Any fan of dark academia needs to pick up this novel. I mean, if a book about scholarly students running amok in the dreary 1800s of Edinburgh solving a mystery doesn't excite you then you are missing out on an stunning novel. The writing is a bit flowery which took a couple pages to get used to but I quickly found that I was enjoying the unique writing style. A. Rea Dunlaps word choice added second layer of atmosphere to the book and made James and Nye feel a bit more real. But also the atmosphere of the book was enveloping as well. I couldn't help but feel the chill in the air while James and Nye were out in the middle of the night. I could have been at the table next to the crew in the scenes when James and his pals were at a inn drinking. What is it about descriptions of warm ale and meat pies served at a rickety table in a run down inn that just sucks you into a universe?

The storyline is a slow descent into the gory and dirty side of the city. At first the descriptions of James and Nye's work is a bit intimidating, but quite like James, you quickly get used it and are able to move past the gore and enjoy the story for what it is. And boy is the story is captivating! Not once did I have a prediction as to what was going to happen next, but I was so happy to be along for the ride to find out. I had a fond place in my heart for James, Nye and Charlie and I really wanted to stick around and see them succeed in their quest. Overall this is an incredible and unique book and if you have a strong stomach and a love for questionable student life then I highly recommend you pick up The Resurrectionist.