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Academy of Ancients #1
Catacombs
Mysterious necromancers. Wicked summoners. Fierce witches. Occasional familiars. Military experiments. Secret councils. Forbidden alliances. The Academy of Ancients will suck you in.
Briar Shroud has gone from foster child to full scholarship at the Academy of Ancients. Cool, right?
Not quite. Her upperclassman mentor Zachary sucks. He's hot, but he sucks at being a mentor. And a friend. And a person.
Her roommate's a paranormal, and the whole school is underground and a secret.
Know what else is bad? Briar learns she's a witch. And a rare type of witch, to boot.
It went from bad to worse—a picture of a sister she's never heard of appears at the school. A sister she knows nothing about.
And the rules seem hellbent on keeping Briar from learning the truth. And sometimes, it seems other forces would rather not see her alive.
Warning: This series will hook you! Violence can be found in this series of action-packed fantasy, with necromancers, summoners, and badass witches.
Briar Shroud has gone from foster child to full scholarship at the Academy of Ancients. Cool, right?
Not quite. Her upperclassman mentor Zachary sucks. He's hot, but he sucks at being a mentor. And a friend. And a person.
Her roommate's a paranormal, and the whole school is underground and a secret.
Know what else is bad? Briar learns she's a witch. And a rare type of witch, to boot.
It went from bad to worse—a picture of a sister she's never heard of appears at the school. A sister she knows nothing about.
And the rules seem hellbent on keeping Briar from learning the truth. And sometimes, it seems other forces would rather not see her alive.
Warning: This series will hook you! Violence can be found in this series of action-packed fantasy, with necromancers, summoners, and badass witches.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2018
845 people are currently reading
1518 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
December 23, 2018
I'm a sucker for anything magic-related, especially magic-school-related. This Kindle freEbook had that going for it and was a little fun, but I'm just not into the cliche main character who thinks this about herself - "Why would he ask out a tomboy with curves she tried to hide, and no makeup on her face? Who was more comfortable acting the part of the loner reject than being sociable?" *rolls eyes*
2.5 Stars - Not sure if I want to make the effort to continue this series.
2.5 Stars - Not sure if I want to make the effort to continue this series.
August 13, 2020
Heroine is SO unlike able
I couldn’t finish. I was so annoyed. The main character is unlikeable. She’s described as a rebel. Not true. She’s a pain. The male main character is moody for no reason that advances the story. Annoyed and disappointed.
I couldn’t finish. I was so annoyed. The main character is unlikeable. She’s described as a rebel. Not true. She’s a pain. The male main character is moody for no reason that advances the story. Annoyed and disappointed.
August 29, 2020
Magic/military system has vague promise. Characters were basic but not flat. Seems to be riding half-way on the coat tails of Harry Potter, which is fine with me—I still love a magic school story. Two major issues: neither author or editor caught extensive lack of commas (and one semicolon) that spoiled readability; and, the pacing is poor, up to and including the faux-cliffhanger ending which feels like a ransom demand for the rest of the plot arc. With any semblance of a resolution, I would have probably bought the second one, but am now turned off of the series.
April 25, 2022
Is a copy paste of the Winx Saga. I’m surprised it’s been allowed to be published without a fuss on the copy rights of the original anime and the current series. There are minor changes. But has been completely lifted off the original anime series premise. Even the witch powers vs fairy powers. Kind of tragic that a near exact copy paste is allowed to be published and thrive because it caters to a slightly different demographic
October 23, 2023
This is the first book by Avery Cross I've read. This is sort of a cross between Harry Potter and Sabrina the Teenage witch. Briar Shroud is a teenage girl who has no idea she is a witch until she gets an offer from a college called The Academy. When she gets there she gets picked up by a guy names Zack Pierce a 10 gen Warlock....As she begins to adjust to her new reality things are not as they seem. Something is going on at The Academy....and the only ones who know it is Briar and Zack.....book 2 is Cathedral and I'm looking forward to it.
January 14, 2019
Fast read. Good read. Open ending, need to keep reading. Need to know how it ends!! Go Briar and Zach!
May 18, 2021
An excellent YA fantasy series. Briar and Zach develop well, especially over the course of the whole series. The world building and magic system are extremely well done and it was interesting to see some of the magic wielders develop their magic use beyond what was expected. You do need to read all of the books to get the whole story and it is a sequential story, but each one is only $2.99. The whole series took me about a day and a half to get through with no interruptions other than meals and such. I'd love to read another series by this author. Recommended.
December 7, 2021
It’s hard to find words to say how FANTASTIC this book was! This is basically my favorite type of story; a good-hearted young woman finds out she has powers. But this author took that basis and turned it into a captivating, exciting, wonderful mystery. After finishing this first book, I immediately bought the remaining books in the series. There is no way I’m not going to find out what happens next.
August 6, 2018
Addictive from the start!
I enjoyed reading about the magical world Cross created. Once Started it was hard to stop. There are characters that are easily relatable while still having intrigue. This is now my new favorite magical academy! I can't wait to get started on book 2 and am so very glad it's longer than three books!!!
I enjoyed reading about the magical world Cross created. Once Started it was hard to stop. There are characters that are easily relatable while still having intrigue. This is now my new favorite magical academy! I can't wait to get started on book 2 and am so very glad it's longer than three books!!!
August 12, 2020
Really exciting read!
Texas foster child gets a full ride scholarship to a mysterious university. When she gets there, she is in trouble from the get-to. She finds a friend but things don't go right. This is a really good book but has one drawback. It is not a stand alone. So far there are 5 books, plus you need to read them in order.
Texas foster child gets a full ride scholarship to a mysterious university. When she gets there, she is in trouble from the get-to. She finds a friend but things don't go right. This is a really good book but has one drawback. It is not a stand alone. So far there are 5 books, plus you need to read them in order.
September 3, 2020
Start the fire in the tombs!
O. K. Let's start our engines into hyperdrive! (My own word!)
The term of "fire starter" has a new.meaning with Brier Shroud! It is.the.place of Zach her mentor to get.her.through her first year not tossed I to a military installation and left to become a statistic!
Brief and Zach have been told to stay away from each other!
Will they do it?!!!!
O. K. Let's start our engines into hyperdrive! (My own word!)
The term of "fire starter" has a new.meaning with Brier Shroud! It is.the.place of Zach her mentor to get.her.through her first year not tossed I to a military installation and left to become a statistic!
Brief and Zach have been told to stay away from each other!
Will they do it?!!!!
December 22, 2018
Intense
This is a very well done story. I wasn't sure what I would think but I fell in love with the characters and the story flew. Of course it leaves us hanging and I am eager to know what happens.
This is a very well done story. I wasn't sure what I would think but I fell in love with the characters and the story flew. Of course it leaves us hanging and I am eager to know what happens.
July 26, 2020
Witches
Loved Harry potter, this is on the same lines only in college. A female witch knows nothing about her heritage and gets into all sorts of trouble. Not a complete story, an installment
Loved Harry potter, this is on the same lines only in college. A female witch knows nothing about her heritage and gets into all sorts of trouble. Not a complete story, an installment
September 4, 2020
What do I hear.
Avery Cross, has a hit series on her hands. Can't wait to read more.
The characters are very interesting, fast paced, dialogue very good. Her voice is right on for a Young Adult Novel.
Avery Cross, has a hit series on her hands. Can't wait to read more.
The characters are very interesting, fast paced, dialogue very good. Her voice is right on for a Young Adult Novel.
October 3, 2020
Loved it! A regular girl gets a full ride to a college she had never heard from. She thinks it’s too good to be real because her life has been hard. She has been in and out of the foster system and her mom is a drug addict.
March 27, 2021
Awesome book!!! I really had alot of fun reading this book. I absolutely love the characters, the story, plot, everything!!! Full of action, adventure, magic & mystery! And love too! Gotta love that! It has it all- you need to read this book!!!
May 19, 2021
Angsty girl
Just another angsty romance built out to be a fantasy. Nothing unique and the MC was annoying. People should be held accountable for plagiarism. This was the exact same carbon copy story all urban fantasy has.
Just another angsty romance built out to be a fantasy. Nothing unique and the MC was annoying. People should be held accountable for plagiarism. This was the exact same carbon copy story all urban fantasy has.
August 21, 2020
A quick and fun read!
I came across this book because I wanted something to fall asleep and it was free on kindle. As soon as I started reading....I was totally engrossed in it. It was a real quick read because I read it in a day (but it depends on your speed as well) and found it really interesting. But let me tell you.....some sentences aren't complete or properly formed......so it might be confusing sometimes......but other then than that it was fun. The story is open ended so to know what happens after...you'll have to buy the next book.
I would recommend it for those who want a light book to read. :):)
I came across this book because I wanted something to fall asleep and it was free on kindle. As soon as I started reading....I was totally engrossed in it. It was a real quick read because I read it in a day (but it depends on your speed as well) and found it really interesting. But let me tell you.....some sentences aren't complete or properly formed......so it might be confusing sometimes......but other then than that it was fun. The story is open ended so to know what happens after...you'll have to buy the next book.
I would recommend it for those who want a light book to read. :):)
January 17, 2023
I found this book on Amazon which was free. The book follows a collage age female as she goes to a magical collage. The collage teaches you how to safely use your magic and helps you find magical jobs. Within the book you find out about the magic and the communities. This book was a fast read.
I did not care for this book. The female that you follow along was from foster care. She had a hard life. I did not care for how this book betrayed kids from foster care. The writer of this book just made it seem that foster kids were just full of anger. I also did not like how the charator what against their better judgment and was focused into a bad situation.
I also did not like how little magic was in the book. I was hoping for more magic and less drama. The book just forced on the relanships and the mystery. When I see a book with magic in it, I want to read about the magic. there was only five part with any magic. It was just a let down.
I did not care for this book. The female that you follow along was from foster care. She had a hard life. I did not care for how this book betrayed kids from foster care. The writer of this book just made it seem that foster kids were just full of anger. I also did not like how the charator what against their better judgment and was focused into a bad situation.
I also did not like how little magic was in the book. I was hoping for more magic and less drama. The book just forced on the relanships and the mystery. When I see a book with magic in it, I want to read about the magic. there was only five part with any magic. It was just a let down.
September 8, 2018
The college offer to end all offers.
A good read but unfortunately not for me. She has been shunted from foster home to foster home as her father is unknown and her mother is an alcoholic addict. So the offer of a free ride from an unknown college comes out of the blue. Especially once she learns that it is a college for wizards and witches. Further shocks follow as she is chosen by two elements. However she can't stop thinking about an obscure article she found mentioning missing students and which her mentoring student knows nothing about. Mix in more missing students, necromancy, betrayals and someone wanting to use her as a weapon. A well written work but it didn't click with me. Not sure why as I normally like items like this and the characters are well rounded and vivid.
A good read but unfortunately not for me. She has been shunted from foster home to foster home as her father is unknown and her mother is an alcoholic addict. So the offer of a free ride from an unknown college comes out of the blue. Especially once she learns that it is a college for wizards and witches. Further shocks follow as she is chosen by two elements. However she can't stop thinking about an obscure article she found mentioning missing students and which her mentoring student knows nothing about. Mix in more missing students, necromancy, betrayals and someone wanting to use her as a weapon. A well written work but it didn't click with me. Not sure why as I normally like items like this and the characters are well rounded and vivid.
September 13, 2023
I got really into this book. But, it ends with a cliff hanger. And, is rather short.
Unfortunately, I can’t find any of the other books anywhere for free, so I probably won’t be finishing to read this series.
Also, the grammar in this book really bothered me.
It’s a very intriguing story line.
But, the way it was written really bothered me.
Each chapter alternates to either Briar’s point of view, or Zach’s point of view in first person perspective. It was aggravating to follow.
And, as far as grammar, and story structure goes it is very poorly written.
But, as far as creativity and keeping the readers attention, I give the series an A plus.
However, as an overall rating. Encompassing everything,? I give a rating of a 3.
Unfortunately, I can’t find any of the other books anywhere for free, so I probably won’t be finishing to read this series.
Also, the grammar in this book really bothered me.
It’s a very intriguing story line.
But, the way it was written really bothered me.
Each chapter alternates to either Briar’s point of view, or Zach’s point of view in first person perspective. It was aggravating to follow.
And, as far as grammar, and story structure goes it is very poorly written.
But, as far as creativity and keeping the readers attention, I give the series an A plus.
However, as an overall rating. Encompassing everything,? I give a rating of a 3.
January 2, 2021
I liked the idea of this book but unfortunately the writing was a little off for me. It could have been great but there were some inconsistencies, repetitive threads and the enormous chip on Shrouds shoulder that seemed to appear and disappear as the story required it. Too many things were started but not followed through on, like she’s such great friends with Jake but she leaves without saying goodbye and apparently he never questions her about it, just (presumably) lives HEA with Heather... And what about the paper crane? Could have been such a great thing but it just randomly makes appearances and is ignored.
I will not be reading any further into the series.
I will not be reading any further into the series.
March 31, 2022
I love archeological fiction and so I downloaded this thinking it might be this sort of story. I quickly found out it was young adult, the lead character finds out she is a witch and is sure she'll never survive the year with her mentor, who has disturbingly blue eyes, not that she noticed. I almost closed my laptop but kept on wanting to finish one more page. I quickly began to root for this girl who couldn't care less about being on anyone's 10 best dressed list. A good mystery unfurls and the writing is solid. I found myself really enjoying the book. Thank you Avery Cross.
January 20, 2024
3½ ★
Let me break it down. The concept feels a bit worn-out, and the supposed college setting comes off more like high school. Additionally, there's a noticeable absence of emotional depth in crucial moments where connecting with the characters and their relationships would have been ideal.
Nevertheless, there's room for a distinctive narrative. If the story explores genuine college dynamics, shedding the high school immaturity, and injects more emotional nuance into pivotal moments, it could carve out its own unique space.
Let me break it down. The concept feels a bit worn-out, and the supposed college setting comes off more like high school. Additionally, there's a noticeable absence of emotional depth in crucial moments where connecting with the characters and their relationships would have been ideal.
Nevertheless, there's room for a distinctive narrative. If the story explores genuine college dynamics, shedding the high school immaturity, and injects more emotional nuance into pivotal moments, it could carve out its own unique space.
August 12, 2020
I read to the end because I was curious what would happen, but I couldn’t enjoy this book with the sheer number of errors and inconsistencies in the writing. Sentences are often garbled and don’t make sense, and the characters are inconsistent, reacting only as the plot demands. The world building feels like a Harry Potter knockoff, and the plot just abruptly ends right at the climax. Surprise, you have to buy the next book and there probably won’t be a resolution to the plot anyway! No thanks.
January 2, 2021
Pretty good. It got better as it went. It’s a mature Harry Potter meets magicians (but less complicated). I’ll see if I can get my library to but the next book.
Major annoyance was her obsession with dating. She’s supposed to be 18. She goes from pouting that her foster brother isn’t interested, to seeing males as potential suitors. It’s weird. But she does appear to mature a little bit in this. Just.. I feel a cliche love triangle coming. And that drives me up the wall.
Major annoyance was her obsession with dating. She’s supposed to be 18. She goes from pouting that her foster brother isn’t interested, to seeing males as potential suitors. It’s weird. But she does appear to mature a little bit in this. Just.. I feel a cliche love triangle coming. And that drives me up the wall.
January 2, 2021
Academy story, new magic and a mystery
Held my interest. Fairly light read which is part 1. This book establishes the main characters, develops their relationship, starts the mystery of the story arc and sets the stage for book 2. Not really sure who the bad guys are or where the mystery is leading yet. Looking at trying book 2 but, this is not a complete story. It ends in a cliffhanger. Truly is a part one not a book one.
Held my interest. Fairly light read which is part 1. This book establishes the main characters, develops their relationship, starts the mystery of the story arc and sets the stage for book 2. Not really sure who the bad guys are or where the mystery is leading yet. Looking at trying book 2 but, this is not a complete story. It ends in a cliffhanger. Truly is a part one not a book one.
November 18, 2023
Ciffhanger, ugh!
I will never buy the next book in a series when the first book ends in a blatant cliffhanger, ergo, no more of this series for me. Two stars because it’s not a bad story, although predictable, needed an editor to correct a few misused words (such as passed for past), and, ended in a cliffhanger. Without that last, I might have graded it higher and if the story hadn’t been pretty good would have graded it lower.
I will never buy the next book in a series when the first book ends in a blatant cliffhanger, ergo, no more of this series for me. Two stars because it’s not a bad story, although predictable, needed an editor to correct a few misused words (such as passed for past), and, ended in a cliffhanger. Without that last, I might have graded it higher and if the story hadn’t been pretty good would have graded it lower.
January 19, 2021
My kind of book when I just want to read something for pure entertainment value and take me away for all this COVID-19 stuff. Full of magic and spells, necromancy, witches, military rules and experiments, mystery, throw in a bit of romance for good taste and you have an excellent recipe for "escaping" from the real world for a time.
December 31, 2021
I found this book disappointing. The ending was really abrupt, leaving all issues hanging, followed by a "read the next book." That is one of my pet peeves in a series. At least some things should resolve. In addition, the book was derivative of other young wizard schools. Naomi Novik does it better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews