: The novel is told entirely from Felicity’s perspective, forcing readers to question the validity of every supernatural occurrence and character motivation.

Victoria Lee's is a cornerstone of contemporary queer dark academia, blending gothic horror with psychological suspense. Set in the elite Dalloway School in the Catskill Mountains, it explores the intersections of trauma, obsession, and the thin line between reality and delusion. Narrative Summary

: An unreliable narrator grappling with grief, guilt, and psychotic depression. Her perception of events is often clouded by hallucinations and fragmented memories.

: Felicity’s deceased girlfriend, whose presence permeates the novel through Felicity's memories and perceived hauntings.

: The setting—ivy-covered buildings, secret societies, and intense intellectual pressure—is central to the book's atmosphere of "creeping dread".

within romantic and familial relationships. Brief scenes involving animal death and ritualistic blood . A Lesson in Vengeance content warnings | Victoria Lee

: The central relationship between Felicity and Ellis is a study in toxic symbiosis, highlighting the destructive potential of intellectual and romantic obsession. Critical Reception