Nocticadia
From USA Today bestselling author Keri Lake comes a hardcover repackage of her TikTok sensation Nocticadia, a dark, atmospheric tale of deadly secrets and forbidden love. Mortui vivos docent. The dead teach the living.
After watching my mother succumb to a mysterious illness, I promised myself two things. I'd find the cure for what ravaged her. And leave the godforsaken city where she abandoned me.
Four years later, I receive an acceptance letter from Dracadia University, one of the oldest, most prestigious schools in the country. Nestled on a secluded island off the coast of Maine, it's rumored to be haunted by the souls of the mental patients exiled there centuries before. Those whose bones are said to make up the island's white sandy shores.
And restless ghosts aren't even its most daunting peculiarity. Devryck Bramwell, known on campus as Doctor Death, is a brilliant pathologist in charge of the midnight lab. He's also my devastatingly handsome professor, who seems to loathe tenacious first-years, like me.
Except, his dark and enigmatic gaze tells me all the ways he'd devour me if given the chance, and his stolen kisses burn my lips with forbidden jealousy. I crave his authority. He aches for redemption.
Together, we're toxic. Delicious fodder for the prying eyes hellbent on exhuming the rotted skeletons of our pasts. For the dead have much to teach, and it's only a matter of time before Dracadia's most depraved secret is resurrected.
Nocticadia is a standalone dark academia gothic romance.
- Pages
- 645
- First published
- April 25, 2023
- Language
- English
- Edition
- ISBN
- 9798391968566
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Shelved by 19 Litcadians
Reviews
Finished March 22, 2025
“Don’t ever hesitate to touch me, Lilia. You’re the only one who can. It was you who dragged my heart from this insensate slumber. And it’s you for whom it beats” This book is exactly what I needed filled with secret society’s, a morally grey mmc professor, a boarding school on a mysterious island, and creepy parasites all shrouded in mystery. The dual audio narration for this book was so good, it truly immersives you into the story. I got sucked in and didn’t want to put it down. I will definitely be reading more of her books. I loved Devryk, he was unhinged and obsessed. Truly takes touch her and I’ll kill you to another level. It was so much fun to see inside his mind, this book was so different then everything else I’ve been reading. 🌶️ 4/5 The spice in this was honestly next level, the connection between these two characters was so intense and their need for each other was everything. The sneaking around just made everything hotter. There was so much tension from their very first meeting.
Finished March 24, 2025
*❝Allow me to caution you, Miss Vespertine. You are a confused moth dancing about a wild flame. Blind to the incomprehensible danger of your curiosities.❞* ❥ My thoughts The unsettling sci-fi aspect of the plot paired with the secretive, yet sexy academic atmosphere is something I didn't think I wanted out of a book but this was really fun. While I can't relate to Lilia's character in terms of innocence and sexual virtue, the forbidden relationship between her and her teacher was sexy and addicting. To be honest, I think the most exciting aspect of her character was the forbidden relationship between her and Bramwell, but regardless, I devoured it each time I sat down to read. My biggest complaint would have to be the pacing of the story. I loved the slow and steady unveiling of secrets and tensions between characters, but the last 20% went so fast that I didn't feel the impact from some of the big reveals. Highly recommend this if you're looking for a dark reprieve from those light-hearted rom-coms. ❥ Trigger warnings Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Death of parent Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, Violence Minor: Gun violence, Rape, Kidnapping [Follow my Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/inkstainedemotions?igsh=aTh6eTZ6dGwxMXpy&utm_source=qr)
Started March 10, 2025 · Finished March 14, 2025
This was a solid 3.5 for me, rounded up. The story had some great dark academia vibes, little mysteries, and creepy critters that kept things interesting. While it was a bit longer than necessary, and some descriptions felt repetitive, I still enjoyed the overall atmosphere. The narrators were awesome, I do love a duet narration. 🌶️ 3/5 – With a professor/student romance, I expected a bit more spice, but it had some fun tension and a nice slow burn. The steamy moments were well done, though by the time things really heated up, the pacing had started to drag a bit for me. Still, I’d be interested in reading more from this author.
