In Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson, readers step into the atmospheric world of Agathion College, a mysterious boarding school tucked deep within Scotland's eerie moors. This YA dark academia fantasy from Delacorte Press, reviewed as part of a book tour sponsored by TBR and Beyond Tours, follows Page Whittaker—a relatable teen navigating new friendships and unsettling secrets after a traumatic incident at her previous school. Though beautifully descriptive and emotionally resonant, the novel's slow pacing and numerous characters occasionally dilute its magic. Still, Wilkinson's storytelling offers intrigue, thoughtful representation, and haunting secrets that linger beyond the final page.
About the book:
Title: Unhallowed Halls
Author: Lili Wilkinson
Release Date: February 18, 2025
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: YA Fantasy
Representation: LGBT+, Queer, Chronic Illness, Endometriosis
Book Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Synopsis:
A teen girl travels to an exclusive boarding school located deep within the Scottish moorlands after a deadly incident at her old school, but the wood-paneled halls of Agathion are built over centuries of secrets—including an ancient society which may have ties to demonic magic—in this dark academia fantasy perfect for fans of Curious Tides.
Page Whittaker has always been an outcast. And after the deadly incident that destroyed her single friendship at her old school, she needs a fresh start. Which is why when she receives a scholarship offer from Agathion College, an elite boarding school folded deep within the moors of Scotland, she doesn’t even consider turning it down.
Agathion is everything Page has ever a safe haven full of dusty books, steaming cups of tea and rigorous intellectual debate. And for the first time in her life, Page has even managed to become part of a close group of friends. Cyrus, Ren, Gideon, Lacey and Oak help her feel at home in Agathion’s halls–the only problem is, they’re all keeping secrets from her.
Page doesn’t know it yet, but her perfect new school has dark roots–roots that stretch back to its crooked foundation, and an ancient clandestine society with rumored ties to demonic magic. Soon, Page will be forced to learn that not everyone at Agathion is who they say they are. Least of all, her friends.
Agathion claims to teach its students history…but some histories should stay buried.
Content Warning: death, blood, murder, gun violence, car accident, amputation, self harm
My 15 Reactions While Reading "Unhallowed Halls"
Ooh, Scottish moors? Count me in! 🏰🌲
Agathion College sounds dreamy—dark academia heaven.
Loving Page Whittaker. Quiet, relatable, and realistically flawed.
Wow, this friend group—Cyrus, Ren, Gideon, Lacey, Oak. That's a lot to track.
Everyone has secrets. Who’s trustworthy here?
Okay, but when does the magic kick in?
Slow pacing… I’m feeling a bit impatient now.
Wait—demonic magic and secret societies? Yes, please!
The school’s descriptions are vivid. Can almost smell the dusty books and tea.
The tension is thick! Definitely here for the suspense.
Still wish there was more magic; maybe I set expectations too high.
Page's internal struggles—especially with chronic illness and feeling outcast—are beautifully handled.
So many characters, so little depth. Wish we got to know each friend better.
Now the action picks up. Worth the wait? Mostly.
Ending twist: Not mind-blowing, but still satisfyingly dark.
Detailed Review:
In Unhallowed Halls, Lili Wilkinson introduces us to Page Whittaker, a teenager who has never quite fit in. After a traumatic and deadly incident at her previous school destroys her one precious friendship, Page eagerly accepts a scholarship to Agathion College, an elite and mysterious boarding school hidden deep within the Scottish moorlands. Agathion promises a fresh start—a sanctuary of old-world charm filled with intellectual challenges, steaming cups of tea, and the quiet magic of belonging.
But as is often the case with institutions shrouded in mystery, Agathion hides dark roots beneath its charming exterior. Page quickly becomes part of an intriguing but complicated friend group: Cyrus, Ren, Gideon, Lacey, and Oak. Each character is captivating at first glance, yet Wilkinson struggles to fully develop them, leaving readers somewhat disconnected and craving more depth. At times, it felt like navigating a crowded room, unsure of whose story truly mattered most beyond Page's.
Wilkinson shines in creating the atmosphere of Agathion. The school's descriptions are beautifully detailed, perfectly capturing the dark academia aesthetic fans of the genre adore—think misty moorlands, creaky staircases, shadowed hallways, and hidden secrets whispered behind closed doors. The tension of an ancient clandestine society lurking beneath the surface added intrigue, keeping the pages turning even through the slower-paced sections.
Speaking of pacing, Unhallowed Halls takes its time building to its dramatic reveals. The deliberate pacing works beautifully at times, creating an eerie suspense that heightens curiosity. However, the slowness also risks losing readers who prefer a quicker plot. For me, it sometimes drifted too slowly, especially in the novel’s middle stretch, leaving me impatient for the promised magic and action.
One of the strongest aspects of the story is Page herself. Her experience as an outcast, coupled with her chronic illness (endo rep thoughtfully incorporated), adds layers of realism and depth, making her character exceptionally relatable. Wilkinson portrays Page’s internal struggles authentically, creating a protagonist readers genuinely want to root for.
On the other hand, the magical elements hinted at throughout—particularly the tantalizing mentions of demonic magic—felt somewhat underdeveloped. Readers hoping for high-stakes fantasy might find themselves longing for more explicit magic or supernatural revelations. Perhaps this is personal preference, but more tangible magic would have enriched the reading experience.
Despite these reservations, Unhallowed Halls delivers strong emotional resonance through Page's journey, exploring themes of friendship, trust, and belonging alongside darker explorations of power, secrecy, and the cost of buried truths. The subtle queer representation was woven naturally into the story, providing authenticity without feeling tokenistic.
Ultimately, while Unhallowed Halls may not fully meet the expectations of readers looking for abundant magic or rapid pacing, it excels as atmospheric storytelling with compelling emotional undertones. Wilkinson’s novel holds appeal particularly for fans of slow-burn mysteries and character-driven narratives.
Perfectly imperfect, this dark academia fantasy lingers in the mind long after the final chapter, leaving readers wondering which histories should truly stay buried—and at what cost.
Final Verdict:
Unhallowed Halls is an atmospheric journey into a world where secrets simmer beneath polished appearances. While pacing and characterization could have been stronger, Page’s relatability and Wilkinson’s vivid prose ensure a rewarding read, ideal for readers who crave mood over magic.
⭐ Rating: 3.75 stars (⭐⭐⭐✨)
Recommended for: Fans of dark academia, eerie mysteries, and readers who appreciate character-driven stories with thoughtful representation.
Thank you to Lili Wikinson, TBR and Beyond Tours and Delacorte Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About the author:
Lili Wilkinson is the award-winning author of eighteen books for young people, including The Erasure Initiative and After the Lights Go Out. Lili has a PhD from the University of Melbourne, and is a passionate advocate for YA and the young people who read it, establishing the Inky Awards at the Centre for Youth Literature, State Library of Victoria. Her latest book is A Hunger of Thorns.
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