Darkhollow Academy: Year One

Darkhollow Academy #1

by Lena McDonald

I always felt different from everyone else. I absorb emotions like a sponge and count my way through chaos. But I never imagined different meant being a Primal who can reflect supernatural powers back at their source.

When my long absent father materializes after eighteen years of silence, he ships me off to Darkhollow Academy - where vampires perfect their bite, dragons tame their fire, and werewolves learn not to hump the furniture. It's basically supernatural finishing school with a side of possible apocalypse.

Turns out I'm the academy's newest attraction when the ancient claiming ritual matches me to four seriously dangerous men who give new meaning to "it's complicated".

Ash: A dragon prince whose ego is as hot as his fire

Kai: A vampire lord who makes darkness look good

Roman: An alpha wolf who can't handle being told "no"

Aspen: A winter fae whose perfect control hides delicious secrets

But things take a darker turn when ancient shadows start wearing teachers' faces and reality develops stability issues. Suddenly my unique power isn't just special - it's either going to save everyone or break everything. And between dodging dragon fire, vampire drama, and mean girl werewolves, I've got bigger problems than my magical dating life.
At Darkhollow Academy rules are meant to be broken, walls are meant to burn, and some shadows are definitely worth embracing.

Normal was never my style anyway.

First book in The Darkhollow Academy series. Contains spicy scenes, snarky heroines, and four supernatural men who really need to work on their sharing skills. 18+ Mature content

Genres: Artificial Intelligence

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2025

Reviews

[Nicki Heiman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pass.

Honestly, I only made it 11% this was pretty freaking rough. I would normally suggest a good editor but I don’t think that would even fix this, it would need an entire rewrite. The author tried really hard to make a complex, unique world filled rich history but it was just so massively convoluted and contradictory. Each little paragraph gave me half a dozen questions from stuff that just didn’t make sense. I normally reserve 1 stars for problematic books but I just can’t in good conscience give it two stars.

[Scorching Dark HEAs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written using generative AI.

Got (rightfully) review-bombed and then the author whined to Goodreads about the attack.

Goodreads suspended reviewing for the time being due to abnormal reviewing while wiping the slate clean.

LENA MCDONALD I WILL JUST KEEP RETURNING TO ONE STAR YOU, but keep cryin about it.

[Paulina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently this book is written by AI.

I'm digital artist and hate how AI is being used by lazy ppl who don't put the work in to creating something. Since art is just small percentage talent [more like predisposition] and the rest is actual hard work in learning the craft.

Therefore, I'm not even going to get this book and try reading it. This is blatant disrespect to the craft of writing and also to the readers trying to sell something which is basically fake and hoping it will do.

[Tosha Y. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story

I'm giving this book a five star because I know how hard writing a book is for an author. My books are never perfect either. With that said, this book would be great if an editor cleaned it up. There are lots of typos, a few things repeated, and big moments had already been revealed earlier in the book.
BUT the story was fun and interesting. I like the world, and the characters. I can't wait to see who they are when fully developed. I'm excited to see what happens next.

[Sally Barnes · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh look, another lazy “author” relying on AI

Like. Do better. Learn how to actually write or god forbid edit if you’re going to use AI to write things for you. Ffs

[Anne Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the fans of dark academia, reverse harem, and supernatural romance!

If you love reverse harem stories with powerful supernatural beings, complex relationships, and a heroine who holds her own, this book is for you!

The story introduces us to a twenty-one-year-old protagonist (alongside some centuries-old supernatural suitors) as she navigates the dangerous, mysterious halls of Darkhollow Academy—a school like no other, filled with werewolves, dragons, ancient beings, and plenty of secrets. From a disastrous family reunion to supernatural combat training, the plot keeps you hooked with its witty dialogue, intense action, and slow-burning romance that unfolds in unexpected ways.

McDonald’s writing is sharp, engaging, and laced with humor, making each chapter more addictive than the last. The multiple POVs add depth to the characters, giving us insight into their struggles, power dynamics, and emotional connections. And just when you think you have it all figured out—bam! Plot twist!

Fair warning: This book contains graphic scenes and steamy moments, so it’s definitely for mature readers. And yes, you will be left with more questions than answers—but that’s the magic of a trilogy, and I am already counting down the days until the next installment.

Final Verdict: If you love books with strong-willed heroines, supernatural drama, steamy romance, and a touch of chaos, Darkhollow Academy: Year 1 is a must-read. Just be prepared for a wild ride and an intense cliffhanger!

[Kristin E. Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Darkhollow Academy

Paranormal romantasy, potential reverse harem, lost heritage, absent parent, academy. This first book in the series is so confusing I dnf two times before I finally plowed through it. The author obviously has an understanding of her world and characters, but forgot to share it with the reader. Nothing is explained about the world structures, beliefs or hierarchy but the reader is expected to know all about it. Spoilers follow: our 21 year old heroine is raised by her supposedly human mother after her father leaves at her age three. Scattered comments in the first chapters reveal her strange ability to absorb, feel, and be overwhemed by everyone's emotions. Poof, her father appears in her bathtub and whisks her away to a magical academy. So pretty predictable. But she gets there supposedly totally ignorant of the supernatural, then proceeds to know how to blend her powers and understand things the reader has never been told?? So many plot holes. Of course she has super powerful, rare magic and is matched up with the four most powerful males at the Academy. However, her roommate and the men are all hundreds of years old? Why are they in an academy? Next a bizarrely complicated social structure is revealed drip by drip and her powers threaten this structure. Then there's talking moss and the kings and leaders have a meeting that students can spy on, at the Academy? The prose and dialogue are over dramatic. Her personality is abrasive and unlikable. Mostly she just irritated me. She's always right, always better, but how does she know any of this? This series would do well with a preface that at least explains the world.

[Wendy Lohr · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had potential, but couldn't finish it. Too much repetition of descriptions, sentences left unfinished, and confusing transitions from one scene to another. Plus, the FMC supposedly had no idea she was a supernatural and yet seemed to know a lot about the world and supernaturals in it. The hot and cold, mostly cold, routine between her and her supposed fated mates got old real quick. But I did like her handling of the mean girl situation. And I absolutely loved her Fae roommate.

So the potential is there, but still needs a lot of work to make it a much more solid and enjoyable read.

[Wylie Todd · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ai generated junk, did not finish.

Got to chapter three and had to give up. I actually really wanted it to get better and readable, but it never happened, and only got worse.
Even if the author uses Ai for prompts and help, she still needs to edit and actually READ the story back to herself.
Just in the first 30 pages, the MMC goes from living in a “McMansion” to a rundown apartment with peeling wallpaper. Her “estranged father” shows up, kidnaps her, drops her off at a supernatural academy, then bows out three minutes later. And she just takes it all in stride. Not to mention as she takes the first “tour” to her room, she identifies races and creatures on site, and all of a sudden has master use of “magic” when all she could do in the first chapter was feel emotions.
And don’t get me started on meeting the roommate. One second we are in their bedroom getting overly detailed images on the room, the very next sentence we are back in the hallway, then we are in some dungeon marketplace, then we are eating dinner. In no coherent order. One sentence, bedroom mirror. Next sentence, hallway. Next sentence, some girl is giving a guy a bj under a market stall. Next sentence, he is chewing his steak and we are all eating dinner.
The story has promise, but it is the hot mess express. Please fix this disaster so we can actually read it???

[R S Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m giving a 3 ⭐️ review because of the attempt at a half way decent story line. However, I just could not finish the first book. It has repetitive paragraphs throughout (I made it to chapter 15). The descriptions of each element is repeated numerous times. The MFC has a lot of potential which is another reason for the stars. She’s thrown into a new world and she manages to maintain her snark without being a bitch. The 4 MCs are full of normal male posturing but there isn’t any immediate love/lust happening. Half way through the 4 males learn to work together for a short time and then the book starts giving POVs from the males perspective. Aspen attempts to write Eden a letter but you learn about his past. He father leaving, his cold unemotional mother and how he struggled with it. But he writes in a letter that his Dad would love her and his mother would love her. Say what?The next chapter switches all of a sudden to Eden having a magical face off with a mean girl and it’s like she meets Roman for the first time. By this time I’ve decided to give up. AI written/no editing/ whatever. Sucks that a decent possibility becomes too difficult to read. Clean it up and maybe try again?

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkhollow Academy: Year 1 is the chaotic, spicy, supernatural academy romance I didn’t know I was craving. Eden is snarky, stubborn, emotionally messy in the best way, and I loved every second of being inside her head. Her world flips upside down when she’s dragged from her miserable human life into a supernatural school filled with secrets, shadows, and four insanely hot, wildly powerful suitors.

The worldbuilding is intense, vampires, fae, dragons, werewolves, and somehow Lena McDonald makes it all feel grounded and immersive. There's magic, danger, mystery, and a LOT of heat. What got me was Eden’s emotional journey. Underneath the sass and sarcasm is a girl who's been drowning in other people’s feelings her whole life and is finally learning who she is and what she wants.

If you love slow-burn romance, hidden power tropes, and a heroine who refuses to back down, Darkhollow Academy is your next read.

[Vikstar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steamy supernatural thriller

Eden’s journey after being snatched by her father from the human world and thrust into a steamy version of Hogwarts was a fun read. Eden’s sassy snark hides a vulnerable primal who has spent all her life drowning in other people’s emotions.

When she suddenly finds herself matched with four gorgeous supernatural suitors representing combative powers, she is in for some raunchy times that the author doesn’t shirk on spelling out in intimate detail. Of course, it can’t be all fun and games, as there has to be something sinister lurking in the background, waiting to strike.

This is a must for lovers of erotic supernatural fiction. Being the first in this series, Eden’s journey is far from over. Let the ride continue.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I very rarely DNF a book but I couldn't continue with this- I gave it to chapter 20. Writing is not brilliant, the story seems like it could be good but things seem to change and switch so instantly it's hard to keep track of what's happening. It starts with the FMC having no idea of supernaturals and who she is, and then immediately has insight and knowledge into everything within one day? It feels like the author is trying to come across as deep and poetic and is just completely missing the mark.

[Brianna Stiles · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

I had to DNF this book halfway through. I tried, I really tried but the AI prompts, misgendering characters, zero character development.. I mean one minute the fmc is fighting off a panic attack in her bathroom as a human the next she’s got major magic and in a school with zero adjustment period? And how she just knows and can name all the other magic being used with no learning happening? I felt like I was reading a first draft. First attempt at reading anything from this author and I will not be trying again.

[Tori Rey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where do I even begin?? The spelling errors, grammar, unfinished sentences, repeated phrases ughh just so wrong. The story could have been Amazing with a unique plot and storyline but the writing itself was just horrible. I’m almost certain this book was written using AI but I don’t want to throw that around lightly. The author should take the book read it themselves and do a rewrite. There is to much info missing and half the story doesn’t make sense. It jumps quickly from a girl knowing nothing to her knowing everything about magic in a day… like really?!?? So so so bad.

[Alice Rais · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the main character here..she's an outsider but witty and charismatic and finding herself after a mediocre upbringing. The Academy is a bit like a spicy Harry Potter type set up and LOVED the des riptions in the OV. Maybe the shadows could be developed a bit more as you were left with the story continuing onto the next book which I don't think is out yet. I'm hoping a lot of questions will be answered there. Would recommend.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Darkhollow Academy : Year 1,” by Lena McDonald, is an amusing romantasy with vampires, dragons, fae, werewolves, and more intended for readers 18 and over. Eden is hiding in the bathroom during her mom’s party when her estranged father shows up. He informs her that she has been admitted to DarkHollow Academy, a college for supernaturals. This is a bit like an R-rated Mean Girls, with magical powers and plenty of spicy action. It is well-written, and told in first person with various POV’s.

[RK Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry is a WILD guy. A girl-dad myself, there’s NO WAY I would have dropped my daughter off at Darkhollow regardless of our family pedigree or the number of Fae that trade their kids for front row Taylor Swift tickets. Constantine was giving me Duncan from Saltburn vibes.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lost interest

I got through about 75% of this book and it started out great but somewhere along the read I lost interest. I started out loving the fmc she was funny. But it just didn't keep my attention.

[Suzan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is this the author using AI to 'write' books? Because it seems she is. I urge people to do the research, people are posting screenshots of an AI prompt left in the text.
If this is true, Goodreads needs to remove these 'books'!

[Betsy]

AI writing + purposefully stealing another author's writing style
source: https://futurism.com/fantasy-novel-ai...
insightful GR review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[CinnabonHoneybun · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredibly frustrating read. I could not tell you one tangible thing about this story because the author wrote it like she was constantly trying to come off as poetic and cryptic but just made the whole book feel shallow and hard to follow.

[Felix · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author used Ai to "write" their books.
Got caught in the second one by inserting this:

I've rewritten the passage to align more with J. Bree's style, which features more tension, gritty undertones, and raw emotional subtext beneath the supernatural elements.

[Abby Russel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this RH especially as there was a lot of feeling of not belonging from the protagonist and gradually showed her accepting herself and the other characters. The OV was awesome.

[XOX · Rating 1 out of 5]

AI Slop.
Source: https://futurism.com/fantasy-novel-ai...

[aryanightshade · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is fucking embarrassing.

[Hannibal 🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Used AI

[Katrina]

Won’t be reading as the author used AI to mimic another authors style

[Lindsay Crook · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blah. AI written and really freaking obvious. Just no.

[Katy · Rating 1 out of 5]

99% SURE THIS IS AI.