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Apex Academy #1

Apex Academy Book 1: Role of Conflict

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A primal call. Fate undeniable. A new Prime Alpha awakens.I used to think my life would be common, boring even. My online guildies and my friends sure thought so. Yet everything I knew to be true in this world all changed drastically one fateful night... or should I say, it shifted.As it turns out, my father passed on more than his name to me. Something feral and mighty awoke within me, and I knew at once, I would never be the same again. Shortly after, I received an invitation that I didn't expect, a call to attend the mysterious Apex Academy.A world of shifters, human animal hybrids, suddenly opened up before me. Not only were these creatures dangerous. Many were surprisingly... appealing to look at.Under any circumstances, the pressure to compete with fellow Alphas, the pursuit of Omega females, and of course, passing classes, would be enough. Yet it seems the gods have something special in store for me.For I am no mere Alpha. I'm one of the very few who wield the power of all the shifter species. I inherited my father's legacy. I'm the newest Prime Alpha.I just have to survive long enough to claim my novel contains violence and mature themes.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2023

394 people are currently reading
121 people want to read

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Ethan Shaw

19 books9 followers

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5 stars
310 (52%)
4 stars
165 (28%)
3 stars
60 (10%)
2 stars
37 (6%)
1 star
14 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
2,485 reviews70 followers
July 7, 2023
This is messy.

The politics are dull. The combat is awkward. The characters are overly dramatic without any solid base. The wording is cluttered.
17 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2023
I wanted to like this book, but chapter 23 really killed it for me.

It started out pretty good. Some of the mono logging was a little annoying but I could deal with that. The problem started at chapter 23 for me. He did a few things that didn’t make any sense and then he spent the next couple chapters trying to justify them. He really needs an editor to help him clean this book up.
377 reviews4 followers
August 29, 2023
OK, Main Character a bit to Perfect
Victor is a law student, having an easy time getting good grades. He is a world-reknowned player on a major MMPORPG. The only blemish in his life is that he's lost both of his parents young.

Out of nowhere, he gets inquiries from a strange "university" and the same day, is approached by a strange man who turns out to be his estranged Uncle. In short order he abandons his life, and moves to his Uncles estate. Only hints of his parents past are revealed, for the most part his uncle refuses to talk about it.

Its quickly revealed that Victor is a shifter, and of course he is special. His dad was leader of all shifters in the United States, and his unique lineage positioned him, and provided the unique genetic make up for him to take over in this role.

His uncle tries to prepare him for this university for shifters he's been invited to. Months of training trying to compress a lifetime of basic shifter knowledge and skills, but primarily focused on fighting.

Victor goes to the academy. One of the first women he meets, Petra, is of course gorgeous and desirable, and likes him too. There are some glimpses of the interesting details around his various classes, but it quickly devolves to two things, claiming mates, and building his coterie of generals required for a prime alpha to be successful.

He manages to recruit Monty as his first general, a bear shifter. And claims his first mate, the very first attractive women he encountered at school.

Its clear there are things amiss at the school, and with his shifter clan in general. A war or challenge of his leadership is brewing. He battles to protect this new found role he still doesn't really understand.
Profile Image for Paul Coulter.
34 reviews
July 27, 2025
disjointed, massive gaps

This book is poorly written. Each chapter almost feels like they were written in isolation and then stitched together. Chapter by chapter the story seems to jump around. At one point the MC is leaving the library with a new character he met, seemingly on their way to meet this new guys sister. You would think a potential harem member is about to be introduced based on normal stories…. Nope, next chapter skips a month or two of time and that sister is forgotten for the time being.

Multiple times a chapter ends with the MC reading a note, and then the next chapter might possibly briefly mention the note, or just ignore it and move on.

There are few descriptions of anything in the book other than scent, and some brief descriptions of shifted forms.

In general it’s like a poorly created rough draft, with some scenes expanded on, and very little actually explained.
30 reviews
October 31, 2023
I would say it's closer to 3.5 stars. I actually enjoyed the book for the most part, the world seems interesting and the characters don't have any glaring flaws. The problem is everything is slightly shallow. While everything is relatively well done it's like a diet version. There are little jumps of time skipping over classes and days that would add needed depth to the world and side characters who only get a few paragraphs each. The whole book I kept thinking that I wished they had shown more. If you are someone who likes stories that move along to the important stuff like bullet points then you won't have any issues, if you want basically any exposition other then the bare minimum then you will feel it's lacking a bit. Saying all that I still think it's worth a read and will probably continue with the series.
Profile Image for Marked Twaine.
220 reviews12 followers
June 2, 2025
I tried to like the book but I just couldn't I had to stop

There are gonna be spoilers in this review: Let's see we have a main character who's supposed to be the leader of all the shifters in the United States but his uncle won't tell him anything the teachers won't tell him anything and he lets people lead him around by the nose when he is supposed to be this Prime alpha who is able to command everybody but he doesn't even do that and he lets some girl at the end of the book do a cliffhanger and keep a key from him if he was a true alpha and a true prime alpha he would have just taken the key from her. Everybody under the prime alpha is a servant. They fall in line and obey orders. There is no gray area here. I don't know what the author was thinking but this is a pathetic excuse of a book. HARD pass. Won't be reading any others.
990 reviews13 followers
August 9, 2023
Bad but slow

Not a bad book but rather slow. MC doesn't have anything special other than he's the prime and has to stay in hiding so we don't even get to see any special abilities. Of relationship building and a little bit of world building in this book The neither is super detailed. Told just enough of the politics to know that it's a mess in the shifter world. As far as sexy time and harem is virtually non existent but its not necessarily a bad thing though the harem is on the horizon. Probably by the second book just to see where the series goes but I think I've read better in the genre. I suspect the other shoes gonna drop with his mother and perhaps add another wrinkle. Might Add some spice to the series but it's a little bland right now.
Profile Image for Richard.
232 reviews
March 5, 2025
A frustrating read. "You are important of what you are but you are in danger due to the past." Ok what is the problem then? "We won't tell you since it's dangerous."

That kind of sums up most of the book. There is hardly an explanation of things, which would be ok if the story was structured different or written differently. As it is, it's just an annoying read where I'm kept wonder what is going on. Especially the first quarter of the book is like that, and I almost gave up. I think the author was aiming or a mistery with gradual revelations, but I think he missed the mark in this regard. Just frustrating and this was not a book I enjoyed reading.
49 reviews
August 2, 2023
Interesting approach with the shifter genre. Didn't focus on a particular sub-shifter grouping but showed that it was a very complex social structure. Great story development and introduction to some of the initial main characters but did not overdo but provided just enough to set the stage for future books. Paced pretty well and I'm seriously looking forward to more books and see where this all develops. Based on the writing this seems to be a more long term series of books in order to give (I hope) due development for each sub-shifter group. Very intriguing and lots of possibilities.
927 reviews6 followers
October 8, 2023
Victor is a average college student attending law school then one day thing's change .

Victor a law student in college has a roommate an a frat party is brought to his residence by his roommate that gets out of control and fighting begins . Victor is forced to defend himself at the party just getting a drink from the frige . A physical change comes over him turning into a shifter partially change during the fight someone else started .Life changes forever .recommend reading excellent book .
133 reviews
June 18, 2023
Refreshing shifter book

Most shifter books are fairly lame and overdone. This took the usual things that are good with shifter books and removed many of the lamer parts. I liked that he didn’t just show up and suddenly everyone was fawning over him and he got several women in the first book. And I like that we know the major players but not their full motivations yet. Great first book and excited for the next. I just wished this book was longer!!
1,430 reviews15 followers
July 11, 2023
A good beginning!

An interesting take on the modern lycan storyline!!!! There are some world building that still needs to be done and some plot twists a little to simple but over all this was an enjoyable read!!! I can't wait to see what comes next!!
233 reviews
August 12, 2023
Different

This book felt different than normal. It skipped most of the boring class stuff and really focused on the characters and their relationships which felt refreshing. I look forward to seeing how things progress.
340 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2023
Great start to series!

I really liked the way Ethan set up his world of lycanthropes. The slow reveal of powers and abilities of the were-creatures. I am excited to read next books in series.
399 reviews7 followers
January 11, 2024
Very well constructed story line

The author keeps just the right amount of mystery that the reader is drawn in and compelled to get to that next page to find out what happened next.
Profile Image for Doug Nitch.
126 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2023
Great read

Very good start to this shifter story. Looking forward to seeing where this goes from here. I will be interested in how the characters and plot develops.
186 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2023
With great power comes big aggravations

Can't imagine the MC's frustration. Lots of expectations of him. But no one will tell him anything. Good start to a series!
888 reviews10 followers
July 4, 2023
💚💛💙💜

Wow what an amazing start to a series. I cannot wait to see what happens next. We have our mate's/potential ones, allies, enemies, and thing's are heating up.
2,403 reviews17 followers
July 6, 2023
I was promised a cool story but instead, when he gets to the academy he regresses to about 13 years old and it’s all shoving matches and name calling. Grange Hill with bears.
63 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2023
great book

Really enjoyed the dynamic of the book and how the story progresses to outright chaos , with the obvious cliche thrown in .

Enjoyable read don’t miss out
Profile Image for Michael.
550 reviews
July 18, 2023
Cliff Hanger?

Now that the interest has been raised, how long for book 2? Our hero is just in a real mess and no one will level with him and the truth.
21 reviews
August 23, 2023
Way to much tell, not enough show. The characters were bland and they had very little depth.
Profile Image for David Kaufman.
64 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2023
Excellent!

I'm already in love with these characters! Great plot and great twists already happening. I honestly can't wait to read the next book!
621 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2024
Good Read

I enjoyed it anyway. I sincerely hope that the rest of you out there enjoy it as well as I did.
702 reviews3 followers
July 15, 2025
exciting

A good introductory book in this new series with plenty of magic, mystery, action, adventure, drama, suspense, corruption, violence, and romance.
Profile Image for Rachel Swanepoel.
182 reviews
September 13, 2025
amazing

Kept me on my toes and had my excited for more!! Really well done!! I look forward to reading more!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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