Of Boys and Games

by Mona Black

An angel, a demon, a vampire, a fae and a shifter walk into an academy…

Sounds like the start of a bad joke, right? I mean, come on, what could go wrong? Especially when they all fall for a girl whose scream can turn men to piles of ash and dust?

That girl is me, by the way. Yep, I k!ll people with my scream.

This is where the "I'm not like other girls" thing gets a whole new meaning.

Daughter of the Witch Queen who went psycho and was imprisoned before I was born, father unknown.

Too powerful to be left in peace.

Pandemonium College seems like a good place to hide until I figure out what I am. No place better than among your own kind, right? A crow among crows. A powerful girl in an academy full of powerful magical students.

And then I meet them. Five guys, one more gorgeous than the next.

Nice. Gentle. Friendly. Hot. How is a girl supposed to resist?

Beware of pretty strangers, they say, but they are just students. They don't know what I am, so no harm in being friendly right back, right?

I mean, what could go wrong?

I only have to avoid screaming… for any reason.

Shouldn't be all that hard.

 

* Look inside for author notes and information on the books! *

Genres: Fae, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Vampires, Demons, Shapeshifters

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

Mona is a changeling living in the human world. She writes fantasy romance and reverse harem romance, and is an avid reader of fantasy and paranormal books. Read her fantasy romance series "Cursed Fae Kings" or her Reverse Harem paranormal romance series "Pandemonium Academy Royals". Follow for updates and new release announcements!

Reviews

[Alexis Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Loved the paranormal element and the multi pov I honestly wasn’t surprised about the betrayal I had a feeling about it. I was shocked the whole time and can’t wait to see what happens next. The boys were amazing and definitely have their secrets Frankie is so loved by me she’s just trying to protect herself and she’s so strong. Definitely a good read

[A79senlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Mona’s for a while now, so while I usually prefer to avoid books with cliffhangers, I just couldn’t resist! She’s a master at building worlds and populating them with multi-dimensional characters you fall in love with, so this book sucks you in right away.

Reverse harem is my favorite trope — when it’s done well, and Mona does it well. When there are a number of main characters, I find it especially helpful to have multiple POVs, so thankfully we have them here. I also like seeing where each guy’s head is a and how they’re feeling about the FMC — in this case, the independent, fierce Frankie, who hopes to blend in at Pandemonium College but is destined to stand out. And stand out she does, to five (!) delicious men. I love paranormal stories, and I’m delighted that the guys are different species, meaning each is unique. If you asked me to choose a favorite at this point, it would be impossible.

This was a great start to what I can already tell will be a favorite series for me. I just hope I won’t have to wait too long (the cliffy!) I can’t wait to see what games these boys are going to play. 😏

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[R Rais · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of question unanswered until the end.
When its getting real good, cliffy! So get ready for the worst cliffy..🤣😂

While for the chemistry... Are they fated mates? Cause the insta attraction feels like it. If not... Yikes thats just too weird.
I mean, want to jump on each other bones just five second after meeting? Yeah never like that idea, unless the plot said fated mates.

Book two here i come!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Boys And Games is the first book in the Pandemonium College Knights Series. It is a why choose, paranormal, college, enemies to lovers, dark romance. It is multi pov with elements of found family, and bullying/hazing.

Frankie has a very complicated family. She is a very strong FMC and has been trained to protect herself. She has no idea what she is, but what she does know is that her scream kills. There are assassins after her, so for her safety, she is tucked away in hiding at Pandemonium College. But it seems that the college is not as safe as she thought it would be.

Tir, Kassander, Ryu, Rook, and Asa are the five gorgeous and mysterious men that Frankie meets upon arriving at Pandemonium. She is very attracted to them, but can she trust them? Are they there to protect her or kill her?

This was a terrific read with plenty of mystery, suspense, and intrigue. It's one of those books that has you entertained and guessing the whole way through.

The writing, pace, flow, plot, characters, character development, relationship development, storyline, storytelling, and world building are all fantastic. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it. I look forward to finding out what the next book holds.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

FRANKIE, is the daughter of the White Witch Queen and her father is unknown. Her mother has never told anyone who it is. Now she has come to the Pandemonium College to hide from those who want to kill her. She isn't sure what her power is or what she is but hopefully she'll be able to find out and stay alive. Her grandfather has sent her to the college to keep her safe. But on her first day she's almost hit with a plant pot.
ASA, Kass, Rook, Tir, Ryu are supernatural beings sent to find, befriend and assess their target, The White Witch Queen's daughter.
Frankie is totally unprepared as she meets one hot looking male after another. Her brain seems to turn to mush as she interacts with each of them. She finds herself wanting each of them.
Then the hazing begins and it is brutal. Throughout it all Frankie is more concerned with each of the men. Then danger threatens. Will she figure out how to use her power?
A fascinating story that delves into wolves, angels, demons, and more. The reader will loathe to put the book down!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristin E. Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pandemonium knights

First in an unfinished series. PNR, possibly rh, magic and mystery. This edition is riddled with punctuation errors, making comprehension difficult. It needs a good edit. This is a sequel series to her previous Pandemonium series, featuring the daughter of the white Queen.
SPOILERS follow: this convoluted plot creates tension by never revealing answers until the very last chapters. By 60% I was so frustrated I almost dnf. A 20 year old magical woman is sent to this college by her angel grandfather, to protect her and teach her about her vicious and mysterious secret powers. She suffers from various serious accidents which are likely assassination attempts due to her heritage. Five males surround her at the college and it becomes obvious that all is not what it appears. They each have a mission, but find themselves enamored of the innocent and beautiful woman. There are irritating bullies that basically torture the characters because they all pretend to have less power. Cliffhanger.

[Jjs_booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with good plot. As first I did have a harder time getting into it. There is a lot of story but you dont know where it’s going at first until it clicks. Frankie is sent to this magic school because is has a super dangerous power and a bunch of people are after her. As she’s at this school as a new school, a bunch of other hot new students come out of the woodwork and immediately attach themselves to her. There is strange attitudes and some flirting but Everytime things might progress someone runs away! Not only that with her guys, but all the gangs at the school are hazing them. And then when we are finally about to get some answers, they get attacked and leave on a cliffhanger. I really can’t wait until the next book because I need answers and some development of romantic relationships instead of the like sips.

[Jenn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow … what a start to a new series!! This book has so much going on that I am grateful for the titled chapters! It is told by many points of view but mainly from our tragic heroine, who has gone to the college to “hide out and gain an understanding of her powers”. The multiple eye candy/ roommates that she has can’t hurt right. And the dynamics between the males and then with her heat up the pages. Throw in some hazing/bullies just for fun and it makes for an intense read! Fair warning (which if you’ve read this author you’ll know), this book does end of a cliffhanger which means hold on until book #2 comes out because I bet it will be a doozy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teresa Juckett (Love Dark Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wth was that ending. Uhh now I have to wait on the next book. I'm not going to give spoilers, but I think this series is going to be giving Pandemonium Academy the series that started it all a run for it's money. Holy moley the secrets, the twists and turns and poor little Frankie in the middle trying to figure thing's out as she's been sent to Pandemonium College to hide basically, while she figures out what she is. The only bad thing is her roommate or roommates they're all hot as sin and it's hard to stay on task when she keeps getting distracted. Everything was getting good or bad should I say when that cliffhanger happened and ugh Mona whyyyy??

[Mrs A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first series in this so had to read the second generation one too. There is plenty of drama, humour and twists. This has some of my favourite tropes like enemies to lovers which is done really well.

Frankie’s ability is unusual and she tries hard to keep it a secret to ensure she has a normal college experience. Enjoyed her interactions with the men who are all unique. Loved this, can’t wait for book 2.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just wow, Mona does it again with a major cliffy and now we have to wait!

I want these five men: an angel, vampire, demon, shifter and of course a fae. And of course they all have eyes for Frankie.
The character building and the way Mona sucks you into the world of Pandemonium is unreal.

These enemy to lovers is so great, witty banter and the sexual chemistry is fire.
amidst all the chaos. The darker elements add an extra layer of intrigue, keeping me on the edge of my seat!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mrs T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie, our fmc, has a very interesting power, if she screams, people die.

There are different factions desperate to get their hands on what they see as a powerful weapon and when Frankie arrives at an academy for her safekeeping, several other new students arrive too.

Hot, magical, gorgeous students!

I feel like we have only just scratched the surface of the gifts and flaws of these characters and I'm hoping we get to delve deeper in book two.

It's an exciting book though, lots of scene setting. The attraction between the characters is crackling and I genuinely loved them all.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie (FMC) has to keep quiet about her mother (who is a witch queen who caused a lot of damage) when shes enrolled at Pandamonium College for her own protection and to find out about her powers and who her father is. Only for her to find more problems especially with 5 Supernatural guys - Tir, Kass, Ryu, Rook and Asa who all have their own backstories and secrets. Which all led to a great cliff hanger ending. I'm looking forward to book 2 now.

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series. A paranormal story full of suspense, witty banter and delightful characters. A reverse harem that has plenty of action with darker elements. Loved the character building. Can't wait to read the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danii · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dangerous campus, deadly attacks, five students of five different magical factions enrolled at Pandemonium College with hidden agendas and in the middle Frankie with her own secrets to hide and eventually to solve.
Great start to a new dark RH.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie has a special ability, but no one must know. Her very life is in jeopardy if they find out who she is and what she can do. As Frankie adjusts to college, she meets five handsome guys, each from a different paranormal race: fae, angel, demon, vampire, and shifter. She’s attracted to each one but must resist. Between the bullies, hazing, classes, and stress, Frankie needs release. Let the games begin…

Of Boys and Games is book one of a brand-new series by the fabulous Mona Black. You could say I jumped up and down when I got my hands on this book. It’s paranormal reverse harem romance that is addictive to read. The dialogue sucked me right into from the first page. The world-building is flawless. But it’s these characters that make Of Boys and Games an unforgettable read.

Let’s talk about the heroine, Frankie. She’s a spitfire heroine who can take care of herself, just as long as she doesn’t scream. She’s got a million thoughts per second which makes for entertaining reading. I kept wanting her to hook up with all the yummy heroes. I mean, what gal wouldn’t want five drool-worthy men fawning over her. I connected with Frankie throughout the book.

Her five suitors are all mysterious but full of virility. Each one is different, and it took all of my energy trying to figure up what their end game was. I can safely say I still am not sure but that is what the next books are for.

If you love reverse harem set in a full-on paranormal universe, you’ll want to pick up this book and read it before the next book comes out. There is a slight cliffhanger but nothing too extreme. It leads right into the next book.

Mona Black has outdone herself with this book and I wait with bated breath for the next book in the series.

My Rating: 5++ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Adrianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished *Of Boys and Games*, and I'm absolutely buzzing from the wild adventure! This is the first installment in a next-generation series following *Pandemonium Academy Royals*, and it’s a delicious blend of paranormal romance, humor, and a dash of darkness.

The story kicks off with our badass heroine, the daughter of the notorious Witch Queen. With the ability to turn men to ash with her scream, she certainly isn’t your average girl! As she finds her place at Pandemonium College—a haven for magical beings—you can feel the tension rising as she meets five stunning guys. Each character adds their own flair, and I loved the alternating POVs that let me dive into their minds and motivations.

The enemies-to-lovers theme is done brilliantly here, filled with witty banter and sizzling chemistry. I found myself chuckling at their playful jabs while rooting for them to figure out their feelings amidst all the chaos. The darker elements add an extra layer of intrigue, keeping me on the edge of my seat!

And let’s not forget the cliffhanger at the end! Just when I thought I had a grasp on the story, Mona Black left me gasping and desperately wanting more. If you’re into steamy romance, fierce female protagonists, and a healthy dose of magical mayhem, this book is a must-read!

Can’t wait to grab the next book in the series to see what trouble our heroine gets into next! 💖🔮

[Sharon McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the character Frankie and can relate to her in that my grandparent raised me and trying to figure out who she is while not letting the whole world know that she is the daughter of the White Witch Queen and what powers she has/can do. She is a sassy thing and very independent while having a vulnerability to her that I think calls out to the guys. Frankie is trying to find out more information about herself, her powers and her father because she knows that something is off. Somehow Frankie’s angel grandfather while trying to protect her enrolled her in a college where everyone already seems to be on the lookout for her without knowing its her they are looking for. Then there are 5 stunningly gorgeous guys that she is drawn to but also end up being her roommates (3) and nextdoor neighbors (2) but also happen to be in all of her classes so she just can’t get away from them. There is hazing between the 4 houses (Shifter, Vampire, Fae and Demons) and all the newly enrolled students (Frankie and the guys) so they try to help each other out. But as time passes, Frankie can’t seem to stay away from the guys and they can’t seem to stay away from her either. Not sure if their interests are sincere or not but as we learn more about Tir, Rook, Kass, Ryu and Asa we aren’t sure what to make of them. The cliffhanger was brutal but this book was very well written and had me diving immediately into the 2nd one.

[Susan McWhinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great start to a new series for Mona Black! What do an angel, a demon, a Fae, a hybrid vampire-demon, and a kitsune want with Frankie?
They are all carrying secrets. they all feel an incredible instant attraction towards her that none of them can explain.
Frankie, finding herself placed in the Academy, by her Grandfather, to hide her from unknown evil that want her dead, is enthralled by all the attention she is getting, not realizing there is a hidden agenda!
Her Grandfather says she is to lay low and not attract any attention! Yeh easier said than done when she has 3 gorgeous hunks as room-mates, and 2 more as very close neighbours.
Not believing her luck that these 5 unknowns want to be with her and protect her, she is in a fantasy that she never wants to end! Until it does!
She has hidden secrets, as do her 5 admirers.
Not realizing they are carrying secrets, she happily goes along for the ride, always there to curb any angst between the 5 men......
Loved the build up and hype that leads to the soft cliff hanger in book one of this series. Need to know more and am looking forward to book two's release in 2025.

[United Indie Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb I read for this book is what drew me to it and then finding out it was a reverse harem I was looking forward to reading this even more!

However, by fifty percent into the book I was trying to figure out what drew me to this story to begin with.

Now, I know at times I can be overly critical when it comes to my reviews of books but… with this one I felt like the storyline was struggling to progress in any way.

I get the characters were trying to develop their characters and what not but, it felt very childish and unnecessarily difficult to engage with.

The male character development was alright, I feel like it would have been better to have a little more from them. And the main female, I truly felt like we were in a round robin with her and kept circling back to the same issues with no real change or development.

I want to and will read the next book but, it’s mainly because we were left on a cliffhanger which was expected as the author outlines that in a warning at the beginning— which is much appreciated.


Review by Angie

[BookSLoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the next generation at Pandemonium College. We get to see the lives of those babies from the last series.

Life isn't all sunshine and rainbows when your mother is the notorious, White Witch, and you have peers you can hardly control that tend to leave people in a pile of ashes instead of laughs. Just what every kid wants to share with her new friends if she doesn't accidentally kill them first. But the past is in the past

This darkly, wicked story has several broken characters finding their way past the walls they keep up to protect themselves cause it's easier to be someone's enemy and not care if they die then let them get close and lose them. Loved the multiple POVs and complex dynamics that make these characters who they are.

Not going to lie, I hate hate the cliffhanger but know our girl, MBlack has our back and won't leave us hanging long so it's okay. Can't wait for what's next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Booksbystarlightandshadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked some of the characters in this especially Frankie, Rook and Kass but I found this a little hard to connect with overall. Although there was plenty of exposition about the Witch Queen war, I felt I was missing a bit of context regarding the larger world building. The pacing was also little slow for me; as much as I liked the characters, I was ready for some plot movement beyond the hazing although I did enjoy the action at the end. I'll pick up the next book as there was still plenty to enjoy and I want to see who falls for Rooks charms next!

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Polli.p · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to swim through the floods of magic and testosterone, then drown in a never ending catalogue of panty melting hot guys this is for you!

Frankie ends up at Pandemonium College, a place where she is supposed to figure out who, or what, she is. Her time there is littered with steamy thoughts and encounters with her roommates and next door neighbours, as well as skirmishes with the college bullies. In the final chapters her truth is exposed and we have a fantastic cliff hanger ready for the next book.

This is the first in an already published pnr series and sets the scene for the upcoming adventure. Written by a competent author, the story is interesting in it's multiple POVs which gives plenty of scope for back stories from these intriguing characters. Great cliff hanger. Will read the rest of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky Dreyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Boys and Games is the first book in the Pandemonium College Knights series. This is a PN why choose romance. Frankie finds herself hiding out at Pandemonium College while her grandfather tries to figure out who is after her and any information he can find out about her mysterious father hoping for some answers behind Frankie's powers. Frankie finds herself surrounded by 5 of the hottest guys she has ever seen between her roommates and neighbors and also one of the main targets of the biggest bullies of the school. All the while she is doing everything she can not to use her powers as the guilt of what she has already done is eating her alive. Will Frankie be able to survive the bullies and the attention from Tir, Kass, Ryu, Rook and Asa? Will she get the answers she is searching for as to what she is? Great start to a new series. Can't wait to see what comes next!.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diana Martins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's official. I'm not a fan of cliffhangers. But I definitely became a fan of this series.
A PNR RH with MM where the hotness is very high. "Restart functions, ASAP."
And the hilarious moments? They are too much.
But there also dark moments. The amount of cruelty they suffer from bullies is heartbreaking. As they try to go unnoticed, they try not to retaliate. How nervous!
The FMC is a badass YA that doesn't know what she really is and how she can control herself.
The college was supposed to be a safe place where she should go unnoticed, but the poor thing has no rest.
And the guys? It's nail biting trying to understand what they want from her and why they are there. What saves them is that they are super hot, "This level of hotness is likely to fry my mind.", and they worry about her.

I received an arc of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is the first book in the Pandemonium College Knights series, and it is a wild paranormal adventure with a hint of darkness in the mix. Medusa had her snake hair to turn mortals to stone and here we have Frankie who is, well you’ll have to read the book to find out her power because it’s a secret. As her life is in peril, she heads to the school where she meets five handsome men; each of whom are from a different paranormal background including: vampire, shifter, demon, angel, and fae. It would be so easy to fall for all of them, but she has to resist. With everything on Frankie’s plate, something has to give so let the games begin. Overall, this is one entertaining paranormal, reverse harem read with a bit of a cliff hanger but that should not detract from picking up this one because who does not love an intense slow burn with affable characters?

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG Outstanding story. It was a page turner and the suspense was intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down literally. Frankie life was in danger.
As Frankie adjusts to college she end up meets these five handsome guys each of them were from all different paranormal race groups like a fae, angel, demon, vampire, and shifter. She’s attracted to each one but must resist. Between the bullies being hazing going to classes and stress out she just wants to have fun. But she had a special abilities and power. Darkness and dramatic moments.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t regret reading or be disappointed. I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones

[Kimberlea Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fantastic 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Mona does such an amazing job weaving together a magical world filled with so many unexpected twists and turns. We get a strong FMC, Frankie, as well as quite the variety of supernatural MMCs, 5 in total, and thanks to it being multi POV, we get a peek into everyone’s thoughts. This story gave us an academy backdrop that kept us entangled in plenty of drama, secrets & chaos from beginning to end. It’s an ending that will have you begging for the next book to get here a quick as possible. Another perfectly balanced & well paced book from Mona that will leave you with so many questions 🫣😫 I’m so ready for what comes next 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A. King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried. I really did. But the story is confusing about why there are suddenly all these roommates and all these extra characters and a girl who has power but is too afraid to use it lest she k*ll someone. Which hey, I get it. But going to a college that is literally magical means you're GOING to have to deal with magic use and work into it. She's not dealing with it. She's also not making a good impression on me with the fact that she's so stuck on the looks of these guys rather than the personalities that were shining from beneath the surface. There are people protecting her and she doesn't seem to register it, instead getting upset by other things that seem so trivial. I don't know. I feel like the whole thing is forced and it just didn't set right.

[Brittney Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fmc has bad-ss powers with a regretful attitude due to killing/defending herself. She goes to the university to try to learn about herself and control her powers, but in doing so she fakes her identity.

She ends up running into several hot men. Some of whom are hiding their own secrets. Tir and kass who are her roommates that are instantly helpful but are hiding something, Ryu who is also new and powerful, Rook who slowly becomes obsessed… And possibly more.

The cliffhanger was pretty intense, I’m definitely excited to see more.

Multiple pov, demons, angels, shifters, and more, college age characters, slow-medium burn?