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Branded
I'm Magic Born but magicless, and a new student at a magic school. What could possibly go wrong? Hi. I'm Alix. I'm the daughter of a very powerful and infamous witch. Father unknown. And what have I inherited? Nada. Nothing. Zilch. I'm as plain a human as humans come. My mom ditched me and ran, but the Council of the Magic Born won't let my bloodline disappear into the human world. I can't cast spells, so I've spent my time getting myself kicked out of every Magic Born school in North America. Now they've sent me to Etteridge Academy, sequestered in the Scottish Highlands. Apparently, it's my last stop. This time, I'm warned, I better find a way to integrate myself into the Magic Born, because there's no getting out of this world. Except someone has other plans for me. I'm kidnapped and branded in a magical witch-vampire-werewolf unholy trinity ritual that hasn't been seen in hundreds of years. I escape, but now I've got these magic markings on me. And every time I make a move, I seem to awaken something long forgotten beneath Etteridge. I'd better figure out what's happening to me, and to the school, and why. Because if whoever did this gets a chance to complete the ritual, I have a bad feeling about what might crawl out of the ground and decimate the Magic Born, not to mention my slim chances of getting through it alive. Oh, and I still have to do homework. Welcome to my life.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2022
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 9, 2022
xX THE ARC SPREE Xx
This book has so much potential - a nice flowing writing style, cool plot and excellent characterisation of Alix. But it flung me out of the story every few pages as it’s in DESPERATE need of an editor. This unfortunately took it from a solid 3.5 to a 2.5 star.
In just the first 15% we had:
- Missed capitalisations
- Your/ you’re mixups
- A non binary character who said their pronouns are ‘they/them’ referred to more than once as ‘he’ which got confusing very quickly
- A number of sentences that didn’t make sense
The voice of Alix came through strongly and I liked the magic system too, it was well fleshed out with some interesting lore. I do wish Etteridge was a little less derivative (the scottish castle magic school dining hall with a moving ceiling depicting the sky was a little too familiar!) but it was still a good setting.
This book has so much potential - a nice flowing writing style, cool plot and excellent characterisation of Alix. But it flung me out of the story every few pages as it’s in DESPERATE need of an editor. This unfortunately took it from a solid 3.5 to a 2.5 star.
In just the first 15% we had:
- Missed capitalisations
- Your/ you’re mixups
- A non binary character who said their pronouns are ‘they/them’ referred to more than once as ‘he’ which got confusing very quickly
- A number of sentences that didn’t make sense
The voice of Alix came through strongly and I liked the magic system too, it was well fleshed out with some interesting lore. I do wish Etteridge was a little less derivative (the scottish castle magic school dining hall with a moving ceiling depicting the sky was a little too familiar!) but it was still a good setting.
August 12, 2022
This book should be a five star. But it can be very confusing whenever they mention Morgan Brunson and a few other stuff. Sometimes it’s his first name, last name or maybe I’m totally wrong and they are two different people. When words mention them it’s they, them, their, her or something else that makes no since.
All that said the story would keep you wanting to read and not stop until the end. If not for all the errors. I do want to see what happens in the next book with all the action, suspense and more. Alix is one hard a** person, that’s gone through so much. Follower her as she goes Ettenridge School in Scotland. There are other characters that you will read about and get your own opinion on while you try to figure out the Mystery in the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
All that said the story would keep you wanting to read and not stop until the end. If not for all the errors. I do want to see what happens in the next book with all the action, suspense and more. Alix is one hard a** person, that’s gone through so much. Follower her as she goes Ettenridge School in Scotland. There are other characters that you will read about and get your own opinion on while you try to figure out the Mystery in the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2025
Rcvd an advanced reader copy from BookSirens for giving my two cents. We meet Alix… a Witch born but without any power. She has been to numerous school and subsequently kicked out… this Scotland school is the very last resort. She just wants to live her life as a merely human but the council won't allow it bc of her last name. A last name she doesn't want since her egg donor abandoned her as a child. Alix has no problems differentiating btn werewolf vamp and witch… it's what kept her safe so to speak but no less bullied and it's the same here. After picking a fight with a wolf defending her roomier she is taken to Jocelyn… an old and dangerous sentinel vampire who wants to train her….oookkkayyy. what she doesn't expect is being kidnapped while at school and branded like cattle. Something is going on and she's determined to find out who or what is after her. Good read. Couldn't put it down.
August 13, 2022
Alix's Story Begins . . .
Alix is the daughter of a powerful witch but has no magic of her own. Although her mother walked away from her, the Council of the Magic Born wants to preserve her powerful bloodline and keep her away from the human world. Not fitting in anywhere in the magical world, she is sent to Scotland to attend Etteridge Academy. Failure is not an option, and this is her last chance to make good.
However, she is quickly kidnapped and branded with markings in some sort of ritual. She escaped before the ritual could be completed. But she already sees that “something” is beginning to stir under Etteridge Academy. If the ritual is finally activated, it will bring disaster on the magic born. Can Alix figure it all out in time? Does she have any powers to stop whatever it is? Or is the school at the mercy of this evil with its release becoming imminent?
Alix is the daughter of a powerful witch but has no magic of her own. Although her mother walked away from her, the Council of the Magic Born wants to preserve her powerful bloodline and keep her away from the human world. Not fitting in anywhere in the magical world, she is sent to Scotland to attend Etteridge Academy. Failure is not an option, and this is her last chance to make good.
However, she is quickly kidnapped and branded with markings in some sort of ritual. She escaped before the ritual could be completed. But she already sees that “something” is beginning to stir under Etteridge Academy. If the ritual is finally activated, it will bring disaster on the magic born. Can Alix figure it all out in time? Does she have any powers to stop whatever it is? Or is the school at the mercy of this evil with its release becoming imminent?
August 29, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a very fun read. I enjoyed the wit and humor and how that was interlaced with the serious topics.
The characters were set up in such a way that I am chomping at the bit to see what they do next. They're a rag tag team of misfits, but who doesn't love a good underdog story? They're also incredibly relatable and I feel like the author left a lot of room for growth throughout the series.
The writing can be a bit simple at times, but it is clear and digestible.
It is also extremely difficult to write action scenes in a way that doesn't slow down the pacing of the story, but the way the author added internal dialogue to the action kept the scenes rolling.
I thoroughly enjoyed Alix's story and can't wait to read on.
This was a very fun read. I enjoyed the wit and humor and how that was interlaced with the serious topics.
The characters were set up in such a way that I am chomping at the bit to see what they do next. They're a rag tag team of misfits, but who doesn't love a good underdog story? They're also incredibly relatable and I feel like the author left a lot of room for growth throughout the series.
The writing can be a bit simple at times, but it is clear and digestible.
It is also extremely difficult to write action scenes in a way that doesn't slow down the pacing of the story, but the way the author added internal dialogue to the action kept the scenes rolling.
I thoroughly enjoyed Alix's story and can't wait to read on.
August 3, 2022
***read as ARC
The premise of the story is that Alix was born without magic, from a line of witches. She has been shipped from magic school to school, always causing trouble wherever she goes. This new school, her last chance, the same happens, although it is not her fault this time.
I started this story expecting to read it over a couple of days, but I actually really enjoyed it and finished in a couple of hours. The world-building ramped up nicely, and I could follow the characters really well. The book was paced nicely, and I enjoyed the camaraderie and dialogue by the different characters.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this book. It gave me what I was hoping for, and the end had me wanting more. I would recommend this book to young adults who enjoy fantasy.
The premise of the story is that Alix was born without magic, from a line of witches. She has been shipped from magic school to school, always causing trouble wherever she goes. This new school, her last chance, the same happens, although it is not her fault this time.
I started this story expecting to read it over a couple of days, but I actually really enjoyed it and finished in a couple of hours. The world-building ramped up nicely, and I could follow the characters really well. The book was paced nicely, and I enjoyed the camaraderie and dialogue by the different characters.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this book. It gave me what I was hoping for, and the end had me wanting more. I would recommend this book to young adults who enjoy fantasy.
September 3, 2022
Actual rating 3.5 stars
I loved reading this book. The plots, twists and turns, the characters and debut of world building are great. However I find that the author makes use of too many pop culture references. That part turned me a bit off as well as the typos, which were more than what I usually find in edited books.
I loved that the book ended on such a cliffhanger and hoping to be able to read more from this series soon.
I loved reading this book. The plots, twists and turns, the characters and debut of world building are great. However I find that the author makes use of too many pop culture references. That part turned me a bit off as well as the typos, which were more than what I usually find in edited books.
I loved that the book ended on such a cliffhanger and hoping to be able to read more from this series soon.
September 26, 2022
I inhaled this book! Put it down n picked it up 3 weeks later n did it again.
Yes there are lots of Academy of magic books out there. So books tend to feel scripted n the story lacks a plot. NOT. THIS. ONE.
Thoroughly enjoyed the new take on Academy romance and will definitely be seeking out the next book in the series.
***
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Yes there are lots of Academy of magic books out there. So books tend to feel scripted n the story lacks a plot. NOT. THIS. ONE.
Thoroughly enjoyed the new take on Academy romance and will definitely be seeking out the next book in the series.
***
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 13, 2022
This book was unique in a way. There is a character named alix who is magic born but magic less and a bit of a challenge. The story moves at a fast pace and is quite complex. I love academy reads and this one is special. It stands out. I loved it. It's explosive and exciting.
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.
September 10, 2022
I genuinely loved the storyline of this book. I think some editing would benefit some of the grammar mistakes and the use of the pronouns for a specific character as it gets quite confusing at times as to whom is being written about. I would really love to read the sequel as well. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
August 8, 2022Really enjoyed this book, Looking forward to reading more of Alix's story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 10, 2022
Fun book with an interesting magic system and well done characters. The story has enough action and suspense to keep you interested and the story flows smoothly.
August 27, 2022
Absolutely fascinating read. Story was well written and the characters were great. This was a page turner. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2022
ARC from BookSirens, thank you !
I thought this was okay. Kind of a slough to get through though. There were a lot of errors around the Brunson. But I really liked Alix and Jocelyn and Elle.
I thought this was okay. Kind of a slough to get through though. There were a lot of errors around the Brunson. But I really liked Alix and Jocelyn and Elle.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews