Echoes and Embers: A Clean Dark YA Magical Academy Urban Fantasy

by Kara Ellison

🔥 Magic doesn’t die—it echoes.
When haunted memories ignite at Saguaro Academy, April Kingsley’s soul-healing gift turns dangerous. The more she saves others, the stronger the fire inside her burns.

And this time, the shadows aren’t whispering—they’re calling her name.

If you loved Souls & Shadows, join more of Aoril's academy adventure in book two of The Tattered Souls Series—perfect for fans of Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, and Cassandra Clare.

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2026

Reviews

[Angee Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting story about a healer in a magical world. In order to heal the damaged souls, it takes a little something out of her. After being attacked by a soul devouring shadow, she went back to the academy to try to understand her gift better. I enjoyed this story. It was similar to other stories that I have read but did have a fresh feel to it. The characters were well written and were necessary. There were no weak characters. There were twists and turns and it was very entertaining story.

[Tony King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how naturally this story flows, even though it's set in a magical world. One of the lessons the teachers give the main character genuinely stuck with me. It's something I find myself applying in my own daily life.

The writing pulls me through so effortlessly that the magic almost feels secondary. This could just as easily have been our world, and I think it would still be a beautiful, grounded story either way. A lovely read.