Malachite

by Ashley Andersen

Malachite is the start of a dark academia romantasy series that gives you enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, elemental powers, forced proximity, found family and the perfect amount of spice…

Malachite. Opal. Agate.
Three stones, three powers, three magical units.
Choose your unit … and hope that it chooses you back.

Arianell Nocthare has been waiting her whole life to enter the prestigious Valmora Academy, where students prepare for war by honing their elemental magic in one of three units. But there are two problems facing Aria on the night of her initiation ceremony. Firstly, her family has been cast into disgrace after her brother was executed for allegedly killing four students in an attempt at dark magic. Secondly, so far Aria has been unable to summon any magic—and being magic-less in an academy where everyone wants to spill your blood is a dangerous game. How will she enter the unit of her choosing and survive without a scrap of power?

Facing blatant scorn from every angle, especially from her brother’s best friend (the tall dark and lethally handsome, Sebastian) Aria is determined to clear her brother’s name and seek justice for his death. Forging a tentative and fraught relationship with Seb, she begins to uncover some terrifying truths about the academy. And a revelation about Aria’s power throws her world into chaos…

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. Malachite is a good story with a set up for a strong series that had some issues that kept me from loving it.

Arianell is entering her first year at Valmora Academy right on the heels of her brother being executed for murdering his fellow students. When who she thought would be her biggest advocate turns out to be her biggest adversary, she must find her place in the magical academy alone.

Malachite occasionally feels derivative of other popular romantasys due to its use of common elements (houses of magic, a veil of dark magic dividing the land, etc), but these pieces come together in their own way to make a unique story. With regards to the characters, I LOVED Sebastian and Arianell (major Xaden-Violet energy), but I really struggled to believe the change in Sebastian (don’t want to say more due to spoilers). The ending felt very rushed, and the book had a lot more typos and errors than I’m used to for ARCs, so I’m really hoping the editors are able to fix that before publishing so Ashley Andersen’s story can shine through!

Overall a good debut novel that I think signals a lot to come from Ashley Andersen.

Read if…
- you like enemies to lovers (think Xaden and Violet)
- you’re a dark academia fan

Skip if…
- you don’t like YA (it’s not strictly YA, but reads a bit like it)
- you don’t want to read anything too similar to other popular romantasys
- you cringe easily (some dialogue took me out of the scenes🐍🐍 IYKYK)

Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Violence: 🗡️🗡️

*Thank you to Mobius Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some books whisper to you. Malachite grabs you by the throat and dares you to look away.

Ashley Anderson delivers a dark, atmospheric story that seeps into your bones, blending emotional depth with an almost hypnotic sense of unease. From the start, the narrative carries a weight of grief, obsession, and choices that don’t come without consequences. This is not a comfort read; it’s a slow burn into the shadowed corners of the human psyche.

The characters feel raw and imperfect, driven by longing and haunted by the past. Their emotions are messy, painful, and achingly real, making it impossible not to feel pulled into their unraveling. Anderson’s prose is sharp yet poetic, painting vivid scenes that linger long after the page is turned.

What truly sets Malachite apart is its tone dark, immersive, and unapologetically intense. It explores themes of power, control, and transformation in a way that feels both intimate and unsettling. You’re not just reading this story; you’re sinking into it.

Thank you NetGalley

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malachite follows Arianell as she goes to a star created magic school to find out more about her brother’s death. On her first day she runs into Sebastian, one of her brother’s best friends, who is no longer the guy she once knew.
This book has such good yearning and tension between Arianell and Sebastian. The story has a dark academia setting with an interesting magic system. It gives off dark Harry Potter vibes. I could not put this book down! It does end on a cliffhanger and I need the next book now!! I’d definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for
✔️ Dark academia setting
✔️Brother’s best friend
✔️Slow burn
✔️Banter and yearning
✔️Enemies (ish) to lovers

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Michelle (easy.vesey.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 4)!

“Sebastian Zain kisses me like a man that’s been starved of air, and I am his next breath.” 🥵

I really enjoyed this book and think it was a great debut! It had a ton of elements I tend to love in books: dark academia, different “houses”, enemies to lovers, and elemental magic.

The tension between Sebastian and Arianell was crazy and had me giggling and kicking my feet while reading. I do think their relationship wasn’t what you would consider a “true enemies to lovers” but rather a loose enemies to lovers because he bullied her at first and was super rude to her before his true feelings were revealed.

I also do think that there are a lot of similar books that follow this same plot/pattern, so that’s why it wasn’t a full 5 star read for me. But I did overall still enjoy the story and look forward to reading future books in the series!

If you’re looking for a dark academia featuring enemies to lovers, elemental magic, brother’s best friend, and a murder mystery, then be sure to check out Malachite!

Thank you so much to Mobius Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy! Malachite releases on May 5th in the US!

[Brain Fog Book Club Fog · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say that I was speechless after finishing this book would be an understatement. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the overwhelming feeling of wanting more in the wake of what I’d just read was astounding.

Often, in stories like this, the first book leans heavily into world-building and can feel slower because of it. That was not the case here. From the start, we’re thrown directly into the world and its lore, and it unfolds naturally alongside the story. We learn about the characters and the history as the main character does — seeing what she sees, discovering things as she does. It created a shared experience that I genuinely enjoyed.

I found myself riding along on her emotional roller coaster and appreciating that, even though she’s repeatedly knocked down, she doesn’t linger in a victim mentality. Instead, she gets back up, brushes herself off, and tries again — harder.

The pacing moved well overall, though there were moments that felt almost too quick. I wouldn’t say those moments were rushed, but I did find myself wanting more — a bit more detail to build tension and deepen the relationships between the characters.

That said, this story delivered twists, turns, emotional highs and lows, and some spicy moments, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and to see what this author does next.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
Malachite is like Divergent meets Fourth Wing, and they had a book baby.
Despite her magic not yet surfacing, Arianell has finally been accepted to Valmora Academy. However, her acceptance comes right after her brother has been executed for murdering 4 students at the Academy. Faced with hostility everywhere, including from her brothers best friend, Sebastian, Aria is determined to clear his name.
This story was such a good time. Aria and her friend, Tilly watching Sebastian and Jed 'fight'- that chapter had me laughing so hard. It deserves its own star. It showed the found family relationships perfectly.
Aria is strong and stubborn but not stupid FMC. She's relatable in her grief for her brother. I enjoyed seeing her friendships with Tilly and Xavier, and eventually, Jed and Lillian grow. I rooted for her that despite everything, she began to win people over.
My only nitpicking would be a lack of insight as to the war. I would have liked some more information as to who and why.
The ending?! Brutal! I can't wait for book 2.
Thanks for choosing me to be an ARC Reader.

[Shannon Mungo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! This was so good it makes me want to scream!!!!

I can see this blowing up all over social media, it is that good!

For fans of Zodiac Academy, fourth wing, and dark academia.
🌶 🌶

Dark academia, with powers, magic, mystery and romance.

I saw this available on netgalley under read now, and I was in the mood for a dark academia, so I said to myself why not.

Well dear reader dont read this unless

-You want a gut wrenching backstory
-A mystery that will have you questioning everything
-A slow burn that has you screaming at the imaginary characters
-A found family in friends that make you feel like you found your family
-An fmc that has such quick witty reply that have your jaw on the floor
-Action that gets your heart pounding
-And an ending THAT RIPS YOUR HEART OUT.

ya i couldnt put this down.

[Kelsey Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really is if Fourth Wing and Zodiac Academy had a magical baby. And it is so GOOD. I was sucked into this book immediately and I am DEVASTATED that I can’t read more right this second.
The enemies to lovers slow burn is DELICIOUS 🤤 the FMC and MMC are everything and I truly can’t wait for another book. This debut novel is everything you want in a dark romantasy. Magic, secrets, trials, big twists, and characters that you CRAVE to see more of. 10/10 recommend this book!
⭐️Malachite will be released May 5th and is available for preorder now!! Trust me, you’ll want to preorder this one!!

🖤Thank you NetGalley and Ashley Anderson for the opportunity to ARC read this amazing debut novel!! 🖤

[millena ★]

rtc

[Lily O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! One of the best romantasy books I’ve read! So good I finished it in three hours!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down

Malachite intrigued me with its premise, as it sounded like a different variation on elemental powers in an NA dark academia setting. With so many fantasy magic systems revolving around the elements, I still found this one to be interesting; I particularly liked the prologue and wanted to find out more, although I assume it’s intentionally vague about the conflict and betrayal for the sake of the twists in this story.

I already had some guesses, since the description mentions Arianell’s power being unique, which the ending proved right. The magic academy setting was fun, although it did really remind me of Divergent and Tris’s time in Dauntless lmao. The combat classes in particular, for obvious reasons, and the fact that Malachite is the Warrior Unit. The plot… had a messy execution. I was curious about the mystery of what happened to her brother, and I didn’t guess that twist, but the events leading up to it and the attitude of everyone at this academy was so ridiculous that it ticked me off. I guess, given the ending, it was… intentional? But everyone besides her friends felt very one dimensional, cartoon villain-y in their hatred of Aria because of what allegedly happened with her brother that I would’ve bounced from that school. Especially when there’s no incentive (but glory I guess?), given how widely known it is that Malachite students die… like yes, you want to train warriors, but uh if they’re so important, shouldn’t the families sending their kids to this school have found it way more concerning and problematic when their children/future warriors are dying before they can even fight the war??? Also, the headmaster straight up insinuating that Arianell was at fault and trying to pin crimes that were frankly going to be way unlikely to have been committed by her. I… don’t think anyone in this school has common sense (except Nicks? Maybe??? Although not finding any allies among the faculty seems like a questionable choice, given that ending…).

Arianell also fell into that whole bold and reckless female lead archetype that made her seem like an idiot too often, tbh. Her plans were mostly questionable, especially the one at the end. Like… I knew that was a bad idea from miles away. Idk. There are a lot of plot holes; in general, the writing is middling (side note: this has to be one of the earliest/least proofread drafts I’ve read on Netgalley so far…). The grammatical issues really distracted from the story, so I hope there’s at least several round of editing left on this one, but it was still an entertaining read. Despite all my issues with the story, I found myself wanting to finish this one and see how things ended up for Arianell and Sebastian. Her friendships were also sweet, if underdeveloped (they felt very insta-friend, not saying that it can’t happen but it kind of never got developed on page, with the exception of some talks with Xavier). The romance had its moments, although I still thought the first half/reveal felt a bit disappointing in the sense that it made the enemies to lovers thing kind of… not.

Overall, Malachite had a lot of potential that I don’t think it quite lived up to (but maybe this is just an earlier draft?), but all the same, I had fun reading it (without thinking too hard, since once you start thinking about it you question… a lot of things lol.). It’s not necessarily the best writing but it does manage to be a bit fun and has tension and an exciting climax, and I think I’d be curious enough about the continuation of the plot to read the next book; this definitely ends on a cliffhanger (so I assume this is a series). I want to find out more about The Veil, Arianell’s power, and how exactly Sebastian will go about doing things until they can be reunited. I hope we don’t have to wait too long!

Thank you to Hachette/Netgalley for the ARC.

[Heather Pacella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prestigious Valmora Academy has, for centuries, prepared and trained the most powerful in the country for war. Those with strong elemental magic (fire, wind, or water) enroll under either the healers of Opal, the scholars of Agate, or the warriors of Malachite; upon graduation, these students assume high-ranking positions in the Valmora military. Arianell Nocthare, incoming first year student, is facing a rougher-than-usual start to the school term. Though she comes from a very skilled family of wielders, her magic has yet to manifest, and she'll be kicked out of the academy if her elemental isn't quickly discovered. Making matters worse, her dearly beloved brother died at this school just last year, executed after supposedly murdering four other students in an attempt at highly-illegal, soul-corrupting black magic.

Between her lack of powers and her tainted family name, Arianell is immediately shunned at the academy, where she is relentlessly bullied by other students trying to force her to drop out. She is shocked and devastated to find that one of her loudest tormentors is Sebastian, her brother's best friend and someone she was counting on as an ally. However, convinced of her brother's innocence, Arianell will stop at nothing to figure out what exactly happened that dark night one year ago. As her investigation becomes increasingly dangerous and starts pointing to a deeper conspiracy within the academy itself, she must put aside her hurt (and growing feelings) to join forces with Sebastian to expose the shocking truth - before it is too late and she is silenced forever.


I really enjoyed (and devoured) this debut from Ashley Andersen! Though the combination of dark academia, military training, and magical abilities present in Malachite naturally draw comparisons to series like Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, or Zodiac Academy, I think the more accurate parallel is to Brooke Fast's To Cage a Wild Bird because of the strong emotional heart of the story. Arianell has such a devastating backstory, and you really feel for her and all she's going through. However, she doesn't let that stop her from being a good friend to the select few in the academy who don't hate her. I think a lot of entries in the romantasy genre really fail at developing characters outside of the main couple, but that's not the case here. The friends that Arianell made along the way were amazing (especially Tilly!), and even background characters (such as professors or classmates) felt like fully-developed, real people. This emotional strength also extended to the relationship between Arianell and Sebastian. I'm not usually a fan of "brother's best friend romance", but it really worked here. These all combined for an engrossing story that flowed really well. My only (minor) quibbles are the fairly limited world-building and the rushed ending, as I found myself wanting to know more about the goings-on outside the academy. However, Malachite ended on a heck of a cliffhanger, hinting that the world will be greatly expanded upon in the next installment, and I definitely can't wait to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mobius Books for this ARC!

[Tiffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up! Thank you Hachette Book Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

The plot is not something new and shares many similarities to other romantasy books, but I had a blast reading this and could not put it down! Pacing was good overall and I felt like I was pulled into the world immediately.

Arianell Nocthare enrolls in Valmora Academy, a magic school that trains those with exceptional elemental (fire, air or water) magic for war. Students are placed into one of three units: Opal (healers), Agate (scholars), or Malachite (warriors). Upon her arrival, Aria is met with hostility from the students because her brother died at this school after allegedly using dark magic that led to the death of four other students. Aria anticipates to be ostracized and condemned by her peers but is determined to enter Malachite, her brother's unit, so she can uncover the truth behind her brother's death and clear his name. Aware that finding allies/friends will be difficult, Aria is hopeful and looks forward to reuniting with Sebastian, her brother's best friend, who she has formed a friendship and attraction to during his visits to her home with her brother. However, Sebastian is cold, cruel, wants nothing to do with her and does everything in his power to make her leave. Confused by the sudden change in his behavior, she feels hurt, betrayed, and struggles to reconcile the Sebastian she knew and the one standing before her. To make things worse, her powers have yet to manifest and she needs to learn how to survive various attacks from her classmates.

Tropes:
-Dark academia / magic academy
-Brother's best friend
-"Enemies" to lovers
-Found family
-Strong FMC
-Broody, hot af MMC

Fair warning though there was a lot of bullying from Sebastian the first 20-30% of the book and the only reason I got through it was because I knew Sebastian was only acting differently to protect her (nothing else would've made sense and his intentions become pretty obvious). Regardless, it was still cruel and the emotional and mental damage he inflicted on her was a bit much so I'm glad she took some time before fully giving him her trust again (I still think she should've made him grovel more). Despite that I still loved Aria and Sebastian, they reminded me of Violet and Xaden! Their banter and tension was delicious! I love how they were able to find comfort in each other and it's clear these two would die for each other.

I do wish we got more insight into the actual war itself. What or who exactly are they fighting? Also what exactly is Aria's power? I'm sure we'll get these questions answered in the sequel. Overall, this is a promising debut from this author. I can't wait to see Sebastian burn the world for Ria!!

[hannah jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Potential spoilers ahead!

Malachite by Ashley Anderson is a solid 3.5 star read for me, and honestly a really impressive debut. It is set mainly at Valmora Academy, a magic school that is actively preparing its students for war, and the whole vibe feels a little Harry Potter esque if Harry Potter was older, moodier, and built around specific powers and training for battle. The magic system is genuinely interesting, and I loved getting to see how different abilities work and how the academy functions. The biggest win for me is the characters, especially our FMC. She does not fold and she does not back down!! She is a full on badass in a way that reminded me of the confidence and bite I love in characters like Aelin or even Paedyn. The MMC is definitely the broody dark type and yes, kind of a jerk at first, but it fits the tension and the dynamic.

Also, the banter was such a highlight for me. It kept the slower stretches feeling fun instead of dragging, and it made the relationships feel real. And I need to talk about Tilly and Arianell because I loved their friendship. The way they show up for each other is one of my favorite parts of the book, and Tilly is exactly my favorite kind of side character and best friend trope, the loyal, sharp, hilarious, ride or die energy that makes every scene better.

My main critique is that I wanted more about the war itself, because we hear about this “veil” and the creatures beyond it, but I kept wishing for deeper context and higher stakes on the page instead of just the outline of what is happening outside the academy. A few moments were predictable, but still so fun that I did not mind, and even though the first 80% is slower, it was not a bad slow, it was the kind where you are constantly reading for crumbs because you are hooked and you can feel the groundwork being laid. It also ends on a pretty wild cliffhanger, like excuse me??? If you read the ARC, I need to hear your theories. Also, I am still a little confused about the FMC’s power and I am desperate for more clarity and expansion there, because it feels like something huge is sitting just out of reach. Overall, Malachite made me care about the characters, the academy, and the world, which is exactly what I want from a first book, and it 100% has me looking forward to the next one!!

Tropes you can expect: brother’s best friend, enemies to lovers, slow burn, “I thought you hated me,” second chance, found family, magic school, tragic backstory.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (not many scenes, but the ones that exist are VERY much there).

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Hachette for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing eARC!

[Caitlyn Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Synopsis:
Arianell was always in awe of her older brother. He kept her safe, taught her to defend herself, and didn’t make her feel less than just because she was magicless in a world where magic is common place. So when Lukas is the executed for the crime of practicing black magic and murdering his fellow classmates, Arianell knows there’s something more going on behind the scenes and vows to clear his name. She ends up at the prestigious Valmora Academy where Lukas had been studying before his death convinced the place holds the answers she’s looking for. But the stigma of Lukas’s supposed crimes weighs heavily on her, compounded by the fact that every student and teacher seems hellbent on punishing Arianell for what they believe her brother did - including her broody Unit Leader Sebastian, her brothers former best friend. But something darker lurks in the shadows of Valmora Academy, and Arianell will need to find a way to clear her family’s name without losing her life in the process.

Review:
First, thank you to the author for allowing me the opportunity to arc read this story. I was pleasantly surprised by this book in probably the best way. I will admit that the story started out a little slowly for my taste and the initial world building left something to be desired, BUT, the overall plot was engaging and was a genuinely fun read! The world feels familiar (you really can’t go wrong with a war college setting!) but Andersen gives a very unique magic system that provides a freshness to an otherwise stale setting.

Arinell herself was deep without being too “prechy” or self involved (characters like that annoy me to no end!) Sha has some family trauma and of course is primarily driven by proving her brother innocent but it doesn’t overrun her entire personality. Sebastian was your brooding shadow daddy without the actual shadowss and there was the classic enemies to lovers we all know and love (or technically friends to enemies to lovers).

Overall, the book was giving Harry Potter meets Divergent meets Fourth Wing (minus the dragons) so if you’re a fan of those series, you love this book! I’m excited to see where the author takes the world and can’t wait for book 2!

[Cynthia Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because while she’s all bark, my instinct is to bite.

This was one of those books where I sat down to “just read a chapter” and suddenly it’s 1am and my eyeballs hurt. Malachite is SUPER easy to fall into. The writing is really clear, the magic system actually makes sense (bless), and I never once felt confused about what was happening, which is rare for fantasy sometimes and deeply appreciated by my two remaining brain cells.

The academy vibes? Fun.
The elemental magic and stones? Cool and easy to follow.
The characters? Surprisingly distinct — even side characters felt important.
The romance??? Hello???? The tension??? The slow burn???
And listen… the spice was written VERY well. Respectfully. 👀

Arianell is also such a solid MC. She makes logical decisions, stands up for herself, and doesn’t make me want to scream “WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT” every five pages, which automatically earns points.

That is how arrogance gets you killed.

The pacing is a little chaotic (affectionate). The middle dragged a bit and I kept going “okay okay let’s get ON with it,” and then the last 100 pages said “bet” and proceeded to dump every plot twist, reveal, and emotional crisis on my head at once. I was stressed. I was thriving.

My biggest complaint is that I wanted MORE LORE. More stone history. More academy classes. More backstory. More childhood stuff. More brother content. Just… feed me world-building crumbs PLEASE. The world feels big but slightly undercooked.

I also guessed some of the “bad guy” stuff early… but then it went in a direction I absolutely did not expect, so I’ll allow it.

And that ending??? RUDE.
Now I need the sequel immediately because I have approximately 47 unanswered questions and emotional damage.

Overall: fun, bingeable, magic academy drama, great romance, slightly uneven pacing, but I had a blast.

4/5 (would absolutely enroll in this chaotic death school again)

He looks at me like he wants to devour me, and if I’m stupid enough, I might let him.

[Margins.and.Meanings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun, familiar, and bingeable start to a romantasy series, even if it didn’t quite reinvent the wheel. I flew through this book and genuinely enjoyed my time with it.

Aria is very much a “special FMC with special powers,” but it didn’t bother me the way it sometimes can. She is a bit whiny internally in the beginning, but given the amount of bullying, grief, and isolation she’s dealing with, it felt justified. What I appreciated most was her stubbornness… she gets knocked down repeatedly and still forces herself to stand back up, time and again. That said, while she survives and outwits a lot, she doesn’t experience a ton of actual emotional growth yet. I’m hoping future books dig deeper into her trauma instead of skirting around it.

Sebastian is extremely Xaden-coded (tall, dark, powerful, emotionally repressed), but I still really liked him. The romance was fun and spicy without being eye-roll inducing, though I wouldn’t really call this a true enemies-to-lovers. Their tension felt a tiny bit manufactured at times, especially with how often Aria mentally pulled back from him at the at the ABSOLUTE WORST possible moments. It didn’t ruin the story, but it did start to feel repetitive.

The magic academy setting, elemental units, and mystery surrounding Aria’s brother were all very engaging, even if some twists were easy to predict. I also felt the worldbuilding and stakes could have been higher… the looming outside threats never quite felt as dangerous as the story wanted them to be, and the setting stayed very contained within the school. Hoping we see more of this in future books! Still, the plot was fun, the pacing improved as it went on, and the cliffhanger (while frustrating) definitely did its job.

Overall, this is a familiar but enjoyable romantasy debut with lots of potential. I’ll absolutely be picking up book two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mobius Books for the ARC, this was a fun read!

[Chii ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sebastian Zain kisses me like a man that’s been starved of air, and I am his next breath.”

Themes & Tropes
  - Dark Academia
  - “Loose” Enemies to Lovers
    > Bully Romance*
  - Elemental Magic
  - School “Houses”
  - Brother’s best friend
  - slow-burn?

Things that deterred me from rating it higher:
  > Reads like YA (considering it’s NA)
  > Certain dialogue that made me physically cringe

Anderson’s debut novel, Malachite intrigued me with its premise and gave me an indication that there would be a different take on the elemental magics that we’re constantly faced with reading fantasy/romantasy novels. That alone is what drove me to read this in the first place. However, I came to find that Malachite had a lot of potential for me, and it didn’t live up to the expectations I hoped from it.

The best way for me to put Arianell as an FMC is “I am a very special FMC with very special powers that we don’t know a lot about” + a lot of poor decision-making on her part. “Poor-decision making” would be deemed perfect for a 20-something-year-old student. I did like the friendships she formed and thought they were rather sweet.

Sebastian is broody MMC, essentially Ria’s brother’s best friend, but then she comes to find out is cold towards her when she arrives at the academy. Gives violet x xaden vibes, and “I need to put up a facade to protect you” kind of thing.

Overall, 3

I didn’t hate it. I didn’t love it. I personally would have been OK not reading. I would still recommend this to readers who enjoy these themes and tropes, and if you wanted a mix of divergent x fourth wing.

Thank you Mobius Books and Netgalley for an EARC for an honest review

[Jo Perault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releasing May 2026!

Let me start by saying that my opinion might be a bit biased… if you drop into ANY magical academy, I am happy JUST to be there. I don’t need any convincing and I have unpacked my bags already. lol.

That being said…. This academy is BRUTAL !!
The atmosphere is tense, the students are RUTHLESS, and the magic system has layers of. There is ancient history woven into everything, whispers of erased truths, and enough mystery to have you side-eyeing EVERY authority figure in sight.

ARIA is sarcastic, sharp tongued, and refuses to shrink; even when the ENTIRE academy treats her like she’s a curse walking on two legs. Watching her hold her own and have no powers, was BY FAR my FAVORITE PARTS!

The lore is where the story really shines! The celestial mythology, the crystals and intentions, the political undertones, the carefully placed breadcrumbs. it all builds up to something much bigger then it first appears.

&&the ending?!!!

DIABOLICAL !!
That cliffhanger was NOT a gentle nudge to book 2. It was a full shove off a narrative cliff & I will NOT recover until I find out what happens next!

If you love dark academia, elemental magic, high tension, and a story that slowly peels back the layers of hidden truths, this is absolutely worth picking up.

Now excuse me while I stare at my wall and wait for the sequel! Ughh !!

Thank you NetGalley and Hatchette book group for my ARC copy in exchange for my honest review !

[Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying this book was a lot of fun. I read a few reviews where people equated it to Zodiac Academy and it definitely has some similar tropes.

- dark academia/magic academy
- bully romance
- squad leader/student

I really enjoyed the academy setting and I felt like Ria & Sebastian had good chemistry. I will say this story wasn’t anything new to the genre, it was a fun and predictable read and I think it’s good if you’re in the mood for that kind of romantasy.

I wish we learned more about the magic system & Ria’s magic. I’m sure in book two we’ll get to explore more of that but I feel like this story was a lot of sparring/fighting and I would have liked to explore more of the abilities. It seemed very surface level, there’s wind, water and fire magic but we don’t learn much more than that.

The last 15% of the book was the best where we got some context into what happened with her brother, Lukas and it also left us on a cliffhanger which I think is related to the dark dreams our fmc has been having. I will say the cliffhanger got me and I’m intrigued to learn more about Ria and what’s going on with her dreams and magic.

Overall, this was a fun time but it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat needing to read more. Thank you NetGalley & Mobius Books for the ARC! 🩸🗡️🔥📖

[S K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I chose this book because the title means something very important to me. There was zero other reason beyond an ache to see that name repeatedly.
But damn, I really liked this book! Yes, it has 'houses' students are divided into. But it really does not focus on that as much you'd think. The plot does drive it and some parts are guessable and close to what you'd expect from these sort of fantasy books but the author has found a way to make it fun and new too.
I cannot believe this is a series and I'll have to wait eons to read part 2 (given part 1 is yet to be published) but this was a really fun read and I could not put it down.
One con I'd say is that there is a lot of what I feel to be unnecessary descriptors. I think the same impact of a place and situation could have been made more succinctly. The start of the academy life especially was a little much.

SPOILER AHEAD-
I get Sebastian was trying to protect her; that was kind of obvious from the get-go. But why would he leave Arianell on the floor alone her first night? That goes against everything else he'd done. And are we saying the headmaster killed those two? Why would he need Ria gone that early. And I think there is more to that friendship group then already mentioned.

[Ghostreadergal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was entertaining and could be a strong series with a few changes. It read more as unpolished fan fiction and felt a little too derivative of some mainstream YA and romantasy worlds, such as Harry Potter, Fourth Wing, Twilight (FMC has major Bella swan energy) to name a few. I'm not even sure I'd classify this as dark academia, under a strict interpretation of that genre, but it fits the BookTok definition of it in that it's set in an academy and has broody characters. The pacing felt rushed towards the end.

I struggled to get behind how Aria didn't stand up for herself more in the beginning, and was a little confused by how abusive Seb was in the start. It felt difficult to read this dynamic, so be warned.


If you like enemy to lovers, trainer x trainee, brother's best friend romances, and academy/school-setting-romances, this book is for you. If you don't like YA-ish writing, reused tropes and themes, dialogue that makes you cringe in key moments (did she *have* to call it an anaconda?🐍), this might not be for you.

Despite its flaws, I somehow could not look away from this booko, so there must be something compelling about it. I believe that as Ashley Anderson refines her writing, this book could be phenomenal.

spice: 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Ashley Anderson for trusting me to review their work.

[Joanna]

Thank you to the author for providing an advance copy for review. I read a pre-final version that did not include the finished cover or final edits, so minor differences may exist from the published edition.

Malachite is a dark academia romantasy set at an academy where college-aged students train for war using elemental magic and are separated into three different units: Malachite, Opal, and Agate. Arianell is the FMC and basically shows up at this school with a target on her back because of her brother’s death, and to make things worse her magic still hasn’t manifested.

For me, the mystery surrounding her brother and what actually happened at the academy outshined the romance, and I wasn’t mad about it. There’s a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers dynamic with the MMC and it is a very slow burn.

There are definitely some sketchy things happening behind the scenes of the school, and until late in the book I really wasn’t sure who was good or bad when it came to the professors and the headmaster.

Malachite definitely reads like a series opener. Not everything is wrapped up yet, but it made me interested enough to continue, and I would honestly love to see future books, maybe focused on Agate and Opal.

[Mackenzie Busalacchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malachite is an action-packed, dark academia romantasy with excellently written characters and a unique magic system. Arianell Nocthare's brother has been executed after being convicted of several students' murders at the prestigious Valmora Academy. Arianell knows that her brother would never kill another student or dabble in dark magic. In order to prove her brother's innocence and seek justice, Arianell attends the academy, facing scorn and hatred from the other students. In particular, her brother's former best friend, the sexy, brooding, arrogant Sebastian, is determined to ruin Arianell's life and chase her away from the academy. Unfortunately, Arianell is paired with Sebastian and the two must train in order to hone Arianell's power.

Malachite is definitely going to be one of my favorite books of 2026! I absolutely loved the morally gray, complex characters. Throughout the book, the reader deeply feels each character's emotions. The writing is excellent and the world-building is truly fantastic. I loved the dark academia vibes; the tension and resentment between all of the students and Arianell was well-thought out and felt like real-world drama. I felt like I was another student at the academy rather than someone watching the story play out from afar. The plot is action-packed with plenty of twists. Fair warning - there is a major cliff hanger ending! I cannot wait for the sequel. I need it ASAP. I will definitely be reading more by Ashley Andersen and will be recommending Malachite to anyone looking for an emotional, dark academia romantasy with intriguing characters and interesting magic.

[Marty Mayberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malachite was a a fun debut and will appeal to those who enjoy romantasy tropes. The dark, star-forged magic academy, the house system, elemental powers, and the shadow hanging over the world created a setting that felt familiar in the best way, while still giving the story space to become its own thing. It leans into popular genre staples, but the combination of them and the mystery surrounding Arianell’s brother kept me turning pages.

The academic atmosphere had strong dark-academia energy with a YA tone, and the magic system was easy to understand. I enjoyed the yearning between Arianell and Sebastian. Their scenes were the kind that make you grin at the page and kick your feet a little. He’s her brother’s best friend, he’s changed, he’s cold, there’s history. It’s messy in an entertaining way.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with great tension, a moody magical school setting, and a cliffhanger that made me want the sequel NOW. If you love dark academia, brother’s-best-friend romance, slow-burn yearning, and that enemies…but not really, pick this one up.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, & Hachette Book Group for the ARC!

[Kristie Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malachite is an intoxicating, dark fantasy romance that grabbed me from the first page and refused to let go. Ashley Andersen delivers a story full of danger, magic, and morally gray characters, with tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.

The heroine is fierce, smart, and layered — she’s not just surviving, she’s maneuvering through a world full of power, betrayal, and secrets with cunning and heart. Watching her grow, fight, and protect what matters most is absolutely gripping.

The romance is slow-burning, electric, and utterly addictive. The male lead is dark, broody, and morally complex — the kind of character who makes your chest ache with longing and frustration all at once. Their chemistry? Explosive. Every glance, every touch, every word feels charged with desire and danger.

The plot is full of twists, high stakes, and emotional depth. The world-building is immersive, the magic is layered and intriguing, and every choice the characters make carries real weight. This is dark fantasy romance done so, so right.

[Amanda S · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I read the unproofed ARC through Netgalley*

2.75 rounded up

I dont know how to feel.

The whole point is Aria is going to the academy to clear her brother's name but doesn't really try to until 77% into the book, however it makes sense because she also needs to figure out who she is and her magic.

The romance was nice but it seemed forced. I feel like they were supposed to be toxic but it could have been more. Aria was so hurt and betrayed by Sebastian for snubbing her but they didn't really spend that much time together for him to shift so fast.

Sebastion kept changing character. Like his thing was to call her Ria because he's the older brother's bff but then he randomly called her Sweetheart and take on the bad boy role... and it just didn't feel genuine.

Even her being void of Magic didnt make sense. She had dreams of fog but they didn't coincide with what she actually does.

There were twists with no real foreshadowing...

I do think this could be something good down the line but right now I think I like the potential more than anything.

[Christina Breland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an early copy of this book thanks to NetGallery. If you’ve always wanted a dark Harry Potter- you will enjoy this. The world building isn’t terribly complicated, the characters are easy to enjoy, and magic involved isn’t difficult to follow.

I would rate this as YA, with a spice level of 2. The scenes aren’t extremely graphic, one interaction is quite detailed.

The FMC is absolutely and brutally raw, often dealing with past trauma. As with other characters, much of the trauma mentioned is suggested, but never detailed. As with much of the physical brutality- it isn’t extremely detailed.

Overall, I felt it was a good read with great characters and great future potential. It does start off a little slow, but the story is intriguing and enjoyable. Expect some twists and turns, as well as some “I knew it!” moments. If you’re looking for a dark academia comfort read that throws you back to your Harry Potter era, then get comfortable because this is the book for you.

[BookishBillieJean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this read and devoured it in ONE sitting! What a wonderful debut novel for Ashley Anderson! I adored how fierce, determined, loyal and clever our FMC was!

The magic system was so unique in that it was derived from fallen stars and power from stones. The world building was good - not overwhelming or too immersive - but enough to know where we were and what was going on in the book!

Our MMC is dark, broody and uber protective, just like we like them! The banter was great! The found family was top notch and the academy setting & training scratches that itch for all of our warrior college setting lovers! It’s as if Harry Potter and Zodiac Academy had a baby!

The ending was definitely a cliffhanger but I loved it and it has me ready for the second book already! I need answers! 😂

I can’t wait to see where this series goes!

[danie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, wow ok. So I won't lie, at first I was not expecting to like this. It seemed like a typical academy romantasy the first few chapters, but wow did it pick up and completely made me eat my words.

I wasn't a huge fan of the bullying/certain aspects in the beginning and it seemed overkill to me but once that went away it started to get really good. The more we learned about the world and how Lukas died, the more I could not put this down. The chemistry between Aria and Sebastian was just delicious. That spice was spicing and I re-read that a few times it was so good.

Highly recommend this one! Was so surprised and happy, once it got going it really got going and I am excited for a sequel in the future. For this being a debut novel, Ashley did such a great job and I can't wait to follow along to see what she does next!