Hero of Havoc: A Fantasy Fated Mates Academy Romance

by KC Kean

552 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

Reviews

[Cheyyleigh]

First thought after finishing this: How have a read three whole books and learned ABSOLUTELY NOTHING? spoilers ahead.



Alright this one is squeeking by with a 3 for me, and mostly because it's not bad enough for a 2 writing wise.

Let's dive in.

First off, mam you find out they knew you were a phoenix and then you spend a chapter upset and brooding in your room. The language used makes it seem like we are supposed to feel like more time has passed but it's really only a day. So they are "tortured" for their lies for 24 hours and we move on. Now I'm not mad about this because the excuses of being mad were flimsy at best and a whole book of it would've been overkill. Then when we find out why they rejected her it all feels even more flimsy and stupid and I almost wish we had more grovel.

The whole book has nothing happen. We have some sex, she talks to dragons but we get nowhere else which is frustrating. Yes the ending has a cliffhanger but if the only part of the book that is exciting is the last 5 pages it's not a book I need to read. I want more information on Phoenixes not just in the last book. I want more information on this champion thing because book three being this cryptic is ridiculous. I want more Clarity with mates. We are in book three we should be a little farther along here.

I just truthfully don't think the fourth book will be able to fix all these issues successfully and I will be stuck wishing this series was better with all its potential. Not sure I will be picking up book 4.

[Elizabeth]

The more this series goes on the more I fall in love with Ivy’s “hated mates”. I love the story progression and am completely addicted to find out what happens next. Of course there was a brutal cliffhanger!

Thank you to the author for the advanced copy.

[Christi]

Oh. My. Stars. The dragons were kinda cool, but honestly the rest felt like a waste of time. This may have ended on a cliffhanger, but I'm done. I don't even want to anger read the next one like I did this one.

At 20% I almost quit. THAT’S ALL THEY HAVE TO SAY FOR THEMSELVES?! And she’s all “oh, I see, they were being so selfless when they ruined my life, *swoon*”. Fuck right off with that shit. She spent one single day brooding and they’re going on about how they’ve already been tortured enough without being able to touch her for 24 fricken hours. The four of you put her through absolute hell and now you’re whining she hates you. If you were being so selfless rejecting her then why were you absolute shits to her and continue to let other people abuse her when you dragged her to the school two years late? There wasn't even any groveling, it was like the author just got tired of writing the tensions between them after two books (which, yes, I was done too) and instead of actually giving a resolution and having them work through it she just washed her hands of it and made everything ok. Pretty sure everyone has had a personality transplant at this point.

They keep going on about "champions of the kingdoms" without even saying what they're for or how other kingdoms could even claim someone from the Fifth Kingdom as their champion. There has been basically no world building so nothing about this makes sense.

Also, how the hell are the mean girls still even part of this. What is going on at this college. They beat her and killed her but she’s a phoenix and came back so we’re all good here. Seriously? Zero repercussions? What happened to the whole “your house is your family and number one rule is to not cause strife among members”? AND Francesca is still part of whatever this Council crap is supposed to be? They haven't done anything in three books.

Nothing even happened in this entire, long ass book until the very end. Two of the guys have horrible parents (which we already knew) yet somehow they're both still alive and controlling their sons even though they are in their 20s. They had no problem killing her fiance when they didn't know who it was and threatening to kill other students who are mean to her but that's fine.

[ashlee ❤]

Ivy, Archer, Sax, Baron, + Teddy

-fantasy academy
-whychoose
-rejected fated mates
-second chance
-ow/om drama
-shifters/animal companions

continuing to love this story & where we’re going, as well as the developments of all their groveling. but like seriously…if ivy could stop constantly calling them her “hated mates” this far into it…i wouldn’t complain haha

[MsRHReviewer]

KC Kean is villainous. When you get to the cliffhanger at the end of this book, you'll see why. At this point, I'm just certain that everything is fine, it just LOOKS bad. I'm sure it's fine! *Insert "This is fine" dog surrounded by fire meme here*

It's been a few months or so since I read book two (I'm an ARC reader, so no binging the series for me!), so I had to flip through "Reaper of Ruin" to try to get a feel for the characters again (did I still hate the Hated Mates? Or had they worked themselves up to walking on eggshells?) and remind myself what was going on.

Ivy is coming into her own more in this book. She's finding her back bone, taking charge of her life more, demanding answers, and on top of all of that, she's learning better control of her powers. Unfortunately, her life is still chaos since she's got enemies left, right, and center, it seems. Her parents, Leonardo, even a few other students who don't like her for various reasons. Why she doesn't just fry some of them? I don't know, she must have better morals than I do.

Leonardo is determined to make her his and have her by his side in the Second Kingdom, and he's being very persistent.

The Hated Mates are working on improving their relationships with Ivy, and are doing a pretty decent job of it. Things finally get aired out about why they rejected her, and after some time, she's decided to forgive them.

We also learn that the guys haven't been with anyone else since rejecting her, which I was both relieved to hear and skeptical about. At the beginning, it seemed like the guys had gotten around, so I'm not too sure about how that worked.

Also: Betrayal!! Didn't expect the mole!

I'd write more, but I've been determined to finish this book today, and I'm exhausted! My thoughts aren't flowing, so here's my mishmash of thoughts thrown together. I'm sorry to future me reading this, and anyone else, as well!

It's a good series: Continue it.

(Alaric is the best.)

[Zsuzsanna Csonka-Bonevacz]

I hope as hell that I read wrong on the last page.... It did not happen! 😭 That was cruel.
Otherwise, I loved every word of this book. Especially loved seeing the "hated mates" finding their ways and finally being a unit!
I know I have to trust the process, but this was brutal and fast-paced. Can't wait to read the last instalment!

[Cigi cini]

🔥 Dark Academia Romance
💞 Why Choose Romance
🖤 Rejected Fated Mates
⚡ Betrayal and Redemption
🙏 Grovelling Heroes
👑 Powerful FMC
💥 Touch Her and Die
🩸 Bloodline Secrets
✨ Hidden Powers
🔮 Fated Mates
🏰 Dark Academy
🤫 Secrets and Lies
⚔️ Kingdom Politics
💔 Broken Trust
🔥 Slow Burn Forgiveness
🛡️ Protective Heroes
😈 Morally Grey Men
💪 Revenge and Retribution
🌶️ Spicy Romance
🔗 Found Family
💥 Cliffhanger Energy

Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Hero of Havoc takes everything that has been building throughout the Neverbound Academy series and completely blows it wide open. After the betrayal and that insane ending in the previous book, I needed answers, grovelling, and for her to finally take back some of the power everyone has been trying to control.

Her resurrection has changed everything. Her powers are growing, secrets surrounding her bloodline are beginning to surface, and suddenly everyone seems to want something from her. But before she can uncover the truth, there are four men who have a lot to answer for.

And I loved that she makes them work for her forgiveness.

The betrayal is not simply brushed aside because they are fated mates. There is anger, guilt, hurt, desperation, and plenty of very necessary grovelling. She refuses to let fate decide everything for her, and I was completely here for it.

This book also feels much bigger than just an academy romance now. Between Leonardo Corrigan, the Fates, hidden bloodline secrets, kingdoms circling, and the mysteries surrounding Neverbound, there are so many moving pieces and so many people to question.

I loved seeing how much she has changed since the beginning of the series. She has been betrayed, rejected, manipulated, and underestimated, but instead of breaking her, it has made her stronger and far more dangerous.

The romance still brings all the possessiveness, jealousy, tension, chemistry, and spice, but there is so much emotion underneath it this time as they try to rebuild what was destroyed.

Hero of Havoc feels like the point where everything changes. The secrets are darker, the stakes are higher, and the people who thought they could control her are quickly realising they may have created something they can no longer contain.

They lit the match.

Now they have to deal with the inferno.

[Elaine M.]

Well, I have no one to blame but myself. This was so bad that I had to skim the last half of the book. I think I said this about the last book too, but the MFC is intolerable — more so than in the last books. It was one of my biggest pet peeves in writing — a weak MFC pretending to be strong. All she did was shove her nose in the air and whine/preach all this flowery nonsense.

For example, when Ivy's mother visits her and hurts her friend to get her to try and get answers, Ivy does everything except actually answer her questions! And they weren't questions that would compromise national security or reveal anything important; Ivy was just using that opportunity to try and squeeze her mother for information and "push for control," all the while her "friend" is being tortured.

And there is still no logical explanation for why a bunch of college kids are on the council that makes decisions for the entire kingdom. Not only is it illogical, but they don't contribute anything! Why are they there? And the dramatics! There is a difference between drama and just being dramatic. So much of this so-called drama was cringy and served no purpose.

And the MMCs (and FMC) are dumber than rocks. They assume the "big bad" will try to use something that's important to Ivy to bring her to his side, and instead of seeing the obvious options (her brother, best friend, her mates, etc.), they look at her goals list for clues. Are you kidding me? I might have a little more grace for them if these idiots weren't council members!

The whole book was like a poorly written soap opera with dragons. I'm not even curious enough about how the story ends to read the next one.

[Booksbystarlightandshadows]

This had a bit of everything! Grovelling, my new favourite snarky dragon, betrayal, dramatic reveals, spicy times and an absolutely brutal cliffhanger.

We finally find out why the guys rejected Ivy and even if their execution was poor, it made sense. Ivy is still bruised though and makes them work their way back to her; I loved the concept of forgiving but not forgetting. Archer continues to be my favourite; the scenes with his mum and sister have put him miles ahead of everyone else at this point. Archer seems to have the most going on outside of his relationship with Ivy, although Teddy comes in a close second with his creepy mum. Ivy's isn't much better and I'm intrigued to find out more about what she is up to as she becomes more unhinged every time we see her.

The cliffhanger is pretty epic and I caught me totally off guard. There is still so much plot to be unravelled - I can't believe there is only one book left! I just need Francesca and her cronies to get some kind of punishment by the end of the series - they make my blood boil more than Leonardo!

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

[Sandy McCauley]

It was…ok

I still like the overall plot, but there are just so many issues and holes. Small spoilers ahead…

The reason behind the MMCs rejecting the FMC is weak…especially since they just turned around and suddenly found a way to be with her. Not to mention that one of the MMCs said earlier, or implied (I can’t remember if he said it outright in the previous books) that the reason for his rejection was because of his old girlfriend and them wanting to be together before the old girlfriend decided not to reject her mate. It also doesn’t make sense that if the MMCs truly wanted to be with her that they would have been fooling around with other women. Someone that is actually into their mate wouldn’t do that knowing how it would make her feel.

As far as the plot, there are holes there too…why wouldn’t she use her tears to help Archer’s mom heal? Why didn’t her mate use his siren voice to make his mom stop messing with him when he realized that it worked on her? They keep talking about needing to communicate and not just run to things, but who in their right mind would think to make the stupid decision they did at the end with the relic? I’m sure there is more, I just don’t remember. Hopefully the next book clears some stuff up because it felt like a whole lot of suspense with not much payout.

[Tanya Sandra James]

Wow… what an amazing third book in the series! 🔥🐉✨

We pretty much pick up right where book two left off, but this time from Asher’s POV, which I absolutely loved. After that cliffhanger had us all in a chokehold, getting to see what Archer was feeling when she found out was such a great touch.

These characters are all on one massive emotional rollercoaster throughout this book, and I was completely along for the ride! We also get more from the guys and Ivy’s parents, which I really enjoyed. Getting to see more of the guys’ backgrounds and understand them a little better added so much to the story.

Leonardo does NOT relent in his fight to have Ivy on his side of this “war,” but OMG… THAT ENDING! 😱 I have SO many questions! There has to be more to what’s going on than we realise, and I’m really hoping Ivy’s healing magic has a bigger part to play in all of this. I NEED ANSWERS!

I absolutely loved this book. More magic, more spice, and more dragons — honestly, what more could you want?! 🐉🔥

This book did NOT disappoint, and now I’m desperately waiting for the next and final book in the series. I cannot wait to see how it all ends! ❤️‍🔥

[Tasha Goulet]

No...no...no!

I expected a cliffhanger, but not one that stunned me so hard. Such an unfair way to leave off Hero of Havoc.

I don't know how this author does it, but this series just continues to get better and better as the plot builds. Little hints here and there... give clues that pull readers along with the characters. And as Ivy searches for answers, her mates become what they should've been the whole time...hers!

Warning...Leonardo is pulling more strings than any of them can see. There's a mole among them and the petty little games continue. Ivy, Archer, and Teddy's parents add to their problems. And Leonardo shows Ivy what awaits her if she says no to him.

The kingdom champions was a nice little tease and I'm curious of where that plotline will take this story. The dragons and their position was intriguing. As well as the glimpses of the past of the Phoenixes in Ivy's family. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Naty's Naughty Reads]

First, WTF was that ending!!!! KC has taken diabolical to new heights!! I was hooked in the first chapter and couldn't put this book down, not that I expected to, given the ending of Reaper of Ruin. I plowed through this book in one sitting and now I'm here contemplating life choices while I wait until November for Champion of Chaos.

Hero of Havoc answered so many questions I had and left some big ones unanswered. Leonardo continues his villian ARC and we find out some other people aren't quite who we thought they were. Ivy and her hated mates continue on their amazing character arc and seeing them evolve was everything. The groveling and Ivy's choice to forgive but not forget was perfect given the events that brought them there.The spice was spicy this book too. I highly recommend book 3 on The Neverbound Academy.

[Kayla Brenghause]

We immediately pick back up right where book 2 leaves off. I loved that we finally get some answers about the hated mates and what happened on their end. With out this information and all the groveling that has happened no one would fully have been able to move on in the relationship. I really loved the forgiving but not forgotten because that is something more relatable to me. I love that the dragons have been brought more into the story especially with their fun loving personalities. Ivy's characters growth has become so much and I love seeing her take charge. While questions were definitely answered in this book K.C Kean has definitely introduced a whole set of more that will be answered on the next book. Also that cliffhanger was absolutely brutal and brilliant in the way you did not see coming.

[Catherine Leigh]

Been counting down the days until this release - it didn’t disappoint!
This book we see Ivy strengthen her relationship with her hated mates, the dynamics between each of them is so different yet complement each other. Although Ivy has accepted them as her mates, I love the way she makes them work for her forgiveness.
The guys are so protective of Ivy, I adore the way they get jealous of Silas near her.
In this book as see Ivy grow as a person, learn more about her power and step out of the shadow her parents had her under.
I do love her ‘To Do List’ and the was she has grown and so the list has slightly differed.
While we do t get many answers in the book, but there are is a lot of world building - we find out more about the Kingdoms, and so much more.
Overall a great read and I can’t wait for book 4.

[Catherine Kamara]

I really enjoyed Hero of Havoc! This one definitely felt more like a setup book for everything that’s still to come, so it wasn’t quite as exciting or captivating for me as the previous books. That being said, there was still a lot I loved about it.

My favorite part was definitely the progression between Ivy and her “hated mates.” It finally feels like they’ve reached a real turning point, where she’s genuinely starting to forgive them and they’re actually repairing their relationships instead of constantly fighting against the bond between them. I’ve been WAITING for those walls to come down and to understand why they rejected her initially, so I loved getting to see that shift.

And THAT ENDING?! 😭 Just when it feels like things are finally starting to come together, we get hit with a huge cliffhanger. I seriously cannot wait for the next book because... SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!

[Amy Hartung]

As we enter into this third chapter of an absolutely amazing series, we catch up with Ivy and her four hated mates. Asher, Baron, Sax and Teddy go through an incredible character arc, each in their own right. The groveling for forgiveness is a given, and the true feelings they have for their fated mate are explored and revealed in ways that will make you laugh, cry and swoooooon. This book does not give you a chance to pause, as the villainous powers that be, in the forms of evil parents and a second kingdom psycho are constantly dishing out harem and heartache in their wake. Keep your tissues close, as you will need them. We are thrown off a cliff so incredibly rough, the outcome just may leave bruises on your kindle and heart. KC Kean deserves every star in the sky for this latest masterpiece. Quickly becoming my absolute favorite series she's written!

[Mindy]

All right, so I don't even know where to start with this review simply because so much happened and yet not enough. Lol, I know that doesn't make sense, so I will try and explain. There's a lot of new information but not a lot of answers. I will say, poor Ivy, she cannot seem to catch a break, and the ones who she should be able to trust haven't been truthful with her. It's like she is fighting not only in the dark but blind as well. I do like that we got to see more of the guys' personal life outside of the academy.

KC Kean, I am going to pull a line from Full House and say HOW RUDE!!!! You know what I am talking about. 🤣😅
I need the last book like now.

P.S. You outdid yourself yet again!!! You are a queen!!!

[JJ Cornette]

We finally get some apologies and explanations from the hated mates! Thank goodness, because its hard to stay mad at them. This book especially does a lot of explaining, and with the way the hated mates care for Ivy has me forgiving all that's come before. There's a lot of family issues in this book, but none beat Ivy's parental actions. While we finally get some more answers in the dragons, fates, past phoenixes, there is still plenty of questions to be had. Leonardo from the Second Kingdom still wants Ivy, but won't say why. The spice level was great and the story kept me on my toes. There was a lot going on in this book, but of course with one more in the series there's still one more to go.

[Caylee T.]

Holy Smokes!

Ivy’s story has definitely only gotten more intense.

Learning of her hated mates betrayal again hurts her but learning that there are still people close to her that know more hurts her too.

But that doesn’t stop her mates from groveling to prove they are worthy. And do they need to grovel!

But now there are more secrets, more questions that have yet to be answered. And a man who is dead set on getting to her but everything with him is a trick.

The pain she has gone through has been so heartbreaking & that final chapter really didn’t help with any of it. So not ready for that cliffhanger.

But now I need the next book asap please. I need to see Ivy kick some villain butt & have her happy ending.

Absolutely amazing job yet again!

[M W]

Boring build up to the end

The first two books through ivy journey has been great and fast paced. This one completely stalled. I think the author realized crap i need for ivy to actually like her fated mates so much of the book is seeing more of the guys and having her connection become more love than hate. Im glad the secrets are out. I felt like it was the same scene she have sexy time with one of her men, go to her room get a note from Leonardo, something happens and then they have a meeting. This was the loop. You do find a little bit about the dragons and her mom which will be needed for the end. She leaves us in a gut wrenching cliffy once again. I hope its not true but I am hoping the last book wraps this story up better.

[Brandi Augustine]

Holy Wow! This is how I feel while reading this book. I felt like I was gripping my Kindle the whole time screaming either in excitement or anger at some of the characters.

This book starts off where last one left off and I just could not put down. We definitely get some answers and the hated mates are realizing need to grovel.

I am telling you this book is amazing and finding out some things while being kept in the dark about others will have you wanting more.

Some of the characters I want to reach in and smack. My goodness that cliffhanger had me reading over and over saying no! I need to know what half next. Great read.

[Scorcs Reads]

Book three in the Neverbound Academy series Hero of Havoc. Similar to book two, I struggled again to get into it and I believe that is because we continued for almost 10 chapters of the FMC not hearing anything out just wallowing in the past instead of trying to move forward.

Things eventually started to feel a little more interesting with some answers to where the plot was headed and any spice KC Kean writes is always good so we got some spicy moments with the mates.

The ending was definitely a cliffhanger that leaves you curious if the villain gets their wish 👀 I am hopeful that book four will keep my attention more.

[Blair Bolopue]

This series is everything! Ivy is dealing! Her parents are absolutely horrible, she does not trust her mates and some jealous girls attack her. She finally gets answers from her mates on why they rejected her, but she is also dealing with a dangerous
Psycho with some strong abilities. Her mates have definitely stepped it up and are worthy of Ivy. I do have to say the dragons are some of my favorite characters in this series! This book definitely had some surprises and things i was not expecting and was absolutely amazing! K.C. Kean is the queen of cliffhangers and the one is this book is no different and was amazing and i am in need of the next book as soon as possible!

[Edith]

The cliffhangers get me every time!!

But let's be honest, we all saw it coming. Like, you meet the villain and he tells you that he's going to get rid of your brother so that you will only smile like that to him. And then, you are stupid enough to take only your brother with you to something that might be a trap set by the villain... Duh...

Also, raise your hand if, at the beginning of this book, the reason cited by the mates for being such douchecanoe that whole time was to spare her her fate... like how stupid are you?! Also, that ain't that bad. What is bad is everything you did outside of that decision...

Anyways, I'll be here for the next book.

[Alexis Miller]

Sobbing big fat ugly tears at that ending, I was destroyed in the ending with Hugo I had to sit and process that it actually happened. Besides the ending ripping my heart out I loved watching Ivys development through the book she was coming into her phoenix abilities and trying to forgive her hated mates. I loved watching her mates grovel and seeing them care for her was so satisfying and I love just watching the relationship between them all develop. Baron is becoming my favorite character now. The betrayals from many were heartbreaking, spice was phenomenal, seeing Ivy and Hugo’s relationship always made me smile. I can’t wait for the next book in this series

[Skay Dee]

KC Kean is diabolical for her cliffhangers, but her next books will pick up where you left off. I love being thrown back in the deep end. “Hero of Havoc” was such a great read! I do get so irritated with how quickly Ivy can forgive and move on. I think the hated mates deserve punishment. Once I found out some of Leonardo’s plans, I felt like I spent most of the rest of the book balancing on a knife’s edge. My anxiety is kicking in recalling it now. There is so much that happens in this book, I couldn’t stop reading. This may be my favorite book so far!

[Elizabeth Thompson]

I couldn't put it down.

This is the third book in this series by this author and it did not disappoint. The series just keeps getting better with each book. The Hated Mates are redeeming themselves, but still are a work in progress which I like. I thought the second books cliffhanger was a doozie till I got to this ones and it blew it out of the water. I can't wait till the fourth book comes out. This is another Ten out of Ten I recommend by KC Kean . I have yet to read any of her books and not love them.

[Michelle]

Ivy, Archer, Sax, Baron & Teddy
Why Choose
Rejected Fated Mates
Second Chance
Fantasy Academy
Shifters & Animal Companions

Another incredible installment in this series!!!

I love the way the plot is developing and the relationships growing

Everything is levelling up and it feels like we're at the tipping point!!

I do wish Ivy would stop pretending that they're still her hated mates though, because we all know they aren't 🤭

[Miranda F]

Wow, Wow, Wow!!! That ending was hard to get through. I need book 4 like yesterday!

Sooo many questions were finally answered from the Hated-Mates (which i loved)...it truly is impossible to stay mad at them.

I have so many more questions surrounding the phoenixes and the other kingdoms.

I loved the growth we saw from Baron, especially his relationship with Garside.

I don't think KC can be beat when it comes to an academy setting!