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The Originals of Grimm Academy
A Dusk of Stars
I've always been drawn to magic. I had no idea it would mess up my life like this.
Anna knows what she wants.
As the only human living among the Originals of Grimm Academy, life has its challenges. But with her dark past, Anna is no stranger to challenges.
When she finally gets the job she's always wanted and enters the Restricted Section of the Grimm Academy Library, she is selected by a book. The only problem is, no human has ever been selected by a book in the Lexarcanum. As a newly discovered Original, Anna is forced to go from being a librarian, to being a student at Grimm academy.
And if that weren’t enough, she is forced to study with an annoying new shifter professor, Jericho Bane. But there are strange things happening, dark forces at work that are looking to sew destruction, and a mystery that is begging to be solved. Is Anna a human? An Original? Or something else entirely...
With the fate of all humankind hanging in the balance, Anna is forced to confront her own fears and become more than she ever thought she could be.
Destiny has never been more difficult.
Will Anna become the Grimm Academy savior and what will that mean for her complicated relationship with Jericho? Buy this book now and enter into the mysterious world of Grimm Academy!
Anna knows what she wants.
As the only human living among the Originals of Grimm Academy, life has its challenges. But with her dark past, Anna is no stranger to challenges.
When she finally gets the job she's always wanted and enters the Restricted Section of the Grimm Academy Library, she is selected by a book. The only problem is, no human has ever been selected by a book in the Lexarcanum. As a newly discovered Original, Anna is forced to go from being a librarian, to being a student at Grimm academy.
And if that weren’t enough, she is forced to study with an annoying new shifter professor, Jericho Bane. But there are strange things happening, dark forces at work that are looking to sew destruction, and a mystery that is begging to be solved. Is Anna a human? An Original? Or something else entirely...
With the fate of all humankind hanging in the balance, Anna is forced to confront her own fears and become more than she ever thought she could be.
Destiny has never been more difficult.
Will Anna become the Grimm Academy savior and what will that mean for her complicated relationship with Jericho? Buy this book now and enter into the mysterious world of Grimm Academy!
465 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2024
566 people are currently reading
8156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
May 21, 2024
(I've read an ARC of this book)
Let's start with the easy part; the things I liked.
- side characters with actual personality
- plot twist
- SHORT CHAPTERS
- easy to read
- worldbuilding
Now onto the hard part. I wanted to love this book but there are some things that I just couldn't stand.
I liked all the characters in this book except the fmc. At first, I thought I was gonna love her. She knows what she wants and she stands her ground. But as magic started to get involved, her character spiraled down. Her past wasn't fully explained (which should have been) so I never understood why she acted the way she did the whole book. She's 30 but she acts like a child. She's always angry. Then she wonders why things aren't going well and there's no one helping her (hello??? Girl u rejected all the help, including from your very OWN wolf). She doesn't come across as feisty at all (except on the first few pages), but more like angsty teenager with anger issues and who's always horny. Again, maybe I'd understand her if we got to know about her backstory more.
Don't get me started about how she just became so powerful in an instant. She feels annoyed? Boom, power. She feels anger? Boom, more power. She feels rage? Boom, even more power. And so on. I wish it was shown instead that the power she got/awakened was the result of training hard.
Next, the romance. Honestly I didn't feel like there was romance at all. It's more like angry sex, revenge sex, bored sex, and then a lot of 'I love yous' thrown at the end. However, I did like it when they finally got together. Although I have to admit that nothing was romantic about the whole process. I never felt any love between them throughout the book, only lust.
Alaric and Raven. My favorite characters, especially Alaric. I wish they were more in the story instead of just using them whenever Anna needs to explain something. The story revolved too much on Anna, that the side characters were wasted.
Considering that this is a self-published book (I think?), I won't go into detail as to how many grammar mistakes were there. I think it would be better if it was edited thoroughly.
I would have rated this 3 or more stars if only the fmc didn't regress like that and if she wasn't written like she's in a YA/NA book. I hope the second book's better. 💚
Let's start with the easy part; the things I liked.
- side characters with actual personality
- plot twist
- SHORT CHAPTERS
- easy to read
- worldbuilding
Now onto the hard part. I wanted to love this book but there are some things that I just couldn't stand.
I liked all the characters in this book except the fmc. At first, I thought I was gonna love her. She knows what she wants and she stands her ground. But as magic started to get involved, her character spiraled down. Her past wasn't fully explained (which should have been) so I never understood why she acted the way she did the whole book. She's 30 but she acts like a child. She's always angry. Then she wonders why things aren't going well and there's no one helping her (hello??? Girl u rejected all the help, including from your very OWN wolf). She doesn't come across as feisty at all (except on the first few pages), but more like angsty teenager with anger issues and who's always horny. Again, maybe I'd understand her if we got to know about her backstory more.
Don't get me started about how she just became so powerful in an instant. She feels annoyed? Boom, power. She feels anger? Boom, more power. She feels rage? Boom, even more power. And so on. I wish it was shown instead that the power she got/awakened was the result of training hard.
Next, the romance. Honestly I didn't feel like there was romance at all. It's more like angry sex, revenge sex, bored sex, and then a lot of 'I love yous' thrown at the end. However, I did like it when they finally got together. Although I have to admit that nothing was romantic about the whole process. I never felt any love between them throughout the book, only lust.
Alaric and Raven. My favorite characters, especially Alaric. I wish they were more in the story instead of just using them whenever Anna needs to explain something. The story revolved too much on Anna, that the side characters were wasted.
Considering that this is a self-published book (I think?), I won't go into detail as to how many grammar mistakes were there. I think it would be better if it was edited thoroughly.
I would have rated this 3 or more stars if only the fmc didn't regress like that and if she wasn't written like she's in a YA/NA book. I hope the second book's better. 💚
June 2, 2024
Disclaimer: the following comments are after reading the Beta version. Significant edits were made after feedback, so I will come back and update my review once I’ve read the final version.
Wow, what an ending!! The author sure knows how to ensure people pick up the second book. ☺️
This book was a bit slow to start, but by the second half it was moving right along and by the end it was positively fast paced. I think my favorite part is how the author subtly instills in the characters qualities that make you think about them. I wasn’t sure until the end who was ‘good’ and who was ‘bad’ and when the FMC Anna would figure it out.
Anna is a bit frustrating at times, keeping a lot of secrets from everyone, including the reader, and being very hesitant to fully commit to any relationship (including friendships). But she is really interesting, and wonderfully sassy and fierce. I think she has a lot of potential to become more lovable in future books as she becomes more open and honest with herself and others.
I really liked the MMC, Bane. Anna doesn’t like him most of the time, but I kind of love him. He just has a great vibe. He’s a delicious mix of tall, dark, older, bad boy authority figure. And he says “good girl” and is protective of the FMC at points. He’s my favorite character in the book. I love that we get a chapter from his POV towards the end.
There are also several great side characters with complex and mysterious backgrounds. I definitely look forward to learning more about them.
I hadn’t read the other books set in this same world, and while I think it might have helped in some ways, it is certainly not necessary. There is some world building, and some things become apparent throughout the book. There were only a few points I still wasn’t sure about, and they generally weren’t critical to the main plot.
Overall, would recommend and I’ll be sure to check out the next book when it comes out. Thanks so much to author Lyra Forger for access to a Beta copy of this great book!
Key Tropes:
❤️ Mates
🧙 Magic
🎓 Academia
🧛♂️ Vampires
🐺 Shifters
🧚♀️ Fae
🔪 Violence
Wow, what an ending!! The author sure knows how to ensure people pick up the second book. ☺️
This book was a bit slow to start, but by the second half it was moving right along and by the end it was positively fast paced. I think my favorite part is how the author subtly instills in the characters qualities that make you think about them. I wasn’t sure until the end who was ‘good’ and who was ‘bad’ and when the FMC Anna would figure it out.
Anna is a bit frustrating at times, keeping a lot of secrets from everyone, including the reader, and being very hesitant to fully commit to any relationship (including friendships). But she is really interesting, and wonderfully sassy and fierce. I think she has a lot of potential to become more lovable in future books as she becomes more open and honest with herself and others.
I really liked the MMC, Bane. Anna doesn’t like him most of the time, but I kind of love him. He just has a great vibe. He’s a delicious mix of tall, dark, older, bad boy authority figure. And he says “good girl” and is protective of the FMC at points. He’s my favorite character in the book. I love that we get a chapter from his POV towards the end.
There are also several great side characters with complex and mysterious backgrounds. I definitely look forward to learning more about them.
I hadn’t read the other books set in this same world, and while I think it might have helped in some ways, it is certainly not necessary. There is some world building, and some things become apparent throughout the book. There were only a few points I still wasn’t sure about, and they generally weren’t critical to the main plot.
Overall, would recommend and I’ll be sure to check out the next book when it comes out. Thanks so much to author Lyra Forger for access to a Beta copy of this great book!
Key Tropes:
❤️ Mates
🧙 Magic
🎓 Academia
🧛♂️ Vampires
🐺 Shifters
🧚♀️ Fae
🔪 Violence
May 30, 2024
Spoiler-Free ARC Review
✨A Dusk Of Stars✨ is the first book of The Originals of Grimm Academy series containing lots of magic, mythology, mystery, action and romance.
Tropes :
✨Dark academia setting
✨ Fairy tails retellings
✨Fated mates
✨Banter
✨Found family
✨Alphahole MMC
✨Shifters/Fae/Vampires
They story revolves around a 29 year old ONLY *Human * Librarian in a magical academy of Shifters/Fae/Vampires. But guess what .. she doesn't know that she's not human after all 👀
Then enters the MMC , oh has those hawt professory vibes 🔥
Oh and he's SMITTEN 😏
The story is a fast paced romantasy with a unique world building and a new Magical system.
There are Heartbreaks and deceptions , there are twists and turns and there is a MASSIVE CLIFFHANGER!!
But the author gives you a warning well before the cliffhanger, so if u are not a fan of one, you can just stop reading and make the book a HEA 🫶🏻
Caution: the cliffhanger is HUGE and only suitable for people who loves emotional damage -like me- cz once u read it, there's NO COMING BACK !! ( Unless u are like me , read the cliffhanger, almost had a heart attack, and now are in denial, pretending that you stopped at HEA and everything is just sunshine and rainbows 😇)
Thank you so much ✨Lyra Forger✨for this amazing ARC , and this is my honest opinion 🫶🏻
✨A Dusk Of Stars✨ is the first book of The Originals of Grimm Academy series containing lots of magic, mythology, mystery, action and romance.
Tropes :
✨Dark academia setting
✨ Fairy tails retellings
✨Fated mates
✨Banter
✨Found family
✨Alphahole MMC
✨Shifters/Fae/Vampires
They story revolves around a 29 year old ONLY *Human * Librarian in a magical academy of Shifters/Fae/Vampires. But guess what .. she doesn't know that she's not human after all 👀
Then enters the MMC , oh has those hawt professory vibes 🔥
Oh and he's SMITTEN 😏
The story is a fast paced romantasy with a unique world building and a new Magical system.
There are Heartbreaks and deceptions , there are twists and turns and there is a MASSIVE CLIFFHANGER!!
But the author gives you a warning well before the cliffhanger, so if u are not a fan of one, you can just stop reading and make the book a HEA 🫶🏻
Caution: the cliffhanger is HUGE and only suitable for people who loves emotional damage -like me- cz once u read it, there's NO COMING BACK !! ( Unless u are like me , read the cliffhanger, almost had a heart attack, and now are in denial, pretending that you stopped at HEA and everything is just sunshine and rainbows 😇)
Thank you so much ✨Lyra Forger✨for this amazing ARC , and this is my honest opinion 🫶🏻
May 24, 2024
4.5⭐
This is a creative mix of paranormal creatures, magic, norse mythology, and dark academia.
There's lots of mystery throughout that keeps you guessing, a building romance with spicy scenes, and intriguing magic and abilities.
There's great banter, feisty characters, the grumpy possessive Alpha male, fun side characters, and an underlying dire stakes plot.
I really enjoyed the intrigue of it all, not knowing who to trust, the action and conflicts, and the twists.
The mix of magic, shifters, vampires, Fae and Norse mythology, and the way it linked back to elements of Grimm fairytales was really unique too.
Finally I honestly appreciate the author note before entering the final chapter, because that at least prepared me a little, but also that ending!! I am not okay, and I need to know what happens next immediately!
🌌"You're the embodiment of everything that's wrong with this world" I say flatly. "Wow" he drawls, his eyebrows raising "Please don't feel like you have to be gentle with me"
🌌"I took one look at you and I knew it in my bones - that I was yours to do with as you please"
Honest and Voluntary ARC review
This is a creative mix of paranormal creatures, magic, norse mythology, and dark academia.
There's lots of mystery throughout that keeps you guessing, a building romance with spicy scenes, and intriguing magic and abilities.
There's great banter, feisty characters, the grumpy possessive Alpha male, fun side characters, and an underlying dire stakes plot.
I really enjoyed the intrigue of it all, not knowing who to trust, the action and conflicts, and the twists.
The mix of magic, shifters, vampires, Fae and Norse mythology, and the way it linked back to elements of Grimm fairytales was really unique too.
Finally I honestly appreciate the author note before entering the final chapter, because that at least prepared me a little, but also that ending!! I am not okay, and I need to know what happens next immediately!
🌌"You're the embodiment of everything that's wrong with this world" I say flatly. "Wow" he drawls, his eyebrows raising "Please don't feel like you have to be gentle with me"
🌌"I took one look at you and I knew it in my bones - that I was yours to do with as you please"
Honest and Voluntary ARC review
May 18, 2024
- Dark academia setting
- Shifters/Fae/Vampires
- Alphahole MMC
- Spice 🌶️🌶️
- Banter
*
“I thought I told you I’d kill you if I ever saw you again.” “Sure,” he says, his voice tense with pain. “And I’ll get on my knees for you to do it.” He takes a step back, whispering, “Just let me kill this bitch first.”
*
A huge thank you to Lyra Forger for allowing me to be a part of her beta team! It isn't necessary to read her other books in this universe, but it would definitely help to have to understand the world more. Ends on a MASSIVE CLIFFHANGER, so proceed with caution. 🫣🫣
- Shifters/Fae/Vampires
- Alphahole MMC
- Spice 🌶️🌶️
- Banter
*
“I thought I told you I’d kill you if I ever saw you again.” “Sure,” he says, his voice tense with pain. “And I’ll get on my knees for you to do it.” He takes a step back, whispering, “Just let me kill this bitch first.”
*
A huge thank you to Lyra Forger for allowing me to be a part of her beta team! It isn't necessary to read her other books in this universe, but it would definitely help to have to understand the world more. Ends on a MASSIVE CLIFFHANGER, so proceed with caution. 🫣🫣
May 26, 2024
So I first read this book as a BETA reader and I was like it's okay but I hate the FMC, she's a total b*tch. I wasn't sure if I was going to reread the book in its finished form, but I am glad I did. I enjoyed the book immensely the second time around. The FMC is now relatable, and I can justify her behaviors and though process. Our MMC was already great but the extra scenes with him just made me like him even more. Our supporting cast of characters are equally well written, and some appear in other works by the author where you can get to know their backstories. The plot and setting are interesting. I know what's going to happen in the end but I still don't see it foreshadowed so that's exciting. I will inform you that there is a warning prior to the last chapter. And the author warns you not to read it or you'll hate her and the wait for the second book. And I can confirm that you will be filled with a rage similar to the ending of a certain second book about dragons riders if you read that chapter. So don't read it if you don't want to throw stuff. I'm mad and I'm on the ARC team for the second book and will have less of a wait than you, lol.
Thank you to the author for my BETA and ARC copies of this book. I have left this honest review voluntarily.
Thank you to the author for my BETA and ARC copies of this book. I have left this honest review voluntarily.
May 26, 2024
I was thrilled to be picked to ARC read this book as it’s the first time I’ve ever been able to do something like this, so thank you very much!
It’s a 3.5 ⭐️ for me. There were a lot of things that I liked, and a lot that I didn’t.
First off, can I say how excited I was to see we had a FMC that was in her late 20s? It’s usually always early and I was JAZZED to see she was my age. BUT, she acted like she was early 20s. Very stubborn, which is fine, but she could not make up her mind about ANYTHING and was so back and forth! Convinced she needed help and then didn’t then help. Wanted Bane, hated Bane. I felt like I had whiplash going into each chapter. She was just frustrating and a pain in the ass tying to act like she didn’t need anyone and then kept biting herself in the ass. I wanted to shake her stupid.
I enjoyed the plot at the very beginning, it was interesting and had me thinking about reading more every time I had to put it down. Enjoyed her initial reactions to having to go to classes and Bane being her mentor. It just felt like things dragged a little toward the middle and then we got slapped into it near the end with a lot of info and action. It kind of unhooked me but I was determined to finish, I needed to know what Anna got accomplished considering how freaking stubborn she was being.
Side Characters were well done and I actually cared about them, which not a lot of people can write properly so kudos!
Also excuse me, how could you do that to Bane at the end 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨??? But also Baldur 😏 we love an asshole villain.
It’s a 3.5 ⭐️ for me. There were a lot of things that I liked, and a lot that I didn’t.
First off, can I say how excited I was to see we had a FMC that was in her late 20s? It’s usually always early and I was JAZZED to see she was my age. BUT, she acted like she was early 20s. Very stubborn, which is fine, but she could not make up her mind about ANYTHING and was so back and forth! Convinced she needed help and then didn’t then help. Wanted Bane, hated Bane. I felt like I had whiplash going into each chapter. She was just frustrating and a pain in the ass tying to act like she didn’t need anyone and then kept biting herself in the ass. I wanted to shake her stupid.
I enjoyed the plot at the very beginning, it was interesting and had me thinking about reading more every time I had to put it down. Enjoyed her initial reactions to having to go to classes and Bane being her mentor. It just felt like things dragged a little toward the middle and then we got slapped into it near the end with a lot of info and action. It kind of unhooked me but I was determined to finish, I needed to know what Anna got accomplished considering how freaking stubborn she was being.
Side Characters were well done and I actually cared about them, which not a lot of people can write properly so kudos!
Also excuse me, how could you do that to Bane at the end 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨??? But also Baldur 😏 we love an asshole villain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2024
Frustration, annoyance, cringe, disappointed these are all of the things I felt when reading this. I managed to finish it out pure will. FMC Is 29? But is she, I felt like she could have been younger, no it seems like she had a thought process of a girl. I know of having a mind of your own and standing your ground, but she was the embodiment of holier than thou and I hate it. I understand we all deal with trauma in all sorts of ways, mistrust was big here. But damn it’s like there were no deep connections maybe just the MMC and even then it seemed a bit superficial. I liked the world building and the plot. The battle scene seemed weird, like it was cut off in the middle. Entertaining to a degree but the character really put me off and I can’t keep with the series.
Read
December 1, 2024DNF 57%
There’s too much unknown about the heroine. We are in her head and still know nothing about her really. Also, Bane is not nice. And their relationship is not totally satisfying. He continually puts her down. And she continues to put such walls up but even with the reader! I read the description of the other books and I’m just not down for this ride.
There’s too much unknown about the heroine. We are in her head and still know nothing about her really. Also, Bane is not nice. And their relationship is not totally satisfying. He continually puts her down. And she continues to put such walls up but even with the reader! I read the description of the other books and I’m just not down for this ride.
May 24, 2024
Thank you to Lyra for sending me an ARC of this book.
I absolutely loved it.
I found the premise of having a chunky FMC thrilling. Us curvy women finally getting a role in a decent story!
The story in this book was deep and dark and twisty, my favourite things.
The MMC I obsessed over from the moment he appeared, totally book-boyfriend material. A major alphahole, but delicious.
The FMC went through such a hard time in the book, battling with her inability to trust the right people, which stemmed from her past. This made for an interesting read, because it kept us on our toes the whole book about who our bad guys could possibly be!
The big reveal, I was shocked, I really didn't expect that person to be the evil villain! 😱 Mind-blowing, I still have suspicions about another character though..
The spice rating in this book was excellent, the smuttiest smut that ever smutted. Very smutty. Smut sisters you will enjoy this one. 🌶️🔥
The side characters were a nice touch, and I hope to see more of them in future books. Maybe with glimpses into their backstory.
Now onto that bloody cliffhanger, considering I'm sat here with silent tears.. I have to say I'm very greatful that there was a warning to stop reading before it occurred..
BUT, I'm a very stubborn woman, and the danger of turn back now, is about as enticing as trigger warnings at the start of a book. 😂 So I had to read it, and now I'm sat here heartbroken and soul destroyed and thinking you're some kind of demon monster woman to do this to me.
I don't know how I'm going to knowingly read the next book after this. I'm honestly so sad, I hope this gets swished away somehow during the book and turns out to be a happy ending. Otherwise I don't think I can do it to myself. 😭 💔
My fault though for reading it, I guess I was being punished.
Anyhoo, this book is perfect for Romantasy fans, who enjoy enemies to lovers, self discovery, quests, strong female lead, Shifters, Fae, Vampires, fantasy, academia and magic, fairy tales, grimm brothers
Another book in my recommendation pile.
Worth every single one of my 5 spellbound stars!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❤️JAnna forever❤️
I absolutely loved it.
I found the premise of having a chunky FMC thrilling. Us curvy women finally getting a role in a decent story!
The story in this book was deep and dark and twisty, my favourite things.
The MMC I obsessed over from the moment he appeared, totally book-boyfriend material. A major alphahole, but delicious.
The FMC went through such a hard time in the book, battling with her inability to trust the right people, which stemmed from her past. This made for an interesting read, because it kept us on our toes the whole book about who our bad guys could possibly be!
The big reveal, I was shocked, I really didn't expect that person to be the evil villain! 😱 Mind-blowing, I still have suspicions about another character though..
The spice rating in this book was excellent, the smuttiest smut that ever smutted. Very smutty. Smut sisters you will enjoy this one. 🌶️🔥
The side characters were a nice touch, and I hope to see more of them in future books. Maybe with glimpses into their backstory.
Now onto that bloody cliffhanger, considering I'm sat here with silent tears.. I have to say I'm very greatful that there was a warning to stop reading before it occurred..
BUT, I'm a very stubborn woman, and the danger of turn back now, is about as enticing as trigger warnings at the start of a book. 😂 So I had to read it, and now I'm sat here heartbroken and soul destroyed and thinking you're some kind of demon monster woman to do this to me.
I don't know how I'm going to knowingly read the next book after this. I'm honestly so sad, I hope this gets swished away somehow during the book and turns out to be a happy ending. Otherwise I don't think I can do it to myself. 😭 💔
My fault though for reading it, I guess I was being punished.
Anyhoo, this book is perfect for Romantasy fans, who enjoy enemies to lovers, self discovery, quests, strong female lead, Shifters, Fae, Vampires, fantasy, academia and magic, fairy tales, grimm brothers
Another book in my recommendation pile.
Worth every single one of my 5 spellbound stars!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❤️JAnna forever❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2024
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. Easily rocketed into my top 5 indie books/series of the year! You have a feisty human librarian, a shifter professor behaving badly, vampires and fae at a magical academy( this is not a Highschool think of it more like a college all the main characters are adults) great banter, a nice amount of spice, a mystery and lets throw in some fairy tale and Norse mythology influence for good measure. This was the kind of book that makes you stare blankly at a wall in awe of what happens at the end….Speechless, wide eyed and oh my effin goodness!!!! My heart is pounding, the cold dread of shock….. and I feel sorry for the next several ARCs/books I read because there is absolutely no way in h e double hockey sticks they will live up to what this book just put me through….. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Bravo… Thank you sooo much Lyra for the invite to be on the beta team!!!!
May 29, 2024
A Dusk Of Stars is the first book of The Originals of Grimm Academy series containing lots of magic, mythology, mystery, action and romance.
FMC was not one of my favorite characters. Anna is a bit frustrating at times. While Anna is depicted as a 29/30 year old, her development was more like that of a 17/18 year old. As readers, we weren't able to understand her past, so we were left wondering why she acted the way she did. The fact that Anna rejects all the help, including from her own wolf, was out of character since she has constant anger issues, keeps many secrets from everyone, and is very reluctant to commit to any relationship at all, especially as she seems to know what she wants and stands her ground at the beginning of the novel. As magic was introduced, the character spiralled downward, and I had difficulty connecting to her.
In MMC Bane's banter and angst, he created a delicious atmosphere. The sessions led to him texting and completely ignoring Anna as he attempted to draw out her inner soul shifter. He had a broody yet caring quality similar to Xaden and Violet Fourth Wing.
Lyra's overall plot, banter and fun side characters kept me reading and immersed in her world.
FMC was not one of my favorite characters. Anna is a bit frustrating at times. While Anna is depicted as a 29/30 year old, her development was more like that of a 17/18 year old. As readers, we weren't able to understand her past, so we were left wondering why she acted the way she did. The fact that Anna rejects all the help, including from her own wolf, was out of character since she has constant anger issues, keeps many secrets from everyone, and is very reluctant to commit to any relationship at all, especially as she seems to know what she wants and stands her ground at the beginning of the novel. As magic was introduced, the character spiralled downward, and I had difficulty connecting to her.
In MMC Bane's banter and angst, he created a delicious atmosphere. The sessions led to him texting and completely ignoring Anna as he attempted to draw out her inner soul shifter. He had a broody yet caring quality similar to Xaden and Violet Fourth Wing.
Lyra's overall plot, banter and fun side characters kept me reading and immersed in her world.
May 27, 2024
A Dusk Of Stars is the first in a series. This book is about a 30 year old, curvy women, that loves books (hello, that's me!). Anna is the only human working as a librarian and living among the Originals (magical creatures/people). As Anna discovers her magical powers, she struggles with her wolf and attraction to the alpha. The alpha is a morally grey MMC.There is a lot of banter between the two and spice. Honestly, the FMC wasn't my favorite character, BUT I still really enjoyed the book. The world building is quick and thorough.
I love how this story gave me Harry Potter vibes but adds werewolves, fae, and vampires. One of my favorite characters is Raven because of her sweet and quirky personality. She reminds me so much of Luna Lovegood.
It ends in a major cliff hanger, so beware! However, Lyra Forger has made it clear that there will be more books added to the series.I can't wait for the next one.
I love how this story gave me Harry Potter vibes but adds werewolves, fae, and vampires. One of my favorite characters is Raven because of her sweet and quirky personality. She reminds me so much of Luna Lovegood.
It ends in a major cliff hanger, so beware! However, Lyra Forger has made it clear that there will be more books added to the series.I can't wait for the next one.
June 7, 2024
So excited for another book in the Grimm Academy world!!
Anna is the schools librarian and believes she’s the only human working at the school. Well jokes on her! A book in the restricted section changes everything’s she thought she knew about herself.
Jericho comes to the school to teach. Not for the money though as he has a several successful businesses. He becomes Anna’s “mentor” and things between them are hot and cold flashes it’s a little hard to keep up at times.
I will say some of the story felt like it jumped a bit. There were instances I flipped the page and thought “wait did I miss something?” Turned back and, nope… just the story jumped ahead withought warning. Not of fan of that. However, all the little pieces come together near the end and I will say I wasn’t expecting THAT ENDING and I’m not sure how miss Lyra is ganna redeem herself in book two but I’m here for it!
1.5 🌶️ as yes there is some but not in epic details.
Anna is the schools librarian and believes she’s the only human working at the school. Well jokes on her! A book in the restricted section changes everything’s she thought she knew about herself.
Jericho comes to the school to teach. Not for the money though as he has a several successful businesses. He becomes Anna’s “mentor” and things between them are hot and cold flashes it’s a little hard to keep up at times.
I will say some of the story felt like it jumped a bit. There were instances I flipped the page and thought “wait did I miss something?” Turned back and, nope… just the story jumped ahead withought warning. Not of fan of that. However, all the little pieces come together near the end and I will say I wasn’t expecting THAT ENDING and I’m not sure how miss Lyra is ganna redeem herself in book two but I’m here for it!
1.5 🌶️ as yes there is some but not in epic details.
May 25, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book & it was a pretty fun read! More realistically a 2.75 read. The story & world building was very interesting & unique. But the character development & romance just weren’t doing it for me. I really liked the FMC in the beginning but it felt like she regressed throughout the book. The romance between the FMC & MMC felt a little lacking, I wanted more angst/yearning/growing together, it felt like the ‘romance’(more like lust) developed almost too quickly. But the banter was very cute & towards the end the romance aspect did improve! The plot twists & cliffhanger will have me coming back for book 2 tho!
May 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this darkish PNR! I feel like the writing just gets better and better with each book in this series! I loved the plot, the characters, and the magical academia world that was built. There is some definite character development with both MC's. The banter between Anna and Bane is fantastic. There is magic, mythology, mystery, action and romance in this amazing book. This does end on a cliffhanger, but the author gives you the option to read it or not. I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens!
This book is part of The Originals of Grimm Academy series, but each can be read as a standalone.
This book is part of The Originals of Grimm Academy series, but each can be read as a standalone.
May 26, 2024
ARC Review ✨️
☆Magical new world♡
A Dusk of Stars was exceptionally good! It literally has it all! A human librarian, a morally grey professor, a magic library, fantasy, Harry potter vibes, is high on the spice end, has amazing world building, and of course characters that you will easily love! Anna is the only human at Grimm Academy. She's chasing her dreams and finally lands the job she's always wanted! I loved her personality so much😍🙌 The plot twists were completely shocking, but I loved them! This series is easily going to be a new favorite of mine🖤
☆Magical new world♡
A Dusk of Stars was exceptionally good! It literally has it all! A human librarian, a morally grey professor, a magic library, fantasy, Harry potter vibes, is high on the spice end, has amazing world building, and of course characters that you will easily love! Anna is the only human at Grimm Academy. She's chasing her dreams and finally lands the job she's always wanted! I loved her personality so much😍🙌 The plot twists were completely shocking, but I loved them! This series is easily going to be a new favorite of mine🖤
June 4, 2024
Ok, so I really enjoyed the first part, the plot and characters were intriguing but the fmc just grew more annoying by each chapter. She was 29 but felt more like 17.
The romance.. was just angry sex. There was no real development tbh- they would have sex, she would regret it, he would get in her face and boom they would have sex again. Super boring.
I won’t be continuing the series but I can see some people enjoying this, the chapters are short and it’s on kindle unlimited💫
✔️Shifters
✔️Dislike to love
✔️Fated mates
✔️Academy setting
✔️Spice
The romance.. was just angry sex. There was no real development tbh- they would have sex, she would regret it, he would get in her face and boom they would have sex again. Super boring.
I won’t be continuing the series but I can see some people enjoying this, the chapters are short and it’s on kindle unlimited💫
✔️Shifters
✔️Dislike to love
✔️Fated mates
✔️Academy setting
✔️Spice
February 23, 2025
What the fuck? I mean… what the fuck? You know it’s going to be bad when the author writes a warning partly through the book to say stop reading if you want to be happy? There’s no way…wtf?!
for the rest of the book, I enjoyed the fantasy world & haven’t read a Mates book in while so loved that! Specifically the Jericho chapter ❤️ every scene tbh with them in I loved! Wasn’t hooked on the filler scenes, or like Alaric/Raven as characters but otherwise wow! Also really enjoyed the Aurora / Balder hints and storyline, that they are forever finding one another even after death!
for the rest of the book, I enjoyed the fantasy world & haven’t read a Mates book in while so loved that! Specifically the Jericho chapter ❤️ every scene tbh with them in I loved! Wasn’t hooked on the filler scenes, or like Alaric/Raven as characters but otherwise wow! Also really enjoyed the Aurora / Balder hints and storyline, that they are forever finding one another even after death!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2024
NOOOO!!!! NO NO NO!! All I got to say is this author is going to make you love her and then hate her at the end! Why would that cliffhanger!!! Ugh this is such a good book! Like 5-10 stars but no!!!!!! No no no!!! I'm still her friend but we aren't on speaking term this moment right now! Read this book if you want to fall in love and scream at the same time!
June 13, 2024
I had high hopes for this book but it just did not meet the mark. I was hoping for more to happen within the actual library. The FMC is in her 30s which was exciting to have a main character around my age, but she just acts more like a moody teenager that's always angry and refuses help. Her friends are cute and quarky but I feel there could be more background given about them.
January 24, 2025
too much angst!
With any book there are difficulties to overcome between characters, but this book takes it just too far. So far in fact I found myself flipping through pages of entirely too much redundancy of angst and running around in circles without a clear ending. It has at its base the potential to be a great book, it just isn’t that currently.
With any book there are difficulties to overcome between characters, but this book takes it just too far. So far in fact I found myself flipping through pages of entirely too much redundancy of angst and running around in circles without a clear ending. It has at its base the potential to be a great book, it just isn’t that currently.
May 29, 2024
Dark academia with Shifters, Vampires and Fae!
Plenty of spice and fun banter.
Extremely steep cliffhanger!!!
Overall I enjoyed the book. The FMC got on my nerves with her back and forth. I can't be mad at her though, stuff happens.....
MMC is a yummy alphahole. They both need to stop hiding things from each other.
I can't wait to find out what happens next, I am here trying to recover from that cliffhanger.......why?????
ARC read in exchange for my honest review.
Plenty of spice and fun banter.
Extremely steep cliffhanger!!!
Overall I enjoyed the book. The FMC got on my nerves with her back and forth. I can't be mad at her though, stuff happens.....
MMC is a yummy alphahole. They both need to stop hiding things from each other.
I can't wait to find out what happens next, I am here trying to recover from that cliffhanger.......why?????
ARC read in exchange for my honest review.
February 18, 2025
Annoying Heroine and Hero so angry all the time 🙄
May 27, 2024
Absolutely loved it, twists I didn’t expect coming and I liked the characters. The books just get better and better and the cliffhanger!!! I need the next one asap!!!
June 1, 2024
What can I say? I really loved this one 😍. I think it is the best one in the series so far. The tension between the main characters – oh my. Really had me giggling, kicking my feet and screaming. I can‘t say anything bad besides wishing that we would have got more of a dual POV. Other than that I just love the characters, their chemistry and of course the embedded Grimm tales as well as the plot twist. Ohhh and thx Lyra for the warning before the last chapter. I mean not that it made any difference because how can I resist. Nonetheless thanks for acknowledging that it might and truely did destroy me (not crying is impossible). Why not just leaving out the last couple of pages. How will I recover? Maybe by not accepting what happened.
… but as I said I loved it and am really looking forward to read more and finding out that the ending might not be what is intended (hopefully). ✨
Thanks for letting me be an ARC 🫶🏼
… but as I said I loved it and am really looking forward to read more and finding out that the ending might not be what is intended (hopefully). ✨
Thanks for letting me be an ARC 🫶🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2024
ARC Review 🥳 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LOVED this paranormal fantasy romance 🔮 the cast of characters was so fun and well developed, and it combined fantasy with some suspense and mystery (with some spice, ofc 😏) there were some world choices that weren’t my fave, but there was enough action to keep you guessing, and a *warned* cliffhanger — and I CANNOT wait until the next book… EEEEP!
My favorite exchange: 💖
Anna: “I thought I told you I’d kill you if I ever saw you again.”
Jericho: “Sure. And I’ll get on my knees for you to do it…Just let me take care of this…”
LOVED this paranormal fantasy romance 🔮 the cast of characters was so fun and well developed, and it combined fantasy with some suspense and mystery (with some spice, ofc 😏) there were some world choices that weren’t my fave, but there was enough action to keep you guessing, and a *warned* cliffhanger — and I CANNOT wait until the next book… EEEEP!
My favorite exchange: 💖
Anna: “I thought I told you I’d kill you if I ever saw you again.”
Jericho: “Sure. And I’ll get on my knees for you to do it…Just let me take care of this…”
May 27, 2024
Beta/Arc read and have re-read the finalized book for my honest opinion.
Medium/fast pace read with good length chapters. I enjoyed the banter and the setting of the story. I will say the FMC is headstrong, which is good but can be frustrating in this read. However I’m excited to read the other books to see how she develops. Action/mystery for sure, add some Harry Potter/magic vibes in there as well!
The ending had me with my mouth wide open! So be prepared for that cliff hanger!
I enjoyed being an ARC for this and I can’t wait to dig further into Lyra’s other books!
Medium/fast pace read with good length chapters. I enjoyed the banter and the setting of the story. I will say the FMC is headstrong, which is good but can be frustrating in this read. However I’m excited to read the other books to see how she develops. Action/mystery for sure, add some Harry Potter/magic vibes in there as well!
The ending had me with my mouth wide open! So be prepared for that cliff hanger!
I enjoyed being an ARC for this and I can’t wait to dig further into Lyra’s other books!
June 5, 2024
3.5- I liked this book and the idea behind it. It definitely has Harry Potter, Fourth wing and even some ACOTAR vibes, but it’s written like YA.
I just wish the description and world building was better. The FMC is 29 but acts 17 and is frustrating just entirely self involved and short sighted. I saw the twist coming halfway through the book. The romance is just hate sex that turns into fated mates and the shifting and magic is not described well so I couldn’t really picture it in my mind. I hope the second book is a lot better because the story has some real potential.
I just wish the description and world building was better. The FMC is 29 but acts 17 and is frustrating just entirely self involved and short sighted. I saw the twist coming halfway through the book. The romance is just hate sex that turns into fated mates and the shifting and magic is not described well so I couldn’t really picture it in my mind. I hope the second book is a lot better because the story has some real potential.
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