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Brimstone Academy #1

Brimstone Academy: Semester One

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I’ve always made terrible decisions when it came to men. And I’m going to make more terrible decisions. Four of them. 

When my mom ran out on me, she also ran out on a deal with the devil. And guess who gets to pay the price? This girl. Yep. Thanks for that, mom.

So now I’m stuck in the underworld at some reform academy where the men are as sexy as they are dangerous. And I have a history of running toward danger. The problem is that nobody here is going to be my friend. We’re all fighting for the same thing. Competing for the one thing we all want: Freedom.

Every semester, one student can win their freedom. I need to be that student. 

At Brimstone Academy, it’s three strikes and you’re out. And no matter how much you might want to see your classmates naked, you can’t let yourself forget that only one of you is going to survive.


Scroll up and one-click this steamy action packed reverse harem romance. 


Upcoming Release Dates for Brimstone Academy:

Brimstone Academy, Semester 1: February 24th

Brimstone Academy, Semester 2: March 23rd

Brimstone Academy, Semester 3: April 27th

Publisher’s Note: Brimstone Academy is a reverse harem fantasy series meant for mature readers who want to see terrible decisions turn into steamy situations. 

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2020

333 people are currently reading
574 people want to read

About the author

Alexis Calder

32 books1,024 followers
Alexis Calder writes sassy heroines and sexy heroes with a sprinkle of sarcasm. She lives in the Rockies and drinks far too much coffee and just the right amount of wine.

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5 stars
307 (50%)
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164 (26%)
3 stars
106 (17%)
2 stars
25 (4%)
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10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
April 9, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/9/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for ps.midnight.picks.
176 reviews82 followers
October 2, 2021
It's surprisingly interesting..!
Like I got all the tropes in one book.. twins, teacher, broody a-hole, and stupid villian who wants her too.

3.75🌟s (cuz they did not explain how she didn't get the pass. I find that scene or Ending absurd and rushed at that point. could have written better)
Profile Image for Annette.
3,847 reviews177 followers
March 16, 2020
Becoming part of Calder's ARC team was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Not one of her books disappointed me and after her previous trilogy (plus extra book) I was so curious to see more of the world and her mythology. So, when I saw that the ARCs for this book were live I couldn't wait any longer and started reading right away.

I love how the atmosphere of this school already feels really different and unique. Although I think the book is set in the same world, it's very clear that we're in a very different part of the world and that the focus of this world is set elsewhere. We're in the Demon world now. Bad is good. What isn't seen is encouraged. Killing is not a problem. Going for what you want can end with your dead body. Welcome to Brimstone Academy.

Harper however knows nothing about all those rules. She thought she was human. And although she's sent to a demon academy she's clearly not a demon. Watching her grow and learn and develop her skills is however a true pleasure. Harper is a strong character, not because she doesn't cry or complain or feel sad, but because she is brave and stands up for herself and doesn't give up, even when the entire world is against her.

And even though this book is mostly about Harper figuring things out and learning, we also meet the four guys who are totally gonna steal her heart and we get a glimpse of the main plot. And both of them scream for more. The story is quite slow burn and personally I like that. I like to see the characters bonding slowly, overcoming differences and fighting some obstacles. Just like I'm totally fine with a plot that keeps me guessing and leaves me with loads of questions that aren't answered, yet.

I can't wait for the next book to be released!
143 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2020
Good intro but really focus on dramatics

I really liked this book, the beginning was sad but set the stage well. The start of the world building was great and the possible guys are interesting as well. But everything just seemed like an intro and that’s it. We get a guy, get a chapter out of him and he fades in the background of the story. We get a greater plot popping up in characters thoughts then it’s just left to sit. We’re told that our main protagonist is doing surprisingly well in class but not really showing why- just that everyone is surprised. We’re introduced to possible backstories but not given much other than there is probably one there. It’s all good starts but then things get set aside and another thing starts and then set aside. I was frustrated near the end, I need book two (I’m sure this exactly what authors want) but I need to know if ANY of this is going to anywhere let alone in a good or entertaining direction. I can’t say I like or dislike the story yet. That scares me but I have hope things will work out the way I want- but I have no clue and no second book yet. I would definitely wait to read this if you haven’t yet after the second book comes out because it’s not quite a huge traditional cliffhanger at the end but the whole thing feels like one. What plot points will the author flesh out? Some, all, none? I can say I like the alternative POV, they told me a lot about the story and were a lot more interesting to read than the normal chapters.
Profile Image for Christina Luberts.
2,770 reviews7 followers
March 25, 2020
Harper is twenty-one and celebrating her birthday. Now she is in an Academy for the demons. The devil wants her to pay her mothers debt, but first she has to go to the academy. What will happen to her? Why is she having feelings for some of the demons? How far will she go to get what she wants? Who will try to kill her next? Can she win her freedom? Will she have to go another semester? What does the devil want with her? What is she really?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cheryl Sedman.
1,159 reviews11 followers
April 12, 2020
Totally loved this book from page one. The characters are all amazingly written and straight away you want Harper to succeed. The book is filled with lots of twists and turns that take you on a crazy whirlwind of a ride, of danger, intense and amazing feelings growing between a few of the male characters and Harper.
After that ending I totally need book two now! Need to know more. Totally recommend this book.
Profile Image for Delphine.
61 reviews24 followers
May 26, 2020
I'm seriously considering just adding a bookshelf for these types of books. By 'these types of books' I mean those that aren't exactly worth their rating but I like them so much that I can't bring myself to downgrade the book more than I already have.

There's just something about these books that reallyyyy get me going. Something which I've always been confused about because the structure itself isn't good. The writing was okay, decent enough for me, but I'm not sure whether that's because it's the truth or because I'm still a bit blinded by the thrill of it all to notice.

The plot isn't that strong or honestly something I focus on too much, the vaguest summary I can give is also the first thing that comes to mind: Harper needs to win her freedom. There's definitely something more to the story and more to her, but it wasn't something I realized until only after I finished the book.

I'm not really sure how to describe this book, but if you'll read it, you'll know what I mean. I've been saying that a lot lately but that's the only way I know to articulate what I mean. There's just something about a book that can make me subconsciously classify it and go, Oh, it's one of those types of books.

I honestly really enjoyed the characters and it was pretty easy to see that they were definitely overestimated and made to give the ideal image of perfection. However, that being said, it didn't make me dislike the book any less. I think that the book itself wasn't well conducted but I think that's also why I was totally okay with the lack of character development and perfectionism going on. I personally would consider this a mini-novel, something that, perhaps doesn't quite lead up to the standards of a well-written novel. If another book with a good/strong base story and plot would have these low-quality characters in it, it would definitely be that books downfall. But when everything is basically poor in quality, the things that normally would stand out, don't.

Simply put, this book was laughable and enjoyable. Enjoyable but not a good book, at least not by the standards I hold normal books to. I seriously hope that makes sense. That being said though, it doesn't make this a bad book. But it's not a good book or an average one either. It's something I'd expect to come from a blog post or Wattpad. It's just not novel material.

To me, there was nothing wrong with that. I enjoyed it, and it was for me. If this doesn't sound like your thing in the slightest- no, if the first chapter doesn't appeal to you, the rest of the book most likely wouldn't.

I will be waiting for Semester Two in the meantime.
1,190 reviews9 followers
March 20, 2020
Harper is celebrating her 21st birthday with her roommate Sasha and her best friend James. She is happy to have both of them their with her, especially James. His family took her in and treated her like one of theirs. While blowing out her candles, she makes her birthday wish. While celebrating, there is a knock on the door, worst thing happens. Someone kills Sasha, they are going to kill them. The guy goes to shot James, she tries to block it, but he is still hit.
She sees a man there that pulls her in, she is hoping that he is there to help. She is really wrong as he is with the guy.
Harper wakes up and realizes that took her some where. She realizes her friends are dead, she has devastated. They take her to see the Prince of Hell. He tells her startling information on her mom. Her mom was an angel and she went to him so she wasn't anymore. Since her mom died, she will have to take her place. The guy that was there when her friends were killed, suggests that she go to the academy to learn her powers. The prince of hell decides to have him watch her to keep her safe.
Harper learns that this is school for demons, that there aren't really a lot of others there. That is a brutal school, she will be luck to survive the week.

This book you will see Harper not backing down, learning who she really is. She is also attracted to several guys, she doesn't understand the pull. She is also very attracted to the guy that brought her here. She will have to learn to survive, learn her powers, and try to win her way out of the academy.

This is a quite the ride, as you read as Harper navigates her new reality, who are her parents, her trying to deal with attraction to several guys. Her trying to survive the school and getting out. I recommend this book, so good. You get hooked from the first chapter and will not stop reading until you are done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jennifer Layne.
1,040 reviews4 followers
March 28, 2020
Book review of Brimstone Academy: Semester One (Brimstone Academy #1) by Alexis Calder

“I’ve always made terrible decisions when it came to men. And I’m going to make more terrible decisions. Four of them.”

Harper is celebrating her 21st birthday with her roommate Sasha and her best friend James; while blowing out her candles, she makes her birthday wish. As the trio is celebrating, there is a knock on the door. Out of nowhere some just starts shooting & worst thing happens. Sasha is killed, the shooter takes aim on James & instinctively Harper tries to block it, but James is still hit.

A “Guy” shows up and takes her somewhere. That “somewhere” turns out to be Hell & she is taken to see the Prince of Hell himself! He starts talking crazy about her mom; he tells her that her mom was an angel but she “went to him” so she wasn't anymore? Oh & if that crazy wasn’t enough … since her mom has died, Harper will have to take her place?!?! The “guy” that was there when her friends were killed, suggests that she go to the academy to learn her powers. The Prince of Hell decides to have him watch her to keep her safe.

This book is a journey where you get to see Harper not backing down and learning who she really is. She is also attracted to several guys, including the “Guy” who took her to Hell but she just doesn't understand the pull.

This book turned out to be quite the rollercoaster as experience Harper navigating her new reality, learning who her parents were, all while trying to deal with attraction to several guys. Harper just trying to survive the school and getting out. You get hooked from the first chapter and will not stop reading until you are done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews69 followers
March 20, 2020
ONE HEART POUNDING JOURNEY!!!
Holy hell! Alexis brings it when she comes and she came out packing a punch, showcasing this spectacular piece of perfection, laying it out with immense talent, ingenuity, style, fervor, vivid imagination and unique insight for detail. A surging vortex of fervent events and distressing circumstances, blow this bad boy wide open. Satisfaction rocks this jewel, bringing it home with such intensity and precision, riding roughshod and delivering one block busting piece of perfection, propelling this gem to life spectacularly. Anarchy, escapades and havoc run amuck, kicking this bad boy into a raging tempest, blasting it into a tailspin with a mind-blowing culmination. The dynamics and countenance in layer upon layer that you peel back with each page your drawn into this web so deep until everything else ceases to exist. Toss in drama, turmoil, distress, danger, mounting suspense and nerve racking situations along with a boatload of mayhem while dodging sinister intentions, you have one block busting adventure. Stumbling through the trials and tribulations, noting the thrilling twists and wicked turns, testing our characters in ways they could have never envisioned. The characters are complex and authentic with depth and traits that blend and flow smoothly transforming into genuinely relatable personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Remarkable job Alexis, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,783 reviews72 followers
April 5, 2020
I’ve always made terrible decisions when it came to men. And I’m going to make more terrible decisions. Four of them.
When my mom ran out on me, she also ran out on a deal with the devil. And guess who gets to pay the price? This girl. Yep. Thanks for that, mom.
So now I’m stuck in the underworld at some reform academy where the men are as sexy as they are dangerous. And I have a history of running toward danger. The problem is that nobody here is going to be my friend. We’re all fighting for the same thing. Competing for the one thing we all want: Freedom.
Every semester, one student can win their freedom. I need to be that student.
At Brimstone Academy, it’s three strikes and you’re out. And no matter how much you might want to see your classmates naked, you can’t let yourself forget that only one of you is going to survive.

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,259 reviews6 followers
March 18, 2020
Serve the Prince of Darkness in Hell for the rest of her life. Hell NO!!!! Harper has been living her life as a normal person. When her mom committed suicide a friend’s parents took her in. Now celebrating her twenty-first birthday with her two best friends, two demons break in, kill her friends and take her to Alistair, the prince of darkness. He says she has to complete her mother’s sentence and serve him. She has one chance to avoid being his slave for the rest of her life. Attend Brimstone Academy and win a pass that grants her her wish of freedom. As most of the students are demons, they despise any other magical creatures, and especially her being half human and half angel. She is bullied and she has never used magic and didn’t know she had any. It will be an up-hill battle to win the pass at the end of the semester. Especially when she is attracted to four demons whom she can’t trust. And the one who everyone says kills anyone who challenges him for the pass, is the son of Alistair. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

Profile Image for Anto~mcbr.
696 reviews41 followers
October 30, 2024
description

DNF

I gave it a fair shot; got 20% of the way through before calling it quits.

Brimstone Academy: Semester One was just a little too amateurish for my tastes. Every other dialogue was followed by the verb "said", the narrative was very dry and relied too much on telling rather than showing, and the book was full of little mistakes and annoyances—I took the time to highlight and note some of them—and in dire need of some thorough editing

Plus, the two guys that were introduced up to where I read were absolute assholes—and while I dig a good asshole MMC, I like them charming and arrogant, not disgusting and condescending. And Harper came across as dimwitted and floormat-y, which are as far from the qualities I want to see in a romantasy FMC as you can possibly get.

I'll just step off here, because I don't think this novel will get any more enjoyable for me.
Profile Image for Hanna.
781 reviews8 followers
April 10, 2021
I don't even know where to begin.
The story and world building starts of quite dramatic then it turns into a drama filled highlights reel. Even though the story itself is quite intriguing, mostly because you're spending most of the book wondering and trying to figure out the hell is going on. Way too many cryptic hints and practically no answers. The most disappointing bit is that I can't bring myself to care for any of these characters.
The mc comes across as ditzy and stupid who turns into a mindless poppet at the sight of a pretty face, but then she suddenly starts rising in the ranks without any obvious rhyme or reason, because apparently she's another special snowflake with mysterious powers.
The guys aren't any better seeing as they're all a bunch of assholes. No harem to speak of at this point. Just a few love interests with fairly limited appearances. Each of them only had one POV chapter.
All things considered 3 stars is really quite generous.
Profile Image for Kymber Jones.
382 reviews8 followers
March 25, 2020
Holy HELL!! This book is one hell of a roller coaster that takes you practically from the pearly gates of Heaven to the Demonic gates of Hell and everywhere in between.

The female protagonist is thrust from everything she knows not just once, but twice, while at the same time is forced to fight for her freedom as she navigates her desire for four different Demons: including the son the Demon forcing her to be where she was.

Not sure who to trust, if she can anyone, the female protagonist learns quickly she has to be on her guard, and learn to trust her own instincts. But will that be enough to help guide her through her incarceration?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
150 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2020
When her two best friends are murdered and she is framed for their murders Harper gets sent to a special reformatory, Brimstone Academy. There she has to discover who she is, who her parents are, and exactly how far she will go to to escape.

This book was part comedic, part action, part angsty teen and part reverse harem. For those who enjoy a good slow burn reverse harem paranormal academy book this one is for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lindsay K.
202 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! In this new series we meet Harper a 21 year old college student celebrating her birthday. All of a sudden everything turns bad very fast. We are then introduced to Brimstone Academy. This book had me at the edge of my seat! I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next with Harper in school and with the four men who are vying for her affection. I also can’t wait to learn more about Harpers back story. I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for AND 1515.
1,279 reviews15 followers
March 20, 2020
Great And Awesome Book...
by and1515

This book is awesome and unique and absolutely fun filled with tons drama.
Wow Harper's simply life changed in the blind of an eye one minute she and her friends are celebrating the next thing she knows her world has been turned upside down in ways she never imagined.
All Harper can do is sink or swim and try to figure out friend from foe.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews52 followers
March 29, 2020
Brimstone Academy: Semester One by Alexis Calder is a wonderful story that I have had the privilege to read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I have loved reading and can not wait to read the next book in this wonderful series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about reverse harem fantasy and paranormal romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Katie.
1,981 reviews16 followers
March 19, 2020
This is by far one of my favorite books!!! Story kept my attention right in the beginning. I freaking loved it. Harper is such a great main character. Loved the entire storyline. Oh that ending.... ugggg now I have to wait till the next book. Definitely a must read especially if you love reading about angels and demons. Absolutely loved this story and can’t wait till the next book!!!
341 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2020
Enthralling

In a new world where everyone wants something or to kill you and you don’t even know how to defend yourself. The main character finds herself stuck in this new life with only one option to get out and has to fight to get it. Multiple love interests but not Rh in book 1.
Profile Image for Jennifer Laird-Lord.
410 reviews4 followers
March 20, 2020
I really like this book, different from other academy books. Really good story and the characters are fascinating. I recommend this book. It will be interesting to see how the characters develop and their stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Stacey Rankin.
464 reviews2 followers
March 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this magical book. The characters were great and their interactions electric, the story was filled with magic, mystery and intregue with the occasional dead body and a spooky cliffhanger. Anticipating the events of semester two, cannot wait.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for 4foxsake.
892 reviews14 followers
April 11, 2020
Really enjoyed the book!!

Cool story. Leaves lots of questions that will hopefully be answered when book 2 is released! Harper was thrown into a situation where she knew nothing of her history and had to make it in a new realm, school and fight for her freedom. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Mads.
302 reviews11 followers
April 23, 2020
It was a nice read but it was predictable.
There was the same problem I noticed when I read Academy of the Elites (also by Alexis Calder): the dialogues. There was no variation, again; it was always the same verb ("I say", "he says", "I say"... ). And I think it's too bad because I really enjoy this author's stories but it lacks depth because of that.
Will still read book 2 though.
40 reviews
June 6, 2020
Extremely good

I really liked it, because it pushed people to their limit. Harper is a kick-ass character and the guys around her are sarcastic buttheads. I like how she has to keep fighting her desires, how she has to fight to protect herself and how I really want to punch the king of "hell". I really hope we find out who her father is...
Profile Image for Jane.
564 reviews9 followers
September 6, 2021
Surprisingly interesting

I was a bit skeptical I would enjoy the story at the outset, but I kept reading and all of a sudden it grabbed my interest and I couldn’t wait to know what happened next. There were a few minor things I found mildly annoying but I was caught up enough in reading, that I could brush them aside. I will more than likely continue the series.
Profile Image for Leanne F.
1,055 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2022
good read

Enjoyed this first in the series. Harper is thrown into a life that sounds like a bad fairy tale only to find it’s a fight to the death. With the help (or not) if some hot boys and a professor, she’s learning to navigate her way through the Underworld. Hope the second book is not quite as rushed as this one. 3.5 stars. Recommend
2,416 reviews
March 21, 2020
This is a great book. I loved the storyline and characters. I found both well written and kept my interest. I recommend reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
62 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this slow burn, reverse harem academy book. It is brilliantly written with just the right amount of tension. Harper is a wonderfully sassy heroine. I look forward to reading book 2.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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