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The Originals of Grimm Academy #1
House of Ydril: The Houses Trilogy, Standalone Book 1
When I woke up today, I didn't expect to be kidnapped to the famous Grimm Academy and forced to spend time with my high-school celebrity crush.
Quinn is a fighter. Growing up bouncing from foster home to foster home will do that to you.
When she finds out she’s not actually human, but fae, she knows her old life is a thing of the past. Kidnapped to the prestigious Grimm Academy, she has no choice but to settle into the world of the Originals - vampires, shifters and faes. And if that weren’t enough, Quinn is selected to participate in the annual Trials - an exploit that has killed many students before her.
Trying to balance her efforts to discover her past, and the challenges of this new world, Quinn is forced to spend time with her high-school celebrity crush, the vampire prince Andreas Faust himself. But there are dark forces at work that are looking to sew destruction, and a mystery that is begging to be solved.
And to make it even harder for Quinn, the handsome prince she used to have a crush on is an entitled asshole who seems to have it in for her.
If you enjoyed Shannon Mayer and Sarah J. Maas, you will find this book unputdownable.
“It’s like Harry Potter for women who like their books spicy!”
Spicy ✓✓✓
★ Standalone/No cliffhanger
★ Enemies to lovers
★ Strong female protagonist
★ Dual POV
★ Royal family
★ Touch her and d!e
★ Slow burn
★ Dark fairytale world
★ Kidnapping
★ Mythology
★ Forced proximity
Will Quinn become the Grimm Academy savior and what will that mean for her steamy yet complicated relationship with the irresistible vampire prince?
Read this book now and enter into the mysterious world of Grimm Academy!
Quinn is a fighter. Growing up bouncing from foster home to foster home will do that to you.
When she finds out she’s not actually human, but fae, she knows her old life is a thing of the past. Kidnapped to the prestigious Grimm Academy, she has no choice but to settle into the world of the Originals - vampires, shifters and faes. And if that weren’t enough, Quinn is selected to participate in the annual Trials - an exploit that has killed many students before her.
Trying to balance her efforts to discover her past, and the challenges of this new world, Quinn is forced to spend time with her high-school celebrity crush, the vampire prince Andreas Faust himself. But there are dark forces at work that are looking to sew destruction, and a mystery that is begging to be solved.
And to make it even harder for Quinn, the handsome prince she used to have a crush on is an entitled asshole who seems to have it in for her.
If you enjoyed Shannon Mayer and Sarah J. Maas, you will find this book unputdownable.
“It’s like Harry Potter for women who like their books spicy!”
Spicy ✓✓✓
★ Standalone/No cliffhanger
★ Enemies to lovers
★ Strong female protagonist
★ Dual POV
★ Royal family
★ Touch her and d!e
★ Slow burn
★ Dark fairytale world
★ Kidnapping
★ Mythology
★ Forced proximity
Will Quinn become the Grimm Academy savior and what will that mean for her steamy yet complicated relationship with the irresistible vampire prince?
Read this book now and enter into the mysterious world of Grimm Academy!
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2023
238 people are currently reading
1145 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 8, 2023
There were parts of this book that I liked and parts I didn't like. It pains me to have to give it three stars, when I gave the prequel four, but I always try to be honest.
So, what I liked was learning more about Grimm Academy, the mysteries that happened there and that are still happening.
The fact that it was a dual PoV, although I think Faust's PoV should've been marked as such. It's not hard to see that we're in his head, but that first sentence is always a bit jarring.
Nuala and Moswyn, who always went out of their way to help Quinn, and who had good advice, even when she didn't want to listen to it.
Now for what I didn't like. The romance, or rather the lack of it. Most of the book is very plot focused which doesn't leave a lot of time for the romance to develop. Based on the blurb, I was expecting a full blown fantasy romance that would sweep me off my feet, but clearly that didn't happen.
The two leads have barely any romantic scenes together, and because of that the ones they do have seem forced and unnatural. I wanted to ship it so hard, I really did, but I just couldn't.
Also, I'm not someone who cares about steam in books, if a book doesn't have it - cool, if a book has it - also cool, but again, based on the blurb I was expecting something different.
There's only one steamy scene at the very end of the book, so if that's what you're looking for, you won't find it here.
The writing was a bit clunky, but I'm sure it'll improve in the next books.
And overall I wanted more from this book. Not just in the romance department, but the plot one too. I feel like it had the potential to be great, and maybe it could've been with a bit more polishing.
This series so far feels very YA to me, even with that steamy scene. Now this could be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it, for me it's neither? Because I love YA, and I also love adult books that feel like YA, but I can't really tell if this one was going for that or not.
I still want to give the rest of the series a try, and see what I'll think of the other books.
So, what I liked was learning more about Grimm Academy, the mysteries that happened there and that are still happening.
The fact that it was a dual PoV, although I think Faust's PoV should've been marked as such. It's not hard to see that we're in his head, but that first sentence is always a bit jarring.
Nuala and Moswyn, who always went out of their way to help Quinn, and who had good advice, even when she didn't want to listen to it.
Now for what I didn't like. The romance, or rather the lack of it. Most of the book is very plot focused which doesn't leave a lot of time for the romance to develop. Based on the blurb, I was expecting a full blown fantasy romance that would sweep me off my feet, but clearly that didn't happen.
The two leads have barely any romantic scenes together, and because of that the ones they do have seem forced and unnatural. I wanted to ship it so hard, I really did, but I just couldn't.
Also, I'm not someone who cares about steam in books, if a book doesn't have it - cool, if a book has it - also cool, but again, based on the blurb I was expecting something different.
There's only one steamy scene at the very end of the book, so if that's what you're looking for, you won't find it here.
The writing was a bit clunky, but I'm sure it'll improve in the next books.
And overall I wanted more from this book. Not just in the romance department, but the plot one too. I feel like it had the potential to be great, and maybe it could've been with a bit more polishing.
This series so far feels very YA to me, even with that steamy scene. Now this could be a good or bad thing, depending on how you look at it, for me it's neither? Because I love YA, and I also love adult books that feel like YA, but I can't really tell if this one was going for that or not.
I still want to give the rest of the series a try, and see what I'll think of the other books.
January 5, 2025
What did I just read
Let's talk about characters first:
Faust is an awful person, after assaulting quinn when drunk, he then goes on to say that why would she even dare to think that he'd touch her again, as if she'd be lucky or privileged to be assaulted again. He never ever apologises to her, even though she asked multiple times. And he is supposed to be the love interest? We are meant to be rooting for this?
And then Quinn isn't much better.
Even though quinn is the newbie, she treats nuala and moswen like they're trash and beneath her. Anything she says or wants is right, even though they both have way more knowledge than her.
Not only that, but when nuala and her found the 2 bodies in the forest, nuala had a very understandable traumatic reaction, and quinn was horrible to her about it and never checked in with her after. Her friend Nuala asks Quinn to drop something, but Quinn doesn't, bringing it up time and time again each time it upsets Nuala slightly more than the time before. I'm not over confident on why the author wants us, the reader, to think that her FMC is shallow and self-absorbed with an ego bigger than the moon. It doesn't bring much to the plot and, if anything, makes retention really hard. Again, it makes me wonder how on earth we are supposed to be invested in Quinns journey?
Toward the last quarter of the book, the plot loses all integrity for me. Quinn now tells everyone everything. They barely focus on the murdered students. They have no suspects and no answers. They don't even work out that the stone the uncle sends them to fetch is the same stone the uncle wants to be able to control people? I genuinely don't understand why the characters would be written to be that thick or why we, as the reader, would be assumed to be that thick. 1 stone plus 1 stone = the same stone, and we are supposed to be surprised? That's meant to be a plot twist?
It almost feels like this book is a bit AI generated. The flow doesn't always work. We leave plot lines and characters in the past with no word on where they went. Lisa, Cormack, etc. With the fantasy clichés and repetitive text, I find it hard to believe both an author and an editor wouldn't pick up on this.
For example, the phrase "craned x neck" is repeated so much that the poor characters must be built like giraffes and in a lot of neck pain. Same for 'I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.'
This story is also very VERY similar to the coven, which was released a few months before this book.
Let's talk about characters first:
Faust is an awful person, after assaulting quinn when drunk, he then goes on to say that why would she even dare to think that he'd touch her again, as if she'd be lucky or privileged to be assaulted again. He never ever apologises to her, even though she asked multiple times. And he is supposed to be the love interest? We are meant to be rooting for this?
And then Quinn isn't much better.
Even though quinn is the newbie, she treats nuala and moswen like they're trash and beneath her. Anything she says or wants is right, even though they both have way more knowledge than her.
Not only that, but when nuala and her found the 2 bodies in the forest, nuala had a very understandable traumatic reaction, and quinn was horrible to her about it and never checked in with her after. Her friend Nuala asks Quinn to drop something, but Quinn doesn't, bringing it up time and time again each time it upsets Nuala slightly more than the time before. I'm not over confident on why the author wants us, the reader, to think that her FMC is shallow and self-absorbed with an ego bigger than the moon. It doesn't bring much to the plot and, if anything, makes retention really hard. Again, it makes me wonder how on earth we are supposed to be invested in Quinns journey?
Toward the last quarter of the book, the plot loses all integrity for me. Quinn now tells everyone everything. They barely focus on the murdered students. They have no suspects and no answers. They don't even work out that the stone the uncle sends them to fetch is the same stone the uncle wants to be able to control people? I genuinely don't understand why the characters would be written to be that thick or why we, as the reader, would be assumed to be that thick. 1 stone plus 1 stone = the same stone, and we are supposed to be surprised? That's meant to be a plot twist?
It almost feels like this book is a bit AI generated. The flow doesn't always work. We leave plot lines and characters in the past with no word on where they went. Lisa, Cormack, etc. With the fantasy clichés and repetitive text, I find it hard to believe both an author and an editor wouldn't pick up on this.
For example, the phrase "craned x neck" is repeated so much that the poor characters must be built like giraffes and in a lot of neck pain. Same for 'I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.'
This story is also very VERY similar to the coven, which was released a few months before this book.
May 13, 2023
There was something missing in the way this story was proceeding. I had a hard time understanding Quinn Longborn, a heroine with mixed personality. I like my heroines strong and stubborn, but she went right to angry all the time, it was infuriating.
At 21, working as a social worker’s right hand after a childhood bouncing from one foster home to another Quinn finds out she is fae-blooded, and is summoned to some kind of magic school. There she meets her high-school celebrity crush, the vampire prince and heir to the throne - Andreas Faust. Quinn makes it her mission to find out who she is and simultaneously trying not to be killed by whatever obstacles she meets in this new magic world.
Her behaviour didn’t make much sense to me, she accepted her new reality very easily. Not missing any friends or colleagues. The story proceeds with longer time gaps, a month or two between whats happening. And with absolutely no development either. Faust is overlooking her and doesn’t show much interest, but it’s clear when we get his POV that he is obsessed. Unfortunately, it’s not marked as his POV so you have to figure it out as a reader, I prefer when the chapters are marked with who’s POV we reading from. The chapters was also ending abruptly, the transitions became better as the story proceeded.
There is some kissing, one sex scene, but never any love-talk between these MC’s, other then by the end when she is accepting being only his. And then it ends.
The romance in this book is saved by the chapters of Faust POV.
Even though, the story held my interest and the suspense was real. I really wanted to get all the answers. I believe this is not the last of Grimm Academy for my part.
- No cheating
- OW/OM drama: H gets a girlfriend, but is only interested in the heroine so I didn’t see the point of this
- HFN without epilogue
”If you stay, you’re mine.”
At 21, working as a social worker’s right hand after a childhood bouncing from one foster home to another Quinn finds out she is fae-blooded, and is summoned to some kind of magic school. There she meets her high-school celebrity crush, the vampire prince and heir to the throne - Andreas Faust. Quinn makes it her mission to find out who she is and simultaneously trying not to be killed by whatever obstacles she meets in this new magic world.
Her behaviour didn’t make much sense to me, she accepted her new reality very easily. Not missing any friends or colleagues. The story proceeds with longer time gaps, a month or two between whats happening. And with absolutely no development either. Faust is overlooking her and doesn’t show much interest, but it’s clear when we get his POV that he is obsessed. Unfortunately, it’s not marked as his POV so you have to figure it out as a reader, I prefer when the chapters are marked with who’s POV we reading from. The chapters was also ending abruptly, the transitions became better as the story proceeded.
There is some kissing, one sex scene, but never any love-talk between these MC’s, other then by the end when she is accepting being only his. And then it ends.
The romance in this book is saved by the chapters of Faust POV.
Even though, the story held my interest and the suspense was real. I really wanted to get all the answers. I believe this is not the last of Grimm Academy for my part.
- No cheating
- OW/OM drama: H gets a girlfriend, but is only interested in the heroine so I didn’t see the point of this
- HFN without epilogue
”If you stay, you’re mine.”
Read
October 19, 2023Unfortunately it was a DNF for me.
You know how in books characters are usually young and act like adults? Well, here we have young adults acting like teenagers out of wattpad fanfiction. But if you don’t mind the mid language and this kind of behaviour then you might enjoy it.
You know how in books characters are usually young and act like adults? Well, here we have young adults acting like teenagers out of wattpad fanfiction. But if you don’t mind the mid language and this kind of behaviour then you might enjoy it.
February 22, 2024
Very enthralling!
I loved the love/hate relationship between the two main characters, Andreas and Quinn. My only issues were that the main character’s parent’s and sister’s deaths were not explained thoroughly enough and that stupid, freakin evil uncle was wasn’t punished enough for everything he did. About 80% through this book, I about stopped reading it bcz Quinn was a damn idiot😂 but thankfully I pulled through and finished it with a happy ending.
I loved the love/hate relationship between the two main characters, Andreas and Quinn. My only issues were that the main character’s parent’s and sister’s deaths were not explained thoroughly enough and that stupid, freakin evil uncle was wasn’t punished enough for everything he did. About 80% through this book, I about stopped reading it bcz Quinn was a damn idiot😂 but thankfully I pulled through and finished it with a happy ending.
August 10, 2023
Don’t really read books in this genre but I actually really enjoy the whole vampire/fae/shifters, definitely will read more like this!!
Bring on house of Lycan and house of Lilith!
OH MY GOD 🥵 Andreas Faust can control me ANY DAY!
Bit disappointed that I had to wait till the very last chapter for that spicy scene but my god was it Hot!
Bring on house of Lycan and house of Lilith!
OH MY GOD 🥵 Andreas Faust can control me ANY DAY!
Bit disappointed that I had to wait till the very last chapter for that spicy scene but my god was it Hot!
September 17, 2024
This has a lot of time jumps, not much character building or world building. I felt like I was missing a lot of info, but that's just how the book was written. I did like the idea, especially with the diary.
August 15, 2023
Fae, shifters, vampires, slow burn, enemies to lovers, fantasy…need I say more?
August 27, 2023
This book has all the potential to become 'one of the greats', with a thrilling and exciting plot, interesting characters and a fantastical world. However, it seems half-finished and poorly executed. The FMC only really has one emotion - anger - and she seems to become a completely different character in the last chapter without any reasoning as to why. The charachter building and evolving is so small that we don't really know anything about any of the characters, and at the end of the story we don't know more than when we started. Generally the story seems very rushed with big unlogical leaps of time and a rushed ending. Futhermore, we aren't introduced to new terms when they appear which makes it difficult to follow the story.
As I started by saying, this book really has potential, and if given the right time (and a hundred more pages to really let the story unfold) it could be great.
I hope that when the author gets more experience, she will take a look at this story again, and give it the rewrite it deserves.
As I started by saying, this book really has potential, and if given the right time (and a hundred more pages to really let the story unfold) it could be great.
I hope that when the author gets more experience, she will take a look at this story again, and give it the rewrite it deserves.
May 10, 2023
This story is very engaging, and I read 70% in one day. I don’t know why. It’s not an original plot. Since Quinn and Prince have insta-attraction, their mutual obsession is mystifying to me, since the prince’s personality takes 70% of the novel to start developing.
I thought Quinn grew up wanting to become the person who wanted to help children as a social worker, but after she was whisked away to an academy, all that was forgotten as soon as she saw her high school crush. Suddenly she is obsessed with him just as she is gifted a pile of mysterious books. Rather than delving into her new studies, suddenly she finds clues towards her parentage, and she drags her new best friend (a shiftless shifter) and a ghost haunting the room into her investigative partners. They eventually discover a plot that could result in a lot of bloodshed.
Nuala and Moswyn are engaging side characters, and I especially liked the ghost. After getting request upon request as if she were a genie out of a book, Moswyn just laid into Quinn. Ha ha. Prince Andreas was just as recalcitrant as Quinn.
Both Quinn and Nuala lack powers, but Quinn is selected for the trials, despite having grown up with no knowledge of the fae realms. I have a love-hate with trials. Too often the trials become a crutch for the plot and are a distraction. Is this a coming-of-age challenge? It doesn’t feel like one. I wasn’t sure what purpose the trials had. But the first trial is a clever bit that reminds me of Androcles and the Lion fable. I heartily approve! The next two trials are more action-oriented and confuse me. I don't know if my skimming through those sections or the rushed feeling they invoked in me, but they seem to be written to make 3 total when 1 or 2 would have been fine.
Nice quote: “That’s the thing with fantasies,” I say as I start getting up. “They distract you from actually living your life.” I can agree with that, since I willingly distract myself from chores to read!
The magic system is based upon earth, air, wind, and fire. [Spoiler alert]: While most of the students have only one gift, naturally Quinn discovers she has an entire kitchen sink of gifts through the trials. I prefer a scrappy, underpowered but surprisingly clever protagonist, but I understand that most people want to feel special. Quinn is certainly special, and I am sure there is a second book to include her other powers.
Steam: Slow-burn to create a climactic [cough, cough] and intense ending for your pleasure.
Keywords and triggers:
• Almost rape/ non-con
• Expletives
• Obsessive male and female
• Dual POV
• Ghost genie
• Trials and Obstacles to overcome
• Mysteries to solve
• 1 explicit scene
• Easy read
I thought Quinn grew up wanting to become the person who wanted to help children as a social worker, but after she was whisked away to an academy, all that was forgotten as soon as she saw her high school crush. Suddenly she is obsessed with him just as she is gifted a pile of mysterious books. Rather than delving into her new studies, suddenly she finds clues towards her parentage, and she drags her new best friend (a shiftless shifter) and a ghost haunting the room into her investigative partners. They eventually discover a plot that could result in a lot of bloodshed.
Nuala and Moswyn are engaging side characters, and I especially liked the ghost. After getting request upon request as if she were a genie out of a book, Moswyn just laid into Quinn. Ha ha. Prince Andreas was just as recalcitrant as Quinn.
Both Quinn and Nuala lack powers, but Quinn is selected for the trials, despite having grown up with no knowledge of the fae realms. I have a love-hate with trials. Too often the trials become a crutch for the plot and are a distraction. Is this a coming-of-age challenge? It doesn’t feel like one. I wasn’t sure what purpose the trials had. But the first trial is a clever bit that reminds me of Androcles and the Lion fable. I heartily approve! The next two trials are more action-oriented and confuse me. I don't know if my skimming through those sections or the rushed feeling they invoked in me, but they seem to be written to make 3 total when 1 or 2 would have been fine.
Nice quote: “That’s the thing with fantasies,” I say as I start getting up. “They distract you from actually living your life.” I can agree with that, since I willingly distract myself from chores to read!
The magic system is based upon earth, air, wind, and fire. [Spoiler alert]: While most of the students have only one gift, naturally Quinn discovers she has an entire kitchen sink of gifts through the trials. I prefer a scrappy, underpowered but surprisingly clever protagonist, but I understand that most people want to feel special. Quinn is certainly special, and I am sure there is a second book to include her other powers.
Steam: Slow-burn to create a climactic [cough, cough] and intense ending for your pleasure.
Keywords and triggers:
• Almost rape/ non-con
• Expletives
• Obsessive male and female
• Dual POV
• Ghost genie
• Trials and Obstacles to overcome
• Mysteries to solve
• 1 explicit scene
• Easy read
May 3, 2023
Quinn's New Life . . .
Quinn looks out at the coming darkness and thinks of the man, or whatever he is, she saw the night before. A note left on her doorstep warning “tomorrow, 8:30 pm” keeps her on edge. It distracts her from the case report she has to finish for the social worker she assists. She had seen the man the night before when she stepped outside at the bar she and Lisa were at to celebrate Lisa’s promotion. She knew he was looking at her, and she felt danger. But when “he” moved a few feet toward her, it was a female with frightening predator eyes. “It” reached into a pocket, but Quinn turned and ran back into the bar. She and Lisa went home, and that was when she found the note. It’s time to leave work now and she starts to walk home. But at 8:30, she felt compelled to walk toward an alley, toward someone waiting there playing a flute whose music is controlling her. The woman from last night greets her as “little mouse” and the world spins as she wakes up convulsing. A young man walks toward her and welcomes her to the Academy. Her life will never be the same . . .
Quinn discovers she is one of the Fae. She will be part of the Grimm Academy, the world of the Originals -- vampires, shifters and Fae. But she is a fighter. She can survive, but it won’t be easy. Grab your copy and follow along on her perilous adventure.
Quinn looks out at the coming darkness and thinks of the man, or whatever he is, she saw the night before. A note left on her doorstep warning “tomorrow, 8:30 pm” keeps her on edge. It distracts her from the case report she has to finish for the social worker she assists. She had seen the man the night before when she stepped outside at the bar she and Lisa were at to celebrate Lisa’s promotion. She knew he was looking at her, and she felt danger. But when “he” moved a few feet toward her, it was a female with frightening predator eyes. “It” reached into a pocket, but Quinn turned and ran back into the bar. She and Lisa went home, and that was when she found the note. It’s time to leave work now and she starts to walk home. But at 8:30, she felt compelled to walk toward an alley, toward someone waiting there playing a flute whose music is controlling her. The woman from last night greets her as “little mouse” and the world spins as she wakes up convulsing. A young man walks toward her and welcomes her to the Academy. Her life will never be the same . . .
Quinn discovers she is one of the Fae. She will be part of the Grimm Academy, the world of the Originals -- vampires, shifters and Fae. But she is a fighter. She can survive, but it won’t be easy. Grab your copy and follow along on her perilous adventure.
December 12, 2023
***BOOK REVIEW***
Name: House of Ydril
Author: Lyra Forger
Rate: 4/5 🌟
~Quinn FMC is an orphan who lived all her life in the human world till one day she got called by the piper herself!! Yes, she heard the song… When Quinn woke up she was not in her world any more. Now for Quinn being an orphan she never knew anything about her bio-parents and where she came from, so for her to just find out that she is some type of a magical supernatural creature… that didn’t go as well… as expected she was totally in denial!!! Now she is a Fae to be exact and the last one of her lineage. While she is attending the Grimm Academy and finding out more about her lineage, she uncovers dark secrets that happened while her parents were teachers in the past.
~Andreas MMC is the vampire prince. He is also an orphan but was raised by a close family member who was his uncle. Now little does Andreas know that his uncle will use him in a dirty way only to produce his plan. While reading this book Andreas has this attraction to Quinn but he tries so hard to push it away and deny it. But their attraction is OMG!
~This book is a standalone since it ends with a happy ending with the two MC but yet this is a series… so they will be more books that will be part of The Originals of Grimm Academy. So don’t expect Cliffhangers…
Name: House of Ydril
Author: Lyra Forger
Rate: 4/5 🌟
~Quinn FMC is an orphan who lived all her life in the human world till one day she got called by the piper herself!! Yes, she heard the song… When Quinn woke up she was not in her world any more. Now for Quinn being an orphan she never knew anything about her bio-parents and where she came from, so for her to just find out that she is some type of a magical supernatural creature… that didn’t go as well… as expected she was totally in denial!!! Now she is a Fae to be exact and the last one of her lineage. While she is attending the Grimm Academy and finding out more about her lineage, she uncovers dark secrets that happened while her parents were teachers in the past.
~Andreas MMC is the vampire prince. He is also an orphan but was raised by a close family member who was his uncle. Now little does Andreas know that his uncle will use him in a dirty way only to produce his plan. While reading this book Andreas has this attraction to Quinn but he tries so hard to push it away and deny it. But their attraction is OMG!
~This book is a standalone since it ends with a happy ending with the two MC but yet this is a series… so they will be more books that will be part of The Originals of Grimm Academy. So don’t expect Cliffhangers…
January 14, 2024
Fast-paced, plot-driven, page-turner that could have benefited from a little more character development. It was a really exciting read I finished in a day, but I didn't really feel anything for any of the characters and there were places and events where I felt like I really should have. Scenes that should have been deeply emotional and kinda came off as info dumps. Ok, this happened, check check check. Even the HUGE reveal at the end that should have been gut wrenching kinda was just meh.
Romance fell flat - it had the potential for a wicked enemies to lovers but I felt like I barely knew Quinn and didn't know Faust at all. They had the clash, and a little banter - but there was no real relationship development until fireworks in the final pages. It did read a bit like HP & the Goblet of Fire fanfic.
So I am torn rating this one. On the one hand it was a highly entertaining read and I flew through it, but ultimately forgettable. Good for when you want a lighter academy action read with interesting magic and not a huge emotional investment. Book one in a series, the major conflict is resolved, but opens new issues for future books.
Romance fell flat - it had the potential for a wicked enemies to lovers but I felt like I barely knew Quinn and didn't know Faust at all. They had the clash, and a little banter - but there was no real relationship development until fireworks in the final pages. It did read a bit like HP & the Goblet of Fire fanfic.
So I am torn rating this one. On the one hand it was a highly entertaining read and I flew through it, but ultimately forgettable. Good for when you want a lighter academy action read with interesting magic and not a huge emotional investment. Book one in a series, the major conflict is resolved, but opens new issues for future books.
Read
September 26, 2024good
Quinn didn’t realise that the vampire following her was there to make sure that, as fae blooded, she attend a magical academy. In fact, she didn’t even know she had fae blood at all.
Now she’s thrust into a world of magic and myth, where her own origins are a mystery that needs to be solved, because it might just threaten her life.
In addition to that, she finds herself chosen to enter the trials, while her childhood crush and alphahole extraordinaire, Prince Andreas Faust, is in charge of their group.
This is a standalone story, with a strong and feisty heroine, and a hero with all the wrong opinions.
It’s a fun read, entertaining and with plenty of academy/fantasy tropes that the reader will enjoy. It’s obvious that the author is heavily inspired by Harry Potter, but the story itself is different enough that it’s not completely obvious where it’s all going.
An enjoyable read for fantasy and academy fans.
Quinn didn’t realise that the vampire following her was there to make sure that, as fae blooded, she attend a magical academy. In fact, she didn’t even know she had fae blood at all.
Now she’s thrust into a world of magic and myth, where her own origins are a mystery that needs to be solved, because it might just threaten her life.
In addition to that, she finds herself chosen to enter the trials, while her childhood crush and alphahole extraordinaire, Prince Andreas Faust, is in charge of their group.
This is a standalone story, with a strong and feisty heroine, and a hero with all the wrong opinions.
It’s a fun read, entertaining and with plenty of academy/fantasy tropes that the reader will enjoy. It’s obvious that the author is heavily inspired by Harry Potter, but the story itself is different enough that it’s not completely obvious where it’s all going.
An enjoyable read for fantasy and academy fans.
May 9, 2023
Wow – great story!
This was a great book for this series. It brought a lot of drama, intrigue and the supernatural all together when Quinn discovers that she is Fae and brought to Grimm Academy to learn her magic. She initially doesn’t believe it since she was an orphan, but things start being discovered about her family after she finds a journal that one of her relatives wrote in and left her essence. Then she is selected to be part of the big trials so she has to learn how to wield her magic even faster. But there is something foul afoot and it seems like someone is using the trials for their own gain. Now Quinn has to figure out who is trying not only to kill her but others for their own power.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a great book for this series. It brought a lot of drama, intrigue and the supernatural all together when Quinn discovers that she is Fae and brought to Grimm Academy to learn her magic. She initially doesn’t believe it since she was an orphan, but things start being discovered about her family after she finds a journal that one of her relatives wrote in and left her essence. Then she is selected to be part of the big trials so she has to learn how to wield her magic even faster. But there is something foul afoot and it seems like someone is using the trials for their own gain. Now Quinn has to figure out who is trying not only to kill her but others for their own power.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 18, 2023
Forced proximity ✔️ Enemies to Lovers ✔️ Strong FMC ✔️
Quinn is an orphan just trying to get by when she’s suddenly taken to Grimm Academy where she learns she is in fact fae. She has no clue who her parents are nor how to wield magic.
Andreas is the vampire prince who happens to be an orphan who was raised by his uncle. He has no idea that his own uncle seeks to control everything through him.
Quinn and Andreas fight their attraction every second which only leads to a fireworks display in the end. Along the way, they both get some answers they need and ultimately get their HEA.
I wish there had been clearer labeling of the duel POVs, but Andreas’ were always easy to tell. I also wish there had been more spice to their dark romance. Would definitely read more by this author as it never disappoints and I love that there are no cliffhangers.
Quinn is an orphan just trying to get by when she’s suddenly taken to Grimm Academy where she learns she is in fact fae. She has no clue who her parents are nor how to wield magic.
Andreas is the vampire prince who happens to be an orphan who was raised by his uncle. He has no idea that his own uncle seeks to control everything through him.
Quinn and Andreas fight their attraction every second which only leads to a fireworks display in the end. Along the way, they both get some answers they need and ultimately get their HEA.
I wish there had been clearer labeling of the duel POVs, but Andreas’ were always easy to tell. I also wish there had been more spice to their dark romance. Would definitely read more by this author as it never disappoints and I love that there are no cliffhangers.
January 13, 2024
I was hooked within minutes…the way Quinn is taken off the streets within those first few pages and the book delves straight into the story is fantastic. Reels you straight in.
I love the concept of the different towers housing the different creatures and I can’t wait to read the other books to explore what I know will tell us more about the other creatures and characters.
I really enjoyed the depth of writing in the characters and storyline. There was a Harry Potter feel to it here which I loved and I especially loved the fairytale pieces slotted in throughout.
I loved the friction between the MMC and FMC and the forced proximity and all the inbetween stuff that went on. I’m a sucker for anything like that and with the fantasy thrown in on top, it was great!
It was a fantastic read.
I love the concept of the different towers housing the different creatures and I can’t wait to read the other books to explore what I know will tell us more about the other creatures and characters.
I really enjoyed the depth of writing in the characters and storyline. There was a Harry Potter feel to it here which I loved and I especially loved the fairytale pieces slotted in throughout.
I loved the friction between the MMC and FMC and the forced proximity and all the inbetween stuff that went on. I’m a sucker for anything like that and with the fantasy thrown in on top, it was great!
It was a fantastic read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2023
There is absolutely no way this book had this chokehold on me for this long... as I started reading this book, I thought I would have an issue with getting into it; the longer I read it, the more I fell in love.
With the constant twists and turns, it will look over your shoulder along with Quinn. The more you fall into this crazy universe, the more you will learn that everything isn't what it seems.
Every single character was so well written and presented I really cannot wait to see what Lyra has for us within the next book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
With the constant twists and turns, it will look over your shoulder along with Quinn. The more you fall into this crazy universe, the more you will learn that everything isn't what it seems.
Every single character was so well written and presented I really cannot wait to see what Lyra has for us within the next book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2023
I need more...
There was a lot to unpack in this book. Overall, I really enjoyed it. At times, I felt the story was really rushed. There's almost too much going on given the length of the book. This should have either been longer or spread out over a few books. I loved the friendships and the tension between the FMC and MMC. One minor thing for me would be to request character names at the beginning of a chapter if it is switching between points of view. There were a few chapters where it took me a second to figure out what was going on. It's a minor thing but helps prevent confusion.
There was a lot to unpack in this book. Overall, I really enjoyed it. At times, I felt the story was really rushed. There's almost too much going on given the length of the book. This should have either been longer or spread out over a few books. I loved the friendships and the tension between the FMC and MMC. One minor thing for me would be to request character names at the beginning of a chapter if it is switching between points of view. There were a few chapters where it took me a second to figure out what was going on. It's a minor thing but helps prevent confusion.
August 14, 2023
“My soul will always know yours.”
I wish I could share more about this quote but I won’t go spoiling anything.😉
Quinn growing up in the foster system finds herself at Grimm Academy with vampires, faes, and shifters.
Exploring all the the academy has to offer. Quinn is shocked to be there when she assumes she’s only human. She slowly finds out that she is fae and there are more secrets and lies about her family and past.
Vampire prince Andreas has all the girls wanting him. He basically runs the academy and isn’t as nice as Quinn thinks.
On a mission to solve and figure out what really is going on. Quinn goes on a ride with dark forces, lies, and a mystery at hand.
I wish I could share more about this quote but I won’t go spoiling anything.😉
Quinn growing up in the foster system finds herself at Grimm Academy with vampires, faes, and shifters.
Exploring all the the academy has to offer. Quinn is shocked to be there when she assumes she’s only human. She slowly finds out that she is fae and there are more secrets and lies about her family and past.
Vampire prince Andreas has all the girls wanting him. He basically runs the academy and isn’t as nice as Quinn thinks.
On a mission to solve and figure out what really is going on. Quinn goes on a ride with dark forces, lies, and a mystery at hand.
March 18, 2025
probably more like a 3.5-4?
much better than the prologue for the exact same reason I said in the review for it. Honestly didn't even need to read the prologue since it wasn't a direct carry on, but the story definitely flowed better!
loved the storyline idea and the writing wasn't horrible, but maybe just not my favourite? I know the books are all technically stand-alone's, and this definitely flowed a lot better than the short prologue, but I think I still struggle with fantasy books this detailed over the course of one book?
still overall a good read and I'll still be reading the rest of the books
much better than the prologue for the exact same reason I said in the review for it. Honestly didn't even need to read the prologue since it wasn't a direct carry on, but the story definitely flowed better!
loved the storyline idea and the writing wasn't horrible, but maybe just not my favourite? I know the books are all technically stand-alone's, and this definitely flowed a lot better than the short prologue, but I think I still struggle with fantasy books this detailed over the course of one book?
still overall a good read and I'll still be reading the rest of the books
July 4, 2023
I found it hard work getting into the book, then it was quite addictive, in anticipation of the spice which doesn’t really happen until the very end! There are holes and convenience in the plot as pointed out by other reviewers, but the story was entertaining enough that I didn’t find them distracting. I often abandon fantasy because the writing style or characters are too juvenile, I didn’t find that here.
I haven’t decided if I’ll read the others in series yet, I will read something else first.
I haven’t decided if I’ll read the others in series yet, I will read something else first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2023
Wow! This was such a good read! Absolutely gave off potter vibes but yet it’s own world all together!
Quinn has grown up an orphan and not had an easy life. She is then thrown into the academy not knowing why.
During her time there she makes a friend, discovers who her family is, discovers who she truly is, and forces to participate in three trials (hello hunger games).
Although I did find similarities to other stories I’ve mentioned, this was a fantastic read! I recommend it. 1.5/5 🌶️ level which was a nice change up from other stories I’ve read recently.
Quinn has grown up an orphan and not had an easy life. She is then thrown into the academy not knowing why.
During her time there she makes a friend, discovers who her family is, discovers who she truly is, and forces to participate in three trials (hello hunger games).
Although I did find similarities to other stories I’ve mentioned, this was a fantastic read! I recommend it. 1.5/5 🌶️ level which was a nice change up from other stories I’ve read recently.
March 10, 2024
The premise of this was really interesting and I liked the mystery. However, I felt the world-building was shallow and character development fell flat. I'm also not a fan of controlling/bully romance and so that subplot didn't really do anything for me.
It reminded me a little bit of The Coven by Harper L. Woods: girl is forced to go to an academy and there are random sacrifices over the course of the school year. Mix in a little bit of Harry Potter's Triwizard Tournament with a splash of Hunger Games and there you go.
It reminded me a little bit of The Coven by Harper L. Woods: girl is forced to go to an academy and there are random sacrifices over the course of the school year. Mix in a little bit of Harry Potter's Triwizard Tournament with a splash of Hunger Games and there you go.
July 25, 2024
So I'm giving this a 4 only because I love a good mystery/fantasy book, and this did deliver, but be aware this is a slow burn. There were some moments of frustration in regards to the FMC as she has some serious anger issues, and well the MMC did too. Some details on the characters were a bit vague, but honestly, after reading several other books in the series, i had a general understanding of who they were. HOWEVER! Once the anger was basically "taken care of," 😉 there was a major shift in personality, but sometimes that's all it takes, lol.
October 15, 2024
I ended up DNF'ing this. I tried hard not to, but it needs a lot of editing.
That said, there is potential, and I found it hard to put down at a lot of places. This would have been better as a duology instead of a standalone. There was a lot of information in this, and the characters lacked character development. FMC grew up with trauma and never really learned to live with it. I may pick it up and try reading it again later. I just don't think I can at this time. The plot is interesting, too, and I would eventually like to see how this book ends.
That said, there is potential, and I found it hard to put down at a lot of places. This would have been better as a duology instead of a standalone. There was a lot of information in this, and the characters lacked character development. FMC grew up with trauma and never really learned to live with it. I may pick it up and try reading it again later. I just don't think I can at this time. The plot is interesting, too, and I would eventually like to see how this book ends.
September 3, 2025
Cute and entertaining. I like the mystery and there are twists you don’t see coming. FMC is strong and MMC is morally grey. I did love that it gave a glimpse into why he is how he is and he had to prove himself to her but it didn’t have some twist to give excuses to make the FMC’s feelings towards him okay.
The “dark” side of the book is pretty light. The book overall is pretty surface level. It insinuates some dark things and lingers close to the border of dark…but in my opinion never crosses that line or digs deeper into those dark tropes.
The “dark” side of the book is pretty light. The book overall is pretty surface level. It insinuates some dark things and lingers close to the border of dark…but in my opinion never crosses that line or digs deeper into those dark tropes.
May 10, 2023
I'm a HUGE fan of Fae and magic stories - so I was totally here for Quinn's story. In fact, the whole Academy set up is kinda of scarier Harry Potter thing - but darker, sooo much darker and more intriguing. Someone is getting rid of students and stealing their powers - and Lyra Forger weaves her tale through multiple teasing threads, red herrings and clever plotting.
Impressed!.
Can't wait for Book 2
Impressed!.
Can't wait for Book 2
July 15, 2023
Loved this ! 1 🌶️. If you are looking for a spicy book, this is not it. It has very minimal smex. The world building and story line is very good tho. It was a pretty fast read for me. Even tho I predicted some of the book there was a few things that caught me off guard. I would have liked for the chapter headers to tell you who’s pov it was in, because I got confused but I quickly figured it out.
August 21, 2023
I’ve loved this book so much that I would’ve wanted more to it. More of the world, of the trials, the back storie of the MMC. I could have keep reading 300 more pages, that’s how much I didn’t wanted it to end !
I’m a sucker for a tall broody vampire prince who think the world is on his shoulders.
I can’t wait to read the next book of this serie of stand alone.
Strong FMC
Possessive MMC
Vampires, shifters and faes
Forced proximity
Touch her and die
Enemies to lovers
I’m a sucker for a tall broody vampire prince who think the world is on his shoulders.
I can’t wait to read the next book of this serie of stand alone.
Strong FMC
Possessive MMC
Vampires, shifters and faes
Forced proximity
Touch her and die
Enemies to lovers
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews