What do you think?
Rate this book
The Paranormal University Files: Skylar #1
The Hidden Court
Magic school. Hot shifters. Hidden dangers. Was your college this fun?
The world knows paranormal creatures exist. They're clerks, nurses, teachers, and even lawyers. But first, before they're allowed free rein in the mortal realm, half-fae like Skylar must endure four years of training at PNRU's academy of magic and higher learning.
When her freshman year begins, it doesn't take long to discover the school has serious issues. Between rogue vampire attacks in Chicago and a rising student body count, she's convinced something sinister is at large. On top of that, the only non-fae to take her seriously is Gabriel, a wereraven from the infamous night class. He's hotter than hellfire, dedicated to his studies, and dating the campus mean girl--but willing to give Sky private martial arts lessons.
And since nothing is tastier to a nosferatu than fae blood, Sky needs every advantage she can get... before her first year away from home becomes her last.
A thrilling blend of paranormal romance and spell-binding adventure with the tension of Vampire Academy, the atmosphere of Harry Potter, and the faerie magic of The Cruel Prince. Skylar's story is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers adult romance series of full-length novels following the same couple.
The world knows paranormal creatures exist. They're clerks, nurses, teachers, and even lawyers. But first, before they're allowed free rein in the mortal realm, half-fae like Skylar must endure four years of training at PNRU's academy of magic and higher learning.
When her freshman year begins, it doesn't take long to discover the school has serious issues. Between rogue vampire attacks in Chicago and a rising student body count, she's convinced something sinister is at large. On top of that, the only non-fae to take her seriously is Gabriel, a wereraven from the infamous night class. He's hotter than hellfire, dedicated to his studies, and dating the campus mean girl--but willing to give Sky private martial arts lessons.
And since nothing is tastier to a nosferatu than fae blood, Sky needs every advantage she can get... before her first year away from home becomes her last.
A thrilling blend of paranormal romance and spell-binding adventure with the tension of Vampire Academy, the atmosphere of Harry Potter, and the faerie magic of The Cruel Prince. Skylar's story is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers adult romance series of full-length novels following the same couple.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2018
411 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Want to read
July 19, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/19/2019)! 🎁
April 8, 2018
Thrilling, sexy and fun! I thoroughly enjoyed this new start to a fantasy series full of shapeshifters, fae, vampires and darklings! I really enjoyed the originality and how kickbutt and entertaining the characters were!
I loved how strong and just overall likeable the main characters were. I absolutely loved their chemistry! I can’t wait to see where things go with them!
I’m definitely excited for the next book!
I highly recommend this book to young adult paranormal fantasy lovers!
I loved how strong and just overall likeable the main characters were. I absolutely loved their chemistry! I can’t wait to see where things go with them!
I’m definitely excited for the next book!
I highly recommend this book to young adult paranormal fantasy lovers!
August 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this story about confronting segregation and overcoming stereotypes. I'm looking forward to what happens next!
June 16, 2018
Urban Fantasy is still a new to me genre but I am really loving it. The Hidden Court had so much going on in the story (not to the point overwhelming) that you just can't put the book down once you start. The mix of fantasy and paranormal creatures, is one I love and Dominique Kristine brought her own twist to it. I really liked Skylar and Gabriel's characters, the was some humor in their characters. The connection between the two can be felt from the beginning, I really loved seeing Skylar grow as a character as well. Definitely one of my fave reads for 2018 and I cant wait to see where this series goes because I will definitely be reading to find out.
June 17, 2018
It was really good. Good storyline, very good written and very likeable characters 😊 waiting for the next book with little patience 🤯🤩🤗
November 28, 2020
Magic school. Hot shifters. Hidden dangers. Was your college this fun? The world knows paranormal creatures exist. They're clerks, nurses, teachers, and even lawyers. But first, before they're allowed free rein in the mortal realm, half-fae like Skylar must endure four years of training at PNRU's academy of magic and higher learning.When her freshman year begins, it doesn't take long to discover the school has serious issues. Between rogue vampire attacks in Chicago and a rising student body count, she's convinced something sinister is at large. On top of that, the only non-fae to take her seriously is Gabriel, a wereraven from the infamous night class. He's hotter than hellfire, dedicated to his studies, and dating the campus mean girl--but willing to give Sky private martial arts lessons.And since nothing is tastier to a nosferatu than fae blood, Sky needs every advantage she can get... before her first year away from home becomes her last.A thrilling blend of paranormal romance and spell-binding adventure with the tension of Vampire Academy, the atmosphere of Harry Potter, and the faerie magic of The Cruel Prince. Skylar's story is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers adult romance series of full-length novels following the same couple. **
September 15, 2019
Unlike most PNR books I read, there’s a lot more P than R in here, enough so that I’ve pretty well convinced my hubby (who doesn’t like romance books) that he should read this series as well. It’s paranormal and action with romance as well, and it’s all such a great combination and balance that keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens with every aspect of the story!
Please Note - this is not really a YA book. There are some very adult situations.
This book is an amazing start to an amazing series. I REALLY want to give it 5 stars but can’t because of the somewhat slow beginning. However, the rest of the book is a solid 5 stars for me. Within minutes of finishing this book I bought #2, then bought 3 and 4 together because I knew I wasn’t going to stop. The length is good and feels neither rushed nor drawn out, giving a solid exciting page-turner. More than once I found myself thinking about this group like they were people I actually know and am disappointed when I remember they’re book characters. I absolutely recommend reading this series! I’m excited for the last book, but dreading the end of the series!
Please Note - this is not really a YA book. There are some very adult situations.
This book is an amazing start to an amazing series. I REALLY want to give it 5 stars but can’t because of the somewhat slow beginning. However, the rest of the book is a solid 5 stars for me. Within minutes of finishing this book I bought #2, then bought 3 and 4 together because I knew I wasn’t going to stop. The length is good and feels neither rushed nor drawn out, giving a solid exciting page-turner. More than once I found myself thinking about this group like they were people I actually know and am disappointed when I remember they’re book characters. I absolutely recommend reading this series! I’m excited for the last book, but dreading the end of the series!
February 4, 2019
This was a really exciting supernatural teen adventure story and romance. There were strong women and men. It was set at a university campus in Chicago.
One minor thing that bugged me about the plot was that neither main character got the meaning of the obvious prophesy they came across in the office.
I can't wait for the next novel in the series.
Typos: diffuse is used for defuse, wile for while, unnecessary comma ("The wolf shifter with the legs that I'd envied, stood back with hands..."), laid for lain, spanned is used with a preposition and loathing is used without one.
One minor thing that bugged me about the plot was that neither main character got the meaning of the obvious prophesy they came across in the office.
I can't wait for the next novel in the series.
Typos: diffuse is used for defuse, wile for while, unnecessary comma ("The wolf shifter with the legs that I'd envied, stood back with hands..."), laid for lain, spanned is used with a preposition and loathing is used without one.
August 25, 2019
Fairly standard YA paranormal academy story but with one major and positive difference. Bucking the prevailing (and annoying) insta-love trend, this time the romance was built on friendship. Yep that's right Sky & Gabriel are friends. Sure Sky is crushing on Gabriel but she acknowledges this and that he has a girlfriend so so just focuses on being friends and not dwelling on a romance. And they spend a reasonable amount of time as just friends after Gabriel breaks up with Jada. Am keen to read more.
December 5, 2019
I had never before considered where fairy godmothers came from. As an avid Disney animated movie fan, I just accepted fairy godmothers as necessary accoutrements for princesses. Then Mercedes Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdoms opened my eyes to some possibilities for fae. Dominique Kristine gives the fairy godmother in training a more contemporary spin, giving us a strong-willed feisty would-be kickass fae who wants to be more than a fairy godmother in the bibbidy-bobbidy-boo fashion. Hermione Granger would like Skylar a lot.
May 13, 2024
Worth the Read
It started slow for me, but I’m so glad I hung in there! With little nods to Harry Potter, I loved getting to know Skylar and Gabe and their college experiences including vamps, shifters, and fae. Just enough world building, lore, intrigue, danger and budding romance to keep the story interesting and moving at a good pace. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
It started slow for me, but I’m so glad I hung in there! With little nods to Harry Potter, I loved getting to know Skylar and Gabe and their college experiences including vamps, shifters, and fae. Just enough world building, lore, intrigue, danger and budding romance to keep the story interesting and moving at a good pace. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 19, 2019
Couldn't put it down.
I loved this story it was captivating. I love the kickass and entertaining heroine Skylar and her friends were fun to read about. Gabriel and his family and friends were interesting. This series has started out fantastic and I can't wait to read the next book.
I loved this story it was captivating. I love the kickass and entertaining heroine Skylar and her friends were fun to read about. Gabriel and his family and friends were interesting. This series has started out fantastic and I can't wait to read the next book.
September 8, 2020
Amazing !!
This book was great. The world building was done exceptionally well while keeping your interest from start to finish. Sky was an amazing kick butt character you kept cheering on. Then there is Gabriel, hot shifter protector, who rocks the sparky friend position 😀 together they make an awesome team and I can't wait to read the next story. Great job!!
This book was great. The world building was done exceptionally well while keeping your interest from start to finish. Sky was an amazing kick butt character you kept cheering on. Then there is Gabriel, hot shifter protector, who rocks the sparky friend position 😀 together they make an awesome team and I can't wait to read the next story. Great job!!
December 6, 2018
Hidden Court
This story is awesome. One of the very best academy books I have read. Skylar is a fascinating character and there are many other interesting characters as well. I will definitely be keeping up with this series.
This story is awesome. One of the very best academy books I have read. Skylar is a fascinating character and there are many other interesting characters as well. I will definitely be keeping up with this series.
April 25, 2019
Amazing
I was blown off by the writing and the world created. Perfectly narrated story with proper character and situation building. I liked the way the characters grew to like,admire and love each other not just physical infatuation.
I am on to the next book in the series.
I was blown off by the writing and the world created. Perfectly narrated story with proper character and situation building. I liked the way the characters grew to like,admire and love each other not just physical infatuation.
I am on to the next book in the series.
October 6, 2020
Skylar and Gabriel are quite the dynamic duo.
Girl power at it's best, with a shifter best friend to teach her the ropes. Together they represented their university and paranormal races while saving their city from darkling attack. Simply marvelous!
Girl power at it's best, with a shifter best friend to teach her the ropes. Together they represented their university and paranormal races while saving their city from darkling attack. Simply marvelous!
March 6, 2022
Mages, Fae, Shifters and Vamps oh my! A little Harry Potterish with school, but a cute concept with the four races. Spoiler - Sky rescues Holly and becomes a sentinel student while becoming a freshman that ascends!
July 4, 2018
Great
This is such a good book. It is fast moving and interesting from first to last. I couldn't put it down.
This is such a good book. It is fast moving and interesting from first to last. I couldn't put it down.
October 20, 2018
Fun!
I greatly enjoyed The Hidden Court and am looking forward to the next book in the series. A lot of fun, some darkness, some flirting and little crushes, and a great story.
I greatly enjoyed The Hidden Court and am looking forward to the next book in the series. A lot of fun, some darkness, some flirting and little crushes, and a great story.
October 20, 2018
Ya friendly this is the next year with friends and enemies from the hidden court. Will life every be the same.
November 28, 2018
An action packed, Exciting and thrilling adventure. Great friends were made, enemies made known, liars and cheats abound. Great read
Read
May 3, 2025DNF! Too YA for me! I didn't much care for Skylar.
December 4, 2019
Amazing
Fantastic story line. Kept me intrigued and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Need the next book now
Fantastic story line. Kept me intrigued and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Need the next book now
December 1, 2019
Good Beginning of a Series
This book is the beginning of a new series about a fey girl who is required to go to a preternatural college. Here she meets other fey, mages, vampires and shifters. She gets involved in different adventures and eventually grows close to a shifter boy. There is a lot of adventures and action.
This book is the beginning of a new series about a fey girl who is required to go to a preternatural college. Here she meets other fey, mages, vampires and shifters. She gets involved in different adventures and eventually grows close to a shifter boy. There is a lot of adventures and action.
August 30, 2019
Skylar is accepted the the Paranormal University. As a Fae her training is largely to become a fairy godmother. As such, she is paired up with an older fae who has a sentinel to keep them safe. Gabriel is a raven shifter and Sky's sentinel.
So yeah, the set up is pretty much like Harry Potter with class distinction between the races (faes, vamps, mages, shifters). Not much world building in the sense that it's in modern times outside of Chicago. Good incorporation of magical elements such as glamours, little magic tricks to alter space, etc.
Naturally our heroine is 'special' and you see the budding romance between Sky and Gabriel.
Overall I loved this book. Sky is learning her abilities and pushes the edge outside of what normal faes should want. She engaged in some reckless behavior but not to the point where she was too stupid to live. Gabriel is protective and hot (of course). Not overly alpha.
Not gonna lie - I got this book for free through Book Bub recommendations and I'm glad I took the chance. Romance is light and PG rated as this seems geared as YA. I also tend to shy away from story arcs that cross multiple books for just one character / pair. That's a whole level of time commitment that I don't typically do. I'm down with subsequent books focusing on the secondary characters finding their HEA.
I stayed up way too late to finish this and yes, I did, *gasp* actually pay for the next book in the series - that's how much I liked this one.
Definitely going to continue the series as I truly enjoy the character building, the mystery, the assorted cast of characters.
So yeah, the set up is pretty much like Harry Potter with class distinction between the races (faes, vamps, mages, shifters). Not much world building in the sense that it's in modern times outside of Chicago. Good incorporation of magical elements such as glamours, little magic tricks to alter space, etc.
Naturally our heroine is 'special' and you see the budding romance between Sky and Gabriel.
Overall I loved this book. Sky is learning her abilities and pushes the edge outside of what normal faes should want. She engaged in some reckless behavior but not to the point where she was too stupid to live. Gabriel is protective and hot (of course). Not overly alpha.
Not gonna lie - I got this book for free through Book Bub recommendations and I'm glad I took the chance. Romance is light and PG rated as this seems geared as YA. I also tend to shy away from story arcs that cross multiple books for just one character / pair. That's a whole level of time commitment that I don't typically do. I'm down with subsequent books focusing on the secondary characters finding their HEA.
I stayed up way too late to finish this and yes, I did, *gasp* actually pay for the next book in the series - that's how much I liked this one.
Definitely going to continue the series as I truly enjoy the character building, the mystery, the assorted cast of characters.
August 4, 2019
Have patience with sub-plots
Sky is a relatable MC. She is not a giggly annoying girl. I'm still not sure what she is and how that's tied to the fae court. I guess that's what book 2 and book 3 will reveal. Gabriel has depth. He's not just the "hot" guy. I really liked Liadan from the beginning. The jury is still out on Pilar and Ben. Sky's parent seemed to be very cool, but they should not hide anything from her so she is better prepared to deal. Carmilla was not a traditional villian. I get her angst and the reason she killed Dedrick. She'll return. As for Sky becoming a sentinel, I think it's a great result. I did not see her in the traditional role of fairy godmother. The kiss was great to read between Gabriel and Sky. They are friends first, which I love. I give this book a 3.25 star rating and will continue. Happy reading!
Sky is a relatable MC. She is not a giggly annoying girl. I'm still not sure what she is and how that's tied to the fae court. I guess that's what book 2 and book 3 will reveal. Gabriel has depth. He's not just the "hot" guy. I really liked Liadan from the beginning. The jury is still out on Pilar and Ben. Sky's parent seemed to be very cool, but they should not hide anything from her so she is better prepared to deal. Carmilla was not a traditional villian. I get her angst and the reason she killed Dedrick. She'll return. As for Sky becoming a sentinel, I think it's a great result. I did not see her in the traditional role of fairy godmother. The kiss was great to read between Gabriel and Sky. They are friends first, which I love. I give this book a 3.25 star rating and will continue. Happy reading!
July 20, 2019
Wow just wow
This book was fantastic. The characters were witty and funny. Kept me interested all throughout the story. Really loved how it's got so many different supernatural types and how they work together. Really loved this read. I cannot express how much I recommend this. All the supes in this story have their own personality and way to go about things. Loved the MCs and the bond created!
This book was fantastic. The characters were witty and funny. Kept me interested all throughout the story. Really loved how it's got so many different supernatural types and how they work together. Really loved this read. I cannot express how much I recommend this. All the supes in this story have their own personality and way to go about things. Loved the MCs and the bond created!
July 27, 2019
PNRU
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I didn't expect to.
Our heroine wants to be something other than is expected of her.
With her different attitude to shifters than is the norm, she has a few difficulties to overcome. Just to be herself.
Adventure and adversity are plentiful in this quite fast paced book.
It will keep you turning page after page.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I didn't expect to.
Our heroine wants to be something other than is expected of her.
With her different attitude to shifters than is the norm, she has a few difficulties to overcome. Just to be herself.
Adventure and adversity are plentiful in this quite fast paced book.
It will keep you turning page after page.
August 23, 2019
The Hidden Court: A Magical Academy Paranormal Romance (The Paranormal University Book 1)
The advantage of Skylar (fae) and Gabriel (wereraver). This Sky first year at PNRU and thinks are not as they seen. Sky is assign to Gabriel as trainee. She is is running into many bad guys. Will this be her last year?
The advantage of Skylar (fae) and Gabriel (wereraver). This Sky first year at PNRU and thinks are not as they seen. Sky is assign to Gabriel as trainee. She is is running into many bad guys. Will this be her last year?
September 15, 2019
It has it all!
The hidden court has all my favourite characters in.. mages, shifters and fairies!! Vivienne and Dominique kept me guessing with their Amazing twists and story lines. I loved all the characters and their interactions with each other.. especially girls kicking ass and bending the rules..to kick the baddies to the curb.. or dust...
The hidden court has all my favourite characters in.. mages, shifters and fairies!! Vivienne and Dominique kept me guessing with their Amazing twists and story lines. I loved all the characters and their interactions with each other.. especially girls kicking ass and bending the rules..to kick the baddies to the curb.. or dust...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews