Shadows twist around the ancient walls of Shadowcarve Academy—part fortress, part labyrinth of secrets. Last year, I barely survived its brutal trials, but I left with more than three men, bound to me in a once-in-a-lifetime connection that feels ripped from a fairy tale. And then there’s the legendary red egg—coveted by countless students for centuries—and somehow it chose me.
But survival here always comes at a price. Now, every step I take is under scrutiny, with a so-called “fan club” just waiting to watch me fail. This year’s trials promise even darker gauntlets and deadlier challenges, and the training has a reputation for breaking bones—and minds. My mates warn me that many will fall … and fall hard. Sometimes, I wonder if the cutthroat world of politics would’ve been safer than this savage art of war.
As if I ever had a choice.Trial of the Cursed Egg - Year OneGuardian of the Cursed Egg - Year TwoKlauth - History of the Red Cursed EggProgeny of the Cursed Egg - Year 3Thauglor - History of the Black Cursed EggQueen of the Cursed Egg - Year 4
The second year in the Dragonis Academy brings more danger, more suspense, more mates and more spice! I like the concept of the cursed eggs a lot; it works in this dangerous world the characters are living in, and it adds something interesting to the overall storyline.
I’m reluctant to talk about my favorite mates, since that might reveal a possible spoiler. Just looking at the mates in book one though, I have to admit Abraxis is definitely part of the favorites. The other one will be someone to add in the review for book three… While I loved the relationship building between Mina and most of her men, I felt like part of it in this book was too rushed. I hope the start of book three will give them some time together.
Overall, I really enjoy this series. The thing I do struggle with at times though, is that some details don’t always seem to match throughout the series, or aren’t fleshed out properly. It occasionally throws me out of the story, and I’m not sure how to resolve that. I’m however fascinated enough with this world to look past it and continue reading anyway!
This story picks up right where book one ended. Mina and her three mates and friends are back at the academy, but the stakes have gotten higher. She still has Klauth the red cursed egg, but she also rescues the black cursed egg. Her visions increase in this one, as does her dragonsess distress that it can not control what they see. The author does a great job weaving the story with intrigue and suspense while not overwhelming the reader. Mina is tough, but her mates treat her with such kindness and gentleness. She is also gathering more mates, but they all adjust well and seem honored to be chosen. The story ends on a slight cliffhanger, but enough to leave you wanting so much more.
I have been eagerly awaiting the second installment in the Dragonis Academy Series since finishing book one. It did not disappoint. Year 2 for Mina, her Egg and her mates kicks off just where we left them in book one only this year has loads nore of all the good stuff... More suspense, more tension, more risk, more mates and even more 🔥🔥.
I couldn't put it down and now im not so patiently waiting on my next Drogonis fix!!
Omg! He’s here!!!!! What a rollercoaster!!!! I love this series! I devoured it and now I’m anxiously waiting for more!!!! I bawled my eyes out at the last picture painted. Ahhhhh. Now I will be in a book hangover!
I was so excited to receive this book and devoured it in a couple days. I love how it left off where the last book ended so you feel like you didn’t miss anything. The twists and turns this story took and that ending….. omg now I am in a slump because I need the next one now!
3.5 Stars Book tropes, spice, steam, specs, etc., listed at the bottom
This book is better than the first one—despite a bunch of inconsistencies. The writing has improved, and thankfully we’re no longer trapped inside a single character’s head while they internally monologue about every passing thought. The pacing is better, and I actually like the underlying plotline enough to keep going with the series.
The character development for the guys has improved too—though it’s still shaky. At least now I know what most of them look like. All I know about Ziggy is that he has freckles. Apparently, he’s kind, caring, and playful—a golden retriever type—but I haven’t really seen much evidence of that yet. Balor, on the other hand, I can picture, but I still don’t know anything about his personality. Mina has hardly spent any time with him, so he feels like a background prop. Honestly, the guys’ personalities aren’t very distinct. They all kind of blur together, but it’s still an improvement considering none of them had any real personalities at all in Book One.
Mina, though… she’s a problem. She’s such a stick in the mud. We’re constantly told she’s strong, fierce, and unstoppable—but what we see is a girl who spends most of the book in a depressive funk or crying/sobbing about everything. Then she suddenly flips her extra switch and turns into this feral, unhinged lunatic, threatening people and completely out of control. Except when it actually matters she can't even protect herself. That’s not strength—it’s chaos. And not even the fun kind of chaos. It’s the “someone please get this girl therapy and maybe a prescription” kind.
Just some notes I took while I was reading...
✅ Despite all of that, I do like the storyline. The world-building and overarching plot are interesting enough that I want to see how it all plays out. There’s potential here—it’s just buried under a mess of emotional flip-flopping and inconsistent details. Still, it’s a step up from Book One, and that’s something.
Book Details & Ratings
📚 Completed Series 👀 POV: Multiple, First Person 📖 Genre: Fantasy Romance ❣️ Romance Type: Reverse Harem 🎱 Tropes: Academy • Fated Mates • Shifters [Dragon, Gryphon, Gargoyle, Basilisk] • Badass FMC • Arranged Marriage • Animal Familiars • Slow Build Harem • Professor + Student • Magic •
🌎 World-building: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) ⭐ Plot-line: ★★★★☆ (4/5) 🤓 Character Development: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) 🙀 Angst: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) 👥 Harem: Slow build, final count will be 8 men in harem. 🍒 Virgins: None ♥️ Romance: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) 🌶 Spice Level: ★★★★★ (5/5) (a lot of sex scenes, only a few of them are actually hot though)
🔥 Burn: Medium 👄 Kinks: Biting, voyeurism, tail play, pierced peen, vibrating forked tongue, threesome 🚫 No: MM, OW, cheating, bullying, dub/non-con ‼️ Triggers: violence • blood/gore • misogyny • past abuse of FMC (supposedly, I'm still not sure I believe it). ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
Book 1 was interesting and engaging. Where is the Mina from book 1? All we got here was a lot of "I'm anxious about this, I have a bad feeling about that" The whining and random "ptsd" huh??? We left Mina in fighting form in book 1 this was just annoying. The plot did not move!! We already know about the other dragons there is nothing new here.
Abraxis is practically the only MMC in book 2. I was bored with it. Why claim other mates if they don't measure up to her precious Abraxis?? I didn't care about his character any which way in book 1 but by my dnf, I couldn't stand him or Mina. She has s*x with Leander to MATE with him! then says, you should see me and Abraxis go at it. Ouch!!! Absolutely not no, not in an RH.
How would she like being told she doesn't measure up every 5 minutes. Oh wait we do know, she spent 30% of book 1 crying about it.
There are shadows twisting around the ancient walls of Shadowcarve Academy – part fortress, part labyrinth of secrets. Last year, Mina barely survived its brutal trials, but by the end of the trials she left with more than three mates, they are bound to her in a once-in-a-lifetime connection that feels like it was ripped from some fairy tale. Then there's the legendary red egg – it's been coveted by countless students for centuries – and somehow it chose her.
Survival at Shadowvarve Academy always comes at a price. Now, every step Mina takes is watched carefully, with a so-called “fan club” that's just watching and waiting for her to fail. This year's trials promises to have even darker gauntlets and deadlier challenges, and the training for this years trial's has a reputation for breaking bones – and even minds. Mina's mates warn her over and over that many are going to fall...and fall hard.
Sometimes, Mina wonders, if the cutthroat world of politics would have been a lot safer than this savage art of war.
As if Mina ever had a choice.
The Guardian of the Cursed Egg is Year 2 of Dragonis Academy by Serenity Rayne. I loved the first book and I have been waiting with baited breath for this book to fall into my hands because I have been dying to be back with Mina and her mates and find out what happens in Year 2 of Mina's adventures. And let's just say that Mina's back with her mates at her back and she's on a mission and boy is she as fierce as ever.
I thought that Book 1 put her through her paces and tested her to her limits. I didn't think you could do anything else to her or put her through anything else harder than that. Oh boy was I ever wrong. This book took book 1 and raised it up 100%.
Right from the opening we find that Mina is being pushed into these trials that demand every bit of her strength, grit, and will. And there is no way that she can or will ever back down, and even if she could, you know that she would never do it. She's far too stubborn. The only way she will ever move is forward, that's the only way she knows how to move.
Serenity Rayne has created an intense installment in this book. We get to dive so much deeper into Mina's world and get to know her so much better. We get to know more about her past and how she grew up and the responsibilities that she had. We also get to see all the relationships that she had around her and how they were complicated and interconnected. And Serenity ensured that the emotional stakes of this book went just as high as the physical one. We see that love, loyalty and even legacy are all at play and are all fragile and can break like glass shattering, and in the middle of it all, we see Mina.
As Mina's found family continues to grow we see that as the family grows, that growth brings the family a strength but also strain. We see and feel the chemistry between our characters, with so much tenderness and yet there's still a tension between everyone that you could cut with a knife. Slowly we start to learn long-held secrets and as those secrets are revealed the consequences of the revelations start to ripple outwards in so many ways that none of Mina's found family is ready for or expects.
Serenity has written a fast-paced, action-packed, gripping, emotionally hard hitting book that has betrayal, power plays, and mystery and you feel like this is all building up to something so much more. You can feel it all building up behind the scenes when you read between the lines and you can feel it rippling between the pages as you turn the page.
I love the multi-POVs. This allows us to see the world through everyone's eyes and allows us to know and understand how everyone is feeling and thinking and what they are going through. This also allows us to get to know each character better and on a deeper level.
The Guardian of the Cursed Egg delivers on everything you want in this series and it just once again proves that Mina is going to continue to be a force that is not one you want to come up against and her journey is not over. This book has raised the stakes for Mina and her crew, we have seen the lore of this rich land deepened and all I can say is I want more.
If you haven't read Year One yet then I don't know what you are waiting for. If you haven't read this book yet, then get off your bum and get on it, this is a phenomenal series and I can't wait for Year 3 to land in my hot hands so I can find out what happens next because I know that Serenity is going to light a fire under Mina's feet in Year 3.
I wanted to love this series—and at first, I really thought I would. After finishing both Book 1 and Book 2, I’m left feeling more frustrated than fulfilled. Here’s my breakdown of the journey so far:
Book 1: 3.5/5 Stars
The first installment had a lot going for it.
- Solid world-building
- A badass FMC (main female character)
- Fascinating creatures and character dynamics
- A large harem that builds gradually, with some real intrigue and suspense around potential mates
I’m not usually a fan of slow burns, but for this story, I was willing to be patient. The pacing worked well enough, and the relationships felt like they had room to breathe. The cliffhanger left me eager for Book 2—frustrated in the best way. I was on board.
Book 2: 2/5 Stars
Unfortunately, Book 2 felt like a huge step back in nearly every way. Despite the higher page count, the storytelling quality dropped noticeably. Key issues:
1. Mina’s Seer Ability This was the biggest letdown. Mina’s ability completely undermined the suspense, especially during what should have been the book’s climactic moments. Why rob readers of the big, epic payoff by revealing major events halfway through? Klauth’s introduction—something I was genuinely excited for—was spoiled way too early. It killed the tension and made the rest of the book feel unnecessary.
2. Skipped Scenes & Rushed Plot Important scenes were skipped or summarized instead of shown, and it started to feel like the story was being held together with duct tape. With a planned 6-book arc and 400+ pages per book, there’s no excuse for rushing key character and plot developments. It feels like the author is juggling too many threads and starting to lose grip on the details that made Book 1 so engaging.
3. Relationship Development (or Lack Thereof) This one really stung. Book 1 did such a great job with the slow-burn buildup. But Book 2 seemed to abandon that entirely. Leander suddenly takes center stage—claiming the FMC—without any real buildup, while characters like Balor and Ziggy (who had more meaningful interactions in Book 1) are sidelined or barely acknowledged.
It felt like their arcs were just shoved in as an afterthought. Klauth was introduced similarly—hyped up and then rushed into the fold without payoff. This is a classic pitfall in large harem stories: promising deep connections and then lumping characters in with little care.
Final Thoughts I really wanted this to be a go-to series for my reverse harem/multi-species fantasy fix. Book 1 gave me hope that I’d found something special. But Book 2 left me feeling let down and disconnected. I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series, and that’s disappointing—especially as someone who enjoys expansive, well-paced harems and immersive world-building.
I hope future installments tighten up the storytelling and give the characters the attention they deserve. For now, though, I’m stepping away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Title: Guardian of the Cursed Egg: Dragonis Academy - Year Two Author: Serenity Rayne Genre: Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy Pages: 536
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“How can someone so little trust a monster like me?”
Watching Mina and her guys grow closer in this book is such a ride. New bonds, evolving powers, and secrets start unraveling fast. Her life is total chaos—between the brutal second-year trials, cursed eggs, and her power-hungry dad, there’s barely time to breathe. But her mates? Always by her side, worshipping her like the queen she is. The romance is emotional and one-on-one, the danger is real, and the magic is next level. With a secret class, stone-shifting risks, and visions tied to a dragon egg, the pressure is on—but Mina keeps pushing forward.
The plot here is super engaging—danger, secrets, and so many twists you won’t see coming. The pacing is smooth, and everything flows in a way that keeps you hooked without feeling overwhelming. The glossary and epilogue at the end? Total gems. Super helpful and fun to read! The characters are all so different, and it’s incredible seeing tough, fierce energy mixed with real vulnerability. You’ve got dragons, gryphons, gargoyles, even basilisks—plus funny familiars, an arranged marriage twist, and a harem that respects and supports her (no bullying here!). The vibes are academy-set, 20+ cast, reverse harem (no MM), with instructors in the mix and some really unique spicy details (yes, even pierced bits and wild knots). There are serious themes too—past trauma, violence, and high-stakes moments—but at its heart, it’s about love, power, and healing. If you’re into dangerous academies, magical trials, and slow-burn romance with supernatural hotties—emotional, intense, and full of magic—you’re gonna love it!
A big thanks to Literary Inspired and Serenity Rayne for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 06/06/25 on Amazon, KU, and paperback. E-book pre-orders are available NOW. — #AdvancedReaderCopy
We're back at Dragonis Academy for Mina's second year in Guardian of the Cursed Egg, and it was excellent.
Mina is still the badass warrior that she is. However, this time around she revealed her more vulnerable side when dealing with all the trauma her dad caused. The only way she was even able to open up was because the guys had her back. I loved Mina's relationship with all the guys and how they worked together to make things better for her. My favorite has to be Abraxis. They share a special kind of crazy obsessive kind of relationship that was everything. As for the rest, they're all in different stages but in a good place. However, it was the angst between her and Balor that just about killed me. Knowing the reason behind their issues makes it that much more real, and it was devastating. There were a few sniffles on my end.
I enjoyed the plot, especially all the details about dragon culture. It's always fascinating when the shifters are closer to their animal sides. The instincts and behaviors are more extreme, and I definitely got that this time around. As for the storyline, Mina is building her nest while dealing with threats on multiple fronts. Including a major threat revealed by one of Mina's visions. There were some good things too. There was a significant development that took me by surprise, because, honestly, I never thought we would get there. Still, I was jumping for joy that we did. Then there were the scenes with Abraxis's family; they were some of my favorites. His family was so proud of Mina. They gave her two things she never really had, acceptance and a family.
The last several chapters were perfection. I could feel the tension building, and it set me on edge. So much was happening at once; it was complete chaos. I didn't know if the vision would play out or if things would take a turn. The ending was good but left a lot of things open. I can't wait to see what happens next.
If you thought book one tested her, book two throws the rulebook out the window. From the opening chapters, she’s thrust into high-stakes trials that demand every ounce of her strength, grit, and unshakable will. There’s no backing down — only forward. Always forward.
This installment is intense. The story dives deeper into Mina’s world — her past, her growing responsibilities, and the complicated web of relationships that surrounds her. The emotional stakes climb just as high as the physical ones. Love, loyalty, and legacy are all in flux, and Mina is caught right in the middle of it.
Her found family continues to grow, and with that comes both strength and strain. There’s undeniable chemistry, some much-needed tenderness, and yes — tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Meanwhile, long-held secrets begin to surface, and the consequences ripple outward in ways no one is quite ready for.
The pacing is fast, the action gripping, and the emotional beats hit hard. There’s betrayal, power plays, mystery, and the feeling that something much bigger is building behind the scenes.
That said, there is one downside: the sheer number of point-of-view characters. While it’s exciting to see the world through different lenses, the frequent shifts can be disorienting at times, especially when you’re eager to stay rooted in Mina’s perspective. A little streamlining would’ve made for a smoother ride.
Still, that’s a small price to pay for everything this book delivers. Mina continues to prove she's a force to be reckoned with, and her journey is far from over. Book two raises the stakes, deepens the lore, and leaves you gasping for more.
First of all I want to thank the author for giving me the chance to arc read this. I really love the plot and the fmc, Its an unique plot and a strong female lead. I was actual so close to giving it 4 stars but its one thing holding me back and thats simply the male characters. I find them to be boring, they have no personality they're all about the fmc, which is nice but as characters they're useless. I prefer when you write good male leads and make them their own persons instead of just being mates/boyfriends, its clear at least for now that they have no identity apart from being mates. I mean ¤Abraxis learns years before that hes her mate and we only see him protecting his mate or worrying about her etc, he´s definitely not his own person at all. ¤Callan had a bit of his own personality fighting the bond in book 1 , here he was just there and boring ¤Vaughn has to be the most unnecessary and most boring character of them all, hes so unremarkable I cant even think of anything about just him ¤ Also the fact that Abraxis friends Zigmander and Balor are gonna join the harem is just weird and thrown in there for no reason?? the author isn't developing the male characters well especially when she throws them in there so quickly, there's so many mates/male leads yet not a single one of them are actually interesting except maybe Klauth and thats saying something considering hes been in once scene. I do thinks these 2 books would have been a lot better if the mates weren't thrown together so quickly , I mean i feel no romantic pull whatsoever. This is just my opinion of course but I have a hard time reading if male characters arent as interested as the fmc, and here she shines so much brighter it makes me numb to the ML. Hopefully ALL the male leads will get developed as the series progress.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Let me preface this by saying this is the first book I have read by this author. I predominantly read WC/RH. Having said that, the first book left me interested enough to continue, but it was a bit confusing. I chalked it up to plot lines that the author wasn't ready to let us in on. The main character, Mina, is a force to be reckoned with. Love a strong female character! What I don't love in a why choose when that very strong character chooses mates outside her species and then makes them feel "less than." This story almost feels like a story between Abraxsis (MMC) and Mina (FMC) that was then turned into WC. She favors Abraxsis, and to the point it is obvious. The point where I DNF'd it came after she mates with one of her "prey" mates, mind you, another mate is in the room for safety, and tells Callan if you think this is good you should see me an Abraxsis. I couldn't continue! I can't imagine how she would have felt if the situation was reversed. Especially because of her past and trauma. You would think that she would make each mate feel special and show them exactly why they were a part of her nest. Mind you, they just get done telling you about the mate and how lore has it they were supposed to be powerful and haunting in their own right. The author has a very unique take on fantasy, and had it not been for my issues with the harem itself, I would have continued! It made me feel like I didn't like Abraxsis, and I wanted to like all of them. Now, if you can get past the WC mate stuff, then I think the author has a great story. It just wasn't for me.
This kept me hooked all day once I started! I've really enjoyed Mina's journey so far and love the additions to her nest throughout this book. The plot is always keeping me invested even though we know kind of what is coming because of Mina's abilities. The relationship development between Mina and her men has been well paced too, some being fast burn while others have taken a more slower pace. The pacing of the story doesn't feel rushed and the time skips helped develop the story without making it dragged out either. Every one of the characters feel well developed and like they have distinct personalities. I'm excited for the next book already and can't wait to see what happens! Can't recommend this series enough so far.
I enjoyed how every male in the nest had their own role in regards to Mina. Abraxis is the leader of the nest and will always hold the place of Mina's first love. Callen is trusted to be there for Mina during the hard times where she needs a level headed lover. Vaughn was the new love interest, not part of the Abraxis' team, so he is still struggling slightly to find his role but Mina hasn't made him feel any less loved. Leander has brought in the ability to help calm Mina's nightmares allowing her to have a peaceful sleep. I'm excited for more moments between Ziggy, Klauth and Balor. I know Balor has had some moments with Mina and we've seen their mating scene but he has some grovelling to do in regards to what he did!
Oh my goodness. What a journey we went on in this instalment of the series.
We jump right back into this story as book 1 concludes. I don't know if anyone else felt this way about this book, but to me, it felt a lot darker and heavier in a way.
Poor Mina really goes through it when she realises a few things, especially when her visions are getting clearer and stronger. Mina is also trying to navigate her bonds with her fated mates as well as potential new bonds (I was so happy about this part I screamed). She still has her cursed egg, Klauth, but she is definitely drawn to the black egg and attempts to rescue it. We see certain individuals start to reveal their true colours, which i was like, what the heck have you done because i didn't pick it. I really love Mina though, through everything, which is a lot she stays true to herself, her mates and her friends. She is a true queen.
That ending was insane! I can't wait for what's to come because I know it's going to be impactful.
Thank you to Serenity, Meg, and the lovely team for the opportunity to read this story. I am extremely blessed to be a part of your ARC team 🙏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶🌶
🔮 why choose (slow build) 🔮 slow burn 🔮 age gap 🔮 professor/ teacher in harem 🔮 magical familiars 🔮 arranged marriage 🔮 multiple pov 🔮 war academy 🔮 fated mates 🔮 so many secrets 🔮 shifter romance 🔮 powerful fmc
Mina, her mates and her friends are back to the Academy and it's time to see what is up next.
This story is absolutely engaging and drags you in making you want to crawl inside and live it. So many things happening on different fronts brings more challenges. However, it also brings Mina to add to her power base.
We find out some of the things going on in the background and what kind of reach her father has. We also see more of Mina's paintings showing the future. I love how the relationships are growing and even with some of those relationships changing it still seems to be working for them all.
Those vision paintinga are brutal though because it you change what happens you could lose everything. There is one absolutely amazing painting she paints near the end of this book that actually shows some positives for the future.
Now to continue fighting against everyone that wants to use, abuse or kill Mina and her mates. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next. I'm absolutely entralled by this story.
Why Choose building harem Slow Burn Strong FMC Professor/instructor X student Fated Mates Shifters - Dragons, gryphons, basilisks, gargoyles and more Multiple POV Visions Protective Familiar Battles on multiple fronts
Guardian Of The Cursed Egg is the second book, Year Two, in the Dragonis Academy Series. It is a paranormal, reverse harem romance with a harem that develops over time and features a myriad of paranormal creatures.
I fell in love with the first book in this series, but after reading this second one, I am officially addicted. Year two at Dragonis Academy brings even more challenges, surprises, and dangers. Mina and her men are constantly on the lookout for, and preparing for, danger that could come from anywhere and anyone.
Mina continues to strengthen herself both physically and mentally. I love seeing the strength that she possesses, but I also adore those moments that show her vulnerability and make her more relatable. Mina's relationships continue to change and develop in this book and she has some very troubling times too. I loved the surprises and cannot wait to see where they lead to down the road. I am also excited to find out just how many mates Mina will end up claiming.
This was such an amazing continuation of Mina's story. I loved the characters, relationship development, character development, and the stunning world building. The writing, flow, plot, and pace lent to a smooth and intriguing read. I honestly could not have loved this book more and am very excited to see what happens next.
Guardian of the Cursed Egg by Serenity Rayne is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud, spell-slinging romp that had me hooked from the first page. With her signature blend of sass, steam, and supernatural shenanigans, Rayne delivers a unique urban fantasy full of heart, humor, and heat.
The heroine is everything I love in a fantasy lead—fiercely independent, delightfully sarcastic, and totally not ready to deal with the chaos that comes with guarding a mysterious, cursed egg. But chaos finds her anyway, in the form of magical creatures, snarky sidekicks, and one seriously swoony romantic interest who might just be more trouble than he's worth (in the best way, of course).
What makes this story shine is its wild imagination and Rayne’s ability to balance laugh-out-loud moments with serious stakes. Just when I thought I knew where things were going, she threw in another twist—and I loved every second of it. The magical world is vivid and immersive, and the banter between characters? Chef's kiss.
If you're a fan of quirky, high-energy fantasy with a strong heroine, magical mayhem, and a touch of romance, Guardian of the Cursed Egg is an absolute must-read. Serenity Rayne continues to be one of my go-to authors when I need something that’s equal parts fun and fierce.
That was incredible!!!! And it's not a horrible cliffhanger. I love the characters. The descriptions are so vivid I feel like I'm there. We get so many different POVs. I loved seeing how each guy thinks and feels about Mina. She's an awe inspiring baddie.
I'm not typically one for reverse harem books, but when they're done right, they're everything. Mina's relationship with each of the guys is as unique as they are. Her dragoness needs them for specific reasons and purposes. It's all meant to be. Any spice is one on one so far. All of them worship her like the goddess she is. There's so much feeling, so many emotions, such intention.
The descriptions of how Mina feels to have their wings around her like a cocoon makes me desperately wish I could feel that. How cool would it be to have dragon or gargoyle wings surround you with their warmth and shield you? Give that soothing comfort you need when things are rough. And there's a hanging hammock nest described that sounds rather cozy too, accompanied by a gargoyle and his wings.
There's more I'd like to comment on but feel I can't without spoiling anything. This book is amazing. The story is still building. I'm here for it all. I'm so excited for the rest of the series!
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reader copy of this book and let me tell you all the things that I loved about.
This romantasy adventure is packed with slow-burn spice, unexpected allies, and deadly magical challenges and more.
🏫 Academy (20+) 🐲 Dragons, Gryphons, Gargoyles & Basilisks 🧠 Strong female protagonist 🔥 Professors in the nest 😂 Snarky familiars 💍 Arranged marriage 💘 Slow-burn, slow-build harem 🔁 Multiple POVs
So this book picks up where book one left off. We're back at the academy with Mina and all her friends. I have always loved books that are in an academic setting so this just check the boxes for me. This book definitely has twists and turns that are goimg to make you want to keep reading. I love watching the journey as well as the personal growth of Mina and her side kicks. We began to see some things come to light. The character development in this book series is exceptional. You really see all sides of the characters. So you get to see their strengths as well as their weaknesses. I want to attend Drgonis Academy LOL I absolutely loved the ending of this book and I can't wait for the next one. I love when a book absolutely fulfills all my needs but leaves me wanting more.
From the jump, its exciting and insane. There is so much going on. With the way the author structured the story, even with all the craziness, it doesn't feel overwhelming. The story is leaps and bounds better than book 1 even though book 1 was still pretty good.
Mina and the relationship she continues to develop with her mates is one of my favorite parts of this story in particular. They are trying to prepare for the challenges that are coming but also maintain their current nest and figuring out dynamics. While Abraxis was the focus in the first book, this one adds in the other guys so I got to see more on how Mina will work with all of them. She has a lot of them i will say 🤣 girl is living the dream with sexy men.
With finding more information on her father and his reach, Mina's abilities, and the war brewing on the horizon, it was a lot to take in. When I got to the end, I felt tired but in a good way. There was so much going on but in a good way. No boring plots here. On to book 3.
Why is this series so boring? There’s so much cool stuff hinted at but nothing happens. We’re just following the MFC here and there and meeting her guys that are interesting but not omgggg fascinating. Honestly the most interesting crap is from her visions, which is just hinting at what we’re going to read in future books so 💤 a lot of the books are just telling us the plot instead of it actually happening. Also needs re-edited. Several typos or repetitive thoughts/phrases—do we need a detailed description of what her dragon looks love EVERY. TIME. SHE. SHIFTS?
Also VERY over her constant power trips. We get it. You’re powerful. Stop fighting with irrelevant, lesser beings at school 🙄 it comes across as petty, not badass. What’s with her acting all innocent and naive when her guys take someone to “protect her” thoughts like “omg they are going to interrogate him. There’s a torture chamber? What? How? This is crazy” when this chick is LITERALLY killing people who blinking 🙄🙄🙄 legit think she needs more than therapy.
I was literally going crazy waiting for the 2nd book to come out in this installment, and I was not disappointed. This is one of my favorite series this author has written. While there is spice it is slow burn and that is not the focal point of the story. I absolutely love the character and world building and the slow build of the harem. I also love that the main FMC is a literal bada** that everyone underestimates at first until she proves them all wrong. The touch of the eggs is creative and keeps you guessing. Going into the 2nd book you are never quite sure who will end up in the harem and I love how the author holds that close until the perfect moment. I spent the story rooting for those I’ve loved since the beginning. This book ended on another cliffhanger which made me want to throw my kindle because I wanted more. The good news is the author is rapid releasing this series so I won’t have to wait long.
This is the second book in the Dragonis Academy series. There are a total of 5 books in this series. I had not read the first prior to reading this book. I was able to follow the story but I want to know how everybody met and the backstories. I need to read the first book because now I need to know everything. The FMC in this story is such a protective, powerful and traumatized woman. She seems to carry the weight of the world and she is drowning with all of this weight. She has a couple of mates and we see her adding more mates in this book. Her mates are incredible. They support her, take care of her and protect her from everyone who tries to do her harm Thank you, Serenity Rayne, for a wonderful story filled with dragons, gryphons, gargoyles and so much more. This was such an incredible and steamy story! I cannot wait to read the first book as well as the next ones in this series!
5⭐️⭐️ Better than first!! I got to the end and was like, "No!!, I want more!" Last year, Mina barely survived its brutal trials but was left with more than scars: three mates, bound to her in a once-in-a-lifetime connection that feels ripped from a fairy tale. And then there’s the legendary red egg—coveted by countless students for centuries—and somehow it chose her. This year’s trials promise even darker gauntlets and deadlier challenges, and the training has a reputation for breaking bones—and minds. Her mates warn her that many will fall … and fall hard.
I love how the author has a sense of humor in her writing. Chapter six had me laughing so hard. I enjoyed seeing Mina's relationship with her mates grow and develop, but I think this book has given me a NEW favorite mate for her.
This book is probably one of my most anticipated of the year so far after finding myself addicted to the first book and it didn’t disappoint in the slightest. The story was absolutely fabulous, it drew me in right from the start and kept me on my toes while I was reading. I loved the twists in it, most of which I didn’t see coming and the ending has me dying for the next books release. I really loved the characters. Mina is a brilliant FMC, I love how strong she is and I loved that this book explored more of her character. I absolutely adore all the guys and I definitely have my favourites now. The ending was spectacular, I was actually shocked when I reached the end of the book and I was gutted that I’d have to wait for the next book to release to get my next fix. I would highly recommend giving this book a read.
It’s Year Two at Dragonis academy, and if the plot of this book is any indication, each year will be better than the last.
Mina begins year two with her bonded mates and nest mates planning how to handle the enemies they know are coming but even they can’t always be ready for everything. Rayne brings us an adventure that will keep you engrossed in a world full of secrets, betrayal, and epic adventure. The group continues to adjust to their nest while knowing that there are things on the horizon that may completely change their dynamic. The emotional and physical struggles that they tackle together bring a story of strength, loyalty, and unconditional love.
If you’re looking for an adventure with fated mates, brewing wars, and an FMC more powerful than them all, Guardian of the Cursed Egg and Dragonis Academy are waiting.
Jumping right back into Mina’s story was wonderful, and I’m excited to see what happens next as the war looms closer, as well as the completion of her nest (and all the mates)
I’m still having some struggles either the writing style and/or gaps in plot. Some things don’t add up or make sense at times but I’ve been able to push past them because the overall story and premise are both great. I will point out that either I’m starting to get used to the awkwardness of the writing or it’s getting better, because I didn’t notice it as much as the last book.
The series is picking up speed and I do love the characters, especially Balor and Ziggy. Thank you Serenity for another ARC copy, very excited for the next installment!