Nineteen-year-old Charlie's been dealt a bad hand from the day she was born. Found in a trash can as a baby, she's been shipped from one foster home to another, each one worse than the last. When she's offered an escape, she takes it. But fate isn't ready to be kind just yet. After a brutal car crash, Charlie is dragged into an unfamiliar world of magic with promises of a fresh start at the Magisterium of Magic, a prestigious school for the rich and entitled. Here, she's told that she's a Royal, a member of the highest tier of Magic Users, with the kind of power most people would do anything to steal or control. When a student abruptly leaves and she catches the School Master lying about it, she starts to question if the motives of her rescuers are pure. Or do these devious liars have a darker reason for finding her? With the help of a crew of troublemakers, Charlie dives into one of the magic world's oldest mysteries, the death in the North Tower and the cunning ghost who haunts it. The identity of the ghostly woman and truth about the student's departure could help Charlie decide who she can trust. Or it could prove that she should have trusted her instincts all along.
I only made it to page 120 before deciding to DNF. I know I was just getting to the meat of the book, but as I wasn't enjoying the experience, I decided to put it down with the option to continue in the future. I know this book is self published so it really isn't my desire to be negative, but the reviews I saw are what sold me on this book to begin with and set (what I believe to be) an unrealistic expectation. As a self-published book, it needs several layers of editing. To me, the characters were not engaging and one dimensional - but more than that, the repetitiveness of the first 120 pages was quite infuriating. The same descriptive phrases were written again and again back to back, and it is such an easy thing to fix with a thesaurus. I couldn't excuse it. "Light blue hoodie" "candy apple green eyes". A good example is "fluffy off white cardigan" was written twice in 3 sentences. Additionally, the MCs internal narration was the same thing again and again. It made the book read like a creative writing assignment rather than an engaging novel.
I did really like that the author chose to make the magic biological. It's an interesting take I haven't personally read before.
*My review is based only on the first 120 pages, and should I choose to pick this book back up in the future, I will update my thoughts. I wish the author the best of luck in her writing venture and mean to provide only constructive critique*
So amazing, start to finish!!! I love when authors make it so you feel as if you are discovering a fantastical world along with the main character, and take their time building the history and details of it all. Such an amazing fantasy with a badass and funny female lead, and a twinge of horror that gives you shivers of excitement! I have so many emotions swirling around with everything that happened, but the biggest emotion I'm feeling is impatience. Cuz I need book 2 ASAP!!!
Wow, the mystery in this book mysteried so hard and now I am mindblown and in shock.
THE NORTH TOWER is the first book in the Royal Trilogy, a YA Dark Fantasy series that boasts a cast of wonderful characters and a magical world that made me all shades of nostalgic and also fed my love for mystery and academy settings.
The story starts with a prologue that is nothing short of heartbreaking, and it leads us to meet Charlie, a 19 year old girl that has lived her life going from one foster family to the next, one situation worse than the other. And then, just as she’s finally getting out of town, her life turns completely on its head. She is saved from hunters and wakes up in the Magisterium of Magic, where she discovers not only the identity of her biological father, but also that she’s a Magic User and part of the most powerful group of Magic Users, too—a Royal. Given the opportunity to stay at the Magisterium, the man assigned to teach her how to control her powers is Michael Kale, who hates her father and her by extension.
The magic system and the way the society of Magic Users is structured is fascinating. I loved learning more about it thanks to Charlie’s time at the Magisterium. We even get to see Charlie attend some classes! And I also enjoyed the characters immensely. Charlie is a fighter and a runner. Staying at the Magisterium is taking all of her effort, because her first instinct is to deny trust and I can’t blame her, seeing the life she’s led so far. And I mean, she might also not be entirely wrong not to trust her saviors. Strange things start happening in the Magisterium, and the line between good and evil might be more blurred than one might think. I was also very intrigued by Michael Kale’s character and loved the dynamic between him and Charlie. Their bickering is goals! They really despise each other. My first instinct was to ship them, and after some snooping on the author’s profile I think that I can. The potential for a slow burn enemies to lovers romance is all there! And then there were the secondary characters that were a gem. I was especially fond of Moose and Clarence.
I’m looking forward to continuing the series and seeing more of Charlie and Michael, and hopefully some of the other characters too!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an ebook. Opinions are my own.
Wow!! I am not a big reader of fantasy but I LOVED this book! The storytelling is intricate and draws you in from the very first chapter. The characters are interesting and their personalities are unique and well-developed. The story has so much going on but it’s completely engaging and original with not a single detail missed. I was racing through pages up until the very end. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
This story is amazing! I absolutely loved it! The author built such an intriguing world and intricate world, while telling a wonderful story. If you like murder mysteries and magic schools, this is the book for you!
Super fun read. I hadn’t heard of it but I saw the author on TikTok pitching it so I figured I’d give it a try. It’s YA but don’t let that stop you. Dark Academia, Magic systems, the whole 9 yards. Very enjoyable. Jumping right into book 2.
A contemporary, young adult version of the Willow origin story intersects with the magical school setting and underdog protagonist of Harry Potter--albeit with a darker twist--in this thrilling debut from young adult author Michelle N. Hagood.
Directly from the start of the prologue, Hagood draws readers into a dangerous parallel world of magic, wards, and secrets in which no one with a wand can be trusted. Nineteen-year-old Charlie, who is barely surviving her meager existence in Salina, Kansas, is whisked suddenly into this sinister world when an escape plan is violently interrupted by a strange and inexplicable incident on the road. From there, she finds herself dragged into a magical reality that feels far too good to come without strings attached. After all, the Magisterium feels more like a prison, and someone within its obsidian walls is most definitely a killer.
With in-depth world building, truly sinister threats, and a complex cast of characters (and suspects), Hagood weaves a chilling tale of murder, magic, and mystery that will keep readers guessing until the last page.
not to be dramatic, but this book made me forget to eat for 3 days I was so enthralled with it. If you aren’t reading this book, what are you even doing with your life?
Ok I wanted to think over this before writing a review.
I enjoyed: The more unique aspects of this world were really fun. The different magic levels and the magic system itself. I always love a school mystery plot. BUT that leads me into -
My criticisms: There are too many similarities to Harry Potter here. I REALLY didn’t want to feel that way. HP is such a widely popular series that I try to be really lenient here but I couldn’t shake the feeling. Someone else called it out in their review, I think their name was Garrett? There’s also a fair amount of cliches in this book too. Personally, I didn’t find it realistic that a 19 year old with Charlie’s backstory would say “cheese and rice” over any kind of profanity.
Overall I thought this was a fun YA read and will read the second to see what growth there’s been for the characters and the writing itself.
Such a well constructed story. The mystery had me guessing and the magic was beautiful. Each character was masterfully crafted and the dialogue was without flaw.
Fans of Harry Potter (such as myself) would love this book, with magic, mystery and warring sides. Unlike Harry Potter the magic in The North Tower actually has a structure with physical limitations that make sense!
I look forward to continuing the story in the next books!
The story concept itself was interesting but I just wasn't feeling this one. I didn't connect with the characters, didn't find myself rooting for any particular relationship, and I solved the mystery a few chapters in advance.
This is the first book of the Royal trilogy, a YA dark fantasy perfect for fans of magical schools like Hogwarts!✨🙌🏻
It follows the story of Charlie, a 19 year old orphan who has spent her entire life running, jumping from different foster homes and constantly living in fear. Until one day when her only friend finally finds a way for her to escape her situation, she ends up taken to a magical academy and discovers she has a Royal 9 level of magic powers✨
Prepare yourselves for a slow burn enemies to lovers where the two absolutely HATE each other 😱 Master Kale is ruthless and demanding, and to make it worse, he absolutely can’t stand Charlie.
What you can expect: ✨ magical academy ✨ hidden powers ✨ hidden identity ✨ slow burn romance ✨ enemies to lovers
I enjoyed this book a ton and loved that it felt in between YA and Adult fantasy at times. For me, I do tend to like a bit more grit in my reads, but as this was the first YA novel I had read in over a decade, this was well worth the time. The magic system is smart. The description of the magic itself is easy to find yourself wondering if you could do the same things 😅 overall, this is closer to a 4.5 for me ⭐️
Cloaked in mystery, "The North Tower" by Michelle Hagood revels in making the reader second guess who can and can't be trusted.
Although a handful of awkwardly constructed sentences interrupt the adventure’s flow from time to time, Hagood's aggregate cast of diverse characters, along with her commitment to the first person, results in a near instant immersion into her mystical, suspenseful, and enthralling universe.
As the pace picks up in the second half, Hagood’s spotlight on the protagonist's internal thoughts and, by contrast, external behavior serves to highlight the push and pull between escape and answers that keep the reader’s eyes glued to the page until the final chapter concludes.
By the end of the story, the opening line only seems more fitting:
"If the world had corners, this would be the darkest."
Magic, murder, and lies. Definitely a great read, and I look forward to continuing the series! Charlie goes to a magic school (which, yes there are some similarities to HP, but quite frankly I thought they were different enough that I wouldn’t really compare them like I’ve seen from other reviews). She finds out that she’s essentially a pawn in her father’s war, and we don’t really know which side is good and which is bad. I quite liked that she’s obviously powerful but doesn’t immediately know how to use it. Thst felt nice and real. I loved meeting all the other characters, seeing how Charlie interacts and tries to figure out who she can trust. Great read. Definitely recommend.
This book is one of my all time favorites! I recommend it to basically anyone I possibly can. The first line is pure gold and within the first few pages I was drawn into Charlie’s vibrant world and didn’t want to leave. I mean, a murder mystery set in a world of magic??? I can’t imagine anything better! Michelle’s writing style had me falling in love with the characters immediately. Would rate it more than five stars if I could!
One of the best books I have every read! I’m a big reader (200-300 books a year), and I can easily say this book makes my Top 20 list! Great writing, great story, and GREAT characters. Usually about halfway through a book I have a rough idea on how things will play out, so the big reveal is always a bit lackluster. Not with this one, I truly didn’t see it coming. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to come out!
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this book and I cannot stress how much I loved it. This book is for anyone who enjoys an immersive fantasy with a splash of mystery. It's wonderfully atmospheric, witty, and the characters keeps you guessing. This story took a hold of me and didn't let go until the very last page. I highly recommend it.
It's no secret that enemies to lovers is one of the best tropes out there. But now pair it with a slow burn that spans through multiple books, layered fantasy world building with a mystery that keeps you hooked and a magical academy worthy of a very famous one from our childhood, and you have The North Tower!
It follows Charlie, a 19 year old who's had some pretty bad luck in her life--from being found in the trash as a baby, to some horrible foster family experiences to a car crash that sends her straight into a magical world, and a magical academy (The Magisterium of Magic) where she's told she's a Royal (aka the most powerful magical tier). But not everything is as it seems at the Magisterium of Magic, and soon Charlie finds herself investigating in the academy's past with the help of a lovable crew of misfits.
I had so much fun with this banter-filled read. Again, this read made me extremely nostalgic about my childhood YA reads, and if you also love a good academy setting then I am positive you will feel the same way! I loved how vast the world building was, and enjoyed learning about the magical world and the hierarchy within it alongside Charlie. But my favorite part had to be Charlie's relationship with Michael Kane, her mentor and also the meanest, grumpiest man I have ever met in literature (so he's perfect). This pairing was made for those of us who love a true enemies to lovers relationship, and will gladly wait multiple books to see it happen. The potential for greatness is all there!
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-copy for review. Opinions are my own.
“My name is Charlie Heart. The world bends to me.”
Let’s get a couple things out of the way first in regards to what this book offers:
✨a mysterious school for magic ✨an unwitting heroine ready to run ✨a supernatural murder mystery ✨magical training scenes ✨a complex host of quick-witted characters
There are some easy parallels that could be drawn between The North Tower and Harry Potter, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a fast-paced tale of a girl torn between answers, anchors, and escape, confronted with a side of herself she never knew existed. With an intriguing system of biologically based magic and a mystery in which literally EVERYONE is suspect, the truth of Charlie’s reality is twisted and you never know who to trust.
The book is definitely a build-up toward darker, larger things, but it was so immersive that at no point could I predict what was coming — so, too, was I invested in Charlie’s reactions and choices. She’s such a believable heroine and I can’t wait for all the “cheese and rice” to come! 💫
Would do 4.5 stars if it were an option. Murder mystery, magic and a magical academy, with a nice touch of banter. I thought this was a really good book. Clearly. I finished it within 24 hours since I couldn’t put it down. The murder mystery alone was the whole reason I couldn’t put it down. It was a bit like Harry Potter with a different story line when it came to the magic aspect but not to the point where I knew what was going to happen before it did. The only thing I had issues with was the constant “cheese and rice” comment as an insert for profanity, Charlie’s background didn’t fit to that “profanity saying” but still enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Friends! I found your next fantasy series! Let me introduce you to The North Tower, the first in The Royal Trilogy series. Hagood does a great job on a number of fronts. First, the pacing is spot on throughout the entire book. It clips along at a good pace, keeping you engaged, but doesn’t miss any details along the way. Second, I loved these characters. Hagood had me loving so much more than our MC Charlie (keeping names to myself to not spoil!) I am so invested in Charlie and this group and felt that she laid excellent groundwork to keep building on the character development in the next book in the series. Third, it’s a fun story! Magical wars, mystery, a school setting - so many elements I love, all wrapped in a great mystery that I sense is going to epically scale as the story continues. I’m so excited to share this one with you all and support this wonderful indie author!
This was a great read! I like the concept of how the magic worked. The book started off fine but as you go it pulled me in further, especially when mystery was added. All in all it was a fun read and I look forward to the next book.
Everything about this book was so fun and enjoyable. I thought the pacing was spot on and it kept me absolutely hooked until the very last sentence. Our main characters are absolutely everything to me rn. Charlie is such a real, flawed and traumatized character that the book left me rooting for her and made me want to cry on her part more than once. That said she made so many dumb decisions that left me wanting to scream at her. Especially when it comes to Blake like ?? are you truly going to make zero effort to tell your best friend that you’re alive. I saw some places label this book as enemies to lovers and there is absolutely nothing that happens between our two characters who (I assume) are our love interests. That said I can see the chemistry between them and are already rooting for them to get together.
I’m assuming this author self published because there was some polishing that needed to happen that would’ve been worked out with a good editor and team. This author has so much raw talent though that I’m super excited to see what happens in the next book and going forward for them.
Despite a few imperfections, this book is very compelling. I thought I saw all the plot twists coming, but it was wonderfully surprising and engaging. I had a hard time pulling myself away.
For a self-published book, this is easily one of my favorite fantasy series so far! Michelle really made you connect with the characters and the plot alone kept me up to read more. I will definitely recommend this book if you’re into fantasy and a little mystery 🫣🤌🏻
I met Michelle at a Barnes and Noble book signing, and her energy drew me in. I bought both the North Tower and the Masters Trial that day. I loved this story, particularly the way magic functions. I am so excited to read the next book and can't wait for the third! 😊
I grew up on stories full of magic, and now as an adult I go out of my way to find new magic world to to explore in books, movies and podcasts. Of all the worlds, the once that Charlie has introduced me to is by far my favorite. It’s charming, enthralling, mysterious, suspenseful, and it make me want to drop out off collage to hunt down the magic school and re-enroll there.
If you want a world to obsess over, characters to to laugh, cry and scream at or just gorgeous book for your bookshelf then this the North Tower is for you.