. Usually, when I read books with multiple POVs, it’s written from the “I” perspective, so when this one was more third person style, it threw me off. But again, the plot, the setting, and the characters hooked me.
Then you have the romance and spice. I loved every bit of it. From her fears about her mental health to him loving her anyway. RuNyx did a great job painting that fear Corvina held dearly to herself. Personally, I feel she’s gifted spiritually rather than suffering from mental health issues, but either way, to see their love blossom, to see how much Vad was there for her, how he was dedicated to her before she even knew of his existence. She was prophesied to him before she was even born. It seems Old Lady Zelda was never wrong.
I give this book 5/5 stars. It is available on Kindle Unlimited [as well as Amazon in general]. You can get it here.
A Playlist For Gothikana
Below, you’ll find a playlist full of songs that either matched the vibe of the university, the students, the main characters, or the events that occurred throughout the series. You can listen below via Apple Music or Spotify.
Don’t forget to give me a follow on whichever platform you use most and add the playlists to your library as new playlists and music are always being added!
Did you listen to the playlist? Let me know what you thought of it in a comment below or tag me on instagram [@shenayesuggs] or use my hashtags #shenayesuggs or #thatgirlsreads so I can see that you’re listening!
Get Your Gothikana Merch
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This post contains affiliate links. Also, all character and setting/story images have been generated using AI.
