What do you think?
Rate this book
Shifter Island #1
Midnight Kisses
Nai expected the summons to Alpha Academy...but not this year.
She’s trained her entire life to lead her pack, and the elite school is where she’ll receive the elemental magic that distinguishes her as an alpha heir.
But the four sexy guards sent to escort Nai are not only early—they’re her sworn enemies. Then when she arrives at Alpha Academy, the Alpha King is not happy to see her.
And if that isn’t enough...
Mysterious magical marks pop up on her skin, outcast shifters keep attacking the school, and someone is trying to kill her.
There is no way things could get worse. No way.
Until she meets her fated mate at a masquerade party…
He’s sexy as sin.
An Alpha Heir.
And completely and totally forbidden.
If you love YA fantasy, wolf-shifters, and enemies-to-lovers romance, get ready for a pulse-pounding story that will keep you riveted until the very last word.
*This new series is NOT Reverse Harem.
She’s trained her entire life to lead her pack, and the elite school is where she’ll receive the elemental magic that distinguishes her as an alpha heir.
But the four sexy guards sent to escort Nai are not only early—they’re her sworn enemies. Then when she arrives at Alpha Academy, the Alpha King is not happy to see her.
And if that isn’t enough...
Mysterious magical marks pop up on her skin, outcast shifters keep attacking the school, and someone is trying to kill her.
There is no way things could get worse. No way.
Until she meets her fated mate at a masquerade party…
He’s sexy as sin.
An Alpha Heir.
And completely and totally forbidden.
If you love YA fantasy, wolf-shifters, and enemies-to-lovers romance, get ready for a pulse-pounding story that will keep you riveted until the very last word.
*This new series is NOT Reverse Harem.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2020
3178 people are currently reading
12423 people want to read
About the author
Leia Stone
93 books6,563 followersLeia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple bestselling series including Matefinder and Wolf Girl. She's sold over two million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film. Her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. Leia writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with sassy kick-butt heroines and irresistible love interests. She lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and two children.
Follow her on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/leia.stone
Follow her on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/leia.stone
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 726 reviews
September 30, 2020
Makes no sense
Damn, I might be the only person who doesn't like this book, I have to say I really didn't want to finish this it in all honesty, but I made myself since I've seen nothing but high ratings, and yet here I am wishing i really hadn't. I didn't care much for this book, or the characters. I especially didn't care for the H. It's hard for me to see our H as a alpha who was going to rule one day, I found her soft and kinda ignorant of to much for someone who was going to be a ruler? She honestly didn't know much, it's like her father told her nothing? He knew this day would come but he let his daughter the heir pretty much clueless in so many ways. The only thing she could do was fight, but felt sick taking lives? She has a little freak outs each time she has to do what was necessary, and again it doesn't scream ruler or alpha in any sort of way. the entire book was of our H trying to figure out who her mate was rather then figuring out why she had marks or what made her different. And if you ask me that was way way more important! She also has issues with her wolf, and has issues backing up being this so called alpha, only when everything is dire does she actually do something. The ending is where we find out the truth, and yet my mind can't understand why her father never told her? How do you not warn you heir of what is to come? Knowing what she was? Knowing it was a death sentence? How do you not have mentioned any of This to your packs heir or prepared her for this outcome? This read made no sense to me at all? And I also hated how much the % came up in the book! What do I mean? Well every time she had a thought it was followed by a % (example) " I could be 47.2%, "/ maybe he was my attacker, I was 99.6% / it was a 89.5% chance! This is exactly how it reads in this book and it's freaking annoying! I will not be finishing this series
Damn, I might be the only person who doesn't like this book, I have to say I really didn't want to finish this it in all honesty, but I made myself since I've seen nothing but high ratings, and yet here I am wishing i really hadn't. I didn't care much for this book, or the characters. I especially didn't care for the H. It's hard for me to see our H as a alpha who was going to rule one day, I found her soft and kinda ignorant of to much for someone who was going to be a ruler? She honestly didn't know much, it's like her father told her nothing? He knew this day would come but he let his daughter the heir pretty much clueless in so many ways. The only thing she could do was fight, but felt sick taking lives? She has a little freak outs each time she has to do what was necessary, and again it doesn't scream ruler or alpha in any sort of way. the entire book was of our H trying to figure out who her mate was rather then figuring out why she had marks or what made her different. And if you ask me that was way way more important! She also has issues with her wolf, and has issues backing up being this so called alpha, only when everything is dire does she actually do something. The ending is where we find out the truth, and yet my mind can't understand why her father never told her? How do you not warn you heir of what is to come? Knowing what she was? Knowing it was a death sentence? How do you not have mentioned any of This to your packs heir or prepared her for this outcome? This read made no sense to me at all? And I also hated how much the % came up in the book! What do I mean? Well every time she had a thought it was followed by a % (example) " I could be 47.2%, "/ maybe he was my attacker, I was 99.6% / it was a 89.5% chance! This is exactly how it reads in this book and it's freaking annoying! I will not be finishing this series
March 29, 2021
Originally posted at:
I enjoyed this book way more than I was expecting to! It had a steady pace, overall interesting characters, a few cliches (which I don't mind whatsoever), and good writing. It passed the time quite well but ended on a cliffhanger! So be warned!
Nai was a level-headed woman out on a mission to succeed in life. Even though things were tough she was tougher. She tried to make the best out of every situation but wasn't afraid of confronting things head-on. As you may have noticed, I really liked her. I also liked how she didn't become a wilting violet just because she found her mate and didn't know his identity.
Her mate started out as a confused and horrified lil b*tch. There I said it. I disliked him as soon as he was ashamed/scared to own up to who his mate was. His wolf on the other hand? Precious! I understand that the political situation wasn't ideal but come on! It's fate! Don't you believe that destiny works in mysterious ways but is always right? I still think he needs to grovel more and both of them really need to have a full conversation about what this means for them and their place in their world.
The ending really took be my surprise. I was expecting so many things to happen but not what actually happened. I hope Nai can revert it somehow. I hope the second book in this series is just as amazing as this one!
The Audio Book:
The narration was great! All the characters were distinguishable from each other and there were no strange noises in the background. The audio was clear and easy to listen to.
I enjoyed this book way more than I was expecting to! It had a steady pace, overall interesting characters, a few cliches (which I don't mind whatsoever), and good writing. It passed the time quite well but ended on a cliffhanger! So be warned!
Nai was a level-headed woman out on a mission to succeed in life. Even though things were tough she was tougher. She tried to make the best out of every situation but wasn't afraid of confronting things head-on. As you may have noticed, I really liked her. I also liked how she didn't become a wilting violet just because she found her mate and didn't know his identity.
Her mate started out as a confused and horrified lil b*tch. There I said it. I disliked him as soon as he was ashamed/scared to own up to who his mate was. His wolf on the other hand? Precious! I understand that the political situation wasn't ideal but come on! It's fate! Don't you believe that destiny works in mysterious ways but is always right? I still think he needs to grovel more and both of them really need to have a full conversation about what this means for them and their place in their world.
The ending really took be my surprise. I was expecting so many things to happen but not what actually happened. I hope Nai can revert it somehow. I hope the second book in this series is just as amazing as this one!
The Audio Book:
The narration was great! All the characters were distinguishable from each other and there were no strange noises in the background. The audio was clear and easy to listen to.
March 5, 2021
YA series:
Don't let the cover fool you. This did not disappoint!
World build was flawless. Throughout this read I had a clear picture of characters/species involved, the hierarchy, and backstories. With any great read there are different point of views regarding things from the past. Stone leads the reader down the path to finding answers in just the right way. Never felt like the speed of the book was too slow or too rushed. The flow was flawless.
Midnight brothers... Courage aka Rage, Justice, Noble, and Honor could not be more different and I loved this. Stone made each unique yet never made one feel less powerful than the other. Noble and Honor are the more thoughtful, caring, openly compassionate brothers but they were just as bas ass as there brothers. Rage and Justice are the more domineering, quick to aggression brothers. All are too die for. I loved them all! They all serve a clear place in this read and were placed throughout with much care and thought by the author.
Nai was soooo close to making my kick arse heroine list. Her introduction in the very first pages caught me immediately. I was invested from the start. The love for her father and her pack is clear. She is a FMC that will put others ahead of herself even at her own cost. The backstory of her pack and the Midnight pack is introduced very early which I loved. I don't like to feel like there is something I am not aware of. Due to this early introduction as the story progresses it makes all the pieces fall into place beautifully. Nai is granted her magic in this book...you will have to read it to believe it and trust me it's worth it.
I loathe crying and Stone made me do it. The ending gah...heart breaker but with a purpose I have no doubt.
Looking forward to the next in the series!
Happy reading,
DD 💕
Don't let the cover fool you. This did not disappoint!
World build was flawless. Throughout this read I had a clear picture of characters/species involved, the hierarchy, and backstories. With any great read there are different point of views regarding things from the past. Stone leads the reader down the path to finding answers in just the right way. Never felt like the speed of the book was too slow or too rushed. The flow was flawless.
Midnight brothers... Courage aka Rage, Justice, Noble, and Honor could not be more different and I loved this. Stone made each unique yet never made one feel less powerful than the other. Noble and Honor are the more thoughtful, caring, openly compassionate brothers but they were just as bas ass as there brothers. Rage and Justice are the more domineering, quick to aggression brothers. All are too die for. I loved them all! They all serve a clear place in this read and were placed throughout with much care and thought by the author.
Nai was soooo close to making my kick arse heroine list. Her introduction in the very first pages caught me immediately. I was invested from the start. The love for her father and her pack is clear. She is a FMC that will put others ahead of herself even at her own cost. The backstory of her pack and the Midnight pack is introduced very early which I loved. I don't like to feel like there is something I am not aware of. Due to this early introduction as the story progresses it makes all the pieces fall into place beautifully. Nai is granted her magic in this book...you will have to read it to believe it and trust me it's worth it.
I loathe crying and Stone made me do it. The ending gah...heart breaker but with a purpose I have no doubt.
Looking forward to the next in the series!
Happy reading,
DD 💕
August 21, 2021
Meh.
A perfectly average paranormal shifter story. Which means it was fun and I liked it, but this one didn't really hook me. While it did have the fun, cliche bits I was expecting, there wasn't much depth or development to the story.
A perfectly average paranormal shifter story. Which means it was fun and I liked it, but this one didn't really hook me. While it did have the fun, cliche bits I was expecting, there wasn't much depth or development to the story.
November 12, 2020
That was a mix between a really bad middle school crush and an after school special.
52 times the author wrote “oh my mage” “holy mage” “what the mage” “mother mage” instead of swearing. Yes it annoyed me to the point I highlighted and kept track!
The author also no less than 40 times gave exact %’s the leading lady thought: I’m 34.5% sure this.... I’m 76.9% sure of that.
She was supposed to be the Alpha of her pack learning how to harness her magic so she could ensure her packs survival but after she meets boys... well like oh my god which one of you can I obsess over the entire book??? All of you totally for sure! O.o
Seriously she looks for her mate the entire book instead of trying to learn how to shift or harness her powers.
Last thing she gets these markings on her body 15% or so into the book and completely ignores them to focus on boys?!
She doesn’t deserve to be the manager of a yogurt shop let alone Alpha of a pack!
Why this book is rated so high is beyond me!
52 times the author wrote “oh my mage” “holy mage” “what the mage” “mother mage” instead of swearing. Yes it annoyed me to the point I highlighted and kept track!
The author also no less than 40 times gave exact %’s the leading lady thought: I’m 34.5% sure this.... I’m 76.9% sure of that.
She was supposed to be the Alpha of her pack learning how to harness her magic so she could ensure her packs survival but after she meets boys... well like oh my god which one of you can I obsess over the entire book??? All of you totally for sure! O.o
Seriously she looks for her mate the entire book instead of trying to learn how to shift or harness her powers.
Last thing she gets these markings on her body 15% or so into the book and completely ignores them to focus on boys?!
She doesn’t deserve to be the manager of a yogurt shop let alone Alpha of a pack!
Why this book is rated so high is beyond me!
October 7, 2020
Good start
A shifters island for all shifters except Nai and her family. Not sure why exactly but damn when you find out! I can't wait to find out what's next since this ended with a shock for sure. I really enjoyed the twist and turns in this book but there's still more I need to know. LOL
A shifters island for all shifters except Nai and her family. Not sure why exactly but damn when you find out! I can't wait to find out what's next since this ended with a shock for sure. I really enjoyed the twist and turns in this book but there's still more I need to know. LOL
September 27, 2020
Spellbinding Shifters With an Elemental Twist
To start, the cover captivated me, and I’ll read just about anything Leia Stone writes. In the beginning, I was really hesitant about this book; thinking it would be like so many other Academy books that I’ve read. Man, was I wrong. It was a little predictable in the beginning; yet the authors set the hook early to the point that you’ve read the entire book in a night. I haven’t read anything of Raye Wagner’s yet, though I’ll try her books next.
I was surprised and elated to see that this is NOT a Reverse Harem book; though there is a mystery love interest throughout the book (you’ll understand as you read it). The mystery surrounding the main character’s mate she finds at a masquerade is thrilling. The way they twist the story makes you really wonder which of the Midnight Brothers it could be. I absolutely loved the elemental magic twist that only the Alpha heirs of the packs have. It was so unique and different that it really drove me to read more to see what would happen next. Nai is such a strong female Alpha heir that it was empowering to read not only her, but the other powerful female alphas on the island. The end has a massive hook to make you want the next book as soon as possible. I really don’t know if I can wait till next March to get the next one in the series; and I don’t say that often.
To start, the cover captivated me, and I’ll read just about anything Leia Stone writes. In the beginning, I was really hesitant about this book; thinking it would be like so many other Academy books that I’ve read. Man, was I wrong. It was a little predictable in the beginning; yet the authors set the hook early to the point that you’ve read the entire book in a night. I haven’t read anything of Raye Wagner’s yet, though I’ll try her books next.
I was surprised and elated to see that this is NOT a Reverse Harem book; though there is a mystery love interest throughout the book (you’ll understand as you read it). The mystery surrounding the main character’s mate she finds at a masquerade is thrilling. The way they twist the story makes you really wonder which of the Midnight Brothers it could be. I absolutely loved the elemental magic twist that only the Alpha heirs of the packs have. It was so unique and different that it really drove me to read more to see what would happen next. Nai is such a strong female Alpha heir that it was empowering to read not only her, but the other powerful female alphas on the island. The end has a massive hook to make you want the next book as soon as possible. I really don’t know if I can wait till next March to get the next one in the series; and I don’t say that often.
November 11, 2020
4 stars
Yes! I loved it! Such a good storyline and very unique. I would have liked a bit more world building but you could infer some of the smaller things. The only reason it is four stars and not five is because the main character would say “what the what” and this deeply annoyed me.
Yes! I loved it! Such a good storyline and very unique. I would have liked a bit more world building but you could infer some of the smaller things. The only reason it is four stars and not five is because the main character would say “what the what” and this deeply annoyed me.
August 28, 2021
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. When an outcast alpha shifter is sent to alpha shifter school it becomes clear almost immediately that not all is right in the world. Attack after attack keeps happening to Nai. Then there is her mystery alpha mate. This book is just fun.
January 9, 2024
I’m laughing because this book was so not good while also being so good. Like a terrible soap opera you can’t stop watching, or like binging on junk food that you can’t stop eating even though it’s going to make you sick.
This book was totally silly but also addicting.
I acknowledge the disaster it is while also being excited to read the next book in the series. :)
What I liked-
- Sky-high angst and chemistry.
- Fantasy elements.
- Girl friendships.
- Academy setting.
- Enemies to lovers
- Fated Mates
- The MMC is respectful and devoted to the FMC by the end
- Multiple hot guys that befriend her.
- Cliffhanger that gives me enough closure but still excited for next book.
- NOT a reverse harem. (FYI, also no love triangle)
What I didn’t like-
- Writing was questionable. ie, overdone quirky things like the random percentages: “I was 67.3% sure of this.” Fight moves that were laughable: “I dropped one of my swords and slid in close to the warrior, grabbing him by the throat.” Reactions that were totally ridiculous and/or inappropriate (eg, the FMC emotionally screaming at her BFF’s sisters when her BFF is dying, as if the FMC has the right to grieve more than the SISTERS. Or the MMC being enraged for no apparent reason and with no heads up.), etc
- Plot was questionable. Basically, you just have to suspend your belief and critical thinking and roll with it. Too many examples to list.
- OP FMC. At least she is set up to be super OP in next installments.
- Disregard for human life. eg, campus is attacked and all the healers and guards are murdered but the characters seem flippant about it. (School security is obviously compromised, but classes are back in session after one day off. ??) The FMC obliterates two people in a mess of bloody carnage and then cringes like, “Oh oops, is that a high crime?”
- Over the top possessiveness (You’re Mine trope) and hot/cold love interest (Alpha A-hole trope). The book makes this seem hot but as soon as the reader steps away and thinks about it, it’s eye-roll worthy.
So yeah, it has mega issues. But if you can roll with it, the chemistry and angst are a lot of fun!
Content-
Language: some swearing. They say “Holy Mage” instead of swearing sometimes. No f-words. She says, “frick!” sometimes, which I actually find humorous.
Steam: talk of “hook ups” happening in general among student body but never specifically with the characters. No sex scenes. One make out session with wandering hands. The FMC is a virgin.
I read this on KU
How I rated the series-
Midnight Kisses- 3 stars
Midnight Lies- 1 star (couldn’t make it halfway)
This book was totally silly but also addicting.
I acknowledge the disaster it is while also being excited to read the next book in the series. :)
What I liked-
- Sky-high angst and chemistry.
- Fantasy elements.
- Girl friendships.
- Academy setting.
- Enemies to lovers
- Fated Mates
- The MMC is respectful and devoted to the FMC by the end
- Multiple hot guys that befriend her.
- Cliffhanger that gives me enough closure but still excited for next book.
- NOT a reverse harem. (FYI, also no love triangle)
What I didn’t like-
- Writing was questionable. ie, overdone quirky things like the random percentages: “I was 67.3% sure of this.” Fight moves that were laughable: “I dropped one of my swords and slid in close to the warrior, grabbing him by the throat.” Reactions that were totally ridiculous and/or inappropriate (eg, the FMC emotionally screaming at her BFF’s sisters when her BFF is dying, as if the FMC has the right to grieve more than the SISTERS. Or the MMC being enraged for no apparent reason and with no heads up.), etc
- Plot was questionable. Basically, you just have to suspend your belief and critical thinking and roll with it. Too many examples to list.
- OP FMC. At least she is set up to be super OP in next installments.
- Disregard for human life. eg, campus is attacked and all the healers and guards are murdered but the characters seem flippant about it. (School security is obviously compromised, but classes are back in session after one day off. ??) The FMC obliterates two people in a mess of bloody carnage and then cringes like, “Oh oops, is that a high crime?”
- Over the top possessiveness (You’re Mine trope) and hot/cold love interest (Alpha A-hole trope). The book makes this seem hot but as soon as the reader steps away and thinks about it, it’s eye-roll worthy.
So yeah, it has mega issues. But if you can roll with it, the chemistry and angst are a lot of fun!
Content-
Language: some swearing. They say “Holy Mage” instead of swearing sometimes. No f-words. She says, “frick!” sometimes, which I actually find humorous.
Steam: talk of “hook ups” happening in general among student body but never specifically with the characters. No sex scenes. One make out session with wandering hands. The FMC is a virgin.
I read this on KU
How I rated the series-
Midnight Kisses- 3 stars
Midnight Lies- 1 star (couldn’t make it halfway)
September 10, 2025
I'm sorry, aber das war so schlecht ... ich habe meine Augen öfter verdreht als ein Hai seine Nickhaut vors Auge schiebt. Nai, die Prota, war eine Mary Sue vor dem Herrn und special snowflake par excellence. Dann dieser nervtötende girl-on-girl-hate, der sich konstant durchgezogen hat und die betreffende Person wurde die meiste Zeit mit 'die bösartige Barbie' tituliert. Brauchen wir 2025 so was noch immer? Nein, definitiv nicht. Jeden Plottwist konnte ich drei Meilen gegen den Wind riechen. Selten so ein vorhersehbares Buch gelesen. Die Übersetzung war nebenbei bemerkt auch eher schlecht. An einer Stelle disst ein Nebencharakter einen anderen und im Original muss eindeutig 'Burn' die Reaktion von Nai gewesen sein. Herr Krug übersetzt es wörtlich mit 'Brenn'. Da fehlen mir die Worte. Wenn ich es nicht einer Arbeitskollegin zuliebe begonnen hätte, hätte ich dieses Buch nicht mal mit der Kneifzange angefasst. Grundsätzlich habe ich nichts gegen Magic Academy Settings oder gegen Gestaltwandler. Ich habe die komplette Crave-Reihe gelesen, die auch eher unter Trash fällt, aber die fand ich wesentlich unterhaltsamer als diesen Quatsch. Von mir gibt's eindeutig keine Leseempfehlung.
April 3, 2021
Having read Wolf Girl by Leia Stone a little while ago I did not have high hopes for this book (I wasn't planning on reading this one but the magic and shifters combo got me lol). But I was pleasantly surprised, this is a lot better than Wolf Girl - the characters are much more fleshed out and stuff actually happens, albeit she does still save a solid 75% of the plot to happen in the last 40 ish pages.
The magic was pretty cool and I liked the concept of the marks appearing on her body for different things, it gave strong Avatar the Last Airbender vibes which I am always here for (elemental powers will always be cool).
The only issue I had, also mentioned in my review of Wolf Girl I think, was the very Wattpad-esque writing. Those who dwelled in the same region of Wattpad as me a few years ago will share my rage as this phrase was used twice in the book: " "Nope." I popped the "p". " , [insert angry heavy breathing]. There was also some obsession with using extremely specific percentages, I'm talking 3 significant figures, when talking about things - like when you or I would say "I was 80% sure", the character? author? book? would say "I was 87.3% sure". Now that would probably be fine if it was used once of twice in the whole book, no it was used at least once or twice a chapterrrrr.
Overall, I wanted to read a trashy paranormal romance with magical powers and this book delivered.
The magic was pretty cool and I liked the concept of the marks appearing on her body for different things, it gave strong Avatar the Last Airbender vibes which I am always here for (elemental powers will always be cool).
The only issue I had, also mentioned in my review of Wolf Girl I think, was the very Wattpad-esque writing. Those who dwelled in the same region of Wattpad as me a few years ago will share my rage as this phrase was used twice in the book: " "Nope." I popped the "p". " , [insert angry heavy breathing]. There was also some obsession with using extremely specific percentages, I'm talking 3 significant figures, when talking about things - like when you or I would say "I was 80% sure", the character? author? book? would say "I was 87.3% sure". Now that would probably be fine if it was used once of twice in the whole book, no it was used at least once or twice a chapterrrrr.
Overall, I wanted to read a trashy paranormal romance with magical powers and this book delivered.
September 27, 2020
Absolutely wonderful. I love Nai and her snarkiness, especially in the beginning with the Alpha heirs. Their clans are enemies, they are supposed to be against one another. No matter what. This is a fated mates, enemies to lovers academy story. Well written. I love the characters and the world this is set in. Can’t wait for book 2!!
July 26, 2021
A book needs to be engaing
I did NOT give one star for errors or anything like that. I had to stop at 27% literally nothing is going on. So far the book does not answer any questions and is moving slower than a snails pass.
Yes she's attracted to Rage but that is all you know, it just doesn't keep me interested enough to go on reading to find out if a story actually develops.
I did NOT give one star for errors or anything like that. I had to stop at 27% literally nothing is going on. So far the book does not answer any questions and is moving slower than a snails pass.
Yes she's attracted to Rage but that is all you know, it just doesn't keep me interested enough to go on reading to find out if a story actually develops.
December 1, 2024
[Werbung, Rezensionsexemplar]
Rezension zu Shifter Island: Die Akademie der Wöfe - Leia Stone & Raye Wagner
|Band 1| ONE| Erschienen am 29.11.2024 | 2 Sterne
Eines Tages soll Nai in die Fussstapfen ihres Vaters treten und als Alpha die Leitung ihres Rudels übernehmen. Zuvor wird sie jedoch an der Alpha Academy ausgebildet, um unter anderem zu lernen, wie sie ihre Elementar-Kräfte beherrschen kann. Bei ihrer Ankunft wir Nai jedoch als Aussätzige behandelt und besonders die vier Nachkommen des Moon... Rudels scheinen es auf sie abgesehen zu haben. Als wäre das nicht schon schlimm genug, trifft sie kurz darauf an einem Maskenball auf ihren Mate. Dieser scheint ihr jedoch auf keinen Fall ein zweites Mal begegnen zu wollen...
Ich wurde von Seite eins an in die Geschichte hineingesogen. Das Lesetempo hat mir anfangs sehr zugesagt, es ging flott voran und auch das Worldbuilding traf meinen Geschmack. Die Kombination von Elementar-Magie bei Gestaltwandlern fand ich interessant und grade der Fokus auf Werwölfe und die damit einhergehenden Themen wie beispielsweise die Fated Mates Verbindungen hat mir sehr zugesagt. Ab der Hälfte wurde mir das Tempo jedoch zu hastig. Beispielsweise bahnt sich eine Freundschaft zwischen zwei Charakteren an, es gibt einen Zeitsprung und zack sind sie sehr gute Freunde. Für mich als Leserin war die Entwicklung leider nicht nachvollziehbar. So verhielt es sich leider mit der Beziehung zu vielen Nebencharakteren. Diese haben durchaus Potenzial mitgebracht, leider wurde dieses nicht ausgeschöpft. Weiter muss ich auch sagen, dass mich das Ende überhaupt nicht überraschen konnte und ich enttäuscht war darüber, wie vorhersehbar die ganze Geschichte in meinen Augen war. Die Lösung zum grossen Rätsel darum, wer nun Nais Mate ist, lag für mich von Anfang an auf der Hand. Ich habe auch nicht ganz verstanden, warum sie so lange gebraucht hat, um darauf zu kommen.
Nai war mir als Protagonistin anfangs sehr sympathisch. Sie ist taff und durch und durch eine Alpha, die ab und an auch etwas vorlaut ist. Auch die Brüder des Midnight Rudels habe ich schnell ins Herz geschlossen und mochte vor allem die Dynamik zwischen der Prota und den Jungs. Ich habe mir hiervon sehr viel versprochen. Leider entwickelte sich auch hier die Beziehung viel zu schnell und die Brüder blieben, bis auf eine Ausnahme, sehr blass. Zwei konnte ich fast nicht auseinanderhalten und der dritte hat ebenfalls sehr wenig Raum bekommen. Dennoch wurde mir als Leserin verkauft, dass sie alle sehr schnell Zuneigung Nai gegenüber empfinden, was einfach nicht nachvollziehbar war.
Alles in allem hat sich diese Geschichte leider vom potenziellen Jahreshighlight zu einem beinahe Flop entwickelt. Es hatte viel Potenzial, beispielsweise das Setting, das Magiesystem, die Charaktere und einige coole Handlungsstränge. Allerdings blieb alles sehr oberflächlich, was mitunter auch am rasanten Erzähltempo lag. Einige Szenen haben mir gut gefallen, gerade auch welche, die den Love Interest einschlossen, dennoch kann ich nicht mehr als 2 Sterne vergeben. Sehr schade!
Rezension zu Shifter Island: Die Akademie der Wöfe - Leia Stone & Raye Wagner
|Band 1| ONE| Erschienen am 29.11.2024 | 2 Sterne
Eines Tages soll Nai in die Fussstapfen ihres Vaters treten und als Alpha die Leitung ihres Rudels übernehmen. Zuvor wird sie jedoch an der Alpha Academy ausgebildet, um unter anderem zu lernen, wie sie ihre Elementar-Kräfte beherrschen kann. Bei ihrer Ankunft wir Nai jedoch als Aussätzige behandelt und besonders die vier Nachkommen des Moon... Rudels scheinen es auf sie abgesehen zu haben. Als wäre das nicht schon schlimm genug, trifft sie kurz darauf an einem Maskenball auf ihren Mate. Dieser scheint ihr jedoch auf keinen Fall ein zweites Mal begegnen zu wollen...
Ich wurde von Seite eins an in die Geschichte hineingesogen. Das Lesetempo hat mir anfangs sehr zugesagt, es ging flott voran und auch das Worldbuilding traf meinen Geschmack. Die Kombination von Elementar-Magie bei Gestaltwandlern fand ich interessant und grade der Fokus auf Werwölfe und die damit einhergehenden Themen wie beispielsweise die Fated Mates Verbindungen hat mir sehr zugesagt. Ab der Hälfte wurde mir das Tempo jedoch zu hastig. Beispielsweise bahnt sich eine Freundschaft zwischen zwei Charakteren an, es gibt einen Zeitsprung und zack sind sie sehr gute Freunde. Für mich als Leserin war die Entwicklung leider nicht nachvollziehbar. So verhielt es sich leider mit der Beziehung zu vielen Nebencharakteren. Diese haben durchaus Potenzial mitgebracht, leider wurde dieses nicht ausgeschöpft. Weiter muss ich auch sagen, dass mich das Ende überhaupt nicht überraschen konnte und ich enttäuscht war darüber, wie vorhersehbar die ganze Geschichte in meinen Augen war. Die Lösung zum grossen Rätsel darum, wer nun Nais Mate ist, lag für mich von Anfang an auf der Hand. Ich habe auch nicht ganz verstanden, warum sie so lange gebraucht hat, um darauf zu kommen.
Nai war mir als Protagonistin anfangs sehr sympathisch. Sie ist taff und durch und durch eine Alpha, die ab und an auch etwas vorlaut ist. Auch die Brüder des Midnight Rudels habe ich schnell ins Herz geschlossen und mochte vor allem die Dynamik zwischen der Prota und den Jungs. Ich habe mir hiervon sehr viel versprochen. Leider entwickelte sich auch hier die Beziehung viel zu schnell und die Brüder blieben, bis auf eine Ausnahme, sehr blass. Zwei konnte ich fast nicht auseinanderhalten und der dritte hat ebenfalls sehr wenig Raum bekommen. Dennoch wurde mir als Leserin verkauft, dass sie alle sehr schnell Zuneigung Nai gegenüber empfinden, was einfach nicht nachvollziehbar war.
Alles in allem hat sich diese Geschichte leider vom potenziellen Jahreshighlight zu einem beinahe Flop entwickelt. Es hatte viel Potenzial, beispielsweise das Setting, das Magiesystem, die Charaktere und einige coole Handlungsstränge. Allerdings blieb alles sehr oberflächlich, was mitunter auch am rasanten Erzähltempo lag. Einige Szenen haben mir gut gefallen, gerade auch welche, die den Love Interest einschlossen, dennoch kann ich nicht mehr als 2 Sterne vergeben. Sehr schade!
August 16, 2021
Midnight Kisses is the first book in the Shifter Island series by Leia Stone and Raye Wagner, and it’s a book I enjoyed a lot more than I’d anticipated. I went into this expecting something easy, something that would pass some time when I was not in the mood to read something heavy, and that’s exactly what it offered. I did not, however, expect to be quite as addicted to it as I was.
I’ll be completely honest and say it’s not quite a full four-star rating. However, the fact I was so addicted to it left me unable to round my rating down. The character did some stupid things, there were times when I could not understand how they were missing the obvious, but the story certainly kept me turning the pages. There were plenty of elements introduced, plenty of details I’m eager to see come together, and that left me unable to put it down. I was hooked, could not get enough, and was left happy to dive into the second book.
If you’re looking for something easy and addictive, Midnight Kisses certainly hits the spot.
I’ll be completely honest and say it’s not quite a full four-star rating. However, the fact I was so addicted to it left me unable to round my rating down. The character did some stupid things, there were times when I could not understand how they were missing the obvious, but the story certainly kept me turning the pages. There were plenty of elements introduced, plenty of details I’m eager to see come together, and that left me unable to put it down. I was hooked, could not get enough, and was left happy to dive into the second book.
If you’re looking for something easy and addictive, Midnight Kisses certainly hits the spot.
March 16, 2021
Werewolf Mystery Academy Series
Mystery #1: Nai gets accepted into Shifter Island Academy a year earlier than expected. It's completely unheard of and a shock to everyone - including the "Alpha King." Who's behind it and why?
Mystery #2: Four handsome Midnight Clan wolves come to retrieve Nai from her home, and I have to be honest, I figured out who the mate was that early on. As unlikely as it might have seemed as the story progressed, and even though it did become a little confusing for the protaganist, my hunch was correct. Solved by the end of book 1.
Mystery #3: Nai's clan was banished from Shifter Island. There's conflicting stories coming from both the Midnight Clan and her Cresent Clan. Her clan's banished status is causing trouble with her mysterious mate so that he must keep his identity a secret. Not only that, shifter laws are stupid. Mate bonding outside of your pack and interracial mating is forbidden. Who is telling the truth, and how will Nai and her mate circumvent the law... and fate?
Mystery #4: What is Nai? It's obvious from the start that she's different from other shifters. Mystery solved by the end of book 1, but I just have more questions now. LOL. So, on to book 2.
Midnight Kisses (Shifter Island Book 1) was a well paced read. It kept me engaged with everything that was going on, even with the standard tropes. I'm pretty certain that there are some mysterious inner workings of the mage society that are behind all that's transpiring here. A power struggle to right things that are wrong within the magical realm/on the Island. I have a feeling that everything will be turned upside down in the next book. The enemies of the Alpha King will be the liberators - that kind of thing. Uncle Declan, that bastard, needs to go!
4.5 Stars.
Mystery #1: Nai gets accepted into Shifter Island Academy a year earlier than expected. It's completely unheard of and a shock to everyone - including the "Alpha King." Who's behind it and why?
Mystery #2: Four handsome Midnight Clan wolves come to retrieve Nai from her home, and I have to be honest, I figured out who the mate was that early on. As unlikely as it might have seemed as the story progressed, and even though it did become a little confusing for the protaganist, my hunch was correct. Solved by the end of book 1.
Mystery #3: Nai's clan was banished from Shifter Island. There's conflicting stories coming from both the Midnight Clan and her Cresent Clan. Her clan's banished status is causing trouble with her mysterious mate so that he must keep his identity a secret. Not only that, shifter laws are stupid. Mate bonding outside of your pack and interracial mating is forbidden. Who is telling the truth, and how will Nai and her mate circumvent the law... and fate?
Mystery #4: What is Nai? It's obvious from the start that she's different from other shifters. Mystery solved by the end of book 1, but I just have more questions now. LOL. So, on to book 2.
Midnight Kisses (Shifter Island Book 1) was a well paced read. It kept me engaged with everything that was going on, even with the standard tropes. I'm pretty certain that there are some mysterious inner workings of the mage society that are behind all that's transpiring here. A power struggle to right things that are wrong within the magical realm/on the Island. I have a feeling that everything will be turned upside down in the next book. The enemies of the Alpha King will be the liberators - that kind of thing. Uncle Declan, that bastard, needs to go!
4.5 Stars.
March 24, 2021
Holy batman did I love this! I started this last night and unfortunately had work, so couldn't get back to it until tonight, but mannnnnn I enjoyed this so very much.
Nai is a great character and pretty funny without being overly snarky. Her Harvest pack of girlfriends are just gold and I love their friendship and support of each other. Friendship goals, totally.
Now interestingly, this is not an RH but it's so close, you can smell it. The Midnight Princes are each great and it's truly regretful that there's only one mate. Well, unless things change in the upcoming, but I don't think so.
Ugh, can't wait to move on to the next book because Nai is on a mission after that cliffhanger. I'm completely in agreement because what happened and leaving it that way is plain unacceptable.
Reading was smooth and I loved the pace of the story. I enthusiastically recommend giving the first in series a go.
Nai is a great character and pretty funny without being overly snarky. Her Harvest pack of girlfriends are just gold and I love their friendship and support of each other. Friendship goals, totally.
Now interestingly, this is not an RH but it's so close, you can smell it. The Midnight Princes are each great and it's truly regretful that there's only one mate. Well, unless things change in the upcoming, but I don't think so.
Ugh, can't wait to move on to the next book because Nai is on a mission after that cliffhanger. I'm completely in agreement because what happened and leaving it that way is plain unacceptable.
Reading was smooth and I loved the pace of the story. I enthusiastically recommend giving the first in series a go.
December 11, 2022
Une lecture facile, rapide, comme l’autre saga de Leia Stone, j’aime bien, je suis indulgente.
November 12, 2025
Das Buch war ein Zufallsfund über Skoobe, hab ja mittlerweile schon mehrere Bücher der Autorin gelesen und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht. Ich liebe das Setting und die Protagonisten.
Der Schreibstil lässt sich sehr angenehm lesen und auch das Knistern zwischen den Charakteren ist fühlbar. Das Ende war echt überraschend und macht Lust auf den nächsten Band der Reihe.
Es gibt einige Überraschungen und unerwartete Wendungen.
Zusammenfasend hat sich der erste Band der Shifter Island Reihe aus der Feder von Leia Stone 5 von 5 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Der Schreibstil lässt sich sehr angenehm lesen und auch das Knistern zwischen den Charakteren ist fühlbar. Das Ende war echt überraschend und macht Lust auf den nächsten Band der Reihe.
Es gibt einige Überraschungen und unerwartete Wendungen.
Zusammenfasend hat sich der erste Band der Shifter Island Reihe aus der Feder von Leia Stone 5 von 5 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
November 16, 2020
Light mindless reading
This was a book playing out your classic tropes. It was light reading with well enough writing that snagged you but not enough where you are NEEDING that next book. I got a little cringey when the main female lead and her mate spoke to each other as wolves... her wolf sounded verbally put together, where as his wolf sounded like a caveman “me. No. Like” kinda speaking... 🙄. Honestly this would’ve been soooo much better as a RH. It would’ve added more depth to the loss at the end. With that said, I don’t think there was a lot of development within the characters and the setting itself wasn’t delved into. She’s going to classes but she’s only going to two, you don’t hear anything about her mother, or the deal with the blackmage. Again, with so many guys why does she have to choose? She’s got like 4-5 marks wouldn’t it stand to reason she has a guy to help harness each one?
This was a book playing out your classic tropes. It was light reading with well enough writing that snagged you but not enough where you are NEEDING that next book. I got a little cringey when the main female lead and her mate spoke to each other as wolves... her wolf sounded verbally put together, where as his wolf sounded like a caveman “me. No. Like” kinda speaking... 🙄. Honestly this would’ve been soooo much better as a RH. It would’ve added more depth to the loss at the end. With that said, I don’t think there was a lot of development within the characters and the setting itself wasn’t delved into. She’s going to classes but she’s only going to two, you don’t hear anything about her mother, or the deal with the blackmage. Again, with so many guys why does she have to choose? She’s got like 4-5 marks wouldn’t it stand to reason she has a guy to help harness each one?
April 10, 2022
This book is about a werewolf girl sent to study in a remote place, an Academy situated on an island.
The intrigue is made up of the fact that she is the heiress of an excommunicated pack and she is going to spend her next four years studying under the reign of the King of all shifters that had exiled her pack in the first place.
She is taken into this remote-fancy-very-secretive-Academy by four werewolves-boys that are part of royalty there (this is not a reverse-harem; the romantic interest is ).
The problem begins with how she is treated on this island. Because she is the member of a pack that was thrown away she is considered a sort of the second citizen (or at least, it is tried to make it seem so.)
With that being said, I am too tired to make a 2.000 words rant review on why this book, whilst not being that-bad, (almost decent, really), it still successfully rattled my brains out of their cage.
So, I will just make a list with my remarks during my reading of this, with bits of quotes to support my reaction (and to give a fitting context):
1.She (the protagonist) gets emotional about having to leave her home and tears well in her eyes. She stops herself from crying by saying some naively-foolish motivational thingy:
“Tears were not befitting an alpha's daughter. No one wanted a leader whose first instinct was emotion. I needed to be strong for me and my pack.”
ON THE CONTRARY. I WOULD WANT THAT.
2.In this part she finds out the names of these four heirs to the throne of the shifter`s kingdom. They are all named after virtues (I rolled down my carpet from cringing). This is the moment when :
“Prince Courage! Your uncle has been very concerned. The island has been on lockdown all day. Where have you been?” The guard’s words registered and then rattled my brain like an electric fence. Prince Courage. Rage. Rage was … a prince…”
I DON`T HAVE WORDS FOR HOW LAME HIS NAME IS.
3.This is a remark that goes more as a critique of the writing itself. Out of a hurry to give the reader a lot of info from the first, the authors seem to rely more on saying, rather than showing.
“Being a dominant female close to such dominant males from a rival clan … it had my wolf so riled I felt like crawling out of my skin.”
SHOW DO NOT TELL
4.Another thing, but this is a plot-wise critique. I did not like that :
“It’s you,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe.“What?” I didn’t have time to process anything more because, at that moment, he leaned in and captured my mouth in a kiss. ”
5.Instead of “real-life” curse words they are using their own version:
“What. The. Mage?”
I HATE THIS VARIANT OF A CURSE WORD. IT IS LIKE SAYING "WHAT.THE. PRESIDENT?"
6.These werewolves get matching tattoo rings when they find their 4ever-partner:
“Looking at our clasped hands, I stared at fated mate marks on our ring fingers, a glowing white swirl pattern in place of where a human couple might wear rings.
Holy mage.”
=))) RIDICULOUS
7. I ABSOLUTELY despised how superficial her title as a powerful she-wolf was!! She is described as a capable individual, BUT when it comes the time to defend her choices she immediately side-steps and watches how two other guys are fighting over her. She stands by and watches.
“Hey,” a man snarled, his voice faintly familiar. “She was mine first.”
I HATED THIS.
8.“He wasn’t from Crescent Clan—which was a problem. Big problem. Mating outside of one’s clan was forbidden; it diluted powers.”
THIS SOUNDS SUPER INCESTUOUS-FRIENDLY
9.“Only really strong alpha heirs had enough magic to shift and hold on to their clothes while they did so. My mate was powerful.”
THIS IS NOT HEALTHY
10.“As female alpha heirs, we were expected to stay virgins until we took a breeding mate. ”
SOMEBODY PLEASE CURB MY SUFFERENCE
11.“It was SO male wolf to make sure a female was fed, but the timing and consistency of his gifts made it seem less a play for power and more a play for my heart. Either way, I couldn’t totally hate him.
I HATED THIS
It is quite hard to rate this book. On one hand, it is a pretty decent paranormal-wolf-academia. It is not WOW, but it is digestible. In comparison with other books on this specter that I had to leave them at a DNF because they were that-bad this book seemed almost good.
December 16, 2021
I haven’t read in two weeks- I’ve just been so busy, but I finally started this book that I downloaded at the beginning of the month.
It was a little bit of a guilty pleasure.
Predictable, really young and immature, cliched but also enjoyable.
If I were half my age I would’ve loved it all the more. As it goes, I’m almost 40 and felt really rather old reading this. But it still ticked a couple of boxes for me.
I can’t decide if I’ll read the next one or not.
It was a little bit of a guilty pleasure.
Predictable, really young and immature, cliched but also enjoyable.
If I were half my age I would’ve loved it all the more. As it goes, I’m almost 40 and felt really rather old reading this. But it still ticked a couple of boxes for me.
I can’t decide if I’ll read the next one or not.
November 12, 2020
The blurb kind of confused me at first. I almost didn't even read it because I didn't think I'd like this book. Fortunately, Leia Stone hasn't written a book that I don't like so I decided to go for it. Thank goodness I did! This was such a fun ride. The end had me like 😶😶😶😶😶😶. I am so ready to jump into book 2!!
November 16, 2024
2,75/5 ⭐
October 1, 2020
I haven’t read a lot of shifter books, but I have to say, I love this book! It’s such a fun read. These authors really outdid themselves! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
September 30, 2020
***Brilliant new series***
I can't expressed enough how much I love this book omg this is one of the best shifter story I have ever read and I've read hundreds of them. It's fast paced and brilliantly written and the angst and the heat level is scorching. Rage and Nai are perfect together and wow I hate that alpha ass***I cried for Honor and I love the harvest sisters.
I can't expressed enough how much I love this book omg this is one of the best shifter story I have ever read and I've read hundreds of them. It's fast paced and brilliantly written and the angst and the heat level is scorching. Rage and Nai are perfect together and wow I hate that alpha ass***I cried for Honor and I love the harvest sisters.
February 6, 2025
Kennt ihr so Bücher, die objektiv gesehen jetzt nicht das Beste auf dieser Erde sind, aber ihr könnt irgendwie nicht aufhören zu lesen XD Bei mir war es bei Shifter Island so.
Der Schreibstil ist leicht zu lesen. Zusammen mit dem relativ schnellen Plot bin ich deswegen einfach durch die Seiten geflogen. Jedoch kommt hier auch meine erste Kritik: Der Plot ist schnell - leider zu schnell. Als Leser kriegt man wenig von der eigentlichen Akademie mit. Es ist eher so, dass die ganze Zeit gefeiert wird oder die Hauptfigur arbeiten muss. Zwischendurch passieren ein paar spannende Dinge, aber ich denke der Fokus lag hier wirklich auf Nais Beziehung zu ihrem mysteriösen Mate.
Direkt zu Beginn war ich von dem Schreibstil bzw. von der Sprache doch etwas genervt. Dafür, dass es YA Richtung NA geht, sprechen die Figuren und gerade Hauptfigur wie 16-Jährige. Das bessert sich immerhin etwas im Verlauf der Geschichte.
Da die Geschichte super schnell voran geht, fehlten mir leider schon ein bisschen Tiefe - bei der Welt in der wir uns befinden und gerade bei den „romantischen“ Gefühlen, war ich doch wenig überzeugt. Es gibt körperliche Anziehung, aber da der Leser wenig von Gesprächen oder Treffen mitkriegt, entwickelt sich einfach keine Basis, die Emotionen beim Leser auslösen. In diesem Bereich hätte ich mir mehr gewünscht, insbesondere da an sich Found Family hier schön aufgebaut wird. Dies und andere Gefühle hätten so schön weiter ausgebaut werden können. So konnte ich nur zum Teil das Ganze nachempfinden.
Spannung gibt es dennoch ein bisschen im Buch und gerade zum Ende wurde es noch sehr interessant. In Verbindung mit der Wolfsdarstellung konnte mich die Geschichte hier noch fesseln.
*Werbung/Rezensionsexemplar*
Der Schreibstil ist leicht zu lesen. Zusammen mit dem relativ schnellen Plot bin ich deswegen einfach durch die Seiten geflogen. Jedoch kommt hier auch meine erste Kritik: Der Plot ist schnell - leider zu schnell. Als Leser kriegt man wenig von der eigentlichen Akademie mit. Es ist eher so, dass die ganze Zeit gefeiert wird oder die Hauptfigur arbeiten muss. Zwischendurch passieren ein paar spannende Dinge, aber ich denke der Fokus lag hier wirklich auf Nais Beziehung zu ihrem mysteriösen Mate.
Direkt zu Beginn war ich von dem Schreibstil bzw. von der Sprache doch etwas genervt. Dafür, dass es YA Richtung NA geht, sprechen die Figuren und gerade Hauptfigur wie 16-Jährige. Das bessert sich immerhin etwas im Verlauf der Geschichte.
Da die Geschichte super schnell voran geht, fehlten mir leider schon ein bisschen Tiefe - bei der Welt in der wir uns befinden und gerade bei den „romantischen“ Gefühlen, war ich doch wenig überzeugt. Es gibt körperliche Anziehung, aber da der Leser wenig von Gesprächen oder Treffen mitkriegt, entwickelt sich einfach keine Basis, die Emotionen beim Leser auslösen. In diesem Bereich hätte ich mir mehr gewünscht, insbesondere da an sich Found Family hier schön aufgebaut wird. Dies und andere Gefühle hätten so schön weiter ausgebaut werden können. So konnte ich nur zum Teil das Ganze nachempfinden.
Spannung gibt es dennoch ein bisschen im Buch und gerade zum Ende wurde es noch sehr interessant. In Verbindung mit der Wolfsdarstellung konnte mich die Geschichte hier noch fesseln.
*Werbung/Rezensionsexemplar*
June 22, 2021
Midnight Kisses was such a fun ride! Nai is snarky and a strong heroine. I loved how she was able to handle the testostrone-fueled males around her. And I loved the twist at the end! The clues were laid out just right, but I still didn't guess what was going on. It was a great read!
March 9, 2021
Sooo good!!! I stayed up way to late last night b/c of this book! The brothers the side characters of the harvest sisters .. I loved them all!!!! Super good story, great beginning! Awesome anticipation of the male guy.. so good! Onto book 2 💕💕💕yay
Displaying 1 - 30 of 726 reviews