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Shadowspell Academy #5
Shadowspell 5 (Shadowspell - Die Akademie der Schatten)
You Don’t Choose The Academy. The Academy Chooses You.
"This book is Harry Potter meets the Hunger Games in a bold twist on a classic magical young adult adventure."
Jaymin Eve, Bestselling Author of Supernatural Academy
The Shadowkiller is back.
And he is hunting me down like a dog in the streets of New York City using every tool and ally he has—including people I once trusted.
I have never been so alone in my life, and yet if I turn to my friends that puts a target on their backs too. Which means I have to keep running.
So, I do what I know, and I set myself to finding the trail of breadcrumbs that will lead me to the one who is still pulling the strings.
Frost. A Chameleon just like me. Just like the Shadowkiller. Worse, she’s seeking out my friends to pick them off, one by one. To drain their lives in order to feed hers.
To stop her, I have to find her—a task easier said than done in a city this size.
What I don’t expect to find is a truth that this world and its secrets run far deeper, and far darker than I could have ever suspected.
But is any of that going to stop me?
Not a chance.
Shadowspell Academy novels offer delicious cliffhangers that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final book - Shadowspell Year of the Chameleon (Book 6)
"This book is Harry Potter meets the Hunger Games in a bold twist on a classic magical young adult adventure."
Jaymin Eve, Bestselling Author of Supernatural Academy
The Shadowkiller is back.
And he is hunting me down like a dog in the streets of New York City using every tool and ally he has—including people I once trusted.
I have never been so alone in my life, and yet if I turn to my friends that puts a target on their backs too. Which means I have to keep running.
So, I do what I know, and I set myself to finding the trail of breadcrumbs that will lead me to the one who is still pulling the strings.
Frost. A Chameleon just like me. Just like the Shadowkiller. Worse, she’s seeking out my friends to pick them off, one by one. To drain their lives in order to feed hers.
To stop her, I have to find her—a task easier said than done in a city this size.
What I don’t expect to find is a truth that this world and its secrets run far deeper, and far darker than I could have ever suspected.
But is any of that going to stop me?
Not a chance.
Shadowspell Academy novels offer delicious cliffhangers that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final book - Shadowspell Year of the Chameleon (Book 6)
274 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2021
1303 people are currently reading
2048 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Mayer
161 books7,241 followersA long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I was born into a family of Star Wars nuts. I have a lot of siblings (somewhere I lost count but I think there was more than could be numbered on one hand) and being one of the young padawans I was subjected to Star Wars marathons, on a regular basis. If you've read any of my books you'll see there is often a reference to said movies as a small homage to my upbringing. May the force be with you and all that jazz.
I started writing when I realized I didn't want to grow up not believing in magic, or not believing in creatures everyone else said didn't exist. That being said, I have never seen a fairy, unicorn or dragon. I had a neighbour who swore they fed the leprechauns in their garden, but I never caught the little buggers no matter how long I lay in wait. (And consequently had to help the neighbours plant new flowers to replace those I killed waiting for the leprechauns to show their faces.)
Along the way, I found my husband who is the rock that keeps me from floating away into my dreams, and we have a little boy who is the centre of our world. Living on a farm keeps us busy (as if the writing wasn't enough) and I have more than my share of stories about wrestling with cows, helping birth calves and ending up in the creek during the process, falling in the mud (we'll call it mud but we all know that on a farm, mud is rarely mud) and chasing escaped livestock in the hopes the four legged convicts don't make it to the highway.
I've taken up archery, and the goal is to move into horseback archery in time (you know, when I can hit the target on a consistent basis) and when no one is looking, I love to bake (this doesn't happen often as it's hard to keep the sweet treats in stock with two boys in the house.)
As to what's coming next for me? More stories (since those never stop inside my head, I might as well share them with all of you!) and more adventures. Pretty much, when the fancy strikes, I'll jump on it. Leap before you look I'm sure that motto was created for me.
Or was that . . . think big and dream bigger, ready, set, pull the trigger . . . yeah. That one is a good one too. But only if you have a gun. And are hunting elephants. Which is not cool because of so many reasons. Let's stick with the first one with an addendum.
Leap before you look and let your dreams carry you on their wings. And that, my friends, is me in a nutshell.
I started writing when I realized I didn't want to grow up not believing in magic, or not believing in creatures everyone else said didn't exist. That being said, I have never seen a fairy, unicorn or dragon. I had a neighbour who swore they fed the leprechauns in their garden, but I never caught the little buggers no matter how long I lay in wait. (And consequently had to help the neighbours plant new flowers to replace those I killed waiting for the leprechauns to show their faces.)
Along the way, I found my husband who is the rock that keeps me from floating away into my dreams, and we have a little boy who is the centre of our world. Living on a farm keeps us busy (as if the writing wasn't enough) and I have more than my share of stories about wrestling with cows, helping birth calves and ending up in the creek during the process, falling in the mud (we'll call it mud but we all know that on a farm, mud is rarely mud) and chasing escaped livestock in the hopes the four legged convicts don't make it to the highway.
I've taken up archery, and the goal is to move into horseback archery in time (you know, when I can hit the target on a consistent basis) and when no one is looking, I love to bake (this doesn't happen often as it's hard to keep the sweet treats in stock with two boys in the house.)
As to what's coming next for me? More stories (since those never stop inside my head, I might as well share them with all of you!) and more adventures. Pretty much, when the fancy strikes, I'll jump on it. Leap before you look I'm sure that motto was created for me.
Or was that . . . think big and dream bigger, ready, set, pull the trigger . . . yeah. That one is a good one too. But only if you have a gun. And are hunting elephants. Which is not cool because of so many reasons. Let's stick with the first one with an addendum.
Leap before you look and let your dreams carry you on their wings. And that, my friends, is me in a nutshell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
October 10, 2022
Genre: contemporary fantasy, YA
Tropes: Dark Academy, magic school, magic houses, found family, love triangle
Trigger Warnings: death, kidnapping
Series: Shadowspell Academy #5
Cliffhanger: Yes
Spice: 0/5 🌶
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
“Thank God.”
“God had nothing to do with it, unless you want to start worshipping me? I got to her in time to get her to another healer.”
I think betrayal was the main theme here, because it was all I could see everywhere. Fast paced and captivating, with POVs from Wild and Wally, a cliffhanger that makes me want to grab the last book right now and a lot of answers that bring even more questions, this book made me, once again, curious about other works by this author.
》》The Plot《《
“Be careful out there. If you’re hunting Chameleons, remember one thing.” He paused for what I could only imagine was dramatic effect.
“Yes?”
“They aren’t sane. Not a one of them.”
Ohhhh, there was plenty going on. Again. With Wild being kidnapped by the Shadowkiller, the crew wondering around New York, hot on her trail and Frost and her people hell bent on finding her as well, there are a lot of twists and turns. Add a mess of emotions, friendships, teasing and betrayal and you've got the main ingredients of this book.
》》Characters and Relationships《《
"I could feel the fear rolling off them, as close to them as I was. Not fear for themselves, but for Wild. She was friend to Orin and Gregory. Family to me and Pete. And to the other two? Straight up love. I blinked and looked from Ethan to Rory.
They both loved her."
For the first time we kind of get a clearer picture about the way things are with Wild and her crew ( thank you, Wally, for pointing it out for all of us). I think it's lovely how their friendship has grown and how things turned up, even with all the betrayal, all the trials and all the craziness running around.
“Why didn’t he stay in the House of Wonder?”
“Because he thinks he’s in love with you, and now has to prove it to you by coming to your rescue even though you don’t love him,” Wally said. “He has no idea that you are one hundred percent in love with Rory.”
“What? What did you just say?”
“Ethan doesn’t realize he doesn’t stand a chance against Rory. Never has.” She shrugged. “But he could be a good friend and help us out of this jam, so I’m not telling him what he doesn’t need to know. Or what he chooses not to see.”
And for the big Rory vs Ethan debate, Wally seems to be definitely team Rory. I'm wondering if the authors have described this story as having Hunger Games vibes because the MC has to choose between her childhood best friend and the guy she met in the trials and if so, if her choice will be the same as Katniss'.
》》Favorite Scenes《《
👩🏽🧑🏻🧑🏻🎓👩🏼Wally sensing Ethan and Rory love Wild
👩🏼Wild's visit at the shop
🦡👩🏽Pete asking Wally to be his girlfriend
“You are amazing,” Pete breathed out. “You wanna be my girlfriend?”
I blinked up at him. “What? I mean, are you asking? I already figured the chances of you asking were less than ten percent.”
👩🏼🥸Wild taking the radio to speak to the Sandman
👩🏽👩🏼🧑🏻🧑🏻🎓Wally talking to Wild about Ethan and Rory
👻Colt's ghost
👩🏼🧑🏻🎓Wild saving Rory and his mumbling words
👩🏼🤝🏻Wild's deal with Ash and Nicholas
👩🏼🧑🏻Wild kissing Ethan to see into his head
》》Conclusion《《
"Denial, even I knew that. I wrinkled up my nose. Emotions were as messy as a kid with finger-paint, and about as predictable."
I've got one complaint to make: we didn't get enough Rory!! And I'm still very much confused about the love situation. And about the end game here. I still feel like this entire business is rather messy, but it's also addictive so...
Tropes: Dark Academy, magic school, magic houses, found family, love triangle
Trigger Warnings: death, kidnapping
Series: Shadowspell Academy #5
Cliffhanger: Yes
Spice: 0/5 🌶
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
“Thank God.”
“God had nothing to do with it, unless you want to start worshipping me? I got to her in time to get her to another healer.”
I think betrayal was the main theme here, because it was all I could see everywhere. Fast paced and captivating, with POVs from Wild and Wally, a cliffhanger that makes me want to grab the last book right now and a lot of answers that bring even more questions, this book made me, once again, curious about other works by this author.
》》The Plot《《
“Be careful out there. If you’re hunting Chameleons, remember one thing.” He paused for what I could only imagine was dramatic effect.
“Yes?”
“They aren’t sane. Not a one of them.”
Ohhhh, there was plenty going on. Again. With Wild being kidnapped by the Shadowkiller, the crew wondering around New York, hot on her trail and Frost and her people hell bent on finding her as well, there are a lot of twists and turns. Add a mess of emotions, friendships, teasing and betrayal and you've got the main ingredients of this book.
》》Characters and Relationships《《
"I could feel the fear rolling off them, as close to them as I was. Not fear for themselves, but for Wild. She was friend to Orin and Gregory. Family to me and Pete. And to the other two? Straight up love. I blinked and looked from Ethan to Rory.
They both loved her."
For the first time we kind of get a clearer picture about the way things are with Wild and her crew ( thank you, Wally, for pointing it out for all of us). I think it's lovely how their friendship has grown and how things turned up, even with all the betrayal, all the trials and all the craziness running around.
“Why didn’t he stay in the House of Wonder?”
“Because he thinks he’s in love with you, and now has to prove it to you by coming to your rescue even though you don’t love him,” Wally said. “He has no idea that you are one hundred percent in love with Rory.”
“What? What did you just say?”
“Ethan doesn’t realize he doesn’t stand a chance against Rory. Never has.” She shrugged. “But he could be a good friend and help us out of this jam, so I’m not telling him what he doesn’t need to know. Or what he chooses not to see.”
And for the big Rory vs Ethan debate, Wally seems to be definitely team Rory. I'm wondering if the authors have described this story as having Hunger Games vibes because the MC has to choose between her childhood best friend and the guy she met in the trials and if so, if her choice will be the same as Katniss'.
》》Favorite Scenes《《
👩🏽🧑🏻🧑🏻🎓👩🏼Wally sensing Ethan and Rory love Wild
👩🏼Wild's visit at the shop
🦡👩🏽Pete asking Wally to be his girlfriend
“You are amazing,” Pete breathed out. “You wanna be my girlfriend?”
I blinked up at him. “What? I mean, are you asking? I already figured the chances of you asking were less than ten percent.”
👩🏼🥸Wild taking the radio to speak to the Sandman
👩🏽👩🏼🧑🏻🧑🏻🎓Wally talking to Wild about Ethan and Rory
👻Colt's ghost
👩🏼🧑🏻🎓Wild saving Rory and his mumbling words
👩🏼🤝🏻Wild's deal with Ash and Nicholas
👩🏼🧑🏻Wild kissing Ethan to see into his head
》》Conclusion《《
"Denial, even I knew that. I wrinkled up my nose. Emotions were as messy as a kid with finger-paint, and about as predictable."
I've got one complaint to make: we didn't get enough Rory!! And I'm still very much confused about the love situation. And about the end game here. I still feel like this entire business is rather messy, but it's also addictive so...
April 5, 2021
Hmm
Seriously missing Katie's (KF Breene) input into these books. The snark and the quirky hilarity from the first trilogy has all but disappeared, and I really feel the lack. There was enough action in book one of this that it wasn't so noticeable, but this book is just unremittingly gloomy with not enough laughs to carry you through it.
I'll keep reading, because I'm invested enough to want to see the end, but it will be a plod rather than a sprint.
Seriously missing Katie's (KF Breene) input into these books. The snark and the quirky hilarity from the first trilogy has all but disappeared, and I really feel the lack. There was enough action in book one of this that it wasn't so noticeable, but this book is just unremittingly gloomy with not enough laughs to carry you through it.
I'll keep reading, because I'm invested enough to want to see the end, but it will be a plod rather than a sprint.
April 13, 2022
This series just keeps a reader engaged and excited and wanting more.
Wild faces off with Frost the big bad of the series. She finds extended family. We have a live connection FINALLY! And the crew is ramping up and power!
Such a good read!
Happy reading,
DD🥂
Wild faces off with Frost the big bad of the series. She finds extended family. We have a live connection FINALLY! And the crew is ramping up and power!
Such a good read!
Happy reading,
DD🥂
October 28, 2021
This is the fifth book in the Shadow Spell Academy series and we still don't know a lot about the world this book is set in. The whole series seriously lacks world building, this could be so much better, but I'm at a point where I just accept the fact that we don't know anything and probably never will.
Again Wild is faced with some enemies who want to kill/kidnap her and her friends. There's lots of action in this book, especially the second half is nearly one huge action scene. It's really fast paced.
In this book we not only have Wilds POV but we also have some chapters from Wallys perspective, which made for a nice change, which I appreciated. There still were moments when I was thinking: 'Guys, do you really need to kiss/talk about love/relationships now? You are being hunted!', but it wasn't as bad as in the books before.
Again Wild is faced with some enemies who want to kill/kidnap her and her friends. There's lots of action in this book, especially the second half is nearly one huge action scene. It's really fast paced.
In this book we not only have Wilds POV but we also have some chapters from Wallys perspective, which made for a nice change, which I appreciated. There still were moments when I was thinking: 'Guys, do you really need to kiss/talk about love/relationships now? You are being hunted!', but it wasn't as bad as in the books before.
June 13, 2021
Really enjoying this second trilogy of Wild and her 'special' friends and their fight to survive evil machinations to destroy them all. Good stuff, on to book 6. Thanks Ms Mayer for continuing what you started with Ms Breen in an excellent series.
April 2, 2021
Cliffhanger ending.
The entirety of this book I felt like the FMC & her crew was being maneuvered on a game board. It was entirely too heavy handed.
3 the author wanted to play chess but ended up playing checkers stars.
The entirety of this book I felt like the FMC & her crew was being maneuvered on a game board. It was entirely too heavy handed.
3 the author wanted to play chess but ended up playing checkers stars.
March 18, 2021
I have been reading this author for years, and she continues to awe me with her wonderful writing skills. This series is more of a mature YA which I am surprised I still like…but see above. In this latest, Wild is still trying to figure out what is going on with the sickness, the Shadowkiller, and her and her friends. Expect now she has to deal with the revelations that keep happening. This was a great addition to the series, and I am ready for the next installment. This is a great series for those of any age, and even if you don’t like paranormal, still give this one a try. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
May 27, 2021
Pages: 314
My rating: 4
Much better than the book 4 of Shadowspell Academy. This book was a lot of story and exiting plot. It ends on a bad cliffhanger, but I started it when the sixth book was already published, so I am off to read that one too!
The Characters: Names and descriptions of the persons
Summery: detailed, lot’s of spoiler
August 18, 2025
3.5/5.0
Not a bit fan of the breaking into an unbreakable prison as the whole point of a book. Still, I’m enjoying the overall and the characters. Still not any depth but a whole lot of action and fun.
Not a bit fan of the breaking into an unbreakable prison as the whole point of a book. Still, I’m enjoying the overall and the characters. Still not any depth but a whole lot of action and fun.
April 23, 2025
I l9ve watching the characters geow..on to book 6..sad though that it is the last book as I feel like I know thw characters and they will be missed.
November 15, 2021
Umm this was amazing????
Also that cliffhanger???
These books are way too short and i stand by that also i love the action and the thrill and just *sigh* im going to start reading the last book and i just don’t want it to end.
I’m just crossing my fingers and toes for ethan and wild to be endgame🤞🤞
Also that cliffhanger???
These books are way too short and i stand by that also i love the action and the thrill and just *sigh* im going to start reading the last book and i just don’t want it to end.
I’m just crossing my fingers and toes for ethan and wild to be endgame🤞🤞
July 27, 2021
Good series
I really enjoy this series and look forward to reading the next book. These books contain a little bit of everything for every reader.
I really enjoy this series and look forward to reading the next book. These books contain a little bit of everything for every reader.
April 11, 2021
*2.5 STARS*
Likes:
*It’s a quick read and continues right where book #4 left off. Wild is now with Nicholas and Ash but she’s trying to get away from them.
*This time, we get different perspectives from her crew, especially Wally the Necromancer. I love that Wally is part of Wild’s crew because she needs more girls around her. Yay for the positive women friendships. The rest of the guys are awesome as well.
*We get to learn more about the Shadowkiller and the few Chameleons that exists.
Random Notes:
*I feel like this could’ve been added to book number 4 because it was such a quick read and there were some things I thought was a bit repetitive, like when it came to Ethan. Will there be enough time in the next book to tie up all the loose ends about the Shadowkiller? I don’t know.
*Also, does Wild really need to think about her feelings about Rory, Ethan and Colt right now when so much things are going down? Haha…I know she put it behind her, and put the mission first but still, it came up way too much for me.
*Something feels missing and I just realized that the first three books in the series was co-written with another author, K.F. Breene. No wonder these last two books felt like something was missing, and that makes a lot of sense.
Final Thoughts:
This one feels rushed and the next book is the last to the series, so it makes me wonder if every loose end will be tied up? I’ll read the next one because I’m already this far invested and they are really short books anyway so we shall see what happens next but this wasn’t my favorite book in the series.
Likes:
*It’s a quick read and continues right where book #4 left off. Wild is now with Nicholas and Ash but she’s trying to get away from them.
*This time, we get different perspectives from her crew, especially Wally the Necromancer. I love that Wally is part of Wild’s crew because she needs more girls around her. Yay for the positive women friendships. The rest of the guys are awesome as well.
*We get to learn more about the Shadowkiller and the few Chameleons that exists.
Random Notes:
*I feel like this could’ve been added to book number 4 because it was such a quick read and there were some things I thought was a bit repetitive, like when it came to Ethan. Will there be enough time in the next book to tie up all the loose ends about the Shadowkiller? I don’t know.
*Also, does Wild really need to think about her feelings about Rory, Ethan and Colt right now when so much things are going down? Haha…I know she put it behind her, and put the mission first but still, it came up way too much for me.
*Something feels missing and I just realized that the first three books in the series was co-written with another author, K.F. Breene. No wonder these last two books felt like something was missing, and that makes a lot of sense.
Final Thoughts:
This one feels rushed and the next book is the last to the series, so it makes me wonder if every loose end will be tied up? I’ll read the next one because I’m already this far invested and they are really short books anyway so we shall see what happens next but this wasn’t my favorite book in the series.
April 11, 2021
This felt off
This book felt like Mayer in all her glory. Action packed, strong and badass heroines, racing against impossible odds, loads of double cross and misplaced trust...all signs that you’ve entered Mayer’s brand of literary genius.
But this series started out as the brainchild of two unique authors that give this such an awesome spin and I was hooked despite it being about a bunch of teenagers. Then Mayer took over as a solo writer and I was immediately concerned that it would go left. The first book didn’t and I settled in for the second with high hopes. I get that this was meant to be fast paced and a continuation of events that happened right after the other.... but c’mon. These kids are running on adrenaline with no identification, money or even tools at this point. All that running around with no real rest, sharing energy with one another, no bathroom breaks, no shower, or even food (snickers aside). Plus they’re all new to this world and haven’t sufficiently trained at anything yet here they all are against all odds. It’s a level of improbability that makes for a crazy good story when we’re dealing with the other heroines of Mayer’s stories because they’ve LIVED thru worst. Here it doesn’t make sense and I just can’t get into it.
Once again we’re left with a cliffhanger and things don’t look good for Wild and her crew. Oh... when did she get blond hair?
This book felt like Mayer in all her glory. Action packed, strong and badass heroines, racing against impossible odds, loads of double cross and misplaced trust...all signs that you’ve entered Mayer’s brand of literary genius.
But this series started out as the brainchild of two unique authors that give this such an awesome spin and I was hooked despite it being about a bunch of teenagers. Then Mayer took over as a solo writer and I was immediately concerned that it would go left. The first book didn’t and I settled in for the second with high hopes. I get that this was meant to be fast paced and a continuation of events that happened right after the other.... but c’mon. These kids are running on adrenaline with no identification, money or even tools at this point. All that running around with no real rest, sharing energy with one another, no bathroom breaks, no shower, or even food (snickers aside). Plus they’re all new to this world and haven’t sufficiently trained at anything yet here they all are against all odds. It’s a level of improbability that makes for a crazy good story when we’re dealing with the other heroines of Mayer’s stories because they’ve LIVED thru worst. Here it doesn’t make sense and I just can’t get into it.
Once again we’re left with a cliffhanger and things don’t look good for Wild and her crew. Oh... when did she get blond hair?
April 11, 2021
The feeling I'm left with after reading this book, is disappointment.
Wild isn't Wild from the first 3 books. She's lost her edge and sence of humour.
If I hadn't already bought the last book, I wouldn't have wasted that money.
So much for pre-order 🤷🏼♀️
Wild isn't Wild from the first 3 books. She's lost her edge and sence of humour.
If I hadn't already bought the last book, I wouldn't have wasted that money.
So much for pre-order 🤷🏼♀️
March 31, 2021
So Shannon (and Breene)
I have to admit I am completely and utterly biased - I love, love, love Mayer (and Breene’s, initially,here, books). Plus I love both of their book series, period. I am just an average? woman who passes her extra time reading certain kinds of books - those with kick-ass, snarky, heroines who have paranormal abilities. Even though this series is geared toward teens/young adults, it has the same brilliant imagination as every book by Mayer, and this one doesn’t disappoint. I am on “pins and needles”’waiting to find out what happens with this series. I don’t like to talk about a book’s facts in a review, but I am still completely in the dark as to how this story will eventually come together, and CAN’T wait for number 6. Believe me, no matter your age, this series will grab you and not let go. (Thinking about it, the scene in the second book, where Wild meets and rides the Alicorns, is hands-down the funniest scene EVER. I cried, I laughed so hard. Seriously, I CRIED AND HAD TO STOP READING FOR MINUTES AT A TIME BC I WQA CRYING so hard.)
This book has all of the crew of friends separated, so you don’t have the same feeling of how well they work together until the end, although Mayer does a great job of how the past has come around to help each of them improve individually. I am hoping, however, that the group cohesiveness working together, once again, really comes around in the last book. Plus, Wild needs to realize that she isn’t as power hungry as the other chameleons and won’t go crazy. I am still on the fence about Ethan, too - as long as she doesn’t end up with him. Rory was trying to ignore his feelings for Wild when she saw him kissing the other chick. They are young, don’t forget. The first series, in a while, I would love to share with one of my daughters and talk about what happens.
I have to admit I am completely and utterly biased - I love, love, love Mayer (and Breene’s, initially,here, books). Plus I love both of their book series, period. I am just an average? woman who passes her extra time reading certain kinds of books - those with kick-ass, snarky, heroines who have paranormal abilities. Even though this series is geared toward teens/young adults, it has the same brilliant imagination as every book by Mayer, and this one doesn’t disappoint. I am on “pins and needles”’waiting to find out what happens with this series. I don’t like to talk about a book’s facts in a review, but I am still completely in the dark as to how this story will eventually come together, and CAN’T wait for number 6. Believe me, no matter your age, this series will grab you and not let go. (Thinking about it, the scene in the second book, where Wild meets and rides the Alicorns, is hands-down the funniest scene EVER. I cried, I laughed so hard. Seriously, I CRIED AND HAD TO STOP READING FOR MINUTES AT A TIME BC I WQA CRYING so hard.)
This book has all of the crew of friends separated, so you don’t have the same feeling of how well they work together until the end, although Mayer does a great job of how the past has come around to help each of them improve individually. I am hoping, however, that the group cohesiveness working together, once again, really comes around in the last book. Plus, Wild needs to realize that she isn’t as power hungry as the other chameleons and won’t go crazy. I am still on the fence about Ethan, too - as long as she doesn’t end up with him. Rory was trying to ignore his feelings for Wild when she saw him kissing the other chick. They are young, don’t forget. The first series, in a while, I would love to share with one of my daughters and talk about what happens.
November 2, 2021
I went straight up, straddling the narrow hall like I'd straddled the bus seats what seemed like a lifetime ago. Two days? Had it only been two days since the Culling Trials had ended?
And here, ladies and gentlemen, is the core issue with this series: everything is too, too rushed (I know, I'm a broken record).
Notwithstanding, I appreciated this book more than the last one. The POVs alternating between Wild and Wally added some depth, making the reading experience more likeable. However, I fear we are too far into the story for this series to really make amends for all the lacking information/worldbuilding.
At this point, the only thing you can do is to give up or (like myself) resign to the fact that we'll likely never scratch the surface and know something more substantial about this world.
April 3, 2021
Great story
Oo it's getting so good, why must I wait for the next book. I'm hoping the next is the last because I really need to find out the truth to this great riddle and why its Wilds group who are the only ones for the job. Her really good series so far as it has a feel of everything from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games.
Oo it's getting so good, why must I wait for the next book. I'm hoping the next is the last because I really need to find out the truth to this great riddle and why its Wilds group who are the only ones for the job. Her really good series so far as it has a feel of everything from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games.
April 6, 2021
OH NO! OHNO NO NO NO NO!!!
That cliffhanger was....I mean parts of it I figured out but others? I need the next book. I don't want the series to end either. My only thing is in the story they keep making it sound like Wild is REALLY REALLY powerful but honestly she just seems to have a lot of grit and determination. I really love this series.
That cliffhanger was....I mean parts of it I figured out but others? I need the next book. I don't want the series to end either. My only thing is in the story they keep making it sound like Wild is REALLY REALLY powerful but honestly she just seems to have a lot of grit and determination. I really love this series.
April 13, 2021
This series is one of my favorite from Shannon Mayer. I think there's 1 more book to go in this series, so I'm both excited to read it, and dreading that this adventure will be over waaaayyyy too soon!
One of the things that I love about Shannon's books is that her main characters tend to attract a crew of people who are generally considered to be misfits. And yet, the main character sees their true value, and she is stronger because of her crew, and her crew finds their worth. It's a theme that repeats itself over and over in her books, and one of the things that keeps me coming back for more stories.
One of the things that I love about Shannon's books is that her main characters tend to attract a crew of people who are generally considered to be misfits. And yet, the main character sees their true value, and she is stronger because of her crew, and her crew finds their worth. It's a theme that repeats itself over and over in her books, and one of the things that keeps me coming back for more stories.
April 11, 2021
Everything I wanted
This book was everything I was wanting. Wild has to get her self together quick. There is no playing around. All her friends are not safe anymore. Who to trust is in question. I'm wondering if the last book will loosing my hold on trusting Ethan and her uncle. This book started off fast and kept going till bam the end. I think the next book has a lot to live up to. I think it has set a stage we are going to enjoy watching the show on.
This book was everything I was wanting. Wild has to get her self together quick. There is no playing around. All her friends are not safe anymore. Who to trust is in question. I'm wondering if the last book will loosing my hold on trusting Ethan and her uncle. This book started off fast and kept going till bam the end. I think the next book has a lot to live up to. I think it has set a stage we are going to enjoy watching the show on.
August 25, 2021
Great Harry Clone book! What a read, couldn't put it down. As soon as I put down book 1, I dove into the second book. The Shadow Killer gives us an arch enemy to worry about and keeps you glued to the page! Shannon is a top notch writer.
August 28, 2021
Awesome
I knew this series would be as captivating as the first ‘the culling trails’ but oh my god. I am truly hook and glad I waited for completed series because I need to read them all concurrently. Wild is a force to be reckoned with and her team is loyal and bad ass.
I knew this series would be as captivating as the first ‘the culling trails’ but oh my god. I am truly hook and glad I waited for completed series because I need to read them all concurrently. Wild is a force to be reckoned with and her team is loyal and bad ass.
September 8, 2021
All of the pieces are finally falling into place. Yeah, I’ll admit it, I did cry at one point. Some things just get to me, okay!? This was a fine book, I liked some things, disliked others (very comprehensive of me, I know). I look forward to seeing how this series ends. With a bang I hope
June 9, 2023
3.75⭐️
No me gustó el cambio de personalidad de Willy, parece otra Wild y lo padre de los 6 es que cada uno era diferente.
No me gustó el cambio de personalidad de Willy, parece otra Wild y lo padre de los 6 es que cada uno era diferente.
January 30, 2024
Dnf, lost interest.
March 30, 2021
Kind of a muddled mess
This story seems in search of itself. The first three were fun, (read as one book it actually makes a decent length novel) The fourth book Almost was interesting, but the ridiculous setting, and all of five minutes of boarding school ending in boom again was over too quickly. My guess is the stories are designed to be short novella style so they can be turned out quickly. I just wish more time was taken and the pacing was given room to sort out characters and motivation. Everything is so flat and two dimensional. Yes this is a teen novella. No it isn’t Twilight bad, but the ensemble just isn’t allowed to be more than two dimensional tropes for their flavor of magic.
This fifth book begins jumping POV between Wally and Wild. Picks up immediately after book four ended. Wild jumps from bad choice and eye rolling fight to bad jokes and angst. The story is full of Me Culpa and giant obvious plot twists that I just didn’t enjoy it. The action was rushed and for a girl raised on a hardscrabble farm from Texas, Bell is one of the biggest idiots I’ve read. Everyone is the chosen one of immeasurable power and Wild can replicate magic after seeing it once. The bad guys/gals read like mustache twirling speech loving cartoon villains.
I was preordering these books, but now think I’ll wait until they are all out and decide if it’s worth buying more. I’m not invested enough in the characters to read further at this time.
This story seems in search of itself. The first three were fun, (read as one book it actually makes a decent length novel) The fourth book Almost was interesting, but the ridiculous setting, and all of five minutes of boarding school ending in boom again was over too quickly. My guess is the stories are designed to be short novella style so they can be turned out quickly. I just wish more time was taken and the pacing was given room to sort out characters and motivation. Everything is so flat and two dimensional. Yes this is a teen novella. No it isn’t Twilight bad, but the ensemble just isn’t allowed to be more than two dimensional tropes for their flavor of magic.
This fifth book begins jumping POV between Wally and Wild. Picks up immediately after book four ended. Wild jumps from bad choice and eye rolling fight to bad jokes and angst. The story is full of Me Culpa and giant obvious plot twists that I just didn’t enjoy it. The action was rushed and for a girl raised on a hardscrabble farm from Texas, Bell is one of the biggest idiots I’ve read. Everyone is the chosen one of immeasurable power and Wild can replicate magic after seeing it once. The bad guys/gals read like mustache twirling speech loving cartoon villains.
I was preordering these books, but now think I’ll wait until they are all out and decide if it’s worth buying more. I’m not invested enough in the characters to read further at this time.
March 30, 2021
Real life isn’t always better like you thought. Wild and friends are once again in trouble. Only now it seems everyone is against them. With such odds against them, including family, how can they stay together and succeed against evil doers? Oh j this continuation we see that the struggle is real and it has real life consequences that include pain and death! Shannon Mayer is a genius at storytelling and world building. You will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 1, 2021
Favorite series
I can't get enough. I have read a lot in this genre and there is just something really special about this series. I wish I could put into words what it is.
I can't get enough. I have read a lot in this genre and there is just something really special about this series. I wish I could put into words what it is.
March 30, 2021
Aaahhmazing!! Hardly anything has captured my attention 100% and this book was very captivating. It’s SO good y’all!! I loved following Wild and the gang. LOVED how it was told in both Wild and Wally’s POV! Girl power!! So many questions are answered and I’m looking forward to reading the next installment! Highly recommend reading this action packed series. If you love YA and academy books this series is for you. It’s unlike any other series I’ve read. 💓
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