Nightshade

Sorrowsong University, Book 1

By: Autumn Woods

Narrated by: Eloise Thompson, Ben Holtzmuller

At a prestigious university for the world’s elite, an outcast faces murder and mystery while being drawn to the son of her sworn enemy.

He’ll burn the world down for her...but she’ll burn his to the ground.

Ophelia Winters wants revenge.

Isolated in the Scottish Highlands, Sorrowsong University usually only welcomes students from the most powerful and corrupt families. Ophelia doesn’t belong, but a rare scholarship grants her the perfect opportunity to investigate her parents’ “accidental” death near the castle grounds. Her plan? Keep her head down to find out what truly happened and punish those responsible. The last thing she needs is to wind up in a mafia war or step on the toes of actual royalty.

Things get off to a rocky start when she runs afoul of the mysterious Alex Corbeau-Green—son of her prime suspect. As far as she’s concerned, he is just a younger version of his billionaire father. A monster hiding beneath a beautiful façade.

Loneliness has been Ophelia’s only dependable companion for years. But when an unknown tormentor begins to stalk her, she realizes she may not be able to survive Sorrowsong on her own. It’s Alex who becomes her unexpected ally—and alibi for murder. And as she begins to fall for the soft heart that hides beneath his hard exterior, her hunger for revenge wavers for the first time.

Can she really bring herself to destroy everything he’s ever known?

Mystery. Murder. Revenge. Welcome to Sorrowsong University.

Sexy, suspenseful, and atmospheric, this enemies-to-lovers dark academia romance and TikTok sensation is Gothikana meets Maxton Hall.

©2025 Autumn Woods (P)2025 Zando Penguin Audio

Perfect!

So glad I used a credit on this one bc it was perfection! Duet narration AND multiple accents? Say less. And now I will have to figure out what to do with myself until book 2 comes out 😭

Fantastic male yearning

“She looks like her shakespearean namesake”. Oh my goodness that line broke my heart. Alex’s chapters hurt my heart in the best way. You have to read this!

I can't wait for the next book

It's so good! The story is strong the Characters are well developed, I got annoyed at their choices too many times. overall a great listen. Also loved the performances

Captivating

I liked the gothic atmosphere and creepy vibes. Looking forward to listening to the second book in this series!

Alex is so freaking amazing

The narration was amazing and the cliff hanger was heartbreaking!! I need to have book 2 right now

Fantastic!!

The narration was amazing and the story was even better. I cannot wait for the sequel. This had me on the edge of my seat in the best way possible!

incredible dark academia- needs editing asap

i loved the story and the VA performances, so i rated it highly, however, there are quite a few editing errors, some of which impacted the story (repeated lines, FULLY MISSING lines/dialogue, accent changes which made it hard to tell the same character was speaking) i still have no idea what alex said to her in his bathroom because the line was omitted

please do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!

i adored the story and the main characters are SO deeply relatable! i absolutely LOVED the swoon worthy romance and ugh when an author uses my ultimate weakness (he falls first and harder) against me, i can't help but love the book. it is completely well thought out and the setting of the book is a place ive always wanted to visit, and it felt as if i was really there, experiencing it first hand. i rarely write full length reviews but this book was so consuming that i had to sing my praises! well done autumn woods! my newest insta buy author!

Well balanced

Woods succeeds in creating a narrative that is balanced in being new, familiar, and interesting. The collision of different worlds feels plausible in the setting she has created, and that feels like the biggest strength—there is no disbelief to suspend. Both narrators were excellent, but Holtzmuller’s ability to pull off a variety of different cadences and accents stands out.

Side note: much of the spice and darkness of the narrative is closed door insinuations in comparison to more explicit books.

Couldn’t stop listening

Immersive, suspenseful, romantic and satisfying. Listened to the book all in 1 day and can’t wait for book 2. The voice actors for this book were absolutely amazing. Even though I just finished the book I’m contemplating listening to again because it was so good.