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Breakbattle Academy #1
The Plan
Don’t piss off the Elite Class.
That wasn’t in the rulebook, but it should have been. Landon, Michael, and Cole may have the faces of angels, but a soul turns black when it’s betrayed.
The Elites have sworn to take me down, but I can’t get much lower.
Or so I thought.
Breakbattle wants us to fight and the boys are happy to oblige.
No one will help me. No one can. I either show I'm strong enough to rise, or I suffer at the bottom where I belong.
They'll try to break me. They may even succeed. But I can't leave. I can't reveal myself.
I became Zeke for one reason... and I'm not done yet.
The Plan is a reverse harem high school bully romance. This is year one in the series and features language, dark themes, and sexual scenes. If you're cool with that, dive in!
248 pages, ebook
First published December 5, 2019
993 people are currently reading
2297 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Vincent
71 books1,221 followersRuby Vincent is a published author with many novels under her belt but now she's taking a fun foray into contemporary romance. She loves saucy heroines, bold alpha males, and weaving a tale where both get their happy ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
January 26, 2020
Before we begin, I wouldn't consider this book #1. This is book #2. Orientation Week makes itself pretty relevant to the story, since this book doesn't adequately introduce what was learned in Orientation Week. Instead, it behaves as if you read that book.
So, keep that in mind: Amazon has the order right, GoodReads does not. You have to read Orientation Week or you'll probably be a bit lost and have missed out on a lot of events.
Also, I went into this series not having read Marked. So far it seems that outside of same universe connections and the therapist, Miss Val, being the heroine from the other series, there's nothing to suggest that the other series is needed to read and enjoy this one.
Anyway, as for this book, it was a pretty good read.
I like that Zela isn't just mindlessly horny towards everyone, she has meaningful relationships outside of the guys who will end up in her harem, and there's a plot that's way more focused on than the romance, which is nice, since it's allowing the relationships to unfold out of more than teenage lust.
The author is still dancing around why it is that Zela's at the school, so I feel like there's a chunk of motivation that's really left dangling because the author not telling us why Dereck is important doesn't really give us much to go on in terms of understanding why Zela is determined to stay at the school, why she's willing to go to such lengths to fight the bullies. We already know that her mom's book about the system being sexist and terrible and what not was just an in for Zela to get to the academy, even if she doesn't agree with the system, she's not passionate about changing it on her own and it is an incidental thing, not a major motivator: as she herself said, she's there for Dereck.
I think perhaps the idea that Zela is there for an education might be a secondary motivator, but, she doesn't seem to be especially invested in fighting to get into higher math classes. You'd think she would be constantly issuing challenges and working her way up from F class to D and so on until she could properly challenge the Elites. Most of what she does seems to be in favor of staying in the school and keeping close to Dereck, which feels paltry because we have no concept, beyond Zela hearing voices, of why that's important.
It also gives me a bad feeling because I'm sure the reason for Zela getting close to Dereck is something inane or irrational--like, it's gonna come out and make me groan, I can just... sense it. I'm hoping I'm wrong but, I just feel like it'll be something like "Two summers ago there was an accident and Dereck was there and he did something relevant therefore I need to get close to him" and I'll just groan because it's a stupid reason for the whole scheme.
The majority of the plot is focused on Cameron wanting to make Zela's life miserable for not falling in line with the Elites and their secret organization, the Network, and Zela fighting back, though from what I can tell, the story will really get started in the next book, since that seems to be where the more typical bully harem romance stuff will start.
I am happy to report that the bullying, right until that final incident, weren't anything especially horrific. Zela loses her belongings in battles and the Elite members bombard her with challenges and the system keeps working more in their favor than in hers, but a lot of the bullying tropes you see in other books of this nature aren't used. I'm not sure if it's because the author is just not interested in those same tired tropes or if because Zela is masquerading as a boy she didn't think the same types of harassment would apply.
The final act is a bit more intense; Zela is ganged up on by several of the Elites she knows--Michael, Cole, Zach, and Landon--as well as a few others, who beat her up in anger after thinking the acts of terror committed against them throughout the year were her doing. Zach, who is the victim of revenge porn, then rips off Zela's wetsuit, revealing her gender. She is panicking and crying and upset and is whisked away by Dereck before anything else happens, and the guys who attacked Zela are super shocked and seem to even realize they went too far by ganging up, but since this is the most intense part of the book, I wanted to mention it.
I liked that we see Adam, who now knows, comforting Zela and confirming that they're still friends. It's nice that Adam doesn't turn on her, but I hope we get some interaction between them and that the author doesn't just, ignore the revelation and act as if Adam wouldn't bat an eye at it.
I also liked that, while we do get a kiss in this book somewhat suddenly, that the author is still treating these things like crushes and not going full speed ahead into insta-love. I just wish I had more reason to feel like Zela should have something with Landon; all the guys who will become Zela's harem don't get a whole lot of time. It's more that Zela was just especially infatuated with Landon over the others, rather than because she's built up more of a relationship with him, so that's why he got in a kiss scene.
I'll be looking into the next book, since I'm interested enough to see where things are headed with it. So far, it's not just another rehashing of the same story, but a different execution of it that I hope allows for some new and interesting things to unfold.
So, keep that in mind: Amazon has the order right, GoodReads does not. You have to read Orientation Week or you'll probably be a bit lost and have missed out on a lot of events.
Also, I went into this series not having read Marked. So far it seems that outside of same universe connections and the therapist, Miss Val, being the heroine from the other series, there's nothing to suggest that the other series is needed to read and enjoy this one.
Anyway, as for this book, it was a pretty good read.
I like that Zela isn't just mindlessly horny towards everyone, she has meaningful relationships outside of the guys who will end up in her harem, and there's a plot that's way more focused on than the romance, which is nice, since it's allowing the relationships to unfold out of more than teenage lust.
The author is still dancing around why it is that Zela's at the school, so I feel like there's a chunk of motivation that's really left dangling because the author not telling us why Dereck is important doesn't really give us much to go on in terms of understanding why Zela is determined to stay at the school, why she's willing to go to such lengths to fight the bullies. We already know that her mom's book about the system being sexist and terrible and what not was just an in for Zela to get to the academy, even if she doesn't agree with the system, she's not passionate about changing it on her own and it is an incidental thing, not a major motivator: as she herself said, she's there for Dereck.
I think perhaps the idea that Zela is there for an education might be a secondary motivator, but, she doesn't seem to be especially invested in fighting to get into higher math classes. You'd think she would be constantly issuing challenges and working her way up from F class to D and so on until she could properly challenge the Elites. Most of what she does seems to be in favor of staying in the school and keeping close to Dereck, which feels paltry because we have no concept, beyond Zela hearing voices, of why that's important.
It also gives me a bad feeling because I'm sure the reason for Zela getting close to Dereck is something inane or irrational--like, it's gonna come out and make me groan, I can just... sense it. I'm hoping I'm wrong but, I just feel like it'll be something like "Two summers ago there was an accident and Dereck was there and he did something relevant therefore I need to get close to him" and I'll just groan because it's a stupid reason for the whole scheme.
The majority of the plot is focused on Cameron wanting to make Zela's life miserable for not falling in line with the Elites and their secret organization, the Network, and Zela fighting back, though from what I can tell, the story will really get started in the next book, since that seems to be where the more typical bully harem romance stuff will start.
I am happy to report that the bullying, right until that final incident, weren't anything especially horrific. Zela loses her belongings in battles and the Elite members bombard her with challenges and the system keeps working more in their favor than in hers, but a lot of the bullying tropes you see in other books of this nature aren't used. I'm not sure if it's because the author is just not interested in those same tired tropes or if because Zela is masquerading as a boy she didn't think the same types of harassment would apply.
The final act is a bit more intense; Zela is ganged up on by several of the Elites she knows--Michael, Cole, Zach, and Landon--as well as a few others, who beat her up in anger after thinking the acts of terror committed against them throughout the year were her doing. Zach, who is the victim of revenge porn, then rips off Zela's wetsuit, revealing her gender. She is panicking and crying and upset and is whisked away by Dereck before anything else happens, and the guys who attacked Zela are super shocked and seem to even realize they went too far by ganging up, but since this is the most intense part of the book, I wanted to mention it.
I liked that we see Adam, who now knows, comforting Zela and confirming that they're still friends. It's nice that Adam doesn't turn on her, but I hope we get some interaction between them and that the author doesn't just, ignore the revelation and act as if Adam wouldn't bat an eye at it.
I also liked that, while we do get a kiss in this book somewhat suddenly, that the author is still treating these things like crushes and not going full speed ahead into insta-love. I just wish I had more reason to feel like Zela should have something with Landon; all the guys who will become Zela's harem don't get a whole lot of time. It's more that Zela was just especially infatuated with Landon over the others, rather than because she's built up more of a relationship with him, so that's why he got in a kiss scene.
I'll be looking into the next book, since I'm interested enough to see where things are headed with it. So far, it's not just another rehashing of the same story, but a different execution of it that I hope allows for some new and interesting things to unfold.
August 18, 2020
Oh man, I just finished the last book of the series after binge-reading them all and now I have to write reviews. I'll try my best to remember what happened in each and for that I'm glad I was buddy reading this series because I would be lost otherwise.
The Plan starts with our main character Zela starting her first year as an F student in this Academy where students are classed with a different letter during Orientation Week which you'll have to read before this book. Zela is going to this Academy dressed as a boy and pretending to be Zeke. I was a little stressed about the battles and tournament and after being rejected from the network, the Elites boys are going to be a bit of a pain in her ass. They'll be battling her in history, her worst subject. No need to say, Zela is determined to learn even though she has to endure many losing battles. In The Plan, students are allowed (for a time) to battle for personal things and that's not good for her. The few little things her mom bought her to make her room better will be up for grabs. Thankfully, her and Adam are friends and roommates. Derek was my favorite of the guys since the rest of them were pretty much doing the dirty work for Cameron who was an asshole, as usual. I loved the banter she has with Derek but this book left me wondering why she was so obsessed with him in the first place!
Some things happen in the Academy and like expected, Also, that last chapter was violent and horrible. I was pretty much sobbing while reading it. I loved Landon and their first kiss was to die for but then the ending happened and I was in shock. I grabbed the next book immediately.
The Plan starts with our main character Zela starting her first year as an F student in this Academy where students are classed with a different letter during Orientation Week which you'll have to read before this book. Zela is going to this Academy dressed as a boy and pretending to be Zeke. I was a little stressed about the battles and tournament and after being rejected from the network, the Elites boys are going to be a bit of a pain in her ass. They'll be battling her in history, her worst subject. No need to say, Zela is determined to learn even though she has to endure many losing battles. In The Plan, students are allowed (for a time) to battle for personal things and that's not good for her. The few little things her mom bought her to make her room better will be up for grabs. Thankfully, her and Adam are friends and roommates. Derek was my favorite of the guys since the rest of them were pretty much doing the dirty work for Cameron who was an asshole, as usual. I loved the banter she has with Derek but this book left me wondering why she was so obsessed with him in the first place!
Some things happen in the Academy and like expected, Also, that last chapter was violent and horrible. I was pretty much sobbing while reading it. I loved Landon and their first kiss was to die for but then the ending happened and I was in shock. I grabbed the next book immediately.
October 22, 2021
That ending was unexpected. The story is surprisingly going well.
September 3, 2020
Well damn that end packed a punch, literally! I did not foresee Zeke/Zela getting her ass so severely kicked like that especially not while Landon and Cole just stood by. Gahhhhh I’m so frustrated but 100% sucked in now hook line and all that jazz. I’m dying to see how things proceed from here. A few of the boys now know Zeke is really a girl but what that means for her or her enrollment in the boys school is up in the air. I’m still so shocked by Landon and at the same time even more blown away when Derek was the one coming to Zeke’s rescue. 🤯🤯 The behind the scenes villain I thought was very obvious and so was Zeke getting mysteriously blamed for being the prankster and then finding “evidence” in his room, in stuff (personal possessions) that the shit ass excuse for a principal let the real bullies strip from Zeke. Guys like Cameron never give up and they’re just vile to the core. He needs to be taken down but until Zeke can figure out how he’ll continue ruling the school. I’m not sure where things stand on many fronts and I hope this if anything toughens Zeke even more. I mean until now he’s really been underestimating this place and the cruelty and vehemence of boys especially those with an inflated ego and any type of power. If one good thing is to be taken from what happened to her I’m glad she knows Adam and Derek are actually legit and decent human beings. The others especially Landon now will have a lot to prove for forgiveness, no matter they thought she was a boy or not. A quick thought should have made Landon pause, if Zeke was guilty of such atrocities why would he still be going about his day at school like nothing happened. I’m so enraged and equally obsessed and can’t wait to see what happened next. Also I really hope we get to learn more of her moms book about this experience. Honestly given the way Mr Whittaker the principal runs this place, I hope it all blows up in his face. This whole battle concept in fiction is riveting and I can’t look away but to actually enforce something like in reality I’m sure would be extremely deadly and scary as hell to imagine. Off to the next book, can’t wait to see what happens 🧐🧐🧐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2020
Just keeps getting better.
And we STILL don’t know what happened that fateful day? night? business day? weekend? Whatever it was that is the reason for Zela being at Breakbattle.
BUT I AM DYING TO KNOW,
Is Landon gay? Or can he see right through Zeke?
That’s confusing.
but I can’t freakin wait to find the fuck out.
Cameron Dupre enacts his TRUE plan and thankfully there are smart women like Miss Moon who question the narrative and don’t immediately jump to conclusions like a certain Mr. Wittacker..
*clears throat*
AHEM.
AND THEY SAY WE WOMEN JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS.
I beg to fucking differ.
Question everything, ladies.
So Derek and Adam now know the only thing hanging on Zeke’s body are her boobs cause she doesn’t have balls. Welcome, Zela.
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Also, Zach can get fucked.
Also also, this is a hella slow burn romance in case anyone was wondering.
And we STILL don’t know what happened that fateful day? night? business day? weekend? Whatever it was that is the reason for Zela being at Breakbattle.
BUT I AM DYING TO KNOW,
Is Landon gay? Or can he see right through Zeke?
That’s confusing.
but I can’t freakin wait to find the fuck out.
Cameron Dupre enacts his TRUE plan and thankfully there are smart women like Miss Moon who question the narrative and don’t immediately jump to conclusions like a certain Mr. Wittacker..
*clears throat*
AHEM.
AND THEY SAY WE WOMEN JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS.
I beg to fucking differ.
Question everything, ladies.
So Derek and Adam now know the only thing hanging on Zeke’s body are her boobs cause she doesn’t have balls. Welcome, Zela.
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Also, Zach can get fucked.
Also also, this is a hella slow burn romance in case anyone was wondering.
December 7, 2019
- queen of making me stay up late to read when i should really be asleep
- (i mean i always do that but that’s irrelevant)
- also queen of LEAVING ME HANGING ALL THE TIME
- I’M SICK OF IT
- AND THEN SHE’S VAGUE WITH THE DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE NEXT BOOK TOO???
- AND THERE’S REALLY NO UPDATES UNTIL THE BOOKS JUST DROP???
- WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH MY LIFE??
- 15/10 appreciate zela’s friendship with adam
- actually her relationships with all the (important) guys are lovely
- you always have to second guess them
- 20/10 appreciate val and the boys’ appearance forever and always
- even tho it’s still kind of similar to evergreen (enough where people might find it boring or annoying) i still like it but also still want a little more originality
- ngl at this point i trust ruby with my life
- so.... do we really have to wait until january for the next book?
- (i mean i always do that but that’s irrelevant)
- also queen of LEAVING ME HANGING ALL THE TIME
- I’M SICK OF IT
- AND THEN SHE’S VAGUE WITH THE DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE NEXT BOOK TOO???
- AND THERE’S REALLY NO UPDATES UNTIL THE BOOKS JUST DROP???
- WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH MY LIFE??
- 15/10 appreciate zela’s friendship with adam
- actually her relationships with all the (important) guys are lovely
- you always have to second guess them
- 20/10 appreciate val and the boys’ appearance forever and always
- even tho it’s still kind of similar to evergreen (enough where people might find it boring or annoying) i still like it but also still want a little more originality
- ngl at this point i trust ruby with my life
- so.... do we really have to wait until january for the next book?
September 8, 2020
3.5 stars. buddy read
Wow, for a book that is under 300 pages the author fits in so much. A lot of drama, pranks, and Zela trying to find her place in the academy. I'm really liking and hating some characters, and really interested in how the story will continue with that twist in the end.
Wow, for a book that is under 300 pages the author fits in so much. A lot of drama, pranks, and Zela trying to find her place in the academy. I'm really liking and hating some characters, and really interested in how the story will continue with that twist in the end.
August 23, 2020
Wow, I flew through The Plan. It also doesn't hurt that they are pretty short books either.
Okay, so I was sooooo excited to dive into this book. Especially after reading The Orientation. In it, you will meet Zela, who is pretending to be a boy name Zeke at this school. Yeah, she is still trying to convince her mom that this is research for her book but that's a bunch of bull. I mean yeah, this whole battle system at this school is beyond ridiculous. Yet, I ate it all up and I can't wait to dive into the next book of this series.
Honestly, the entire time I was devouring this book I kept waiting for her identity to be found out. It was bound to happen and I was freaking prepared for it all. These guys are gunning for her and they are such assholes with their silver spoons shoved up their assholes. When they started to get closer to her.. I just didn't see it going well. Yeah, they might be developing feelings or creating rock solid friendships with him but the day they find out he's a she - shit will hit the fan.
I couldn't wait!
In the end, it happened and I need the next book to see what the hell is going to happen next.
Okay, so I was sooooo excited to dive into this book. Especially after reading The Orientation. In it, you will meet Zela, who is pretending to be a boy name Zeke at this school. Yeah, she is still trying to convince her mom that this is research for her book but that's a bunch of bull. I mean yeah, this whole battle system at this school is beyond ridiculous. Yet, I ate it all up and I can't wait to dive into the next book of this series.
Honestly, the entire time I was devouring this book I kept waiting for her identity to be found out. It was bound to happen and I was freaking prepared for it all. These guys are gunning for her and they are such assholes with their silver spoons shoved up their assholes. When they started to get closer to her.. I just didn't see it going well. Yeah, they might be developing feelings or creating rock solid friendships with him but the day they find out he's a she - shit will hit the fan.
I couldn't wait!
In the end, it happened and I need the next book to see what the hell is going to happen next.
April 20, 2021
Gripping storyline
After reading the prologue, I was excited to jump into this. Things got crazy right away and my heart went out to Zila. She was just trying to make friends and survive and she kept being targeted. Some of the boys made me want to jump into the story and strangle for being so horrible.
Luckily, Zila was able to make friends and start to succeed in the battle school. I'm looking forward to some romance, but since she's pretending to be a boy, I'm not sure how that will go.
The ending had a lot going on and a big reveal, so I'll be jumping into book two right away!
After reading the prologue, I was excited to jump into this. Things got crazy right away and my heart went out to Zila. She was just trying to make friends and survive and she kept being targeted. Some of the boys made me want to jump into the story and strangle for being so horrible.
Luckily, Zila was able to make friends and start to succeed in the battle school. I'm looking forward to some romance, but since she's pretending to be a boy, I'm not sure how that will go.
The ending had a lot going on and a big reveal, so I'll be jumping into book two right away!
February 24, 2025
What I really don't like is the utter lack of romance in this "dark bully romance." There's absolutely no romantic storyline involving the main character if you don't count one awkward kiss at 90% into the book.
This was interesting. It had sabotage, pranks, bullies, drama, and most of all, friends who did not give up on each other.
Zeke/Zela was being targeted, and even the principal thought he was behind all the stuff that happened.
Online audiobook 🎶
This was interesting. It had sabotage, pranks, bullies, drama, and most of all, friends who did not give up on each other.
Zeke/Zela was being targeted, and even the principal thought he was behind all the stuff that happened.
Online audiobook 🎶
April 29, 2025
Again no spice in this book!
I found it kind of boring until the very end.I do like zeke/zela As a character but she's not always Strong when she's at home with her mom and cousin Jordan.
I found it kind of boring until the very end.I do like zeke/zela As a character but she's not always Strong when she's at home with her mom and cousin Jordan.
October 14, 2022
How the mighty have fallen. Zee went from being tapped for the exclusive Elite ranking to walking the halls of the F ranking class with her best friend. Lucky she has Adam because having to deal with the severe lack of privileges and the dumbed down education of the Fs she would have gone crazy. Eventually, even while having been sequestered to the F class the Elites are still out for revenge. They want to make her suffer for betraying them and Zee takes it at first. The Elites start battling her knowing she has no hope of winning to steal what meager possessions she has to her name. Eventually Zee can't take it anymore and she starts studying harder and practicing longer so she can start winning her possessions back. But that is not her ultimate goal. However, her ultimate goal may push the Elites too far and they may retaliate in the worst ways possible. Can Zee stay strong?
If it was possible I liked this book even less than the other. I kept waiting for the heat. The marketing for the series was a Bully High School Reverse Harem. I saw the Bully. I saw the High School. I see no Reverse Harem. I mean, I could see the making of one but the book was so focused on that battle system and harping on how it worked and how Zee was going to manipulate it to get what she wants, it got tedious. The Bullying didn't even come from the potential love interests like most Bully Reverse Harems tend to be. It was from an outside antagonist. This installment really put the romance on the back burner and made it hard to continue reading. There was just soul to the book. If someone read this book without the prequel they'd have no idea what was going on. That's not really good for a first book the series.
That being said, I was very weirded out by Zee's obsession with Derek. I had no idea why she was hot to trot for him other than him being hot. They waffled between affection and almost a familial bond which made it very unclear whether he was going to potentially be a part of the harem later down the road or if he was gonna be a best friend and Adam would become the love interest. I guess that was good to keep readers guessing but...
The Plan should not be read without reading Orientation Week first or the battle system will be completely confusing. Unfortunately, it was more about plot points and less about the romance genre we all want.
May 3, 2020
Damn. I really wanna jump onto the next one. I liked it. Other than the end and Zach, the bullying comes in the form of battles. I like how the guys are eased back into it. Will be interesting to see where things go from here. Favourite character was Derek. I like their bonding scenes.
September 10, 2020
Omg. That last ten percent had me reeling with anticipation.
But let me get this point out of the way first: this is not a dark reverse harem story. Maybe it is a reverse harem LATER but this is the second book. I don’t even know if this is labeled as new adult or young adult, but I think it still should be a New Adult read for sure. My lower rating encompasses this false promoted idea that this was a dark reverse harem book. I just really appreciate when authors promote their book correctly.
Ok so on to the review.
I really enjoyed this teenage drama. I still do not think these characters act their age like at all. They are suppose to be freshman in high school and I can not see that at all. I feel like the author could have fast forward some of the plot in these same characters if their age was around junior year (17 yrs old). Then the author could have more freedom to be a little risky, if that makes sense.
The writing style of this author seems no different from others, but I do like the mystery aspect of this. I keep on guessing things but then my guesses always change, which is great! I love when an author can successfully surprise me, even on the little things.
I enjoyed this second installment. Off to the next one! This is a quick read so might as well.
4.0 star rating.
But let me get this point out of the way first: this is not a dark reverse harem story. Maybe it is a reverse harem LATER but this is the second book. I don’t even know if this is labeled as new adult or young adult, but I think it still should be a New Adult read for sure. My lower rating encompasses this false promoted idea that this was a dark reverse harem book. I just really appreciate when authors promote their book correctly.
Ok so on to the review.
I really enjoyed this teenage drama. I still do not think these characters act their age like at all. They are suppose to be freshman in high school and I can not see that at all. I feel like the author could have fast forward some of the plot in these same characters if their age was around junior year (17 yrs old). Then the author could have more freedom to be a little risky, if that makes sense.
The writing style of this author seems no different from others, but I do like the mystery aspect of this. I keep on guessing things but then my guesses always change, which is great! I love when an author can successfully surprise me, even on the little things.
I enjoyed this second installment. Off to the next one! This is a quick read so might as well.
4.0 star rating.
January 20, 2021
The slow burn continues... the plot thickens. I'm definitely still hooked!
April 9, 2021
IMPORTANT: Do NOT read this book if you're triggered by bullying, assualt, or stuff like that!!
The story
So the story starts where Orientation Week left off; Zela goes back home after the blow-up with Cameron, missing her placement test and becoming an F-er (and no, that isn't me cursing, that's what they're called). She goes back to Breakbattle Academy, learning quickly what life in the F-group means and what it means to piss off the Elites.
In my opinion is it very important that you've read Orientation Week, even though it's book 0.5, it gives a LOT of background information you'd otherwise miss. It explains the whole school and how everything works, so I'm glad I read that one first, because it isn't really explained in this one.
Again, I don't have a lot to say about the story. I loved it. It kept me on edge, wanting to figure out what happend to Zela and what those little weird flashbacks are. Seriously, what happend? And why is she after Derek?
Besides that, I am taking one star off because I absolutely hated how she was treated. I know it's a high-school bullying book, but it made me really uncomfortable. This is definitely my own fault, but it just made me like the book a little less. Especially the ending,
I also hated Cameron's plan. It was obvious where it was going, but I hated it so much. Damn. But I must say, everyone battling her was quite cool, and how Zola picked herself up and fought for it, I love it. But it was really hard to read about how they kept picking on her..
That being said, I loved, LOVED, some of the characters, and let me tell you why;
The characters
Zela is still her witty self, and I adore it. Even though she's placed in F, she still has this great friend group who support her no matter what. Love it. The way she improves herself so she can kick everyone's ass is just great to me. Adam is still one of my favorites, especially because of that ending.
The story
So the story starts where Orientation Week left off; Zela goes back home after the blow-up with Cameron, missing her placement test and becoming an F-er (and no, that isn't me cursing, that's what they're called). She goes back to Breakbattle Academy, learning quickly what life in the F-group means and what it means to piss off the Elites.
In my opinion is it very important that you've read Orientation Week, even though it's book 0.5, it gives a LOT of background information you'd otherwise miss. It explains the whole school and how everything works, so I'm glad I read that one first, because it isn't really explained in this one.
Again, I don't have a lot to say about the story. I loved it. It kept me on edge, wanting to figure out what happend to Zela and what those little weird flashbacks are. Seriously, what happend? And why is she after Derek?
Besides that, I am taking one star off because I absolutely hated how she was treated. I know it's a high-school bullying book, but it made me really uncomfortable. This is definitely my own fault, but it just made me like the book a little less. Especially the ending,
I also hated Cameron's plan. It was obvious where it was going, but I hated it so much. Damn. But I must say, everyone battling her was quite cool, and how Zola picked herself up and fought for it, I love it. But it was really hard to read about how they kept picking on her..
That being said, I loved, LOVED, some of the characters, and let me tell you why;
The characters
Zela is still her witty self, and I adore it. Even though she's placed in F, she still has this great friend group who support her no matter what. Love it. The way she improves herself so she can kick everyone's ass is just great to me. Adam is still one of my favorites, especially because of that ending.
December 7, 2019
This is an awesome story of a girl who will take on the bullies and win in her own epic style.
The characters are developing beautifully and the personalities are showing truer every chapter.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves this genre.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters are developing beautifully and the personalities are showing truer every chapter.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves this genre.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 30, 2020
READ ORIENTATION BEFORE READING THIS BOOK!!!!! Doing dots because of a couple spoilers.
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Alright, welcome aboard the crazy train. This series is wild for me. Good lord there are a lot of battles at Breakbattle Academy. You couldn't force me to attend. Nope, I don't care how many swinging dicks are around me. Landon has me confused on whether I'm team Zeke or team Zela. I'm still squinty eyed about the Derek conundrum because the mc is tight lipped about what is going on there. I find it a little hard to believe close friends would turn that hard viscous on you that fast. Due to needing answers I must continue. I am enjoying the authors writing style, but the story-line is starting to get crazy.
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Alright, welcome aboard the crazy train. This series is wild for me. Good lord there are a lot of battles at Breakbattle Academy. You couldn't force me to attend. Nope, I don't care how many swinging dicks are around me. Landon has me confused on whether I'm team Zeke or team Zela. I'm still squinty eyed about the Derek conundrum because the mc is tight lipped about what is going on there. I find it a little hard to believe close friends would turn that hard viscous on you that fast. Due to needing answers I must continue. I am enjoying the authors writing style, but the story-line is starting to get crazy.
January 25, 2021
I enjoyed this book! The bullying wasn’t incredibly extreme, which I always like, and didn’t come much from what we expect to be her harem. They were involved almost against their will, but for minor things, like challenging her to battles, and they all help her better her skills.
I really enjoyed her friendship with Adam, and I’m kind of sad to see him not be in her group lol. He would’ve been the nicest guy, and even then I wish we got to see more of his relationship with Melody play out.
I just finished the series, but in this book we don’t understand her obsession with Derek. He’s my favorite, I love their banter and how close they get.
The end of this though, was intense. It would be traumatic for anyone, and kind of leads me to not want to ever forgive her guys. It’ll be a long road to redemption.
I really enjoyed her friendship with Adam, and I’m kind of sad to see him not be in her group lol. He would’ve been the nicest guy, and even then I wish we got to see more of his relationship with Melody play out.
I just finished the series, but in this book we don’t understand her obsession with Derek. He’s my favorite, I love their banter and how close they get.
The end of this though, was intense. It would be traumatic for anyone, and kind of leads me to not want to ever forgive her guys. It’ll be a long road to redemption.
April 12, 2020
It didn't surprise me that Mr Asshole remains an asshole and tried to sabotage her and frame her in every way.
I didn't expected to enjoy these series so much! (Also Ive never read such harem stories before.)
I'm glad Val is here. She'll be able to help MC since she knows how fucked up a school can be.
off to the next book!
I didn't expected to enjoy these series so much! (Also Ive never read such harem stories before.)
I'm glad Val is here. She'll be able to help MC since she knows how fucked up a school can be.
off to the next book!
December 7, 2025
3,5 étoiles. Un 2e tome un peu plus consistant que le premier, qui finalement, ne servait véritablement que d'introduction. Zeke/Zela commence enfin sa première année à la Breakbattle Academy et autant dire qu'elle est bien mouvementé. Zeke s'est fait pas mal d'ennemis de la classe Élite qui n'hésite pas à la défier pour la harceler. On fait un peu plus la connaissance de tout un panel de garçons avec chacun une particularité et mon préféré reste Derek.
Ce que j'ai aimé : la combativité de Zeke, qui a une sacrée force de caractère et qui sait également se tisser de très beaux liens d'amitié avec ses camarades de la classe F. Dont, son coloc, Adam. J'aime leur relation forte, mais qui n'a rien de romantique.
Les défis, les entrainements sont passionnants. On ne sait toujours pas vraiment le vrai but de Zeke dans l'histoire et on a hâte de le connaitre !
Le moins : c'est trop court et il y a pas mal de coquilles et de fautes de traductions. Mais ça reste lisible à lire et n'entache pas le plaisir de lecture.
Ce que j'ai aimé : la combativité de Zeke, qui a une sacrée force de caractère et qui sait également se tisser de très beaux liens d'amitié avec ses camarades de la classe F. Dont, son coloc, Adam. J'aime leur relation forte, mais qui n'a rien de romantique.
Les défis, les entrainements sont passionnants. On ne sait toujours pas vraiment le vrai but de Zeke dans l'histoire et on a hâte de le connaitre !
Le moins : c'est trop court et il y a pas mal de coquilles et de fautes de traductions. Mais ça reste lisible à lire et n'entache pas le plaisir de lecture.
March 27, 2021
Tan rápido como lo compré, se fue.
Estoy indignada porque no esperaba que la sorpresa se revelara así. Tenía en mente miles de escenas pero esta, la que tocó, me dolió. De hecho, aún tengo lágrimas en mis ojitos.
Es difícil comentar algo más sin hacer spoilers, así que, lo dejaré así.
Iré por el otro libro ahora, porque ya que la sorpresa fue revelada, como ksjxksdb las cosas serán desarrolladas…
Estoy indignada porque no esperaba que la sorpresa se revelara así. Tenía en mente miles de escenas pero esta, la que tocó, me dolió. De hecho, aún tengo lágrimas en mis ojitos.
Es difícil comentar algo más sin hacer spoilers, así que, lo dejaré así.
Iré por el otro libro ahora, porque ya que la sorpresa fue revelada, como ksjxksdb las cosas serán desarrolladas…
March 25, 2024
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
👿
Some great characters in this series, but also some you just want to slap some sense into.
Love Zela/Zeke very strong and opinionated, but perfectly balanced.
Her men are great but not her men yet , they need a bit more flesh.
Slow moving but that’s ok, there’s a lot to unpack in this plot line.
💋💋
👿
Some great characters in this series, but also some you just want to slap some sense into.
Love Zela/Zeke very strong and opinionated, but perfectly balanced.
Her men are great but not her men yet , they need a bit more flesh.
Slow moving but that’s ok, there’s a lot to unpack in this plot line.
August 16, 2021
THIS SERIES OMFG.
I’m literally OBSESSED
This review is going to be doozy.
I have way to much to lay out on the table right now to care about word-limits and such.
Following the events of O-week (re: prequel), our main girl (or guy, whatever) returns to Breakbattle academy to start her freshman year.
Zeke may have had a shot at Elite classe before but due to his “disloyalty” to Cameron and the fact that he failed almost all the physical tests, Zeke is stating off the year in F CLASS
Big yikes!
They were not kidding about the F’s having absolutely 0 privileges throughout the school; this also extends to the state of their dorms… (by them I mean, Adam and Zeke).
“The only thing that greeted us in this minuscule space other than the bare metal-framed twin beds and the wooden trunks that lay before them, were the cracks in the plaster walls and the dust coating the single ceiling fan.” .
The school believes this will push them to battle and make their way up the ranks, if they have what it takes.
However, Zeke’s mom is not pleased and sets out to buy her a few pieces of furniture, clean sheets, and a new mattress.
The staff inform all the students about the rules and regulations of battle and within this criteria, lies the concept of the tournament.
“You and the challenger must compete in every subject and sport trial just as you did during orientation week, and if the challenger wins, they will trade places with the one they challenge and begin the school year in their new class.” .
I don’t know how or when, I just know that this will come into play at some point; I’m just hoping that it is for Zeke’s benefit, since he can’t get much lower than he is now.
At this point in time, we still have NO CLUE what happened to Zeke for her to seek redemption at Breakbattle academy; what we do know however, is the fact that Zeke is doing this for reasons related to Derek. The boy who faked his death, while going along with the tests of loyalty Cam had created for the Elite recruits.
“You’ve summed up Cameron Dupre perfectly. Exceptionally cruel and devious.”
Even though Zeke and Adam are the outcasts from the elite recruits for ratting, Derek makes it known to Zeke (at the end of book 0.1) that he appreciated what he did for him (even if it was a prank); thus, he made it clear that he would be on Zekes side if it came down to it.
FUCKING SWOON.
The other guys who didn’t rat Cam out (I.e. Cole, Michael, and Landon) made it to the Elite class for their freshman year. Meaning they predictably don’t associate with Zeke due to his F status.
“ …the fact remained that Derek was the only person to come speak to me after everything went down. The others hadn’t said a word so I didn’t know how we left things.” .
I have a feeling these four men (including Derek) will form her little harem eventually and when I say I’m ABSOLUTELY LIVING for the intensity of this slow-burn, I’m hardly exaggerating.
Derek is a man after my own heart for real.
It only becomes more clear how badly Cam wants to mete out justice for the display of disloyalty carried out by Zeke and Adam.
Zeke is the target obviously, when Cam make his ire known.
“I bolted up, shouting as ice-cold milk went in my eyes, nose, and hair.
“Don’t think this is the end,” a silken voice said.
“I’ve got more planned for you snitches.””
We immediately know how this is going to go when Landon approches Zeke and let’s him know that he’s not mad at him at all before he apologizes and then, proceeds to challenge Zeke to his first battle of the year.
“I looked up at him in confusion as he cleared his throat.
“Zeke Manning,” he said clearly.
“I challenge you to a battle. .
This comes as a shock to Zeke because not only does he struggle in the subject Landon chooses but also, because Zeke is an F, he literally has no privileges to give.
At least we thought…
He challenges her to a history test, which she fails miserably and then Zeke chooses soccer, which Landon has brushed up on over the break so… he crushed her.
Since she had no privileges to give, she was forced to give her dorm chair away.
Zeke and Derek are getting closer, as he and Zeke have been spending more time together. He is still a tough shell the crack but she is slowly but surely breaking through that exterior, one small fissure at a time; clearly keeping in mind her end-goal.
Which we STILL DON’T KNOW.
“Right now, nothing mattered more than getting close to Derek, but I had done the hard part. He was beginning to see me as a friend and soon he would open up to me completely.”
Derek what did you do…..
Cam doesn’t just stop at Zeke though.
Following Adam’s confession of love for Melody, Cam latched onto that and used it against him as retribution.
By that, I mean he’s fucking Melody and rubbing it in Adam’s adorable face.
What and absolute fucker.
“I stared at his retreating back as it finally dawned on me who I was dealing with. He said the Elite needed to find weaknesses and exploit them ruthlessly.
But this was ruthless on a level that made me physically sick.”
Cam sure does know where to hit to make it hurt like hell.
This becomes even more evident when he tasks the other guys in her old friend group (now elites) to challenge her to battles as well. They all choose history, she fails each battle and loses a possession each time; Cam is essentially stripping her bare of her furniture and necessities for living, as means of breaking her down.
“And every time you lose, you’ll be forced to accept it. You’ll trudge back to this shit heap, go into your empty room, and know you couldn’t defend yourself or your stuff because you’re an F. F is where you belong. F is what you are.”
Zeke is feeling really defeated at this point and I have to agree with that sentiment.
Thank GOD for bad ass bestie/cousins who inspire us to be better and encourage us to not take this lying down.
“You can fight back… If you need to learn history, then read every history textbook in that school. I’ll even help you study. If you need to get better at sports, then woman up and get someone to teach you like those rich boys did. You turn the tables on them and you start taking their shit!” .
Jordan makes some fucking good points and Zeke is going to take that advice to the fullest extent.
Zeke manages to get Derek to accept his proposal first, where he will be coaching her on how to play basketball like a pro. Speaking of which, things are getting weird with them. I feel like the sexual tension is there and Derek is feeling it but he’s unsure how to go about it, or maybe he’s confused because he thinks Zeke is a legit boy but has some feelings for her.
He starts to push away and it’s painful to experience.
“”I’m just glad you’re okay.”
He smiled back at me for a moment, then it faded.
He looked away. “You should go. The court is closed while they fix the gym so we can’t practice.””
DEREK? Baby, what is you doing???
Next she tackles the Michael situation by nudging into his presence as she runs on the track field in the mornings with him. At first he rejects her running with him but eventually he comes around and joins her; effectively closing some of the gap that has grown between them since O-week.
“I cracked a smile. “I thought you were ignoring me.”
To my surprise, he smiled back. “Keep pace with me. I’ll slow it down for you.”” .
YES QUEEN.
Get all the tips you need to kick Cams ass.
Zeke feels ready enough and he makes his first battle declaration, seeking the privilege of a spot on the advanced math club (one that Santi belongs to). Miles, the challengee thinks she’s joking and insists she take it back.
Not today honey.
“I’m not taking it back. You don’t need to worry about embarrassing me. I’ve lost eight battles already. So you should accept now or I’m going to start thinking it’s you who is afraid of losing.”
Come ON NOW!
Low and fucking behold!!
She WINS.
Her hard work and insane studying is paying off now that she’s in the math club.
Although, Cam is not thrilled with the development of hers. He is fuming and puts Zach up to battling Zeke for her spot back. However, the teacher made it clear that her spot is permanent and that’s when they amp up the battles to start taking shit that REALLY matters to her… like her fucking DEODORANT.
“We haven’t gotten to your towels, clothes, toothbrush. Peterson will run your foul-smelling ass out of the club all on her own.”
I honestly felt second-hand embarrassment like no other when she explained how people avoided her because of how she was SMELLING!!
“It was everything in me not to cry when I walked into the lunchroom and the boys gave me a wide berth, even going so far as to vacate the tables around me when I sat down.”
Bloody hell.
That’s some real bully shit right there.
Next on the docket is Cole.
He is a bit touchy and cold towards Zeke but once she plants the seed that Cam is a common enemy, he bites and starts to loosen up towards her.
“”You like me.”
“Shut up.”
“You want to be my friend.”
Cole made a strangled noise.
“I swear you’re the weirdest guy I’ve ever met.””
On top of that, Landon is helping her out with wrestling techniques.
This is progress!
Zeke is on a fucking roll though and she manages to get back all her dorm stuff from battling. Cameron is obviously not happy with the way things are going but he really didn’t expect what she had in store next.
“I lifted my chin and looked him full in the face.
“I’m challenging you to a battle, Cameron Dupre.”
For the first time since I met him, Cameron’s face went slack with shock.
“What the fuck did you just say?”” .
WOOO, what a badass bitch! She’s shaking and moving things up now!
The terms themselves are simple.
If Zeke loses, he leaves the academy and gives Cam the public apology he wanted.
If Zeke wins however….
“I flashed Cameron a smile. “I want his chair.””
LOVE that she chose something so invaluable; the wit to pick something so menial over a battle so major is fucking epic.
Derek is upset with the news about Zeke’s battle with Cam. He confronts her with something that looks suspiciously like feelings .
“”You’re just going to leave?”
The question struck me like tiny daggers.
I didn’t want to leave.
I came here for him and there was still more I needed to do.
“No,” I said. “I’m just going to win.”” .
She predictably ACES the math test and during the basketball game one-on-one with Cam, she loses by a few points.
Cam is ready to glory in the win until…
“”You will not be leaving the academy.”
I froze. What did she just say?
“What?!”
“Zeke Manning has won the battle.””
*Cue shrieking*
FUCK YEAH!
Her plan came into place PERFECTLY.
When she laid out her well-executed plans to her cousin, I am thoroughly impressed with her strategy.
“The first step was getting Derek and the boys to help train me. A bunch of angry guys pissed at being used, plus a chance to get him back, equals help on my sports game.
“Step two was getting into the Archimedean Club…”
“Getting into the club was leverage that led to step three.
Add one principal who sees us as guinea pigs, an arrogant alpha held back from striking directly against me, and an offer he couldn’t refuse. All of that equaled a final battle to put an end to it once and for all.”
She thought she really did something there… until an extremely brutal relaxation crashes down on her.
I guess one could call it a CLIFFHANGER (I will get to this).
Meanwhile, things start to get hairy when the elites are being targeted and pranked; they are realizing that, it occurs at every sporting event and only targets the elites.
The Elite benches in the gym break underneath them causing some to be injured, Cole’s swimming suit is tampered with and he has to drop out of the meet, Landon’s contact solution is chemically altered affecting his ability to wrestle, and poor Michael is drugged before he goes unconscious and Injures his head, effectively preventing him from racing.
The calling card left behind on these acts is an upside down “A”, or the math symbol that represents “for all”.
This is not looking good for Zeke honestly.
Investigations are under way by the faculty due to the nature and severity of the pranks on their most adored and respected students.
OMG OKAY.
I really did not SEE THIS COMING.
I mean, I knew there was some sexual tension between Derek and Zeke but I didn’t realize that it had also progressed as much with Landon!
“Do it, Zela. Tell him who you are. Say, Landon, I’m a girl. I would have gone all four years without telling you, but denying how I feel is driving me crazy. I want to be with you.
I opened my mouth. “Landon—”
Landon’s lips crashed down on mine.”
AHHHHHHH.
Sweating at this point, the steaminess is real y’all.
I’m so eager to find out if that connection is soul-deep or if Landon’s opinion will change once he finds out her truth.
“I didn’t say anything as he got up. I couldn’t. Zeke had gotten his first kiss. Zeke who was really Zela had gotten his first kiss from Landon Foster!”
Alright, so this is when shit really hits the fan.
The principle barrels down on her, blaming her for the pranks on the elites.
“A student has come forward anonymously and revealed that you were behind the attacks on the Elite Class. I have reason to believe you are the upside-down A.”
The principle searches her room and finds the incriminating stickers of the “A” that ultimately seals her fate.
Ofcourse, we know Zeke isn’t guilty but the guys aren’t as easily convinced.
Zeke decides she wants to come clean to Landon and makes that known to him seconds before Whittaker pulls the stickers from her mattress.
Landon witnesses the entire thing.
“”Oh my—” He dropped my hand as he backed away. “That’s what you wanted to tell me, isn’t it? You were behind the attacks.””
He won’t hear a word from her and leaves her in the dust.
Whittaker easily placed the blame on her when his anonymous tip clearly came from the devil himself (aka Cam); as such, he doesn’t hesitate to expel Zeke from the academy.
It turns out Cam deserves WAY more credit for his plan, he played the slow-game and got the perfect in to take her down .
“”I was set up from the very beginning.”
My voice sounded odd to my own ears—dull, lifeless.”
“The perfect plan to see me out of Breakbattle Academy forever.”
Miss Moon goes to bat for her and manages to get the principle to rescind the expulsion for now.
BACK TO THE CLIFFHANGER.
The elites (including Cole, Michael, and Landon) seek her out in the boys locker room and blame her harshly for all the elite pranks that fucked up their sporting activities, among other things.
“”You never forgave us for going along with Cameron’s orders. You’ve been out to humiliate us from the start.”
Fury glittered in Cole’s eyes as his fists balled.” .
It’s safe to say, they are pissed and are not going to let this slide, no matter how much she pleads and begs for them to believe that she was sincere in what she was saying to them.
“”It wasn’t an act, Landon.”
I looked deep in his eyes. “It was real for me. I did forgive you—all of you—and I would never do anything to hurt you. You have to believe me. I’m being set up.””
Its absolutely heart-shattering when they refuse to see the truth in her eyes and decide to mete out justice in the way they see fit.
“Zach buried his fist in my gut, punching the air out of me. I gasped, doubling over, and they let me fall to the floor. The cold tile stung my cheek as I clutched my stomach. I didn’t get a chance to catch my breath before the blows rained down. I curled tight into a ball, tears leaking from my eyes, as they kicked, punched, and tore at me.”
AS IF SHE HASN’T ENDURED ENOUGH.
Zach takes it a step too far when he rips her swimming outfit right off her, baring her private’s (girl ones) to the group.
“Zach ripped the wetsuit all the way off. Cool air smacked my backside as it was exposed to their eyes. Zach’s nails dug into the soft flesh of my thigh and I was flipped over.
“What the... fuck...”
“He’s a girl?” Zach scrambled off me.”
Fuck Zela, how did you get yourself in this position honey?
Derek walks in a minute too late and he witnesses the broken and beaten girl on the floor of the locker room, only to realize it’s his friend (and maybe lover?) Zeke.
“Derek wrapped me tight in the towel.
“It’s going to be okay, Zeke.”
He lifted me onto his lap and secured me to his chest.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I promise they’ll never touch you again””
She has been beaten down, exposed, framed and almost expelled.
ZELA is back bitches and she will not be taking this lying down.
“Forget Zela and Zeke, someone else entirely would be coming back to Breakbattle next year... and the Elites better watch out.”
Sidenote: it’s quotes such as these in the books that make me feel like there may be a bit of schizophrenia involved…
“It’s no wonder why you’d get distracted, another voice spoke up as they began to circle each other. I think most people can keep their heads better than that.”
Just the way she speaks about the different voices in her head is bizarre; I’m not quite sure what to make of that yet but I know it’s relevant.
I’m SO FUCKING IN LOVE WITH THIS SERIES.
Ruby, you are heaven-sent for creating such an addicting and utterly captivating story, I predict I will not be moving from my couch until I finish all the books in a single sitting.
SO much could happen and the fact that this was only book 1, makes me feel like all my reviews of this series will be this long and winded.
Its not In my genetic makeup to know how to glaze over a book that completely enchanted me on each and every page; so here we are finally at the end of the review.
~5 stars~
I’m literally OBSESSED
This review is going to be doozy.
I have way to much to lay out on the table right now to care about word-limits and such.
Following the events of O-week (re: prequel), our main girl (or guy, whatever) returns to Breakbattle academy to start her freshman year.
Zeke may have had a shot at Elite classe before but due to his “disloyalty” to Cameron and the fact that he failed almost all the physical tests, Zeke is stating off the year in F CLASS
Big yikes!
They were not kidding about the F’s having absolutely 0 privileges throughout the school; this also extends to the state of their dorms… (by them I mean, Adam and Zeke).
“The only thing that greeted us in this minuscule space other than the bare metal-framed twin beds and the wooden trunks that lay before them, were the cracks in the plaster walls and the dust coating the single ceiling fan.” .
The school believes this will push them to battle and make their way up the ranks, if they have what it takes.
However, Zeke’s mom is not pleased and sets out to buy her a few pieces of furniture, clean sheets, and a new mattress.
The staff inform all the students about the rules and regulations of battle and within this criteria, lies the concept of the tournament.
“You and the challenger must compete in every subject and sport trial just as you did during orientation week, and if the challenger wins, they will trade places with the one they challenge and begin the school year in their new class.” .
I don’t know how or when, I just know that this will come into play at some point; I’m just hoping that it is for Zeke’s benefit, since he can’t get much lower than he is now.
At this point in time, we still have NO CLUE what happened to Zeke for her to seek redemption at Breakbattle academy; what we do know however, is the fact that Zeke is doing this for reasons related to Derek. The boy who faked his death, while going along with the tests of loyalty Cam had created for the Elite recruits.
“You’ve summed up Cameron Dupre perfectly. Exceptionally cruel and devious.”
Even though Zeke and Adam are the outcasts from the elite recruits for ratting, Derek makes it known to Zeke (at the end of book 0.1) that he appreciated what he did for him (even if it was a prank); thus, he made it clear that he would be on Zekes side if it came down to it.
FUCKING SWOON.
The other guys who didn’t rat Cam out (I.e. Cole, Michael, and Landon) made it to the Elite class for their freshman year. Meaning they predictably don’t associate with Zeke due to his F status.
“ …the fact remained that Derek was the only person to come speak to me after everything went down. The others hadn’t said a word so I didn’t know how we left things.” .
I have a feeling these four men (including Derek) will form her little harem eventually and when I say I’m ABSOLUTELY LIVING for the intensity of this slow-burn, I’m hardly exaggerating.
Derek is a man after my own heart for real.
It only becomes more clear how badly Cam wants to mete out justice for the display of disloyalty carried out by Zeke and Adam.
Zeke is the target obviously, when Cam make his ire known.
“I bolted up, shouting as ice-cold milk went in my eyes, nose, and hair.
“Don’t think this is the end,” a silken voice said.
“I’ve got more planned for you snitches.””
We immediately know how this is going to go when Landon approches Zeke and let’s him know that he’s not mad at him at all before he apologizes and then, proceeds to challenge Zeke to his first battle of the year.
“I looked up at him in confusion as he cleared his throat.
“Zeke Manning,” he said clearly.
“I challenge you to a battle. .
This comes as a shock to Zeke because not only does he struggle in the subject Landon chooses but also, because Zeke is an F, he literally has no privileges to give.
At least we thought…
He challenges her to a history test, which she fails miserably and then Zeke chooses soccer, which Landon has brushed up on over the break so… he crushed her.
Since she had no privileges to give, she was forced to give her dorm chair away.
Zeke and Derek are getting closer, as he and Zeke have been spending more time together. He is still a tough shell the crack but she is slowly but surely breaking through that exterior, one small fissure at a time; clearly keeping in mind her end-goal.
Which we STILL DON’T KNOW.
“Right now, nothing mattered more than getting close to Derek, but I had done the hard part. He was beginning to see me as a friend and soon he would open up to me completely.”
Derek what did you do…..
Cam doesn’t just stop at Zeke though.
Following Adam’s confession of love for Melody, Cam latched onto that and used it against him as retribution.
By that, I mean he’s fucking Melody and rubbing it in Adam’s adorable face.
What and absolute fucker.
“I stared at his retreating back as it finally dawned on me who I was dealing with. He said the Elite needed to find weaknesses and exploit them ruthlessly.
But this was ruthless on a level that made me physically sick.”
Cam sure does know where to hit to make it hurt like hell.
This becomes even more evident when he tasks the other guys in her old friend group (now elites) to challenge her to battles as well. They all choose history, she fails each battle and loses a possession each time; Cam is essentially stripping her bare of her furniture and necessities for living, as means of breaking her down.
“And every time you lose, you’ll be forced to accept it. You’ll trudge back to this shit heap, go into your empty room, and know you couldn’t defend yourself or your stuff because you’re an F. F is where you belong. F is what you are.”
Zeke is feeling really defeated at this point and I have to agree with that sentiment.
Thank GOD for bad ass bestie/cousins who inspire us to be better and encourage us to not take this lying down.
“You can fight back… If you need to learn history, then read every history textbook in that school. I’ll even help you study. If you need to get better at sports, then woman up and get someone to teach you like those rich boys did. You turn the tables on them and you start taking their shit!” .
Jordan makes some fucking good points and Zeke is going to take that advice to the fullest extent.
Zeke manages to get Derek to accept his proposal first, where he will be coaching her on how to play basketball like a pro. Speaking of which, things are getting weird with them. I feel like the sexual tension is there and Derek is feeling it but he’s unsure how to go about it, or maybe he’s confused because he thinks Zeke is a legit boy but has some feelings for her.
He starts to push away and it’s painful to experience.
“”I’m just glad you’re okay.”
He smiled back at me for a moment, then it faded.
He looked away. “You should go. The court is closed while they fix the gym so we can’t practice.””
DEREK? Baby, what is you doing???
Next she tackles the Michael situation by nudging into his presence as she runs on the track field in the mornings with him. At first he rejects her running with him but eventually he comes around and joins her; effectively closing some of the gap that has grown between them since O-week.
“I cracked a smile. “I thought you were ignoring me.”
To my surprise, he smiled back. “Keep pace with me. I’ll slow it down for you.”” .
YES QUEEN.
Get all the tips you need to kick Cams ass.
Zeke feels ready enough and he makes his first battle declaration, seeking the privilege of a spot on the advanced math club (one that Santi belongs to). Miles, the challengee thinks she’s joking and insists she take it back.
Not today honey.
“I’m not taking it back. You don’t need to worry about embarrassing me. I’ve lost eight battles already. So you should accept now or I’m going to start thinking it’s you who is afraid of losing.”
Come ON NOW!
Low and fucking behold!!
She WINS.
Her hard work and insane studying is paying off now that she’s in the math club.
Although, Cam is not thrilled with the development of hers. He is fuming and puts Zach up to battling Zeke for her spot back. However, the teacher made it clear that her spot is permanent and that’s when they amp up the battles to start taking shit that REALLY matters to her… like her fucking DEODORANT.
“We haven’t gotten to your towels, clothes, toothbrush. Peterson will run your foul-smelling ass out of the club all on her own.”
I honestly felt second-hand embarrassment like no other when she explained how people avoided her because of how she was SMELLING!!
“It was everything in me not to cry when I walked into the lunchroom and the boys gave me a wide berth, even going so far as to vacate the tables around me when I sat down.”
Bloody hell.
That’s some real bully shit right there.
Next on the docket is Cole.
He is a bit touchy and cold towards Zeke but once she plants the seed that Cam is a common enemy, he bites and starts to loosen up towards her.
“”You like me.”
“Shut up.”
“You want to be my friend.”
Cole made a strangled noise.
“I swear you’re the weirdest guy I’ve ever met.””
On top of that, Landon is helping her out with wrestling techniques.
This is progress!
Zeke is on a fucking roll though and she manages to get back all her dorm stuff from battling. Cameron is obviously not happy with the way things are going but he really didn’t expect what she had in store next.
“I lifted my chin and looked him full in the face.
“I’m challenging you to a battle, Cameron Dupre.”
For the first time since I met him, Cameron’s face went slack with shock.
“What the fuck did you just say?”” .
WOOO, what a badass bitch! She’s shaking and moving things up now!
The terms themselves are simple.
If Zeke loses, he leaves the academy and gives Cam the public apology he wanted.
If Zeke wins however….
“I flashed Cameron a smile. “I want his chair.””
LOVE that she chose something so invaluable; the wit to pick something so menial over a battle so major is fucking epic.
Derek is upset with the news about Zeke’s battle with Cam. He confronts her with something that looks suspiciously like feelings .
“”You’re just going to leave?”
The question struck me like tiny daggers.
I didn’t want to leave.
I came here for him and there was still more I needed to do.
“No,” I said. “I’m just going to win.”” .
She predictably ACES the math test and during the basketball game one-on-one with Cam, she loses by a few points.
Cam is ready to glory in the win until…
“”You will not be leaving the academy.”
I froze. What did she just say?
“What?!”
“Zeke Manning has won the battle.””
*Cue shrieking*
FUCK YEAH!
Her plan came into place PERFECTLY.
When she laid out her well-executed plans to her cousin, I am thoroughly impressed with her strategy.
“The first step was getting Derek and the boys to help train me. A bunch of angry guys pissed at being used, plus a chance to get him back, equals help on my sports game.
“Step two was getting into the Archimedean Club…”
“Getting into the club was leverage that led to step three.
Add one principal who sees us as guinea pigs, an arrogant alpha held back from striking directly against me, and an offer he couldn’t refuse. All of that equaled a final battle to put an end to it once and for all.”
She thought she really did something there… until an extremely brutal relaxation crashes down on her.
I guess one could call it a CLIFFHANGER (I will get to this).
Meanwhile, things start to get hairy when the elites are being targeted and pranked; they are realizing that, it occurs at every sporting event and only targets the elites.
The Elite benches in the gym break underneath them causing some to be injured, Cole’s swimming suit is tampered with and he has to drop out of the meet, Landon’s contact solution is chemically altered affecting his ability to wrestle, and poor Michael is drugged before he goes unconscious and Injures his head, effectively preventing him from racing.
The calling card left behind on these acts is an upside down “A”, or the math symbol that represents “for all”.
This is not looking good for Zeke honestly.
Investigations are under way by the faculty due to the nature and severity of the pranks on their most adored and respected students.
OMG OKAY.
I really did not SEE THIS COMING.
I mean, I knew there was some sexual tension between Derek and Zeke but I didn’t realize that it had also progressed as much with Landon!
“Do it, Zela. Tell him who you are. Say, Landon, I’m a girl. I would have gone all four years without telling you, but denying how I feel is driving me crazy. I want to be with you.
I opened my mouth. “Landon—”
Landon’s lips crashed down on mine.”
AHHHHHHH.
Sweating at this point, the steaminess is real y’all.
I’m so eager to find out if that connection is soul-deep or if Landon’s opinion will change once he finds out her truth.
“I didn’t say anything as he got up. I couldn’t. Zeke had gotten his first kiss. Zeke who was really Zela had gotten his first kiss from Landon Foster!”
Alright, so this is when shit really hits the fan.
The principle barrels down on her, blaming her for the pranks on the elites.
“A student has come forward anonymously and revealed that you were behind the attacks on the Elite Class. I have reason to believe you are the upside-down A.”
The principle searches her room and finds the incriminating stickers of the “A” that ultimately seals her fate.
Ofcourse, we know Zeke isn’t guilty but the guys aren’t as easily convinced.
Zeke decides she wants to come clean to Landon and makes that known to him seconds before Whittaker pulls the stickers from her mattress.
Landon witnesses the entire thing.
“”Oh my—” He dropped my hand as he backed away. “That’s what you wanted to tell me, isn’t it? You were behind the attacks.””
He won’t hear a word from her and leaves her in the dust.
Whittaker easily placed the blame on her when his anonymous tip clearly came from the devil himself (aka Cam); as such, he doesn’t hesitate to expel Zeke from the academy.
It turns out Cam deserves WAY more credit for his plan, he played the slow-game and got the perfect in to take her down .
“”I was set up from the very beginning.”
My voice sounded odd to my own ears—dull, lifeless.”
“The perfect plan to see me out of Breakbattle Academy forever.”
Miss Moon goes to bat for her and manages to get the principle to rescind the expulsion for now.
BACK TO THE CLIFFHANGER.
The elites (including Cole, Michael, and Landon) seek her out in the boys locker room and blame her harshly for all the elite pranks that fucked up their sporting activities, among other things.
“”You never forgave us for going along with Cameron’s orders. You’ve been out to humiliate us from the start.”
Fury glittered in Cole’s eyes as his fists balled.” .
It’s safe to say, they are pissed and are not going to let this slide, no matter how much she pleads and begs for them to believe that she was sincere in what she was saying to them.
“”It wasn’t an act, Landon.”
I looked deep in his eyes. “It was real for me. I did forgive you—all of you—and I would never do anything to hurt you. You have to believe me. I’m being set up.””
Its absolutely heart-shattering when they refuse to see the truth in her eyes and decide to mete out justice in the way they see fit.
“Zach buried his fist in my gut, punching the air out of me. I gasped, doubling over, and they let me fall to the floor. The cold tile stung my cheek as I clutched my stomach. I didn’t get a chance to catch my breath before the blows rained down. I curled tight into a ball, tears leaking from my eyes, as they kicked, punched, and tore at me.”
AS IF SHE HASN’T ENDURED ENOUGH.
Zach takes it a step too far when he rips her swimming outfit right off her, baring her private’s (girl ones) to the group.
“Zach ripped the wetsuit all the way off. Cool air smacked my backside as it was exposed to their eyes. Zach’s nails dug into the soft flesh of my thigh and I was flipped over.
“What the... fuck...”
“He’s a girl?” Zach scrambled off me.”
Fuck Zela, how did you get yourself in this position honey?
Derek walks in a minute too late and he witnesses the broken and beaten girl on the floor of the locker room, only to realize it’s his friend (and maybe lover?) Zeke.
“Derek wrapped me tight in the towel.
“It’s going to be okay, Zeke.”
He lifted me onto his lap and secured me to his chest.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I promise they’ll never touch you again””
She has been beaten down, exposed, framed and almost expelled.
ZELA is back bitches and she will not be taking this lying down.
“Forget Zela and Zeke, someone else entirely would be coming back to Breakbattle next year... and the Elites better watch out.”
Sidenote: it’s quotes such as these in the books that make me feel like there may be a bit of schizophrenia involved…
“It’s no wonder why you’d get distracted, another voice spoke up as they began to circle each other. I think most people can keep their heads better than that.”
Just the way she speaks about the different voices in her head is bizarre; I’m not quite sure what to make of that yet but I know it’s relevant.
I’m SO FUCKING IN LOVE WITH THIS SERIES.
Ruby, you are heaven-sent for creating such an addicting and utterly captivating story, I predict I will not be moving from my couch until I finish all the books in a single sitting.
SO much could happen and the fact that this was only book 1, makes me feel like all my reviews of this series will be this long and winded.
Its not In my genetic makeup to know how to glaze over a book that completely enchanted me on each and every page; so here we are finally at the end of the review.
~5 stars~
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2025
i’m so here for this book, though i fear i’m slightly lost rn. i’m just gonna assume that’s fixed next book or idk
April 1, 2020
Wow, this book is just getting juicer and juicer. The drama, intrigue and deception. I am addicted. Next book here I come.
January 24, 2020
After the jaw-dropping end of Orientation, I couldn't wait to dive into this one and Ruby Vincent didn't disappoint. Zela and Adam have the fight of their lives if they are to regain what they would have rightfully earned. Here is where the bullying begins and the Elites are complete and utter assholes with a leader that never seems to get his hands dirty and lets his minions do the grunt work. Trying to break Zela down is not going to be an easy task and with those balls of steel I mentioned in my first review, she does everything to win. The Elites don't stand a chance. Zela plays them at their own game, but cleaner, intelligently and without malice. I can't wait to see her win. Onto book 3.
December 7, 2019
YAS!!
I LOVE this series. Not like, LOVE. Excellent writing, genuine characters, have-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat plot. I didn't want it to end! So excited for The Execution to release!! Well done Ruby Vincent!!
I LOVE this series. Not like, LOVE. Excellent writing, genuine characters, have-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat plot. I didn't want it to end! So excited for The Execution to release!! Well done Ruby Vincent!!
August 2, 2023
So good!
“I love it when a plan comes together.” - Hannibal Smith from the A-Team. Okay, obscure reference I know but The Plan by Ruby Vincent is so good on so many different levels. Zela, aka Zeke, is back and rooming with his bff Adam Moon. First, I love getting a glimpse into the lives of the Evergreen crew all grown up and still together. It’s obvious Adam’s parents have raised him right, as he sticks by Zeke’s side no matter what. I love that Zeke works through the adversity of Breakbattle and the fight with the Elites. The mystery deepens as we go from overt attacks to enemies that are a little more subversive. This story is full of friendship, trust, attraction, self-esteem and intrigue. I can’t wait for The Execution!!!
“I love it when a plan comes together.” - Hannibal Smith from the A-Team. Okay, obscure reference I know but The Plan by Ruby Vincent is so good on so many different levels. Zela, aka Zeke, is back and rooming with his bff Adam Moon. First, I love getting a glimpse into the lives of the Evergreen crew all grown up and still together. It’s obvious Adam’s parents have raised him right, as he sticks by Zeke’s side no matter what. I love that Zeke works through the adversity of Breakbattle and the fight with the Elites. The mystery deepens as we go from overt attacks to enemies that are a little more subversive. This story is full of friendship, trust, attraction, self-esteem and intrigue. I can’t wait for The Execution!!!
July 20, 2022
Are the elites really that smart? For being exceptionally talented students they are idiots. Zela “Zeke” giggles constantly. Constantly. How is she wearing the wrestling uniforms and swimsuits with our being noticed??? I realize she’s wearing the girls wrestling uniform and a custom suit BUT does no one notice that she doesn’t have a penis? Like these are tight fighting uniforms they’re in on the daily. How dumb are these kids?
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