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Shifting Tides
A secret school for shifters. An army of vampires determined to eradicate them. And a prophecy that will dictate the fate of all.
Arya has lived by her mother’s strict rules her entire life. She didn't think breaking one rule, one time, would have such devastating consequences. When she comes home to find her mother murdered by vampires, a man claiming to be a teacher from a secret school for shifters tells her that she’s a mermaid shifter, and that if she doesn’t go with him, she’ll be the vampires’ next target.
Having no choice, Arya finds herself as the clueless new girl in a school full of creatures that go bump in the night. Shunned by her fellow mermaids, she’s irresistibly drawn to Tobias, the dragon shifter that gives new meaning to the word ‘hot’.
Struggling to recover from her mother’s death, and trying desperately not to get burned by Tobias—literally and figuratively—she begins to unravel a web of secrets that shakes the foundation of the vampire-shifter war waging around her.
As she dives deeper into the mystery, she discovers a truth about herself that no one saw coming—a truth that will change the fate of the shifter world forever.
If you like the magical steam of Zodiac Academy and the dark enchantment of A Court of Thorns and Roses, you’ll love the this thrilling paranormal romance series by USA Today Bestselling Author Tricia Barr. One-click to devour book 1 today!
Arya has lived by her mother’s strict rules her entire life. She didn't think breaking one rule, one time, would have such devastating consequences. When she comes home to find her mother murdered by vampires, a man claiming to be a teacher from a secret school for shifters tells her that she’s a mermaid shifter, and that if she doesn’t go with him, she’ll be the vampires’ next target.
Having no choice, Arya finds herself as the clueless new girl in a school full of creatures that go bump in the night. Shunned by her fellow mermaids, she’s irresistibly drawn to Tobias, the dragon shifter that gives new meaning to the word ‘hot’.
Struggling to recover from her mother’s death, and trying desperately not to get burned by Tobias—literally and figuratively—she begins to unravel a web of secrets that shakes the foundation of the vampire-shifter war waging around her.
As she dives deeper into the mystery, she discovers a truth about herself that no one saw coming—a truth that will change the fate of the shifter world forever.
If you like the magical steam of Zodiac Academy and the dark enchantment of A Court of Thorns and Roses, you’ll love the this thrilling paranormal romance series by USA Today Bestselling Author Tricia Barr. One-click to devour book 1 today!
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2024
444 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Tricia Barr
114 books162 followersBy day, Tricia is a full time mom to two beautiful toddler girls and a wife/business partner to a handsome hard-working husband. By night--and nap times--she writes unique and thrilling young adult fantasies inspired by her vivid, somewhat creepy dreams and her own adventures around the world.
Sign up for her Email List and be automatically notified about new releases: http://www.tricia-barr.com/
List of Tricia's books:
THE BOUND ONES:
Ignite (Book 1)
Submerge (Book 2)
Unearth (Book 3)
Haunt (Standalone)
THE AMARANT:
The Vampire Secret (Book 1)
The Vampire Unleashed (Coming soon)
Steamy Adult Paranormal Romance Standalones:
Devilish
Sign up for her Email List and be automatically notified about new releases: http://www.tricia-barr.com/
List of Tricia's books:
THE BOUND ONES:
Ignite (Book 1)
Submerge (Book 2)
Unearth (Book 3)
Haunt (Standalone)
THE AMARANT:
The Vampire Secret (Book 1)
The Vampire Unleashed (Coming soon)
Steamy Adult Paranormal Romance Standalones:
Devilish
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 26, 2024
It’s a book 1, but it’s a d@mn good book 1! So I’m not going to say I’m not bummed that I don’t get to see the end of the story, but I think it stopped at a good place and really I can’t wait for the next!
The characters, all of them, draw you in! I want to see what happens in each story line, not just the main- I need the side ones too! And what I loved us that there wasn’t that dull moment, or boring moment. The main character is learning and you’re brought along for it too.
It did bring me back to high school and the mean girl cliches- yes they are EVERYWHERE. No smut, I mean one moment that had me like wow had no clue that was possible but ok you do you. It was a good read, keeps you in the story and yes you want to see where every character ends up. Loved it!
The characters, all of them, draw you in! I want to see what happens in each story line, not just the main- I need the side ones too! And what I loved us that there wasn’t that dull moment, or boring moment. The main character is learning and you’re brought along for it too.
It did bring me back to high school and the mean girl cliches- yes they are EVERYWHERE. No smut, I mean one moment that had me like wow had no clue that was possible but ok you do you. It was a good read, keeps you in the story and yes you want to see where every character ends up. Loved it!
May 11, 2025
Okay. This wasn’t great. Please take my review with a grain of salt because I DNFed this at 40%. Maybe it got much better in the second half, but I find that hard to believe - especially considering that the description for the second book reveals that this book only details her FIRST (UNEVENTFUL) WEEK at the academy.
I could talk about how a lot of this book was just a bunch magic school romantasy cliches loosely strung together, but instead I’ll get into my real problem with this book - the prose. The way this was written was so sloppy. It was like stepping into 2013 wattpad. So many sentences had horrible syntax, and one in particular that stood out to me was on the very first page.
…”and I put down the burger I’d been about to bite into.”
I’m sorry but this is clunky and awkward.
Another problem I have - which is more of a genre issue, sadly - is how Arya barely questions her new surroundings. When she first arrives at the academy and Celeste tells her shes expected in class but her professors will give her a few days to grieve if she wants, and Arya says no she’ll attend because she’s already behind in her homework.
HER MOTHER JUST DIED LIKE THREE HOURS AGO.
NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T BEHAVE OR THINK LIKE THIS.
I mean, who knows, maybe that’s the whole point and it’s super subversive. But I doubt it.
This was a very awkward book.
I could talk about how a lot of this book was just a bunch magic school romantasy cliches loosely strung together, but instead I’ll get into my real problem with this book - the prose. The way this was written was so sloppy. It was like stepping into 2013 wattpad. So many sentences had horrible syntax, and one in particular that stood out to me was on the very first page.
…”and I put down the burger I’d been about to bite into.”
I’m sorry but this is clunky and awkward.
Another problem I have - which is more of a genre issue, sadly - is how Arya barely questions her new surroundings. When she first arrives at the academy and Celeste tells her shes expected in class but her professors will give her a few days to grieve if she wants, and Arya says no she’ll attend because she’s already behind in her homework.
HER MOTHER JUST DIED LIKE THREE HOURS AGO.
NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T BEHAVE OR THINK LIKE THIS.
I mean, who knows, maybe that’s the whole point and it’s super subversive. But I doubt it.
This was a very awkward book.
June 25, 2024
Arya has spent her whole life following the very strict rules her mother laid out for her. The one time she doesn’t she finds out just how much of her life is unknown. We then travel to the hidden world of magic and shifters. The academy which teaches and protects young shifters from the baddies aka vampires. There were great parts to the book and for me some not so great parts. I mean the mean girl thing was kinda meh I didn’t care for it at all. The fact that Arya goes from 17 years of her mom keeping secrets to a place where all the adults are still hiding stuff from her is a miss for me. I get it’s building tension and some of it is world building too. The whole set up has a Harry Potter feel but instead of being welcomed she’s still lied too and kind of an outcast. It’s a book one so there’s lots of building up I’ll probably give book two a try if only to see if the build up pays off.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2025
This was a fantastic start to a new series! I immediately connected with Arya and really felt for her, I did think the beginning was rather fast but once everything was going I devoured the story.
It feels like a YA book but there was a slightly spicy scene so don’t be fooled into thinking this is a book for teens 😅 I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
On to the next one!
It feels like a YA book but there was a slightly spicy scene so don’t be fooled into thinking this is a book for teens 😅 I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
On to the next one!
May 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. We follow the FMC as she learns of being a shifter and how she copes with it. The romance was mild for the start of the series, which I enjoy as it's not rushed. I look forward to the next in the series.
May 25, 2024
Love the characters in this book and the different yet intertwining storylines that I cannot wait to see unfurl in the next book!
A fabulous introductory book for the series and even though it finished on a cliff hanger, it was a fun read!
I'm all about mermaids, shifters, witches and vampires so this book ticks a lot of my boxes!
Thank you for letting me read and review it.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fabulous introductory book for the series and even though it finished on a cliff hanger, it was a fun read!
I'm all about mermaids, shifters, witches and vampires so this book ticks a lot of my boxes!
Thank you for letting me read and review it.
Disclaimer
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 26, 2024
One of the best shifter vampire series I've read in a long while I'm anticipating the next installment I was so enthralled by the characters I can't wait to see where it leads in the end so please I insist that give this book a chance you'll fall in love with Tobias at the very least he was my favorite character.
July 10, 2024
Dark Shifter Academy
Spoilers in review
Arya is a human high school girl whose eccentric mother moves them every few months and has odd rules forbidding Arya from going out at night and going near bodies of water. She has only made one friend at this latest school who convinces her to confront her mom and go to a party. She comes home to find her mom killed by vampires! A shifter appears and shuttles her off to an underwater domed Academy. Her best friend turns out to be an untrained witch who wants to go to the school too, but isn't allowed cause she's a hated witch. The school is filled with various shifters who have all grown up knowing about their powers. Instead of welcoming Arya the female mers pretty much abuse and torture her. Yes, she's a mermaid shifter. But is that all she is? There are several potential romantic interests, but lots of mystery and politics. And so it goes. Pretty typical for this genre, which I usually enjoy. This book however is just not doing it. The writing style is choppy and dialogue is simply awkward.
Spoilers in review
Arya is a human high school girl whose eccentric mother moves them every few months and has odd rules forbidding Arya from going out at night and going near bodies of water. She has only made one friend at this latest school who convinces her to confront her mom and go to a party. She comes home to find her mom killed by vampires! A shifter appears and shuttles her off to an underwater domed Academy. Her best friend turns out to be an untrained witch who wants to go to the school too, but isn't allowed cause she's a hated witch. The school is filled with various shifters who have all grown up knowing about their powers. Instead of welcoming Arya the female mers pretty much abuse and torture her. Yes, she's a mermaid shifter. But is that all she is? There are several potential romantic interests, but lots of mystery and politics. And so it goes. Pretty typical for this genre, which I usually enjoy. This book however is just not doing it. The writing style is choppy and dialogue is simply awkward.
July 5, 2024
3 rules that don't make sense until everything changes
Rule #1: Never go out after dark.
Rule #2: Never go into large bodies of water.
Rule #3: No social media.
Arya has lived with her mother and these rules all her life but now that she is almost an adult she decides she's done with it. This is the night everything she knew changes.
Suddenly her Mom is murdered by vampires, her best friend is a witch and she is on her way to a secret school for shifters because apparently she is a mermaid.
Arya is no newbie at being the new kid but this is on another level. The mermaids are the mean girls. They have all known about themselves and their abilities all their lives. They also have an heir of superiority and don't mingle much with the other shifters. Arya has to learn everything because she thought this was all just fantasy.
Arya finds herself making friends with a Dragon, a Phoenix (whom she relates the most to), and one male Mer.
While Arya is trying to come to terms with everything around her there are important people wondering if she could be the one mermaid prophesized to be the savior of all shifter kind or is she just another lost mermaid.
This book was so much fun to read. You follow Arya as she discovers all the new creatures she thought were only in books. Follow as she navigates a new school and tried to catch up since she had to start from square one.
Don't forget a love triangle, all the elitists, the prophecy she knows nothing of, and all of the questions she may never have answers to. I can't wait for the next book.
Rule #1: Never go out after dark.
Rule #2: Never go into large bodies of water.
Rule #3: No social media.
Arya has lived with her mother and these rules all her life but now that she is almost an adult she decides she's done with it. This is the night everything she knew changes.
Suddenly her Mom is murdered by vampires, her best friend is a witch and she is on her way to a secret school for shifters because apparently she is a mermaid.
Arya is no newbie at being the new kid but this is on another level. The mermaids are the mean girls. They have all known about themselves and their abilities all their lives. They also have an heir of superiority and don't mingle much with the other shifters. Arya has to learn everything because she thought this was all just fantasy.
Arya finds herself making friends with a Dragon, a Phoenix (whom she relates the most to), and one male Mer.
While Arya is trying to come to terms with everything around her there are important people wondering if she could be the one mermaid prophesized to be the savior of all shifter kind or is she just another lost mermaid.
This book was so much fun to read. You follow Arya as she discovers all the new creatures she thought were only in books. Follow as she navigates a new school and tried to catch up since she had to start from square one.
Don't forget a love triangle, all the elitists, the prophecy she knows nothing of, and all of the questions she may never have answers to. I can't wait for the next book.
June 28, 2024
This was not my usual genre to read. While I enjoy urban fantasy, I prefer reading books with adult protagonists as a rule. While I enjoyed the book, the highlights were the adult POV chapters which were admittedly rare, but they added to the depth of the book.
Arya is a mermaid who didn't know about her identity since her mother kept it hidden from her. When her mother dies in a vampire attack, she is taken to an academy for shifters by a Gryphon shifter called Cesar. A mermaid shifter, Celeste, apparently had a vision about her which was what made Cesar look for her.
Tobias is a dragon shifter coming from a long line of royalty and his father gives him the task of seducing Arya to find out if she's the siren of a prophecy. Though reluctant, Tobias finds himself being drawn to Arya and unable to resist her.
Most of the book is Arya's troubles with fitting in, the hot guys she's surrounded with, and the bitchy behaviour from the other parochial mermaids. While other storylines are there, nothing actually happens in this book.
If you enjoy academy books with YA protagonists and magic, you will love this tale. While I enjoyed it, I won't be picking up the rest of the series since it's just not my cup of tea.
Arya is a mermaid who didn't know about her identity since her mother kept it hidden from her. When her mother dies in a vampire attack, she is taken to an academy for shifters by a Gryphon shifter called Cesar. A mermaid shifter, Celeste, apparently had a vision about her which was what made Cesar look for her.
Tobias is a dragon shifter coming from a long line of royalty and his father gives him the task of seducing Arya to find out if she's the siren of a prophecy. Though reluctant, Tobias finds himself being drawn to Arya and unable to resist her.
Most of the book is Arya's troubles with fitting in, the hot guys she's surrounded with, and the bitchy behaviour from the other parochial mermaids. While other storylines are there, nothing actually happens in this book.
If you enjoy academy books with YA protagonists and magic, you will love this tale. While I enjoyed it, I won't be picking up the rest of the series since it's just not my cup of tea.
August 23, 2025
Tricia Barr, what have you done to me? I picked up Shifting Tides thinking I’d just read a couple of chapters before bed… and next thing I knew, it was 3 a.m., and I was fully convinced I might secretly be a mermaid shifter.
From the very first chapter, I was pulled straight into Arya’s world, the heartbreak, the mystery, the danger, and of course, the dragon-shaped distraction known as Tobias. The tension between them is chef’s kiss, and the way you built the academy, the prophecy, and the entire vampire-shifter war was just so addictive.
What I love most is how seamlessly you mix magic, romance, and suspense without losing the emotional depth of the characters. Arya’s grief, courage, and growth felt so real, and Tobias… well, let’s just say he redefined the meaning of hot.
If you love the magical steaminess of Zodiac Academy and the enchanting darkness of A Court of Thorns and Roses, then trust me, this series is your next obsession.
Thank you, Tricia, for giving us this incredible world. I’m already diving into Book 2 because I need more. The shifter academy has me officially hooked
From the very first chapter, I was pulled straight into Arya’s world, the heartbreak, the mystery, the danger, and of course, the dragon-shaped distraction known as Tobias. The tension between them is chef’s kiss, and the way you built the academy, the prophecy, and the entire vampire-shifter war was just so addictive.
What I love most is how seamlessly you mix magic, romance, and suspense without losing the emotional depth of the characters. Arya’s grief, courage, and growth felt so real, and Tobias… well, let’s just say he redefined the meaning of hot.
If you love the magical steaminess of Zodiac Academy and the enchanting darkness of A Court of Thorns and Roses, then trust me, this series is your next obsession.
Thank you, Tricia, for giving us this incredible world. I’m already diving into Book 2 because I need more. The shifter academy has me officially hooked
May 17, 2024
A lost mermaid and a dragon prince…
Arya is just trying to be a normal teen and party with her friend Shea. When she comes home her mother is dead and a man shows up claiming the vampires who murdered her will be back and that he will take her to a special school where she will be safe. The Dome is unlike any school Arya has ever seen. Everyone is a shifter and apparently, she is one too - a mermaid. Now she'll need to learn what that means and try to make friends but that won't be easy on a campus full of mean girls.
Tobias has orders from his father to find out if the new mermaid is the one from the prophecy. If she is it could give his family tremendous power. If Tobias obeys his father, Arya will be hurt when she finds out the truth, and if Tobias isn't careful his family curse could kick in.
What an excellent series starter! There are so many possible directions it can go in the next book. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Arya is just trying to be a normal teen and party with her friend Shea. When she comes home her mother is dead and a man shows up claiming the vampires who murdered her will be back and that he will take her to a special school where she will be safe. The Dome is unlike any school Arya has ever seen. Everyone is a shifter and apparently, she is one too - a mermaid. Now she'll need to learn what that means and try to make friends but that won't be easy on a campus full of mean girls.
Tobias has orders from his father to find out if the new mermaid is the one from the prophecy. If she is it could give his family tremendous power. If Tobias obeys his father, Arya will be hurt when she finds out the truth, and if Tobias isn't careful his family curse could kick in.
What an excellent series starter! There are so many possible directions it can go in the next book. I received an advance copy but my review is honest and voluntary. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
June 21, 2025
~ A secret school for shifters, an army of vampires and a prophecy that will dictate the fate of all~
This book so so good! From beginning to end it was full of suspense, action a slow burn romance as well. Arya finds out she is a mermaid living as an ordinary teenager is thrusted into a school where everyone has grown up knowing their skills and power. She is trying to fit in but of course with any academy setting there is always that set of mean girls that want to try to make the new girl miserable.
Arya and prince Kendall I thought for sure they were going to be together but I was secretly wanting that Arya and Tobias slow burn tension. Tobias is a very much touch her and die kind of man which I just love and I’m here for it.
If you love Zodiac Academy, Harry Potter style books you definitely have to pick this up!!
I’m hooked and as I’m leaving this review I’m off to binge the series ❤️❤️.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book so so good! From beginning to end it was full of suspense, action a slow burn romance as well. Arya finds out she is a mermaid living as an ordinary teenager is thrusted into a school where everyone has grown up knowing their skills and power. She is trying to fit in but of course with any academy setting there is always that set of mean girls that want to try to make the new girl miserable.
Arya and prince Kendall I thought for sure they were going to be together but I was secretly wanting that Arya and Tobias slow burn tension. Tobias is a very much touch her and die kind of man which I just love and I’m here for it.
If you love Zodiac Academy, Harry Potter style books you definitely have to pick this up!!
I’m hooked and as I’m leaving this review I’m off to binge the series ❤️❤️.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2025
Shifting Tides (Dark Shifter Academy Book 1)
Shifting Tides (Dark Shifter Academy Book 1) ~~ I jumped into this book not knowing what to expect, and I ended up hooked right from the first chapter. A girl thrown into a world she never asked for, forced to navigate powers she can’t control, enemies she never saw coming, and a destiny wrapped in secrets? That’s exactly the kind of story that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. The academy setting was intense and dangerous, and every time I thought she might finally get a break, something bigger hit her.
The slow-burn tension between her and her fated mate kept me flipping pages like a crazy person. The chemistry? Off the charts. And the betrayals — whew. I did not see some of those twists coming. That ending left me sitting there blinking like, *are you kidding me right now??* I had to open Book 2 immediately.
I would definitely recommend this book and series and can’t wait to start on the next book. If you want to know what happens next, you’ll just have to read this series yourself — you won’t regret it.
Shifting Tides (Dark Shifter Academy Book 1) ~~ I jumped into this book not knowing what to expect, and I ended up hooked right from the first chapter. A girl thrown into a world she never asked for, forced to navigate powers she can’t control, enemies she never saw coming, and a destiny wrapped in secrets? That’s exactly the kind of story that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. The academy setting was intense and dangerous, and every time I thought she might finally get a break, something bigger hit her.
The slow-burn tension between her and her fated mate kept me flipping pages like a crazy person. The chemistry? Off the charts. And the betrayals — whew. I did not see some of those twists coming. That ending left me sitting there blinking like, *are you kidding me right now??* I had to open Book 2 immediately.
I would definitely recommend this book and series and can’t wait to start on the next book. If you want to know what happens next, you’ll just have to read this series yourself — you won’t regret it.
August 15, 2024
Honestly I was so surprised at how truly gripping and entertaining this story was! From the moment I started I didn't want to put it down as with each new chapter I was captured to learn more about these wonderful shifter characters and how they related to each other. Definitely some really interesting characters and love how even the 'baddies' are as well created that allowed me to form that emotional connection to each one that for me allows me to sink fully into the story.
A cleverly created plot that is filled nicely with great characters and ones with their own emotional fragilities that simply makes them more relatable. A nice balance of action, dramas, mystery, family issues, romances, sexual tensions and that simple need to be seen and respected. As book one there is still so much more to come with this story and I'm curious to see how things will further develop with the characters and their special skills.
A cleverly created plot that is filled nicely with great characters and ones with their own emotional fragilities that simply makes them more relatable. A nice balance of action, dramas, mystery, family issues, romances, sexual tensions and that simple need to be seen and respected. As book one there is still so much more to come with this story and I'm curious to see how things will further develop with the characters and their special skills.
September 19, 2025
This was a cute and quick read first book only covers like 2 weeks and lots of different pov. Some pov are students and some are teachers or school funders. Mermaids build a school for shifters underwater so they could gather in large groups and avoid vampires eating them. FMC spent whole childhood unaware of shifters and is mocked by most students and has typical new girl at school problems + interesting shifter politics. There are other storylines of characters on the periphery of the shifter verse that seem like they will definitely go somewhere interesting in later books.
I feel bad for MMC right now as a curse puts him between a rock and a hard place, must see where this goes. Deducted points because multiple adult males are shown thinking that a teenage girl is hot, like eww yeah they do not act on it but why is that thought process even shown in a YA book, gross. I really hope that it doesn't get weird or I will punt the series entirely.
onward to book 2 :)
I feel bad for MMC right now as a curse puts him between a rock and a hard place, must see where this goes. Deducted points because multiple adult males are shown thinking that a teenage girl is hot, like eww yeah they do not act on it but why is that thought process even shown in a YA book, gross. I really hope that it doesn't get weird or I will punt the series entirely.
onward to book 2 :)
July 1, 2024
So the blurb of this book really sucked me into wanting to read, and after finishing....I was not disappointed! I honestly did not want this to end. It was a really good introduction to this series, and I honestly can't wait to read more. While there is not a whole lot of romance and spice....there is enough of a starting point to keep you interested and wanting to read the next book. The writing is done brilliantly, the plot is really unique and well executed, and the character development is also good. You are left with lots of questions, which I think is a good thing when the book is not a standalone. I don't normally read books with so many POV that aren't in like a reverse harem situation, but u have to say that I did like it. The world building in this story was also amazing.
Would recommend and I can't wait for the next installment.
Would recommend and I can't wait for the next installment.
October 5, 2024
4.5☆ if we're being honest.
This is the first book that I've read by Tricia Barr and it was a nice read. I like the magical creatures/shifters and their different powers. I like that the school is secret and hidden, it gives it a harry potter vibe. At times the book can be pretty predictable, but I feel like it's needed in order to build the series up and set things up. I really like that there wasn't much spice, I'd rate it at ½-1 🌶. The main character is only 17, and while I get that teens have raging hormones, books that have under age characters and tons of spice kind of creep me out. It just feels wrong. So its nice that this book didnt go overboard and kept everything nice. I love me some spice, dont get me wrong, but not when its a teen book. I'm looking forward to starting book 2.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book that I've read by Tricia Barr and it was a nice read. I like the magical creatures/shifters and their different powers. I like that the school is secret and hidden, it gives it a harry potter vibe. At times the book can be pretty predictable, but I feel like it's needed in order to build the series up and set things up. I really like that there wasn't much spice, I'd rate it at ½-1 🌶. The main character is only 17, and while I get that teens have raging hormones, books that have under age characters and tons of spice kind of creep me out. It just feels wrong. So its nice that this book didnt go overboard and kept everything nice. I love me some spice, dont get me wrong, but not when its a teen book. I'm looking forward to starting book 2.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 11, 2025
Quick Read
It was a really good book that has the regular teenage drama with a few twists, and I love the back and forth romance between the characters that are trying not to fall for each other, but it happens anyway. I also like the little bit of romantic intrigue it has between some of the characters, because it makes me want to read the next book just to see if everyone gets together with who they want. It felt like a pretty quick read for me and it was pretty easy to understand so that made it an even quicker read. I would recommend it to both teenagers and people who really need a bit of a break from all the deep dark smut they've been reading, because while there is some sexual content in the book it's very light and doesn't last long. I gave it five stars because it's a good book that I enjoyed diving into.
It was a really good book that has the regular teenage drama with a few twists, and I love the back and forth romance between the characters that are trying not to fall for each other, but it happens anyway. I also like the little bit of romantic intrigue it has between some of the characters, because it makes me want to read the next book just to see if everyone gets together with who they want. It felt like a pretty quick read for me and it was pretty easy to understand so that made it an even quicker read. I would recommend it to both teenagers and people who really need a bit of a break from all the deep dark smut they've been reading, because while there is some sexual content in the book it's very light and doesn't last long. I gave it five stars because it's a good book that I enjoyed diving into.
October 21, 2024
Shifting Tides
Book 1 of Dark Shifter Academy
I was lucky enough to be given these books for free in place of an honest review. I truly enjoyed the series and although the books are great they get better as you go along. More backstory is revealed and Arya's character really shines. I enjoyed reading about her groth through the novels. In this one, she is "hiding out" with her mother trying to stay under the radar. That all changes and Arya's future changes when she is thrust into a new world she is unfamiliar with. I thought the dialogue was fine and I enjoyed the characters enough to want to see what happens to them.
Book 1 of Dark Shifter Academy
I was lucky enough to be given these books for free in place of an honest review. I truly enjoyed the series and although the books are great they get better as you go along. More backstory is revealed and Arya's character really shines. I enjoyed reading about her groth through the novels. In this one, she is "hiding out" with her mother trying to stay under the radar. That all changes and Arya's future changes when she is thrust into a new world she is unfamiliar with. I thought the dialogue was fine and I enjoyed the characters enough to want to see what happens to them.
October 31, 2024
You know I was a bit worried as I was not sure how I would like mermaid shifters but overall pleasantly surprised!!!
This was a great first book into the world this author is building. There is romance, intrigue, mean girls, secrets, curses, and the cusp of the start of found family.
The spice is meh maybe 🌶️🌶️ at the very most! I foresee this increasing over the next books though 100%.
The main characters stay true to form on how the author wishes them to be perceived. So I did enjoy having them keep and maintain their characteristics and mentality! Both strong in their own right but also lost and need to be found !
I am excited to dive into the next book!
This was a great first book into the world this author is building. There is romance, intrigue, mean girls, secrets, curses, and the cusp of the start of found family.
The spice is meh maybe 🌶️🌶️ at the very most! I foresee this increasing over the next books though 100%.
The main characters stay true to form on how the author wishes them to be perceived. So I did enjoy having them keep and maintain their characteristics and mentality! Both strong in their own right but also lost and need to be found !
I am excited to dive into the next book!
October 28, 2025
Empecé a leerlo y lo dejé en cuanto me di cuenta que era el mismo libro que Siren Prophery de la propia autora en colaboración en 2019 con otras autoras. El libro lo había leído y por eso me sonaba tanto pero no ubicaba los nombres (y normal, no eran los mismos porque los había cambiado).
Esto de coger un libro ya escrito, con su historia y sus personajes e intentar venderlo de nuevo cambiando el nombre de los personajes, el nombre de la saga, un poco de la trama y alguna cosa más es... Una cosa sería corregir, otra es venderlo como nuevo libro aunque hayas añadido 3 libros más a la saga para alargarla en la actualidad.
Esto de coger un libro ya escrito, con su historia y sus personajes e intentar venderlo de nuevo cambiando el nombre de los personajes, el nombre de la saga, un poco de la trama y alguna cosa más es... Una cosa sería corregir, otra es venderlo como nuevo libro aunque hayas añadido 3 libros más a la saga para alargarla en la actualidad.
May 18, 2024
Three rules: 1. Never go out after dark. 2. Never go into large bodies of water. 3. No social media. Seems weird but gotta follow them but what happens if you break them? This story had me on the edge of my seat! Was sold the moment I learned that this book had mermaids and dragon shifters. Now throw in a girl thinking she was human but finds out she might be the mermaid from the prophecy?! Now she’s in a new world where she meets Tobias, but should she trust him? Love this book and cannot wait to see what happens next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2024
I devoured this book in one day! Right from the start, your attention is pulled in. This book is beautifully written. The story is told from many different points of view. That is usually not my cup of tea, but Tricia Barr has written it so well. It is very easy to follow and transition to the next character. The romance and spice had me blushing and curling my toes. I am so invested. I love that this book was not all spice. The whole thing was just thrilling. I can't wait to read the whole series as it comes out! Thank you, Tricia, for an absolutely awesome read!
June 8, 2024
If you love shifters of any kind, I highly recommend this book. The spice is on the lower side, but it's only the 1st book. I see so much more in future books. I have personally been a fan of the shifter world since I was young, and this book gave me all the feels. The author describes everything so well that I could visualize everything that was happening. There is so much in this book that I can't pick a favorite part. I can't wait for book 2!!! This may be my new favorite series of all time!!!!
June 27, 2024
Shifter romance x dark romance= Shifting Tides, the first book in a new series. I love how this includes multiple types of shifters and mix in vampire, this is one of my new obsessions. Arya our FMC is a mermaid shifter, which is new for me and I loved it. Tobias is everything!! I can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store for us. The possibilities are endless with this series. The world building is so incredible, it was easy to visualize everything happening. The spice is on the lower end but the book easily makes up for that with the plot.
June 29, 2024
Interesting premise; really enjoy academy settings; not the mean girls scenario though, and like when a lead character finds out there’s more to them than they thought. We got a prophecy, curses, and mysteries! Who in the heck should Arya trust!? Arya is dealing with people keeping secrets and withholding information that would be helpful for Arya to know. Keeping secrets rarely ends well, and poor Arya is having to deal with the aftermath. Glad she has some tenacity! Got a dash of romance and some fun action! An entertaining read! Looking forward to the next book!
July 8, 2024
Imagine following strict rules your whole life and the one time you break them, your mother ends up murdered by vampires and you find out that you are in fact a shifter. Say what!! Well that’s what happened to Arya and the next thing she know is that she is shipped off to a secret school for shifters and is trying to find her feet. It’s an intriguing read, exciting and as we venture into this secret fantasy world where there’s tons to be uncovered, friends to be made and mean girls to hate. It’s a great start to this series and I am eager to read more!
July 23, 2024
Arya Walker lived by rules set by her mother until one day she rebelled and came back home to find her mother dead. Caesar comes to get her to take her to the shifter school. She didn’t even know what she was. I enjoyed this story, you didn’t know who to trust or who you wanted Arya to be friends with. I do like her friend Shea, she is a witch that wants to get into the school but isn’t allowed. She is going to be someone to watch. I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2024
Wow! This is my first book by Tricia Barr, and she definitely didn't disappoint. Normally, I do not read slow burn fantasy, but this book had me hooked by the end of chapter 1. I couldn't put it down. The plot, character development, the world building, main characters, and the magic system were all extraordinary. Yes, it is slow burn, but it is so worth it. Each of the characters have such amazing stories that you'll be invested in their lives, emotions, and their trials. I can not wait to read book #2!
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