Duskthorn Academy: Year 2 (A Dark, Steamy, Reverse Harem Academy Romance): Book 2

by Serena Cross

I thought I knew darkness after bonding with three supernatural heirs. I was wrong.

Thrown into a hellish dimension by someone I trusted, I'm trapped with creatures that hunger for more than blood. The shadows whisper secrets about my mother, about why Calloway wanted me gone, about rituals that could save or damn us all.

But I'm not alone in this nightmare. Someone else is here, someone whose presence burns through my defenses and makes me question everything I thought I knew about bonds, loyalty, and desire.

My powers are evolving in dangerous, intoxicating ways. The connections to Marcus, Kieran, and Elian stretch thin across dimensions while something new and forbidden takes root in my soul, demanding things I'm not sure I'm ready to give.

Students are disappearing back at the academy. Reality bends around the bonds we've forged, and time is running out to find the truth about my family, about this place, about what I'm becoming.

The question isn't just whether I can escape this hell. It's whether I'll be the same person when I do, or if I'll surrender completely to the darkness calling my name.

Book 2 in the Duskthorn Academy series. Mature themes. 18+

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

Reviews

[Hannah Lowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this storyline had so much potential and it was wasted. The editing wasn’t great with paragraphs repeated and then at one point a whole chapter.
There were errors in the storyline where characters appeared and then a few paragraphs later reappeared again.
I just think the story needed to be padded more rather than just adding characters with no real story.
For example Dante was added and was important for like 3 chapters and then never mentioned again. For her supposed bond he doesn’t seem important to her at all.
Plus referring to people by first name sometimes them last name the other makes it kinda confusing especially when there are siblings involved.

[Robin Chu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series has great potential. Unfortunately, it needs extensive editing. Not just the plentiful typos. There are timeline gaps and jumps. Often, the author had a direction, and a few paragraphs later changed it. I went back several times because I thought I missed a chapter.

[Lit Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

In dit tweede deel wordt Violet verraden en belandt ze in een helse, duistere dimensie vol hongerige wezens en fluisterende schaduwen. Terwijl haar krachten zich op onvoorspelbare en gevaarlijke wijze ontwikkelen, ontdekt ze nieuwe geheimen over haar familie en een nieuwe band die alles op losse schroeven zet. Ondertussen verdwijnen er studenten terug aan de academie en komt de realiteit zelf in de war door de magische connecties die ze heeft gesmeed.

Het idee achter het verhaal heeft potentie: een mix van duistere magie, reverse harem-dynamiek, familiegeheimen en de strijd tussen licht en duisternis in jezelf. Ik vind het concept van evoluerende krachten en interdimensionele dreiging best intrigerend en het had me echt kunnen grijpen.

Helaas wordt het plezier volledig verpest door de dramatische slechte kwaliteit van de tekst. Het boek heeft ernstige problemen met editing . En dat is zacht uitgedrukt. Zinnen en zelfs hele paragrafen worden herhaald, maar dan telkens met iets andere, vaak overbodige woorden. Het voelt alsof de auteur hetzelfde stukje verschillende versies heeft geschreven en vervolgens vergeten is de dubbele stukken te verwijderen. Dit breekt de flow compleet en haalt alle spanning en emotie eruit. Daarnaast worden belangrijke momenten soms gewoon overgeslagen, waardoor het verhaal onsamenhangend en slordig aanvoelt.

De personages, die in het eerste deel nog wel enige diepgang hadden, komen hier amper verder. De drie mannen voelen vooral als stereotype beschermers die vooral jaloers grommen en stoer doen, zonder dat je echt snapt waarom ze zo intens op de hoofdpersoon gefixeerd zijn. De nieuwe figuur die in de helse dimensie verschijnt, had interessant kunnen zijn, maar door het gebrek aan vloeiende opbouw blijft het oppervlakkig en ongeloofwaardig.

Het thema van innerlijke duisternis en verleiding tot het opgeven is boeiend, maar het wordt amper uitgediept door de rommelige structuur. De spanning die er had kunnen zijn, verzuipt in de herhalingen en technische fouten.

[Wendy Schuster · Rating 1 out of 5]

Serious plot holes - some spoilers

I wanted to love this book because the concept is delightful but there are serious and gaping plot holes that I can't ignore. First, Maya Bonds with a love interest, declares herself passionately in love with him, and then he is promptly forgotten and in visions of her future he is not included. Then there is the issue of her parentage. If the villian has been trapped for over 100 years, how did he father a 21 year old daughter? Also there are moments where people are unconscious, then conscious and talking, then unconscious again and waking up with no explanation.

Personally I can't move past this and the several points where entire paragraphs are repeated.

[Joanne Greenwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

great story bad editing

Really enjoying the story and journey but the chapter that repeats with different ending and no reason plus the start of each chapter in places recaps the previous one but not accurately. Makes it hard to read, a real shame because the makings of a great book are here.

[Hasina]

Good

An addictive continuation of the series. Duskthorn Academy: Year 2 brings even more twists, romance, and dark secrets. If you love steamy reverse harem stories with mystery, this sequel won’t disappoint.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

missing chapters?

I like the story but it feels choppy like parts of it are missing. Example, she runs into the garden and finds the Griffin but no explanation of why or what she was running from.

[Astra Halsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Frustrating

It feels uncohisive. The story line misses chunks and changes. The 4th bond only exists at the beginning of the book and is then completely forgotten about. The premises is really good but it needs cleaning up.

[Sheila Ryals · Rating 4 out of 5]

😻

So the storyline itself is pretty good! While the first book was confusing. This book is a bit disjointed. Like the author rushed through and didn't edit. This had way to many inconsistencies!

[Kherri Bilbro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew!

This one really got me! So much to unpack! Between the revelation of 4 bonds, some of the hottest spice , and declaration of love. Maya has so much more to go through and with her men as partners, she will overcome them like she has so far! I'm here for it!

[lisa jung · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's year 2

Maya has uncovered the secrets of the school and her pass. But it's up to her and her bond to survive.

[bookish pandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story line had sooooooo much potential! I wish the author was able to unpublish, rework it with better editing, more explaining, more of a story. It felt so rushed.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

ummmm

Needs severe editing, too much repetition or completely skipping parts. I like the story, can’t stand the injustice of bad editing. Weird that it got to this point?

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just bad. The characters change jobs. Some characters that were oh-so-important dropped off the face of the planet.

[Dallass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read. Love the setting and the characters. We learn more about the mysterious Ink Weavers, and there is a big revelation that throws Maya for a loop. So good.