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The Origin Prophecy #1
LightFall
A forbidden friendship. A dangerous secret. What's done in the dark always comes to light.
After a number of violent incidents brand seventeen-year-old LUNA as a danger to others, she’s committed to a psychiatric hospital, reaffirming what she’s always known—she’s crazy. Only one person disagrees with her diagnosis: the new doctor with the bewildering golden glow who insists she’s “special” and doesn’t belong there. When he arranges to have her transferred to a school in Egypt for children with angelic blood, Luna is forced to question if she’s actually insane or if there’s possibly more to her troubled past than she thought.
CALEB is a Dark Nephilim student at the Tower of Babel Academy in Iraq. Despite being the third generation of his bloodline, he’s more gifted than many of his peers, making him the perfect candidate to go undercover as an exchange student at the school for Light Nephilim in Alexandria. Once there, he has only one mission: find a way to free his grandfather, Alexander the Great, who was entombed after trying to conquer the world.
When Luna and Caleb cross paths, their outcast natures draw them to each other despite everyone around them saying Lights and Darks can’t be friends. With millennia of prejudice working against them, can they overcome the divide built to keep them apart? Or will the building trail of secrets and lies they discover destroy their fragile, new-found bond?
LIGHTFALL is the first book in the YA paranormal romance trilogy The Origin Prophecy, a loose Romeo + Juliet retelling about two teenage Nephilim caught on opposing sides of an ancient feud.
After a number of violent incidents brand seventeen-year-old LUNA as a danger to others, she’s committed to a psychiatric hospital, reaffirming what she’s always known—she’s crazy. Only one person disagrees with her diagnosis: the new doctor with the bewildering golden glow who insists she’s “special” and doesn’t belong there. When he arranges to have her transferred to a school in Egypt for children with angelic blood, Luna is forced to question if she’s actually insane or if there’s possibly more to her troubled past than she thought.
CALEB is a Dark Nephilim student at the Tower of Babel Academy in Iraq. Despite being the third generation of his bloodline, he’s more gifted than many of his peers, making him the perfect candidate to go undercover as an exchange student at the school for Light Nephilim in Alexandria. Once there, he has only one mission: find a way to free his grandfather, Alexander the Great, who was entombed after trying to conquer the world.
When Luna and Caleb cross paths, their outcast natures draw them to each other despite everyone around them saying Lights and Darks can’t be friends. With millennia of prejudice working against them, can they overcome the divide built to keep them apart? Or will the building trail of secrets and lies they discover destroy their fragile, new-found bond?
LIGHTFALL is the first book in the YA paranormal romance trilogy The Origin Prophecy, a loose Romeo + Juliet retelling about two teenage Nephilim caught on opposing sides of an ancient feud.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2022
65 people are currently reading
686 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Phipps
10 books269 followersM. A. PHIPPS is an American author who resides near the ocean in picturesque Cornwall with her husband, daughter, and their Jack Russell, Milo. A lover of the written word, it has always been her dream to become a published author, and it is her hope to expand into multiple genres of fiction.
You can find her online at www.maphipps.com or through her various social media accounts.
Be sure to follow M.A. Phipps on BookBub for the latest on sales: www.bookbub.com/authors/m-a-phipps
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You can find her online at www.maphipps.com or through her various social media accounts.
Be sure to follow M.A. Phipps on BookBub for the latest on sales: www.bookbub.com/authors/m-a-phipps
Join her mailing list for updates and exclusive content:
www.maphipps.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 8, 2022
Loved this.
A lot of my favorite tropes and types of characters were in this which was just fantastic.
>> Dark Academia
>> Paranormal Romance
>> Dark Vs Light
>> Good girl/Bad boy
>> Enemies to Lovers
>> Slow Burn
>> Niphilium
>> Family Secrets
>> Smidge of history
I won’t pass up anything with Niphilium and the chance to show that the world isn’t black and white- it’s mostly gray. And I also enjoy stories that include the idea that Lucifer isn’t just terrible and the angels aren’t inherently good.
Highly recommend this, does end on a cliffhanger.
A lot of my favorite tropes and types of characters were in this which was just fantastic.
>> Dark Academia
>> Paranormal Romance
>> Dark Vs Light
>> Good girl/Bad boy
>> Enemies to Lovers
>> Slow Burn
>> Niphilium
>> Family Secrets
>> Smidge of history
I won’t pass up anything with Niphilium and the chance to show that the world isn’t black and white- it’s mostly gray. And I also enjoy stories that include the idea that Lucifer isn’t just terrible and the angels aren’t inherently good.
Highly recommend this, does end on a cliffhanger.
March 19, 2024
i fucking CALLED IT!!!!!! god this shit was so fun lmfao. it’s just the perfect mix of tacky, expected, and wildly original shit going on. 5/5 on yelp. 10/10 on the olive garden customer survey.
April 1, 2023
Ya sabía, casi desde el principio lo sospeché y acerté.
El libro no está mal, nada más tengo un pequeño problema con la personalidad de Luna, se me hizo muy dependiente e indecisa; por suerte no es muy marcado así que tampoco me llegué a hartar de ella.
Algo que me gustaría leer en el siguiente libro es la furia de Luna, es decir, las cosas terminaron mal para ella en este libro y sería muy idiota que ella empezara a confiar en los Light como si nada. También me gustaría que hiciera sufrir un poco a Caleb, pero dudo que suceda.
La idea para esta historia se me hizo muy interesante y disfruté bastante esta lectura. Si te gustan la historias sobre ángeles y ángeles caídos, ésta es para ti.
El libro no está mal, nada más tengo un pequeño problema con la personalidad de Luna, se me hizo muy dependiente e indecisa; por suerte no es muy marcado así que tampoco me llegué a hartar de ella.
Algo que me gustaría leer en el siguiente libro es la furia de Luna, es decir, las cosas terminaron mal para ella en este libro y sería muy idiota que ella empezara a confiar en los Light como si nada. También me gustaría que hiciera sufrir un poco a Caleb, pero dudo que suceda.
La idea para esta historia se me hizo muy interesante y disfruté bastante esta lectura. Si te gustan la historias sobre ángeles y ángeles caídos, ésta es para ti.
March 24, 2023
I recently had the immense pleasure of reading this YA paranormal romance which I got as a gift from one of the authors, and I must admit it surpassed all my expectations.
This masterfully crafted tale of angels, Nephilim, and the enthralling battle between light and dark had me captivated from the very first page. The authors weave a rich tapestry of fantastical elements, complex characters, and a story that resonates with readers on a deep, emotional level.
The protagonist, Luna, is a remarkably relatable character. Despite her difficult past and the challenges she faces, her innocence, naivete, and open-mindedness are genuinely refreshing. Caleb, the Dark Nephilim with a hidden agenda, is a character that defies all my expectations. Far from the typical bad boy, he possesses a strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards those he cares for, including Luna.
Starting off as the opposing forces, expected to become enemies, they quickly turn into friends. Authors of this book skilfully use the dual points of view, allowing us to immerse ourselves in both Luna and Caleb's worlds, creating a deep connection with their feelings and intentions. The plot is expertly crafted, filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge, eagerly turning pages in anticipation of what comes next (especially when Caleb protected Luna from her bullies, and they started developing feelings beyond friendship).
I simply can't wait to dive back into Luna and Caleb's story and find out what new challenges and revelations await them.
This masterfully crafted tale of angels, Nephilim, and the enthralling battle between light and dark had me captivated from the very first page. The authors weave a rich tapestry of fantastical elements, complex characters, and a story that resonates with readers on a deep, emotional level.
The protagonist, Luna, is a remarkably relatable character. Despite her difficult past and the challenges she faces, her innocence, naivete, and open-mindedness are genuinely refreshing. Caleb, the Dark Nephilim with a hidden agenda, is a character that defies all my expectations. Far from the typical bad boy, he possesses a strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards those he cares for, including Luna.
Starting off as the opposing forces, expected to become enemies, they quickly turn into friends. Authors of this book skilfully use the dual points of view, allowing us to immerse ourselves in both Luna and Caleb's worlds, creating a deep connection with their feelings and intentions. The plot is expertly crafted, filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge, eagerly turning pages in anticipation of what comes next (especially when Caleb protected Luna from her bullies, and they started developing feelings beyond friendship).
I simply can't wait to dive back into Luna and Caleb's story and find out what new challenges and revelations await them.
August 9, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm a sucker for love stories and mythology, and the characters and world-building were so rich, well developed, and intriguing, I couldn't put it down as the secrets came to light. I can't WAIT to get my hands on the entire series and see where Caleb and Luna's adventures take them.
September 4, 2022
Lightfall is a YA paranormal romance, with a hint of dark academia and a bit of mystery. Now I usually shy away from romance and paranormal romance particularly as there is usually lots of “claiming” going on, but actually the romance element of Lightfall is pretty low down on it’s list of priorities.
The story is told in alternating chapters between naive Light, Luna, as she takes her first wobbly steps in the Alexandria Academy and bad boy Dark, Caleb, attending the Academy on an exchange programme. Caleb has an agenda, and when Luna’s powers are not quite what they seem the two team up to reach a common goal. The Academy is elitist and it’s easy to understand how lost Luna feels especially when her first ally, Alaric, leaves on other business, she doesn’t get support from either students or staff, leaving her open to suggestion from a mysterious voice. I really did feel for Luna, as she has become broken by the mortal world and then she is just dropped into the thick of it being told she is nephilim and that actually there’s a whole other world hidden away that she’s part of. Caleb doesn’t fall into the trope that he could have become, actually standing out as by far the most reasonable person there. I found that he handled the conflict between his agenda and wanting to be there for Luna really well, they have the perfect burgeoning relationship which is being solidly built on honesty, and communication plays a vital part in getting them over any hurdles they reach. Normalising healthy and positive relationships is one of my number one priorities when it comes to romance in YA and I am so happy that this is the route taken in Lightfall.
I really enjoyed the discovery element of this story, the mystery surrounding Caleb’s task and the voice that Luna hears is really well done and exciting to read, it was easy to fly through the pages to find out what came next and it certainly left me ready to read more. I also do enjoy a creative spin on “releasing a breath they didn't know they were holding”!
On the flip side, for me it took a few chapters to settle into its stride, maybe it was a case of just wanting to get from A to B quickly to move the story to where it needed to be but it didn't immediately pull me in which was a shame as once I was in sync with it I couldn't put it down. The story did feel a little flowery at times and some unusual word choices did pull me out of the world which was a shame but then that's probably just a me problem.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised with Lightfall and it goes to show that sometimes an out of comfort zone read can be a good thing and i’m excited to see where these characters head next.
The story is told in alternating chapters between naive Light, Luna, as she takes her first wobbly steps in the Alexandria Academy and bad boy Dark, Caleb, attending the Academy on an exchange programme. Caleb has an agenda, and when Luna’s powers are not quite what they seem the two team up to reach a common goal. The Academy is elitist and it’s easy to understand how lost Luna feels especially when her first ally, Alaric, leaves on other business, she doesn’t get support from either students or staff, leaving her open to suggestion from a mysterious voice. I really did feel for Luna, as she has become broken by the mortal world and then she is just dropped into the thick of it being told she is nephilim and that actually there’s a whole other world hidden away that she’s part of. Caleb doesn’t fall into the trope that he could have become, actually standing out as by far the most reasonable person there. I found that he handled the conflict between his agenda and wanting to be there for Luna really well, they have the perfect burgeoning relationship which is being solidly built on honesty, and communication plays a vital part in getting them over any hurdles they reach. Normalising healthy and positive relationships is one of my number one priorities when it comes to romance in YA and I am so happy that this is the route taken in Lightfall.
I really enjoyed the discovery element of this story, the mystery surrounding Caleb’s task and the voice that Luna hears is really well done and exciting to read, it was easy to fly through the pages to find out what came next and it certainly left me ready to read more. I also do enjoy a creative spin on “releasing a breath they didn't know they were holding”!
On the flip side, for me it took a few chapters to settle into its stride, maybe it was a case of just wanting to get from A to B quickly to move the story to where it needed to be but it didn't immediately pull me in which was a shame as once I was in sync with it I couldn't put it down. The story did feel a little flowery at times and some unusual word choices did pull me out of the world which was a shame but then that's probably just a me problem.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised with Lightfall and it goes to show that sometimes an out of comfort zone read can be a good thing and i’m excited to see where these characters head next.
January 4, 2023
LightFall is the first instalment of The Origin Prophecy series where we follow Luna and Caleb, two Nephilim students on either side of an ancient divide of Light and Dark where they could never hope to be friends…let alone more.
The story is told from the dual-pov of Luna and Caleb as they both navigate their time at the Serapeum, a school for Light Nephilim. One on a mission to understand herself, the other on a mission to find and release his grandfather.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I did take a little break from it (through no fault of the book) but as soon as I picked it back up I was enthralled. The pacing was great, the world building and setting was a really nice change from other fantasies I’ve encountered and felt quite immersive. Luna’s character development was a pleasure to read, and I loved seeing the relationship between her and Caleb grow.
I picked up book two almost immediately after finishing this. So glad I stumbled across this series on KU!
More thoughts (and spoilers) below.
The story is told from the dual-pov of Luna and Caleb as they both navigate their time at the Serapeum, a school for Light Nephilim. One on a mission to understand herself, the other on a mission to find and release his grandfather.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I did take a little break from it (through no fault of the book) but as soon as I picked it back up I was enthralled. The pacing was great, the world building and setting was a really nice change from other fantasies I’ve encountered and felt quite immersive. Luna’s character development was a pleasure to read, and I loved seeing the relationship between her and Caleb grow.
I picked up book two almost immediately after finishing this. So glad I stumbled across this series on KU!
More thoughts (and spoilers) below.
September 8, 2022
A Spellbinding Viewpoint Of The Fall & More!😲🌗🗡👼👿🙏😍
A 4.5 Star Read.🌟
(Read Using Kindle Unlimited)
LightFall: The Origin Prophecy #1
Luna has been raised in the system, always abandoned when her brand of 'crazy' reared its head, since she was 6 years old. Now, at 18/9 yrs old, she's locked up in an asylum for the criminally insane! Until Aleric somehow removes, without incident and takes her on a plane to Egypt where he informs her she's not insane, she's special, and needs training. He says she's a Nephilim, the child of a human and another nephilim, no one knows why she was abandoned instead of being placed into the care of the Academy's.😲
Caleb is a Dark nephilim, his grandfather was Alexander the Great, a first generation Nephilim of great power. Ishta, one of Alexander's friends and Caleb's teacher, tells him he's being sent to the Light Academy, in Egypt, on a diplomatic mission, to try to calm the tensions between both factions. She's discovered his Grandfather is trapped underneath it somewhere and she expects him to break him out during his academic year there!😲
Luna is hopeful she'll FINALLY be excepted somewhere at long last, it's all she's ever wanted, to feel like she belongs, and they've told her she's an untrained Light Nephilim! Then she walks into her first class and the judgement and bullying starts!💔 Caleb is treated much the same, but with disdain and fear mixed in too. They end up gravitating toward each other for company. Finally, she has someone to call her own. Until she's shown a horrifying vision!💥
This entire book was really well written. The main characters are believable and likeable. The younger light Nephilim really make you question if they're being taught 'the path of light' with how they treat their two new classmates, the teachers aren't any better!😢😡 I really enjoyed the world building, I found the secrets that were being uncovered spellbinding!✨ I'm really excited to read book #2.
I can highly recommend this YA read, and I'm 52!😂🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
A 4.5 Star Read.🌟
(Read Using Kindle Unlimited)
LightFall: The Origin Prophecy #1
Luna has been raised in the system, always abandoned when her brand of 'crazy' reared its head, since she was 6 years old. Now, at 18/9 yrs old, she's locked up in an asylum for the criminally insane! Until Aleric somehow removes, without incident and takes her on a plane to Egypt where he informs her she's not insane, she's special, and needs training. He says she's a Nephilim, the child of a human and another nephilim, no one knows why she was abandoned instead of being placed into the care of the Academy's.😲
Caleb is a Dark nephilim, his grandfather was Alexander the Great, a first generation Nephilim of great power. Ishta, one of Alexander's friends and Caleb's teacher, tells him he's being sent to the Light Academy, in Egypt, on a diplomatic mission, to try to calm the tensions between both factions. She's discovered his Grandfather is trapped underneath it somewhere and she expects him to break him out during his academic year there!😲
Luna is hopeful she'll FINALLY be excepted somewhere at long last, it's all she's ever wanted, to feel like she belongs, and they've told her she's an untrained Light Nephilim! Then she walks into her first class and the judgement and bullying starts!💔 Caleb is treated much the same, but with disdain and fear mixed in too. They end up gravitating toward each other for company. Finally, she has someone to call her own. Until she's shown a horrifying vision!💥
This entire book was really well written. The main characters are believable and likeable. The younger light Nephilim really make you question if they're being taught 'the path of light' with how they treat their two new classmates, the teachers aren't any better!😢😡 I really enjoyed the world building, I found the secrets that were being uncovered spellbinding!✨ I'm really excited to read book #2.
I can highly recommend this YA read, and I'm 52!😂🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
October 11, 2022
Oh my, I am in love with this book. I literally love everything about it. I did not want to put it down once I started reading.
I am a total sucker for stories involving angels and Nephilim, the battle between the light and the dark, and the gray in between. So naturally, this book was calling my name with its intriguing blurb and gorgeous cover, and boy am I glad I answered.
I was drawn to Luna right away. Life for her has been hard, with most writing her off as dangerous and crazy, leaving her to spend most of her life isolated and alone. No friends, no family, and no understanding of who she is… until Alaric shows up with answers to questions she never imagined asking. Thrown into a whole new world where lines are drawn and the sides are clear in their black and whiteness, her innocence, naivete, and open-mindedness to see past the prejudice was refreshing just as much as it was heartbreaking, because while she’s okay in the gray, most of her peers and superiors’ content in their righteousness are not, and they’re not afraid to let her know of their disapproval of her.
And then there is Caleb, a Dark Nephilim invited to be an exchange student at a Light Nephilim school, with an ulterior plan of his own—find and free his grandfather no matter the risks or the cost. Like Luna, he’s an outcast in Alexandria, a circumstance that brings the two of them together, despite their opposite sides. I liked Caleb right away in that he wasn’t your typical demon bad boy with no moral code, but one with heart and a strong sense of protectiveness for the ones he loves.
But things are never as they seem, and what they think they know, they don’t, when secrets come to light.
Told from dual points-of-view, this book had me hooked from the very first page with twists, turns, and a few holy cow jaw-dropping moments—especially that ending!—that’s got me counting down the days for the release of book two. I cannot wait to get swept away in Luna and Caleb’s story once again to find out what happens next, because things are about to get very interesting.
I am a total sucker for stories involving angels and Nephilim, the battle between the light and the dark, and the gray in between. So naturally, this book was calling my name with its intriguing blurb and gorgeous cover, and boy am I glad I answered.
I was drawn to Luna right away. Life for her has been hard, with most writing her off as dangerous and crazy, leaving her to spend most of her life isolated and alone. No friends, no family, and no understanding of who she is… until Alaric shows up with answers to questions she never imagined asking. Thrown into a whole new world where lines are drawn and the sides are clear in their black and whiteness, her innocence, naivete, and open-mindedness to see past the prejudice was refreshing just as much as it was heartbreaking, because while she’s okay in the gray, most of her peers and superiors’ content in their righteousness are not, and they’re not afraid to let her know of their disapproval of her.
And then there is Caleb, a Dark Nephilim invited to be an exchange student at a Light Nephilim school, with an ulterior plan of his own—find and free his grandfather no matter the risks or the cost. Like Luna, he’s an outcast in Alexandria, a circumstance that brings the two of them together, despite their opposite sides. I liked Caleb right away in that he wasn’t your typical demon bad boy with no moral code, but one with heart and a strong sense of protectiveness for the ones he loves.
But things are never as they seem, and what they think they know, they don’t, when secrets come to light.
Told from dual points-of-view, this book had me hooked from the very first page with twists, turns, and a few holy cow jaw-dropping moments—especially that ending!—that’s got me counting down the days for the release of book two. I cannot wait to get swept away in Luna and Caleb’s story once again to find out what happens next, because things are about to get very interesting.
September 17, 2022
Ever since reading the Hush Hush and Fallen series many moons ago, I’ve been hooked on fiction featuring angels. Couple that with an academic setting and you have my ideal book! I was therefore so excited to read Lightfall and it was everything I hoped for and more.
This super sweet forbidden romance is brimming with drama, intrigue, angelic lore, great world building, mean girls and twists and turns a plenty, and I loved every word. I adored Caleb and Luna and their dynamic reminded me of JLA’s Roth and Layla who are one of my favourite YA couples. Dark Nephilim Caleb is a roguish bad boy with a heart, and the first person to treat light Nephilim Luna as she deserves after her traumatic and loveless upbringing. He would have set my teenage heart a-flutter! Despite his reputation, he proves how pure his heart is by helping her to understand and harness her powers. I admired Luna’s strength, bravery and resilience despite the challenges she had faced and my heart broke for her at points. Their slow burn chemistry was electric and I was rooting for them to get together! The story is told from dual points of views (my favourite) and the narrative was beautifully written and really captured Luna and Caleb’s personalities.
Angels and Nephilim have always fascinated me, and one of my favourite features was the angelic lore and history of the events leading up to and following the Fall. The world building was very unique, easy to understand and unravelled beautifully. I enjoyed the exploration of how the angels and demons weren’t inherently good nor evil, but both exist within shades of grey.
The plot is jam packed with action and intrigue and as the drama started to unfold, my chances of an early night went out the window and I couldn’t put it down. I must warn you that it ends on a BIG cliff hanger, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I‘d recommend Lightfall to all YA fantasy lovers.
This super sweet forbidden romance is brimming with drama, intrigue, angelic lore, great world building, mean girls and twists and turns a plenty, and I loved every word. I adored Caleb and Luna and their dynamic reminded me of JLA’s Roth and Layla who are one of my favourite YA couples. Dark Nephilim Caleb is a roguish bad boy with a heart, and the first person to treat light Nephilim Luna as she deserves after her traumatic and loveless upbringing. He would have set my teenage heart a-flutter! Despite his reputation, he proves how pure his heart is by helping her to understand and harness her powers. I admired Luna’s strength, bravery and resilience despite the challenges she had faced and my heart broke for her at points. Their slow burn chemistry was electric and I was rooting for them to get together! The story is told from dual points of views (my favourite) and the narrative was beautifully written and really captured Luna and Caleb’s personalities.
Angels and Nephilim have always fascinated me, and one of my favourite features was the angelic lore and history of the events leading up to and following the Fall. The world building was very unique, easy to understand and unravelled beautifully. I enjoyed the exploration of how the angels and demons weren’t inherently good nor evil, but both exist within shades of grey.
The plot is jam packed with action and intrigue and as the drama started to unfold, my chances of an early night went out the window and I couldn’t put it down. I must warn you that it ends on a BIG cliff hanger, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I‘d recommend Lightfall to all YA fantasy lovers.
November 14, 2022
"𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻."
LightFall is the first book in The Origin Prophecy series and this dark academia with Nephilim, half angel and half human, will have you walking the halls of the Serapeum in wonder.
Seventeen-year-old Luna is admitted to a psychiatric hospital after several incidents; moving from foster home to foster home, never having a place she belongs, she is visited by a new doctor who says he understands what she is.
The dark and broody Caleb is an exchange student with an agenda from The Tower of Babel, he is a Dark Nephilim in a school of Lights. That is a recipe for disaster, until he meets another new student and they have more in common than he thinks. Both being outcasts, they form a bond and that leads them to strange places.
I loved the setting of the story, I couldn't put this book down. The story is told from Luna and Caleb's POV and a list of the Light and Dark academies are included in the beginning of the book.
This a Romeo and Juliet retelling with an angelic twist.
What to expect
- Dark Academia
- Enemies to lovers
- Angels
- Magic
- Slow burn romance/paranormal romance
- Good vs evil
- Academic romance
- YA
I highly suggest reading this book, the second book, DarkRise, was just released and you'll be able to binge read both books. The first book doesn't end on a major cliffhanger but it is enough of a suspense to immediately jump into the second book. This book is easily one of my favourites for the year, it has magic, mystery, Nephilim and a huge library.
Many thanks to MTMC Tours and the authors for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
LightFall is the first book in The Origin Prophecy series and this dark academia with Nephilim, half angel and half human, will have you walking the halls of the Serapeum in wonder.
Seventeen-year-old Luna is admitted to a psychiatric hospital after several incidents; moving from foster home to foster home, never having a place she belongs, she is visited by a new doctor who says he understands what she is.
The dark and broody Caleb is an exchange student with an agenda from The Tower of Babel, he is a Dark Nephilim in a school of Lights. That is a recipe for disaster, until he meets another new student and they have more in common than he thinks. Both being outcasts, they form a bond and that leads them to strange places.
I loved the setting of the story, I couldn't put this book down. The story is told from Luna and Caleb's POV and a list of the Light and Dark academies are included in the beginning of the book.
This a Romeo and Juliet retelling with an angelic twist.
What to expect
- Dark Academia
- Enemies to lovers
- Angels
- Magic
- Slow burn romance/paranormal romance
- Good vs evil
- Academic romance
- YA
I highly suggest reading this book, the second book, DarkRise, was just released and you'll be able to binge read both books. The first book doesn't end on a major cliffhanger but it is enough of a suspense to immediately jump into the second book. This book is easily one of my favourites for the year, it has magic, mystery, Nephilim and a huge library.
Many thanks to MTMC Tours and the authors for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2022
*I received a copy of this book from the author(s) in exchange for an honest review. This did not change or affect my opinion of this book in any way.*
A forbidden friendship. A dangerous secret. What's done in the dark always comes to light.
I absolutely cannot wait for the second one! I need to know what happens next... like, right now. The mythology and the world-building were captivating, the divide between the Lights and Darks was intriguing, the humour and sarcasm were fantastic, and the slow-burn was *chefs kiss.*
The leads are a perfect blend of sassy and sarcastic--Caleb, and sweet and innocent--Luna. Except there's more than meets the eye to both of them. Caleb is determined to prove himself, and he doesn't care what his Light classmates at the Serapeum think of him; except Luna. And Luna... well Luna thinks she's crazy, and she might just be one more voice in her head away from becoming completely unhinged.
The whole cast of characters were really entertaining, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with some specific side characters in the next book! I loved the academy setting, and I can't WAIT to (hopefully) explore some of the other academies in the rest of the trilogy! Overall was a really great, really fun read, and I'm looking forward to see where the twists and turns take the rest of the series.
A forbidden friendship. A dangerous secret. What's done in the dark always comes to light.
I absolutely cannot wait for the second one! I need to know what happens next... like, right now. The mythology and the world-building were captivating, the divide between the Lights and Darks was intriguing, the humour and sarcasm were fantastic, and the slow-burn was *chefs kiss.*
The leads are a perfect blend of sassy and sarcastic--Caleb, and sweet and innocent--Luna. Except there's more than meets the eye to both of them. Caleb is determined to prove himself, and he doesn't care what his Light classmates at the Serapeum think of him; except Luna. And Luna... well Luna thinks she's crazy, and she might just be one more voice in her head away from becoming completely unhinged.
The whole cast of characters were really entertaining, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with some specific side characters in the next book! I loved the academy setting, and I can't WAIT to (hopefully) explore some of the other academies in the rest of the trilogy! Overall was a really great, really fun read, and I'm looking forward to see where the twists and turns take the rest of the series.
June 24, 2023
This one is my favorite YA series about angels and demons. I was drawn in by the beautiful cover and was so happy that I read it. I have found that sometimes when two authors write two different characters the flow doesn't work well, but in this series it was perfect. Both characters were so well distinguishable and fleshed out. It was easy to care for and connect to them both. The mystery and history of the series were one of my favorite elements but also the author's ability to create dynamic and complex characters and the use of sensory details painted the scene perfectly.
The first book was a great backstory for Luna. Her trauma and upbringing made me feel for her and added depth to her character. and Caleb's bad bot past made him alluring and the perfect love interest. I don't want to spoil the ending but you're in for a revelation that the authors created perfect breadcrumbs for on a cliffhanger that will lead you directly into one-clicking book 2.
If you enjoy a PG version of Jennifer Armentrout's The Harbinger series you will love this book. The third book is a little spicier but I'd still let my teen read it. If you are on the fence, don't be I highly recommend this book. I was immersed in this series and couldn't wait for the next book!
The first book was a great backstory for Luna. Her trauma and upbringing made me feel for her and added depth to her character. and Caleb's bad bot past made him alluring and the perfect love interest. I don't want to spoil the ending but you're in for a revelation that the authors created perfect breadcrumbs for on a cliffhanger that will lead you directly into one-clicking book 2.
If you enjoy a PG version of Jennifer Armentrout's The Harbinger series you will love this book. The third book is a little spicier but I'd still let my teen read it. If you are on the fence, don't be I highly recommend this book. I was immersed in this series and couldn't wait for the next book!
September 6, 2022
I had the privilege of beta-reading this book.
Lightfall is a YA Paranormal Academy Romance between Caleb and Luna. Caleb is a Dark Nephilim, while Luna is a Light Nephilim. Caleb, because of his charm and special abilities is chosen by his headmistress to be the ambassador for his school and represent demon-kind at the "angel academy". There is absolutely a mandatory side quest forced upon Caleb as soon as he agrees to represent his school. He, of course, is miserable until he meets the awkward new girl, the clueless and absolutely gorgeous Luna.
The couple quickly forms a friendship forged by Luna's need for mentorship in harnessing her newly discovered Nephilim powers..
There is a lot to love about this book. The world-building and character development are very in-depth and crafted quite masterfully. The Angel/Demon premise is a classic but Phipps and Jaycox weave in lore from a vast array of ancient cultures to freshen up the trope in a fun and interesting way.
It's the first collaboration between authors M.A. Phipps and Rebecca Jaycox, and the first work by Jaycox that I've ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed this team-up and can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Lightfall is a YA Paranormal Academy Romance between Caleb and Luna. Caleb is a Dark Nephilim, while Luna is a Light Nephilim. Caleb, because of his charm and special abilities is chosen by his headmistress to be the ambassador for his school and represent demon-kind at the "angel academy". There is absolutely a mandatory side quest forced upon Caleb as soon as he agrees to represent his school. He, of course, is miserable until he meets the awkward new girl, the clueless and absolutely gorgeous Luna.
The couple quickly forms a friendship forged by Luna's need for mentorship in harnessing her newly discovered Nephilim powers..
There is a lot to love about this book. The world-building and character development are very in-depth and crafted quite masterfully. The Angel/Demon premise is a classic but Phipps and Jaycox weave in lore from a vast array of ancient cultures to freshen up the trope in a fun and interesting way.
It's the first collaboration between authors M.A. Phipps and Rebecca Jaycox, and the first work by Jaycox that I've ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed this team-up and can't wait to read the rest of the series!
February 8, 2024
i couldn’t stop reading!! I wish i could give it more stars!
You have to read it!!! The story is beautiful and keeps you entertained from start to finish! I loved how organic the friendship blossomed between our leads and then slowly but surely the romance formed. It had all the feels!!! Their chemistry was on point and i appreciated their honesty. Caleb is definitely my book boyfriend currently!!
Luna and Caleb are definitely relatable; their personalities were enjoyable to read and very much liked!!! It has Laugh out loud moments and so many swoon-worthy scenes that left me crying for more!! And the action!?? wowzers! Cant wait to read book two!!! that ending crushed me!! I NEED MORE ASAP!!!
Ps. I got this beautiful hardback, special trilogy edition on kickstarter and it’s gorgeous!!! i finished book one last night!! Im so glad i have all three books with me because i need to know what happens next!!! 😭💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛 All i know is Luna and Caleb are my#couplegoals #bookrecommendation #lightfall #nephilim #angelsvsdemons #forbiddenlove #dark #light #paranormalromancebooks #booklover #booknerd #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
You have to read it!!! The story is beautiful and keeps you entertained from start to finish! I loved how organic the friendship blossomed between our leads and then slowly but surely the romance formed. It had all the feels!!! Their chemistry was on point and i appreciated their honesty. Caleb is definitely my book boyfriend currently!!
Luna and Caleb are definitely relatable; their personalities were enjoyable to read and very much liked!!! It has Laugh out loud moments and so many swoon-worthy scenes that left me crying for more!! And the action!?? wowzers! Cant wait to read book two!!! that ending crushed me!! I NEED MORE ASAP!!!
Ps. I got this beautiful hardback, special trilogy edition on kickstarter and it’s gorgeous!!! i finished book one last night!! Im so glad i have all three books with me because i need to know what happens next!!! 😭💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛 All i know is Luna and Caleb are my#couplegoals #bookrecommendation #lightfall #nephilim #angelsvsdemons #forbiddenlove #dark #light #paranormalromancebooks #booklover #booknerd #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
September 8, 2022
I received an ARC of this book and I was really excited to get into it as nephilim are one of my favorites topics in fiction! The first person viewpoint was a really good look into the mind of our characters, Luna and Caleb.
I really enjoyed the storyline of the book and appreciated the inclusion of many important figures in history listed as nephilim! The biggest issue for me in the first half of the book was struggling to empathize with the severe victim mentality of Luna, and at one point had my eyes rolling. As well as Caleb’s forced bad boy attitude, however as we developed into the second half those mentalities shifted and I really found myself enjoying the development these characters showed!
The second half of the book had me so drawn in I couldn’t put it down and read through it while at work!
If you enjoy a good twist on the fall of the angels and some classic teenage drama this book is seriously a good pick! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment!!
Afterthought: this book really felt like it could be a great supernatural teen movie/tv show!!
I really enjoyed the storyline of the book and appreciated the inclusion of many important figures in history listed as nephilim! The biggest issue for me in the first half of the book was struggling to empathize with the severe victim mentality of Luna, and at one point had my eyes rolling. As well as Caleb’s forced bad boy attitude, however as we developed into the second half those mentalities shifted and I really found myself enjoying the development these characters showed!
The second half of the book had me so drawn in I couldn’t put it down and read through it while at work!
If you enjoy a good twist on the fall of the angels and some classic teenage drama this book is seriously a good pick! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment!!
Afterthought: this book really felt like it could be a great supernatural teen movie/tv show!!
October 10, 2022
I am not one to like story about angel and such simply because the story is not accurate or I feel as if it makes the story trivial and bland. This book however did the exact opposite.
Luna was a “troublemaker” to say the least. The book starts with her being flown to Egypt after being found in a mental ward due to her past. Caleb is a Dark, Nephilim descent of a Fallen angel, who is being forced to attend the school for Lights, who are descent of the angel who fought Lucifer in his rebellion. Caleb is tasked with releasing his grandfather, Alexander the Great, after he was entombed for his conquering. Luna’s and Caleb’s worlds collide for the best at the school.
My favorite part not only has to be the angelic politics but also Caleb always referring to Luna as either his girl or his Goldilocks. I’m a simple being. Combining mythology and romance will make me swoon and swoon I did. This will be my new recommendation for those who want to read books about the Fall and it’s aftermath.
Luna was a “troublemaker” to say the least. The book starts with her being flown to Egypt after being found in a mental ward due to her past. Caleb is a Dark, Nephilim descent of a Fallen angel, who is being forced to attend the school for Lights, who are descent of the angel who fought Lucifer in his rebellion. Caleb is tasked with releasing his grandfather, Alexander the Great, after he was entombed for his conquering. Luna’s and Caleb’s worlds collide for the best at the school.
My favorite part not only has to be the angelic politics but also Caleb always referring to Luna as either his girl or his Goldilocks. I’m a simple being. Combining mythology and romance will make me swoon and swoon I did. This will be my new recommendation for those who want to read books about the Fall and it’s aftermath.
April 3, 2024
Love, love, love!! I was thrilled to read something different and fresh!
Lightfall takes place in the human world during the war of the Fallen. We meet Gabriel and Lucifer right off the bat in the epilogue, which sets the tone for what’s to come.
The rest of the story takes place in the modern world, where Angel’s, and their offspring, Nephilim’s existence are hidden from humans. There are 14 academies, 7 Light and 7 Dark. The Light’s follow The Creator and focus on ascension and the Dark’s focus on free will.
We meet Luna, who has been misunderstood and discarded in the human world her whole life.. because she is in fact a Nephilim. She is brought to a Light academy where shit gets real, she learns about herself, finds love, and encounters secrets and betrayal along the way.
Let’s just say the ending of book one of this trilogy, left my mouth agape, and me downloading book 2 instantly.
Lightfall takes place in the human world during the war of the Fallen. We meet Gabriel and Lucifer right off the bat in the epilogue, which sets the tone for what’s to come.
The rest of the story takes place in the modern world, where Angel’s, and their offspring, Nephilim’s existence are hidden from humans. There are 14 academies, 7 Light and 7 Dark. The Light’s follow The Creator and focus on ascension and the Dark’s focus on free will.
We meet Luna, who has been misunderstood and discarded in the human world her whole life.. because she is in fact a Nephilim. She is brought to a Light academy where shit gets real, she learns about herself, finds love, and encounters secrets and betrayal along the way.
Let’s just say the ending of book one of this trilogy, left my mouth agape, and me downloading book 2 instantly.
September 2, 2022
This was the sweetest YA book EVER.
I really enjoyed this book! Luna and Caleb are two of the most relatable characters. Luna has grown up thinking she's unlovable, unwanted, and a monster. But she soon discovers she's not everything she thought she was. To be as discarded as she is Luna is seriously so PURE, her intentions are completely unguarded and she's so considerate.
Caleb has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to his Light brethren. So going undercover shouldn't be too hard when no one wants to be your friend. What he didn't anticipate is Luna, sweet, naive Luna.
Their friendship is organic and sweet. I found myself wanting more for them. I still do....CLIFFHANGER! And it's a doozy too! I simply can not wait for book two!
I really enjoyed this book! Luna and Caleb are two of the most relatable characters. Luna has grown up thinking she's unlovable, unwanted, and a monster. But she soon discovers she's not everything she thought she was. To be as discarded as she is Luna is seriously so PURE, her intentions are completely unguarded and she's so considerate.
Caleb has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to his Light brethren. So going undercover shouldn't be too hard when no one wants to be your friend. What he didn't anticipate is Luna, sweet, naive Luna.
Their friendship is organic and sweet. I found myself wanting more for them. I still do....CLIFFHANGER! And it's a doozy too! I simply can not wait for book two!
October 12, 2022
[…] we’re all Nephilim, Light or Dark. Why are we such dicks to each other?
I received a copy of Lightfall from the authors to read and review. It’s a cute story with an interesting premise! However I just couldn’t connect with either of the main characters to thoroughly enjoy it…Both unfortunately felt shallow. Caleb is your average f*ck boy and Luna is your typical girl-next-door with a dark side. There’s some potential with these characters yet it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The side characters seemed a little one-dimensional and I felt they could’ve been fleshed out a bit better.
Of course this could be just a “me thing” so don’t let my experience deter you from giving this book a shot!
I received a copy of Lightfall from the authors to read and review. It’s a cute story with an interesting premise! However I just couldn’t connect with either of the main characters to thoroughly enjoy it…Both unfortunately felt shallow. Caleb is your average f*ck boy and Luna is your typical girl-next-door with a dark side. There’s some potential with these characters yet it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The side characters seemed a little one-dimensional and I felt they could’ve been fleshed out a bit better.
Of course this could be just a “me thing” so don’t let my experience deter you from giving this book a shot!
December 19, 2022
I felt like I'm reading a rom-com genre in disguise, I almost forgot that they're half-angels. The pace was actually quite fast I liked it, but I got turned off by the characters, especially the MC. Maybe because I was expecting more that I was disappointed when he turned out to be a common fck/bad-boy MC.
And about the bullying, did the bullies got punished? I forgot, but as far as I remember the one who got punished (detention) was the victim whether it was about something that she did in class or something else, and know this she didn't know anything about that world but she got punished for something that she herself didn't understand. The adults should have been giving her education or explanation instead.
The twist at the end was nice, but when I traced back I found that some of the scene didn't add up, especially the said parents.
And about the bullying, did the bullies got punished? I forgot, but as far as I remember the one who got punished (detention) was the victim whether it was about something that she did in class or something else, and know this she didn't know anything about that world but she got punished for something that she herself didn't understand. The adults should have been giving her education or explanation instead.
The twist at the end was nice, but when I traced back I found that some of the scene didn't add up, especially the said parents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2022
"Why are we such dicks to each other? We look down on humans for their pretty grievances and grudges, but from where I stand, we're no better. We're just gifted with a lot of more power that can cause maximum damage."
I was intrigued by this cover - then I've read a blurb and I was like - whoa, that should be good!
And you know what? It was!
World building, the plot, characters were all great - I loved the slow burn, differences between Lights and Darks and THE ENDING - I need a secon book, like RIGHT NOW *PLEASE*
Caleb is my fav character and i can't wait to see what will happen next
I was intrigued by this cover - then I've read a blurb and I was like - whoa, that should be good!
And you know what? It was!
World building, the plot, characters were all great - I loved the slow burn, differences between Lights and Darks and THE ENDING - I need a secon book, like RIGHT NOW *PLEASE*
Caleb is my fav character and i can't wait to see what will happen next
October 9, 2022
I absolutely devoured this book. Started it late last night with the intention of reading only thirty minutes before bed and stayed up way too late reading it. This has everything I love: fallen angels, mythology, mysterious backgrounds and a boarding school. My heart broke for Luna and all that she had been through. So many failed her, and I am so excited to see her step into her own. Caleb was so much fun, and I have a feeling he's got a big battle ahead of him. Everything that happened in the last chapters of this book was so crazy. The consequences are going to be far reaching, and I can't wait to see what happens next. What a great start to a series.
November 2, 2022
4 stars! - Hooked from the beginning! Definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys angel/paranormal YA books!
Lightfall is a page-turning Young Adult novel featuring angels/nephilim, dark academia, magic and a smidge of romance. The book is well-written and easy to follow. There's a steady pace but the twists and turns keep you intrigued. Luna is a relatable character, untrusting and unsure of herself as her powers develop. Caleb is your average confident, teenage male but develops into much more as his friendship with Luna grows. I like that the book includes commonly known Angel characters (Lucifer, Gabriel, etc) but portrays them in a unique way.
What to expect:
✔️ Relatable MC
✔️ Dark Academia
✔️ Angels / Fallen
✔️ Hidden Powers
✔️ Unknown Origin
✔️ Dual POV
Lightfall ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I'm on the edge of my seat to see what happens next in DarkRise!
Lightfall is a page-turning Young Adult novel featuring angels/nephilim, dark academia, magic and a smidge of romance. The book is well-written and easy to follow. There's a steady pace but the twists and turns keep you intrigued. Luna is a relatable character, untrusting and unsure of herself as her powers develop. Caleb is your average confident, teenage male but develops into much more as his friendship with Luna grows. I like that the book includes commonly known Angel characters (Lucifer, Gabriel, etc) but portrays them in a unique way.
What to expect:
✔️ Relatable MC
✔️ Dark Academia
✔️ Angels / Fallen
✔️ Hidden Powers
✔️ Unknown Origin
✔️ Dual POV
Lightfall ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I'm on the edge of my seat to see what happens next in DarkRise!
September 22, 2022
LightFall features a super likable main character, Luna, who I instantly root for until Caleb comes onto the scene, and then I might actually root for him more. Together they are fantastic! But this story is much more than romance. This world is divided into light and dark, but we see right away that it's more gray. The plot is intriguing, and frankly I don't know who to trust. If you enjoy angels and demons, forbidden romance, intricate world building and beautiful descriptions, don't miss LightFall! I can't wait for more.
October 13, 2022
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed every minute of the story.
I love stories about angels, Nephilim (the offspring of angelic beings and humans), the battle between good and evil, and moral ambiguity in many forms.
The authors did a superb job of crafting an engaging story and well-developed characters that completely sucked me in from the first page. The twists and turns kept coming, producing some jaw-dropping moments—especially the ending!
Caleb and Luna's story has been captivating from the very beginning, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I love stories about angels, Nephilim (the offspring of angelic beings and humans), the battle between good and evil, and moral ambiguity in many forms.
The authors did a superb job of crafting an engaging story and well-developed characters that completely sucked me in from the first page. The twists and turns kept coming, producing some jaw-dropping moments—especially the ending!
Caleb and Luna's story has been captivating from the very beginning, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.
January 12, 2023
More of a 3.5 but rounding up for the ending
This was overall pretty good. I’d give it a true 3.5 but I’ll round up because the ending kept me interested.
Pros: interesting world building and history, pretty easy & short of a read, great action-packed ending
Cons: Fairly predictable, lack of personality built in all characters, lack of chemistry between main characters, not a very dynamic plot until the last 20% of the book.
The end was great but, even with that, I don’t plan on reading any further in the series.
This was overall pretty good. I’d give it a true 3.5 but I’ll round up because the ending kept me interested.
Pros: interesting world building and history, pretty easy & short of a read, great action-packed ending
Cons: Fairly predictable, lack of personality built in all characters, lack of chemistry between main characters, not a very dynamic plot until the last 20% of the book.
The end was great but, even with that, I don’t plan on reading any further in the series.
July 31, 2022
1000% team Caleb for life!
This is an amazing story filled with history and depth, sprinkled (in perfectly heavy doses) with a sarcastic male lead in Caleb and a loveable female lead in Luna. The humor is spot on, and the slow burn romance is to die for, I absolutely loved the ending (no spoilers). This was such a unique take on light and dark Angels in an academic setting and I could not get enough! Highly recommend!!!
This is an amazing story filled with history and depth, sprinkled (in perfectly heavy doses) with a sarcastic male lead in Caleb and a loveable female lead in Luna. The humor is spot on, and the slow burn romance is to die for, I absolutely loved the ending (no spoilers). This was such a unique take on light and dark Angels in an academic setting and I could not get enough! Highly recommend!!!
September 12, 2022
This book was extraordinary! I am a sucker for Nephilim and the good girl/bad boy trope, so I knew I would adore this story. The worldbuilding was well-developed. I devoured this book in just a few hours. I really liked Luna and Caleb as characters. I am so excited for the next one! I am obsessed to be honest. I haven't read a YA book in a while but this book reminded me of how much I loved the YA genre! I definitely recommend this one if you want a paranormal YA romance!
September 16, 2022
Absolutely amazing! 😍
I love angels books, one of my favorite tropes, and about the war between the Faithful and the Fallen?, yes please!!! 🤗
Luna and Caleb's story is fantastic, I loved every page of this unputdownable installment and am already eager for more!!! 💕
A must read for fans of angels / fallen angels books, but also for those of us who think nothing is just black or white, and you should always listed to both sides of the story! ❤️
I love angels books, one of my favorite tropes, and about the war between the Faithful and the Fallen?, yes please!!! 🤗
Luna and Caleb's story is fantastic, I loved every page of this unputdownable installment and am already eager for more!!! 💕
A must read for fans of angels / fallen angels books, but also for those of us who think nothing is just black or white, and you should always listed to both sides of the story! ❤️
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