Project Blackwell Operation Condor

by Makayla Jackson

Seventeen-year-old Zackary Blackwell was raised to obey.

Trained under his father’s covert agency, SCORPION, he has become the perfect operative—disciplined, detached, and dangerously loyal. His newest mission: infiltrate INTI, a controversial CIA program that openly recruits and trains teenagers to become government spies.

But Zackary’s true objective is far more dangerous. Intercept seven nuclear cases being transferred between international agencies across Russia.

To stop SCORPION’s growing influence, INTI assembles a team of young agents—unaware they’ve already recruited the very threat they’re trying to eliminate.

Then something shifts.

An unseen force awakens within Zackary, something powerful, unpredictable, and entirely beyond his control.
Teammates grow suspicious.
The operation starts to unravel.

Every move Zackary makes feels watched. Control slips. Instincts clash with orders. And the chaos unfolding around him feels far from coincidental. Someone else may already be pulling the strings.

And if Zackary falters—even once—

everything fails.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy, Dark Academia, Spy Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

About the author

Makayla Jackson writes character-driven stories filled with secrets, tension, and morally complex choices. Her debut novel, Project Blackwell: Operation Condor, introduces readers to a world of covert agencies, hidden agendas, and dangerous loyalties.

Fascinated by psychological conflict and the gray spaces between hero and villain, Makayla enjoys building layered characters and high-stakes worlds where nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

She is currently working on several upcoming projects and expanding the stories and universe behind her work.

Reviews

[First Name]

(Spoiler-free review)
Wow what a RIDE!

I received this book as an advanced readers’ copy and honestly, I was a little unsure if I would like it as I'm not big on spy books despite liking other forms of thrillers and crime novels and I haven't read much of them in recent years. BUT I must say this one took me for surprise in the best way possible. I must admit the first chapter or two didn’t hook me but what came after left me curious for more.

Things that really stood out (to me) in this book:
The action/fighting scenes kept me engaged!
The banter between the main and side characters and even some rivalries??
Silas
The different characters stories
The observation notes
The dark and psychological vibes
The intensity of certain scenes
I want to say EVERYTHING but that’s kinda cliche so I’ll simply list a few non-spoiler things

My favorite character:
Hands down... I love Evan and not for the reasons you may think from first impressions. That's all I'll say lol.

General feedback:
The ending made me WISH the next book was already out and ready for me to read. I have to see what happens onwards and I am super excited to see more from this author. I watched this author's journey from writing to publishing which made me feel even more involved.

Book score 1-100: 93

[Ki]

Review of advanced copy given by author.


Literally might be the best book I’ve read this year and it got me out of my reading slump!!

This book completely lived up to my expectations. One thing I absolutely loved about this book was the level of detail because it made everything feel so immersive and real. I think my favourite part of the book was the psychological aspect and it really helped with the immersiveness and feeling what Zackary felt.

I don’t think there was any point in the book where I felt confused about what was going on and was easy to picture exactly what was happening. The only thing I would like to see more of is the relationships between the characters and backstory apart from that it was AMAZINGGG!!

It’s such a page turning read and I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The pacing and explanations were done really well while still keeping the suspense and mystery throughout.

Zackary is such a likeable character but Elizabeth is definitely my fav I think I can’t wait to see what happens next.

OMG THE ENDING. I genuinely need book 2 immediately after that ending because there’s no way I can wait calmly after finishing it. Can’t wait for more!!

Thanks for the ARC copy <3

[vickiiped1a]

4.25⭐️|
MY FIRST ALC!!! thank you so much to makayla jackson (my moot and friend 🥹) for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook before release date. i’ve followed the author for a long time, even before publishing project blackwell, and i am so incredibly proud of her and everything she has achieved.
now, let’s get on with the review.
if i’m being honest, this is my first time listening to an audio book. PHEW, was it fun! it was amazing to listen to the story and be able to do other stuff, like seriously, i love it.
the story and plot line is amazing. i was entertained the entire time and absolutely LOVE zackary’s character. he is a very complex and interesting individual and i CANNOT wait for the next book.
the romance? HOLY MOTHER OF GOD i was running around my house like an idiot giggling and laughing. like wtf. no but seriously zackary is SO FREAKING FINE HOLY CRAP. DONT even get my started on james LFKWLFLKFSKDKKCKEKSK
i love all the characters in this book. elizabeth? LOVE HER.
akira? SHES SO TUFF
sophia? MY LITERALLY BABY.
james is my husband
zackary husband 2.0
lucas is SO FUNNY AND SMART I LOVE HIM.
but watching their relationship grow and knowing they’ll find out about zackary and the betrayal has me mourning something that hasn’t even happened yet like wtf
and the plot twist? THE ENDING? WHAT DA FACK
the narrator portrayed zackary in such an amazing way too like his voice was EXSCTLY how i imagined it.
i don’t usually read spy books or anything like this but LORD I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOL IN THE SERIES MAKAYLA PLS GIVE ME AN ARC.
and this is your sign to give a change to self published (and especially teens) authors. they have the capacity and can all write SUCH amazing stories that you’re missing out on.
again tysm for the alc copy, i’m so incredibly greatful to have been part of the project blackwell alc team and cannot wait to see what comes next in makayla’s journey !! 🥹🥹
4.25⭐️| 0🌶️

[Paige ♡‧₊]

This was unexpectedly incredible!! I'm usually not into spy books or anything like that, but this book proved me wrong. The characters had so much depth and I genuinely felt like I was fully immersed into the story. I LOVED it!!

[Erin Chambers]

4.5!⭐️ this was CRAZY, this reminded me so much of the naturals with the fbi and the teenagers found family so I was having a great time. It was so interesting to read from the protagonist’s pov aswell. It was so action packed which I loved, I genuinely see myself reaching for more books like this because I loved it!!

Also the ending- HELLO? I am waiting for book 2 💃

[Alana]

AI-Generated

This book was either mostly written or heavily edited by AI. There was a lot of “it’s not x, it’s y”, weird similes and metaphors, and strange, segmented descriptions. Disappointing, since the premise is genuinely interesting, but all that was dragged down by the AI slop. Don’t waste your time with this one.

[Kieanna]

**ARC reader in exchange for an honest review**
I really enjoyed this book!! The plot was amazing and I look forward to reading the second one when it comes out! The plot is what drew me in to the book and made me apply to be an ARC reader. The story was fun and fast paced, easy to get into

One thing that down graded the rating for me was I wish the book had spent a little more time going into detail. I feel like the descriptions were lacking and the character relationships were slightly rushed without much detail to them.

I also hope book two goes more in depth with other character backgrounds! It was fun being inside the head of the main character, but I would love to hear more about the others.

[ifera]

There could be so much potential.
The first I've heard of this book was from TikTok, the vibes and the aesthetic drew me in and I'm a sucker for espionage.

I just feel like this book has the concept, the author is cooking something good with the ideas but the representation of the imagination is quite lacking, it feels as though the are parts missing from the picture, as if there is so much to say but can't quite depict the whole picture without the book being to long.

Is it thrilling, with a sprinkle of a little fantasy and villainous vibes? Yes!✅
Will I be waiting for a series? Definitely.✅
Its giving, Deadly Class, Killing November and Alex rider, if you know what I mean.

Overall, if you like the vibes above, I really recommend this book, it's the author first book so I'm giving a little grace, I feel like there could be improvements, there is a lot of unanswered questions. (which I will diving in below)
But in my opinion, the overall story telling is great. The audiobook is even better, the narration is chef's kiss, it perfectly adds to the storytelling.



There a lot of question that I feel were left unanswered.
Like how did Zackery's father suddenly turned so cruel and evil after the death of his wife, it doesn't seem like he blames Zackery, nor did he create scorpion to avenge or destroy a particular someone or something. I just wish that we had a backstory to that.

Another things this is just my personal question, but how did the team get away with half the things they did, for example, the first 24hrs of the mission after they defeated the hijackers, the passengers in the aircraft saw them, they weren't in disguise, how did they get away I just have so many questions???

What I enjoyed
The depiction of Zackary being a teenager in this situation is phenomenal.
Especially in teenage espionage setting, most authors write them to be very calm, composed and serious but they need to remember that these are kids, not even adults can regulate their own emotions.

Zackary in moments, break. He's facing a lot of pressure and his not equipped to deal with that so I really like that a lot of the characters are very valid of feeling what they are feeling, some are hot headed, some are stressed and confused and in moments of difficulty they react. They are human forced to be robots, so its expected that they respond the way they do, I feel that its done really well here.

Also the relationship between, Zackary and his 'handler', I personally think it great way to show how a manipulation, how the handler is constantly in his ear like a mosquito, whispering to him, controlling him and Zackary reacts the way normal people would react. it shows that you don't need fear to make a person do what you want, and the handler sort of mirrors Zackary's father in controlling him just different methods.

what I hope to see more of
More interactions of Evan, I kinda like that he's sort of a big brother to Zackary, he protects him (sorta) and covers for him, do I think his plot twist was revealed a little early yes. But there is more of Scorpion I want to see.

Zackary's 'powers', why he glow blue like a glow stick, I wanna know, I need answers is there any relations to nuclear codes. I just really hope there is more, a second perhaps? I would look forward to it.

[Zayln]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ STARS!!

First, thank you so much to the author for this incredible story and the opportunity to read Project Blackwell Operation Condor!

₊˚ʚ tropes
✨ Spy academy
🖤 Mind control / manipulation
✨ Hidden identities
🖤 Forbidden romance
✨ Enemies to friends
🖤 Found family
✨ High-stakes missions

₊˚ʚ summary
The story follows Zackary, a highly trained operative working for his father’s agency, alongside a team of equally skilled young agents unaware that Zackary is secretly the enemy. What starts as a mission to retrieve nuclear codes quickly spirals into something much bigger, a web of hidden agendas, betrayal, and control far beyond anything they were prepared for.

݁₊⊹. 𖧧 thoughts
I genuinely don’t even know where to BEGIN. This book had me hooked from the first chapter and never let go. Every single chapter felt like something was about to go wrong, and half the time it did.

The writing is incredibly immersive. You’re not just reading the mission, you’re in it. Every scene feels cinematic, especially during the action sequences.

Let’s talk about Zackary Blackwell. OMG. He’s quick-witted and will put anyone in their place. Case in point: the fight scene with James. Zack stayed composed the ENTIRE TIME. The usual trope of “knife to the throat, pinned against a door”? HOLY MOLYYY. And then being forced to hide in a closet together?? I literally have no words.

This was my first time ever reading an enemies-to-friends subplot, and it didn’t disappoint.

And the romance with Elizabeth, AHHH. Zack’s been taught that emotions are weaknesses, but with her, you can see him quietly defy that. And Elizabeth?? LOVE HER. Strong, loyal, confident, but she challenges everything she’s been told. Their connection is forbidden not just by circumstances but by all the conditioning they’ve grown up with. Every moment feels gripping without ever overshadowing the plot.

⋆.˚🗡️ ༘⋆ The Team:
The team dynamic is everything. Each character brings a different energy, and their interactions feel natural and real. There’s loyalty, tension, and moments of genuine care that make them feel like more than just teammates. You can feel the trust between them, which makes everything hurt more when things start to shift.

⋆.˚🧠 ༘⋆ The Antagonist:
Genuinely one of the most unsettling characters I’ve read. Every scene involving him makes you uncomfortable in the best way. The control he wields, the way he speaks, it’s terrifying and brilliantly written.

݁₊⊹. 𖧧 overall
I could not put this book down. It’s thrilling, layered, and deeply engaging. Between the action, psychological twists, and forbidden romance, I’m still reeling.

I’m actually not okay after this (in the best way).

[Jaelynn]

First of all, I’d like to thank the author so much for an ARC read and congratulate her on such a big accomplishment that is publishing a book!

I primarily read fantasy whereas this is more of a spy thriller which may be why this book didn’t captivate me as much as I hoped. The writing is clean and polished with good plot structure and descriptions. However, the plot moved much too slow for me and I didn’t feel very connected to the characters or any connections to the relationships between characters.

The book is marketed as a group of teens traveling to Russia to secure nuclear cases, however this plot doesn’t start until 60% through the book. Leading up to this point is more focused on being in the academy that trains them to be spies and I grew bored of this part. It is also marketed that the main character has a power that is awakened by a trigger phrase from a mysterious handler, which isn’t truly activated until the last chapter. I feel like this would have been an interesting plot twist to reveal Zackary finally being completely mind-controlled rather than acting as if it was a huge part of the plot when it really wasn’t until the end of the book. But I’m sure this will be more explored as the series progresses.

As I said, I’m typically more of a fantasy reader, so Project Blackwell didn’t exactly hold my attention, but if you enjoy spies, a morally gray MC, and romance sub plot, I think you’ll like Project Blackwell!

[Okelovesbooks]

First of all, I want to say thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book. So here is my complete and honest review of Project Blackwell:
The story starts of strong with a flashback and we get into the the beginning of the main plot at around the first few chapters.
The first thing I noticed was the writing is very polished, a little too much at times, but it made for a good book, and carried the story perfectly.
Though I will say, it took me quite some time to get through the story at first, especially since Zackary spent most of his time at the academy.
I also really like the dynamic Zackary and James have, seeing as they both butted head the first couple of times, but still became friends in the end.
And my babies, Zackary and Elizabeth have my heart. The romance in this book is more of a very subtle subplot but it still makes it's way through and they're are some cute moments.
That being said, I did drag through this book quite a few times, but they're some good parts, especially when Zackary becomes mind-controlled.
And like another review said, the main plot does start a little bit late, and that was a tad bit annoying considering I was so excited to jump into the Russian mission, but it still worked out in the end.

Overall the book is perfect for anyone willing to get into a spy thriller, with a little hint of fantasy and I can't wait to see where the author goes next with this story.

[Christina Lopez]

I honestly think what made this book stand out to me the most was how psychological it was. It starts off feeling like this intense spy thriller, but then the deeper mind control and fantasy elements slowly creep in and make everything feel so much darker and more unsettling. The hallucination scenes and dream sequences were AMAZING. they felt disorienting in a way that put you directly in Zackary’s head, and some of them were genuinely creepy. And Silas might actually be the most disturbing villain I’ve read in YA because of how manipulative and controlling he is of Zackary without needing constant violence.

Silas genuinely had me pausing just to reread some of his lines because WHY were they so chilling:
“Choice is a luxury for people who be­long to no one. You do not fall in that cate­gory.”
“You signed a con­tract in your blood. You just didn’t read the fine print.”
“It’s already in you. We don’t make killers, Zackary. We wake them up.”

Also I NEED book two immediately. That cliffhanger was actually evil. Silas being this mysterious 'handler' the entire time has me so curious about what his real intentions are, because there’s clearly sooo much more going on underneath everything we’ve seen so far. And Zackary getting activated by the trigger phrase?? That whole moment gave such strong Winter Soldier vibes in the best way possible. I’m not okay, I need answers asapppp!!

[Angelica]

ARC REVIEW

First I want to thank the author for including me in her team and sharing her work with me. The first 200 pages had me, I was invested I enjoyed the academy and the mission, building his cover life. The mind control plot wasn’t really it for me, there were little hints throughout the book but they weren’t significant enough to remember so when this huge plot hits it confused me. I think more should have been explained around the plot or during the time the hints came across because we past them so quickly I forgot about them until I really had to reflect on why I felt like I might need to re-read, I know there is another book to come so hopefully the plot will be more clear and further explained. I also was thrown off on how it was realistic fiction until it wasn’t that felt kind of abrupt for me. I did really like Zach and liked how him and James developed. I also am hoping Zach and Elizabeth develop and real relationship. I did read the additional chapters that were sent this morning so I got the full story.

It was not a bad book I am not mad I read it I just don’t think I’ve ever read a first book in a series and been left so confused before the next book, it wasn’t a cliff hanger for me I feel like I missed parts of the book.

[Makenna C]

I am so glad I got a chance to read this book!

This story jumps straight into the action and keeps a fast pace the entire time, which made it really engaging and easy to get through. It has a strong spy vibe with plenty of action and a constant sense of movement, so it definitely delivers on that. I also really liked the formatting. The chapters include details like location and time, as well as it being sectioned off with observation notes, archives, profiles, etc. which made it feel like you were reading through classified documents and addressed the reader, which was a really fun and immersive touch.

I liked the Zackary, the main character, a lot as it was easy to feel for him, and I liked the flashbacks that gave more insight into his past. There’s also an ongoing mystery surrounding him that keeps you curious and adds another layer to the story. The ending stood out to me too with some surprising moments that make you interested in what comes next.

Overall, this is an easy to follow, action-driven read that is easy to recommend to anyone who enjoys fast-moving, spy-focus stories and can be read by any age!

[laylaa]

First off, that ending?! Absolute criminal. I’m so excited for book two!! Makayla is such an incredible author! Her writing is clean, the plot is structured beautifully, and I’m completely obsessed with the chapter headers! The use of status/location/time is such a clever touch. It’s a quick way for readers to understand exactly where the main character is at any given moment.

And speaking of the main character… Zackary Blackwell? OMG. I literally have no words. He is the definition of morally grey. I loved getting inside his head, especially as he grapples with staying under the radar from his team while dealing with the guilt of betraying them. His backstories? Heartbreaking. His personality is truly unique, a refreshing change from the typical toxic MMCs we see on BookTok these days.

I was especially fascinated by the mind control aspect, since it’s not often explored in books nowadays, and this one totally nailed it! The team dynamics were spot on. The banter, the clashes, everything was so well done. And the romance subplot? Subtle but absolutely effective! This book had me on the edge of my seat, and I cannot wait to see where the series takes us next!

[Valerie]

Before I begin, I want to give a huge thank you to the author for choosing me to be part of her ARC team and for publishing her very first book at just 16! That’s such an incredible milestone.

This book honestly exceeded my expectations. I usually read romance and fantasy, but when I saw Makayla’s post on TikTok, I was instantly hooked. The story follows a young spy, Zackary Blackwell, who works for his dad’s agency and is sent on a mission to infiltrate a spy training school, with the bigger goal of collecting nuke codes.

The book jumps right in with short, fast paced chapters that kept things moving and made it hard to put down. We meet some of the core characters early on, with others introduced as the story unfolds. The Russia mission was definitely the highlight for me. so many intense fight scenes, and it genuinely felt like I was watching a mission impossible movie play out.

Overall, this was a really well written and exciting read that deserves all five stars. If you enjoy fast paced stories with lots of action and a touch of fantasy, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try!

[Aimarys]

Personally, I'm mainly a fantasy reader; I don't typically dive into thrillers or things along those lines. However, some time ago, I came across Project Blackwell Operation Condor, and I've never shifted my opinion on a genre so quickly. If every thriller book were like this one, I would 100% deep dive and never look back. (Can't abandon fantasy, but you get the point.)

Honestly, I find this to be an absolutely amazing book. It is exactly as it's described, and its tropes are so smoothly developed and created that it feels like you're right there with all of the characters, it feels real. Its really immersive and captivating; it hooks you in within the first few pages and keeps you right there up until the last pages. The author is also super talented; it felt as if every emotion Zackary felt was shared: his joy, stress, etc. It's so trulyy easy to relate and connect with all of the characters. (and fear others.) I'm trying my best not to give any spoilers, so I won't go into detail, but I promise you, you will not regret reading this book at all. It's a story I would personally reread as much as possible.

[Lea Loves books]

before i get into the review i can't not mention that ending?? because OMG i was actually speechless! it wasn't exactly a twist but i was still so shocked and that scene just hit so perfectly.

first up i liked the writing style it is neat and easy to read though i wish there was a bit more detail as it was hard to follow some parts. i also liked the group of characters they were able to be witty and unique without becoming annoying. but my favourite part was the almost psychological horror aspects we get when the other aren't around. i found these parts so so intriguing and they kept me on the edge of my seat reading.

however there were a few things that just didn't work for me personally. i had expected it to be more fast paced so it took me a while to fully get into it and there was more action then plot that i would have liked but as i said these are just personal taste.

overall this is a very impressive debut novel and i'd definitely pick up the sequel!

Thank you so much Makayla Jackson! i'm so grateful i had the opportunity to receive a free arc of this novel in exchange for a review however all opinions given are honest and my own!

[Sophie]

I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this book prior to release and I am ready to support the author with an honest review! This book was instantly emotionally driven from the beginning which easily drew me in.

The plot started off strong and stayed mostly consistent in its pacing and excitement throughout the book. I was never bored long. I loved the author’s flow from one plot point/event to the next. It was smoothly done.

Most of all, I loved the characters! They were morally grey but lovable and complex. The friendships were my favorite part, and I was very invested in their dynamics and use of humor that had me laughing out loud often.

If I had to give a critique it would be that the academy was interesting, creative, and well thought out, but I wanted to explore it even more. However, I am looking forward to seeing the author expand upon the story in the next book.

Overall, this was a fun read that was easy to follow and enjoy! I am eager to find out where this author takes these characters next!

[Cristina]

*ARC reader*. I’ve really been enjoying this book so far!! It was super easy to get into and the story honestly hooked me way faster than I expected. The pacing keeps things entertaining and there’s always something happening that makes you want to keep reading “just one more chapter” … and suddenly it’s 3am lol.

One thing I especially liked was the atmosphere and the tension throughout the story. Some scenes felt genuinely unsettling in the best way, and I loved how certain moments slowly became more intense the deeper the story went. The character dynamics are also really interesting and I’m sooo curious to see how everything develops because it feels like there’s still a lot left to uncover.

If I had to say one thing, I would’ve loved a little more detail in certain emotional moments and relationships just because I think it would make some scenes hit even harder. But overall, this has been such a fun and addictive read for me and now I genuinely need to know where the story goes next because I can already tell the ending is going to destroy me 😭

[Madison Fickeria]

Um wow. I wish I could really rate a 4.5. I put this book down for a while in the beginning since it did not hook me from the very start but once I got into it I could not put it down. I loved the observation notes and how it felt that even though you were reading the book it felt like the book was reading you, this really helped me to emerge myself into the book. I feel like I was constantly on the edge of my seat and when I thought I knew what would happen I was proven wrong. The writing in the book itself was AMAZING. I felt that the book had me guessing the entire time. I can’t say I have read a book like this before but I’m definitely looking for more and cannot wait for the second book to come out. I am so interested to know about the link between “subject 001” and “subject 008” also the end of the book made it seem that they were intentionally connected and monitored. So I really hope that is explained the in the second book! Overall this was a great read and possibly one of my favorite books of this year.

[Layan]

AMAZING. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. ONE CAN EVEN SAY MAGNIFICENT. I loved this book and honestly, if I was free I would’ve read it in a day. Max 2.

Firstly, THE QUALITY OF THE PHYSICAL BOOK IS AMAZING. Thick and smooth pages -which is amazing for me since I get goosebumps- and the cover is also really good. It’s unique, and I like that.

Secondly, the book was surprisingly hooking, since the beginning. This definitely pulled me out of a semi-slump.

Thirdly, this definitely fits the ‘BAMF’ or ‘badass’ book trope, I meannnn it spies cmon. Keep in mind that this is definitely targeted for 16 year olds and up (if you enjoy YA)

Lastly, the extras at the end of the book were very fun (and scary). Like WHERE’S SUBJECT 7.

Sure ig the book has some overused parts but personally, it still felt like the book was good enough for me to ignore that. And near the end of the book, it stops being ‘overused’.

My only regret is not knowing whats next, AND NOT HAVING ANY SPECIAL EDITION EVEN THO I DONT THINK ONE HAS BEEN MADE YET- LIKE NOW EVEN IF ONE WAS RELEASED I CANT GET IT 😭

[Reader]

I have never read a book with this premise before and oh my god I absolutely DEVOURED this. I connected with the main character the second we were introduced to him and it just got better and better. The way his character developed and was portrayed was amazing.
I fell in love with the side characters the moment they came in as well, they were so fun and their personalities were all so fitting in my head. There was a good number of them but they all felt so independent which is exactly what I need in a book.
The plot itself was so unique and well thought out and I loved the way the pieces all fit in. The smaller plot points that kept building the characters and the main character’s journey throughout the book were everything to me and I am so excited to see how it all ties together and what else this series has in store. If you love spies, academy settings, betrayals with a fantasy element, I think you'll love this book as well

[sammy]

This is my first time reading a book with this type of premise and I LOVED it. The plot was unique and all the characters felt like they were fully fleshed out with real personalities. The dynamics they had with one another was special to me because some authors fall flat on developing characters besides the MC and their love interest.
I loved Zackary, he has such an interesting backstory that stood out and I can’t wait to see what will come next! I felt engaged the entire time reading it and was always guessing what would happen next, especially in the action scenes.

My only criticism is when writing dialogue, I’d advise reducing the rate of dialogue tags that go after each sentence. Ex: I laugh, a dry hollow sound. It creates a repetitiveness that reduces the amount of emotion the characters are holding in the scene.

I am so excited for the next book to come. Thank you so much for the arc copy!

[Daisy]

i wish i could go back in time and read this absolute masterpiece again. read this in one sitting. i experienced every emotion possible, nearly cried reading zack's backstory as a child. i saw a few reviews before reading that Silas is kinda a big deal, and they are NOT wrong. i've never been more afraid of a villain in my entire life. (in a good way ofc) the effort Makayla put into his dialogue is *chefs kiss* there's definitely something he's hiding and tbh my theory is he's not human. but we'll have to see!! anyways, 10 star read, highly recommend if you're in a reading slump. ALSO, the Directives is such a great immersive touch! the last one jump scared me, had to recollect myself for a minute haha. this book kinda leans into psych horror, sci-fi/dystopia, and dark fantasy, which is unique. not a lot of genre bending books out here. Makayla is such a talented young author and I'm excited for book 2 of Project Blackwell!

[Mackenzie]

This was my first time ever being an ARC reader, and I found Makayla’s post on TikTok and immediately knew I needed to read this book. Easily a five star read for me!!

The pacing was SO addictive and fast paced, I literally could not stop reading. And the action scenes??? INSANE. I’m usually super quick to DNF books when the fight scenes get confusing or hard to picture, but Makayla wrote them perfectly!!

The fantasy/mind control elements were also unique and refreshing, it didn’t feel cliché or overdone at all. And don’t even get me started on the characters 😭 Every single one had such a distinct personality that made them unforgettable, and the relationships/friendships were written so well. You can tell so much thought went into every dynamic.

Thank you SO much for the ARC copy <3 I’m officially obsessed!!!

[Amanda]

This is like a more mature version of Charlie Thorne, and I'm absolutely here for it.

I first encountered this book on YouTube when I was scrolling shorts, and I was instantly intrigued. I needed to have it. So, I ordered it. The day that it arrived, I was so happy that I couldn't read for fear of it not living up to my expectations. So, I delayed reading it until the next day. I do not regret this decision at all because this book was an absolute page turner. I literally did not put it down, which did keep me up until who knows how late.

I loved Zachary and his morality. He was struggling, and it was obvious. He was pushed in one direction but wanted to go the other. There were some parts that were a little bit confusing, but they just are leaving me in suspense as I wait for the next book. I can't wait for part two as this was so good.

[kylieparker]

disclaimer: I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

3.75⭐️

I am absolutely BLOWN AWAY by Makayla’s writing. Her ability to draw readers into this profoundly psychological and twisty story was insane.

This book follows young Zakary, a covert operative trained by his ruthless father, as he must infiltrate a teen CIA program. He is tasked with befriending the other recruits and retrieving something for his father’s task force.

While I wish I was able to get a little more detail so I could connect with the characters a bit better, this was still so much fun to read. A storyline where there’s “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” will ALWAYS sell me. I’m so excited to see what she does in book two 🤍

[Mia]

I don't even know where to start!!

The characters won me over right from the start, and it was super easy to get into the book. And Zackary? Don't even get me started!!! He was such a well-written character. That mix of sarcasm, self-doubt, and self-confidence was so realistic and refreshing to read.

The storyline was also exciting, and I devoured the book in two days because I couldn’t put it down. Makayla’s writing style was really enjoyable. The short chapters, too.

All in all, it definitely deserves 5 stars!
Anyone who loves forbidden love, spies, and enemies-to-friends stories will most likely fall in love with this book just like I did!

[olivereadssss]

For this being a debut novel, this book was better than some non debut novels. It was continuously intriguing and very fast paced so I read it really quickly. When I did have time. I read it over a week which let the knowledge set in about it and I really enjoyed it. I do wish that we spent more time on certain scenes to really connect with the characters and things like that because while it was fast paced, I feel like because of that we missed out on some important moments that could’ve been bigger, but were still really enjoyable. Overall, I feel like this is a really good book and I can’t wait to see what’s next in the Project Blackwell series.