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Nexus Academy #2
Nexus Academy 2: Darkness Rising
When the people you trust most are the ones who hurt you, how do you learn to trust again?
The supernatural bonds that connect her to four powerful guardians—the calculating angel Dominion, the lethal hybrid Gideon, the chaotic demon Lynx, and the ancient Zorrander—were supposed to protect her. Instead, Celine discovers that good intentions and impossible choices can wound deeper than any blade. The betrayal wasn't meant to destroy her, but it did anyway, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew about loyalty, sacrifice, and the price of being humanity's Key.
As she struggles to rebuild herself, the academy fractures around her. Students and faculty choose sides, some viewing her as humanity's savior while others see her as a dangerous corruption that threatens everything they've sworn to protect. But darker forces are moving within the shadows—ambitious factions with their own vision for the future, and not all of them include humanity's survival. Every alliance comes with a price, every friendship carries the risk of another betrayal, and Celine finds herself isolated even among those sworn to protect her.
Meanwhile, the First Shepherd has been hunting. While she withdrew into herself, he painted the country in blood—cities silenced overnight, families erased without trace, massacres so brutal they redefine the meaning of horror. Each attack carries the same Come to me, little Key, or watch them all burn.
When the academy's betrayals collide with the First Shepherd's escalating violence, Celine discovers that some enemies prefer to work from within. Now she must navigate treacherous alliances and question every loyalty, all while racing to stop an ancient evil who has grown far deadlier than anyone imagined.
The hunt is on. And this time, the fate of every human soul hangs in the balance.
Some bonds are forged in battle. Others are broken by impossible choices. And some enemies hide behind familiar faces.
The supernatural bonds that connect her to four powerful guardians—the calculating angel Dominion, the lethal hybrid Gideon, the chaotic demon Lynx, and the ancient Zorrander—were supposed to protect her. Instead, Celine discovers that good intentions and impossible choices can wound deeper than any blade. The betrayal wasn't meant to destroy her, but it did anyway, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew about loyalty, sacrifice, and the price of being humanity's Key.
As she struggles to rebuild herself, the academy fractures around her. Students and faculty choose sides, some viewing her as humanity's savior while others see her as a dangerous corruption that threatens everything they've sworn to protect. But darker forces are moving within the shadows—ambitious factions with their own vision for the future, and not all of them include humanity's survival. Every alliance comes with a price, every friendship carries the risk of another betrayal, and Celine finds herself isolated even among those sworn to protect her.
Meanwhile, the First Shepherd has been hunting. While she withdrew into herself, he painted the country in blood—cities silenced overnight, families erased without trace, massacres so brutal they redefine the meaning of horror. Each attack carries the same Come to me, little Key, or watch them all burn.
When the academy's betrayals collide with the First Shepherd's escalating violence, Celine discovers that some enemies prefer to work from within. Now she must navigate treacherous alliances and question every loyalty, all while racing to stop an ancient evil who has grown far deadlier than anyone imagined.
The hunt is on. And this time, the fate of every human soul hangs in the balance.
Some bonds are forged in battle. Others are broken by impossible choices. And some enemies hide behind familiar faces.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 9, 2025
Loved the first book and this didn't disappoint. Anxiety riddled in search of meaning and self. The story is truly captivating and definitely worth reading. Left with questions that need answering ehhh.
October 9, 2025
Absolutely amazing the plot is still so interesting and amazing just like the first book and so are all the characters the world building is amazing
January 18, 2026
Massive plot holes through this second book. Multiple times I found myself truly hating every character. So emotionally reactive to everything, millennia year old beings with the emotional intelligence of teens.
October 12, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5
I received a free copy of this book, which is the second in the series. Just like with the first book, I was quickly swept into Celine's world. While I did enjoy the first book, I have to say I liked this one even more. The storyline was full of action and built up to an epic battle that kept me hooked.
I was also really pleased with Celine’s character development this time around. In the first book, I found her a bit whiny and stuck in a gloom and doom mindset. In this one, she started to grow and shift from thinking of herself as a helpless human to recognizing the importance of self development. It was great to see her take more responsibility for her own well-being. It took her a while to recognize the need to change, but she eventually got there.
The guardians continue to be top-tier male characters, each with their own unique traits. It was almost impossible to choose a favorite among them. The book ends in a way that sets up the next book perfectly, and I’m genuinely excited to see what happens in book three.
I received a free copy of this book, which is the second in the series. Just like with the first book, I was quickly swept into Celine's world. While I did enjoy the first book, I have to say I liked this one even more. The storyline was full of action and built up to an epic battle that kept me hooked.
I was also really pleased with Celine’s character development this time around. In the first book, I found her a bit whiny and stuck in a gloom and doom mindset. In this one, she started to grow and shift from thinking of herself as a helpless human to recognizing the importance of self development. It was great to see her take more responsibility for her own well-being. It took her a while to recognize the need to change, but she eventually got there.
The guardians continue to be top-tier male characters, each with their own unique traits. It was almost impossible to choose a favorite among them. The book ends in a way that sets up the next book perfectly, and I’m genuinely excited to see what happens in book three.
November 16, 2025
what Lynx did in this book was unforgivable, the poor Fmc been through so much and three of her mates are useless. I better see the grovel in the next book because how dare they, they betray her, she shuts down , she talks to them and they act like the victims??Lynx said her worse insecurities, he did not deserve to be forgiven this easily it's pathetic. I have no idea what the author was thinking, they should have grovelled to her after the betrayal but the author made the male leads seem like the victims it's embarrassing. Can one book in this series actually have good male leads or is that too much to ask for??
also the trigger warnings said nothing about cheating or other women drama so I'm really upset to have been deceived like this
also the trigger warnings said nothing about cheating or other women drama so I'm really upset to have been deceived like this
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2025
4 stars
This book also had some editing errors, specifically towards the beginning, but I think as the book went on I didn’t notice them as much. I do think that Celine’s relationships with three of the four MMC’s were rushed at the end, but I’m happy that they made progress. Zorrander is my favorite followed by Gideon and then Lynx and Dom are pretty much tied for third. I’m about to jump into book 3 and I just learned that book 4 (which is hopefully the last book) comes out next week.
This book also had some editing errors, specifically towards the beginning, but I think as the book went on I didn’t notice them as much. I do think that Celine’s relationships with three of the four MMC’s were rushed at the end, but I’m happy that they made progress. Zorrander is my favorite followed by Gideon and then Lynx and Dom are pretty much tied for third. I’m about to jump into book 3 and I just learned that book 4 (which is hopefully the last book) comes out next week.
April 6, 2026
Oh how I love this series...
First half was painful and hard to read because of the heaviness but after we got over it, the story bounced back to the unique pace and rythym that I love about this series.
I don't have much to say except that I was so hyped about the MMC POVs and I loved how the relationships formed.
Can't wait to read the next books.
First half was painful and hard to read because of the heaviness but after we got over it, the story bounced back to the unique pace and rythym that I love about this series.
I don't have much to say except that I was so hyped about the MMC POVs and I loved how the relationships formed.
Can't wait to read the next books.
January 22, 2026
The Key
She's human but the key with four guardians. But will that save her when the war comes. And they want to control or kill here. Its a standoff of demon, angel and other to rule earth.
She's human but the key with four guardians. But will that save her when the war comes. And they want to control or kill here. Its a standoff of demon, angel and other to rule earth.
October 9, 2025
This book was even better than the first! It was full of emotions and had me for the start. I could not put this book down, I was reading on my lunch break. Need book 3!!
April 3, 2026
The FMC is so annoying
The only thing the FMC does is talk about how weak she is: "I'm weak." "I'm not good at fighting because I'm weak" "My dad's dead because I'm weak" "The reason I'm depressed is that I'm weak" "I'm supposed to be powerful, but I'm weak" "I'm the chosen one, but I'm weak, so the prophecy is wrong"
This is her motto since the start of the book:
AND
OKAY, OKAY, OKAY. We get it, Celine. You're weak.
She keeps complaining about it, but essentially does nothing to change that, and whenever someone fights her, she just takes the hits like the smartass she is because "she wants everyone to know she can take the pain" umm okay do whatever u wanna do
Every single time she talks, it's described as "flat" and "has no emotion" for the whole book. It seems like the author was running out of words to say. This is her for 400 pages:
"Are you okay?" MMC asks
"I'm fine", I say, but it comes out flat and empty of emotion, just like how I feel. Empty. Lost. Weak.
I understand the grief of losing her dad but it didn't feel realistic, it just felt like an npc
Why is it that she can’t handle anything anyone says? Like whenever someone tries to talk to her she’s like “No, stop. I can’t handle this right now. I need some air.”
There’s literally stone goblins coming after her, and when someone tries to talk some sense into her, she just can’t handle it “yet”. But apparently “yet” means “never” because I’m currently halfway through the book and she still hasn’t fucking listened to anyone.
Oh and she’s still crying. Since the third chapter of the first book.
The men are all assholes except the one that starts with Z (I'm not good with names) and switch up every 5 seconds.
Especially Lynx. He tells her, "It's your fault your dad's dead" "You're worthless" "Did you really think we cared for you? Stupid little human thinks she's special, aww" Then he fucks other women when she told them she was scared that the bond was forcing them to love her and wanted them to have the freedom to choose her or someone else.
Um, what the fuck was the author thinking here? Was she trying to do enemies to lovers or smth with a cheating, insecure, asshole? He is the reason I DNF this book. I cannot put up with him anymore, or the others. Bye
The only thing the FMC does is talk about how weak she is: "I'm weak." "I'm not good at fighting because I'm weak" "My dad's dead because I'm weak" "The reason I'm depressed is that I'm weak" "I'm supposed to be powerful, but I'm weak" "I'm the chosen one, but I'm weak, so the prophecy is wrong"
This is her motto since the start of the book:
“I’m the Key. I’m weak. And I can’t trust them.”
AND
“Dad is dead. I'm weak. They lied to me. I can't trust them.”
OKAY, OKAY, OKAY. We get it, Celine. You're weak.
She keeps complaining about it, but essentially does nothing to change that, and whenever someone fights her, she just takes the hits like the smartass she is because "she wants everyone to know she can take the pain" umm okay do whatever u wanna do
Every single time she talks, it's described as "flat" and "has no emotion" for the whole book. It seems like the author was running out of words to say. This is her for 400 pages:
"Are you okay?" MMC asks
"I'm fine", I say, but it comes out flat and empty of emotion, just like how I feel. Empty. Lost. Weak.
I understand the grief of losing her dad but it didn't feel realistic, it just felt like an npc
Why is it that she can’t handle anything anyone says? Like whenever someone tries to talk to her she’s like “No, stop. I can’t handle this right now. I need some air.”
There’s literally stone goblins coming after her, and when someone tries to talk some sense into her, she just can’t handle it “yet”. But apparently “yet” means “never” because I’m currently halfway through the book and she still hasn’t fucking listened to anyone.
Oh and she’s still crying. Since the third chapter of the first book.
The men are all assholes except the one that starts with Z (I'm not good with names) and switch up every 5 seconds.
Especially Lynx. He tells her, "It's your fault your dad's dead" "You're worthless" "Did you really think we cared for you? Stupid little human thinks she's special, aww" Then he fucks other women when she told them she was scared that the bond was forcing them to love her and wanted them to have the freedom to choose her or someone else.
Um, what the fuck was the author thinking here? Was she trying to do enemies to lovers or smth with a cheating, insecure, asshole? He is the reason I DNF this book. I cannot put up with him anymore, or the others. Bye
March 19, 2026
Im cant put these books down
So far you have made me cry so many times, the pure anguish in this books is so real so heart breaking but to see them come together through pure and simple love was somthing I have no words for it was such good read.
So far you have made me cry so many times, the pure anguish in this books is so real so heart breaking but to see them come together through pure and simple love was somthing I have no words for it was such good read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews