Montrose Paranormal Academy, Book 0: The Nexis Awakening

Montrose Paranormal Academy #0

by Barbara Hartzler

SPIES, SACRIFICE, & SECRETS REVEALED.
To save his sister, and protect the Seer, one brother must outmaneuver the world's most dangerous secret society.

James McAllen, president of the Nexis Society, turns against his friends when he finds out their next target is his little sister ... and her hidden powers. Can James protect her from the dreaded Nexis Society and stay alive in the process? Find out in Montrose Paranormal Academy, Book 0: The Nexis Awakening, the much-anticipated prequel to the best-selling Montrose Paranormal Academy series, the starter series in the Sacred Stones Universe saga.

Montrose Paranormal Academy, Book 0: The Nexis Awakening is the prequel series starter to the complete 6-book Clean Academy YA Paranormal Romance series for young adults. It’s a saga full of slow-burn romance, snarky dialogue, supernatural shenanigans, and urban fantasy adventure set in New York City, Europe, and Asia. In the world of academy YA books, think Shadow Hunters meets Bloodline Academy with a dash of Darkblood Academy.

77 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2025

About the author

Barbara Hartzler is an Urban Fantasy Academy author writing about Seers, Chosen Ones, sacred stones, and secret societies ... oh my!

Her stories are full of snarky heroines, supernatural shenanigans, dreamy guys, and normal teens taking on larger-than-life quests to save the world.

As a former barista and graphic designer, she loves all things sparkly and purple and is always jonesing for a good cup of joe.

So grab a cup of coffee and peruse her website at www.barbarahartzler.com. You can read her blog, explore all the behind-the-scenes extras in The Seer’s Vault, or learn more about her writing journey, fun facts, and The BARBARA awards for best fiction (mostly YA).

Or look for Barbara on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Reviews

[Barbara Marie Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montrose Paranormal Academy (Book 0: The Awakening: Montrose Paranormal Academy Prequel)

Montrose Paranormal Academy (Book 0: The Awakening: Montrose Paranormal Academy Prequel) ~ This prequel centers on James, and once you understand that, everything in this series makes more sense. James isn’t just a side character — he’s a brother doing everything he can to protect his sister Lucy, even if that means disappearing from her life and carrying the danger alone.

James knows the truth about the Nexus and the threats tied to Montrose long before Lucy does. Every choice he makes is rooted in fear, love, and sacrifice. He’s not running ~ he’s shielding Lucy from a world that’s already closing in on her.

Reading this first adds serious emotional weight to the rest of the series, especially when James finally reaches out to Lucy again in Book 1 after being gone for so long. Knowing what he endured and why he vanished changes how you see every interaction afterward.

Short, focused, and emotionally strong, this prequel isn’t optional in my opinion. It’s the foundation of the entire story.

I would definitely recommend this book and series and can’t wait to start on the next book. If you want to know what happens next, you’ll just have to read this series yourself ~ you won’t regret it.

[Allison Ripley-Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. Welcome to Montrose Paranormal Academy. Where Three Societies rule everything. James is on a mission to save his sister Lucy, but in order to do so, he must outmaneuver the world's most dangerous secret society. James McAllen just found out the truth, that he's not the Seer, which means his sister Lucy is. Now, he must find a way to outmaneuver the all-powerful Nexis Society to protect Lucy before anyone catches on. The night before her brother's graduation, Lucy McAllen has the strangest dream and she can't wait to follow in her brother's footsteps; he's the president of the Nexis Society and bound for Yale in the fall. Little does she know that her dreams are real and this might be the last time she sees her brother. Can James protect Lucy from the dreaded Nexis Society, and stay alive in the process? So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. I can’t wait to read what happens next in the series. I highly recommend to everyone.

[Danielle Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of prequels. There usually isn't enough action to keep me engaged, but I didn't find that to be true with the Awakening. The author gave a copy of the book to me in exchange for an honest review, and I was concerned when Hartzler mentioned it was a prequel. I'm happy to say that the elements of a well-formed novel were all there. There was enough action, intrigue, and plot that kept me engaged the entire read. I liked how she was able to introduce characters in a fast-paced storyline that made me want to reread The Nexis Secret

[Tonia Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great filler!

Lived reading this after book one. Filled in a lot of details from the previous story and left me wanting more! Only downside is having to wait for the next book to come out. Didn't know it was a young adult book when I started reading book one, and In glad I didn't. I probably wouldn't of read it. So glad I did! Great story and In waiting impatiently for book 2.

[Lacy Lovett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed knowing more about what happened with James. I did have some confusion regarding timeline on a couple of things, and I'll be checking back through The Nexis Secret to see if I mis-remembered. (Always a possibility!) Now I'm even more eager to read book 2, and looking forward to its release!

[Megan Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prequel gets even better. Hoping to get the next book as soon as possible. I would love to know where James' story goes from here. I will be forever grateful for all the writers that try to reach out to the younger generation and inspire them to reach for the light. There is no greater call. Thank you. A true fan.

[Tena Redenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a fast enjoyable read that draws you in right from the beginning. A brother is willing to sacrifice everything to protect his sister from to grips of evil.

[Debi Mozingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the author answered a stack of questions for me in this prequel, but still left enough questions to keep me reading the next book. This storyline is believable, sadly. Can't wait for the next book....

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what date this was published in relation to books 1 and 2, but it’s 1,000 times more understandable and readable than the first book was! It gives me a small bit of hope for future books, though I’ll have to wade through book 2 first…based on other reviews I’ve seen.

[Wilson E. Stevens Sr. · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plotline kind of works, but nothing special. The little girl crush on every cute guy is over the top and kills any value in the series. I can't believe I read the series with this kind of girlie infatuation with guys throughout the books.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Nexis Awakening by Barbara Hartzler is a great start to a great series.