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Grim Reaper Academy #1
Surviving Year One
You thought there was only one Death? Aww, that's sweet...
Just like all little girls, I hoped I was special and that one day my powers would be revealed. My parents would be bewildered, my friends would equally worship and envy me, and my bullies would run away in terror! Nothing happened when I turned 10. I didn’t grow wings at 12, still wasn’t able to make things move with my mind at 14, and at 16 I was already too old to believe in such nonsense. Well, what do you think happened the day I turned 18? I got the confirmation that I was only human. In the mail! Oh, and also an invitation to apply to the Grim Reaper Academy. Because, apparently, humans can be Grim Reapers, too.
Fast forward to day one, semester one, year one. There’s a test! No one told me I’d have to take a test to enter! But there are only 22 Grim Reapers in the world, the competition is tough, so I guess it makes sense? If I pass, then I will be sorted according to what kind of Death I’ll make if I survive the rigors of the Academy. Merciful Death? Neutral Death? Oh, please God, don’t let me be sorted into the Violent Death Cabal! All the A-holes are there! And I don’t think I can compete with Holier-Than-Thou Sariel (cause he’s an archangel, you see), Jerkface-No-1 Pazuzu AKA Paz (cause all demons are major morons), Mr. Bow-To-Me GC Apis (ugh, false gods are the worst), and Francis (no idea what his deal is, he doesn’t talk much).
But this is my chance, dammit! This is what I’ve been waiting for all my life! Okay, so I’m not a princess, or a mermaid, or Sailor Moon. But I can be a Grim Reaper one day. I’ll take it!
***Author's Note: This is book 1 in the Grim Reaper Academy series, intended for mature audiences. Please be advised that it may contain situations that are triggering to some, including explicit language and a lot of steam.
Just like all little girls, I hoped I was special and that one day my powers would be revealed. My parents would be bewildered, my friends would equally worship and envy me, and my bullies would run away in terror! Nothing happened when I turned 10. I didn’t grow wings at 12, still wasn’t able to make things move with my mind at 14, and at 16 I was already too old to believe in such nonsense. Well, what do you think happened the day I turned 18? I got the confirmation that I was only human. In the mail! Oh, and also an invitation to apply to the Grim Reaper Academy. Because, apparently, humans can be Grim Reapers, too.
Fast forward to day one, semester one, year one. There’s a test! No one told me I’d have to take a test to enter! But there are only 22 Grim Reapers in the world, the competition is tough, so I guess it makes sense? If I pass, then I will be sorted according to what kind of Death I’ll make if I survive the rigors of the Academy. Merciful Death? Neutral Death? Oh, please God, don’t let me be sorted into the Violent Death Cabal! All the A-holes are there! And I don’t think I can compete with Holier-Than-Thou Sariel (cause he’s an archangel, you see), Jerkface-No-1 Pazuzu AKA Paz (cause all demons are major morons), Mr. Bow-To-Me GC Apis (ugh, false gods are the worst), and Francis (no idea what his deal is, he doesn’t talk much).
But this is my chance, dammit! This is what I’ve been waiting for all my life! Okay, so I’m not a princess, or a mermaid, or Sailor Moon. But I can be a Grim Reaper one day. I’ll take it!
***Author's Note: This is book 1 in the Grim Reaper Academy series, intended for mature audiences. Please be advised that it may contain situations that are triggering to some, including explicit language and a lot of steam.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2019
741 people are currently reading
1770 people want to read
About the author
Cara Wylde
145 books645 followersCara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master's degree in Comparative Literature, she can't help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shape-shifters, demons, witches... Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.
When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.
When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
June 26, 2019
Rating: 5 stars
I loved the heck out of this book. And to believe I almost dropped it...
I will be honest, Surviving Year One did not start so good. It was borderline offensive, with some plot holes and a bit of cruel bullying that did not stick well with me. But past the few first chapters, I learned to love Mila. She had the backbone bully victims lack in bully romances and I worshiped her for that.
Mila was the absolute best. As the only human aspiring to be a Grim Reaper, she quickly became the victim of mean pranks and constant harassing. But Mila wasn't a pushover, knew when to stand her ground and despite of these very toxic students, she was grateful to be there and gave the best of herself. She was grateful to be pulled away from her crappy life and given a chance to do something.
Surviving Year One was really the epitome of an academy novel as the plot did not appear until the last couple of chapters. The first book really focused on Mila going to her classes and proving to everyone she deserved to be there. And that she did, and I cannot wait for everyone to admit it.
Next book, please!
I loved the heck out of this book. And to believe I almost dropped it...
I will be honest, Surviving Year One did not start so good. It was borderline offensive, with some plot holes and a bit of cruel bullying that did not stick well with me. But past the few first chapters, I learned to love Mila. She had the backbone bully victims lack in bully romances and I worshiped her for that.
Mila was the absolute best. As the only human aspiring to be a Grim Reaper, she quickly became the victim of mean pranks and constant harassing. But Mila wasn't a pushover, knew when to stand her ground and despite of these very toxic students, she was grateful to be there and gave the best of herself. She was grateful to be pulled away from her crappy life and given a chance to do something.
Surviving Year One was really the epitome of an academy novel as the plot did not appear until the last couple of chapters. The first book really focused on Mila going to her classes and proving to everyone she deserved to be there. And that she did, and I cannot wait for everyone to admit it.
Next book, please!
August 17, 2019
Pfft ... I don't know. A 2 or maybe 2.5 as I'll likely read the next book to see what happens.
This may be a long-winded review because I'm not sure what I think of this one.
I do have to say that I nearly gave up after 30 pages and the only reason I carried on was a review saying things got a lot better after the first few chapters. I would agree that things improved a little but I struggled with the writing all through this - it had an immature feel to it like a younger teen had written it then added swear words and sexual aspects to make it more interesting. But for me, those things stood out and seemed awkward. And the writing never improved for me.
Then you have certain aspects not quite meshing together. The first is right at the start - the heroine receives a letter inviting her to the academy, she thinks of running away to join and then bam shes at the academy taking the entrance test. That section being skipped didn't help matters and that's not the only instance. Later in the book one of her lead tormentors saves her and suddenly they're boyfriend and girlfriend, there was no build-up or any real explanation and I kept waiting for him to say 'haha only kidding you fool' because there was no reason why they would suddenly adore each other so much. And I can't even be bothered to go into the second boyfriend.
There were too many things that didn't meld smoothly together and it all felt too much like a simple - special snowflake, mean boys secretly love the new girl but resent her and bully her before being sorry blah blah.
Again - Pfft.
This may be a long-winded review because I'm not sure what I think of this one.
I do have to say that I nearly gave up after 30 pages and the only reason I carried on was a review saying things got a lot better after the first few chapters. I would agree that things improved a little but I struggled with the writing all through this - it had an immature feel to it like a younger teen had written it then added swear words and sexual aspects to make it more interesting. But for me, those things stood out and seemed awkward. And the writing never improved for me.
Then you have certain aspects not quite meshing together. The first is right at the start - the heroine receives a letter inviting her to the academy, she thinks of running away to join and then bam shes at the academy taking the entrance test. That section being skipped didn't help matters and that's not the only instance. Later in the book one of her lead tormentors saves her and suddenly they're boyfriend and girlfriend, there was no build-up or any real explanation and I kept waiting for him to say 'haha only kidding you fool' because there was no reason why they would suddenly adore each other so much. And I can't even be bothered to go into the second boyfriend.
There were too many things that didn't meld smoothly together and it all felt too much like a simple - special snowflake, mean boys secretly love the new girl but resent her and bully her before being sorry blah blah.
Again - Pfft.
June 30, 2019
Really really torn between 4 stars and 3, so lets call it 3.75559
In a market flooded with Academy this has one major thing going for it. Originality
Where do you after a unicorn academy, phoenix academy..."insert any supernatural here" academy? This is a new one for me and was very well thought through.
In this world all the supernaturals want to get into Grim reaper Academy. Only 22 new reapers will be chosen every 200 years from the students of this school so competition is stiff. There is a huge mix of demons, angels, mages etc competing for a place as a reaper and as of this years intake one human. The only human to ever be enrolled.
Before any of the fun starts the sorting hat comes out and divides the students into the 4 types of deaths they will reap, these groups are called "Cabals"
Mericful Death Cabal
Neutral Death,
Righteous Death,
and Violent Death or VCD for short
Only the best get invited to the school and the VCD is the most in demand. Which leads me to the other major theme of this book that did take me by surprise. It's a bully romance. Filthy Rich Boys is now the yardstick by which I measure bully romances and this had some really similar themes,
The elitism of the VCD and the need to rid the school of the only human.
The sub-par accommodations
The revenge
The constant waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is this fake or real?
"They’d successfully bullied me into the paranoid person that I was now."
Its not all bullying though. It doesn't take 3 books for the redemption and we're left in a good place.
Its funny and clever and original.
"For once, my vagina was proving to be my savior. So far, it had only given me grief, what will all the irregular bleeding it did every month, and the throng of trash suitors it attracted."
The only other small annoyance was the way she accepted this new supernatural world so easily.
Ok so I hate when we get too much of a resistance to a supernatural world but at the same time this girl took it so much in her stride it wasn't believable either.
That said it was way more to like than not to like and it really only got going as it ended.
I really didn't want it to end.
In a market flooded with Academy this has one major thing going for it. Originality
Where do you after a unicorn academy, phoenix academy..."insert any supernatural here" academy? This is a new one for me and was very well thought through.
In this world all the supernaturals want to get into Grim reaper Academy. Only 22 new reapers will be chosen every 200 years from the students of this school so competition is stiff. There is a huge mix of demons, angels, mages etc competing for a place as a reaper and as of this years intake one human. The only human to ever be enrolled.
Before any of the fun starts the sorting hat comes out and divides the students into the 4 types of deaths they will reap, these groups are called "Cabals"
Mericful Death Cabal
Neutral Death,
Righteous Death,
and Violent Death or VCD for short
Only the best get invited to the school and the VCD is the most in demand. Which leads me to the other major theme of this book that did take me by surprise. It's a bully romance. Filthy Rich Boys is now the yardstick by which I measure bully romances and this had some really similar themes,
The elitism of the VCD and the need to rid the school of the only human.
The sub-par accommodations
The revenge
The constant waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is this fake or real?
"They’d successfully bullied me into the paranoid person that I was now."
Its not all bullying though. It doesn't take 3 books for the redemption and we're left in a good place.
Its funny and clever and original.
"For once, my vagina was proving to be my savior. So far, it had only given me grief, what will all the irregular bleeding it did every month, and the throng of trash suitors it attracted."
The only other small annoyance was the way she accepted this new supernatural world so easily.
Ok so I hate when we get too much of a resistance to a supernatural world but at the same time this girl took it so much in her stride it wasn't believable either.
That said it was way more to like than not to like and it really only got going as it ended.
I really didn't want it to end.
May 20, 2020
Written extremely poorly, terrible pacing and zero character or world building.
The story is set as follows:
1. Meet MC who feels she doesn't belong.
2. MC gets Hogwarts style letter to attend a magical Grim Reaper academy and ultimately escape her crappy home life.
3. She is suddenly at said magical academy, no, not just inside, we jump straight into a 'test'. There is no explanation of how she got there, what it looks like, or even whether her abusive parents saw her leave the house.
4. MC thinks nothing strange of the magic and supernatural world she has been thrown into, literally no translation period. She's just on board with zero reasoning as to why.
5. Everyone immediately hates her and has a superiority complex, yet acts like child bullies (literally spit balling).
6. MC, despite incredibly cruel bullying (and multiple attempted murders) still finds the guys treating her shit hot. At the most inappropriate times.
7. MC gets together with guys randomly with the only relationship drawn between them being that she had found them hot while she was being bullied.
8. More crap that has zero descriptions and build.
The story is set as follows:
1. Meet MC who feels she doesn't belong.
2. MC gets Hogwarts style letter to attend a magical Grim Reaper academy and ultimately escape her crappy home life.
3. She is suddenly at said magical academy, no, not just inside, we jump straight into a 'test'. There is no explanation of how she got there, what it looks like, or even whether her abusive parents saw her leave the house.
4. MC thinks nothing strange of the magic and supernatural world she has been thrown into, literally no translation period. She's just on board with zero reasoning as to why.
5. Everyone immediately hates her and has a superiority complex, yet acts like child bullies (literally spit balling).
6. MC, despite incredibly cruel bullying (and multiple attempted murders) still finds the guys treating her shit hot. At the most inappropriate times.
7. MC gets together with guys randomly with the only relationship drawn between them being that she had found them hot while she was being bullied.
8. More crap that has zero descriptions and build.
June 28, 2019
Surviving Year One is another addition to the influx of bully romance books in RH genre right now. This book has potential with it's plot but gets lost in the whole bullying thing.
Our main girl here is Mila, she was mostly fine except for her weird bouts of finding her bullies attractive while they are in the process of bullying her. The guys are one dimensional, they had very little characterisation to them especially considering she has two boyfriends by the end of this book. I honestly didn't find much to Paz or GC other than their physical forms or what they are. I don't even know how Sariel can be redeemed enough from bully to boyfriend with all that he says and does. His little rant in the end is not much to justify his behaviour. I don't know what to think of Francis yet.
The major problem for me was the jarring transitions. I felt that rough movement in everything, be it when she gets the letter and she is thinking about running from her house to suddenly reaching the academy and appearing for a test in the next chapter. We just skip over the whole running away thing so abruptly I was left questioning whether I skipped a chapter. Then there is the bullying, it starts right off like no reason/provocation nothing and it's not like it moves from 0 to 100, no it went right to 100. GC flips from crudely flirting, laughing when she is bullying to boyfriend with just one scene like what? I would totally get if they had become friends at that point but a boyfriend? Yeah it didn't feel organic. Same with Paz's relationship development, what in the world happens for him to feel so strongly for Mila? There is hardly enough content showing that. Next is the snap from when GC says to Mila it's an exclusive relationship to him going alright cool with Paz being included, like one moment both are angry for the other guy in the picture and next second they are nah we have shared so no problem Mila.
The grim reaper thing is cool and definitely something I want to read more about in the next book considering this one really stays to academy and the classes. The bullying though is too overpowering and crass, it doesn't help that the harem guys have no steady transition from being her bullies to boyfriends.
Our main girl here is Mila, she was mostly fine except for her weird bouts of finding her bullies attractive while they are in the process of bullying her. The guys are one dimensional, they had very little characterisation to them especially considering she has two boyfriends by the end of this book. I honestly didn't find much to Paz or GC other than their physical forms or what they are. I don't even know how Sariel can be redeemed enough from bully to boyfriend with all that he says and does. His little rant in the end is not much to justify his behaviour. I don't know what to think of Francis yet.
The major problem for me was the jarring transitions. I felt that rough movement in everything, be it when she gets the letter and she is thinking about running from her house to suddenly reaching the academy and appearing for a test in the next chapter. We just skip over the whole running away thing so abruptly I was left questioning whether I skipped a chapter. Then there is the bullying, it starts right off like no reason/provocation nothing and it's not like it moves from 0 to 100, no it went right to 100. GC flips from crudely flirting, laughing when she is bullying to boyfriend with just one scene like what? I would totally get if they had become friends at that point but a boyfriend? Yeah it didn't feel organic. Same with Paz's relationship development, what in the world happens for him to feel so strongly for Mila? There is hardly enough content showing that. Next is the snap from when GC says to Mila it's an exclusive relationship to him going alright cool with Paz being included, like one moment both are angry for the other guy in the picture and next second they are nah we have shared so no problem Mila.
The grim reaper thing is cool and definitely something I want to read more about in the next book considering this one really stays to academy and the classes. The bullying though is too overpowering and crass, it doesn't help that the harem guys have no steady transition from being her bullies to boyfriends.
December 29, 2021
This one was so much better than I thought it would be. Even better than I hoped for.
This one was different than other reaper books I've read before.
This one was different than other reaper books I've read before.
July 10, 2019
This is my first Bully Romance / BullyVerse book and I really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the bullying but I was told the bullying in this one was mild compared to some so I picked it up pretty much immediately. I was excited to find out my reaction to this genre and I have to say the bullying and humiliation part was hard for me to read. It made me angry and I just wanted the bullying to end and the FMC to take revenge. Also with the way it ended, I'm a bit scared there won't be enough (or any) groveling from Sariel (which I hate at the moment) ? But we'll see.
I loved the FMC and the way Paz and GC competed with each other. The story felt original and I always appreciate that in a RH book. I read it quickly and I'll be reading Slaying Year Two as soon as it comes out (August 30th).
I loved the FMC and the way Paz and GC competed with each other. The story felt original and I always appreciate that in a RH book. I read it quickly and I'll be reading Slaying Year Two as soon as it comes out (August 30th).
November 8, 2019
Too much.
I like me some bully RH romance books set in academy. Sounded perfect to me and I jumped right in. But I just got a few chapters in and just couldn't take it anymore. I get that bullying can be cruel and everything and is part of the story. Normally I like to see how the heroine handles it and strikes back and overcome the bullying but in this book she has no chance. it was just over the top. It was cruel and disgusting. The heroine had no chance whatsoever to defend herself or do anything. I was pitying her a lot and was disgusted by every other character in this book. There is absolutely no way for her harem guys to come back from that. And I could just throw up when I think about that she most likely will forgive them all and will fall in love with them. Unacceptable in my opinion. They are all disgusting. I really wished the heroine have some sort of power and could at least defend herself and could punch everyone of her bullys in the face...most of all the other bitches.
Hate them all and am really angry at the world right now. So now I have to find myself a nice fluffy book to get me in a better mood again.
I like me some bully RH romance books set in academy. Sounded perfect to me and I jumped right in. But I just got a few chapters in and just couldn't take it anymore. I get that bullying can be cruel and everything and is part of the story. Normally I like to see how the heroine handles it and strikes back and overcome the bullying but in this book she has no chance. it was just over the top. It was cruel and disgusting. The heroine had no chance whatsoever to defend herself or do anything. I was pitying her a lot and was disgusted by every other character in this book. There is absolutely no way for her harem guys to come back from that. And I could just throw up when I think about that she most likely will forgive them all and will fall in love with them. Unacceptable in my opinion. They are all disgusting. I really wished the heroine have some sort of power and could at least defend herself and could punch everyone of her bullys in the face...most of all the other bitches.
Hate them all and am really angry at the world right now. So now I have to find myself a nice fluffy book to get me in a better mood again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2020
Mila lives a desperate life, but that all changes on her 18th birthday when she receives a letter inviting her to apply at the Grim Reaper Academy even though she’s only a human. Is this a prank? Apparently not.
There are only 22 Grim Reapers currently. Every 200 years, the Academy invites a new group to study and prepare to take the places of the outgoing reapers. Running away from home, Mila defies her horrid father and answers the call of destiny by showing up at the academy.
Weirdly, though, there are different types of Reapers for different types of death: Merciful Death, Neutral Death, Righteous Death, Violent Death, etc. Surprisingly, Mila is chosen to to join Violent Death. Only thing is, the VDC (Violent Death Cabal) has always been all boys. Until now.
And thus begins our story.
I would say the book is so so. I didn’t love it, nor did I hate it. As far as academy romances go, the Grim Reaper angle is unique. The guys in the VDC, of course, all salivate over Mila, but the touchies and feelies are pretty light in this, and I assume it will become a full blown RH in the rest of the series. Aside from salivating, however, they are also bullying her, which is pretty par for the course in an academy book. Oh, and the mean girls are plentiful here, too.
I do not like RHs, but did want to try this. One day I may go and read the other installments, but for now am going off in search of a true and guaranteed HEA.
There are only 22 Grim Reapers currently. Every 200 years, the Academy invites a new group to study and prepare to take the places of the outgoing reapers. Running away from home, Mila defies her horrid father and answers the call of destiny by showing up at the academy.
Weirdly, though, there are different types of Reapers for different types of death: Merciful Death, Neutral Death, Righteous Death, Violent Death, etc. Surprisingly, Mila is chosen to to join Violent Death. Only thing is, the VDC (Violent Death Cabal) has always been all boys. Until now.
And thus begins our story.
I would say the book is so so. I didn’t love it, nor did I hate it. As far as academy romances go, the Grim Reaper angle is unique. The guys in the VDC, of course, all salivate over Mila, but the touchies and feelies are pretty light in this, and I assume it will become a full blown RH in the rest of the series. Aside from salivating, however, they are also bullying her, which is pretty par for the course in an academy book. Oh, and the mean girls are plentiful here, too.
I do not like RHs, but did want to try this. One day I may go and read the other installments, but for now am going off in search of a true and guaranteed HEA.
November 7, 2022
The way LGBTQ themes are thrown around is rather disrespectful. The immature use of “gay” this and that was almost offensive nowadays. The guys are disgusting, cruel and unlikable, hell everyone is pretty unlikable. The bullying was hard to take given the heroine is utterly powerless against any and all her peers but it’s nothing super heavy. I did really struggle with this one and almost dropped it at the 30% mark but I stuck it out. Still not fully onboard this crazy train but I do feel invested. All the characters are immature and considering some are hundreds if not thousands of years old, you’d think they’d be above petty squabbling and bullying. I’m not a fan of the heroines at all. I really hope she gets better as the books go on. Sure she takes their punishments like a champ and does what she can (which is not much) to get back at her bullies, I just kept hoping at some point she’d get these secretly hidden powers that spring up and have her more powerful than everyone. I mean maybe that’ll happen but if I does I don’t have high hopes for the girl who will literally be in the verbal tearing down of her life only to be thinking of them naked. I mean the stereotypical virginal character who can think of nothing besides stripping them down, it’s embarrassing. Even the quick relationship is hard to take and I do appreciate the heroines hesitation into believing any of them because honestly I sure don’t. The audio was quick so I’ll continue on, I need her to get better though, fingers crossed!
August 24, 2025
3.5/5
The writing style of this was so odd because it was well written hey the author LOVED using an exclamation mark. Other than that, I found Mila to be a nice main character. The romance was so odd because I didn’t see how we got the proper progression in order for her to be dating some of the guys already. The plot wasn’t very complex but it was fun, which was what I was looking for!
The writing style of this was so odd because it was well written hey the author LOVED using an exclamation mark. Other than that, I found Mila to be a nice main character. The romance was so odd because I didn’t see how we got the proper progression in order for her to be dating some of the guys already. The plot wasn’t very complex but it was fun, which was what I was looking for!
June 27, 2019
So another bullying romance but a supernatural one. Fast paced and left questions open at the end. Mila a human with an awful father runs away (gets a bit Harry Potter here) to a school for grim reapers only to be treated just as bad.
Apart from Sariel the other guys weren’t as bad. With Paz and GC things are clear, Francis -Deadpool ruined this name for me 😂- was the most confusing.
Gross bullying mean girl style, flirting and kissing but no smut scenes just as yet. I liked the story and the way things are heading. Looking forward to seeing what’s next.
Apart from Sariel the other guys weren’t as bad. With Paz and GC things are clear, Francis -Deadpool ruined this name for me 😂- was the most confusing.
Gross bullying mean girl style, flirting and kissing but no smut scenes just as yet. I liked the story and the way things are heading. Looking forward to seeing what’s next.
December 5, 2023
Way too much stuff shoved in without rhythm or reason.
Good
1) The settings were well-depicted and added ambience
2) The series arc was clearly established
3) The mystery was intriguing
4) The love interests had their own voices and stories
Bad
1) The world-building was thin and overall did not make sense (ie why would an angel want to be a reaper?)
2) The christian religion did not fit as the mythological frame
3) The female lead was too stupid to live (Honey, repeat after me: we do not take open drinks from people we know want to harm us) and spent way too much time thinking with her twat
3a) '...my body still betrayed me.' Your body isn't betraying you. You are just so shallow, their pretty outside is more important to you than their ugly inside
3b) '...and I could tell he was doing his best to act normal, and not throw me on the bed, lock the door, and fuck me right then and there. Huh. Maybe he does care about me.' A guy wanting to fuck you does not equal him caring about you, you stupid twit.
4) Three out of the four love interests are shallow and awful (No GC, I would not laugh at a defenseless woman being held down by a guy and hit in the face repeatedly with food on youtube; only asshats like you think that is funny and the fact that you tried to minimize and make it a joke demonstrates just how immature and unfeeling you really are)
5) There is no relationship-building; they want to get in her pants because she's a new flavor and she wants to belong
6)
7) The two 'friends' were all over the map
You might be amused.
Good
1) The settings were well-depicted and added ambience
2) The series arc was clearly established
3) The mystery was intriguing
4) The love interests had their own voices and stories
Bad
1) The world-building was thin and overall did not make sense (ie why would an angel want to be a reaper?)
2) The christian religion did not fit as the mythological frame
3) The female lead was too stupid to live (Honey, repeat after me: we do not take open drinks from people we know want to harm us) and spent way too much time thinking with her twat
3a) '...my body still betrayed me.' Your body isn't betraying you. You are just so shallow, their pretty outside is more important to you than their ugly inside
3b) '...and I could tell he was doing his best to act normal, and not throw me on the bed, lock the door, and fuck me right then and there. Huh. Maybe he does care about me.' A guy wanting to fuck you does not equal him caring about you, you stupid twit.
4) Three out of the four love interests are shallow and awful (No GC, I would not laugh at a defenseless woman being held down by a guy and hit in the face repeatedly with food on youtube; only asshats like you think that is funny and the fact that you tried to minimize and make it a joke demonstrates just how immature and unfeeling you really are)
5) There is no relationship-building; they want to get in her pants because she's a new flavor and she wants to belong
6)
7) The two 'friends' were all over the map
You might be amused.
October 9, 2019
What’s frustrating is that the premise was good. The story itself seemed interesting but I just couldn’t get into the writing. It was flat, awkward and had an immature tone. Some of the dialogue sounded like it was coming from a 13 year old going through a rebellious phase with her constant swears.. NOT an 18 year old woman.
There was so little chemistry between Mila and her “boyfriends”. I didn’t enjoy the insta relationship. Other than her being immediately attracted to the guys there was little to no build up into them getting into a full fledged relationship. It felt wooden.
I found Mila to be immature and lacking depth.
There wasn’t really much variation between the guys. There was no individualism and they all had green eyes, which the author seems to focus on for some unknown reason... ?
The grammar and spelling mistakes and missing words detracted from my enjoyment of the book and the word “Fay” was particularly annoying since I presume the author meant ‘Fae’. It could do with another round of edits.
I wasn’t really sold on this book so I think I will skip the rest of the books unfortunately.
There was so little chemistry between Mila and her “boyfriends”. I didn’t enjoy the insta relationship. Other than her being immediately attracted to the guys there was little to no build up into them getting into a full fledged relationship. It felt wooden.
I found Mila to be immature and lacking depth.
There wasn’t really much variation between the guys. There was no individualism and they all had green eyes, which the author seems to focus on for some unknown reason... ?
The grammar and spelling mistakes and missing words detracted from my enjoyment of the book and the word “Fay” was particularly annoying since I presume the author meant ‘Fae’. It could do with another round of edits.
I wasn’t really sold on this book so I think I will skip the rest of the books unfortunately.
July 28, 2019
Pages: 236
My rating (stars): 3.5
Read other books from this author in the future: yes
I am reviewing this book, after I have read book 2 already.
In the first instalment we meet Mila 1.0. She is a nice girl, who lives with her poor family where her Dad also treats her and her mum poorly. She works in the Diner the family owns and gets an acceptance letter from Grim Reaper Academy.
She decides to go there against the wishes of her father and joins the Academy as their only human student. Here she is bullied, by the other supernaturals and much more.
I liked Mila in this book. She took all they threw her and surived it.
January 14, 2022
This book is very unique and creative. I mean, a school of supernaturals learning to become grim reapers, where on earth did the author even get this idea. There were a few Harry Potter moments, like the 4 different houses, or cabals, as the author calls them, and how the students are placed into the 4 different cabals. The author came up with some very interesting classes that the students have to take. Mila was a facinating mc. There are some very dark themes in this book which are meant for more mature audiences. The different supernatural races were creative, it wasn't just angels, demons and fae. It also included some really weird things like G.C. Apus the third, a false god. The book just ended a bit strangely.
Read
March 3, 2024Wouldn’t really recommend this series. It reads as YA with more smut than a YA would normally have. Like many series it starts off strong but by book 3 the heroine is now a TSTL hot headed whining brat, there’s no relationship development other than her constantly complaining about her friends and lovers, who consistently save her ass. Didn’t continue with the last book.
September 28, 2023
2.5 rating. While I hated many parts of this book it was still an entertaining ride.
June 26, 2019
This book was....It was.....Ugh I don’t even know how to start this review.
Surviving year one was an intense read for me. I loved some parts, and others made me feel like smashing my kindle into the wall.
Let’s start with the moments that made my head explode.
•There were some huge time gaps in this book and sometimes I felt like the author was giving us the bare minimum.
•Mila and GC make out once and they start dating. Then day one of being in a relationship and she becomes needy and supper codependent. I absolutely hate this, it is one of my biggest pet peeves and I dropped a star for this.
•Other than Mila I felt absolutely no connection with the characters. They did not really have much of a personality and I was underwhelmed by how they were described.
What I did like about this book.
•Umm...Angles, Demons, mages because who doesn’t love them.
•Mila’s character was pretty decently developed.
•Had good world building.
• Was A special snowflake but it wasn’t to the point of obnoxious.
Overall would recommend and will read the next book because I am hoping it will get better.
Surviving year one was an intense read for me. I loved some parts, and others made me feel like smashing my kindle into the wall.
Let’s start with the moments that made my head explode.
•There were some huge time gaps in this book and sometimes I felt like the author was giving us the bare minimum.
•Mila and GC make out once and they start dating. Then day one of being in a relationship and she becomes needy and supper codependent. I absolutely hate this, it is one of my biggest pet peeves and I dropped a star for this.
•Other than Mila I felt absolutely no connection with the characters. They did not really have much of a personality and I was underwhelmed by how they were described.
What I did like about this book.
•Umm...Angles, Demons, mages because who doesn’t love them.
•Mila’s character was pretty decently developed.
•Had good world building.
• Was A special snowflake but it wasn’t to the point of obnoxious.
Overall would recommend and will read the next book because I am hoping it will get better.
July 11, 2019
This is the first story for a new series, and it is outstanding! When I read the last pages, I was already anxious to read the next story. It kind of leaves it as a cliffhanger. There is so many twists and turns, great characters, similar story line of a paranormal school, not a secondary school or college even. It is a good Young Adult story that would be rated PG-13, no intimacies. The premise of this story is that every 200 years, there is a new group of Grim Reapers. There are four different types of Grim Reapers. There are Neutral Death Reapers, Merciful Death Reapers, Righteous Death Reapers and Violent Death Reapers. There are invitations sent out, 300, to try out. There is a test which results with 100 prospects. They go through three years of training. They get sorted into each class, or Cabal, by something they did during the testing. They go to classes with their class and sometimes other Cabals. They all eat in the dining hall at the four long tables for each Cabal, but they can sit with others if they want. There are angels, archangels, mages, incubus, succubus, shifters, gods and even fae. But the one type of being that has never been in the Academy is humans, until Mila was invited.
Mila has had a very poor life up till she got the invitation. She had to work at her parents diner, doing all the bad jobs like cleaning the bathrooms after someone got sick in it. Cleaning the greasy kitchen. All this while she was still in school making perfect grades. Her father was ultra controlling of both her mother and herself. She was used to having bruises on her body. One of the things that are implied, and then later brought forth, is that she may have tried to slit her wrists because her home life was so bad. When she got the invitation, it was the first piece of mail she ever got addressed to her. Her father tore it up in tiny pieces. When she went up to her room to go back to sleep, she found the invitation under her pillow. She decides to go in spite of her family. She left her home in Kentucky and went to Salem, Massachusetts. She made a friend before the test started and realized that she hadn't read the manual that would have explained a lot, but still went through with the testing. She was informed that there has never been a Violent Grim Reaper, they are always males, until she was sorted into VGM. Being not only the only girl, but the only human VGM, she is bullied and pranked from the start. First being slapped in the face with food to waking up in a bed of cockroaches. Some of the guys, they are all gorgeous looking, decide they want her because they have had every other girl in the Academy. Good thing she thinks more highly of herself than allowing that to happen.
GC Apis, Golden Calf Apis, is a shifter who just so happens to be a decendent from the Golden Calf in Moses story. Gorgeous looking with hair color and eye color that changes at will. He is one of the guys who has been with all the other girls at the Academy. He is over two hundred years old, so he has been around. He is the first guy who takes a true liking to Mila. He saves her life when the first time Sariel and Lorna try to kill Mila. He then takes it upon himself to not only be her boyfriend, but her protector.
Pazuzu, one of the spawn of Satan, another good looking guy, is engaged to another spawn of Satan. They are very competitive with each other. If he cheats on her, she cheats on him. If he can sleep with the human, then his fiance would have to sleep with a human, and she couldn't stomach that. He then breaks off the engagement because he really can't stand her, but he knows if he does break it off, he will be disowned. He then falls for Mila too. After stalking her during Christmas break and sneaking a kiss, Mila tells GC about it, the guys look at each other, realize that she likes them both and has physical reactions to them both, they decide to share her. The thing is, she is a virgin, and she remains a virgin throughout this story.
During the Christmas break, while she stayed at the school, she hears the first of a Prophesy. One where a human will kill a Grim Reaper who has been a Reaper for 600 years. The longer a Reaper is a Reaper, the more power they get. If this Reapers stays another 200 years, it could change the balance of the world. Mila also finds out that her parents are really her parents.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mila has had a very poor life up till she got the invitation. She had to work at her parents diner, doing all the bad jobs like cleaning the bathrooms after someone got sick in it. Cleaning the greasy kitchen. All this while she was still in school making perfect grades. Her father was ultra controlling of both her mother and herself. She was used to having bruises on her body. One of the things that are implied, and then later brought forth, is that she may have tried to slit her wrists because her home life was so bad. When she got the invitation, it was the first piece of mail she ever got addressed to her. Her father tore it up in tiny pieces. When she went up to her room to go back to sleep, she found the invitation under her pillow. She decides to go in spite of her family. She left her home in Kentucky and went to Salem, Massachusetts. She made a friend before the test started and realized that she hadn't read the manual that would have explained a lot, but still went through with the testing. She was informed that there has never been a Violent Grim Reaper, they are always males, until she was sorted into VGM. Being not only the only girl, but the only human VGM, she is bullied and pranked from the start. First being slapped in the face with food to waking up in a bed of cockroaches. Some of the guys, they are all gorgeous looking, decide they want her because they have had every other girl in the Academy. Good thing she thinks more highly of herself than allowing that to happen.
GC Apis, Golden Calf Apis, is a shifter who just so happens to be a decendent from the Golden Calf in Moses story. Gorgeous looking with hair color and eye color that changes at will. He is one of the guys who has been with all the other girls at the Academy. He is over two hundred years old, so he has been around. He is the first guy who takes a true liking to Mila. He saves her life when the first time Sariel and Lorna try to kill Mila. He then takes it upon himself to not only be her boyfriend, but her protector.
Pazuzu, one of the spawn of Satan, another good looking guy, is engaged to another spawn of Satan. They are very competitive with each other. If he cheats on her, she cheats on him. If he can sleep with the human, then his fiance would have to sleep with a human, and she couldn't stomach that. He then breaks off the engagement because he really can't stand her, but he knows if he does break it off, he will be disowned. He then falls for Mila too. After stalking her during Christmas break and sneaking a kiss, Mila tells GC about it, the guys look at each other, realize that she likes them both and has physical reactions to them both, they decide to share her. The thing is, she is a virgin, and she remains a virgin throughout this story.
During the Christmas break, while she stayed at the school, she hears the first of a Prophesy. One where a human will kill a Grim Reaper who has been a Reaper for 600 years. The longer a Reaper is a Reaper, the more power they get. If this Reapers stays another 200 years, it could change the balance of the world. Mila also finds out that her parents are really her parents.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 30, 2019
I'm going to say I'm leaning toward a 3.5 for this story. This was actually pretty entertaining, despite the fact that as the reader we didn't really find out what exactly is going on till closer to the end. As far as bully romances go this is good. Just enough bullying to get a reader riled up but with a strong FMC that gives back like she gets. Not so much bullying to the point where at the end the reader and the FMC are beat down so much it just gets irritating and depressing. I tend to really like the balance here.
The plot has a some pretty unique concepts. The concept of death having many reapers, that the reaper candidates must go to school and pass in order to become reapers. I really like the different types of reaper categories even (of course this did have a Harry Potter, sorting hat feel... but if it ain't broke don't fix it I guess...). There are also different types of supernaturals all competing for the reaper spots which really gives us a wide variety of myths and legends as well as powers and abilities which makes for interesting reading.
Our FMC, Mila, however finds herself to be the only human competing against a sea of supernaturals.. or is she. When Mila receives the summons on her 18th birthday she had just about given up hope in any sort of magic but here she is taking the entrance test.. wait test? Being the only human surrounded by all these wannabe reapers has made for a dangerous environment for Mila and her comrades aren't a fan that a human has been allowed entrance to the school. Especially those that are in the Violent Death category. However things aren't as they seem with Mila, and despite the fact that they want to break the human this boys find themselves drawn to her. Now if only the mean girls would stop trying to kill her.. but its Grim Reaper Academy.. pretty sure its their job.
I'm definitely interested in seeing where this series goes. I hope that it can keep up its momentum plot wise without going through the dreaded Academy "filler" stage where there are 1 or 2 books in the middle of the Academy series that really just drags things out. This is RH but its more slow/medium burn and the characters seem to have at least a little chemistry hopefully we can expand upon that as the series continues. Look forward to book 2.
The plot has a some pretty unique concepts. The concept of death having many reapers, that the reaper candidates must go to school and pass in order to become reapers. I really like the different types of reaper categories even (of course this did have a Harry Potter, sorting hat feel... but if it ain't broke don't fix it I guess...). There are also different types of supernaturals all competing for the reaper spots which really gives us a wide variety of myths and legends as well as powers and abilities which makes for interesting reading.
Our FMC, Mila, however finds herself to be the only human competing against a sea of supernaturals.. or is she. When Mila receives the summons on her 18th birthday she had just about given up hope in any sort of magic but here she is taking the entrance test.. wait test? Being the only human surrounded by all these wannabe reapers has made for a dangerous environment for Mila and her comrades aren't a fan that a human has been allowed entrance to the school. Especially those that are in the Violent Death category. However things aren't as they seem with Mila, and despite the fact that they want to break the human this boys find themselves drawn to her. Now if only the mean girls would stop trying to kill her.. but its Grim Reaper Academy.. pretty sure its their job.
I'm definitely interested in seeing where this series goes. I hope that it can keep up its momentum plot wise without going through the dreaded Academy "filler" stage where there are 1 or 2 books in the middle of the Academy series that really just drags things out. This is RH but its more slow/medium burn and the characters seem to have at least a little chemistry hopefully we can expand upon that as the series continues. Look forward to book 2.
June 24, 2019
Wow! I am not even sure if this book can get any better than it already is...
Mila, this normal/not-so-normal human, has landed herself in the world of the supernatural. From the moment she steps foot onto the Academy, she has been the target of bullying. Not knowing who is real and who is fake has made it quite hard to trust anyone. Although, she does has a knack for making friends from unexpected places. Now being given the biggest challenge and responsibility as of yet, she will need all the help she can get to attempt to pull off what no other Reaper has yet to accomplish...
I loved every second of the story. It was great and I truly enjoyed it! Before even reaching the halfway point, I knew I was going to want more way before I turned the last page. I am anxious and excited for the next book! Great story, well written, worth the read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mila, this normal/not-so-normal human, has landed herself in the world of the supernatural. From the moment she steps foot onto the Academy, she has been the target of bullying. Not knowing who is real and who is fake has made it quite hard to trust anyone. Although, she does has a knack for making friends from unexpected places. Now being given the biggest challenge and responsibility as of yet, she will need all the help she can get to attempt to pull off what no other Reaper has yet to accomplish...
I loved every second of the story. It was great and I truly enjoyed it! Before even reaching the halfway point, I knew I was going to want more way before I turned the last page. I am anxious and excited for the next book! Great story, well written, worth the read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2020
This was my second Bully romance. I had to take some time to prosses this book before writing a review.
Its approach was similar to Void, in that the female lead is a breed or has powers, that the paranormal world is biased or prejudice against. In this one, she is Human. Weak and thus unworthy to fill one of the 22 active Grim Reaper positions. Mila is a human whose "weakness" includes an attempt on her own life. She runs away, from a home life that is destroying all hope to this mysterious school that offers a future. After joining the student population Mila starts to appreciate, in a way, her home life. It trained her on how to withstand the hate and abuse her fellow students put her through. Including the boys who she can't help but be attracted to.
I liked Mila. As someone who experienced teenage depression and the need to see proof that they were indeed alive. I appreciated Ms. Wylde's approach. The description of her wristbands being a comfort and their eventual smell of continual use. It was very relatable to me.
Unlike Void, I haven't been able to forgive the harem for their actions. Considering one has attempted to kill her multiple times. You can see why I am having issues. That said the Harem is intriguing. I haven't given up on them, yet.
I truly enjoyed this book. Yes, there were some issues, and I have preservations, but that didn't stop me from vying for the next book. Ms. Wylde has spun a spell and I am trapped.
Its approach was similar to Void, in that the female lead is a breed or has powers, that the paranormal world is biased or prejudice against. In this one, she is Human. Weak and thus unworthy to fill one of the 22 active Grim Reaper positions. Mila is a human whose "weakness" includes an attempt on her own life. She runs away, from a home life that is destroying all hope to this mysterious school that offers a future. After joining the student population Mila starts to appreciate, in a way, her home life. It trained her on how to withstand the hate and abuse her fellow students put her through. Including the boys who she can't help but be attracted to.
I liked Mila. As someone who experienced teenage depression and the need to see proof that they were indeed alive. I appreciated Ms. Wylde's approach. The description of her wristbands being a comfort and their eventual smell of continual use. It was very relatable to me.
Unlike Void, I haven't been able to forgive the harem for their actions. Considering one has attempted to kill her multiple times. You can see why I am having issues. That said the Harem is intriguing. I haven't given up on them, yet.
I truly enjoyed this book. Yes, there were some issues, and I have preservations, but that didn't stop me from vying for the next book. Ms. Wylde has spun a spell and I am trapped.
March 14, 2025
Bully lite
This was a fast burn, academy setting supernatural story.
The fmc, Mila has a bad home life and gets a chance to go to the only grim reaper academy. She's the only human there and not at all popular with the rest of the students who do bully her for maybe 5 minutes until she starts dating a false God man hoe who didn't actively bully her but didn't help her either.
It was alright.
Also to be noted because it bothered me, Mila is Bulgarian. Her last name in the book is Lazarov. As a female, it should have been Lazarova. That is all.
This was a fast burn, academy setting supernatural story.
The fmc, Mila has a bad home life and gets a chance to go to the only grim reaper academy. She's the only human there and not at all popular with the rest of the students who do bully her for maybe 5 minutes until she starts dating a false God man hoe who didn't actively bully her but didn't help her either.
It was alright.
Also to be noted because it bothered me, Mila is Bulgarian. Her last name in the book is Lazarov. As a female, it should have been Lazarova. That is all.
April 19, 2020
New addictive series
The moment I started this audiobook I was drawn in the story and I just couldn't stop listening. It was such an amazing world with great characters and plot building, something that is really not all that common for me to come across. For me this one stood out in a world of bully romances. Great read so far!
The moment I started this audiobook I was drawn in the story and I just couldn't stop listening. It was such an amazing world with great characters and plot building, something that is really not all that common for me to come across. For me this one stood out in a world of bully romances. Great read so far!
June 29, 2021
2.5 stars!
November 24, 2019
I was not sold. Or not sold completely. The writing style and character building were a bit weak, however, I liked the plot enough to read the next book in the series.
April 7, 2021
Dnf at 23%
Read
August 28, 2019DNF at 60%
"I'm GC, by the way. If you want to flick the bean later in your bed..."
"As long as it has a mouth and a cunt, I'm down."
"GC blew me a kiss. When I rolled my eyes at him, he just blew me another one and grabbed his crotch."
"That's exactly what all my bitches say. And they always come back for more!"
• Just because GC so good looking doesn't mean he should get a pass for being a pig.
• Immortals are acting like a bunch of middle school playground bullies made the story feel off.
• Grim Reaper thing was an interesting plot but everything else just wasn't cutting it.
• No chemistry with the characters except Mila feeling horny...
"I'm GC, by the way. If you want to flick the bean later in your bed..."
"As long as it has a mouth and a cunt, I'm down."
"GC blew me a kiss. When I rolled my eyes at him, he just blew me another one and grabbed his crotch."
"That's exactly what all my bitches say. And they always come back for more!"
• Just because GC so good looking doesn't mean he should get a pass for being a pig.
• Immortals are acting like a bunch of middle school playground bullies made the story feel off.
• Grim Reaper thing was an interesting plot but everything else just wasn't cutting it.
• No chemistry with the characters except Mila feeling horny...
June 7, 2021
If a girl gets treated like shit then jumps into a relationship like a desperate, needy, self-depricating, no self-esteem having, pathetic mess... I have no respect for her. That's the lead character and I hate her so, so much. This book actually grossed me out. I hate that the lead character was created and out in publishing land. Fucking gross.
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