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Book One: Admission
Jess Roberts is a hothead with a secret she can't share with anyone.
Rase Flannigan is an empath… except his talent never works on people. Only animals.
Her family has been in hiding for as long as she can remember, and she's going to be the one to blow their cover. When Jess's best friend, Rase Flannigan, receives a scholarship to a prestigious private school, Jess knows she won't be able to tolerate the mean girls back at Bayburgh High without him. On the first day back, she accidentally sets her backpack on fire. As punishment, she’s held late for detention and sent to the high school basement.
There, she discovers a troll, feasting on a tribe of miniature primates. Jess knows she has to protect them, but she nearly burns down the school in the process.
Rase Flannigan is an empath… except his talent never works on people. Only animals.
When Rase is awarded a scholarship to the Preparatory Academy for the Remarkable, he agrees to attend, leaving his home, his family, and his best friend, Jess Roberts, back in Bayburgh. As he hones his skills and learns about the amazing, exciting creatures that hide around every corner, he vows to find a way to bring Jess along for the adventure.
Together, by saving a mystical griffon, Jess and Rase each learn how to embrace their peculiarity and adventure into realms where no mere mortal has gone before.
Fans of X-Men and Fantastic Beasts will love this urban fantasy academy adventure in this tale from incredible fantasy author Bokerah Brumley.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2019
121 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 17, 2020
Arachnophobes beware!
I would have rated this higher because I did enjoy the story but the author put spiders throughout the book, including a giant spider-bear! That just blew it for me, especially since there was no warning. Other authors will let you know if their material contains trigger content, why aren’t spiders included in that? Arachnophobia is real and is in the top five recognized phobias by various medical sources and often listed as #1. So thanks for zero warning!
The story is decent, I would have given it 3-3 1/2 stars without the spiders and it could have been a fun read. I won’t be continuing on though in spite of being intrigued as I am guessing that since the MC Jess hates spiders there are sure to be more in the rest of this series and I can do without the nightmares tyvm.
I would have rated this higher because I did enjoy the story but the author put spiders throughout the book, including a giant spider-bear! That just blew it for me, especially since there was no warning. Other authors will let you know if their material contains trigger content, why aren’t spiders included in that? Arachnophobia is real and is in the top five recognized phobias by various medical sources and often listed as #1. So thanks for zero warning!
The story is decent, I would have given it 3-3 1/2 stars without the spiders and it could have been a fun read. I won’t be continuing on though in spite of being intrigued as I am guessing that since the MC Jess hates spiders there are sure to be more in the rest of this series and I can do without the nightmares tyvm.
August 8, 2024
Rounded to 5⭐️ because it’s fun and I needed it!
A little more MG than YA but that’s an observation, not a complaint at all!
There were a few things that didn’t seem to clear to me, but I just really enjoyed such a good romp! It kept me guessing and needing to know what was going to happen next!
Looking forward to book 2
A little more MG than YA but that’s an observation, not a complaint at all!
There were a few things that didn’t seem to clear to me, but I just really enjoyed such a good romp! It kept me guessing and needing to know what was going to happen next!
Looking forward to book 2
June 21, 2020
I was expecting an older teen book (from the appearance of the teens on the cover), but this is more aimed at a Middle-grade audience (think about age 12), akin to the first Harry Potter book. The kids read as young and the adventure is rather lightweight without really delving into serious issues, and full of fantasy beasts. There’s no romance in it at all, just friendship, and none of the students (not even any of the smaller side characters) are hinted at having that sort of relationship. But it is a really sweet friendship between Jess and Rase and I really wanted to see more of it (sadly, I wasn’t getting much of it since the two characters were spending a lot of time during the book ditching each other. First Rase ditches Jess for his new school and pretty much chooses the school over her, which definitely hurts and makes me question just how close of friends they are. Then he ditches her again to spend time with his class and cozies up with the other students, leaving her behind when she was standing right there. And then her ditching him to go find her parents. I did get some glimpses of their relationship mentioned in memories, and when he hung out with her at the church which was a wonderful scene). It spends more time on the adventure, and introducing characters and elements, and the kids discovering their own powers and the school and magical world around them, rather than spending time actually getting to know and fully flesh out the characters. Don’t get me wrong, this is a good start to a fun series, but I didn’t feel like we really got to know and attach to the characters. It did feel like it was also trying to sample and introduce some other books by Bokerah, which felt a bit over indulgent and like we’re trying to do marketing within the book itself which feels cheap. As in, it threw in Woe from “Woe for a Faerie” as well as mentioned several of the other characters from the “Keepers of New Haven” series, and Zenith from “Zenith the Slayer”. At the end it felt like it threw in too many new elements without really explaining them (I’m assuming to set up for the next book), like Edward, the ship, the unexplained appearance of her parents, the key which I still have no idea why it’s so important other than it opening the gateway. And no real explanation on why Edward wanted to end the world, other than being a villain. In all, I thought it was a fun introductory adventure and I hope we get to the characters more fully in future books with the introductions out of the way.
July 1, 2021
Magic is never easy
Jess and Rase have been friends forever, so when Rase leaves for a new school without telling her Jess is upset. Rase is taken to a supernatural school and is determined to get Jess in as well. When her parents house burns down Jes finds herself the chief suspect. Getting away and finding the new school is traumatic enough, but then Jess discovers that her parents once went there as well. Two words etched into a photo frame send her on a rescue mission. What can possibly go wrong? Read the book to find out.
A must read for all lovers of the supernatural world.
Jess and Rase have been friends forever, so when Rase leaves for a new school without telling her Jess is upset. Rase is taken to a supernatural school and is determined to get Jess in as well. When her parents house burns down Jes finds herself the chief suspect. Getting away and finding the new school is traumatic enough, but then Jess discovers that her parents once went there as well. Two words etched into a photo frame send her on a rescue mission. What can possibly go wrong? Read the book to find out.
A must read for all lovers of the supernatural world.
February 14, 2025
Really Loved this book starts with best friends Rase and Jess being parted with Rase being accepted into a Magical School but Jess has been made to hide her powers by her mother, she found her grandmothers journal and has secretly practising her magic. Rase is determined to get her into the Magical school with him and this is mainly what the 1st book is about there are many dangerous adventures on the way and of course we find out why her parents tried to hide her powers. Also loved Winnie and how she came out of her Shy and retiring self to become a vital part of their friendship.
Can't wait for the next book.
Can't wait for the next book.
November 27, 2019
This was just a so-so read. I honestly never connected with any of the characters. Their responses and motivations were a little off in how they were presented so I never jelled with them. The relationships between characters didn't have a lot of depth either. The timelines were messed up, too. Days passing by with hardly anything done. I know we're not with the characters all day, but there seemed to be about 3 hours in the day in this universe. I will probably leave this as a stand alone and not continue the series.
December 29, 2024
A good start!
This is a good start to a series. It drew me in from the beginning and kept my interest. I liked the characters and the plot was interesting. There is a resolution, but there are still many loose ends that I assume will be addressed in later books. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!
This is a good start to a series. It drew me in from the beginning and kept my interest. I liked the characters and the plot was interesting. There is a resolution, but there are still many loose ends that I assume will be addressed in later books. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!
January 31, 2020
Rase and Jess are best friends and going to school together until their senior year at New Haven High. Rase is invited to go to a private school, but he knows that Jess would be a better fit. The ensuing story is a romp thru a myriad of magic. A totally fun read.
March 3, 2024
Surprising
Had this in my TBR for a little while...and not sure why! Interesting characters, lots of twists...and so many characters. There were a few gaps but have a feeling they will be filled in during later adventures. A series that would like to continue....
Had this in my TBR for a little while...and not sure why! Interesting characters, lots of twists...and so many characters. There were a few gaps but have a feeling they will be filled in during later adventures. A series that would like to continue....
April 17, 2024
Purchased this edition on March 26, 2024, from Amazon for free. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. Two young ones explore their magic and try to save many from evil ones.
July 24, 2025
I loved the friendships and loyalty of the characters. Lots of action and drama. I can’t wait to read book 2!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews