A School so Gorgeous and Fatal

by Sam Blood

#1 Amazon Category Bestseller 📚✨

For fans of Shadowhunters, Vampire Academy, and A Deadly Education — comes a gripping new YA urban fantasy full of magic, danger, and secrets worth dying for.

Some secrets are worth risking everything for. Others will kill you first.

A secret society murdered my father and left me for dead. Well, I've got news for them - I'm not just his daughter, I'm his vengeance.

My quest for justice has led me to Counterpart Academy, a hidden school of secrets, power and forbidden magic nestled in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand. Everyone here seems to have their own agenda. Especially the dangerously attractive Riley Aberdeen. Then there's Sephy, an outrageous manticore with a knack for inappropriate humour and a nose for trouble.

Let's get one thing I'm not here for friends. I'm here for answers. If those answers come at the price of my life... so be it. But the more I uncover, the more I risk losing those I love in a deadly game of lies, power, and dark legacy.

In this YA urban fantasy packed with academy intrigue, slow-burn tension, and magical secrets, one young woman must how far will she go for revenge — and what will it cost to survive?

Genres: Fantasy

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 26, 2025

About the author

Sam Blood lives in Auckland, New Zealand, where he spends his days writing urban fantasy, eating, and trying to impress his spectacular Sri Lankan lawyer wife with plot twists. He started writing the first book about magical creatures called Shadows when he was nine years old, and frankly, things have spiralled out of control ever since. If you enjoyed his books, he’d really appreciate a quick rating or review—reviews help indie authors get seen! www.sambloodauthor.com www.instagram.com/sambloodauthor www.facebook.com/sambloodauthor


Dive into the Shadows universe with my other books:

Counterpart Academy: (Young Adult, Urban Fantasy)

A Warrior So Clever and Cursed (Prequel)
A School so Gorgeous and Fatal
A Princess so Noble and Vengeful

The Shadows Series: (Young Adult, Portal Fantasy)

Shadows
Raven
Cameron
Majestic
Eclipse
Winghold



Reviews

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

A dystopian young adult novel where humans and shadows coexist. But like all good dystopian novels, the governments agenda is not entirely transparent.

This was an action packed story following Crowley, a teen living in Wellington NZ. Mostly living apart from human and shadow society, Crowley has grown up isolated from others and played strategic board games with her father. Until her 16th birthday an event occurs leaving Crowley with a promise for vengeance. Living with her younger brother and distant mother, she is about to commence boarding school, which is basically a front for humans to find their shadow counterparts.

At the school Crowley finds friends, uncovers secrets and has her world turned upside down. This book was a great story with a thrilling climax set in the hidden shadow town. However, I felt, it is a young-young-adult book so am probably the wrong demographic to fully enjoy its narrative.
There is no romance, the action scenes aren’t too gory but there are references to people dying. I think readers of Percy Jackson etc would enjoy.

I received an ARC copy of this book and am providing a review voluntarily.

[Brita Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed Shadowhunters, Vampire Academy, and A Deadly Education – then you'll enjoy this gripping new YA urban fantasy that's full of magic, danger, and secrets that are worth dying for.

Some secrets are worth risking everything for. Other secrets will kill you first.

Crowley's father was murdered by this secret society and worse than that, this same secret society left Crowley for dead. But, Crowley is stronger than that and she's got a message for them – I'm more than just his daughter now, now you've made me his vengeance.

Crowley's quest to find justice has led her to Counterpart Academy, a hidden school full of secrets, power, and a forbidden magic all nestled in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand. Everyone in the school appears to have their own agenda. Especially Riley Aberdeen who appears dangerously attractive. And then Crowley meets Sephy, this manticore who is outrageous. And Sephy has a knack for having inappropriate humour and a nose for trouble.

Crowley wants to make one thing clear, she's not there for friends. She's there for answers. And she's not scared if finding those answers comes at the cost of her life. But, Crowley discovers that the more she learns and uncovers, the more she risks losing those she loves. She's playing a game in a deadly game of lies, power, and a dark legacy.

This YA urban fantasy is packed with academic intrigue, slow-burn tension, and magical secrets. One young woman has to decide how far she's willing to go for revenge and vengeance – and what it's going to cost her to survive.

A School So Gorgeous and Fatal is the 1st book in Sam Blood's Counterpart Academy Series. This was the first book by Sam Blood that I have ever read and I went into it thinking that I was just going to be reading another fast-paced dark academic mystery. And, I can say that Sam Blood delivered on those expectations and then he blew those expectations out of the water with the surprises that he added in.

Crawley pulled me into the book and she enthralled me. Crawley burns with purpose and it drives everything that she does. She's grieving the murder of her father at the hands of some secret society and she's vowed that she will be his vengeance. The murder of her father isn't just a footnote in the book; it fuels Crawley and everything that she does through every step in this book. From chapter one where the cruelty of the secret society is first revealed all the way up to her first arrival at Counterpart Academy, Sam never lets up on the tension.

Sam does such an amazing job with the world-building. It's sharp and immersive with Counterpart Academy nestled in Wellington, New Zealand. I loved this setting. I found it to be refreshing and unique. It's not often that you read a book that is set in New Zealand and I loved how this felt like a breath of fresh air. Counterpart Academy itself felt gothic, secretive, and still in so many ways it felt glamorous. I was truly impressed with Sam's ability to write such a stunning atmosphere and I truly felt like I was right there and you could feel this atmosphere just coming off of every page.

I wasn't too sure what to think of Riley Aberdeen, and I wasn't sure if he could be trusted or not, and in all honesty, I'm still not that sure if he can be trusted or not. But, he does have this sizzling chemistry with Crowley. And even though you can feel their chemistry, I get the impression that even Crowley isn't sure if she can trust Riley or not.

Riley and Crowley have this dynamic that swings between a sizzling tension that boils under their skin, pushing them, and then suddenly it'll swing to a raw distrust and I was here and ready for every moment of it.

And I have to talk about Sephy. Sephy is such a scene-stealer. Sephy is a manticore who has a chaotic energy about it and Sephy has this mouth that never quits and they never know when enough is enough. But, I loved the way that Sephy brought that much-needed level of lightness and humour to an otherwise rather dark plot and sub-plot and yet Sephy never really felt like they were just there for comic relief or just for the sake of it.

One of the most surprising things that surprised me about this book was just how much emotional depth this story had. There's more to this story than of just revenge. This is the story of identity, legacy, and it shows just how thin the blade between justice and obsession is. At moments, I stopped reading just to ask myself, “Is Crawley on the road to becoming what she set out to destroy?”

Sam paced this book with an intensity that I wasn't expecting, especially in the last third of the book. He included twists and turns that I had never saw coming and that I could have never guessed would happen. The ending, the ending left me conflicted. It was a satisfying ending and yet I was left wanting more and I can't help but hope that as this is set as book 1 of Counterpart Academy there is going to be another book.

If you are the kind of reader who enjoys secret societies, those characters who are morally grey, lots of snappy dialogue, and magic and monsters added in just the right balance, then A School so Gorgeous and Fatal is a must-read. Even if it is written for a YA audience, it is still an enjoyable read for all audiences. I honestly had an impossible time putting it down.

I recommend this book for readers from YA to adult. It's a fun and enjoyable read. It has all the great elements that you could want even if it doesn't have any real romance in it. I truly hope that we get a sequel to this book, I know that we are getting a prequel to it as I was just given a chance to read it early. I can't wait to see what comes next for this series and I am going to have to read more of Sam Blood's other books as he's a new author to me and I found I enjoyed his writing.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dystopian YA where humans have a counterpart shadow (which is a mythical creature). I wouldn't call this dark academia, while it takes place at a school environment, it's really the society that's the conflict. The FMC finds out on her birthday all these secrets of this shadow world that have been kept by her, and at the same time she suffers a tragedy that she vows to avenge. Her whole childhood she has been training in strategic war board games, and has special skills to lead a battle - skills she gets to use in real life all too soon.

The premise is really interesting and I quite liked how once you find your shadow counterpart, you two are linked for life - and death. It's like a twin you have telepathy with. I liked how the FMC was strong and continued to stand up and fight for what was right. I enjoyed the found family friendships that were forming, which is expected in a boarding school and wartime situation.

The secrets and bombshells and betrayals kept the plot fun though the battles and commanding scenes were longer than I would care for. The book doesn't give away all the secrets so I wonder how much the FMC's mother knows about it all.

The overall novel felt lower YA in the way it read and told the story. There was no romance though there was some tension and attraction, the violence wasn't overly graphic, etc. It did feel kind of choppy where it felt it jumped around a bit - such as when the FMC tells us about all her time spent with "Jupiter", when prior to that we hadn't heard of her exposure to that world. The book also could have used more descriptions as it mostly focused on the FMC narrator and dialogue. It felt like I was missing a deep emotional connection with the characters but I can't quite say why that was.

The cover is pretty - yes a sword cover that's actually pretty. Not sure the sky with flowers and sparkles actually makes sense in the story, or the sword since they used long range weaponry, but it's still pretty.

I received an ARC copy of this book and am providing a review voluntarily.

[The Literature Lizard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an advanced copy, so huge thank you to Sam!

Ok. Ok where do I even begin with this one? Did I like it? Yes. Did I have to talk myself into finishing it? Also yes. You’re introduced into the book and thrown in the deep end with a million questions. Crowley is sent to the Praetory Academy with minimal knowledge of the world of shadows (thanks mom) and it takes about 50% of the book to get to the good stuff. Crowley learns some damning secrets about her father and her world comes crumbling down around her and learns the shadow she thought betrayed and lied to her might not be so bad after all. I really do want to see how this story progresses, I want to see what happens to Jupiter! I still have so many unanswered questions 🙃

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Sam Blood and BookFunnel for an eARC of this novel. This book was so fun! Crowley and Sephy were a delight to follow throughout this story. They were funny, charismatic and their banter was top shelf.

This is an amazing start to the series of Counterpart Academy. It was an exciting ride, and the world building was spectacular. It really sets up the next novel because it does end with the reader wanting some answers for several questions.

I also think this is a great novel for YA or even kids. I think one day my daughter would love to read a book like this.

I received this eARC for free and all thoughts are my own.

[Gen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ so entertaining for YA fantasy! So many secrets, mysteries and twists I didn’t seen coming 👀 keen to read the next one!
**ARC review

[Caitlin Mccarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this. World build is Set in New Zealand but as world with paranormal creatures. This book truely is a YA book. The story was great has a lot of potential for a series however it wasn’t as captivating as I wanted it to be. It’s very paranormal fantasy. I like how the story took a turn I think that’s when I was mostly captivated by it. The world building was good and the character development was strong. I’m excited to see where the next book goes. 👌

[Lorraine Fyfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was delighted to receive my ARC for this and I really, really wanted to love this but I didn't. I enjoyed it, but it felt unfinished and the characters were a bit flat and it felt very YA.

Hoping the sequel will take the story and characters and flesh them out a lot more. I will 100% read the next book because the story and the world has so much potential. I want to know more about them all.

Almost had vibes of His Dark Materials with a touch of academia (wouldn't say dark academia). Good fun, but very put downable.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first Sam Blood book I have read, and it won't be the last. I struggled initially with getting my head around the amount of details given to build the world, which is necessary and something I usually struggle with, so is no reflection on the author. Once I had got past that, I enjoyed the book a lot more, and loved that there was fantasy without smut, for a change, so I can recommend to people who want to avoid that. The twists and turns kept it interesting, and I have to say that Sephy is definitely my favourite character. I'll be looking forward to book 2, to see where this story goes next 😍

[Martti Orson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into A School so Gorgeous and Fatal expecting a fast-paced dark academia mystery and Sam Blood absolutely delivered, with some unexpected surprises along the way.

The protagonist immediately hooked me. She's not just driven she's burning with purpose. Her father's death isn’t just a backdrop; it fuels every step she takes, and that vengeance thread is woven tightly through the entire story. From the first chapter, where the secret society’s cruelty is revealed, to her arrival at the enigmatic Counterpart Academy, the tension never lets up.

The world-building is sharp and immersive. Counterpart Academy, nestled in Wellington (a refreshingly unique setting!), felt gothic, secretive, and oddly glamorous. Blood knows how to write atmosphere, and it’s dripping from every page.

Then there’s Riley Aberdeen. I wasn’t sure whether to trust him (spoiler: still not sure by the end), but his chemistry with the main character is electric. Their dynamic swings between sizzling tension and raw distrust and I was here for every second of it. And Sephy? Absolute scene-stealer. A manticore with chaotic energy and a mouth that doesn’t quit. Sephy brought much-needed levity to an otherwise dark plot, but never felt like comic relief for the sake of it.

What surprised me most was how much emotional depth the story had. It’s not just a revenge plot it's a story about identity, legacy, and the fine line between justice and obsession. There were moments when I genuinely asked myself, “Is she becoming the thing she’s trying to destroy?”

The pacing is intense, especially in the last third. Twists I didn’t see coming, and an ending that both satisfied and left me hungry for more. (Please tell me there’s a sequel coming.)

If you like secret societies, morally gray characters, snappy dialogue, and just the right dash of magic and monsters, A School so Gorgeous and Fatal is a must-read. Honestly, I couldn’t put it down.

[DoneReadThat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐s
(The half star is because I don't know when the next book is coming out.)

Seriously. Such a good read. I struggled with the first couple of chapters because I think I kept getting lost and having to reread. Like I'd look up because one of the tiny humans was shouting "Mommy, watch me!" and I'd lose my spot on the page. (When does school start back up?) I had no idea it was set in New Zealand until a couple of chapters in and it mentions summer in February. I was picturing somewhere in the UK or weirdly Connecticut.

It made me think of the show Wellington Paranormal and thinking those cops are just bumbling along the outside of it.

It's a fantasy genre but not needing to world build because it's still set in regular reality. Kind of like the Percy Jackson series. Its got the spice level of a bell pepper and for that I salute you. If I had to guess it's written for Young Adults but I'm not sure. I feel like I might recommend it to my 10yo - in a year or two, once more books are out.

I don't 100% remember the blurb but I do know I LOVED the cover and that is what caught my attention first. It's so pretty.

This book makes me angry and sad at the same time. Angry because of what's happening to a marginalized group. And sad because it's still happening in the real world. I am so glad that some people don't turn out to be total garbage. I feel like there's a bit of a crush going on between 2 of the characters and their interactions seem more on par with teenagers - awkward, stumbling over what to say, etc.

Cannot WAIT until the next one comes out! I'll be devouring the prequel shortly (A Warrior so Clever and Cursed).

My soundtrack to this was the Harry Potter Reading Ambiance because - kids.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

Wow! This is a brilliant novel, jam packed with conspiracy, intrigue, betrayal and tension. Crowley has the worst night of her life when her father is murdered and she loses her leg. Believing her father to have been murdered by the rebel faction, Shadows Eve, she has been plotting against them ever since. After a failed attempt to assail an Acolyte, Crowley finds herself enrolled as a student at Counterpart Academy. There she meets Sephy, a Manticore who everyone falls in love with, and Aberdeen, a super attractive pupil who Crowley has an instant rivalry with. But all is not as it seems, and Crowley soon finds herself on a thrilling journey full of twists and turns.

Crowley is an absolute badass of an FMC, who is bloody minded, set on vengeance, and determined to become a knight, despite her prosthetic leg. She doesn't expect to become sympathetic to a cause she despises, or to become close to anyone at the Academy, but things don't go the way she expects at any point. The twists and turns come thick and fast - every time you think you've got it straightened out, Blood whacks in a curveball that totally throws you. The storytelling is incredible, and the characters are memorable (particularly Sephy!). There is so much intrigued surrounding the Praetory, the Potentate and Shadows Eve still to be explored, and I absolutely can't wait for book two!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[Rebecca -A Novel Pour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you so much for the eARC it was an absolute pleasure to read!

School So Gorgeous and Fatal is the literary equivalent of a rare vintage—dark, complex, and deliciously intoxicating. From the first page, it reads like a glass of brooding red wine poured in a candlelit library: intense, fast-paced, and layered with notes of revenge, justice, and secret societies.

Set in a dystopian academic world where knowledge is as dangerous as it is powerful, the atmosphere is utterly immersive. The university setting feels like stepping into an old wine cellar—gothic, mysterious, and brimming with hidden truths. Every hallway, lecture, and whispered conversation is infused with the kind of rich world-building that makes you want to linger long after the last page.

The plot moves quickly, like a bold sip that hits hard and doesn’t let up. Justice and revenge age like a fine wine in this story—slow-burning, intense, and utterly satisfying. Though some may wish for a slightly longer finish, the narrative closes with just the right amount of bite.

In short, A School So Gorgeous and Fatal holds its own like a standout sipper before the main course—darkly elegant, full-bodied, and impossible to forget. Has me waiting patiently for the next vintage!


for more wine&book pairings/reviews follow @anovelpour on instagram

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent dark academia story with a unique twist. In this universe, some humans have a counterpart, called a shadow, which is a mythical creature who has magical powers. The goal is to find your shadow and live life together as a team. Adolescents, such as our protagonist Alexandra Crowley (just Crowley, as she likes to be called), often go to an elite academy to find theirs. Crowley has a second plan, though, her father was murdered by acolytes that she believes worked with Shadows' Eve, so she intends to use her time at the academy to investigate into the killers' identity and exact her revenge. While there, she meets her roommates, Sephy, an enigmatic manticore, and Aberdeen, another human. As Crowley gets deeper and deeper into the mystery, she discovers old friends, new enemies, and some difficulties that she has not foreseen. The characters are well-developed and likable, and the story is engaging and will make you want to keep reading. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!

[Danni Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

A School so Gorgeous and Fatal
Counterpart Academy Book One
By Sam Blood

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🗡 Academia setting
🌙 Secret Society
🗡 Coming of Age
🌙 Vengeance / Feminine rage
🗡 Mystical creatures
🌙 Other realms
🗡 YA fantasy

This is my first novel by Sam Blood and I am glad I jumped into this magical secret society!

A School so Gorgeous and Fatal is set in Wellington New Zealand 😍 where Alexandra Crowley loses her father on her 15th birthday the night he tries to tell her secrets that will change her life forever, so what's a girl do? Chase vengeance on the acolytes that made her lose the one she looked up to most of course!
She uncovers and secret academy filled with incredible beings you could only dream of, uncovers secrets, makes friendships and of course finds the truth of what happened that fateful night.
This was a great read, I adore the mantacore and her cheeky attitude and of course the bad boy energy from Aberdene because there always needs to be one in every tale that's secretly not so bad 😉

A School so Gorgeous and Fatal releases July 26th 😘🖤

[Kasha Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re into YA dystopian academy stories with a twist, this one’s worth picking up. Our FMC is fierce, determined, and seriously strategic—literally. She trains in war tactics and board games, sharpening her mind like a weapon. After losing her leg and her father in a tragic event at just 16, she’s driven by a quiet, burning need for revenge. But this isn’t just about vengeance. It’s about survival, loyalty, and uncovering truths buried deep. There’s a strong found family element that slowly builds throughout, and the tension between characters keeps you hooked. No insta-love or distracting romance here—just layers of betrayal, secrets, and mystery that unravel at a solid pace. The world-building is clever, the academy vibe adds pressure, and every reveal keeps you guessing. It’s smart, sharp, and emotionally grounded. Definitely one for readers who like their heroines scarred but unbroken—and always one step ahead.

I received an ARC copy and am leaving a voluntary review

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was kindly set this book as an ARC copy by the author. I haven't read anything like this book in a long while, it transported me back to the magical schools of my childhood.

This book reminded me how much I love fantasy books: the magical creatures, secret societies, and sometimes a little romance.

Sephy, the sassy manticore, has to be my favourite character for sure with her comic remarks acting to ease tension,even on the cusp of a battle - "sorry I was just sliding down a roof. That was wild, do I have time to go again" 😂.

Aberdeen and Crowley's relationship is the romantic element to this story. Their sweet slow burn romance blossoms towards the end where their fear for each other's lives exposes how much they care for the other. 💕

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be looking out for the next one! I would recommend to both teens and adults alike, everyone can use a little fantasy in their lives.

[Empress_Solace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Driven by vengeance after her father’s murder by a secret society that also left her for dead a young woman named Crowley risks everything to infiltrate Counterpart Academy. This Academy is a hidden magical school in Wellington New Zealand that holds many secrets. Driven by vengeance and desperate for answers she navigates a dangerous world of power, lies, and forbidden magic. She makes friends along the way and secrets start to unravel and loyalties are tested Crowley must decide who and what she’s willing to lose in her relentless pursuit of justice. As the line between justice and obsession blurs Crowley finds herself caught in a deadly web of lies and legacy forced to question how far she’ll go for revenge and what parts of herself she may lose along the way. This was such a great book!The world building was wonderful and the the characters development was superb. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh, here i am back with a fantasy review ( it's been a while, I know! ) A School so Gorgeous and Fatal, is book 1 of the counterpart academy series and is available now! Thank you to @sambloodauthor for the ARC copy for my review.

First off, i will say this is very much a YA for the mid range of the age group, and the story is mainly told from our FMC Crowley viewpoint. Now, going into this, i wasn't sure what to expect, and booyy did Sam throw us into the deep end... I still have questions unanswered.. where is book 2? Anyway, I digress...

What i loved about this was the detail and thought that was put into the world building. Although it is a magical world, it still has the real world, too. The plot was fast-paced, and with a few wee twists, ( i did see them coming, sorry!) you can't help but get drawn into the world. Crowley is a great character. To be fair, they all are, and the character development was great to see.

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow 😲

This book was written perfectly.
The developments and relationship in each character were written wonderfully.

I was not expecting the twist that happened.
l genuinely thought this would be how Crowley got her revenge on the people who killed her Farther, but it was so much more.

I truly believed that Aberdeen was the bad in it all, but I was wrong, and I am glad I was wrong as his development in this was amazing.
I loved Sephy so much. Her humour in situations was amazing, but I loved that even though she was always able to crack a joke, she was also a bad ass in the fight against The Praetory.
Crowley's military brain was amazing to read how she was able to win against a Knight that had years military on her was excellent.

If you love a fast-paced action fantasy book, I highly recommend ❤️

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly interesting YA fantasy set in a dystopian Wellington, New Zealand where humans have a shadow counterpart. Once you have found your counterpart, they cannot live without you.

Crowley is vengeance personified. After seeing her father murdered and losing her leg, she has sworn revenge on the secret society she has been led to believe is responsible. Her investigation leads her to Counterpart Academy, a secret hidden school where she will study for the next two years, humans and shadows side by side. Here she finds friends, makes waves and has everything she thought she knew flipped on its head.

This was a good read with an unexpected twist at the end. Definitely a lower end YA novel but it was still enjoyable for me.

[Barney Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing style is very much told in the FMC, Alexandra Crowleys teenage viewpoint. She grew up with her brother completely oblivious to the fact there are creatures called shadows in the world, and each human has a shadow counterpart.
Her father is murdered and she loses a leg, so she understandably wants to seek justice from the terrorist group responsible.

Crowley, as she prefers to be known by, is sent to the Counterpart academy, to hopefully find her shadow counterpart, a year after her father's death, and is convinced some people that was part of the terrorist group, attends the school.

This was an enjoyable read the inner monologue was giving Alexis from Blood of Hercules vibes, especially as Crowley also has a sidekick- a hilarious teenage manticore best friend.

[Savannah Yantz-Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

A School So Gorgeous and Fatal by Sam Blood
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Sam for this ARC!

A YA novel about the co-existence of humans and shadows. Crowley, determined to get justice for her father, uncovers secrets kept by her family and reveals that nothing is quite like she originally thought which turned her world upside down. Who she thought was the enemy, turns out to be her greatest allies and they work together to begin the battle to justice for themselves and shadows.

I was shocked by all the twists and turns and found myself routing for the underdogs as they bravely fought to protect their found family.

This is a great young adult novel and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

[Dynal Farrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a fantasy book since high school. The last 3 years have been full of smut and dark romance/ mafia books. I needed something new, so I tried a school so gorgeous and fatal by Sam Blood. Let me tell you, this book was amazing it was full of twists and turns that i wasn't expecting. It would have your mind going one way, but then all of a sudden, the curtain was pulled back to show something completely different. The fact the author had such an imaginative mind to come up with all the different creatures, also known as Shadows in the book, was astounding. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy or even for a teen to read honestly.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A School So Gorgeous and Fatal is the first book in Blood's Counterpart Academy series. This YA dystopian, urban fantasy takes place in Wellington, New Zealand and centers around Alexandra Crowley.

Crowley's parents are Minister Asia Crowley and Count Peter Crowley. She has lived a fairly sheltered life. She has a brilliant mind that her father helped develop by playing strategy games.

When her father's life is taken, and she is gravely injured, she needs to figure out the truth - who killed him and why. Her investigations bring her to the very place she is to go to school. This magical academy is hidden away from the rest of the world. It is where the student population is not only people, but shadows - their (potential) mythical counterparts, and in some respects is the heart of a secret society, the Praetory.

Crowley's only goal is to figure out who is responsible for taking her father's life, and seek vengeance. She's fairly certain a Shadows' Eve acolyte is responsible for his death but what she learns though is not what she expected.

This was a fun read. I quite enjoyed Crowley's character. She is steadfast in her mission to seek justice for her father but she unexpectedly bites off more than she can chew. I also liked Sephy Nekomata's character, a shadow manticore who might be friend, but might be foe. She's definitely a scene stealer. The book definitely sets the groundwork for a second book, and I'm keen to see where the author takes the story.

[Lynda Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A School So Georgeous & Fatal

Wow, just wow. This book is soooo good. A world of intrigue and magic. You don't just sit on the sidelines with this one, you are dragged into the storyline whole-heartedly.

Crowley is out for vengence, her father's murder has her hunting his killers. But nothing is what it seems. Attending the academy was supposed to be a path to finding answers, which she did but not the ones she was originally looking for.

Meeting Sephy and Aberdeen would change her life in so many ways. With twists upon twists, this book will keep you hooked till the very end. And have you begging for the next book in this series. Well done Sam, this one is a big yes.

[Ninja]

First off I want to say thank you Sam Blood for this book.
I love the idea of the book and I like the plot.
I really wanted to like this book.
It just felt kiddish to me as I was reading it.
I might have liked it more when I was middle school. I definitely would recommend for kids 12-15.
I like the everyone in this world has a counter part and they are waiting for the day they find each other.
There’s magic, betrayal, family, war and friendship.
There’s relationships has sadness, humor and wit.
I did enjoy the banter between the characters and the little pranks that were pulled.
I wish Sam B the best with this series.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ A secret society murdered my father and left me for dead. Well, I've got news for them - I'm not just his daughter, I'm his vengeance.”
Welcome to the Counterpart Academy, a mysterious place of secrets, magic and power, a hidden place where Crowley, our kick ass fmc goes to, to get answers. She enters a dangerous deep dark world where all is not as it seems and along the way she manages to make some friends and also some enemies. It’s an exciting read, gripping and holds your attention, there’s incredible world building and characters who are likeable and a little relatable. I look forward what happens next!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A School So Gorgeous And Fatal
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

ARC REVIEW!

I’m definitely adding to this one to my favorite YAs list. If you like to read YAs I definitely recommend this one. There’s sassy characters everywhere you look in this book. Also thoroughly enjoyed the Shadow counterparts.
The sass from Sephy is absolutely amazing and Crowley is an introverted puzzle master (you’ll see what I mean). Crowley loses her father and her leg all in the same night. She wants revenge but she’s not gonna get it from where she originally thought.

#yaread #booklover #arcreview #shadows #counterparts #aschoolsogorgeousandfatal

[Kerriann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun YA academy setting book! The secret world was fascinating and the shadows (beings from somewhere else) were fascinating. The FMC was strong from the start of the book and just became even more so. The twist (although a tad predictable) worked perfectly into the overall story. The shadow "side" character stole the show, so to speak. Trust me, you're going to love this character! Will I read book 2? Yes, absolutely!

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.