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Druid Academy #1
Druid Magic
Lyssa wanted one thing…
…to get accepted to college.
The letter she gets changes her life in ways she can’t believe.
At 18, Lyssa’s days are pretty normal. Get up, eat, and stress about what’s next. Lyssa’s friends know where they’re going to school and she’s desperate to go to university. The only acceptance letter she gets seems like a cruel joke.
What is the Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic?
It can’t be real.
At Dragondale, they take only the brightest students with the most potential. She doesn’t fit in at all, but does make two friends, Sam and Kelsey. They make life at school better.
Lyssa is determined to prove herself. It won’t be easy. As she learns about her powers, a few oddities catch her eye.
Where does Kelsey keep disappearing to?
What’s going on with the cat who’s always hanging around?
There’s one secret, though, she can’t figure out. Why does it seem that the professors are hiding something?
You’ll love this Academy fantasy, because of the twist, turns, and magical surprises.
Get it now.
288 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2019
523 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
September 18, 2020
I've read a lot of Harry Potter Ripoffs and this was the Ripoffiest thing I've ever seen. The book takes place in a magical college, yet it is drowning in high school movie cliches. Still, I found these flaws amusing rather than irritating. All in all this is a pretty fun read.
December 28, 2020
I know there's a formula to these books, but I've never seen anything that follows Harry Potter quite as closely as this, and it definitely suffers in comparison.
December 26, 2019
This story was the first I had read by this author and thoughroully enjoyed reading it. I loved the main character who became part of this magical world that she knows nothing about. Finding her way along the way, discovering who she is and found her character development amazing and well written.
The storyline was also really good and I am so excited to read more in this world and series.
The storyline was also really good and I am so excited to read more in this world and series.
August 7, 2020
A pale copy of Harry Potter. Change a few characters gender replace druid by sorcerer et voilà tout have the same plot.
December 22, 2019
ONE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!
Git 'er dun! Churton is kicking up dust, directing the blow and lowering boom, racking up the shenanigans, powering through chaos and roping all the mayhem blowing this baby wide open. Disbursing delightful, well rounded scenario's that punch dead center, ramping up the anticipation and adrenaline with such intensity and precision, thrusting this gem to life beautifully. Bumbling through the trials and tribulations, adding slick twists and sleek turns, grounding in it's strength and awe inspiring in it's depth. Struggling along as distress, turmoil, drama, intrigue and suspense surges as tension spirals. The personalities are well matched and balanced with enough flaws for diversity. The characters and scenes are strikingly sharp with such colorful descriptions it gives you a full understanding and realism that flow smoothly. Remarkable job Churton, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.
Git 'er dun! Churton is kicking up dust, directing the blow and lowering boom, racking up the shenanigans, powering through chaos and roping all the mayhem blowing this baby wide open. Disbursing delightful, well rounded scenario's that punch dead center, ramping up the anticipation and adrenaline with such intensity and precision, thrusting this gem to life beautifully. Bumbling through the trials and tribulations, adding slick twists and sleek turns, grounding in it's strength and awe inspiring in it's depth. Struggling along as distress, turmoil, drama, intrigue and suspense surges as tension spirals. The personalities are well matched and balanced with enough flaws for diversity. The characters and scenes are strikingly sharp with such colorful descriptions it gives you a full understanding and realism that flow smoothly. Remarkable job Churton, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.
June 30, 2020
The whole way through this book, I was thinking it was some kind of Harry Potter fan fiction that has been tweaked published as its own story.
I mean, the house colours could have at least been different haha.
Not terrible, but it literally has a famous Hermionie quote in there. Like, at least acknowledge it.
Very tropey and super similar to many other stories.
Just so similar.
I mean, the house colours could have at least been different haha.
Not terrible, but it literally has a famous Hermionie quote in there. Like, at least acknowledge it.
Very tropey and super similar to many other stories.
Just so similar.
October 22, 2020
I'm uncomfortable with it's similarity
With apologies to the author, the content, whilst dissimilar, is far to close to the harry potter series of books.
It's good reading, but, that bugs me.
With apologies to the author, the content, whilst dissimilar, is far to close to the harry potter series of books.
It's good reading, but, that bugs me.
November 23, 2020
I didn't even finish the book. It is such a Harry Potter knockoff that I couldn't get into it. The way the male headmaster speaks, descriptions of the different characters/colors/houses/campus, the situations.... A big no from me.
December 22, 2019
This is book one of the Druid Academy series and starts with the main character, Lyssa, hoping to get accepted into university, but has had two rejections and has just one letter left to open. She feels the odd one out in her family, as her dad and younger sister are so smart and she struggles just to pass most of her subjects and her dream of being accepted to university is getting to be more like a pipe dream. Having received reject letters from her three main choices, she is faced with repeating her final year and attending summer school to revise.
Then another letter arrives in her room, leading Lyssa to believe it is a joke from her sister. The Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic has sent her an acceptance letter and term starts a few weeks earlier than most of her friends going to uni. She ignores it until she finds herself talking to a cat that seems to be following her, whilst sitting in an isolated park and then a strange man appears and asks if she’s ready? She doesn’t understand what for until he explains they will be late for school and mentions the name of the school she had thought was a joke letter. It seems it is real and she needs to leave straight away, without being able to tell her parents of pick anything up.
It seems this school is for Druids, those with magic, which she doubts she will fit into at all. She knows nothing about magic and before today, didn’t even know it was real! Her new roommate, Kelsey, soon becomes a good friend as does a boy called Sam, who ends up next to them in the front row of her first class, with an obnoxious trio of rich girls’ right behind them! Lyssa has lots to prove and wants more than anything to fit in.
Her lessons begin to teach her about her powers, something she was oblivious to and which the headmaster finds hard to pigeon-hole her into a set element. It seems she may have power over more than one element and maybe even with opposing elements, which is unheard of throughout the school’s long history. Her friends try to encourage her with her powers and to ignore the bitchy girls. Lyssa finds she has some of her own special talents, especially towards magical creatures, which scare her as much as fascinate her. She also wonders where her friend Kelsey is disappearing to at the full moon Halloween party, and when she finds she went outside, she soon follows her, thinking she is in danger! She soon gets more than a surprise about that night and a secret to be kept.
The cat, Toby, who keeps turning up in the strangest of places, she soon finds out is actually a magical creature which is much scarier looking, but will turn out to be so much more! No one seems to know Lyssa’s full potential and who she actually comes from, to have the powers she does, but she is only just learning about all of this herself. The professors seem to always be hiding something and know more than they will reveal to the students. Sudden and dangerous attacks begin near the end of her first year and students and teachers are no longer safe. Who or what is carrying out these attacks is unknown and they have been able to bypass the wards on the school and its grounds, making them very dangerous indeed. What the motive is behind these attacks is yet to be seen.
A fascinating academy read, with a person who knows nothing of the magical world, suddenly being pulled in to an almost completely different world and having to strike out on her own, to learn what she really is and where she came from. This is only her first year in this new world and life, but there is much more to come. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series and see what Lyssa and her friends get up to. I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Then another letter arrives in her room, leading Lyssa to believe it is a joke from her sister. The Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic has sent her an acceptance letter and term starts a few weeks earlier than most of her friends going to uni. She ignores it until she finds herself talking to a cat that seems to be following her, whilst sitting in an isolated park and then a strange man appears and asks if she’s ready? She doesn’t understand what for until he explains they will be late for school and mentions the name of the school she had thought was a joke letter. It seems it is real and she needs to leave straight away, without being able to tell her parents of pick anything up.
It seems this school is for Druids, those with magic, which she doubts she will fit into at all. She knows nothing about magic and before today, didn’t even know it was real! Her new roommate, Kelsey, soon becomes a good friend as does a boy called Sam, who ends up next to them in the front row of her first class, with an obnoxious trio of rich girls’ right behind them! Lyssa has lots to prove and wants more than anything to fit in.
Her lessons begin to teach her about her powers, something she was oblivious to and which the headmaster finds hard to pigeon-hole her into a set element. It seems she may have power over more than one element and maybe even with opposing elements, which is unheard of throughout the school’s long history. Her friends try to encourage her with her powers and to ignore the bitchy girls. Lyssa finds she has some of her own special talents, especially towards magical creatures, which scare her as much as fascinate her. She also wonders where her friend Kelsey is disappearing to at the full moon Halloween party, and when she finds she went outside, she soon follows her, thinking she is in danger! She soon gets more than a surprise about that night and a secret to be kept.
The cat, Toby, who keeps turning up in the strangest of places, she soon finds out is actually a magical creature which is much scarier looking, but will turn out to be so much more! No one seems to know Lyssa’s full potential and who she actually comes from, to have the powers she does, but she is only just learning about all of this herself. The professors seem to always be hiding something and know more than they will reveal to the students. Sudden and dangerous attacks begin near the end of her first year and students and teachers are no longer safe. Who or what is carrying out these attacks is unknown and they have been able to bypass the wards on the school and its grounds, making them very dangerous indeed. What the motive is behind these attacks is yet to be seen.
A fascinating academy read, with a person who knows nothing of the magical world, suddenly being pulled in to an almost completely different world and having to strike out on her own, to learn what she really is and where she came from. This is only her first year in this new world and life, but there is much more to come. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series and see what Lyssa and her friends get up to. I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
January 16, 2020
This is an exciting new academy read and I cannot wait to read more! Well written with a wonderful storyline and fantastic characters, you will find yourself hooked! Filled with magic, drama, mystery and intrigue I am excited to read what happens next!
December 23, 2019
What an amazing book and really great start to this series and I absolutely loved everything about it. Lyssa gets accepted to a school that she has no clue about and finds out its magic and that she gets to learn and use her powers. I really enjoyed reading about her and her new friends. Can't wait for the next book as I definitely need more of this series.
December 22, 2019
This was a fun read. I was glued throughout. A fantastic start to a new series. Characters were great and the storyline super
December 18, 2023
Complete Harry Potter rip off. I can’t believe that they published this the story lines are so similar! A girl goes to Druid school where she makes 2 friends one very studious and an enemy from a rich old Druid family. She is adopted, her magical powers come from her mysterious biological father. She has to go to a magical market to buy her uniform and books etc. and low and behold she is a natural at the school sport!
December 11, 2023
DNF @30%. It didn't take inspiration from Harry Potter, it stole literally everything from it.
December 22, 2019
This is book one of the Druid Academy series and starts with the main character, Lyssa, hoping to get accepted into university, but has had two rejections and has just one letter left to open. She feels the odd one out in her family, as her dad and younger sister are so smart and she struggles just to pass most of her subjects and her dream of being accepted to university is getting to be more like a pipe dream. Having received reject letters from her three main choices, she is faced with repeating her final year and attending summer school to revise.
Then another letter arrives in her room, leading Lyssa to believe it is a joke from her sister. The Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic has sent her an acceptance letter and term starts a few weeks earlier than most of her friends going to uni. She ignores it until she finds herself talking to a cat that seems to be following her, whilst sitting in an isolated park and then a strange man appears and asks if she’s ready? She doesn’t understand what for until he explains they will be late for school and mentions the name of the school she had thought was a joke letter. It seems it is real and she needs to leave straight away, without being able to tell her parents of pick anything up.
It seems this school is for Druids, those with magic, which she doubts she will fit into at all. She knows nothing about magic and before today, didn’t even know it was real! Her new roommate, Kelsey, soon becomes a good friend as does a boy called Sam, who ends up next to them in the front row of her first class, with an obnoxious trio of rich girls’ right behind them! Lyssa has lots to prove and wants more than anything to fit in.
Her lessons begin to teach her about her powers, something she was oblivious to and which the headmaster finds hard to pigeon-hole her into a set element. It seems she may have power over more than one element and maybe even with opposing elements, which is unheard of throughout the school’s long history. Her friends try to encourage her with her powers and to ignore the bitchy girls. Lyssa finds she has some of her own special talents, especially towards magical creatures, which scare her as much as fascinate her. She also wonders where her friend Kelsey is disappearing to at the full moon Halloween party, and when she finds she went outside, she soon follows her, thinking she is in danger! She soon gets more than a surprise about that night and a secret to be kept.
The cat, Toby, who keeps turning up in the strangest of places, she soon finds out is actually a magical creature which is much scarier looking, but will turn out to be so much more! No one seems to know Lyssa’s full potential and who she actually comes from, to have the powers she does, but she is only just learning about all of this herself. The professors seem to always be hiding something and know more than they will reveal to the students. Sudden and dangerous attacks begin near the end of her first year and students and teachers are no longer safe. Who or what is carrying out these attacks is unknown and they have been able to bypass the wards on the school and its grounds, making them very dangerous indeed. What the motive is behind these attacks is yet to be seen.
A fascinating academy read, with a person who knows nothing of the magical world, suddenly being pulled in to an almost completely different world and having to strike out on her own, to learn what she really is and where she came from. This is only her first year in this new world and life, but there is much more to come. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series and see what Lyssa and her friends get up to. I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Then another letter arrives in her room, leading Lyssa to believe it is a joke from her sister. The Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic has sent her an acceptance letter and term starts a few weeks earlier than most of her friends going to uni. She ignores it until she finds herself talking to a cat that seems to be following her, whilst sitting in an isolated park and then a strange man appears and asks if she’s ready? She doesn’t understand what for until he explains they will be late for school and mentions the name of the school she had thought was a joke letter. It seems it is real and she needs to leave straight away, without being able to tell her parents of pick anything up.
It seems this school is for Druids, those with magic, which she doubts she will fit into at all. She knows nothing about magic and before today, didn’t even know it was real! Her new roommate, Kelsey, soon becomes a good friend as does a boy called Sam, who ends up next to them in the front row of her first class, with an obnoxious trio of rich girls’ right behind them! Lyssa has lots to prove and wants more than anything to fit in.
Her lessons begin to teach her about her powers, something she was oblivious to and which the headmaster finds hard to pigeon-hole her into a set element. It seems she may have power over more than one element and maybe even with opposing elements, which is unheard of throughout the school’s long history. Her friends try to encourage her with her powers and to ignore the bitchy girls. Lyssa finds she has some of her own special talents, especially towards magical creatures, which scare her as much as fascinate her. She also wonders where her friend Kelsey is disappearing to at the full moon Halloween party, and when she finds she went outside, she soon follows her, thinking she is in danger! She soon gets more than a surprise about that night and a secret to be kept.
The cat, Toby, who keeps turning up in the strangest of places, she soon finds out is actually a magical creature which is much scarier looking, but will turn out to be so much more! No one seems to know Lyssa’s full potential and who she actually comes from, to have the powers she does, but she is only just learning about all of this herself. The professors seem to always be hiding something and know more than they will reveal to the students. Sudden and dangerous attacks begin near the end of her first year and students and teachers are no longer safe. Who or what is carrying out these attacks is unknown and they have been able to bypass the wards on the school and its grounds, making them very dangerous indeed. What the motive is behind these attacks is yet to be seen.
A fascinating academy read, with a person who knows nothing of the magical world, suddenly being pulled in to an almost completely different world and having to strike out on her own, to learn what she really is and where she came from. This is only her first year in this new world and life, but there is much more to come. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series and see what Lyssa and her friends get up to. I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
December 19, 2019
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. As I’ve said before, I always give honest reviews whether people appreciate them or not.
This story begins with Lyssa Eldridge sitting alone in a tiny little park reading what she hopes is an acceptance letter from a college. A stray cat shows up and she starts talking to him, but he’s unimpressed and continues to do cat things. Yes, it’s a letter from a college, no, it isn’t an acceptance one. Defeated, Lyssa goes home to break the news to her parents and gets yelled at for being unsuccessful. When she gets to her room, there’s a handwritten letter waiting for her. She’s been accepted to the Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic. It’s a beautiful letter, but she thinks it’s a joke being played on her by her little sister and just forgets about it. She studies the rest of the summer so she can re-sit her tests but goes to the tiny park to just clear her head. That’s where she suddenly meets a strange man, Rufus Pembington, recruiter for the Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic. She’s overwhelmed and still thinks it’s a joke.
The Academy is real and students are divided by which element their magic is; Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Since Lyssa had no idea magic even existed, she’s behind in all her classes, well except one. That would be the art and science of paranormal creatures taught by Professor Alden. This is where she learns about hippogryffs. She even manages to calm one down without getting injured! Her roommate and best friend is Kelsey and the two of them hand out with Sam, all of them in Fire. The chief mean girl is Felicity, an Air. She and her little gang are constantly causing trouble for Lyssa and Kelsey. Lyssa has to constantly work hard in all her classes to learn all new material, but she still feels like she’s way behind.
This is a fun story! I enjoyed watching Lyssa learning at the Academy as well as seeing her bond with Stormclaw, ‘her’ hippogryff. This story does have some twists and turns, and I thought Kelsey’s secret was interesting. Now, after I finished the book, I read Ms. Churton’s bio. She says she “cut her teeth” writing fan fiction. I don’t have a problem with that, but this entire story seems like a Harry Potter fan fiction story. ‘You’re a Druid Harry. I mean Lyssa…’ Even Professor Alden, besides showing first years how to care for hippogryffs, brought Lyssa to see a different dangerous beast. So yes, I really liked the story and I enjoyed Ms. Churton’s writing, but I was distracted by the strong Potter influence.
This story begins with Lyssa Eldridge sitting alone in a tiny little park reading what she hopes is an acceptance letter from a college. A stray cat shows up and she starts talking to him, but he’s unimpressed and continues to do cat things. Yes, it’s a letter from a college, no, it isn’t an acceptance one. Defeated, Lyssa goes home to break the news to her parents and gets yelled at for being unsuccessful. When she gets to her room, there’s a handwritten letter waiting for her. She’s been accepted to the Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic. It’s a beautiful letter, but she thinks it’s a joke being played on her by her little sister and just forgets about it. She studies the rest of the summer so she can re-sit her tests but goes to the tiny park to just clear her head. That’s where she suddenly meets a strange man, Rufus Pembington, recruiter for the Dragondale Academy of Druidic Magic. She’s overwhelmed and still thinks it’s a joke.
The Academy is real and students are divided by which element their magic is; Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Since Lyssa had no idea magic even existed, she’s behind in all her classes, well except one. That would be the art and science of paranormal creatures taught by Professor Alden. This is where she learns about hippogryffs. She even manages to calm one down without getting injured! Her roommate and best friend is Kelsey and the two of them hand out with Sam, all of them in Fire. The chief mean girl is Felicity, an Air. She and her little gang are constantly causing trouble for Lyssa and Kelsey. Lyssa has to constantly work hard in all her classes to learn all new material, but she still feels like she’s way behind.
This is a fun story! I enjoyed watching Lyssa learning at the Academy as well as seeing her bond with Stormclaw, ‘her’ hippogryff. This story does have some twists and turns, and I thought Kelsey’s secret was interesting. Now, after I finished the book, I read Ms. Churton’s bio. She says she “cut her teeth” writing fan fiction. I don’t have a problem with that, but this entire story seems like a Harry Potter fan fiction story. ‘You’re a Druid Harry. I mean Lyssa…’ Even Professor Alden, besides showing first years how to care for hippogryffs, brought Lyssa to see a different dangerous beast. So yes, I really liked the story and I enjoyed Ms. Churton’s writing, but I was distracted by the strong Potter influence.
June 19, 2024
Lyssa Eldridge is oblivious to a lot of things. She does not notice a lot of the stuff that goes on around her, or that has been around her for years. Like her eyes, her eyes don’t match her younger sister’s or either of her parents, unlike their eyes. Or the day in which she received and opened her third rejection letter from a university. It was that day that when she got home, she noticed a fourth letter sitting next to her computer. When she opened it, she read that she had been accepted to a school of Druidic Magic. At first, she thought her sister had pranked her but soon forgot about it as she looked into resitting for her exams. Boy, was she surprised when one of the professors showed up to escort her to her new university.
This is an interesting reality created by C. S. Churton. It has a lot of parallels with the Harry Potter series, or at least the movies. The character’s interaction seems like it could be realistic, but the FMC’s reaction seems a little understated. The character’s history is part of the story. The physical world-building is enough to give you a fuzzy-edged picture. The ethereal world-building is prevalent mostly when something is out of sorts.
It is hard to separate this story from the Harry Potter story. There are too many parallels. I give this story three stars out of five stars.
This is an interesting reality created by C. S. Churton. It has a lot of parallels with the Harry Potter series, or at least the movies. The character’s interaction seems like it could be realistic, but the FMC’s reaction seems a little understated. The character’s history is part of the story. The physical world-building is enough to give you a fuzzy-edged picture. The ethereal world-building is prevalent mostly when something is out of sorts.
It is hard to separate this story from the Harry Potter story. There are too many parallels. I give this story three stars out of five stars.
April 24, 2023
This first book is really, we're immersed directly into the universe and we learn more about how the academy works. The book I over 300 pages but we never get the chance to rest, there's always something to keep us reading. I loved it.
Lyssa is an impulsive you woman who discovers that the world that she lived in is wider and more magical that she could believe. But she never really looks back and only look at the present and the near future which I love about her. She never gives up and is the friend we would wish to have, protecting and being there for her friends and naturally talented with magical creatures.
You really need to read this !
I removed one star as I wished to have a bit of romance in it and to know what she's doing during the holidays. However, I understand the choice of the author who wished to skip the more peaceful moments to get into the action. We never get bored. This book is really addictive !
I highly recommend this book to everyone !
Lyssa is an impulsive you woman who discovers that the world that she lived in is wider and more magical that she could believe. But she never really looks back and only look at the present and the near future which I love about her. She never gives up and is the friend we would wish to have, protecting and being there for her friends and naturally talented with magical creatures.
You really need to read this !
I removed one star as I wished to have a bit of romance in it and to know what she's doing during the holidays. However, I understand the choice of the author who wished to skip the more peaceful moments to get into the action. We never get bored. This book is really addictive !
I highly recommend this book to everyone !
August 23, 2020
Not just another Magic Academy book
Though the term Druid is never truly defined, it seems that in this vivid world the author has artfully written, they hold magic and usually adhere to one element. At school they eat at the same table with that element and dorm together. This was a great story. A few too many touches close to some Harry Potter but with its special details here and there and surprises sprinkled throughout it was a good read. No sexual content so good for most any age that isn’t afraid of monsters. There were editing stumbling blocks though the whole book but because I was enjoying the story, I overlooked them. No words spelled wrong just a repeat of a sentence within that sentence and the use of the wrong word like “we should stood up and receive our books” - my example not found in the book. Go forth and read!
Though the term Druid is never truly defined, it seems that in this vivid world the author has artfully written, they hold magic and usually adhere to one element. At school they eat at the same table with that element and dorm together. This was a great story. A few too many touches close to some Harry Potter but with its special details here and there and surprises sprinkled throughout it was a good read. No sexual content so good for most any age that isn’t afraid of monsters. There were editing stumbling blocks though the whole book but because I was enjoying the story, I overlooked them. No words spelled wrong just a repeat of a sentence within that sentence and the use of the wrong word like “we should stood up and receive our books” - my example not found in the book. Go forth and read!
December 29, 2019
I thought this was an exciting new series. Lyssa is a wonderful, although sheltered young woman. She has questions about her future since she has been rejected by the three colleges she applied to. She is plunged into a world she had no idea existed, learns her parents have been keeping a secret and finds she has powers she didn't know. Now she will have to learn what she's capable of in order to survive. I love her affinity for magical animals. Of course, don't forget the ever present mean girls found in every school. I thought this was a wonderful beginning and I am really stoked for the next book. I requested an advanced reader copy from Booksprout and am under no obligation to leave this review.
October 30, 2023
Fresh Academy Fiction
I usually avoid Academy paranormal tales, but took a chance on this one. Best way to discover a good read!
While there are some fun nods to Harry Potter, it's a fresh take entirely. Having the same elements--a quidditch like game, for one--turned all about and so creatively made new was delightful!
Also refreshing was the lack of romantic drama. I delighted in the focus staying on druid magic and the magical world.
This is a less intense read than Harry Potter, but just as engaging, having its own multiple layers that I expect will be expanded on in Books 2 & 3.
I enjoyed meeting Writer Churton's people and look forward to seeing them grow forward--even the "mean girl" and her posse--in the next book.
Happy reading!
I usually avoid Academy paranormal tales, but took a chance on this one. Best way to discover a good read!
While there are some fun nods to Harry Potter, it's a fresh take entirely. Having the same elements--a quidditch like game, for one--turned all about and so creatively made new was delightful!
Also refreshing was the lack of romantic drama. I delighted in the focus staying on druid magic and the magical world.
This is a less intense read than Harry Potter, but just as engaging, having its own multiple layers that I expect will be expanded on in Books 2 & 3.
I enjoyed meeting Writer Churton's people and look forward to seeing them grow forward--even the "mean girl" and her posse--in the next book.
Happy reading!
December 25, 2023
Although this is essentially Harry Potter with female protagonist it is definitely not a US-oriented girl's version. The author takes pains to stress that Lyssa's birth mother insisted that she retain her name and is to be brought up in England (and her applying to Bristol and London Universities is a further clue, as is her 'parents' deciding to go to Paris for Christmas). That said the bitchy entitled Felicity and her two side-kicks are a staple of US school stories (though Potter's Draco has his two hench-thugs, of course) and the teaching hierarchy all seem to strongly hint a US bias. However, readable enough in an undemanding way.
This book coves the first year of Lyssa's studies; year two in Feral Magic, presumably.
This book coves the first year of Lyssa's studies; year two in Feral Magic, presumably.
July 4, 2024
Have I read this book before?
The story is good, don't get me wrong. I enjoyed it. Burn I already read the Harry Potter series, so I don't want a clone. Too many similarities, from the Quidditch-like game, the letter, the Snapelike professor with his favorite student, the friend who is obsessed with studying. Throw in hippogriffs, the bad man who was once a student at the school that nobody would talk about,and a plant that would help people in comas, and I think I'm in Potterworld. I want to read book two, but I hope you develop your own world. Even the dormitories were similiar.
The story is good, don't get me wrong. I enjoyed it. Burn I already read the Harry Potter series, so I don't want a clone. Too many similarities, from the Quidditch-like game, the letter, the Snapelike professor with his favorite student, the friend who is obsessed with studying. Throw in hippogriffs, the bad man who was once a student at the school that nobody would talk about,and a plant that would help people in comas, and I think I'm in Potterworld. I want to read book two, but I hope you develop your own world. Even the dormitories were similiar.
January 2, 2025
Harry Potter revised
I really tried and I really wanted to love this. I got all the way to chapter 6 and the Harry Potter dejavu just was too much for me. It probably falls under fan fiction and if you love that this might be for you. Personally I prefer something unique. This is Harry Potter only with a female lead and an older character. Book 2’s blurb sounds really good and it doesn’t give me Harry Potter vibes but I’m not able to finish this one to find out. I’m giving it 3 stars because fan fiction lovers don’t deserve less stars for my preferences and the writing is on point.
I really tried and I really wanted to love this. I got all the way to chapter 6 and the Harry Potter dejavu just was too much for me. It probably falls under fan fiction and if you love that this might be for you. Personally I prefer something unique. This is Harry Potter only with a female lead and an older character. Book 2’s blurb sounds really good and it doesn’t give me Harry Potter vibes but I’m not able to finish this one to find out. I’m giving it 3 stars because fan fiction lovers don’t deserve less stars for my preferences and the writing is on point.
August 19, 2025
Absolutely brilliant read for lovers of paranormal Academia books.
This 1st instalment follows Lyssa's journey from discovering she is a druid & her parents may not be who she thought them to be, to joining the Academy for her 1st year without any knowledge of what a druid is, or the magic they can wield.
The supporting characters in the book of Kelsey & Sam explore the supportive friendship roles + give the story added humour from their banter, whilst Felicity a fellow student in a rival house singles out Lyssa from the start & starts on a bully campaign.
If you liked Harry Potter or Zodiac Academy you will love this book.
This 1st instalment follows Lyssa's journey from discovering she is a druid & her parents may not be who she thought them to be, to joining the Academy for her 1st year without any knowledge of what a druid is, or the magic they can wield.
The supporting characters in the book of Kelsey & Sam explore the supportive friendship roles + give the story added humour from their banter, whilst Felicity a fellow student in a rival house singles out Lyssa from the start & starts on a bully campaign.
If you liked Harry Potter or Zodiac Academy you will love this book.
June 9, 2021
This is the first book I read by C.S Churton, and I must say I loved the Harry Potter style lore in this. It was close with a couple of similarities, not enough to be classed as the same. The storyline has so many fun twists, and the characters are very interesting. Lyssa the main character is the young slightly niave girl, who tends to get herself into alot of trouble because of her curious nature. The academy has alot of secrets that unravel over the whole 3 book series, and the friends Lyssa makes throughout the series are all so well written. I really enjoyed reading these.
November 13, 2023
First semester at Dragondale...
Very reminiscent of HP, as Lyssa meets a very strange man in the park who takes her through a portal to what turns out to be a magical world. Lyssa doesn't think she belongs at first, but she finds out she's adopted and has druid magic. More surprises await as she works her way through this first semester at the Druids Academy, and she learns to control her magic. She learns about the magic community, and she better learn fast because they aren't all welcoming, and some of them are dangerous. Recommended
Very reminiscent of HP, as Lyssa meets a very strange man in the park who takes her through a portal to what turns out to be a magical world. Lyssa doesn't think she belongs at first, but she finds out she's adopted and has druid magic. More surprises await as she works her way through this first semester at the Druids Academy, and she learns to control her magic. She learns about the magic community, and she better learn fast because they aren't all welcoming, and some of them are dangerous. Recommended
January 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the story and characters were well developed. I loved the character personalities and their dynamics with each other. The story was excellent. It was action packed and full of suspense, intrigue and emotion. I’d highly recommend this book and look forward to the future books in this series!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 23, 2020
A nice find
Definite Potter vibes. I really enjoyed the beginning and transition into the magical world. She kind of took to it really quickly. Almost too quickly. Would have been nice to have a few statements about her enjoying fantasy books or movies. But the statement later about how she always felt like an outsider and wants to fit in somewhere makes up for it. There were a few twists and definitely more questions were brought up before the end.
Definite Potter vibes. I really enjoyed the beginning and transition into the magical world. She kind of took to it really quickly. Almost too quickly. Would have been nice to have a few statements about her enjoying fantasy books or movies. But the statement later about how she always felt like an outsider and wants to fit in somewhere makes up for it. There were a few twists and definitely more questions were brought up before the end.
January 9, 2023
Outstanding
Great storylines exceptional characters magic mayhem humor and snark lots of snark. Unaware that she has magic our heroine is astounded to find herself whisked away to a druid magic school what follows is a madcap adventure as she discovers friends and enemies dangers and secrets in this amazing first in the series, if you liked Harry Potter your going to absolutely love this, Baz.
Great storylines exceptional characters magic mayhem humor and snark lots of snark. Unaware that she has magic our heroine is astounded to find herself whisked away to a druid magic school what follows is a madcap adventure as she discovers friends and enemies dangers and secrets in this amazing first in the series, if you liked Harry Potter your going to absolutely love this, Baz.
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