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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Ever King, and the publisher for allowing me access to the e-Arc.
4.5 stars
I devoured this story. I loved all the elements in this story: the school for mages, secret societies, an evil king, and a strong FMC. The only things that would have made it even better were more about Kiara’s lessons in class, more inner dialogue, and longer. I wanted more of the story. I can’t wait to continue the series.
4.5 stars
I devoured this story. I loved all the elements in this story: the school for mages, secret societies, an evil king, and a strong FMC. The only things that would have made it even better were more about Kiara’s lessons in class, more inner dialogue, and longer. I wanted more of the story. I can’t wait to continue the series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Initially I struggled to get into this book. The beginning there were too many parallels to other books one being Harry Potter with sorting ceremonies, floating candles, feasts, moving staircases. It initially turned me off. However it quickly improved and I was intrigued. Alot ended up happening over the span of the book, it was quite action packed and fast paced. So even though I had trouble getting into the book it turned around really quick.
There was mystery, and adventure and angst there. The book ended in an excellent place open to continue in the 2nd book to resolve the greater war at hand but not on an outright cliff hanger among a battle, if that makes sense.
The 3 trials, and the growth and connections and the complexity of the history and magic was amazing. The beginning I was concerned for uniqueness but by the end that was the farthest thing in my head. The author really has a great imagination and a mind for complex story telling.
There was mystery, and adventure and angst there. The book ended in an excellent place open to continue in the 2nd book to resolve the greater war at hand but not on an outright cliff hanger among a battle, if that makes sense.
The 3 trials, and the growth and connections and the complexity of the history and magic was amazing. The beginning I was concerned for uniqueness but by the end that was the farthest thing in my head. The author really has a great imagination and a mind for complex story telling.
Review first posted at FFA: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-academ...
Academy of Villains is the kind of story that pulls you in with its dark academia setting, a unique magic system, and a romance inspired by Greek mythology (Nyx and Erebus). From the moment I heard about it, I was intrigued, and I’m thrilled to share my thoughts. The writing itself was engaging, and the author created a really interesting world with floating mage lights, ancient libraries, and a magic system centered around grimoires. The magic felt refreshingly original and contributed to the immersive atmosphere. The idea of the academy being somewhat sentient was an additional feature that I loved as it contributed to developing the atmosphere.
Beyond the magic, the romance also stood out. It was built around the concept of heartstrings (fated magical bonds between two people) and handled with care and nuance. The found family dynamic within the secret society really shined. Each member of that group felt distinct and not just a cardboard cutout best friend. Kaspian? Obsessed. Atticus was a close second. I also loved Tobias and the representation that he communicates with hand signals.
In all, I really enjoyed the author's writing style. King excelled at writing tension between the two main characters, and the banter between the main characters and their friends was spectacular. I'm always excited for the rediscovery of magic that was once thought to be forgotten so I devoured these parts to the story. I thought the story was paced very well throughout and there was a good balance of action with introspective moments mixed in-between. Themes of destiny, self-discovery, fate, and sacrifice were central to the narrative and executed with a deft hand.
The synopsis seemed to promise a little more than the book delivered on. One missing student mentioned on page and a couple of vaguely ominous conversations felt insufficient. There's also a lack of real conflict or villainous acts within the academy setting itself besides that one student who has it out for Kiara. The sudden introduction of the trials felt abrupt, pulling focus away from the academy and its mysteries. While they propelled the story forward, they might have been better suited for a sequel, allowing this book to set more of a foundation into the academy’s secrets and dynamics.
There were some aspects that I needed to see expanded on such as the mystery surrounding the keys, the other societies searching for the keys, and other heartstring bonds being formed. Details like the missing scone, the trail of crumbs, and the eerie underground encounter hinted at deeper mysteries. While these threads didn’t fully unravel by the end, they added enough mystery that kept me eager to discover more in future books.
Despite these issues, the intriguing world and compelling characters left me curious for what’s to come. Academy of Villains suggests even greater things in future installments with its blend of magic, mythology, and romance. The author kindly provided me with a review copy of this book, and all thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own. A huge thank you to the author for reaching out and sharing this story with me
Academy of Villains is the kind of story that pulls you in with its dark academia setting, a unique magic system, and a romance inspired by Greek mythology (Nyx and Erebus). From the moment I heard about it, I was intrigued, and I’m thrilled to share my thoughts. The writing itself was engaging, and the author created a really interesting world with floating mage lights, ancient libraries, and a magic system centered around grimoires. The magic felt refreshingly original and contributed to the immersive atmosphere. The idea of the academy being somewhat sentient was an additional feature that I loved as it contributed to developing the atmosphere.
Beyond the magic, the romance also stood out. It was built around the concept of heartstrings (fated magical bonds between two people) and handled with care and nuance. The found family dynamic within the secret society really shined. Each member of that group felt distinct and not just a cardboard cutout best friend. Kaspian? Obsessed. Atticus was a close second. I also loved Tobias and the representation that he communicates with hand signals.
In all, I really enjoyed the author's writing style. King excelled at writing tension between the two main characters, and the banter between the main characters and their friends was spectacular. I'm always excited for the rediscovery of magic that was once thought to be forgotten so I devoured these parts to the story. I thought the story was paced very well throughout and there was a good balance of action with introspective moments mixed in-between. Themes of destiny, self-discovery, fate, and sacrifice were central to the narrative and executed with a deft hand.
The synopsis seemed to promise a little more than the book delivered on. One missing student mentioned on page and a couple of vaguely ominous conversations felt insufficient. There's also a lack of real conflict or villainous acts within the academy setting itself besides that one student who has it out for Kiara. The sudden introduction of the trials felt abrupt, pulling focus away from the academy and its mysteries. While they propelled the story forward, they might have been better suited for a sequel, allowing this book to set more of a foundation into the academy’s secrets and dynamics.
There were some aspects that I needed to see expanded on such as the mystery surrounding the keys, the other societies searching for the keys, and other heartstring bonds being formed. Details like the missing scone, the trail of crumbs, and the eerie underground encounter hinted at deeper mysteries. While these threads didn’t fully unravel by the end, they added enough mystery that kept me eager to discover more in future books.
Despite these issues, the intriguing world and compelling characters left me curious for what’s to come. Academy of Villains suggests even greater things in future installments with its blend of magic, mythology, and romance. The author kindly provided me with a review copy of this book, and all thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own. A huge thank you to the author for reaching out and sharing this story with me
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
I received this book as an ARC read in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your story!
The storyline was intriguing. It didn’t scream Greek mythology to me but I saw some of it sprinkled throughout. There’s plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged. However, at times, the pacing felt a bit uneven, and some parts of the story could have used more detail. There were parts that felt like diary entries and then in the second half parts that were very detailed and painted a great picture. I got more of a slow burn vibe since Lucian was instantly drawn to Kiara. Overall, it's a solid book that offers an enjoyable experience, even if it has a few rough edges.
-shadow powers
-slow burn
-fated mates
-Greek mythology
-magic academy
The storyline was intriguing. It didn’t scream Greek mythology to me but I saw some of it sprinkled throughout. There’s plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged. However, at times, the pacing felt a bit uneven, and some parts of the story could have used more detail. There were parts that felt like diary entries and then in the second half parts that were very detailed and painted a great picture. I got more of a slow burn vibe since Lucian was instantly drawn to Kiara. Overall, it's a solid book that offers an enjoyable experience, even if it has a few rough edges.
-shadow powers
-slow burn
-fated mates
-Greek mythology
-magic academy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
...Finished reading...
Academy of Villains by @authoreverking
Published October 15, 2024
✨️ARC✨️
✨️My thoughts✨️
Greek mythology with Harry Potter-ish vibes, sign me up!! I absolutely enjoy reading greek mythology, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. This was a very fast-paced and fun read for me. I personally enjoyed the magic, prophecy, the nameless assassins, and adventure. But then again, the heartstrings were such a cool concept of being bonded by fate.
✨️favorite qoute✨️
"A promise that I’ll always be there, that you’ll never be alone again.”
✨️Tropes✨️
❄️Cursed prince and assassin
❄️Enemies to lovers
❄️Magic academy
❄️Secret societies
❄️Powerful FMCs
Academy of Villains by @authoreverking
Published October 15, 2024
✨️ARC✨️
✨️My thoughts✨️
Greek mythology with Harry Potter-ish vibes, sign me up!! I absolutely enjoy reading greek mythology, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. This was a very fast-paced and fun read for me. I personally enjoyed the magic, prophecy, the nameless assassins, and adventure. But then again, the heartstrings were such a cool concept of being bonded by fate.
✨️favorite qoute✨️
"A promise that I’ll always be there, that you’ll never be alone again.”
✨️Tropes✨️
❄️Cursed prince and assassin
❄️Enemies to lovers
❄️Magic academy
❄️Secret societies
❄️Powerful FMCs
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Honest Bunny Review:
https://www.instagram.com/thehonestbunny/
💚 Dual POV
✨ Enemies-to-Lovers
🐦⬛ Dark academia
🖤 Fated mates
🐍 Greek mythology retelling
⚔️ Morally gray MCs
This story IMMEDIATELY hits the ground running from the very first page, jumping straight into the action. While I do adore the wonders of world building, it was refreshing immediately being absorbed into this new, fantastic world.
This has the most immaculate dark academia vibes. Anyone who is a Harry Potter fan will fall in love with this book as it feels very nostalgic with a mature storyline. As a true Hufflepuff, it feels like I am moonlighting as a Slytherin, and it feels delectably naughty.
I will always be a sucker for a dual POV, and I really enjoy that both of our MCs are morally gray. It really adds a new perspective and depth that I don’t often get from the fluffy romances I read.
I admire the strength of Kiara. I will admit though, the whole book does amp her up like she is an exceptional assassin, however, the number of times she was caught, or she was being followed feels like the complete opposite. I still love my girly though.
I was swooning for the mysterious, protective nature of Lucian. I also am obsessed with his Raven boys. Surprisingly, I do think I was more infatuated with Kaspian or Atticus.
I know that the author has stated that this was the first book in the series and that “each book in this dark academia fantasy romance is inspired by a Greek mythology love story. Prepare for hidden secrets, powerful spells, and heartfelt relationships.” That makes me think there will definitely be a story for each Raven boy, and I cannot wait. I am absolutely desperate and completely feral for the next book.
This was an ARC I received from Netgalley.
https://www.instagram.com/thehonestbunny/
💚 Dual POV
✨ Enemies-to-Lovers
🐦⬛ Dark academia
🖤 Fated mates
🐍 Greek mythology retelling
⚔️ Morally gray MCs
This story IMMEDIATELY hits the ground running from the very first page, jumping straight into the action. While I do adore the wonders of world building, it was refreshing immediately being absorbed into this new, fantastic world.
This has the most immaculate dark academia vibes. Anyone who is a Harry Potter fan will fall in love with this book as it feels very nostalgic with a mature storyline. As a true Hufflepuff, it feels like I am moonlighting as a Slytherin, and it feels delectably naughty.
I will always be a sucker for a dual POV, and I really enjoy that both of our MCs are morally gray. It really adds a new perspective and depth that I don’t often get from the fluffy romances I read.
I admire the strength of Kiara. I will admit though, the whole book does amp her up like she is an exceptional assassin, however, the number of times she was caught, or she was being followed feels like the complete opposite. I still love my girly though.
I was swooning for the mysterious, protective nature of Lucian. I also am obsessed with his Raven boys. Surprisingly, I do think I was more infatuated with Kaspian or Atticus.
I know that the author has stated that this was the first book in the series and that “each book in this dark academia fantasy romance is inspired by a Greek mythology love story. Prepare for hidden secrets, powerful spells, and heartfelt relationships.” That makes me think there will definitely be a story for each Raven boy, and I cannot wait. I am absolutely desperate and completely feral for the next book.
This was an ARC I received from Netgalley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was shockingly good! I chose the book based on the title and cover and boy am I glad I did. This book is for people who like dark academia Romantasy with a magical school and a Greek mythology retelling. It is about an assassin Kiara who has to survive in a dangerous academy and discover it secrets. I plan to pick up the next book as soon as I can and recommend this to everyone.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received a review copy of this novel - big thanks for the opportunity!
I really enjoyed this story, and that’s coming from someone with really no Greek mythology knowledge outside the story of Medusa.
It was a shorter, fast paced book and if migraines and life hadn’t interrupted me, it’s one that holds enough interest that you could finish it in a sitting or two. However, it was difficult to discern the timeline and to me it felt like everything in the book happened within a week or less, but based on some of the dialogue I’m thinking (and hoping) maybe it was longer than that. There was little background information given at the beginning and even throughout. It’s more like you got thrown right into the story.
Fated romances usually go one way or the other for me. In general I feel like there could have been more character and relationship building done with Kiara and Lucien, and that the ‘heartstring’ was an easy way to get them to go from enemies to lovers with little buildup. I feel like we got more information on all the side characters than on our main characters and it made connecting to them all the more difficult. I didn’t *not like* them as a result, it’s the opposite in that I do want more - particularly in regards to their lives prior to this.
I was impressed with the writing, the storyline, and how the author kept things moving. The story ends with more left to do, but it also sounds like the next book would follow other characters? Which would be a bummer because this one didn’t feel finished to me, at least not when it comes to Lucian and Kiara.
Would recommend to anyone who enjoys…
- Greek mythology
- Enemies to lovers
- Fated Romance
- Cursed kingdom
- Shadow daddy
- Magic academies
- Secret societies
🌶️ CLOSED DOOR SPICE
I really enjoyed this story, and that’s coming from someone with really no Greek mythology knowledge outside the story of Medusa.
It was a shorter, fast paced book and if migraines and life hadn’t interrupted me, it’s one that holds enough interest that you could finish it in a sitting or two. However, it was difficult to discern the timeline and to me it felt like everything in the book happened within a week or less, but based on some of the dialogue I’m thinking (and hoping) maybe it was longer than that. There was little background information given at the beginning and even throughout. It’s more like you got thrown right into the story.
Fated romances usually go one way or the other for me. In general I feel like there could have been more character and relationship building done with Kiara and Lucien, and that the ‘heartstring’ was an easy way to get them to go from enemies to lovers with little buildup. I feel like we got more information on all the side characters than on our main characters and it made connecting to them all the more difficult. I didn’t *not like* them as a result, it’s the opposite in that I do want more - particularly in regards to their lives prior to this.
I was impressed with the writing, the storyline, and how the author kept things moving. The story ends with more left to do, but it also sounds like the next book would follow other characters? Which would be a bummer because this one didn’t feel finished to me, at least not when it comes to Lucian and Kiara.
Would recommend to anyone who enjoys…
- Greek mythology
- Enemies to lovers
- Fated Romance
- Cursed kingdom
- Shadow daddy
- Magic academies
- Secret societies
🌶️ CLOSED DOOR SPICE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
If you like Harry Potter, Throne of Glass, and Percy Jackson, I think you'll like this.
I truly did love the story, which is why I'm giving it a 4. However, I do think this book needed more world building and that it was slightly underdeveloped. It felt a little rushed and the exposition throughout was more like temporary patches to help things make sense. Overall, it just needed more detail and probably about 100 more pages
I truly did love the story, which is why I'm giving it a 4. However, I do think this book needed more world building and that it was slightly underdeveloped. It felt a little rushed and the exposition throughout was more like temporary patches to help things make sense. Overall, it just needed more detail and probably about 100 more pages