Academy of Light and Shadows

by Kristofor Hellmeister

Harlen is ready to start another year--another year at Mercroft Academy. But, before he can begin, Harlen is caught up in an attempted assassination that almost costs him and his father their lives. On the hunt for the suspect is Special Agent Ryan Dupont, who is convinced that the person behind the bombing is Dorian Mercroft--the man whose family created the Verum--a device that uses words to manipulate reality--a device used to make Ryan into a murderer.

Ryan has to find Dorian Mercroft--the only person who knows that Ryan is innocent. But time is running out and everything that Ryan understands and knows cannot be trusted. And when Harlen encounters a new, incredible technology, everything is in question.

Even reality.

Unknown Binding

Published May 9, 2025

About the author

Kristofor Hellmeister is a Canadian born, Georgia bred, New England Patriots loving middle school teacher and author. He lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Kristie and son Maddox. Kristofor enjoys baseball, football, fishing, writing, reading, watching a good movie, and teaching.

Reviews

[Bozena · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the series is a whirlwind of action, twists, and turns.
A dark, mysterious academia story about a very "special" school 🏫
You need to read the first book in this action-packed series to understand the background story about this extraordinary school.

This is a very complex and certainly intriguing story.
A story of intrigues, mysterious killers, and fights to find the famous weapon, the Verum.
A very powerful weapon if you can control it.

FBI agent Ryan Dupond and the teenager Harlen Rodes are the main characters in this thrilling story. They are trying, in their own way, to solve all the mysterious things happening because of the power this weapon gives.

No one is who he or she pretends to be.
No one is where he or she should be.
A rollercoaster ride through intrigues and power games.
An exciting, captivating dark academia story with sci-fi vibes.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acedemy of Light and Shadows
Author: Kristofor Hellmeister

Last year I read The Academy of Breath of Fire which is the first book in this series.

We then traveled to the exclusive Mercroft University, where students learn to manipulate reality with technology through the use of a Verum.

A Verum appears to the outside world as a kind of mask, but when the wearer of a Verum manages to fully control its powers, it can become a deadly murder weapon.

In the storyline we were then introduced to the teenager Harlen Rodes and FBI Agent Dupond.

Agent Dupont is a former student of Mercroft who, after many years, is confronted with the university again when he and his colleague have to solve a murder case....

Harlen and Agent Dupond then faced a life-threatening mission to save the future of the school and everyone involved...

The ending was so nerve-wracking that I couldn't wait to find out how the storyline of this series would end.

In the sequel: Academy of Light and Shadows we experience a spectacular opening in which there are many political thriller elements present.

Harlen begins his sophomore year at Mercroft University, but before he can adjust to normal college life, he experiences a life-changing event that will have drastic consequences for his future...

Agent Dupond also plays an important role in this book. His past contains many dark events that he has stored so deeply in his mind that it is not clear to him whether the past influences his way of thinking and acting in the present.

Each chapter contains hints of mystery that later become essential to the plot.

Who's pulling the strings at Mercroft?

What a reading experience this was! So much is covered such as: political power games, manipulation, complicated mutual relationships, unprocessed emotions that provide many unexpected twists, but above all an incredibly technically substantiated storyline with many original thriller elements that are so well put together that you get the feeling that you are completely drawn into it.

Fans of the Science Fiction and Young Adult genre who appreciate a dark academia twist will definitely enjoy these books.

I was asked by the author himself to review his book in exchange for an ARC copy.

Trigger warnings:
Grief, problematic childhood, murder, violence

[Aakanksha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect YA Thriller. I really loved the Academy of Breath and Fire and when I was offered an arc I was so happy and I'm glad to say that this book lived up to the expectations.
The tension, twists and turns, the dilemmas in choices, action and the fight between reality and illisions make this a page-turning, thrilling read. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I wasn't able to stop reading as the tension grew in the story. Loved the characters' development, technological themes and dark academic vibes.
Really liked the writing style as well even though it is a fantasy thriller with tech terms and full of twists and turns and political themes, the lucid writing makes it easy to comprehend and the world-building is top-notch.

Totally recommend it.

Thanks to the author for the ARC copy!

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Academy of Light and Shadows, the follow up to Academy of Breath and Fire by Kristofor Hellmeister, we return to Mercroft Academy with Harlen Rhodes and continue to unravel it’s secrets with the help of FBI agent Ryan Dupont.

Just as in the first novel, I think Hellmeister does a great job portraying Harlen as an actual teenager. Seeing Harlen grow in confidence and develop his skills as a leader while still recognizing his insecurities is very relatable. We also get to learn more about Ryan’s past and how his trauma influences his career. I especially enjoyed his chapters and felt like I was experiencing the blurring of reality right alongside him.

I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll just say that the concepts of the tools used to alter reality and an individual’s role in said reality are some of the most interesting and creative I’ve read in a YA novel.

Part mystery, part magical realism, Academy of Light and Shadows is a really exciting continuation of Harlen and Ryan’s stories. Emotional and suspenseful, it ends on a big cliff hanger so you know things are only going to get more intense!

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read Academy of Light and Shadows!

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book exploring Mercroft Academy, and following Harlen's adventures at the magical but dangerous school.
I loved being back in the dark academia world, where they can manipulate reality through technology and creativity, and Harlen and his friends tackle political intrigue, threats, and mystery.
It's a fantastically layered and immersive plot, full of twists, tension, manipulation and mind games, and I loved the themes of light against dark, and memory and reality
It has great character growth, complex relationships, magical elements, and keeps you glued to the pages.
Definitely one to read if you want the magical academy feel, with a dark journey of survival, trauma, and suspense.

[thewildreaderwithacat · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the Academy of Light and Shadows we return to the Mercroft Academy for another year of thrills and drama.

These stories have a sci-fi blend to that I enjoy reading quite a lot.

We follow Agent Dupont and Ryan through their suspenseful journey to unfold the realities that don't quite seem real.

The book was easy to read through and I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. It is a bit long, however, you do get through it comfortably.

Things are getting better by the book, and I am already looking forward to the next one. Highly recommend checking it out.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This is the second book of the series, and it picks up a few months after everything that went down at Mercroft Academy. Sadly, there is still a lot going on after removing the verums from the school and Dorian Mercroft who is still in hiding. Can Harlen, Special Agent Ryan and his friends from school help take down Dorian and anyone else who gets in their way?

I loved that this book started with a bang, and yes literally a ban. Duponts partner was hurt in the explosion, now he is trying to figure out who was the one that hid the bomb, and he knows who it was. It was Dorian trying to take back his tech and to rule the world. While this is happening Harlen goes back to Mercroft Academy but it’s not the same as it used to be now it’s like normal school and it’s so easy, but for some reason you still have the FBI agents that are at the school trying to find someone and Harlen isn’t one to let secrets go. Agent Ryan is the same way he can’t let secrets, and half-truths go without answers, but are the answers they’re looking for the ones they want to find?

I loved book 1 and I loved book two, in this book you will find a great mystery, thriller plot. Filled with a lot of action, deception, unanswered questions, exciting information and so much more. I was not able to stop reading this book and I did finish it on May 1 at 1pm because I couldn’t put it down. I loved that the author would lead the reader down one hole to be twisted in the best way to a different direction. The characters are even more developed in this book, but you will still see their own character development throughout the book. I loved that the author gave us more memories from Ryan and at times it was hard to find out if he was in a memory or if it was reality and I won’t say why because you need to read this book. You will find realistic technology that can change the world and make you think things are happening but they’re not. Gods, I loved that it really made the book fun and interesting. I had questions going into this book from the first one and I did get some of the answers, but I have even more now that I have finished up this book and I can’t wait to read the next book to see how this dark academia world, filled with trauma, survival and suspense will end.

I want to thank Kristofor Hellmeister for the opportunity to review this book.

[Mya Sarea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academy of Light and Shadows literally gripped me from the opening scene and did not let go. What begins as a political thriller quickly spirals into a layered mystery interwoven with dark academia, teenage angst, and supernatural suspense.

Twists and Turns:
The book is full of jaw-dropping revelations, with nearly every chapter peeling back a new layer of conspiracy, betrayal, or moral ambiguity. The story dances between the perspectives of Harlen Rhodes, the son of a presidential hopeful, and Special Agent Ryan Dupont, whose past is entangled with dark deeds he may or may not have committed. From assassination attempts to undead attacks, mind control devices, and FBI surveillance at a magical academy, the stakes rise continuously—and just when you think you've figured out the big twist, it doubles back and hits harder.

One of the most shocking elements is the subtle question of control: who’s really calling the shots—Dorian Mercroft, the seemingly dead ex-headmaster? The shadowy Syndicate? Or something even deeper, tied to the Verum and its ability to rewrite reality?

Themes:
This book digs deep into the concepts of power, identity, manipulation, and truth vs. perception. The Verum, a mask-like device that alters reality, serves as both a symbol and a plot engine—raising chilling questions about who controls reality and at what cost.

Pacing and Style:
The writing is cinematic, fast-paced, and immersive. The dual narrative style creates tension and emotional depth, especially as Harlen and Ryan’s paths begin to converge. Dialogue is snappy, inner monologues are intense, and descriptions—especially during high-action scenes—are vivid and gripping.

Final Thoughts:
Academy of Light and Shadows is like Harry Potter meets Scandal with a touch of Inception. It’s a dark, thrilling read that will left me questioning what’s real, who can be trusted, and whether truth is ever absolute. With complex characters, rich world-building, and plotlines that twist like DNA, it’s a must-read for fans of YA thrillers with serious depth and grit.

[Ru Reads ⁠♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academy of Light and Shadows would be the map that leads you right into the fire.

This book gripped me from the first page and refused to let go. Set in a world where elite academies hide more than just excellence, where political power rubs shoulders with dark syndicates, and where students like Harlen Rhodes are caught in the crossfire—this story unravels like a carefully laid trap.

What stood out most was the duality—light versus shadow, public heroism versus personal guilt, memory versus manipulation. We follow FBI agent Ryan Dupont as he digs deeper into a world he once trusted, haunted by what he may—or may not—have done. On the other side, we have Harlen, a teen trying to live up to a powerful name, all while piecing together what it means to be a leader… and a survivor.

The characters aren’t just navigating a mystery; they’re navigating themselves. There’s weight in every choice, tension in every interaction, and secrets sewn into every line of dialogue.

And then there’s Mercroft Academy. A school of hidden powers, lingering trauma, and one powerful artifact—the Verum—that literally rewrites reality with a single word. Think X-Men meets Scandal, with just enough Dark Academia vibes to make you light a candle and dive under the covers.

It’s layered, cinematic, emotionally taut, and just so readable. And I haven’t even touched the political intrigue, the tech-twists, the haunting relationships, or the whispers of what’s to come.

This is the kind of story that makes you question how well you really know the “good guys.”
And just when you think you’ve figured it out? The shadows stretch further.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We follow agent Ryan DuPont and his partner Frank while they’re at a rally for senator Rhoades. The senators son Harlen is our protagonist. The beginning starts off with a bang! Which leads to DuPonts partner being hospitalized fighting for his life. And Harlen also ends up in the hospital from the attack.

DuPont works on his own without his partner trying to figure out who the potential suspect is that hospitalized his partner. And while DuPont is doing that, Harlen has officially returned to Mercroft Academy to begin his second year. Except, being in the shadows like he was last year, he’s the star of the school from saving everyone and surviving the attack from his dads rally.
But Mercroft is only a shell of what it was due to the verums being taken away. So Mercroft is now a normal school… is it? After the incident last year, fbi agents have come to keep tabs on everything at the school.
Throughout the story Agent DuPont and Harlen come together to help each other achieve their goals. But will it end up being worth it? Will they save the day or will they hurt people in process- especially the ones they care for?

I absolutely loved this books from start to finish! I love the new characters that are introduced and the dynamic the story has. I am a little sad that Frank wasn’t as big of a character in this novel, but that’s just because he’s my favorite character. I didn’t know exactly what to expect from this, but Kristopher absolutely had me drawn in from start to end!

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your ARC team!

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖤 Academy of Light and Shadows ARC Review 🖤

Thank you so much to Kristofor Hellmeister for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Academy of Light and Shadows is a contemporary fantasy novel and the sequel to Academy of Breath and Fire. As always, this will be as spoiler free as possible, so if it feels vague - that’s why. After the events in the first book, Special Agent Ryan is searching for a man who can help prove his innocence. With Harlan preparing to start a new year at his academy, they’re both pushed together again to try to solve the mystery and clear their names

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed the continued world building and the characters in general, even if I didn’t necessarily understand some of their decisions and actions in this story. I did find that parts of this book felt long and tedious pacing-wise, but overall it was a good story

Overall this was a three star read. An interesting world with lots of mysteries. This book does have some potential triggers so please check if you’re sensitive. This book didn’t have any romantic subplots, so no rating will be given for spice

If you’re a fan of fantasy mysteries with interesting characters and unique world building, then absolutely pick this one up! As this is a continuation of the story started in the first book, I recommend reading them in order.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ (📚)

Welcome back to mercroft academy! I really enjoyed this continuation, and once again loved the two stories paralleling each other!

This time Harlen struggles with classic school stuff like trying to get the girl still, a new headmaster changing up the curriculum and also surviving an assassination attempt, All in a days work really

We re-enter mercroft where the powerful reality altering devices called the verum are now taken away, essentially stripping the school of what makes it so unique and Harlens not about that. He knows there’s something more to it

We follow Harlen and agent Ryan DuPont, both encountering their own struggles with how to combat the next threat to both mercroft and the world

This was more paralleled than the last as it lacked a union of perspectives in the end - not to say that I still didn’t enjoy it, it was well done

I enjoyed Ryan’s side of the story much more in this book than in the first, he had such development within this book that was very well done

The ending also had like a million twists and turns and I was not expecting any of them!! It has been set up beautifully for a third book and I cannot wait to see what’s in store next year at Mercroft

Thank you to Kristofor who kindly gifted me a copy of this book

[Amaryllis_book_reviews]

The story is packed with action, moral complexity, and just the right dose of teenage rebellion and secret magic. It opens with high-stakes political intrigue and doesn’t slow down. Ryan and Harlen’s alternating POVs are balanced and emotionally rich. Harlen is more confident but still unsure about who to trust.

Ryan’s chapters, though, are haunting. His psychological spiral, his guilt over deaths he might have caused under manipulation—it’s gritty, painful, and beautifully written. The writing is sharp and cinematic.The plot is layered but easy to follow, and it knows exactly when to drop those emotional bombs.

This is not your typical YA fantasy. It’s darker, more complex, and totally addictive. And I have to say the author's concept of the Verum is one of the most unique and genius magic/technology systems I've ever read.

This book is a unique blend of thriller, magic, and dark academia. If you are a fan of these genres, I promise you're going to love this one! I had so much fun reading this book and I'm sure you will too!

• I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Bookaholic MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

(This is part 2 of the series, you can find my review of the first part, Academy of Breath and Fire, on my profile)
The series continues to surprise me with more and more technologies, and I’m so here for it. I continue to enjoy the world building and the challenges faced by the characters. Strangely enough, I felt like some of the characters were actually healing throughout this book, in one way or another. It was generally an enjoyable read, and the only thing I have to say against it is the feeling of nothing happening. The whole book was a cliffhanger, information given making us guess but never sure, and it ended on another cliffhanger. Will I read the next part? Definitely, I’m intrigued, but I still would like a tiny bit more answers in this part. In all other aspects, my opinion about the series remains the same as in the first book, just add a bit of thoughts on pessimism about life in general and how everyone betrays. I do hope the characters get their happy endings in the sequel(s).

[Breanna Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academy of Light and Shadows by Kristofor Hellmeister

What its About: Continuation of Academy of Breath and Fire. Agent Ryan continues to investigate Dorian Mercroft and attempts to discover his agenda with the Verum and now the Omnus. Can Ryan brave his own secrets to catch Dorian? We follow Harlen in his second year at Mercroft Academy but after the explosive end to his first year this year is just not measuring up. That all changes when he is introduced to some new technology at Visua Museum.

My Thoughts: ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Quick and fast paced read. Lots of action. This book honestly was better to me than the first even though I enjoyed both of them! Twists that are unexpected. The author engages the reader well through both Harlen and Ryan. I truly feel for both Ryan and Harlen with their difficult decisions. Hoping for great outcomes for both of them in the third book!

Spice rating: No spice!

Next in Series: TBD

Similar Titles: Harry Potter series (loose correlations but still some similarities)

#bookstagram #bookrecs #verumandomnus #wordsarepower

[Sarah Elizabeth Schiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Academy of Light and Shadows is so twisty.  Trust no one, trust nothing!  With the Verum tech use taking a backseat in the sequel, there's a new and potential more dangerous tech at play.  Harlen and Agent Ryan make an unlikely duo, just as they did before, but they can't seem to be able to escape each other.  We get a deeper look at Ryan's past as well as some Mercroft Academy drama.  With the school under new leadership, suspicions grow.  Who knows what?  Will they find what they're looking for?  Can they even trust reality at this point?


Don't mind me, I'll just be sitting here waiting for the next book because, OF COURSE, another dang cliffhanger.  I still have so many questions and this journey so far has me eager to read the answers in book #3. For sci-fi fans, definitely worth checking out.....but start with the first book!


Thank you, Kristofor, as always, for the advanced copy!

[Kirsty Diggory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to read this ARC by the author having recently finished the first in the series, Academy of Breath and Fire. It had left me with so many questions and excited for the next book. So when the author asked if i wanted to be involved with the next one, i jumped at the chance.
Like the first it is a slow starter and one that is a slow burn throughout, normally this qould put me off but this book absolutely needed all the detail it had in it. It follows on from the events of the first one and the new school term. It has explosive events which gets you thinking all over again. Then just when you think its dying off again, all hell breaks lose and you end the book with yet again more questions and hoping the next book is soon. Highly recommend then this book and the series so far if you love fantasy and sci fi but stuff that is completely believable and makes you think it will some day happen as terrifying as it is.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Last year I had the privilege of reading Academy of Breath and Fire which is the first book in this series and was asked to read the second one in exchange for an honest review!

Just like the first book in the series, I really enjoyed this read! It is nice to go out of my regular reading comfort zone and read different genres! This story if filled with mystery, suspense, drama, and so much more!

This series reminds me a lot of Harry Potter with a science fiction take to it! The story follows a young student entering what is called Mercoft University, where students learn to manipulate reality using what is called a Verum. Throughout the series Harlen and an FBI agent must discover the secrets that hide behind the university and the dangers that the Verum may have to the world…

I would like the thank the author, Kristofor Hellmeister for allowing me to read and review his story!

Book is out now!!

[Samm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5✨️
I feel like this was slower to start than Academy of Breath and Fire but I did enjoy it. I'll forever rave about the tech that was created for these books because it's unlike anything I've ever encountered. The Verum, the Omnus, and all of Visua are so fucking cool. It was difficult watching Ryan lose his grip on reality and as a reader not knowing what was real and what wasn't was intense. Also where things ended with Ryan!?! I have so many questions! Rachel keeping Harlen in the friend zone sucked. I really hope Harlen and John's friendship can be fixed but it probably won't cuz they both think they're doing the right thing but lowkey they're both being manipulated sooo...who knows.

This was a great follow up to Academy of Breath and Fire!

[Nikita Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟 AVAILABLE FROM 9th May 2025 🌟

I was emailed asking to be part of the ARC Team for Academy of Light and Shadows by the author and his team, and I am super grateful for this opportunity!

I read Academy of Breath and Fire a couple of years ago and I really enjoyed it, loved it in fact! The second book has been long anticipated and definitely lived up to my excitement when I was asked to read it early 😍

I love a good mystery storyline with lots of action, deception and excitement, add in something different a long the way, makes it different and intriguing �� the second and third part of the book had me completely glued to my phone to finishing it!

Thank you so much to Kristofer and his team for allowing me to be part of your ARC Readers 🥰

[Nelli Lakatos · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝓐𝓽 𝓜𝓮𝓻𝓬𝓻𝓸𝓯𝓽, 𝔀𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓪𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭𝓼 𝓱𝓮𝓵𝓹 𝓾𝓼 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵. 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓫𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓲𝓽, 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓪𝓷𝓲𝔃𝓮 𝓲𝓽.'

To all Harry Potter and dark academia fans out there, especially if you love murder mystery please check out this brilliant series! It was engaging, magical and so interesting. I loved being back at Mercroft Academy, reconnecting with Harlen, John and Rachel. They all feel like family to me. And the Academy is like a second home. I really enjoyed this novel, reading about their adventures, enjoyed taking my time with it and absorb it in like air.

Thank you so much Kristofor for an ARC of your wonderful novel in exchange for my honest review. I'm so grateful for the opportunity! I absolutely loved it! 😍

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟗𝐭𝐡

[Mariana Correia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academy of Light and Shadows is an intriguing blend of technology, mystery, and action. One of the highlights of the book is the way the initial technological developments evolve into something even more complex, keeping the world-building fresh and engaging.

While the novel felt a bit long, and I think it could have been more concise, it was still worth the read—especially because the last few chapters were the most gripping. Packed with action and emotion, they had me hooked until the very end.

The plot twist was interesting. I had a feeling something was off about a couple of characters, so in some ways, the twist felt predictable. However, the way it unfolded still managed to surprise me, which I really appreciated.

Overall, despite its length, Academy of Light and Shadows delivers an exciting and immersive experience, making it a solid four-star read. If you enjoy intricate technology, a well-built world, and a thrilling conclusion, it’s definitely worth picking up!


"- Pain radiates outward from its source, shooting barbed threads that leave us, tender, corruptible.
- I disagree.
- I know you do. Because when you punish yourself, uou call it purpose"

[Gillian Casso Speicher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlan Rhodes is back at Mercroft Academy, and is trying to get through school life without the Verum. When he is introduced to a mysterious new technology his life takes a dark turn. Meanwhile, Agent Ryan unofficially investigates the attempted assassination of Harlan’s father. Caught in an intricate web of lies and betrayals Ryan must figure out the truths behind the assassination attempt.

This was a layered story with a twisty plot and great world building. With flawed, but intriguing characters and unique technology this was a fun read with a cliffhanger ending.

[danns.bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this down! Was such a great sequel to the first and the technology in this one was even more advance. I couldn’t imagine the situation they were in not being able to tell what was real and what wasn’t.

What a cliff hanger at the end! Surly it cannot end like this?! I want more! I need to know what happens to Agent Dupont. What the heck was real and what wasn’t real and also who is behind all of it??!

[Lekivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academy of Light and Shadows blends futuristic tech with a touch of mystery and action, creating a world that’s both imaginative and thought-provoking. While the pacing dragged a bit in the middle, the final chapters were packed with emotion and high-stakes action that made the journey worth it. I saw the twist coming, but it still landed in a satisfying way. If you haven’t read the first book in the series I highly suggest you do that as well!

[Brooke Auckerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing sequel to the original story Academy Of Breath and Fire! The character development will make you fall even more in love with the characters! The story really shows each and every characters growth from the first book, and will leave you not wanting to put the book down! I highly recommend this book! The next best book series since Harry Potter!

[C.A. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academy of Light and Shadows is a gripping fantasy thriller that blends mystery, intrigue, and reality-bending technology. Kristofor crafts a fast-paced and immersive story that keeps readers hooked until the very end. Perfect for fans of dark academia and suspenseful twists! Well done!!

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating, intriguing and imaginative

[Danielle Breeze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the multiple POVs with Harlen and the FBI. Harlen has grown a bit since the last one, and I was hooked on Ryan's story! His backstory was my favorite!

[Daan Jansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reality is broken. School just started. No pressure…

Harlen thought his biggest challenge this year would be surviving another semester of awkward dorm food and overly enthusiastic professors. Instead, he kicks off the school year with an assassination attempt that nearly kills him and his dad. So, you know… typical Monday

Special Agent Ryan Dupont is hunting for truth, justice, and a ghost: Dorian Mercroft, heir to the tech empire behind the Verum, a device that can twist reality with words. It once turned Ryan into a killer, but now it might be his only shot at redemption.

As Harlen uncovers mind-bending new tech and Ryan races against time, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the people. Not the past. Not even reality.

Fast-paced, twisty, and bursting with conspiracies, gadgets, and moral ambiguity, this is not your average high school drama—unless your high school drama included government agents, mind-warping tech, and existential dread. I hope it didn’t, but let’s think of Harry Potter meets Inception.