This has been a very talk about book ever since it was released a few years ago. I think I personally have owned this book for at least a year with full intentions to get to it “soon”. Well, I finally made time for it thanks to an unused Audible credit and no other books being on the top of my mind. I am honestly surprised it took me this long to read but I do think it is a bit overhyped…
“We’re part of the earth below us and the sky above us. Our veins echo the patterns of rivers and roots. There’s sunlight and moonlight in our bones.”
As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules…with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.
But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and…Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he’s concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.
As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn’t the only danger in the world, and when a threat comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for….
“It’s a leap of faith to love people and let yourself be loved. It’s closing your eyes, stepping off a ledge into nothing, and trusting that you’ll fly rather than fall. I can’t step off the ledge for you. It’s something only you can do.”
I listened to this book via audio and I do think that I would have liked the book more if I had physically read it. The narrator was good just not for me.
I think this book was written really well! It was beyond cozy and kept me entertained which I really hope for when I read an audio book. In fact I almost finished this book in one whole sitting which is really rare for me and audio books.
I think I may have an unpopular opinion about this book but I kind of wish it was more young adult or even middle grade. I would have really enjoyed this book if we saw it from the girls perspectives or if we didn’t have the romantic connection between out FMC and MMC. The romance took a back seat in this book which I appreciated but honestly I felt like it just wasn’t needed. Either I blocked most of the romance out or their was so little of it that there was really no point in having it there? I think what I am trying to get at is that it could have been a cute found family story without the romance sub plot.
I think the character growth was really prevalent in this book and I think that was what I appreciated the most from it. You saw pretty much every character that was mentioned throughout the story change and grow which was done in a cozy way that left you feeling so happy and relieved for everyone involved.
I thought the magic system was easy to follow and grasp which is what I would expect from a cozy fantasy book. However, I always do struggle with magic realism books as I am trying to imagine this happening in our world and finding a lot of things that come up just so unrealistic. This is for sure a me problem as you are supposed to suspend your disbelief for these books anyways.
Overall, I do recommend this book if you are wanting a quick and cozy read in between all of your romantasy books as a much needed pallet cleanser.
“It’s not always enough to go looking for the place we belong. Sometimes we need to make that place.”
QOTD: DO you have a favorite book about Magic Realism?
“Niceness is all about what we do when other people are looking. Kindness, on the other hand, runs deep. Kindness is what happens when no one’s looking.”
The ending of book four made me upset and left me hanging so I had to pick this one up immediately so I could get some answers! Honestly, this book left me even more upset than the fourth one which I thought would have been impossible! I am honestly taking a break from this series due to the trajectory it has started to take which makes me kind of sad.
“That’s what love is, Tor,” Darcy said in exasperation. “It’s taking a leap of faith. It’s opening yourself up and letting your walls down and allowing someone to see every dark and broken corner of your soul. It’s truth and honesty with yourself and them. It’s raw and brutal and terrifying and real. You can’t just claim to want it, but refuse to allow yourself to be vulnerable to it. That’s not how it works. If you love someone, truly love them, you’ll bear you soul to them and let them be the keeper of your heart no matter how fragile or damaged it might be. And if they love you then they’ll do everything in their power to keep it safe, to nurture and protect it and heal over all the old wounds.”
Spoilers are ahead if you have not read the books I have reviewed up till this point! Proceed with caution.
About The Book
Author: Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Publisher: Kings Hollow
Published Date: December 21st, 2020
Page Count: 886 Pages
Main Genre: Romanatsy
GoodReads Rating: 4.32
Format: E-Book
“Because in my heart I know I deserved the answer you gave me,” I replied honestly. “I wasn’t worthy of your love then and I’m still not worthy of it now. But if you gave me forever then I’d spend every second of it trying to be.”
After the devastating events at Zodiac Academy, we have to deal with this darker world we’re faced with. Lionel seeks to hurt us, the Nymphs seek to hurt the entire Fae race, and between all of it, we just have to try and survive each day as it comes. I’m afraid of everything falling apart, but it looks like it already has.
“Darius would have spent the rest of his life making up for all he’d done to her, he would have watched over her more fiercely than the moon did the Earth. He’d have given her the world.”
This book was so slow compared to some of the other books in this series. I wanted to like it so bad but I found myself more so waiting for the book to end. It took me two weeks to read where the other books in the series before this I was bale to finish in just a few days. I don’t think it is a good sign to be pushing on till the end of the book. I should be sitting on the edge of my seat biting my nails with anticipation and I just didn’t get that feeling.
The fourth book made me so upset by the end so I was really hoping this book would close some of those wounds and start looking up for these girls but I was completely wrong!
Orion got arrested?! I mean I should have seen it coming but I think I was just in denial. Darcy and Orion are my favorite romance as I like both of their characters and their POV’s but that all went up in flames when the FIB showed up to take him and then him lying in court made me so upset! Our one stable relationship just got destroyed and my interest in the books went right off with it. I know we have to have some new plot points to keep the books moving or else we would run out of books but honestly this series probably could have been shorter but all be it less dramatic.
Tory and Darius are both starting to grow on me more, I hate Tory a tad bit less this book as she was finally starting to find her footing but still… This slow burn is trying to take me out! I love how in love Darius seems, he literally makes me swoon and I am thankful that Tory is starting to notice these details! Them running together every day was becoming one of my favorite parts and the gifts they were giving one another were chefs kiss!
Gabriel is the twins lost brother?! That was a plot twist I didn’t expect at all but I am here for it! Gabriel is quickly climbing to the top of my list of favorite characters and I only wish him the best bit I am terrified something bad might happen to him just cause everyone seems to like him so much.
The ending of this book pissed me off even more than the last book which I didn’t think would be possible. Lionel is already too powerful so the fact that he now bonded Tory to him is crazy! That should be illegal honestly and should be taken to court.. Also he just attacked all the Heirs so the other counselors better be prepared to do some ass Kicking next book. I don’t understand how Lionel can keep getting away with so much, it is beyond exhausting at this point.
Next book they better free both Tory and Orion from their misery or at least give me something substantial to root for as it feels like everything I liked about these books has now been tossed aside. I am just struggling to find my love for the books like I had at the start of the series.
Knowing me I will probably pick up book 6 here soon just cause I can’t stop myself from being curious about how it all ends, I just don’t want to be disappointed anymore.
I picked this book up right before Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros came out and made it 50% of the way through before putting it down to read Onyx Storm. I am so happy I had already started this before hand cause I was feeling a huge slump coming on and this helped me dig my way out of it. If it wasn’t already started I probably wouldn’t have picked up another book for weeks due to how empty I had felt, not that this book left me feeling any happier though haha.
“The next time you want to drown in them, tell me about it.” “Why?” “Because if you’re going to drown then I’m going to drown with you.”
After the events of the Lunar Eclipse, Tory and Darcy must learn to deal with the darkness which shadows their lives.
With a secret binding them to Darius and Orion, they must find a way to all work together for the greater good. But some things are easier said than done…
“I don’t want you on your knees. I want you fighting me and hating me and fucking me like you mean it. You’re Roxanya Vega and you weren’t built to bow to anyone,” he growled passionately. “You want me to hate you?” I asked in surprise. “I want you to feel for me. And I’ll take hate if that’s all you’re offering.”
This book honestly had so much going on! To name a few; Seth holding Orion and Darcy’s secret over their heads, Orion and Tory bonding over a dare, Tory and Darius Having the hottest sex of their lives… Twice… (The Throne Scene..), Xavier getting to be care free in his Pegasus form, the snowball fight and Caleb and Darius both putting their hands on Tory’s Thighs during Christmas dinner.
I had so much fun reading all of these adventures but that ending had me on the edge of my seat. Fate is honestly so cruel.
Because Seth found out about Darcy and Orion’s relationship we saw less of these two in this book which made me quite sad. I think their relationship is one of my favorites so when Orion told Darcy he though t they were Elysian Mates my heart did a few flips! Also, them making promises to one another was seriously so cute! I hope these two are end game but I honestly am so unsure! Especially after we thought we lost Orion by the hands of his sister! I had a feeling that the ending of this book would bring harm to Orion, I honestly thought he would either end up in prison or die due to the way everyone was saying they hated the ending of the book and that it will make you cry.. Little did I know that these authors had a gut wrenching twist in store for me.
Tory and Darius being Elysian Mates didn’t surprise me but them being forced by the stars to make this decision after only knowing each other for four months threw me for a loop. This book has had me pining for them to be together all series and we finally get to see them have a few special moments together but they truly never got to talk to one another about their feelings on the matter. SO to find them under the stars to make the biggest decision of their lives I knew immediately that this was the scene everyone was so broken up about. I can’t blame Tory for the decision she made, I mean she is right, the man seriously tortured her. But as the reader we know that Darius has a different side to him and that’s what made reading this scene so difficult… If only Tory and Darius had some more time maybe things could have been different.
Seeing Darius under the stars and the emotion from him really solidified him as a favorite character for me in this series while Tory on the other hand is quickly falling into last place for me. I understand where Tory is coming from but she causes herself so many problems that could be avoided and her inner monologue doesn’t really help me understand her motives completely, I guess I am just exhausted of her self sabotaging, I am just exhausted and I hope to see her character really grow in the rest of the series.
Orion forcing the girls to participate in school activities that don’t seem to fit their personalities was a fun plot point in this book, no matter how small it feels as of now. Tory had to join the cheerleading squad despite her being the least peppy person anyone knows and Darcy was forced to try out for the Pitball team even though she is super clumsy and not really into sports. I think this is a fun way to see some kind of character growth while they adapt to being outside of their comfort zone I just wish we got to see more of it or at least more Pitball, I could care less about cheerleading haha. But also why wouldn’t he just make them both join Pitball so he could have two of the strongest, most versatile players? Having two girls who can use all elements would make the team undefeatable right? But maybe I don’t know enough about the fictional sport to make this determination.
I am terrified for what will come next in this series now that Orion’s Shadow Princess of a sister has been released. I think the rest of the book just became unpredictable for me. I really hope Tory and Darius can get a second chance at their mating bond or can at least find some common ground as my heart aches for them! I will Immediately be jumping into the 5th book… Wish me luck!
“Because we don’t get to choose our obsessions. And you’re mine.”
QOTD: Is there a main character in a book that you just can’t stand?
“Because you’re in my head all the time. You pulse through my blood with each beat of my heart. I live for every scrap of attention you offer me and suffer through every moment you spend ignoring me,” he said darkly, holding my eye the entire time.”
This was my most anticipated read for 2025 and now that I have finished it I feel so hollow. We don’t have an anticipated release date for the next book yet but I have a feeling we will be waiting longer than a year to receive it. I am for sure in the middle of a book hangover after finishing this and have no clue what to do with my life right now.
I am so happy that I got to read this with my Fiance! We went to the midnight release party together and even finished the book within minutes of one another. This gave me the best reading experience to date as I had someone to bounce ideas and thoughts off of as I went.
I only finished this book two days ago as of the time I am writing this post and I am still unsure of all my thoughts and feelings. I personally haven’t gone and read anyone else’s reviews or theories yet so I can write this review with my true thoughts and feelings. But another reason for that is because I am not ready to completely theorize the rest of the series yet… I want to sit with this book for sometime before I jump into the unknown.
After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust.
Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming…and not everyone can survive its wrath.
This is a quite lengthy Review as I have so many thoughts. I have even more thoughts than what I have put down here but I can’t have you reading a novel… Message me via my DM’s in insta if you would like to chat about this book in more detail!
First things first… The only thing I think I got right in my theories is Dream Walking being a second signet. I was leaning more toward it being part of the mating bond though so I can’t say I get full points for this.
After Iron Flame I really leaned in hard into everyone’s theories for the books and while that was fun I feel like it gave me expectations for the book that didn’t really help my reading experience. A lot of the theories I was enjoying were pretty unhinged and wouldn’t have really been a possibility but I could really see where people were coming from in their thought processes. I just want to go into the rest of the series ready for whatever ride Rebecca puts us on.
This book picked up right where we left off from the last book with the prologue which I really appreciated. I had a lot of questions from the last scene of Iron Flame so getting Violets POV was a great way to start! However, we then jumped two weeks ahead and I quickly got lost in the politics of the world and all the names that got thrown at us. It was hard to keep up with the first 80 pages or so but as the story progressed the more things started to make sense. I just have to remind myself that we can’t always know everything as it is happening, somethings just need to be revealed at a more important time for the plot to pan out.
I was so ready for a Jealous Xaden so when Halden showed up in the book I got so excited as this is something I expected to happen after the Kings Library Scene in Iron Flame. However, Halden was kind of a bitch… He now replaces Dain in my mind at the bottom of the dating food chain. I am afraid that he will come back in the next book and fuck some more things up but this is the reality we live in.
“Let’s get three things straight, Your Highness. First, I have remarkable hearing thanks to the shadows at your very feet. Second, I don’t control Violet. Never have. Never will. But third, and most importantly—” He lowers his voice. “She really, honestly hasn’t thought about you. At least not since the second she set eyes on me.”
Speaking of Dain, I think I am starting to really like his character again, if he comes back and double crosses us again it will have to be because of his crumbling, practically non existent, relationship with his father. But he has come such a long way that I just don’t see that happening anymore. I do see his father trying to bribe him or force him to turn against Aretia but I think he will stay true to his knew home and found family.
Also Dain was just kind of stumbling upon all the second signets in that last battle… So I guess he does have some ammo against them.. Ugh I am not sure.. I guess we will see.
“How much are we trusting Aetos these days?” Bodhi says as he runs towards us. “Not Enough for what he just saw,” Xaden Answers.
Pg 681 Kindle Version Chapter 59
Xaden kept telling Violet throughout all the books so far that she will be the death of him and honestly I am not here for it… I am sure that this is eluding to how the books may end and if they don’t come out of this all happy and healthy I think my heart will be completely destroyed. I understand why he believes she is the only one who could take him down so I do think it was smart of him to train her how to find his true shadow but the thought of this ending makes me sick!
“There is no cure for me.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “That’s why you have to become better than me. There’s only you.”
Violet and Xaden’s relationship finally felt like it was in a strong pace despite the circumstances. They both seemed to have decent communication with one another and truly relied on one another’s honesty. However, Xaden did have his shields up a ton in this book so we didn’t get as much access to their bond as I would have liked. Them not being able to communicate down their bond line through most of the book felt so strange but also felt like a typical relationship for once haha.
I have been expecting us to see Violet and Xaden Married by the end of this series but I was not expecting it to happen in this book and plus we didn’t even get to see it happen! When he called her his consort to meet King Courtlyn I called it, I knew in this moment that my initial thoughts were correct. I am just so sad that we didn’t get any information about their wedding other than the ring on her finger and Xaden’s very short note. Best and worst cliff hanger ever!
“And consort?” I whisper. “We aren’t married.” He fucking smirks. “I’ve noticed. But ‘girlfriend’ is missing that permanent tone.”
Ridoc really stole the show this book. He has always been a really funny character but even he himself said that they think his sense of humor lessons his support of the squad. He really proved himself as a squad mate this book which made me really worried he was going to die… Him getting “stabbed” in the kitchen really threw me for a loop.. I was like “Oh god, here it is. This is how he dies..” Just for him to be fine! His one liners really solidified his spot as my favorite squad member. So Rebecca you better keep this man breathing! He has had a few too many close calls for my liking already!
Also, getting to see him interact with his dragon Aotrom more was such a great addition. Him and Aotrom are two peas in a pod and they truly do seem to have an interesting relationship. Ridoc putting Itching powder in between his scales is brutal! I think most other dragons would have been fed up with that behavior so I think they bonded really well!
“It really pisses me off when you guys act like my sense of humor somehow lessens my ability to show up for our squad.”
Sgaeyl was rightfully upset through this whole book but honestly I wanted more of her comments. We only got a few direct thoughts of hers where the rest was just info relayed to us from Xaden or Tairn. I would really like to know more of her direct thoughts as I am sure they were hard to hear and would have pulled at my heart. I really loved when Sgaeyl was the one who picked up Violet in the last battle as it showed the trust Sgaeyl has in her, actions speak louder than words.
Tairn was grumpy as usual but I felt like we really got to see him in “dad” mode this book. All his comments to Andarna especially, really cracked me up. You could really see his love and care for the adolescent even under all that tough exterior. His relationship with Violet is still one of trust and pure admiration when she pushes herself to grow. Tairn has already delt with quite a few hardships in his life so to see him standing as Violets rock when Andarna cut off their bond was admirable but also heart breaking.
“Pick your tail up off the ground right now. Where do you think we are? The Vale?”
Andarna, oh my sweet yet sassy girl. My heart broke when her kind wouldn’t let her come back with them but it broke even harder when she did leave and break their bond… I am happy for her as I do think she should have the chance to get to know her family. I also think the things she will learn from her kind will be very important in the upcoming books so this was all needed for the plot. However, I was not prepared! I read the chapter where she leaves and immediately put the book down for the night, just needing some time to sit with this choice and shed a few tears. Also, the bond breaking and her not being able to tell Tairn or Sgaeyl goodbye was probably what hurt the most.
“I’ve been thinking about it all night. Magic feels different when I change color. Maybe my use of power in that moment altered the venin, weakened her enough to blister.”
Getting to travel to all the different Isles in this book was really cool! It was so interesting to see all the different people and their customs. These lands are unhinged though. The tests they were put through kept me on my literal toes. Xaden being mistaken as Dain… Xaden’s mom…. Violet’s Hair… Trager dying… Drake has a cat now?
Aaric being the one who got to go with Quest Squad over Halden was perfect. I could not take Halden being in the whole book, I would have gone crazy! Aaric is a badass too.. He has unlimited knowledge of the languages which makes sense as he probably had an amazing school curriculum growing up. His signet being precognition makes a lot of sense as well because in all honesty he will probably be the next king and will need this power to turn the tides of war, I am foreshadowing Halden getting himself killed to leave the power to Aaric.
Fucking Pancheck…. Xaden’s POV broke me completely. Finding out Pancheck was endangering all of these people lives put me into a rage! From what I could gather it sounds like someone else turned at the end of the battle as well so I am terrified to learn who that was. Xaden does not need anymore “Brothers”. Sgaeyl was practically begging him not to save her by taking more power but I don’t think I could see it going any other way so that was so hard to read. Theophanie basically told us that Xaden can’t feel any emotions but I think he is holding onto Violet as hard as he can just so he can keep a tiny shred of humanity, but we are truly in our full on Xaden Villain Era and I don’t think I am ready for it…
Andarna showing back up at the end leaves me so unsettled…
Violet asking Immogen to erase her memories of the wedding is probably exactly what I would do… But to make that decision would be a tough one…. Still sobbing about this ending!
I needed more Swayer and Jesinia… What we got was not enough!
Quinn’s death at the end was so sad! Especially seeing it through Immogens eyes… Ugh how dare you Rebecca! But… SO thankful it wasn’t someone from our core four…
Alright, I am going to end my review here for now. Like I said I have a ton of other thoughts but these are the main points I would like to get across. Let me know how you are feeling after reading this book!
My Thoughts and Theories
Violet kept describing the color of the lands as a muted color which makes me think these Isles are where the Venin were 600 years ago when they originally took the magic and now the magic is slowly starting to return and bring back some color to the lands. Especially seeing how the Irids seem to be living in this region somewhere, they probably have a hatching ground which makes the magic even stronger!
Andarna showing back up at the end of the book makes me feel like she severed the mating bond between Tairn and Sgaeyl. This is the only thing that can make sense if Xaden is off doing who knows what as a Venin and asked her not to come find him. their dragons can’t be apart with their mating bond so that had to be severed to move forward. I think this is why her Dream Walking signet is going to be so powerful. It will keep Xaden and Violet connected so they can stay in communication while they sort these things out. But man I am crying for Tairn and Saegyl.. They deserve better!
If the Mating bond was taken away.. WIll we loose Tairn or Sgaeyl next book? Cause Xaden as Venin can live without Sgaeyl much like Jack lives without Baide and Violet can live because she still has Andarna to fall back on… I don’t want to lose any dragon but it is seeming like a huge possibility. I think we will lose Sgaeyl cause Violet needs Tairn for her Lightning.
The emerald from her wedding ring is the Emerald from the Aretia Dagger. Not a theory because we know it was missing when she saw it placed in the glass box Xaden received from the god of luck. I think this is just a ton of symbolism to their relationship, that Violet truly has the last part of him that’s human.
Mira and Drake so have a thing going on!
Dain and Sloane? Could they be a potential romance?
All this talk about Xaden needing an Heir makes me worried that Violet could be pregnant? God I hope this book doesn’t have an accidental pregnancy trope but who knows anymore…
I think for sure someone else turned Venin and it was either Bodhi or Garrick. Garrick was already close to burn out so my gut says it was him but Bodhi couldn’t use his counter signet against Venin so I am afraid he pulled cause he got in a sticky situation…
We learned 12 eggs were taken so who took them? I am thinking Aaric took the eggs to make deals with the Isles as we knew the Queen at Dunnes temple wanted 6. So I think Aaric took them as he knew he would need them to make deals due to his precognition. Did the queen ask for extras or did he make a second deal with someone else?
Questions I Have
Violets mom said she will never forgive Asher for taking her to be initiated to Dunne. So why did he make this choice?
Did Asher really die because of Heart Problems?
What info does her grandmother have?
Will Violet fully initiate herself into the Temple of Dunne?
Why did Drake get a cat from the god of Luck?
What does her compass do?
Is there a third Magic? She says she felt like she could pull magic from the sky and create runes… Hmmmmmmm
What all can the Irids do and why are they so special?
will Xaden be cured or learn to live a fine line between his two sides?
Will we hear more about the 12 hours it took for them to get married? I need to know about the wedding!
Did someone else turn Venin?
Who took the 12 eggs?
Favorite Quotes
“Violet.” My heart skips into double time. “My loyalty is to Violet first above everything, everyone else,”
“Do. You. Still. Love. Me?” I enunciate every word and lean right into his space just to prove that I’m not intimidated by him. He cups the back of my neck and pulls me within inches of his face—close enough to kiss. “I could reach the rank of Maven, lead armies of dark wielders against everyone we care for, and watch every vein in my body turn red as I channel all the power in the Continent, and I would still love you. What I did doesn’t change that. I’m not sure anything can.”
“And he’s not my boyfriend.” Rhi snorts and Ridoc offers me a sarcastic thumbs-up. “Agreed,” Xaden says. “That’s far too casual a term for what we are.”
“Tell me something, Violence.” A muscle in his square jaw ticks as he stares down at me, rippling the tawny-brown skin of his stubbled cheek. “Why is it always you?”
“Garrick’s going to blow you off the mat.” “Now that I might enjoy, depending on the method he chooses—” Ridoc winces. “I’m going to stop talking now.”
“And it’s always the same fight.” He lifts his hand to his chest. “I’ll trust you if you stop keeping secrets!” He drops the hand and scowls. “It’s my secretive nature that attracted you, and why can’t you just stay out of harm’s way for five fucking minutes?” Rhi laughs so hard she nearly chokes.”
“Yes, love, I’m jealous.” He splays his hand over the small of my back and tugs me toward him. “I’m jealous of the armor that holds you when I can’t, the sheets on your bed that caress your skin every night, and the blades that feel your hands. So, when the prince of our realm walks into my classroom and starts talking to the woman I love with what can only be considered intense familiarity, and then has the audacity to ask her out right in front of me, naturally, I’m going to get jealous.”
“I heard you saying you’d kill my grandson if he took another step toward your beloved, young man. How illogically, toxically romantic of you. Have to admit, that kind of confident violence isn’t what I pictured when Asher talked about you, but the brown hair, those…I guess they’re brown eyes, and how utterly smitten he predicted you two would eventually be for each other? Well, he described you almost perfectly, Dain Aetos.”
Overall, this book was everything I could have hoped for and more. It left me with more questions than answers, but I have come to expect that of Rebecca at this point. I think this book was my favorite of the three so far but honestly I don’t know if I can handle all that she is throwing at us. I am in love with this series, the characters and world are all so immersive so I know this series will live on with me forever.
QOTD: Who’s POV would you like to see Next? We have seen Immogen, Rhi, Violet and Xaden so far.
AOTD: I would love to hear from Brennan. He has a story that we have barely scratched the surface of.
Thanks for taking the time to read this! Happy Reading!
I debated if I should make a blog post about this book or not. It is less than 100 Pages long but the more I thought about it the more I decided it was for the best. Why not have all my thoughts on a series written down, despite the length?
“I knew she was a bitch, but dammit she was supposed to be my bitch.”
Spoilers are ahead if you have not read the books I have reviewed up till this point! Proceed with caution.
About The Book
Author: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Publisher: Indy Published
Published Date: July 10th, 2019
Page Count: 94 Pages
Main Genre: Romantasy
GoodReads Rating: 3.79
Format: E-Book
Synopsis
Dark magic is forbidden at Zodiac Academy. That’s why I hide it so well.
But now I’m supposed to mentor Darius Acrux: the son of the most ruthless Dragon Shifter in Solaria.
If he’s caught using blood magic, he’ll lose his claim to the throne.
The problem is? Our families are up to something, and we’re determined to find out what. No matter what dark power we must turn to…
Welcome to Zodiac Academy, where your star sign defines your destiny.
As the Fae of the future, you will soon learn the merciless way to claim your power. Life among the Vampires, Shifters and Sirens is no easy ride, but if you can make it through your exams, you might just be able to harness your inner strength and earn your place among the elite.
This is a prequel novella set four years before Zodiac Academy: The Awakening, Book 1 in the Supernatural Bullies and Beasts series.
This was a super quick read but it gave me so much info that I was missing!
Poor Orion… Losing his sister like that was brutal! I read this book after book 3 “The Reckoning” So he also had to relive his sisters death when watching Darcy, the girl he loves go through the very thing that killed her. The Trauma!!
Also… Darius is my new favorite character after this book… We all knew his dad was brutal but damn… I am so upset for him! How dare his father force this bond between him and Orion.. Orion had dreams..
“I despised the idea that we were enslaved to our fates.”
Everyone says once you read book three in this series you will know if you want to DNF the series or continue on. I had some conflicting feelings about book three up until the end and here I am now currently reading the 1.5 book The Awakening: As Told By The Boys. I am following a reading order I found on Tiktok and so far I am glad I am doing that. Who knows if i will read all 20+ books in this expansive world but so far it seems like a trainwreck I can’t stop watching.
“Everyone knows, Karmas a bitch. And today her name was Tory Vega”
The answer to your question will be revealed on the Lunar Eclipse. But when finding the truth, don’t let the shadows take you.
The week of The Reckoning has begun. And senior students have been tasked with making the freshmen’s lives pure hell as they prepare to take their fateful assessment.
With the Lunar Eclipse on the horizon, Tory and Darcy have more to worry about than just passing their exams. A dark plot is unfolding and the shadows are drawing closer…
I would like to start off by first saying that these first three books could have been one maybe two books. Stretching it through three books was ridiculous. We hardly passed through any time, The world building was added upon but I don’t see why it wouldn’t have fit into two books and also I felt like the character growth was minimal and honestly I didn’t find I was liking one character more than another throughout the three books. Normally in a series I find that the characters grow on me as we go, but I still feel pretty indifferent about each character in this series.
I struggled through the first 50% of this book. Much like my review for the second book I didn’t feel like we saw a lot of growth with them working on their powers, I felt like they just kept getting lucky when the time was needed to use them. This could be due to the small amount of time that seems to pass between the three books, yet they somehow pass the reckoning with flying colors. I want to see the character and power growth and not see them just be lucky cause they are the chosen girls. I did like that they know they are stronger together and can pull more power and control when linked to one another so that was a bit of growth I saw. I am hoping that now that they know their order forms they can actually focus on their powers and we can see them learn more.
Regarding the power and magical system in this book, it feels way to convenient. I feel like these Fae can do really anything they desire with their power and it just feels way too OP. I would like to see some more struggles, but maybe this is only because we follow the perspectives of the most powerful Fae in all of Solaria. It just makes it less fun in my eyes if they can do anything and everything their heart desires with their powers. Like other than the power being drained when being used, what hinders them?
These girls being Phoenixes makes a ton of sense but damn… Can’t they be two different orders? I get that they are identical twins but again I want some difference between the girls! Why have two characters when they are the exact same people besides a few personality characteristics. It would make it much more interesting to follow if we have some more differences. It all comes down to convinces again, probably much easier to write.
The writing and grammar was still not great in this third book either. I seriously hope these errors start getting better or at least less noticeable. It is kinda sad haha.
I gave this book a three and a half vibe star rating so clearly all my thoughts can’t be negative right? Lets talk about the things I did enjoy!
Darius and his family are all dragons except for his brother who happens to be the cutest dang Pegasus to ever live. This was an interesting mix due to his father being so ruthless, everyone bends at his will yet he now has a son who he views as lesser than. This is heartbreaking to see but causes character growth in Darius as you now see some of his motivations to making the girls leave. He needs to protect his brother! The scene where Tory finds out about this was probably my favorite scene in the whole book! She finally let down her guard and had fun and then she acted in the most humane way when she did find out about the Pegasus form and it made me excited to see where this would go in the future.
The love triangles still get on my nerves but I am hopeful for some resolutions. We got to see more chapters from Darius and Caleb and got to hear more of their inner monologues which made the love triangles less annoying. This is a serious slow burn and I think I am mostly annoyed because I am dying to see where this all goes! The boys are truly going to snap soon! Darius has a Temper and he seems to be Territorial!
I guess this is me saying I like the Boys more than I like the girls lol. The boys have the most character growth in my eyes and they are way more interesting as they are all different to one another. They seem to bounce off each other really well even when they are butting heads, they can set aside their issues for one common goal. Even if their one common goal of destroying these girls gets muddled by the interesting lust they seem to have for them.
The ending to this book when we found out about the Dragon Lord’s, Lionel, desires to wield the shadows was what really interested me. I knew he was bad but this actually made sense to me. This made me excited to keep reading the series as I need to know how the girls are going to handle this situation. Everyone thinks their memories were erased but they know everything… This puts them in an interesting predicament and it will be fun to see how they handle it. I think it may frustrate me as well because we finally saw the boys care about these girls and now we might go back to the unwavering hatred. I am exhausted, too many emotions!
I will see you for my next review seeing how I can’t put down these books… Hopefully we see some higher ratings coming later down the road.
“There are countless people who would say I’m not allowed to want you,” Darius breathed. “But you make me want to burn the whole world down so that I can claim you for my own.”
World of Bai 