We Hunt the Night

by G. Bailey

I vowed to use my magic to be good…they promised to use everything they have to break our bond.Bloodstone Academy is for strong, smart witches to hunt for their shifters, bond with them in the sacred forest, and fight with them in the war when they graduate. Only issue? Most students die from bonding, but that won’t stop me.

Every generation of my family went to Bloodstone Academy, and it’s in my blood to thrive there. The witch war took my family, and I’m determined to help the Umbral Authority win.

When I finally get the acceptance marking, I couldn’t be happier until I walk through the gothic doors and slam straight into a tall, stunningly beautiful dragon shifter…and he shoves me onto the floor in front of everyone.

Bonding with a dragon shifter hasn’t been done in a hundred years…until I walk into the forest and four of them accidentally bond with me.

Mazikeen Lycidas, Kane Ardian, Black Ashveil, Valeron Drexan are treated like gods at this academy— and they hate me. They never wanted to bond, and they don’t want to fight in the war. The four of them make my days at the academy hell, and the nights even worse.

No spells are going to save me from them, not when we are pulled together by the bond. No magic will help me in the war if my shifters won’t fight.

They say every dragon witch is cursed, and these four are all that is left in the world…and they are determined to ruin me.


USA TODAY Bestselling Author G. Bailey returns with a new series —Bloodstone Academy Series is a dark academia romantasy for fans of witches who fall for their enemies and twisted worlds where “who did this to you?” is considered a love speech.
You will find tropes like— Forbidden romance, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, fated mates and Dramione vibes.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Why Choose, Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal, Enemies To Lovers

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2025

About the author

G. Bailey is a USA Today bestselling author of books that are filled with everything from dragons to pirates. Plus, fantasy worlds and breath-taking adventures. Oh, and some swoon-worthy men that no girl could forget.
G. Bailey is from the very rainy U.K. where she lives with her husband, two children and three cheeky dogs.

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

What the heck is this?

This will likely be a long review. Proceed with caution.

I’ve read many of her books. I can’t say that the quality of the writing is good in any of them. It simply isn’t there. I didn’t go into this one with high expectations, knowing I’d be let down if I did. Yet I’m still shocked at how bad this is.

I’m 99% certain that hers are all AI written. Show me a legitimate published author that releases as many novels a year or even every couple of months. They don’t. Short stories, possible. Full books or novels, no. Because writing books takes time. They don’t have multiple unrelated series running and releasing new books at the same time either. They also avoid storylines that are identical or ripoffs of other authors.

Back to this one. This is horrible. The story is boring AF. The dialogue is like something a 6th grader would write. It might be the worst part. The lack of creativity in the writing is glaringly obvious.

The grammar, run on sentences, misspelled words. WTAF here? First chapter she spells the foster mom Melody’s name as “Melodies”. I mean, is this for real? You cannot expect to be taken serious as a writer when this is the end product.

I don’t mean to be cruel here, but fact is fact. If you are an author releasing books to be published. Expecting people to pay for them. You need a qualified editor. There is no getting around it.

It’s insulting to readers and an insult to real authors. Just because you have an idea for a story doesn’t mean you should be an author. Not everyone can or should write books. At the very least, take some English and writing courses before making the attempt. The absolute minimum for any published item is to run your document through spell check and be sure the settings are in place to catch all of the grammar errors as well. That is really not difficult. This is the problem with self publishing. While it might be great for those that actually deserve to get their books published and who put real effort into getting out something of quality, too many others put out stuff like this that make it obvious they aren’t even making any real effort into what they publish. And all these AI written books are killing the profession of writing.

[Spasticnontastic · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Some choppy editing bits.

[Bondedtobooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Hunt The Night

Book one in the Bloodstone Academy Series

4.5⭐️
1🌶️

Juniper is treated badly by her adoptive relative. When she turns of age she is accepted into Bloodstone academy where she trains for war and meets her bonded shifter.

The four MMC are the last of the dragon shifters. Mazikeen who's accepting of the bond. Kane a childhood friend who pretends she doesn't exist. Black who can't be touched and Vale the bond who tries to kill her.

G Bailey does it again! Another series that's super easy to read, fast paced and addicting.
Tropes to expect-
▪️Dragon shifter
▪️ Bonds
▪️Witches
▪️War college
▪️Fated mates
▪️Forced proximity
▪️RH

ahh I can't wait for book 2 and to continue on with this. I always think her books are never long enough!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Miss · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is my second attempt with this author. I made it through the whole book this time, but won’t be continuing. The plot is silly, the writing is poor, the world building is minimal, the character and relationship building is non-existent, the cliff hanger was lazy.

[Elizabeth🪽 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okayish but the end we just got a bunch of information dumped on us.
2.5

[Jessica Proulx · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 🌟 rounded up bc i enjoyed the plot theoretically, but god sometimes the writing just entirely took me out in a bad way because it sounded like an alien from outer space doing their best to transcribe it into english. like i get the author is british but christ dude learn to be conversational

[marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but due to the short length of the story, it lacked depth. I liked the fmc because she was described as smart, brave, and knowledgeable. However, it often felt like she was only described as these things, rather than truly showing them in action. I wish there had seen more scenes showing her spells and bravery. I didn't connect with the mmc's at all, because their behaviour just didn't add up. Some of them went from seemingly hating her to falling in love and being obsessed with her overnight, without any significant development or reason. The setting was amazing, it felt like hogwarts. I'm excited to read the next book!

[Tosha Y. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t ready

This is the kind of book that sneaks up on you and haunts your dreams. I both loved and hated reading this because it isn't a finished series. I devoured this in one night, and I wasn’t ready for how attached I became.

[Shawna Campbell · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Other than having a cool cover, I have no idea how this has 4+ stars. In theory, could have been a cool concept with an interesting magic system but I think a 13 y/o on wattpad could have written better. Got about 80 pages in and just couldn't do it.

[Reader Jojo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a disgrace for a human eye . it’s so bad and so short, thank God for that . this is absolute shit I won’t even take time to write an entire paragraph about how bad it is. Because it doesn’t deserve my time. Good luck to whoever might even think about reading this

[Spider888 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This writing was trash and so disappointing. The premise is interesting so I truly am sad that this felt like it was written in one night for a creative writing class

[Sar 🍒 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t even know what this is tbh

[Lysandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read, fun and interesting; the main characters are all likeable and the dynamics bittersweet. I was expecting something else from the ending but it was a twist I totally didn’t see coming and I absolutely loved it! Where’s the second book 👏🏻

[Bent Letters · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Suzi Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Full of twists and turns yes !!
I need a second book please

Highly recommend it’s Defiantly a yes, good book for a refresh

Love love love this author !!

[Kerry Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Concepts have been featured so many times in other books. I felt like I was reading other authors spliced together.

The level of writing was sub par. Why wasn’t this labeled as young adult. It felt low on the mature meter.

[Nadia Perfetto · Rating 2 out of 5]

badly written. wth?

[Emily R-H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need the second one now. 😩

[ky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Munch

[emma :P · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️2.5

Not bad, but not good.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragons and witches, two of my favourite magical beings!! Can’t wait to dive into the second book at the end of this month ✨

My only complaint is I wanted MORE! More depth in the world building and more banter between the MCs

[Jen Cardoso (jenc.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEVOURED this book. And thanking everything that the second comes out this month 😅

🐉Dragons
🖤Witches
🪄Magic
🫱🏻‍🫲🏼Found family
❤️‍🩹Bonds and betrayals

Amazing.

It’s a bit of a slow start but once it gets going 😳👏🏼

[Jessica Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okayyyy cute easy read!! It reads a bit YA and Haley don’t get excited there’s no smut. Sorry girl.
But I love me some magic and a little shifter verse. The tension/romance was a bit rushed but overall.. not bad!
Essentially a watered down version of zodiac academy. Which since u haven’t read in years it was nice to have a little nostalgia.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

We Hunt the Night is the first instalment in the The Bloodstone Academy series by G. Bailey.

Bloodstone Academy is for strong, smart witches to hunt for their shifters, bond with them in the sacred forest, and fight with them in the war when they graduate. Only issue? Most students die from bonding, but that won’t stop Juniper. Bonding with a dragon shifter hasn’t been done in a hundred years…until Juniper stumbles upon Mazikeen Lycidas, Kane Ardian, Black Ashveil, Valeron Drexan. They never wanted to bond, and they don’t want to fight in the war. Juniper and the dragon shifters are forced to work together by their accidental bond if they want a chance of surviving the witch war.

Truth be told, I picked up this book because I was scrolling through my kindle unlimited recommendations and the front cover stood out to me. I have been slightly exhausted with shifter romances, especially dragon shifter romances, but I figured I would give it a go since I was intrigued.

I thought the plot was very promising, we have a young witch who is an outsider at home, who would eventually find her true self at Bloodstone Academy. Sadly, We Hunt the Night suffered the same fate as many other romantasy books I have read recently. The story ends up feeling like something I have read before because the same tropes and character designs end up being similar. I felt as if Juniper didn't really stand out amongst other romantasy FMCs I have encountered; she starts off incredibly independent and strong-willed, but as soon as she's bonded she loses her backbone.

The dragon shifters hate Juniper immediately and she reciprocates those feelings, but it feels as though the romance comes thick and fast out of nowhere with no real development. The lack of chemistry between the FMC and the MMCs is very apparent, and I feel like the length and pacing of the book is at fault there. The writing is actually good and I feel like with a longer book, it would definitely benefit from better character and plot development.

Sadly, I don't think I liked this book enough to warrant continuing with the series.

[Manon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8?

[Hanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️ im sorry but the dialogue is just terrible. this needs A LOT of editing!! and the plot doesn't feel like it's thought out enough and horribly choppy. the plot twist was fine, but so incredibly rushed. i like the idea of the novel, but the execution could've used more work.

[Lisa herondale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe I have an addiction to G Bailey’s books that I don’t want to cure. All her works are phenomenal 👏🏼 but let’s get to the details of this new one. This is a slow burn fantasy reverse harem with a fated mates trope. About a girl named Juniper, who is an orphan that has lost everything dear to her. She luckily gets accepted into bloodstone academy, which she thinks will be the break she needs to change her life and make a difference in the war. Except she somehow unexpectedly and accidentally bonds herself to four dragon shifters. You might think that’s the best to happen to her but nope it’s the opposite. She now has to juggle surviving the school and her un-wanted mates. Whom are making things difficult for her, but they have their reasons. This was a very interesting new world to dive into and find out all the mystery surrounding juniper, her mates and the war. But I’ve got to say I absolutely loved it, this is a common reaction I say about Bailey’s works a lot but it’s the truth. I fall in love with each new world and characters they, gain my ❤️. The plot twists I never see them coming, but the one in this book was 🤯🫨🫢. Also that cruel ending how can you just end like that 😩 I need to know more and November is so far away 😭😤. You have to get yourself a copy and experience this lovely story. Be in agony with me for the next book to come out, I promise it’s worth the read and wait.

[Jeanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I’m intrigued stars.
Hell of a cliffhanger but it sets the scene really well. I look forward to November 2025, when “We borrow the light” book two in the series.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK SYNOPSIS FOR NEXT BOOK IN SERIES
Spoilers ahead!

Juniper Daygan is our FMC. She's a 20 y/o witch living with her foster mother (Melody), while her foster sister (Rue, older) attends Bloodstone Academy. This is a prestigious academy for supernatural. In this world when you turn 21, a mark will appear on your neck essentially granting you access as a new student.
Juniper gets her mark and off she goes to school.
We learn early on there's a war going on, but it's not clear distinctly what the war is about. We do know Witches hold the majority power in this world. Shifters, are cursed to live in a forest near the academy until they are bonded to a witch (curse likely cause of a prior war before current one). Obviously this causes some uncomfortable feelings between witches and shifters. They are encouraged to bond with one and become cordial, but not to engage in any other relationship. These bond types are meant (after the academy) to aid the war effort somehow.

Juniper (FMC) just wants to aid the war effort as a chemist or such (witch) to avoid becoming breeding stock (the only other choice).

She finally sees her sister after years of not, who informs her she wrote every day but never heard back. Apparently Melody (foster mother) kept Rue's letters (foster sister) and didn't pass them along so FMC felt alone. Rue leaves advice to not bond with any of the dragons who go to the academy. They are hostile and hate witches actively.

All new students are released into the Bloodstone forest to bond with a shifter by standing over a stone and cutting themselves. Some of the shifters do try to kill them before bonding to prevent, but most are willing to bond because they want to escape the abject poverty of the forest.
She accidentally runs into the dragons and bonds with all 4 of them, which is unheard of. The only other person who has ever done that is the "enchantress".

The enchantress is who is on the other side of the war. She has an army of "mindless" which are fast supernatural zombies (made from witches and shifters) that kill witches and shifters over the age of 12 at her command. We're not sure of the motive of this individual at all during this book.

At the end of the book, Juniper whispers a "death spell" that she didn't know (it came naturally to her lips). When she awoke in the infirmary, her dragons were bound near her and the headmaster was with her. She had 3 tarot cards, and explained Juniper has been living this year for the past several years, doing them over and over again. The tarot cards roll back time 1 year to start over. The goal of the headmistress and the war council was to get Juniper to not choose the dragon as her bonded or fall in love with them, because she is the enchantress' daughter and needs to be used as the bargaining chip in the war.

The council uses the tarot cards on her once again. In the last sentence juniper remembers.

[Megan Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have some serious mixed reviews for this book, and im left feeling so unsure (not something im used to from this author).

The book had so much potential, the setting, the fmc and mmc's, the story and background- all of it had the base to be something amazing.
But, unfortunately I feel like it all fell short and flat.
I dont even know where to begin.

You're first dragged in and told about abuse Melody relieved from her foster mother, and even though its hinted at again there isn't any depth to it.
She then has flashbacks, and despite one of her bonded had the same, they didnt think anything of it?
The mmc's were so confusing. Hating her one second, then loving her the next.
The scene of Kane reading all the ways she annoyed him that week? Was brilliant, easily my favourite part of the book. But it was so out of the blue. He wasn't talking to her, just glowering but then that seen was just beautiful banter. And then he goes straight back to hating her.

Dont get me wrong, ive read plenty of books where they're up and down and they struggle to accept how they feel, but thats not what you feel here. It just feels confusing.

Then you have the dialogue between everyone, and I suddenly feel like im back in school trying to write. Its not the dialogue I would expect from a number 1 author, with multiple books already.
It got so awkward at parts to read, and if youre like me and hear their words in your head, some sentences just made you cringe.

I've never wrote a review this detailed when it wasn't amazing, and I do apologise because I honestly love G Bailey and her work. However, I just can't get over what was done here.

I am so frustrated, because this had the potential to be amazing. Everything was there. The story with the Shifters, how they really live, the Enchantress, Melody, the abuse, the academy, all of it could be insane. But instead of diving in, and digging into them all, I feel like we got surface level interaction and without that depth the books flat.

That being said, I will read the second one. Mainly because im hoping with time, that depth will come.