What do you think?
Rate this book
Exemplar Hall: Books 1-5
An action-packed fantasy romance series from International Bestselling author JL Madore and debut author Ruby Night!
They came for my twin and left me behind because women hold no power in the magi world.
They're about to find out how wrong they are...
Being drafted into an elite, all-male academy of magik, monsters, and mercenary men was never the plan—but honestly, I need to learn more about my dad, my powers, and best of all...my
♥ Maverick - my distant and broody wolf.
♥ River - my loveable and loyal bear.
♥ Brody - my vampire, hot for teacher crush? Yeah, I'm not sure where that's going.
♥ Jack - my bookworm friend with benefits.
With the threats lurking within the walls of Exemplar and the Celestial Council coming at us from all sides, I've got a full plate.
Luckily, I'm not alone.
This is a fast-paced, medium-burn, adult magic academy, shifter romance series set in a world where magical beings harness astrological power to get what they want. The heroine ends up with multiple love interests so you never have to pick a favorite. Expect hot romance, spine-tingling action, sword-crossing, sassy humor, and a continuation of story that takes you through five books. Bonus origin story included.
They came for my twin and left me behind because women hold no power in the magi world.
They're about to find out how wrong they are...
Being drafted into an elite, all-male academy of magik, monsters, and mercenary men was never the plan—but honestly, I need to learn more about my dad, my powers, and best of all...my
♥ Maverick - my distant and broody wolf.
♥ River - my loveable and loyal bear.
♥ Brody - my vampire, hot for teacher crush? Yeah, I'm not sure where that's going.
♥ Jack - my bookworm friend with benefits.
With the threats lurking within the walls of Exemplar and the Celestial Council coming at us from all sides, I've got a full plate.
Luckily, I'm not alone.
This is a fast-paced, medium-burn, adult magic academy, shifter romance series set in a world where magical beings harness astrological power to get what they want. The heroine ends up with multiple love interests so you never have to pick a favorite. Expect hot romance, spine-tingling action, sword-crossing, sassy humor, and a continuation of story that takes you through five books. Bonus origin story included.
1568 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2023
1318 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 14, 2023
So I actually bumped this rating up a star. There were some serious plot issues, including two chapters back to back going over the same information in two ways. I assume a lot of these plot issues come with this having been rewritten to be RH from a standard paranormal adventure story. But the premise of the story was quite interesting. As much as I love a good RH romance, I sort of wish I had read the original version of this.
In regards to the RH, there is a lot of M/M. I don’t mind that at all, but I will say that it got to where it felt like our FMC was doing more fade to black but the males got more page time together. This is something I’ve seen with one of the authors before, so it might just be a stylized choice.
I like how strong our FMC is. Jesse not only can kick ass, but I like that she will say when she needs help or comfort as well. The boys all have distinct personalities. But the plot problems really threw me off.
In regards to the RH, there is a lot of M/M. I don’t mind that at all, but I will say that it got to where it felt like our FMC was doing more fade to black but the males got more page time together. This is something I’ve seen with one of the authors before, so it might just be a stylized choice.
I like how strong our FMC is. Jesse not only can kick ass, but I like that she will say when she needs help or comfort as well. The boys all have distinct personalities. But the plot problems really threw me off.
June 15, 2024
To start this review off, I want to point out that I really enjoyed it! I binged this whole series in a week, and most times, it was hard to put down.
If you like paranormal romance, academy, unknowingly supe, secretly a girl, a bit of bullying (not by her harem), and MF / MM / MMF+, then you're going to love these books. I'm generally not a huge fan of much MM myself, but let me tell you that the scenes in these are hot. Just like in JL Madore's "Guardians of the Phoenix," she makes it work for me!
There are a couple of little spelling mistakes I found while reading, but considering this collection (books #1-5) has about 1550 pages in total, that's still pretty good and I won't knock any marks on that! There were a couple of other things I found, one bigger than the others, that disappointed me, but not many books can be completely perfect! I'll list them below:
WARNING: SLIGHT SPOILERS:
- While this book has many spicy scenes, all of which I enjoyed, I was disappointed that a couple were fade to black or were just mentioned in passing. The biggest example is when Jack first gets together with Jesse and River. They were his first kiss, so I'd have really enjoyed reading about his OTHER first experiences. I was pretty disappointed that wasn't included!
- (My biggest disappointment!) In the fourth book, it talks about the twins' transformatives (like Jesse's eagle), and Jesse mentions Wyatt's lion. There's literally ZERO mention anywhere in the series before this that he even has a transformative, let alone what it is. I actually did a search throughout the books and there isn't one mention of it at all until this book. The first reference of his lion is when Jesse talked to Jack and Kade about it when looking for Wyatt in Utah. I'm not sure if the plan for the books was that he was supposed to come upon it later in the books, or if he was supposed to reveal it when Jesse first turned into her eagle form, but the reference was just so out of the blue that I felt it was a bit of a spoiler for the book to come.
- In the fifth book, it's mentioned that Jesse has only shifted once, but at this point, it's been twice (the first time being forced). Really, this is a pretty small point in the grand scheme of things. It was just something that stood out to me.
I will definitely be recommending this book to others looking for paranormal / academy, and I think it's a great read for just about everyone! I'll definitely be purchasing it to add to my Kindle library.
If you like paranormal romance, academy, unknowingly supe, secretly a girl, a bit of bullying (not by her harem), and MF / MM / MMF+, then you're going to love these books. I'm generally not a huge fan of much MM myself, but let me tell you that the scenes in these are hot. Just like in JL Madore's "Guardians of the Phoenix," she makes it work for me!
There are a couple of little spelling mistakes I found while reading, but considering this collection (books #1-5) has about 1550 pages in total, that's still pretty good and I won't knock any marks on that! There were a couple of other things I found, one bigger than the others, that disappointed me, but not many books can be completely perfect! I'll list them below:
WARNING: SLIGHT SPOILERS:
- While this book has many spicy scenes, all of which I enjoyed, I was disappointed that a couple were fade to black or were just mentioned in passing. The biggest example is when Jack first gets together with Jesse and River. They were his first kiss, so I'd have really enjoyed reading about his OTHER first experiences. I was pretty disappointed that wasn't included!
- (My biggest disappointment!) In the fourth book, it talks about the twins' transformatives (like Jesse's eagle), and Jesse mentions Wyatt's lion. There's literally ZERO mention anywhere in the series before this that he even has a transformative, let alone what it is. I actually did a search throughout the books and there isn't one mention of it at all until this book. The first reference of his lion is when Jesse talked to Jack and Kade about it when looking for Wyatt in Utah. I'm not sure if the plan for the books was that he was supposed to come upon it later in the books, or if he was supposed to reveal it when Jesse first turned into her eagle form, but the reference was just so out of the blue that I felt it was a bit of a spoiler for the book to come.
- In the fifth book, it's mentioned that Jesse has only shifted once, but at this point, it's been twice (the first time being forced). Really, this is a pretty small point in the grand scheme of things. It was just something that stood out to me.
I will definitely be recommending this book to others looking for paranormal / academy, and I think it's a great read for just about everyone! I'll definitely be purchasing it to add to my Kindle library.
January 20, 2024
I’m so disappointed
Look, I love a good reverse harem with a little MM action but typically, the focus is on the woman. I also don’t like how Jesse slept with Jack one time and then every other encounter he had was with the “pack” guys. The story started out really strong with lots of plot and character development & fizzled out towards the end. Some of the words and slang used felt very dated and almost like British terms, when the twins have lived in UTAH their entire young adult lives. This series looks like it is written by 2 people and feels that way to me. Very disconnected and the flow was not right. Some parts dragged and some just clipped along. I hated that we had so many different POV’s all the time. It’s Jesse and Wyatt’s story. We don’t need to know everyone else’s opinion all the time. I’m so frustrated that this series was such a let down
Look, I love a good reverse harem with a little MM action but typically, the focus is on the woman. I also don’t like how Jesse slept with Jack one time and then every other encounter he had was with the “pack” guys. The story started out really strong with lots of plot and character development & fizzled out towards the end. Some of the words and slang used felt very dated and almost like British terms, when the twins have lived in UTAH their entire young adult lives. This series looks like it is written by 2 people and feels that way to me. Very disconnected and the flow was not right. Some parts dragged and some just clipped along. I hated that we had so many different POV’s all the time. It’s Jesse and Wyatt’s story. We don’t need to know everyone else’s opinion all the time. I’m so frustrated that this series was such a let down
September 13, 2025
Good plot, okay sex
The beginning was really hot, but later on it got kinda weird. I didn't really read for gay sex, you know? And the ending dropped off into nowhere instead of any type of conclusion. Not to mention there were mental conversations where it wasn't clear who was talking to cause it was all italiczied. And plot holes that seemed to get filled by sex. This series came to my attention cause it was getting released as a clean version (by her pen name I like more, Auburn Tempest). REALLY curious if the writing might get cleaned up in the re-release. I chose this version cause I LOVED the multiple perspectives and since Maverick's very first one involved sex, I wasn't sure that would carry over to the clean version. Plus, not having to wait for releases. (Though it sucks that this only counts as one book in my reading challenge instead of five.)
The beginning was really hot, but later on it got kinda weird. I didn't really read for gay sex, you know? And the ending dropped off into nowhere instead of any type of conclusion. Not to mention there were mental conversations where it wasn't clear who was talking to cause it was all italiczied. And plot holes that seemed to get filled by sex. This series came to my attention cause it was getting released as a clean version (by her pen name I like more, Auburn Tempest). REALLY curious if the writing might get cleaned up in the re-release. I chose this version cause I LOVED the multiple perspectives and since Maverick's very first one involved sex, I wasn't sure that would carry over to the clean version. Plus, not having to wait for releases. (Though it sucks that this only counts as one book in my reading challenge instead of five.)
October 20, 2023
I want to give this five stars, I really do. But, I also feel like (possible spoiler) that we are left hanging with a lot of unanswered questions at the end. I love the characters and their development, but there is a lot left unresolved I feel. It could just be me, but there are quite a few things that haven't been finished. I enjoy everything I've read by this author thus far, but this one I just feel like I've been left hanging. I hope there could possibly be more to wrap it up a bit better. There are quite a few character relationships that are dangling, and one of the bad guys got away, and there is just a lot to build still if the author wanted to.
August 23, 2025
mixed feeling - plot was too slow and the main battle was short
Mixed feelings - plot dragged and not a whole lot was accomplished- I did enjoy the story but the whole magic tech is bad plot it was like she decided to wrap everything up in three chapters.
The dean and Bruce should have been killed in book 3. The rescue of a certain person could’ve been more than a few pages.
Super rich world that was barely touched.
Plot dragged, but loved the Gemini twins just wished more things would’ve happened. Earlier. No real reconcile with dad and the epilogues needed like another 50 pages.
Although enjoyed characters and world quite a bit the plot needed to be smoother
Mixed feelings - plot dragged and not a whole lot was accomplished- I did enjoy the story but the whole magic tech is bad plot it was like she decided to wrap everything up in three chapters.
The dean and Bruce should have been killed in book 3. The rescue of a certain person could’ve been more than a few pages.
Super rich world that was barely touched.
Plot dragged, but loved the Gemini twins just wished more things would’ve happened. Earlier. No real reconcile with dad and the epilogues needed like another 50 pages.
Although enjoyed characters and world quite a bit the plot needed to be smoother
September 19, 2024
I actually stopped reading because it was lagging but then went back and finished it. I would have enjoyed more of the development of the relationships and them working together more than them dealing independently and then coming together at the end. It also didn't explain how their dad walked away from their mom without a care, and it didn't really tie up the resolution between father and son or what john did afterward. The writing was ok but not the best. It was a good storyline but lacked a lot, and them bam resolved it all pretty much in the last chapter.
September 12, 2023
Super Sexy RH Paranormal Academy Romance!
This series is amazing! I highly recommend it! I can’t say enough good things about the characters and the story. Jesse perseveres through so many challenges. She learns about her magic and abilities while dealing with a council of sexist and elitist men and hiding her own gender from her peers at the academy. As the bonds between her and her men grow, so does the steam. Expect her men not only to fall for her, but each other as well.
This series is amazing! I highly recommend it! I can’t say enough good things about the characters and the story. Jesse perseveres through so many challenges. She learns about her magic and abilities while dealing with a council of sexist and elitist men and hiding her own gender from her peers at the academy. As the bonds between her and her men grow, so does the steam. Expect her men not only to fall for her, but each other as well.
January 7, 2025
4 ⭐️
This is a long series. About 1500 pages.
If you like your story with some adventure to it, this is a good series to try.
What some other reviewers have said and I agree with is there are plot holes. And maybe I only noticed because I read all the books together. There is a LOT of MM spicy scenes with her men. I would have preferred more with her but it would be one scene with her and at least a few of her guys and then 3 MM scenes.
This is a long series. About 1500 pages.
If you like your story with some adventure to it, this is a good series to try.
What some other reviewers have said and I agree with is there are plot holes. And maybe I only noticed because I read all the books together. There is a LOT of MM spicy scenes with her men. I would have preferred more with her but it would be one scene with her and at least a few of her guys and then 3 MM scenes.
January 11, 2025
I’m glad a read books 1-5 as one big book. Great storyline. Medium to high level of steam with most of the sizzle coming from MM action. Lots of MM action. As in, pretty much most chapters. Would have loved to hear how the negotiations went with the Leprakaun King and the impact of the magi servers being destroyed around the world. Otherwise a good series and satisfying ending, even though Chad deserved for his death to be dragged out a bit.
February 26, 2025
This is my first book by these authors and I was pleasantly surprised! The plot was great and the writing was pretty good, some small issues with timeline and continuity. My only quibble is that the emotional bond and relationship between all members of the pack did not come through. There were spicy and romantic moments, but they seemed a bit…dry or lackluster. They got to “I love you” before I really saw it with the characters. Still a great read and totally worth it.
August 20, 2025
Read the clean version then came to this version
I read the version that was clean with a lot more action then came to this one to see what happens since the other books were not released yet. I loved the series. The author did a great job with the storyline, the plots, and the romance. The only thing I didn't like was that one of the villains did not receive justice.
I'm glad to have found this author. Thank you for sharing your story with readers all over.
I read the version that was clean with a lot more action then came to this one to see what happens since the other books were not released yet. I loved the series. The author did a great job with the storyline, the plots, and the romance. The only thing I didn't like was that one of the villains did not receive justice.
I'm glad to have found this author. Thank you for sharing your story with readers all over.
October 23, 2023
A must read series
Jessie's story is one heck of a ride. Traversing a world she never knew about and that doesn't accept her as a female shows just what an amazing woman she is. Working with her brother Wyatt and her friends and her men she is going to be doing some amazing things.
Jessie's story is one heck of a ride. Traversing a world she never knew about and that doesn't accept her as a female shows just what an amazing woman she is. Working with her brother Wyatt and her friends and her men she is going to be doing some amazing things.
April 12, 2024
great read!
This was a great read about a brother sister duo. They have done everything together up until the point her brother was kidnapped and she was on a mission to find him. Little did she know she was going to end up in the clutches of evil magi. With the help of her boyfriends, she’s able to navigate this world and regain her family.
This was a great read about a brother sister duo. They have done everything together up until the point her brother was kidnapped and she was on a mission to find him. Little did she know she was going to end up in the clutches of evil magi. With the help of her boyfriends, she’s able to navigate this world and regain her family.
May 19, 2024
Exemplar Hall
This series surprised me! It didn't go the way I thought it would, it was so much better! It went one way, then another, but kept me riveted the whole way through. I can thoroughly recommend this series to anyone that.likes poly romance, feisty females and in general just a great storyline. Read it, you won't be disappointed.
This series surprised me! It didn't go the way I thought it would, it was so much better! It went one way, then another, but kept me riveted the whole way through. I can thoroughly recommend this series to anyone that.likes poly romance, feisty females and in general just a great storyline. Read it, you won't be disappointed.
November 29, 2023
Excellent plot, lots of spice!
If you like why-choose/RH novels with FM, MM and menage scenes, this series has lots of spicy ones. If you like paranormal suspense novels, the plot is layered and riveting.
If you like why-choose/RH novels with FM, MM and menage scenes, this series has lots of spicy ones. If you like paranormal suspense novels, the plot is layered and riveting.
December 13, 2023
overall good book
The story line was good. And it was an overall good read. Some of the dialogue was childish and repetitive but that happens and the last book felt rushed but I would recommend as a cute read for people.
The story line was good. And it was an overall good read. Some of the dialogue was childish and repetitive but that happens and the last book felt rushed but I would recommend as a cute read for people.
February 28, 2024
Great story
Tons of action. Tons of drama. Just enough smexy times. Fantastic characters. It’s all comes together really well. Although I do wish F was more involved with the group. I loved him.
Tons of action. Tons of drama. Just enough smexy times. Fantastic characters. It’s all comes together really well. Although I do wish F was more involved with the group. I loved him.
May 22, 2024
Re-read. Exemplar Hall Box Set, books one through five, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). I'd originally read the books separately and thought it would be fun to re-read the series…it was just as much fun this second time around, especially reading the books back-to-back.
August 16, 2024
Fabulous! Absolutely did not disappoint!
Well written... shifters, mages, fae, even an orc... modern mixed with mythical adding in plot twists plus level 5 spicy equals a really excellent read.
Well written... shifters, mages, fae, even an orc... modern mixed with mythical adding in plot twists plus level 5 spicy equals a really excellent read.
September 5, 2024
DNF
I really wanted to like this because the concept and storyline is so cool and amazing but the writing was cringey and was not for me.
Also the RH parts of it made me feel ick for once in my life 😩
I really wanted to like this because the concept and storyline is so cool and amazing but the writing was cringey and was not for me.
Also the RH parts of it made me feel ick for once in my life 😩
December 29, 2024
Outstanding Series
I highly recommend Exemplar Hall. Great storyline that kept me interested right up to the end. Lately I’ve gotten bored with books as a series progresses but not with Exemplar Hall.
I highly recommend Exemplar Hall. Great storyline that kept me interested right up to the end. Lately I’ve gotten bored with books as a series progresses but not with Exemplar Hall.
August 28, 2025
Great Series
Series keeped you in the book till the end of the series.
Stayed awake a few nights to read the story.
Great caraters.
Keeped you interested till the very end.
Would recommend as a good story line all the way through.
Series keeped you in the book till the end of the series.
Stayed awake a few nights to read the story.
Great caraters.
Keeped you interested till the very end.
Would recommend as a good story line all the way through.
September 21, 2025
I liked this serie, each book is good, a good rhythm you don't want to stop reading, steamy scenes, including many MM scenes. The finale is good too, I'm not feeling like if something is missing so I like that. It was a good reading.
October 13, 2025
Exemplar Hall adult boxset
This is a great series! I re read in this box set format. I notice a junior g rated version is now available too! I think it would work either way. Good adventure, well written and edited..
This is a great series! I re read in this box set format. I notice a junior g rated version is now available too! I think it would work either way. Good adventure, well written and edited..
November 7, 2025
it’s a good read.
Long. Mostly enjoyable. It does get wordy in places but I would just start skimming until the story got good. The characters were very well developed and really fun to get to know.
Long. Mostly enjoyable. It does get wordy in places but I would just start skimming until the story got good. The characters were very well developed and really fun to get to know.
August 13, 2023
Love!
Finally a non-whiny female lead! I truly enjoyed this and the fact they were not teens! Thank you for a great series
Finally a non-whiny female lead! I truly enjoyed this and the fact they were not teens! Thank you for a great series
October 18, 2023
worth it
So good. I loved the characters and was totally invested in their journey. There were twists and turns, angst, and joy. Hit just the right notes for me.
So good. I loved the characters and was totally invested in their journey. There were twists and turns, angst, and joy. Hit just the right notes for me.
October 30, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️/5 spice
Tropes:
Supernatural romance
Academy setting
Magik/shifters
New Adult
Hunger games/Hogwarts/Divergent
Why choose
Finished series
🌶️🌶️/5 spice
Tropes:
Supernatural romance
Academy setting
Magik/shifters
New Adult
Hunger games/Hogwarts/Divergent
Why choose
Finished series
November 12, 2023
Great series. Kept me reading the whole time without getting bored. The only thing was the ending seemed rushed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews