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The Protector Guild #1
Academy of Protectors
In the shadows of the human world, a secret society of demon hunters fights to keep humanity from the supernatural forces that threaten to tear it apart.
But for Max Bentley, a rookie hunter struggling to find her place amongst her kind, the biggest threat might just be the four brooding members of an elite team of hunters - all of whom seem to have taken a special interest in her
She quickly discovers that their past is as dark and complicated as her own - and she's determined to uncover their secrets if it's the last thing she does. As she is drawn deeper into the mysterious world of demon hunting, she finds herself torn between her duty to her people and her growing attraction to her team.
It's more than her heart on the line, it's the very fabric of our world.
Buckle up for a bingeable series that is perfect for fans of romantasy, action, and slow-burn tension!
◆ ◆◆ Academy of Protectors is the first book in The Protector Guild series, so there will be a cliffhanger. Max's story is a slow-burn, romantasy series. She will end up with multiple partners and one is a woman. Get ready for action, spice, and intrigue. ◆◆◆
But for Max Bentley, a rookie hunter struggling to find her place amongst her kind, the biggest threat might just be the four brooding members of an elite team of hunters - all of whom seem to have taken a special interest in her
She quickly discovers that their past is as dark and complicated as her own - and she's determined to uncover their secrets if it's the last thing she does. As she is drawn deeper into the mysterious world of demon hunting, she finds herself torn between her duty to her people and her growing attraction to her team.
It's more than her heart on the line, it's the very fabric of our world.
Buckle up for a bingeable series that is perfect for fans of romantasy, action, and slow-burn tension!
◆ ◆◆ Academy of Protectors is the first book in The Protector Guild series, so there will be a cliffhanger. Max's story is a slow-burn, romantasy series. She will end up with multiple partners and one is a woman. Get ready for action, spice, and intrigue. ◆◆◆
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2021
2027 people are currently reading
14812 people want to read
About the author
Gray Holborn
25 books352 followersHi! I'm Gray. I'm best known for my series, The Protector Guild - an 8-book completed series filled with all things angst and chaotic hijinks. I'm currently working on my second series, Order of Reapers, which is the follow up to The Protector Guild. At the moment, there are 10 books published in what I'm calling 'The Gray-verse.' Sounds ominous, right?
What can you expect from my stories?
First, you have to love a slow burn, angsty romance. I tend to get quite bored when my characters are happy and together, which is why I keep them in various stages of misery and yearning for as long as I can *que evil laugh.* Yes, my books are spicy, but they are far more focused on the plot of the story and character development (MUST LOVE INTERNAL CHARACTER MONOLOGUES OR I PROMISE YOU WILL HATE MY WRITING STYLE). Finally, both of my series focus on themes of and around the following: trauma, mental health, grief, community, found family, moral complexity, and dismantling oppressive systems (yes, yes, amongst the chaotic fun of a fantastical world and characters unabashedly pining for each other).
Sound like your jam? Great! Dive right in :D
As for me, when I'm not writing or reading or funneling entire seasons of TV into my brain in one night, I can be found hanging out with my cartoonish dog, staring at a wall for hours on end while I think through some tricky bit of character or plot arc, paddleboarding/kayaking alongside the local seals and sea lions (don't worry, I keep a respectful distance!), or pretending to enjoy camping. One day it will click for me. I hope.
What can you expect from my stories?
First, you have to love a slow burn, angsty romance. I tend to get quite bored when my characters are happy and together, which is why I keep them in various stages of misery and yearning for as long as I can *que evil laugh.* Yes, my books are spicy, but they are far more focused on the plot of the story and character development (MUST LOVE INTERNAL CHARACTER MONOLOGUES OR I PROMISE YOU WILL HATE MY WRITING STYLE). Finally, both of my series focus on themes of and around the following: trauma, mental health, grief, community, found family, moral complexity, and dismantling oppressive systems (yes, yes, amongst the chaotic fun of a fantastical world and characters unabashedly pining for each other).
Sound like your jam? Great! Dive right in :D
As for me, when I'm not writing or reading or funneling entire seasons of TV into my brain in one night, I can be found hanging out with my cartoonish dog, staring at a wall for hours on end while I think through some tricky bit of character or plot arc, paddleboarding/kayaking alongside the local seals and sea lions (don't worry, I keep a respectful distance!), or pretending to enjoy camping. One day it will click for me. I hope.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
pined-for-her-but-has-sex-ow
December 15, 2023Avoid not safe
Harem members sleep w OW
One even still has his fuck buddy as far as book 4!
No way not for me
Harem members sleep w OW
One even still has his fuck buddy as far as book 4!
No way not for me
July 29, 2023
This was okay but I never truly got into it. The characters all seemed very separate from each other and I know it's a longer series so there will be much more to come from them but I was still looking for some kind of connection to get me excited for all of them to get together. Max, our main heroine, was also a little meh for me since her character felt forced at times. Like there wasn't a good mix of her tough girl personality with her socially awkward personality so instead there were times that her entire character just felt confusing.
May 20, 2021
This was an ok read, nothing really wrong with it, but I wasn't a huge fan.
Max and Ro were raised by Cyrus in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Isolated from people and society, Max is terrible at interacting with people and lacks any filter at all. Max and Ro head into town for shopping and a chance to interact with people, when Max and her 'date' are attacked by a werewolf. After telling Cyrus about the incident and him receiving a letter from the Academy of Protectors with a job offer, he decides its time for them to get proper training while he works at the academy. They arrive and Max finally gets to 'people' and learns more about their world and what all being a protector entails.
The story was interesting enough, but often frustrating.
It's marked as a RH, but there is nothing resembling romance or the building of a harem. She's barely even friends with who I am assuming is her potential harem. In fact, they treat her like she's some kind of criminal and they have to investigate her.
I also didn't care for the fact that we never really got a reason for Atlas' resentment/animosity/hate/suspiciousness of Max. She shows up at the academy, and instantly he is shooting off angry vibes at her. There was no real explanation other than he feels like she is a burden or inconvenience to him. Because of this, he forces his team (Eli, Wade, and Declan) to keep her at a distance and treat her like a job and they stupidly just listen to him even though they all feel a pull towards which is possibly a mate bond(?).
I liked Max. She was strong and unapologetic about being herself. The author did a good job representing someone who may have been isolated from society with the way Max interacted with people. IMO, she deserves a better harem. I said what I said, these guys are kind of bleh.
Atlas is a massive asshole towards her throughout the book, there's no slow warming process and eventually he realizes she's not so bad.. he actively gets more aggressive and hateful towards her as the book progresses.
Eli is a shameless flirt. At one point Max walks in on him with another woman, which made me hope that he was not a part of her harem, but unfortunately, I think he will be.
Wade was the only one who showed any real interest in her (Eli was interested in 'getting her out of his system', but that's it).
Declan, I'm still not sure about. She confuses me tbh. She comes off as Atlas' lapdog doing whatever it is he wants, however, she was a smidge nice towards Max (but not really).
Also, there were few times during this book that I saw the protectors as the bad guys.. which was kind of weird. I get it, werewolves=bad; vampires=worse, but what makes the protectors any better, especially with their underground torture chamber? I would have liked more on why the bad guys were the bad guys and a better justification for the house of horrors they have going on in the 'research labs'.
Anyways, not a terrible book but I don't think it's for me. Slow-build is a massive understatement on this one... more like no-build. Eh anyways, would recommend if you like snails pace build of harem and an awkward yet strong heroine. It does end on a cliffhanger.
Max and Ro were raised by Cyrus in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Isolated from people and society, Max is terrible at interacting with people and lacks any filter at all. Max and Ro head into town for shopping and a chance to interact with people, when Max and her 'date' are attacked by a werewolf. After telling Cyrus about the incident and him receiving a letter from the Academy of Protectors with a job offer, he decides its time for them to get proper training while he works at the academy. They arrive and Max finally gets to 'people' and learns more about their world and what all being a protector entails.
The story was interesting enough, but often frustrating.
It's marked as a RH, but there is nothing resembling romance or the building of a harem. She's barely even friends with who I am assuming is her potential harem. In fact, they treat her like she's some kind of criminal and they have to investigate her.
I also didn't care for the fact that we never really got a reason for Atlas' resentment/animosity/hate/suspiciousness of Max. She shows up at the academy, and instantly he is shooting off angry vibes at her. There was no real explanation other than he feels like she is a burden or inconvenience to him. Because of this, he forces his team (Eli, Wade, and Declan) to keep her at a distance and treat her like a job and they stupidly just listen to him even though they all feel a pull towards which is possibly a mate bond(?).
I liked Max. She was strong and unapologetic about being herself. The author did a good job representing someone who may have been isolated from society with the way Max interacted with people. IMO, she deserves a better harem. I said what I said, these guys are kind of bleh.
Atlas is a massive asshole towards her throughout the book, there's no slow warming process and eventually he realizes she's not so bad.. he actively gets more aggressive and hateful towards her as the book progresses.
Eli is a shameless flirt. At one point Max walks in on him with another woman, which made me hope that he was not a part of her harem, but unfortunately, I think he will be.
Wade was the only one who showed any real interest in her (Eli was interested in 'getting her out of his system', but that's it).
Declan, I'm still not sure about. She confuses me tbh. She comes off as Atlas' lapdog doing whatever it is he wants, however, she was a smidge nice towards Max (but not really).
Also, there were few times during this book that I saw the protectors as the bad guys.. which was kind of weird. I get it, werewolves=bad; vampires=worse, but what makes the protectors any better, especially with their underground torture chamber? I would have liked more on why the bad guys were the bad guys and a better justification for the house of horrors they have going on in the 'research labs'.
Anyways, not a terrible book but I don't think it's for me. Slow-build is a massive understatement on this one... more like no-build. Eh anyways, would recommend if you like snails pace build of harem and an awkward yet strong heroine. It does end on a cliffhanger.
September 20, 2023
Review of Books 1-7 - full RTC
Rating: 3.9-4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(depending on the book)
Spice: 1.5/5 🌶️🌶️ (FF, MMMF, MF, no MM)
Trope: RH, paranormal, academy-like setting
Pretty good. Loved the FMC and Darius (but that’s maybe my love of morally grey vampires 🔥). Wish it was spicier, and I sometimes found the story a but boring.
Rating: 3.9-4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(depending on the book)
Spice: 1.5/5 🌶️🌶️ (FF, MMMF, MF, no MM)
Trope: RH, paranormal, academy-like setting
Pretty good. Loved the FMC and Darius (but that’s maybe my love of morally grey vampires 🔥). Wish it was spicier, and I sometimes found the story a but boring.
March 4, 2024
I actually liked this a lot more than I expected. Great story. Great world building. The plot flowed very well. The writing style was amaze-balls. I loved it. Excited for book 2!
Read
December 19, 2021Idk wtf it is about this book but ive forced myself to reread the first few pages about 3 times trying to absorb and understand them.
Maybe its the infodump.
Maybe its the writing style.
Maybes its the unisex names and lack of context so my brain is just melting out my ears trying to get with the program.
I mean max -a girl apparently- i forced myself to read the blurb hoping that would help which frankly i and many others i know prefer not to read the blurb just the cover the category genre and any like trigger warnings or like if it says f/f or whatever but there usually in the start of the book anyway.
Anyway my brain hurts im literally a few pages in and i already want to throe it out the window.
The writer is gray. Which another unisex name leaning towards male so before having to read the blurb etc i assumed it was a male and maybe thats why it was written weird af but nope its a chick apparently so no excuses there.
I never read books by men if i can help it certainly none from a female perspective because thats the biggest load of shite in existence.
Anyhoo i realy dont like how this book has been started in the middle of a sparring match with her brother and all i know of her besides the info dump about their life and protectors which is dumb af tbh and shouldve been done naturally and at the very least a chapter or two in no the first fucking page. Oh and that shes 5'4 like i give a shite? Couldve nturally been revealed via a dude resting his arm on her shoulder or a nickname like shortstuff or literally a million ways not reaching something high up. And frankly it was even weirder when im thinking max is one of the female protags dudes or whatever and saying their 5'4 like which is short for a female for a male well theyre not exactly in high demand are they.
So here i am trying to figure out wtf im reading and why and if i should bother continuing cause its looks fun and sounds fun but if its another high school age girl thinks shes great cause she likes 80s and 90s movies and spars with her apparently gay? Brother and is like part or descended from angels like i cant.
So im either gonna rage quit this author and series after giving the first chapter a shot or im gonna tolerate it long enough to get even slightly decent.
I mean christ why start with dighting bros in the mountains ffs.
The blurb says first date interrupted by hellhound and idk something else like start there! Show dont tell. I mean christ she couldve waxed nostalgic anout her time in tbhe mountains with her bros when she was homesick or showing off the her beaus or something.
Ugh. Like for 3 days ive tried to restart and get through the first chapter about 4 or 5 times and good gods i should not need to force myself to read something.
Wish me luck. If i dont dnf this ill update the review but otherwise assume i hate this and am fantasising it being burned.
EDIT
Im like 19 percent in and theres A GIRL named DECLAN like wtf is this authors obsession with not using names correctly. Like girls with guys names guys with girls names or using unisex names for literally everyone.
Look i dont have anything against unisex names but for everyone? Fuck no. This might be tolerable in a visual medium where you can actually see the female referred to as declan for example. But reading? Where you have to conjure up an image based off their name... like no i dont want to have to constanty be picturing a dude called declan or whomever else in this fucked up book and then have to forcibly remove the dude image in my head into some green eyed perfect chick.
Ffs do you know how dumb it is? Like imagine if i gave girl names to all the male romantic interests. And people all just accepted that and didnt blink an eye or question it or comment like if i met a chick named declan id be like tf did your parents hate you? Etc. Or at the very least thats unusual. Etc. Like i met a chick who had a twin brother and they named them ashton and ashley and you guessed it the guy was ashley and the chick ashton and they both fucking hated it and bith went by ash and even were like wtf is wrong with our parents why would they name their kids that we have to constantly correct people and everyone rightly believes the chick is ashley and the guy is ashton. Like ffs. Really dont have children get a fucking pokemon if your gonna be a dick. Ugh just when i was starting to not be pissed by this book.
Also the main chick is like immature af. Like i feel like im reading a 16yo or younger not a 18/19 adult who given she was only around 1 adult a seriou military type at that she should be like 5 years more mature than her actual age if not more. So yeah the whole im a badass but im gonna hide behind my brother is also weird and her creepy envy of said declan chick cause shes pretty is also really shallow and dickish.
Excuse me while i attempt not to brain myself trying to finish this.
I do not reccomend even though the concept seemed cool theres plenty of books with the same or similar and theyre way better written for starters.
You dont get mindfucked everytime you try to establish the world or characters either.
EDIT 23% in and i read this shite
"I counted only six femme-presenting people" like just say girls or ladies or chicks noone gives if theyre female by birth or chose to be female like why overconplicate shite. You want to be a female then your a female you dont need new fucking labels for everything god the more labels and divsions there are the more people will feel disconnected from others the more issues of prejudice their are. And unless the protag in question is one of these rare individuals who arent born female but are now female then why the fuck does it need to be brought up? Or even talked about? Like she doesnt have a phone she grew up with 2 masculine af military type guys in a cabin in a small town on a fucking mountain in the woods and youre telling me even though it has literally nothing to do with her or her xulture or her entirety of her life shes suddenly thi perfectly policitcally socially correct mary sure hoe who even in her head says femme presently blah blah blah bs? Like no hoe god i shouldve expected this level of bs with the whole everyone have a weird name thats opposite to their actual gender. Like ffs. Excuse me while i throw this into the fucking HELL author pile. Like dont make her a mary sue perfect modern bs dont make the entire book some political try hard nonsense especially when it doesnt suit the context AT ALL. Like gods above know youre audience. This aint it. You want that shite pull a gay female character in new york who works in some fashion or hollywood type scene not a orphaned isolated off grid demon hunting M/F reverse harem going to a fucking military esque old as shite school which shocker is male dominated. Like god find a clue. So fkn disappointed. Thank god i learned my lesson about buying entire series instead of individual books or id really be boiling blood right now. No RH or cool academy secret organisation is worth this shite. Especially when the chick still seems to be at the mental level of a fucking young teen. Gross.
HARD PASS.
Maybe its the infodump.
Maybe its the writing style.
Maybes its the unisex names and lack of context so my brain is just melting out my ears trying to get with the program.
I mean max -a girl apparently- i forced myself to read the blurb hoping that would help which frankly i and many others i know prefer not to read the blurb just the cover the category genre and any like trigger warnings or like if it says f/f or whatever but there usually in the start of the book anyway.
Anyway my brain hurts im literally a few pages in and i already want to throe it out the window.
The writer is gray. Which another unisex name leaning towards male so before having to read the blurb etc i assumed it was a male and maybe thats why it was written weird af but nope its a chick apparently so no excuses there.
I never read books by men if i can help it certainly none from a female perspective because thats the biggest load of shite in existence.
Anyhoo i realy dont like how this book has been started in the middle of a sparring match with her brother and all i know of her besides the info dump about their life and protectors which is dumb af tbh and shouldve been done naturally and at the very least a chapter or two in no the first fucking page. Oh and that shes 5'4 like i give a shite? Couldve nturally been revealed via a dude resting his arm on her shoulder or a nickname like shortstuff or literally a million ways not reaching something high up. And frankly it was even weirder when im thinking max is one of the female protags dudes or whatever and saying their 5'4 like which is short for a female for a male well theyre not exactly in high demand are they.
So here i am trying to figure out wtf im reading and why and if i should bother continuing cause its looks fun and sounds fun but if its another high school age girl thinks shes great cause she likes 80s and 90s movies and spars with her apparently gay? Brother and is like part or descended from angels like i cant.
So im either gonna rage quit this author and series after giving the first chapter a shot or im gonna tolerate it long enough to get even slightly decent.
I mean christ why start with dighting bros in the mountains ffs.
The blurb says first date interrupted by hellhound and idk something else like start there! Show dont tell. I mean christ she couldve waxed nostalgic anout her time in tbhe mountains with her bros when she was homesick or showing off the her beaus or something.
Ugh. Like for 3 days ive tried to restart and get through the first chapter about 4 or 5 times and good gods i should not need to force myself to read something.
Wish me luck. If i dont dnf this ill update the review but otherwise assume i hate this and am fantasising it being burned.
EDIT
Im like 19 percent in and theres A GIRL named DECLAN like wtf is this authors obsession with not using names correctly. Like girls with guys names guys with girls names or using unisex names for literally everyone.
Look i dont have anything against unisex names but for everyone? Fuck no. This might be tolerable in a visual medium where you can actually see the female referred to as declan for example. But reading? Where you have to conjure up an image based off their name... like no i dont want to have to constanty be picturing a dude called declan or whomever else in this fucked up book and then have to forcibly remove the dude image in my head into some green eyed perfect chick.
Ffs do you know how dumb it is? Like imagine if i gave girl names to all the male romantic interests. And people all just accepted that and didnt blink an eye or question it or comment like if i met a chick named declan id be like tf did your parents hate you? Etc. Or at the very least thats unusual. Etc. Like i met a chick who had a twin brother and they named them ashton and ashley and you guessed it the guy was ashley and the chick ashton and they both fucking hated it and bith went by ash and even were like wtf is wrong with our parents why would they name their kids that we have to constantly correct people and everyone rightly believes the chick is ashley and the guy is ashton. Like ffs. Really dont have children get a fucking pokemon if your gonna be a dick. Ugh just when i was starting to not be pissed by this book.
Also the main chick is like immature af. Like i feel like im reading a 16yo or younger not a 18/19 adult who given she was only around 1 adult a seriou military type at that she should be like 5 years more mature than her actual age if not more. So yeah the whole im a badass but im gonna hide behind my brother is also weird and her creepy envy of said declan chick cause shes pretty is also really shallow and dickish.
Excuse me while i attempt not to brain myself trying to finish this.
I do not reccomend even though the concept seemed cool theres plenty of books with the same or similar and theyre way better written for starters.
You dont get mindfucked everytime you try to establish the world or characters either.
EDIT 23% in and i read this shite
"I counted only six femme-presenting people" like just say girls or ladies or chicks noone gives if theyre female by birth or chose to be female like why overconplicate shite. You want to be a female then your a female you dont need new fucking labels for everything god the more labels and divsions there are the more people will feel disconnected from others the more issues of prejudice their are. And unless the protag in question is one of these rare individuals who arent born female but are now female then why the fuck does it need to be brought up? Or even talked about? Like she doesnt have a phone she grew up with 2 masculine af military type guys in a cabin in a small town on a fucking mountain in the woods and youre telling me even though it has literally nothing to do with her or her xulture or her entirety of her life shes suddenly thi perfectly policitcally socially correct mary sure hoe who even in her head says femme presently blah blah blah bs? Like no hoe god i shouldve expected this level of bs with the whole everyone have a weird name thats opposite to their actual gender. Like ffs. Excuse me while i throw this into the fucking HELL author pile. Like dont make her a mary sue perfect modern bs dont make the entire book some political try hard nonsense especially when it doesnt suit the context AT ALL. Like gods above know youre audience. This aint it. You want that shite pull a gay female character in new york who works in some fashion or hollywood type scene not a orphaned isolated off grid demon hunting M/F reverse harem going to a fucking military esque old as shite school which shocker is male dominated. Like god find a clue. So fkn disappointed. Thank god i learned my lesson about buying entire series instead of individual books or id really be boiling blood right now. No RH or cool academy secret organisation is worth this shite. Especially when the chick still seems to be at the mental level of a fucking young teen. Gross.
HARD PASS.
June 23, 2021
Quick easy read
Fast read, slow burn, strong FMC, in a sense. It’s a good start to the series. It gives a background to the major characters and their issues. The FMC is a strong fighter, but has her flaws that she’s need help from the others. She’s not the damsel in distress that needs constant saving. She admits to her strengths and weaknesses and the need for backup when needed. Let’s see where the story goes.
Fast read, slow burn, strong FMC, in a sense. It’s a good start to the series. It gives a background to the major characters and their issues. The FMC is a strong fighter, but has her flaws that she’s need help from the others. She’s not the damsel in distress that needs constant saving. She admits to her strengths and weaknesses and the need for backup when needed. Let’s see where the story goes.
June 25, 2024
Entertaining enough to consider continuing the series 🤭
May 9, 2024
Like other reviews say, this is a why choose romance but there is absolutely no romance in this book. The heroine has been a trained fighter and her trainer brings her to this academy where she learns he was apparently this legend protector who disappeared and is now back with her. There really wasn't a lot of the world explained in this book and there was zero romance development. It was hard to keep track of the characters because they weren't really delved into and all seemed the same. The ending did pick up and got more interesting, but I wish this one hooked me more.
July 16, 2024
4 stars
Although I liked this story ok, I'm not exactly sure which direction this series is going in. I'm not sure I want to continue, so I'm putting it back on the shelf.
Although I liked this story ok, I'm not exactly sure which direction this series is going in. I'm not sure I want to continue, so I'm putting it back on the shelf.
September 14, 2025
*warning- on page hook ups with OW throughout the series*
Max and her adopted brother Rowan have lived in isolation with their adopted father. She since birth, and Ro since early childhood. They have limited interaction with humans, and none with the supernatural world. In fact, though their father trains them aggressively every day of their lives to be be fighters known as Protectors, he has taught them nothing else about their world. Until they are suddenly moved to an academy overnight and thrust into the world their father has run away from for decades.
Max is 18yo but after a sheltered life she is very much naive and immature. She’s a great fighter for sure, but constantly word vomits incessantly. And she had her very first kiss just before their father said they’re moving to the academy. She then manages to swoon and lose her brain cells whenever she is in close proximity to anyone - both male and female.
They have some weird bonding system- it’s not always voluntary, often forced by their parents as a political move, and not even necessarily sexual. Max states she has zero interest in ever being bonded, but obviously that is not how it is going to go. I don’t buy any real chemistry with this bonding though. Half of them can’t stand her, and one who claims to like her still fucks anything else. And since she “clicks” with anyone that close to her, they’re frankly easily replaceable.
The team she’s meant to bond to eventually is, of course, going to be an issue. There’s three guys- two are friendly to her and one who hates her. And also one female named Declan, who is not very nice for many books. Honestly I wish she had a different bond team.
Ugh. Of course, the most asshole standoffish guy has the mean girl hanging off of him and claiming him as hers. 🙄 And another flirts relentlessly, but also hooks up with others. In fact, Max walks in on him banging one and he jokes and invites her to join them. 🤮 From what I’ve seen, he continues his fuckboy ways until book 4 (haven’t gone past that yet).
Honestly I wish she had a better bond team. She deserves better.
AssholeAtlas decides that no one in their team is allowed to be nice to her, and they all just follow along like puppies. Even while admitting that some of them felt a bond pull towards her, they all decide to suddenly start ignoring her and treating her coldly. She winds up living in their cabin and they treat her like a pariah, even leaving her behind when they go on a mission. Again, she deserved better.
Why am I continuing this series? I don’t know. The storyline isn’t awful 😂 I’m hesitant because there are so many books in the series, and often that means the author drags it out with fluff and then I lose interest. Per the reviews I have seen, a number of people felt that way. We’ll see how far I make it.
Max and her adopted brother Rowan have lived in isolation with their adopted father. She since birth, and Ro since early childhood. They have limited interaction with humans, and none with the supernatural world. In fact, though their father trains them aggressively every day of their lives to be be fighters known as Protectors, he has taught them nothing else about their world. Until they are suddenly moved to an academy overnight and thrust into the world their father has run away from for decades.
Max is 18yo but after a sheltered life she is very much naive and immature. She’s a great fighter for sure, but constantly word vomits incessantly. And she had her very first kiss just before their father said they’re moving to the academy. She then manages to swoon and lose her brain cells whenever she is in close proximity to anyone - both male and female.
They have some weird bonding system- it’s not always voluntary, often forced by their parents as a political move, and not even necessarily sexual. Max states she has zero interest in ever being bonded, but obviously that is not how it is going to go. I don’t buy any real chemistry with this bonding though. Half of them can’t stand her, and one who claims to like her still fucks anything else. And since she “clicks” with anyone that close to her, they’re frankly easily replaceable.
The team she’s meant to bond to eventually is, of course, going to be an issue. There’s three guys- two are friendly to her and one who hates her. And also one female named Declan, who is not very nice for many books. Honestly I wish she had a different bond team.
Ugh. Of course, the most asshole standoffish guy has the mean girl hanging off of him and claiming him as hers. 🙄 And another flirts relentlessly, but also hooks up with others. In fact, Max walks in on him banging one and he jokes and invites her to join them. 🤮 From what I’ve seen, he continues his fuckboy ways until book 4 (haven’t gone past that yet).
Honestly I wish she had a better bond team. She deserves better.
AssholeAtlas decides that no one in their team is allowed to be nice to her, and they all just follow along like puppies. Even while admitting that some of them felt a bond pull towards her, they all decide to suddenly start ignoring her and treating her coldly. She winds up living in their cabin and they treat her like a pariah, even leaving her behind when they go on a mission. Again, she deserved better.
Why am I continuing this series? I don’t know. The storyline isn’t awful 😂 I’m hesitant because there are so many books in the series, and often that means the author drags it out with fluff and then I lose interest. Per the reviews I have seen, a number of people felt that way. We’ll see how far I make it.
October 28, 2025
What a fun start to this series! The pacing was very good, with no unnecessary filler. The cliffhanger at the end was crazy, but luckily I borrowed the three book set, so answers are incoming. 🤣
April 15, 2024
This was listed on Reddit as containing sapphic content so I was tricked and disappointed :/ The book was okay just kinda boring and hard to remember the characters relations to each other.
April 7, 2024
This was okay, the pacing was off and felt rushed I was getting whiplash. Also I felt there wasn’t enough to connect with the characters I understand a first in the series starting off, but there was no substances and nothing made me care for them at all.
April 18, 2024
I like the overall story concept and characters were interesting. Potential romances were hinted at but nothing happened. I already ordered book 2 & 3 because I want to know what happens. My biggest issue is the dog. He saves her life twice and she doesn’t fight hard to free him?!! Feeding him steaks doesn’t cut it! He should be sleeping in her room in a doggie bed! Book 2 better talk about rescuing Ralph the dog or I will be upset!
August 12, 2024
You know those books where when you finish the series you are like OMG I want to read it again! Yeah, unfortunately that is not the case here.
This is a review for the entire series, because I was determined to stick it out in hopes that it was worth it. Spoiler alert, for an EIGHT books commitment, it most certainly was not.
And, yeah, I know that I rated this first book a 4. At the start, I had hopes for the world building and character development possibilities and was excited to embark on this 8 book adventure.
The characters are my biggest issue. I like a few of them but only truly like 1 of the guys. Several of the love interests are frustrating for the entire series. The relationships don’t even really start to solidify into book 7. And even then they are still wishy washy at best. I’m all for a slow burn but the pay off needs to be there. This felt like a let down. They hardly have healthy friendships leading up to this point.
The plot and progression. There are EIGHT books. The first genuinely BA battle moment imo happens in book SEVEN. The first several books are filled with introspection, back and forth “should I or shouldn’t I?” Mental argument.
Not to mention any time it felt like the author was uncertain where to take the story she would just send the MFC to the gym for training. 🙄 Not on the new things she should be focusing on but just your basic sparring. There’s also no mention of other classes or education after book 1? And they don’t learn any other things like weapons, vehicles, emergency medical care, etc. Get ready to groan at every hand to hand combat training sequence.
And don’t even get me started on the lack of communication. More than half of this series could have been different if characters actually communicated instead of hiding things from one another. I swear it is like they don’t even like one another!! The most redeeming character is the best friend of the MFC and the hellhounds.
Inconsistentency. Don’t make a character weaker in later books when they are supposed to be getting stronger. If they fight someone in book 1 and dominate without trying, there is no reason why several books later they would have trouble besting that person again 🙄 and it’s like this throughout the entire series.
New characters are introduced and you are given the impression they are going to be a new regular and then they disappear from the storyline for no reason. Why even get us interested on the possibilities of those characters?!
So, yeah. I may have given this first book a 4/5 but the series as a whole? 2.5/5.
I’m really disappointed that in invested so much time into something that could have been epic.
This is a review for the entire series, because I was determined to stick it out in hopes that it was worth it. Spoiler alert, for an EIGHT books commitment, it most certainly was not.
And, yeah, I know that I rated this first book a 4. At the start, I had hopes for the world building and character development possibilities and was excited to embark on this 8 book adventure.
The characters are my biggest issue. I like a few of them but only truly like 1 of the guys. Several of the love interests are frustrating for the entire series. The relationships don’t even really start to solidify into book 7. And even then they are still wishy washy at best. I’m all for a slow burn but the pay off needs to be there. This felt like a let down. They hardly have healthy friendships leading up to this point.
The plot and progression. There are EIGHT books. The first genuinely BA battle moment imo happens in book SEVEN. The first several books are filled with introspection, back and forth “should I or shouldn’t I?” Mental argument.
Not to mention any time it felt like the author was uncertain where to take the story she would just send the MFC to the gym for training. 🙄 Not on the new things she should be focusing on but just your basic sparring. There’s also no mention of other classes or education after book 1? And they don’t learn any other things like weapons, vehicles, emergency medical care, etc. Get ready to groan at every hand to hand combat training sequence.
And don’t even get me started on the lack of communication. More than half of this series could have been different if characters actually communicated instead of hiding things from one another. I swear it is like they don’t even like one another!! The most redeeming character is the best friend of the MFC and the hellhounds.
Inconsistentency. Don’t make a character weaker in later books when they are supposed to be getting stronger. If they fight someone in book 1 and dominate without trying, there is no reason why several books later they would have trouble besting that person again 🙄 and it’s like this throughout the entire series.
New characters are introduced and you are given the impression they are going to be a new regular and then they disappear from the storyline for no reason. Why even get us interested on the possibilities of those characters?!
So, yeah. I may have given this first book a 4/5 but the series as a whole? 2.5/5.
I’m really disappointed that in invested so much time into something that could have been epic.
September 29, 2024
2.5
I listened to this which didn’t help with the names of the characters. The names were either gender neutral or gender switched. This constantly made me stop listening to the story because I would have to think/figure out which character was Declan or Wade or Theo etc.
There wasn’t anything unique or all that intriguing about this book. It was basically like so many other academy RH books. The characters are your typical characters one was an asshole that rejected the h, one was sweet and all in, one was a ‘man whore’ (I hate the term).
I had a problem with how black and white the world was. Protectors are GOOD and others are BAD. The others are people like shape shifters and vampires. In one scene a protector comes across a werewolf and kills him then his sister or maybe lover comes into the room and sees the body. She is absolutely bereft and attacks the protector who just killed her loved one. Obviously werewolves are not demons but protectors don’t seem to realize that.
In fact the protectors take some of the people that they don’t kill to be studied. So experimented on and probably tortured. So who is the ‘bad guys’ in this world.
I listened to this which didn’t help with the names of the characters. The names were either gender neutral or gender switched. This constantly made me stop listening to the story because I would have to think/figure out which character was Declan or Wade or Theo etc.
There wasn’t anything unique or all that intriguing about this book. It was basically like so many other academy RH books. The characters are your typical characters one was an asshole that rejected the h, one was sweet and all in, one was a ‘man whore’ (I hate the term).
I had a problem with how black and white the world was. Protectors are GOOD and others are BAD. The others are people like shape shifters and vampires. In one scene a protector comes across a werewolf and kills him then his sister or maybe lover comes into the room and sees the body. She is absolutely bereft and attacks the protector who just killed her loved one. Obviously werewolves are not demons but protectors don’t seem to realize that.
In fact the protectors take some of the people that they don’t kill to be studied. So experimented on and probably tortured. So who is the ‘bad guys’ in this world.
June 8, 2024
The plot was weak, the FMC character is strong as wet tissue
It was a bit "without". Not a lot of meat to the story. A lot of lip service paid to how smart the FMC is but she learns at a micro pace. She just floats from situation to situation with no plans or goals or anything. She constantly says she is going to do things but doesn't do anything.
She doesn't trust the academy but doesn't investigate to find out their ultimate purpose. She lets a hell hound which saves her life twice, get subjected to lab tests while she boo hoos about it not being right... then changes her mind because one has never been captured before.
The pace is extremely slow. The FMC is uninspiring, comes across as empty headed. The plot is weak. I get there is a longer story arc, but the short story arc for this book takes you nowhere.
Still with decent editing it could make a plausible quarter of a book.
It put me off the series.
It was a bit "without". Not a lot of meat to the story. A lot of lip service paid to how smart the FMC is but she learns at a micro pace. She just floats from situation to situation with no plans or goals or anything. She constantly says she is going to do things but doesn't do anything.
She doesn't trust the academy but doesn't investigate to find out their ultimate purpose. She lets a hell hound which saves her life twice, get subjected to lab tests while she boo hoos about it not being right... then changes her mind because one has never been captured before.
The pace is extremely slow. The FMC is uninspiring, comes across as empty headed. The plot is weak. I get there is a longer story arc, but the short story arc for this book takes you nowhere.
Still with decent editing it could make a plausible quarter of a book.
It put me off the series.
January 4, 2024
This was middle of the road okay.
I found the MC’s whining a touch too much, but that may have come from her Word Vomit rambles. That combined with her lack of socialization made her seem less than her 18 years. It contrasted with the rest of the characters that were jaded. Max with the rest of the characters was a good balance, but on her own she was like an excited happy puppy.
This was the first book of the series, so I’m reserving any judgement on character and plot development. I can see where the author is going with the story, unless she throws in a hard twist or five, so while I’m not too eager to read the next books. Then again, since I own the next 2 in the series, I may get around to reading them.
I found the MC’s whining a touch too much, but that may have come from her Word Vomit rambles. That combined with her lack of socialization made her seem less than her 18 years. It contrasted with the rest of the characters that were jaded. Max with the rest of the characters was a good balance, but on her own she was like an excited happy puppy.
This was the first book of the series, so I’m reserving any judgement on character and plot development. I can see where the author is going with the story, unless she throws in a hard twist or five, so while I’m not too eager to read the next books. Then again, since I own the next 2 in the series, I may get around to reading them.
August 14, 2024
3/5⭐️
“vampires and werewolves, bad; knife to the heart and decapatation, good.”
“You’re a strange girl Max Bentley.”
What a strange book. Good enough plot I’ll push through at least the next one, but if max dosnt lose the pick me “I’m not like other girls” vibe I’m done. It was so overwhelming at times, but I’m willing to attribute it to the lack of social skills so long as this shit dosnt continue lmao.
Already rooting for wade <3
“vampires and werewolves, bad; knife to the heart and decapatation, good.”
“You’re a strange girl Max Bentley.”
What a strange book. Good enough plot I’ll push through at least the next one, but if max dosnt lose the pick me “I’m not like other girls” vibe I’m done. It was so overwhelming at times, but I’m willing to attribute it to the lack of social skills so long as this shit dosnt continue lmao.
Already rooting for wade <3
December 28, 2024
Ok, so I was pleasantly surprised that this book was so short, but fit a great story in it. I quickly moved onto the second and am almost done. I really love the main character and the narrator who voices her. Shes kind, kickass and amazing. I love it all.
August 9, 2025
Something about the writing in this felt so clunky and awkward. Half the time I found myself going wait where are they what’s happening? Same with the fight scenes too. The choreography made no sense half the time. Andddddddd what’s the point of different POVs if everyone’s internal monologue sounds the same? So far the only difference between Eli and Wade is that Eli is a fuck boy.
February 6, 2023
This is one of those books where you shouldn’t read the blurb, you should just dive in. I really think the blurb doesn’t do this book justice.
January 27, 2024
I can't tell if I actually like this series yet cause I feel like nothing actually happened in this book?
April 17, 2024
DNF after one too many Harry Potter references within the first 3 chapters…
June 8, 2024
I could definitely see the potential. If this wasn’t a year where I need to buy all the books I read, I would continue the series to see where it goes.
June 14, 2024
Just what I needed to get out of a massive reading slump!
June 29, 2024
Just okay, I feel like nothing really happened until the end and even that wasn’t enough for me to want to continue the series 🙃
July 31, 2024
A lot of world building. Excited to see where this series goes.
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