What do you think?
Rate this book
Mothsblood
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26Step into the heart of Paris with this lush and thrilling dark academia fantasy that follows a young alchemist running from a dark past.
When Larkspur Lee arrived in Paris, it was with nothing more than the ambition in her veins and the magic under her skin.
As a student of Meurdrac, one of the few remaining alchemical universities, she burns to prove herself, but lacking the wealth, privilege and connections of the other students, she has to fight twice as hard - and be twice as cunning - if she wants to be considered worthy of immortality.
So when Petronelle Flamel, the Grand Magistra of Meurdrac and Third amongst the Deathless, begins searching for an apprentice, Lark decides she'll do whatever it takes to be selected. Failure is not, and never has been, an option.
But after a shocking death, she instead finds herself at the heart of an impossible crime - one where the only evidence whispers of Lark's past. And matters are further complicated when the mentor she crossed an ocean and a continent to escape re-enters her life, enticing her to his side once again while secretly wielding an agenda of his own.
As the investigation begins and the mysterious Knight assigned to the case, Violaine, becomes convinced that more sinister works are responsible for the murder, Lark must wrestle with both the university's dark secrets and her own as the life she's meticulously built for herself begins to unravel.
And as everything around her delves into chaos, Lark has no choice but to decide if the power she desires is truly worth the price.
The thrilling new dark academia fantasy full of magic and mystery, the perfect gothic read for fans of babel and ninth house
When Larkspur Lee arrived in Paris, it was with nothing more than the ambition in her veins and the magic under her skin.
As a student of Meurdrac, one of the few remaining alchemical universities, she burns to prove herself, but lacking the wealth, privilege and connections of the other students, she has to fight twice as hard - and be twice as cunning - if she wants to be considered worthy of immortality.
So when Petronelle Flamel, the Grand Magistra of Meurdrac and Third amongst the Deathless, begins searching for an apprentice, Lark decides she'll do whatever it takes to be selected. Failure is not, and never has been, an option.
But after a shocking death, she instead finds herself at the heart of an impossible crime - one where the only evidence whispers of Lark's past. And matters are further complicated when the mentor she crossed an ocean and a continent to escape re-enters her life, enticing her to his side once again while secretly wielding an agenda of his own.
As the investigation begins and the mysterious Knight assigned to the case, Violaine, becomes convinced that more sinister works are responsible for the murder, Lark must wrestle with both the university's dark secrets and her own as the life she's meticulously built for herself begins to unravel.
And as everything around her delves into chaos, Lark has no choice but to decide if the power she desires is truly worth the price.
The thrilling new dark academia fantasy full of magic and mystery, the perfect gothic read for fans of babel and ninth house
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 13, 2026
2 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
About the author
Lynn D. Jung
2 books82 followersLynn D. Jung is a speculative fiction writer from southern California. She has since dwelled in France, Costa Rica, and Thailand, but she is currently based in the Midwest.
Lynn loves to write about complex women, haunted scenery, and strange magic. You can find her most often out amongst the trees or through the videos on her eponymous YouTube channel, where she discusses her writing and her publishing journey thus far.
Lynn loves to write about complex women, haunted scenery, and strange magic. You can find her most often out amongst the trees or through the videos on her eponymous YouTube channel, where she discusses her writing and her publishing journey thus far.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
2026-releases
February 6, 2026Update: We have a cover reveal! The target audience being for those who loved Ninth House and Blood Over Bright Haven, oh my dark academia fantasy heart cannot be contained☕️🕯️🍂
I've had my eyes on this since stumbling on Lynn D. Jung's WIP on Twitter/X. Have been following Jung's writing journey on YouTube ever since, and so excited we've reached this point!
I've had my eyes on this since stumbling on Lynn D. Jung's WIP on Twitter/X. Have been following Jung's writing journey on YouTube ever since, and so excited we've reached this point!
February 11, 2026
Screaming crying throwing up, I can't wait for this story to come out!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
MOTHSBLOOD is literary alchemy—by turns a piercing interrogation of academia, a riveting mystery, and an intimate portrayal of the diasporic identity. In her brilliant debut, Jung claws off the varnish of prestigious institutions, laying bare the monstrous truths within, and the nuances of trauma, achievement, and survival. This is dark academia examined through its most illuminating and necessary lens. Jung is carving out a league of her own.
Want to read
January 27, 2026very very curious to learn more about this book and looking forward to its release!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews