Lost

Thornbriar Academy #0.5

by Cali Mann

When love isn't enough...
In a world where shifters derive their power from the elements, why is everyone so scared of Spirit Shifters? A young man hears the haunting story of a tragic love and fated mates, and wonders what he would do if he was mated to a dangerous spirit shifter.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Supernatural

12 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2021

About the author

Cali Mann is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Thornbriar Academy series. She writes paranormal romance, the sexy kind with why choose, hunky shifters, sexy vampires, and women who stand up for themselves. She learned romance by reading through her mother's entire Gothic romance collection in her teens so she and romance go way back. When she's not writing, she spends her time streaming shows, playing video games, and pestering her two tuxedo cats. Find out more at calimann.com

Reviews

[Catherine Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story. I love this kind of pack and mate mentality when it comes to this story. To me this story is sad and kinda makes you remember something about yourself and possibly the ones you love. Great story and I would love to read this Academy series.

[Galina Sulaiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost

Very short prequel to a series. A professor telling his student about his dead mate and spirit shifter. Definitely not a typical type of shifter, interesting.

[Mayhem-RW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sciro was a male vampire shifter of the air, which meant he would likely shift into a crow once he came of age. He wished he was outside with his mates. They were probably running around the track by now. Not in the library with Professor Ward stuck with the work-study. He didn’t know how often he read the chapter heading “Spirit Shifter,” but there it was again, and then he wondered aloud. “Are Spirit shifters really that bad?” The room behind him became deathly quiet, and he grabbed another book before he looked back. The Professor gave him some advice and told him the story of two men who loved a female Spirit shifter. They traveled together, explored together, and then one day, they explored an ice cave, which collapsed. It trapped one of them, and they could not get one of the males out. She was able to spend every last second with him until he ran out of air and died. His death drove the woman crazy, and she did very evil things before she killed herself.

This read is a very short prequel introduction to a series, and I wish there were more of it. World-building left a lot to be desired, and there was very little character interaction, but what there was of it allowed the Professor to tell his tale of woe. I’m not sure I agree with the reality presented by the author, but I am willing to try book one.

This fantasy read has a romantic reverse harem of paranormal shifters in a polyamory relationship as told to a vampire student. If you think you will like this combination, be warned this read does not have a HEA. I give this read three stars out of five stars.

[Kodi B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute prelude for a promising series of shifters whose forms are attached to their element. So yes, there's elemental magic involved. You met Sciro, whose an air shifters who possesses vampire qualities and works at the library as a work study. Professor Ward works at the library and is an earth shifter who changes into a bear. You hear his story of tragic love and his plea to Sciro to never love a spirit shifter. Then you're left with questions for book one of the Thornbriar Academy series! Excited to read the series which is a why choose academy romance!

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am notoriously bad at finishing series, but I read all four books in this series in one go and then went back to write my reviews. Why this series? The thing that kept my interest most was the fact that nothing in this series is black or white. Every strength has a weakness, every good characteristic comes with a flaw and people try to do their best but make mistakes along the way. The different take on shifters and the multiple POV were only icing on the cake.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the world of Thornbriar Academy. Sciro, the protagonist, learns about the nature of spirit shifters from Professor Ward. It is an intimate story as it involves the heart and soul of those involved. As with the nature of spirit shifters, the story is a tragic one. Perhaps future parts of the story will help to reduce that nature.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read that hooked me from the first chapter till I reached the end. It moves along at an amazing pace which makes for a great read that you cant put down once you start. The characters seem so real that you feel as though you have known them forever. You will end up loving them by the time you finish the book. This is a must read, you will not be sorry that you did.

[Darian - Books With A Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this before checking out the series and now I can’t wait to get my hands on the first book. I love the authors idea of shifters being connected to elements. I haven’t seen that in another book. This one was tragic, I wish it was longer than a short story; and like I said, I look forward to the whole series.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story fortelling a threat of the future by showing the dangers of a past. Two unlike in souls and spirits but understanding the need for mates and the love of pack. A fun story introducing characters that will come later in the series but also standing alone well as a story in itself. No need to have read the series to understand the references which is always a pleasure.

[Erin Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read - a kind of prologue to 'Found', the first in the Thornbriar series. The world is introduced and the premise of the first book hinted at. Worth reading before beginning the main series.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the prequel and gives you insight into one of the characters. It also sets up Why spirit shifters are so hated/feared and what’s supposed to happen to them. It gives some background on two of the characters in the series and a little bit of knowledge about the world.

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight/prequel to the story, I have not read this series yet but after this introduction and great start to world building, I have to admit I am more than a little intrigued. Although short (it’s a prequel) it’s rather well written and sets the tone without being too over the top wordy.

[Veronica Prowant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great novella. I love side stories like this one that tie the book a little better together and breathe more into the characters lives. Wonderfully written and done!

[Beth Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good conclusion to the series.

[K Huskić · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't yet read the series following this prequel, but this short story was a quick intro into the world and spirit shifters. I look forward to reading the whole series!

[Elizabeth Close · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

I loved the introduction to this series that this books gives me and I am intrigued with what is going to happen with the rest of this series

[Lexee Toste · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very very short book. It gives us a little bit of an introduction to the world and the characters. It was intriguing and I am interested to start the first book in the series.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple

It was short and sweet. Gave good detail to help you dive into the story. You could feel the pain and hurt in the professors words. Spoken from one of experience.

[Sapphyria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 12 page short story. Lost is an interesting introduction to the Thornbriar Academy series. I'm intrigued and will add the series to my TBR.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

A great short from the Thornbriar Academy series, thats left me intrigued and wanting to dive into the series and binge read the lot.