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Rock and Ruin
If Pitch Perfect went to Hell, it would land in Saint Damon’s Academy for the Gifted.
Aspiring rock goddess Ashley Alcantara wanted to pass her PSATs and fight her way to the top of the music charts. Instead, she’s burying her mother and stuck with an estranged father—who just sold his soul. But maybe there’s silver lining: he also got Ash a full scholarship to a prestigious school.
Saint Damon’s Academy for the Gifted sounds a lot nicer than what it is: a demon academy hidden in the heart of Las Vegas, where the teachers’ heads spin, senior shifters hunt junior students, and finals can be literal murder. Dropped into the deep end of this dark, supernatural world, Ash has to learn how to swim—fast. Soon she’s drawing on the strange power she’d been taught to keep hidden, dating the hottest shifter in school, sharing donuts with an even hotter university student, and forging an unlikely friendship with two classmates trapped in the same apartment complex. But if Ash is going to survive St. Damon’s, she’ll need to do more than navigate the very bowels of Sin City—she’ll need to escape the demons who’ve been chasing her since she was born.
Finding strength in her friends—a meek Feeder named Oscar and a voodoo-priestess-in-training, Nabila—Ash hatches a desperate plan to fight back. They’re forming a band and using their music to channel their fledgling powers.
Together, they’ll make a stand against the dark—that is, if they survive final exams.
Aspiring rock goddess Ashley Alcantara wanted to pass her PSATs and fight her way to the top of the music charts. Instead, she’s burying her mother and stuck with an estranged father—who just sold his soul. But maybe there’s silver lining: he also got Ash a full scholarship to a prestigious school.
Saint Damon’s Academy for the Gifted sounds a lot nicer than what it is: a demon academy hidden in the heart of Las Vegas, where the teachers’ heads spin, senior shifters hunt junior students, and finals can be literal murder. Dropped into the deep end of this dark, supernatural world, Ash has to learn how to swim—fast. Soon she’s drawing on the strange power she’d been taught to keep hidden, dating the hottest shifter in school, sharing donuts with an even hotter university student, and forging an unlikely friendship with two classmates trapped in the same apartment complex. But if Ash is going to survive St. Damon’s, she’ll need to do more than navigate the very bowels of Sin City—she’ll need to escape the demons who’ve been chasing her since she was born.
Finding strength in her friends—a meek Feeder named Oscar and a voodoo-priestess-in-training, Nabila—Ash hatches a desperate plan to fight back. They’re forming a band and using their music to channel their fledgling powers.
Together, they’ll make a stand against the dark—that is, if they survive final exams.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2019
8 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Dee J. Holmes
36 books97 followersThe characters I care about aren't content with the status quo. They don’t sit in some narrow, boilerplate box and do what they’re told—they break the laws of their worlds, defying everything for what's right and for true love. Whether battling fantastical odds, facing science fiction dilemmas or nursing a supernatural heartache, they challenge expectations and change their worlds.
I love complex worlds and even more complex characters. Fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, romance and geekery abound—and they're holding hands with opinions. Sometimes created while appreciating a fine rye. Probably NSFW.
I’m not only an author, I’m a visual artist. Decades of creating imagery in multiple mediums and the desire to see my characters brought to life led me to create book covers. I might have started with my own, but now I craft carefully branded, personalized covers for many authors.
Aside from authoring and drawing, I live with my husband and our Great Dane, Fable (aka Mistress of Menace, Duchess of Oof, the Terror Beast) in beautiful Vancouver. When I’m not creating, I’m enjoying a long walk with my giant doggo, or shooting some monsters in a co-op video game with my husband.
Above all, I love crafting exciting tales that pull at your heartstrings—and maybe your pant-strings—stories which excite and sweep readers into new worlds and leave them wanting more.
I love complex worlds and even more complex characters. Fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, romance and geekery abound—and they're holding hands with opinions. Sometimes created while appreciating a fine rye. Probably NSFW.
I’m not only an author, I’m a visual artist. Decades of creating imagery in multiple mediums and the desire to see my characters brought to life led me to create book covers. I might have started with my own, but now I craft carefully branded, personalized covers for many authors.
Aside from authoring and drawing, I live with my husband and our Great Dane, Fable (aka Mistress of Menace, Duchess of Oof, the Terror Beast) in beautiful Vancouver. When I’m not creating, I’m enjoying a long walk with my giant doggo, or shooting some monsters in a co-op video game with my husband.
Above all, I love crafting exciting tales that pull at your heartstrings—and maybe your pant-strings—stories which excite and sweep readers into new worlds and leave them wanting more.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 5, 2019
Pretty good start
It was an interesting read. The main character, Ash, was relatable, strong, and figuring things out the best she could. The book really keeps you guessing. I'm still not sure who's trustworthy and what the demons want from Ash. I'm really excited to see what happens next. The only thing weird about the book was the transition from chapter 5 into 6. I think those were the chapters. Anyway, it talked about Ash and Jim leaving in chapter 5, driving 16 hours, and arriving at the new apartments. However, in chapter 6 it seemed like they hadn't left yet, Ash asked to do something before they left, and then they headed out to leave. So, that part was confusing to me. Other than that, I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I'm especially intrigued by Cat. Hope to see more of her in the next book.
It was an interesting read. The main character, Ash, was relatable, strong, and figuring things out the best she could. The book really keeps you guessing. I'm still not sure who's trustworthy and what the demons want from Ash. I'm really excited to see what happens next. The only thing weird about the book was the transition from chapter 5 into 6. I think those were the chapters. Anyway, it talked about Ash and Jim leaving in chapter 5, driving 16 hours, and arriving at the new apartments. However, in chapter 6 it seemed like they hadn't left yet, Ash asked to do something before they left, and then they headed out to leave. So, that part was confusing to me. Other than that, I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I'm especially intrigued by Cat. Hope to see more of her in the next book.
December 11, 2020
Rock and Ruin Review
Academy books are not my usual go to but I have read Dee J Holmes other books and I enjoy her writing. So I figured I would give this one a try and I'm glad I did! The characters and world building were unique and interesting. And the plot definitely has me curious about what will happen next. Except for the teenager bad attitude getting to be a bit much a few times I really enjoyed Rock and Ruin and would definitely say it's worth a read.
Academy books are not my usual go to but I have read Dee J Holmes other books and I enjoy her writing. So I figured I would give this one a try and I'm glad I did! The characters and world building were unique and interesting. And the plot definitely has me curious about what will happen next. Except for the teenager bad attitude getting to be a bit much a few times I really enjoyed Rock and Ruin and would definitely say it's worth a read.
January 30, 2020
READ THIS NOW
I really dislike books about academies and high school drama but this one is different. There are no well meaning but clueless parents. There are badass teens and an intricate story that grabs you by the hair and keeps you reading.
I really dislike books about academies and high school drama but this one is different. There are no well meaning but clueless parents. There are badass teens and an intricate story that grabs you by the hair and keeps you reading.
August 10, 2022
interesting
This is a very good storyline and well told. My only regret is that some things were better explained in the beginning. I’m still not sure about a lot of the background on the main characters.
This is a very good storyline and well told. My only regret is that some things were better explained in the beginning. I’m still not sure about a lot of the background on the main characters.
March 11, 2023
unique and fun
This story is NOT the usual formulaic easy to guess plot. I loved it! The characters are fun and the good guys and bad guys are nuanced and real. Definitely worth the read!!!!
This story is NOT the usual formulaic easy to guess plot. I loved it! The characters are fun and the good guys and bad guys are nuanced and real. Definitely worth the read!!!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews