A review by wonderwomannz
Fallen Academy: Year One by Leia Stone

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

5.0

Ah, Fallen Academy, Year 1—a rollercoaster of angel wings, demon deals, and just enough smoldering tension to keep my Kindle blushing (even if it’s technically YA). I stumbled upon this gem thanks to a group rec, and let me just say: bless the algorithm (or the angelic divine intervention). 

First off, Brielle is my kind of flag bearer, part sass, part badass, and part “What the heck am I doing?” relatable mess. She’s thrown into a world of training, self-discovery, and the kind of life lessons that come with, oh, you know, having powers and a dash of celestial drama. Leia Stone didn’t just write a story; she conjured a fast-paced whirlwind of humor, mystery, and enough world-building to make even Tolkien take notes. 

Let’s talk about Lincoln. The broody angel with a stick so far up his celestial backside it’s practically a halo. He starts out as the guy you’d want to trip in a hallway, but by the end, you’re like, “Oh no, I might be swooning… am I swooning?!” Their enemies-to-maybe-something vibe is peak YA gold. While there’s no full-blown spice (yet—fingers crossed for future installments), the tension is delectable enough to keep you hooked. 

The narrator deserves a standing ovation. Seriously. I could’ve been doing laundry or fighting off a small demon hoard (a.k.a. my cat attacking my leg), and I still would’ve been riveted. 

Of course, now I’m stuck in the eternal reader’s dilemma—waiting for the next book to free itself from the library hold queue. My patience is being tested, much like Brielle’s ability to survive a year in Fallen Academy without throwing hands every five minutes. When I get my hands on the rest of the series, prepare for a binge so intense even Netflix would be impressed. 

Verdict: If you like angels, demons, humor, and just the right sprinkle of forbidden romance, Fallen Academy, Year 1 is your heavenly ticket. (Or should I say, devilishly delightful?)