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Fey Academy for Spies #1
Avalon Tower
Avalon Spy Academy spy on the fey, resist falling for your mentor, and try not to die in the process.What I’m hoping for on my European vacation is to read books and drink champagne on the beach. Instead, I end up kidnapped by an arrogant, lethally sexy fey named Raphael.
It turns out, I have a magic power needed to fight an evil king. Next thing I know, Raphael has enrolled me in an elite spy academy. There, in the ancient and gothic halls of Avalon Tower, snobbery and brutal competitions are among the oldest traditions.
Making my job harder, the silver-eyed Raphael is my mentor. Romance is forbidden here--a distracted spy is a dead spy. So I need to push his dangerous allure out of my mind as we travel into the Fey realm. If we get captured by the fey king, we’ll die horrific deaths–and humanity won’t stand a chance.
“If you love Fourth Wing and Throne of Glass, you will LOVE this book.”--Goodreads review
It turns out, I have a magic power needed to fight an evil king. Next thing I know, Raphael has enrolled me in an elite spy academy. There, in the ancient and gothic halls of Avalon Tower, snobbery and brutal competitions are among the oldest traditions.
Making my job harder, the silver-eyed Raphael is my mentor. Romance is forbidden here--a distracted spy is a dead spy. So I need to push his dangerous allure out of my mind as we travel into the Fey realm. If we get captured by the fey king, we’ll die horrific deaths–and humanity won’t stand a chance.
“If you love Fourth Wing and Throne of Glass, you will LOVE this book.”--Goodreads review
524 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2024
12131 people are currently reading
130832 people want to read
About the author
C.N. Crawford
80 books8,761 followersTo get sneak peaks at the next book, sales, and news about releases, Sign up here.
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C.N. Crawford are Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of romantasy books, including books with fae, demons, and magical academies.
We write fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and portal romance. Our books often include trials, banter, and enemies to lovers stories.
CN Crawford’s books are perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, K.F. Breene, and Laura Thalassa.
Note: We are actually two people--a former biologist (Nick) and a former school psychologist (Christine).
To join C.N. Crawford's fan group and chat to the authors, Click here.
To stalk on instagram, Click here.
For a free standalone novel, Sign up here.
C.N. Crawford are Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of romantasy books, including books with fae, demons, and magical academies.
We write fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and portal romance. Our books often include trials, banter, and enemies to lovers stories.
CN Crawford’s books are perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, K.F. Breene, and Laura Thalassa.
Note: We are actually two people--a former biologist (Nick) and a former school psychologist (Christine).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,357 reviews
April 11, 2024
I mean, it is what it is. It's entertaining, but if you've read any fae fantasy romance ever, then you've read this book. I knew every single thing that was going to happen in this book before it happened. There might be some minor spoilers below because I am who I am.
This felt like there were a lot of great ideas on the storyboard, but they didn't really work together once the story was actually drafted. Nothing really made sense, and there was such an odd combination of concepts that didn't really work (in my opinion). The authors were trying to make this a fae romance with "retelling" elements of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. However, adding these vague and ill-explained snippets of King Arthur, Merlin, Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table into a fae fantasy set in modern-day Europe was just a little all over the place. In this story, the fae have invaded France (only France...no other country, I don't think), and the FMC, Nia, is training to join the fae-fighting-division of MI-6 (like James Bond). There were just too much going on here.
Another aspect of this book that was tough for me to get behind was the fact that this felt like the confusing love child of Frost and City of Thorns, which are two other series that C.N. Crawford wrote. Don't get me wrong, I liked the first books in each of those series, but this felt too similar. The plot is basically the same shape but a different color. C.N. Crawford's female main characters are the exact same in every book she writes (from what I've observed in the books I've read by her; I cannot speak to Alex Rivers books because this is the first I've read by them). The FMC is always a girl with either no parents or one parent. The girl is always a bit overly lusty about the guy she "hates," and she also constantly makes really cringe sassy remarks in her head.
This book was the classic C.N. Crawford formula: sassy girl with no family thinks she's a normal human; girl is in wrong place at the wrong time; girl gets talked into a mission/task/cause by a sexiii male fae warrior/rebel; girl and warrior absolutely "hate each other" but he can't stop clenching his jaw every time he looks at her body so he avoids looking at her (bc he's obviously secretly obsessed with her); girl finds out she's a powerful type of fae; fae guy teaches girl stuff; girl finds out she's even more powerful than initially believed (bonus points if her parents are some long lost hero, villain, or royalty); the main characters are mates and whatever; AND SCENE. To be honest, this formula is really starting to feel a bit repetitive. As I said earlier, I felt like I knew everything that was going to happen in this book before it happened. Also, separately, the love interest is always too obvious in these types of books, and the “enemies” part of the “enemies to lovers” was solved too easily (it was all a miscommunication - don’t worry!). I was low-key rooting for the evil Prince Talen to be Nia's real love interest/mate. They have some sort of psychic connection and I think it would make the story 100x more interesting if it was for a reason.
The other thing that was repetitive from other series is the names of the characters. Raphael is original for a fantasy fae romance, but all I could think of was the damn ninja turtle. Tarquin is literally straight out of arguably the most famous fae romance series of all time (ACOTAR), and Arzel and Freya sound a bit too much like Azriel and Feyre, if ya ask me. Additionally, Darius is the main character in Zodiac Academy, which I wouldn’t normally comment on, but in City of Thorns, the main character is named Orion, which is also a main character in Zodiac Academy. Finally, Morgan is the family name of the villains in this book, but I’m pretty sure there is a major character in City of Thorns named Morgana. Are there no other names?? I mean, I know that people have the same names, but these names just feel sooo distinct to keep reusing in a book where you can literally make up any single word or name (it's fantasy!)! But I digress…
Anyways, getting back into the plot a bit more. Welcome to the Academy of Virgin Spies because no one is allowed to touch each other here. If ANYONE even THINKS about pecking someone on the lips, they will be kicked out of this school/spy mercenary group(?), even if they are completely vital to the entire spy mission and resistance cause.
Starting with the premise of the book – I don’t really get some of the world here. Demi-fey apparently get killed because they look like fey with their pointed ears and they're illegal. So to combat this, the spies (who are mostly demi-fey) dress up like full fey? How do demi-fey and full fey differ in looks? I was confused.
Additionally, there was a bit too much going on between the academy aspect and the actual spy missions. Nia is repeatedly described as one of the most important people in Avalon Tower because of how in-demand her powers are. However, she's constantly being threatened with expulsion or being put in situations by her professor where another student can (and will) literally murder her. If everyone is so loyal to the cause and cares only about defeating the Fey, why are her own professors actively trying to murder her throughout the entire book, especially when she's 1 of 2 people in this entire world who have a power that they NEED in order to win the war. Why would the school/spies kick out one of the freaking Knights of the Round Table (aka Raphael, the male main character and one of the leaders of this resistance) and this girl who has a NECESSARY power to their cause just because they were fucking each other? Make it make sense. Nia is the only student cadet who is actually already going on spy missions with the full-blown teams of spies, yet, we’re also supposed to believe she's the worst student apparently (but then gets a perfect score on all of her trials). How does this make sense? Pick a lane.
There’s also this whole scene with a brand new character, Nivene, showing up at their trial in London, and it was stupid. Why is Nia blindly trusting Nivene, who seems to be with them during their trial for no reason and only calls over Nia from the group of students for help? What was with Nia and Nivene’s stupid plan? Their plan was to split up and take the Fey spy out on their own? I don't even know how to discuss how confusing this whole sequence of events was. It was a storyline aimed at making Nia look badass and clever, but the actual setup of the scene was very poorly crafted.
Finally, I will say that it’s tough sometimes having two authors write a book together. There was some repetition every once in awhile. For example, Nia asked if Merlin was Fey twice within 20 pages of each other. Also, at one point they were fighting for France and then at the end of the book they say “For England” a bunch of times – WHAT COUNTRY ARE THEY FIGHTING FOR?
Anyways, I know I’m ranting, but it’s a fine book. I didn’t absolutely hate it or anything, but it just doesn’t feel like anything new and the plot/world-building felt a little jumbled and not fleshed-out. There’s an idea here that could be a good story, but this execution just wasn’t for me.
_________________
This is a very generous 3-star rating, I think. I have lots more to say, so full review to come!
This felt like there were a lot of great ideas on the storyboard, but they didn't really work together once the story was actually drafted. Nothing really made sense, and there was such an odd combination of concepts that didn't really work (in my opinion). The authors were trying to make this a fae romance with "retelling" elements of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. However, adding these vague and ill-explained snippets of King Arthur, Merlin, Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table into a fae fantasy set in modern-day Europe was just a little all over the place. In this story, the fae have invaded France (only France...no other country, I don't think), and the FMC, Nia, is training to join the fae-fighting-division of MI-6 (like James Bond). There were just too much going on here.
Another aspect of this book that was tough for me to get behind was the fact that this felt like the confusing love child of Frost and City of Thorns, which are two other series that C.N. Crawford wrote. Don't get me wrong, I liked the first books in each of those series, but this felt too similar. The plot is basically the same shape but a different color. C.N. Crawford's female main characters are the exact same in every book she writes (from what I've observed in the books I've read by her; I cannot speak to Alex Rivers books because this is the first I've read by them). The FMC is always a girl with either no parents or one parent. The girl is always a bit overly lusty about the guy she "hates," and she also constantly makes really cringe sassy remarks in her head.
This book was the classic C.N. Crawford formula: sassy girl with no family thinks she's a normal human; girl is in wrong place at the wrong time; girl gets talked into a mission/task/cause by a sexiii male fae warrior/rebel; girl and warrior absolutely "hate each other" but he can't stop clenching his jaw every time he looks at her body so he avoids looking at her (bc he's obviously secretly obsessed with her); girl finds out she's a powerful type of fae; fae guy teaches girl stuff; girl finds out she's even more powerful than initially believed (bonus points if her parents are some long lost hero, villain, or royalty); the main characters are mates and whatever; AND SCENE. To be honest, this formula is really starting to feel a bit repetitive. As I said earlier, I felt like I knew everything that was going to happen in this book before it happened. Also, separately, the love interest is always too obvious in these types of books, and the “enemies” part of the “enemies to lovers” was solved too easily (it was all a miscommunication - don’t worry!). I was low-key rooting for the evil Prince Talen to be Nia's real love interest/mate. They have some sort of psychic connection and I think it would make the story 100x more interesting if it was for a reason.
The other thing that was repetitive from other series is the names of the characters. Raphael is original for a fantasy fae romance, but all I could think of was the damn ninja turtle. Tarquin is literally straight out of arguably the most famous fae romance series of all time (ACOTAR), and Arzel and Freya sound a bit too much like Azriel and Feyre, if ya ask me. Additionally, Darius is the main character in Zodiac Academy, which I wouldn’t normally comment on, but in City of Thorns, the main character is named Orion, which is also a main character in Zodiac Academy. Finally, Morgan is the family name of the villains in this book, but I’m pretty sure there is a major character in City of Thorns named Morgana. Are there no other names?? I mean, I know that people have the same names, but these names just feel sooo distinct to keep reusing in a book where you can literally make up any single word or name (it's fantasy!)! But I digress…
Anyways, getting back into the plot a bit more. Welcome to the Academy of Virgin Spies because no one is allowed to touch each other here. If ANYONE even THINKS about pecking someone on the lips, they will be kicked out of this school/spy mercenary group(?), even if they are completely vital to the entire spy mission and resistance cause.
Starting with the premise of the book – I don’t really get some of the world here. Demi-fey apparently get killed because they look like fey with their pointed ears and they're illegal. So to combat this, the spies (who are mostly demi-fey) dress up like full fey? How do demi-fey and full fey differ in looks? I was confused.
Additionally, there was a bit too much going on between the academy aspect and the actual spy missions. Nia is repeatedly described as one of the most important people in Avalon Tower because of how in-demand her powers are. However, she's constantly being threatened with expulsion or being put in situations by her professor where another student can (and will) literally murder her. If everyone is so loyal to the cause and cares only about defeating the Fey, why are her own professors actively trying to murder her throughout the entire book, especially when she's 1 of 2 people in this entire world who have a power that they NEED in order to win the war. Why would the school/spies kick out one of the freaking Knights of the Round Table (aka Raphael, the male main character and one of the leaders of this resistance) and this girl who has a NECESSARY power to their cause just because they were fucking each other? Make it make sense. Nia is the only student cadet who is actually already going on spy missions with the full-blown teams of spies, yet, we’re also supposed to believe she's the worst student apparently (but then gets a perfect score on all of her trials). How does this make sense? Pick a lane.
There’s also this whole scene with a brand new character, Nivene, showing up at their trial in London, and it was stupid. Why is Nia blindly trusting Nivene, who seems to be with them during their trial for no reason and only calls over Nia from the group of students for help? What was with Nia and Nivene’s stupid plan? Their plan was to split up and take the Fey spy out on their own? I don't even know how to discuss how confusing this whole sequence of events was. It was a storyline aimed at making Nia look badass and clever, but the actual setup of the scene was very poorly crafted.
Finally, I will say that it’s tough sometimes having two authors write a book together. There was some repetition every once in awhile. For example, Nia asked if Merlin was Fey twice within 20 pages of each other. Also, at one point they were fighting for France and then at the end of the book they say “For England” a bunch of times – WHAT COUNTRY ARE THEY FIGHTING FOR?
Anyways, I know I’m ranting, but it’s a fine book. I didn’t absolutely hate it or anything, but it just doesn’t feel like anything new and the plot/world-building felt a little jumbled and not fleshed-out. There’s an idea here that could be a good story, but this execution just wasn’t for me.
_________________
This is a very generous 3-star rating, I think. I have lots more to say, so full review to come!
August 10, 2024
This was so fun, I couldn’t put it down!! A little bit silly at times but really entertaining.
A fey spy academy with an American ‘human’ who ends up on holiday in France, bumps into an ex-situation ship (who hates her) and ends up getting swept up in a spy mission. We have trials, slow burn, forbidden romance, a King Arthur/Camelot reimagining and lots of drama.
A fun little fantasy read but I’m hoping to get more of Mr Evil Nightmare in book 2 because I love an evil mind reader hehe
A fey spy academy with an American ‘human’ who ends up on holiday in France, bumps into an ex-situation ship (who hates her) and ends up getting swept up in a spy mission. We have trials, slow burn, forbidden romance, a King Arthur/Camelot reimagining and lots of drama.
A fun little fantasy read but I’m hoping to get more of Mr Evil Nightmare in book 2 because I love an evil mind reader hehe
August 7, 2024
Stop this book was so much fun, exactly what I needed!! It was so addicting I literally could not put it down!
- forbidden romance
- mentor x mentee
- trials
- academy setting
- spies
- Fey/Demi Fey
- slow burn
- found family
- secret missions
- King Arthur/Camelot reimagining
“Avalon spy academy rules: spy on the fey, resist falling for your mentor, and try not to die in the process.”
YUP INSTANTLY HOOKED! If you’re looking for a fast paced, easy to read romantasy that will keep your eyes GLUED to the pages, yup this is it. I was seriously so entertained and need book 2 ASAP because WTF was that ending?
I loved the magic system and world that was built, I felt so immersed in the story from start to finish! Was it top tier fantasy?? No, it definitely had some faults but I literally did not care because I had the best time. Im here for the vibes and this book DELIVERED!
I loved our FMC Nia, she cracked me up. She seriously just felt so normal and relatable (despite her being a magical Demi Fae but like you know what I mean). Like this girl was literally just trying to go on a vacation in the south of France and got kidnapped by her sexy ex situationship and taken to a spy academy? When is it going to be my turn? Also WE LOVE A FMC THAT MAKES SMART DECISIONS!!! I can’t wait to see her grow even more in book 2!
Our MMC Raphael was a grumpy grump and HOT, I really liked his dynamic with Nia. But we didn’t get much of him for me to fall head over heels for. The romance also was definitely more of a sub plot which I LOVED, but I also think there was reason for that…. My theory is that Raphael and Nia are not end game, we shall see!!
- forbidden romance
- mentor x mentee
- trials
- academy setting
- spies
- Fey/Demi Fey
- slow burn
- found family
- secret missions
- King Arthur/Camelot reimagining
“Avalon spy academy rules: spy on the fey, resist falling for your mentor, and try not to die in the process.”
YUP INSTANTLY HOOKED! If you’re looking for a fast paced, easy to read romantasy that will keep your eyes GLUED to the pages, yup this is it. I was seriously so entertained and need book 2 ASAP because WTF was that ending?
I loved the magic system and world that was built, I felt so immersed in the story from start to finish! Was it top tier fantasy?? No, it definitely had some faults but I literally did not care because I had the best time. Im here for the vibes and this book DELIVERED!
I loved our FMC Nia, she cracked me up. She seriously just felt so normal and relatable (despite her being a magical Demi Fae but like you know what I mean). Like this girl was literally just trying to go on a vacation in the south of France and got kidnapped by her sexy ex situationship and taken to a spy academy? When is it going to be my turn? Also WE LOVE A FMC THAT MAKES SMART DECISIONS!!! I can’t wait to see her grow even more in book 2!
Our MMC Raphael was a grumpy grump and HOT, I really liked his dynamic with Nia. But we didn’t get much of him for me to fall head over heels for. The romance also was definitely more of a sub plot which I LOVED, but I also think there was reason for that…. My theory is that Raphael and Nia are not end game, we shall see!!
July 19, 2025
ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ✦ . ⁺ . 2.4 - 2.6 ☆ . ⁺ . ✦
ㅤ ㅤ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ I wanted to like this book — no, I really did. Arthurian legends, magical towers, secret lineages? Yes, please. But the deeper I read, the more I felt myself slipping into a strange limbo: half bored, half frustrated, and mostly just disappointed with how underwhelmingly this all played out. It’s one of those stories where the potential is so good, but the actual execution never quite reaches the bar it sets for itself.
ㅤ Even so, a messy reading experience is still an experience — so here it is, for anyone hovering over the “buy” button and unsure whether to take the plunge.
ㅤ
ㅤ ㅤ “Understand your true self, then hide it from the world so it can’t be used against you.”
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ short summary
ㅤ "Avalon Tower" by C. N. Crawford spins a modern-fantasy retelling rooted in Arthurian legend. The protagonist, a seemingly ordinary woman, discovers a connection to ancient powers and is pulled into a world of magical politics, secret bloodlines, and threats from beyond Avalon itself. It’s got Excalibur vibes, shadowy knights, and enough Merlin references to keep the lore lovers intrigued.
ㅤ The concept is promising: Arthurian myth with a darker, urban-fantasy twist. But the storytelling doesn't rise to meet the premise. It often felt like reading a cool pitch with no follow-through — a skeleton of an epic waiting for flesh.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The worldbuilding had so much going for it — a modern Avalon, reincarnated legends, political intrigue among magical houses. But none of it felt fully developed. It was like standing on the edge of a really intriguing universe… but never being invited to step inside. There were hints of greatness, but the mythos was skimmed over, never explored with enough depth to make it sing.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The plot had potential — real potential — but the execution made it hard to care. Important reveals came too fast or too easily, scenes blurred together, and I often found myself rereading just to understand what had happened. It's not that the plot was bad, it's that it was thin. I kept waiting for it to dig deeper, but instead it skated over surface-level conflicts and rushed toward an ending that came too fast… and too late to save things.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I couldn’t connect with the characters. Not one of them really stood out or felt emotionally grounded. They existed — they had names, backstories, dialogue — but none of them lived on the page. It felt like they were there to move the plot forward, not to be people. I didn’t root for anyone, and worse, I didn’t miss them when I put the book down.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The romance? I genuinely thought the guy she was interacting with couldn't possibly be the love interest. There was just… nothing there. Bland as boiled cabbage. No spark, no tension, no chemistry. I kept hoping the story was playing a long con and would introduce the real romantic lead later, but no — apparently that was it. Honestly, I skimmed their scenes together because I just didn’t care.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ And yet — here’s the thing — the ending actually got to me. The revelations were unexpected and genuinely intriguing. I had a few hunches about the FMC’s identity and ties to the larger mythology, but the twists still surprised me. For a brief moment, I felt the excitement I’d hoped for from the beginning. Unfortunately, that spark came too late to save the book… but it was something.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ Despite my best efforts, I was unable to develop an attachment to any of these characters. It was difficult to find anything to relate to because they were only examined on a superficial level. I sincerely hope that they will be explored much more thoroughly in the upcoming novels.
ㅤ ✧ Nia - Our main character. She had a cool premise behind her identity, but she never quite got fleshed out. She reacted more than acted, and while there were glimmers of inner strength, they never fully bloomed. I wanted to root for her, but she didn’t give me enough reason to.
ㅤ ✧ Raphael - The most forgettable man to ever forget. I’m sorry, but there’s just no way this was supposed to be the heart-thumping romance angle. There was no charisma, no charm, no heat. He was like background noise: present, but unnoticeable.
ㅤ ✧ Tana, Darius, Serana, Nivene, Viviane - The supporting cast. They existed. Some of them had promising roles to play, especially those connected to Arthurian lore… but they felt like placeholders for more interesting characters that never arrived.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ If you’re a die-hard Arthurian fan who loves any reimagining of the Round Table, you might find enough breadcrumbs here to keep reading. But if you’re looking for rich worldbuilding, a swoon-worthy romance, or characters that feel real… this isn’t it.
ㅤ In the end, “Avalon Tower” was an intriguing idea weighed down by hollow execution. 2 stars — one for the premise, and one for the final reveal that almost made it worth the slog. Almost.
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ✿ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ started ┆05-July-2025┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ This has been showing up on my newsfeed everywhere so I will take this as a sign that I need to read it. Please don't put me into a reading slump....
ㅤ ㅤ ˋ°•*⁀➷ㅤmight contain spoilers ❗
ㅤ I wanted to like this book — no, I really did. Arthurian legends, magical towers, secret lineages? Yes, please. But the deeper I read, the more I felt myself slipping into a strange limbo: half bored, half frustrated, and mostly just disappointed with how underwhelmingly this all played out. It’s one of those stories where the potential is so good, but the actual execution never quite reaches the bar it sets for itself.
ㅤ Even so, a messy reading experience is still an experience — so here it is, for anyone hovering over the “buy” button and unsure whether to take the plunge.
ㅤ
ㅤ ㅤ “Understand your true self, then hide it from the world so it can’t be used against you.”
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ short summary
ㅤ "Avalon Tower" by C. N. Crawford spins a modern-fantasy retelling rooted in Arthurian legend. The protagonist, a seemingly ordinary woman, discovers a connection to ancient powers and is pulled into a world of magical politics, secret bloodlines, and threats from beyond Avalon itself. It’s got Excalibur vibes, shadowy knights, and enough Merlin references to keep the lore lovers intrigued.
ㅤ The concept is promising: Arthurian myth with a darker, urban-fantasy twist. But the storytelling doesn't rise to meet the premise. It often felt like reading a cool pitch with no follow-through — a skeleton of an epic waiting for flesh.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ honest thoughts
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The worldbuilding had so much going for it — a modern Avalon, reincarnated legends, political intrigue among magical houses. But none of it felt fully developed. It was like standing on the edge of a really intriguing universe… but never being invited to step inside. There were hints of greatness, but the mythos was skimmed over, never explored with enough depth to make it sing.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The plot had potential — real potential — but the execution made it hard to care. Important reveals came too fast or too easily, scenes blurred together, and I often found myself rereading just to understand what had happened. It's not that the plot was bad, it's that it was thin. I kept waiting for it to dig deeper, but instead it skated over surface-level conflicts and rushed toward an ending that came too fast… and too late to save things.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ I couldn’t connect with the characters. Not one of them really stood out or felt emotionally grounded. They existed — they had names, backstories, dialogue — but none of them lived on the page. It felt like they were there to move the plot forward, not to be people. I didn’t root for anyone, and worse, I didn’t miss them when I put the book down.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ The romance? I genuinely thought the guy she was interacting with couldn't possibly be the love interest. There was just… nothing there. Bland as boiled cabbage. No spark, no tension, no chemistry. I kept hoping the story was playing a long con and would introduce the real romantic lead later, but no — apparently that was it. Honestly, I skimmed their scenes together because I just didn’t care.
ㅤ ⋅ ☾ And yet — here’s the thing — the ending actually got to me. The revelations were unexpected and genuinely intriguing. I had a few hunches about the FMC’s identity and ties to the larger mythology, but the twists still surprised me. For a brief moment, I felt the excitement I’d hoped for from the beginning. Unfortunately, that spark came too late to save the book… but it was something.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ characters
ㅤ Despite my best efforts, I was unable to develop an attachment to any of these characters. It was difficult to find anything to relate to because they were only examined on a superficial level. I sincerely hope that they will be explored much more thoroughly in the upcoming novels.
ㅤ ✧ Nia - Our main character. She had a cool premise behind her identity, but she never quite got fleshed out. She reacted more than acted, and while there were glimmers of inner strength, they never fully bloomed. I wanted to root for her, but she didn’t give me enough reason to.
ㅤ ✧ Raphael - The most forgettable man to ever forget. I’m sorry, but there’s just no way this was supposed to be the heart-thumping romance angle. There was no charisma, no charm, no heat. He was like background noise: present, but unnoticeable.
ㅤ ✧ Tana, Darius, Serana, Nivene, Viviane - The supporting cast. They existed. Some of them had promising roles to play, especially those connected to Arthurian lore… but they felt like placeholders for more interesting characters that never arrived.
ㅤ ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹ should you read this?
ㅤ If you’re a die-hard Arthurian fan who loves any reimagining of the Round Table, you might find enough breadcrumbs here to keep reading. But if you’re looking for rich worldbuilding, a swoon-worthy romance, or characters that feel real… this isn’t it.
ㅤ In the end, “Avalon Tower” was an intriguing idea weighed down by hollow execution. 2 stars — one for the premise, and one for the final reveal that almost made it worth the slog. Almost.
⊹₊┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ✿ㆍ┈ㆍ┈ㆍ┈₊⊹
ㅤ ᯓ ✿ pre-reading ⪼ ㅤ started ┆05-July-2025┆
ㅤ ㅤ ⤿ This has been showing up on my newsfeed everywhere so I will take this as a sign that I need to read it. Please don't put me into a reading slump....
February 26, 2024
Humanity needs brave volunteers such as you, to join the ranks of undercover agents that go beyond the magical veil border on missions of intel acquisition, sabotage and assassination.
Today, with a sadistic fey king conquering parts of Europe, Avalon Tower is more important than ever.
Since you’re one of our new recruits, I've included tips in this welcome kit that will help you get by. Now if only I listened to my own advice…
—Nia Melisende
1. Beware of the Pendragon clique.
2. Learn to disappear into the shadows of the Fey Realm. And when all of that fails, learn to kill.
3. The castle is full of hidden passages, ancient libraries, and ghosts of the past. Explore at your own risk.
4. People can and will beat the shit out of you in training sessions.
5. Practice living like the fey, but beware – drinking mead reduces inhibitions.
6. Be warned that tea, tarot, and crystal balls will tell you things you don’t want to hear, like “you’re going to fall for the sexy, arrogant rich guy who broke your heart when you were a teenager.”
7. The tea can also help you fall asleep when you're having nightmares about the upcoming Culling trial.
8. The single most important rule is this: Don’t fall in love. In our world, falling in love means distraction and sometimes death.
Today, with a sadistic fey king conquering parts of Europe, Avalon Tower is more important than ever.
Since you’re one of our new recruits, I've included tips in this welcome kit that will help you get by. Now if only I listened to my own advice…
—Nia Melisende
1. Beware of the Pendragon clique.
2. Learn to disappear into the shadows of the Fey Realm. And when all of that fails, learn to kill.
3. The castle is full of hidden passages, ancient libraries, and ghosts of the past. Explore at your own risk.
4. People can and will beat the shit out of you in training sessions.
5. Practice living like the fey, but beware – drinking mead reduces inhibitions.
6. Be warned that tea, tarot, and crystal balls will tell you things you don’t want to hear, like “you’re going to fall for the sexy, arrogant rich guy who broke your heart when you were a teenager.”
7. The tea can also help you fall asleep when you're having nightmares about the upcoming Culling trial.
8. The single most important rule is this: Don’t fall in love. In our world, falling in love means distraction and sometimes death.
August 20, 2025
"You have to die when it’s your time, and no one else can do it for you. That means you need to live for yourself, too.”
-------
This took me 4 days to read, which is not a flex... I was dragging my feet...
-------
I am ashamed it took me this long to realise this is Arthurian lore-based. I must read it immediately.
-------
This took me 4 days to read, which is not a flex... I was dragging my feet...
-------
I am ashamed it took me this long to realise this is Arthurian lore-based. I must read it immediately.
November 14, 2025
Fourth Wing but with spies!
📖 Bookish Thoughts
This was a solid Urban Fantasy with a really strong beginning. The world building was great and I liked the sociopolitical landscape. The characters did read super young, like 18 or 19 at most, which really surprised me since they’re supposed to be in their late 20s. I was expecting a more mature cast, so that threw me off.
But then the middle hit… and I started to get bored. It dragged quite a bit, and honestly, it could’ve been at least 150 pages shorter. It just lost momentum until the very end.
I still enjoyed the book but this could have been a 5 star read! I highly recommend listening to the audiobook! The audiobook narrator absolutely nailed it! 5 stars on that front.
And of course… it ends on a cliffhanger. So yes, I’ll probably keep going with the series. Gotta know what happens next!
What You Can Expect:
✨ Urban fantasy
🪄 Magic + bloodlines
🕵🏽♀️ Spy academy
🛏️ One bed trope
⏳ Cliffhanger ending
📖 Bookish Thoughts
This was a solid Urban Fantasy with a really strong beginning. The world building was great and I liked the sociopolitical landscape. The characters did read super young, like 18 or 19 at most, which really surprised me since they’re supposed to be in their late 20s. I was expecting a more mature cast, so that threw me off.
But then the middle hit… and I started to get bored. It dragged quite a bit, and honestly, it could’ve been at least 150 pages shorter. It just lost momentum until the very end.
I still enjoyed the book but this could have been a 5 star read! I highly recommend listening to the audiobook! The audiobook narrator absolutely nailed it! 5 stars on that front.
And of course… it ends on a cliffhanger. So yes, I’ll probably keep going with the series. Gotta know what happens next!
What You Can Expect:
✨ Urban fantasy
🪄 Magic + bloodlines
🕵🏽♀️ Spy academy
🛏️ One bed trope
⏳ Cliffhanger ending
September 9, 2024
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ 4★ ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖
I devoured this book. This is an incredible mixture of the Round Table, fae and spy school. It did take me a while to get into the book but what I got in I couldn't stop reading. I loved the whole magic system and world building. I love how the fey is incorporated into the modern world. Is it top-tier fantasy? No, it isn't but I'm here for the vibes and the book had delivered it. The ending had me in shock like I didn't expect it at all.
: ̗̀➛ Nia
I really love her so much. Nia comes from the background having no idea that she's a demi-fey with powers to slowly discover her powers and use them for the greater good. I love how she accepted her responsibility with her powers and was more than happy to help the spies.
: ̗̀➛ Raphael
I did really like him, especially for what he did at the end of the book but why do I feel like they're not going to end up together.
✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦
⋆.˚🦋༘⋆ preread
been hearing a lot about this book on booktok so i’m excited to see what the hype is about!
I devoured this book. This is an incredible mixture of the Round Table, fae and spy school. It did take me a while to get into the book but what I got in I couldn't stop reading. I loved the whole magic system and world building. I love how the fey is incorporated into the modern world. Is it top-tier fantasy? No, it isn't but I'm here for the vibes and the book had delivered it. The ending had me in shock like I didn't expect it at all.
: ̗̀➛ Nia
I really love her so much. Nia comes from the background having no idea that she's a demi-fey with powers to slowly discover her powers and use them for the greater good. I love how she accepted her responsibility with her powers and was more than happy to help the spies.
: ̗̀➛ Raphael
I did really like him, especially for what he did at the end of the book but why do I feel like they're not going to end up together.
✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦
⋆.˚🦋༘⋆ preread
been hearing a lot about this book on booktok so i’m excited to see what the hype is about!
dnf
December 10, 2025I should get it tattooed on my hand not to trust booktok/booksta. Maybe then I'll remember. DNF - page 130 (30%)
Yeah, no. Not for me. The writing, the characters, whatever happened till now in the name of plot...it all felt too immature. The idea is SO GOOD I swear but the execution was just as bad and no one is more disappointed by that than me.
***
Saw a bookstagramer raving about this book and it piqued my interest. Spy School? She's the spy? Enemies to Lovers?
OH I'm sat.
Yeah, no. Not for me. The writing, the characters, whatever happened till now in the name of plot...it all felt too immature. The idea is SO GOOD I swear but the execution was just as bad and no one is more disappointed by that than me.
***
Saw a bookstagramer raving about this book and it piqued my interest. Spy School? She's the spy? Enemies to Lovers?
OH I'm sat.
July 30, 2024
“The problem is... banning desire doesn’t douse the heat. If anything, it fuels it.” 🔥🔥🔥
One minute you’re on holiday, the next you’re training at a hidden fey spy academy.
“I’m not trained. I’m not qualified. I’m asthmatic.” … “If you weren’t supposed to be here, you’d already be dead.”
Our FMC has to suddenly navigate a new identity, new friends, new enemies, and an old love interest who broke her heart. Oh, and did I mention an evil fey king is trying to destroy the world?
This book is for you if you love:
📚 Training academies
🗡️Spies and assassins
🌟Magic
🖤Found family
🔥Forbidden, second-chance slow-burn romance
🛏️One bed/One horse
My favourite element was the mind reading and the distortion of reality when stuck within conjured nightmares. The twist at the end has me on edge for book 2!
The two quotes that are playing on repeat in my mind are:
“I wanted to kiss you, and I’m not supposed to. And you make it so hard for me to stay in control of myself. You will destroy my self-control.”
“I’m scared of failing—but I’m also scared of succeeding.”
One minute you’re on holiday, the next you’re training at a hidden fey spy academy.
“I’m not trained. I’m not qualified. I’m asthmatic.” … “If you weren’t supposed to be here, you’d already be dead.”
Our FMC has to suddenly navigate a new identity, new friends, new enemies, and an old love interest who broke her heart. Oh, and did I mention an evil fey king is trying to destroy the world?
This book is for you if you love:
📚 Training academies
🗡️Spies and assassins
🌟Magic
🖤Found family
🔥Forbidden, second-chance slow-burn romance
🛏️One bed/One horse
My favourite element was the mind reading and the distortion of reality when stuck within conjured nightmares. The twist at the end has me on edge for book 2!
The two quotes that are playing on repeat in my mind are:
“I wanted to kiss you, and I’m not supposed to. And you make it so hard for me to stay in control of myself. You will destroy my self-control.”
“I’m scared of failing—but I’m also scared of succeeding.”
March 14, 2025
I am feeling shaken. And dying for book 2, what was that ending line?! This was SO FUN!
I loved this so much, the vibes were there. This book was fast paced, funny, and SO original! I loved the academy for demi-fey spies aspect.
Nia sold this whole book for me, she’s such a great FMC, and I have a feeling the found family will get even better in book 2. The romance was not extremely convincing for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I am so beyond intrigued and need book 2 in my brain now.
5 stars, I had a BLAST, and thank you Gabi for buddy reading with me!!
I loved this so much, the vibes were there. This book was fast paced, funny, and SO original! I loved the academy for demi-fey spies aspect.
Nia sold this whole book for me, she’s such a great FMC, and I have a feeling the found family will get even better in book 2. The romance was not extremely convincing for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I am so beyond intrigued and need book 2 in my brain now.
5 stars, I had a BLAST, and thank you Gabi for buddy reading with me!!
July 29, 2024
ATE this book up and left no crumbs 🤌 fae, humans, spy academy, MISSIONS, grumpy MMC? Yes. Yes, please.
June 26, 2024
This felt like if you took every idea for a romantasy book you’ve ever had and then wrote one book with all the things. It just… didn’t make sense. There are Fey, they invaded only France and it is clearly stated France fought back apparently alone because not a single other country is mentioned. Camelot also exists and Knights of the Round Table. And a missing place called Avalon. And powers that don’t make a ton of sense, but also primal powers that no one has anymore (except the FMC of course). Also there’s a group of demi-Fey and humans that live in Camelot and make up MI-16 (like James Bond) and their job is to fight the Fey but definitely never have sex ever. There are so many tropes all over the damn place, an effort at enemies to lovers that is as see through as apparently all female clothing in this book, and the twist in the end is still precisely what you expect even though the rest of this book is a mess… LIKE WHAT AM I READING.
July 28, 2025
If you like From Blood and Ash, Fourth wing and Harry Potter then this is perfect for you!
“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised the little pixie princess would rather not get her hands dirty.”
This is the kinda story you don’t want to put down, I’m predicting it high on my list of top books this year! The world, vibe, characters, romance and spice, intrigues, plot twist, clever use of some known fairytales and I could go on… will make you devour this so fast. Im so invested and really need book 2 now, especially after that ending and cliffhanger🔥 Thank you to C.N. Crawford, Alex Rivers and BookSirens for providing me this ARC🫶🏼
❤️ Fey spy academy settings
💜 Trials and rivalry
❤️ Arthurian legend lore
💜 Fey, dragons, magic and humans
❤️ Found family
💜 One bed
❤️ Slow burn
💜 Enemies to lovers
❤️ Relatable and strong FMC
Firstly the world building is amazing. I love the how this fey world is incorporated into the modern world and history. The fairytales and mythology is used so well and made it even more fun and alive. I won’t spoil it as that was some of my favourite part to learn about. The magic system is complex, but still easy to understand. The world and magic system in general has some similarities to the From Blood and Ash series, but I favour this way of using it mixed with the fairytales, that was such a good mix! 🙌🏼The plot twist isn’t to easy to see and even if I did see the cliffhanger as an option, it wasn’t too obvious and I loved the way it ended!
I love that it’s happening in a gothic school setting with trials that reminds me a bit of Harry Potter and fourth wing😍 The characters are all fun to explore, well developed and does not feel immature like some books in school setting does. The FMC and MMC has some amazing banter in their hate-love-connection. The spicy scenes are very well written and I think it’s the perfect balance of romance, spice, banter and connections😏��🫠
“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised the little pixie princess would rather not get her hands dirty.”
This is the kinda story you don’t want to put down, I’m predicting it high on my list of top books this year! The world, vibe, characters, romance and spice, intrigues, plot twist, clever use of some known fairytales and I could go on… will make you devour this so fast. Im so invested and really need book 2 now, especially after that ending and cliffhanger🔥 Thank you to C.N. Crawford, Alex Rivers and BookSirens for providing me this ARC🫶🏼
❤️ Fey spy academy settings
💜 Trials and rivalry
❤️ Arthurian legend lore
💜 Fey, dragons, magic and humans
❤️ Found family
💜 One bed
❤️ Slow burn
💜 Enemies to lovers
❤️ Relatable and strong FMC
Firstly the world building is amazing. I love the how this fey world is incorporated into the modern world and history. The fairytales and mythology is used so well and made it even more fun and alive. I won’t spoil it as that was some of my favourite part to learn about. The magic system is complex, but still easy to understand. The world and magic system in general has some similarities to the From Blood and Ash series, but I favour this way of using it mixed with the fairytales, that was such a good mix! 🙌🏼The plot twist isn’t to easy to see and even if I did see the cliffhanger as an option, it wasn’t too obvious and I loved the way it ended!
I love that it’s happening in a gothic school setting with trials that reminds me a bit of Harry Potter and fourth wing😍 The characters are all fun to explore, well developed and does not feel immature like some books in school setting does. The FMC and MMC has some amazing banter in their hate-love-connection. The spicy scenes are very well written and I think it’s the perfect balance of romance, spice, banter and connections😏��🫠
July 8, 2025
. ۫ ꣑ৎ 2.5 stars ★
concept? ten out of ten! execution? meh.
this wasn’t bad whatsoever!! if you want an easy romantasy with a couple fun spy / academy aspects then this is gonna be so perf for you. howeverrrr it’s pretty generic, and if you’ve read any romantic fantasy ever then you’re not gonna be very thrilled by this one. on top of that, the characters didn’t really capture my attention so i did find it a little difficult to get through at certain points. idk if i’ll continue the series??
ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ pre read
i don’t know what this is about but i’m craving a fantasy and this popped up on my kindle, so let’s find out!!
concept? ten out of ten! execution? meh.
this wasn’t bad whatsoever!! if you want an easy romantasy with a couple fun spy / academy aspects then this is gonna be so perf for you. howeverrrr it’s pretty generic, and if you’ve read any romantic fantasy ever then you’re not gonna be very thrilled by this one. on top of that, the characters didn’t really capture my attention so i did find it a little difficult to get through at certain points. idk if i’ll continue the series??
ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ pre read
i don’t know what this is about but i’m craving a fantasy and this popped up on my kindle, so let’s find out!!
April 20, 2025
love this book but i didn’t have as much fun rereading it so it’s moving from 5 stars to 4 stars
unfortunately the reread was necessary since i only remember small details
unfortunately the reread was necessary since i only remember small details
December 10, 2025
varios comentarios:
- lleva 1 día siendo espía y ya es la más poderosa de todos. GIVE ME A BREAK.
- aló TALAN? por qué no tenemos más escenas con él? está mal pensar que quiero que él sea el interés amoroso?
- raphael fome ql, me interesó cero su personaje.
la pasé bien sí, voy a partir inmediatamente la segunda parte JAJA.
- lleva 1 día siendo espía y ya es la más poderosa de todos. GIVE ME A BREAK.
- aló TALAN? por qué no tenemos más escenas con él? está mal pensar que quiero que él sea el interés amoroso?
- raphael fome ql, me interesó cero su personaje.
la pasé bien sí, voy a partir inmediatamente la segunda parte JAJA.
August 16, 2025
Spy academy for fey set in the modern world. What a freaking ride.
January 24, 2025
This was a fun, silly, goofy time. I liked the setting and the spy academy. I love a good training scene. Raphael is a little bit of a jerk but also sweet underneath, which is my kind of guy. Unfortunately, there were a lot of logic issues in this one. I was able to get past some and vibe, but there were quite a few. I also wish there had been more romance. If there had, I think I would have been able to vibe more. It is definitely fast paced, and a generally fun time!
July 13, 2024
Holy marbles....a revelation at the end that i didn’t see coming, a romance that is forbidden but burns for each other, an academy for fey spies.
I haven't needed a book 2 this badly, i loved this and read it in one sitting.
I haven't needed a book 2 this badly, i loved this and read it in one sitting.
March 13, 2025
DNF at 25%
Part of me wanted to give this book more time, but the writing just isn't for me. All in all, I'm not a fan of any of the characters up to this point, and the dialogue often feels juvenile. The plot is also kind of odd; fey who occupied France, but also there's Camelot and descendants of King Arthur among other humans and demi-fey who are training to be spies.
Other reviews say it gets more entertaining after a bit, but I'm just not vibing with it
Part of me wanted to give this book more time, but the writing just isn't for me. All in all, I'm not a fan of any of the characters up to this point, and the dialogue often feels juvenile. The plot is also kind of odd; fey who occupied France, but also there's Camelot and descendants of King Arthur among other humans and demi-fey who are training to be spies.
Other reviews say it gets more entertaining after a bit, but I'm just not vibing with it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2024
Loved the King Arthur vibes woven in with Fey lore.
May 3, 2025
4.5 Lavendar Cake Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This is a first-person POV that is told entirely from the perspective of Nia Melisende. The story begins with her on this big trip to France as a treat for her 25th birthday, leaving behind her only family, her alcoholic and emotionally abusive, gaslighting mother who essentially just uses her as a piggy bank and an ATM. While there, she notices some refugee fae and realises they’re in danger. Knowing they will be killed if found, she helps them navigate the city and protect them, even stepping into the deadly Vale to shield them...something that should have killed her. All to help them to the harbour where their transport awaits. And when she finally gets them to the boat where the contacts are waiting, it turns out that it is none other than her ex-hookup, Raphael Launcelot who called her trash. So she just wants to get the fuck out of there... but Raphael has different plans and says she knows too much and cannot return to her old life. He drags her to Camelot and Avalon Tower, a government-run school for demi-fae and humans designed to train spies and defend against an incoming Fae invasion. Nia learns she has powers, and that she is a Demi Fae and her whole life changes.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Because it had been on my TBR for so long, I ended up choosing it as the first read for a book club I started with some of the women at work. We agreed to read a set number of pages per week... but I should’ve known it was going to be a good book when three of them had already finished book two by the end of week one. On top of that, I also thought that I was in a fantasy slump, but clearly, that didn't apply to this book, because I was pleading with myself, begging for the weeks to come quicker so that I could read the next week's allocated reading. Because, unlike some people, I had a little bit of self-control. It was just good!!!
I am obsessed with Arthurian legends. It was a very big part of who I was as a teenager, and I used to read everything and anything I could related to the legend as a girl. And I was very curious to see how the legend could bring in a fae dynamic but also keep the Arthurian legend and I was not disappointed! The worldbuilding was brilliant and the vibes were PERFECTION... I loved the elements. It's not necessarily Dark Academia, but think of taking a magical school and adding in a side of dystopia. It felt like Hogwarts and Hunger Games had a baby, and I was hooked. The side characters were phenomenal, especially Tana who can see the future. I was kicking my feet and laughing out loud at the things that came out of her mouth. Like schoolgirl giggles!
I loved being in Nia’s head. Nia was super determined and dedicated. She's witty, she's smart, she thinks on her feet. She’s older, a little rough around the edges, super observant and resourceful. She just wants to survive and suddenly finds herself thrown into a world she didn’t even know existed. She has this ability that allows her to save herself and others in very tricky situations. Basically, while she has no control over what’s happening, she adapts quickly. She’s forced to navigate this deadly magical academy, become a spy, and try not to fall for her emotionally confusing, infuriating instructor who was once the biggest dick.
There was one thing that felt off for me, and it's why I didn't give this 5 stars... and that was the relationship with Raphael. while there is some banter and there is tension between the two from their history and the fact that their relationship is forbidden at the school, I didn't always get the chemistry between them. It felt like one moment they were just acquaintances and the next, Raph was telling her how he couldn't stop thinking about her. It just felt like a 180-degree flip. I didn't see a lot of the development. I believe that where this fell short was because I only had Nia's point of view and I didn't have Raphael's. I only saw her working through the relationship, and it just seemed that he came out of nowhere. It felt forced and out of place, and I struggled with believing that these two were so drawn to each other because most of the time it just seemed like they were just working together. I didn’t get that yearning and that they needed to be together.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Arthurian Legend
▶ Fae Academy
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Complex Worldbuilding
▶ Hidden Powers
▶ Found Family
▶ Forbidden Romance - Mentor/Apprentice
▶ Slow Burn Romance
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Voyeurism
▷ One Bed
▷ One Horse
▷ Tending to Injuries
▷ He Brings Her Food
▷ Steamy/Spicy Water Scene
This was a fantastic book, and I can absolutely see why it gets so much love. It was magical, immersive, intense, and emotional... and I cannot wait to dive into the next one!
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
“I’m going to need to kiss you.”I have a friend who has been nagging me to read this book for what feels like a year. So it's been on my TBR for a long time, and I kind of just ignored it as it was quietly getting buried under the chaos of life. But now that I’ve finally read it, I get the hype! I am fully absorbed in the amazingness of this book.
“For realism,” I whisper.
He brushes his thumb over my lower lip. “For the mission.”
“For England.”
He presses his lips against mine, claiming my mouth.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This is a first-person POV that is told entirely from the perspective of Nia Melisende. The story begins with her on this big trip to France as a treat for her 25th birthday, leaving behind her only family, her alcoholic and emotionally abusive, gaslighting mother who essentially just uses her as a piggy bank and an ATM. While there, she notices some refugee fae and realises they’re in danger. Knowing they will be killed if found, she helps them navigate the city and protect them, even stepping into the deadly Vale to shield them...something that should have killed her. All to help them to the harbour where their transport awaits. And when she finally gets them to the boat where the contacts are waiting, it turns out that it is none other than her ex-hookup, Raphael Launcelot who called her trash. So she just wants to get the fuck out of there... but Raphael has different plans and says she knows too much and cannot return to her old life. He drags her to Camelot and Avalon Tower, a government-run school for demi-fae and humans designed to train spies and defend against an incoming Fae invasion. Nia learns she has powers, and that she is a Demi Fae and her whole life changes.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Because it had been on my TBR for so long, I ended up choosing it as the first read for a book club I started with some of the women at work. We agreed to read a set number of pages per week... but I should’ve known it was going to be a good book when three of them had already finished book two by the end of week one. On top of that, I also thought that I was in a fantasy slump, but clearly, that didn't apply to this book, because I was pleading with myself, begging for the weeks to come quicker so that I could read the next week's allocated reading. Because, unlike some people, I had a little bit of self-control. It was just good!!!
I am obsessed with Arthurian legends. It was a very big part of who I was as a teenager, and I used to read everything and anything I could related to the legend as a girl. And I was very curious to see how the legend could bring in a fae dynamic but also keep the Arthurian legend and I was not disappointed! The worldbuilding was brilliant and the vibes were PERFECTION... I loved the elements. It's not necessarily Dark Academia, but think of taking a magical school and adding in a side of dystopia. It felt like Hogwarts and Hunger Games had a baby, and I was hooked. The side characters were phenomenal, especially Tana who can see the future. I was kicking my feet and laughing out loud at the things that came out of her mouth. Like schoolgirl giggles!
I loved being in Nia’s head. Nia was super determined and dedicated. She's witty, she's smart, she thinks on her feet. She’s older, a little rough around the edges, super observant and resourceful. She just wants to survive and suddenly finds herself thrown into a world she didn’t even know existed. She has this ability that allows her to save herself and others in very tricky situations. Basically, while she has no control over what’s happening, she adapts quickly. She’s forced to navigate this deadly magical academy, become a spy, and try not to fall for her emotionally confusing, infuriating instructor who was once the biggest dick.
There was one thing that felt off for me, and it's why I didn't give this 5 stars... and that was the relationship with Raphael. while there is some banter and there is tension between the two from their history and the fact that their relationship is forbidden at the school, I didn't always get the chemistry between them. It felt like one moment they were just acquaintances and the next, Raph was telling her how he couldn't stop thinking about her. It just felt like a 180-degree flip. I didn't see a lot of the development. I believe that where this fell short was because I only had Nia's point of view and I didn't have Raphael's. I only saw her working through the relationship, and it just seemed that he came out of nowhere. It felt forced and out of place, and I struggled with believing that these two were so drawn to each other because most of the time it just seemed like they were just working together. I didn’t get that yearning and that they needed to be together.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Arthurian Legend
▶ Fae Academy
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Complex Worldbuilding
▶ Hidden Powers
▶ Found Family
▶ Forbidden Romance - Mentor/Apprentice
▶ Slow Burn Romance
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Voyeurism
▷ One Bed
▷ One Horse
▷ Tending to Injuries
▷ He Brings Her Food
▷ Steamy/Spicy Water Scene
This was a fantastic book, and I can absolutely see why it gets so much love. It was magical, immersive, intense, and emotional... and I cannot wait to dive into the next one!
March 26, 2024
2.75 - I felt like this book was trying to do too much. I typically like that in a book so it doesn’t drag but it made it harder to feel attachment to our characters.
July 13, 2025
Good, not great. I wanted this to be better for me than it was- found myself rolling my eyes a few times at both the writing and the plot.
*****spoiler alert***** but when *mind control* is a part of the plot and seen as a good thing, I’m 10x less invested.
On to the sequel! Let’s hope the romance becomes MUCH more interesting, too.
*****spoiler alert***** but when *mind control* is a part of the plot and seen as a good thing, I’m 10x less invested.
On to the sequel! Let’s hope the romance becomes MUCH more interesting, too.
July 24, 2025
Hating the fact that I did not realize there was a love triangle situation in this series before starting. I cannot do it, absolutely loved this book though.
March 30, 2025
Abused my eyes for hours, then decided I'd rather dnf at sixty percent than find a new opthalmologist.👀
April 11, 2024
4.5 ⭐️.
I devoured this. Absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoyed Fourth Wing or enjoys romantasy in general. I only remove .5 ⭐️ because for a while in the beginning, it was too similar to Fourth Wing for my liking. But just… bravo… I need book 2 immediately.
- Fae, Dragons, Myths of Camelot.
- Supernatural Spy Academy.
- Slow Burn.
- Forbidden Romance.
- Political Intrigue.
- 🌶️: one open-door scene.
I devoured this. Absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoyed Fourth Wing or enjoys romantasy in general. I only remove .5 ⭐️ because for a while in the beginning, it was too similar to Fourth Wing for my liking. But just… bravo… I need book 2 immediately.
- Fae, Dragons, Myths of Camelot.
- Supernatural Spy Academy.
- Slow Burn.
- Forbidden Romance.
- Political Intrigue.
- 🌶️: one open-door scene.
April 16, 2025
It just didn’t really live up to the entire hype I was anticipating but it was pretty good. It just felt more YA aside from some spicy scenes. Which is fine I guess.. just not what I expected. It definitely got better towards the end. There was an interesting plot and magic system. Not fully invested but I am keeping hope alive for the other books 😅🙂↕️..
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