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A review by gnomereader
The Academy Games by Amber Paige
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was so excited to get the chance to read the newest book from author Amber Paige and I was not disappointed.
This book is about two magical schools, one for witches and one for wizards, that host a yearly magical tournament where the two schools have students go head to head to earn both themselves and their schools prestige and honor. This year, things are different than years prior and in an effort to encourage collaboration between witches and wizards, one student from each school will be paired together to compete.
I loved the way Fraydora Academy, the school for witches hosting the tournament, is described. There was some very cool world building and I really enjoyed the way the magic and casting was described. I also really liked Ayra and Ryne, and how they were described. Their personalities, motivations, and physical descriptions were all fantastic and I loved watching their growth and progression through the story.
Another thing I really enjoyed were the familiars and how they are unique to the witch or wizard they are bound. It was really cool to see the way these creatures were both familiar to me as a reader and new in their design. This whole world felt very whimsical and beautiful and I imagined myself there as I read.
I would describe this as a cozy fantasy. My initial expectations of the magical tournament had me imagining something a little more high stakes from the beginning of the games, but I liked the way the games were written. It allowed the two main characters to interact in ways that really give their story room to grow. I would have loved a little more involvement from the supporting characters to help give a little more depth to Ayra and Ryne prior to the events of the book, but ultimately this was a great fantasy with some spice and a lovely message of overcoming trials and loving yourself along the way.
This book is about two magical schools, one for witches and one for wizards, that host a yearly magical tournament where the two schools have students go head to head to earn both themselves and their schools prestige and honor. This year, things are different than years prior and in an effort to encourage collaboration between witches and wizards, one student from each school will be paired together to compete.
I loved the way Fraydora Academy, the school for witches hosting the tournament, is described. There was some very cool world building and I really enjoyed the way the magic and casting was described. I also really liked Ayra and Ryne, and how they were described. Their personalities, motivations, and physical descriptions were all fantastic and I loved watching their growth and progression through the story.
Another thing I really enjoyed were the familiars and how they are unique to the witch or wizard they are bound. It was really cool to see the way these creatures were both familiar to me as a reader and new in their design. This whole world felt very whimsical and beautiful and I imagined myself there as I read.
I would describe this as a cozy fantasy. My initial expectations of the magical tournament had me imagining something a little more high stakes from the beginning of the games, but I liked the way the games were written. It allowed the two main characters to interact in ways that really give their story room to grow. I would have loved a little more involvement from the supporting characters to help give a little more depth to Ayra and Ryne prior to the events of the book, but ultimately this was a great fantasy with some spice and a lovely message of overcoming trials and loving yourself along the way.