Vita Nostra is like drinking a glass of wine, saying you'll take it slow and sip on it. Suddenly, you have drank two bottles and it's only dinnertime.

Vita Nostra is the fresh take on magic school I have been craving. It is dark, gritty, mysterious. I would describe the tone of the writing as 'the blunt elusive'. The writing can be simple, but there's always this underlying tone of mystery and the unknown tainting the main character's every action. This is amplified by the plot, where we follow Sasha on her journey but never know where she will end up, how, or why. And neither does she.

There were many things about the book that irritate me in other settings. A clueless protagonist, the weird and unexplained magic system, extra detail to her daily actions and schedule that seem meaningless. But by the end of the book, these loose ends have mostly been wrapped up. And honestly, I was so lulled by the fabulous writing and tone that I didn't really notice these things until the end. It would be a lie to say I fully understand the magic system, as it is complex, scientific, and truly a concept about a concept (this only makes sense if you have read it). But to me, it was terrifically complex and you aren't alone in your confusion. Sasha herself struggles to accept the lack of information given to her, and we follow in her revelations until the last page.

If you enjoy dark academia, fantasy, science, or morally gray protagonists, try this out. I desperately want the second volume!