I fought to win my freedom. Now I fight to keep it. I have a hell of a semester ahead.
Through blood and cunning, my mother and I escaped the sadistic clutches of House Redbriar. Now, I just want to finish my first year at Wraithwood Academy in peace, studying demonology and magecraft alongside my boyfriends while unraveling the mysteries of the school.
If only I could be so lucky. War has erupted between the two most powerful mage families. On one side are my old enemies from House Redbriar, and you'd better believe they're out for my blood. On the other is troubled, ruthless, devastating Arcturus Nightfeld, whose dark past threatens the fragile connection growing between us.
Caught between two sides, I'll do whatever it takes to protect the ones I love. But the more desperate my enemies get, the more dangerous they grow. And I'm discovering that some evils just won't stay buried…
Note: This is a dark university age academy reverse harem novel with magic, mayhem, steam, slow burn, and a kick-ass heroine who won't go down without a fight. Same content warnings as last time, only more so.
Teresa Hann writes tales of magic and mayhem where fierce heroines win their hard-fought happy endings. She likes her storylines twisty, her worlds complex, and her romances involving at least a little stabbing. She lives in the Midwest with her family and her excessive number of houseplants.
Meh. It's okay. I don't really like our female MC, and the rest of the characters still feel wooden and unidimensional to me. There was an effort to show Acubens' deeper emotional side - and Kit's for that matter - but it didn't gel well for me. I still feel no true romantic connection between her and Dashawn. Romantic scenes felt awkward and misplaced. I don't know - I want to like it more than I do.
Then first part of the book was a bit boring, i still dont understand the relationship between Cass and her 2 guys. Still a bit unnatural But luckily romance is secondary.
The betrayals and some of the revelations i did not see coming at all, that certainly put the book in a different direction.
4.5- Thank god for that ending. The first 2/3 of the book kept my interest but left me dissatisfied with some of the relationships, but the ending really tied up some of that and was just quite the twist.
I am still so excited to learn about this world the author created. The politics and unique aspects of magic have fascinating depth for such a short book. There are plenty of PR novels out there that simply say someone had fire magic and another could read minds or whatever, and that’s as far as they really care to explore powers. But this author is killing it with her world building details and the structure of this magical world.
There is still some weakness in the romance department. I just still don’t feel any romantic connection between the MC and Acubens and Darshan. They read as a little more immature than I like. Acubens with how spoiled and naive he can be and Darshan with his timidness. Don’t get me wrong, I love both the characters and do feel like they are great friends for the MC. But I think I really need that build up and tension in the relationship before I start rooting for it to turn romantic and since we just hopped over that with those two, I’m not sure I can change my perspective.
***Spoilers below***
Now let’s talk about that ending because hell yup! That’s what I’m talking about! In the first 2/3 of the book I was struggling with my feelings toward Arcturus. There was a tension there that I appreciated, but there was also still that calculating bully. When he started letting his guard down around Cass it became even more apparent that this guy has the makings of a tyrant, not much different than her father. He does things for power and to protect the only two people he cares about. And the MC and him even discuss that his version of protecting someone is not to ensure that they are happy and cared for but that they function how he wants them to. I was both attracted to his power and mystery and repulsed by his ability to not care for anyone’s life unless it benefitted his agenda directly. So the fact that he betrays her in the end made me screech with joy. And that might make you pause and wonder how sane I am, but I love that the author showed a flawed, manipulative relationship that both attracted and repulsed me and had the guy turn out to be worse than most of her other enemies. LOVE THAT. It made me happy to know that the red flags that popped up weren’t going to just be rolled over and forgotten. I hate when a MC starts off a relationship with a guy and he displays toxic behavior, but the author says “it’s fine because he’s hot and mysterious.” That rubs me the wrong way, and I was worried Arcturus would follow that path. But thank god he’s just really a fucking monster!
Anyway, I also started to warm up to Aegis, he had the kind of growth and depth that I had been hoping Acubens would exhibit. He had done some shit things. But the author did a great job of revealing exactly what struggles he faced and his were so much more sympathetic and heartbreaking than Acubens. I’m wary of Aegis still, but also interested in seeing a possible relationship develop between him and Cass. But I just hope it’s not too rushed. Boy still has some things to atone for and trust to build again.
I also love Wraith and his interactions with Cass. There’s a part of me that is curious about him potentially joining her harem as well, but demon boy has to still build more of a relationship with her before I’d trust him.
I really hope that with Arcturus’ betrayal she will start to work on building trust and genuine relationships before she jumps and just adds someone else to her harem just because he’s nice to her and hot.
PLEASE, let the next book come out soon. I NEED IT STAT!!! 😩🙏
This series is turning out amazing so far. The best part about it is that there is real tension in the story. The author is not afraid to let the characters' actions have consequences. So whenever Cassandra or the men take a risk, as a reader I really fear for them.
Cassandra's story is an incredible one. She has managed to be bound to multiple factions but never truly belong to any. At the end of the day, she walks her own path. And that is remarkable. I like how the author takes the time to show us how Cas's real strength is her ingenuity and her perspective on things, rather than the magic in her veins. She does not underestimate human technology and she knows how to make use of the landscape to increase her chances of victory. So many of the stories in this genre just involve conflict being ended with deus-ex-machinae or the characters unearthing mysterious powers within themselves. Seeing Cas win through brain rather than brawn is very gratifying.
The other characters in the story are not as interesting as Cas. Acubens is interesting because of his past and the difficulty he has being true to himself around his power-hungry family and society. Darshan is little more than a nerd. In fact, the 'reverse harem' aspect of the series is completely pointless, and ends up detracting from the story. I would much prefer if Cas would commit to just one man, preferably Acubens. Darshan is great, but I don't see much chemistry there. It's clear the author prefers Acubens too. And Arcturus is just insane. Clearly not relationship material.
This second book helps expand on the first by introducing the political aspect of great houses feuding against each other. The only thing that slightly spoils the series for me is that Cassandra does not really have a goal or aspiration yet. It makes it seem like what we're reading now is the prologue to a really incredible tale. It doesn't seem like the story is centred around the academy either, so we have no sense of where in the grand scheme of things we are. I'd like to see a proper antagonist for this series for Cas to train and fight against -- even if that antagonist happens to be something immaterial, like the feudal-style mage society itself. But Cas is young and she can form her opinions in time.
This series is definitely worth a read. It's found a way to be different and make its own mark in a field that is already full of choices.
I really enjoyed this book. To start, I liked the way the author expanded upon the world in which they had built, showing us more about the political side of things (and the repercussions of certain events that had happened in the first book). I also liked how we got to see more of Acubens, little details like his interactions with his sister that added depth to his character and explains a bit of why he is the way that he is.
And that ending - holy cow, I did NOT see that one coming! Not only did it really open things up where the future of this story is involved, but I also see a lot of potential for a huge character development arc not only for Cass, but also potentially for Aegis, and perhaps even Arcturus as well (although I am definitely looking forward to his brother's reaction when he finds out what happened).
On the flip side of things, I will say that I felt like the first half of the story (if not more) seemed to drag on even with the things I mentioned above taking place. I think this might have been due in part because of the fact that I'm still not sold on the relati0nship that Cass has with both Acubens and Darshan (I see them more as friends/allies than romantic partners), so that part of the story took me out of the environment a bit as those scenes felt more forced than anything else.
If I take that part out of it, then I could say I had a hard time with this one also because despite everything that was "happening", nothing was happening at the same time. Yes, we know Cly is back on campus with Aegsis, and yes we know they are up to something, but the details are few and far between up until the end when they become too many that we don't get to see (seriously documents were photographed and destroyed, so we really only get bits and pieces of the full picture). I would have liked to have learned a bit more about what secrets Cly and Aegis had uncovered outside of the obvious as I just know there had to be more to it.
I already have the remaining three books on my kindle, and I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. I love how it is a more fantastic version of Cinderella. This is a dark university age academy reverse harem novel with magic, mayhem, secret identities, slow burn romance, and a kick-ass heroine on a mission. A strong yet caring heroine with an interesting assortment of suitors and a demon that needs to be freed to become part of her harem. There was no drama or angst over the heroine liking and dating more than one person. She asks them out, they agree, and that's that. Then with Darshan being openly bi no one even bats an eye (other than giving him crap for his taste in men). Twist and turns. Fighting for the downtrodden, helping the enemy house to save her mother and defeat her half sister and stepsister. But she is almost defeated by someone she did not expect. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. I can’t wait to continue reading the series. I highly recommend to everyone.
DNF @ 24%. Not sure I'll read again. Despite my reservations about the first book, I gave this one a try. Unfortunately the first sex scene was luke warm at best and I found myself not caring. Romance is very bland and I didn't feel the connection at all between Cass and her guys. Which, for a RH, means something is seriously lacking in the characters. Also way too many exclamation points that made it seem like everyone was shouting for no reason. Too bad. The plot had potential.
I was determined to read this entire series after enjoying the first one, and after months of procrastination, I read book 2. I was really bored and the likeable characters became bland. The romance seemed off and the plot was not enough to keep me engaged. Not even the ending sparked any interest. Don't get me wrong, this could be a solid read for others. But it wasn't for me.
Heir to the House, the second book of the Wraithwood Academy series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). Okay, I sorta saw some of this plot coming, but I enjoyed the journey, always wondering if I guessed some parts of the plot. Of course, I'll admit some reveals crept up on me. A quick read like the first book.
- book 2 in series - romance is somewhat lacking and the dynamics haven’t really been established between the existing relationships - plot-twist was predictable but i still found it enjoyable
Some characters fall flat and aren’t as multidimensional as the author probably intends them to be but it’s not that much of a hindrance to enjoying the story.
Oh boy! What an interesting juicy turn of events. I love that Cassandra walks in on the literal school giving head to one of her boyfriend’s brothers that she just made out with 5mins ago which ended in him putting a sword to her neck. That man is all out of sorts for real. Can’t wait to see how things pop off in the next book.
Oh wow...so that happened. Mom's safe,we think. But, Dad....What the what? Some decisions should not be made... You are gonna love this edition (segment?) of the story. Consume and follow me on to book 3 !
I was not expecting that ending.. Wow.. I am speechless. This book has so much going on that I am losing sleep trying to finish just to see what will happen next. I highly recommend this series. You won't be disappointed..
So much Happening! Alliances and enemies, what was lost is found ;p, wars beginning, injustices uncovered, and then there’s Wraith...loved this second in the series. On to book three. Highly recommend. 5 star read.
Who could have seen this ending coming? Not me! I am keen to get into the 3rd book in this ser8es as we see Cass Turner's growth and evolution into a force to be reckoned with.
I was so not expecting what happened to happen. I was on the edge of my seat yet again hoping and rooting for the outcome I wanted then boom thoughts changed and now I'm in limbo ready for the next adventure to begin
That was awesome. Battle and friendship and adventures.... Can't wait for the next one..... Because it just can't end like this. There is too much left out ...
This was exiting and entertaining and really really good. This first book was much slower, but this one I couldn’t put down until the end. I can’t wait to get the next one into my hands…
Cass returns to school under her own name, and protection of Arturus. Then Cly and Aegis return to school searching for something in the Demonology building.
3.5 Moved a bit slow but the ending was worth it. I enjoy that the books are kind of a cliff hanger but not so strong of one that you're desperate for the next book