Are There Books Similar To Academy Of Villains?

2026-03-23 17:27:54
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4 Answers

Library Roamer Translator
I’ve been hunting for books with that 'Academy of Villains' flavor for ages, and my latest obsession is 'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang. It’s not a traditional villain school, but Rin’s journey from starving orphan to ruthless warlord—thanks to a brutal military academy—feels like a villain origin story done right. The magic system is brutal, the politics are cutthroat, and Rin’s descent into moral ambiguity is painfully compelling.

For something lighter but still mischievous, 'So You Want to Be a Villain?' by ErraticErrata (a web serial) is a hilarious yet dark take on villainy 101. Imagine 'Harry Potter' if the Sorting Hat shoved you into the 'future Dark Lord' track. It’s got that same irreverent tone but doesn’t shy away from the consequences of power. Both left me side-eyeing every 'chosen one' trope afterward.
2026-03-24 07:17:53
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Expert Editor
Ever read 'The Young Elites' by Marie Lu? It’s like 'X-Men' if the mutants were medieval and the protagonist, Adelina, embraced her dark side. The story frames her as the villain from others’ perspectives, and her academy-like training with the Dagger Society is packed with manipulation and power struggles. It’s shorter but packs a punch—perfect if you want a quick dive into morally gray characters. Plus, the ending? No spoilers, but it’s the kind of twist that lingers.
2026-03-25 09:05:17
6
Sophia
Sophia
Reply Helper Engineer
If you loved 'Academy of Villains' for its deliciously dark twist on the magical school trope, you're in for a treat! I recently stumbled upon 'The Scholomance' series by Naomi Novik, and oh boy, does it scratch that itch. Instead of cozy halls, it’s a brutal, survival-of-the-cunning magic school where the building itself might kill you. The protagonist, El, has a knack for destructive magic and a morally gray outlook that feels refreshingly villain-coded.

Another gem is 'Vicious' by V.E. Schwab—not a school setting, but it’s all about rival antiheroes with superpowers, dripping with the same 'ethics are optional' energy. The dynamic between Victor and Eli is like a masterclass in villainy. And if you enjoy scheming students, 'A Deadly Education' (first in the Scholomance trilogy) has that 'us vs. the system' tension with razor-sharp wit. Honestly, these books made me root for the 'bad guys' more than I expected!
2026-03-27 16:46:00
13
Weston
Weston
Favorite read: Blood Oath Academy
Book Guide Editor
You know what’s wild? How many books sneakily make villains the stars without calling them that outright. Take 'The Atlas Six' by Olivie Blake—it’s like a dark academia buffet where the characters are all geniuses with questionable morals. The competitive vibe and secret societies give off major 'Academy of Villains' vibes, but with more philosophical debates and betrayal.

Then there’s 'Nevernight' by Jay Kristoff. Mia’s not at a school for villains per se, but the Red Church is basically assassin Hogwarts, and her revenge plot is chef’s kiss. The prose is edgy (literally, with footnotes that snark), and the worldbuilding is so vivid you can almost smell the blood. Bonus: if you like anime like 'Assassination Classroom', this’ll hit the same spot.
2026-03-28 21:52:27
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2 Answers2026-03-13 01:11:53
If you loved 'Academy of Villains' for its dark academia vibe mixed with morally gray characters and a twisty plot, you might wanna check out 'The Scholomance' series by Naomi Novik. It’s got that same eerie, elite-school-for-outcasts feel, but with magic that’s more brutal and survival-focused. The protagonist, El, is a deliciously prickly antiheroine—think Nyx Erebus but with more sarcasm and fewer apologies. The world-building is dense and immersive, and the stakes feel genuinely life-or-death. Plus, the romance subplot simmers in a way that’ll scratch the itch if you enjoyed the tension in 'Academy of Villains.' Another pick would be 'Vicious' by V.E. Schwab. It’s not set in a school, but the dynamic between the two main characters—former friends turned rivals with superpowers—echoes the toxic, obsessive relationships in Nyx Erebus’s work. Schwab’s prose is sharper, almost cinematic, and the way she explores villainy feels philosophical. If you liked questioning who the real monster is in 'Academy of Villains,' this one’s a must-read. For something more folklore-infused, 'The Atlas Six' by Olivie Blake has that same vibe of competitive, morally ambiguous geniuses trapped in a high-stakes game, though it leans heavier into metaphysics.

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