The large black rose, Gothic castle-like structure and wrought iron fences on the cover of “Gothikana” by RuNyx told me all I needed to know about this book before I decided to read it.

Sometimes it can be okay to judge a book by its cover; it helps draw people in when it’s especially good.

After a few chapters in, I realized the story and setting reminded me of the storyline of the “Wednesday” Netflix show about Wednesday Adams.

Corvina, the main character, finds out she’s accepted to Verenmore Academy, an old castle in the middle of a mountain with a dark past of deaths and disappearances.

Growing up being referred to as the local witch, Corvina and her mother had a quiet life with a deeply close relationship. When she’s 21, she receives a letter saying she was accepted into Verenmore, a college known for people who don’t exactly fit in with others.

She’s excited for her future and quickly makes new friends, including her roommate Jade who reminds me a lot of Wednesday’s roommate Edith in the show.

Shortly after arriving on campus, Corvina hears a haunting, hypnotic melody coming from a piano and when she follows the sound all the way to the top of a tower, she finds Vad Deverrel sitting at the bench.

Vad is a PhD student who is filling in as a teacher (they’re only about seven years apart so it’s not creepy) and the two quickly have an infatuation for one another. As their relationship progresses, you find out more about the characters and the lore behind Verenmore.

RuNyx blends fantasy and romance well without there being too much of one or the other. Admittedly, I was really close to giving up about halfway through the book. But I’m glad I stuck with it. All it took was me reading a little bit further before I was hooked.

I guess they call that a “slow build” and I usually hate it when people say “it takes a while to get into it but once you do it’s worth it.” But sometimes it’s true. It’s at least helpful knowing it’s worth your while to power through the slower parts.

What made it seem to drag in the beginning was how slowly the plot developed. It mainly focused on the teasing nature of Corvina and Vad’s forbidden romance and not enough on the plot. But eventually, everything balanced out.

There’s also a twist you don’t see coming.

Another thing I liked is that it’s a standalone novel. I was hoping I didn’t have to go back on my word and review another book that’s part of a series.

RuNyx ended the story properly and left no stone unturned by the end.

I highly recommend “Gothikana” for fans of fantasy and romance with a little bit of the macabre thrown in.