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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
From the first page, I was hooked! This story is full of adventure, banter, tension, heartbreak, trials and so much more. This will send you through a rollercoaster of emotions while keeping you enthralled. What a great first book to the series and I can't wait to see what book 2 brings us.
Rcvd an advanced reader copy for giving my two cents. We meet Kiara, an assassin for the Nameless, the Kings assassins. She is on assignment to kill the Prince. After days of watching him, she never expected to get caught by him of all people. She is ushered into an auditorium for the academy's ceremony, only she's not a student, she's magicless. But when smtg starts to happen after she is called to the center, pillars for those mages thought to be extinct light up for her and she's announced as a starmage. Starmages have been found and killed bc they are so powerful. Omg. Kiara doesn't know what to do...but she has a plan...still to kill the prince but at a different level now. Lucian knows there is smtg about this girl and it has his magic on high alert. He knows she was sent to kill him but he's not worried. Kiara is determined to learn anything anf everything about her magic that will her her will her end goal. But things start to happen that brings Lucian and Kiara together whether they like it or not. Will they face this head in together or become a victim of the darkness?
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
✨ Thank you to the author, Ever King, for the opportunity to read an ARC of her novel in exchange for an honest review ✨
Hear ye, hear ye - I have found an amazing YA dark fantasy romance, inspired by Greek mythology that you must add to your TBR 📣
What a way to kick off a brand new series! Academy of Villains follows Kiara - an assassin for hire who has been tasked with taking out Lucian - a Shadowmage and the crown prince of the kingdom. Sounds easy enough, except Kiara, who has grown up living as an oppressed non-magic being in a kingdom where mages and magic reign supreme, learns that she actually possesses magic and is in fact a mage (and not just any mage - a Starmage, a type of mage that was previously believed to have been eradicated).
This novel is fast paced, the romance is a slow burn which was executed PERFECTLY, and the magic system is so unique (mages channel their magic through grimoires - SO COOL!). You can tell that the author is setting up for future novels with the introduction of so many intriguing side characters (if you know me, you know that I love a good side character) and that leaves me excited to read the rest of the series.
Also, can we just take a moment to talk about the setting and the overall aesthetic of this novel - Grecian academia?! Yes, please! The academy itself is such an intriguing setting, with so many students with various magical abilities (star, shadow, fire, earth, water-based magic, and more!). I was completely enamoured by this and I’m definitely looking forward to exploring the academy more in subsequent novels. Ever King has taken the time to do her research while writing this novel, and that love and care to the smallest details shine through in her story.
Overall, I had the best time reading this novel, and I cannot wait to enjoy the rest of the series as the novels come out! I highly recommend it for those who enjoy:
⭐ Magical Academies
⭐ Fated Soulmates
⭐ Greek Mythology
⭐ Secret Societies
⭐ Trials & Curses
⭐ Dual POVs
I REALLY enjoyed this, on the surface this is very much a hogwarts meets dark academia with a sprinkling of greek themes and a cool magic system. I enjoyed the elemental magic and the characters. I also thought this was more of a love story than anything although there are some great action scenes! Slow burn, not really any spice but this was really easy to read! And would definitley be reading the next one!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
I want to extend my gratitude to Ever King for the opportunity to read and review this enchanting book.
Right from the opening pages, the story accelerates into a whirlwind of excitement that keeps you hooked until the very end. The myriad of twists and turns not only propels the narrative forward but also adds depth and intrigue.
The incorporation of Greek mythology, fated bonds, secret societies, and celestial magic provides a refreshing departure from the typical elemental magic seen in many fantasy novels. I found the rediscovery of magic to be a delightful and unexpected addition to the story. While there are similarities of Harry Potter, the story carves its own unique identity.
Furthermore, the portrayal of the characters' unique magical abilities is particularly impressive; the vivid descriptions not only enhance the fantastical elements of the story but also deepen our connection to the characters themselves.
The dual point of view enriches the reading experience by allowing us insight into both main characters' thoughts and feelings.
The author mastered a slow-burn romance that pulled me into the intricate dynamics between the main characters. The development of their relationship is expertly woven, allowing emotions to simmer and evolve organically, making each moment feel genuine, impactful and not rushed. This well-executed blend of romance and magic creates a compelling narrative that kept me reading from beginning to end in a day.
However, I did find myself wishing for more elaboration in certain areas, such as character and world-building, the mysterious Nameless, the intricacies of their classes, and the rushed trials. The enigmatic mystery surrounding the keys, the missing student, and the motive behind one society hiring her to kill the prince left me with many questions that I hope to see addressed in future installments.
Overall, this book is an engaging read that lays a strong foundation for what promises to be a thrilling series ahead.
Right from the opening pages, the story accelerates into a whirlwind of excitement that keeps you hooked until the very end. The myriad of twists and turns not only propels the narrative forward but also adds depth and intrigue.
The incorporation of Greek mythology, fated bonds, secret societies, and celestial magic provides a refreshing departure from the typical elemental magic seen in many fantasy novels. I found the rediscovery of magic to be a delightful and unexpected addition to the story. While there are similarities of Harry Potter, the story carves its own unique identity.
Furthermore, the portrayal of the characters' unique magical abilities is particularly impressive; the vivid descriptions not only enhance the fantastical elements of the story but also deepen our connection to the characters themselves.
The dual point of view enriches the reading experience by allowing us insight into both main characters' thoughts and feelings.
The author mastered a slow-burn romance that pulled me into the intricate dynamics between the main characters. The development of their relationship is expertly woven, allowing emotions to simmer and evolve organically, making each moment feel genuine, impactful and not rushed. This well-executed blend of romance and magic creates a compelling narrative that kept me reading from beginning to end in a day.
However, I did find myself wishing for more elaboration in certain areas, such as character and world-building, the mysterious Nameless, the intricacies of their classes, and the rushed trials. The enigmatic mystery surrounding the keys, the missing student, and the motive behind one society hiring her to kill the prince left me with many questions that I hope to see addressed in future installments.
Overall, this book is an engaging read that lays a strong foundation for what promises to be a thrilling series ahead.
The Nameless: magic-less children who were stolen away by the king to be turned into his personal, trained assassins. Kiara, the Nameless, is hired to kill the Prince of Ithaka to save the kingdom from a dark curse that has plagued the royal bloodline for centuries. However, when she breaks into the academy to complete the job she discovers something that changes her life – she has magic. As she discovers secrets within the walls of the academia, she must make a grueling decision: kill the prince, or work with him to save the kingdom.
This dark academia fantasy romance is a thrilling, fast-paced ride that is hard to put down. The world is beautifully crafted with a magic system that is different and well-thought through. The romance between the main characters, who are from opposing worlds, with opposing magic, is a tense slow-burn making it an intriguing enemy-to-lovers. The ending left me satisfied, yet wanting more and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series!
Thank you to Ever King for the ARC!
This dark academia fantasy romance is a thrilling, fast-paced ride that is hard to put down. The world is beautifully crafted with a magic system that is different and well-thought through. The romance between the main characters, who are from opposing worlds, with opposing magic, is a tense slow-burn making it an intriguing enemy-to-lovers. The ending left me satisfied, yet wanting more and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series!
Thank you to Ever King for the ARC!
Dark academia, fantasy romance, and a story inspired by a Greek mythology love story. Academy of Villains has all of the elements that get my attention fast, and once I started, I was hooked!
Academy of Villains follows Kiara, one of the assassins known as the Nameless, and Lucian Darkwing, Crown Prince of Ithaka. Kiara is assigned to unalive Lucian and break the curse on the kingdom. To do so, she sneaks into the Academy of Magic, but she winds up getting lumped in with the new students participating in the ceremony for the new arrivals and to her shock, she discovers that she has magic. Not only that, but she’s a Starmage, a type of mage that was brought to extinction.
Oh and the Prince is a Shadowmage. The aesthetic is perfection!
The story and characters were fantastic, with a very strong start and exciting ending. I especially loved the dark academia setting with secret societies, among which is the Raven Society, formed by the prince and his friends, all very powerful, very clever and even dangerous mages. If the MMCs of the next books—which are all going to be inspired by a different Greek mythology love story—are the boys from the Raven Society, then all the romances are going to be AMAZING. There isn’t a single one I’m not curious about.
The Academy comes with its risks, between the classes that could prove fatal and the power plays between students or the different societies. This was the part of the book I was most intrigued by and would have loved to see even more!
Here are some tropes and elements:
❤️
Academy of Villains follows Kiara, one of the assassins known as the Nameless, and Lucian Darkwing, Crown Prince of Ithaka. Kiara is assigned to unalive Lucian and break the curse on the kingdom. To do so, she sneaks into the Academy of Magic, but she winds up getting lumped in with the new students participating in the ceremony for the new arrivals and to her shock, she discovers that she has magic. Not only that, but she’s a Starmage, a type of mage that was brought to extinction.
Oh and the Prince is a Shadowmage. The aesthetic is perfection!
The story and characters were fantastic, with a very strong start and exciting ending. I especially loved the dark academia setting with secret societies, among which is the Raven Society, formed by the prince and his friends, all very powerful, very clever and even dangerous mages. If the MMCs of the next books—which are all going to be inspired by a different Greek mythology love story—are the boys from the Raven Society, then all the romances are going to be AMAZING. There isn’t a single one I’m not curious about.
The Academy comes with its risks, between the classes that could prove fatal and the power plays between students or the different societies. This was the part of the book I was most intrigued by and would have loved to see even more!
Here are some tropes and elements:
❤️
It doesn't happen often that I find my name in a book, so that's already exciting. But when it's a book that has you hooked? It's an even greater feeling!
Academy of Villains is a dark academia fantasy romance set in a kingdom where magic is slowly disappearing. Orphaned children with no magic are raised to be assassins in the king's army, while those with magic are sent to a magical academy to become mages. The protagonist, Kiara, is an assassin who infiltrates the academy to unalive the prince and end the royal bloodline - and she has personal reasons to seek revenge. But her vengeance turns into a fight for survival as students begin to disappear and she has no choice but to work alongside the prince.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO FIND IN THIS BOOK:
✨ cursed prince x assassin romance
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ mostly morally gray characters
✨ villain gets the girl
✨ dark academia magical academy
✨ greek mythology retelling of Nyx and Erebus
I am an absolute sucker for a magical academy, even more so when it's paired with a great storyline filled with female rage and vengeance! The characters were all varying degrees of morally gray, which happen to be my favorite kind. Admittedly I would have liked to see Kiara struggle more with her magic, but it didn't hinder my overall enjoyment of her character arc. My favorites, however, were the prince's friends in the Raven society. The retelling aspect also added a nice touch, especially since it wasn't a story from Greek myth that is told often in romantasy retellings. I'm very curious to explore the future books in the series, which will be following different protagonists, and retracing other greek myths!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-copy. Opinions are my own.
Academy of Villains is a dark academia fantasy romance set in a kingdom where magic is slowly disappearing. Orphaned children with no magic are raised to be assassins in the king's army, while those with magic are sent to a magical academy to become mages. The protagonist, Kiara, is an assassin who infiltrates the academy to unalive the prince and end the royal bloodline - and she has personal reasons to seek revenge. But her vengeance turns into a fight for survival as students begin to disappear and she has no choice but to work alongside the prince.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO FIND IN THIS BOOK:
✨ cursed prince x assassin romance
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ mostly morally gray characters
✨ villain gets the girl
✨ dark academia magical academy
✨ greek mythology retelling of Nyx and Erebus
I am an absolute sucker for a magical academy, even more so when it's paired with a great storyline filled with female rage and vengeance! The characters were all varying degrees of morally gray, which happen to be my favorite kind. Admittedly I would have liked to see Kiara struggle more with her magic, but it didn't hinder my overall enjoyment of her character arc. My favorites, however, were the prince's friends in the Raven society. The retelling aspect also added a nice touch, especially since it wasn't a story from Greek myth that is told often in romantasy retellings. I'm very curious to explore the future books in the series, which will be following different protagonists, and retracing other greek myths!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-copy. Opinions are my own.