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Malachite
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…
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…
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
7011 people want to read
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May 1, 2026Anyone follow ash_reads on instagram? Well she's great & now this is her debut and I am 100% ready for it.
Three stones, three powers, three magical units. You choose your unit and you hope it chooses you back. At the prestigious Valmora Academy, the students train for war, mastering elemental magic within one of these units. We meet Arianell Nocthare who is disgraced and magic-less and rejected by every unit. She is facing scrutiny from her brothers best friend Sebastian Zain (wink, wink) despite her drive to clear her families name. Forming an alliance with Seb, she learns that Valmora is hiding dark truths. Survival is deadly until one day she discovers something about her hidden powers...
Oh he definitely falls first and hates harder. He will torment her but if anyone else tries it...
Let's get into this.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Book Group/New Zealand and the author, Ashley Anderson for and early copy.
Three stones, three powers, three magical units. You choose your unit and you hope it chooses you back. At the prestigious Valmora Academy, the students train for war, mastering elemental magic within one of these units. We meet Arianell Nocthare who is disgraced and magic-less and rejected by every unit. She is facing scrutiny from her brothers best friend Sebastian Zain (wink, wink) despite her drive to clear her families name. Forming an alliance with Seb, she learns that Valmora is hiding dark truths. Survival is deadly until one day she discovers something about her hidden powers...
Oh he definitely falls first and hates harder. He will torment her but if anyone else tries it...
Let's get into this.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Book Group/New Zealand and the author, Ashley Anderson for and early copy.
January 22, 2026
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!*
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!*
January 21, 2026
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
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
May 3, 2026
I believe I’ve just discovered my newest obsession 😩 it has been a hot minute since I’m devoured a book this quickly but I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I stayed up till 11:30 to finish it, and if you know me, I’m pretty strict about my 9pm bedtime 😴 Unique magic systems, sizzling romance and a plot twist I absolutely did not see coming!! Plus a grumpy mmc 😏 what more could you really ask for??
Did Not Finish
March 12, 2026A decent story for folks who are really into YA vibed romantasy and don’t mind similarities with other series. For me, the plot, tropes, and characters were just too similar to Fourth Wing and Divergent for me to enjoy. The two main characters felt a lot like Xaden and Violet. I prefer romantasy with a more unique spin and this fell a little flat. I do think a lot of people will like this, especially diehard romantasy readers. I just prefer a little more depth.
The romance was fine and I liked that our FMC was so scrappy. Fans of Fourth Wing, Legend, and Zodiac Academy should check this out.
Thank you Hatchette Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The romance was fine and I liked that our FMC was so scrappy. Fans of Fourth Wing, Legend, and Zodiac Academy should check this out.
Thank you Hatchette Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
May 7, 2026
Malachite is an engrossing and immersive read that totally caught me by surprise with some shocking revelations and twists. A dark romantasy, the story has parts that might be disturbing for some readers, so I would definitely check out the content warnings before starting the book.
Arienell is a fantastic protagonist with so much grit and bravery. Oof, she faces every possible obstacle, and she never stops fighting. Plus, she's grieving the loss of her brother, who was accused of some pretty heinous crimes. It was definitely admirable, especially given her tragic backstory, her awful parents, and all the odds stacked against her.
I liked a lot of the secondary characters, too, as well as the found family aspect of the story. That felt especially poignant considering how Arienell is initially treated and how her family treats her. Tilly ended up being one of my favorite characters. She's a total badass, and beneath her kind, sweet, and sassy exterior is a ruthless and fierce friend. I loved her friendship with Arienell, and the banter between them was great.
The one part of the story that I didn't love, particularly in the first half of the book, is the romance. I like enemies-to-lovers arcs, but for me, this romance goes past enemies-to-lovers and is more brother's best friend to rage-filled bully to lovers, and it just wasn't for me. I get the reasoning, but he's so insulting, disdainful, and hateful toward her that he actually emboldens others to be purposely cruel to her. And some of the terrible things he says? Unforgivable. It made it very hard for me to like him, though he did redeem himself by the end of the book. Once he admits to himself that he's fallen for her, he falls hard, and there's nothing he wouldn't do for her.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It has an interesting magic system, a compelling protagonist, and the dark academia vibes are fabulous. Plus, the plot twists! So good!!
Arienell is a fantastic protagonist with so much grit and bravery. Oof, she faces every possible obstacle, and she never stops fighting. Plus, she's grieving the loss of her brother, who was accused of some pretty heinous crimes. It was definitely admirable, especially given her tragic backstory, her awful parents, and all the odds stacked against her.
I liked a lot of the secondary characters, too, as well as the found family aspect of the story. That felt especially poignant considering how Arienell is initially treated and how her family treats her. Tilly ended up being one of my favorite characters. She's a total badass, and beneath her kind, sweet, and sassy exterior is a ruthless and fierce friend. I loved her friendship with Arienell, and the banter between them was great.
The one part of the story that I didn't love, particularly in the first half of the book, is the romance. I like enemies-to-lovers arcs, but for me, this romance goes past enemies-to-lovers and is more brother's best friend to rage-filled bully to lovers, and it just wasn't for me. I get the reasoning, but he's so insulting, disdainful, and hateful toward her that he actually emboldens others to be purposely cruel to her. And some of the terrible things he says? Unforgivable. It made it very hard for me to like him, though he did redeem himself by the end of the book. Once he admits to himself that he's fallen for her, he falls hard, and there's nothing he wouldn't do for her.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It has an interesting magic system, a compelling protagonist, and the dark academia vibes are fabulous. Plus, the plot twists! So good!!
January 28, 2026
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐ (rounded down)
malachite was a dark, atmospheric novel with strong romantasy elements. the premise centers on three houses, with students attending valmora academy to train for the front lines as strategists, healers, or warriors. i was hooked by the concept and really loved the foundation of the story. it was an interesting read, similar to fourth wing, divergent, etc. which definitely grabbed my attention from the start.
what didn’t fully work for me was that it read more like YA than i expected. the writing felt repetitive at times, especially in descriptions. many characters had minimal physical detail beyond eye or hair color, which made it harder to fully picture them. the plot was a bit messy at times + some plot holes, the world building also felt choppy, or almost nonexistent (backstory of Stars, the veil, magic, etc.), and some parts of the dialogue came across as a bit cringey.
that said, the core story absolutely pulled me in, and i was genuinely invested in seeing where it would go. this was fun and entertaining, there’s a lot of potential here, and i think these elements could really improve in the next book!
thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!
malachite was a dark, atmospheric novel with strong romantasy elements. the premise centers on three houses, with students attending valmora academy to train for the front lines as strategists, healers, or warriors. i was hooked by the concept and really loved the foundation of the story. it was an interesting read, similar to fourth wing, divergent, etc. which definitely grabbed my attention from the start.
what didn’t fully work for me was that it read more like YA than i expected. the writing felt repetitive at times, especially in descriptions. many characters had minimal physical detail beyond eye or hair color, which made it harder to fully picture them. the plot was a bit messy at times + some plot holes, the world building also felt choppy, or almost nonexistent (backstory of Stars, the veil, magic, etc.), and some parts of the dialogue came across as a bit cringey.
that said, the core story absolutely pulled me in, and i was genuinely invested in seeing where it would go. this was fun and entertaining, there’s a lot of potential here, and i think these elements could really improve in the next book!
thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!
January 13, 2026
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!
“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!
April 30, 2026
This was my first fantasy book so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I absolutely devoured it! I’m waiting with baited breath for the sequel after that ending ⭐️ ✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
5 STARS
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! THIS ONE IS SO STINKIN’ GOOD AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO ADD IT TO THEIR TBR NOW!!
Once you start it, you can’t put it down, I know I couldn’t. I left it at the office and was DEVASTATED that I couldn’t read it because I LEFT IT AT THE OFFICE!!
The writing style, the characters, the plot, the setting, the twists and turns. LITERALLY EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS ONE!!
AND OMG THAT ENDING 😭😭 I need the next book STAT!!
(arc review) - releasing May 19th (for USA)
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! THIS ONE IS SO STINKIN’ GOOD AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO ADD IT TO THEIR TBR NOW!!
Once you start it, you can’t put it down, I know I couldn’t. I left it at the office and was DEVASTATED that I couldn’t read it because I LEFT IT AT THE OFFICE!!
The writing style, the characters, the plot, the setting, the twists and turns. LITERALLY EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS ONE!!
AND OMG THAT ENDING 😭😭 I need the next book STAT!!
(arc review) - releasing May 19th (for USA)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
January 25, 2026
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!! 🖤
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!! 🖤
January 18, 2026
This book was absolutely amazing! One of the best romantasy books I’ve read! So good I finished it in three hours!
April 18, 2026
✨ARC Review ✨
“I want to restore our family name. But where he wants me to succeed at the academy, I want to vindicate my brother.”
✨ Academy setting
✨ Brother’s best friend
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Found family
✨ Slow burn
This was a really easy book to get into. The academy setting and elemental system give it a strong, engaging foundation straight away, and it’s the kind of story that keeps you turning pages because you want to know what happens next.
I really loved Tilly, Lillian, and Jed. The found family aspect was honestly one of my favourite parts. It adds a lot of heart to the story and balances out all the tension going on around Aria.
“Our battle scars and pain are a testament to how much we’re willing to endure for the ones we love.”
Arianell’s journey was definitely what kept me most invested. I loved following her as she tried to uncover the truth about her brother’s death while also trying to survive everything happening at the academy. That emotional thread really anchors the whole book.
“Because I was told if I stand too close to fire, it may burn me, and I have enough scars in my body as it is. But I don’t say that, because that would be letting him see too much.”
The Aria and Sebastian dynamic is very tropey in the best way. It leans into familiar romantasy beats, but it is still fun and easy to read. Their chemistry keeps things interesting even when you can see where certain things are heading.
“Like he is coming undone at the seams and I’m the needle ready to stitch him back together again.”
I would have personally loved a bit more exploration of the world outside the academy, just to expand things a little further. And while the writing is generally easy to read, there were a couple of moments where the phrasing felt a bit more YA in tone and pulled me out slightly.
That said, the pacing is solid and it keeps everything moving really well. I stayed engaged throughout, and the ending genuinely surprised me in the best way with some great twists and reveals that set things up nicely for what is next.
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
Thank you to Hachette, Ashley Andersen & NetGalley for this ARC 🫶🏻
“I want to restore our family name. But where he wants me to succeed at the academy, I want to vindicate my brother.”
✨ Academy setting
✨ Brother’s best friend
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Found family
✨ Slow burn
This was a really easy book to get into. The academy setting and elemental system give it a strong, engaging foundation straight away, and it’s the kind of story that keeps you turning pages because you want to know what happens next.
I really loved Tilly, Lillian, and Jed. The found family aspect was honestly one of my favourite parts. It adds a lot of heart to the story and balances out all the tension going on around Aria.
“Our battle scars and pain are a testament to how much we’re willing to endure for the ones we love.”
Arianell’s journey was definitely what kept me most invested. I loved following her as she tried to uncover the truth about her brother’s death while also trying to survive everything happening at the academy. That emotional thread really anchors the whole book.
“Because I was told if I stand too close to fire, it may burn me, and I have enough scars in my body as it is. But I don’t say that, because that would be letting him see too much.”
The Aria and Sebastian dynamic is very tropey in the best way. It leans into familiar romantasy beats, but it is still fun and easy to read. Their chemistry keeps things interesting even when you can see where certain things are heading.
“Like he is coming undone at the seams and I’m the needle ready to stitch him back together again.”
I would have personally loved a bit more exploration of the world outside the academy, just to expand things a little further. And while the writing is generally easy to read, there were a couple of moments where the phrasing felt a bit more YA in tone and pulled me out slightly.
That said, the pacing is solid and it keeps everything moving really well. I stayed engaged throughout, and the ending genuinely surprised me in the best way with some great twists and reveals that set things up nicely for what is next.
Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.
Thank you to Hachette, Ashley Andersen & NetGalley for this ARC 🫶🏻
May 6, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Choose your unit and hope it chooses you back ⚔️
Arianell Nocthare is accepted into the prestigious Valmora Academy, a training academy based off of three stones. Agate- strategy, Opal- healing, and Malachite- fighting and war. Despite this being a huge achievement, there’s a giant gloom hanging over Arianell’s acceptance. Her brother was burned for the accusation of black magic only a few months prior. Arianell must prove her worth while also trying to prove that her brother was not the monster the academy painted him to be. Oh and stay alive since everyone blames her for her brother’s dealings. 😳
The slow burn in this is delectable! This is brother’s old best friend trope, so this felt very previous friends-to ‘enemies’- to lovers vibes. Some might even call this a second chance romance. Either way, I loved the romance in this book! The tension was perfect! The slow burn was exactly how I like it! They didn’t have a spot where they touched and things started falling into anything more until 60% and THAT my friends is the kind of slow burn I’m looking for!!
This could be one of my favorite book at this year! The way I did not want to put this book down! I love where this is heading and I am so excited to what happens in book 2! This debut novel absolutely blew my expectations out of the water!
Choose your unit and hope it chooses you back ⚔️
Arianell Nocthare is accepted into the prestigious Valmora Academy, a training academy based off of three stones. Agate- strategy, Opal- healing, and Malachite- fighting and war. Despite this being a huge achievement, there’s a giant gloom hanging over Arianell’s acceptance. Her brother was burned for the accusation of black magic only a few months prior. Arianell must prove her worth while also trying to prove that her brother was not the monster the academy painted him to be. Oh and stay alive since everyone blames her for her brother’s dealings. 😳
The slow burn in this is delectable! This is brother’s old best friend trope, so this felt very previous friends-to ‘enemies’- to lovers vibes. Some might even call this a second chance romance. Either way, I loved the romance in this book! The tension was perfect! The slow burn was exactly how I like it! They didn’t have a spot where they touched and things started falling into anything more until 60% and THAT my friends is the kind of slow burn I’m looking for!!
This could be one of my favorite book at this year! The way I did not want to put this book down! I love where this is heading and I am so excited to what happens in book 2! This debut novel absolutely blew my expectations out of the water!
Review of advance copy
3.5⭐️ (rounded up)
This book had such good vibes! It felt like a mix of Fourth Wing / Divergent / Zodiac Academy / Harry Potter and I actually loved that. I mean… what’s not to like really? It was easy to read and pulled me in from page one.
I just wish the world building and magic system had been explored a bit more. We only get little glimpses of the creatures they fight at the front, and we never fully understand what the war actually involves. I’m guessing book two will expand on it, but it definitely left me wanting more.
Same with the magic system it felt a bit surface level. They can wield elements, which is pretty straightforward, but there are also all these other layers of magic that get mentioned without really being explained: banishing and protection magic, charging and cleansing crystals, moon phases affecting the units… we’re told these things exist, but we never really dive into how any of it works, and I wanted MORE.
Also… I could’ve done without the last chapter because it honestly left me more confused than intrigued. I almost think ending on Aria’s chapter would’ve hit harder.
But I will be reading book 2 :)
This book had such good vibes! It felt like a mix of Fourth Wing / Divergent / Zodiac Academy / Harry Potter and I actually loved that. I mean… what’s not to like really? It was easy to read and pulled me in from page one.
I just wish the world building and magic system had been explored a bit more. We only get little glimpses of the creatures they fight at the front, and we never fully understand what the war actually involves. I’m guessing book two will expand on it, but it definitely left me wanting more.
Same with the magic system it felt a bit surface level. They can wield elements, which is pretty straightforward, but there are also all these other layers of magic that get mentioned without really being explained: banishing and protection magic, charging and cleansing crystals, moon phases affecting the units… we’re told these things exist, but we never really dive into how any of it works, and I wanted MORE.
Also… I could’ve done without the last chapter because it honestly left me more confused than intrigued. I almost think ending on Aria’s chapter would’ve hit harder.
But I will be reading book 2 :)
May 2, 2026
I actually had the best time reading this one. This was a “I deserve a lil treat” purchase and I am so glad I picked it up. Easy to read, has that mystery element to it, a little touch of magic, some very likeable side characters and some very “i hope you stub your toe” characters, the dark academia vibes which I LOVE and a broody MMC. Perfect kinda mix if I’m honest.
I still have so many questions after finishing because WHAT DO YOU MEAN that’s how it ended? Aria really had my interest throughout, she can’t feel her magic? WHY? Where is it? Will it manifest? What is she? I need answers ok.
Some parts felt a little predictable BUT you know what? Fuck it, I enjoyed it. Not bad for a debut book, I think this has potential to be quite good, I’m keen for book two and how that’s going to unfold.
I still have so many questions after finishing because WHAT DO YOU MEAN that’s how it ended? Aria really had my interest throughout, she can’t feel her magic? WHY? Where is it? Will it manifest? What is she? I need answers ok.
Some parts felt a little predictable BUT you know what? Fuck it, I enjoyed it. Not bad for a debut book, I think this has potential to be quite good, I’m keen for book two and how that’s going to unfold.
April 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️.5
Thank you to Hachette Press and Ashley for an ARC!
This was a strong debut and great start to a new romantasy series! The world building was well developed and sucked me into the story in a way that I could envision everything that occurred in detail. The plot kept me hooked. Sebastian was a top tier book boyfriend. While he didn’t always treat Arianell properly, his motivation was still her best interests. Once he finally got around to groveling, he had me falling for him and rooting for their relationship. For the first half of the book, I was not a huge fan of Arianell, as she was very weak and naïve; however, as the story progressed and she started to come into her own power, I found myself liking her more. That cliffhanger ending was diabolical and I have so many questions! I highly recommend this one.
*Check TWs if needed.*
🌶️.5
Thank you to Hachette Press and Ashley for an ARC!
This was a strong debut and great start to a new romantasy series! The world building was well developed and sucked me into the story in a way that I could envision everything that occurred in detail. The plot kept me hooked. Sebastian was a top tier book boyfriend. While he didn’t always treat Arianell properly, his motivation was still her best interests. Once he finally got around to groveling, he had me falling for him and rooting for their relationship. For the first half of the book, I was not a huge fan of Arianell, as she was very weak and naïve; however, as the story progressed and she started to come into her own power, I found myself liking her more. That cliffhanger ending was diabolical and I have so many questions! I highly recommend this one.
*Check TWs if needed.*
May 5, 2026
OH THIS WAS SO GOOD
gave me all the feelings i had when i read Fourth Wing for the first time and I’ve had the time of my LIFE.
Easy to read and understand magic system, set at a war academy with so much delicious tension, twists and found family - I actually couldn’t get enough of it.
Sebastian - oh my wonderful Seb. If you’re looking for another book boyfriend to rival Xaden, here he is!!
An absolutely diabolical cliffhanger, but I will be sitting here first in line for the next book when it’s out
I couldn’t put this down, and it’s a real credit to Ash, just how good this is. An incredible debut, from a kiwi and one of the best people in the booksta community.
gave me all the feelings i had when i read Fourth Wing for the first time and I’ve had the time of my LIFE.
Easy to read and understand magic system, set at a war academy with so much delicious tension, twists and found family - I actually couldn’t get enough of it.
Sebastian - oh my wonderful Seb. If you’re looking for another book boyfriend to rival Xaden, here he is!!
An absolutely diabolical cliffhanger, but I will be sitting here first in line for the next book when it’s out
I couldn’t put this down, and it’s a real credit to Ash, just how good this is. An incredible debut, from a kiwi and one of the best people in the booksta community.
May 8, 2026
I loved this book. Someone else Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing but I think it’s closer to Divergent. You pick your “school” and the story goes from there with betrayal etc. LOVED it. I knew I liked Seb from the beginning hehehe. Don’t love that Ria is 21 but it is what it is. I could not put this book down, I can’t say much more without ruining it really so just read it.
Read
January 17, 2026rtc
February 20, 2026
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 !
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 !
February 28, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, and Hachette Book Group for the e-arc.
Let me preface my review by saying that a 1 star rating just means that a book wasn't to my tastes, not that it was actually bad. I always rate and review based upon my personal enjoyment, not with objectivity.
And in all honesty, Malachite really isn't bad at all. It's very comparable to a lot of modern romantasy novels, like Fourth Wing, the two leads in particular reminded me a lot of Xaden and Violet, and I think that there are so many readers who will truly love that.
I'm just not as keen on that formula anymore. I prefer romantasy that has a different vibe and ratio of story and romance.
I appreciated that the FMC had fight and grit. Nothing came easily to her, and even though she had literally every obstacle in her way, she never gave up. I appreciate that tremendously in characters.
I also think the magic system, based partially on different stones and partially on different elements, was interesting. I wish there was even more of it, actually. I'm such a big fan of stories with magic, especially when they dig deep into them and have a character gradually progress them.
While the romance could sort of be considered slow burn and enemies-to-lovers, it's not at the level that I prefer. When I'm picking up a first in a series, I want there to be very little romantic development between the two leads, it makes the yearning and tension so much sweeter, and it gives us something to anticipate and look forward to. I also am not a fan of ETL where both parties are only sort of miffed at the other for one specific, not serious reason. I want them to feel like they hate each other so deeply and have to learn to like each other, preferably in the sequel books.
The male lead was okay, very much like other popular romantasy love interests, which is a plus if you enjoy them... not so much in my case. I'm just tired personally of big brooding ultra powerful men who act snarky constantly.
And the ending was a bit shocking, I did see some things coming, but there was an aspect that I didn't (don't worry, no spoilers), so that was very exciting.
Overall, while this wasn't for me, I think there's definitely an audience for Malachite, and a dedicated one at that! I hope Ashley Anderson's debut sells crazy well.
Let me preface my review by saying that a 1 star rating just means that a book wasn't to my tastes, not that it was actually bad. I always rate and review based upon my personal enjoyment, not with objectivity.
And in all honesty, Malachite really isn't bad at all. It's very comparable to a lot of modern romantasy novels, like Fourth Wing, the two leads in particular reminded me a lot of Xaden and Violet, and I think that there are so many readers who will truly love that.
I'm just not as keen on that formula anymore. I prefer romantasy that has a different vibe and ratio of story and romance.
I appreciated that the FMC had fight and grit. Nothing came easily to her, and even though she had literally every obstacle in her way, she never gave up. I appreciate that tremendously in characters.
I also think the magic system, based partially on different stones and partially on different elements, was interesting. I wish there was even more of it, actually. I'm such a big fan of stories with magic, especially when they dig deep into them and have a character gradually progress them.
While the romance could sort of be considered slow burn and enemies-to-lovers, it's not at the level that I prefer. When I'm picking up a first in a series, I want there to be very little romantic development between the two leads, it makes the yearning and tension so much sweeter, and it gives us something to anticipate and look forward to. I also am not a fan of ETL where both parties are only sort of miffed at the other for one specific, not serious reason. I want them to feel like they hate each other so deeply and have to learn to like each other, preferably in the sequel books.
The male lead was okay, very much like other popular romantasy love interests, which is a plus if you enjoy them... not so much in my case. I'm just tired personally of big brooding ultra powerful men who act snarky constantly.
And the ending was a bit shocking, I did see some things coming, but there was an aspect that I didn't (don't worry, no spoilers), so that was very exciting.
Overall, while this wasn't for me, I think there's definitely an audience for Malachite, and a dedicated one at that! I hope Ashley Anderson's debut sells crazy well.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ashley Andersen’s Malachite delivers a dark academia adventure that feels like a high-stakes blend of *Fourth Wing* and *Zodiac Academy*. As the first installment of what promises to be an epic series, *Malachite* establishes a world where magic is a weapon, secrets are lethal, and trust is the rarest currency of all.
The story centers on Arianell Nocthare, a protagonist who is easy to root for because she is fighting an uphill battle from page one. Aria has spent her life dreaming of Valmora Academy, the prestigious institution where students hone their elemental magic to prepare for war. However, her arrival is anything but a triumph. She enters the academy under a heavy cloud of disgrace: her brother, Lukas, was executed for allegedly using dark magic to kill four students. To make matters worse, while her peers are manifesting powerful elemental gifts, Aria appears to be magic-less. In a school where your survival depends on your power, being "null" is effectively a death sentence.
Arianell is a standout main character. She is resilient, driven by a fierce loyalty to her brother’s memory, and possesses a quiet strength that doesn't rely on flashy powers. Her primary goal is to clear Lukas’s name, but the obstacles in her path are formidable—none more so than Sebastian.
Sebastian was once Lukas’s best friend and a presence in Aria’s childhood. She had harbored hopes that their shared history would provide her with an ally, perhaps even blooming into something more than friendship. Instead, she finds a man who treats her with blatant scorn. Sebastian’s coldness is a sharp blade; he is "tall, dark, and lethally handsome," but his cruelty toward Aria is devastating, especially since she was counting on him to help her piece together the truth about what happened to her brother. The tension between them is electric, fueling a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that keeps the pages turning.
Fortunately, Aria isn't entirely alone. As she navigates the cutthroat environment of Valmora, she finds a support system in a group of fellow students: Tilly, and Xavier (and eventually Jed and Lillian). These secondary characters are well-developed and essential to the narrative, providing much-needed moments of levity and "found family" warmth amidst the academy’s brutality. They help move the story along, offering Aria the protection and friendship she needs to survive the physical and political dangers of the school.
What makes Malachite particularly gripping is the way Andersen builds the mystery of Valmora. As Aria and Sebastian's relationship shifts from fraught to tentatively cooperative, they begin to uncover terrifying truths about the academy’s leadership and the nature of magic itself. Just as the reader starts to feel they have a handle on the world-building, Andersen drops a revelation about Aria’s own latent power that throws everything into chaos.
The pacing is relentless, leading to a conclusion that is as exhilarating as it is frustrating. The book ends on a massive cliffhanger. While Andersen is generous enough to provide some answers regarding Lukas and the academy's secrets before the final pages, the ending raises a dozen more questions. It leaves the reader breathless and desperate for the next chapter of Aria’s journey.
Malachite is a fantastic start to a new series. It has everything a romantasy fan could want: a gritty setting, a compelling mystery, and a romance that aches with "will-they-won't-they" intensity. I will definitely be picking up the next book the second I can get it in my hands. If you are looking for a new series filled with magic, danger, and high-octane action, *Malachite* should be at the very top of your TBR pile.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story centers on Arianell Nocthare, a protagonist who is easy to root for because she is fighting an uphill battle from page one. Aria has spent her life dreaming of Valmora Academy, the prestigious institution where students hone their elemental magic to prepare for war. However, her arrival is anything but a triumph. She enters the academy under a heavy cloud of disgrace: her brother, Lukas, was executed for allegedly using dark magic to kill four students. To make matters worse, while her peers are manifesting powerful elemental gifts, Aria appears to be magic-less. In a school where your survival depends on your power, being "null" is effectively a death sentence.
Arianell is a standout main character. She is resilient, driven by a fierce loyalty to her brother’s memory, and possesses a quiet strength that doesn't rely on flashy powers. Her primary goal is to clear Lukas’s name, but the obstacles in her path are formidable—none more so than Sebastian.
Sebastian was once Lukas’s best friend and a presence in Aria’s childhood. She had harbored hopes that their shared history would provide her with an ally, perhaps even blooming into something more than friendship. Instead, she finds a man who treats her with blatant scorn. Sebastian’s coldness is a sharp blade; he is "tall, dark, and lethally handsome," but his cruelty toward Aria is devastating, especially since she was counting on him to help her piece together the truth about what happened to her brother. The tension between them is electric, fueling a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that keeps the pages turning.
Fortunately, Aria isn't entirely alone. As she navigates the cutthroat environment of Valmora, she finds a support system in a group of fellow students: Tilly, and Xavier (and eventually Jed and Lillian). These secondary characters are well-developed and essential to the narrative, providing much-needed moments of levity and "found family" warmth amidst the academy’s brutality. They help move the story along, offering Aria the protection and friendship she needs to survive the physical and political dangers of the school.
What makes Malachite particularly gripping is the way Andersen builds the mystery of Valmora. As Aria and Sebastian's relationship shifts from fraught to tentatively cooperative, they begin to uncover terrifying truths about the academy’s leadership and the nature of magic itself. Just as the reader starts to feel they have a handle on the world-building, Andersen drops a revelation about Aria’s own latent power that throws everything into chaos.
The pacing is relentless, leading to a conclusion that is as exhilarating as it is frustrating. The book ends on a massive cliffhanger. While Andersen is generous enough to provide some answers regarding Lukas and the academy's secrets before the final pages, the ending raises a dozen more questions. It leaves the reader breathless and desperate for the next chapter of Aria’s journey.
Malachite is a fantastic start to a new series. It has everything a romantasy fan could want: a gritty setting, a compelling mystery, and a romance that aches with "will-they-won't-they" intensity. I will definitely be picking up the next book the second I can get it in my hands. If you are looking for a new series filled with magic, danger, and high-octane action, *Malachite* should be at the very top of your TBR pile.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this ARC from Ashley Andersen, NetGalley and Hachette Book Group and I’d like to thank them for it. This was such an amazing debut novel! I’m just over the moon about it! I’ve been following Ashley for a few years on social media in the BookTok, bookish arena and she always gave such amazing reviews, and I think this book is so great because she knows what the readers want and I think this is going to be a book that BookTok is going to talk about.
This book follows Arianell Nocthare, Aria, our FMC who has waited her entire life to be given the opportunity to go to Valmore Academy. Valmore is a school where students go to learn to how to cultivate their elemental magic in one of the schools three unites – Malachite (warriors), Opal (healers) and Agate (scholars). She is facing an uphill battle on all fronts as she enters the academy. Her family has been shunned in disgrace after her brother, Silas, was executed for allegedly unaliving four students at the academy with the use of forbidden dark magic. She wants to get to the truth of what happened and is determined to enter her brother’s unit, Malachite. The only other issue upon her arrival at the school is that she is unable to summon any magic/powers at the time she enters the school and this puts a MAJOR target on her back – you can’t be “magic-less” in a school of magical students.
Enter Sebastian Zain, the MMC and her brother’s former best friend and the man that she’s had a crush on for some time. She thought that he’d be an ally to her and help her in finding out what happened to her brother and help clear his name. But the Sebastian that she’d know is not the same Sebastian she’s met with. He has become a cold person that wants nothing to do with her, and she feels hurt and betrayed by him.
But thankfully, she is not 100% alone… she finds friendship and “family” with Tilly and Xavier and later with additions of Jed and Lillian. They literally become the “found family” she needs. Ashley does an amazing job building these characters, so you feel like you have a real sense of who they are.
This book’s pacing is just perfect, and the world building is easy to understand and very well done. I know as the series continues, we will learn a lot more. This book ends with a diabolical cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to pick up the next book. There’s just the right amount of bullying, so if that isn’t your thing, try and hang in there, it really does get so much better and it’s with a purpose. This kind of reminds me of Zodiac Academy with a touch of Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac with the mystery surrounding her brother. There yearning and angst and the right amount of spice when needed. I give this book a 4.25 ⭐s and I can’t wait to get the next installment of the series. This is such a great book, and I hope you all pick it up too and enjoy every minute of it like I did. The book will be available in the US on May 19th.
If you like the following, you’ll love this book:
📚Feisty FMC
📚Brooding MMC
📚Academy/school setting
📚Brother’s best friend
📚He trains her
📚Forced proximity
📚Found family
📚Slow burn/yearning
📚Secret/suppressed powers
📚Bullying
Rate: 4.25/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice: 2.5/5🌶️🌶️.5
If you want to see full video reviews, see here:
TT – https://www.tiktok.com/@the.book.devo...
IG - https://www.instagram.com/p/DXnF42mkeZZ/
This book follows Arianell Nocthare, Aria, our FMC who has waited her entire life to be given the opportunity to go to Valmore Academy. Valmore is a school where students go to learn to how to cultivate their elemental magic in one of the schools three unites – Malachite (warriors), Opal (healers) and Agate (scholars). She is facing an uphill battle on all fronts as she enters the academy. Her family has been shunned in disgrace after her brother, Silas, was executed for allegedly unaliving four students at the academy with the use of forbidden dark magic. She wants to get to the truth of what happened and is determined to enter her brother’s unit, Malachite. The only other issue upon her arrival at the school is that she is unable to summon any magic/powers at the time she enters the school and this puts a MAJOR target on her back – you can’t be “magic-less” in a school of magical students.
Enter Sebastian Zain, the MMC and her brother’s former best friend and the man that she’s had a crush on for some time. She thought that he’d be an ally to her and help her in finding out what happened to her brother and help clear his name. But the Sebastian that she’d know is not the same Sebastian she’s met with. He has become a cold person that wants nothing to do with her, and she feels hurt and betrayed by him.
But thankfully, she is not 100% alone… she finds friendship and “family” with Tilly and Xavier and later with additions of Jed and Lillian. They literally become the “found family” she needs. Ashley does an amazing job building these characters, so you feel like you have a real sense of who they are.
This book’s pacing is just perfect, and the world building is easy to understand and very well done. I know as the series continues, we will learn a lot more. This book ends with a diabolical cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to pick up the next book. There’s just the right amount of bullying, so if that isn’t your thing, try and hang in there, it really does get so much better and it’s with a purpose. This kind of reminds me of Zodiac Academy with a touch of Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac with the mystery surrounding her brother. There yearning and angst and the right amount of spice when needed. I give this book a 4.25 ⭐s and I can’t wait to get the next installment of the series. This is such a great book, and I hope you all pick it up too and enjoy every minute of it like I did. The book will be available in the US on May 19th.
If you like the following, you’ll love this book:
📚Feisty FMC
📚Brooding MMC
📚Academy/school setting
📚Brother’s best friend
📚He trains her
📚Forced proximity
📚Found family
📚Slow burn/yearning
📚Secret/suppressed powers
📚Bullying
Rate: 4.25/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice: 2.5/5🌶️🌶️.5
If you want to see full video reviews, see here:
TT – https://www.tiktok.com/@the.book.devo...
IG - https://www.instagram.com/p/DXnF42mkeZZ/
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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!
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!
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