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Die Well
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Expected 11 Mar 27Win a free kindle copy of this book!
21 days and 10:38:34
100 copies available
U.S. only
Die Well, Rise Stronger.
Every phoenix gets seven deaths. The Academy requires four. The math should be simple. It isn’t.
They told us power was a gift. They lied.
At Stygian Academy, phoenix-bound students are trained to master their flame or be consumed by it. Lives are treated like currency. Death is temporary. Obedience is mandatory. The Die Well, Rise Stronger.
Survival depends on precision, discipline, and knowing your place.
I fail at all three.
My awakening doesn’t match any known phoenix lineage. My fire doesn’t behave. It contaminates everything it touches, consuming in ways that shouldn’t be possible. And it’s drawing attention from the one force I can’t afford to notice The Inquisition.
They assigned their most ruthless enforcer to break me, a man forged by the very system I came here to destroy. His role is force compliance or burn me out entirely. He is discipline. He is control. He is everything the Academy stands for.
And he’s starting to see what I really am.
As secrets buried beneath Stygian begin to surface, the Academy’s carefully maintained order fractures. Alliances blur. Sides must be chosen.
They think the contamination in my blood threatens the phoenix race.
They have no idea.
Now I have to submit to the system that murdered my mother, or risk everything to burn Stygian Academy to ash.
To win their game, I must become what they fear. I must master the flames that brand me monster. I must learn to die.
Stygian Die Well, the first book in the Stygian Academy series, plunges you into a world where death is currency, fire is identity, and the line between monster and savior burns away with every resurrection. Perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, and Noctadia.
Every phoenix gets seven deaths. The Academy requires four. The math should be simple. It isn’t.
They told us power was a gift. They lied.
At Stygian Academy, phoenix-bound students are trained to master their flame or be consumed by it. Lives are treated like currency. Death is temporary. Obedience is mandatory. The Die Well, Rise Stronger.
Survival depends on precision, discipline, and knowing your place.
I fail at all three.
My awakening doesn’t match any known phoenix lineage. My fire doesn’t behave. It contaminates everything it touches, consuming in ways that shouldn’t be possible. And it’s drawing attention from the one force I can’t afford to notice The Inquisition.
They assigned their most ruthless enforcer to break me, a man forged by the very system I came here to destroy. His role is force compliance or burn me out entirely. He is discipline. He is control. He is everything the Academy stands for.
And he’s starting to see what I really am.
As secrets buried beneath Stygian begin to surface, the Academy’s carefully maintained order fractures. Alliances blur. Sides must be chosen.
They think the contamination in my blood threatens the phoenix race.
They have no idea.
Now I have to submit to the system that murdered my mother, or risk everything to burn Stygian Academy to ash.
To win their game, I must become what they fear. I must master the flames that brand me monster. I must learn to die.
Stygian Die Well, the first book in the Stygian Academy series, plunges you into a world where death is currency, fire is identity, and the line between monster and savior burns away with every resurrection. Perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, and Noctadia.
- GenresFantasy
541 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 11, 2027
About the author
J.K. Ross
4 books105 followersJ.K. Ross is an avid reader and unapologetic book lover with a deep passion for fantasy worlds and storytelling. When she’s not writing, she’s chasing wanderlust—having explored over ten countries in recent years, always in search of places that feel plucked from a storybook. Europe, with its fairytale charm, continues to inspire her imagination—especially Ireland, which she swears is a real-life fairy garden.
She lives in Arkansas with her husband and two children, where her coworkers include a very professional Goldendoodle named Ranger and a less-than-professional Maine Coon known as Grand Duchess Freya. Together, they make sure every writing session is filled with magic, mayhem, and maybe a bit of mischief.
She lives in Arkansas with her husband and two children, where her coworkers include a very professional Goldendoodle named Ranger and a less-than-professional Maine Coon known as Grand Duchess Freya. Together, they make sure every writing session is filled with magic, mayhem, and maybe a bit of mischief.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
netgalleyarcs
November 7, 2026Seven deaths, four required. The moment you understand that resurrections aren't free and the cost isn't the same every time, the whole world tilts. I spent the first act thinking of the deaths as a power system, and the second act realizing they're a budget, and by the third act watching characters do math on each other's lives. That's good stuff. That's the thing I'll remember.
The narrator carries it. She's angry in a way that's specific rather than generic, funny when it slips out, and her fire being wrong, contaminating, eating things it shouldn't, is a much better problem than a chosen-one power spike. I liked that her gift is a liability she has to hide rather than a secret weapon she gets to deploy.
And the enforcer. Okay. I see what the book is doing. He's not a brooding love interest dropped in from a catalogue, or at least not only that. He's the system's blade, and the interesting tension isn't "will they kiss," it's that he's genuinely complicit and the book doesn't let him off. The scenes where he's assessing her, deciding what she is, are the best-written in the book.
The narrator carries it. She's angry in a way that's specific rather than generic, funny when it slips out, and her fire being wrong, contaminating, eating things it shouldn't, is a much better problem than a chosen-one power spike. I liked that her gift is a liability she has to hide rather than a secret weapon she gets to deploy.
And the enforcer. Okay. I see what the book is doing. He's not a brooding love interest dropped in from a catalogue, or at least not only that. He's the system's blade, and the interesting tension isn't "will they kiss," it's that he's genuinely complicit and the book doesn't let him off. The scenes where he's assessing her, deciding what she is, are the best-written in the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Death is your teacher…Resurrection is your grade. And your performance…will be measured in blood and ash.”
As a phoenix, you get seven lives. Although you may never respawn after your first. 30% of students that go through Stygian Academy die. Students must learn to use their fire magic, transformation, and deaths to survive.
Premise and world was great. Characters fell so flat I could not read past 20%.
As a phoenix, you get seven lives. Although you may never respawn after your first. 30% of students that go through Stygian Academy die. Students must learn to use their fire magic, transformation, and deaths to survive.
Premise and world was great. Characters fell so flat I could not read past 20%.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars
Die Well is the first book in the Stygian Academy series. It follows Aeloria, a phoenix girl with a haunted past, as she enters the ruthless Stygian academy, designed to turn phoenixes into fighting machines at the cost of four of their seven lives. But with her contaminated flames, Aeloria is ostracized and sent to be observed by one of the Inquisitors, who will execute her if necessary. Except the inquisitor observing her seems to have his own motives, and he and Aeloria are soon fighting an undeniable tension growing between them.
I absolutely loved the prologue and first chapter of Die Well-- they immediately drew me in. Aeloria seemed competent and purposeful, and the scene of her mother's death was harrowing. I loved the Archon as a character, an extremely powerful woman who didn't immediately deliver mustache-twirling villain lines, but rather remained mysterious in her motivations.
Despite being relatively tropey overall, there were some fresh ideas in this book that made for interesting reading. First, the fact that we're following phoenixes! They can shift into a bird form and fly, or partially shift to have wings or talons, and they all have fire magic. The different kinds of fire were cool, too-- I especially liked the green healing fire. Playing with the element of resurrection was also interesting and didn't remove tension, especially since permanent deaths could also happen and were relatively well defined.
After a really strong start, the book lost me for a while at the academy. There was a lot of telling but not showing. The academy is said to be brutal, but there are few scenes actually showing that, aside from a bully character being allowed free reign. People are said to be dying left and right, but deaths aren't shown on-page, and the dying characters aren't ones that we connect to. I also lost a sense of Aeloria in this part of the book that I never really got back. The plot, while interesting, mostly just happens to her. There was never a moment when she did something and I thought, "wow, that was so Aeloria."
As we get towards the end of the book, though, the author really begins to show the horrors of Aerloria's situation, and a few of the scenes are stomach-turning. The minor villain had a few mustache-twirling lines, but mostly he was genuinely creepy and disturbing. I really liked those darker elements. It really felt like I was finally getting to see what the academy had been hyped up to, and the rampant corruption there, and the pacing and emotional impact was perfect. The big reveal at the end was interesting, but not surprising. I'm still curious to see what happens in the next book.
My favorite element:
The side characters were really the standout for me! While they felt like caricatures for probably the first quarter to third of the book, once we started seeing their vices and backstories, they became incredibly compelling. I especially loved Nysa and Dorian and what their powerful magic cost them mentally. It was probably my favorite element of the entire story. There are even multiple instances when Aeloria's friends come to her rescue rather than her love interest! This is something I wish I saw more often in romantasy. The affection the characters had for each other and how they empowered each other to be better was palpable.
My least favorite elements:
The romance didn't really do it for me. Aeloria and Zarek are clearly physically attracted to each other, and I thought that buildup worked, but there was little emotional connection. I didn't really understand what they liked about each other. Aside from that, it's mostly personal preference; people who like possessiveness and age gap/ power imbalance relationships would probably vibe with their freak more than I did.
There were also some plot holes/ inconsistencies that bothered me throughout the book. For example, what 'contamination' means isn't clearly defined. Aeloria and her friends have abilities that extend beyond their fire, and we're told that this is dangerous and that any of them may be executed, but then another scene shows that other characters have non-fire abilities, and a professor even prompts them to use said powers like they're normal. For something so central to the story, I wish it were more obvious why some people are singled out and others aren't.
Additionally, the purpose of the academy mystified me. In a book like Fourth Wing, we learn early on about the war going on, and it justifies why everyone is going to a war academy and why dying is so normal. There is no war going on in Die Well, no evidence of a recent war, no mentions of intra-phoenix or inter-species conflicts, or any reason given for why wealthy and influential families would be sending their children to die aside from culture. That might be enough for others, but it bothered me.
TLDR: I enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was paced well, and it had a lot of interesting and original elements. The side characters were exceptional, but the romance didn't do it for me, and I struggled with plot holes. Still, I'll read the next book to see where the story goes from here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.
Die Well is the first book in the Stygian Academy series. It follows Aeloria, a phoenix girl with a haunted past, as she enters the ruthless Stygian academy, designed to turn phoenixes into fighting machines at the cost of four of their seven lives. But with her contaminated flames, Aeloria is ostracized and sent to be observed by one of the Inquisitors, who will execute her if necessary. Except the inquisitor observing her seems to have his own motives, and he and Aeloria are soon fighting an undeniable tension growing between them.
I absolutely loved the prologue and first chapter of Die Well-- they immediately drew me in. Aeloria seemed competent and purposeful, and the scene of her mother's death was harrowing. I loved the Archon as a character, an extremely powerful woman who didn't immediately deliver mustache-twirling villain lines, but rather remained mysterious in her motivations.
Despite being relatively tropey overall, there were some fresh ideas in this book that made for interesting reading. First, the fact that we're following phoenixes! They can shift into a bird form and fly, or partially shift to have wings or talons, and they all have fire magic. The different kinds of fire were cool, too-- I especially liked the green healing fire. Playing with the element of resurrection was also interesting and didn't remove tension, especially since permanent deaths could also happen and were relatively well defined.
After a really strong start, the book lost me for a while at the academy. There was a lot of telling but not showing. The academy is said to be brutal, but there are few scenes actually showing that, aside from a bully character being allowed free reign. People are said to be dying left and right, but deaths aren't shown on-page, and the dying characters aren't ones that we connect to. I also lost a sense of Aeloria in this part of the book that I never really got back. The plot, while interesting, mostly just happens to her. There was never a moment when she did something and I thought, "wow, that was so Aeloria."
As we get towards the end of the book, though, the author really begins to show the horrors of Aerloria's situation, and a few of the scenes are stomach-turning. The minor villain had a few mustache-twirling lines, but mostly he was genuinely creepy and disturbing. I really liked those darker elements. It really felt like I was finally getting to see what the academy had been hyped up to, and the rampant corruption there, and the pacing and emotional impact was perfect. The big reveal at the end was interesting, but not surprising. I'm still curious to see what happens in the next book.
My favorite element:
The side characters were really the standout for me! While they felt like caricatures for probably the first quarter to third of the book, once we started seeing their vices and backstories, they became incredibly compelling. I especially loved Nysa and Dorian and what their powerful magic cost them mentally. It was probably my favorite element of the entire story. There are even multiple instances when Aeloria's friends come to her rescue rather than her love interest! This is something I wish I saw more often in romantasy. The affection the characters had for each other and how they empowered each other to be better was palpable.
My least favorite elements:
The romance didn't really do it for me. Aeloria and Zarek are clearly physically attracted to each other, and I thought that buildup worked, but there was little emotional connection. I didn't really understand what they liked about each other. Aside from that, it's mostly personal preference; people who like possessiveness and age gap/ power imbalance relationships would probably vibe with their freak more than I did.
There were also some plot holes/ inconsistencies that bothered me throughout the book. For example, what 'contamination' means isn't clearly defined. Aeloria and her friends have abilities that extend beyond their fire, and we're told that this is dangerous and that any of them may be executed, but then another scene shows that other characters have non-fire abilities, and a professor even prompts them to use said powers like they're normal. For something so central to the story, I wish it were more obvious why some people are singled out and others aren't.
Additionally, the purpose of the academy mystified me. In a book like Fourth Wing, we learn early on about the war going on, and it justifies why everyone is going to a war academy and why dying is so normal. There is no war going on in Die Well, no evidence of a recent war, no mentions of intra-phoenix or inter-species conflicts, or any reason given for why wealthy and influential families would be sending their children to die aside from culture. That might be enough for others, but it bothered me.
TLDR: I enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was paced well, and it had a lot of interesting and original elements. The side characters were exceptional, but the romance didn't do it for me, and I struggled with plot holes. Still, I'll read the next book to see where the story goes from here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, first of all, a fantasy academy full of phoenixes, forbidden romance, mysterious powers, and a morally questionable man with icy flames? YES PLEASE.
I absolutely LOVED this book.
Aeloria is an orphan who has spent her entire life relying on herself. When she arrives at Stygian Academy, she’s not just there for an education. She’s determined to uncover the truth about the research her mother was conducting before she was killed.
Unfortunately, her phoenix fire has other plans. Instead of presenting like a normal phoenix, her flames are considered “contaminated,” which is essentially a death sentence.
Enter Zarek.
A Senior Inquisitor with unusual icy flames, a reputation for being intimidating, and absolutely no business getting emotionally involved with someone under his supervision.
Naturally, that’s exactly what happens.
Zarek claims responsibility for Aeloria, effectively saving her life, and from that moment on, these two had me completely hooked.
THE YEARNING. THE TENSION. THE SLOW BURN.
I loved watching their relationship develop. Zarek is supposed to be studying Aeloria, not falling for her, and their attraction is very much against the rules. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore what’s happening between them.
And Zarek? This man might be able to freeze the temperature of an entire room, but he certainly wasn’t leaving ME cold.
What really sold me on their relationship wasn’t just the chemistry, though. It was the way Zarek continually showed up for Aeloria. She’s spent her entire life having to protect herself, and watching her slowly learn that she could trust someone else was incredibly satisfying. I especially loved seeing his protective side emerge and the tenderness he showed her when she needed him most.
And when they FINALLY gave in to their feelings? WORTH. THE. WAIT.
But this book was so much more than the romance!
The world-building was FANTASTIC. I loved the entire concept of phoenixes, their different types of fire, and the academy’s brutal traditions. Every time I thought I was starting to understand how everything worked, another little piece of information would come along and make me question everything. And the mystery surrounding Aeloria’s mother gave me one more reason to keep turning pages.
I also loved Aeloria’s friendships with Scarlet, Thane, Rook, Dorian, and Nysa. Their little group of unusual phoenixes brought so much to the story, and I genuinely enjoyed watching Aeloria find people who cared about her after spending so much of her life alone.
And the EMOTIONS?!
This book had me feeling EVERYTHING. I was excited, anxious, furious, swooning, and occasionally ready to fight someone on Aeloria’s behalf.
Aeloria is such a strong FMC, but I loved that she wasn’t invincible. She struggles, she gets hurt, she makes mistakes, and she has to figure out who she is in a world that seems determined to tell her she doesn’t belong.
And Zarek… I just love him. Even when his decisions are questionable, I can understand why he makes them. He’s protective, complicated, and clearly cares so deeply for Aeloria. I am VERY invested in these two getting their happiness.
Now, THAT ENDING?!
EXCUSE ME, J.K. ROSS?!
I knew there were secrets. I knew that certain things weren’t adding up. But I was NOT prepared to be left hanging like that.
Five stars for the incredible world-building, the characters, the forbidden romance, the emotional roller coaster, and a story that had me completely invested from beginning to end.
I’m really looking forward to continuing this series to see what happens next!!
Thank you to J.K. Ross and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely LOVED this book.
Aeloria is an orphan who has spent her entire life relying on herself. When she arrives at Stygian Academy, she’s not just there for an education. She’s determined to uncover the truth about the research her mother was conducting before she was killed.
Unfortunately, her phoenix fire has other plans. Instead of presenting like a normal phoenix, her flames are considered “contaminated,” which is essentially a death sentence.
Enter Zarek.
A Senior Inquisitor with unusual icy flames, a reputation for being intimidating, and absolutely no business getting emotionally involved with someone under his supervision.
Naturally, that’s exactly what happens.
Zarek claims responsibility for Aeloria, effectively saving her life, and from that moment on, these two had me completely hooked.
THE YEARNING. THE TENSION. THE SLOW BURN.
I loved watching their relationship develop. Zarek is supposed to be studying Aeloria, not falling for her, and their attraction is very much against the rules. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore what’s happening between them.
And Zarek? This man might be able to freeze the temperature of an entire room, but he certainly wasn’t leaving ME cold.
What really sold me on their relationship wasn’t just the chemistry, though. It was the way Zarek continually showed up for Aeloria. She’s spent her entire life having to protect herself, and watching her slowly learn that she could trust someone else was incredibly satisfying. I especially loved seeing his protective side emerge and the tenderness he showed her when she needed him most.
And when they FINALLY gave in to their feelings? WORTH. THE. WAIT.
But this book was so much more than the romance!
The world-building was FANTASTIC. I loved the entire concept of phoenixes, their different types of fire, and the academy’s brutal traditions. Every time I thought I was starting to understand how everything worked, another little piece of information would come along and make me question everything. And the mystery surrounding Aeloria’s mother gave me one more reason to keep turning pages.
I also loved Aeloria’s friendships with Scarlet, Thane, Rook, Dorian, and Nysa. Their little group of unusual phoenixes brought so much to the story, and I genuinely enjoyed watching Aeloria find people who cared about her after spending so much of her life alone.
And the EMOTIONS?!
This book had me feeling EVERYTHING. I was excited, anxious, furious, swooning, and occasionally ready to fight someone on Aeloria’s behalf.
Aeloria is such a strong FMC, but I loved that she wasn’t invincible. She struggles, she gets hurt, she makes mistakes, and she has to figure out who she is in a world that seems determined to tell her she doesn’t belong.
And Zarek… I just love him. Even when his decisions are questionable, I can understand why he makes them. He’s protective, complicated, and clearly cares so deeply for Aeloria. I am VERY invested in these two getting their happiness.
Now, THAT ENDING?!
EXCUSE ME, J.K. ROSS?!
I knew there were secrets. I knew that certain things weren’t adding up. But I was NOT prepared to be left hanging like that.
Five stars for the incredible world-building, the characters, the forbidden romance, the emotional roller coaster, and a story that had me completely invested from beginning to end.
I’m really looking forward to continuing this series to see what happens next!!
Thank you to J.K. Ross and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, where do I even start? I knew I would be fascinated by the worldbuilding in this book (move aside omegaverse, phoenixverse is my new obsession now!) and the idea of a fantasy setting where death is currency felt super new, fresh, and exciting. It's been a while since a romantasy grabbed me by the throat and I didn't want its talons to let go. Die Well is visceral. It's carnal. It's provocative. It's violence and gore and survival in a world where all odds are stacked against our MC and her beloved found family at Stygian Academy. It ALSO got me to pull an all nighter on a Sunday right before I started the work week - it was just that good. I kept reading through chapter after chapter and just. couldn't. put. it. down even while the sun was steadily rising and I knew I had to get some sleep.
Aeloria and Zarek's romance is full of sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a knife and interesting power dynamics (and imbalances) given the nature of their relationship (Zarek is the Senior High Inquisitor monitoring and observing her and Aeloria is the contaminated subject who he can and is SUPPOSED to obliterate at any moment) - but you see throughout the book how he clearly wrestles with clinical duty and obligation vs. possessive longing and yearning, and there is definitely a magnetic pull between these two that made scenes with them all the more satisfying. But the real charm of this book for me was Aeloria's group of friends, the political intrigue, and the fantasy/magic of this world. I loved that Aeloria is very much a fighter and survivor, and watching her slowly take up more space and power was extremely satisfying to watch. Scarlett, Thane, Rook, Dorian, and Nysa would die for Aeloria and I would die for them in a heartbeat without even batting an eyelash. They are all so lovable, charming, and dangerous, and their loyalty and friendship with each other is one of the best group dynamics I've ever seen in a long time. I quickly grew to love them all very much. And I really hope to learn more about phoenix biology, bloodlines, and culture/ history because it was genuinely intriguing.
Stygian Academy is brutal, and it revels on debauchery and savagery. It doesn't pull its punches and neither does the author. There were moments where my jaw literally dropped because I didn't think JK Ross would go there, but she did and I was left to sit with fascinated horror and admiration at how WELL she portrayed everything happening. There are some serious content warnings in here and I really appreciate how this is absolutely mature, dark academia for adult audiences. The writing was incredibly vivid and this was probably one of the best movies I've ever read this year. Not a single section felt wasted - every paragraph counted, and the book was so incredibly fast-paced (in the best way!) that I didn't want to put it down. I typically groan and hem and haw whenever a romantasy book is part of a series because I want to see the conclusion right away, but I'm actually savoring the wait for the second book and looking forward to whatever's in store. True to form with Stygian Academy's motto "Die Well, Rise Stronger," I have no doubt that the next book in this universe will absolutely blow me away. I'm excited for Die Well's official release and even more stoked to rave about it with my friends.
Thank you so much to J.K. Ross and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy.
Aeloria and Zarek's romance is full of sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a knife and interesting power dynamics (and imbalances) given the nature of their relationship (Zarek is the Senior High Inquisitor monitoring and observing her and Aeloria is the contaminated subject who he can and is SUPPOSED to obliterate at any moment) - but you see throughout the book how he clearly wrestles with clinical duty and obligation vs. possessive longing and yearning, and there is definitely a magnetic pull between these two that made scenes with them all the more satisfying. But the real charm of this book for me was Aeloria's group of friends, the political intrigue, and the fantasy/magic of this world. I loved that Aeloria is very much a fighter and survivor, and watching her slowly take up more space and power was extremely satisfying to watch. Scarlett, Thane, Rook, Dorian, and Nysa would die for Aeloria and I would die for them in a heartbeat without even batting an eyelash. They are all so lovable, charming, and dangerous, and their loyalty and friendship with each other is one of the best group dynamics I've ever seen in a long time. I quickly grew to love them all very much. And I really hope to learn more about phoenix biology, bloodlines, and culture/ history because it was genuinely intriguing.
Stygian Academy is brutal, and it revels on debauchery and savagery. It doesn't pull its punches and neither does the author. There were moments where my jaw literally dropped because I didn't think JK Ross would go there, but she did and I was left to sit with fascinated horror and admiration at how WELL she portrayed everything happening. There are some serious content warnings in here and I really appreciate how this is absolutely mature, dark academia for adult audiences. The writing was incredibly vivid and this was probably one of the best movies I've ever read this year. Not a single section felt wasted - every paragraph counted, and the book was so incredibly fast-paced (in the best way!) that I didn't want to put it down. I typically groan and hem and haw whenever a romantasy book is part of a series because I want to see the conclusion right away, but I'm actually savoring the wait for the second book and looking forward to whatever's in store. True to form with Stygian Academy's motto "Die Well, Rise Stronger," I have no doubt that the next book in this universe will absolutely blow me away. I'm excited for Die Well's official release and even more stoked to rave about it with my friends.
Thank you so much to J.K. Ross and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy.
November 13, 2026
I will write this review in the same style this book was written, because I think this is the only way I can convey to the author and the publisher what is wrong with it. So buckle up because this is going to be PAINFUL!
The premise of this book was good. Somewhat original. Interesting. Everything else fell flat. All the characters. Love interest. Backstories. Thane was bland. No personality. Forgettable. Scarlet was a typical badass friend. Sexually free. Supportive. Rook was a big flirt. Winking. Smirking. No, really, every scene he was in, he was winking at someone! Nysa was pale green. Quiet. Careful. Dorian was just there. Also forgettable. The love story was a slow burn. Because the love interest was mostly not there. But also dangerous. Possessive. Everything was sharp as a knife. Sentences short. I was waiting for 5 pages for it to improve. Then ten. Twenty. Thirty. Nothing changed. It got worse. I found myself editing the book while reading. Distracted. Annoyed. It was riddled with grammatical mistakes. The further along I got, the more mistakes there were. Careless. At least 5% of the book was just the words ‘dangerous’, ‘controlled’, ‘contaminated’. An editor is needed. Urgently.
This is exactly how this book was written, and I nearly lost my mind. This doesn’t need an edit - it needs a rewrite! Also, if phoenixes only come in the shades of red, gold, crimson and orange (as per the writing in the book), how was Nysa pale green and Thane grey? 2 stars for the premise that kept me reading.
The premise of this book was good. Somewhat original. Interesting. Everything else fell flat. All the characters. Love interest. Backstories. Thane was bland. No personality. Forgettable. Scarlet was a typical badass friend. Sexually free. Supportive. Rook was a big flirt. Winking. Smirking. No, really, every scene he was in, he was winking at someone! Nysa was pale green. Quiet. Careful. Dorian was just there. Also forgettable. The love story was a slow burn. Because the love interest was mostly not there. But also dangerous. Possessive. Everything was sharp as a knife. Sentences short. I was waiting for 5 pages for it to improve. Then ten. Twenty. Thirty. Nothing changed. It got worse. I found myself editing the book while reading. Distracted. Annoyed. It was riddled with grammatical mistakes. The further along I got, the more mistakes there were. Careless. At least 5% of the book was just the words ‘dangerous’, ‘controlled’, ‘contaminated’. An editor is needed. Urgently.
This is exactly how this book was written, and I nearly lost my mind. This doesn’t need an edit - it needs a rewrite! Also, if phoenixes only come in the shades of red, gold, crimson and orange (as per the writing in the book), how was Nysa pale green and Thane grey? 2 stars for the premise that kept me reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.75/5 Stars
I flew through Die Well in just two days and thoroughly enjoyed both the story’s premise and its found-family cast. This fast-paced fantasy incorporates several familiar genre tropes, including a competitive military-style academy and a slow-burn romance, but it also introduces enough unique elements to feel fresh and keep readers invested.
The character development and world-building are not especially deep, and many of the characters fall into recognizable archetypes. Even so, I found them likeable, particularly as their hidden abilities gradually emerged and contributed to the group's ability to overcome threats, endure relentless bullying, and survive increasingly difficult trials. The found-family dynamic develops very quickly and perhaps a bit too easily, but it remains one of the book’s most enjoyable aspects.
The story builds toward several major twists near the end. Some caught me by surprise, while others were easier to predict. The cliffhanger sets up an exciting direction for the next installment, and I suspect we'll be introduced to an even broader cast of characters. As alliances form and battle lines begin to emerge, I'm eager to see how these characters' stories intersect in the next book.
Be sure to review the trigger warnings before reading, as there are a few graphic and stomach-turning scenes.
Thank you to Lark & Lore Press for providing an advance reader copy through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
I flew through Die Well in just two days and thoroughly enjoyed both the story’s premise and its found-family cast. This fast-paced fantasy incorporates several familiar genre tropes, including a competitive military-style academy and a slow-burn romance, but it also introduces enough unique elements to feel fresh and keep readers invested.
The character development and world-building are not especially deep, and many of the characters fall into recognizable archetypes. Even so, I found them likeable, particularly as their hidden abilities gradually emerged and contributed to the group's ability to overcome threats, endure relentless bullying, and survive increasingly difficult trials. The found-family dynamic develops very quickly and perhaps a bit too easily, but it remains one of the book’s most enjoyable aspects.
The story builds toward several major twists near the end. Some caught me by surprise, while others were easier to predict. The cliffhanger sets up an exciting direction for the next installment, and I suspect we'll be introduced to an even broader cast of characters. As alliances form and battle lines begin to emerge, I'm eager to see how these characters' stories intersect in the next book.
Be sure to review the trigger warnings before reading, as there are a few graphic and stomach-turning scenes.
Thank you to Lark & Lore Press for providing an advance reader copy through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 14, 2026
I had such a good time reading this! One of my favorite aspects was the found family, which added so much to the overall story. The plot twists were genuinely unexpected, and I loved how unique the worldbuilding was. Phoenixes AND dragons? I honestly haven’t read anything quite like this before, and it made the reading experience even more enjoyable.
Aeloria as an interesting FMC. At times, she could be a little frustrating, but I also appreciated that she had moments of strength, determination, and fight. She wasn’t perfect, which made her an interesting character to follow.
There were so many moments where I thought I had things figured out, only for another twist to prove me wrong. I genuinely wasn’t expecting a lot of what happened, and that’s always something I appreciate in a book.
I’m already looking forward to the next installment, and I know I’ll be picking it up as soon as it’s available. I need to know what happens next immediately!
Definitely a series I’m excited to continue!
Aeloria as an interesting FMC. At times, she could be a little frustrating, but I also appreciated that she had moments of strength, determination, and fight. She wasn’t perfect, which made her an interesting character to follow.
There were so many moments where I thought I had things figured out, only for another twist to prove me wrong. I genuinely wasn’t expecting a lot of what happened, and that’s always something I appreciate in a book.
I’m already looking forward to the next installment, and I know I’ll be picking it up as soon as it’s available. I need to know what happens next immediately!
Definitely a series I’m excited to continue!
November 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars!
I absolutely ATE this up. The friendships, the TENSION, the fighting… and that ending?! Actually had me shook.
The phoenix premise felt so unique, and I loved the university setting. There’s something about an academy full of danger, secrets, and people you’re trying to figure out that just does it for me. I was completely invested and already cannot wait for the rest of this series.
My main critique was some repetitive descriptive language. There were a lot of “he was all…” and “she was all…” descriptions, and enough sharp edges that I started noticing them instead of staying in the story. Thane, especially, felt like he was described in similar ways several times. A little more variety would have made those descriptions hit harder.
But overall? I loved this so dang much. Such an addictive read with a premise that stood out to me and an ending I’m still processing. Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in!
4.5 stars!
I absolutely ATE this up. The friendships, the TENSION, the fighting… and that ending?! Actually had me shook.
The phoenix premise felt so unique, and I loved the university setting. There’s something about an academy full of danger, secrets, and people you’re trying to figure out that just does it for me. I was completely invested and already cannot wait for the rest of this series.
My main critique was some repetitive descriptive language. There were a lot of “he was all…” and “she was all…” descriptions, and enough sharp edges that I started noticing them instead of staying in the story. Thane, especially, felt like he was described in similar ways several times. A little more variety would have made those descriptions hit harder.
But overall? I loved this so dang much. Such an addictive read with a premise that stood out to me and an ending I’m still processing. Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I very much enjoyed this book. If you enjoy found family, slow burn romance, dark academia & want something that's not super burnt out this is the book for you. I loved the fresh take on magic & world building as well as the academy setting. The Phoenix isn't something you see many books about so it really gives it a fun perspective. I finished this book relatively quickly as it's a fun easy run. I connected with most of the characters quickly.
There are some plot twists that will shock you & some that are predictable but satisfying. The cliffhanger is a little diabolical but sets up the next book excellently. I can't wait to find out what happened next. There are quite a few graphic scenes so make sure to check all the trigger warnings.
Thank you to NetGalley & Lore For the E-arc of this book!
There are some plot twists that will shock you & some that are predictable but satisfying. The cliffhanger is a little diabolical but sets up the next book excellently. I can't wait to find out what happened next. There are quite a few graphic scenes so make sure to check all the trigger warnings.
Thank you to NetGalley & Lore For the E-arc of this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this! The FMC wants to attend a cutthroat academy to find answers on what exactly her mother was researching, and why she was killed for it. Along the way she joins a group of “others” who became family. There is so much adversity thrown her way, and I found myself thinking how much more can she take! The MMC takes responsibility for her and there relationship begins to change…rivals to lovers to?? The epilogue genuinely shocked me and I can’t wait for book 2!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The overall concept of the book was quite intriguing. The way the idea was executed was also pretty good. But the writing style was pretty bland. It just read like a textbook. I understood what was going on, sure, but I didn't feel it. I didn't feel like I was personally there, living among these characters, experiencing what they already were. That is all I have to say about this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow I need the next book immediately - the cliffhanger ending has my jaw dropped. This book is pretty fast paced but it could have been ten times longer and it still would have been too short. Ngl at one point I thought the author was setting this up as a RH (it isn’t, it is MF). This was such a unique world and I am looking forward to continuing the series!
November 14, 2026
ARC from NetGalley
Give me an academic setting anyday. The concept of phoenix’s is a fresh new spin in the romantasy world. I would definitely check the triggers as some parts did get graphic and a little uncomfy for me personally. Overall I enjoyed the storyline and characters and will probably pick book 2 up when the time comes.
Give me an academic setting anyday. The concept of phoenix’s is a fresh new spin in the romantasy world. I would definitely check the triggers as some parts did get graphic and a little uncomfy for me personally. Overall I enjoyed the storyline and characters and will probably pick book 2 up when the time comes.
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