Livingston Girls by Briana Morgan Book Review

Livingston Girls by Brianna Morgan. This book was a little predictable, but overall, it was pretty good. It’s YA, so I give it some grace — it’s not super intense, but it’s entertaining. I’d rate it about 3.75, rounding up to four stars. It’s enjoyable, though not perfect, and I would read more by this author.

The story follows sixteen-year-old Rose Abbott, who is sent to Livingston Academy, a strict all-girls boarding school, after having an affair with a teacher. Ashamed and isolated, Rose wants to keep her head down, pass her classes, and make friends.

The last thing on her mind is becoming a witch — until the mysterious headmistress offers her the chance to join a secret coven. Desperate for belonging, Rose accepts, but soon discovers the other witches don’t want her there, as she’s replacing their deceased friend.

The coven must learn to work together, though, because the witch-hunting headmaster of the nearby boys’ school is determined to destroy them.

The book runs about 280 pages in paperback, though my eBook version was a bit shorter. The original edition was self-published around 2015, but a new edition is expected in 2025, possibly picked up by a publisher.

Rose’s backstory adds emotional depth to the novel. She was taken advantage of by her teacher, who abused his authority over her. Throughout the story, she begins to realize it wasn’t her fault — a strong theme of healing and self-worth. Her parents, however, are cold and dismissive, offering no support, which only deepens her loneliness and vulnerability.

At Livingston Academy, Rose meets her roommate, Charlie, who seems to dislike her at first. Charlie’s attitude stems from grief — her sister, who previously shared her room, passed away the year before. As the story progresses, the tension fades, and Rose begins to form tentative friendships with the group: Charlie, Billie, Ronnie, and June.

The girls use poetry to fuel their magic — verses from famous works by Shelley, Byron, Keats, Blake, and others. When they truly understand a poem’s meaning, they can channel its emotion into spells.

The more skilled the witch, the less backlash they experience. Rose, still learning, often feels drained or physically affected after casting. Some spells are even dangerous, capable of killing the user if overused.

The headmistress at Livingston and the headmaster of Reinhardt, the nearby boys’ school, share a dark past. When Rose accidentally witnesses one of their encounters, she discovers he’s trying to steal the headmistress’s grimoire — a book of spells and poetic incantations — believing he deserves its power more than “weak women.” This sets off the central conflict between the schools.

While the plot is engaging, the book leans heavily into its YA tone. It balances themes of dark academia, magic, friendship, and trauma, though not always seamlessly. Some scenes feel a bit juvenile, while others verge on adult. The romance and relationships add emotional variety but occasionally feel uneven.

The dark academia vibe is there — mysterious boarding schools, secret covens, old libraries — but the world feels a little empty at times, with only a handful of named students. The story tries to cover a lot — witchcraft, grief, romance, and queer themes — but doesn’t always blend them smoothly.

Overall, Livingston Girls is an enjoyable, witchy boarding school story with heart, atmosphere, and some emotional depth. It’s imperfect but entertaining, especially for readers who enjoy YA dark academia with a touch of magic. I’d give it around 3.75 stars, rounded to four. I might not continue with a sequel, but I’d definitely check out more of Brianna Morgan’s writing.

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