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The Coven: Academy Magic #1
The Hidden Witch
Magic. Isn’t. Real.
At least that's what I thought. But now, my story is changing...
You know you’re invisible when even your bullies forget to pick on you. That’s me, Bettina Blair, hidden in plain sight. No matter how hard I try I just never fit in with my classmates.
Now I know why. I’m a witch...apparently.
One little demon attack and my parents confess their ugly secret…and ship me off to an elite academy of magic- for witches only.
I can't summon magic. I can't fight with my hands or my fists. I just don't belong here, and Jackson Lancaster keeps reminding me every single chance he gets. This boy is the most insufferable, intolerable, unbearable, judgmental person to ever have the right to be that gorgeous. I don’t care how sexy his British accent is, or that literally everyone else on campus adores him. He hates me, and the feeling is mutual.
Suddenly, I’m sent on a quest into the Old Lands to find the only thing that can save Eden from a demon invasion. I’m in way over my head, and my best chance of coming back alive lies in the hands of the guy who wants me gone…
The Hidden Witch is the first book in a brand new, fast paced urban fantasy adventure featuring a sharp-witted heroine, swoon-worthy hero, and one epic hate-to-love rollercoaster set inside a magical academy!
*Disclaimer: Academy Magic is Season Two in The Coven Series. It can be read as a standalone but contains some spoilers for Season One - Elemental Magic.
At least that's what I thought. But now, my story is changing...
You know you’re invisible when even your bullies forget to pick on you. That’s me, Bettina Blair, hidden in plain sight. No matter how hard I try I just never fit in with my classmates.
Now I know why. I’m a witch...apparently.
One little demon attack and my parents confess their ugly secret…and ship me off to an elite academy of magic- for witches only.
I can't summon magic. I can't fight with my hands or my fists. I just don't belong here, and Jackson Lancaster keeps reminding me every single chance he gets. This boy is the most insufferable, intolerable, unbearable, judgmental person to ever have the right to be that gorgeous. I don’t care how sexy his British accent is, or that literally everyone else on campus adores him. He hates me, and the feeling is mutual.
Suddenly, I’m sent on a quest into the Old Lands to find the only thing that can save Eden from a demon invasion. I’m in way over my head, and my best chance of coming back alive lies in the hands of the guy who wants me gone…
The Hidden Witch is the first book in a brand new, fast paced urban fantasy adventure featuring a sharp-witted heroine, swoon-worthy hero, and one epic hate-to-love rollercoaster set inside a magical academy!
*Disclaimer: Academy Magic is Season Two in The Coven Series. It can be read as a standalone but contains some spoilers for Season One - Elemental Magic.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2019
2962 people are currently reading
3316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
November 30, 2019
2 DNF STARS
DNF at 80%
I was thinking I was going to really like it at the start because the writing was decent, it was in first person, and the story was interesting so far. Unfortunately, the story just got worse and worse.
First off, the more I read the more confused I got. It almost felt as if there were previous books in the series, or a prequel or something, but none of the other books from the author were shown to be connected in the descriptions. Well when her group of friends showed up, it felt as if I was missing a huge chunk of the story, so then i looked at the description again, and it turns out they are the MCs for the other series, and yet there is NOTHING about these books being a spinoff to the other series. But if you want to read any of the books, definitely start the other one first or you will be confused the whole book. I didn't bother reading the other books because I had already started the first book in this series, and I didn't feel like starting all over again.
Good thing i didn't, but it would have probably been the same result of me DNFing anyways.
Besides that, there was a lot wrong with this book. One being with how rushed everything is. The h was a horrible fighter, and yet within just a couple of chapters she becomes one of the schools top, and almost beats Daniel and Gen who have been training for YEARS🤔. Then the plot is too rushed and so many things are happening, and more confusion because I never read the other series. Their feeling also developed way too fast and yet neither realize they're soulmates? He was constantly a jerk to her, all because he was attracted to her and didn't want to be, and she instantly forgives him everytime. Bleh.
The author tries to make her Bad A with her "comebacks" which were horrible btw. Her personality is also always constantly changing and it happens way too fast. We also had to be in her boring head listening about her talking about how she will fight better and blah, and her nonstop pining for jackson and blah.
And one last thing, is that they are all 16 year olds and yet no one seems like it! Jackson has already hooked up with girls, and made a deal how he has never had feeling about any girl before, well ya... You're 16... Also all the freaking tattoos!! Did we even come across a character that didn't have a tattoo?? They all did! At 16! Like body wrapping tattoos! This book was just too much for me to take it seriously. It was over the top, dramatic, and I will not be continuing the series.
DNF at 80%
I was thinking I was going to really like it at the start because the writing was decent, it was in first person, and the story was interesting so far. Unfortunately, the story just got worse and worse.
First off, the more I read the more confused I got. It almost felt as if there were previous books in the series, or a prequel or something, but none of the other books from the author were shown to be connected in the descriptions. Well when her group of friends showed up, it felt as if I was missing a huge chunk of the story, so then i looked at the description again, and it turns out they are the MCs for the other series, and yet there is NOTHING about these books being a spinoff to the other series. But if you want to read any of the books, definitely start the other one first or you will be confused the whole book. I didn't bother reading the other books because I had already started the first book in this series, and I didn't feel like starting all over again.
Good thing i didn't, but it would have probably been the same result of me DNFing anyways.
Besides that, there was a lot wrong with this book. One being with how rushed everything is. The h was a horrible fighter, and yet within just a couple of chapters she becomes one of the schools top, and almost beats Daniel and Gen who have been training for YEARS🤔. Then the plot is too rushed and so many things are happening, and more confusion because I never read the other series. Their feeling also developed way too fast and yet neither realize they're soulmates? He was constantly a jerk to her, all because he was attracted to her and didn't want to be, and she instantly forgives him everytime. Bleh.
The author tries to make her Bad A with her "comebacks" which were horrible btw. Her personality is also always constantly changing and it happens way too fast. We also had to be in her boring head listening about her talking about how she will fight better and blah, and her nonstop pining for jackson and blah.
And one last thing, is that they are all 16 year olds and yet no one seems like it! Jackson has already hooked up with girls, and made a deal how he has never had feeling about any girl before, well ya... You're 16... Also all the freaking tattoos!! Did we even come across a character that didn't have a tattoo?? They all did! At 16! Like body wrapping tattoos! This book was just too much for me to take it seriously. It was over the top, dramatic, and I will not be continuing the series.
Read
May 14, 2019This was a dnf for me, it started and I was instantly confused when it seemed like there was another book before this or that there should have been because they kept referencing a party or events that happened before? either I missed out on a previous series or this one just makes you assume things and connect the dots. Wasn't for me
March 8, 2019
As a whole I enjoyed most of the book, I absolutely hated the ending and I’m not sure if I’ll continue reading but I did like the premise and think the series has potential if plot holes are filled in I just found there were too many gaps when it finished.
April 7, 2019
Harry Potter (or every magic academy story ever) meets Divergent, perhaps?
I enjoyed the story, although the ending was, well, simply dumb, really. And here's a spoilery why:
The rest of this review is a recap for myself, before the release of the next book, soooo.. very spoilery things ahead.
I enjoyed the story, although the ending was, well, simply dumb, really. And here's a spoilery why:
The rest of this review is a recap for myself, before the release of the next book, soooo.. very spoilery things ahead.
February 26, 2019
OMG such a fantastic and exciting addition to this series. It was fun and engaging and once I started reading it, I could not put it down and I finished it in one sitting in one evening.
Bettina’s gifts are a complete shock to her and this story explores her being thrown in off the deep end to study to become a witch and to learn to be a kickass warrior, with very little assistance. Gotta feel for this girl since neither her schooling nor her romantic life flow smoothly. This book runs on a parallel timeline to events in the first series and it is fun to see Tegan and Tennesse, etc. occasionally pop in and out of this story.
Really love her roommate who reminds her of BFF Tegan who she has been seriously missing. Bettina and Jackson are working through their romantic attraction and the back story to Jackson’s family history is compelling and forbodes dangerous adventures for him in the future.
This story is filled with harrowing adventures right up to the last page, and OMG (gulp) it ends on a big cliffhanger...and I wanted the next book Now! Eagerly awaiting next installment in spring 2019. Final Rating; 5 Magical Kickass Stars
Bettina’s gifts are a complete shock to her and this story explores her being thrown in off the deep end to study to become a witch and to learn to be a kickass warrior, with very little assistance. Gotta feel for this girl since neither her schooling nor her romantic life flow smoothly. This book runs on a parallel timeline to events in the first series and it is fun to see Tegan and Tennesse, etc. occasionally pop in and out of this story.
Really love her roommate who reminds her of BFF Tegan who she has been seriously missing. Bettina and Jackson are working through their romantic attraction and the back story to Jackson’s family history is compelling and forbodes dangerous adventures for him in the future.
This story is filled with harrowing adventures right up to the last page, and OMG (gulp) it ends on a big cliffhanger...and I wanted the next book Now! Eagerly awaiting next installment in spring 2019. Final Rating; 5 Magical Kickass Stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2020
I didn't realize this was a spin off series in a much larger series world. So I'll be backtracking and reading The Coven series next by the same author. Not going to lie, there were some Harry Potter rip-off references and some Twilight ("Must fight my attraction to her") moments. It's all witches and demons, though. No vampires. If you've read much paranormal YA, you know this teenager in a magical school set up like the back of your hand. The plot development was a little rough, especially on transitions, but even though it's not altogether original, it was still enjoyable. It morphed somewhere along the way from "is it really worth my time to read this" to "yeah, this is a mindless fun read." Which was what I was looking for. Stupid ending, but it's just a setup for the next book.
October 2, 2023
Great start to season 2! I'm loving Bettinas friend group. What a cliff hanger. I'm glad I can go straight to the next book.
August 6, 2019
Plot Twist..
I didn’t realize this was going to be about Bettina! Her being a witch too 🤯. She didn’t quite capture my attention like Tegan did, but it was still great and compelling. The near misses between her a Tegan KILLED ME. Dean better call Tegan and tell her to Bring Her Crazy to fix that cliffhanger.
I didn’t realize this was going to be about Bettina! Her being a witch too 🤯. She didn’t quite capture my attention like Tegan did, but it was still great and compelling. The near misses between her a Tegan KILLED ME. Dean better call Tegan and tell her to Bring Her Crazy to fix that cliffhanger.
March 13, 2019
Fantastic
Wow! I love Bettina. This was an amazing start to the new books. That ending though will drive me crazy until the next one comes out.
Wow! I love Bettina. This was an amazing start to the new books. That ending though will drive me crazy until the next one comes out.
June 23, 2019
Ok so yea I stepped off in it here. This is a spin off series of The Coven: Elemental Magic series, and this book is happening at the same time as that series is going on. There are spoilers, though I will say they aren't super revealing and I'm not sure where they happen exactly in the other series, in this series that reveal things that happened in the other series and vice versa really. I have read the first book in the The Coven: Elemental Magic series but never made it any farther so I was really lost at what was happening. There are instances where the other series characters come in an out on their journey as well as things the other series characters are making happen.
That all being said I honestly felt like this was a sideline characters tale.. Bettina Blair the BFF we had thought we left behind starts her own story as she discovers after a demon attack that she is a witch. Shipped off to a magical Academy, where she is then sorted into the House of swords, Bettina is flabbergasted and convinced that some mistake has been made. Not expressing any tendency toward magic almost the entire book Bettina trains physically to do what swords do best.. fight. So Eye of the Tiger later Bettina and her sword friends prepare to face off against the apocalypse meanwhile Jackson, our MMC and also the leader of the House of Swords has his own drama happening as any moment the Archangel Michael could come back and test him. His families magic depends on him. Jackson and Bettina spend most of the story fighting their attraction to one another right up until the cliffhanger ending. There was also something weird happening where Bettina and Tegan (FMC from first series) are constantly "just missing" each other as Tegan cameo's through. Not sure why that is happening...
I felt like this series really didn't have the action and adventure that the other series has demonstrated so far. In fact I'm not even really sure what the point is of this spino ff... I'll have to go back and finish the first series and see where that puts me before I decide whether or not to continue this.
That all being said I honestly felt like this was a sideline characters tale.. Bettina Blair the BFF we had thought we left behind starts her own story as she discovers after a demon attack that she is a witch. Shipped off to a magical Academy, where she is then sorted into the House of swords, Bettina is flabbergasted and convinced that some mistake has been made. Not expressing any tendency toward magic almost the entire book Bettina trains physically to do what swords do best.. fight. So Eye of the Tiger later Bettina and her sword friends prepare to face off against the apocalypse meanwhile Jackson, our MMC and also the leader of the House of Swords has his own drama happening as any moment the Archangel Michael could come back and test him. His families magic depends on him. Jackson and Bettina spend most of the story fighting their attraction to one another right up until the cliffhanger ending. There was also something weird happening where Bettina and Tegan (FMC from first series) are constantly "just missing" each other as Tegan cameo's through. Not sure why that is happening...
I felt like this series really didn't have the action and adventure that the other series has demonstrated so far. In fact I'm not even really sure what the point is of this spino ff... I'll have to go back and finish the first series and see where that puts me before I decide whether or not to continue this.
December 2, 2023
Book: The Hidden Witch
Read By: Ebook
Author: Chandelle LaVaun
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Recommend: Yes
Spice: 🌶️️
< b>Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
My feelings:
I didn't like it. Sorry.
I feel like it's more of a YA book than anything else. I struggled to follow along with the storyline, and the Audiobook is narrated by one who doesn't change their voice for internal narration. So I was confused a lot about who was talking:(
“From the swords new twins are born, a single choice thy Goddess warns. When Powers of Light and Dark combine, beware the time will entwine. Once Samhain’s sunset finds thee well, Invoke thy magic to unlock the spell. By midnight they must make the call, for Coven or demons to rule them all.”
But just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean you won't like it. Bettina is a bad Ass Mc, with a lot of determination, and Jackson is a swoon-worthy doosh bag who I. Hope can redeem himself.
I think if I read the book and not listened it would have been a lot better. So I recommend not listening to the audio and reading it.
It’s crystal.” He held it up as everyone looked on. “The blade is fire opal. It contains the qualities of every other stone and can be charged with energy for all types of magic. The hilt is solid onyx which is great for courage, physical strength, defensive magic, magical energy… Oh shit, look at that. See these bands around the hilt? Those are rings of black opal. If you look close, you’ll see little specks of color. This stone is for power.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, like the plot and love the romance. The plot was clearly intended for a book series, as a lot of stuff was left open, plus there was a cliffhanger at the end. Although I think that misunderstanding could’ve been solved. It felt like it was just there for the sake of a cliffhanger, so I’m not a big fan of the ending. I think they could have believed Bettina if she had explained what happened. They’ve been through a lot together, after all.
There was lots of cool magic in this but I wish Bettina would’ve done more spells and magic.
I loved the bit where Bettina learned some fighting moves from watching Natasha Romanov, like, hell yeah.
The writing was repetitive sometimes but still good. “I gasped” did start to get on my nerves not gonna lie. I’m choosing to ignore the two times Bettina stuttered, that gave me war flashbacks to my Wattpad phase when I was 11 or so.
Bettina’s character was a little contradictory. She was supposed to be a shy and quiet girl and “smart enough” not to talk back to her bullies but she is also full of sarcastic remarks and banter and blurts out things followed by thinking “I need to learn verbal control” or something along these lines. I guess there was a traumatic event that changed her but it was still a little confusing.
I could still relate to her a lot, though. Especially her anxiety in front of crowds and stuff like that.
These didn’t bother me too much, hence the 4 or 4.25 stars.
There was lots of cool magic in this but I wish Bettina would’ve done more spells and magic.
I loved the bit where Bettina learned some fighting moves from watching Natasha Romanov, like, hell yeah.
The writing was repetitive sometimes but still good. “I gasped” did start to get on my nerves not gonna lie. I’m choosing to ignore the two times Bettina stuttered, that gave me war flashbacks to my Wattpad phase when I was 11 or so.
Bettina’s character was a little contradictory. She was supposed to be a shy and quiet girl and “smart enough” not to talk back to her bullies but she is also full of sarcastic remarks and banter and blurts out things followed by thinking “I need to learn verbal control” or something along these lines. I guess there was a traumatic event that changed her but it was still a little confusing.
I could still relate to her a lot, though. Especially her anxiety in front of crowds and stuff like that.
These didn’t bother me too much, hence the 4 or 4.25 stars.
July 6, 2019
Better
I’m breezing through this world. It’s getting better and better! This is now Bettina’s story (POV switching still between her and the love interest Jackson). Turns out she is a witch and this story is parallel to the events happening during the Elemental Magic series. It was so frustrating how Bettina and Tegan kept JUST missing each other! I can’t wait until they both realize the other is a witch! They are best friends for goodness sake!
Anyway, it was nice to read through a point of view not consumed with soulmate thoughts. The story was also pretty cool. It was fun knowing what was happening in the school while the Coven was on their quest and I realized they each had references to each other. Good job in tying those together. Theres so much more questions than answers and I can’t wait to find them out. I’m going to continue speeding on!
I’m breezing through this world. It’s getting better and better! This is now Bettina’s story (POV switching still between her and the love interest Jackson). Turns out she is a witch and this story is parallel to the events happening during the Elemental Magic series. It was so frustrating how Bettina and Tegan kept JUST missing each other! I can’t wait until they both realize the other is a witch! They are best friends for goodness sake!
Anyway, it was nice to read through a point of view not consumed with soulmate thoughts. The story was also pretty cool. It was fun knowing what was happening in the school while the Coven was on their quest and I realized they each had references to each other. Good job in tying those together. Theres so much more questions than answers and I can’t wait to find them out. I’m going to continue speeding on!
March 8, 2023
Recommended for fans of Disney, Harry Potter, Charmed, and Stranger Things!
The Hidden Witch has be on my toes the entire time. If you are jot reading chandelle’s work, you are seriously missing out. She has built a beautiful modern, magical world that has a multitude of events happening at once. Seeing it from various perspectives and time stamps is incredible. THAT ENDING THOUGH, I was absolutely not expecting it! That being said, I felt whisked away on the beginning of Bettina’s journey and very much look forward to what happens next. She is my favorite character thus far!
The Hidden Witch has be on my toes the entire time. If you are jot reading chandelle’s work, you are seriously missing out. She has built a beautiful modern, magical world that has a multitude of events happening at once. Seeing it from various perspectives and time stamps is incredible. THAT ENDING THOUGH, I was absolutely not expecting it! That being said, I felt whisked away on the beginning of Bettina’s journey and very much look forward to what happens next. She is my favorite character thus far!
March 30, 2024
So this is a spin-off that says it can be read as a stand-alone but can't, it will be confusing with the stuff from the other series going on. This annoyed me but I thought I'd still try... This girl gives going with the flow a whole other level of mellow. Yeah no she should not be this laid back about any of it. The last straw though is when this really started leaning into Harry Potter, just flat-out ripping parts of that off unashamedly. Just wow
March 11, 2019
3.5 stars
March 29, 2019
Omg this was amazing!
I loved this book so much, it was crazy good and deserving of every star given. So well written and well done. Ive already preordered book two and cannot wait!
I loved this book so much, it was crazy good and deserving of every star given. So well written and well done. Ive already preordered book two and cannot wait!
January 2, 2021
Amazing book ! I am loving this series . My full review is in the box set for this series.
February 25, 2019
Brilliant !! That is the first word that came to mind when I finished the last word of this new series. Bettina is Great ! I loved her sassiness & bravery, making me champion her the whole way through. I laughed with her and cried with her. I felt every blow both physically and emotionally as she was thrown into a world she knew nothing about, a world where children are taught from birth about this new world she is now a part of. Also having to fight an immediate attraction to a guy with secrets, who is unattainable but breathtakingly handsome. A guy who will do anything he can to get rid of her. This book is told through 2 POV’s Bettina & Jackson, giving us both sides of the reasons behind their actions. The realism & Absorbing limitless imagination of Chandelle LaVaun launches this new series to the top spot, earning every single of the 5 stars I can award. She seized my imagination & carried me away to a world of Magical acts, ideas and events that shaped the course of the immediate future but also the significant history that surrounds the time & place you enter. Everything flowed seemlessly, I never questioned this world, the magic or the demons. I don’t leave spoilers. If you have read the remarkable “The Coven: Elemental Magic” series by this author, you will know how this world works, and is a great way of seeing the flip side of one of the biggest battles the Coven faced. If you haven’t read this series, then I can wholeheartedly recommend it. However you don’t need to read it to enjoy “The Hidden Witch”. Prepare yourself to be entertained, to see a side of magic that isn’t all fluffy & spells. The main characters history plays the main parts of this book, offering the friendships and loyalties that shape them. You will feel the laughter, the tears, the desperation, the friendships & peers, the isolation and sacrifice firing a passion for The very best this Magic can make them. The cliffhanger had me shouting, crying & feeling utterly devastated. A twist that left me in great anticipation for the next book. Chandelle LaVaun, Thank you for completely taking over my world and taking me into yours
August 18, 2019
Dnf
Despite being the first book in a series, the book started expecting you to know the world, the characters and events that had happened previously. It seems to be a spin off from another series but this was not made clear and the writing did not make me want to go back and read the other series.
Despite being the first book in a series, the book started expecting you to know the world, the characters and events that had happened previously. It seems to be a spin off from another series but this was not made clear and the writing did not make me want to go back and read the other series.
August 31, 2022
This was a fantastic start to the next season in the series! I love Bettina, an I am loving her story so far.
Read
December 21, 2022And I'm obsessed
April 5, 2020
Great introduction to a new author
Hidden Magic is book one in Chandelle LaVaun’s The Coven: Practical Magic series. A new to me author.
Bettina, thought she was just a normal 16 year old girl who’s best friend just moved away leaving her to make new friends. After being invited to attend a party at Dean a coworker’s place, she puts her plan into action to make friends. She is asked to go use a Ouija board, then weird things happen that just get stranger. Back at school she is being called a witch and sent to the headmasters office, but refusing to go she goes to a isolators bathroom when a demon attacks her, Dean shows up and takes her home where she is told she is a witch and will be going to Edenburg Academy for Witches.
Bettina is sassy, fun, kicka**, from the beginning things keep happening to her that are not normal which shows she powerful and unique. She is sorted to the Sword Suit which are the protectors and she has a Sword that is made of different materials and works like a wand as well. Her powers are suppressed but no one knows why. Tine has an instant attraction to Jackson from the first moment she meets him, and she doesn’t understand why he hates her. She tries to fight her feelings for him, but she is constantly getting mixed signals from him with his hot and cold attitude. When their lives are at risk in the Old World something shifts between them.
Jackson is the Sword Major which means he is the top student in that Suit. He first meets Bettina at Deans party when he is asked to attend to keep and eye on her as she is a potential witch. Then when Bettina shows up to the Academt and put into his suit and has to train her, he isn’t happy with that idea and is a total a** to her. When things start to turn around with them their connection grows strong, but when things get hard for Tina he turns he back on her again.
There are also strong secondary characters that also deserve a mention. Tegan, Bettina’s best friend is a little elusive and not part of her life after “moving” away but is later mentioned to be something other. Lennox, the roommate is fun, energetic and totally loveable in her weirdness way, she is an instant connection for Tina in this new world she has been thrown into. Dean, is the finder of the witches and he is the reason Tina’s life is thrown in dis era, but he is fun and likeable especially with the Spice Girls scene 😂. Erin, Genevieve, Trey and Warner are fellow Sword’s.
I enjoyed this book surprisingly, at the beginning I was getting a very strong Harry Potter feel and was getting a little nervous that I would enjoy it especially with the main characters being 16 years old. But it was very exciting, at times it’s very hard to remember that the characters are only 16 as the way they speak, act and carry on it’s not a normal 16 year old. The ending was frustrating as no one would allow Tina a chance to explain and they all turned on her real quick.
Hidden Magic is book one in Chandelle LaVaun’s The Coven: Practical Magic series. A new to me author.
Bettina, thought she was just a normal 16 year old girl who’s best friend just moved away leaving her to make new friends. After being invited to attend a party at Dean a coworker’s place, she puts her plan into action to make friends. She is asked to go use a Ouija board, then weird things happen that just get stranger. Back at school she is being called a witch and sent to the headmasters office, but refusing to go she goes to a isolators bathroom when a demon attacks her, Dean shows up and takes her home where she is told she is a witch and will be going to Edenburg Academy for Witches.
Bettina is sassy, fun, kicka**, from the beginning things keep happening to her that are not normal which shows she powerful and unique. She is sorted to the Sword Suit which are the protectors and she has a Sword that is made of different materials and works like a wand as well. Her powers are suppressed but no one knows why. Tine has an instant attraction to Jackson from the first moment she meets him, and she doesn’t understand why he hates her. She tries to fight her feelings for him, but she is constantly getting mixed signals from him with his hot and cold attitude. When their lives are at risk in the Old World something shifts between them.
Jackson is the Sword Major which means he is the top student in that Suit. He first meets Bettina at Deans party when he is asked to attend to keep and eye on her as she is a potential witch. Then when Bettina shows up to the Academt and put into his suit and has to train her, he isn’t happy with that idea and is a total a** to her. When things start to turn around with them their connection grows strong, but when things get hard for Tina he turns he back on her again.
There are also strong secondary characters that also deserve a mention. Tegan, Bettina’s best friend is a little elusive and not part of her life after “moving” away but is later mentioned to be something other. Lennox, the roommate is fun, energetic and totally loveable in her weirdness way, she is an instant connection for Tina in this new world she has been thrown into. Dean, is the finder of the witches and he is the reason Tina’s life is thrown in dis era, but he is fun and likeable especially with the Spice Girls scene 😂. Erin, Genevieve, Trey and Warner are fellow Sword’s.
I enjoyed this book surprisingly, at the beginning I was getting a very strong Harry Potter feel and was getting a little nervous that I would enjoy it especially with the main characters being 16 years old. But it was very exciting, at times it’s very hard to remember that the characters are only 16 as the way they speak, act and carry on it’s not a normal 16 year old. The ending was frustrating as no one would allow Tina a chance to explain and they all turned on her real quick.
September 17, 2019
How does something so right, go so wrong?
I am thrilled this season adds a whole new cast of players while keeping all the originals. For Bettina, it's a case of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Her BFF, Tegan, up and left her a few months ago, and when she fianlly decides to try and make one new friend, her entire world blows up. Finding out she's a witch, comes as both a blessing and a curse, as her magic appears to be blocked, the guy she has deveoped an inrrational instant attraction to apparently hates her guts, and to top things off, she's been designated a sword, which is so far out of her comfort zone, and said hot mean guy is supposed to teach her how to be the best sword she can possibly be. Jackson has a lot riding on his shoulders and doesn't have time for the distraction Bettina is bringing to his life. She seems to be able to push his buttons like no one else can. She gets under his skin, makes him lose his cool, and yet she takes all his crap, gets up every time he knocks her down, only to ask 'Is that all you got, Lancelot?' But just as Bettina is begins to earn the respect of her peers, mostly due to her unorthodox self-taught fight moves, tradgey strikes in a most unexpected way and the blame is laid right at Bettina's feet. All her hard work is for naught, when those closest to her stuggle to give her the benefit of the doubt. If Bettina can't prove her innocence, sh'e'll lose everything she's ever wanted, everything she's worked for, and then some.
I am thrilled this season adds a whole new cast of players while keeping all the originals. For Bettina, it's a case of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Her BFF, Tegan, up and left her a few months ago, and when she fianlly decides to try and make one new friend, her entire world blows up. Finding out she's a witch, comes as both a blessing and a curse, as her magic appears to be blocked, the guy she has deveoped an inrrational instant attraction to apparently hates her guts, and to top things off, she's been designated a sword, which is so far out of her comfort zone, and said hot mean guy is supposed to teach her how to be the best sword she can possibly be. Jackson has a lot riding on his shoulders and doesn't have time for the distraction Bettina is bringing to his life. She seems to be able to push his buttons like no one else can. She gets under his skin, makes him lose his cool, and yet she takes all his crap, gets up every time he knocks her down, only to ask 'Is that all you got, Lancelot?' But just as Bettina is begins to earn the respect of her peers, mostly due to her unorthodox self-taught fight moves, tradgey strikes in a most unexpected way and the blame is laid right at Bettina's feet. All her hard work is for naught, when those closest to her stuggle to give her the benefit of the doubt. If Bettina can't prove her innocence, sh'e'll lose everything she's ever wanted, everything she's worked for, and then some.
March 27, 2024
This is a review on the whole series. The concept seemed good, and I really wanted to like it, but couldn't. Because I'm somewhat compulsive about finishing I read the whole series.
The series was oddly written. Individual sections were mostly well written in first person, with occasional insertions of third person perspective. E.g. Battina describes Tegan in the distance looking away -- and states her eyes turned white. The narrator could know that, but not Battina. Each time this occurred it was very distracting. The writing style of different sections also seemed to vary.
The flow between sections was missing. It was as is every so often a few pages were simply removed from the book.
In many (most?) cases there was absolutely no foundation for what occurred. A quest occurs and the characters jumps from location to location with no rhyme or reason. Supposedly "clues" are being followed, but we are not told about them, just that the characters now need to go to some other famous place.
It reads like someone wrote up a short set of instructions for each "scene", passed them to an AI, and then stuck the bits the AI generated together.
Others have stated they DNF but gave the books high ratings. The belief was that they were at fault for not reading the earlier series. My issues had nothing to do with not knowing a back story - which did not seem to impact my ability to follow the (bits of) story (glued together).
The series was oddly written. Individual sections were mostly well written in first person, with occasional insertions of third person perspective. E.g. Battina describes Tegan in the distance looking away -- and states her eyes turned white. The narrator could know that, but not Battina. Each time this occurred it was very distracting. The writing style of different sections also seemed to vary.
The flow between sections was missing. It was as is every so often a few pages were simply removed from the book.
In many (most?) cases there was absolutely no foundation for what occurred. A quest occurs and the characters jumps from location to location with no rhyme or reason. Supposedly "clues" are being followed, but we are not told about them, just that the characters now need to go to some other famous place.
It reads like someone wrote up a short set of instructions for each "scene", passed them to an AI, and then stuck the bits the AI generated together.
Others have stated they DNF but gave the books high ratings. The belief was that they were at fault for not reading the earlier series. My issues had nothing to do with not knowing a back story - which did not seem to impact my ability to follow the (bits of) story (glued together).
February 25, 2019
The Hidden Witch
I received this book as an Arc from the author so although it is due to be released on the 26th February 2019, i'll give my review on goodreads now.
Although i enjoyed the first series tremendously, i didn't find as much action in the second. It was well written in the same vein as the first but i don't know whether it was the characters, the plot, or the way it seemed to rehash the first the series a bit. It didn't so much tie-in the characters to appear they were all working in the same time zone, as some books do, but more appeared to rewrite parts of the first series at times especially in the beginning.
I wasn't drawn to the lead male in the story either. Jackson Lancaster didn't really hit the spot for me. I know it can be hard to write a good love/ hate character but he was a tame effort. I've read characters that go so far as to attempt to kill their literary other halves to get away from them.
Bettina Blair, on the other hand, was a confused mouse that flowered into her true self at the Academy. A great display of how determination can win out over-all.
I'd recommend this book and the others of the first series to all that enjoy a good magical fantasy.
I received this book as an Arc from the author so although it is due to be released on the 26th February 2019, i'll give my review on goodreads now.
Although i enjoyed the first series tremendously, i didn't find as much action in the second. It was well written in the same vein as the first but i don't know whether it was the characters, the plot, or the way it seemed to rehash the first the series a bit. It didn't so much tie-in the characters to appear they were all working in the same time zone, as some books do, but more appeared to rewrite parts of the first series at times especially in the beginning.
I wasn't drawn to the lead male in the story either. Jackson Lancaster didn't really hit the spot for me. I know it can be hard to write a good love/ hate character but he was a tame effort. I've read characters that go so far as to attempt to kill their literary other halves to get away from them.
Bettina Blair, on the other hand, was a confused mouse that flowered into her true self at the Academy. A great display of how determination can win out over-all.
I'd recommend this book and the others of the first series to all that enjoy a good magical fantasy.
December 17, 2019
***3.5***
I wasn't aware this was a spin off series based on the Coven series. And it felt like I was missing something when I started off this book. Honestly, I felt I was missing pieces of information and it felt like there was another book before this. Anywho, it was not bad overall.
I was a bit confused with the flow of the story. To me it felt a bit choppy. I did, however, thought the world was unique in a way. Bettina was an okish MC. After finding out that she's a witch and there's a separate academy for witches she is basically whisked off within a week. Everything happens pretty fast in that respect. We don't find out why her parents never told her anything. Not to mention, an incident happens later on in the book and Bettina is the prime suspect. I mean, nobody lets her talk?? Even though they all know her and have been working with her side by side.
Jackson, is your typical brooding, a-hole to MC, badass at the academy and under lot of pressure because of his family history.
Romance, isn't a whole lot of it. There is insta-attraction but definitely there is holding off/pushing away type of dance going on because of what the future holds. There is multiple POV so we get to read both sides which I like.
I will read book 2 for now as I want to see how things play out. We shall see how far I go in the series.
I wasn't aware this was a spin off series based on the Coven series. And it felt like I was missing something when I started off this book. Honestly, I felt I was missing pieces of information and it felt like there was another book before this. Anywho, it was not bad overall.
I was a bit confused with the flow of the story. To me it felt a bit choppy. I did, however, thought the world was unique in a way. Bettina was an okish MC. After finding out that she's a witch and there's a separate academy for witches she is basically whisked off within a week. Everything happens pretty fast in that respect. We don't find out why her parents never told her anything. Not to mention, an incident happens later on in the book and Bettina is the prime suspect. I mean, nobody lets her talk?? Even though they all know her and have been working with her side by side.
Jackson, is your typical brooding, a-hole to MC, badass at the academy and under lot of pressure because of his family history.
Romance, isn't a whole lot of it. There is insta-attraction but definitely there is holding off/pushing away type of dance going on because of what the future holds. There is multiple POV so we get to read both sides which I like.
I will read book 2 for now as I want to see how things play out. We shall see how far I go in the series.
August 16, 2024
Look away if you’re the author
This book is truly terrible, and I’ve been reading a lot of trash lately so that’s saying something
The concept of the story has potential, so it gets a star, but other than that idk where to even begin….
The start of the book is just god awful tbh, I nearly dnfed before they even got to the academy, like it just reads like a mess
You’re telling me that this chick is the absolute worst of the worst fighters, and then a week later is one of the best? And she nearly beats the top fighter because she watched YouTube videos of marvel fight scenes??? (WITHOUT practicing it, I might add)
Then, don’t even get me started on how they’re like 16 years old but apparently the best fighters they have?? Like better than all of the graduated and active duty soldiers????? …..the girl who watched YouTube videos and has been a witch for like 2-3 months is in your top 5???? And you want me to believe that you don’t get decimated??
An entire army being so clueless and useless that they rely on following a 16 year old boy is ludicrous enough, but at least he’s been training for years and not just watched a couple of videos on the topic
ALSO, the whole Bettina and Tegan *just* missing eachother is superrrrrr annoying
The whole romance thing is also super weird, and just doesn’t hit
This book is truly terrible, and I’ve been reading a lot of trash lately so that’s saying something
The concept of the story has potential, so it gets a star, but other than that idk where to even begin….
The start of the book is just god awful tbh, I nearly dnfed before they even got to the academy, like it just reads like a mess
You’re telling me that this chick is the absolute worst of the worst fighters, and then a week later is one of the best? And she nearly beats the top fighter because she watched YouTube videos of marvel fight scenes??? (WITHOUT practicing it, I might add)
Then, don’t even get me started on how they’re like 16 years old but apparently the best fighters they have?? Like better than all of the graduated and active duty soldiers????? …..the girl who watched YouTube videos and has been a witch for like 2-3 months is in your top 5???? And you want me to believe that you don’t get decimated??
An entire army being so clueless and useless that they rely on following a 16 year old boy is ludicrous enough, but at least he’s been training for years and not just watched a couple of videos on the topic
ALSO, the whole Bettina and Tegan *just* missing eachother is superrrrrr annoying
The whole romance thing is also super weird, and just doesn’t hit
February 3, 2021
I’m not sure that I’ve ever given a book 2 stars but unfortunately this one didn’t do it for me.
I could get past not understanding 100% what was happening in the beginning (because of not starting with the original series - synopsis didn’t interest me as much as this one) and pretty soon it didn’t seem to matter much anyway. I loved the concept and especially that of the high mages/witches in the society being dubbed various tarot card names and places within the hierarchy - super cool idea. The last 30-50 pages though just kind of gave me whiplash. I felt like the tone changed and I had absolutely no idea what was going on. I might eventually give the original series a chance and maybe that will shed some light on the end but unfortunately I’m kind of thinking that it won’t. I liked the writing and pacing though so I’d be interested to check out others from this author.
Random note: I hated that the MCs name was Bettina. I play a lot of Animal Crossing and I just could not get that damn mouse with the awful bangs out of my head!! Just an unfortunate coincidence.
I could get past not understanding 100% what was happening in the beginning (because of not starting with the original series - synopsis didn’t interest me as much as this one) and pretty soon it didn’t seem to matter much anyway. I loved the concept and especially that of the high mages/witches in the society being dubbed various tarot card names and places within the hierarchy - super cool idea. The last 30-50 pages though just kind of gave me whiplash. I felt like the tone changed and I had absolutely no idea what was going on. I might eventually give the original series a chance and maybe that will shed some light on the end but unfortunately I’m kind of thinking that it won’t. I liked the writing and pacing though so I’d be interested to check out others from this author.
Random note: I hated that the MCs name was Bettina. I play a lot of Animal Crossing and I just could not get that damn mouse with the awful bangs out of my head!! Just an unfortunate coincidence.
June 5, 2025
I was pulled immediately into this book. But you MUST NOT start this series before reading The Coven: Elemental Magic. It ties into the first season by giving us the events that happened with Bettina before and after Tegan and the other Coven members popped up to her house after their plan was attacked.
We are also introduced to a new character, Jackson, who is to help redeem his family's name when he comes face to face with Michael. He wants Bettina but can't have her, so it is causing him to be hot and cold. When he finally decides to give in to his desires, a mission is issued to him and fellow swords of his choosing.
The mission was successful but with some costs: a lost friend and an injured friend. When it is decided to go back and rescue the injured friend, an unknown truth is revealed: one of my favorite characters, real name, along with an unknown familial relation! After this bomb shell is dropped, disaster strikes, and Bettina is imprisoned.
I can't wait to see how everyone finds out the truth and how Bettina proves her innocence!
We are also introduced to a new character, Jackson, who is to help redeem his family's name when he comes face to face with Michael. He wants Bettina but can't have her, so it is causing him to be hot and cold. When he finally decides to give in to his desires, a mission is issued to him and fellow swords of his choosing.
The mission was successful but with some costs: a lost friend and an injured friend. When it is decided to go back and rescue the injured friend, an unknown truth is revealed: one of my favorite characters, real name, along with an unknown familial relation! After this bomb shell is dropped, disaster strikes, and Bettina is imprisoned.
I can't wait to see how everyone finds out the truth and how Bettina proves her innocence!
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