Order of the Black Rose

by Draco Amethystus

This New Adult, Dark Academy Romantasy is great for fans of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments, Naomi Novik's Scholomance, and anyone who wishes Harry Potter were a little bit more adult and spicier.

Welcome to Purgatory Academy where the descendants of angels and demons attend university. The apocalypse may be on the way, but that doesn't mean that school is canceled.

In this highly anticipated sequel to Class of 666, Lilly Foxflame has survived her year at Purgatory Academy against all odds. Both Drake, the son of Lucifer and Gabe, the Golden One of the angelic Nephilim, tempt her succubus Hunger. However, she remains a Hellish hostage to the demon lord, Balor. Even if she escapes, she is bound for her initiation in an assassin guild from Hell. Meanwhile, shady powers plan to irrevocably alter the balance between Heaven and Hell. Will she break out of her dark prison? Will she survive the trials put to her by the Order of the Black Rose? Time will tell, but it may be shorter than she knows.

About the author

Draco Amethystus is a published SFF author and mythopoet. He has a deep and abiding love for reading and writing books. A self-proclaimed aficionado of dragons, he moonlights as a semi-professional dragonologist. Because of this dracophilia, dragons almost always feature in his writing along with Fae, vampires, and other mythical creatures. A bibliovert and catrovert, he prefers the company of fictional characters and cats to people.

When he isn’t writing or reading, Draco travels as much as he can, mostly in forests or on/in the water…hiking, kayaking, and diving across the world. A polyglot, he loves to learn languages and collects university degrees mostly just for the fun of it.

Reviews

[Em Yardy]

Excuse me, Draco Amethystus... who gave you permission to make Book 2 THIS unhinged?!

I finished Book 1 thinking, "There's no way this series can get any crazier." Five minutes into this book the author looked me dead in the eyes and said, "Hold my infernal beer."

Poor Lilly can't catch a break. Every time I thought she'd finally get five minutes to breathe... BAM. Plot twist. BAM. Emotional damage. BAM. Another secret. BAM. Someone trying to kill everyone. I was basically reading with trust issues.

"Death is coming for both Heaven and Hell. Death is coming for the Eternal Fires. Death is coming for me."

Well... that's one way to set the mood. 😭

The adventure somehow gets bigger, the stakes get higher, the characters become even more lovable, and the world-building keeps expanding in ways I never saw coming. Every time I thought I'd figured something out, this book laughed at me and threw another curveball.

Lilly continues to be one of my favourite heroines because she's powerful, vulnerable, sarcastic, and refuses to let what she is define who she becomes.

"I'm not my Hunger... I decide who I am through my actions."

And then two chapters later she's reminding everyone...

"Sometimes you don't need wings for flight, bitch."

ICONIC. No notes.

Now... can we discuss Drake for a moment?

This giant, broody, apocalypse-level walking red flag somehow keeps becoming greener with every chapter.

"I trust you can handle yourself. And if you can't, I will come for you."

Sir... respectfully... I'm available.

And when someone threatens Lilly?

"...there will be no pleasure, only exquisite pain."

Me: Your Honour, I'd like to report a murder before it even happened.

But then this absolute menace turns around and delivers one of my favourite exchanges:

Lilly: "This feels like one of those misunderstanding tropes in a romance book."
Drake: "We'd have to have the romance first."

EXCUSE ME?! WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?!

Then Draco decides we've had enough feelings and hits us with one of the funniest spicy lines I've read in ages:

Lilly: "The dragon has a dragon."
Drake: "Get in the shower and I can acquaint the two of you better."

I actually had to put the book down because I was laughing too hard.

And then... because emotional whiplash is apparently the theme of this series...

"I'm a monster."
SLAP.

Honestly? Deserved. 😂

Beneath all the chaos, monsters, demons, angels, magic, and spice, this book has so much heart. Lines like:

"No one gets out of life without scars... It's what you do with them that makes the difference."
are what make these characters stick with you long after you've finished.

This series continues to surprise me in the best possible way. The plot went in directions I never expected, every twist landed, the chemistry is ridiculous, the spice is chef's kiss, and the characters have completely claimed a corner of my soul.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be sitting in the corner patiently (not patiently) waiting for Book 3 while questioning every life choice that led me to starting an unfinished series.

⭐⭐⭐⭐️ I laughed. I gasped. I yelled at fictional people. I questioned my sanity.

[Kimberly McAfee]

"Purgatory Academy: The Order of the Black Rose" by Draco Amethystus picks up where the previous book—"Purgatory Academy: Class of 666"—left off. It is action-packed and a worthy sequel to the original. Amethystus has an incredible talent for world-building, and it really shines in this book.

Being chosen for the Order of the Black Rose, Lilly must complete assassinations based on the seven deadly sins. In doing so she will not only become a full-fledged member of the Order, but will also receive their protection, which extends to her family. When Heaven and Hell declare a hunt for all the members of her graduating class, as well as her former teachers, that protection becomes vital for survival.

We learn more about the characters, and watch relationships bloom...as well as wither away. There are many answers given in this sequel that make this fantastical world even richer. I was even moved to tears by a character I didn't like much in the first book - which just shows how skilled a writer Amethystus is. Also like the former, there are spicy scenes and difficult situations, but they do not feel forced.

The stakes are even higher in this book, and there are so many twists and turns. I can't wait to see what Amethystus does with the next one! I highly recommend this series!

[Melisa]

I received an ARC copy for the first book and was fortunate to get an ARC for this second one as well.

3.5 stars

We pick up pretty much where we left off in the first. Our main character having been trapped in hell to recount her story previously is now freed and telling it in real time.
I thought this was a good read, continuing on after the first book. I did like the first one better though. I found that the pacing was a bit off for me, this was a higher stakes story then the last and I just wanted it to feel a bit more thrilling that way with a faster pace.
That being said, I really enjoyed the character development and plot line.
I would definitely continue the series.

[Crystal Sorg]

Wow. What to say about book 2... I really didn't think the author could up the ante after book 1. I was wrong. The ante has been upped. The adventure and hits keep on coming in Order of the Black Rose and I wouldn't have it any other way. Just when you think Lilly may have a moment to catch her breath, BAM, plot twist! I loved it! The plot. The characters. The spice. All categories met. I can't wait for the next one.

[Me]

I received an ARC of this book. It was way better than I expected it to be. I know this is an indie author, but I feel like he writes more like a traditionally published author. The book went directions I didn't expect at all but all in a good and fun way. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book. I have a feeling he's going to continue to give us more books in the future and I'm here for it.

[Heaven Smokes]

I really enjoyed the first book but holy hell this one had so much extra spice! Tons of back story for several characters that helps you understand them better and I feel like this book is quicker paced which is great for my ADHD self. Something is always happening or changing or recovering.. until the next thing comes along. I still think about several of the intimate scenes and am not sad about it.

[Shelby]

ARC read
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️
don't know where to start! I was so excited to get book 2 in the Purgatory academy, I loved the first one and this one was amazing too. I love how it tells such a fascinating and detailed story of friendship, love, battling not only demons but battling the war and chaos in their heads. I also loved how enemies can become friends. There was so much in this book!! I enjoyed every single page!

[BombshellDanielle]

OMG! That was epic!!!

Guys... the battles, the spice, the revelations, just everything!!!

It's a war between heaven and hell. It's our FMC training to be an assassin while a purge is going on... it's mind blowing!!

I can't wait for the next one!!

[lizette franco]

4.5 ⭐️s

If I thought the first book was good, this book is so much better!! I was reading it like my life depended on it.

Do I recommend it?! Heck yes!!!

[Sam Sorg]

Wow! Fantastic sequel where the twists just kept coming! Definitely a must read!