The atmosphere of this book is everything I could every want out of this kind of story. I loved the spooky dorm vibes, reads very much as a Shirley Jackson for young adults, complete with a haunted, paranoid main character and some very tense moments. Writing wise, the overall tone really heightened the feelings of dread and mystery surrounding the characters, though that ending went by way too fast. There was so much buildup for certain reveals and what they would all lead up to, only to wrap up everything within thirty or twenty pages or so. It didn't really match the attention of everything leading up to that point, so it would have been nice if it evened out some.

While it's pretty much a checklist for that dark academia aesthetic, a school setting, obsessive tea drinkers, snooty, analytical literature enthusiasts, and a general lugubriousness, there's nothing wrong with enjoying something that encapsulates that mood. I really dug it at least, since I haven't really read that many books with that kind of element to it.

Also, hooray for the added queerness in this book. It's just like a little bonus treat.

As for those twists and turns, there's some I saw coming from a mile away, and some that surprised me.

The moment Ellis mentioned that she was a "method writer," I knew in that instant she was shady as hell. Never trust anyone going method, they'll only use it as an excuse.

All in all, I liked how dark and messy this book turned out to be, where no one got out of it unscathed  and we're left with a sort of "What now?" ending.