New Moon

Alpha Wolf Academy #1

by J.J. King

An elite shifter academy, a hot guy, an arch-nemesis, and a whole shitload of trouble.

Elena Jensen doesn't belong at Alpha Wolf Academy, the most prestigious shifter university in North America, but that's her reality and she's determined to make the best of it.

When she meets a guy with emerald eyes and dark, wavy hair that makes her start rethinking her disbelief in soul mates, Elena's opinion of AWA changes. Although, she'd feel better about her place in the social order if her crush's twin sister wasn't trying to destroy her reputation and get her expelled.

Elena's already shaky foundation is pulled out from under her when the academy is besieged by soldiers and she chooses to put herself in danger to save lives.

When it's life or death, the enemy of your enemy is your friend... or at least, Elena hopes so. Because more than just her life depends on it.

Fans of Vampire Academy and Legacies will want to sink their teeth into Alpha Wolf Academy!

Scroll up and one-click to pre-order your copy today!

*WARNING - school shooting & violence. Also, sexy times, but that isn't terrifying.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, College, Fiction

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2019

Reviews

[Kennedy Morris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Immature and set in elementary school.

Started off pretty good and had me intrigued but the second she got to “college” it turned to shit.
This story has been written so many times. Angry girl clique with a queen bee jerk. Super hot guy who happens to notice her when she’s not super cool. Queen bee hates her.
Just so borrrring. Like it felt like high school, not college. Are you kidding me? Has no one who ever worked in this book been to college?? No one acts like that. Seriously no one.
Also, why did the MC want to have sex with the guy before she practically knew his name??? They talked once! And she was running off into the woods thinking of sex and that’s just gross. At least get a last name. Something. Maybe know his favorite color?? Idk just don’t bang him after two encounters. Geez. This book just has the most immature writing ever.

[Harlequin Madness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am hooked. HOOKED!

This book pulled me in from the beginning. We find Elena, a scholarship student, at the prestigious Alpha Wolf Academy. She’s shocked she got in. Mostly because she didn’t apply. Her parents did on her behalf. But she’s here, where she doesn’t know anyone. She does meet Rory, and the seeds of a great friendship are sown. She meets Sebastian, “Bash” the campus hunk, and with whom she has an instant attraction. The feeling is mutual. And then there is the requisite “bitch squad” headed up by mean girl queen bee herself, Daniella. But the delicious twist here is that the mean girl isn’t jealous of Elena because she has designs on Bash herself. Oh noooo. The mean girl is Bash’s twin sister. AND I’M HERE FOR IT!!

There is a great cast of characters, and it’s headed up by our heroine, Elena. She’s strong without being bitchy. She’s vulnerable but brave. In this book, she’s perfect. Of course the campus catch, Bash, is super handsome, and he’s written as confident but not egotistical. Their mutual attraction is so strong that I have a hard time believing that this series is supposed to be a reverse harem. Because I cannot see another man capturing her attention. While I do love them together, I admit that if it were me, I’d have to take a pass. Knowing that I would have to deal with his bitchy sister for the rest of my life would definitely put a damper on any feeling of amore I had.

This is a pretty quick, easy read. There’s an unexpected plot twist, and the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2. Yes, I do highly recommend this book. Especially if you’re a fan of academy romance books.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much I was actually shocked it's a spin-off series I was actually planning to read and is on my to-be-read list! I am so buying the whole first series on Amazon! I'm in complete shock on how good and mind blowing this book is I wish I could actually rate it 10 an not a 5 star rating lol. That ending has me wanting to know more on what happened between her and her ex. Cliffhangers are so killer omigods!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good story. That ending was such a twist I was not expecting. Storyline was really good. Can honestly say didn’t see that coming. Storyline was really good. Characters were really good. I seriously want to read book 2 and see what happens next. Especially since Connor is now being introduced. Again loved the story and can’t wait to read more.

[Mona Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to a new series. Once you start reading this book, you will not be able to put it down. The storyline is great, the characters interesting and the little twist thrown in will make you want more. So excited to see where this series goes.

[Cassandra Doon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book:New Moon
Read By: Ebook
Author: J.J. King
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommend: Yes
Spice:🌶️️
< b>Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
My feelings:

I really really really loved this! Like loved it so much I grabbed the whole series at once.

“I killed him where he laid and his pretty wife and children, too. Too bad the servants got away with you, or I wouldn’t have this little problem now.”

Im obsessed with shifters and all that goes along with it.
This book has everything you need in a shifter romance.

“Darling child, you are Elenora Galina Dom Volkov, youngest child of Alexander and Katarina Dom Volkov,” his lips pulled back to show his teeth again, “and heir to the Alphaship of Russia.”

We have the bad ass girl, and the super hot pretentious dude. You know the one, you wanna punch him and kiss him at the same time.

My wolf scented the blood and wanted to change, to throw her weight in the battle and fight alongside her mate.

Highly recommend this

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elena didn't plan to go to the alpha wolf academy but her parents got her in, so she goes. She has the feeling that she doesn't belong there because of her scholarship.
But when she meets a very hot guy things turn for her, although his twin sister doesn't like her at all and tries to get her kicked out of the academy.

Elena makes a friend in Rory and joins the sisterhood, a secret group of women.
But next hell breaks loose and she discovers what her past really was, while fighting for her life.

I like the little meeting at the end. Which makes me want to read book two very much.

Great read if you like to read about werewolves fighting for something good.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fab start to this series! A fast paced, action packed read with a gripping storyline that will just grab you! There’s adventure, romance and twists and turns and our female mc is relatable and smart and I cannot wait to read more!

[Willow tree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seems spectacular to me since it has a super interesting plot which takes us to a reading depth where you cannot detach yourself for a second from it, we must encourage this type of reading that is impressive.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came at the right time. I was in a bit of a slump, and hadn’t read any shifter books in way too long. This one was just fun. I didn’t realize it was a spin off series, so I’ll probably go back & read that one eventually

[Shelley Futrelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to read the next one

I loved this story line. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series. Can’t wait to read more about the back series of Connor.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not good. Honestly a bummer; the description sounded interesting. The characters are supposedly in their twenties but act like they’re teens, and everyone is some kind of cliche or another (and very one dimensionally so). We barely get to know any of the characters, and the main character whose head we are in is annoying and not very smart (I mean this in terms of the decisions she makes and her reasoning… and the whole fight/conflict stuff in the second half… she just does not come across as smart the way I think she’s supposed to…).

She falls in “love” with the love interest, who she barely knows bc he’s said maybe 10 sentences in the whole book; I’m all for fated mates (I love that trope!!!!!), but… they didn’t even know each other and were just attracted to each other but acting like they’ve got this huge connection when I saw nothing, except the main character going omg he’s so gorgeous, he’s so hot, he’s so nice. He’s a doormat to his twin sister, the classic mean girl (and she’s mean for no reason??? At least none we know of in this book. At first, it seemed like maybe she was just coldly indifferent, but then she quickly started ordering her clique to bully the main girl to make sure the main character stays away from said mean girl’s twin brother… has he been hurt before? Is she weirdly possessive of her twin? Idfk but as far as I know, she hates the main character and wants her to back off. *eye roll*). I wanted to at least care about the romance, but I cared about none of them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The writing itself is full of typos and comma splices, which also kind of annoyed me. I need to make myself dnf more often lol

[Kristan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a bit too rushed and felt like there was no time to stop and get to know and love the charactets and just let things develop and build suspense, the attack was really good and suspensful and really well developed and written, but I feel like there could've been some more things before to lead up to it and to get to know the characters more and to develop their relationships more, the ending like was a bit to out of the blue for me and too much of a suprise as it would've been nice too build up to it or give some hints, or something so it didn't feel so random but that could just be me, like there wasn't even mention of this bad guy at all and the ending with someone showing up... like really why!! It would've made more sense if he was mentioned more in the book other than like once at the start of the story so I'd forgotten all about him.
Overall I actually had a really fun time reading this and kept me reading. I did really enjoy the main character she was strong mentally and physically and smart but also down to earth and had weaknesses and wasn't perfect and didn't always do the right thing but tried to anyways. She was pretty kick ass. As were all the women in this story. I also enjoyed her friend Rory and would've like to have seen more of her, gotten to know her more. Also really liked Bash, he was super sweet but again we didn't get to know him or his twin much which I would be like to have also seen more interactions with.

[AMG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shifter/Academy

SYNOPSIS (of 5 Book Series): Poor girl gets a scholarship to an elite academy where she meets her soulmate and discovers that she is more than just another shiver. There is the required BFF and Queen Bitch as well as a full scale attack on the academy, shooting, kidnapping, torture and fight scenes with, ultimately, a HEA. The story arc covers the FC finding out who and what she is, how she copes with that discovery and the people trying to bring her down. There is a strong sub-plot around female wolves fighting for equality and against the predominantly patriarchal hierarchy.

First, a gripe. Book 1 was free and it was a decently well written story so I then bought Book 2. The price of over £4 for a book (apparently reduced from £11 - really?) that is just over 200 pages is ridiculous but I bit the bullet and bought it. I, unfortunately, then allowed myself to get sucked in to buying the remaining books to see the story arc through. I should not have wasted my money. My gripe is, (and I appreciate that I, of my own free will, bought the remaining books) that the author then did what I hate which is decide to milk her readers and drag the story out over a further 3 (short) books when the story would have been better served to be over 3 at most. Each book had less content with Book 4 barely being worth reading considering what it added (or didn’t add) to the story. I was skimming by the time I reached Book 5 only to have the climax end up as one of those ones where the author disappears up their own a@$e and decides to introduce allegory as oppose to actual clear description into the final fight scene. The result is that you don’t really understand what is happening and the flow is severely interrupted. There’s no real satisfaction of the bad guys getting their just desserts and questions are left unanswered. The whole climax was a waste of time. If I could go back I would not buy any of these books.

The editing through this series is not good with annoying editing issues where incorrect words used. This is jarring and ruins the flow of any story. How hard is it for authors to publish properly edited books?

I found it ironic that the FC is this story wants to be a writer and there are parts of the story where the FC is being given advice on the novel she is writing. It is ironic because this author could do with taking her own advice. There are so many gaps in the story arc that it becomes more than annoying. Examples:
- When Book 2 starts you are told that months have passed since the events ending Book 1 yet there is no close out of what happened after the attack on the school and the rescue. What happened to Xavier? How did the rescuers arrive at the school? What did the FC do over the intervening months and at Christmas etc? How did Danielle react?
- In Book 2 the FC & MC are at a party and we are told there’s a scream with people running away. Then suddenly the FC is back in her room. No explanation as to what the scream was about or what happened.
- In Book 3 we are again told that months have passed since the events ending Book 2 but no open questions are answered. What happened with Ben, Jared etc? Did the FC’s relationship with Daniela change? Why wasn’t Viktor captured, how did he get away? How did they find the FC?
- In Book 4 there is, yet again, a gap between the events of Book 3 and the start of Book 4 and more open questions. We don’t really get a clear picture of what the FC did to escape, just some allusions to dead bodies, no clarity on what happened to Xavier until a brief mentioned some way into Book 4 and no clarity on how the FC was rescued.
- Why, at no point, did the FC ask who Ariana and Ryder were and how they just suddenly popped up at the academy?

The gaps become more annoying towards the end of Book 5. How can an author draw a story out over so many books with such drivel padding it out and then leave so many open questions when the series is “finished”? What happened to the whole story line about the attacks on the Sisterhood? How does the FC move forwards with her powers? What happened to Adriana? What the hell was the fight with the guy with the crowbar all about? What about the MC’s family and his grandfather - was the FC ever actually introduced to is family?

I’d like to give a specific should out to Book 4 which was just a complete waste of space and simply full of the FC and her angst. By this point I found the FC annoying and weak. Despite the author trying to show her as kick ass I found her the opposite. No real strength of character or fighting spirit and completely self absorbed. Everything was about her.

There are Irritating inconsistencies with timelines such as reference to the FC only becoming soul mates after knowing MC for 6 months then a reference to FC being with MC for almost 6 months yet she’s been at the school for almost a year at that point; reference to it being a year since the attack then to FC knowing Rory for almost a year when she met her prior to the attack. Months passing between the end and beginning of each book with no real clarity as to what has gone on during that period.

As mentioned, this author is a believer on padding out a story and there are constant recappings of prior story ie how Daniela was a bitch. Seriously, how many times can an author write the same thing. Whilst it is vaguely acceptable to do a recap at the beginning of a book as to the previous book to keep recapping sections throughout a book is just annoying and repetitive.

One of the comments that the FC receives on her writing is around fleshing out characters. This author really needs to take that advice. Whilst there is a degree of depth to the supporting characters (although you never get any real back story on their families or lives prior to meeting the FC) I felt that the MC was very superficial. Interactions with the MC seemed to consist of either sex or descriptions of their mental mate bond. You get very little in terms of real interactions between the FC and the MC. In fact most of the interactions are between the female characters which I found very strange. When exactly did the MC & FC spend time together that was not having sex? Whilst there are vague references to the MC’s grandfather you don’t actually meet him or the MC’s parents so you get no real backstory or development of the MC’s character. He comes across as relatively weak in reality with the FC doing all the fighting. There’s no alpha male here.

This series is definitely no worth the money.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN ENORMOUSLY DELIGHTFUL TREAT!!!
Breaking bad! King blows through like a category 5 hurricane, ripping threats and tackling trouble, forging ahead, throwing this baby into a tailspin with a shocking culmination. We have foes to fight and people to save, just another day in paradise. Racking up the drama, tossing the chaos and roping the shenanigans, while dodging danger as suspense soars, bringing intrigue and turmoil, wrapping it up and fusing this gem together seamlessly. Yielding delightful, well rounded scenario's that punch dead center, ramping up the skill and adrenaline with such intensity and precision, blasting this bad boy to life spectacularly. Stumbling through the trials and tribulations, sharp twists, sleek turns and thin lines, testing our characters in ways they could have never anticipated. The attraction and chemistry escalates as each layer is peeled back exposing an undeniable bond and amplifying affections, launching this gem to staggering heights. The characters personalities are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities that blend and flow adding enough flaws for diversity. The scenes and dynamics are written with such realism there's no problem interpreting each layout as they play off one another smoothly. Remarkable job King, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.

[Mari C · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Elena’s first year at AWA, and on a scholarship no less, and we follow through her eyes as she finds her way through this posh school filled to the brim with rich kids. It follows the vague outline you see in academy books with the main character as an outsider, a misfit rich girl who becomes her BFF, cue hot rich guy, and a gaggle of mean girls. The unique setup of the story comes in how the characters interact and the world the story is set in. The story develops at a natural pace for setting up a new storyline and cast of characters (in the same world as the The Guardians series) but has some action in it with plot twists that will define the whole story. So who’s ready to find a new book boyfriend?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

I enjoyed the characters and will read the next book, but a few things were missing. The book probably needed another 75 pages to develop the characters a lot more. We needed more character interactions and more items in the school. The middle of the story seemed missing.

We went from beginning to ending sequence with no build up or development in the middle.

We don’t really care about Xavier because we barely know him. The school had maybe a few days of class before everything changes and even the main relationships need a lot more growth.

All that being said I really liked the potential of this story and the characters they just needed to be fleshed out more.

I will read the next one to see if this gets corrected

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Moon by JJ King is a wonderful story that I have the privilege to read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I have fallen in love and can not wait to read the next book. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about shifters, romantic suspense and paranormal romances.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

it starts with the main character getting accepted into a college she didn't even apply for (her parents did) and after attending having to deal with "simple" thing until the school is attacked. She learns that she is more than just a "nobody" she thought she was. Looking forward to seeing how this series plays out.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a great fast pace right off the bat. This is well written and creates a fantasic world. This is filled with action, secrets, suspense, and intrigue. This book is a great first book in the series and I am very intrigued for the next book.

I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased, honest review.

[Elaina Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Engaging story with a young adult protagonist, who leaves home for the first time and heads off to university, which isn’t her first choice. As she starts to adapt to all of the changes in her life, she is thrown an entirely unexpected curveball, which will change her future.

Note: There are some minor grammatical errors, which do not detract from the story.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to like it, but fell short

I only made it 38% through before I gave up on this book. The awkward main character drove me nuts. She was snarky and badass on minute and the next hiding from people. Maybe it gets better, but I decided if I wasn't wowed over a quarter through the book it wasn't worth finishing.

[Jennifer Lil'n Dunski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story

There's so many wolf shifters stories out in the world and some may be amazing like "New Moon" and others that you wish you had avoided.
But I absolutely love this storyline and plot, the different characters and just the overall feel of the story as it drags you down into a captivating story

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotions galore

This was a very intense and emotionally charged story. I have felt bad for Elana. I liked Bash and the way he handled everything with his sister and his mate. This was slow going and at times I was hoping it was going to pick up.

[Sharmane Mazyck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This book was so good it had me hooked from the very beginning I can't wait to find out what happens in this series

[Chelsea McLaren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at page 100. Suited for teen romance lovers, took me right back to when I was 15 reading wattpad stories. Easy to read I guess.

[Elena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh man, this one made me cringe. So awkward. & the whole "I'm not important, I'm a nobody" whine was really annoying only then to find out that she's an heir of Russia. Ugh, just awkward all around.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review. As I’ve said before, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.

The story begins with Elena Jensen getting ready for her first day at the Alpha Wolf Academy. She didn’t really want to go there since she and her two best friends had plans to go to a different school, but her mother sent in the paperwork and she was accepted. The Academy has been around for some time, built by and for wolf shifters. Elena’s mom is a huge fan of Katherine LaFlamme, the oldest child of the Alpha of the North American wolf pack. Most, if not all the students other than Elena, are from old, rich and prominent wolf families in North America. Now she’s at the school via scholarships and she doesn’t know anyone. Of course she meets the ‘mean girls’ before anyone else, and yes, I did just roll my eyes. Luckily, this isn’t a high school book, so the students are older than students from that genre. Shortly after the ‘mean girls’ exit, she literally runs into the hottest guy in the Academy! He’s Bash and happens to be the twin brother of the head ‘mean girl’ Daniella.

So Elena doesn’t really feel that comfortable in the school, mostly thanks to Daniella and her friends. She’s got a humongous crush on Bash…and he might even feel the same! For the most part the story and actions are the usual; new girl picked on by mean girls, handsome guy saves her…eh, sort of. However one heckuva twist happens during the first full moon run. As a result, the school brings in some guards and life goes on, well, until there is yet another issue that brings in more guards. At this point the Academy is on lock down and it all goes downhill fast.

Well, Elena does actually make a friend in all of this, Rory. I have to say that I loved Rory and their friendship together. What I enjoyed in this book is the fact that Elena was always brave enough to fight for others, even if (I thought) some of those others didn’t deserve it. From Chapter six on it was an intense story but I had to give myself a break from it once or twice since it was sometimes staggering. The only reason I’m giving the book four stars is because there were a few editing issues. This has not stopped me from getting Blood of Eden, Katherine LaFlamme's story so I can read about her. The Kindle version of this book gets released on January 16, 2020 and the second book in this series Wolf Moon (Alpha Wolf Academy Book 2) will be released on April 9, 2020. I. Can’t. Wait.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Moon is the first book in the Alpha Wolf Academy series by JJ King and it's also my first book by King. This book took me totally by surprise with the unexpected and super tense plotline. While I never saw myself reading a book about a school shooting (I was very averse to the idea) I found that I really enjoyed the story. The tense situations, characters' reactions, the reason behind the events, and the overall situation.

The story centers on Elena Jensen who finds herself out of her bubble at Alpha Wolf Academy, a university for wolf shifters. Elena is smart, sassy, light-hearted. She's a writer who loves a good book and has a sanctuary in the school library. Elena is used to her safety bubble with her two best friends in her own little piece of Newfoundland (the story takes place in Canada, which is new for me). Then she is being pushed out of her bubble, without her best friends, going to school on a scholarship with the rich and elite. However Elena sticks it out, she holds her head high, works hard in her classes all to make her parents happy.

Elena is awkward and a bit of a loner however she finds a best friend in Rory Dumont, who just clicks with Elena. An instant best friend with who she grows a close bond. Speaking of bonds there is Sébastien "Bash" Reeves who is all kinds of hot, with who she has an instant connection with to bad his sister is the leader of the mean girl clique and wants nothing more than to keep Elena from her brother.

While the story sounds like it has the average setup it isn't. There's a school shooting and most of the book is Elena's reaction to what's happening. There were tense and scary situations, people hurt and killed. Elena had to react at a moment's notice and make some hard decisions. Reading mostly paranormal and fantasy I've never come across anything like this, especially with supernaturals, it was interesting.

New Moon was a fast pace, intense read with a unique yet familiar storyline. With hints of a werewolf feminist movement, secret societies, betrayal, budding relationships, and family drama. King has grabbed my interest and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, Wolf Moon.

[Riniya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.25 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

Tropes/Key Points:
Fish out of Water
Mean Girls Clique
Academy Setting
Fated Mates?
Hidden Identity
Wolf Shifters

Trigger Warnings: School Shooting (Large Plotpoint), Death of Students (Mentioned & Shown), Attempted Kidnapping, Attempted Murder

Review:

I unfortunately don't have too much to say about this book. It was okay, decent enough but not good enough for me to purchase the next ones in the series.

Throughout the time that I spent reading this book I felt like there was something that I was missing. The story felt incomplete or like I was meant to know information before having started it. I'm not sure but it feels like this book series is a spin off to another one, or at least it reads like one.

I will say this book feels middle of the road just because of how cliché / predictable it is:

A new girl goes to an elite school that she shouldn't have ever been able to attend, gets immediately accosted by the mean girls clique, falls in love with head-mean girls brother -- Trouble ensues. It just felt like any book that I have read before but this time they are wolf shifters. This isn't necessarily a bad thing or a negative, it just felt like nothing new was really being said or done here. Not to mention these people are meant to be in college, but it comes across very high school. Sure we have mean girls everywhere, but I feel like its common knowledge that bullying just because tends to get left behind once you graduate highschool.

The ending was kind of a let down, mostly that the villain seems very one dimensional. I just wish that he would have had some depth to him. I will admit the villain himself was a surprise but once his motivations come out, it's just felt anti-climatic. Not to mention, there's this entire plot point of our FMC getting vials of Wolfsbane and then just... doesn't use them. Did the author forget about it? What happened here?

There is also this whole secret underground group of women that play a minor role but I suspect and hope in the future books they are more of a forefront.


If the rest of the series was on KU, I probably would have kept going with it. But I don't feel that this book set me up with the desire to spend $6 per book.