Last Chance Academy: Die Unsterblichen von Talonswood

Immortals of Talonswood #1

by Alex Lidell, Sophie Hartmann (translator)

Pflegekind. Abschaum. Das ist alles, was ich für die Welt bin. Und das ist auch gut so. Nachdem ich das Pflegesystem von New Jersey überlebt habe, kann ich alles überleben. Dank dessen überlebe ich sogar einen gefährlichen Job, den ich von einem großen, gut aussehenden Fremden annehme, damit ich meine kleine Schwester beschützen kann – ein Job, der vollkommen nach hinten losgeht.

Plötzlich stehe ich vor einer brutalen ein Jahrzehnt im Gefängnis oder vier Jahre als Mündel der Talonswood Reformakademie – einem Ort mit einer beeindruckenden Bilanz der Verbesserung ihrer Zöglinge. Ein Ort, der ein Bootcamp wie eine Fahrt in den Urlaub erscheinen lässt.

Aber Talonswood und seine grausamen Kadetten sind weitaus mehr, als sie vorgeben zu sein, ebenso wie die vier Männer, die dort das Sagen haben. Ellis. Asher. Reese. Cassis. Mächtige, unglaublich attraktive Männer, die ein Feuer in mir entfachen – und die vor nichts zurückschrecken, um mir das Leben zur Hölle zu machen.

Aber es stellt sich heraus, dass auch ich mehr bin, als ich anfangs glaubte. Und ich werde nicht kampflos aufgeben.

LAST CHANCE ACADEMY ist ein mitreißender, paranormaler Liebesroman voller Magie, Spannung – und vier Männern, die alles verändern. Dies ist der erste Band der Unsterblichen von Talonswood-Reihe, der neuen Serie von Amazons Top-100-Autorin Alex Lidell. Heiße Fae-Wandler, gefährliche Vampire und eine Hexe auf der Suche nach sich selbst – willkommen an einer Akademie, die nichts mit Regeln am Hut hat.

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

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2020

About the author

Alex Lidell is the Amazon Breakout Novel Awards finalist author of THE CADET OF TILDOR (Penguin) and several Amazon Top 100 Kindle Bestsellers, including the POWER OF FIVE romance series. She is an avid horseback rider who believes in eating dessert first. She writes as both Alex Lidell and A.L. Lidell.

Join Alex's newsletter for news, bonus content and sneak peeks: https://links.alexlidell.com/News

Find out more on Alex's website: www.alexlidell.com

Reviews

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review - thank you!

Got an ARC of this, and am stunned to reveal that I barely got to about 20%.

I ADORED Lidell's TIDES series, enjoyed Chasing Shadows, and was impressed by Power of Five. But she's been sort of going downhill since then. Publishing basically a whole other series on the PoF characters was bad enough; they were draggingly slow and crazily boring.

This is worse.

Lidell has jumped on the 'academy/prison reverse harem' bandwagon. She's a talented writer, but not even she could infuse new life into a trope that's already filled to the point of saturation. The heroes in this book are bland and forgettable, the setting is unoriginal, and the plot does not inspire interest.

I truly would recommend that she goes back to writing books she actually enjoys writing, like TIDES, which is smary, edgy, and original. Not just chase after whatever RH trope is currently doing the rounds.

[Blog] - [Bookstagram]

[Just Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Rounded up because the premise is looking good for this series. ✴️

It was time for a RH read, and since I am on a current fantasy/paranormal spree, this sounded like a perfect match. And it was.
I really liked the idea of Sam being sent to the Academy as a punishment for a job gone bad.
A witch.
Alone.
Just trying to survive this new world.

The 4 love interests were cold, arrogant, and dark, so expect a heavy dose of enemies to lovers.
(Which is a trope I am all for!) And then add a little military vibes and you get the picture.

Sam was decent, I could connect with her, but I have yet to experience total and utter devotion to her. Her story did intrigue me enough to continue.
So let’s see where this story will go, shall we?

Read: 03/04/2021
1st rating: 3.5 stars
Genre/tropes: RH/paranormal/magic/Fae/vampires/shifters
Cover: 3 stars
POV’s: Multiple 1st person Sara (Ellis, Cassis, Asher, Reese -3rd person)
Will I recommend: Yes

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bully romance - I don’t like them

This is a bully romance where Ellis and the rest of her mates are psychopaths who torments the last witch on earth for fun. Though he claims to have feelings for her.

Sam is innocent and needs to get enough power to burn this evil academy to the ground.

The ending was not only more of the same but double downed on the evil.

Sam has no friends, and all of her potential mates are abusive and those are the good guys. The bad guys well somehow they are worse.

Sam shouldn’t be here in this cult - but given as they killed all her people and that doesn’t even mention the poor foster sister she had to leave behind that we never hear about again.

[Tiera McMillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars. Really i was borderline meh, to liking this book. Interesting concepts, interesting and well done world build for the most part, of course its surrounded in mystery and we discover things as our FMC discovers things. Its not me... Its the FMC.. I just can't seem to become invested in her. Totally into the guys, our horsemen, and totally into the history being slowly revealed here but the FMC.... I just don't know if she is for me. She isn't whiney... so its not that. She is just weak.. and seems to not really have a personality except maybe this rollover and take it mentality that totally wasn't my jam. I mean don't get me wrong this girl is a survivor and she will do whatever it takes to survive.. but it seems like her past as well as everything going on in her present here has put her not only in the underdog role but also as the lick my boots role and I'm more of a blaze of freaking glory kinda gal.

While I do have the OCD desire to find out what happens in this series.. Being in this FMC's mind is torturous for me, and I'm honestly not seeing any indication that she is going to evolve into something better personality wise.. so I may end up putting this series on the back burner for a while.

[Shoni Wake · Rating 1 out of 5]

1. Just burn this book

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Chance Academy is the first book in the new adult fantasy series, called Immortals of Talonswood by Alex Lidell. I love Alex Lidell’s books. Her series, Power of Five is one of my all time favorites, and I already know that this series will soon be joining my favorite shelf as well. Alex writes addictive fantasies that I never want to put down. I finished this book in one sitting, and I know that it is going to be too long of a wait until I can get my hands on the next book because I need it right now. Last Chance Academy is one of my favorite reads of the 2020. If you are a fan of new adult fantasies, and of reverse harems (even though there is no harem action yet), this is a must read.

In Last Chance Academy we meet our main character, Sam. Sam is an orphan who does odd theft jobs to make ends meet. When her latest job gets her arrested, she is offered a spot at Talonswood Reform Academy instead of jail time. Sam accepts, and is thrust into a vicious world of cadets and military academies. Oh yea, and also Fae, Vampires and Witches. Sam learns that not only do these previously thought of as fictional creatures do exist, but she is one of the last known witches in the world. It’s a lot to take it, when you also have to factor in you are the only human at this ruthless academy. I loved Sam. I thought she was plucky and strong (even when she is physically weak) But more than I loved Sam, I loved the setup of the story. The world of Fae, Vampires and demi-fae/demi-vamps in an academy setting ticks all the boxes for me. Plus there are plenty of political power plays, secrets and lots more to discover in the upcoming books. Like what the Ruby egg was that Sam was tasked to steal. I can’t wait to learn more about that.

At the academy, we meet several other characters. We have Ellis and his brother Asher. Ellis is tasked with keeping Sam alive for some sectret reason. I am dying to learn more about Ellis and Asher’s high fae father. Asher is the lead instructor at the academy and his second in charge is Reese. We didn’t really get to see much of Reese or Asher, and I can’t wait to get to know each of them better in the next book. Last on the list is Cassis, a vampire. I like the more playful Cassis. The four guys have known each other for hundreds of years, and they have a complicated past with witches. I am sure there will be more on this to come in the future, but I am super excited to see it all play out.

The Immortals of Talonswood series is going to have plenty of secrets, action and of course lots and lots of romance. I can’t wait to get to know the characters better in the next book. I need it in my life right now.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last Chance Academy is the first book in a new paranormal fantasy reverse harem series and it has very intriguing main characters, most we don't know much about yet. I like the heroine so far - she has the requisite rough upbringing that makes her a tough cookie, and she winds up in trouble and taken to a reform academy for paranormal creatures. She seems to take it rather too easily that paranormal creatures exist (she didn't know before), that she is one (one of the last of her kind) and her willingness to engage with one of the potential harem members seemed out of character for her past and what we saw of her with him on page, though her interactions with another harem member addressed those kinds of issues later on. I look forward to finding out more about the other male characters and their shared history, and would love to see more scenes of the academy and their classes/classwork, as well as her interacting with each of the harem members in various ways.
3.5 Stars

[♡ kitty *:･ﾟ✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m such a sucker for this author, their previous rh series was one of my absolute faves and this one is just as good <333 excited to continue!!!!

[Spasticnontastic]

DNF @20%

[Victoria (nocturnalintimacy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited.

I was actually quite entertained by this one, but the next installment is not released!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall 4.5 stars

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

Holy crap, I was not prepared for this book! It was dark and took be on a wild ride but I loved every single second of it. The world, the characters, the supes, everything drew me in and I want more.
Samantha, Sam, is one of those main characters that you can't help but route for. She was a foster kid and has gone through so much, she doesn't trust easily but still finds it in her heart to care for a younger foster sister who is still in the system. Sam does whatever she can to survive and help her foster sister. Her spunk reminds me of myself, when I was younger I had to stand up for myself a lot and I didn't let people walk all over me and in that way Sam reminds me of my younger self. Sam had truly horrible things happen to her but she wouldn't let them take all her control, they couldn't take her stubbornness, her determination.

I knew that Talonswood Academy is where supernatural delinquents end-up after some disaster of course but I didn't expect the military type school that was some twisted form of hell. Poor Sam is pretty much the only one of her kind and the others make her life a-living-hell but she tries not to let it get to her while I, on the other hand, would have completely lost it.

Last Chance Academy is dark, full of both verbal and physical abuse, bullying, politics, and other triggers but it was interesting figuring out what happened in the past and how that comes to reflect on Sam in the present. The story has multiple layers to it, not only is it an enemy-to-lovers paranormal romance but it's a dark reverse harem with bully romance, I mean I didn't even know a writer could combine all of those and still have the story work, but it did. I don't even care too much for bully romance but this story has my attention.

The story is told from multiple povs, Sam of course and the four guys who seem to be her possible love interests. This is one difficult reverse harem because everyone is going through their own stuff and while they do feel a certain way they let the past hold them back, but Sam does try, she tries to understand her new world, tries with the guys who are jerks (to the extreme) and while there was a steamy moment these people are gonna have to work through a lot and deal with a lot because the world they live in is dangerous and stubborn. I am really curious to see how Sam is going to get to each one of them and what is going to happen when she does.

This is my first Alex Lidell book and I am hooked, it has angst, danger, politics, murder, steam, horrible history, deadly secrets, magic and so much more. I have a few questions that I am most definitely sticking around to get answers to. If only those stubborn males realize that they have met their match with Sam, and like Sam, I am ready for whatever is thrown next.

[Daphnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read! Not totally surprised since this is an Alex Liddell book but seriously I loved it. Sam is quite the heroine, a foster kid, now an adult given a tough choice - prison or 4 years at a reformatory academy. With someone depending on her she takes the shorter sentence but ends up discovering some eye opening truths about herself and the world. The world isn't fully human and she isn't either. Sadly for her she's a hated "species". At the academy she finds herself drawn to 4 males who have quite a bit of a past together. So much to unpack, so many secrets to unravel, so many players to watch.

One of my favorite things about Alex's writing is the character development and the relationships between the characters. This book was no exception. I've become invested in Sam, her survival, her growth and finding the power within. I can't wait to see how she owns this world and the males. I'm also excited to see how her individual relationships will blossom as well as the group dynamic. That ending certainly left me wanting more though. Completely worth picking up.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow that was satisfying. However there is a point in the book that of certain scene happens in a certain cage where my brain just all of a sudden flashed the witcher. So now my silly little brain is always going to connect this particular guy with the witcher.

I'm liking the intro. And it makes a lot of sense. However I'm wondering if the witch that caused all of this was actually the person that caused the scar on Sam's hand. Different people are saying different things. But that is the impression that I would get. That this woman was like either Sienna herself or was pushed to do it by some unnatural force. Guess we'll never know.

And holy shit that ending. I'm scared.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Majory crushing on Cassis and Ellis! Well written and I love this whole reform school for demivamps and demifae idea. Absolutely brilliant!

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars.

[Migeldy Mauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️

I like the concept of the story but it felt like something was missing.
There was too much back and forth and barely any plot.

[Imy♥♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 44%

[Rambling Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I had to admit to some definite self-indulgence where I saw the FMC was from Jersey, and I had to indulge my home-state love and make sure I read this book. Anyway, on to the thoughts that matter-

I'm a fan of Liddel's writing, and I enjoy her style and ideas, but this one just flew by too fast for me.

Okay, so, generally, my response to this series starter is that I need more. I need a little more backstory for Sam, I need a little more from Reese (he's one of the least fleshed out by the end of book one), I need more insight from Cassis to why he's really a bit fixed on Sam, more from Asher to how his feelings for her are progressing or driving him nuts since the first POV we get in reaction to her arrival at Talonswood.

Now, Sam is a likable leading lady, though she is a bit lost. She's falling into the category of "surprisingly supernatural". She might have been born as something other than human, but her abilities are not unlocked, and she's never realized that she's anything other than vanilla. Unfortunately for her, others know there's something special lurking underneath within her. What I've got so far is that she's inherently a good person, a caring person, and she's driven by the desire to take care of her younger foster sister, a drive that I can admire. Even though she's a bit of a small-time criminal, it's all in the name of Janie's welfare.

The guys, now, I'm a bit hot and cold on them so far. Like many of Liddel's other men, they're all a bit damaged- emotionally and literally. There's something broken about them all, and we see underneath Ellis, Asher, and Cassis' facades, but not for long. Reese is more of a mystery than I'd like him to be at the moment given the man barely speaks. Cassis seems to be the quintessential flirt, but there's at least one or two moments with him that hint at depth; Asher is the sturdy rule-follower, but there are signs that he'll inevitably cave, and Ellis is the one that all the lady will love because he's the *sshole. He's also the one who takes the most steps towards a path of change in book one, so that's also a factor that works in his favor.

As far as the plot goes, a lot of book one is about adjusting to Talonswood even though events make it clear that what little Sam's adapted to may be changing. There's an underlying threat to witches, and there's also the matter of why the fae king has an interest in her future. There are enough open curiosities that readers have room to wonder, but we're not left on any big cliffs.

Overall, I did enjoy book one, and I'll check out book two since I'm a fan of the author!

[Veronica Prowant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing, not that I expected any less from the talented Alex Liddell. I love the dynamics she employees in her writing. The character development is phenomenal, both individually and as a unit. The story progresses at the right speed and depth, keeping the reader wanting to know what's next. And that ending....speechless. I'm so excited for what is to come with this series!!

[Nicki Heiman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fine

I mostly enjoyed this book. The editing needs work, there are situations where the author accidentally slips between first and second person or forgets something she just wrote so like a person was across the room but now they aren’t, that’s a little frustrating. A lot of tell instead of show, we never see our female lead in any of her classes, we barely see any of her training, they say this is happening in a month and then a few pages later it’s happening, passage of time was way faster then I thought it was just because we weren’t being shown anything that was happening. This also isn’t great for any relationship building, we don’t really see any of the other characters, students, teachers, romantic interests, except at intense stuffs going down moments. We really aren’t invested in any of the characters because we don’t see any of them. Even the female and male leads, everything is so tell instead of show we aren’t really building their characters or story at all. It’s like if I watched a show and told you about it and expected you to be as invested in the characters as I was. Allegedly the other students all hate her and mistreat her and other then a few comments from her roommate we don’t see that at all.

[Bluebyyou · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was okay, not great as a lot of suspension of disbelief was already required (that's not how the foster care system works), but okay until I got to the shower scene where the male leads force the female lead to strip down in front of them.

I realize it is a prison academy but it should have been females running that show. Having it be males, especially males slated to be her romantic interests, was distasteful and creepy.

Made worse when, in the next chapter, the headmaster has this lovely thought: Her heavy breasts as she pulled off her bra, rosy nipples peaking in the cold as if begging to be sucked.

How professional.

Clearly this is another reverse harem where the male leads have all the power and use it to abuse the female lead. I really cannot fathom why so many female authors think abuse=romance.

I'm out.

[Cait Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good premise, however

Its not a tightly woven plot. Nor am I comfortable with the author trying to sell the readers that an abused and repeatedly raped product of the foster care system, will drop her fear and loathing of a male who has been nothing but cold and physically harsh to her, and allow herself not only to instantly feel desire for him in a time of danger, but he gets her to admit it to him out loud. Its painful and insulting to survivors of sexual abuse.
That being said, there are some new takes on the "academy tropes."
I have enjoyed other of her books much more.

[✧ FLINN ✧ (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not planning on continuing this series, I just know that it doesn’t deserves my time.

[TheHaremQueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

General Consensus: Surprisingly Shi*.

Availability: Kindle Unlimited

Book Status: First in 'immortals of Talonswood.'
Four book Series: Completed.

Grammatical Issues: Minor to none.

General Arc: Fated Mates/Last Witch/Academy.

Characters: Sam, Asher, Ellis, Reese, Cassis

Character POV: All five characters, primarily Sam.

General Plot: Sam is a thief in the mortal realm and after taking what should have been a simple job, finds herself under arrest and shipped off to a reform school for Fae and Vampire delinquents. And it turns out she's the last surviving witch. Who knew?

There were lots about this book that stood out for me. The reform was an interesting backdrop, and Sam, for all her Witch blood, is less impressive than a human when it comes to endurance runs and push ups. I truly hate books that throw a supposed human into a non-human setting and they're suddenly fantastic at everything and nothings a struggle. I also hate when the new girl finds herself in immediate friendship with her roommate, so on both sides, this book was refreshing.

Let's talk characters. Sam is a strong FMC, and a well rounded character. Cassis is the kind of Vampire and character that has me turning to the invisible camera and secretly squealing, though we see far less of him than seems fair. Ellis is the obvious brooding, domineering, 'nothing phases me' male who hates to love, and Reese, (who I was pretty cold toward until near the end) is honestly the type of character I wouldn't mind pushing me the hell around. I'd take the punishment willingly. The only character I left in the cold corner and for good reason, was Asher. There was no initial love or even interest between him and Sam, and the hate-hate continues into the second book.

While I finished this book and initially headed into the second book, something crops up with Asher, and this particular thing (I shan't spoil) immediately put me off. I hate the whole idea of 'surprise characters' cropping up, and because I felt no love from Asher anyway, the whole thing had me closing my ebook.

There is lots of backstory with this book, lots of interesting tidbits and lots of unanswered questions, (in a good way) - but like always I must add an - HOWEVER. The story itself, or at least the minimal information we are given on how and why the characters are all intwined and the whole idea that Sam was the last Witch just really wasn't juicy enough. You'd think it would be really exciting, but it just wasn't and I think that's in part to the fact that Lidell decided to lengthen out the series into several books.

-I think the author has a real habit of this having read 'The Power of Five' which again I gave up on because while the premise was a total yeah - the execution wasn't. Neither of theses series had enough substance to each book. All this fab backstory waiting to unfold, and yet a tiny word count but millions of books in the series. Lindell - babe, give us some heat! Sam is a kick ass FMC so where is the first stirrings of her awesomeness? What is her importance in this world?

just didn't hit the mark for me.

[AMG · Rating 4 out of 5]

RH/Supernaturals/Enemies to Lovers

SYNOPSIS (of 4 Book Series): FC discovers she is a witch and not a mortal and is forced to attend Talonswood Academy, a boot camp school for supernaturals and demis (not full shifters or full vampires). Witches were thought extinct so the FC is wanted by both the Shifters and the Vampires. She discovers that she is connected to the 4 horsemen. 4 very old supernaturals (2 shifters and 2 vampires) who had banded together years ago to try and unite the supernaturals but had be kidnapped and tortured by a witch which resulted in them splitting up and going their own ways. The books cover the development of the relationship between the FC and each of the horsemen as well as the machinations of the Shifter King and Vampire Master to take control of the FC. Book 4 moves on to cover the kidnapping and slavery of humans by the Shifter King with a climax and HEA.

The story is good and the writing is good but the style just didn't do it for me. The author insists on referring to the MCs as "the males" even when the FC it thinking about them and to the FC as "the witch or the female". In addition, when talking from a character's POV the author still writes with a cross between third person and first person. I found this technique to be jarring and resulted in me not feeling any real deep connection between the FC and any of the MCs. How can there be when she's referring to them as the Males when in romantic or close situations? I'm not sure what the purpose of this style was.

The FC is a pretty strong individual and not unlikeable but the MCs, for me, each came across as too closed off and I just didn't see or feel the bond between each of them and the FC.

If you can get over the style then this is OK although pretty superficial when it comes to story and character development and the ending, for me, lacked real closure. I mean, what will King Bryant do now? How does the supernatural world evolve and how does the relationship with the FC and the MCs work if they are all off doing different things?

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Great start to a new series

Samantha "Sam" Devinee , has had a rough life. Grew up is care, suffered abuse, aged out. Now she works as a thief for higher. Her last job, she should have trusted her gut and walked away, but the pay was to good. Now she finds herself at Talonswood Academy. A rehabilitation program for delinquent paranormals. Mostly half breed fae and vampire. Sam is unique and despised. A mortal witch, something she didn't even know she was. Her life has just been places in the hands of her last employer, the man who tried to kill her, Ellis.
Ellis is the bastard son of the Fae King Bryant. For centuries he has been his father's bounty hunter, punisher, and assassin. Now he is being punished for his failure. His father needs Sam alive but broken. He need to be able to bend her to his will. Ellis has been charged with the task.
Ellis is not alone. His half brother Asher, also a bastard son is commander of the Academy. Reese his vampire friend, is a trainer. Then their is Cassis,.a vampire who was once a friend. His love for a witch nearly destroyed the 4, centuries ago. None of them have any love for witches. There is something about Sam that brings out Ellis's protective side, despite his hatred of what she is. Asher sees his brother falling for the witch, and confronts him. Reece is out right hostile. Cassis is using her a a pawn in a game all his own. Ellis finds that Sam is something more to him, after she tapps into her magic to save them. What he found is something he has to deny.
Sam is trapped. There is no walking away from Talonswood until you are let go.
Fast paced and a little steamy, dark romance. A ends in a cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next book.

[Lollypop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to what is prepped to be another fabulous series by Alex Lidell. If you love The Power of Five series, you will not be disappointed with her new offering. Once started and found myself unable to stop, this really is a page turner and one I shall definitely be re-reading when Book 2 comes out.

This story’s heroine is an ex-foster home survivor called Sam. Believe me, you cannot help but love her. She is brave, bold and a real fighter in a tiny form. She is a talented thief, who gets caught up with the wrong sting. She is removed to Talonswood Academy to be rehabilitated. It is then she finds out mystical creatures are not only figments of people’s imagination, but they really do exist. Fae and Vampires are here and she has to survive alongside them.

Meet Ellis, Cassis, Amber and Reece, brothers, ex-friends, hero’s who have survived centuries together, driven apart by their pasts, brought back together and knocked sideways by this pint-sized bundle of trouble who is thrown into their world. In true Alex Lidell style, you will love her hero’s. This is Sam’s initiation, can she stand up to her captors? Will Ellis stop torturing her with his training? Who is the mysterious Cassis? What will Amber do with the new pupil at his school, will Reece be able to stand his ground.

Guaranteed to leave you with a mammoth book hangover, I’m now counting down until Book 2, and I can fall back into Talonswood Academy, and rejoin Sam and the gang.

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

[Andra Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Chance Academy (Immortals of Talonswood 1, PRN Dark Reverse Harem Academy Romance) is a suspenseful beginning to this series. Samantha (Sam) Devinee is a product of the New Jersey foster care system and unbeknownst to her, a witch. She lands in the Talonswood Reformatory Academy when the police arrest her for stealing. What is believable and likable about Sam is that she is stronger than she knows. She puts up a tough front that does not work with supernaturals as it did in the foster care system. With everything she has been through as a foster child, she risks her freedom to get money so that Janie, her foster sister, can live safely. I began rooting for Sam the minute she went to speak with her former foster mother about paying her a stipend to keep Janie safe. She has a big heart and is nowhere as hard as she wants you to believe. Enter Ellis, one of the four horsemen, who rocks her world in many ways, and one of those ways is one of the many twists in this story. As she meets the other horsemen, Asher, Cassis, and Reese, she finds an attraction to and for each. There is a bit of a mystery in the story that adds to the suspense. Supernatural action and a really hot moment between Ellis and Sam are part of the moments that keep you engaged. The book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger that makes you wonder where this is going. I have to pick up the next book to find out!

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

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Liddell-Last Chance Academy: Shifter Fae Vampire Reform School Romance (Immortals of Talonswood Book 1)
Before I started this book I thought it would be just another supernatural Academy Book but it was so much more. Plus seriously how can you go wrong when an awesome writer such as Alex Liddell created a world that existed between the Fae Realm and Mortal Realm and fills it with a kickass , shifter/Fae royalty, and vampires.
The group of four have a shared history that has haunted them for many years . They are all somehow involved in this nightmare academy built to get wayward and troublesome Demi breeds and vamps into line. A nightmare for any who attend and hopefully get to leave one day.
Samantha (Sam) is an extraordinary thief who takes on jobs to support herself and her “little foster sister” she tried to take care of since her days in the foster system.
Sam takes a job by a strange and beautiful “male “ named Ellis. The job doesn’t go as planned and Sam finds herself deciding between 10 years in prison or attending a “special” reform academy. She chooses the academy of course which is far than any world filled with species she had no idea existed.
Sam has some mysterious connection with four males- two shifter/Fae and two vamps. I like that although this is an academy book the main characters are very much adult. Amazing world building, characters and story, great start to a new series.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE TUMULTUOUS ROLLERCOASTER!!!
Feel the need! Alex blows through kicking and screaming, ratcheting up the thrill and exuberance, riding roughshod and seizing control, fusing this gem together sleek, shiny and tight. A multitude of daunting circumstances and surprising mishaps, takes you on one emotional rollercoaster ride, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration. Twined, combined and intermingled, exposing the explosive highs and agonizing lows, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never envisioned. Satisfaction is an understatement, this baby comes packing a punch, ratcheting up the thrill, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat. Anarchy, escapades and havoc run amuck, kicking this bad boy into a raging tempest, blasting it into a tailspin with a life-altering culmination. Manuenvering through the intimidating trials and challenging tribulations along with compelling twists and wicked turns, blasting this sparkling jewel to life spectacularly. The characters, dialogue, interactions, charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuinely approachable personalities. The scenes are written with such realism, impressive talent and unique insight, blasts this sparkling jewel to life, making the storyline pop. Remarkable job Alex, thanks for sharing this treasure with us.