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bookwormbunny 's review for:
Blazing Academy: Semester Two
by Avery Song
Blazing Academy: Semester Two by Avery Song is an engaging book that picks up where the first book left off, but let me just say this...this book is NOT for everyone. There is a lot of sensitive material in this book that some readers might find upsetting or feel uncomfortable reading. I feel that the author should have at least put a trigger warning with this book's blurb so that if some readers struggle with mental health issues or have dark thoughts to decide whether or not they choose to pick this particular book up as you cannot just skip over it.
If you choose to read this book, know that it is good. I had to backtrack real quick to refresh on how the last book ended and I was pleased that things pick up where they left off but from a different character's perspective. Things get rough in the first half of this story, so buckle up and prepare to brace. Things are far from sunshine and rainbows for Alice and her men. With the startling death of her grandmother, Alice experiences a snap that threatens to destroy everything. From there, things only get more intense. I'm pulled into the storyline as I'm wanting to know how Alice will handle all the things that are swirling around her. I honestly get the sense from the author that there is more going on beneath the surface as it appears that Alice is being targeted from every side. Which, honestly, makes sense when you compare this story to all the other girls as well. I'm curious to see who is the one in this world/universe striving to manipulate things.
The relationships between Alice and the guys continue to grow and develop, which I like. I just don't like how Westley seems to get jealous...quite a bit. Okay, yeah, it's cute in some senses, but then it begins to become tiring since he wants to be the first in...everything. Is it really necessary to always be first? The author hints and begins the process of another joining the group and of course the guys' reactions are kinda fun to watch I'll admit. I view jealousy in some cases as fine and then in others as just them being insecure that Alice will want more. I do appreciate that Alice has a female friend in this book. It's a nice change in comparison to the other books that are similar. I'm hopeful that Damon's sister will become another addition to the group.
As I stated earlier there is some content in this book that I feel is not completely appropriate for the age range that the author is trying to pull in with this book/series. The author introduces a heavy mental health angle in this story might be a bit too much for some readers who might be struggling with that very issue. There is a lot of family baggage that gets dumped out, which makes me a bit conflicted in how I feel about the course that the author takes in connection with the grandparents. It's a massive scene that takes place and I feel that it's too much too quickly. I'm worried that some younger readers may struggle with this. Once again, I'll state that I feel that the author should have put a trigger warning concerning some of the content of this book for readers so that they don't get blindsided with what's to come. Some of the language is a bit juvenile which is a bit of a turn-off for this book as well. They are 16 years old and up, but then they have moments of where they act and talk like 10-year-olds.
This book has a lot going for it, but then it has some things that bring it down a bit. I understand that the author is wanting to show how Alice heals, overcomes, and gets stronger, but I think that some moments might be too much for some readers. So, I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The overall content is good, but I would classify this book more as an Upper YA novel more intended for readers who are 17 and up regardless of the MC's age. If you enjoyed the first book in this series and are comfortable reading darker scenes/moments then I encourage you to pick up this book.
If you choose to read this book, know that it is good. I had to backtrack real quick to refresh on how the last book ended and I was pleased that things pick up where they left off but from a different character's perspective. Things get rough in the first half of this story, so buckle up and prepare to brace. Things are far from sunshine and rainbows for Alice and her men. With the startling death of her grandmother, Alice experiences a snap that threatens to destroy everything. From there, things only get more intense. I'm pulled into the storyline as I'm wanting to know how Alice will handle all the things that are swirling around her. I honestly get the sense from the author that there is more going on beneath the surface as it appears that Alice is being targeted from every side. Which, honestly, makes sense when you compare this story to all the other girls as well. I'm curious to see who is the one in this world/universe striving to manipulate things.
The relationships between Alice and the guys continue to grow and develop, which I like. I just don't like how Westley seems to get jealous...quite a bit. Okay, yeah, it's cute in some senses, but then it begins to become tiring since he wants to be the first in...everything. Is it really necessary to always be first? The author hints and begins the process of another joining the group and of course the guys' reactions are kinda fun to watch I'll admit. I view jealousy in some cases as fine and then in others as just them being insecure that Alice will want more. I do appreciate that Alice has a female friend in this book. It's a nice change in comparison to the other books that are similar. I'm hopeful that Damon's sister will become another addition to the group.
As I stated earlier there is some content in this book that I feel is not completely appropriate for the age range that the author is trying to pull in with this book/series. The author introduces a heavy mental health angle in this story might be a bit too much for some readers who might be struggling with that very issue. There is a lot of family baggage that gets dumped out, which makes me a bit conflicted in how I feel about the course that the author takes in connection with the grandparents. It's a massive scene that takes place and I feel that it's too much too quickly. I'm worried that some younger readers may struggle with this. Once again, I'll state that I feel that the author should have put a trigger warning concerning some of the content of this book for readers so that they don't get blindsided with what's to come. Some of the language is a bit juvenile which is a bit of a turn-off for this book as well. They are 16 years old and up, but then they have moments of where they act and talk like 10-year-olds.
This book has a lot going for it, but then it has some things that bring it down a bit. I understand that the author is wanting to show how Alice heals, overcomes, and gets stronger, but I think that some moments might be too much for some readers. So, I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The overall content is good, but I would classify this book more as an Upper YA novel more intended for readers who are 17 and up regardless of the MC's age. If you enjoyed the first book in this series and are comfortable reading darker scenes/moments then I encourage you to pick up this book.