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The Academy Games
Perfection is key.
That’s how Ayra Brightheart made it to Fraydora Academy. It didn’t matter that her parents left her at the academy’s doorstep when she was a baby; she had to earn her way in. Years of studying, late nights, taunting from her classmates, memorizing spells and recipes secured her spot.
And now, her final test awaits.
Every year, Fraydora Academy for Witches competes against Traquore Academy for Wizards in a series of games. Whoever wins earns themselves and their school high prestige.
Ayra has worked tirelessly throughout her years at Fraydora for a chance to participate in the games, and when she finds out she made the cut, she’s ready to win, but the last person she expected to meet was Ryne Gwydion.
Ryne is a carefree, fun seeking, kindhearted ray of sunshine. He’s the kind of wizard she should stay away from because he could derail her end goal, but the games have a different plan in mind.
The council is ready for the realm to change. They’re tired of the growing tension between witches and wizards, so they take matters into their own hands. Changing the games— and this pair— entirely.
Let the games begin.
The Hunger Games x MagicMagical AcademiesWitches x WizardsSlow Burn RomanceReverse Grumpy x SunshineSpiceMental Health RepPlease visit amberpaigeauthor. com for the trigger list.
That’s how Ayra Brightheart made it to Fraydora Academy. It didn’t matter that her parents left her at the academy’s doorstep when she was a baby; she had to earn her way in. Years of studying, late nights, taunting from her classmates, memorizing spells and recipes secured her spot.
And now, her final test awaits.
Every year, Fraydora Academy for Witches competes against Traquore Academy for Wizards in a series of games. Whoever wins earns themselves and their school high prestige.
Ayra has worked tirelessly throughout her years at Fraydora for a chance to participate in the games, and when she finds out she made the cut, she’s ready to win, but the last person she expected to meet was Ryne Gwydion.
Ryne is a carefree, fun seeking, kindhearted ray of sunshine. He’s the kind of wizard she should stay away from because he could derail her end goal, but the games have a different plan in mind.
The council is ready for the realm to change. They’re tired of the growing tension between witches and wizards, so they take matters into their own hands. Changing the games— and this pair— entirely.
Let the games begin.
The Hunger Games x MagicMagical AcademiesWitches x WizardsSlow Burn RomanceReverse Grumpy x SunshineSpiceMental Health RepPlease visit amberpaigeauthor. com for the trigger list.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2024
37 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Amber Paige
8 books168 followersAmber Paige writes romance/contemporary romance/fantasy novels with HEA’s. When she’s not obsessing over commas or letting her imposter syndrome win you can find her writing, reading, playing videos games, or watching too much TV.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
March 7, 2024
I am not normally a fantasy/romantasy girlie (Harry Potter was about it) but the chokehold this book had me in was something else. A mix between the Hunger Games and the Tri-Wizard tournament with some spice mixed in.
I stayed up wayyy too late to finish this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next and how it was going to end.
The characters were all likeable, including the familiars (animals). The games were awesome. The relationship between our FMC and MMC was done so well.
For me, fantasy can be confusing with all the world building and backstories, and crazy names, and it makes it hard for me to follow along. With the Academy Games, Amber does a great job at keeping things simple and easy to follow and I really appreciated that!
I stayed up wayyy too late to finish this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next and how it was going to end.
The characters were all likeable, including the familiars (animals). The games were awesome. The relationship between our FMC and MMC was done so well.
For me, fantasy can be confusing with all the world building and backstories, and crazy names, and it makes it hard for me to follow along. With the Academy Games, Amber does a great job at keeping things simple and easy to follow and I really appreciated that!
March 22, 2024
This one is perfect for fans of Harry Potter and the Hunger Games. Or, to be more specific, (1) Harry Potter with spice, and (2) Hunger Games without the stress and despair of a fight to the death. This is a low-stakes game, but I still wish we would have had more drama and detail around the games.
Like other new adult fiction, the characters here are very young—and some readers (myself included) may find their emotions, and the speed at which they change, harder to relate to.
That said, Paige’s work takes on the topic of bullying in a meaningful way. So even if we can’t relate to the struggles of a 21 year old in an academic setting - we remember them. I suspect many of us bookish girls were once (or are still) a little like Arya - someone with a perfectionist, top-of-my-class-or-bust mindset that makes success easy but true relationships more difficult. The setting work was very well done.
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC of this book.
Like other new adult fiction, the characters here are very young—and some readers (myself included) may find their emotions, and the speed at which they change, harder to relate to.
That said, Paige’s work takes on the topic of bullying in a meaningful way. So even if we can’t relate to the struggles of a 21 year old in an academic setting - we remember them. I suspect many of us bookish girls were once (or are still) a little like Arya - someone with a perfectionist, top-of-my-class-or-bust mindset that makes success easy but true relationships more difficult. The setting work was very well done.
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC of this book.
March 9, 2024
Thank you to Author Amber Paige for the arc. I was absolutely hooked from th every beginning if the book. It was giving Harry Potter with some hunger games in there as well. I fell so in love with Arya & Ryne. Ryne is a golden retriever he’s so freaking sweet but he can get down too. Arya on the other hand is our grump who is very focused on her studies & being the very best. I fell so hard for the way her & Ryne ended up connecting. He helped her so much & their opposites were perfect for each other. I also loved the slow burn of the book. It didn’t feel super dragged out. I also LOVED the familiars
4/5 stars 🫶🏼
4/5 stars 🫶🏼
March 12, 2024
I was so excited to get the chance to read the newest book from author Amber Paige and I was not disappointed.
This book is about two magical schools, one for witches and one for wizards, that host a yearly magical tournament where the two schools have students go head to head to earn both themselves and their schools prestige and honor. This year, things are different than years prior and in an effort to encourage collaboration between witches and wizards, one student from each school will be paired together to compete.
I loved the way Fraydora Academy, the school for witches hosting the tournament, is described. There was some very cool world building and I really enjoyed the way the magic and casting was described. I also really liked Ayra and Ryne, and how they were described. Their personalities, motivations, and physical descriptions were all fantastic and I loved watching their growth and progression through the story.
Another thing I really enjoyed were the familiars and how they are unique to the witch or wizard they are bound. It was really cool to see the way these creatures were both familiar to me as a reader and new in their design. This whole world felt very whimsical and beautiful and I imagined myself there as I read.
I would describe this as a cozy fantasy. My initial expectations of the magical tournament had me imagining something a little more high stakes from the beginning of the games, but I liked the way the games were written. It allowed the two main characters to interact in ways that really give their story room to grow. I would have loved a little more involvement from the supporting characters to help give a little more depth to Ayra and Ryne prior to the events of the book, but ultimately this was a great fantasy with some spice and a lovely message of overcoming trials and loving yourself along the way.
This book is about two magical schools, one for witches and one for wizards, that host a yearly magical tournament where the two schools have students go head to head to earn both themselves and their schools prestige and honor. This year, things are different than years prior and in an effort to encourage collaboration between witches and wizards, one student from each school will be paired together to compete.
I loved the way Fraydora Academy, the school for witches hosting the tournament, is described. There was some very cool world building and I really enjoyed the way the magic and casting was described. I also really liked Ayra and Ryne, and how they were described. Their personalities, motivations, and physical descriptions were all fantastic and I loved watching their growth and progression through the story.
Another thing I really enjoyed were the familiars and how they are unique to the witch or wizard they are bound. It was really cool to see the way these creatures were both familiar to me as a reader and new in their design. This whole world felt very whimsical and beautiful and I imagined myself there as I read.
I would describe this as a cozy fantasy. My initial expectations of the magical tournament had me imagining something a little more high stakes from the beginning of the games, but I liked the way the games were written. It allowed the two main characters to interact in ways that really give their story room to grow. I would have loved a little more involvement from the supporting characters to help give a little more depth to Ayra and Ryne prior to the events of the book, but ultimately this was a great fantasy with some spice and a lovely message of overcoming trials and loving yourself along the way.
March 9, 2024
"This man oozes main character energy."
✨️ Academia
✨️ Magic
✨️ Dual POV
✨️ Spice 2/5
✨️ HEA
✨️ Academia
✨️ Magic
✨️ Dual POV
✨️ Spice 2/5
✨️ HEA
March 17, 2024
This was a wonderful quick read! I was drawn in from the very beginning and didn't want to put it down! The characters growth was wonderful. Loved all of them!!
May 13, 2024
4.5 well-deserved stars! 🌟
If "Hunger Games" and "Harry Potter" had a baby, this would be it. The characters were great, the side characters, and the villain. The chemistry and spice are amazing. I really enjoyed this story!
If "Hunger Games" and "Harry Potter" had a baby, this would be it. The characters were great, the side characters, and the villain. The chemistry and spice are amazing. I really enjoyed this story!
March 1, 2024
This book was literally Happy Potter and the Goblet of Fire meets young adult contemporary romance and I loved it. I think the plot was really well executed, the concept of having an intercollege magical tournament between an all-boys and all-girls school gave me all the Durmstrung/Beauxbatons vibes and I was here for it.
The story was light and easily readable, I loved the concept of it. I loved that there was alot of gender quality included in this book, how the games brought together both schools. I loved Ayra, her dedication to her schooling and her determination to win the tournament is something I admire.
Ryne was an absolute sweetheart. He had such a good and just character and I really think his laid back and fun personality is perfect for Ayra. She really needed to learn that sometimes you just need to let go and have a little fun.
I enjoyed this read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good young adult fantasy 🖤
The story was light and easily readable, I loved the concept of it. I loved that there was alot of gender quality included in this book, how the games brought together both schools. I loved Ayra, her dedication to her schooling and her determination to win the tournament is something I admire.
Ryne was an absolute sweetheart. He had such a good and just character and I really think his laid back and fun personality is perfect for Ayra. She really needed to learn that sometimes you just need to let go and have a little fun.
I enjoyed this read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good young adult fantasy 🖤
March 13, 2024
4.5⭐️
I was so excited when I was granted an ARC of The Academy Games! Think Tri-Wizard Tournament with a touch of Hunger Games, only new adult with spice🔥 I love a magical academy setting and Amber did this so well, her writing was easy to follow and immerse myself in the story. I could easily picture the grounds of Faydora and the exciting tournament games she created. She also balanced the plot and romance very well.
I loved both main characters Ayra and Ryne and their familiars(animal companions). I especially love when we get dual pov! Ayra is a perfectionist witch who values academic success over anything else, she’s built up a thick skin from years of bullying and keeps most people at arms length. Ryne is a fun loving adventurous wizard with a good heart. When they’re unexpectedly paired up for The Academy Games (much to Ayra’s dismay) they must work together to succeed. I loved the way both characters grew, learned from one another, and helped each other see the best in themselves. The high pressure of the games somehow made the short timeline of the romance work, and Amber somehow manages to make their quick romance feel slow burn. This made the spice so much better and allowed for lots of tension and fun banter in the lead up.
For a list of triggers visit amberpaigeauthor.com!
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Amber Paige is a new author for me, and I can confidently say I’ll be picking up whatever she writes next! I hope she writes more fantasy because she did an incredible job with this one!
Thank you to @amberpaige_author for the opportunity to read an ARC! All opinions are my own.
I was so excited when I was granted an ARC of The Academy Games! Think Tri-Wizard Tournament with a touch of Hunger Games, only new adult with spice🔥 I love a magical academy setting and Amber did this so well, her writing was easy to follow and immerse myself in the story. I could easily picture the grounds of Faydora and the exciting tournament games she created. She also balanced the plot and romance very well.
I loved both main characters Ayra and Ryne and their familiars(animal companions). I especially love when we get dual pov! Ayra is a perfectionist witch who values academic success over anything else, she’s built up a thick skin from years of bullying and keeps most people at arms length. Ryne is a fun loving adventurous wizard with a good heart. When they’re unexpectedly paired up for The Academy Games (much to Ayra’s dismay) they must work together to succeed. I loved the way both characters grew, learned from one another, and helped each other see the best in themselves. The high pressure of the games somehow made the short timeline of the romance work, and Amber somehow manages to make their quick romance feel slow burn. This made the spice so much better and allowed for lots of tension and fun banter in the lead up.
For a list of triggers visit amberpaigeauthor.com!
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Amber Paige is a new author for me, and I can confidently say I’ll be picking up whatever she writes next! I hope she writes more fantasy because she did an incredible job with this one!
Thank you to @amberpaige_author for the opportunity to read an ARC! All opinions are my own.
February 26, 2024
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(5/5) SPICE: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
This was such a captivating read, I was immediately hooked from the start! Amber seamlessly blended the enchanting world of Harry Potter with the gripping intensity of the Hunger Games. The main characters were a harmonious duo, beautifully illustrating the idea that our differences make us extraordinary. The familiars added a delightful touch, their interactions with both each other and the characters enhancing the overall charm of the story. The chocolate fountain scene is my favorite! The mental health representative was refreshing to see! The Academy Games is a spellbinding read that celebrates diversity and uniqueness.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to ARC read this wonderful book! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was such a captivating read, I was immediately hooked from the start! Amber seamlessly blended the enchanting world of Harry Potter with the gripping intensity of the Hunger Games. The main characters were a harmonious duo, beautifully illustrating the idea that our differences make us extraordinary. The familiars added a delightful touch, their interactions with both each other and the characters enhancing the overall charm of the story. The chocolate fountain scene is my favorite! The mental health representative was refreshing to see! The Academy Games is a spellbinding read that celebrates diversity and uniqueness.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to ARC read this wonderful book! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 9, 2024
Amber does it again folks! Mental health rep all the way 💖
4.5 Stars rounding up!
Ryne is so cute & golden retriever-y. I adore him (& his dominant side 🤭). Ayra reminds me of myself in my late high school-early college days... it was a hard growth period. As much as I want to say "you're a strong independent woman, & you don't need a man" being loved by one was the same thing that helped me out of my doom spiral of perfectionism and only doing things to prove that I can and I'm the best at them.
I do prefer the deeper dives into mental health and darker shadowy aspects of fiction but this was namely a cozy romantasy so I'll rate it as such. 🥰
I really enjoyed this Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire meets Hunger Games, witches and wizards, opposites attract, fun side characters, and cute animals story though 🥰 can't wait to see what comes next💖
4.5 Stars rounding up!
Ryne is so cute & golden retriever-y. I adore him (& his dominant side 🤭). Ayra reminds me of myself in my late high school-early college days... it was a hard growth period. As much as I want to say "you're a strong independent woman, & you don't need a man" being loved by one was the same thing that helped me out of my doom spiral of perfectionism and only doing things to prove that I can and I'm the best at them.
I do prefer the deeper dives into mental health and darker shadowy aspects of fiction but this was namely a cozy romantasy so I'll rate it as such. 🥰
I really enjoyed this Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire meets Hunger Games, witches and wizards, opposites attract, fun side characters, and cute animals story though 🥰 can't wait to see what comes next💖
February 23, 2024
“Ryne Gwydion might not know this, but i’d go anywhere with him. He’s the light to my shadow, the fire to my ice. He’s the love I never expected to find.”
I’m not a huge fantasy reader, but if it’s written by Amber I’ll read it. Their story was so sweet. Their love was deliciously slow burn, but once the burn hit.. IT HIT. if you’re picking up what i’m putting down
This world reminds me of Harry Potter meeting the Hunger Games. It was something I’ve never read before and I really enjoyed it.
If you’re into that kind of world, this is the book for you. I’m excited to see where the next books take us.
*I RECEIVED AN ARC COPY*
I’m not a huge fantasy reader, but if it’s written by Amber I’ll read it. Their story was so sweet. Their love was deliciously slow burn, but once the burn hit.. IT HIT. if you’re picking up what i’m putting down
This world reminds me of Harry Potter meeting the Hunger Games. It was something I’ve never read before and I really enjoyed it.
If you’re into that kind of world, this is the book for you. I’m excited to see where the next books take us.
*I RECEIVED AN ARC COPY*
March 18, 2024
This was an interesting one! I loved the world building and portal jumping. The academy of Fraydora sounds so beautiful I wish I could go there 😍 it was also a bonus that this academy was for a little bit older wizards making this NA fiction.
Ayra is a perfectionist who will settle for nothing less than the best. It was fun watching Ryne try to break down her barriers. We all need someone like Ryne to accept us as we are and support us to become the best version of ourselves.
This was basically a Hunger Games meets Harry Potter but with its own twist and magical realm!
Extra bonus was the most adorable familiars 🥰 and short chapters!
I'm giving this book 4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Ayra is a perfectionist who will settle for nothing less than the best. It was fun watching Ryne try to break down her barriers. We all need someone like Ryne to accept us as we are and support us to become the best version of ourselves.
This was basically a Hunger Games meets Harry Potter but with its own twist and magical realm!
Extra bonus was the most adorable familiars 🥰 and short chapters!
I'm giving this book 4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
March 5, 2024
From the first page, I was absolutely captivated and I had a hard time putting this book down.
The characters are well developed and each of their personality shows through in such a great way, definitely grumpy vs sunshine.
I loved how the scenes were written and how I was sucked into the academy games with the characters.
From enemy interactions, romance, and just enough spice, this book is 5 stars.
The characters are well developed and each of their personality shows through in such a great way, definitely grumpy vs sunshine.
I loved how the scenes were written and how I was sucked into the academy games with the characters.
From enemy interactions, romance, and just enough spice, this book is 5 stars.
March 8, 2025
SUMMARY:
It didn’t matter that Ayra Brightheart's parents left her at the academy’s doorstep when she was a baby; she had to earn her way in. Years of studying, late nights, taunting from her classmates, memorizing spells and recipes secured her spot. And now, her final test awaits. Every year, Fraydora Academy for Witches competes against Traquore Academy for Wizards in a series of games. Whoever wins earns themselves and their school high prestige. Ayra has worked tirelessly throughout her years at Fraydora for a chance to participate in the games, and when she finds out she made the cut, she’s ready to win, but the last person she expected to meet was Ryne Gwydion. Ryne is a carefree, fun seeking, kindhearted ray of sunshine. He’s the kind of wizard she should stay away from because he could derail her end goal, but the games have a different plan in mind. The council is ready for the realm to change. They’re tired of the growing tension between witches and wizards, so they take matters into their own hands. Changing the games—and this pair—entirely. Let the games begin.
REVIEW:
The Academy Games is my first book by Amber Paige and it is one of March's Monthly Author Spotlights for my discord book club Indie Ink Society. This book definitely reminded me of a spicy adult fantasy romance version of Harry Potter's Goblet of Fire with a slow burn romance between a grumpy witch and a sunshine wizard. Ayra grew up as an orphan that felt like she needed to be perfect in everything so she could be in the Academy Games and win to show everyone she earned her place at Fraydora Academy. Ryne is a kindhearted ray of sunshine that just likes to have fun so he was a bit confused when he is selected to participate in the Academy Games. It was such a cute moment when Ryne and Ayra first meet at the start of the Academy Games as she is grumpy and he is all sunshine which is usually the reverse in most books. When Ayra and Ryne are in the first part of the Academy Games it was such a fun moment as they had to work together for the first time in order to win and it was when I felt they started to fall in love.
It was such a excitingly tense moment when at the last part of the Academy Games Arya had just finished defeating Machiis when she finds that Cadie is about to murder Ryne right in front of her and everyone just to get back at her as well as win the game so she had to control her emotions enough to defeat Cadie to save Ryne. It was such a cute and emotional moment when Ryne surprise proposes to Ayra outside of their home to unite their souls in marriage. Amber Paige delivered a page turning fantasy romance that had action, love, revenge with a sprinkle of funny moments that I enjoyed reading since it was so easy to fall in love with Ayra and Ryne. This story really had me thinking that just because you make a mistake doesn't mean you are a failure and that you can learn from that mistake to keep going for something better. I also loved that this book showed that you just need to let things go and just have fun exploring.
It didn’t matter that Ayra Brightheart's parents left her at the academy’s doorstep when she was a baby; she had to earn her way in. Years of studying, late nights, taunting from her classmates, memorizing spells and recipes secured her spot. And now, her final test awaits. Every year, Fraydora Academy for Witches competes against Traquore Academy for Wizards in a series of games. Whoever wins earns themselves and their school high prestige. Ayra has worked tirelessly throughout her years at Fraydora for a chance to participate in the games, and when she finds out she made the cut, she’s ready to win, but the last person she expected to meet was Ryne Gwydion. Ryne is a carefree, fun seeking, kindhearted ray of sunshine. He’s the kind of wizard she should stay away from because he could derail her end goal, but the games have a different plan in mind. The council is ready for the realm to change. They’re tired of the growing tension between witches and wizards, so they take matters into their own hands. Changing the games—and this pair—entirely. Let the games begin.
REVIEW:
The Academy Games is my first book by Amber Paige and it is one of March's Monthly Author Spotlights for my discord book club Indie Ink Society. This book definitely reminded me of a spicy adult fantasy romance version of Harry Potter's Goblet of Fire with a slow burn romance between a grumpy witch and a sunshine wizard. Ayra grew up as an orphan that felt like she needed to be perfect in everything so she could be in the Academy Games and win to show everyone she earned her place at Fraydora Academy. Ryne is a kindhearted ray of sunshine that just likes to have fun so he was a bit confused when he is selected to participate in the Academy Games. It was such a cute moment when Ryne and Ayra first meet at the start of the Academy Games as she is grumpy and he is all sunshine which is usually the reverse in most books. When Ayra and Ryne are in the first part of the Academy Games it was such a fun moment as they had to work together for the first time in order to win and it was when I felt they started to fall in love.
It was such a excitingly tense moment when at the last part of the Academy Games Arya had just finished defeating Machiis when she finds that Cadie is about to murder Ryne right in front of her and everyone just to get back at her as well as win the game so she had to control her emotions enough to defeat Cadie to save Ryne. It was such a cute and emotional moment when Ryne surprise proposes to Ayra outside of their home to unite their souls in marriage. Amber Paige delivered a page turning fantasy romance that had action, love, revenge with a sprinkle of funny moments that I enjoyed reading since it was so easy to fall in love with Ayra and Ryne. This story really had me thinking that just because you make a mistake doesn't mean you are a failure and that you can learn from that mistake to keep going for something better. I also loved that this book showed that you just need to let things go and just have fun exploring.
March 16, 2024
A Grumpy Witch Learned To Relax
Quote:📖
Magic coursed through the veins of women first. We were blessed by the moon herself. The tides flow in our favor, fire burns in our cells, the earth shudders under our feet, and the air bends to our will.
Thoughts: 💡
This was a cozy low stakes fantasy romance that focused on the budding relationship between an intensely focused grumpy witch and an easy going wizard (these are general terms used and don’t denote their actual magical disciplines) as they competed together in a scholarship competition. The story set up the contest with scenes reminiscent of the Hunger Games, but they were more like game show games than a battle royale. The victor each year got an impressive scholarship and notoriety so it was a very competitive tournament between the best and the brightest. Unfortunately, that included the school bully who was far too comfortable with dark magic.
Fun Bits:
🏹 The Hunger Games x Magic
🪄Goblet of Fire Vibes
🏫 Magical Academies
🧙 Witches x Wizards
❤️🔥 Slow Burn Romance
😠 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌙 Low-stakes/Feel Good
💫Self-Discovery
🌶️ Spice
💚 Mental Health Rep
Note:✨This is a standalone
Full Content Warning:⚠️
Bullying, Mild Violence, Parental Abandonment, Some Blood
Stats:📊
🌶️ & 1/2
Characters: 💙💙💙💙
NA Romantasy: Cozy, Slow Burn, Grumpy Sunshine, Self Discovery 📘
First Person, Present Tense, Dual POV
Quote:📖
Magic coursed through the veins of women first. We were blessed by the moon herself. The tides flow in our favor, fire burns in our cells, the earth shudders under our feet, and the air bends to our will.
Thoughts: 💡
This was a cozy low stakes fantasy romance that focused on the budding relationship between an intensely focused grumpy witch and an easy going wizard (these are general terms used and don’t denote their actual magical disciplines) as they competed together in a scholarship competition. The story set up the contest with scenes reminiscent of the Hunger Games, but they were more like game show games than a battle royale. The victor each year got an impressive scholarship and notoriety so it was a very competitive tournament between the best and the brightest. Unfortunately, that included the school bully who was far too comfortable with dark magic.
Fun Bits:
🏹 The Hunger Games x Magic
🪄Goblet of Fire Vibes
🏫 Magical Academies
🧙 Witches x Wizards
❤️🔥 Slow Burn Romance
😠 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌙 Low-stakes/Feel Good
💫Self-Discovery
🌶️ Spice
💚 Mental Health Rep
Note:✨This is a standalone
Full Content Warning:⚠️
Bullying, Mild Violence, Parental Abandonment, Some Blood
Stats:📊
🌶️ & 1/2
Characters: 💙💙💙💙
NA Romantasy: Cozy, Slow Burn, Grumpy Sunshine, Self Discovery 📘
First Person, Present Tense, Dual POV
March 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a more adult hogwarts with spice. The world building is great and I love the magic system. The set up of the games was really clever and I instantly loved the banter between Ayra and Ryne. They were so adorable the entire book.
The familiars were so fun and I loved all their interactions and Marley was an excellent side character that brought out the best in everyone.
The first half of the book was absolute perfection but the second half was too much emotional confession for my taste. The first half the fmc is very independent and badass but the whole second half is her telling us how much this dude changed her life in every single chapter. I also really wanted to know what Cadies motivations were and we never got that. Additionally, I was hoping the voices in there heads would be explained to us. But other than these little sealed bits I was missing I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
The familiars were so fun and I loved all their interactions and Marley was an excellent side character that brought out the best in everyone.
The first half of the book was absolute perfection but the second half was too much emotional confession for my taste. The first half the fmc is very independent and badass but the whole second half is her telling us how much this dude changed her life in every single chapter. I also really wanted to know what Cadies motivations were and we never got that. Additionally, I was hoping the voices in there heads would be explained to us. But other than these little sealed bits I was missing I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
March 10, 2024
Ayra Brightheart is a dedicated student. She's top of her class at Fraydora Academy for witches. All her hard work, dedication, and perfection have led her up to this final test. Every year, Fraydora Academy for Witches competes against Traquore Academy for Wizards in a series of games.
Ayra is ready to win, but the last person she expected to meet was Wizard Ryne Gwydion. Ryne is the total opposite of Ayra. He's carefree, fun seeking, and a ray of sunshine. He's the type Ayra usually steers away from, but this year, the competition is completely different from previous years, and she might not have a choice.
I got a magically hunger games vibe. Once i started reading, I just couldn't stop. I wasn't expecting the spice that was in the book, but it was done in a tasteful way. Having the spice made me feel like it was a novel geared towards adults and not children. I really appreciated the pronunciation list and the description of magical creatures at the beginning of the novel. I loved the short chapters and different POVs. Having a Spotify playlist was a fun addition to the novel.
Thank you to Amber Paige for this free ebook ARC. This review is 100% my own and honest opinion.
Ayra is ready to win, but the last person she expected to meet was Wizard Ryne Gwydion. Ryne is the total opposite of Ayra. He's carefree, fun seeking, and a ray of sunshine. He's the type Ayra usually steers away from, but this year, the competition is completely different from previous years, and she might not have a choice.
I got a magically hunger games vibe. Once i started reading, I just couldn't stop. I wasn't expecting the spice that was in the book, but it was done in a tasteful way. Having the spice made me feel like it was a novel geared towards adults and not children. I really appreciated the pronunciation list and the description of magical creatures at the beginning of the novel. I loved the short chapters and different POVs. Having a Spotify playlist was a fun addition to the novel.
Thank you to Amber Paige for this free ebook ARC. This review is 100% my own and honest opinion.
March 15, 2024
I don’t normally go after romatasy books but when I saw that Amber’s next book was a romantasy, with beautiful art, I couldn’t not read it!
The world building was absolutely stunning. I could picture everything so clearly and it left me in awe! The characters were also beautiful! Ayra, a perfectionist, was filled with determination for everything she put her mind to. Yet, Ryne taught her that it’s okay to have fun and let go. His carefree personality paired with Ayra was beyond perfect.
It was a super easy read and I enjoyed every second of it. Highly recommend, especially if you are a huge romantasy lover!
The world building was absolutely stunning. I could picture everything so clearly and it left me in awe! The characters were also beautiful! Ayra, a perfectionist, was filled with determination for everything she put her mind to. Yet, Ryne taught her that it’s okay to have fun and let go. His carefree personality paired with Ayra was beyond perfect.
It was a super easy read and I enjoyed every second of it. Highly recommend, especially if you are a huge romantasy lover!
March 25, 2024
If you aren't following this wonderful author or haven't read any of her books, I suggest you do so asap!
Another great book over here!
I loved the magical aspect! It gave Harey Potter vibes but also very different, which I liked! There was also smut and romance!
Magic + spice? Yes, please!
I also absolutely loved the action as well! It definitely kept me on my toes!
Also, it had familiars. Who doesn't love a furry sidekick?
I would definitely recommend this!
Another great book over here!
I loved the magical aspect! It gave Harey Potter vibes but also very different, which I liked! There was also smut and romance!
Magic + spice? Yes, please!
I also absolutely loved the action as well! It definitely kept me on my toes!
Also, it had familiars. Who doesn't love a furry sidekick?
I would definitely recommend this!
March 12, 2025
This book was unexpected and hard to pin down. It was well/written, for sure. It kept me reading with no effort. The only thing I would note is that the age range is hard to pinpoint. The competition part feels like young adult, their listed age is new adult, and the spice indicates adult. I like all of those, so I was able to be flexible with it, but I prefer that everything aligns better.
March 19, 2025
The Academy Games by Amber Paige is everything I wanted and more! It gives off serious *Harry Potter* vibes but with a much spicier twist. Think magic, intense competitions, and a dash of romance that keeps you hooked. I loved the witchy atmosphere and the added drama—it’s perfect for anyone who loves a good magical read with a little extra edge. If you’re into books like this, you NEED to check it out!
May 8, 2024
Ayra Brightheart, topper of her class at Fraydora Academy for witches, believes that they were gifted for a reason and that perfection is the only way they can truly control their gift. Determined to prove her worth to the Academy that raised her, Ayra is hellbent on winning the Academy games- an annual competition where witches compete with the wizards.
Just when things were going her way, life decided to throw her a curveball in the shape of Ryne Gwydion. In order to change with the changing times and to put an end to the rift between witches and wizards, the rules of the games are changed and Ayra is paired with Ryne as her pair. Ryne Gwydion could not be more different from Ayra. He is carefree, laidback and fun-loving and as the competition begins Ayra realises that she needs a Ryne in her life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved the magical world that the author introduced us to. Ayra is someone with whom a lot of the readers can resonate with. In the pursuit of perfection, she often forgets to live her life. Ryne helps her to realise that it is ok to have fun, to trust someone else and that while one can do everything without another’s help, it does not hurt to accept assistance. Ryne is simply a ray of sunshine. You can literally feel him shine through the pages. It goes without saying that we all need a Ryne in our life too.
I enjoyed the way the author touches the topics of perfection and friendship, particularly the depiction of three kinds of friendship-one that started as friends and ended in rivalry, one that is steadfast and loyal to fault and the one that drifts apart only to come back stronger.
The book is perfect for those who love magic, academia, trials and slow burn and for fans of Harry Potter and Hunger Games.
Just when things were going her way, life decided to throw her a curveball in the shape of Ryne Gwydion. In order to change with the changing times and to put an end to the rift between witches and wizards, the rules of the games are changed and Ayra is paired with Ryne as her pair. Ryne Gwydion could not be more different from Ayra. He is carefree, laidback and fun-loving and as the competition begins Ayra realises that she needs a Ryne in her life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved the magical world that the author introduced us to. Ayra is someone with whom a lot of the readers can resonate with. In the pursuit of perfection, she often forgets to live her life. Ryne helps her to realise that it is ok to have fun, to trust someone else and that while one can do everything without another’s help, it does not hurt to accept assistance. Ryne is simply a ray of sunshine. You can literally feel him shine through the pages. It goes without saying that we all need a Ryne in our life too.
I enjoyed the way the author touches the topics of perfection and friendship, particularly the depiction of three kinds of friendship-one that started as friends and ended in rivalry, one that is steadfast and loyal to fault and the one that drifts apart only to come back stronger.
The book is perfect for those who love magic, academia, trials and slow burn and for fans of Harry Potter and Hunger Games.
March 7, 2024
ARC REVIEW
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Amber for letting me be part of your ARC team for my honest review
This was such a fun read with some Harry Potter Goblet of Fire vibes with a touch of Hunger Games and a sprinkle of spice. This is a fast paced read however I really wish it wasn't as I wanted more of the world and characters ❤️ This is not a bad thing at all as I was so spellbound with the story.
Amber graciously included a pronunciation guide and character playlists in the beginning which is nice to get the right pronunciation right off the bat
This book was so fun, with compelling characters, wonderful world building and an interesting magic system. I adore the 2 main characters and it was a great choice having both POV's throughout the book. Gotta love the grumpy/sunshine trope.
I highly recommend, this is a great read and a stand alone novel
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Amber for letting me be part of your ARC team for my honest review
This was such a fun read with some Harry Potter Goblet of Fire vibes with a touch of Hunger Games and a sprinkle of spice. This is a fast paced read however I really wish it wasn't as I wanted more of the world and characters ❤️ This is not a bad thing at all as I was so spellbound with the story.
Amber graciously included a pronunciation guide and character playlists in the beginning which is nice to get the right pronunciation right off the bat
This book was so fun, with compelling characters, wonderful world building and an interesting magic system. I adore the 2 main characters and it was a great choice having both POV's throughout the book. Gotta love the grumpy/sunshine trope.
I highly recommend, this is a great read and a stand alone novel
March 16, 2024
༻❥☆☀️☆❥༺
📖🅱︎🅾︎🅾︎🅺���🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆📖
──────☆☀️🌸☀️☆──────
📚🧚♀️🌸✨𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞•𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦✨🌸🧚♀️📚
☀️𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙰𝙲𝙰𝙳𝙴𝙼𝚈 𝙶𝙰𝙼𝙴𝚂 𝙱𝚈 𝙰𝙼𝙱𝙴𝚁 𝙿𝙰𝙸𝙶𝙴
☀️𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴
☀️𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
☀️𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝙲𝙷 𝟷𝟻𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
╰┈❥𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄!✨
☀️𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟹𝟼𝟶 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
☀️𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
☀️𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘: 🌶️🌶️ || 𝟱
──────☆☀️🌸☀️☆──────
✨✨𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠✨✨
Thank you so much to Amber Paige for my Advanced Reader Copy of The Academy Games! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.
I loved this book so much! It was a perfect easy & cozy fantasy read & I was pulled into it from the very beginning. We get all the enchantment of Harry Potter coupled with the brute intensity of The Hunger Games, sprinkled with some romance & spice, & it worked so incredibly well together. Amber managed to weave a captivating story intertwined with romance, fantasy, magic, & action, & I couldn’t put it down! The character growth, world building, and magic system were all exquisitely written and I loved the pacing. It was exciting but not overwhelming, especially for being a standalone!
I loved every second of this book & Ryne is for sure top tier book boyfriend material. He’s the ultimate Golden Retriever MMC! The grumpy to his sunshine is Ayra & she’s probably one of my favorite FMCs ever. She’s so easy to identify with. I loved seeing her character’s journey as she goes from the ultimate perfectionist to understanding that sometimes things aren’t perfect & that’s okay. Ryne & Ayra really brought out the best in each other, and I think they were exactly what the other needed. The romance between them was slow burn but definitely worth it once they finally get together!
One of my favorite things about this book was the familiars! Absolutely loved them and wish I had one of my own!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Amber is such an awesome writer and she has the unique ability to pull readers into her stories so easily and create such an immersive and fun reading experience. Her books always give me all the cozy feelings and make me just wanna snuggle up all night and read. It’s my favorite feeling ever!
🌸✨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘...✨🌸
☆The Hunger Games x Magic
★Goblet of Fire Vibes
☆Magical Academies
★Witches x Wizards
★Slow Burn Romance
☆Grumpy x Sunshine
★Low-stakes/Feel Good
☆Self-Discovery
★Spice
☆Mental Health Rep
──────☆☀️🌸☀️☆──────
📖🅱︎🅾︎🅾︎🅺���🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆📖
──────☆☀️🌸☀️☆──────
📚🧚♀️🌸✨𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞•𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦✨🌸🧚♀️📚
☀️𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙰𝙲𝙰𝙳𝙴𝙼𝚈 𝙶𝙰𝙼𝙴𝚂 𝙱𝚈 𝙰𝙼𝙱𝙴𝚁 𝙿𝙰𝙸𝙶𝙴
☀️𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴
☀️𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
☀️𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙼𝙰𝚁𝙲𝙷 𝟷𝟻𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
╰┈❥𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄!✨
☀️𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟹𝟼𝟶 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
☀️𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
☀️𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘: 🌶️🌶️ || 𝟱
──────☆☀️🌸☀️☆──────
✨✨𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠✨✨
Thank you so much to Amber Paige for my Advanced Reader Copy of The Academy Games! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.
I loved this book so much! It was a perfect easy & cozy fantasy read & I was pulled into it from the very beginning. We get all the enchantment of Harry Potter coupled with the brute intensity of The Hunger Games, sprinkled with some romance & spice, & it worked so incredibly well together. Amber managed to weave a captivating story intertwined with romance, fantasy, magic, & action, & I couldn’t put it down! The character growth, world building, and magic system were all exquisitely written and I loved the pacing. It was exciting but not overwhelming, especially for being a standalone!
I loved every second of this book & Ryne is for sure top tier book boyfriend material. He’s the ultimate Golden Retriever MMC! The grumpy to his sunshine is Ayra & she’s probably one of my favorite FMCs ever. She’s so easy to identify with. I loved seeing her character’s journey as she goes from the ultimate perfectionist to understanding that sometimes things aren’t perfect & that’s okay. Ryne & Ayra really brought out the best in each other, and I think they were exactly what the other needed. The romance between them was slow burn but definitely worth it once they finally get together!
One of my favorite things about this book was the familiars! Absolutely loved them and wish I had one of my own!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Amber is such an awesome writer and she has the unique ability to pull readers into her stories so easily and create such an immersive and fun reading experience. Her books always give me all the cozy feelings and make me just wanna snuggle up all night and read. It’s my favorite feeling ever!
🌸✨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘...✨🌸
☆The Hunger Games x Magic
★Goblet of Fire Vibes
☆Magical Academies
★Witches x Wizards
★Slow Burn Romance
☆Grumpy x Sunshine
★Low-stakes/Feel Good
☆Self-Discovery
★Spice
☆Mental Health Rep
──────☆☀️🌸☀️☆──────
February 26, 2024
⭐️Overall 5/5
🌶️ Spice 3/5
🖤Dark 1/5
“Trust is a game for fools”
Spicy Harry Potter, but make it a stand-a-lone reverse Grumpy Sunshine.
I was SO excited to get this book in my hands and I DEVOURED it!! This is not a Hermonie and Draco story because we 100% get a reverse grumpy sunshine. Arya puts any female wizard to shame on taking her studies seriously and wanting to prove herself. Ryne is a fun loving wizard who is a golden retriever, sunshine, fun, and you are rooting for right away. This was a fun and easy read that gives you the Harry Potter vibes (but more from Beautbatons Academy then Hogwarts), but with some hunger game typish trials mixed with some cozy vibes reminiscent of a Molly Harper book. It is an unexpected mix when you throw in the spice, but it fits so well.
I love that we get the story and certain portions of scenes from both point of views without it being jarring. I really enjoyed getting watching the self-discovery for both characters without one being leaps ahead of the other. How evident it was that he feel first and she had to discover what things were along the way…Just, everything, I just can’t say enough on how much I really enjoyed this book. It is a brain scrubber with spice and fun. It is light hearted enough to keep you going, with enough layers to keep you from wanting to put it down.
While I LOVE that this is a stand-alone. I really would be okay if there ends up being intertwining stand-alone and we get at least 2 more books. (Maybe a bit more Marley at least- I want her to be my best friend)
Oh and the familiars!!! Yeah, I am rambling, I don’t like to give anything that can be a spoiler but I want to talk about this book to more people. This will easily be a re-read for me and I cannot wait to get the physical book in my hand for some annotations!
🌶️ Spice 3/5
🖤Dark 1/5
“Trust is a game for fools”
Spicy Harry Potter, but make it a stand-a-lone reverse Grumpy Sunshine.
I was SO excited to get this book in my hands and I DEVOURED it!! This is not a Hermonie and Draco story because we 100% get a reverse grumpy sunshine. Arya puts any female wizard to shame on taking her studies seriously and wanting to prove herself. Ryne is a fun loving wizard who is a golden retriever, sunshine, fun, and you are rooting for right away. This was a fun and easy read that gives you the Harry Potter vibes (but more from Beautbatons Academy then Hogwarts), but with some hunger game typish trials mixed with some cozy vibes reminiscent of a Molly Harper book. It is an unexpected mix when you throw in the spice, but it fits so well.
I love that we get the story and certain portions of scenes from both point of views without it being jarring. I really enjoyed getting watching the self-discovery for both characters without one being leaps ahead of the other. How evident it was that he feel first and she had to discover what things were along the way…Just, everything, I just can’t say enough on how much I really enjoyed this book. It is a brain scrubber with spice and fun. It is light hearted enough to keep you going, with enough layers to keep you from wanting to put it down.
While I LOVE that this is a stand-alone. I really would be okay if there ends up being intertwining stand-alone and we get at least 2 more books. (Maybe a bit more Marley at least- I want her to be my best friend)
Oh and the familiars!!! Yeah, I am rambling, I don’t like to give anything that can be a spoiler but I want to talk about this book to more people. This will easily be a re-read for me and I cannot wait to get the physical book in my hand for some annotations!
March 16, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Have you ever wondered what happens when you mix The Hunger Games, but less blood, with Harry Potter and the Gonlet of Fires’ Triwizard Tournament? Look no farther! This is that book and it’s amazing! I could not put this book down!
Every year the magic academies host a game that is televised for witches and wizards to prove that they are the best out of their class. Usually the witches are against the wizards, but due to rising tension in the realms the rules have changed 🫨
Ayra (FMC) is top of her class and ready to prove to everyone that she has always deserved to be a student at Freydora Academy. Her classmates have doubted her most of her life and she’s sick of it. Just when she thinks she is in this alone, Ryne comes into the picture. Ryne is from the all boys academy. He’s all smiles and positive reinforcement—her complete opposite. Ryne is everything Ayra didn’t know she needed.
There is plenty of character building Ns the development of each character is amazing. The add in of the familiars are great too and definitely give off House of Night Vibes but with multiple animal species.
The world building is fantastic. The details are vivid and from the descriptions…I wish Freydora was a real place I could visit🩷 Freydora is enchanting and has much to be discovered! The additional realms that are mentioned add to the mysteries to be discovered.
The spice is slow and intense—The type of spice that give you goosebumps as you read it. There is more plot than spice, but the spice is pretty spicy 🥵
I definitely recommend this book and will be getting a physical copy for my shelf ASAP! I can’t wait to read more of Amber’s work and I hope to see more books to the Academy Games in the future!
April 7, 2024
“It's not so bad, relying on someone else. It's actually quite nice”
As early as the dedication, I knew that book had been written for me (it wasn’t? I don’t mind ˆˆ). I immediately identified myself to perfectionist Ayra, who is a version of young me (well… I wish I had magic!), and I adored her dynamics, how she evolves through the story, the choices she makes.
The world building was very interesting, especially the magical system which relies mostly on the elements –and, consequently, Nature– which spoke to me to a very deep level. I hope this story will have a sequel to explore other parts of this world (this realm or others), that we will follow Ayra and Ryne after their school years, in order to discover other aspects of that universe, and know more about the MC’s backstory. I particularly liked how the WB was introduced gradually, and how the (beautiful) writing was very synesthesic, especially with the importance of scents, and how every aspect waved with the others. It made it very immersive to me, I was in that school, and I loved that.
The competition storyline was addictive, the reading quick and very nice. I loved the games proposed, and the characters' reactions. More than once I stopped breathing, as I really didn’t know what to expect. The love story was adorable, especially Ryne who was very supportive and a major pivot in Ayra’s evolution. Nothing toxic between them, and it felt very very good. I loved them both at first sight, and chose to read them as neurodiverse (even if I don’t know if it was the author’s intention).
Should it haven’t been the book club, I’d probably never picked this book. It was a very nice surprise and I’m eager to discover more stories from this author.
As early as the dedication, I knew that book had been written for me (it wasn’t? I don’t mind ˆˆ). I immediately identified myself to perfectionist Ayra, who is a version of young me (well… I wish I had magic!), and I adored her dynamics, how she evolves through the story, the choices she makes.
The world building was very interesting, especially the magical system which relies mostly on the elements –and, consequently, Nature– which spoke to me to a very deep level. I hope this story will have a sequel to explore other parts of this world (this realm or others), that we will follow Ayra and Ryne after their school years, in order to discover other aspects of that universe, and know more about the MC’s backstory. I particularly liked how the WB was introduced gradually, and how the (beautiful) writing was very synesthesic, especially with the importance of scents, and how every aspect waved with the others. It made it very immersive to me, I was in that school, and I loved that.
The competition storyline was addictive, the reading quick and very nice. I loved the games proposed, and the characters' reactions. More than once I stopped breathing, as I really didn’t know what to expect. The love story was adorable, especially Ryne who was very supportive and a major pivot in Ayra’s evolution. Nothing toxic between them, and it felt very very good. I loved them both at first sight, and chose to read them as neurodiverse (even if I don’t know if it was the author’s intention).
Should it haven’t been the book club, I’d probably never picked this book. It was a very nice surprise and I’m eager to discover more stories from this author.
February 24, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! Amber has such a beautiful way with her words. Her descriptions are so vivid that it just makes you feel like you're in the pages of her book. Her characters are flawed, and perfectly written for her stories. I love that Amber gives her characters a chance to grow into better versions of themselves in these stories. Ayra and Ryne were perfect for each other. This is definitely a reverse grumpy/sunshine. Ayra is a self-determined witch who believes she has to be perfect to achieve her dreams and to prove herself to others. Ryne is a care-free, fun loving wizard. Ayra is determined to not like Ryne, even though they are paired together for the academy games. But Ryne is determined to show Ayra that perfection is overrated. These two both go on a life changing journey together throughout these games. Ryne never loses his golden retriever personality, but his confidence in his self worth definitely grows. Ayra undergoes the biggest transformation. The more Ryne pulls her out of her shell, the more she realizes that enjoying life and having fun is also important. As she grows in herself and changes, she comes to the realization that perfection can never be achieved. It's amazing to watch her shed this cloak of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations, and embrace what really matters...love and enjoying life. These two start off as friends, but quickly become more. Their chemistry was amazing, and the spice was on point! I absolutely recommend this book if you're a fan of fantasy reads!
February 16, 2024
**I recieved this book as an ARC**
The second I started reading this book, I just could not put it down! I devoured it in hours!
The Academy Games is such a fun and easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed following our main characters as they navigated not only games that were designed to test their strength and mettle, but also the discovery of the connection that is simmering between them.
Fraydora’s resident stickler, Ayra Brightheart, needed a minute to grow on me but boy when she did?? The dichotomy of her fierce resillience and determination vs. her struggle between her own perceived worth and self-confidence was something I’m sure many people will be able to relate to.
Then we have Traquore’s sweet and charismatic Ryne Gwydion who was coasting on charm and good looks until he met Ayra, and through her Ryne remembers what magic is all about. With his unrelenting devotion to his games partner and his keen eye for the often overlooked, I have no doubt readers all over the world will fall in love with him.
This story is one of self discovery, of the journey to believing in one’s own self worth and of finding the fun in anything. Not to mention, a reminder to be 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 no matter what you do.
I whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone with a heart for magical adventures, twin flame dynamics and familiars of the witchy kind.
(btw, how would one go about obtaining their own kikimara and maren?)
The second I started reading this book, I just could not put it down! I devoured it in hours!
The Academy Games is such a fun and easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed following our main characters as they navigated not only games that were designed to test their strength and mettle, but also the discovery of the connection that is simmering between them.
Fraydora’s resident stickler, Ayra Brightheart, needed a minute to grow on me but boy when she did?? The dichotomy of her fierce resillience and determination vs. her struggle between her own perceived worth and self-confidence was something I’m sure many people will be able to relate to.
Then we have Traquore’s sweet and charismatic Ryne Gwydion who was coasting on charm and good looks until he met Ayra, and through her Ryne remembers what magic is all about. With his unrelenting devotion to his games partner and his keen eye for the often overlooked, I have no doubt readers all over the world will fall in love with him.
This story is one of self discovery, of the journey to believing in one’s own self worth and of finding the fun in anything. Not to mention, a reminder to be 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 no matter what you do.
I whole heartedly recommend this book to anyone with a heart for magical adventures, twin flame dynamics and familiars of the witchy kind.
(btw, how would one go about obtaining their own kikimara and maren?)
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