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Wielder of Chaos and Carnage (Summoners & Spellcasters, #1)
Fourth Wing meets
One Dark Window
in the first book of a new dark romantasy series by Nicole M. Rubino, author of the Monstrous Trilogy.
Cover and blurb reveal to come!
Cover and blurb reveal to come!
519 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2026
About the author
Nicole M. Rubino
6 books147 followersNicole Rubino is a lover of fantasy, though she loves a steamy contemporary romance for good measure. Monstrous is her debut adult novel, and is the first of a three-book series. Morticia Addams is her role model, and you will often find Nicole belting out the tunes to any Stevie Nicks or Fleetwood Mac song (alas, not well). The mother of four young dragons (children), Nicole manages the beautiful chaos of her home by channeling it into her poor characters instead. Nicole lives in New York with her 100% Aries of a husband and said dragons.
Follow me on Instagram & Tik Tok: @author.nicolemrubino
Follow me on Instagram & Tik Tok: @author.nicolemrubino
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Happy Release Day!!! I want everyone to read this! If you liked Fourth Wing at all, you will love this book!
♾️ Stars ✨
I knew this was going to be one of my all time favorite books by the first chapter. I mean I was hooked!! I couldn’t stop reading it. The pacing was phenomenal. This has everything I love in a romantasy. Seriously god-tier!! There is magic, witches, shape shifters, dragons, academic setting, and found family. I was literally laughing out loud with some of the banter.
Tropes:
• Tutor & Student
• Slow Burn, forbidden love🔥
• Lethal, magic academy
• Dark elemental magic
• Witches & shape shifters
• Forced proximity
• Neurodivergent representation
Azura, our MFC, is a witch who is neurodivergent and a total baddie. She is starting her first year at the academy. There are deadly trials throughout her training to prove she belongs there. Due to her disability, her magic doesn’t work like her peers and is set up with a tutor, Evrin. Evrin is a fourth year and an expert in fire magic. He is tall, dark hair, covered in tattoos, and piercings. Together, they have to navigate Azura’s elemental magic and get her to master it. Unlike her peers, she has never been about to draw upon hers. She also doesn’t have a familiar. Typically, familiars appear around age 15 and she is 23. During her first few weeks, she notices students keep disappearing. Together, they secretly try to figure out what is happening to the students. These two have fire chemistry and Evrin has quite the mouth on him saying things like “good girl” and “rage looks beautiful on you”. The slow burn was burnnning along with the tension and banter. And let me tell you, the plot twists at the end just kept on coming! I don’t want to say too much to spoil anything, but they were spectacular. Now I need everyone to read this ASAP so I can talk to someone about it. This is coming out October 7th, so definitely add it to your TBR!!
Thank you to Nerd Fam and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
♾️ Stars ✨
I knew this was going to be one of my all time favorite books by the first chapter. I mean I was hooked!! I couldn’t stop reading it. The pacing was phenomenal. This has everything I love in a romantasy. Seriously god-tier!! There is magic, witches, shape shifters, dragons, academic setting, and found family. I was literally laughing out loud with some of the banter.
Tropes:
• Tutor & Student
• Slow Burn, forbidden love🔥
• Lethal, magic academy
• Dark elemental magic
• Witches & shape shifters
• Forced proximity
• Neurodivergent representation
Azura, our MFC, is a witch who is neurodivergent and a total baddie. She is starting her first year at the academy. There are deadly trials throughout her training to prove she belongs there. Due to her disability, her magic doesn’t work like her peers and is set up with a tutor, Evrin. Evrin is a fourth year and an expert in fire magic. He is tall, dark hair, covered in tattoos, and piercings. Together, they have to navigate Azura’s elemental magic and get her to master it. Unlike her peers, she has never been about to draw upon hers. She also doesn’t have a familiar. Typically, familiars appear around age 15 and she is 23. During her first few weeks, she notices students keep disappearing. Together, they secretly try to figure out what is happening to the students. These two have fire chemistry and Evrin has quite the mouth on him saying things like “good girl” and “rage looks beautiful on you”. The slow burn was burnnning along with the tension and banter. And let me tell you, the plot twists at the end just kept on coming! I don’t want to say too much to spoil anything, but they were spectacular. Now I need everyone to read this ASAP so I can talk to someone about it. This is coming out October 7th, so definitely add it to your TBR!!
Thank you to Nerd Fam and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2026
Well, this was a really great surprise. I hadn’t expected picking this up to turn into a reading marathon until the very end. Dark academia, a cursed girl, deadly trials, and an academy where the kill count seems higher than the number of graduates.
Azura has struggled to fit in since childhood, being neurodivergent in a world that keeps making her feel like an outsider. Now she starts at Shadowstar Academy with her only friend, Ivy, hoping for a fresh start. Naturally, the term kicks off on All Hallows’ Eve with a steamy party and Azura’s mission to finally lose her virginity. Easier said than done when you’re cursed and seemingly everyone despises you.
Her struggles with magic lead her to a tutor, a fourth-year student who is arrogant, annoyingly good-looking, and smells of sandalwood, vetiver, and brimstone. If you have to suffer through magical tutoring, you might as well get something out of it.
Then there’s Fright Night, essentially magical paintball with the minor inconvenience that people actually die. I started wondering whether Shadowstar’s death toll might outdo Threshing Day.
I could write so much more about the twists and revelations, but I refuse to spoil the fun for anyone else. Some reveals I anticipated, but that final chapter caught me completely off guard. Now we’re left with another brutal cliffhanger and an absolutely desperate need for the sequel.
Azura has struggled to fit in since childhood, being neurodivergent in a world that keeps making her feel like an outsider. Now she starts at Shadowstar Academy with her only friend, Ivy, hoping for a fresh start. Naturally, the term kicks off on All Hallows’ Eve with a steamy party and Azura’s mission to finally lose her virginity. Easier said than done when you’re cursed and seemingly everyone despises you.
Her struggles with magic lead her to a tutor, a fourth-year student who is arrogant, annoyingly good-looking, and smells of sandalwood, vetiver, and brimstone. If you have to suffer through magical tutoring, you might as well get something out of it.
Then there’s Fright Night, essentially magical paintball with the minor inconvenience that people actually die. I started wondering whether Shadowstar’s death toll might outdo Threshing Day.
I could write so much more about the twists and revelations, but I refuse to spoil the fun for anyone else. Some reveals I anticipated, but that final chapter caught me completely off guard. Now we’re left with another brutal cliffhanger and an absolutely desperate need for the sequel.
October 7, 2026
"Like calls to like, little witch. And darkness screams for you."
When I first saw this cover, I knew I just had to read it. This is packed full mystery, amazing characters, and excellent world building. This was just addictive from the beginning. Academic setting, elemental magic, deadly secrets, and some of the best written tension.
I really loved our main female character. She is so dang relatable and I loved her journey from start to finish. I also loved the academic setting and that our MMC is a tad older than the average academy type books.
The elemental magic portion was so stinking cool and this proves, I will always love a man who knows his way around a flame.
I knew a cover this good would deliver and it certainly did.A must read !
When I first saw this cover, I knew I just had to read it. This is packed full mystery, amazing characters, and excellent world building. This was just addictive from the beginning. Academic setting, elemental magic, deadly secrets, and some of the best written tension.
I really loved our main female character. She is so dang relatable and I loved her journey from start to finish. I also loved the academic setting and that our MMC is a tad older than the average academy type books.
The elemental magic portion was so stinking cool and this proves, I will always love a man who knows his way around a flame.
I knew a cover this good would deliver and it certainly did.A must read !
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t know who I want to worship more… Az or Ev.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to NerdFam and Nicole M. Rubino for the opportunity to read and review Wielder of Chaos and Carnage. My thoughts are entirely my own.
Wielder of Chaos and Carnage is dark academia meets romantasy. It’s Fourth Wing meets One Dark Window. It’s dragons meet witches and werewolves. This book is full of darkness, mystery and romance. It is so fun! I really enjoyed the moody atmosphere and I loved how fast paced this book is. Every chapter has you hooked. I tried so many times to put it down but then I would have to keep reading to see what comes next.
Ugh, the FMC, Azura is amazing. She’s a spicy, smart (YAY!) red head who bewitches the sexy, alluring MMC, Evrin. Sure, he’s meant to be her tutor but isn’t that how all great stories start? Their chemistry was to die for. Oh the yearning! And the spice (loved it).
I crushed this book. I didn’t have too many expectations going in but they were definitely blown out of the water. This was a five star read to me. I just could not get enough of this book. I’m dying for book #2.
Wielder of Chaos and Carnage is dark academia meets romantasy. It’s Fourth Wing meets One Dark Window. It’s dragons meet witches and werewolves. This book is full of darkness, mystery and romance. It is so fun! I really enjoyed the moody atmosphere and I loved how fast paced this book is. Every chapter has you hooked. I tried so many times to put it down but then I would have to keep reading to see what comes next.
Ugh, the FMC, Azura is amazing. She’s a spicy, smart (YAY!) red head who bewitches the sexy, alluring MMC, Evrin. Sure, he’s meant to be her tutor but isn’t that how all great stories start? Their chemistry was to die for. Oh the yearning! And the spice (loved it).
I crushed this book. I didn’t have too many expectations going in but they were definitely blown out of the water. This was a five star read to me. I just could not get enough of this book. I’m dying for book #2.
October 7, 2026
A HUGE thank you to NerdFam and Nicole M. Rubino for the opportunity to read and review Wielder of Chaos and Carnage! My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. This book is DARK ACADEMIA meets ROMANTASY, giving me Fourth Wing meets One Dark Window vibes with dragons, witches, werewolves, mystery, darkness, romance, and SO much more! I was completely hooked by the moody atmosphere and insanely fast pacing. Every chapter pulled me deeper, and every time I tried to put it down, I immediately needed to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. And Azura?! A smart, fiery, determined redhead who absolutely captivated Evrin, her sexy and mysterious tutor. Their chemistry?! THE YEARNING?! I was eating it ALL up. And yes, the spice was definitely spicing. I went into this with minimal expectations and this book completely blew them out of the water. A FULL five-star read for me. I devoured this book and still wanted MORE. Now I’m over here DYING for Book 2!
Review of advance copy
Absolute banger!!The character development, the relationships, the world building, the magic system, the creature dynamics, and the way it all comes to a head at the end. Whew this was fantastic writing, slow burn with some sexxxxy scenes that came about organically and beautifully, and the characters were so interesting and complex. I need more!!!
Tropes:
Tutor & Student
Slow Burn
Forbidden love
Lethal magic academy
Dark elemental magic
Witches & shape shifters
Forced proximity
Neurodivergent representation
Tropes:
Tutor & Student
Slow Burn
Forbidden love
Lethal magic academy
Dark elemental magic
Witches & shape shifters
Forced proximity
Neurodivergent representation
Review of advance copy received from Auteur
Thank you so much to the Author, her team, and The Nerd Fam for having me as an ARC reader!
You. All. Need. To. Read. This. Book. It's amazing, really, I loved it!
How dare you write such a good book? How am I supposed to work, do my daily chores, etc. when all I want is to continue reading WoCC?!
WoCC begins with an author note explaining the FMC is neurodivergent and that a special care has been taken to the description of her brain spice. I actually loved this note, it was a promise of a sensible description, and a kind of chaos I like (maybe because I'm neurodivergent too).
Then the dedication?! I was sold. Without having read a chapter of the book.
And what book it was! The first chapter had me giggling (when characters attend a seks ritual, masked, in the woods, how do you expect me to react beside giggles?). And I spent the whole book laughing and giggling. I'm trying to keep this spoiler free so I won't tell you when I giggled the most, but if you want to have a good time, read this book.
I loved Azura. She is clever, funny, loving, not a damsel in distress, and a good person. I especially liked the description of the neurodivergence. How Azura lives it. How the world perceives it. How people close to Azura perceive it and help her. How Evrin didn't care a bit she was thinking differently, behaved as a walking green flag towards her neurospice (he's a walking red flag for everyone else, so that makes it even more significant) and how open minded he was. How he saw through all the rumors, clichés, and normative views. I could continue, but for short, I loved it.
The magic system and world building has me intrigued too! I found Azura's element hilarious. I love how the magic system and world work, and I also love that we have enough information to understand the world and not think "how does that work? why?", but also, at the end of the book, I feel like I know nothing. I don't know how you did that Nicole, but I'm admirative.
Aaand of course, I have to talk about the plot and love story. Can we talk about the 2 last chapters and the epilogue?? What was that ending??? I need more. I want book 2 😂
The plot is amazing, I saw some things coming, but not all, and even some I saw coming weren't what I thought! So I'm happy. And I love Az and Ev. They are both headstrong and their dynamic and banter is perfection!
When you almost miss your bus stop because you're too invested in your book, it's a sign the book is amazing. And this book is. Amazing. It's a gem. Read it.
Here are some of my favourite quotes:
[🛑🚧 the last ones may be considered spoilery read ahead at your own risk (starting with the one having "If I were a coward") 🚧🛑]
🖤 "For everyone whose brain works a little differently."
🖤 "he taunted me constantly, with teachers turning a blind eye, offering the idiotic explanation, “he’s teasing you because he likes you”, as if that excuses a boy’s horrendous behavior. "
🖤 " “My brain it…” I swallow. “It doesn’t work like everyone else’s.” [redacted] furrows his brow. “That can be a good thing.” "
🖤 “Our goal is to get your mind to work for you rather than against you.”
🖤 “Fire especially feeds on fear and chaos. If your mind is chaotic, then your magic will be as well.”
🖤 "Rumor has it, the longer the canines, the better the shifter is in bed, and Evrin’s, well… “You’re staring again.” F*ck my life. "
🖤 "Ivy dogears the page and snaps the book closed from its spine. I cringe. Goddess knows how many bookmarks I had given her so she’d stop doing that, but Ivy somehow loses them all."
🖤 "And goddess, he wears rain well."
🖤 “Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t sully my pristine reputation by having you burn your hands off and decapitate students with flying notebooks, can I?”
🖤 “You are absolutely unhinged.” “You have no idea,”
🖤 " “You are going to be the death of my fucking sanity, witchling.” I shove against him. “And you are going to be the death of my fucking patience, [redacted].” "
🖤 " “that’s not what I meant, and you know it.” Then say what you fucking mean. "
🖤 "Why do I attach myself to emotionally unavailable and elusive men?"
🖤 “If I were a coward,” he whispers, lowering his mouth until it hovers a breath from mine, “I wouldn’t have to keep shoving my hands into my pockets just to stop myself from touching you. Every minute. Every hour. Of every godsdamned day.”
🖤 “Don’t you dare feel ashamed.”
🖤 "His lack of awareness is astounding. As though because I have a learning disability, any hesitation on my part or anything I don’t comprehend is my fault, rather than the fault of the communicator."
🖤 "Though I’ve always been partial to literal semantics, this is perhaps the one time I’d prefer it metaphorically."
🖤 " “Because I have never been comfortable in my own head.” I gesture around me. “Because I’ve never been comfortable simply existing. I’ve struggled constantly to fit into a world that refuses to understand what it’s like for someone like me. A world that chose to label me, to punish me for not being like everyone else. A world that has tried to push me into a space that makes them comfortable.” "
🖤 "Was I ever that sane to begin with?"
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ebook.
You. All. Need. To. Read. This. Book. It's amazing, really, I loved it!
How dare you write such a good book? How am I supposed to work, do my daily chores, etc. when all I want is to continue reading WoCC?!
WoCC begins with an author note explaining the FMC is neurodivergent and that a special care has been taken to the description of her brain spice. I actually loved this note, it was a promise of a sensible description, and a kind of chaos I like (maybe because I'm neurodivergent too).
Then the dedication?! I was sold. Without having read a chapter of the book.
And what book it was! The first chapter had me giggling (when characters attend a seks ritual, masked, in the woods, how do you expect me to react beside giggles?). And I spent the whole book laughing and giggling. I'm trying to keep this spoiler free so I won't tell you when I giggled the most, but if you want to have a good time, read this book.
I loved Azura. She is clever, funny, loving, not a damsel in distress, and a good person. I especially liked the description of the neurodivergence. How Azura lives it. How the world perceives it. How people close to Azura perceive it and help her. How Evrin didn't care a bit she was thinking differently, behaved as a walking green flag towards her neurospice (he's a walking red flag for everyone else, so that makes it even more significant) and how open minded he was. How he saw through all the rumors, clichés, and normative views. I could continue, but for short, I loved it.
The magic system and world building has me intrigued too! I found Azura's element hilarious. I love how the magic system and world work, and I also love that we have enough information to understand the world and not think "how does that work? why?", but also, at the end of the book, I feel like I know nothing. I don't know how you did that Nicole, but I'm admirative.
Aaand of course, I have to talk about the plot and love story. Can we talk about the 2 last chapters and the epilogue?? What was that ending??? I need more. I want book 2 😂
The plot is amazing, I saw some things coming, but not all, and even some I saw coming weren't what I thought! So I'm happy. And I love Az and Ev. They are both headstrong and their dynamic and banter is perfection!
When you almost miss your bus stop because you're too invested in your book, it's a sign the book is amazing. And this book is. Amazing. It's a gem. Read it.
Here are some of my favourite quotes:
[🛑🚧 the last ones may be considered spoilery read ahead at your own risk (starting with the one having "If I were a coward") 🚧🛑]
🖤 "For everyone whose brain works a little differently."
🖤 "he taunted me constantly, with teachers turning a blind eye, offering the idiotic explanation, “he’s teasing you because he likes you”, as if that excuses a boy’s horrendous behavior. "
🖤 " “My brain it…” I swallow. “It doesn’t work like everyone else’s.” [redacted] furrows his brow. “That can be a good thing.” "
🖤 “Our goal is to get your mind to work for you rather than against you.”
🖤 “Fire especially feeds on fear and chaos. If your mind is chaotic, then your magic will be as well.”
🖤 "Rumor has it, the longer the canines, the better the shifter is in bed, and Evrin’s, well… “You’re staring again.” F*ck my life. "
🖤 "Ivy dogears the page and snaps the book closed from its spine. I cringe. Goddess knows how many bookmarks I had given her so she’d stop doing that, but Ivy somehow loses them all."
🖤 "And goddess, he wears rain well."
🖤 “Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t sully my pristine reputation by having you burn your hands off and decapitate students with flying notebooks, can I?”
🖤 “You are absolutely unhinged.” “You have no idea,”
🖤 " “You are going to be the death of my fucking sanity, witchling.” I shove against him. “And you are going to be the death of my fucking patience, [redacted].” "
🖤 " “that’s not what I meant, and you know it.” Then say what you fucking mean. "
🖤 "Why do I attach myself to emotionally unavailable and elusive men?"
🖤 “If I were a coward,” he whispers, lowering his mouth until it hovers a breath from mine, “I wouldn’t have to keep shoving my hands into my pockets just to stop myself from touching you. Every minute. Every hour. Of every godsdamned day.”
🖤 “Don’t you dare feel ashamed.”
🖤 "His lack of awareness is astounding. As though because I have a learning disability, any hesitation on my part or anything I don’t comprehend is my fault, rather than the fault of the communicator."
🖤 "Though I’ve always been partial to literal semantics, this is perhaps the one time I’d prefer it metaphorically."
🖤 " “Because I have never been comfortable in my own head.” I gesture around me. “Because I’ve never been comfortable simply existing. I’ve struggled constantly to fit into a world that refuses to understand what it’s like for someone like me. A world that chose to label me, to punish me for not being like everyone else. A world that has tried to push me into a space that makes them comfortable.” "
🖤 "Was I ever that sane to begin with?"
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ebook.
October 21, 2026
⋆｡°✩ ᴀʀᴄ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ✩°｡⋆
ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : Wielder of Chaos of Carnage
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : Nicole M. Rubino
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴅ: E-Book
ᴘᴀɢᴇ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 519
ᴀʀᴄ ꜱᴜᴘᴘʟɪᴇʀ : Author
ᴘᴜʙʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: 17th October 2026
YES!!! I binged this book in one sitting it was just SO good!! I love an academy book, and this book did it amazingly!
The FMC Azura (such a cool name btw) is neurodivergent and it was represented so well. In the book she has a magical learning difficulty where when trying to use magic is hard but it doesn’t stop her trying. Shes smart and not a damsel in distress with her stuggles, shes strong and i just love her! I love her friendship with Ivy too! PLUS THE FRIGHT NIGHT SCENE yes please! I loved it omfg. Loosing you V to a mystery masked man? H O T
Then we have Ervin is a 4th year student who is tutoring her in fire magic. The tenson between those two with the banter was so good! I loved the way Az was so drawn to Ev and vice versa. He saw her for whp she truely was and didnt listen to the rumours spread. He also was so acceptive of her neurospicyness, it melted me.
I really enjoyed the magic system in this book and im excited to learn more alongside Az on her jounry.
I don’t want to say much more as to avoid spoilers but im telling you now you NEED to read this, it will become your next new obsession!! Bring on Book 2 asap!!!
ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : Wielder of Chaos of Carnage
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : Nicole M. Rubino
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴅ: E-Book
ᴘᴀɢᴇ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 519
ᴀʀᴄ ꜱᴜᴘᴘʟɪᴇʀ : Author
ᴘᴜʙʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: 17th October 2026
YES!!! I binged this book in one sitting it was just SO good!! I love an academy book, and this book did it amazingly!
The FMC Azura (such a cool name btw) is neurodivergent and it was represented so well. In the book she has a magical learning difficulty where when trying to use magic is hard but it doesn’t stop her trying. Shes smart and not a damsel in distress with her stuggles, shes strong and i just love her! I love her friendship with Ivy too! PLUS THE FRIGHT NIGHT SCENE yes please! I loved it omfg. Loosing you V to a mystery masked man? H O T
Then we have Ervin is a 4th year student who is tutoring her in fire magic. The tenson between those two with the banter was so good! I loved the way Az was so drawn to Ev and vice versa. He saw her for whp she truely was and didnt listen to the rumours spread. He also was so acceptive of her neurospicyness, it melted me.
I really enjoyed the magic system in this book and im excited to learn more alongside Az on her jounry.
I don’t want to say much more as to avoid spoilers but im telling you now you NEED to read this, it will become your next new obsession!! Bring on Book 2 asap!!!
November 2, 2026
**𝓝𝓞 𝓢𝓟𝓞𝓘𝓛𝓔𝓡𝓢**
⚜️𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- WIELDER OF CHAOS AND CARNAGE by Nicole M. Rubino
⚜️ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
(out of 5 stars)
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 MF 🌶️🌶️🫑 / 5 -𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 / 5
Which books have I also given this same rating?
(𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛)
5⭐️ Fourth Wing / Bound by Inked Flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of Silver and Curses
4.75⭐️ Metal Slinger / The Pucking Comeback / Light Wielder
4.5⭐️ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain So Bloody
4⭐️ ACOTAR / Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird / Kiss of Basilisk / Hexes Go Well With Tequila
3⭐️ We Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex
⚜️𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
* Genre: Dark romantasy / Dark academia
* 📖 Pages: 519
* POV: First-person, single POV
* Release date: 7 October 2026
* Plot or character driven? Both
* Series: Summoners & Spellcasters, Book #1
* Reading order? ✅ yes, Start here, read in order.
* Available on KU?✅
* Pace: Fast and addictive
* Memorable? ✅
* Representation: Neurodivergent FMC and magical learning disability
* Did I enjoy this book? ✅ BLOODY LOVED IT!
* Will I read the next book? ✅ YES!
* Would I read anything else by this author? ✅ Yes!
🚨🅲︎🅷︎🅴︎🅲︎🅺︎ 🆃︎🅷︎🅴︎ 🆃︎🆆︎!🚨
Violence, death, deadly trials, bullying, discrimination, social exclusion, coercive power structures and explicit sexual content. Please check the author’s complete content warnings.
⚜️𝕊ℙ𝔼ℂ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝕀ℕ 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕐:
🧙♀️ Witches / Spellcasters
🐺 Shifters
⚜️𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤:
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 MF | 🌶️🌶️🫑 / 5
🔥 Slow-burn attraction
❤️🔥 Forbidden tutor/student tension
🥵 Explicit open-door scenes
💋 Dirty talk and praise
🫦 Kink exploration
🎭 Masked encounter
🖤 Possessiveness and yearning
✨ Sexual discovery
Plenty of enjoyable spice, including some exploration and experimentation, without anything particularly dark or taboo. I loved how the intimacy developed organically alongside the relationship.
⚜️𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
🏰 Lethal magical academy
🔥 Dark elemental magic
❤️🔥 Tutor x student
🥀 Forbidden romance
🫀 He falls first and harder
🖤 Morally grey MMC
🧙♀️ Neurodivergent FMC
⚔️ Deadly trials
🫂 Found family
💫 Forced proximity
🗝️ Hidden identities and bloodlines
👑 Royal intrigue
💍 Arranged marriage
💔 Betrayal and deception
🕯️ Disappearing students
✨ Magical familiars
"Rumor has it, the longer the canines, the better the shifter is in bed, and Evrin’s, well… “You’re staring again.” F*ck my life. "
✨𝖂𝖍𝖔 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖎 𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖙𝖔?✨
Fans of Fourth Wing and One Dark Window, readers who enjoy dark academia, deadly magical trials, intricate mysteries, forbidden romance and cleverly reimagined fantasy tropes. Especially those looking for meaningful neurodivergent representation.
✨ TᕼᗴᗰᗴՏ ✨
Identity • Neurodivergence • Self-acceptance • Belonging • Trust • Betrayal • Prejudice • Hidden history • Power • Survival • Loyalty • Friendship • Family • Independence • Destiny
✨MOODS; ✨
Addictive • Mysterious • Dark • Magical • Suspenseful • Romantic • Funny • Atmospheric • Steamy • Empowering
📝Cliff Notes Review-
BLOODY BRILLIANT! A dark magical academy, wonderfully written neurodivergent representation, fantastic side characters, delicious forbidden tension and secrets layered upon secrets. The revelations were spectacular, and I was so engrossed that I stayed up until ridiculous hours reading. A few inconsistencies prevented five stars, but I absolutely loved it!
😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
There were a few areas where I wanted greater depth and consistency, particularly towards the end.
Azura occasionally loses the independence and survival instincts that initially make her such a compelling FMC. She’s spent years navigating a world that doesn’t accommodate her differences, yet at certain moments she becomes unexpectedly dependent on Evrin. I love a protective MMC, but not when the FMC’s established capabilities seem to diminish to accommodate the romance.
Her father’s storyline also deserved more emotional exploration. After spending so many years searching for his daughter, his apparent disregard for her wishes felt particularly jarring. I expected their reunion to carry far greater emotional weight, with more time devoted to their complicated relationship.
The betrothed prince’s personality was another frustration. His sudden hostility felt inconsistent with earlier interactions, and I wanted a clearer explanation for such an extreme change in behaviour.
The final portion also moved too quickly. Major developments and changes in circumstances happened in rapid succession, leaving little opportunity to process their consequences. I particularly wanted more insight into how Azura managed during the period she was alone.
Finally, there were occasional repetitions and scenes that felt designed to create a dramatic, memorable moment rather than develop naturally from the surrounding events.
These weren’t enough to spoil my enjoyment, but they prevented the story from reaching that full five-star standard.
“You are going to be the death of my fucking sanity, witchling.” I shove against him. “And you are going to be the death of my fucking patience, [redacted].”
🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
Starshadow Academy is a wonderfully atmospheric setting, with dangerous lessons, deadly trials and a society where magical ability can determine whether you survive your education. I loved the dark academic atmosphere and the sense that danger could be waiting around any corner.
The elemental magic system was fascinating, particularly the different ways wielders access their powers and the significance of magical familiars. However, the academy’s survival-of-the-strongest mentality needed a firmer foundation. I wanted to understand why its society accepts such extreme brutality and how these traditions developed.
The numerous subplots were fantastic! Disappearing students, mysterious attacks, hidden bloodlines, political manipulation and unexplained magical phenomena created a wonderfully intricate web of questions. There was always another clue or suspicious interaction to consider.
I particularly enjoyed the royal intrigue and arranged marriage elements because they demonstrated something I found incredibly impressive about Nicole’s storytelling: her ability to make familiar tropes feel unexpectedly original.
And those TWISTS?! MY GOD!
Some were predictable. I recognised the clues, made my guesses and felt reasonably confident about where things were heading. But then the revelations actually happened, and I was completely FLOORED!
>>>I have never experienced a predictable twist that managed to shock me quite like this. I knew WHAT was likely to happen, but I had absolutely no idea how much history, deception and additional meaning was concealed behind it.
I expected a relatively straightforward answer. Instead, the author unravelled layer after layer of interconnected secrets, transforming something I thought I’d already figured out into something infinitely more complicated.
HOW do you surprise someone with something they’re already expecting?! The brilliance wasn’t simply in hiding information. It was allowing me to recognise the direction of the story while completely underestimating the scale of what was coming.
That takes genuine skill, and Nicole deserves enormous credit for it.
The pacing kept me thoroughly engaged, and the different mysteries developed alongside one another without becoming confusing. I loved how seemingly separate details gradually acquired greater significance as the story progressed.
And that cliffhanger?! I have QUESTIONS!
🧝♂️ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
Azura: I absolutely adored her, and her neurodivergence was one of the most impressive aspects of the entire book.
She’s 23, clever, stubborn, funny, compassionate and determined to succeed despite living in a society that continually treats her differences as shortcomings.
Her magical learning disability affects how she processes information and accesses her abilities, and I loved that this was incorporated into the mechanics of the fantasy world.
What impressed me most was how respectfully and consistently her neurodivergence was represented.
It wasn’t a token gesture. It wasn’t mentioned once and conveniently forgotten. Nor was it presented as something that only becomes relevant when the plot requires a dramatic obstacle.
Her brain works differently, and because she uses that brain to experience, interpret and navigate EVERYTHING, those differences naturally influence her education, friendships, confidence, reactions and decisions.
That is what makes the representation feel so authentic.
We see her frustration, her different approaches to learning, the misunderstandings she experiences and the exhausting expectations placed upon her. But we also see her intelligence, creativity, determination and the strengths that emerge from approaching problems differently. Rather than becoming repetitive or irritating, these challenges made her journey increasingly inspiring and powerful.
I particularly appreciated that she wasn’t defined solely by her disability. She has a personality, desires, humour, friendships and ambitions beyond her difficulties.
Seeing a neurodivergent FMC treated as a complete person, rather than a diagnosis attached to a character, was genuinely wonderful.
Evrin: Well, HELLO, morally questionable magical man! 🔥
A powerful fourth-year fire wielder with tattoos, piercings, a dangerous reputation and an absolutely filthy mouth. What’s not to love?! He’s arrogant, confident and occasionally infuriating, but I particularly appreciated how he treated Azura.
He doesn’t dismiss her because of her differences or accept the rumours surrounding her. Instead, he recognises her intelligence and potential, adjusts his approach to help her learn and encourages her to discover what she’s capable of.
He can be a walking red flag towards the rest of the world, yet his understanding and acceptance of Azura’s neurodivergence made him unexpectedly endearing. I loved that contrast.
Azura and Evrin: THE CHEMISTRY!
Their tutor/student relationship gave us delicious friction, witty exchanges, forced proximity and plenty of opportunities for the tension to build. Both are headstrong, neither particularly enjoys backing down, and their banter was brilliant. I laughed out loud at some of their interactions, particularly Azura’s assumptions about him and the nickname she gives him.
What I enjoyed most was that their relationship developed alongside their growing understanding of one another. Evrin sees beyond the expectations placed upon Azura, while she gradually discovers there’s considerably more to him than his intimidating reputation.
The attraction was intense, the yearning was wonderful and their connection gave the romantic elements genuine emotional weight.
Ivy: I LOVED HER!
The friendship between Ivy and Azura was one of my favourite relationships in the story. Ivy brings humour, loyalty and much-needed warmth to a world where Azura has spent so much of her life feeling isolated. I particularly appreciated that Azura had a meaningful female friendship rather than existing solely within the orbit of her love interest.
The side characters were fantastic overall, with distinct personalities and intriguing connections. The magical creatures and familiars added another layer of personality to the world, and I became thoroughly invested in discovering more about them.
⏳ 𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕚 𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕?
Re-read? ✅ Yes
Recommend? ✅ Absolutely!
🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
I knew this was going to be a special read when I started sacrificing sleep to spend just a little longer with these characters. One more chapter turned into another hour, and suddenly it was morning!
I love finishing a book feeling that I’ve genuinely experienced something, rather than simply followed a storyline. This one gave me laughter, excitement, frustration, satisfaction and that wonderful feeling of being completely immersed in another world.
𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;
𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...
IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...
***********************
𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF
⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action / fade to black
🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.
⚜️𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- WIELDER OF CHAOS AND CARNAGE by Nicole M. Rubino
⚜️ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
(out of 5 stars)
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 MF 🌶️🌶️🫑 / 5 -𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 / 5
Which books have I also given this same rating?
(𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛)
5⭐️ Fourth Wing / Bound by Inked Flame / Anathama / The Lies of Lena / Of Silver and Curses
4.75⭐️ Metal Slinger / The Pucking Comeback / Light Wielder
4.5⭐️ Bitten / The Female / Quicksilver / Bride / Lights Out / A Bargain So Bloody
4⭐️ ACOTAR / Spellcaster / One Dark Window / From Blood and Ash / Phantasma / Butcher & Blackbird / Kiss of Basilisk / Hexes Go Well With Tequila
3⭐️ We Who Will Die / The Wolf King / Daughter of No Worlds / The Ex Hex
⚜️𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
* Genre: Dark romantasy / Dark academia
* 📖 Pages: 519
* POV: First-person, single POV
* Release date: 7 October 2026
* Plot or character driven? Both
* Series: Summoners & Spellcasters, Book #1
* Reading order? ✅ yes, Start here, read in order.
* Available on KU?✅
* Pace: Fast and addictive
* Memorable? ✅
* Representation: Neurodivergent FMC and magical learning disability
* Did I enjoy this book? ✅ BLOODY LOVED IT!
* Will I read the next book? ✅ YES!
* Would I read anything else by this author? ✅ Yes!
🚨🅲︎🅷︎🅴︎🅲︎🅺︎ 🆃︎🅷︎🅴︎ 🆃︎🆆︎!🚨
Violence, death, deadly trials, bullying, discrimination, social exclusion, coercive power structures and explicit sexual content. Please check the author’s complete content warnings.
⚜️𝕊ℙ𝔼ℂ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝕀ℕ 𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕐:
🧙♀️ Witches / Spellcasters
🐺 Shifters
⚜️𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤:
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 MF | 🌶️🌶️🫑 / 5
🔥 Slow-burn attraction
❤️🔥 Forbidden tutor/student tension
🥵 Explicit open-door scenes
💋 Dirty talk and praise
🫦 Kink exploration
🎭 Masked encounter
🖤 Possessiveness and yearning
✨ Sexual discovery
Plenty of enjoyable spice, including some exploration and experimentation, without anything particularly dark or taboo. I loved how the intimacy developed organically alongside the relationship.
⚜️𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
🏰 Lethal magical academy
🔥 Dark elemental magic
❤️🔥 Tutor x student
🥀 Forbidden romance
🫀 He falls first and harder
🖤 Morally grey MMC
🧙♀️ Neurodivergent FMC
⚔️ Deadly trials
🫂 Found family
💫 Forced proximity
🗝️ Hidden identities and bloodlines
👑 Royal intrigue
💍 Arranged marriage
💔 Betrayal and deception
🕯️ Disappearing students
✨ Magical familiars
"Rumor has it, the longer the canines, the better the shifter is in bed, and Evrin’s, well… “You’re staring again.” F*ck my life. "
✨𝖂𝖍𝖔 𝖜𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖎 𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖙𝖔?✨
Fans of Fourth Wing and One Dark Window, readers who enjoy dark academia, deadly magical trials, intricate mysteries, forbidden romance and cleverly reimagined fantasy tropes. Especially those looking for meaningful neurodivergent representation.
✨ TᕼᗴᗰᗴՏ ✨
Identity • Neurodivergence • Self-acceptance • Belonging • Trust • Betrayal • Prejudice • Hidden history • Power • Survival • Loyalty • Friendship • Family • Independence • Destiny
✨MOODS; ✨
Addictive • Mysterious • Dark • Magical • Suspenseful • Romantic • Funny • Atmospheric • Steamy • Empowering
📝Cliff Notes Review-
BLOODY BRILLIANT! A dark magical academy, wonderfully written neurodivergent representation, fantastic side characters, delicious forbidden tension and secrets layered upon secrets. The revelations were spectacular, and I was so engrossed that I stayed up until ridiculous hours reading. A few inconsistencies prevented five stars, but I absolutely loved it!
😥 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝕟𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤?
There were a few areas where I wanted greater depth and consistency, particularly towards the end.
Azura occasionally loses the independence and survival instincts that initially make her such a compelling FMC. She’s spent years navigating a world that doesn’t accommodate her differences, yet at certain moments she becomes unexpectedly dependent on Evrin. I love a protective MMC, but not when the FMC’s established capabilities seem to diminish to accommodate the romance.
Her father’s storyline also deserved more emotional exploration. After spending so many years searching for his daughter, his apparent disregard for her wishes felt particularly jarring. I expected their reunion to carry far greater emotional weight, with more time devoted to their complicated relationship.
The betrothed prince’s personality was another frustration. His sudden hostility felt inconsistent with earlier interactions, and I wanted a clearer explanation for such an extreme change in behaviour.
The final portion also moved too quickly. Major developments and changes in circumstances happened in rapid succession, leaving little opportunity to process their consequences. I particularly wanted more insight into how Azura managed during the period she was alone.
Finally, there were occasional repetitions and scenes that felt designed to create a dramatic, memorable moment rather than develop naturally from the surrounding events.
These weren’t enough to spoil my enjoyment, but they prevented the story from reaching that full five-star standard.
“You are going to be the death of my fucking sanity, witchling.” I shove against him. “And you are going to be the death of my fucking patience, [redacted].”
🌍 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
Starshadow Academy is a wonderfully atmospheric setting, with dangerous lessons, deadly trials and a society where magical ability can determine whether you survive your education. I loved the dark academic atmosphere and the sense that danger could be waiting around any corner.
The elemental magic system was fascinating, particularly the different ways wielders access their powers and the significance of magical familiars. However, the academy’s survival-of-the-strongest mentality needed a firmer foundation. I wanted to understand why its society accepts such extreme brutality and how these traditions developed.
The numerous subplots were fantastic! Disappearing students, mysterious attacks, hidden bloodlines, political manipulation and unexplained magical phenomena created a wonderfully intricate web of questions. There was always another clue or suspicious interaction to consider.
I particularly enjoyed the royal intrigue and arranged marriage elements because they demonstrated something I found incredibly impressive about Nicole’s storytelling: her ability to make familiar tropes feel unexpectedly original.
And those TWISTS?! MY GOD!
Some were predictable. I recognised the clues, made my guesses and felt reasonably confident about where things were heading. But then the revelations actually happened, and I was completely FLOORED!
>>>I have never experienced a predictable twist that managed to shock me quite like this. I knew WHAT was likely to happen, but I had absolutely no idea how much history, deception and additional meaning was concealed behind it.
I expected a relatively straightforward answer. Instead, the author unravelled layer after layer of interconnected secrets, transforming something I thought I’d already figured out into something infinitely more complicated.
HOW do you surprise someone with something they’re already expecting?! The brilliance wasn’t simply in hiding information. It was allowing me to recognise the direction of the story while completely underestimating the scale of what was coming.
That takes genuine skill, and Nicole deserves enormous credit for it.
The pacing kept me thoroughly engaged, and the different mysteries developed alongside one another without becoming confusing. I loved how seemingly separate details gradually acquired greater significance as the story progressed.
And that cliffhanger?! I have QUESTIONS!
🧝♂️ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
Azura: I absolutely adored her, and her neurodivergence was one of the most impressive aspects of the entire book.
She’s 23, clever, stubborn, funny, compassionate and determined to succeed despite living in a society that continually treats her differences as shortcomings.
Her magical learning disability affects how she processes information and accesses her abilities, and I loved that this was incorporated into the mechanics of the fantasy world.
What impressed me most was how respectfully and consistently her neurodivergence was represented.
It wasn’t a token gesture. It wasn’t mentioned once and conveniently forgotten. Nor was it presented as something that only becomes relevant when the plot requires a dramatic obstacle.
Her brain works differently, and because she uses that brain to experience, interpret and navigate EVERYTHING, those differences naturally influence her education, friendships, confidence, reactions and decisions.
That is what makes the representation feel so authentic.
We see her frustration, her different approaches to learning, the misunderstandings she experiences and the exhausting expectations placed upon her. But we also see her intelligence, creativity, determination and the strengths that emerge from approaching problems differently. Rather than becoming repetitive or irritating, these challenges made her journey increasingly inspiring and powerful.
I particularly appreciated that she wasn’t defined solely by her disability. She has a personality, desires, humour, friendships and ambitions beyond her difficulties.
Seeing a neurodivergent FMC treated as a complete person, rather than a diagnosis attached to a character, was genuinely wonderful.
Evrin: Well, HELLO, morally questionable magical man! 🔥
A powerful fourth-year fire wielder with tattoos, piercings, a dangerous reputation and an absolutely filthy mouth. What’s not to love?! He’s arrogant, confident and occasionally infuriating, but I particularly appreciated how he treated Azura.
He doesn’t dismiss her because of her differences or accept the rumours surrounding her. Instead, he recognises her intelligence and potential, adjusts his approach to help her learn and encourages her to discover what she’s capable of.
He can be a walking red flag towards the rest of the world, yet his understanding and acceptance of Azura’s neurodivergence made him unexpectedly endearing. I loved that contrast.
Azura and Evrin: THE CHEMISTRY!
Their tutor/student relationship gave us delicious friction, witty exchanges, forced proximity and plenty of opportunities for the tension to build. Both are headstrong, neither particularly enjoys backing down, and their banter was brilliant. I laughed out loud at some of their interactions, particularly Azura’s assumptions about him and the nickname she gives him.
What I enjoyed most was that their relationship developed alongside their growing understanding of one another. Evrin sees beyond the expectations placed upon Azura, while she gradually discovers there’s considerably more to him than his intimidating reputation.
The attraction was intense, the yearning was wonderful and their connection gave the romantic elements genuine emotional weight.
Ivy: I LOVED HER!
The friendship between Ivy and Azura was one of my favourite relationships in the story. Ivy brings humour, loyalty and much-needed warmth to a world where Azura has spent so much of her life feeling isolated. I particularly appreciated that Azura had a meaningful female friendship rather than existing solely within the orbit of her love interest.
The side characters were fantastic overall, with distinct personalities and intriguing connections. The magical creatures and familiars added another layer of personality to the world, and I became thoroughly invested in discovering more about them.
⏳ 𝕎𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕚 𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕?
Re-read? ✅ Yes
Recommend? ✅ Absolutely!
🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
I knew this was going to be a special read when I started sacrificing sleep to spend just a little longer with these characters. One more chapter turned into another hour, and suddenly it was morning!
I love finishing a book feeling that I’ve genuinely experienced something, rather than simply followed a storyline. This one gave me laughter, excitement, frustration, satisfaction and that wonderful feeling of being completely immersed in another world.
𝐹𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠;
𝕋𝕚𝕜𝕋𝕠𝕜
https://www.tiktok.com/@your_bookish_...
IᑎՏTᗩ
https://www.instagram.com/your_bookis...
***********************
𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF
⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another author's hands
⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish I didn't start this one as it didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetitive writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending it to all!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!
🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!
SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action / fade to black
🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times
🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, playrooms, and more dark / taboo fantasies and realities.
October 12, 2026
I received an advance reader copy from the author and The Nerd Fam in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
🔥 From the opening chapter of Wielder of Chaos and Carnage, Nicole M. Rubino pulled me straight into a lethal, atmospheric fantasy that I couldn't tear myself away from. Set within the high-stakes, cutthroat environment of the Starshadow Academy, this book delivers everything you could want in a dark, elemental romantasy.
Azura Everton is an exceptional lead. What made her stand out immediately was her vulnerability—her neurodivergent experience and her quiet, honest struggles with isolation and feeling cursed make her feel deeply human and authentic. You cannot help but root for her from start to finish.
The dynamic shifts into overdrive when she crosses paths with Evrin. He is suave, dangerous, and brimming with unyielding confidence in her untapped power. The forbidden tutor x student dynamic gives their training sessions incredible friction, balanced by genuine humor—especially Azura’s hilarious conviction through most of the book that Evrin is a wolf shifter. When their connection heats up, the spice is intense and rewarding, but it never derails the pacing or the core mystery.
Nicole M. Rubino balances the romantic arc with a dark, steadily unraveling academy plot filled with disappearances and hidden bloodlines. Spotting the clues and correctly predicting major twists along the way gave me that sweet rush of reader victory when the reveals finally hit.
If you are a fan of deadly magic academies, "he falls first and harder" pairings, and high-tension elemental magic, this is an absolute must-read. The ending left me desperate for book two!
🔥 From the opening chapter of Wielder of Chaos and Carnage, Nicole M. Rubino pulled me straight into a lethal, atmospheric fantasy that I couldn't tear myself away from. Set within the high-stakes, cutthroat environment of the Starshadow Academy, this book delivers everything you could want in a dark, elemental romantasy.
Azura Everton is an exceptional lead. What made her stand out immediately was her vulnerability—her neurodivergent experience and her quiet, honest struggles with isolation and feeling cursed make her feel deeply human and authentic. You cannot help but root for her from start to finish.
The dynamic shifts into overdrive when she crosses paths with Evrin. He is suave, dangerous, and brimming with unyielding confidence in her untapped power. The forbidden tutor x student dynamic gives their training sessions incredible friction, balanced by genuine humor—especially Azura’s hilarious conviction through most of the book that Evrin is a wolf shifter. When their connection heats up, the spice is intense and rewarding, but it never derails the pacing or the core mystery.
Nicole M. Rubino balances the romantic arc with a dark, steadily unraveling academy plot filled with disappearances and hidden bloodlines. Spotting the clues and correctly predicting major twists along the way gave me that sweet rush of reader victory when the reveals finally hit.
If you are a fan of deadly magic academies, "he falls first and harder" pairings, and high-tension elemental magic, this is an absolute must-read. The ending left me desperate for book two!
Review of advance copy
By chapter 1, I knew this was a five-star read. By 25%, it had already claimed a spot among my favorite books of all time. So consider this your warning: I am about to recommend the heck out of this book. 🖤
Witches, casters, dragons, monsters, shifters, familiars—and then you add the spice, the banter, and the action? There was so much for me to fall in love with, but it’s these characters that truly had me hooked.
Azura had me completely bewitched from the start. She’s captivating, her journey is anything but easy, and there’s so much more going on than meets the eye. Just when you think you’re getting your bearings, something else leaves your head spinning.
And then there’s the horned man. GURL. 👀 That’s all I’m saying about that.
Now, Evrin? Moody, bad-boy perfection. I didn’t stand a chance. I was firmly in his corner, and every exchange between him and Azura only made me love them more. Their banter was everything, and her nickname for him? Absolutely priceless. I was cracking up.
But underneath all that banter, watching their relationship grow was what really got me. The way it developed felt so thoughtfully done, giving me every reason to become completely invested. It was intoxicating, swoon-worthy, and left me wanting more of them every time.
The magic pulled me in. The friendships and familiars made me fall even harder. And those twists at the end? I’m still trying to recover.
Please, dear book gods, give us book two, because I am nowhere near ready to let these characters go. I will happily devour every book in this series.
This one doesn’t just belong on your TBR. It belongs at the top.
Witches, casters, dragons, monsters, shifters, familiars—and then you add the spice, the banter, and the action? There was so much for me to fall in love with, but it’s these characters that truly had me hooked.
Azura had me completely bewitched from the start. She’s captivating, her journey is anything but easy, and there’s so much more going on than meets the eye. Just when you think you’re getting your bearings, something else leaves your head spinning.
And then there’s the horned man. GURL. 👀 That’s all I’m saying about that.
Now, Evrin? Moody, bad-boy perfection. I didn’t stand a chance. I was firmly in his corner, and every exchange between him and Azura only made me love them more. Their banter was everything, and her nickname for him? Absolutely priceless. I was cracking up.
But underneath all that banter, watching their relationship grow was what really got me. The way it developed felt so thoughtfully done, giving me every reason to become completely invested. It was intoxicating, swoon-worthy, and left me wanting more of them every time.
The magic pulled me in. The friendships and familiars made me fall even harder. And those twists at the end? I’m still trying to recover.
Please, dear book gods, give us book two, because I am nowhere near ready to let these characters go. I will happily devour every book in this series.
This one doesn’t just belong on your TBR. It belongs at the top.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to the author and Nerd Fam for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and never let me go. This book was so much fun, and I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers, even those who don’t consider themselves romantasy readers. I'm new to the genre and am slowly learning what I do and don't prefer in a book/series. Needless to say, by my 4.5-star rating, this book had it all.
The FMC is neurodivergent, and the author noted at the beginning of the book that she drew on her personal experiences as a neurodivergent individual. Therefore, I knew the character would be written with authenticity rather than trying to check a box. Readers will feel the author’s writing skills and talents from the first chapter.
I found the FMC to be one that I found myself cheering for. I do not want to read about a weak-sauce character who relies on a man to take care of her. I don’t think this bad-ass FMC would allow a man to try to take care of her, even if she needed help. I found the world-building to be well-developed and interesting. The pacing of the book kept me engaged from the first page to the last. I cannot wait for book 2.
I would highly recommend this book.
This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter and never let me go. This book was so much fun, and I think it will appeal to a wide range of readers, even those who don’t consider themselves romantasy readers. I'm new to the genre and am slowly learning what I do and don't prefer in a book/series. Needless to say, by my 4.5-star rating, this book had it all.
The FMC is neurodivergent, and the author noted at the beginning of the book that she drew on her personal experiences as a neurodivergent individual. Therefore, I knew the character would be written with authenticity rather than trying to check a box. Readers will feel the author’s writing skills and talents from the first chapter.
I found the FMC to be one that I found myself cheering for. I do not want to read about a weak-sauce character who relies on a man to take care of her. I don’t think this bad-ass FMC would allow a man to try to take care of her, even if she needed help. I found the world-building to be well-developed and interesting. The pacing of the book kept me engaged from the first page to the last. I cannot wait for book 2.
I would highly recommend this book.
October 8, 2026
I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this book. There were parts that kept me interested, but I also noticed some inconsistencies that made it difficult to fully connect with the story. The biggest issue for me was the pacing, especially during the last 40%. It felt like so many things were happening all at once, with new developments and revelations being piled on before I had time to process the previous ones.
I think the story had potential, but I wish some of the plot points had been developed more gradually instead of being crammed into the final portion. Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but it left me feeling a little conflicted. There were things I enjoyed, yet the execution didn't quite come together for me. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the story or not. I want to know what is going to happen, but it wasn't something that grasped me enough to have a huge excitement for it.
I think the story had potential, but I wish some of the plot points had been developed more gradually instead of being crammed into the final portion. Overall, it wasn't a bad read, but it left me feeling a little conflicted. There were things I enjoyed, yet the execution didn't quite come together for me. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the story or not. I want to know what is going to happen, but it wasn't something that grasped me enough to have a huge excitement for it.
October 5, 2026
Thank you to the author for the advance readers copy
I loved everything about this book. I enjoyed the intricate world building and extensive magic system. The academia setting was the perfect setting and really enjoyed how the story unraveled. We often see dragons and bindings in stories, but it’s rare when they shift into a dragon. I absolutely enjoyed the secrets that were unraveled and the ones that we still have to discover because of course the ending left me wanting more. We met our FMC, Azura, who has a learning disability. Azura requests a tutor at the prestigious Starshadow Academy, our MMC, Evrin. Evrin is everything she shouldn’t want, and yet she does. He falls first and he falls hard. She has to learn how to summon and control her magic, for which her tutor Evrin is the perfect person to assist. He protects her against many because of course she has people wanting to unalive her and he is the very very protective “tutor.” Who can Azura trust? Who can she be her true self with? And how will she save those she loves?
I loved everything about this book. I enjoyed the intricate world building and extensive magic system. The academia setting was the perfect setting and really enjoyed how the story unraveled. We often see dragons and bindings in stories, but it’s rare when they shift into a dragon. I absolutely enjoyed the secrets that were unraveled and the ones that we still have to discover because of course the ending left me wanting more. We met our FMC, Azura, who has a learning disability. Azura requests a tutor at the prestigious Starshadow Academy, our MMC, Evrin. Evrin is everything she shouldn’t want, and yet she does. He falls first and he falls hard. She has to learn how to summon and control her magic, for which her tutor Evrin is the perfect person to assist. He protects her against many because of course she has people wanting to unalive her and he is the very very protective “tutor.” Who can Azura trust? Who can she be her true self with? And how will she save those she loves?
October 7, 2026
Thank u to The Nerd Farm for the ARC*
I finished this book and I really need someone else to read it so I can vent hahaha.
The book has an incredible dark fantasy vibe. It transports you to nocturnal and chaotic scenarios that literally don’t make you want to leave.
What caught me the most were the characters; zero are flat, they have that morally gray wave that makes them super interesting. And well, the tension between them... uff.
It’s from that dynamic of hate and love where you spend it suffering with each interaction, with a tug-of-war that burns. If you enjoy the intense tropes and the stories where the protagonists are about to burn the world, it is very enjoyable.
I spent it marking favorite pages and with my heart in my mouth all the time. If you have already read it, tell me what you thought because I need to talk about this urgently.
I finished this book and I really need someone else to read it so I can vent hahaha.
The book has an incredible dark fantasy vibe. It transports you to nocturnal and chaotic scenarios that literally don’t make you want to leave.
What caught me the most were the characters; zero are flat, they have that morally gray wave that makes them super interesting. And well, the tension between them... uff.
It’s from that dynamic of hate and love where you spend it suffering with each interaction, with a tug-of-war that burns. If you enjoy the intense tropes and the stories where the protagonists are about to burn the world, it is very enjoyable.
I spent it marking favorite pages and with my heart in my mouth all the time. If you have already read it, tell me what you thought because I need to talk about this urgently.
October 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this story. I was hooked and needed to fiercely consume this book by 17%.
There are so many things happening but everything’s easy to keep up with.
I laughed and kicked my legs like a school girl quite a bit while reading. I really had so many favorite scenes between the mcs. I think I really fell in love with the banter and their relationship in general.
Their relationship is very forth wing ish.
The setting reminds me of something from zodiac academy
I’m sure there’s a million more books that I could compare vibes to.
I will say, if you are happy with the HFN style ending, don’t read the epilogue.
The epilogue: I didn’t really enjoy it. I feel like it was rushed. It leaves you questioning previous scenes because we’re getting new visuals thrown at us that we didn’t see before, that are almost out of character for the FMC.
Thank you Nerd Fam for facilitating this ARC.
There are so many things happening but everything’s easy to keep up with.
I laughed and kicked my legs like a school girl quite a bit while reading. I really had so many favorite scenes between the mcs. I think I really fell in love with the banter and their relationship in general.
Their relationship is very forth wing ish.
The setting reminds me of something from zodiac academy
I’m sure there’s a million more books that I could compare vibes to.
I will say, if you are happy with the HFN style ending, don’t read the epilogue.
The epilogue: I didn’t really enjoy it. I feel like it was rushed. It leaves you questioning previous scenes because we’re getting new visuals thrown at us that we didn’t see before, that are almost out of character for the FMC.
Thank you Nerd Fam for facilitating this ARC.
October 7, 2026
I want to start this by saying that I LOVE Nicole M Rubino so obsessed but the way this book started had me hooked from the very first page!
I love Azura she is a total bada$$ and the way she goes about her training and handling everything that gets thrown her way just cements her status as a bada$$
Then we meet Ervin, tall dark tattoos need I say more? We love him! I am obsessed with him. There is so much that I want to say about this nook but it’s definitely one I don’t want to spoil for anyone.
Just know going into this book you will love both Azura and Ervin (plus their names are amazing)
Super grateful for the ARC from TheNerdFam
I love Azura she is a total bada$$ and the way she goes about her training and handling everything that gets thrown her way just cements her status as a bada$$
Then we meet Ervin, tall dark tattoos need I say more? We love him! I am obsessed with him. There is so much that I want to say about this nook but it’s definitely one I don’t want to spoil for anyone.
Just know going into this book you will love both Azura and Ervin (plus their names are amazing)
Super grateful for the ARC from TheNerdFam
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from The Nerd Fam and Nicole M Rubino
5 ⭐️
❤️ Neurodivergent Witch FMC
❤️ Shifter MMC
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Magic Academy
❤️ Student x Tutor
❤️ He Falls First (and hard!)
I loved the characters and enjoyed the Student x Tutor dynamic in a Dark Academia setting and the forced proximity that took place.
I love that the author chose to include a Neurodivergent FMC. As someone that was recently diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, I loved seeing the representation in a book. 💕
If you like the Dark Academia setting with romantic and’s magical elements, then you should definitely read this book! 🖤 This was a perfect read heading into spooky season 🖤
Wielder of Chaos and Carnage releases on October 7th, 2026! Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Nicole M Rubino for allowing me to read this arc prior to release! All thoughts expressed are my own.
#wielderofchaosandcarnage #thenerdfam
5 ⭐️
❤️ Neurodivergent Witch FMC
❤️ Shifter MMC
❤️ Forced Proximity
❤️ Magic Academy
❤️ Student x Tutor
❤️ He Falls First (and hard!)
I loved the characters and enjoyed the Student x Tutor dynamic in a Dark Academia setting and the forced proximity that took place.
I love that the author chose to include a Neurodivergent FMC. As someone that was recently diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, I loved seeing the representation in a book. 💕
If you like the Dark Academia setting with romantic and’s magical elements, then you should definitely read this book! 🖤 This was a perfect read heading into spooky season 🖤
Wielder of Chaos and Carnage releases on October 7th, 2026! Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Nicole M Rubino for allowing me to read this arc prior to release! All thoughts expressed are my own.
#wielderofchaosandcarnage #thenerdfam
October 9, 2026
Binged this and could hardly put it down! I was up until 4:30AM to finish this book and for context, I’m a 10PM sleeper. It was set against an academy setting with a neurodivergent witch FMC and shifter MMC. I loved the way neurodivergence was represented, it felt so relatable for me personally especially with the FMC’s struggle and perception in an academic as well as social settings.
The tension and banter between the main couple was absolutely delicious and the supernatural dynamics were top tier. This was a high spice read but the story did not get lost in the spice and enhanced the on page tension between the characters.
It was my first time reading a book by the author and I will definitely be reading her other series. The pacing in the last 30% of the book did shift and started to feel slightly abrupt in comparison to the earlier parts of the story, but it did end on a better note and I absolutely will be reading the next book in the series!
Read this if you enjoyed watching Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, need a sprinkle of academia, and love a sassy witchy!
The tension and banter between the main couple was absolutely delicious and the supernatural dynamics were top tier. This was a high spice read but the story did not get lost in the spice and enhanced the on page tension between the characters.
It was my first time reading a book by the author and I will definitely be reading her other series. The pacing in the last 30% of the book did shift and started to feel slightly abrupt in comparison to the earlier parts of the story, but it did end on a better note and I absolutely will be reading the next book in the series!
Read this if you enjoyed watching Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, need a sprinkle of academia, and love a sassy witchy!
October 15, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review
Tropes:
🔥 tutor x student
🔥 neurodivergent fmc
🔥 magic academy
🔥 forbidden romance
🔥 m/f dark romantasy
I've been following Nicole since her very first book, so I was pretty excited to see her introducing us to a new series. All in all, I think it's a good first book for the series, and it has gotten me interested on what can potentially happen in the next installment.
Regarding the positives, I liked the representation Azura brings being a neurodivergent witch, and getting to know how this aspect has affected her whole life. Secondly, learning about the magic system in this world also caught my attention, and I'd like to get to know it even more in the next books. It features elemental magic, which is something I hadn't read in a while.
However, there have also been some negative aspects, or rather, things that could be improved. Firstly, this is the fourth book I read from Nicole, and by this point I would've liked to see a more mature narration from her. Sometimes I'd find some repetitions that could have been avoided, or redacted in a more clear way. This is related to how she builds and connects scenes. Sometimes I'd get the feeling that we were getting a certain scene for the sake of getting a "viral" or "trendy" moment that's popular on social media and edits, rather than a scene that made sense in the development of the story or Azura and Evrin's relationship.
All in all I'm interested in getting to learn more about this world and what will happen to Azura and Evrin; even if I'm a bit wary of what might come...
Some SPOILERS ahead!!!!:
Tropes:
🔥 tutor x student
🔥 neurodivergent fmc
🔥 magic academy
🔥 forbidden romance
🔥 m/f dark romantasy
I've been following Nicole since her very first book, so I was pretty excited to see her introducing us to a new series. All in all, I think it's a good first book for the series, and it has gotten me interested on what can potentially happen in the next installment.
Regarding the positives, I liked the representation Azura brings being a neurodivergent witch, and getting to know how this aspect has affected her whole life. Secondly, learning about the magic system in this world also caught my attention, and I'd like to get to know it even more in the next books. It features elemental magic, which is something I hadn't read in a while.
However, there have also been some negative aspects, or rather, things that could be improved. Firstly, this is the fourth book I read from Nicole, and by this point I would've liked to see a more mature narration from her. Sometimes I'd find some repetitions that could have been avoided, or redacted in a more clear way. This is related to how she builds and connects scenes. Sometimes I'd get the feeling that we were getting a certain scene for the sake of getting a "viral" or "trendy" moment that's popular on social media and edits, rather than a scene that made sense in the development of the story or Azura and Evrin's relationship.
All in all I'm interested in getting to learn more about this world and what will happen to Azura and Evrin; even if I'm a bit wary of what might come...
Some SPOILERS ahead!!!!:
October 10, 2026
Great read with so much going on the entire book. Lots of betrayals, action, spice, drama, secrets, heartache and so much else. I enjoyed Edwin and Azura so much and thought they were so right for one another. Azuras power is definitely interesting and can’t wait to see what happens with it. Ending was amazing
October 22, 2026
𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧.
This is exactly what I needed for spooky season. If I had liken the vibes to another series I would say if you enjoyed Zodiac Academy, then I feel confident you would like this.
This was a fun fast paced read. You have the witchy dark academia vibes with a host of other familiar creatures.
Our FMC goes to an academy to train their chosen element to master. Naturally our FMC has an affinity for the most dangerous one.
Before classes begin there’s a sexy good time leave your inhibitions at the door party where everyone is masked and expected to contribute magic back to the land. Enter our mysterious masked man who our girl spends a good portion of the book trying to find again.
While training, trying to survive, & searching for our masked man students start disappearing under mysterious circumstances.
I loved reading about our FMC & how she portrayed her thought processes, it felt relatable.
Omg that ending! God I love a good twist I don’t see coming.
All in all, I know I truly like a book if I buy a physical copy (dwindling shelf space be demanded).
——————————————————————————-
It is absolutely well past my bed time (the fact I couldn’t put it down for the last 20% should tell you something)
Review to come tomorrow when I can piece together the review this book deserves!
This is exactly what I needed for spooky season. If I had liken the vibes to another series I would say if you enjoyed Zodiac Academy, then I feel confident you would like this.
This was a fun fast paced read. You have the witchy dark academia vibes with a host of other familiar creatures.
Our FMC goes to an academy to train their chosen element to master. Naturally our FMC has an affinity for the most dangerous one.
Before classes begin there’s a sexy good time leave your inhibitions at the door party where everyone is masked and expected to contribute magic back to the land. Enter our mysterious masked man who our girl spends a good portion of the book trying to find again.
While training, trying to survive, & searching for our masked man students start disappearing under mysterious circumstances.
I loved reading about our FMC & how she portrayed her thought processes, it felt relatable.
Omg that ending! God I love a good twist I don’t see coming.
All in all, I know I truly like a book if I buy a physical copy (dwindling shelf space be demanded).
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It is absolutely well past my bed time (the fact I couldn’t put it down for the last 20% should tell you something)
Review to come tomorrow when I can piece together the review this book deserves!
October 18, 2026
ARE YOU JOKING?! I am obsessed with Azura and the absolute sassiness of her element
Highly recommend! Dark fantasy romance
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for the e-arc. All opinions are my own
Highly recommend! Dark fantasy romance
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for the e-arc. All opinions are my own
September 17, 2026
This was definitely one of those books that as soon as I was finished; I wanted to read again for the first time. Dragons, Wolves, and Witches along with all the secrets and mysteries. Holy moly, Azura and Evrin! I laughed and cried and am so excited for this series.
November 10, 2026
this was like if fourth wing and One dark window had a baby, I inhaled this!
November 11, 2026
Love love love this book! Can’t wait for the next book!
October 4, 2026
I wanted to love this one, and while I enjoyed the overall concept, there were just too many things that didn’t quite add up for me.
My biggest frustration was Azura herself. We’re introduced to a woman who has spent most of her life being independent and surviving on her own, yet the moment she meets the MMC, it’s like all those survival instincts disappear. Suddenly, she can barely fend for herself without him. I’m all for a protective love interest, but I don’t want the FMC to lose everything that supposedly made her capable in the first place just to make room for the romance.
Then there’s the evil betrothed prince. His personality felt inconsistent to me. He wasn’t nearly as aggressively cruel toward her during their encounter at the bar, so where did this sudden level of hostility come from? I kept wondering whether I had missed something because the shift felt so drastic.
Her father was another issue. This man spent TWENTY YEARS looking for his daughter, only to find her and seemingly have zero regard for her feelings or what she wants out of life. Why even look for her, then? I wanted so much more from that relationship, especially considering how significant finding her should have been.
The academy also left me with questions. I enjoy darker fantasy settings, but the constant killing and survival-of-the-strongest mentality needed a stronger foundation. I wanted to understand why this society operated the way it did instead of just accepting that everyone was perfectly fine with students murdering one another.
There were also quite a few familiar romantasy elements that reminded me of other popular series, particularly Fourth Wing. Familiar tropes aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but I wanted something that made this story feel more distinct.
I think the premise has potential, and there were parts I genuinely found interesting. However, I needed better character development, more consistent motivations, and an FMC whose independence didn’t seem to disappear the second romance entered the picture.
Thank you to Nicole Rubino and The Nerd Fam for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
My biggest frustration was Azura herself. We’re introduced to a woman who has spent most of her life being independent and surviving on her own, yet the moment she meets the MMC, it’s like all those survival instincts disappear. Suddenly, she can barely fend for herself without him. I’m all for a protective love interest, but I don’t want the FMC to lose everything that supposedly made her capable in the first place just to make room for the romance.
Then there’s the evil betrothed prince. His personality felt inconsistent to me. He wasn’t nearly as aggressively cruel toward her during their encounter at the bar, so where did this sudden level of hostility come from? I kept wondering whether I had missed something because the shift felt so drastic.
Her father was another issue. This man spent TWENTY YEARS looking for his daughter, only to find her and seemingly have zero regard for her feelings or what she wants out of life. Why even look for her, then? I wanted so much more from that relationship, especially considering how significant finding her should have been.
The academy also left me with questions. I enjoy darker fantasy settings, but the constant killing and survival-of-the-strongest mentality needed a stronger foundation. I wanted to understand why this society operated the way it did instead of just accepting that everyone was perfectly fine with students murdering one another.
There were also quite a few familiar romantasy elements that reminded me of other popular series, particularly Fourth Wing. Familiar tropes aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but I wanted something that made this story feel more distinct.
I think the premise has potential, and there were parts I genuinely found interesting. However, I needed better character development, more consistent motivations, and an FMC whose independence didn’t seem to disappear the second romance entered the picture.
Thank you to Nicole Rubino and The Nerd Fam for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My TBR just got attacked by another morally questionable magical man and a woman who absolutely refuses to be underestimated. Honestly? Rude. Azura is such a refreshing FMC for me. She’s neurodivergent, she struggles with her magic in ways that make her feel different from the other students and she’s entering Starshadow Academy with plenty of reasons to doubt herself, watching her figure things out and slowly finding her footing was one of my favorite parts. She isn’t waiting around for someone to swoop in and fix everything for her. She’s stubborn, clever, messy, powerful in her own way and very much figuring herself out as she goes.
And then we have Evrin. Sir. Please calm down. Or absolutely do not. 👀
He’s the broody, tattooed, pierced, fire magic tutor who gets assigned to help Azura master her element and naturally the universe decided these two needed to spend an unreasonable amount of time together. The chemistry between them was DELICIOUS. Their banter had me grinning at my Kindle like an idiot and THE TENSION? Yeah… that slow burn was doing its job. I loved that their relationship didn’t feel like it appeared out of nowhere. There was time for them to actually get to know each other, annoy each other, trust each other and slowly develop feelings. The yearning was yearning. The flirting was flirting. I was sitting there like… “Can you two PLEASE figure this out?”
But the romance isn’t the only thing happening here. Starshadow Academy is basically the kind of school where I would last approximately twelve minutes before politely requesting a transfer. Deadly trials, dangerous magic, disappearing students, secrets, dragons, familiars, shifters, witches and enough suspicious behavior to make me side eye practically everyone? Sign me up. Apparently I have learned nothing from fictional academies. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the missing students because it gave the story another layer beyond the romance and magic. There’s always something lurking underneath what Azura and Evrin think they understand and just when I thought I had something figured out, the story decided to throw another little grenade at me.
The fantasy elements were probably my favorite surprise. There’s a LOT happening but I never felt like I was just being handed a giant encyclopedia of magical lore. I got witches, elemental magic, dragons, familiars, shifters, dark magic, hidden secrets and characters with complicated little histories that made me want to keep digging and the friendships? I’m always here for found family energy, especially when the characters actually feel like they enjoy being around each other and aren’t just conveniently friends because the plot requires it.
Now, was everything perfect for me? Nope.
There were moments where I wanted the pacing to slow down just a tiny bit so I could process everything happening around Azura. There is a LOT being introduced, and sometimes my brain was basically standing in the corner holding a tiny white flag. But it never got to the point where I wanted to put the book down.
And that ending???
EXCUSE ME???
There are reveals toward the end that completely changed the way I was looking at certain things and now I have questions. So many questions. Suspicious little questions that are going to be living rent free in my head until I get more answers in book two.
Final Thoughts: I had such a fun time with this one. It gave me dangerous academy vibes, elemental magic, a delicious slow burn romance, banter, found family, mystery and characters I genuinely wanted to spend more time with. Azura and Evrin are absolutely the kind of duo I want MORE of and I’m already attached enough to this world that I know waiting for the next installment is going to be hard. If you like romantasy with magical academies, deadly trials, forbidden romance, morally questionable decisions, dragons, dark magic and a heroine who is learning exactly what she’s capable of, this is definitely one to keep on your radar.
Thank you so much to The NerdFam and Nicole M. Rubino for allowing me to read this eARC ahead of its release. I had such a fun time with Azura, Evrin and all the chaos they dragged me into. 🖤🔥
📆 Wielder of Chaos and Carnage releases October 7, 2026.
And then we have Evrin. Sir. Please calm down. Or absolutely do not. 👀
He’s the broody, tattooed, pierced, fire magic tutor who gets assigned to help Azura master her element and naturally the universe decided these two needed to spend an unreasonable amount of time together. The chemistry between them was DELICIOUS. Their banter had me grinning at my Kindle like an idiot and THE TENSION? Yeah… that slow burn was doing its job. I loved that their relationship didn’t feel like it appeared out of nowhere. There was time for them to actually get to know each other, annoy each other, trust each other and slowly develop feelings. The yearning was yearning. The flirting was flirting. I was sitting there like… “Can you two PLEASE figure this out?”
But the romance isn’t the only thing happening here. Starshadow Academy is basically the kind of school where I would last approximately twelve minutes before politely requesting a transfer. Deadly trials, dangerous magic, disappearing students, secrets, dragons, familiars, shifters, witches and enough suspicious behavior to make me side eye practically everyone? Sign me up. Apparently I have learned nothing from fictional academies. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the missing students because it gave the story another layer beyond the romance and magic. There’s always something lurking underneath what Azura and Evrin think they understand and just when I thought I had something figured out, the story decided to throw another little grenade at me.
The fantasy elements were probably my favorite surprise. There’s a LOT happening but I never felt like I was just being handed a giant encyclopedia of magical lore. I got witches, elemental magic, dragons, familiars, shifters, dark magic, hidden secrets and characters with complicated little histories that made me want to keep digging and the friendships? I’m always here for found family energy, especially when the characters actually feel like they enjoy being around each other and aren’t just conveniently friends because the plot requires it.
Now, was everything perfect for me? Nope.
There were moments where I wanted the pacing to slow down just a tiny bit so I could process everything happening around Azura. There is a LOT being introduced, and sometimes my brain was basically standing in the corner holding a tiny white flag. But it never got to the point where I wanted to put the book down.
And that ending???
EXCUSE ME???
There are reveals toward the end that completely changed the way I was looking at certain things and now I have questions. So many questions. Suspicious little questions that are going to be living rent free in my head until I get more answers in book two.
Final Thoughts: I had such a fun time with this one. It gave me dangerous academy vibes, elemental magic, a delicious slow burn romance, banter, found family, mystery and characters I genuinely wanted to spend more time with. Azura and Evrin are absolutely the kind of duo I want MORE of and I’m already attached enough to this world that I know waiting for the next installment is going to be hard. If you like romantasy with magical academies, deadly trials, forbidden romance, morally questionable decisions, dragons, dark magic and a heroine who is learning exactly what she’s capable of, this is definitely one to keep on your radar.
Thank you so much to The NerdFam and Nicole M. Rubino for allowing me to read this eARC ahead of its release. I had such a fun time with Azura, Evrin and all the chaos they dragged me into. 🖤🔥
📆 Wielder of Chaos and Carnage releases October 7, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the type of book, that once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down. I absolutely loved it, and the fact it had me laughing in tears at certain parts made it even better. We've got witches, shapeshifters, and found family with an academic base.
Azura is an outcast amongst those around her, and she's doing her best to fit in. It's a beautiful neurodivergent representation. She's a first year at this academy, which deals in deadly trials to rule out the weak. Due to her disability she's unable to get her magic to work as easily as others. This is where Envrin comes in. He's selected to be her tutor as he's the top candidate in the element she chooses, which is fire.
Seeing she doesn't have a familiar like most witches and drawing upon her power is especially hard for her. They deal with an uphill battle of getting her more acclimated. You'll indeed be interested in what exactly does help her summon it, though.
Not only is Azura attempting to get a better handle on her magic, but also, alongside the possibility of death by her classmates, students are going missing, and no one seems to be batting an eye. Azura and Envrin make a deal to try and figure out what's going on, and the search becomes even more of a necessity once it hits closer to home.
Now, in the end, the plot twists were twisting. They were coming from left, right, and center. You'd think it'd be too much, but nope. They were just stacking up every few pages like a domino effect, and it was glorious.
It definitely ends in a cliffhanger because I absolutely have questions and can't wait to read what happens next.
"Sometimes, the faintest embers breed the cruelest Fires.”
“The thought of throttling you for that mouth of yours has crossed my mind, yes.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time a man resorted to extreme measures because his ego was hurt.
“Then everyone would see exactly what kind of monster I will become to keep you safe.”
“Not my flames, not my Fire,”
“Sometimes, loneliness is felt rather than seen. Believe me, it’s possible to be surrounded by people, yet that is when you feel the loneliest.”
“Your goddess would never get on her knees before you. Worship you like I’m about to. So make sure it’s my name that falls from your lips in pleasure."
"...am also mildly horrified the picture he painted so perfectly for me does not act as a deterrent for my bratty behavior.
“I told you once, I will always know where you are. I would have come for you. I will always come for you.”
"...it’s that people brand others as destructive or deadly to justify their actions— actions driven not by necessity, but solely for the satisfaction of eliminating those who don’t conform to their rigid belief system."
“Choke on it.”
Azura is an outcast amongst those around her, and she's doing her best to fit in. It's a beautiful neurodivergent representation. She's a first year at this academy, which deals in deadly trials to rule out the weak. Due to her disability she's unable to get her magic to work as easily as others. This is where Envrin comes in. He's selected to be her tutor as he's the top candidate in the element she chooses, which is fire.
Seeing she doesn't have a familiar like most witches and drawing upon her power is especially hard for her. They deal with an uphill battle of getting her more acclimated. You'll indeed be interested in what exactly does help her summon it, though.
Not only is Azura attempting to get a better handle on her magic, but also, alongside the possibility of death by her classmates, students are going missing, and no one seems to be batting an eye. Azura and Envrin make a deal to try and figure out what's going on, and the search becomes even more of a necessity once it hits closer to home.
Now, in the end, the plot twists were twisting. They were coming from left, right, and center. You'd think it'd be too much, but nope. They were just stacking up every few pages like a domino effect, and it was glorious.
It definitely ends in a cliffhanger because I absolutely have questions and can't wait to read what happens next.
"Sometimes, the faintest embers breed the cruelest Fires.”
“The thought of throttling you for that mouth of yours has crossed my mind, yes.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time a man resorted to extreme measures because his ego was hurt.
“Then everyone would see exactly what kind of monster I will become to keep you safe.”
“Not my flames, not my Fire,”
“Sometimes, loneliness is felt rather than seen. Believe me, it’s possible to be surrounded by people, yet that is when you feel the loneliest.”
“Your goddess would never get on her knees before you. Worship you like I’m about to. So make sure it’s my name that falls from your lips in pleasure."
"...am also mildly horrified the picture he painted so perfectly for me does not act as a deterrent for my bratty behavior.
“I told you once, I will always know where you are. I would have come for you. I will always come for you.”
"...it’s that people brand others as destructive or deadly to justify their actions— actions driven not by necessity, but solely for the satisfaction of eliminating those who don’t conform to their rigid belief system."
“Choke on it.”
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