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Madison’s search for the Soule Grimoire could get her expelled…if it doesn’t get her killed, first. Madison enrolled at La Voisin hoping to get control of her magic abilities; she never expected that to lead her to series of murder mysteries in the supernatural community.

One mystery, however, is even bigger and more ominous than all the What happened to the Soule Coven? The secrets lie in a grimoire hidden in New Orleans, and it ends up being Madison’s best friend from the mundane world who helps her retrieve the books with the help of a Voodoo Priestess.

But retrieving the grimoire is only half the battle. As Madison and her friends race to save the Soule Coven before those imprisoning them realize their plot has been uncovered, they soon learn the nefarious history of La Voisin runs deeper than they thought.

As does Madison’s own history…

Fans of Stephenie Meyers’ Twilight and Bella Forrest’s Harley Merlin series will devour Crown of Blood, book three of Veronica Shade’s Academy of the Damned.

Scroll up and one-click to continue reading this haunting, slow burn paranormal academy romance today.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 24, 2020

255 people are currently reading
236 people want to read

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Veronica Shade

12 books57 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica Mitchell.
2,051 reviews20 followers
July 27, 2020
Wow, where I loved this book. I was very disappointed in myself for not realizing that this is book four in the series. Ugh, a very big ugh. I hate starting a series the middle of the book, almost as much as I dislike cliffhangers. But it is what it is now. I finished the book and was not disappointed in even though there's alot I've obviously missed. There was a little bit of everything in this book. Magic, adventure, mysteries, and deadly secrets. I honestly can't wait for book five, but will get on top of reading the other three asap.
Madison has a lot to do in a short amount of time allotted to her. She must find the Soule Grimoire and restore what was fractured in the witches history. But can she really do everything that Hecate and Damon says she could? Or will she die out along with her ancestors....
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews53 followers
August 2, 2020
Throne of Death by Rebecca Hamilton is an amazing story that I have read. This is book number four in this amazing series that I have loved reading and I can not wait to see what this author will write next. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about magic, murder mysteries and fantasy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Chantelle.
15 reviews
July 19, 2025
There are some great adventures and new things to learn about. Madison, Krista, and Ivy are still cracking more mysteries and finding more. They are still constantly finding trouble as well. Now they have a few more people and things on their side. The ending has you wanting to read the next book. I couldn't get enough and am so anxious for book 4!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,999 reviews44 followers
July 28, 2020
This is book four of the Academy of the Damned series and continues Madison’s story as she is led to a search for the Soule Grimoire, from the Soule clan of witches, whose history has been covered up and made to disappear, as well as all the ancestors of that line, many years ago. After the events that killed her boyfriend Beau, when her elemental powers were out of control, led her to La Voisin Academy for witches, so she could learn more about magic and never hurt someone she loves ever again. But attending the school brought more shocks and surprises about statues and missing people. The school grounds are littered with statues, but some have only just been added and Madison is able to communicate with one of them, Damon, who has been imprisoned for decades. Her friend Zoey has also been turned to stone and she needs to find a solution to release them.

She and her school friends, Ivy and Krista, are on holiday from school, but Krista needs to stay with Ivy who is having problems with her parents. This leaves Madison with only the latter part of their week off to get New Orleans and search for the Grimoire, which a secret book about blood magic from the head’s office showed her the location of. Her old school friend Julieta comes by her mother’s house and offers to go with her. She is a mundane, but has developed an interest in voodoo and magic. But finding the grimoire is the easy part, trying to defeat the witch or coven that imprisoned all of the Soule Coven and their descendants could get her killed. The trip to New Orleans is dangerous for an elemental witch such as her, especially with her lack of knowledge about the other sides of magic and how welcome she would be amongst the voodoo practitioners.

She will have to prove her worthiness to the Mambo, the High Priestess of the city and pay the price for her request for help. Only if she is worthy will the location of the grimoire be revealed to her and more problems will follow even once she has it in her hands. Madison gets to learn more about other types of magic, so vastly different from her own, but also manages to find out more about her own family history and her links to the Soule coven, wherever they have come from. La Voisin Academy has a darker history than any of her friends could ever have thought and the friends knowing about the Soule ancestors trapped as statues, could bring the whole weight of the dangerous witch or witches who imprisoned them in the first place.

Just as it starts to ramp up the action back at the academy, this book ends, so will have to get the next one to find out what happens to Ivy and Julieta, as well as Damon and the other statues. A great adventure into New Orleans and lots of background into the voodoo lifestyle and magic. The story covers a lot of the hidden history of the magic academy and the grimoire tells them a lot of the history of one of the strongest members of the Soule coven and documents the events that happened all those years ago as the other covens ganged up on the Soule coven and tried to eliminate them completely! Madison is lucky in one way, in that she never knew any of this history and the politics within the magic community, so what she finds out, she will take in and process without any sort of prejudice. A quick paced read, that I read in one shot and was surprised to have suddenly come to an end. I can’t wait to read the next one and the one I must have missed in-between. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Profile Image for Mary Brannian.
1,068 reviews19 followers
May 4, 2020
Madison, Krista and Ivy are at a dead end. They have no path forward, except to try a spell from the blood magic book for guidance. When the spell is executed, it directs them to New Orleans.... Where dangers and revelations await...

“A plague?” Zandie asks, a bitter laugh in her tone. “It wasn't a plague, Madison,” she says. “It was a massacre.”

But when the time comes to go to New Orleans, Madison must make the trip alone, unless... Madison meets up with her friend Julieta, who insists on accompanying Madison on her quest. Once Madison and Julieta arrive in New Orleans, danger once again threatens Madison and Julieta. An unlikely savior appears, and spirits Madison and Julieta off the see the Mambo, whose mystical connections eclipse anything Madison has ever seen...

“Marie needed to know you would be willing to go the distance to save Damon, and you proved yourself to her. If I had told you what to expect, your willingness to sacrifice yourself wouldn’t have meant enough. You should be proud.” - Zandie

More questions than answers are left When Madison and Julieta leave New Orleans. Visions of Hecate, dire warnings, and the insidious, creeping sense of overwhelming evil nearly overcomes her, yet Madison is determined to discover the truth.... The truth of the Soule coven....

"LadyofStars folds up her cards and looks at the camera. “I’m getting a specific message for you, Madison.” I hold my breath. “You have to let go of the future you thought you were going to have,” she says." - LadyofStars to Madison

Another haunting, captivating tale, one that will leave your head spinning and you gasping!
1,190 reviews9 followers
July 22, 2020
Madison is at home waiting for Ivy and Krista to come so they can go look for the grimoire. They can't make it so they tell Madison to go to New Orleans by herself. Madison doesn't know what to do, she feels abandoned by her friends. While helping her mom clean the yard, her best friend shows up. Madison has not seen or spoke to her since she left. Madison is so happy to see her. She can't lie to Julieta anymore and tells her the truth. Julieta decides to go with Madison to New Orleans to help her find what she needs.
Things go out of control pretty much from the beginning for Madison and Julieta. The are saved by a man named Laurent, he takes them to a person named Mambo. He says she is the only one that might be able to help her. Madison is able to see her and she is willing to help her. Madison will have a to pay a price. Julieta will also make a sacrifice for Madison but she wants to walk that road.
At school, things will be out of control for Madison as she tries to figure what she has to do, what road. Madison and her friends are walking a very dangerous road.

This book was so good. It is well written, fast paced, so many twist and turns in this story. You keep reading to see what is going to happen next for the characters. The ending is wild, I can't wait to see what happens in the next book

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,897 reviews17 followers
June 29, 2020
The more Madison finds out about the disappearance of the Soule family, the more dangerous that knowledge becomes for her and her La Voisin friends. First things first, Madison needs the Soule Grimoire, which she hopes will contain a spell that will free the coven trapped in the stone statues. But, it is Madison, and her best friend Julieta, who are going after the grimoire. Unfortunately, the skrying spell used to locate the grimoire, points towards New Orleans. New Orleans is not welcoming to the witches from the north, and just happens to be the home of very powerful practitioners of voodoo, one of whom was entrusted with keeping the Soule Grimoire safe.

Absolutely wonderful, compelling, and beautifully well written characters trying to discover the truth that a powerful witch would prefer remains hidden. Fast paced, and magic packed plot with unexpected, and sometimes surprising twists. I couldn't put this book down.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
86 reviews
August 20, 2020
Madison has the book on voodoo and has been suspended and sent home for the duration. Her mom is out of rehab and doing well. She gets home and meets up with Julieta. Madison finds she has to go to New Orleans to find the Soule grimoire and Julieta insists on going along. They barely arrive through the mirror portal before they are attacked. They are rescued and taken to the head of one of the most powerful groups in New Orleans. The leader confiscates the voodoo book as it had been stolen from them many years before. And so the adventure to find the Soule grimoire is off and running.

This installment concentrates mainly on Madison and Julieta. The description of New Orleans will make you feel like you are there. Julieta becomes more than just the friend that Madison sacrificed Beau to save. The book keeps moving as secrets are revealed and events bring changes and revelations that you never see coming. The book does end with a cliffhanger. Waiting with bated breath for the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,259 reviews6 followers
July 25, 2020
Madison is getting closer to awakening the statues. Madison is learning more and more about the Spirit Witch Coven. She goes to New Orleans to get Clara Soule’s grimoire and has to do a blood sacrifice and her human friend Juliette has to agree to devote herself to a loa, which she does, in order for Madison to be able to read the grimoire. But when she gets back to the academy she learns so much about the real history of the witches in America and what has been hidden for centuries. Now she can do a spell to awaken Damon, but he won’t be powerful enough to release the other statues. They need to find Clara’s statue, but whe they find is sad and gruesome. Now she has to somehow take down Ms. Brewester, because somehow the Ms. Brewster that put the curse on the statues and the Spirit Coven, is the same woman hundreds of years later who is running the academy. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for Evelyn Dotson.
2,066 reviews17 followers
April 30, 2020
Madison has to go to Louisiana to find the Soule Grimoire. Her best friend Julieta is informed of all that is happening and goes with her. They will meet a true Voodoo Priestess, a ghost of one and will have to undertake a very serious ritual to get what is needed. Julieta will come through for her like no one else. Once she discovers what she needs, she can go back to the school to try and awaken Damon. Once she goes back to school, other things arise that will need their immediate attention and will change their course. There will be betrayal, new discoveries and secrets exposed~ they will also be on the run for their lives from a very powerful evil force…but, where will that leave them and what to do next to accomplish what needs to be done? I received this via Booksprout and am leaving a voluntary review.
Profile Image for Courteney.
30 reviews8 followers
May 4, 2020
I was so into this book and then it ended ugh! I loved the adventure to New Orleans and also how she was able to reconnect with her best friend who she saved in the first book. There was so much action and mystery and excitement I can't wait to see what is going to happen next I read this whole book in one night. I love how Madison is making friends and how everyone is helping her figure out about the statues and about her history as well. Her journey will come to an end in the final book which I can't wait to read. I would definitely recommend this book series to people who are fans of fantasy books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for nat _lovestoread.
947 reviews11 followers
June 17, 2020
Big secret revealed!!! 😳🤯
OMG can't believe all that happened in this book!!!... While I'm so desperate for Damon to be freed, this journey to New Orleans was so enlightening and Madison finally got the Soule Grimoire #yes #welldone 💪👊 and she also got a new and powerful ally #girlpower 🤜🤛
But the answer is not at easy to find as she thought and the new discoveries they made are so shocking and dangerous, they had to leave school ground but... What now? 😰😩
Can't wait to know what will happen now, need the next book ASAP!!! 😍

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carlynne Toomey.
462 reviews4 followers
July 25, 2020
I have really been enjoying this series. This is the fourth book and you definitely need to read the first three to keep up with everything that is going on. These are wonderful characters that are well developed, complex, and interesting. The background story world is fully believable and the flow throughout is smooth and draws you in. If you enjoyed the Twilight books, you'll probably enjoy this series as well although Twilight was vampires and this is witches, the feel is similar. I highly recommend the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
694 reviews6 followers
May 10, 2020
Madison and her best friend Julieta go to New Orleans in search of the Soule Grimoire. After a nasty altercation, they are led to the leader of the Voudon religion. She helps them find the grimoire. Unfortunately, that is only the beginning of their problems. After going back to the school, Madison, Krista and Ivy search for answers to the statues and don't like what they find. The problem is now bigger, but they do seem to find who is responsible for everything. How to stop that person is now the biggest problem.
Profile Image for Caroline Doig.
5,457 reviews49 followers
May 20, 2020
Wow I thought that the other 3 books were exciting but this one is the best of them all even though I do love the other 3 books this one is packed full of action, adventure, suspense, danger twists and turns and so much more to keep you entertained and turning the pages. Madison and Julieta go to find the Soule Grimoire and meet a voodoo priestess, there is so much going on in this story I’m not going to ruin it for you. This story is amazing and it’s a fantastic addition to this series and I definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for ☆☆Hannah☆☆.
3,182 reviews46 followers
September 18, 2020
This was another good read in the series. Madison and her friend end up in New Orleans. Here they begin to learn about what is going on. In this book we begin to see who is behind everything. Unfortunately, we still have 2 more books to go before everything is over.
199 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2023
The story drags on

The saga contit is interesting, how one author?
Can drag a story on and on and on. I have finished 4 books now. 2 more to go, and it's all the same story.
Profile Image for Maria Fledgling Author  Park.
975 reviews51 followers
October 22, 2023
Witch way did the Witches Go

The Academy of the Damned series just gets better and better with Queen of Legacy. Remember the old saying about what assuming makes you? Nothing could be truer in this book in the series. Madison, Krista and Ivy are finding out fast that what they've been taught and taken for granted is NOT WHAT IT SEEMS.

"...like Sherlock Holmes said, when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth"... starts a discussion about the girls having found that the New England witches had indeed learned and shared magic with the local Native American Witches, as well as the shocking discovery that the Spirit Coven leader, Clara Soule was a practitioner of Voodoo.

In Madison's continuing quest to find a spell to free the cement statues, who are actually cursed students and Soule witches, she observed, "Then again, I’d do well not to jump to conclusions about other people’s beliefs. I certainly don’t like it when people do that to me." Feeling a little overwhelmed but determined to succeed, Madison goes to New Orleans to seek the Soule Grimoire.

After encountering more and stranger magic, and much more dangerous situations in New Orleans, Madison tries to explain the intent behind it to her best friend, Julieta, from Oklahoma.

“Spells are...well, magic. Not science. It’s not about following the letter of the ritual, but the intention, the meaning behind it." Julieta ends up a part of the process and Madison goes back to La Voisin Academy battered and exhausted.

Everything the girls have found is leading to an ultimate confrontation with the person behind the eradication and suppression of the Spirit Coven at La Voisin Academy. Will the witches survive the conflagration? Only those who read the book will know.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews70 followers
July 25, 2020
👣👣👣ONE WILD THRILL RIDE 👣👣👣
Buckle up! This immensely talented and impressive trio delivers all the frills, spills and fiascos, rushing through unfamiliar territory, raising the stakes and keeping it real, blasting this little guy to life spectacularly. Traversing the taxing trials and hard won tribulations with deadly twists, wicked turns and thin lines, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. Shenanigans, escapades and havoc run amuck, rousting the drama, intrigue, turmoil, revelations, secrets, underlying threats, danger, mounting suspense and unnerving situations along with a boatload of chaos while dodging disaster, you have one thrilling masterpiece. Lines blurred and boundaries crossed, limitations are amplified and exploited, throwing this gem into the eye of the storm, blowing it into a tizzy with astonishing results. Satisfaction rocks this jewel, bringing it home with such intensity and precision, displaying triumph and imparting one block busting bombshell, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuine charismatic personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels like you can just reach out and touch it. Remarkable job guys, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
Profile Image for Andra Shaw.
1,311 reviews11 followers
July 31, 2020
Throne of Death is the 4th installment in the Academy of the Damned series. Not only does the plot thicken, so does the suspense, action, mystery, twists, and betrayals. Madison continues to grow into her powers and is determined to save the Soule Coven, which is a perilous undertaking. She and her friends, Krista and Ivy, find themselves digging deeper into the history of La Voisin and see that all is not what it seems. They hit roadblock after roadblock, yet feel like they are getting closer to getting those statues to awaken. Madison's friend Julieta enters the picture, and things get interesting in New Orleans. Get ready for a page-turner that stays one step ahead of where you think the story is going, all the way to the last page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Charlie Mccourt.
79 reviews
August 18, 2020
**Spoilers**
Vast improvement on the third book. More fast paced and not as drawn out. I can understand the characters frustrations as this whole situation is dragging and they really don't seem to get ahead, just injuries or near death. There is a clear issue rising between Madi, Ivy and Krista. Obviously Jaxon is now removed from the group so it seems that by the time this is done the group will be no more.
It has been clear from the start that Ms Brewster was evil. Just wish the story would hurry to a conclusion now. Only so many times these kids can be at deaths door.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Isabel Debono.
911 reviews14 followers
May 11, 2020
Book four to this saga continues for Madison and her friends and it doesn’t disappoint.
Madison reconnects with her best friend from book 1 and more mystery ensues.
There is so much action and excitement in this one.
Betrayal, new discoveries and some secrets exposed.
But with each new twist we are being drawn into their journey as it heads to its conclusion.
I was totally hooked and after the cliffhanger... cannot wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kim.
127 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2020
Good blend of mystery and magic. Madison is still in magic school and has been trying to find out about the fifth coven. This adventure takes her to New Orleans, she has to find the grimiore of the Soule coven. Madison meets a voodoo priestess and Marie Lavou who is keeping the book for Clara Soule. Couldn't put it down until I finished it. I really love the characters and the writing style of the author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.7k reviews28 followers
July 28, 2020
Throne of Death is the fourth book in the Academy of the Damned series and it is action packed. There is so much going on in this book that it just makes reading it that much entertaining. I definitely recommend you read the first three books in this series otherwise you will be lost. I am loving how the storyline flows smoothly from one book to the next. The writing is well done, the characters are well developed and the story is packed with action, mystery, suspense, magic, twists and an ending that left me ready for the next book. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Vanessa Dodd.
52 reviews3 followers
April 3, 2021
I absolutely loved the introduction of Voodoo magic and the time Madison spent in New Orleans!
This book is full of surprises, from introducing all this magic to Madison's oldest mundane friend to discovering that the good people, aren't always so good.
The ending left me gobsmacked and wanting more, all the secrets are out and Madison has a battle ahead of her. Who will side with her, how will she be able to save the Soule Coven and Hecate from evil powerful magic? Book 5, I'm coming to get you!
2,873 reviews11 followers
May 20, 2020
Everything went fine for the first several chapters, then BOOM, the bottom dropped out. The next few chapters are still rather tense but soon the tension levels out to one which I am comfortable with. The story, as expected, ends in yet another cliffhanger for the series.

Action-packed. Entertaining. Great world building. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.

I received a copy of this book as a gift.  This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Ruth.
491 reviews10 followers
July 19, 2020
Madison goes to New Orleans to retrieve the Soule grimoire with Julieta after coming clean to her. In trying to save the Soule coven, Madison learns more about La Voisin. Even more surprising twists and turns and new characters come to life. Can't wait to read more of this amazing and truly addicting series!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,873 reviews11 followers
Read
July 25, 2020
Everything went fine for the first several chapters, then BOOM, the bottom dropped out. The next few chapters are still rather tense but soon the tension levels out to one which I am comfortable with. The story, as expected, ends in yet another cliffhanger for the series.

Action-packed. Entertaining. Great world building. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.

I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Denise.
4,119 reviews12 followers
July 25, 2020
Madison has our attention with also a big task. This also has a favorite of mine mysteries and murder yes indeed. There is also a big big mystery that has a load. Drama is also part of this paranormal fantasy which is this series has a appeal that most do not have nowadays. Her friends will come to her aide with that making it a full cast. What flows out of this all will have the readers on pins and needles at times. This one also gives us alot to take in which is what it is all about.
1,721 reviews10 followers
July 25, 2020
This book was a little scarier then the last one, Madison and her best friend Julieta go to New Orleans to find The Soule Grimoire. They meet Zandie a powerful Voodoo priestess who helps them. Here they find out the truth and that La Voisins not all it seems. The truth comes out and Madison and her friends must fight for their lives. Deceit and danger! I recommend this series. Cannot wait for the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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