🏚️ Gothic

All That We Raised

✍️ Sarah Purnell
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$21.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dark academia novel about a student seeking her missing mother at St Dunstan's University.

The narrative centers on Lexi’s investigation into her mother’s disappearance at St Dunstan's University. This search forces her to confront occult secrets embedded in the school's history. Her path intersects with Professor August Hale, creating a dynamic of dangerous attraction. The story draws on gothic horror traditions to explore themes of legacy and power. Desire plays a central role in how characters interact within this confined academic space. Purnell structures the plot around these personal and supernatural stakes. The work does not rely on external action but rather internal psychological shifts. Readers interested in the intersection of academia and the supernatural will find this compelling. Those preferring traditional mystery plots might find the focus on atmosphere less engaging. The book offers a specific look at how inherited secrets shape present actions.

Key Themes
missing mother occult secrets dark academia
Literary Context

The story is set in the context of St Dunstan's University, blending dark academia with gothic horror traditions. It focuses on legacy and desire within a supernatural framework.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · M.R. James · Colson Whitehead
🏚️
Gothic
🏛 Sarah Purnell 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781919310008

📝 Description: All That We Raised

Sarah Purnell’s All That We Raised presents a narrative set at St Dunstan's University. The story follows Lexi as she investigates the disappearance of her mother. Her quest leads her to uncover occult secrets hidden within the institution. She also develops a dangerous attraction to Professor August Hale. The work blends dark academia with gothic horror elements. It examines themes of legacy, desire, and power. Purnell constructs a tale that relies on these specific character dynamics and settings. The book suits readers who enjoy atmospheric fiction involving university life and supernatural mysteries. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or non-fiction analysis. The narrative focuses on the intersection of personal grief and academic intrigue. Lexi’s exploration of St Dunstan's reveals the weight of inherited secrets. Professor Hale represents a complex figure within this gothic framework. The text does not offer solutions but rather explores the tension between knowledge and obsession. Readers familiar with dark academia tropes will recognize the setting and mood. The story remains grounded in the specific relationships between Lexi, her mother, and the professor. This approach creates a focused narrative without broad philosophical digressions. The atmosphere is built through the gradual revelation of hidden truths rather than external events. Purnell uses the university environment to amplify the sense of isolation and discovery.

💎 Our verdict on All That We Raised

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Sarah Purnell’s All That We Raised successfully blends dark academia with gothic horror elements to examine themes of legacy, desire, and power. The narrative follows Lexi’s investigation into her mother’s disappearance, revealing occult secrets embedded in the school's history through gradual revelation rather than external events. The dangerous attraction to Professor August Hale adds complexity to this gothic framework. The text focuses on the intersection of personal grief and academic intrigue without broad philosophical digressions. Readers familiar with dark academia tropes will recognize the setting and mood, finding comfort in the grounded relationships between characters. While it may not appeal to those seeking non-fiction analysis or rapid pacing, its atmospheric depth and exploration of inherited secrets offer a unique, focused experience for horror enthusiasts.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric fiction over plot-driven narratives will find this book compelling. It offers a focused exploration of personal grief intertwined with academic intrigue, appealing to those interested in how inherited secrets shape present actions. The narrative does not rely on external action but rather internal psychological shifts, making it ideal for fans of slow-burn gothic horror. Those who enjoy the tension between knowledge and obsession within confined spaces will appreciate the careful construction of mood. However, readers preferring traditional mystery plots or fast-paced action may find the focus on atmosphere less engaging. It suits audiences seeking a specific look at how legacy and power operate within university life.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Sarah Purnell’s All That We Raised successfully blends dark academia with gothic horror elements to examine themes of legacy, desire, and power. The narrative follows Lexi’s investigation into her mother’s disappearance, revealing occult secrets embedded in the school's history through gradual revelation rather than external events. The dangerous attraction to Professor August Hale adds complexity to this gothic framework. The text focuses on the intersection of personal grief and academic intrigue without broad philosophical digressions. Readers familiar with dark academia tropes will recognize the setting and mood, finding comfort in the grounded relationships between characters. While it may not appeal to those seeking non-fiction analysis or rapid pacing, its atmospheric depth and exploration of inherited secrets offer a unique, focused experience for horror enthusiasts.

You might also like

See more →
Dracula (Masterpiece Library Edition) ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Dracula (Masterpiece Library Edition)
$22.99
92
Read →
Frankenstein ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Mary Shelley
Frankenstein
$15.95
92
Read →
The Yellow Wallpaper ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Yellow Wallpaper
$29.95
92
Read →
Frankenstein ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein
$12.99
92
Read →
The Haunting of Hill House -16% 🔥 Bestseller
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
7
Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House
$9.99 $12.00
92
Read →
Dracula (Deluxe Edition) ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Bram Stoker
Dracula (Deluxe Edition)
$40.00
92
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist