What do you think?
Rate this book
Slaymore Academy #2
Grading with a Gargoyle
Gargoyles aren’t supposed to have pesky things like emotions. If I don’t get mine under control, I’ll be forced to spend the next hundred years stoned—and not in the way you are thinking!
I’ve spent my life being told I’m a failure, thanks to my inability to become the emotionless, logic-driven gargoyle I’m supposed to be. Despite my years of effort, I can’t figure out how my species manages to teach themselves to be emotionless, and it seems the harder I try, the more I suck at controlling my feels.
The fix, according to my parents, is sending me to Slaymore Academy instead of a gargoyle college. That way, I can get my degree without drawing too much attention from the Gargoyle Council until I’ve conquered my emotions and can stand before them as a proper gargoyle. At least, that’s the plan.
But things start shaking up—literally, with repeated earthquakes—and my mentor collapses from a mystery illness. I agree to team up with Thane, a sexy hellhound who can feed on my emotions, to get to the bottom of things. It doesn’t take long for me to realize that being around Thane is stirring feelings inside me I’ve never experienced, and it’s unraveling the progress I’ve made over the past three years.
Before coming to Slaymore, I’d never questioned my future. I just accepted that being a proper gargoyle meant protecting my own city, being assigned a partner to reproduce with, and a life spent watching the world pass by on the streets far below my rooftop perch with few interactions outside of my corvid companions. Now I’m wondering if there could be a different life for me—one where I don’t have to give up my emotions, my boisterous friends, or the sexy hellhound who claims I belong to him.
I’m starting to wonder if my future truly is set in stone… or if I can carve out my own destiny.
Grading with a Gargoyle is the second book in the Slaymore Academy series.
The steam builds a little slower than some of my other books, but when it kicks in, there is plenty of heat in the bedroom… and other places. Each book in the Slaymore Academy series is a standalone, featuring a different girl struggling to fit in with the rest of her species, who finds herself at Slaymore. Every book in this series will end with a HEA… so no cliffhangers! Since these books feature various paranormals who possess a variety of abilities, the steamy parts of the books will definitely take advantage of those skills.
I’ve spent my life being told I’m a failure, thanks to my inability to become the emotionless, logic-driven gargoyle I’m supposed to be. Despite my years of effort, I can’t figure out how my species manages to teach themselves to be emotionless, and it seems the harder I try, the more I suck at controlling my feels.
The fix, according to my parents, is sending me to Slaymore Academy instead of a gargoyle college. That way, I can get my degree without drawing too much attention from the Gargoyle Council until I’ve conquered my emotions and can stand before them as a proper gargoyle. At least, that’s the plan.
But things start shaking up—literally, with repeated earthquakes—and my mentor collapses from a mystery illness. I agree to team up with Thane, a sexy hellhound who can feed on my emotions, to get to the bottom of things. It doesn’t take long for me to realize that being around Thane is stirring feelings inside me I’ve never experienced, and it’s unraveling the progress I’ve made over the past three years.
Before coming to Slaymore, I’d never questioned my future. I just accepted that being a proper gargoyle meant protecting my own city, being assigned a partner to reproduce with, and a life spent watching the world pass by on the streets far below my rooftop perch with few interactions outside of my corvid companions. Now I’m wondering if there could be a different life for me—one where I don’t have to give up my emotions, my boisterous friends, or the sexy hellhound who claims I belong to him.
I’m starting to wonder if my future truly is set in stone… or if I can carve out my own destiny.
Grading with a Gargoyle is the second book in the Slaymore Academy series.
The steam builds a little slower than some of my other books, but when it kicks in, there is plenty of heat in the bedroom… and other places. Each book in the Slaymore Academy series is a standalone, featuring a different girl struggling to fit in with the rest of her species, who finds herself at Slaymore. Every book in this series will end with a HEA… so no cliffhangers! Since these books feature various paranormals who possess a variety of abilities, the steamy parts of the books will definitely take advantage of those skills.
- GenresRomanceParanormal
254 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2024
72 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Darci R. Acula
11 books47 followersDarci R. Acula is Sedona Ashe's not-so-secret pen name. Sedona's books tend to focus on Reverse Harem relationships, while Darci's books feature only MF relationships.
Darci (aka Sedona) doesn’t reserve her sarcasm for her books; her poor husband can tell you that her wit, humor, and snarky attitude are just part of her daily life. While she loves writing paranormal shifter reverse harem novels, she’s a sucker for true love, twisted situations, and wacky humor.
Darci lives in a small town at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. She and her husband share their home with their three children, adorable pup, five cats, pet arctic fox, chickens, and over a hundred other reptiles. When she isn’t working, she enjoys getting away from the computer to hike, free dive, travel, study languages, and capture images of places and animals through her photography. Darci has a crazy goal of writing a million words in a year, and spending six months exploring Indonesia.
Darci (aka Sedona) doesn’t reserve her sarcasm for her books; her poor husband can tell you that her wit, humor, and snarky attitude are just part of her daily life. While she loves writing paranormal shifter reverse harem novels, she’s a sucker for true love, twisted situations, and wacky humor.
Darci lives in a small town at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. She and her husband share their home with their three children, adorable pup, five cats, pet arctic fox, chickens, and over a hundred other reptiles. When she isn’t working, she enjoys getting away from the computer to hike, free dive, travel, study languages, and capture images of places and animals through her photography. Darci has a crazy goal of writing a million words in a year, and spending six months exploring Indonesia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 27, 2024
Quick, cute, fun read.
July 6, 2024
This one was amazing. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it was so much better. I loved the two of them together. They are just the cutest.
October 7, 2025
This series is good but I can’t help but feel like something is missing 🤷♀️. Maybe it’s just that they are very predictable like I thought it was stupid they didn’t figure out sooner why the professor was sick, it seemed so obvious to me.
Than when they were hooking up for the first time he was in the middle of doing face painting (which is not very sexy) but the entire scene as they were getting hot & heavy I was just laughing but I could picture her trying look sexy (but he could of put a unicorn or something on her face 😂). If they had just stuck to naked body painting ya that can be hot, but childish face paint 🎨 ya no!
I liked her friends and wished they were in the book more, this book was a good light hearted read just a little simpler than I was hoping for I guess.
Cute but predictable ending, but it gave us the happily ever after.
Than when they were hooking up for the first time he was in the middle of doing face painting (which is not very sexy) but the entire scene as they were getting hot & heavy I was just laughing but I could picture her trying look sexy (but he could of put a unicorn or something on her face 😂). If they had just stuck to naked body painting ya that can be hot, but childish face paint 🎨 ya no!
I liked her friends and wished they were in the book more, this book was a good light hearted read just a little simpler than I was hoping for I guess.
Cute but predictable ending, but it gave us the happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2025
I think it is so great that the author has dealt more into the other supernatural species. A lot of books focus on the main species like vampires, werewolves and fae. But it is so nice to create and make original stories based off other creatures. It creates a unique storyline and a unique universe. I think with not only the story but also the first one in the series that there is many lessons that can be learned. You can listen to the stories out of order because they are separate from each other and not intertwined.
September 24, 2025
A relatively short read, but the story is confidently developed and keeps you hooked from start to finish. The romance is well-paced, with just the right balance of spice and tension between the characters. The chemistry feels natural, and the emotional pull makes it easy to invest in their journey. The choice of narrator for the audiobook was excellent—bringing the characters to life in a way that added depth and made the listening experience even more enjoyable.
June 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐️’s YA, but very well written.
Very sweet and fun.
A little YA for me to want to re-read, but I did enjoy it, and finished easily.
Could use a clean up and edit, a lot of repetition and words used multiple times in one paragraph.
But I’d be willing to continue, and even check out B1.
(Choose this first for the Hellhound and Gargoyles.)
Very sweet and fun.
A little YA for me to want to re-read, but I did enjoy it, and finished easily.
Could use a clean up and edit, a lot of repetition and words used multiple times in one paragraph.
But I’d be willing to continue, and even check out B1.
(Choose this first for the Hellhound and Gargoyles.)
October 2, 2025
Vela and Thane were perfect for each other! This story has such a unique feel and amazing flow. I love that the relationships never seem forced but it flows naturally. Such a fun read with so much heart and I love that she added a little more at the end after the dust settles. Funny, sweet and full of heart. Narrators are truly magic and make this great book shine!
May 6, 2024
If you are looking for a feel good paranormal romance read this book! Vela and Thane are the most adorable and unlikely of pairs that I have read about in a long time! Their journey is full of emotions, humor, drama and of course sexy times! Just a beautiful read!
May 7, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. This book was so hard to put down and so easy to fall in love with the MCs. Sedona has again hit one out of the park with this series. I can't wait to read the next book. A must read for everyone who loves shifter romance.
May 8, 2024
This was my first book with a FMC as a gargoyle. I'm glad I gave it a try because I really enjoyed it!
The storyline was original and fun.
There was drama, humor, feelings and some spice.
Vela and Thane were perfect for each other!
The storyline was original and fun.
There was drama, humor, feelings and some spice.
Vela and Thane were perfect for each other!
July 6, 2024
Such a great read!
I looooved Vela and Thanes story!
I loved seeing them come together and find their true selves.
Such a fun read with some serious tension and some spice.
Can’t wait for more in the Slaymore world!
I looooved Vela and Thanes story!
I loved seeing them come together and find their true selves.
Such a fun read with some serious tension and some spice.
Can’t wait for more in the Slaymore world!
May 13, 2024
Amazing!!
They’ve done it again!! This book is absolutely fantastic!! I can only hope there is more Slaymore Academy in the future!!
They’ve done it again!! This book is absolutely fantastic!! I can only hope there is more Slaymore Academy in the future!!
September 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this story and I liked the characters a lot. I wouldn’t mind more stories in this setting and as standalone as well.
September 1, 2025
I found this book to be a surprisingly refreshing read. The idea of a FMC being physically stronger than the MMC + the one raised to be emotionless is quite a novel idea, especially when compared to the MMC, who is considered "defective" due to his being unable to inspire emotions in others.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews