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Great Falls Academy #4

Clock Strikes Midnight

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At the stroke of midnight, anything can happen.

Lera is walking a dangerous tightrope. By night, she takes off her veil to hunt the dark creatures leaking into the mortal world. By morning, she is Leralynn of Osprey again, failing her classes and dodging Deputy Headmaster River’s keen scrutiny.


River is watching Leralynn like a hawk. A painful distraction, since the mouthy cadet stirs his soul—and other parts of him—with a mere glance. Which doesn’t matter. Lera is a student and River will ensure she toes the line, or else.


As Ostera approaches, the night when magic is most potent, River is on high alert for any threat to the academy’s reputation. But he hasn’t prepared for a threat to his heart.


It is the grand Ostera Ball, and the clock races toward midnight...


CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT is the fourth episode in the GREAT FALLS ACADEMY novella series, featuring the same reverse-harem cast as Alex Lidell’s internationally bestselling POWER OF FIVE series. (Reading the POWER OF FIVE novels is not necessary to enjoy GREAT FALLS ACADEMY.)

144 pages, ebook

First published June 6, 2019

315 people are currently reading
308 people want to read

About the author

Alex Lidell

73 books1,778 followers
Alex Lidell is the Amazon Breakout Novel Awards finalist author of THE CADET OF TILDOR (Penguin) and several Amazon Top 100 Kindle Bestsellers, including the POWER OF FIVE romance series. She is an avid horseback rider who believes in eating dessert first. She writes as both Alex Lidell and A.L. Lidell.

Join Alex's newsletter for news, bonus content and sneak peeks: https://links.alexlidell.com/News

Find out more on Alex's website: www.alexlidell.com

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5 stars
424 (49%)
4 stars
266 (31%)
3 stars
140 (16%)
2 stars
22 (2%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Jackie.
2,554 reviews
July 5, 2019
I don't understand the 4-5 star reviews...So much of nothing is happening in each of these books. I feel that my time is worth more than what I'm getting for reading this series. I'm even more frustrated after reading this book/episode than I was after reading the previous one. I predicted the hookup with Shade in this book! I had high hopes for more (or any) progress towards the final plot ending for the series, this is book 4 of 5 after all, but feel Lera is no closer to resolution than she was in book 1. I'm not a fan of short novella type books either, no matter what you call them (episodes?)- a horse by any other name, is still physically -a horse. I much preferred the original series that this series sprang from. I'm completely bored watching Lera stumbling around trying to come up with a solution but at least she's not wallowing in her love loss for the most part in this book. The random single hook ups with her mates (once in book 2 with Coal, once in book 3 with Tye, and now once with Shade in this book) weren't enough to hold the plot together or give a reader hope of this resolving -at all. I'd rather the sex have been skipped than be these shallow & meaningless hookups. I anticipate Lera having a single hookup with River in the next book, with a sudden & rushed resolution, since I'm under the impression that this was going to be 5 book series. Then there will be a one time group sex between the quint as a celebration of being back together at the end, & things being righted in the world. But I won't know how it ends, since I'm dropping out of this series altogether. The whole premise/plot is taking too long to resolve itself & lost my interest in the whole thing.
19 reviews
July 7, 2019
Please stop

Please stop the installment type books! Enjoy the story but releasing this way is goofy. Not time for enough to happen then it ends!
Profile Image for ꧁Persephone꧂.
323 reviews3 followers
July 1, 2019
This is my most favourite installment so far!! There is so much development. Not only with the story with the introduction to Owalin and the night guard and the return of Zake, but also with Lera and her mates. I don't know how Coal and Lera's relationship is going to mend, there is no trust between them and he keeps pushing her away or doing things he knows is going to damage their relationship. And Tye and Lera's bond is so fragile, nothing at all like it was in Lunos. The good thing about this book is Shade!! He remembers her for a brief moment , calls her little cub and he claimed her. He told her he would always find her. My heart melted. I am also somewhat Team River. Even though he calls her a indiscretion and makes me want to punch him he dances with her knowing she can't dance and theres no judgement when she shows vulnerability and admits she is illiterate. Such a raw moment. Though she still has a lot of their indifference, I feel like progress is being made. I am excited to see what happens next with the infiltration of the school.
Profile Image for Daisy Sauceda.
1,809 reviews21 followers
August 3, 2019
***This is a review for the audiobook.***

Well, this is another great book written by Alex Liddell and awesome narration by Victoria Mei. I love how this story just picks up from where book 3 leaves off. Lera is trying to keep her her down and to just try to continue what she is meant to do. But her mates who have no idea of their feelings for her because of the veil is a bit distracting. She handles it amazingly well. Then she has a moment with Shade and he breifly seems her but soon forgets. That was but wrenchingly painful to hear. Then the kiss with River, that was crazy. Then the ending was crazy. I sure didn't see that coming. now I just listen to the next book to see what happens.
Profile Image for Jackles.
831 reviews11 followers
February 12, 2020
GFA just keeps getting better!

I’m not a fan of this Lera and her keeping things secret from the guys so she doesn’t have to be embarrassed by her upbringing. Come on Lera, they are your men and they’d have understood. Granted, now they are minus the memory of you, but still, they are each coming forward and proving to be there for you still in little ways even though they don’t understand why.

Anyways, I’m about to dive into the next book because that cliffy!! 😱
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,893 reviews116 followers
October 16, 2019
Another great episode in this series. Well written there is more storyline development and it’s exciting watching the characters and their relationships develop . Lots of twists and turns, lots of passion and lots of action, this is a must read series!
Profile Image for Annie.
1,883 reviews13 followers
July 6, 2019
Lera verses River, a kiss at midnight and Shade stakes his claim
Lera continues to fight the creatures coming from Mors by night and struggling with her studies by day. Arisha is providing help, but she doesn't know the extent of Lera's academic struggles. River out right accuses her of cheating, which she denies.
Ostera eve is getting closer. Lera is no closer of closing the tear. She continue to struggle with the loss of her males, reminding her self that the males under the amulets influence are not her males. All she can do is try to keep them safe and her heart from breaking.
The night of the Ostera Ball, Lera finds herself alone with River. He tells her of his wife. They share a kiss. When midnight strikes, Lera has to break the spell. Leaving River nearly breaks her. She has a critical mission and Gavriel is waiting.
Lera heads out into the night with Shade's wolf. Her mission is going well until she is attacked by two of the Night Guard. She is badly injured, and only survives thank to Shade. Shade the healer is pulled from the wolf and is compelled to help the tiny fae women. He can't help but feel he should know her. Lera needs Shade to help heal and he gives into his attraction and for a brief moment he remembers. He claims Lera and vows she is his now and forever.
River calls her to his office the following morning and lays down what he suspects, leaving Lera a choice, and she chooses to trust him. River offers his help.
Trouble is coming. The Night Guard is looking for Lera and Shade and have plans for Great Falls Academy. Master Zake is on the hunt.
Love this series, it keeps getting better. Fast paced and steamy. I can't wait for the next book. This series is an automatic buy for me. I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
319 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2019
OMG Lera is still no closer to closing the tear in the veil and she is fighting the creatures from Mors on her own but Arisha is helping her as much as she can. Lera is still struggling to come to terms about her mates still not reconsign her but she is also starting to not trust them which is so sad because they were all so close. Lera and Shade have a coupling and for a brief moment he remember her but as soon as they have finished he cant remember her but bites her lip in a claiming . Then on the eve of Ostera she has passionate kiss with River. Lera is also accused of cheating by River on the work she turns in for the other teacher and River gives her the change to walk awayout of his office with out saying a word but Lera decides to let him know she cant read very well.it is so sweet that he offers to help her.And OMG Zake is back is this why Lera has started to have more dreams about him. I cant get enough of these books i love the book and the hole series and cant wait for the next book to find out what happens next surly some think has to give and for Lera luck to change .
Profile Image for Pam Louis.
1,722 reviews7 followers
June 18, 2019
Great Falls academy ( in the human Realm)
Leralynn or Lera has been on her own for over a month now with just the help of two humans her roommate and the librarian. She has given up hope that her mates will remember her or even now thinks that the love they shared was just the bond magic, it wasn't real. There doesn't seem a way to break the spell that messed with the amulets on the men. It keeps them from remembering her or themselves. She can't even tell them the truth because the amulets fights it and keeps them from hearing it.
The one thing she still has is shade in wolf form. His wolf does know who she is.

Lera has taken over the whole mission herself now and fighting the evil creatures coming over but there is a new threat too. Yep the stuff is about to hit the fan.
Loved the characters, the action is great, there is spice and more. This story has so many twist a turns it amazing so don't miss it. But you really need to read them in order.
Voluntarily reviewed a copy and I honestly loved it. Total hooked on the series
250 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2019
The Great Falls Academy series continues with Clock Strikes Midnight, the 4th book! Alex Lidell continues to give us an amazing ride with this book.

In this book, Lera is walking a very fine line. During the day she's just a cadet, but when night falls, she's out hunting the creatures that are leaking into the mortal world. As Ostera Eve draws closer, Lera isn't having any luck closing the tear and also continues struggle with the loss of her males.

This book and series is a definite must read. You definitely have to read it in order, or you would surely be loss! I love how strong Lera is and how she deals with the conflicts, the passion and heat between her and her males is still burning hot. The plot and story line will keep you on edge, plenty of action, frustration and passion. A definite must read!
415 reviews
July 5, 2019
I need more

Another good book. Love reading about lera and her quint, life at the academy is still hard for lera she is run ragged with training and hunting the sclices that threaten the human world. River coal tye and shade still have no idea who they really are and who lera is to them. Just as lera thinks shes getting somewhere with one of her men the veil magic wipes it out so shes back to square one... how will lera get through to her men before zake and olswin take over the academy...the next one looks set to be a corker if zake gets a job inside tbe academy what does this mean for lera??? Will her recognise her... will she beable to handle being so close to him after everything he put her through... all i k ow is i really want lera to kick his ass shes a strong female lead and has come so far since she was human..
Profile Image for Roger Cohen.
37 reviews
July 11, 2019
I loved Alex Lidell’s Power of Five series so having a sequel series featuring the same characters is a true delight. In Clock Strikes Midnight: Great Falls Academy, Episode 4, Lera is back and still dealing with the impact of the book 1 accident that melded her guys, River, Shade, Tye, and Coal, with the roles they were playing while leaving her still with everything going on at the Academy. Following along as she does this and as all five of them deal with the attraction that still draws them together, is a total blast. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for ForTheLoveOfBooks.
500 reviews
July 8, 2019
Ooo Snap

It’s about to get real.

So Shade is awesome. And I think if anything he will be the first to remember Leralynn. And I can’t wait for that. River is the forever understanding one even with his commanding ways. I so love those two.

Currently I feel bad for Tye because I know he has feelings for Lera but she is doing what has to be done and not what’s she wants. Which at this point seems to be hurting her more than anyone of the guys.

And the Night Guard. Whhaaat??? I was like noooo. Not these dudes. But of course it makes sense. I just know Episode 5 is about to be juicy. And maybe, hopefully a bit longer. I would really like to to fall into the world of Great Falls Academy a little longer. Pretty please 🙏 with a cherry 🍒 on top. 😁
Profile Image for Veronica Prowant.
515 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2019
Lera is on fire

Lear certainly is stepping up. She's out every night seeking the ill things infesting the mortal world, with great risk to herself. Keeping distant from Coal and The is hard, but Shade is there this time, and wow. It killed me how close she got to him seeing through the veil only to have him unable to break through, but his claiming her assures me it won't be long. And then there's River. Honesty is bridging that gap. Now if only she can figure out the Night Guard and Gloom kink, and what will she do when her old master makes an appearance....

Great read. Can't wait for the next installment.
280 reviews
July 25, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised to see this story was much better than the previous stories, never-the-less it still followed the same pattern, Lera fighting the bad fae creatures, Lera having sex with one of the quint, Lera getting in trouble, and cliffhanger ending with tidbits of information that we need.
I wish the author would not be so predictable but this story was my most favorite of the episodes thus far, and Lera has stopped her whining - thank goodness it was getting so annoying.
Seems like the author is just dragging it out, still trying to figure out why - is it to make more money, to make the story last longer, who knows but it definitely could have just been one book
Profile Image for Jennifer G.
2,868 reviews54 followers
January 26, 2020
By day Lera is a floundering academy student, by night the protector of the realm. Her men are stuck in the fantasy lives they believe to be true on this side of the veil. Something has to give before the veil falls.

This book was the most frustrating yet. Too short, too predictable, too stagnant. And why the author thinks it's a good idea to make the men walk the line so close to cruelty pretending their disinterest is a mystery to me. They are barely tolerable at times. Lera is more forgiving and accepting than I am. I would head on back to Amber and let her know she needs to send in the backup team. Maybe they will have more luck with the guys.
Profile Image for Kyan.
712 reviews29 followers
June 4, 2020
Things are heating up and it's making my heart pitter patter.
River is still fighting his feelings for Lera, and it reminds me of the first time they interacted. I love seeing that side of their relationship again. The angst, the knowledge that he cares about her. Even if he doesn't understand it just yet. SO GOOD.

The drama is of course esclating and then time table seems to be getting smaller and smaller. The ball is the beginning of the end. She's out saving the world at night and I LOVE how strong she's become. From when she was a mere mortal, to who she is as a member of this quint. Her growth has been my favorite part of the story.
520 reviews14 followers
June 13, 2019
Finally a bit more action with River and Shade. I thought it would take a while, still I need more. I felt so bad for Tye when Lera rejected his invitation. I just hoped that despite the amulet's working its magic that Tye will remaid true to Lera.

Along the story, I never expected for another problem to reappear and it will only make things more difficult for Lera. I'm hoping at least one of the guys would get their memory back but I don't think that would happen anytime soon.

I feel sorry for Lera because it would take a while for her to get her happy ending.
1,774 reviews9 followers
June 14, 2019
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I was captivated right the way through, this one was read in a single sitting because I was compulsively turning the pages. Lera is becoming more and more badass as she deals with the whole situation alone with a little help from 2 friends. A few glimpses into what is causing this whole mess and an incredible amount of tension between Lera and the rest of the quint. Beautifully constructed and written, this is the best so far in the series - and I love them all!
Profile Image for Jessica Robbins.
2,598 reviews50 followers
July 6, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

These just keep getting better and better which should be impossible but what can I say? Lera is still fighting the veil magic with the guys but by this point she is sneaking out at night to hunt/investigate to the best of her abilities in an effort to figure out what is going on. Her school work is atrocious thanks to her secret and it finally comes to a head. Nice progress with the guys with an adventure that keeps you hooked until the end. Fantastic new addition!! I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,904 reviews58 followers
June 17, 2019
Another fantastic episode in the Great Falls Academy series - which follows the full series The Power of Five. Lera continues to battle both the danger to the mortal realm and against the struggles she faces in dealing with her four mates and their not knowing who she is to them. I love seeing the various ways this has played out in these episodes, and the larger presence River and Shade have in this one in particular. As always, very much looking forward to the next one.
4.5 ⭐️
Profile Image for Charlotte.
420 reviews1 follower
June 17, 2019
Loved loved loved episode 4.
Again Alex provided us with a brilliant story taking us back into the next episode with Lara and her guys.

Loved the scene with Shade. I'm really hoping her guys wake up to reality soon. I love Leara and she deserves to have them back......

I literally can not wait for the next episode.
And I do in some ways love how these are bought to us in episodes. I love the story and it really gives you something to look forward to.

Superb Alex as always. 5 stars.
Profile Image for Katie.
425 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2019
Episode 4, book 8

This episode has lera basically fighting at night to protect everyone from the creatures that are coming through since she is the only one who knows who she is and can actually see them. She is able to take off her pendant and be her true fae self. It also becomes obvious that she is a stable girl and can't do her school work so it sets up river and she for studying together in the next book!
Profile Image for Da'ad.
1,920 reviews61 followers
December 13, 2021
Coal, you asshole! I haven't forgiven you yet for that crap in the last book and I'm glad Lera is letting you have it (though unconsciously on her part, she is far more forgiving than I am). You better do some serious penance in the next book. I look forward to the angst and to some groveling.

Obviously more stuff is going on I'm interested in, but I just love me some memory-loss-related drama.
Profile Image for Arianna.
1,471 reviews6 followers
June 11, 2019
The plot thickens! We have finally some clues about what is happening to the veil. Lera is coping with everything, the loss of her males and the danger, plus some self esteem issues related to her lack of education and low born birth.
I was heartbroken reading about her newfound lack of trust in her males.
River and Shade shine in this episode. Cannot wait for the next.
Profile Image for Deidre.
Author 5 books211 followers
June 15, 2019
Drama!!! This was a great next installment, full of twists and turns that made for a total page turner. I couldn’t put it down! We also get some lovely Shade time, which I’ve missed a lot. I simply adore his character and I think he’s going to be a major player in the rest of the series as Lera tries to figure out what’s happened.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
3,953 reviews61 followers
June 18, 2019
This series just keeps getting better and better. Not much i can say about what happens in this book without giving away spoilers which i dont want to do. All i will say is Lera, Shade, River, Coal and Tye are by far some of my favourite book characters. I thoroughly enjoy reading these books because theyre simply just so good
Profile Image for Danyelle Williams.
967 reviews8 followers
June 23, 2019
Once again another great installment. We get to see Lera start to put the mission first to try to save the moral realm, bit that it's easy for her. In this installment we get to see some of lera's secrets come out as well.
I loved seeing more of river and shade in this book. Glad that she got to have her moment with river.

Can't wait for the next installments
24 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2019
Don’t want it to end

These books are bitter sweet. I love the journey and characters but the heartache the main character is going through is saddening. These are amazing books, but not the type to give you the relaxing warm and fuzzies until the end of the series. Counting down for the HEA
Profile Image for Angelica Young.
290 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2019
Ahh

I love getting to know the males this way, as Aleta states before it was the magic that pulled them together and there was no courtship....but I also want them to know her, know who she is, and help her. I was so happy when she and Shade were by the river and then totally crushed 😭
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews

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