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Academy for Misfit Witches #1

Academy for Misfit Witches

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Seraphina Goldenwand, heiress to the largest fortune in all four magical realms, isn’t really a bad girl. At least she tries not to be. A small indiscretion with her professor shouldn’t have resulted in the major scandal that got Serah kicked out of her posh private school and sent to Dame Doublewart’s Academy for Misfit Witches. Her new school is a dungeon—literally. Luckily, three sexy dragon shifters save her from a miserable and lonely detention, and they enjoy a night that will forever alter the course of their lives.

Draque, Teju, and Ladon Firesbreath, wayward dragon princes and masters of mischief, can’t believe their good fortune when they rescue the beautiful witch from a night of fright, then discover she is just as turned on by them as they are by her. Little do they know that while they’re locked away in their protective magical cocoon, someone will raze the school to the ground and frame them for the crime.

Left with no choice but to flee, Serah and the dragon princes are forced to rely on one another. But when their trust in each other is shaken, they must learn to overcome their fears before their enemies find them.

***This is a why choose romance, because three hot dragons are more fun than one!***

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2019

1333 people are currently reading
1117 people want to read

About the author

Tara West

75 books1,157 followers
Tara West writes books about dragons, witches, and handsome heroes while eating chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate. She's willing to share her dragons, witches and heroes. Keep your hands off her chocolate.

Tara West's young adult and new adult romances have been Kindle bestsellers. A former high school English teacher, Tara is now a full-time writer and graphic artist. She enjoys spending time with her family, interacting with her fans, and fishing the Texas coast.

Hang out with her on her Facebook fan page at: https://www.facebook.com/tarawestauthor
Keep up with her latest news at: www.tarawest.com
She loves to hear from her readers at: tara@tarawest.com

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5 stars
346 (32%)
4 stars
273 (25%)
3 stars
271 (25%)
2 stars
104 (9%)
1 star
63 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
Profile Image for T..
Author 13 books573 followers
November 23, 2019
I enjoyed the plot of Academy for Misfit Witches and the guys' personalities, but Serah never really grew on me. I don't care for spoiled girls, and she never really broke away from her "entitled" upbringing to gain more humility. I liked the writing and storyline, but the fmc seemed to make the book drag for me. My 3.5 is rounded up because the other characters made the read a pleasant experience.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
July 25, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/25/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for ❀ Crystal ✿ -  PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS .
2,533 reviews310 followers
November 27, 2022
This was a very pleasant surprise. In fact it starts on a downward trajectory and I really didn’t think I’d be continuing on in the series and much of that had to do with the heroine. When she is first introduced she is vapid, vain, spoiled and extremely unlikable. Had I not read to the end I would have gone on thinking that’s truly who she was, when in fact it’s all a lie. The book does delve into other tropes but I yet to see the academy storyline happen. Sure it starts there, but not a single class has been attended via the readers POV. The relationship goes from 0 to 5000 so quick and so early I imagine for some this would be too much. For me this was another on the quick side RH audio with a fairly decent plot and characters I’m slowly starting to root for.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,103 reviews61 followers
October 10, 2022
Witches?

Nothing as far as spells went on until I finally gave up. If your looking for a lot of flirting and sexual things then hey go for it. I WA t more to a plot than just that.
Profile Image for Sofia Wren.
Author 5 books31 followers
September 21, 2020
This is a fun and silly book. I enjoyed it. I'm not sure if I'll keep reading the series... maybe later? It felt so resolved at the end of book one so I'm not rushed.
Profile Image for Jessica Robbins.
2,598 reviews49 followers
October 24, 2019
As a huge Tara West fan I was eager to get my hands on this fresh start to a brand new series. I was not disappointed in the least as we are taken on an adventure with Serah as she is forced to go to this last ditch effort academy or lose her massive inheritance forever. Having no choice she agrees but she has no clue what she is in for as she meets three hot dragon shifters she cannot resist just as her world pretty much imploads. Told from several POV's this is a fascinating story full of fantasy, magic, steam, intrigue, and suspense that will keep you hooked until you got the last page wishing book two was out already. If you like shifters, witches, and RH then you so have to read this!! I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Profile Image for Julie.
550 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2019
Less Caffeine, More Plot

I get that reverse harem novels are supposed to jump into the sex straight away. There is something to be said for a methodical approach. This writing was careless. It’s like she opened the fridge and started to pull anything out that resembled food whether they complemented each other or not.

This story made no sense. There were no high stakes. It was just generally accepted that these folks would be together. The character names read more like a bad Harry Potter fanfiction than anything original. This writer could be talented - very talented - with a bit of effort. The plot IS intriguing if scattered.
Profile Image for Ginelle Blanch.
932 reviews26 followers
October 23, 2019
Three and a half stars for me. First in a series always moves a bit slowly in the beginning but, the second half of the book I really enjoyed.

A lot of action, a lot of heat, a lot of betrayal, and a lot of questions in this book. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and their world, it's a very colorful book. It will be interesting to see how Serah fares when she isn't under the influence of her grandfather's schemes and spells.

Looking forward to what book two will bring to the table.
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,918 reviews116 followers
October 23, 2019
OMG this was fantastic! An exciting storyline with some hot and sexy characters ( dragons my absolute favourite!!) in a fantastical world built by this author! Fast paced and filled with action and great character interaction I just cannot wait to read more!
Profile Image for Tyler Hal.
255 reviews25 followers
October 21, 2022
What a fun romp this was!! The writing was juvenile but I gotta say, after reading fucking A Feast for Crows, Sera the siren and hot girl summer was a breath of fresh air. I love this type of book; it unexpectedly hit all of my buttons: fantasy, doesn’t take itself too seriously, consensual, loving, and uncomplicated polyamory, fun and funny characters, and a fast pace. Reading this book was a trip to the amusement park, and I knocked it out in a day and a half. It’s a little trashy, a little cheesy, but I guess I openly like romance novels now? And I’ve never met a cheese I didn’t like. I’m getting ahead of myself--

Seraphina Goldenwand is the heiress to Nathanial Goldenwand, CEO and creator of the Golden Wands™ and has recently been kicked out of her old magic school for (ahem) misconduct with a professor. She enrolls in The Academy for Misfit Witches under the condition that should she graduate, she will earn her inheritance. I love this set up to death because it establishes Sera to us as a girl who just wants to let loose and have fun; a shallow girl who figures a semester abroad at a shithole is a fair trade for not being disowned. She is part witch and part siren on her mother’s side, and her grandfather has fed her the story that he rescued her while her mother was trying to sacrifice her to the siren gods, or whatever. He also gave her earrings that were her stim throughout the book, a plot device for later. Everyone’s first night is spent in the dungeons beside an underground reservoir (with sharks?), the thought being that one night in there is deterrent enough to stay out of trouble the rest of term. Proving that theory wrong are the gorgeous Firebreaths, three brothers named Draque, Teju, and Landon. What started out as separate detention evolves quickly into a Breakfast Club situation, and then even more quickly into if the Breakfast Club were a porno, situation. Oh, and then the three Dragons are Princes, did I mention that?

Dragon custom is, I guess, however many hatchmates in a group of (dragon) eggs marries their collective ‘mate’ (traditionally it’s three, but it can be less, so I wonder if it can be more, and if the genders were reversed what would happen, and if it were two separate hatch groups of eggs, like a group of three with a group of two then that’s like a big happy family, I am just really in love with the lore alright) All of this to say that the brothers are just fine sharing and taking turns, as are their dads with their mom, and so forth and so on. All Sirens have a version of DID that separates the Id and Superego more literally in their mind. Creatures can communicate telepathically within families. The wand lore is interesting too. Like Harry Potter, The world of the Academy for Misfit Witches has curses that are considered unforgivable. In this world, mind control spells(imperio) haven’t even been fathomed yet, and is a new development that took place in the beginning of this book, killing (avadakadabra) is red and outlawed to the point of being unprogrammed and uncastable in modern wands (which I think is dope that they can do that). Like every witch literature known to man, witches can fly on brooms and cast spells, but so can hybrids, and so apparently can other sentient magical creatures.

The characters and descriptions are a delight. The names are the kind of playful that’s whimsical but also poking fun at the genre’s use of whimsy in their naming conventions. We’ve got the feud between the Goldenwands and the Firebreaths, we have Eagleheart the griffin, Headmistress Dame Doublewart, Professor Prometheus Periwinkle, Athena the troll, Hestia the fairy godmother and so on. (which begs the question: are there eternal beings in the book and if so are Prometheus, Athena, and Hestia THE Prometheus, Athena, and Hestia? And if so, the fact that Athena is a lesbian troll, Prometheus is a professor, and Hestia is a fairy godmother is even more hilarious because how accurate) They are all cartoons, short, sweet, to the point, and designed to make you chuckle. The lesbian principal with two moles on her finger and her serial cheater troll girlfriend were capital H, Hilarious. The pixie and Nathanial Goldenwand are caricatures of the mustache-twirling villain and his part admonishing, part admiring assistant. The lore on dragons, griffins, and other creatures and how they mate is fascinating. The plot is easy to follow as Serah learns that her and her family’s prejudice is unfounded and even self-hating. She despises The Grotto before ever visiting, dismissing it as its own realm and yet is receptive to new ideas when she’s proven wrong. She’s a little spoiled and obnoxious, a little bit of a slut, and also lovable, cheeky, and just the right amount of corny.

What I didn’t like about the whole thing was their proximity to high school. Very easily (like with Euphoria and other media about teenagers) this could have been the College of Misfits, a sort of magical community service for creatures who break laws, or some other waffle like that. I just didn’t see the point in making Sera 18 and the boys 20 year-old flunkees; if you wanted to make an adult book, you should make the characters unequivocally adults in my opinion, and that would have been simple in this case since the book literally had nothing to do with the school itself. Also for a book named after a magical school, the school is featured very little. In fact, the inciting incident is in the first few chapters where the school apparently is razed to the ground leaving no survivors (while our MCs fuck in magic bubble inside a cave, which, I mean, good for them).
I also thought it was very short?? I wish it were longer to flesh out the magical world and the relationship it has with the outside world, or to further explain everyone’s powers and capabilities, but really that’s a nitpick-- because I loved it so much, I didn’t want it to end. I might take a second before ordering book 2 from my local library.
I would have been weirded out by the fact that the three men who are Serah’s lovers are brothers, which means when they have sex they’re like... all involved and seeing each other naked and getting turned on by it or whatever, but then again, I’m also in the middle of reading Game of Thrones: Fire&Blood, which I think has desensitized me to incest? Especially when it’s "true love" like Jahaerys and Alysanne or three dragon bros and their siren gf. I’m giving this book’s quartet a pass because honestly, theirs is a household I would make in my Sims game with wicked whims downloaded.
A lot of the dialogue, I think, is platitudinous but I’m not here for the dialogue, are you? “I’ll save her or I’ll die trying!” I mean, you’ve known each other less than 24 hours. Honestly, I couldn’t tell Draque and Teju apart, but I love their names so I referred to them in my head as the “handsome names” and then Landon as “the sensitive one”. The vocabulary’s not overly descriptive except in the fantastical elements, so I’m free to imagine the boy’s as I please. Judging by the cover, Serah looks like Phoebe Tonkin which I ain’t mad about, but I didn’t like the use of the word ‘mate’ even in relation to magical creatures because it just makes me think of animals. Like, coming from a witch, “won’t you go after your mate, dog?” could realistically, in canon be spat as a pejorative to a shifter or were-creature and that wrankles something in my brain.

I like to structure my reviews like: plot, pros, cons, and conclusions, and as I look over what I’ve done I see that out of every con I’ve wrung something positive out of it. I wish the studio behind Rat Queens made this book a graphic novel. This book was the campiest book I’ve read since Carry On, and thank the Goddess for that.
508 reviews8 followers
October 23, 2019
Great start to this new series that will draw you in and keep you guessing until the end. The story jumps right into some steamy-times as Serah finds herself not only starting a new school, but forced to spend the first night in the dungeon by the headmistress. Things start to look up when three hot guys come to her rescue. From there things get fast-paced and action-filled and will have you glued to the pages as the bits and pieces come together in unexpected ways. Not only are the main characters both complex and compelling, but there are plenty of colorful supporting characters to make the story more interesting. While triplets, each of the dragon princes has a unique personality that's sets him apart. And let's not forget the emotional roller-coaster all of the characters go through. I can't wait to see what the future holds for the rest of this series!
Profile Image for Cheryl Sedman.
1,159 reviews11 followers
October 23, 2019
Another amazing start to a series

This series brings to life so many supernatural beings, which brings the story to life. With serah's life being thrown upside down and her admittance Into the academy for Misfit witches. She is placed into detention and meets three sexy dragon shifters. While they are all together they become close, where in the meantime trouble is brewing. Once they realise what's happened they all go on a crazy ride with lots of unseen outcomes and an amazing ending.
I totally can't wait for book 2 as I can see yet again Tara has written an epic series with wicked ideas planned. You can just feel it throughout the book.
Profile Image for Isabelle.
450 reviews35 followers
September 16, 2020
DNF.
Really wanted to enjoy this book, loved the world that was created but I just couldn’t finish.
Big fan of shifters, and the idea of a witch/siren sounded exciting! But when Serah met the brothers it just all got a little uncomfortably cringe and felt unrealistic. How she mentioned taking it slow, but then stripped off and slept with them all just seemed 🤷🏼‍♀️. I also prefer a slower build up in the relationships, not to fall in love within seconds.
A little disappointed as my first read from this author, but it’s just not for me.
Profile Image for Tracy O’Sing.
327 reviews35 followers
September 8, 2020
I love this author and I FLove this book!
So excited to get into this one as I’ve enjoyed all tara’s books to date.
What’s not to enjoy a witch and three dragon princes, a storyline that is face paced and full of emotions that you feel like your apart of this amazing world.
Well done Tara on yet another fabulous series, I can’t wait to read more.
Profile Image for Cary.
Author 10 books20 followers
October 27, 2019
So good

Tara never fails to deliver a great story. Seeing how the relationship develops between Sarah and her dragons, the wonderful web of lies her grandpa had knitted and how the books ends in such positive cliffhanger just makes me ask for more
Profile Image for Margaux Espinosa.
1,301 reviews21 followers
October 24, 2019
I look forward to the next book!

What a great story, mermaids, dragon's, witches and more. The writing is well done and the characters are great. I enjoyed the steamy moments and sexual tension. I look forward to reading the next book and others written by Tara West.
23 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2019
Omg!!

All I can say is OMG Tara West has done it again. Can't wait for the next book to be released. Loved it!!!
Profile Image for Samantha Lundergn.
180 reviews18 followers
November 29, 2020
I was really looking forward to starting this series and it delivered! This was a great start to a brand new series and has me looking forward to the next book!
1,514 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2019
Great read

I loved the start of this unique new series. Action packed from beginning to end. A good plot and fantastic characters. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,625 reviews6 followers
October 28, 2019
Great read

This book was like nothing I've read before, it was good. Serah and your dragons made it a funny, and steamy book. Can't wait to read the next book.
395 reviews7 followers
November 9, 2019
Funny read

Such a fun read. I enjoyed all the twists and turns and all the humor. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Profile Image for Raiza Monroig .
2 reviews
November 13, 2019
Amazing

Great book! Action,suspense,sex, fantasy is the best. Loved every page of the book. I definitely recommend the book. One click
391 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2023
She is the heiress to the Goldenwand fortune. Of course, she is Seraphina (Serah) Goldenwand, granddaughter to Nathaniel Goldenwand, the owner and maker of the Goldenwand 2050, and she has an inheritance of one hundred fifty billion merlins on the line. No diploma no inheritance, so she needed this backward, run-down Academy for Misfit Witches to graduate. You see, rumor has it that since she is a half-siren, she seduced all her male teachers for good grades. The truth is, one professor seduced her, and she bought off the rest of them thanks to her generous allowance. Because of that rumor, no school would accept her, but her grandfather’s money found this old decrepit school that would of course, enjoy his hefty donation. So now that she signed the school’s contract in her blood, she must serve her first night in detention as a deterrent to any other misbehavior. But this is where she met the triplets. The three gorgeous brothers that had her inner siren screaming “YES” and hopefully “OH GOD, YES!” They were dragon shifters, and while Grandpa didn’t like shifters, he disliked dragon shifters most of all.

What an interesting world! Triplet dragons, sirens, trolls, and more! The physical world-building is good, very good. The author gives enough information to let your imagination fill in the blanks. However, I fear the author might have a problem with spatial concepts. :D The ethereal world-building is there to help fill in those blanks, but it is mostly personal. The character interaction seems like it has been practiced. LOL, I jest, but it is done well. The character backgrounds are filled in enough to understand the character’s motives, even if the background is an afterthought.

WARNING: ADULT CONTENT: This read is definitely full of erotica with different paranormal species, shifters, in human form, in reverse harem encounters. I give this tale of royalty and instant romance four stars out of five stars.

Profile Image for PelicanFreak.
2,125 reviews
January 13, 2022
I’d been dying to read this series for ages, due to the stunning covers and this did not disappoint.

There’s a lot going on here, and it’s well done, which means there’s a lot to like. A witch labeled as a ‘misfit’, though she isn’t really … maybe just by some outdated standards. A world on the brink of war, a corrupt leader, a wannabe bride I love to hate, super-sweet (and hot) dragons, lots of witty dialogue, non-stop action and drama and more made this incredibly fast-paced. Read in 2 sittings, as I really couldn’t put it down (but did have to do other things for a bit). Good writing, brilliant story-telling and I’m actually excited to see where this goes.

Definitely reading on in this series and definitely checking out more of this author’s work.


4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️



Audio:
Wow! This narrator is great, I’ll seek out more of her work as well. I cannot listen to most narrators, I have to just do my own reading. This one truly is great both performance and voice-wise but in this case the content helps a lot, as I was too lost in the story to judge too much.
Profile Image for PelicanFreak.
2,125 reviews
January 13, 2022
I’d been dying to read this series for ages, due to the stunning covers and this did not disappoint.

There’s a lot going on here, and it’s well done, which means there’s a lot to like. A witch labeled as a ‘misfit’, though she isn’t really … maybe just by some outdated standards. A world on the brink of war, a corrupt leader, a wannabe bride I love to hate, super-sweet (and hot) dragons, lots of witty dialogue, non-stop action and drama and more made this incredibly fast-paced. Read in 2 sittings, as I really couldn’t put it down (but did have to do other things for a bit). Good writing, brilliant story-telling and I’m actually excited to see where this goes.

Definitely reading on in this series and definitely checking out more of this author’s work.


4 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️



Audio:
Wow! This narrator is great, I’ll seek out more of her work as well. I cannot listen to most narrators, I have to just do my own reading. This one truly is great both performance and voice-wise but in this case the content helps a lot, as I was too lost in the story to judge too much.
622 reviews9 followers
March 5, 2025
RH MMM/ Dragon Shifters & Witches/Academy

I only made it 20% into this book before I had to give up. The FC came across as superficial and sex obsessed and who apparently had no issue with sleeping with her teacher even if he was married. The author's descriptions and wording were crude as was the almost instant descent into sex (or at least a focus on it). Even the names of the characters was cringeworthy - the FC is Sera Goldenwand (really?) and the headmistress is Ms Doublewart which apparently designates the fact that she must have two warts somewhere - the FC finds these (oh joy) on the headmistress' finger. Don't get me started on the MCs who appeared floating in a bubble and were (for no apparent reason) barely clothed.

Suffice it to say that this was poor with nothing to grab.
Profile Image for Romance Reader Obsession.
221 reviews12 followers
July 29, 2020
Could not put this book down!

I love RH Paranormal’s when different species mate with each other. Especially LOVE/HATE relationships.

“I was a brute” “I can’t tell you how sorry I am”

“Serah my darling, I thought my heart would shatter when I lost you”

Serah attends a new school and is put in detention on the 1st day. As a Goldenwand heiress she is appalled and insists on calling her grandfather. In detention she meets 3 Dragon shifters who claim to be her mates. What happens when you put a Siren and 3 Dragon shifters together….you will just have to read it to find out.

Tara did an incredible job to keep your attention throughout the whole book. Many twists and turns and rivalries! Mix in the Love/Hate romance and you won’t put it down. So glad I One-Clicked!
Profile Image for Britt Chaotic Creatives.
1,414 reviews94 followers
May 31, 2021
An action filled romance!

This is a solid start to a series filled with heat and action. You’re immediately whisked away into a magical world of witches, sirens, dragons, and more and taken on a nonstop roller coaster ride until the very end. The heat is practically instant and completely scorching and only gets better as Serah and her dragons get closer. The only real complaint I have is while the action and suspense is great, at times it’s also too much. There is so much going on and coming from all directions that it can be slightly overwhelming and confusing at times.
Overall this is a great read and I’m ready to dive right into the next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews

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