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Their Shifter Academy #1
Unwanted
By the time I walk through the doors of the academy, where the born shifters of every pack are trained to fight and lead, I’m famous. Infamous? One of those.
I’ve already fought a battle or two. And my family’s complicated relationships with magic, which has been long forbidden to wolves, isn’t popular with all the packs.
I guess I should’ve said this is the place for born male shifters. There aren’t a lot of shifters like me, with flat irons and skinny jeans packed in their bags.
There’s quite the welcome committee waiting for me.
My cadre, who want to break me down and build me back up again into a fighter.
My bullies, who just want to break me.
My patrol, who rises or falls with me.
They don’t expect me to make it to graduation in four years.
But I know I will.
Who’ll be standing with me at the end?
Their Shifter Academy is a new reverse harem romance series, set in a military academy for shifters.
I’ve already fought a battle or two. And my family’s complicated relationships with magic, which has been long forbidden to wolves, isn’t popular with all the packs.
I guess I should’ve said this is the place for born male shifters. There aren’t a lot of shifters like me, with flat irons and skinny jeans packed in their bags.
There’s quite the welcome committee waiting for me.
My cadre, who want to break me down and build me back up again into a fighter.
My bullies, who just want to break me.
My patrol, who rises or falls with me.
They don’t expect me to make it to graduation in four years.
But I know I will.
Who’ll be standing with me at the end?
Their Shifter Academy is a new reverse harem romance series, set in a military academy for shifters.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2019
3097 people are currently reading
2269 people want to read
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August 23, 2019
ARC received in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
I had to drop one star from my review because I was extremely disappointed that the heroine, who's a badass werewolf girl with magic and weapon skills, had to be saved from a rape attempt by a boy. I can accept that in books with an all-human cast, this is a common trope, but I wasn't happy to have to read about the same thing in a paranormal book where the playing field is supposed to be more even. Especially since the heroine is really good at fighting and has magic!!
Apart from that, some of the heroes (Silas and Penn) blurred into each other for me, and I dislike the hero whom the heroine obviously loves the most. I was in the mood for an academy-type romance, and this did hit the spot in that respect, but I found the characters either bland or irritating.
It's well-written so I couldn't give it less than three stars but I'm unsure about my capacity for completing the entire series.
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I had to drop one star from my review because I was extremely disappointed that the heroine, who's a badass werewolf girl with magic and weapon skills, had to be saved from a rape attempt by a boy. I can accept that in books with an all-human cast, this is a common trope, but I wasn't happy to have to read about the same thing in a paranormal book where the playing field is supposed to be more even. Especially since the heroine is really good at fighting and has magic!!
Apart from that, some of the heroes (Silas and Penn) blurred into each other for me, and I dislike the hero whom the heroine obviously loves the most. I was in the mood for an academy-type romance, and this did hit the spot in that respect, but I found the characters either bland or irritating.
It's well-written so I couldn't give it less than three stars but I'm unsure about my capacity for completing the entire series.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
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April 27, 2020DNF @ 79%
Not much to say, just lost interest. It’s not a bad book by any stretch. It’s written well. I liked the idea of the military Academy and the FMC being the only girl wolf in the school.
It was very obvious I was missing something from the start, it’s a spin off of another series and I actually haven’t read that other series featuring the sister. A lot of the characters in this were introduced in there and I did feel like a piece of the puzzle was missing.
I connected more with the new guys, Silas, Rafe and Chase. If I’m honest I didn’t like the second chance romance with the main love interest, his reason for dumping her (if you can even call abandoning her like that a “dumping”) is weak at best. It didn’t endear me to him and the warm fuzzies for him didn’t come back.
Maddie was said to be a “brat” and a “spoiled princess” by the Academy trainers and I have to agree with them. Her behaviour was a bit annoying. Well I can say she acted her age anyway. I found the dialogue hard to follow at times but not the worst I’ve ever read.
I’ve maybe more interest in reading the sisters story now than continuing with Maddie
Not much to say, just lost interest. It’s not a bad book by any stretch. It’s written well. I liked the idea of the military Academy and the FMC being the only girl wolf in the school.
It was very obvious I was missing something from the start, it’s a spin off of another series and I actually haven’t read that other series featuring the sister. A lot of the characters in this were introduced in there and I did feel like a piece of the puzzle was missing.
I connected more with the new guys, Silas, Rafe and Chase. If I’m honest I didn’t like the second chance romance with the main love interest, his reason for dumping her (if you can even call abandoning her like that a “dumping”) is weak at best. It didn’t endear me to him and the warm fuzzies for him didn’t come back.
Maddie was said to be a “brat” and a “spoiled princess” by the Academy trainers and I have to agree with them. Her behaviour was a bit annoying. Well I can say she acted her age anyway. I found the dialogue hard to follow at times but not the worst I’ve ever read.
I’ve maybe more interest in reading the sisters story now than continuing with Maddie
March 30, 2020
Soooooo....I listened to this book while on a 13 hour car ride and ohhhh boy, that was a terrible waste of money :(
I had quite a few issues with this book. Lets start at the beginning shall we.....
-the heroine, she is 18 but acts like a 12 year old horny teenaged boy, she gets distracted by the dumbest things like when someone "hot" is around her its all "wow he might be an asshole but at least he has a nice ass" girl, not only did this a**hole just humiliate you, he continues to do it and all you can think about is the way his ass looks and how he smells?!!!! not only that, but she is constantly bullied and at the very end of the book gets berated and punished for standing up for herself against said a**hole! So of course its her fault that she acted outta line with her bad behavior, and not being the bigger person and turning the other cheek. All the while her 'cadres' know what's going on, see it and don't do one damn thing to stop it. They tell her that she needs to be stronger and deal with it better, as someone who has a young niece that has been bullied, I will ALWAYS want her to stand up for herself and know that you don't ever have to take sh*t. With that being said....
-Jensen (a**hole) direct quote from book "She's mine to torment, she's mine to hurt." ummmm ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????? no, just no. F*cker.
-Lex/Rafe (her cadres) again, no. Doormats. Cowards...either works.
Man ohhhhh man, these guys are horrible, if you like books that degrade 18 year old girls, have at it. This series is not for me.
I had quite a few issues with this book. Lets start at the beginning shall we.....
-the heroine, she is 18 but acts like a 12 year old horny teenaged boy, she gets distracted by the dumbest things like when someone "hot" is around her its all "wow he might be an asshole but at least he has a nice ass" girl, not only did this a**hole just humiliate you, he continues to do it and all you can think about is the way his ass looks and how he smells?!!!! not only that, but she is constantly bullied and at the very end of the book gets berated and punished for standing up for herself against said a**hole! So of course its her fault that she acted outta line with her bad behavior, and not being the bigger person and turning the other cheek. All the while her 'cadres' know what's going on, see it and don't do one damn thing to stop it. They tell her that she needs to be stronger and deal with it better, as someone who has a young niece that has been bullied, I will ALWAYS want her to stand up for herself and know that you don't ever have to take sh*t. With that being said....
-Jensen (a**hole) direct quote from book "She's mine to torment, she's mine to hurt." ummmm ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????? no, just no. F*cker.
-Lex/Rafe (her cadres) again, no. Doormats. Cowards...either works.
Man ohhhhh man, these guys are horrible, if you like books that degrade 18 year old girls, have at it. This series is not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2020
Drove me nuts with it’s alpha male syndrome
If you want a book that has male characters so arrogant, bullying and downright cruel at times that you want to throw your iPad across the room, then this just might be the book for you.
Of course, it’s all in the name of misguidedly thinking they’re protecting the girl, right? Only if it had of been less deliberately cruel towards Maddie I might have enjoyed it more. Maddie seemed like an interesting character, but since she’s spending all her time dealing with the bullying it’s hard to say.
3 stars ⭐️ only because it hints at something bigger to come.
If you want a book that has male characters so arrogant, bullying and downright cruel at times that you want to throw your iPad across the room, then this just might be the book for you.
Of course, it’s all in the name of misguidedly thinking they’re protecting the girl, right? Only if it had of been less deliberately cruel towards Maddie I might have enjoyed it more. Maddie seemed like an interesting character, but since she’s spending all her time dealing with the bullying it’s hard to say.
3 stars ⭐️ only because it hints at something bigger to come.
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February 5, 2020
I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes. I connected with Maddie pretty quickly. She has alot to prove and she is more than up for it. I mean her sister is the Queen of Shifters, she may or may not have been looked after. How is one supposed to prove that they can take care of themselves if not given the chance? Here she enters an Academy that is full of male shifters learning to take care of their pack, race. You are not going find guys who are too welcoming to Maddie. But you know what, she does it anyway. Course it did not hurt she came prepared thanks in part to her sisters mates. They helped to train her. But it is up to her to complete this school all on her own. There will be most who hate her, some who are curious about her. With just a couple who want to protect her. It is up to Maddie to see who she can trust, who she cannot. Things get more interesting as well for Maddie when the love of her life dumps her, only to turn out to be an instructor at the school. There is a cliffhanger at the end that left me needing book two ASAP!!! Good thing it is already out!!!
August 24, 2019
Maddie is great but the academy is worthless
I really liked Maddie, but I do t know if I really want to continue the story because I hated the academy and almost all of the people that are supposed to support her try to bring her down.
Her enemies I get, but her supposed teammates are worthless and Lex is a complete moron when I found out what he thought Maddie supposedly lied about I wanted to punch him in the face.
Simply put she doesn’t need the academy and should leave it. The beginning of the book where she is actually saving people in my opinion she has already graduated and doesn’t need those losers.
I really liked Maddie, but I do t know if I really want to continue the story because I hated the academy and almost all of the people that are supposed to support her try to bring her down.
Her enemies I get, but her supposed teammates are worthless and Lex is a complete moron when I found out what he thought Maddie supposedly lied about I wanted to punch him in the face.
Simply put she doesn’t need the academy and should leave it. The beginning of the book where she is actually saving people in my opinion she has already graduated and doesn’t need those losers.
September 25, 2019
This was an alright read. I thought the story was okay. There were moments where I thought it was great, but then there were moments where I was bored and had to put the book down. I really did not feel like this is a reverse harem type of story, but apparently it is, so I will see how the series continue. The characters were okay. Mad Die was my favourite character. I thought she was a snarky and interesting character. Also, the guys in this story need more characterization and they were not as developed as Maddie was. I wonder how the story and the characters will go from here. Overall, an okay read.
December 20, 2020
3 Lacklustre & Lowly Stars
Ack, I was seriously underwhelmed by this read. Loved the sound of the heroine and story from the blurb the execution of everything just didn't hit the spot. This lacked character development and depth. Didn't enjoy the bullying strand and how the trainers allowed it.
Jenson just annoyed me even after the author revealed more about him and his motives.
Lex's reason for being pissed at Maddie and partly hating her was silly - he was being a drama queen.
3 stars only because I liked the sound of the heroine at the start.
Potential Triggers:
Acquired via KU.
Ack, I was seriously underwhelmed by this read. Loved the sound of the heroine and story from the blurb the execution of everything just didn't hit the spot. This lacked character development and depth. Didn't enjoy the bullying strand and how the trainers allowed it.
Jenson just annoyed me even after the author revealed more about him and his motives.
Lex's reason for being pissed at Maddie and partly hating her was silly - he was being a drama queen.
3 stars only because I liked the sound of the heroine at the start.
Potential Triggers:
Acquired via KU.
February 15, 2021
I am so excited to see where this series goes. Maddie is such a strong character. She has everything to prove and doesn't want to be seen as weak. The only thing that really annoyed me throughout the book was how entitled she acted and how she constantly got away with things. But other than that I loved her and all of her guys. I truly enjoyed how all of her men were there own people and came from different packs and backgrounds and were seen as the misfits in the academy. I also enjoyed the witch background arc that is rarely talked about but will probably end up driving the rest of the series because of the mystery behind it. I can't wait to start book!
November 9, 2019
That was a mess. I can't say it was bad but the story was all over the place.
It started out great with this badass rescue missing and I got really excited for this book and liked the heroine.
But then it was....I don't really know what the purpose of this book was. It was all over the place and didn't made any sense. I felt like there were too many story lines and they got all tangled up in a huge mess and most of them were forgotten. The guys were pretty flat, most of the time I didn't knew who was who and could not say who would be in the harem later. I didn't like any of the boys. They had no personalities and the chemistry between them was non existing.
The heroine started out great but also transformed to a lovesick and most of all lustsick bimbo. I couldn't follow her thoughts...they were all over the place and didn't make sense. I really didn't get how she could develope feelings for any of the guys and after this great opening scene she also got pretty boring. Academy life also was pretty boring and we don't really got any world building or info about the academy or anything. Everything just is and everything is just dropped there.
As I said it was not bad but also not good. I already forgot most of the book and characters. Meeh
It started out great with this badass rescue missing and I got really excited for this book and liked the heroine.
But then it was....I don't really know what the purpose of this book was. It was all over the place and didn't made any sense. I felt like there were too many story lines and they got all tangled up in a huge mess and most of them were forgotten. The guys were pretty flat, most of the time I didn't knew who was who and could not say who would be in the harem later. I didn't like any of the boys. They had no personalities and the chemistry between them was non existing.
The heroine started out great but also transformed to a lovesick and most of all lustsick bimbo. I couldn't follow her thoughts...they were all over the place and didn't make sense. I really didn't get how she could develope feelings for any of the guys and after this great opening scene she also got pretty boring. Academy life also was pretty boring and we don't really got any world building or info about the academy or anything. Everything just is and everything is just dropped there.
As I said it was not bad but also not good. I already forgot most of the book and characters. Meeh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2020
*Spoiler Alert*
Maddie (FMC) has had her mind set on going to the shifter academy all her life so she can learn how to protect her sister - Piper and now her babies too. Except the academy is not as welcoming to her mainly because its a male orientated place full of alphas who think female shifters are only good for one thing - Breeding but they also have a problem with Maggie because of her last name and her sister. Who was a hunter herself at the same academy until they got rid of her. Bullying, Pranks, a sexist, a***hole Dean, Hunter/instructors Rafe and her Ex Lex and hot roommates - Chase, Silas and Penn as well as a murder. It all adds to the beginning of a pretty good series. Loved Maddie's character especially with all the crap she had to put up with. Im interested to see if some of the idiots change their attitudes in the next book. Ill definitely read it
Maddie (FMC) has had her mind set on going to the shifter academy all her life so she can learn how to protect her sister - Piper and now her babies too. Except the academy is not as welcoming to her mainly because its a male orientated place full of alphas who think female shifters are only good for one thing - Breeding but they also have a problem with Maggie because of her last name and her sister. Who was a hunter herself at the same academy until they got rid of her. Bullying, Pranks, a sexist, a***hole Dean, Hunter/instructors Rafe and her Ex Lex and hot roommates - Chase, Silas and Penn as well as a murder. It all adds to the beginning of a pretty good series. Loved Maddie's character especially with all the crap she had to put up with. Im interested to see if some of the idiots change their attitudes in the next book. Ill definitely read it
September 4, 2020
DNF 25%
January 29, 2020
It has huge potential to become an amazing series.
This is a spin-off from the Shifter Princess series so it has big shoes to fill, in my opinion. The story picks up 9 years after the battle with the covens, Maddie is all grown up and is trying to make it in an Alpha male world.
We are introduced to a handful of interesting and swoon worthy guys. The drama and angst are ever present as you would expect from 1) an academy book and 2) a stubborn heroine trying to break the norm.
I feel like this book has so much potential and I look forward to reading more. The only trouble I had was the MC seems to be a little lacklustre and hasn’t owned her badass-ness yet. There are a few points that I want to shake her and be done with it but it does make for a good read. Also, am I’m putting it out there now, I can’t stand Jenson and hope he gets his sooner rather than letter (although I think I know what’s going to happen and have accepted it!)
May Dawson does an excellent job bringing the characters to life and painting a whole new world for us. Very easy read and you’ll get lost into it!
This is a spin-off from the Shifter Princess series so it has big shoes to fill, in my opinion. The story picks up 9 years after the battle with the covens, Maddie is all grown up and is trying to make it in an Alpha male world.
We are introduced to a handful of interesting and swoon worthy guys. The drama and angst are ever present as you would expect from 1) an academy book and 2) a stubborn heroine trying to break the norm.
I feel like this book has so much potential and I look forward to reading more. The only trouble I had was the MC seems to be a little lacklustre and hasn’t owned her badass-ness yet. There are a few points that I want to shake her and be done with it but it does make for a good read. Also, am I’m putting it out there now, I can’t stand Jenson and hope he gets his sooner rather than letter (although I think I know what’s going to happen and have accepted it!)
May Dawson does an excellent job bringing the characters to life and painting a whole new world for us. Very easy read and you’ll get lost into it!
November 24, 2019
Lots of potential
This book shows lots of potential. Reading it I felt like there were aspects that weren’t explored that I felt would have added to a better understanding of the characters, but perhaps that will be explored further in future books. Overall, I enjoyed the story, although I am not generally a fan of bully style romances.
This book shows lots of potential. Reading it I felt like there were aspects that weren’t explored that I felt would have added to a better understanding of the characters, but perhaps that will be explored further in future books. Overall, I enjoyed the story, although I am not generally a fan of bully style romances.
August 23, 2019
I don’t usually read bully/academy books, or books about teenagers, but I gave this one a shot because I love May Dawson. I’m really glad I did. It was really enjoyable and even though there was some bullying, it wasn’t too bad and it wasn’t the driving conflict of the story. I’m excited to read the next book!
February 27, 2022
Not doing it for me.
DNF in the first chapter. Really not getting on with the writing style in this one. Weird jumping around in time, with major events having happened in the gaps but no explanation other than a one line statement. Maybe the explanations will come later, but I'm already bored with the 'Eh? What?' reactions after the prologue and the first 3 pages. Sorry Ms Dawson. I do like some of your other books.
DNF in the first chapter. Really not getting on with the writing style in this one. Weird jumping around in time, with major events having happened in the gaps but no explanation other than a one line statement. Maybe the explanations will come later, but I'm already bored with the 'Eh? What?' reactions after the prologue and the first 3 pages. Sorry Ms Dawson. I do like some of your other books.
March 25, 2024
wow, Maddie story!
Now we follow Maddie story. We meet her going to the shifter Academy where she meets next Rafael Chase, Silas, pen Tuck, Faro and Jeremy. The new adventure of the other shift, the princess.
Now we follow Maddie story. We meet her going to the shifter Academy where she meets next Rafael Chase, Silas, pen Tuck, Faro and Jeremy. The new adventure of the other shift, the princess.
February 5, 2020
An amazing first story in another great series by a talented writer. Deals with bullying but doesn’t go into too much detail. The main character is just perfect. I totally enjoyed the plot.
December 18, 2020
*** Trigger Warning- attempted rape - not by a MC***
Another shifter book for me, first in a series. This was the second series in this world. I am not lost because of this.. The first series was about her sister's journey.
This one was an academy story where she is the only girl there, and lots of the guys are not happy with that. She makes friends with several guys in her dorm or "house". There is bullying, 2 yummy forbidden instructors, 1 is her ex, and a murder to start this series off.
I will be continuing. Recommend!
Another shifter book for me, first in a series. This was the second series in this world. I am not lost because of this.. The first series was about her sister's journey.
This one was an academy story where she is the only girl there, and lots of the guys are not happy with that. She makes friends with several guys in her dorm or "house". There is bullying, 2 yummy forbidden instructors, 1 is her ex, and a murder to start this series off.
I will be continuing. Recommend!
December 1, 2022
Absolutely Addicting
This series is completely addictive. I think I like Maddie even more than Piper’s story. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
This series is completely addictive. I think I like Maddie even more than Piper’s story. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
February 4, 2020
I love a good academy read and this is a great one! A reverse harem romance series, set in a military academy for shifters, full of action , magic, Mystery, intrigue, some sexy shifters and an addicting storyline what more could you ask for? An exciting story with great characters I am looking forward to reading the next book!
October 11, 2023
great start
Huge fan of May Dawson and the first in this Academy series is full on from start to finish. The boys are confusing and still getting to know their characters. The plot line is a little thin but hoping that expands with book two. Strongly recommend this 4 star read.
Huge fan of May Dawson and the first in this Academy series is full on from start to finish. The boys are confusing and still getting to know their characters. The plot line is a little thin but hoping that expands with book two. Strongly recommend this 4 star read.
January 22, 2020
Okay, people, let’s get real here and put things in perspective. Yes, this is an academy read about shifters and also includes witches, magic, and possibly other surprises and it is centered on a group of young adults, eighteen to early twenties. This academy is a school – for learning – but also for fighting and defense – where you learn to hone your skills to protect not only yourself, but your pack, your race, and especially those you love during the times of war. It is a school that is for male shifters – major testosterone central and lots of hostility, especially for Maddie, the young shifter princess, who is striking out on her own to learn to be her own person without the protection of her sister, Piper, the Queen of Shifters, and her sister’s mates and their pack.
Maddie has always been cared for and coddled so to an extent, she is a bit naïve in ways but she has powerful magic locked away which makes her special (and it’s a secret) and can kick ass with the best of them thanks to the training from her sister’s mates. She is still, however, a young girl starting fresh on her own in a hostile environment. The school, so far, is all males and she is definitely unwanted. Some see her as a problem to eliminate, some see her as a challenge to dominate, some see her ruining the reputation of the school and what they are trying to accomplish, others are openly curious, and then there are the few that see her as a beautiful young girl they need to protect. So, just like a regular school – made up of everything. And just like a regular school, there are the bad guys – the bullies – who think they are superior and just want to make life hell. In this case, there is a little more involved because there are separate agendas going on in the background that center around Maddie in one way or the other. I will insert here (as I am sure you have read from other reviews) there is some bullying in this book. I do not like reading bully books and usually stop reading when I come across it; however when you put everything about this book in context and really think about it – the characters, the world building, the dynamics of the school and the students, what they are, what they can do and how they were raised and Dawson provides a look into the complex thoughts of the main bully and well,…all that kept me reading. There are a lot of surprises and twists thrown in to keep it interesting.
Maddie is a powerhouse of emotions, she is brash and lashes out without thinking and it gets her in trouble (a lot) and she is also emotionally reeling from being dumped by her first love (who is also a house mate and instructor at the academy) which makes her a little more reckless and unsure of those around her and causes a lot of complications. Her house mates are an interesting mix and since this is the first book in the series and their characters are still being developed, I am extremely curious as to the outcome of her relationship with each of them. There are definitely some subtle sparks flying and lots of flirting and fun banter but what will come with each of them, only time will tell. I do hope that they all stick around and form their own motley pack with Maddie. Even the root of most of her problems, the baddie bully behind the scenes, seems to be drawn to her and her to him, so maybe even an enemy to more scenario here. Learning some things about him in this book, he has a twisted way of trying to do what he thinks is right for everyone and to protect Maddie so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. A challenge is definitely thrown out at the end and it ends on a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to seeing how Maddie grows, how she handles things going forward, and how her relationships evolve with her house mates in the next book.
Overall, the main characters (Maddie and her guys) are great, the storyline puts a different spin on shifters, magic, witches, and academy life. There is plenty of emotions, danger, action, witty banter, flirty context, sexy times, bonds forming, suspense, and mystery in this engaging read.
Maddie has always been cared for and coddled so to an extent, she is a bit naïve in ways but she has powerful magic locked away which makes her special (and it’s a secret) and can kick ass with the best of them thanks to the training from her sister’s mates. She is still, however, a young girl starting fresh on her own in a hostile environment. The school, so far, is all males and she is definitely unwanted. Some see her as a problem to eliminate, some see her as a challenge to dominate, some see her ruining the reputation of the school and what they are trying to accomplish, others are openly curious, and then there are the few that see her as a beautiful young girl they need to protect. So, just like a regular school – made up of everything. And just like a regular school, there are the bad guys – the bullies – who think they are superior and just want to make life hell. In this case, there is a little more involved because there are separate agendas going on in the background that center around Maddie in one way or the other. I will insert here (as I am sure you have read from other reviews) there is some bullying in this book. I do not like reading bully books and usually stop reading when I come across it; however when you put everything about this book in context and really think about it – the characters, the world building, the dynamics of the school and the students, what they are, what they can do and how they were raised and Dawson provides a look into the complex thoughts of the main bully and well,…all that kept me reading. There are a lot of surprises and twists thrown in to keep it interesting.
Maddie is a powerhouse of emotions, she is brash and lashes out without thinking and it gets her in trouble (a lot) and she is also emotionally reeling from being dumped by her first love (who is also a house mate and instructor at the academy) which makes her a little more reckless and unsure of those around her and causes a lot of complications. Her house mates are an interesting mix and since this is the first book in the series and their characters are still being developed, I am extremely curious as to the outcome of her relationship with each of them. There are definitely some subtle sparks flying and lots of flirting and fun banter but what will come with each of them, only time will tell. I do hope that they all stick around and form their own motley pack with Maddie. Even the root of most of her problems, the baddie bully behind the scenes, seems to be drawn to her and her to him, so maybe even an enemy to more scenario here. Learning some things about him in this book, he has a twisted way of trying to do what he thinks is right for everyone and to protect Maddie so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. A challenge is definitely thrown out at the end and it ends on a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to seeing how Maddie grows, how she handles things going forward, and how her relationships evolve with her house mates in the next book.
Overall, the main characters (Maddie and her guys) are great, the storyline puts a different spin on shifters, magic, witches, and academy life. There is plenty of emotions, danger, action, witty banter, flirty context, sexy times, bonds forming, suspense, and mystery in this engaging read.
August 23, 2019
Ermmmmm
I like premise but I’m not actually sure what’s going on through 40% of the book their was no character/relationship building the main dramatic part of the story was a let down and after thinking onit for 15 minutes I still don’t know what the “plot” was supposed to have been building towards I may have missed it after working a 24 hour shift but I don’t think I will be reading book 2
I like premise but I’m not actually sure what’s going on through 40% of the book their was no character/relationship building the main dramatic part of the story was a let down and after thinking onit for 15 minutes I still don’t know what the “plot” was supposed to have been building towards I may have missed it after working a 24 hour shift but I don’t think I will be reading book 2
July 20, 2020
I’ve had my fill with mean bullies, I think
So, I stumbled back across this world (I read Piper’s series) and thought “oh! Little sister action. Piper showed the wolves who was boss, I can’t wait to see what spitfire Maddie does”. And I would like to say I’m pretty disappointed with this first book in general. I would like to see Maddie throw all these guys to the curb and get a whole new set in the witch world. Men who respect her, and arent raging donkeys for 2 books but some how still get the girl because they have abs.
So, I stumbled back across this world (I read Piper’s series) and thought “oh! Little sister action. Piper showed the wolves who was boss, I can’t wait to see what spitfire Maddie does”. And I would like to say I’m pretty disappointed with this first book in general. I would like to see Maddie throw all these guys to the curb and get a whole new set in the witch world. Men who respect her, and arent raging donkeys for 2 books but some how still get the girl because they have abs.
August 24, 2019
Unwanted starts us off with Maddie, the younger sister to Pack Princess Piper, the FMC of Dawson's Shifter Princess series. Maddie is all grown up (or at least she's legal) and heading to matriculate at the shifter academy that was created by her sister and the her sister's mates.
Unfortunately, the academy isn't as open-minded as her sister, and it's an uphill battle for the academy's only female student. Plus, Maddie has to deal with drama stemming from her ex-boyfriend being an instructor...more specifically, HER instructor.
Dawson does a good job of giving us the shifter/world rules that we need to know in case any readers are new and did not previously read Piper's books. You should be able to dig into the book without too many big questions about the basics.
Maddie is realistically her age. She throws herself full-on into love, is a bit privileged, and has to get used to pushing through when things aren't entirely going the way she'd like. In short, for a shifter, she's very human. She's not one of those perfect girls where you just WISH the author would give them some kind of flaw to just make them more real. I liked Maddie- there were moments where I just had to go "oh sweetie, no", but we see signs that she's learning lessons from her mistakes, and I like that's flexible and capable of changing.
The guys that I'm envisioning in her harem are two of her instructors, her teammates, and I think we'll get some enemies to friends/lovers as well. The roommates and instructors run the gamut of cocky, confident, tricksy, flirty, shy, and more, so we get a little taste of everything we like to see in a bigger harem. Then there's Jensen- the one classmate who has a PARTICULAR thirst to get her off the campus. We see some ups and downs, some glimpses at the good in him, but it looks like things are going to get a bit more dramatic going into book two.
Maddie's world is a bit wider than Piper's- we're still seeing witches, but we're opening up other doors that will gradually expand the universe that Dawson has created, so I'm looking forward to that. This series opener is friendly for both readers and newbies to the Shifter Princess family, and I think that it has great potential for many to enjoy.
Unfortunately, the academy isn't as open-minded as her sister, and it's an uphill battle for the academy's only female student. Plus, Maddie has to deal with drama stemming from her ex-boyfriend being an instructor...more specifically, HER instructor.
Dawson does a good job of giving us the shifter/world rules that we need to know in case any readers are new and did not previously read Piper's books. You should be able to dig into the book without too many big questions about the basics.
Maddie is realistically her age. She throws herself full-on into love, is a bit privileged, and has to get used to pushing through when things aren't entirely going the way she'd like. In short, for a shifter, she's very human. She's not one of those perfect girls where you just WISH the author would give them some kind of flaw to just make them more real. I liked Maddie- there were moments where I just had to go "oh sweetie, no", but we see signs that she's learning lessons from her mistakes, and I like that's flexible and capable of changing.
The guys that I'm envisioning in her harem are two of her instructors, her teammates, and I think we'll get some enemies to friends/lovers as well. The roommates and instructors run the gamut of cocky, confident, tricksy, flirty, shy, and more, so we get a little taste of everything we like to see in a bigger harem. Then there's Jensen- the one classmate who has a PARTICULAR thirst to get her off the campus. We see some ups and downs, some glimpses at the good in him, but it looks like things are going to get a bit more dramatic going into book two.
Maddie's world is a bit wider than Piper's- we're still seeing witches, but we're opening up other doors that will gradually expand the universe that Dawson has created, so I'm looking forward to that. This series opener is friendly for both readers and newbies to the Shifter Princess family, and I think that it has great potential for many to enjoy.
June 30, 2023
2.75
If you don't mind a heroine pining for a guy that has told her he doesn't want her and giving in anytime he randomly changes his mind, you may like this book more than I did. I will give it to the author though, this book was very appropriately named.
Original review:
I haven't really read this, I just need to remind myself ...
**STOP STARTING THIS BOOK UNTIL YOU'VE READ "THEIR SHIFTER PRINCESS"**
This book drops you into the middle of a story. I'm not even sure "their shifter princess" is the real beginning of the series, but it is the beginning of Maddie's story.
Do not listen to anyone if they tell you this book is a stand alone ... IT IS NOT!
If you don't mind a heroine pining for a guy that has told her he doesn't want her and giving in anytime he randomly changes his mind, you may like this book more than I did. I will give it to the author though, this book was very appropriately named.
Original review:
I haven't really read this, I just need to remind myself ...
**STOP STARTING THIS BOOK UNTIL YOU'VE READ "THEIR SHIFTER PRINCESS"**
This book drops you into the middle of a story. I'm not even sure "their shifter princess" is the real beginning of the series, but it is the beginning of Maddie's story.
Do not listen to anyone if they tell you this book is a stand alone ... IT IS NOT!
December 19, 2023
This is bad book. It's messaging supports the notion of 'boys will be boys' and girls should be passive victims to their cruelty or they are 'spoiled' and 'brats'.
1) Female lead was being hit hard by another cadet during a training exercise so she starts giving as good as gets.
She gets in trouble for it. The male cadet does not.
2) “I already broke up a fight between Jensen and Maddie,” Rafe said. “Those two…”
“You’d think they’d get along,” I said. “They both have lived their spoiled lives in desperate need of an attitude correction.”
Actually, Maddie was abused, not spoiled, for the majority of her life something which the speaker should be aware of, given he was not only romantically/sexually involved with her for several month right before the beginning the story but it is huge part of the Northsea pack's origin story (played out in same author's 'Their Shifter Princess' series), the pack that he lived with while dating her.
3) Female lead was told by a couple of bullies she's 'meant to breed' and that should be her contribution to pack society. One of the adult instructors overhears, berates her and says it's not his job to keep them from being idiots to each other.
Really buddy? You don't think that was past being an idiot? You don't think a life lesson on the wrongness of sexism and misogyny might be in order?
4) He also tells her to save her feelings for the ring. Umm... pretty sure physically trying to harm another person is not an intelligent or healthy way to work out issues. In fact, didn't she just get in trouble for doing that?
What a lousy authority figure.
5) And from the other person training the female lead's house cadets:
“It’s funny that you know enough to call them my enemies and yet you don’t care what they do to me.”
“You already know that’s not true,” he said. “I believe in your ability to handle the stupid shit. Eventually, they’ll realize fearless Maddie Northsea isn’t going to be thrown by their antics.”
And later in the conversation:
I was exasperated. He was so hard on me, but he seemed blind to all the little things those bullies did to me. “You ignore them as they push me and push me, and then when I stand up—”
“Not like that,” he cut me off. “You weren’t standing up to anyone. You were getting revenge.”
So apparently this instructor was well aware of the older cadets humiliating and hurting her, but as far as he was concerned, she was just suppose to allow these older cadets to do what they want and, if she strikes back, it's revenge.
And so we have another great authority figure.
6)
7)
8) One of the instructors admitted he knew the other cadets were out to hurt her and he had her put in his house to protect her. Umm... so why did he enabling the bullying by standing by and letting it happen?
9) “He provoked me,” I said, my voice coming out rough. I was emotional about his betrayal, more than I’d expected. “I thought we had a truce.”
“Well, if he provoked you, then it’s totally okay you’re acting like an undisciplined brat again.” Rafe grabbed my shoulders and pushed me away from him, but his gaze was still intent on mine.
“I didn’t—”
“Shut up, Northsea,” Rafe cut me off. “Did someone hit you? Did someone threaten you to hurt you?”
My jaw set. I shook my head.
Two minutes earlier:
“She’s mine to torment,” he went on, turning back out to the crowd. “She’s mine to hurt. She’s my project. And if any of you get in my way again, I’ll fucking kill you.”
Sounds like a threat to me.
I kills me how they keep on her about how she is brat and lacks discipline but don't have a problem with the guys acting like brats and behaving without any discipline and how, even after everything that happened, continue to ignore how their passive support of the violence against her allowed her to be .
1) Female lead was being hit hard by another cadet during a training exercise so she starts giving as good as gets.
She gets in trouble for it. The male cadet does not.
2) “I already broke up a fight between Jensen and Maddie,” Rafe said. “Those two…”
“You’d think they’d get along,” I said. “They both have lived their spoiled lives in desperate need of an attitude correction.”
Actually, Maddie was abused, not spoiled, for the majority of her life something which the speaker should be aware of, given he was not only romantically/sexually involved with her for several month right before the beginning the story but it is huge part of the Northsea pack's origin story (played out in same author's 'Their Shifter Princess' series), the pack that he lived with while dating her.
3) Female lead was told by a couple of bullies she's 'meant to breed' and that should be her contribution to pack society. One of the adult instructors overhears, berates her and says it's not his job to keep them from being idiots to each other.
Really buddy? You don't think that was past being an idiot? You don't think a life lesson on the wrongness of sexism and misogyny might be in order?
4) He also tells her to save her feelings for the ring. Umm... pretty sure physically trying to harm another person is not an intelligent or healthy way to work out issues. In fact, didn't she just get in trouble for doing that?
What a lousy authority figure.
5) And from the other person training the female lead's house cadets:
“It’s funny that you know enough to call them my enemies and yet you don’t care what they do to me.”
“You already know that’s not true,” he said. “I believe in your ability to handle the stupid shit. Eventually, they’ll realize fearless Maddie Northsea isn’t going to be thrown by their antics.”
And later in the conversation:
I was exasperated. He was so hard on me, but he seemed blind to all the little things those bullies did to me. “You ignore them as they push me and push me, and then when I stand up—”
“Not like that,” he cut me off. “You weren’t standing up to anyone. You were getting revenge.”
So apparently this instructor was well aware of the older cadets humiliating and hurting her, but as far as he was concerned, she was just suppose to allow these older cadets to do what they want and, if she strikes back, it's revenge.
And so we have another great authority figure.
6)
7)
8) One of the instructors admitted he knew the other cadets were out to hurt her and he had her put in his house to protect her. Umm... so why did he enabling the bullying by standing by and letting it happen?
9) “He provoked me,” I said, my voice coming out rough. I was emotional about his betrayal, more than I’d expected. “I thought we had a truce.”
“Well, if he provoked you, then it’s totally okay you’re acting like an undisciplined brat again.” Rafe grabbed my shoulders and pushed me away from him, but his gaze was still intent on mine.
“I didn’t—”
“Shut up, Northsea,” Rafe cut me off. “Did someone hit you? Did someone threaten you to hurt you?”
My jaw set. I shook my head.
Two minutes earlier:
“She’s mine to torment,” he went on, turning back out to the crowd. “She’s mine to hurt. She’s my project. And if any of you get in my way again, I’ll fucking kill you.”
Sounds like a threat to me.
I kills me how they keep on her about how she is brat and lacks discipline but don't have a problem with the guys acting like brats and behaving without any discipline and how, even after everything that happened, continue to ignore how their passive support of the violence against her allowed her to be .
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