Night Objects, Eli Raphael [A Book Review]

Night Objects starts with the traumatizing death of the main character’s mother, and somehow continues to ratchet up in intensity. Not always in big events, but instead through wrought tension and atmospheric suspense.

A dark academia thriller that remains psychologically honest.

After her mother is gone, Lenny is left with her step-father. Her biological father is…somewhere…and her worst fear is having to go live with him. For now, she is sent away to boarding school on scholarship among the absurdly rich.

There is a lot to enjoy about this book. It is absolutely steeped in a sort of gothic horror vibe. If dark academia is your thing—I mean, I think that’s all you need to know. You’ll almost certainly love this.

There are cliques, unlikely friendships, secret societies, and teenage politics like you wouldn’t believe. Young love, striving to make good impressions, chasing the approval of the wrong sorts of people, and crime. Some petty, some horrific, and in the end, someone ends up dead.

This book would be perfect for the darkening days of fall and winter. A little bit dangerous, a lotta bit dark and bleak, it’s the story of the coming of age of a young girl who thinks she has everything to lose surrounded by people she’s never met in a place she’s never been.

Enjoy!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Night Objects
Author:: Eli Raphael
Genre:: Dark Academia Thriller
Publisher:: Grand Central Publishing
Length:: 384 pages
Published:: May 26th, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

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Curated recommendations based on this title:

Every Exquisite Thing | Laura Steven
If We Were Villains | M.L. Rio
The Loom Tree | Angela Mi Young Hur
Secrets of the Catalogue | Amelia Spencer

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