This Secret History-inspired dark academia novel is an absolute must-read that will pull you out of a reading slump! I saw this book recommended by Lexi Aka Newlynova on YouTube and knew instantly it would be my vibe.
So, what is it all about?
In my dreams I hold a knife is a story about the East House Seven, a group of students from the prestigious Duquette University. It’s their ten-year reunion, and Jessica Miller sees this event as her chance to show all her college peers her incredible transformation from a plain-Jane into the belle of the ball. It is all going perfectly until the past starts getting in the way. After all, who could forget the murder of Heather Shelby, one of the most glamourous members of the East House Seven? This heinous murder that took place ten years ago is still unsolved and it seems that the reunion is the perfect opportunity for secrets to spill.
Let’s get into it!
This book is filled with buckets full of red herrings and keeps you on your toes until the final plot twist. If you’re hoping for innocent, nice characters though, then this one is not for you. I’ve read a few reviews in which readers absolutely HATE Jessica. But—I think her moral greyness is exactly what makes this book so delicious and original. Jess is really well written, with clear flaws and history to motivate her terrible behaviour. Her attitude is linked clearly to events throughout her life and her strained relationship with her father.
The other characters were also intriguing—really annoying too—but they all added fantastic tension to the story with their secrets and scandals. I loved the attitudes of these depraved people. They’re all so selfish, shallow and confused, and it is GREAT:
“With all eyes on her, Heather smiled like the cat that ate the canary. ‘My parents worship the one true god.’ She spoke slowly, basking in our attention. ‘Me.’” (Page 28).
My favourite character was Coop because, next to Jess, he was the most fleshed out and the most different from the other characters. The female characters read like the same person at times, which could be confusing from scene to scene, especially with the time hops between chapters.
The prose had some really good moments, especially metaphors and similes. The paragraph here was one of my favourites:
“In the blazing glory of late August, rows of red crepe myrtles formed a sea of crimson everywhere, the ocean of colour interrupted only by gnarled magnolia trees, twisted arms reaching out with scattered white blooms, clinging late into their season. Crimson and white. Blood and spirit, like the Duquette motto: Mutantur nos es vos, corpus et animam meam. We will change you, body and soul.” (Page 18).
And this one was awesome too:
“Finally, she stood up, shuffled her pages, and gave me a smile—not a full smirk, but a knowing look, like a smirk in church clothes.” (Page 115).
The pace and plot were amazing—not a single moment of boredom! The book felt like it was the perfect length. I especially liked the final line of the book and, while I can’t quote it here for the sake of avoiding spoilers, I have to mention that it was so unconventional and satisfyingly twisty.
In my dreams I hold a knife gets 4.5 stars from me. If you haven’t read the Secret History by Donna Tartt, the book that inspired the entire dark academia genre, definitely put it on your list! Yes, it’s another one of those TikTok sensations…but this one is actually worth the hype! It’s a much slower read than In my dreams I hold a knife, but just an absolute classic that you can’t miss out on.
Maan Atelier 