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Tales of the Pact-Bound: A Dark Academia Fae Romance
Some curses don't kill you. They just make sure you die alone.
On her eighteenth birthday, Sage Thornwood’s life fractures with a single lie.
One moment she’s ending a relationship. The next, she’s smelling rot where there should be truth.
Before she can make sense of it, Sage is swept into Hallowmere Academy, a hidden world where magic is currency and every word carries weight. There, she discovers she’s inherited a dangerous legacy – one that makes trust impossible and isolation inevitable.
But when everyone feels like a threat, one person doesn’t.
distant, unreadable, and far older than he seems. He should be the last person Sage goes to, yet he’s the only one her instincts don’t scream to avoid. And the closer they grow, the more the shadows around them shift – hinting that the truth she’s seeking is far more treacherous than she ever imagined.
🥀 Dark Academia Setting🗡️ Enemies by Heritage❄️ Winter Aesthetic🕯️ Slow Burn Romance🔮 Unique Sensory Magic System📜 Found Family & Revolution
On her eighteenth birthday, Sage Thornwood’s life fractures with a single lie.
One moment she’s ending a relationship. The next, she’s smelling rot where there should be truth.
Before she can make sense of it, Sage is swept into Hallowmere Academy, a hidden world where magic is currency and every word carries weight. There, she discovers she’s inherited a dangerous legacy – one that makes trust impossible and isolation inevitable.
But when everyone feels like a threat, one person doesn’t.
distant, unreadable, and far older than he seems. He should be the last person Sage goes to, yet he’s the only one her instincts don’t scream to avoid. And the closer they grow, the more the shadows around them shift – hinting that the truth she’s seeking is far more treacherous than she ever imagined.
🥀 Dark Academia Setting🗡️ Enemies by Heritage❄️ Winter Aesthetic🕯️ Slow Burn Romance🔮 Unique Sensory Magic System📜 Found Family & Revolution
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2025
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 20, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was a little skeptical going into this book because, to be totally honest, the plot felt a bit ridiculous to me. I thought it would be difficult to pull off well.
For the first half of the book, though, I was really excited. I found Lysander and Sage adorable—they were genuinely cute together and had great chemistry. However, as I continued reading, the writing started to annoy me. The author has a habit of making the characters repeat certain things to an unnecessary degree, which often made me roll my eyes. Information that was already made clear to the reader was repeated far too often, and at times I honestly wondered if I was rereading the same chapter because entire sections felt word-for-word repeated. It was frustrating enough to make me want to pull my hair out.
In the second half, I felt as though the plot was driving the characters rather than the other way around. This book could have been much better, but the writing style just wasn’t for me—especially because the repetition became increasingly irritating. Overall, I’m able to give this book 3 stars 🌟.
I was a little skeptical going into this book because, to be totally honest, the plot felt a bit ridiculous to me. I thought it would be difficult to pull off well.
For the first half of the book, though, I was really excited. I found Lysander and Sage adorable—they were genuinely cute together and had great chemistry. However, as I continued reading, the writing started to annoy me. The author has a habit of making the characters repeat certain things to an unnecessary degree, which often made me roll my eyes. Information that was already made clear to the reader was repeated far too often, and at times I honestly wondered if I was rereading the same chapter because entire sections felt word-for-word repeated. It was frustrating enough to make me want to pull my hair out.
In the second half, I felt as though the plot was driving the characters rather than the other way around. This book could have been much better, but the writing style just wasn’t for me—especially because the repetition became increasingly irritating. Overall, I’m able to give this book 3 stars 🌟.
December 19, 2025
3 ⭐️ and this is a low one
I wanted to really like this story. I really did.
The premise of the story and writing style are really good. On her 18th birthday, Sage is "gifted" with the family curse of being able to smell when people lie. She is sent to a magical academy to learn to control her gift.
Sounds like a decent premise to a story, right? The problem is a severe lack of editing and continuity errors. There are multiple times when information is repeated, missing, or contradicted. For example, MMC speaks of his mom in the past tense multiple times, and then, in one chapter, says how much his mom loves her ( the FMC)? Present tense, and they never met. Things like this had me going back and rereading pages and even chapters trying to figure out what I might be missing.
If the author sees this review, please re-edit and thank you for choosing me to be an ARC Reader.
I wanted to really like this story. I really did.
The premise of the story and writing style are really good. On her 18th birthday, Sage is "gifted" with the family curse of being able to smell when people lie. She is sent to a magical academy to learn to control her gift.
Sounds like a decent premise to a story, right? The problem is a severe lack of editing and continuity errors. There are multiple times when information is repeated, missing, or contradicted. For example, MMC speaks of his mom in the past tense multiple times, and then, in one chapter, says how much his mom loves her ( the FMC)? Present tense, and they never met. Things like this had me going back and rereading pages and even chapters trying to figure out what I might be missing.
If the author sees this review, please re-edit and thank you for choosing me to be an ARC Reader.
January 28, 2026
🤬 - infrequent if even there
😘 - not horrible but there
13+ kind of scary plot, high stakes
Thank you Book Sirens for the book! This review is my own facts and opinions.
This book opened up a universe that I had never even thought about, had the perfect dark academia tones, and made me feel for characters that I had never met! This book was awesome!
☆⛤♥⭑sage⭑♥⛤☆
Sage was such a deep character. The way she felt about her new ability felt realistic and how I would react. I was scared for her and rooting for her throughout this book. She was a very powerful character too, something that I very much appreciated.
☆⛤♥⭑lysander⭑♥⛤☆
Not on my top list of book boyfriends, but he wasn’t horrible as far as guys go. I wasn’t really rooting for him and sage because of how everyone said to avoid him and not start anything. It felt doomed from the start, but I get how people like him.
☆⛤♥⭑sage’s powers⭑♥⛤☆
Being able to smell when people are lying is something that I had never thought about as a power and this book really brought the possibility to life. It was really interesting how the author showed the negative parts of this power before the positive, especially when sage manifested her powers and found out her boyfriend was lying to her
☆⛤♥⭑plot⭑♥⛤☆
We jumped head-first into the plot with this book. I don’t know how I felt about it starting right away. I would have liked some more introduction to the characters and setting, but after the book started we moved locations to the school, which worked well. I loved the scenes in the court room and when they were talking to the jury
☆⛤♥⭑the stakes⭑♥⛤☆
Holy crap the stakes were high in this book! I was really rooting for sage and the crew behind her
If you’re looking for a book with dark academia undertones, fae, romance, high stakes, and a strong female main character, this book is for you!
xoxo
emma
😘 - not horrible but there
13+ kind of scary plot, high stakes
Thank you Book Sirens for the book! This review is my own facts and opinions.
This book opened up a universe that I had never even thought about, had the perfect dark academia tones, and made me feel for characters that I had never met! This book was awesome!
☆⛤♥⭑sage⭑♥⛤☆
Sage was such a deep character. The way she felt about her new ability felt realistic and how I would react. I was scared for her and rooting for her throughout this book. She was a very powerful character too, something that I very much appreciated.
☆⛤♥⭑lysander⭑♥⛤☆
Not on my top list of book boyfriends, but he wasn’t horrible as far as guys go. I wasn’t really rooting for him and sage because of how everyone said to avoid him and not start anything. It felt doomed from the start, but I get how people like him.
☆⛤♥⭑sage’s powers⭑♥⛤☆
Being able to smell when people are lying is something that I had never thought about as a power and this book really brought the possibility to life. It was really interesting how the author showed the negative parts of this power before the positive, especially when sage manifested her powers and found out her boyfriend was lying to her
☆⛤♥⭑plot⭑♥⛤☆
We jumped head-first into the plot with this book. I don’t know how I felt about it starting right away. I would have liked some more introduction to the characters and setting, but after the book started we moved locations to the school, which worked well. I loved the scenes in the court room and when they were talking to the jury
☆⛤♥⭑the stakes⭑♥⛤☆
Holy crap the stakes were high in this book! I was really rooting for sage and the crew behind her
If you’re looking for a book with dark academia undertones, fae, romance, high stakes, and a strong female main character, this book is for you!
xoxo
emma
February 14, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Tales of the Pact-Bound by A. D. Mitchell has all the ingredients for something incredible.
A paranormal academy, strong characters, intriguing gifts and curses, a Fae Lord, political tension — it’s the kind of concept that immediately pulls you in. I especially enjoyed learning more about Sage’s family "gift" and how it shaped the unfolding events. The twists, turns, and political flare added depth and raised the stakes in ways that kept me invested.
One of the biggest highlights for me was the portrayal of the fae. The adherence to traditional fae lore (their ability to smell lies, truths, and omissions; their inability to lie outright but mastery of omission; and their constant need to bargain) was a huge draw. That authenticity made the fae elements feel sharp, dangerous, and believable.
However, while the concept and worldbuilding are strong, the execution didn’t always match the potential. Several chapters felt repetitive, revisiting the same ideas in ways that slowed the pacing. There were also noticeable shifts between past and present tense that occasionally made scenes confusing, to the point where I had to reread sections to follow what was happening. Gender mislabeling for some characters was a big thing as well.
I genuinely believe that with a thorough professional edit to smooth out repetition and tense consistency, this story could easily rise to a 5-star read. The foundation is there, the ideas, the characters, and the political intrigue are compelling.
In the end, I kept reading because of the strength of the story idea, even when the flow wasn’t seamless. It’s a solid 3-star read for me, with clear potential for more
Tales of the Pact-Bound by A. D. Mitchell has all the ingredients for something incredible.
A paranormal academy, strong characters, intriguing gifts and curses, a Fae Lord, political tension — it’s the kind of concept that immediately pulls you in. I especially enjoyed learning more about Sage’s family "gift" and how it shaped the unfolding events. The twists, turns, and political flare added depth and raised the stakes in ways that kept me invested.
One of the biggest highlights for me was the portrayal of the fae. The adherence to traditional fae lore (their ability to smell lies, truths, and omissions; their inability to lie outright but mastery of omission; and their constant need to bargain) was a huge draw. That authenticity made the fae elements feel sharp, dangerous, and believable.
However, while the concept and worldbuilding are strong, the execution didn’t always match the potential. Several chapters felt repetitive, revisiting the same ideas in ways that slowed the pacing. There were also noticeable shifts between past and present tense that occasionally made scenes confusing, to the point where I had to reread sections to follow what was happening. Gender mislabeling for some characters was a big thing as well.
I genuinely believe that with a thorough professional edit to smooth out repetition and tense consistency, this story could easily rise to a 5-star read. The foundation is there, the ideas, the characters, and the political intrigue are compelling.
In the end, I kept reading because of the strength of the story idea, even when the flow wasn’t seamless. It’s a solid 3-star read for me, with clear potential for more
December 13, 2025
I received this as an ARC from BookSirens.
This book had a great premise; Sage smells lies and omissions. The premise is what got me through the majority of the book. Sage inherits the ability from an ancient fae "blessing" that has spanned generations. She finds social interactions difficult to downright unbearable, because everybody lies.
Through the book we see Sage grow and try to understand her curse, try to find what works, and find a way to break the curse. Of course, she meets people along the way to help her in her endeavors. The story itself was pretty good, with twists, turns, and surprises. I enjoyed the story and the compassion and tenacity of Sage.
Why didn't I give it more stars? Be prepared to read the same thing over and over. It will describe the same instance in the book twice in a few places. Both are a bit different, and they are close together, but redundant none the less. Some of the continuity doesn't work. In some scenes the teacher is a woman, then a man, then back to a woman. They add up. I almost DNFed because of all the continuity issues and almost redundant scenes. I can see where others might not want to plow through. A good editor would be able to help shape it up to a four or five star book. I am glad that I did keep going. The major story line was enough to help me get through the book.
This book had a great premise; Sage smells lies and omissions. The premise is what got me through the majority of the book. Sage inherits the ability from an ancient fae "blessing" that has spanned generations. She finds social interactions difficult to downright unbearable, because everybody lies.
Through the book we see Sage grow and try to understand her curse, try to find what works, and find a way to break the curse. Of course, she meets people along the way to help her in her endeavors. The story itself was pretty good, with twists, turns, and surprises. I enjoyed the story and the compassion and tenacity of Sage.
Why didn't I give it more stars? Be prepared to read the same thing over and over. It will describe the same instance in the book twice in a few places. Both are a bit different, and they are close together, but redundant none the less. Some of the continuity doesn't work. In some scenes the teacher is a woman, then a man, then back to a woman. They add up. I almost DNFed because of all the continuity issues and almost redundant scenes. I can see where others might not want to plow through. A good editor would be able to help shape it up to a four or five star book. I am glad that I did keep going. The major story line was enough to help me get through the book.
January 20, 2026
⭐️⭐️ Disappointing Execution for a Really Strong Concept
I really wanted to love this book. The concept grabbed me immediately, dark academia, fae magic, sensory-based powers, hidden academies? Yes, please. The premise is genuinely unique, and at the start I was fully invested.
Unfortunately, things unraveled pretty quickly. Within the first few chapters, the repetition became hard to ignore. I kept pushing through because the core idea was interesting, but then the inconsistencies started piling up. It honestly felt like different sections were written at different times without continuity check, details changed, rules didn’t line up, and scenes contradicted earlier information.
At a certain point, I realized I wasn’t reading for the story anymore but for the mistakes, which is never a good sign. Some of the discrepancies became so distracting they pulled me completely out of the narrative, and a few details were so off that they bordered on absurd.
This is especially disappointing because the book had so much potential as a unique fae academy story. With heavy rewrites, better editing, and tighter attention to detail, this could have been something special. As it stands, though, the execution just doesn’t support the ambition.
They say the devil is in the details—and unfortunately, this book is on fire.
Sonya
BookBound and Blushed
I really wanted to love this book. The concept grabbed me immediately, dark academia, fae magic, sensory-based powers, hidden academies? Yes, please. The premise is genuinely unique, and at the start I was fully invested.
Unfortunately, things unraveled pretty quickly. Within the first few chapters, the repetition became hard to ignore. I kept pushing through because the core idea was interesting, but then the inconsistencies started piling up. It honestly felt like different sections were written at different times without continuity check, details changed, rules didn’t line up, and scenes contradicted earlier information.
At a certain point, I realized I wasn’t reading for the story anymore but for the mistakes, which is never a good sign. Some of the discrepancies became so distracting they pulled me completely out of the narrative, and a few details were so off that they bordered on absurd.
This is especially disappointing because the book had so much potential as a unique fae academy story. With heavy rewrites, better editing, and tighter attention to detail, this could have been something special. As it stands, though, the execution just doesn’t support the ambition.
They say the devil is in the details—and unfortunately, this book is on fire.
Sonya
BookBound and Blushed
December 10, 2025
Dark, Enchanting, Fae Academia
Before I even stepped into its shadowed halls, Tales of the Pact-Bound had already cast its spell on me—thank you to A. D. Mitchell for the ARC and the chance to wander this dark, enchanting world.
Tales of the Pact-Bound slipped its claws into me from page one and refused to let go. A. D. Mitchell delivers a dark academia fae romance that feels like wandering candlelit hallways where the shadows whisper back, and every pact made has teeth.
The atmosphere is decadent in the best way—inky, unsettling, and humming with ancient fae magic. The romance is a slow, dangerous burn, the kind where you know you shouldn’t trust the fae but you lean in anyway because the pull is irresistible. Every glance, every bargain, every touch feels like a secret you shouldn’t overhear.
Mitchell balances the gothic mood with razor-sharp tension, morally grey characters, and a world that feels both scholarly and predatory.
I savored every twist, every dark revelation, every forbidden moment.
If you crave romance that feels like stepping into a cursed library where desire and danger are bound by the same spell… this is the one. Haunting, seductive, and absolutely unforgettable.
Before I even stepped into its shadowed halls, Tales of the Pact-Bound had already cast its spell on me—thank you to A. D. Mitchell for the ARC and the chance to wander this dark, enchanting world.
Tales of the Pact-Bound slipped its claws into me from page one and refused to let go. A. D. Mitchell delivers a dark academia fae romance that feels like wandering candlelit hallways where the shadows whisper back, and every pact made has teeth.
The atmosphere is decadent in the best way—inky, unsettling, and humming with ancient fae magic. The romance is a slow, dangerous burn, the kind where you know you shouldn’t trust the fae but you lean in anyway because the pull is irresistible. Every glance, every bargain, every touch feels like a secret you shouldn’t overhear.
Mitchell balances the gothic mood with razor-sharp tension, morally grey characters, and a world that feels both scholarly and predatory.
I savored every twist, every dark revelation, every forbidden moment.
If you crave romance that feels like stepping into a cursed library where desire and danger are bound by the same spell… this is the one. Haunting, seductive, and absolutely unforgettable.
December 10, 2025
Magical Supernatural adventure!
ARC free copy review
I enjoyed the magical supernatural theme as it was refreshing and rot all at once. Follow the adventure of a girl entering adulthood and getting more than she ever thought or bargained for!
Walk and run with Sage as she navigates her new existence, and whether she chooses to drown, survive or thrive. Unexpected alliances and complicated relationships with all who enter her life in a mysterious turn.
Do you enjoy spooky candle lit halls with magic, mystery, family histories and betrayal at every turn plus constantly guessing who can you trust? Me too, this book is for you!
I was on the edge of my seat, hooked and can't wait for the next instalment.
ARC free copy review
I enjoyed the magical supernatural theme as it was refreshing and rot all at once. Follow the adventure of a girl entering adulthood and getting more than she ever thought or bargained for!
Walk and run with Sage as she navigates her new existence, and whether she chooses to drown, survive or thrive. Unexpected alliances and complicated relationships with all who enter her life in a mysterious turn.
Do you enjoy spooky candle lit halls with magic, mystery, family histories and betrayal at every turn plus constantly guessing who can you trust? Me too, this book is for you!
I was on the edge of my seat, hooked and can't wait for the next instalment.
December 24, 2025
3.5. I got an ARC of this book and it was pretty good. I thought it was going to be about werewolf's based off of the title so it was a little bit of a shock when I first started reading but not bad. It was a good book I just think it should of been shorter. It was very reputative and sometimes had conflicting information. It could of easily been 1/4 shorter and still gotten all the same information with how repetitive it got.
January 1, 2026
I received this book as an ARC.
The book is about Sage who finds out she has a curse. She goes to a magic school and has Lysander as her mentor. Together they try to break the curse..
I liked the book, although there were some inconsistencies. One example; her suitecase is by the door and in the next chapter, her suitecase is open on her bed..
The book talks about 8 centuries old fea.. a lot.. to the point where it kinda started to annoy me.
The book is about Sage who finds out she has a curse. She goes to a magic school and has Lysander as her mentor. Together they try to break the curse..
I liked the book, although there were some inconsistencies. One example; her suitecase is by the door and in the next chapter, her suitecase is open on her bed..
The book talks about 8 centuries old fea.. a lot.. to the point where it kinda started to annoy me.
February 13, 2026
I debated about writing this review. This book has great promise, but as others mentioned- needs a lot of editing. Not typographical editing but content editing due to significant content inconsistency. I would highly recommend this for fantasy readers- IF it is edited.
I appreciate the opportunity to read this book as an arc and I hope that the appropriate adjustments are made and the world can enjoy this book.
I appreciate the opportunity to read this book as an arc and I hope that the appropriate adjustments are made and the world can enjoy this book.
January 6, 2026
i was given an arc copy of this book and the first half was promising however the second half was a let down the amount of times it repeated itself got really annoying corbett was described as he and she it contradicted it self on many occasions i had to reread to see if id missed something or read it wrong. the story line is good the execution of it needed to be better.
December 25, 2025
Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review.
Author A.D. Mitchell has written a harrowing, emotional masterpiece with Tales of the Pact-Bound.
Sage Thornwood world as shattered beyond understanding when turning eighteen unleashes a curse that bounds Sage to detect all matters of lies... the deeper to lie, the more the disgust of rotting aroma Sage endures; and costing her friends and questioning even her own sanity to exist itself. And what Sage's aunt Iris can explain explain herself, along with an ancient book of female ancestors... this debilitating curse has ruined peoples lives for centuries. Heading to a secret, specialized school for those gifted and curse may offer Sage a chance at feeling that she survive; it's at Hallowmere Academy, Sage finds herself thrusted into a world of ancient power and traditions by fae kingdoms that are the driving forces of so much pain of those they punish. When a shocking revelation gives Sage the opportunity to challenge the fae system to break her curse; Sage discovers her own strength to fight the old guard as well as what's it like to have those a person can trust when it's needed the most.
Highly recommended.
Author A.D. Mitchell has written a harrowing, emotional masterpiece with Tales of the Pact-Bound.
Sage Thornwood world as shattered beyond understanding when turning eighteen unleashes a curse that bounds Sage to detect all matters of lies... the deeper to lie, the more the disgust of rotting aroma Sage endures; and costing her friends and questioning even her own sanity to exist itself. And what Sage's aunt Iris can explain explain herself, along with an ancient book of female ancestors... this debilitating curse has ruined peoples lives for centuries. Heading to a secret, specialized school for those gifted and curse may offer Sage a chance at feeling that she survive; it's at Hallowmere Academy, Sage finds herself thrusted into a world of ancient power and traditions by fae kingdoms that are the driving forces of so much pain of those they punish. When a shocking revelation gives Sage the opportunity to challenge the fae system to break her curse; Sage discovers her own strength to fight the old guard as well as what's it like to have those a person can trust when it's needed the most.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews