Academy of Six by AK Koonce and Aleera Anaya Ceres

2 Stars

Deadly monsters live in all of us. The Academy of Six has just never seen a monster as terribly mundane as Izara Castillo. And that is a dangerous problem.

She has four semesters to not only understand her supernatural abilities, but harness them as well. Everything at the Academy is a disaster, from Interdimensional Travels through hell to the other hell they like to call Gym. Bullies push her, test her, and simply try to kill her. A few broodingly protective roommates and a scary fake boyfriend could help.

Or make her life impossibly harder. Pretend to date the emotionally detached demon, they said. What’s the worst that could happen, they said.

It’s make or break within this prison of a school. If she succeeds, she’ll finally know what she’s capable of, who she truly is, and where she came from. If she fails…she dies.

There is no world building or character development. You’re dropped into this story with no explanation as to why things were the way they were. I liked the idea of the series but needed more to fall for the book. Like why I should care about anyone or anything in the book. I may try the next book to see if it gets better but I need a break.

Book 1 Origins of the Six

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Ruled by Magic by Zara J Black

 

1 Star

Lord Commander Leo Rahl gave Livet a choice, to take the 15 years in prison for exposing the magical elite or 6 months of being his toy. She opts for the 6 months figuring it won’t be that bad. He can do whatever he likes to her and there is nothing she can do. Will she regret her decision to take Leo’s deal?

So I borrowed this book twice cause I forgot I read it, that is how forgettable it is. I wanted to like it but it just came across as an abusive relationship vs a dark, BDSM esq book. I don’t usually have a problem with dark or Dub/Con but this one crossed a line. Some people might be ok with the content and there’s no judgment for my morals it crossed a line. There was a lot of public humiliation, and this would have been fine but she hated it. None of it was for her pleasure but all his. He wanted revenge on her and it twisted into love at some point but I never felt the connection. Overall, the writing style was good and I will probably give the author a second chance but this book wasn’t for me.

Book 1 Ruled by Magic

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Freak Show by Crystal Ash

 

2 Star

Melody has always liked the circus so when her family problems become to much she runs away to join the circus. She quickly discovers her childhood memories were all an allusion and the circus is not all that it’s cracked up to be. She’s stuck and then she finds a true friend in “Stilts” Connor. When the final night of the circus happens, they see something that changes everything. What will become of them?

I struggled with this one. I couldn’t keep all the mates straight and I was very confused about where the book was going. I don’t normally give a second book a chance with as low as I rated this one but I like her other books and will be giving book 2 a chance. I am hopeful that book makes this book makes sense.

Book 1 Harem of Freaks

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