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Dusk Wall Academy #2

Emerald & Flame

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Yeh, so, you know how I left Briar dead to rights in that damned trial? Well somehow, she’s absolutely bloody fine. She’s happily skipping afternoon classes to hide what demon she killed and spends the evenings with Axel. (Who saw that one coming?)
The real problem for me, though? Something happened to me during the trial, something dark, I know it’s their fault, the prince, his mutt and the woman who ruined my life.
So, I’m stuck with a form that demands blood (just lovely), and now cocky-vamp-prick, Locke Fang, is hounding me to choose a source while he angles for Sylas’s territory. Not that it’s my business—so naturally, I’m caught right in the middle of it.

Call it karma, or a grand bloody joke, but whatever’s going on demands I keep a connection to the very person I tried to kill. There’s only one way for me to do that without sinking lower. You and your stupid fang earring happy now, Locke? I chose my damned source.

But there was one thing that I didn’t factor into the equation, and that was Madora Rose, herself.


The Witcher meets Zodiac Academy in a slow burn four book romance. Broody vampires, and shifters. Enemies to lovers. Monsters and magic. Check. Check. Check. You know, all the good stuff. Go buy it.
Or Greyson will come for your arteries.

Author’s Note: This is book features explicit sex and is an adult paranormal romance. It contains dark themes, adult language, intimidation, violence, and triggering situations. For mature readers.
World features: Vampire, fae, demons, witches wolf and dragon shifters

Book series features multi person relationships but is notRH.

438 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2022

91 people are currently reading
213 people want to read

About the author

Marie Mackay

24 books776 followers
A British-Canadian writer, artist, and ex nurse currently living in BC, Canada. All the art-from the cover, to the illustrations within the pages-are her own.

I'm a self-proclaimed angst queen, and I write omegaverse and fantasy romance, most often with many lovers per lady. I have a strong preference toward enemies to lovers, bully, and dark romance.

The voices I bring to the paper draw from the distinct social settings in which I have lived, the many places I have travelled, and from my time in health care.

I maintain a commitment not to write pregnancy in my books (including epilogues). While I have nothing against the beauty of babies, my leading ladies find HEAs outside of children <3

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5 stars
92 (34%)
4 stars
99 (37%)
3 stars
55 (20%)
2 stars
12 (4%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
24 reviews
February 5, 2024
The first one was a lot darker than the blurb led me to believe. But I managed it. This one just became this weird soap opera of relationships that continue into book 3. Talk about incredibly dysfunctional relationships! I hoped the third book would be better, but it just continued to spiral. I'm just disappointed in this series because I was expecting something lighter and funnier from the first book's blurb and then the relationship drama kicked in during book 2 like a CW show where the main characters eventually have a romantic or sexual relationship with pretty much everyone possible over the course of the series. I'm hoping book 3 is better....if not, I probably won't read book 4.
Profile Image for Wanika.
382 reviews3 followers
May 12, 2022
***Received an ARC copy for an honest review.***

I absolutely LOVED this book! I devoured it in a day! Emerald & Flame was able to jump right into the story and action due to it being the sequel and not needing to do as much world building. I expected almost nothing that happen in this book. The author kept throwing twists and turns at us , especially the last 1/3 of the book. There was bombshell after bombshell that rocked the characters worlds I o many ways. The spice level really amped up! I cannot wait to read book 3!
Profile Image for Noemi.
103 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2022
DNF 29% it's fade to black. Read the first book (since the world is convoluted AF) on the basis that second book would be hot and steamy, it's not it's literally all fade to black.
Profile Image for Kreela.
657 reviews22 followers
Read
September 10, 2022
“It’s easier, isn’t it, to love your monsters than to hate them?” This book is so deep, so intense. Normally I have a short attention span and cannot finish a series. Just reaching the second novel these days? A.maze.ing. I think the characters are driving the plot, and I love every one:

I am loving Madora’s character even more this novel. She reminds me of my sister, a strong woman who wants to be in control, at work and in the bedroom. She has to make some difficult choices, and I love her potions.

Greyson is even more interesting as he slides more into insanity. He is not the biggest man, nor the most capable, and he is Madora’s perfect dough boy.

Briar, again, is so angry she turns even her bonded, Sylas, into a morose vampire, and that just feeds her prejudices. I don’t see how Madora likes her. Or Greyson or Atlas.

Axel is still my favorite for boyfriend. No matter if he is a flawed, reformed criminal.

As a unique twist on academy romances, these students are all in magical boot camp. Once they graduate, they must face a year at the Wall, or the gate of demons. You have to be seriously screwed up or desperate to attend. Yet their pasts are catching up to them this term, and it culminates in betrayals and potentially a bloodbath. You need to read book 1 first to really feel the horror and emotional tugs-of-war. This story is ALL about the angst.

The magic:
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There were four main types of magic. Instinct, which gave the five basics such as healing and glint, was orange. Elemental, for Axel’s fire or Maddy’s vines, was green. Grific, magic of memory and emotional manipulation, was blue. Finally, the most volatile magic was universe magic, and that magic was purple.
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The Romance:
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“…asked you today if your claws alone were enough to make them orgasm.”Axel choked on his soup.“Of course, he doesn’t give a shit,” Maddy muttered. “He gets to be the cocky prick who sleeps with a succubus under the nose of a vamp.”

There is so much teasing and a dressing room scene that makes me blush still. If you are a romantic, you will love this.

• Monster love?
• Love triangle (or almost Reverse Harem, since there are 3 men involved, at different times)
• Multiple POV
• Game of Thrones feel
• WTF backstabbing
Profile Image for Shandi.
224 reviews
June 6, 2022
Rating 4.5 stars

*I received an ARC from the author for my voluntary and honest review.

The story picks up a few weeks after the end of Book One. As the group enters year 2 at the academy they are all reeling still from the test. Briar is now bonded with a live Atlan and now the ying to Sylas’s yang. He needs her even more now, which sucks because his big revelation has pushed Briar further away from him. But on the plus side for Briar, Maddy is now back by her side. And Briar has so much to catch Maddy up on and she will need all the support she can get heading into year 2.

Well I gotta say the Hogwart vibes I got from the last book were definitely not here this time, it was a lot more mature. And with most of the world-building done in book one this book was able to focus on story and character development. One thing I do gotta say about the quartet is they are all so fricken stubborn. I liked seeing their bonds evolve, especially Briar and Axel 😉. I was a little confused by something at the end but will wait and see what happens in the next book. Thankfully it's not too far away. I thought this book was better than the first and I can't wait for the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lauren Loubert.
87 reviews4 followers
May 5, 2022
*I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I devoured this book even faster than the first one!

I was thrilled to see the developing relationship between Briar and Axel, the tension and banter between them is fantastic! - that cheeky devil of a drake has weaseled his way into becoming my favourite love interest even if he wasn't originally meant to be! I am so glad we got to see Briar reconnect with Maddy (Madora) as well. This book was even more fast paced than the first, and Marie definitely upped the spice level as promised. I was equally happy to see the relationship between Briar and Sylas evolving. As for Greyson.. can I just say I hope he gets what's coming to him? It was fun getting to see more of the world outside of the Academy to get a little more idea of what some of Vostra is like and i hope we'll get more of that in the next book.

That ending! Definitely left me wanting more and i cant wait to find out what will happen next! I will be re reading both books again before the next release.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Momof3.
246 reviews6 followers
June 2, 2022
This is the second book of this series and holy crap is it just as good as the first one. The twists and turns made it hard to put this book down. I was seriously not expecting half of what happened to happen but I wasn't at all disappointed. Blair is angry with Sylas because of what he did to save her. Now Blair, Sylas, and Axel have to work together to learn more. Maddy was a complete and unexpected character to pop into the middle of this but I'm glad she did because you see a different side of Blair in this book. I'm not happy about what Grayson did to Blair but I'm glad they are no longer together. These characters have changed in ways I didn't expect but in ways they needed to I believe. I look forward to seeing where they go from here and what happens as the story continues. If you are looking for a great story with twists, turns, and a little spice this series is a must read. I'm counting down until the next book.
Profile Image for Paola.
200 reviews14 followers
May 26, 2022
Thank you to Marie for sending my an Arc!

Ok while I was really confused for like the first 30 to 40% of the book, this was mostly because of all the words that I didn’t know what they meant but that’s on my because I’m very certain either in the first or second book there was some kind of index that I didn’t bother reading.

Now the rest of this book was great, the twists, the turns, im so invested in these characters and I love it! I will say maddy’s actions/behavior confuses the crap out of me but I’m here for the ride!

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Ok so high key I can’t decide if I was maddy and axel to end up together or for axel, sy, and brier to just be a thruple and idk what that says about me but I’m very much aware this isn’t a RH but like I wouldn’t complain, just saying >.>
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
341 reviews12 followers
July 17, 2022
Oh my god!! This was amazing and a definite step up from book 1. It was hilarious, dramatic, emotional, and just insane. I liked how we can see how fucked up Greyson has become. I loved seeing Axel and Sylas soften towards Briar and be so willing to protect her (not because they have to, but because they want to). There were some definitively hot scenes in this book *fans self*. Briar is badass, with how quick she is to think in a bad situation. I am extremely interested in knowing more about her form in the next book. There is also Medora Rose, who is just cool as fuck. I want to be this girl's best friend (please). She is so protective towards Briar and would do anything for her. Briar feels the same towards Medora and I LOVE a good female friendship. This ended in an extreme cliffhanger so I need to go and read the next one ASAP.
5 reviews
May 5, 2022
I consumed this book in one day just like I did the first book. I enjoyed the story, a new take on some of my favorite things: new powers, complex and sometimes frustrating characters, with a dash of sexual tension on top. I really enjoy the fact that I don’t quite know how things will end because I’m notoriously good at guessing endings and plot twists to the dismay of my fellow bookish friends. The author is weaving an intricate story and every time I think I’ve figured it out it all goes to hell in the best way. The character development from the first to the second book has also been great. I would like a little more world building outside of the school to get some more clarity about the politics of the Breach.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
May 5, 2022
I was honored to be able to beta-read Emerald and Flame. I can honestly say I enjoyed this more than the last one. Briar has a lot more to deal with, after what we find out at the end of the last book. Grayson, Axel, and Sylas are back, but the reader ends up looking at each of them differently now.

It's tough writing a review without spoilers!

This one had a lot more sex scenes, but they're well-written and mostly further the plot along. My only complaint is that Briar didn't end up being the person I hoped she would be by the end of the book. Hopefully she'll get there by the end of the series.
Profile Image for Britt.
25 reviews
May 10, 2022
Ok so, I got an ARC copy of this, it took me just under 2 days to read it. I'm rating it a 5 star because it has everything I like in books I read. It was very well written, and it flowed really well. It continued on very naturally from the first book. The explanations on the different types of demons and magic was very well done, and helps understand the book very well. It once again left on a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more. The characters growth can be seen, as well as the parts that stayed the same that you want to ne drag out longer. The storyline in my opinion is very well done. I can't wait for the 3rd book!
293 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2022
This was an arc and this is my genuine review.

Omg i loved this book, theres so much going on you just dont want to put it down.

I fell in love with axel and sylas so much in this book ❤️ can Blair just not decide which to have and just have both of them 😲🤔.

This book has definitely stepped up on the spice level and nicely done.

The storyline is fantastic and flows very well, the characters and world building are amazing. I love how we are getting to know the characters even more.
There are so many twists and turns and surprises you didnt see coming
Especially the cliffhanger 😲

Can't wait to read the next book 😍
Profile Image for Kelseys.library.
11 reviews
May 9, 2022
ARC Review


I loved this book AGAIN!!! Definitely more spicy than book 1🥵 Honestly, don’t know how I’m going to wait for book 3, but hopefully it’s coming soon! The only reason it didn’t get 5 starts is because of the narrative as I personally favour first person, but I don’t hate it as much as I thought i would. Can’t wait for book 3, I’m so excited! Mackay is definitely one of my top 5 authors!❤️
4 reviews
May 24, 2022
This is definitely a great sequel to Amber and Shadow, character development really progressed, and so did the plot. There's so much that is hinted at and so much that we still don't know that I can't wait for the next book because I need answers. There are so many plot twists (in a good way) and the ending is super infuriating, so it will definitely keep you on edge. I read this in about 2 days because I could not put it down.
136 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2022
I received this book as an ARC, thank you Marie Mackay. This is the second book in the Duskwall Academy series. This was a good read. I enjoyed the continuation of the story line. I didn’t like Axel and Sylas after the first book but the further I got into this book, and the more the backstory was explained, I started to like them more and more. Also the spicy level stepped up...alot. I’m can’t wait to see what happened next in the series, especially after the way the story ended!
Profile Image for Lilli.
25 reviews
June 1, 2022
Note: I received a free ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Once I started this book I couldn’t put it down until I was finished.

I am struggling to put into words everything that I felt about this book and that cliffhanger, it just about killed me!

There were so many twists that I am excited for their consequences to be revealed. I also loved the character development in this book, the way that the characters are allowed to experience their trauma and choose to move past it or not.

I also loved Madora and the chance to learn about her and I am excited to continue to find out the rest of her secrets. She is my new favourite character!

Of course I can’t not mention Sylas, Axel and Briar I can’t wait for them to be sat in a room together and forced to talk out everything that is simmering under the surface.

I am so excited for book three!!!
4 reviews
June 12, 2022
Wow. Book two is SPICY!! Kept me guessing the whole book, and more questions at the end!

Axel and Briar are were an interesting combination. I wasn’t sure at first, but by the end, I thought they were adorable, and I NEED to know what’s next for them!! Still want Sylas/Briar (Sylar? Brilas?) but there’s so many questions to be answered before it gets there I think.

The roller coaster of emotions this book took me on was crazy, and I cannot WAIT to read book 3!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4 reviews
June 14, 2022
This book was really good! There was many twists and turns that made me want to keep reading. We got to see a new side for each character while being introduced to a new one, Maddy. Brair and Axel’s relationship stepped up a level from the first book and I loved their relationship. There were spicy scenes and they were really well written. It ended on a couple major cliffhangers which makes me really eager to read the next book!

*I received a ARC in turn for my honest review*
Profile Image for Sue Stich.
60 reviews
May 7, 2022
Plot twists and intrigue keep you reading this action packed sequel. The storyline between Briar and Axel was fantastic! Passionate, heart breaking and leaving you wanting more. Mads storyline was unexpected. The angst between Sylas and Briar leaves on edge. All the action, intrigue and spice had me finishing this in one sitting!
91 reviews
May 10, 2022
Wow! Just wow! This book was excellent. It was full of intrigue and twists and turns. When I say I devoured the book. I mean it. I could not put it down. I just needed to find out more. I love all the characters. And the depth we're getting into Briar, Sy and Axel is brilliant. I can't wait for book 3.
Profile Image for Vella Naylor.
46 reviews
June 1, 2022
This book was absolutely amazing. It pulled me in right in the beginning and kept me engaged and wanting more until the last page. It was very well written and the character development was great. I loved the characters and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more about them. I love how relationships between the characters are growing more and more. I can’t wait to read the next one!
27 reviews
July 12, 2022
Best Paranormal Academy Book Out There

This is the best paranormal academy series out there, and that’s saying something. For a genre that’s full of reused and rehashed ideas this series is a breath of fresh air. Morally grey protagonists and antagonists and an intricately woven plot combine to create a compelling read. I’m seriously impressed.
Profile Image for Britt.
31 reviews
July 19, 2022
My 1st book by this author and I was hooked. I have become obsessed with this series and have read each book in a 24-48hr window because I just couldn't leave the characters or the world. Trickery, first loves, betrayals, torture, enemies to lovers. Marie knows how to sink her claws or fangs ;) into you in this series!
Profile Image for Gabrielle.
113 reviews
May 10, 2024
Ok ok ok this book started off kind of slow ish but it ended on a bang. I loved loved the character and world building. However, the fmc did slightly annoy me in this book because of her inconsistencies. But man I didn’t see so many of the twists coming. I’m so
Ready to read or listen to the next one
Profile Image for Lo Ro.
121 reviews6 followers
May 18, 2022
Once again Marie Mackay leaves us on a cliffhanger that has me gripping my hair and screaming! This book was just as amazing as the first, more drama, more action, my spice, and more me yelling WTF! I can’t wait until the next book comes out, I’m so invested in this series.
33 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2022
Absolutely love this series, leaves you wanting more. The story line is absolutely perfect and keeps your mind guessing. If you love original characters, demons, powers, love, and twisted fates then you need to read this series. Can't wait to read more!
Profile Image for Shakala Gushwa.
343 reviews3 followers
June 3, 2022
So so good

This series is honestly amazing!! All of the characters are top notch! This book was as good as the first. There are so many twist and turns as well as spice and I love it!!
294 reviews
February 25, 2023
well…I’m intrigued

A fantastic read! Things just got really interesting. I’m rarely surprised by plot twists, but I didn’t see that coming. Do yourself a favor and read this series. Now to download book 3!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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