Guardians Of Glyndor: The Disappearing Creatures (Second Edition): Magical School Adventure with Romance and Mystery

by Nicoleclaire C.

Two teenagers become Earth's last hope.

Step into the newly imagined world of Eldora in Guardians of Glyndor. This fresh fantasy series-launching debut is perfect for readers who love coming-of-age magical school adventures, sprinkled with romance and mystery.

When a mysterious recruiter enters their lives, Jesse, a brilliant but disadvantaged student, and Emily, an outcast with the ability to understand animals, think it's a dream come true. They're whisked away to Glyndor, a magical boarding school that's hidden between dimensions, where the impossible is everyday reality. There, they cultivate friendships with peers from all over Earth, each recruited for their unique talents. In this enchanted realm, their abilities blossom into extraordinary gifts.

They spend their days riding on flying caterpillars, battling in shadow duels, and navigating mirror dimensions. Then, their magical education takes a dark turn when heroes and creatures start vanishing from Eldora. Each riddle they solve and puzzle they crack leads them closer to a terrifying a banished sorcerer is behind this, plotting to reshape their world.

With the Three Moon Ceremony approaching and rifts appearing, Jesse and Emily must master their newfound abilities and lead their friends in a race against time. In this thrilling coming-of-age story, they learn that growing up means making impossible choices, as they discover how much they're willing to sacrifice to save not just Eldora, but the entire Earth.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Romance

402 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2024

About the author

I'm the debut author of YA fantasy novel "Guardians of Glyndor", and I'm still buzzing from its reception!

If you're interested in reading it, drop me a message. I'm also hoping to expand my team of beta readers for future books in the series. Beyond that, I'd like to connect with fellow book lovers.

Reviews

[Lillian B (Kaladin Stormblessed version)]

I received an arc for this book and will leave a review as soon as I read it!! It looks amazing!!

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Will I see a phoenix one day, Grandma?" Emily asked.
Her grandma reached out, her wrinkled hand tenderly stroking Emily’s hair. "Perhaps, dear. But remember, the greatest adventure is not in others, but in discovering the magic within yourself.”

***

Guardians of Glyndor is an endearing coming of age story, where two teenagers from Earth find themselves to be the key to saving Eldora, the magical dimension where they’re invited to discover their magical abilities. Imbued with lessons on friendship, self-discovery and love, the story tells the tale of how Jesse and Emily supported one another while navigating the complexities of growing up away from their familiar surroundings.

The most delightful part of the novel is the beautiful writing style. Nicole has a flair of writing—a knack for describing scenes to make them feel visceral. The sentences flow very smoothly which made the story extremely easy to follow. I found myself highlighting a couple of passages here and there which struck me as vivid and elegant, something I don’t usually do when reading fiction.

The story also weaves together whimsical elements from highly adored series like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson & the Olympians. However, it taps on mythology from other cultures as well, adding diversity to the mystical creatures found in the Universe which I found to be refreshing. The world-building aspect is wonderful, and I’d love to see more of the magic Eldora holds in future books.

However, I wasn’t a fan of the romance… I wished it was more of a “slow burn”. It would’ve been more genuine if the characters have more shared experiences to bond over, rather than them falling for each other within their first few minutes of meeting one another. I also thought that more depth could be added to all the characters, because they are currently very flat and stereotypical. It’s worth exploring different facets of each character and possibly delving into the backstory of the rest.

One small gripe I have is that the stakes don’t feel high enough for a large part of the book. The severity of the conflict only escalates towards the end, where the battle becomes increasingly epic and intense. I think it has to do with the little description we have of the villain. We’re told that he’s scary, but what has he done apart from being linked to the disappearance of a Pegasus? It would also help if each chapter contributes more significantly to the larger narrative, so that readers are left “hanging” at the end of each and are compelled to read the next one.

But overall, it’s still a brilliant debut novel that’s worth reading. It’s evident that Nicole has poured her heart and soul into writing this, and for that, I want to give her 5 stars as a small encouragement. Congrats for taking the first step and PLEASE KEEP WRITING!

***

Special thanks to Nicole for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the book. Immensely honoured and hoping to see more in the future!

[Gracie:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was privileged enough to received an ARC copy of this book, so thank you very much Nicole!
This fantasy YA novel follows two teenagers, Jesse and Em, who both possess special magical abilities, catching the eye of those at the magical realm of Eldora. However, evil Morwyn is gathering followers to overthrow the kingdom of Eldora at its most vulnerable. Jesse and Em, together with their new friends, must do everything the can to protect their new land...
I loved the romance element of this novel! Nicole did so well to piece the romance together and really explored and navigated the feelings of the two involved (no spoilers!). Fantasy isn't my favourite genre, so if it's yours, you would absolutely love this novel! Well done, well done Nicole!

[Adriana · Rating 2 out of 5]

CW: battle, character death, animal cruelty, murder

The author asked me to be an ARC reviewer for her debut novel. Below is my comprehensive feedback.

The author has a good grasp of language and description. There are some very nice passages in the prose, which paint a vivid picture of the world and animals that inhabit it. At times, the descriptions are very poetic and I felt like they fit the magical atmosphere of the story well.

Whereas the grammar of the story is relatively strong, the author suffers a bit with mechanics, specifically when it comes to dialogue. The most memorable weakness to me is the use of unnecessary or leading dialogue tags. When a character says something clever, occasionally it is okay to put “he/she quipped,” mostly, I think, to indicate that the character purposely meant to sound clever or be funny. But when applied to all of Jesse’s attempts at humor or wit, it begins to sound imploring. These dialogue tags are the author winking at us from the page, saying, “Jesse’s very clever and funny, isn’t he? Look at how witty and dry his humor is.” For the most part, I was not amused. If a line is clever or funny, it should be able to stand on its own; I shouldn’t need to be told that I should find it amusing. Apart from that, the other notable mechanics weaknesses are 1) the author is inconsistent with placing the comma in front of a spoken name in a sentence (i.e. “What are you doing Jesse?” when it should be “What are you doing, Jesse?”), and 2) she is not aware that in continuous dialogue from a character, where paragraph breaks are utilized but the same character keeps talking, that the end quotes should be left off the dialogue paragraph that is ending to indicate that the speaker is continuing through to the next paragraph. I.e:
“Ellystra wielders must navigate the fine line between reality and fantasy, often at the cost of their perception of truth. [no end quote since the character continues speaking]
“Junilo, the magic of unity.”
3) the italicized asides. Normally, when I see text italicized, it’s meant to indicate that the character is thinking to themselves, but when that is the case, the tense should be present tense, not past. (Why are they gathering artefacts? not Why were they gathering artefacts?) Sometimes during these italicized asides, past tense was used not present, so it was jarring and confusing as to whether it was meant to be the character’s thoughts.

There are positives to the world’s characterization, though. The world of Eldora is magical and fun. It’s nice to see that it’s a place where mythical creatures are treated with awe and respect, and different dimensional species live in harmony. I like the author’s world-building and the idea of Eldora as a parallel dimension sandwiched on top of ours. I’m a big fan of fantasy/sci-fi, and I love to read about authors’ unique takes on what a magical or modernized world might look like. I’m also a sucker for The Chosen One and the Underdog tropes, so the plotline of two unsuspecting, relatively normal kids chosen for something grand is definitely down my alley.

The plot suffers from hyperactivity and broad writing strokes, however. By this I mean that the story jumps from one action or plot-progressing scene to the next with no breath in between. There is barely any connective tissue in this novel. Most glaring to me are the lack of magic learning and character interaction in this story. The story’s setting is a prestigious magic school in another world, but there is only one chapter where we see the students of Glyndor learning any magic at all (the rune practice, after they’ve already been shoehorned into a magic label). Jesse, Emily, and Victoria are from Earth, so the reality of magic is entirely new to them, they have no formal training or practical understanding of how to use magic, and ostensibly they are going to learn how to control their powers at Glyndor. But we do not see them learn how to control their magic, other than that one chapter, which is 28 chapters (72%) into the novel. We do see plenty of chapters where the students are lectured on plot-relevant subjects by the professors at the school, but that’s all. We also hardly ever see the main characters interacting in organic ways. There’s very little banter, deep conversation, or moments of getting to know and understand each other. Characters are included in the chapters only when they have a specific purpose—otherwise they disappear for chapters on end, seemingly forgotten (like Bella, Victoria, Audrey/Magnus). It’s possible that if we had more content depicting the magic classes/events between the students at Glyndor then both the metaphorical birds mentioned in this paragraph could be killed with one stone.

Unfortunately, the character writing needs a lot of work. Part of it is due to the characters not being fleshed out all the way, and part of it is because of the way the book is structured, with no breathing spots, as I mentioned in the last paragraph. The author tells us what to think too often. Rather than letting us form our own opinions based on the characters’ voices or actions, the author tells us ad nauseam that Jesse has just made a zingy one-liner; that Emily is the kindest, gentlest soul; that Jelna and Bella are too beautiful and graceful for words. The characters are not given enough space to breathe or feel real, and so they all feel like hollow archetypes. Jesse, the plucky intellectual; Emily, the sweet cinnamon roll; Alex, the muscle-head with a heart of gold; Victoria, the justified rule-breaker; Jelna, the otherworldly guide; Ronan, the rebel with a conscience; Bella, the misunderstood beauty; Magnus/Audrey, the elite assholes. I think that the reader—and the characters themselves—could form more legitimate connections if they were given more time to spend in the world of Eldora, in classes, or having fun or meaningful interactions. We need to be shown how Jesse, Emily, Victoria, and/or Alex are friends, rather than being told that they are whenever a plot-specific event has to happen. We need bonding scenes between Jesse and Emily to establish their attraction, rather than assuming it's an instant and forgone conclusion. The Jesse/Emily romantic connection was too fast and I just didn’t believe it.

(As a side note, I found the inclusion of the Soulmate Compass unnecessary. I know it is supposed to be a cute, special sort of gesture, but since the romance between Jesse and Emily feels so contrived, it just doesn’t do much for me.)

I will say that I liked Alex’s voice. Truth be told, he probably says “bro” more than he ought to, and if I knew him irl, I’d probably find him extremely annoying, but disregarding that, I laughed and smiled at his dialogue. He’s very straightforward and sincere and I enjoyed him from intro til the end.

I can go on for a long time on the characterization of each character, but I don’t want to take up too much text, since this is already a long review. I will hit only on the biggest flaws I perceived.

Jesse’s character baffles me. His introductory conversation with Jelna has so many assumptions and wild leaps in knowledge and logic. How does Jesse know what Elizabethean era clothes look like, and what the “characteristic sheen” of velvet is? Who knows such things but historians or fashion/costume designers? He pulls deductions out of thin air and I can’t see where this teenager could have gotten such a wide breadth of knowledge. His deductions at the intro to his character are reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes’ logic. I actually made a note to myself that said, “We better find out later that Jesse has some sort of magical foresight powers or this is just not believable.” I mentioned this prior, but Jesse’s character is also obviously supposed to be funny and dry-humored, and therefore charming because of these attributes, but I feel like Alex is more authentically funny and charming than Jesse. The dialogue tags and the giggling of Jesse’s female friends can insist that Jesse’s one-liner was funny all they want, but if the reader doesn’t laugh, then it feels insincere.

I find it a little odd that Emily is relentlessly bullied growing up in Seoul, and yet she shows no evidence of that in her personality. No skittishness, no insecurity, she’s just a perfect ball of sunshine all the while. And so instantly accepting of Jelna’s first approach! It felt unreal. Emily is just too quick to accept things… Also, Emily was born and raised in South Korea and in her intro chapter, we’re told her given name is Eun-Bi. Why, then, does she go by Emily, even at home with her grandma? It seems odd. I know many Asian persons tend to take an English name if they’re abroad, just for the ease of ignorant Americans, but I know few who go by English names in lieu of their given name in their own country. I assume that Emily speaks perfect English because of her gift as a Silvertongue, but I would have liked an explanation that she had taken English in school, or at least a sentence to gloss over why she can speak perfect English to Jesse after living her whole life in another country that doesn’t have English as a native, wide spoken language.

Victoria’s character is set up as fiery and eager to prove herself. Her desire to succeed at Glyndor is said to be almost desperate, and she’s also noted to have a competitive nature. So her reaction to being “saved” at her shadow duel does not make sense to me. If I was a proud, desperate person like Victoria, and a stranger interfered with my moment to prove myself, afterward I would be ashamed and upset at best, and pissed off at worst. If not for Jesse stepping in with that, frankly, deux ex machina magic, Victoria would have been destroyed or expelled or whatever happens if you lose the shadow duel. The last emotion she should feel after Jesse saves her is gratefulness. It would make more sense, given her character, for Victoria to view Jesse as competition or patronizing her. In that scenario, there is a good opportunity for character interaction, in which Jesse and Victoria get to know each other, come to respect each other, and eventually become friends.

Ronan is notoriously under-represented given the pivotal role he has in the climax. Jesse receives his punishment to be chaperone of the Thautmage Academy students at the end of chapter 13, and in chapter 14, we have our first glimpse of the Thautmage students and Ronan is introduced. Alex mentions that these students are troublemakers and there is some posturing and jeering in this chapter, however, Ronan and the Thautmage gang don’t cause much trouble and the chapter ends without incident. The next time Ronan is mentioned it’s only in passing in chapter 16. Then we don’t see Ronan again until chapter 21, when Jesse buys the tracking bracelet for himself and Ronan. In this scene, Jesse “senses an opportunity,” as though he has been struggling with keeping track of Ronan all along. But if he has, we haven’t seen any of it; in the context of the novel, this is only the 2nd interaction between the two characters. Seven chapters have gone by with no interaction between Jesse and Ronan, and there hasn’t been a single instance of Jesse chaperoning Thautmage students. This plot point is ignored until it becomes plot-relevant in chapter 23, and by that point, Ronan and Jesse’s relationship does a complete 180 (or it would have if they had had much of a relationship before this). I found this chapter just… shocking. And not in a good way. Ronan’s apology happened way too fast, and Jesse’s life-saving solution was downright strange. Also, I think there is a continuity error: Jesse throws the olive bread at the lion, then somehow has a “remaining” piece. Jesse saving Ronan is sudden and contrived and there really should have been a more established relationship between the two before Jesse wins Ronan’s admiration and allegiance. (Also, Ronan pees his pants in the cave, and yet he’s not embarrassed afterwards and none of the other students notice?)

Morwyn as the Big Evil feels anti-climatic. He is a caricature of a bad guy: black cloak, skulking around in the shadows, killing gods for the fun of it, preaching about a new world. We’ve seen this type a million times—though that’s not the criticism here. A bad guy is a bad guy, and what people associate as evil is pretty mainstream; it’s more about his usage and role in the novel. He hangs over everyone’s head as this great threat, but he barely has any bearing on the actual plot and he doesn’t even appear in the end fight as a major player. I think he is mentioned as a glimpse, if at all, at the end.

All that said, the author has laid groundwork for twists and plot devices that come up later in the story, which is commendable. I like that there is a reason for the bracelets, and that the well and portal device came up with more significance later. I also like the twist about the key to Eldora.

Points of Confusion:
The inclusion of all manner of folk heroes, legends, and mythology. I was taken aback by mentions of Beowulf, the Monkey King, the goddess Artemis, the Nemean Lion. It feels incongruous, perhaps because although it’s mentioned that Eldora is another dimension, there is never a detailed discussion of any other dimensions, or how legends on Earth are actually based on realities of other realms

Is it supposed to be Victoria who put the whole tavern to sleep and stole the kodarix in the beginning of the novel? That isn’t really addressed properly, and that scene makes it seem like she is a bad guy and that the event is going to lead somewhere important later. If it is meant to be Victoria stealing, it stands out as odd that it is made out to be so sneaky for something with so little payoff later. Also, she’s from Earth, presumably not trained in magic yet, so how does she wield magic strongly and deftly enough to put a whole tavern to sleep just so she could nab a book off a corkboard?

The channeling of magic through song, as Victoria does is understandable, as I can see how songs and spellwork/incantations feed into each other, but Bella’s dance(?) magic baffles me. What does that even look like? I couldn’t really take it seriously, especially at the Mirror Ball and the finale of the climax.

Why do all the people from Eldora speak like bad larpers at a Renaissance Faire? I’m assuming that the author wanted to make them sound fancy or old-timey, but it just strikes me as odd, especially for those who are being schooled at Glyndor possibly for the purpose of living an exceptional life on Earth. There’s more license with the speech patterns of the non-humanoids, perhaps, but I’m not sure why the humans (are they humans if they live in Eldora?) would speak like they’re from a bygone era if they have frequent contact with the Earth dimension.

Not entirely sure why Audrey and Magnus were included as they had no practical purpose in the story. They appeared in perhaps 3 scenes in the book in which they spoke or took an action and for the rest of the novel they were irrelevant.

In conclusion, the author has decent prose chops and an interesting world in which to stage her adventures. She understands a novel’s structure, planting seeds for future payoff and hitting the right narrative notes to bring a novel from beginning to end, but the pacing, dialogue, and characterization could do with some workshopping.

[Leanne McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of being sent an arc (Advanced Reader Copy) review! I am honored to take part in the journey of shaping this book’s final product. However, I won’t hold back with my blunt honesty.

For a debut fantasy novel, I’d say this one was full of surprises. Don’t be fooled by the initial simplicity, there are intricate layers to this novel that can’t be missed! The writer has a detailed and easy-flowing voice that leads to great pacing!

I loved the moral undertones, they felt natural and not at all forced.

The characters are fun, spunky and clever. I couldn’t help but root for them, even the minor characters. Some of the humor is honestly cute and I gave a solid laugh or chuckle at some of the jokes. The environments and world(lore) is packed with charm and I had to re-read certain parts in admiration to appreciate the attention to detail.

The plot twists are unexpected and there are moments of eyebrow raising.

The book is quite tropey, it relies on a lot of old formula, however, the author’s fresh take on some of these gave the story a new spin, so much that I didn’t really even notice the tropes sometimes. (Tropes can be done right) and here it mostly was. It was a case of, alright she can get away with it because I’m enjoying it so much. It has a Harry Potter/x-men kind of feel but enough unique content to stand on its own two legs. I very much appreciated the old medieval fantasy(almost a King Arthur kind of moral and magical drive).

Certain things are well fleshed out and explained, I didn’t feel left hanging too much. I appreciated that.

However, being as that I read an arc review. This book, as of right now, 2024, does have some issues. I’m hoping with the final release, these are more combed over, I have no doubt that Nicoleclaire can tackle these challenges as she grows!

I’d say a few things I noted during my read through were that the pace does drag here and there, only in certain chapters though. Some characters don’t have believable dialogue or reactions, often border-lining on clichés slightly. The relationships feel forced at times as if the author is trying a tad too hard to get the point across.

There needs to be more subtlety, but I think this is something that comes with time. Some emotions are pressed a little too hard instead of allowing us to sink into the moment. Less is more as my college writing professors would always say.

Some things are left too vague. I understand the intention might be to flesh out the story with more books. But I imagine if someone only is picking up the first book, they might feel a tad confused on why certain elements only came up once or twice. This can be fixed with allowing the minor details and characters a bit more room to breathe. Our focus is drawn to certain things only to be completely pulled away. You don’t need to have them play huge roles, but they can be mentioned here and there or in the background just so they are kept in the back of the reader’s mind for later. (This will bring that emotional satisfaction to the reader if they do decide to pick up the later books, because then they can go “hey! I’m being rewarded for paying attention in the first book. I remember that detail!) Think ahead and plant the seeds now.

Overall, I think this author is worth giving a chance. It’s clear Nicoleclaire put a lot of time and effort and I can’t wait to see what else she creates! Is it really a 5 star book? I think it’s close enough, (I was thinking 4/4.5) but since I enjoyed it so much: I’ll go ahead and give it 5 stars despite the glaring flaws, to give Nicole that debut push. She has room to grow, however, I think this is one of those hidden gems that I felt was worth investing my time into.

Fun and creative read!

-Author Leanne Renee McElroy

[Vicky Fortier · Rating 4 out of 5]

"From the ashes of its former self, the phoenix rises anew, reborn and renewed. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope, always a chance to begin again."

This is a debut novel and it's beautifully written as you can see in the quote that I have shared above. It's a fantasy novel featuring sixteen-year-old starting in a magical school. It's a coming of age with many life lessons about friendship and understanding your worth. Let me share with you another beautiful quote: " It's like we're all trying so hard to be something special that we forget it's okay to just be ourselves."

The world building includes amazing description of nature. There is a mix of old gods/goddesses, magical creatures, and some new villains. The fight of light versus darkness.

This is a YA book and as a YA book, if you want to enjoy it you will have to suspend your disbelief. This is why it's not getting 5 stars from me. There were too many instances where I caught myself eye rolling, like friendships and love built too quickly, our protagonists understanding a new universe incredibly fast even if they grow up in this world and of course the fact that only teenagers could save the world.

This book is definitively a great debut and clearly shows a lot of work and love. It's a universe worth discovering and I’m hoping that we will get a sequel.

*I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of the book by the author. This is my honest review. *

[Jassicca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic addition to the fantasy genre. The illustrations of the characters and the scenery are stunning, even in black and white on the Kindle, and perhaps in the next book we will see pictures of some magical creatures too. Nevertheless, I would prefer the images to be situated following their corresponding descriptions rather than at the beginning or end of the book.

It's also worth noting that the story is narrated in the third person. I personally prefer first-person narratives because they feel more personal to me as if I am the character. This approach makes it easier for me to immerse myself in the story and feel a deeper connection to it. However, that's just my perspective.

As for the characters, I love learning more about their backgrounds. Alex and Victoria still feel a bit mysterious to me. As for Emily, I’m curious about her parents' history. This aspect is never explored, other than mentioning that she was brought up by her grandmother.

Regarding romance, as the characters are sixteen years old, I'm relieved that things didn't develop. Since this is intended to be a series, I hope that once the characters are over twenty-one, we can explore a more meaningful relationship. For now, I believe that the element of love or soul mate in the story feels unwarranted.

In summary, this is an exceptional fantasy tale, skillfully penned with vivid imagery that brings the enchanting world of Glyndor to life. If the sequel is available, I would no doubt dive right into the next instalment. I'm excited to see the characters face new challenges, maybe learn more about them, watch Emily reach her full potential, and observe how Jesse, as the team leader, safeguards his teammates on their next adventure while preventing the prophecy from becoming a reality!

Lastly, thank you for providing the ARC copy. While a review isn't compulsory, I decided to write one out of my own accord. Congratulations on your debut, NicoleclaireC! I wish I could give it five stars, but I found several character details lacking, which made it challenging for me to connect with them. I'm optimistic that the next book will improve and be as enjoyable as The Medoran Chronicles by Lynette Noni, which this story reminds me of.

[✨ ੈ✩‧April ♡ ʚ♡⃛ɞ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Thank you for the opportunity to advance read this book and review! I would buy the physical book for my collection for sure!
Nicole Claire’s Guardians of Glyndor is an enchanting debut that transports readers to the newly imagined world of Eldora, offering a delightful blend of magical school adventures, romance, and mystery. This first book in a promising fantasy series captivates with its imaginative setting and engaging coming-of-age story.

The novel follows Jesse, a brilliant yet disadvantaged student, and Emily, an outcast with the unique ability to communicate with animals. Their lives take an extraordinary turn when they are recruited by a mysterious figure to attend Glyndor, a magical boarding school hidden between dimensions. This enchanting realm is a playground for the impossible—flying caterpillars, shadow duels, and mirror dimensions become part of their everyday reality.

Claire’s world-building is a highlight of the novel. Eldora is vividly imagined, with a rich tapestry of magical elements and fantastical creatures that bring the setting to life. The concept of a school where students’ unique abilities are honed into extraordinary powers adds an appealing layer to the story. The adventures and challenges that Jesse and Emily face are creative and engaging, making the magical education aspect of the novel both entertaining and immersive.

The character development in Guardians of Glyndor is also well-handled. Jesse and Emily are relatable and dynamic protagonists whose growth throughout the story is compelling. Their friendship and individual journeys are at the heart of the narrative, and their struggles with coming-of-age themes are portrayed with authenticity. The secondary characters, though diverse and interesting, could benefit from more depth and development to fully enrich the story.

The plot takes a darker turn as heroes and magical creatures start disappearing from Eldora, leading Jesse and Emily to uncover a sinister plot by a banished sorcerer. The mystery and suspense build effectively as the characters race against time to save their world. The tension and stakes are well-crafted, culminating in a thrilling climax that sets the stage for future installments.

However, while the novel excels in many areas, it occasionally relies on familiar fantasy tropes and plot devices. Some readers may find the elements of the story, such as the magical school setting and the impending peril, to be reminiscent of other works in the genre. Despite this, Claire’s fresh take on these concepts and her engaging writing style make Guardians of Glyndor a standout read.

Overall, Guardians of Glyndor earns a solid 4-star rating for its imaginative world-building, engaging characters, and thrilling plot. Nicole Claire’s debut is a promising start to a new fantasy series that will appeal to fans of magical adventures and coming-of-age tales. The novel's charm and creativity make it a delightful escape into a world where magic and mystery abound.

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 4.5 stars which rounds up to 5.

I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.

This was such a fun YA fantasy!

First off, the world building was fantastic. It was simple to understand their world and how it related to our world. Everything was explained gradually which made grasping the world easy to digest. Sometimes fantasy novels can do a lot of info-dumping, but this book did not.

The best part of the book were the characters. The two main characters, Jesse and Emily, were well developed. Jesse is neurodivergent and I loved seeing that representated. I also liked that the romance between the two slowly grew and wasn’t insta-love. The supporting characters were also a delight, especially, Jelna, Victoria, Alex, and Ronan. I liked that there was a large emphasis on friendship and working together.

The majority of the story took place at the school, Glyndor. I would have liked to have seen a little more of the classes and how the characters were learning magic. A lot of it seemed to happen off page.

Finally, the book had illustrations throughout the story which I loved and found so helpful. They really brought the story to life and made it easy to envision what was happening.

Overall, this was an exciting fantasy story. I cannot wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds!

[Stephen Andriotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb, I knew I had to read this. A YA fantasy with a magical school, mystery, adventure, and romance? How could it not be amazing?

And it totally delivered. I was pulled into a magical world full of different dimensions, with the mysterious school of Glyndor hidden somewhere within. Even though it’s a short read, the world-building was vivid and beautiful.

Jesse and Emily start off living boring, ordinary lives, never quite fitting in. That all changes when they meet the unforgettable Jelna Mirelle and get their invite to Glyndor.

That’s when the real adventure begins. Glyndor is as incredible as it is dangerous—filled with challenges, secrets, and new friendships that really stick with you.

As someone who’s neurodivergent, I really connected with Jesse. The way he sees the world and struggles socially felt so authentic. This quote in particular hit me hard:

“Whoa, bro,” Alex exhaled, his mental voice echoing through Jesse’s mind with a force that was almost painful. “Your mind’s a nonstop bullet train. It’s like… walking into a library where every book is open to a different page.”

That one moment summed up so much. And watching Jesse grow, especially through his friendship with Emily, was just heartwarming. Their bond is one of the best I've read—genuine, supportive, and full of personal growth for both of them.

Also, shout out to the illustrations! As a visual learner, they really brought the world and characters to life for me.

I’m honestly so grateful I got to read this. I need to know what happens next with Jesse, Emily, and their crew. Counting down until the next book!

Also, quick shout out to the author, Nicole—she’s so lovely and down-to-earth. If you’re into fantasy (especially if you like Harry Potter-style magic), definitely check this one out!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Just shy of a 4). Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Guardians of Glyndor! It offered a fresh take on the fantasy genre by borrowing magical legends, creatures, and artifacts from many cultures and bringing them together into a new world. The tone is light and it's a quick, feel good read.

This book is very clearly the first of the series, so there is a lot of world building in the beginning. This means that the plot itself takes a while to pick up. Because of that, the pacing feels off. The primary characters, Jesse and Emily, had been in Glyndor for about a day or two and were already talking like they'd known each other their whole lives. I felt like it needed a bit more progression before we got there. The peak of the plot also comes on way too late for me, and it means the resolution is rushed and kind of confusing.

Overall, this is a heartwarming book that I absolutely would have devoured and obsessed over if I was younger. It has your classic coming of age tropes, and shows friendship, love, magic, and growth all in a very easy to digest way. I also really like the magic mechanisms set up and the setting is visually rich.

Where I think this book has some bumps that it needs to work out are in its tone and language. It's called a YA, but really reads more middle grade in the writing and character attitudes. I think some of the plots, especially the darker storylines, could be amped up if it's to truly be YA. The vocabulary used is a little cheesy and repetitive at times (e.g. "aroma" every time we're talking about smells). There also are some very tropey elements that feel directly borrowed from sources Nicole was likely inspired by (e.g. "EarthWyrms" for Earth born magicians feels super close to "MudBloods" from Harry Potter) that it's almost overdone and makes the book less unique. But I think all of these could be worked out in a final publisher form!

The way the book is written obviously lays out the potential for future stories, and I'll be excited to see what comes next.

[Ruth Alessi]

Jesse is stuck in a dead-end job, his future consumed by today’s problems. His potential is far greater than even he realizes, and he’s recruited to enroll at a school of magic in a parallel world. Even as he’s trying to reconcile this new reality, he learns that every world is in danger. Magic, a precious and rare resource, is disappearing. His new home has plenty of it, but other worlds do not. It will fall to him and his classmates to defend their new home, their school, and magic itself.

The author contacted me and asked me to review her book. I agreed because the cover looks like middle grade fiction (target age group 10-12 yos), and I’ve been reading a lot of middle grade fiction lately to get a feel for the category. Other reviews compared this book to the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series, so that tracked with the middle grade cover. I purchased the revised second edition.

My first impression of Jesse is that he does not have middle grade problems. He’s 16 years old and had to give up his college dreams, even though he’s brilliant, to support his wheelchair-bound father. He works in a coffee shop and keeps himself from spiraling into despair by counting the floor tiles (42 total, which makes me wonder how tiny this coffee shop is, since commercial tile is normally between 6 and 12 inch square.)

The book has several point-of-view characters, but Jesse is the clear protagonist. Victoria, Alex, and Bella’s POVs serve to advance the story. Emily had some potential, but it is never followed through on, partly due to the cut short romance between her and Jesse.

You read that right. Romance in a middle grade fiction. The under-twelve set will vaguely tolerate a crush, think Percy and Anabeth in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” This book went way beyond that. Citation:

“She kissed him harder. Her fingers raked through his hair, nails leaving trails of heat across his scalp. Her hands fisted in his shirt, yanking him closer until not even cool night air could pass between them. It was fire and ice, chaos and calm. Their tongues tangled, tasted, claimed—awakening desires buried beneath friendship for too long.”

Not middle grade.

Okay, maybe I just had the wrong impression. Maybe the book is YA? Adult?

Here’s the problem: most of the conflicts are middle grade. We have the wealthy well-connected kids who assume they’re the fated leaders of their class. The stigma applied to Jesse & Company for being scholarship kids. A wild band of exchange students that Jesse is expected to chaperone. Hunted magical creatures. A friend who steals. A villain who uses students to advance their plan to bring about the end of the world. These are interesting conflicts. The focus on straight-forward conflict as the central story driver sets the tone as middle grade. YA would focus on how the POV characters feel about the conflicts and how the conflicts impact their plans (like the teens they’re marketed to, YA books are self-absorbed). An adult book would explore the social, political, and relationship ambiguities this book sets up.

The conflicts were compelling enough to keep me reading. Unfortunately, the characters kept dropping plot threads. Over and over again, potential plot arcs were snipped short, often by character choices, and it left me frustrated. Examples: Jesse’s father needing financial support. Emily and Jesse’s romantic relationship. Everything relating to Alex or Victoria.

Combine that with characters failing to pursue leads/threats in a timely manner. I’ll avoid spoilers, but multiple times Jesse identifies a threat he can avert if he acts immediately. In one instance, he doesn’t think about it again until much later when a new issue arises. In another instance, he discovers a threat and rushes off to find his friends to assist him, then sits around and discusses the history of the Three Moon festival instead. The group pieces together what needs to be done, then stands around and watch the ritual some more. Considering how time sensitive the conflict winds up being, their delay is even more annoying.

Then there’s the student-teacher romance between Jelna and Emily. Am I supposed to think it’s okay? I’m not sure why it’s in the book at all.

I think the author does have a target audience, but it’s not kids or teens. She’s writing a story for adults who visit Disney’s Magic Kingdom and read Harry Potter. The issue with this audience is that they read middle grade fiction because they don’t want to encounter complicated grown-up conflicts like relationship or financial problems.

I have a final complaint. Characters in this book do what the author needs them to do rather than what they would actually do. Example: when the kids from Earth first arrive at their new school of magic, do they go exploring or try to use their abilities? No. They sit around reading up on the social and political history of the world, then have a long conversation about what they’ve learned (I get it, exposition needs to happen, but this could’ve been handled in a “History of Eldora” study group later). Another example: a student is poisoned, but Jesse decides to take her to his friends (the newly arrived students from Earth) rather than to the student health center. Most of this book’s issues could be resolved if the author looks at each character choice and thinks about what that character would honestly do in that situation rather than what the author needs them to do to advance the story.

I opted not to rate this book because it has a lot of potential, and it feels wrong to rate an unfinished product. Reading this book is like listening to early garage band recordings of a future popular musician.

Good bones. Needs a(nother) make-over.

[Rachel Consoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very happy to receive an ARC of Guardians of Glyndor after Nicole very sweetly reached out. But she asked for my standard, unvarnished review so here we are.

This mainly follows Jesse and Emily, two teenagers with magical abilities that discover this secret world and magical boarding school, Glyndor, that exists between dimensions. Threats of evil, prophecies, and this fully unknown world are at their fingertips as they learn to master their abilities and lean on friendship, and potentially even a budding connection, to survive.

This book is a fun rough draft, but it is most certainly rough. NOW, take a lot of what I say with a grain of salt because this book isn't YA, it actually reads far more middle grade, like VERRRRYY middle grade in the way there's very little subtlety and nuance. It borrows heavily and blatantly from Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, but lacks a lot of their finesse. But, being middle grade, this book is not for me and not for my age bracket, so it's all right that I don't think it's as high brow as it could be.

I do like the world and the characters. There's a lot of heart here and the world is very fun. I adore the illustrations provided in the arc, the cute riddles and puzzles, and the amount of work put into this world. There's a ton of heart here and it's very clearly a labor of love. I say this is a rough draft not because it's bad, but because there's a ton of potential, it just needs a lot more editing and I think it could really get there. Especially if compared to another middle grade series like Chris Colfer's Land of Stories, which this feels similarly simplistic, I think it easily could go down that path and find a real fanbase. Also love the romance element which a lot of middle grade books are missing and as someone who was romance obsessed even from an elementary school age, that's definitely an excellent plus.

My main issues is with pacing, dialogue, and structure. Everything comes off extremely clunky and there's a ton of exposition dumps and hardcore telling, not showing. Like dialogue will come off like, 'there's a prophecy of two people who are actually soulmates and will save us' like...hmm...I wonder who that could be?? Add subtlety, make it a REAL prophecy, don't just blatantly say it. Also this story needs to slooooowww dooowwwnn and actually develop characters. For one, cut all of the bad dude's POVs, they add nothing to the plot and I don't understand the relevancy. Especially if he'll be the big bad, overarching villain, we don't need to see in his mind or what he's doing. Have our characters find our organically. I also don't understand the point of beginning this story with Jelna. Her character isn't NEARLY fleshed out enough for this to matter, same with what little arc she has in general. I don't think she needs a POV at all, keep her as the mysterious recruiter that can become a mentor, but develop that more so we can actually get attached to her as a character. Same with showing us this world. Show us this school and their environment. This follows PJ a bit much with a conflict of the chapter structure and it comes off so choppy. We don't know this world enough, we need to understand before it can get more complicated. Same with characters, introduces them slower and develop them one at a time. Victoria may be relevant in time, but she added nothing to this book. I liked the arc of Ronan, but again, felt rushed and tacked on. And while I enjoy the romance elements, Emily and Jesse are supremely rushed, like IMMEDIATELY they blush around each other and are hella awkward, draw that out, make it earned. I like Bella as an obstacle and a twist character, but again, slow it down, let us earn these reveals.

So yeah, there's a ton of promise here, but it needs a lot more work to fully get there with the best of them, in my opinion. I still enjoyed myself and am glad I read it. I think it could really be a fun read for the younger crowd it's meant for, but with a few more rounds of editing.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a super fun read! There were some aspects of the book that felt a little off, but giving four stars since I generally enjoyed it and I think it’s a great start with potential for a future series. I finished this on a red eye flight to Europe and I was reading at 3am and wasn’t falling asleep so I feel that’s high praise 🤣 More specific thoughts on likes/dislikes below:

Things I liked:
- I generally loved how beautifully the author described the world, especially the natural settings. I really felt like I was there and the world had a lovely feel to it
- the setting/character art was gorgeous!! I would’ve loved if it was integrated in the story when things were first mentioned instead of at the beginning/end but it helped me visualize the characters and places so clearly which I loved
- the Fluffernox!! Honestly this name is just so fun it brought a huge smile to face and the fact it’s a giant talking caterpillar just made it better
- I also really liked the main characters’ descriptions/traits/vibes. In stories like this I find characters are normally very trope-y and one sided and tend to all feel the same, but I felt in this book the core group were very unique. They had distinctive characteristics I don’t normally see and I enjoyed that. It also felt very diverse in that they weren’t all the exact same which I loved. I especially loved Bella’s story which was not at all expected and did not go as I thought it would at the beginning.
- the magic was also very unique, especially Victoria’s magic which I LOVED.
- the ending really swept this for me. The plot really started moving, there was a cohesive ending that left the story open, while also resolving the plot of this book, and I was so invested!
- the epilogue 🥹🥹🥹 this hit home so hard for me

Things I didn’t love:
- I enjoyed how the author wrote the romance plot, but it felt like it came out of no where. I think it would’ve been better if there was either more build up, *or* the story leaned more on there being a special magical/soulmate connection. Lines along the lines of “you’ve always been there for me” just felt weird when they only met super recently??? It took some of the believability out of it
- the middle of the book dragged a bit for me. I think the chapters felt a bit more like vignettes than a cohesive plot, but I think there was just so much to set up. The end really pulled it together though and I was hooked, so I hope that continues if the series continues
- idk why but I didn’t really get invested in the school. Like I loved the world and story, didn’t care much about the classes/profs/campus. Maybe that was by design, but I think that’s why the middle dragged a bit.

*I was provided a free ARC copy of this book by the author (no review requirement). All thoughts are my own 🙂

[Morgan Le Fay ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The descriptive world and world building we get of Glyndor instantly caught my eye. The author managed to draw a pretty vivid picture of the land. We also learn that tales of Glyndor leak into our world, allowing a creative way to introduce our fairytales and fantasy into the story.

The overall story flowed well and the ending conflict was interesting.


However, the character dialogue was kind of clunky throughout. I didn’t really super keep up with anyone outside Jesse and Emily well but a lot of their friends didn’t have huge parts individually to need to learn about.

I also thought the overall writing and world building, as well as cover photo, pointed more towards a younger demographic, but the romance felt more YA and didn’t blend together well.


Thank you for the ARC!

[Frida Hemborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say, I liked this book so much more than I thought I would! And I knew going into it, that it was gonna be a book for me based on the synopsis, but it surprised me with how much. Absolutely reminded me of Harry Potter, specifically, Hogwarts. Magical schools are always a sure thing for me. This particular school is in a hidden realm, which two of our main characters gets a mysterious scholarship to attend. Love the modern girl or guy that stumbles through a portal and ends up in a fantasy world. We get interesting classes, a complex and unique magical system, magical creatures, cliques within the student body, found family aspects, chosen one (or chosen two) and the battle between good and evil. The characters are likeable, the stand out from each other, they have personalities and quirks, and they compliment each other very well. Love the representation of neurodivergent, and childhood trauma. We do get a romance subplot, but it’s not the main focus of the story. Very cute plotline though. Another thing I loved, was the gorgeous illustrations sprinkled throughout the book. Character art and art of the environment. Very beautiful.
I highly enjoyed this read, and I definitely want to read the next book in the series!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SO happy I received an ARC of Guardians of Glyndor!

First thing I have to say is the imagery in this book is incredible! The book contained pictures of different locations along with its map but while beautiful they were unnecessary for me because the author does an amazing job painting pictures for you. The descriptions are vivid but not overly excessive.

The characters and story are great! I'd say anyone that has read HP, Land of Stories or Percy Jackson would really enjoy this!

I'm shocked this is her first book. Can't wait for the rest of the series because I will definitely be buying them all ❤️

[Scarlett Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be sent a ARC (advance reader’s copy) by Nicoleclaire and I really loved this book! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good fantasy with some romance. The plot had me hooked and I absolutely loved 💕 the main characters!
8/10 ⭐️ would recommend to anyone looking for a good book 📖

[Chloe Nielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of Guardians of Glyndor, I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to read this book! thank you so much Nicole :)

Guardians of Glyndor is a YA fantasy romance story that follows Jesse and Emily, two teenagers who discover they have unique magical gifts and are invited to attend Glyndor, a magical school where they will learn all about the world of magic and how to hone their own special gifts. However the protagonists soon find out there is a risk to Glyndor and the magical land of Eldora as the Antagonist Morwyn and his followers plan to overthrow Eldora, throw off the balance and let chaos rule. Ultimately, fate leads Jesse and Emily, along with the friends they make along the way, to protect and save Eldora.

What I liked about this book firstly was the magical world building, Nicole's visceral descriptive writing really allowed me to fully immerse myself into the world and the story, I thought it was beautifully written and super creative. I also liked reading the different characters POVs. Nicole's take on familiar fantasy concepts felt original and refreshing and I enjoyed the different types of characters she introduced in the story and how they interacted. The main groups diverse traits and descriptions were also refreshing and interesting, I like how they fit together as a group and how their own unique strengths complimented each other.

I am intrigued to learn more about Morwyn and his motivations as the antagonist. I would also love for more magical creatures to be introduced, I loved the fluffernox, and the interactions between fluffernox and the two main protagonists. I enjoyed the different unexpected twists in the story and the character development. I really enjoyed victoria and Bella's characters and am intrigued to learn more about them, their background and their powers. I also would have liked to read more from Emily, victoria, Bella and Jelna's POV.

The only things I think could be improved upon would be the dialogue in some places felt a bit unnatural and the romance element felt too sudden, it needed more of a natural build up to it. I would have liked to read more about both Jesse and Emilys pining for eachother and they're feelings developing naturally throughout the book. The main friend group sometimes spoke like they'd known each other all their lives but they had only all met very recently.

The ending was really good and opened up for a sequel which I am really interested to read. Overall this book was super fun and a great introduction to the series and the world of Eldora and a great debut novel from Nicole. I wish you the best of luck on your writing and future projects, this series has so much potential and possibilities!

[Megan Otte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the second edition of this book. My review is voluntary and unbiased. **TLDR AT THE END**

This story intrigued me. Magic? Magical school? Chosen one trope? YA? Sounds like my kind of story. I was excited to give it a try, but immediately felt something was... off.

The writing is good, so it took me some time to figure it out. I believe I finally understand what people mean by show, don't tell. It felt like too many things had details and descriptions, so it was hard for me to just feel right along with the story. The descriptions themselves were not bad, just too much. This made for the "off" feeling; neither the plot nor the characters felt natural.

And the progression of the story... well, this was definitely fast-paced, but in a way where things felt rushed. I didn't have time to truly understand the world building or the magic system or anything really. Somehow everything happened so fast that I was hardly able to make sense of anything, yet at the same time it isn't like a whole lot was happening. It was just move along move along.

Again, this is included with the characters. It didn't feel like a slow progression of personal and relational growth, or even like we were walking up stairs... we were straight up skipping steps to move along move along. This made it basically impossible to resonate with the characters at all.

Not to mention, I don't believe Jesse was a very consistent character, I downright kinda hated Victoria, and Alex... oh Alex... I love him but also he's so annoying because he is written TOO cliche. I understand a lot of us say "bro," but it is very jarring to read someone talking like that on the page, unless they are the comedic relief background character (which clearly, Alex is not). Bella is my favorite.

There was one odd chapter that was from the villain's perspective that truly was almost anger inducing and made me want to skip the entire chapter. I hoped it would be important, so I didn't skip it, but it truly was not important.

My review now is getting much too long, so I'll just say that this is a great idea, but needs to be fleshed out even more. This is the second edition with, from what I understand, more story than the first edition had. I still believe it needs a little more work though. Also, for a first book, it's not bad! I certainly don't know if I could write a book, let alone jump right in to writing a whole series!

TLDR: Great idea for a book, not so great execution. Needs some more fleshing out to make it feel more natural and relatable. Not bad for a first book!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of the second edition of Guardians of Glyndor, and my review remains completely unbiased, I’m going to be blunt and straightforward about the ups and downs of the book for me. That said, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this enchanting debut. As a longtime Harry Potter fan, this book resonated with me, offering a fresh take on the magical school adventure genre.

The story follows Jesse, a brilliant but underprivileged student, and Emily, an outcast with the unique ability to communicate with animals. Their lives take an extraordinary turn when they’re recruited to attend Glyndor, a magical boarding school hidden between dimensions. At Glyndor, they join a diverse group of peers, each with unique talents, and begin to hone their magical abilities.  

As their education progresses, they uncover a sinister plot: heroes and creatures are vanishing from Eldora, the magical realm connected to Glyndor. The culprit is Morwyn, a banished sorcerer intent on reshaping the world. With the Three Moon Ceremony approaching and rifts appearing, Jesse and Emily must master their newfound powers and rally their friends to thwart Morwyn’s plans.  

Let’s start with the strengths. The world-building in this book is absolutely enchanting. Nicoleclaire C. has crafted a vivid realm in Glyndor and Eldora that feels expansive without being overwhelming. As a lifelong Harry Potter fan, I was immediately drawn to the magical school setting, but this world stands on its own. The magic system is intriguing, especially the connection between mages and the magical fauna. The creatures—like the charming Fluffernox and the powerful Rift beasts—are imaginative and well-integrated into the plot.

The main characters, Jesse and Emily, are compelling. Jesse’s determination and humility, paired with Emily’s rare gift of communicating with animals, made them a dynamic duo to follow. That said, I would’ve liked a deeper understanding of Emily. It’s clear she had feelings for Jesse, but she kept their relationship firmly in the friendship zone without much explanation. Exploring her inner conflicts or backstory more could have made that emotional tension even more powerful. Additionally, the relationship between Emily and Jelna felt odd and at times confusing. Their dynamic shifted in ways that weren’t always fully explained, and it’s one of the aspects I hope future books will elaborate on.

However, the book isn’t without its flaws. Some of the mystery elements fell short for me. There were moments where it felt like the characters were solving puzzles that were a bit too obvious. For instance, Jesse’s attempt to interpret the note he found about Bella being in danger and the search for the passway to reach Jelna were both situations where I, as a reader, immediately knew where they had to go, which weakened the suspense and pacing.

I also wanted more of Morwyn, the central villain. His presence looms in the background, but we get very little of him directly. He has the potential to be a chilling, layered antagonist, but right now he feels more like a distant threat than a fully developed character. Giving him more direct involvement would’ve heightened the stakes and made the conflict more urgent.

Still, by the time the Three Moon Ceremony loomed and the stakes ramped up, I was completely hooked. The ending struck a solid balance between closure and set-up, leaving me eager for book two.

Overall, Guardians of Glyndor is a promising start to a magical new series. With a rich setting, lovable characters, and a touch of danger, it’s an easy recommendation—especially for fans of fantasy boarding schools and magical beasts. I’m excited to see how Nicoleclaire C. grows this world in the next installment.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start this review by saying a huge thank you to the author, Nicole, for giving me the opportunity to read and review her awesome book <3. It was such a joy (and occasionally a heartbreak) to dive into this magical world and get to know these characters, so thank you for trusting me with it!

Now… where do I even start?

Guardians of Glyndor is one of those stories where you go in thinking “okay, cool, magic school” and suddenly you’re sobbing over a phoenix and adopting a ball of mischievous fluff named Fluffernox. It’s got hidden portals, glowing sigils, mysterious ceremonies and yet, what truly makes it work is the emotional core. Underneath all the cool magic, it’s really about healing from loss, finding your people, and learning to believe in yourself when everything feels uncertain.

The themes hit: grief, identity, healing, trust. Emily’s journey especially stuck with me... gentle but fierce, filled with loss and courage. Her bond with Jelna was one of the most touching parts of the book. Jesse’s arc also surprised me, he starts off guarded and logical but ends up leading with real strength. Add Victoria and Alex to the mix, and you’ve got a team worth rooting for.

And the vibe? It’s like if Studio Ghibli, Percy Jackson and Final Fantasy got together to tell a story with emotional flashbacks, magical moon festivals and secret rebellion plots.

What I enjoyed:
1. The world-building is magical but approachable—Glyndor, the Eternal Flame, the Mirror Ball, even the glossary! (That glossary is life!)
2. The emotional stakes feel natural—you feel what the characters feel.
3. It balances big fantasy energy with very grounded, relatable moments.
4. And the illustrations? Gorgeous. Seriously, they made everything feel even more real and magical.

A Few Bumps Along the Way :
1. Pacing dipped a little around Chapters 20–25.
2. Some big emotional beats could’ve used a pause.
3. A lot of terms and titles... but hey, there’s a glossary! (told you... it's life! :D)

In short: this book surprised me. It’s got magic and monsters, but also real emotional depth and character growth. I recommend giving Guardians of Glyndor a shot.

[Jessica Bellemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking to fill the Harry Potter-sized void in your life?

Look no further than Guardians of Glyndor.

Jesse and Emily are two teenagers from opposite areas of the world who have never felt like they fit in. Jesse can spot patterns that no one else can even imagine, while Emily has an affinity for animals. When the mysterious Jelna visits the two, she lets them in on the secret of Glyndor; a magical school hidden in the alternate dimension of Eldora.

Strange things are happening at Eldora, where both fantastical original creatures and those from myth abound. Along with their new friends Alex and Victoria, Jesse and Emily embark on a path to save their new home.

I honestly could not put this book down. The world building is so artfully written that you can almost feel yourself transported to Eldora, experiencing the sights and turmoil that our protagonists encounter.

All readers will find a character to relate to, or even parts of various characters. The writing is masterful, and I’m left dumbfounded that is the author’s first book. I felt as if I was reading one of JK Rowling’s or Rick Riordan’s books, with original fantasy concepts and magic.

Read this book now. I, for one, will eagerly be awaiting the next book in this series.

Thank you to Nicoleclaire C. for providing me with the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

[Valerie Cortes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be asked to be part of the ARC of this book.
Let's start with the art of all the parts of this world that was created. It was beautiful just beautiful. Even without this visual of the world the author spared no detail in her descriptive writing.
The book centers around Jesse and Emily who meet on the magical border of Glydor. We follow them as they settle into their new world and school.
There is magic, drama, teenage angst, and the bonds of friendship.
I love how myths from different cultures are woven into this story.
I did figure out the hidden villain before it was revealed. But that did not dampen the excitement of the final battle.

I could have used a little bit more in the way of character development. I would have liked to have connected with the characters a little more. However I'm going to stick with my four star rating because I really enjoyed the book.

[Tony Mush · Rating 3 out of 5]

“the quiet allure that only a universe of words could offer.”

“ “Magic is sometimes just a name we give to things we don’t understand.” She placed a hand over her heart. “Magic is believing in the good of people, in the kindness we show everyone. And it’s not always easy.” “

“Greatness is forged in the crucible of humility.”

A young adult novel for sure, a couple things felt rushed but that’s okay when only teenagers can save the world but are totally new to the world. A lot of potential in future world building.

Reading it digital I don’t always pay attention to how far along I am but I was enjoying it when I noticed I was already half way through. Shows that it was easy for me to keep the pages turning. Pacing was interesting, a whole lot happened in 1 day where the characters quickly picked up magic. I was confused a bit about how the main kids are in their first year at the school but deal with a popular group who are also first years but treated like they’ve been enrolled at the school for years.

Agree with this https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for review!

As a debut fantasy novel, this was a great book.
The characters are lively, witty, and full of spirit. I found myself rooting for them, even the minor ones. Some of the humor is genuinely adorable, and I found myself laughing more than once. The world-building is rich and intricate.
The plot twists are unpredictable, with a few moments that will make you raise an eyebrow. While the book leans on familiar tropes, the author’s fresh perspective adds a new twist, making them feel almost unnoticeable.

[Dan Lupo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would have had my 15-year-old self just eating up every word and coming back for more.

As cliche as it feels, the perfect description of this book is Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter. GoG has the pacing, tone, and stakes of Percy Jackson - it doesn’t keep you waiting for anything. The world is going to end soon, and our plucky protagonists definitely are going to be the ones to save the world. This mixes with the magical school setting and teenage romance of Harry Potter - with all the classroom magic and angsty love triangles that we know and love. If you liked those books and all of the fun camp they lean into, you’ll definitely have fun with this one.

Overall Guardians of Glyndor was light and fun and I had a good time with it. The art included within was also a fun little surprise.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly entertaining and intelligently written novel, “Guardians of Glyndor” (second edition) kept me turning pages long after I should have returned to reality. It is the rare novel that entertains without dumbing down the language and this is definitely a gem! (This would make a great long-trip plane read.) Nicoleclair references many different mythologies, but never in a showy way that detracts from the pace of the story, and she creates a captivating new world. I cannot wait to read the final iteration and the upcoming novels in the (hopefully) long-running series!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy a Harry Potter type of read you will enjoy this book. It is a Young Adult book with magic, challenges, and young love. There is a bit of a mean girl/bully feel to it with the rich privileged to the poor scholarship kids. Maybe some jealousy that there are others more deserving by skills and not your name. Now throw in some mythology, fantastical creatures and adventure. The book is creative and well written.

[Joe Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

I really liked this book a lot. It started with a strong opening chapter that grabbed the attention and introduced you to the world and one of the main characters. Its YA, coming-of-age genre and had the feel (to me) of the Magicians by Lev Grossman but not depressing and insufferable. The romance was built up nicely and paced realistically.

I would definitely read more of this series, or any other works by Nicole