Article contributed by Ellen Orange
If you couldn’t get enough of Wednesday and need a fix of something dark and spooky then fear not! We’ve rounded some Wednesday approved reading recommendations that can fill the hole in your life until Season 2.
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
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In 1902, at Brookhants School For Girls, Flo and Clara start The Plain Bad Heroine Society in Honour of notorious and scandalous young writer Mary MacLane. Before long, the girls are found dead, attacked by a swarm of yellowjackets, with MacLane’s book, the first a series of macabre deaths which plague the school until it’s closure. Over a century later, this tale inspires a book by literary prodigy Merritt Emmons. When her book is adapted into a film, starring ‘it girl’ Harper Harper’ and former child star Audrey Wells, the trio return to Brookhants, revisiting the past, and the curse.
A spooky dark academia with a mystery at its core, dual timelines and hint of the supernatural, Plain Bad Heroines is the perfect read for a Wednesday fan.
A Lesson In Vengeance by Victoria Lee
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Felicity Morrow has return to Dalloway School a year after her girlfriend’s death. She is determined to make a new start and not let the dark history of the school drag her down. However, when she is placed in her old dorm, Godwin House—said to be haunted by the spirits of five students who died, she is once again drawn to the witchcraft and occult lore that surrounds the school. Enter ‘it-girl’ Ellis Haley, a captivating young writer eager to delve into the schools mysteries for her second novel. For Ellis, Felicity is the perfect person to help her research her book and uncover the dark secrets at Dalloway.
From the dark academia vibes, to witchcraft and occult rituals, and dark secrets, Dalloway isn’t too far removed from Nevermore.
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
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For centuries a number of families across Britain have lived secluded, hiding their true natures as ‘Book Eaters’—literally beings that consume the pages of books for sustenance. Once in a while a ‘Mind Eater’ is born, feeding instead on the minds of humans. When Devon Fairweather’s son is born a Mind Eater, she escapes in an attempt to protect him from those who would do him harm, or worse use him to do harm.
While not strictly ‘dark academia’ in that it’s not set in a school or university, The Book Eaters is very dark, all about books and secretive families with supernatural abilities, a little bit like the Addams, but much darker!
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
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Orphaned Signa Farrow has been passed from guardian to guardian as each of her relatives has met with an untimely death. When she is taken in by the Hawthornes—her only remaining relatives, and it seems her cousin is being poisoned, she is determined not to let it happen again. Not only can Signa can see ghosts, which Wednesday would appreciate, but she must solve the mystery of who is targeting her relatives, with the aid of Death himself.
A dark fantasy mystery in a gothic manor house, with a few balls and dancing in there too!
Triflers Need Not Apply by Camilla Bruce
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A fictionalised account of the life of notorious female serial killer, Belle Gunness. The real life Gunness is thought to have killed at least 14 and as many as 40 people. Belle’s modus operandi involved inviting bachelors and widows to her rural farm under the pretence of looking for a husband, only to rob and kill them.
This historical fiction may not have the dark academia aspect but it is full of murder—which of course our favourite heroine has a keen interest in!
The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky
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As the new girl at Manchester prep Rachel Chavez is struggling to fit in. Sound like anyone we know?
Until she attracts the attention of the Mary Shelley club—a secret society dedicated to orchestrating pranks that spread fear across the school. But when someone targets the club itself Rachel must help them get to the bottom of who is behind this.
Since we know Wednesday is a Shelley stan and loves invoking fear, I’m sure she would be Head of the Mary Shelley club and solving a good mystery is right up her street!
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
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An alternative and fantastical history of witches set in 1890’s ‘New Salem’. Witches and witchcraft exist but due to the persecution of witches, magic has been diminished to little more than charms and rhymes. The Eastwood sisters join the Suffragists, fighting for not just the right to claim their power, but their lives in the face of extremist forces who would see New Salem purged of witches for good.
If you loved the historical storyline of Wednesday and enjoy a witchy read, The Once and Future Witches is perfect for you!
