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Silvercrest Academy #1
Falling Shadows
I am at home in the darkness, where brutality feeds on the weak and fuels the strong. Shadowmoor has forged me into who I am today and I have the mark and scars to prove it. I never thought I’d see the light again, but it seems destiny has other plans for me. My father’s arrival means life as I know it is about to change. Silvercrest Academy trains and prepares the most gifted and privileged among us for their future contributions to the Monarchy. I may come from the right family, but I am a void. No gifts. No magic. No abilities to be seen. From the shadowy underworld to the highest peak in the land, I will need every ounce of my strength to survive this place. Guaranteed prosperity, that’s what they promise if you make it to graduation. Only time will tell if Silvercrest will be the beginning or the end of me.
486 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2023
3157 people are currently reading
5830 people want to read
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October 19, 2023
book 1
It hurts my heart to score this so low. I absolutely love this author and usually every book she puts out. Unfortunately this book feels a lot like the others. The whole story and plot doesn’t feel well developed and I think it’s because everything is supposed to be mysterious, where the reader is supposed to work through the lack of information. The problem is that it’s too little of information and the whole book is a confusing undeveloped mess.
From a character standpoint there is no depth or real understanding to the guys. You get the briefest info about them at the ball because of their families but there’s really nothing more. You’ve got your broody silent type, fun and flirty, smart, and a-hole-ish know it all leader. I just wish there was something more to them. The FMC you get some info so it doesn’t feel like you’re completely unknowing.
The plot itself just doesn’t give the reader a sense of what’s going on and there’s so many different little tropes in there. Basically her mom and dad fight then her mom and her leave and go to a city that suppresses most of the residents power. It’s a dark, dirty, and mostly filled with powerless ppl, the fmc finds out that it was designed that way so that other countries don’t find them as a threat and think to battle them? That plot hole doesn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t a conquering people try to target a super weak boarder land? At the end they go to an outpost there and then surprise it’s under attack and no one knows what their doing. Fmc was surprised there was an outpost. You would think that she being a past resident would know something about the city she was literally stuck in.
The whole fact that this school she’s sent to is training everyone to be soldiers and fight in a war that still hasn’t been explained to the readers just feels like a giant plot hole. It seems like good soldiers are hard to come by and so it makes no sense that they’d have a gauntlet that actually kills the students and then next week they remember instead of having a real gauntlet with students that have no real idea what they’re doing they can have a fake one the week after. Then they go to an outpost in a crap city post that was just recently slaughtered and they still decide to go even though it just happened (you’d think they’d wait awhile to make sure it’s safe) and then surprise it goes under attack and students are dying. If the school is sending field trips to this crap town wouldn’t Raven or others have remarked about there being students from a “prestigious academy”. There’s so much about this book that doesn’t feel hashed out. Then add a familiar (of course it’s a super strong and rare ), her magic has been blocked, her brother is trying to kill her, there’s a monarchy (that no one has any info on) , she’s living with a bunch of dudes, there’s some dumb OW drama with super weak comebacks , and this just feels like a mess. It doesn’t feel hashed out. How much do you want to bet book two her sword is going to be some super rare one that does impressive things? I just don’t think fantasy is this author’s strongest writing style and I wish she had better alpha readers to get her to that point. This book was disappointing and not well executed.
It hurts my heart to score this so low. I absolutely love this author and usually every book she puts out. Unfortunately this book feels a lot like the others. The whole story and plot doesn’t feel well developed and I think it’s because everything is supposed to be mysterious, where the reader is supposed to work through the lack of information. The problem is that it’s too little of information and the whole book is a confusing undeveloped mess.
From a character standpoint there is no depth or real understanding to the guys. You get the briefest info about them at the ball because of their families but there’s really nothing more. You’ve got your broody silent type, fun and flirty, smart, and a-hole-ish know it all leader. I just wish there was something more to them. The FMC you get some info so it doesn’t feel like you’re completely unknowing.
The plot itself just doesn’t give the reader a sense of what’s going on and there’s so many different little tropes in there. Basically her mom and dad fight then her mom and her leave and go to a city that suppresses most of the residents power. It’s a dark, dirty, and mostly filled with powerless ppl, the fmc finds out that it was designed that way so that other countries don’t find them as a threat and think to battle them? That plot hole doesn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t a conquering people try to target a super weak boarder land? At the end they go to an outpost there and then surprise it’s under attack and no one knows what their doing. Fmc was surprised there was an outpost. You would think that she being a past resident would know something about the city she was literally stuck in.
The whole fact that this school she’s sent to is training everyone to be soldiers and fight in a war that still hasn’t been explained to the readers just feels like a giant plot hole. It seems like good soldiers are hard to come by and so it makes no sense that they’d have a gauntlet that actually kills the students and then next week they remember instead of having a real gauntlet with students that have no real idea what they’re doing they can have a fake one the week after. Then they go to an outpost in a crap city post that was just recently slaughtered and they still decide to go even though it just happened (you’d think they’d wait awhile to make sure it’s safe) and then surprise it goes under attack and students are dying. If the school is sending field trips to this crap town wouldn’t Raven or others have remarked about there being students from a “prestigious academy”. There’s so much about this book that doesn’t feel hashed out. Then add a familiar (of course it’s a super strong and rare ), her magic has been blocked, her brother is trying to kill her, there’s a monarchy (that no one has any info on) , she’s living with a bunch of dudes, there’s some dumb OW drama with super weak comebacks , and this just feels like a mess. It doesn’t feel hashed out. How much do you want to bet book two her sword is going to be some super rare one that does impressive things? I just don’t think fantasy is this author’s strongest writing style and I wish she had better alpha readers to get her to that point. This book was disappointing and not well executed.
November 27, 2023
DNF 32%
This book is just too immature for my current mood.
I swear all of the characters belong in a cliche high school, not the university it's supposed to be.
I don't understand the hate between Raven and her brother, which started as small children? Like why?
What kind of 6 year old doesn't smile and looks at their young sister with hate and rage?
I just found it pretty ridiculous.
There's an million questions in this book and barely any answers (so far, my fault for not finishing I know).
Raven is supposed to be a real badass but I've yet to see it. All she does is pretty much throw tantrums or seethe with rage impotently.
This book has so many good reviews and I just can't understand it. Must be me.
So for now I'm shelving this as a future *maybe* to try again.
This book is just too immature for my current mood.
I swear all of the characters belong in a cliche high school, not the university it's supposed to be.
I don't understand the hate between Raven and her brother, which started as small children? Like why?
What kind of 6 year old doesn't smile and looks at their young sister with hate and rage?
I just found it pretty ridiculous.
There's an million questions in this book and barely any answers (so far, my fault for not finishing I know).
Raven is supposed to be a real badass but I've yet to see it. All she does is pretty much throw tantrums or seethe with rage impotently.
This book has so many good reviews and I just can't understand it. Must be me.
So for now I'm shelving this as a future *maybe* to try again.
October 10, 2023
Key Points:
- Why choose
- Fast burn
- Spice 3/5
Notes throughout reading:
- She is obsessed with saying she's from "the depths of hell", literally she mentions it so many times.
- Why are authors obsessed with the pet name "little bird"?
Review: Will contain spoilers :)
My review might be all over the place, because I have a lot of thoughts. But I first wanted to say that I really enjoyed this book, a lot more than I was expecting to honestly, and I'm really excited to continue the series.
Starting off with the romance aspect of the book. The romance felt really fast-burn to me. Brax was the only one who didn't have such a fast-burn, but even with him it was like one chapter he just flipped a switch from disliking her to loving her and it was so sudden I just couldn't find it convincing. I think all of them just accepted that she was theirs from the moment they saw her because of the vision, and I feel like that took away from the tension building. She also didn't really put up much of a fight, she just kinda accepted the dynamic right away. IDK I guess I just prefer to have the characters go through that "IDK what we are but we all want you but we are pretending we don't" phase for a little longer than what we got.
Do fated mates exist in this world? Because I have not forgotten the tingle that she felt with one of the bishops (can't remember who) when she touched his hand. Does someone higher up know that they are fated? Someone with access to a psychic or whatever? Because would that then explain why she was placed in the dorm with them?
This kinda acts as a segue to my next topic, do the bishops parents in the council (or whatever it's called) know? Because obviously there is something more to this war that we don't know about, and if their parents are on the council they should know, so does that mean they are hiding it from the bishops? And are they aware of the prophecy and how it involves Raven? But the bishops seem to have a good relationship with their parents so will there be a kind of betrayal plot line later? So many questionssss.
Now to talk about Raven's family, namely Sebastian. I think it's clear that Seb was aware of the prophecy and that's why he doesn't like her. Probably because she's more powerful than him or something IDK.
Talking about powers. I think it's also obvious that she is a necromancer, especially after the ending. I am assuming she brought him back to life. They also mentioned that necromancy was not supported at the academy so I'm expecting some bullying from that one girl (can't remember her name). I'm really hoping she has all the divinations, or even most of them. Really I just hope she is OP in general. I love when an FMC is more powerful than literally everyone. But alternatively I'm liking that she's struggling to connect with her magic, love a good struggle.
My main issue with this authors other popular series that I read was the heavy misogyny. This book has A lot LESS of it, which I am grateful for, because I can enjoy it a lot more. It also makes the story feel more mature, which was one of my critiques about the authors other story, was that it felt so childish. BUT we do still get some very stereotypical depictions of women in this book. The FMC Raven is just totally *not* like other girls and is from the bad part of town and just is soooo misunderstood. The author REALLY wants us to understand this, especially at the beginning of the book. It got a little much, and a little cringey. Also it would not be a RH/why choose without our resident mean girl, who just HAS to have the men the FMC has. Really I don't get why RH authors love to have a cartoonish villain mean girl, I personally think it adds nothing to the plot and is incredibly uncreative.
Okay REGARDLESS of all my complaints, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There was enough stuff that I didn't like for me to knock off a star, but 4 star reviews are rare from me as I tend to be more critical with how I rate books. So if you are a paranormal academy RH lover like me, definitely read this one.
- Why choose
- Fast burn
- Spice 3/5
Notes throughout reading:
- She is obsessed with saying she's from "the depths of hell", literally she mentions it so many times.
- Why are authors obsessed with the pet name "little bird"?
Review: Will contain spoilers :)
My review might be all over the place, because I have a lot of thoughts. But I first wanted to say that I really enjoyed this book, a lot more than I was expecting to honestly, and I'm really excited to continue the series.
Starting off with the romance aspect of the book. The romance felt really fast-burn to me. Brax was the only one who didn't have such a fast-burn, but even with him it was like one chapter he just flipped a switch from disliking her to loving her and it was so sudden I just couldn't find it convincing. I think all of them just accepted that she was theirs from the moment they saw her because of the vision, and I feel like that took away from the tension building. She also didn't really put up much of a fight, she just kinda accepted the dynamic right away. IDK I guess I just prefer to have the characters go through that "IDK what we are but we all want you but we are pretending we don't" phase for a little longer than what we got.
Do fated mates exist in this world? Because I have not forgotten the tingle that she felt with one of the bishops (can't remember who) when she touched his hand. Does someone higher up know that they are fated? Someone with access to a psychic or whatever? Because would that then explain why she was placed in the dorm with them?
This kinda acts as a segue to my next topic, do the bishops parents in the council (or whatever it's called) know? Because obviously there is something more to this war that we don't know about, and if their parents are on the council they should know, so does that mean they are hiding it from the bishops? And are they aware of the prophecy and how it involves Raven? But the bishops seem to have a good relationship with their parents so will there be a kind of betrayal plot line later? So many questionssss.
Now to talk about Raven's family, namely Sebastian. I think it's clear that Seb was aware of the prophecy and that's why he doesn't like her. Probably because she's more powerful than him or something IDK.
Talking about powers. I think it's also obvious that she is a necromancer, especially after the ending. I am assuming she brought him back to life. They also mentioned that necromancy was not supported at the academy so I'm expecting some bullying from that one girl (can't remember her name). I'm really hoping she has all the divinations, or even most of them. Really I just hope she is OP in general. I love when an FMC is more powerful than literally everyone. But alternatively I'm liking that she's struggling to connect with her magic, love a good struggle.
My main issue with this authors other popular series that I read was the heavy misogyny. This book has A lot LESS of it, which I am grateful for, because I can enjoy it a lot more. It also makes the story feel more mature, which was one of my critiques about the authors other story, was that it felt so childish. BUT we do still get some very stereotypical depictions of women in this book. The FMC Raven is just totally *not* like other girls and is from the bad part of town and just is soooo misunderstood. The author REALLY wants us to understand this, especially at the beginning of the book. It got a little much, and a little cringey. Also it would not be a RH/why choose without our resident mean girl, who just HAS to have the men the FMC has. Really I don't get why RH authors love to have a cartoonish villain mean girl, I personally think it adds nothing to the plot and is incredibly uncreative.
Okay REGARDLESS of all my complaints, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There was enough stuff that I didn't like for me to knock off a star, but 4 star reviews are rare from me as I tend to be more critical with how I rate books. So if you are a paranormal academy RH lover like me, definitely read this one.
April 20, 2024
Falling Shadows (Silvercrest Academy #1) Review
Rating: 2 stars ⭐⭐
So, this book was pretty average. It had a few interesting and new elements that were added to it but overall, just another reverse harem in the sea of reverse harems. It didn't take existing tropes and make it interesting or do it particularly well/better nor was it new and exciting. Now for the general overview:
Tropes:
✅Prophesized & Special MC
❌OW (There is an ex-girlfriend of a love interest who gives the MC a particularly hard time but
nobody gives her the time of day so she barely counts)
✅Academy
✅Multiple POVs (here and there but mainly the MC)
❌Enemies to Lovers
✅Insta-Lust
❌Insta-Love
Love Interests + MC:
Now I didn't hate any of them but at the same time none of them made me feel anything which is actually pretty rare for me. Also, the guys were the most stereotypical group of reverse harem love interests EVER, but I usually don't mind that so why this is bothering me now is a mystery to me. So on with the individual review of all the Bishops (wtf are they called that? it makes no sense on top of the fact that the author didn't even give a reason) -->
>>>Raven (MC) - The pink haired, not like other girls girl who seems to be addicted to giving out blowjobs. No overall comment. Although I did appreciate the fact that the author didn't take the naive, pure, innocent, virgin girl route that so many authors tend to take, so props for actually trying something new with the MC.
>>>Creed - The sadistic one. Wondering why I don't say much about him? Because so did the author. This man felt like an afterthought that got put into the novel just so he could fulfill the dark + messed up inside + twisted trope and because the author probably needed to add another man into the harem. All I'm going to say was that he just existed in the novel.
>>>Zane - The nerdy & friendly guy with glasses who also happens to be a diviner. Now while he had more screen time than Creed, he still was also not given much attention or anything character defining that wasn't superficial. Maybe the reason that we focused on Brax and Eldon this book was so that we can learn more about Creed and Zane in the next?
>>>Brax - The moody muscle man with heterochromia who is also a gargoyle. (P.S. He can turn to stone so it did make for a "unique" spicy scene) I have neutral feelings about him considering he was clearly supposed to be the outwardly obnoxious/cold one but secretly a softie who does things for the MC behind the scenes, but he lacked any depth or anything at all that would make anyone care for the man. Everything sort of felt forced and rushed for him.
>>>Eldon - The blue-eyed flirty fire controller/wielder/master/man/???? (idk). Once again, the author tried to make us feel something with all the dirty talking scenes and scenes where this man could just not keep his hands to himself (which I usually like), but once again she came up woefully short and only succeeded to make me feel absolutely nothing. Everything was just so convoluted and painfully average...
Elements:
>>>Sex scenes - I have one word for this and that is meh. Literally was almost falling asleep reading them, the only thing that didn't bore me out of mind was the spin the bottle scene.
>>>Magical Categories - Nature-based, divination, conjuring, psychic, medics, shifters, & necromancy (*gasp* the forbidden + discouraged + outlawed power...gee I don't know what abilities the MC will get?)
>>>World Building - Missing a lot of parts and the parts that exist are nothing special. Nothing to commend the author for here really.
Rating: 2 stars ⭐⭐
So, this book was pretty average. It had a few interesting and new elements that were added to it but overall, just another reverse harem in the sea of reverse harems. It didn't take existing tropes and make it interesting or do it particularly well/better nor was it new and exciting. Now for the general overview:
Tropes:
✅Prophesized & Special MC
❌OW (There is an ex-girlfriend of a love interest who gives the MC a particularly hard time but
nobody gives her the time of day so she barely counts)
✅Academy
✅Multiple POVs (here and there but mainly the MC)
❌Enemies to Lovers
✅Insta-Lust
❌Insta-Love
Love Interests + MC:
Now I didn't hate any of them but at the same time none of them made me feel anything which is actually pretty rare for me. Also, the guys were the most stereotypical group of reverse harem love interests EVER, but I usually don't mind that so why this is bothering me now is a mystery to me. So on with the individual review of all the Bishops (wtf are they called that? it makes no sense on top of the fact that the author didn't even give a reason) -->
>>>Raven (MC) - The pink haired, not like other girls girl who seems to be addicted to giving out blowjobs. No overall comment. Although I did appreciate the fact that the author didn't take the naive, pure, innocent, virgin girl route that so many authors tend to take, so props for actually trying something new with the MC.
>>>Creed - The sadistic one. Wondering why I don't say much about him? Because so did the author. This man felt like an afterthought that got put into the novel just so he could fulfill the dark + messed up inside + twisted trope and because the author probably needed to add another man into the harem. All I'm going to say was that he just existed in the novel.
>>>Zane - The nerdy & friendly guy with glasses who also happens to be a diviner. Now while he had more screen time than Creed, he still was also not given much attention or anything character defining that wasn't superficial. Maybe the reason that we focused on Brax and Eldon this book was so that we can learn more about Creed and Zane in the next?
>>>Brax - The moody muscle man with heterochromia who is also a gargoyle. (P.S. He can turn to stone so it did make for a "unique" spicy scene) I have neutral feelings about him considering he was clearly supposed to be the outwardly obnoxious/cold one but secretly a softie who does things for the MC behind the scenes, but he lacked any depth or anything at all that would make anyone care for the man. Everything sort of felt forced and rushed for him.
>>>Eldon - The blue-eyed flirty fire controller/wielder/master/man/???? (idk). Once again, the author tried to make us feel something with all the dirty talking scenes and scenes where this man could just not keep his hands to himself (which I usually like), but once again she came up woefully short and only succeeded to make me feel absolutely nothing. Everything was just so convoluted and painfully average...
Elements:
>>>Sex scenes - I have one word for this and that is meh. Literally was almost falling asleep reading them, the only thing that didn't bore me out of mind was the spin the bottle scene.
>>>Magical Categories - Nature-based, divination, conjuring, psychic, medics, shifters, & necromancy (*gasp* the forbidden + discouraged + outlawed power...gee I don't know what abilities the MC will get?)
>>>World Building - Missing a lot of parts and the parts that exist are nothing special. Nothing to commend the author for here really.
August 6, 2025
Flat as a paper doll and has more plot holes than plot... I think the thing that just really got me though was the really bizarre behavior and interaction of a 4 year old and a 6 year old, like what am I reading? So I'm kicking this to the DNF curb.
May 5, 2024
I was fooled. This is NOT a slowburn. Still an entertaining read, though.
⤏ Actual rating: 3.5🌟
⤏ What to expect:
∘ Dark Paranormal Romance
∘ Reverse Harem ― size: small (4)
∘ Multiple POV
∘ Academy setting
∘ Strong FMC
∘ MMCs as Roommates
∘ OW/OM drama
∘ Family drama
⤏ Tropes:
∘ Forced Proximity
∘ Hidden Powers
∘ Touch her/him and die
∘ Roomies to lovers
∘ Fast-burn
⤏ Trigger Warnings: bullying, violence
⤏ Thoughts
If you're looking for why-choose book with insta-like/insta-love and quite a bit of tension, this one's a good choice. While the connection between three out of four guys and the FMC is instant, the book is not lacking in the action department and we even have a little mystery thrown in the mix.
Raven has spent her entire life in Shadowmoor, a town engulfed by darkness. However, everything changes when her father arrives to whisk her away to Silvercrest Academy.
Forced to attend this university for gifted individuals, Raven finds herself out of place as a Void—devoid of magic. The academy's grounds prove to be even more perilous than the 'cursed' town she left behind.
It seems Raven cannot escape the destiny her mother had hoped to shield her from when she fled with Raven from her father 14 years ago.
The characters are likeable and I really loved how they accepted the FMC in their circle and took it upon themselves to protect her from the moment she entered their House. It's evident they all harbor secrets, with the FMC holding the biggest one.
I'd be lying if I said I was surprised by the plot twists, because they were pretty predictable. Nonetheless, that didn't make the book any less enjoyable for me.
The book ended with a cliffhanger, and I suspect we finally reached a turning point in the story, so I'm curious to see how they'd influence the plot in the next book.
⤏ Actual rating: 3.5🌟
⤏ What to expect:
∘ Dark Paranormal Romance
∘ Reverse Harem ― size: small (4)
∘ Multiple POV
∘ Academy setting
∘ Strong FMC
∘ MMCs as Roommates
∘ OW/OM drama
∘ Family drama
⤏ Tropes:
∘ Forced Proximity
∘ Hidden Powers
∘ Touch her/him and die
∘ Roomies to lovers
∘ Fast-burn
⤏ Trigger Warnings: bullying, violence
⤏ Thoughts
If you're looking for why-choose book with insta-like/insta-love and quite a bit of tension, this one's a good choice. While the connection between three out of four guys and the FMC is instant, the book is not lacking in the action department and we even have a little mystery thrown in the mix.
Raven has spent her entire life in Shadowmoor, a town engulfed by darkness. However, everything changes when her father arrives to whisk her away to Silvercrest Academy.
Forced to attend this university for gifted individuals, Raven finds herself out of place as a Void—devoid of magic. The academy's grounds prove to be even more perilous than the 'cursed' town she left behind.
It seems Raven cannot escape the destiny her mother had hoped to shield her from when she fled with Raven from her father 14 years ago.
The characters are likeable and I really loved how they accepted the FMC in their circle and took it upon themselves to protect her from the moment she entered their House. It's evident they all harbor secrets, with the FMC holding the biggest one.
I'd be lying if I said I was surprised by the plot twists, because they were pretty predictable. Nonetheless, that didn't make the book any less enjoyable for me.
The book ended with a cliffhanger, and I suspect we finally reached a turning point in the story, so I'm curious to see how they'd influence the plot in the next book.
April 26, 2024
I’m not really sure what’s going on here. It doesn’t feel like a mystery - it feels like the author hasn’t figured it out yet and is trying to cloak that. The characters are all immature and the plot isn’t solid enough to keep me reading when I can find a dozen other series with a similar premise.
March 8, 2025
The cover of this book was like a magnet, pulling me in with its alluring design. I have an insatiable passion for paranormal academic literature, and this one promised to be a captivating read. It exceeded all my expectations and left me craving more. As the first installment in a series, I found myself thoroughly enchanted and eagerly anticipating my journey into the next book. I chose to experience the story through the audiobook format, and the narrators delivered an exceptional performance, breathing life into each character and scene. Without a doubt, I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an enthralling adventure!
💫Rating 💫
🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶Spice🌶
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
💫Rating 💫
🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶Spice🌶
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
July 4, 2024
4/5
This was a very solid start to a series! Not the most plot driven story but I liked all of the characters and am intrigued!
This was a very solid start to a series! Not the most plot driven story but I liked all of the characters and am intrigued!
December 28, 2023
This book is everything I should love. Paranormal, fantasy, academy/university, reverse harem. Unfortunately it falls flat. The writing is easy to read but immature. The development of the relationships is forced, telling versus showing, and shallow. I don’t understand why they have feelings for each other except for forced proximity and they’re all “hot.”
The whole war, monarchy, powers, soldiers fighting, territories, etc makes no sense and there is very little world building to explain any of it to the reader. I suppose it’s on purpose because none of the characters understand what’s happening. Since it’s all “secretive” and “above their clearance and pay grades” but it just makes for an unenjoyable and confusing story for the reader.
The whole war, monarchy, powers, soldiers fighting, territories, etc makes no sense and there is very little world building to explain any of it to the reader. I suppose it’s on purpose because none of the characters understand what’s happening. Since it’s all “secretive” and “above their clearance and pay grades” but it just makes for an unenjoyable and confusing story for the reader.
December 2, 2023
This story fell short for me.
Feels like every other prn academy book just not a well fleshed out one.
The mystery (or ten) the author was attempting to build just left too many blanks for me. It ended up just being annoying and not mysterious for me.
So many plot holes. So much useless info that never contributes to the story or plot.
I skimmed 50% of this book bc it just dragged. Maybe I need to avoid academy books for a year or two. I might be burned out. 😑😩
Feels like every other prn academy book just not a well fleshed out one.
The mystery (or ten) the author was attempting to build just left too many blanks for me. It ended up just being annoying and not mysterious for me.
So many plot holes. So much useless info that never contributes to the story or plot.
I skimmed 50% of this book bc it just dragged. Maybe I need to avoid academy books for a year or two. I might be burned out. 😑😩
June 30, 2025
If you enjoyed The Bonds that Tie series, this is for you. This is setting up for a very interesting series!
September 10, 2023
Wow, KC has been knocking out books like nobody’s business this year and now she’s coming at us with another brand-new fantasy series! 🙌🏻✨
First, I'd like to note that while there is the use of modern dialogue, which I personally was ok with, I think this series has a stronger high fantasy vibe than her Saints Academy series in the sense that we are in a completely different realm from Earth! In this brutal world you’ll see mythical creatures like sirens, griffons, and trolls and there are seven, technically eight, different types of magic that someone could possess and that's without going into the subclasses of each one! There is also a war that is constantly mentioned but there’s so little outwardly spoken about it that I don’t really trust the information we seemingly did get tbh. Part of that is because right off the bat, something doesn’t feel right about how The Monarchy rules and how the academy operates so I’m interested to delve a bit more into that story line in the next book, in addition to navigating Raven’s whole void situation of course!
My one complaint is that I wished that there was more pushback from Raven in relation to her attraction towards the guys. But that’s likely because enemies to lovers is basically a staple for me nowadays so while I was living for these guys and the overall tension I was hoping for some more animosity and angst! 🤣🤭 That said, the buildup was still DELICIOUS! By the time we finally got to the action I was just about ready to beg along with Raven! Like, that whole game of spin the bottle had me about to combust and if we don’t get more primal play scenes in the later books I might cry! 🥹
As a whole, this group of men has a pretty calm demeaner on the outside but amongst themselves are full of hilarious banter and entertaining mischief that I could not get enough of. I am very curious to see what these guys are like when they go feral though, I have a weak spot when reserved men burn the world in fits of rage! 👀 At this moment though I am hard pressed to pick a favorite since it literally kept flopping between all of the guys as we got to know each one a bit better throughout the book. I am so looking forward to spending more time with this group as the series progresses!
I know this is just the beginning and we have a few more books to go but I’m already so excited to see what KC has in store for these characters! Even if I know that means eminent emotional turmoil! 😅 But if you read and enjoyed Reckless Souls then I would highly recommend grabbing this one ASAP because I can already tell we’re in for a wild ride!
First, I'd like to note that while there is the use of modern dialogue, which I personally was ok with, I think this series has a stronger high fantasy vibe than her Saints Academy series in the sense that we are in a completely different realm from Earth! In this brutal world you’ll see mythical creatures like sirens, griffons, and trolls and there are seven, technically eight, different types of magic that someone could possess and that's without going into the subclasses of each one! There is also a war that is constantly mentioned but there’s so little outwardly spoken about it that I don’t really trust the information we seemingly did get tbh. Part of that is because right off the bat, something doesn’t feel right about how The Monarchy rules and how the academy operates so I’m interested to delve a bit more into that story line in the next book, in addition to navigating Raven’s whole void situation of course!
My one complaint is that I wished that there was more pushback from Raven in relation to her attraction towards the guys. But that’s likely because enemies to lovers is basically a staple for me nowadays so while I was living for these guys and the overall tension I was hoping for some more animosity and angst! 🤣🤭 That said, the buildup was still DELICIOUS! By the time we finally got to the action I was just about ready to beg along with Raven! Like, that whole game of spin the bottle had me about to combust and if we don’t get more primal play scenes in the later books I might cry! 🥹
As a whole, this group of men has a pretty calm demeaner on the outside but amongst themselves are full of hilarious banter and entertaining mischief that I could not get enough of. I am very curious to see what these guys are like when they go feral though, I have a weak spot when reserved men burn the world in fits of rage! 👀 At this moment though I am hard pressed to pick a favorite since it literally kept flopping between all of the guys as we got to know each one a bit better throughout the book. I am so looking forward to spending more time with this group as the series progresses!
I know this is just the beginning and we have a few more books to go but I’m already so excited to see what KC has in store for these characters! Even if I know that means eminent emotional turmoil! 😅 But if you read and enjoyed Reckless Souls then I would highly recommend grabbing this one ASAP because I can already tell we’re in for a wild ride!
November 30, 2024
Yeah its a cliche RH with typical mmcs, but better than most ive read.
Whats up with all the throat grabbing? Lol
So there is a guy that the mmcs hate apparently, and force him to heal her several times, and they still talk to him like he is a piece of trash.
Excuse me bitch, you need him and yet treat him like garbage, telling that he “whines” when he says that he cannot summon a sword. And they get him killed by a monster because they took him away to heal her.
Whats up with all the throat grabbing? Lol
So there is a guy that the mmcs hate apparently, and force him to heal her several times, and they still talk to him like he is a piece of trash.
Excuse me bitch, you need him and yet treat him like garbage, telling that he “whines” when he says that he cannot summon a sword. And they get him killed by a monster because they took him away to heal her.
September 26, 2023
Rating4.5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐ 💫
Spice Level 3/5🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
💀 Dark fantasy
💀why choose
💀gothic academia vibes
💀 touch her and 💀
💀forced proximity
💀FMC that takes no 💩
💀Primal play
Imagine living a life in literal hell surviving your ass off then poof being pulled back by your father into the school of the most privileged and gifted and the most powerful. But theres only one teensy issue… She’s a void. No abilities or powers seen. So survival of the fittest it is. Plus deal w/ a dixkhead of a brother.
I really enjoyed the world that was built by KC its full of sirens, ravens and students that have special abilities that can shift or even read minds. Its just one of these things and secrets and behind the and nothing is as it seems. Plus the men oh dont get me started sheesh 😮💨
They have different personalities and different backgrounds but my favorite is Brax and Eldon well hell i love them all Creed and Zane! And yes they do have different abilities too.
Lord oh lord the spice omg…. I have no words but I really need a copy of that House Handbook cause if you live with all four guys? Uhm where do I sign up? ✍️
Spice Level 3/5🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
💀 Dark fantasy
💀why choose
💀gothic academia vibes
💀 touch her and 💀
💀forced proximity
💀FMC that takes no 💩
💀Primal play
Imagine living a life in literal hell surviving your ass off then poof being pulled back by your father into the school of the most privileged and gifted and the most powerful. But theres only one teensy issue… She’s a void. No abilities or powers seen. So survival of the fittest it is. Plus deal w/ a dixkhead of a brother.
I really enjoyed the world that was built by KC its full of sirens, ravens and students that have special abilities that can shift or even read minds. Its just one of these things and secrets and behind the and nothing is as it seems. Plus the men oh dont get me started sheesh 😮💨
They have different personalities and different backgrounds but my favorite is Brax and Eldon well hell i love them all Creed and Zane! And yes they do have different abilities too.
Lord oh lord the spice omg…. I have no words but I really need a copy of that House Handbook cause if you live with all four guys? Uhm where do I sign up? ✍️
February 13, 2024
I really really wanted to like this book but at 72% it was either dnf or power read. FMC felt to me like she was 14 but obv not she’s like 20? 🤔 21? Idk, idc I guess. Anyways, I wish that there was just more, more interactions, more back story, more scenes, just more. Everything just seemed like surface stuff and that includes the guys. Maybe it gets better but I got pissed when
January 8, 2024
i've read my fair share of chosen one why choose books and this felt formulaic to the max, it just... wasn't good
October 13, 2024
This book had one purpose and it wasn’t plot 🙈
February 2, 2025
"Falling Shadows" by K.C. Kean is an instant hit in my book! Kean never disappoints, and this latest gem is no exception. It's the perfect pick-me-up if you're looking to bypass angst and dive straight into some heartfelt, instant love. Kean's knack for crafting irresistibly charming characters and swoon-worthy moments shines brightly here. I'm here for anything this talented author writes—her work is always spot-on and exactly what I need.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
A promising start, with a likable female lead and four sexy male leads.
I was left with way more questions than answers but since this is supposed to be four book series I suppose that’s to be expected.
I was left with way more questions than answers but since this is supposed to be four book series I suppose that’s to be expected.
August 29, 2023
Full review coming soon..
July 12, 2024
No pensé que me llegaría a gustar. El sistema de magia es simple, una academia de magia, cuatro compañeros de cuarto y un secreto. Algo muy visto pero entretenido..
November 21, 2024
Sigh. I have mixed feelings about this book. Reverse harem, yay. Academy setting, yay. Magic and stuff, yay.
What’s not so yay? The rest of it. Super fast burn series aren’t really my thing, and this one just annoyed me. I thought maybe one or two guys might hold out til the next book, but nope. Insta-everything right from the get go.
The world building needs some serious work. It’s extremely confusing to me, and some of it makes no sense. The author’s other series I read, Saints Academy, was similar. Partial world building, but so many holes. Maybe more will be explained in later books, but so far I don’t get a strong sense of the world Raven lives in. Magic borders on the ridiculous. Examples:
“The main difference is watching each student press their thumb against the tip of the coat hook to reveal a set of shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers moments later”
“Nodding, I do as she says, copying her movement, and the screen disappears as a plate of food appears in front of me.”
“You can borrow something of mine,” Leila says with a smile, waving her hand in front of me, and I choke on a gasp as the air shifts around me. The feel of butterfly wings kissing my skin from head to toe sweeps over me, watching in shock as my uniform disappears. A light breeze now touches my exposed legs and arms as a shimmering silver mini dress covers my torso. Matching heels adorn my feet, and my hair blows around my face and shoulders in soft pink waves.”
The magic is just too convenient for me… it’s hard to explain it any other way. Food just magically appears? Clothes just magically appear? And the last example just makes me think of any anime magic girl transformation scene. Think Sailor Moon. It’s just silly.
The insta-lust possessiveness of the guys makes them seem too alike. I thought Brax would be a little different, but I thought wrong. At least his personality stands out more. The other three guys just feel kind of the same.
I’m also tired of reading so many series where we get Barbie and Ken dress-up time in almost every other chapter. If the clothes have some kind of significance, fine. But I don’t need to know what they are wearing every day, nor do I care. I don’t need to know what four guys are wearing every day, and I don’t care what Raven wears when she sneaks out of the house. This is probably me being extra nitpicky, but here we are.
The writing is okay. Not great, not terrible, not really even that good… but it’s okay. The next level down from good, I guess? Everyone needs to stop rubbing their lips. And bleh for the dumb pet names… three so far. Because everyone has to have a special snowflake pet name for the FMC.
I’ll read the next book in the series to see if there’s more world building and less silly magic, but my hopes are not high.
What’s not so yay? The rest of it. Super fast burn series aren’t really my thing, and this one just annoyed me. I thought maybe one or two guys might hold out til the next book, but nope. Insta-everything right from the get go.
The world building needs some serious work. It’s extremely confusing to me, and some of it makes no sense. The author’s other series I read, Saints Academy, was similar. Partial world building, but so many holes. Maybe more will be explained in later books, but so far I don’t get a strong sense of the world Raven lives in. Magic borders on the ridiculous. Examples:
“The main difference is watching each student press their thumb against the tip of the coat hook to reveal a set of shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers moments later”
“Nodding, I do as she says, copying her movement, and the screen disappears as a plate of food appears in front of me.”
“You can borrow something of mine,” Leila says with a smile, waving her hand in front of me, and I choke on a gasp as the air shifts around me. The feel of butterfly wings kissing my skin from head to toe sweeps over me, watching in shock as my uniform disappears. A light breeze now touches my exposed legs and arms as a shimmering silver mini dress covers my torso. Matching heels adorn my feet, and my hair blows around my face and shoulders in soft pink waves.”
The magic is just too convenient for me… it’s hard to explain it any other way. Food just magically appears? Clothes just magically appear? And the last example just makes me think of any anime magic girl transformation scene. Think Sailor Moon. It’s just silly.
The insta-lust possessiveness of the guys makes them seem too alike. I thought Brax would be a little different, but I thought wrong. At least his personality stands out more. The other three guys just feel kind of the same.
I’m also tired of reading so many series where we get Barbie and Ken dress-up time in almost every other chapter. If the clothes have some kind of significance, fine. But I don’t need to know what they are wearing every day, nor do I care. I don’t need to know what four guys are wearing every day, and I don’t care what Raven wears when she sneaks out of the house. This is probably me being extra nitpicky, but here we are.
The writing is okay. Not great, not terrible, not really even that good… but it’s okay. The next level down from good, I guess? Everyone needs to stop rubbing their lips. And bleh for the dumb pet names… three so far. Because everyone has to have a special snowflake pet name for the FMC.
I’ll read the next book in the series to see if there’s more world building and less silly magic, but my hopes are not high.
September 18, 2024
Rating- 3 good but with issues
Heat- 3
Entire series rating- 3
Tropes- academy, MFMMM, touch her and die, insta love
Need to know- cliffhanger but completed series, not a bully romance
I always enjoy KC Kean’s books, and this was no exception. This one hits all the best parts of academy romantasy. Raven, who was raised in the slums, is sent to the magic school attended by the rich and powerful. She instantly has enemies, including a brother she hasn’t seen since she was four, and she makes friends with the loner. She also catches the attention of the four most popular guys.
I would have liked for the world building to be made a bit more clear. It appears to be a nation comprised of multiple realms ruled by one group, the Monarchy, but that’s really all we learn. What is the Monarchy? Are they born into the position or elected? Who is the upcoming war against? By the end of the book, I still didn’t feel like I had a good grasp of the world itself.
Edited to add after finishing the series:
I finished the series because I thought for sure my questions would be answered. They weren’t. Even after all 4 books, I don’t understand this world. At the end of book 1, I assumed the tiny amount of info we were given about the realms would be important because a revolution would solve the glaring injustices. Instead, the problems made clear were ignored for a much more random threat. Kean also repeatedly gave hints about things, whetting my appetite, and then never delivered the answers. For example, and without spoilers, the Big Bad’s actions were all based on revenge, but we never learn what that revenge is for. Overall, I’m a bit disappointed.
Heat- 3
Entire series rating- 3
Tropes- academy, MFMMM, touch her and die, insta love
Need to know- cliffhanger but completed series, not a bully romance
I always enjoy KC Kean’s books, and this was no exception. This one hits all the best parts of academy romantasy. Raven, who was raised in the slums, is sent to the magic school attended by the rich and powerful. She instantly has enemies, including a brother she hasn’t seen since she was four, and she makes friends with the loner. She also catches the attention of the four most popular guys.
I would have liked for the world building to be made a bit more clear. It appears to be a nation comprised of multiple realms ruled by one group, the Monarchy, but that’s really all we learn. What is the Monarchy? Are they born into the position or elected? Who is the upcoming war against? By the end of the book, I still didn’t feel like I had a good grasp of the world itself.
Edited to add after finishing the series:
I finished the series because I thought for sure my questions would be answered. They weren’t. Even after all 4 books, I don’t understand this world. At the end of book 1, I assumed the tiny amount of info we were given about the realms would be important because a revolution would solve the glaring injustices. Instead, the problems made clear were ignored for a much more random threat. Kean also repeatedly gave hints about things, whetting my appetite, and then never delivered the answers. For example, and without spoilers, the Big Bad’s actions were all based on revenge, but we never learn what that revenge is for. Overall, I’m a bit disappointed.
October 2, 2023
Arc review... 2.5/3 stars for me just because of all the questions I have and no answers 😞
Not long finished and I'm hoping Raven actually turns into a bad*ss like she's making out to be because I've yet to see any bad*ss-ness
I can't wait for the story to actually process more as I have more questions than actual answers like why the brother hates her so much what's his actual deal and why the mum did what she did at the start of the book just to bring Raven right back 🤔 why the Bishops are called the Bishops and what's their role in the monarchy and what's up with the whole war thing? Who are they fighting ? Why are they fighting? And honestly way way more questions.
Towards the end the Bishops seemed to get a bit more personality because at the start I honestly couldn't tell them apart at all but they've got better so that's good. I was rooting for Finn I honestly hope he comes back as I didn't see him as the bad guy at all unless I missed something? 🤔 be nice to get a few more characters in this book as well as we've only met like a handful so far and this is supposed to be a school environment.
Don't get me wrong I am very appreciative to have received an arc for this book but I just need the story to process more and answer some of my questions hopefully the next book will answer them all as I already have some theories and I think I can guess what Ravens actually powers are with how this book ended.
Not long finished and I'm hoping Raven actually turns into a bad*ss like she's making out to be because I've yet to see any bad*ss-ness
I can't wait for the story to actually process more as I have more questions than actual answers like why the brother hates her so much what's his actual deal and why the mum did what she did at the start of the book just to bring Raven right back 🤔 why the Bishops are called the Bishops and what's their role in the monarchy and what's up with the whole war thing? Who are they fighting ? Why are they fighting? And honestly way way more questions.
Towards the end the Bishops seemed to get a bit more personality because at the start I honestly couldn't tell them apart at all but they've got better so that's good. I was rooting for Finn I honestly hope he comes back as I didn't see him as the bad guy at all unless I missed something? 🤔 be nice to get a few more characters in this book as well as we've only met like a handful so far and this is supposed to be a school environment.
Don't get me wrong I am very appreciative to have received an arc for this book but I just need the story to process more and answer some of my questions hopefully the next book will answer them all as I already have some theories and I think I can guess what Ravens actually powers are with how this book ended.
July 11, 2024
The FMC is weak - she doesn’t DO anything. Things just happen around her at a super-fast pace and other than having a bit of snark, that’s it. She doesn’t plan and act and learn - she just complains. I’ve tried so hard, even making it to book three but nothing changed. The world building is non-existent. I feel like the author invented a mystery about the enemy and war they’re supposedly fighting because the author hadn’t decided on something yet. There’s no relationship build up. The guys just believe they’re meant to be together and that’s it. I don’t even understand her past - why was it so bad where she’s from? Why do we get the impression her mum was neglectful and the FMC had to do everything on her own? that’s not consistent with the way the mum acts throughout the books so I don’t get it. Overall, this is flimsy writing without any care or depth given to the characters, plot, pacing, or relationships.
April 10, 2024
I love me some academy books but they all follow the same plot and unfortunately this one did not stick out to me. The beginning was weird...she was sent away then her dad shows up after 14 years and forces her to go to this academy...why? We never find out and the girl just takes it in stride? Why. It was a very formula type of book. Shows up to academy school, check. Becomes friends with the outcast, check. Her roommates are all guys, check. Forms instant connections and they adopt her as one of their own, check. She is the chosen one, check. Like nothing new! And the plot and world felt under developed.
October 2, 2024
I stayed up half the night to finish it. No it’s not very well written but I am really curious about the story and I had to know what was going to happen! It’s no literary masterpiece in fact it sounds like it was written by a teenager, but I’m still sucked in.
November 16, 2023
Ugh she’s such a pick me
March 18, 2024
Super super fast burn to the point where I was like what is even happening they looked at her and they were in love and also very stereotypical tropes for the men
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