The only thing that Sullivan Gray loves more than writing is reading. And maybe coffee. She writes in a variety of YA genres. In addition to the Blakemore Paranormal Academy series, she is the author of Pariah, the first in a contemporary YA spy series. When not writing, she's helping her husband wrangle their five kids and hosting the Create If Writing Podcast under her other name, Kirsten Oliphant.
In the previous instalment, Taya learned not only of the existence of magic but of a supernatural civil war that broke out twenty years earlier that split the supernatural community in two. One faction tried to compel other Supes to expose themselves to humanity while the others forced them into hiding by killing parents and stealing children. Taya realises that the people she had thought of as her parents were anything but.
Taya’s trust in Ms Meadows and the gang is shaken when a hapless Church accidentally activates the mating bond with her. Misinterpreting his horrified reaction, Taya decides to leave with Mack and enrols at the prestigious Academy for supernaturals in the hopes of further exploring her powers and finding answers regarding her parentage.
Several weeks have passed and Taya has settled into her new surroundings. Although she continues to feel the pull of the mating bond and misses Sutton and the gang terribly, she strikes up a tentative friendship with a small circle of friends. It soon becomes apparent that all is not well at the Academy. Despite Mack’s warning to conceal her abilities, her secret is inadvertently exposed, putting her in terrible danger...
The adventure and entertainment value ramp up in the conclusion of this series in a plot that continues to expand as new characters come into the fray. While Noah, Seph and La were welcome additions, it was nevertheless a relief when Taya was finally reunited with Sutton and the gang as their presence had been sorely missing.
The group dynamics and in particular Taya’s development throughout the course of this trilogy were a revelation. Gone is the tortured girl who was a pariah in the first book. We now have a stronger, assertive and indomitable girl, seeking retribution for the wrong done to her and seeking justice for the other students who were tortured and murdered by those who wanted to used them and absorb their powers.
The plot was clever and well-structured with moments of action and suspense that were engrossing and building to a climax that was neat and satisfying. Interestingly the author gave us a brief introduction of the Blakemore family and their feisty three year old daughter, Arcadiana, who will feature more prominently in the spin-off of this trilogy. I’m looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for her.
Overall this has been an exciting, fast-paced read one woman’s journey of coming into her own with well-developed characters that are a pleasure to either root for or hate and. I was happy with the way the author tied up all the loose ends. I recommend this series to fans of YA paranormal romance with a strong kick ass heroine, slow burn romance, shifters, psyches, vampires, succubi, demons and secret societies etc.
This was a really satisfying ending to this series. I love the intricacies of the relationships that developed throughout all three books. The love triangle here does not seem forced and doesn't get into overly possessive, macho alpha territory. I appreciate that so much. Overall, I'm very content with the ending, but also sad that this will be, as I understand it, the last installment in this universe. The world building and magic system was so fun. The social and political consequences of having a supernatural community, pre and post unveiling, felt very true to how society would take things. I can't recommend this series enough, not just for young adults but readers of all ages.
🔮🔮ONE WICKED CONCLUSION🔮🔮 Burning bloomers! Sullivan hit the motherload with this turbulent rollercoaster ride, kicking @ss with a vengeance and laying waste, serving up some harsh facts, brutal lessons and close calls, luring you deeper into this tangled web until nothing else exists, propelling this jewel to a whole new level. Sparks ignite as riveting drama, perilous intrigue, cruel tactics, rattling anticipation, spiraling danger, escalating suspense and intense situations, you have one mind-blowing masterpiece. Deception and callous tendencies descend in tempest of cunning manipulations and clever strategies showcase the scattered perimeters, blurred lines and broken barriers solidify as limitations are dissolved and tested, secrets exposed, revelations unmasked and promises made, exhibiting the impish quirks and defying bents, bursting this baby to life spectacularly. The characters, banter, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Sullivan, thanks for sharing this amazing thrill with us.
(4.5 stars) - the connections are made... and things come full circle
Taya has to start over at the Academy bereft of virtually everything & everyone she's ever known. Some tentative new friendships are eventually made, & she's even developing feelings for her new protector, Noah. But her wolf's bite won't let go.
There's so much going on around them & the conflict over supes coming out that they can't be sure who to trust. Interestingly, the villains here are surprising, yet in a way, not surprising.
The story closes with a touch that returns us to the beginning in a sense & provides a contrast that allows us to see how much Taya has developed since then.
Everything is resolved satisfactorily (and we now know what happened in the basement of Blakemore!) and happily - except that we need a certain secondary character's story now! 😁
OMG 😳!!!! What a exploration, especially for each and everyone in this series 🤪😜 !!!!! This was an incredible end to the series! There are so many twists and turns every page better than the last and so much action to keep you turning the pages as quickly as possible… Throughout this book each character have grown, cultivating their relationships in a way that keeps them as much human as they are magicals. LOVED 🥰❤️🔥❤️💖💙💖💜 this book 📖.
I definitely recommend this book/ series just sad that the series has come to end!! Hoping that there is a book in future, telling everyone POV years later…
Now onto a different series by SG, her books are spectacularly written and I cannot get enough of her writing…
This was an incredible end to the series! The characters have grown so much over the course of the story, cultivating their relationships in a way that keeps them as much human as they are magicals. There are twists and turns and more than enough action to keep you turning the pages in anticipation of what's coming next that you almost don't want the story to end!! I love Sullivan's writing style, it's descriptive without being too much, exciting and on accession, just plain adorable! Cant wait to read more of Sullivan Gray's books!
Another great book in the Blakemore Academy world. I had to go back and read the last could of chapters of the 2nd book to make sure I understood what was going on. If you haven’t read the other Blakemore books, read this trilogy first if you like things to go in chronological order.
I loved the ending of this series, and I’m super sad to see it ending. Taya has left her friends for the Academy, to figure out her magic and to get away from Church and his bite and everything it means. Trying to figure out her magic, who to trust, and how to deal with her sister missing is overwhelming, but when magic issues arise, her crew comes back just in the nick of time. I’d definitely recommend this book.
Super great ending to this series. It was entertaining and I felt like I was watching this all as a tv show. I’m a fan. This was probably my favorite book of the series.
Awesome conclusion to the series! The book was so suspenseful, I couldn’t put it down! The author did a great job of exploring the nuances of friendship and love. I highly recommended! Can’t wait to read more books by this author!
◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦
After being sick of lies, secrets and the fact Church has claimed her with a single bite, and then the disgust on his face knowing they’re bonded forever – made her take the hardest decision ever. To trust someone else and leave everyone behind, going to the Academy – the secret place where supernaturals would have a normal life, learning about themselves and the magic.
If on the 2nd book Taya has gone through hell, on the 3rd book things seem to slow down and somehow feel normal. She’s at the Academy, learning every day about magic and herself more and more, and never be left alone by her “shadow” Noah. The girls on the Academy all want to kill her, and the guys, well she doesn’t know their exact thoughts, but being shadowed by Noah every single day of the moment doesn’t make things easier for her, or helping her make friends. After Taya blowing up the glasses of an entire class and somehow unlocking the power of everyone involved in that room – things start to go hirewire.
This book was amazing. I wasn’t expecting this story to develop this way, the ups and downs throughout the book keeps you guessing what is coming next. If things started slow and peaceful, the middle and the end were a rollercoaster – PERFECT to end the trilogy with and what I liked the most was the happy ending Taya deserved.
This time this book doesn’t contain any triggers (couldn’t find any) and there’s also no slow romance, is pure action from top to bottom. Events developing one after another, taking you on the last part of Taya’s story, learning more about the supernatural world she’s living in, and what type of supes exist, and how dangerous some of them can be once their magic is being unlocked. Taya and her friends are amazing characters and without them, the book wouldn’t be complete.