A review by nclcaitlin
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

3.75

A dark and blood-drenched vampire dark academia for fans of Serpents and the Wings of Night, A Dowry of Blood, and Legendborn. A truer enemies-to-lovers than The Cruel Prince.

Hidden from our world, a society of vampires are bound to only feed from select human bloodlines. To ensure peaceful co-existence and inherit their legacy, these human children must study at Uxley university before choosing a vampire companion. 

Kidan Adane can only pursue justice by entering the enemy’s lair, the place she has learnt to hate as evil with a raging vengeance. But her sister has been taken, and she is sure the vampire bound to her own House is responsible - Susenyos Sagad. Feared by even his own kind. 

To gain knowledge and acquire her inheritance, to keep it out of Susenyos’s hands, Kidan must pass all her courses and survive the nightmares Uxley unleashes on her.  

This is TRUE ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS. 

I have never seen two character despise each other more. 

He drew in a slow breath, tracking one pupil then the other. "Your hatred burns like ocean ice. And it's entirely... mine. I've never owned something so completely."

Kidan isn’t here to mess around. Her hands are already drenched in blood and she is willing to drown her soul in order to find her sister. 

This covers some dark themes. Triggering topics. It is about loving yourself, forgiving yourself, moving on, trusting yourself, seeking a future and connections. 

Wait, this is Young Adult?!

Seek mind above blood, and if you must bleed, use it as ink.

I loved that it was rooted in Ethiopian culture and there was an emphasis on reclaiming lost history. 

Thank you to Berkeley for providing a physical arc in exchange for a review!