Tales Out of School Collection

by Natasha Larry, Melanie Karsak, Margo Bond Collins

Welcome to The Academy!
It's time to start a new term!

So gather your books, notebooks, pens, wands, and scrolls, and head into the classroom for a spellbinding lesson in how to survive the most magical semester ever.

In these classes, you'll find superheroes, werewolves, witches, centaurs, shapeshifters, magic users of all kinds, and more!

So load up your backpack and get ready for Tales Out Of School!

Featuring stories from:

Natasha Larry - You Have A Responsibility (White Hat Academy #0.5)

Remy might have a super powered flair, but she’s not trying to be your hero.
After losing a loved one to her powers, Remy lives with a mother who won’t forgive her and no desire to use her touch flair ever again.

The only friend she has won’t accept that and secretly applies her to the White Hat Academy under their new scholarship program. To humor her bestie, Remy goes to the interview and surprises even herself.

Now her options are stay with a mother that resents her or brave the Academy’s privileged freshman class. Maybe along the way, she’ll even decide to pick up the white hat and put it on, but in doing so she may lose her best friend.

Melanie Karsak - The Princess Of Hearts (Wonderland Academy #0.5)

Margo Bond Collins And Fionn Jameson - Matriculation (Shifters U. #0.5)

Margo Bond Collins And Deb Christie - Hell Hath No Fury (Dark Harvester University #0.5)

Laura Greenwood - Curses Start Somewhere (Grimalkin Academy; Kittens #0.5)

All curses start somewhere, and it's not always where you expect.

With graduation approaching, Ronnie and Magda need to finish writing their spell book so they can receive the ultimate reward: a place on Grimalkin Academy's honour roll.

But when things start to go wrong, it turns out that more than their friendship is on the line, and if Ronnie can't fix it, the consequences won't be worth thinking about.

Curses Start Somewhere is the prequel to the Grimalkin Academy: Kittens series, which follows Ronnie's daughter, Mona.

S.K. Gregory - The Fall Of Crestwood (Academy For Lost Souls #0.5)

Solo Storm - Rising Prince (Faerie Princess Spy Academy #0.5)

He Has No Choice But to Take His Family’s Throne Back From the People Who Murdered His Parents...

Twenty-year-old Flynn Cormac has his younger sister to protect. To keep her safe, he has to reclaim what was once theirs - the throne to the leprechaun clan, one of the ten clans of the Alliance of Faeries.

The only safe place to announce their survival is at the presenting ceremony at Alanza School of International Faerie. Once they have gone public and officially become students of the school, the Fitzgerald family, who currently holds the throne, has no chance of touching them...

But when Flynn takes a quick detour before he takes off for school, he runs into much more than he bargained for - and it’s only going to cost him once he learns the truth...

If he can’t take back his family’s throne, he may lose everything that matters to him. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?

A companion short story to the Faerie Princess Spy Academy prequel novella, Rising Princess, which is told from Darby Fitzgerald’s perspective.

Arizona Tape - Wings Of Grief (Afterlife Academy Story #?.5)

Skyler Andra - Witch Hunt (To The Guild Of Guardians Academy Series#0.5)

Ivy Hearne - Dog Days Of Summer (Hunters’ Academy Summer 1 #?.5)

Angela Kulig And Angela Sanders - Mystic Manor (Halloween Academy #0.5)

B.C. Palmer And Marie Robinson - Admission To Rosewilde Academy Of Magical Arts

Kat Parrish - Wixsted Academy (Full Moon High #0.5)

Genres: Anthologies, Fantasy

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2019

About the author

Natasha Larry is a mother and DC comics fan girl. She writes multicultural paranormal fantasy for teens and adults. She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her published works include The Night and Darwin's Children.

She lives somewhere in Alabama.

Reviews

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the fact that each story gave you a little bit of a taste of this and that. Just enough to make you want to read the books in each series

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection of stories. There isn’t one story that I didn’t like. They are all paranormal, which is my favorite, and are all very unique. I will definitely be reading many of the series that were introduced in this collection.

[Tera Comer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg so many great stories!!! I have read Laura Greenwood's series but omg I will be reading more of the series that this box set has the starters for.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent boxset of prequel stories for Magical Academy series, each introducing characters and worlds we see in the main stories. They are great reads and, as a free boxset at time of purchase, particularly great value! But if you're a fan of any of the series or authors, this is a chance to read an extra story, along with several more besides! So grab it now - you won't be disappointed!!

Individual stories:
You Have a Responsibility (White Hat Academy Book 0.5) Natasha Larry (4*) 13/9
I approached this story with a little trepidation, not having read any of the original series, but it was easy to pick up what everything meant and what went on in the world. An excellent story full of drama, emotion, friendship and familial love, it finishes on something of a cliffhanger - will she go to the Academy? Will her friendship survive? Will her aunt be cured, and her mother ever forgive her? It certainly makes you want to read the rest of the series!
The Princess of Hearts (A Wonderland Academy Short Story) Melanie Karsak (5*) 13/9
This excellent prequel to the Wonderland Academy series is a very short story, introducing us to Amber and revealing a bit about the true reasons for her behaviour when we see her in the first book of the series. It certainly makes you look at her in a different light, and you feel more sorry for her than disgust at her. I really enjoyed reading this story, and I hope the author has other short stories like this up her sleeve. Highly recommended reading for all Wonderland Academy fans!
Matriculation (A Shifters U. Prequel) Margo Bond Collins and Fionn Jameson (4*) 14/9
A tale of a girl, a party in the woods, and a boy who is not all that he appears. A bit of a cliche at times, but good writing otherwise, and makes a good basis for the series.
Hell Hath No Fury (A Dark Harvester University Prequel) Margo Bond Collins and Deb Christie (4*) 17/9
An interesting story, though as someone who hasn't read any Dark Harvester University books, I wasn't entirely clear at all times who people were supposed to be and how they interrelated. Definitely one for readers of the series.
Curses Start Somewhere (A Grimalkin Academy: Kittens Prequel) Laura Greenwood (5*) 17/9
A great story that explains the background to the kittens curse, and why Mona is targeted. A great short read.
The Fall of Crestwood (An Academy for Lost Souls Prequel) S. K. Gregory (4*) 17/9
An interesting story that really hooks you, especially as you really want to see the awful headmaster get his! I found it intriguing, though the writing isn't the best, and I'd definitely be interested in reading the series to find out what happens to the students next - as long as the writing improves!
Rising Prince (A Faerie Princess Spy Academy Prequel Short Story) Solo Storm (4*) 18/9
This was an interesting story, combining faerie races, betrayal and assassinations, love and friendship, plotting, planning.... and it's only an introduction to the series! It'd be interesting to see what happens at the Spy Academy, when the students are actually TAUGHT to do that!
Wings of Grief (An Afterlife Academy Story) Arizona Tape (4*) 18/9
This is a lovely story that brings together mythical beings, magic, drama, romance betrayal and loss. An excellent read.
Witch Hunt (A Prequel to the Guild of Guardians Academy Series) Skyler Andra (5*) 18/9
This was a very interesting story, full of all kinds of mythical beings, and I enjoyed reading it. I especially liked the inclusion of an autistic character, and the excellent portrayal of him, and his vital part in the hunt (instead of just being a character sat in the corner, as authors often make disabled people). I'm definitely interested to see where the author takes these characters in future books.
Dog Days of Summer (A Hunters’ Academy Summer 1 Short Story) Ivy Hearne (4*) 18/9
This story is not a prequel but set between years 1 and 2 of the protagonist's Academy years. When I started reading I was worried I wouldn't be able to read, understand and enjoy it for this reason, but it is possible as most things are explained. I definitely think you'll enjoy it more if you've read the first book, but it's still a good story, and I'd definitely be interested in reading more of the series.
Mystic Manor (A Halloween Academy Prequel) Angela Kulig and Angela Sanders (5*) 18/9
This is an interesting read full of spookiness, magic, a touch of romance, and an intriguing ending that definitely leaves you wanting more. I'm definitely going to keep an eye open for the rest of the series!
Admission to Rosewilde Academy of Magical Arts | B.C. Palmer and Marie Robinson (3*) 18/9
Whilst this is a prequel in the truest sense, with its content occurring before the series starts, it was disappointing as nothing actually happened in the book! We meet the characters I assume will be the main protagonists, and find out a little about the female's life until now, but the males' introduction tells us almost nothing except their names, that they are a couple, that someone died, and that someone else is angry because of it - and that's not very helpful! Disappointing introduction to what I can only hope will be a better series, though it seems it will include some kind of reverse harem/same sex romance too, which might put some readers off.
Wixsted Academy (A Full Moon High Prequel) Kat Parrish (5*) 18/9
A good introduction to the series and characters, and an excellent final book in the boxset.

[GG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection collects to gather many starter stories, extra bits, and other odds and ends from a variety of Magical Academy collections. Wonderland, Shifters U, Grimalkin, Lost Souls, Hunters and more are all shared here.

They're fun reads and while some are more covering vacation or gaps between semesters, most are true prequel stories.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute collection of short stories

These stories were cute and I did enjoy reading them. Unfortunately there were some grammatical errors throughout the book that were quite obvious. These errors are what dropped the rating below 3 stars.

[ChattyChik21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection

There are soooooo many new authors in this genre this was a great way to get a quick taste a few series without commitment to see if the series and style of writing was up my alley. Some stories i enjoyed others not so much but i was glad to find some
Gems

[H NELMS · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not impressed

Not impressed ...stories are just tasters of stories they want you to buy in full...but they are really short and none have been long enough to wet my appetite for the longer version...too short.

[Toma]

Being updated as I read

You Have a Responsibility by Natasha Larry (White Hat Academy #0.5) 3.5 stars
*Remy might have a super powered flair, but she’s not trying to be your hero.
After losing a loved one to her powers, Remy lives with a mother who won’t forgive her and no desire to use her touch flair ever again.
The only friend she has won’t accept that and secretly applies her to the White Hat Academy under their new scholarship program. To humor her bestie, Remy goes to the interview and surprises even herself.
Now her options are stay with a mother that resents her or brave the Academy’s privileged freshman class. Maybe along the way, she’ll even decide to pick up the white hat and put it on, but in doing so she may lose her best friend.*
This one was tough. Small editing mistakes aside, I liked the the story but I could not relate to the heroine. Hence I am not sure I will read the next book in the series.

The Princess of Hearts by Melanie Karsak (Wonderland Academy #0.5) 4 stars
Prince and Princess of Hearts are leaving for the Wonderland Academy.
This was a bit too short. I see no point for such prequels as they give only a glimpse and add no value in understanding characters. I am not sure if I will pick up the series.

Matriculation by Margo Bond Collins and Fionn Jameson (Shifters U. #0.5)
Reika gets bitten by a werewolf at a party which results in her having to forget her dream about going to Jale.
This was a prequel and a very short one at that. I am not sure I liked Reika and it was unclear who her love interest(s) will be. The writing style was pleasing so I might check on the series.

Hell Hath No Fury by Margo Bond Collins and Deb Christie (Dark Harvester University #0.5)
Elani is the daughter of an angel and a dark harvester. When her mother is killed she is left all alone only with a ring that influences others.
And another prequel to a series. This one was longer but felt very rushed. I did not feel a connection to either of the characters and I believe this was due to the writing style. It was very distant.

Curses Start Somewhere by Laura Greenwood (Grimalkin Academy; Kittens #0.5)
*All curses start somewhere, and it's not always where you expect.
With graduation approaching, Ronnie and Magda need to finish writing their spell book so they can receive the ultimate reward: a place on Grimalkin Academy's honour roll.
But when things start to go wrong, it turns out that more than their friendship is on the line, and if Ronnie can't fix it, the consequences won't be worth thinking about.
Curses Start Somewhere is the prequel to the Grimalkin Academy: Kittens series, which follows Ronnie's daughter, Mona.*

The Fall of Crestwood by S.K. Gregory (Academy For Lost Souls #0.5)
The principal decides to expel a gifted student what results in tragedy.
This one was promising. I do not think we met the main characters yet (maybe one?) but I was interested.

Rising Prince by Solo Storm (Faerie Princess Spy Academy #0.5)
*He Has No Choice But to Take His Family’s Throne Back From the People Who Murdered His Parents...
Twenty-year-old Flynn Cormac has his younger sister to protect. To keep her safe, he has to reclaim what was once theirs - the throne to the leprechaun clan, one of the ten clans of the Alliance of Faeries.
The only safe place to announce their survival is at the presenting ceremony at Alanza School of International Faerie. Once they have gone public and officially become students of the school, the Fitzgerald family, who currently holds the throne, has no chance of touching them...
But when Flynn takes a quick detour before he takes off for school, he runs into much more than he bargained for - and it’s only going to cost him once he learns the truth...
If he can’t take back his family’s throne, he may lose everything that matters to him. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?
A companion short story to the Faerie Princess Spy Academy prequel novella, Rising Princess, which is told from Darby Fitzgerald’s perspective.*

Wings of Grief by Arizona Tape (Afterlife Academy Story #?.5)


Witch Hunt by Skyler Andra (To The Guild Of Guardians Academy Series#0.5)


Dog Days of Summer by Ivy Hearne (Hunters’ Academy Summer 1 #?.5)


Mystic Manor by Angela Kulig And Angela Sanders(Halloween Academy #0.5)


Admission to Rosewilde Academy Of Magical Arts by B.C. Palmer And Marie Robinson


Wixsted Academy by Kat Parrish (Full Moon High #0.5)

[Alex Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 75 complete.

[Laura]

Not really complete stories. Most are intros to other series by the author. It can get hard to get into some of the stories, just as you get to know the characters a bit they stop. Yelling you to get the books to find out what happens.😡

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some were better than others

A collection of shorts and / or intros to a series. A few were a little too short though, and some should have been edited, but overall, it was ok for what it was. I would have preferred a smaller volume of full length novellas. Stories with more meat, and a couple were close.

[acloar amazon five2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is totally awesome.

[Jennifer Layne · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Have a Responsibility |White Hat Academy by Natasha Larry

This was an interesting story and I'm intrigued to read more!


The Princess of Hearts | A Wonderland Academy story by Melanie Karsak

I have read other Wonderland Academy books so this was a fun dip back into the world.
It was an interesting bit of insight into Aden and Amber's life with the Queen of Hearts.


Matriculation A Shifters U. Prequel by Margo Bond Collins and Fionn Jameson

An interesting take on an old conflict, Human vs. Werewolf. I like Reika and would like to see where her story goes.


Hell Hath No Fury A Dark Harvester University Prequel by Margo Bond Collins and Deb Christie

I need to get more Dark Harvester books! I need to know what happens to Elani!


Curses Start Somewhere A Grimalkin Academy: Kittens Prequel by Laura Greenwood

This was an interesting story. Seems like there is more to the slight/s that Magda feels. What I read seems enough to be upset but vowing revenge ... hmm. More to the story?


The Fall of Crestwood An Academy for Lost Souls Prequel by S.K. Gregory

This was interesting and had a wicked twist in the end.


Rising Prince A Faerie Princess Spy Academy Prequel short story by Solo Storm

This was a good short story.


Wings of Grief | An Afterlife Academy Story by Arizona Tape

This was a great story with a little romance thrown in.


Witch Hunt | A Prequel to the Guild of Guardians Academy Series by Skyler Andra

I liked this short story ... maybe I'll check out the first book.


Dogs of Summer | A Hunters' Academy Summer 1 Short Story by Ivy Hearne

This was a good short story.


Mystic Manor | A Halloween Academy Prequel by Angela Kulig & Angela Sanders

This was a fun read.


Admission to Rosewilde Academy of Magical Arts by B.C. Palmer and Marie Robinson

This was a great short story.


Wixsted Academy | A Full Moon High Prequel by Kat Parrish

This was an intriguing story.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the two by melanie karsak and I loved them! I definitely wanted more.

[Melissa (missy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

1.You Have a Responsibility | White Hat Academy Book 0.5 | Natasha Larry
2.The Princess of Hearts | A Wonderland Academy Short Story | Melanie Karsak
3.Matriculation | A Shifters U. Prequel | Margo Bond Collins and Fionn Jameson
4.Hell Hath No Fury | A Dark Harvester University Prequel | Margo Bond Collins and Deb Christie
5.Curses Start Somewhere | A Grimalkin Academy: Kittens Prequel | Laura Greenwood
6.The Fall of Crestwood | An Academy for Lost Souls Prequel | S. K. Gregory
7.Rising Prince | A Faerie Princess Spy Academy Prequel Short Story | Solo Storm
8.Wings of Grief | An Afterlife Academy Story | Arizona Tape
9.Witch Hunt | A Prequel to the Guild of Guardians Academy Series | Skyler Andra
10.Dog Days of Summer | A Hunters’ Academy Summer 1 Short Story | Ivy Hearne
11.Mystic Manor | A Halloween Academy Prequel | Angela Kulig and Angela Sanders
12.Admission to Rosewilde Academy of Magical Arts | B.C. Palmer and Marie Robinson
13.Wixsted Academy | A Full Moon High Prequel | Kat Parrish


These are all cute short stories
I will have to check out a few of the authors other books

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Background

I read the stories by Melanie Karsak and Laura Greenwood.
The Princess of Hearts by Melanie Karsak was what I needed to read to understand Cerise better. After reading Wonderland Academy I didn’t like her. I actually feel bad for her now after reading this short story.
Curses Start Somewhere by Laura Greenwood also gives major background on the curse that is plaguing Mona. A lot more makes sense after reading this short story.
So if you read any of these academy books I would read these shorts as they help explain somethings better.

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I've just read two of the stories, and they were quite entertaining. Either as a prequel that makes an introduction to the main series and its world building, or a glimpse into the life of a side character in the main series (I had the honor to read already book 1 so I was familiar with it). Both were written in such a way it would motivate me to try also the main series, even though for Wonderland Academy short story I'd like to see even more.

[OldBird · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of short stories setting up or revolving round academy series. I'm guessing they're meant to be YA because of the writing style(s) and tropey feisty/snarky teenage characters, but some of them were so tonally weird (one of them's about reverse harem sex dreams...) A few had some typos/random punctuation that let the team down. I mostly didn't enjoy them or just gave up with them.

[Minga Dotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of very short introduction stories, some are ok, some are good, and a few are very good.

A lot of little tastes of series written by a large group of authors, some are prequels, others are side trails. Some are well written, some need work, and a couple need a lot of corrections or other work to be their best.

[Jojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good solid collection

If you are interested in starting new series of the genre or have a favorite author among the collection of authors on this sample of paranormal academy series.

[Tricia]

Laura Greenwood- Curses Start Somewhere: Prequel to the Grimalkin Academy Kittens series. This introduces you to Mona’s parents and why magical problems occur for Mona.
Arizona Tape- Wings of Grief This prequel was a great read.

[Galina Sulaiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tales out of school

Meh not very exciting sets of books. I only enjoyed 2 stories. I guess 2 is good though at least got a new author out of this.