Kait Mae

Now that Netflix’s Wednesday is almost here, it’s time to get back into the dark academia vibes to prepare. From dark and spooky like the show to not-so-dark and not-quite-spooky, here are 13 books that will have you tapping your foot impatiently for season two of Wednesday. Trust me, these are ones you won’t want to miss.

‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt

Is it a dark academia list without The Secret History? If you want a little less spooky but still want a mystery to solve, this book is perfect for you. But be warned, if you like short chapters, you’re not going to want to know how long these chapters are.

The novel follows a group of students as they become obsessed with their classics professor. As their obsession grows, their actions lead to a tragedy in their group that tests their conscience and threatens their friendship and sanity.

‘People Like Us’ by Dana Mele

If you loved Wednesday Addams but wanted a little less darkness in her story, maybe People Like Us is your speed. It delves into the darker side of friendship, betrayal, and secrets while the protagonist is drawn into a murder mystery.

Kay Donovan has skeletons in her closet, but that’s not stopping her from living her life. Until an email threatens her livelihood, and she’s thrust into a game of lies and secrets. And nobody is safe from being exposed in this novel.

Read More: What to Read While We Wait for the Next Season of ‘House of the Dragon’

‘A Lesson in Vengeance’ by Victoria Lee

Now, if you’re rooting for Wednesday and Enid together, A Lesson in Vengeance is the perfect pick. It’s an LGBT fantasy mystery set at a school like Nevermore Academy. And it will haunt you long past the last page turned.

Felicity wants nothing to do with the witchcraft in her school after her girlfriend’s death. She just wants to graduate. But the new girl, Ellis (a writer who liked dark things), is determined to pull her back into the dark secrets Dalloway School is hiding.

‘The Ravens’ by Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige

This duology (that I wish had more books) quickly became one of my favorites because of the tarot-inspired magic system. It’s hard for a novel to catch me completely off-guard, but the first did. The second is sure to be when I get to it later this year.

The first novel follows Vivi and Scarlett, complete opposites who find themselves aligned in a mystery that threatens their sorority. Between breakups, old friends, family secrets, blood magic, and witch hunters, the first book takes you on a rollercoaster at Westerly College.

’S.T.A.G.S.’ by M.A. Bennett

I like to think of this first in a series as Wednesday meets The Most Dangerous Game. It features an unwitting participant in a hunting game while at an elite school full of secrets and shady characters. And the rest of the series just keeps amping up the plot.

Greer is a new student at St. Aidan the Great School who quickly finds herself pulled into a secret society on campus. During their “hunting weekend,” she finds herself in a dangerous game that could easily cost her her life if she can’t find a way out.

‘A Great and Terrible Beauty’ by Libba Bray

This might be the most different from Wednesday as I’m going to get on this list. Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy is set in Victorian England, and follows Gemma at a boarding school discovering supernatural abilities she didn’t know she had (like Wednesday was).

The series starts with A Great and Terrible Beauty as Gemma is shipped off to boarding school in England and discovers an ability to walk into another world. The series continues as she battles evil beings, uncovers secrets about her family, and discovers her true power.

Read More: Books to Read If You Loved ‘Death and Other Details’

‘A Danger to Herself and Others’ by Alyssa Sheinmel

Wednesday was a bit of a psychological thriller at times, so why would you not want a book that toys with what you think you know told by a completely unreliable narrator?

Everyone thinks Hannah Gold is dangerous – but she didn’t do what they say she did – she didn’t push her roommate out of a window. Or did she? The novel follows Hannah as she tries to prove she’s not a danger, relives her past, and challenges her reality of what happened.

‘The Mary Shelley Club’ by Goldy Moldavsky

If you liked the betrayal, manipulation, and macabre nature of Wednesday’s characters, you might fall for the characters in Moldavsky’s The Mary Shelley Club. It’s captivating, dark, and intriguing in all the best ways.

The Mary Shelley Club sees Rachel drawn into a horror movie and Mary Shelley-obsessed secret society. But when they push past what even she’s comfortable with, she starts to question who they are and why the club was started in the first place.

‘A Deadly Education’ by Naomi Novik

If you liked never knowing who would die next in Wednesday, then you might just like the story and thrill of Naomi Novik’s The Scholomance trilogy. This dark and twisty magical series reminds me so much of the Netflix show; it’s no wonder it’s near the top of my TBR.

In this series, El Higgins has an affinity for dark magic. As she adjusts to life at the Scholomance, she forms an alliance with Orion Lake to survive. The series follows the duo as they fight their way through the school year.

‘Bunny’ by Mona Awad

Anything involving The Addams family has always been a bit bizarre, so why not delve further into that background with Bunny by Mona Awad? This book explores macabre and unique characters and stories similar to Wednesday.

Bunny tells the story of Samantha Heather Mackey as she’s drawn into a strange club at her university. She calls the rich girls around her who, at first, alienated her “the Bunnies.” But now, in their world, she finds herself stuck between reality and fantasy.

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‘The Ivies’ by Alexa Donne

The Ivies sees Ivy as she embarks on getting into Harvard by any means necessary. After getting a text from someone in “The Ivies,” she’s in a game of survival and betrayal. And to get out, she’ll have to find the Ivies’ dark secrets before it’s too late.

What this book lacks in magic, it makes up for in mystery. Nearly every page turned in this book leads to a new twist in the mystery. If you liked this version of Wednesday Addams, then you’ve found a book with another protagonist that’s just as compelling.

‘The Murder Game’ by Carrie Doyle

If you liked the dark humor and mystery that plagued Wednesday Addams in the show, you might just love The Murder Game. Both are also set at boarding schools and feature sharp-witted and extremely intelligent protagonists who will always keep your attention.

Luke never meant to get caught up in a murder mystery – he just wanted to spend time with a cute girl. But when his roommate and best friend are framed in a teacher’s murder, he’s on the hunt for the real killer.

‘Small Town Monsters’ by Diana Rodriguez Wallach

Just by the title, it might be a bit obvious why I chose this book. In the small town Wednesday is set in, there are so many that may be construed as monsters – including the real monster himself, Tyler.

In Small Town Monsters, Vera Martinez can’t help but dig into her best friend’s disappearance. But the more she digs, the more she uncovers about her town and the magic hidden in it.

I can’t wait for Wednesday to return, but these books will make the wait easier. Are there any other books that reminded you of the show?