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Black Onyx Academy #1
Black Onyx
** Set in the fae realm, this is written in British English **
The fae realm is notoriously dangerous, whereas most supernaturals don’t get thrown into the more dangerous side of fae life until they’re twenty-five thanks to her tyrant father, Farren’s been dealing with it since she was fifteen, brutally trained and punished; she knows her way around a blade.
Thanks to an incident that she very nearly didn’t survive, reprieve comes in the form of Black Onyx academy, which is used to train warriors and enforcers; it should be the break from her father that she needs.
Of course, life is never that simple put into a fated team that thinks she’s nothing more than a spoiled princess who got in using daddy’s money. She’s underestimated at every turn. Throw in assassination attempts, moody shadow casters, a blast from the past that has surprising connections and confusing feelings for her teammates, and nothing is as it appears. Life’s about to get a whole lot more complicated.
This is a slow-burn paranormal Reverse Harem. Set in the same world as the Lost ones series, it will crossover with Sage and her men at some point but can be read separately!
Please be advised that this book contains dark themes, including abuse, graphic violence, flashbacks to past abuse and cursing.
Additionally, sexual themes suitable for mature audiences 18+.
All sex is consensual.
The fae realm is notoriously dangerous, whereas most supernaturals don’t get thrown into the more dangerous side of fae life until they’re twenty-five thanks to her tyrant father, Farren’s been dealing with it since she was fifteen, brutally trained and punished; she knows her way around a blade.
Thanks to an incident that she very nearly didn’t survive, reprieve comes in the form of Black Onyx academy, which is used to train warriors and enforcers; it should be the break from her father that she needs.
Of course, life is never that simple put into a fated team that thinks she’s nothing more than a spoiled princess who got in using daddy’s money. She’s underestimated at every turn. Throw in assassination attempts, moody shadow casters, a blast from the past that has surprising connections and confusing feelings for her teammates, and nothing is as it appears. Life’s about to get a whole lot more complicated.
This is a slow-burn paranormal Reverse Harem. Set in the same world as the Lost ones series, it will crossover with Sage and her men at some point but can be read separately!
Please be advised that this book contains dark themes, including abuse, graphic violence, flashbacks to past abuse and cursing.
Additionally, sexual themes suitable for mature audiences 18+.
All sex is consensual.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2022
1489 people are currently reading
1734 people want to read
About the author
Nikita Parmenter
71 books791 followersWriting has never been optional for Nikita Parmenter. Like eating and breathing, it’s something integral to their existence. Everyday they are thankful to be able to make a career from something that brings them so much pleasure.
It wasn’t easy getting their first break in the publishing world. Fortunately, a close friend and literary agent saw their potential in 2000 and that was the beginning of the first chapter of their professional literary life. Since then, Nikita Parmenter Author has published a number of short stories and bestselling books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
dnf
August 25, 2024dnf @12%
idk how to explain it but this book is written like they think im stupid
idk how to explain it but this book is written like they think im stupid
January 11, 2023
I feel like I read a different book than everyone else…? DNF somewhere around 70 pages. Didn’t really look. I just could NOT take it anymore. Another super special, overly powered heroine who says she needs to keep secrets for safety reasons, then literally spills them the next page. Everyone hates her right off the bat. She proves them all wrong two pages later. ~So wow. Much coolness.~ But seriously, this pacing is bizarre and what little grammar there is was mixed together in a blender and then dumped haphazardly over it. The spelling is fat-thumbed and it feels overall like she spat words into an Excel spreadsheet and never proofread a darn thing.
August 29, 2024
EXCELLENT ! THIRD RE-READ! Love this book so much, it's perfect in my eyes
The writing is superb, the pacing magnificent, a lot of the intrigue is resolved in this one, the guys are very different, there's tension, plot, intrigue, etc very great!
THIS WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!
4.8 stars ⭐️
The writing is superb, the pacing magnificent, a lot of the intrigue is resolved in this one, the guys are very different, there's tension, plot, intrigue, etc very great!
THIS WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!
4.8 stars ⭐️
February 5, 2023
DNF 44%
The fact that I made it to 44% is impressive. This is probably one of the worst written books I have ever read. How it is even published, I don’t know
The fact that I made it to 44% is impressive. This is probably one of the worst written books I have ever read. How it is even published, I don’t know
February 15, 2023
1 star — self insert vibes at a sixth grade writing level
there were so many things bad about this book but my biggest issue was the writing style. I started this book knowing nothing about the author and six pages in I genuinely thought this must have been the first book they’ve ever written. so much of it is redundant inner monologue. the book literally opens with the longest, most insufferable monologue and info, which has just been shoved down our throats, getting reiterated in actual dialogue right after. why not just show rather then tell?
which brings me to my next question: why was everything in their day described down to the last detail? all that was missing was the times they had to use the restroom. the biggest time jump was a few days… and i’m not sure Parmenter knows what “a few” or “a couple” means because they once described two days as “a couple days”. world-building was done with more insufferable inner monologue instead of utilising the lessons in the academy. the ONE lesson we do attend with fmc as reader is literally the worst and most blatant attempt of foreshadowing known to womankind.
and must I say it… fmc is unlikable af and just a Mary Sue extraordinaire. Farren is supposed to be badass and has a hard time trusting new people but in the record time span of TWO days has bonded with some of the group. alright, then. obviously, she does not get along with other women (it’s giving pick me, choose me, love me and literal misogyny but oh well). Farren is so unbelievably bland in personality and she is only defined by her “extra specialness” and her skills that have just fallen into her lap. I sense no camaraderie with her. I don’t want to quite frankly.
Her harem does not fare better in anyway. Storm has anger issues which just poof towards the end because suddenly he sees the error in his ways and realises his obssession with Farren 😐 Killian just comes in swinging with a raging boner for Farren but he’s supposed to be badass (I sense a theme here) 😐 Reaper is a big bad dragon who only goes marshmallow soft for Farren 😐 Loki overcomes deep seated trauma two days into knowing her and has heart eyes ever since 😐 The twins were not even memorable enough to have had a character arc 😐 None of them were actually memorable or distinguishable. You could have interchanged the names on the POV and the tone did not change, the motivations didn’t change, the entire persona didn’t change. They were all the same with the subpar writing style and cliché storylines.
This review is meant as constructive criticism to Parmenter and hopefully they will improve in the future. I see potential because this level of writing felt like something to be written at the complete beginning of one’s career. If they work on their craft a bit more and adapt their writing style to create stories which are elevated and written with finesse, I will pick up another book by them.
there were so many things bad about this book but my biggest issue was the writing style. I started this book knowing nothing about the author and six pages in I genuinely thought this must have been the first book they’ve ever written. so much of it is redundant inner monologue. the book literally opens with the longest, most insufferable monologue and info, which has just been shoved down our throats, getting reiterated in actual dialogue right after. why not just show rather then tell?
which brings me to my next question: why was everything in their day described down to the last detail? all that was missing was the times they had to use the restroom. the biggest time jump was a few days… and i’m not sure Parmenter knows what “a few” or “a couple” means because they once described two days as “a couple days”. world-building was done with more insufferable inner monologue instead of utilising the lessons in the academy. the ONE lesson we do attend with fmc as reader is literally the worst and most blatant attempt of foreshadowing known to womankind.
and must I say it… fmc is unlikable af and just a Mary Sue extraordinaire. Farren is supposed to be badass and has a hard time trusting new people but in the record time span of TWO days has bonded with some of the group. alright, then. obviously, she does not get along with other women (it’s giving pick me, choose me, love me and literal misogyny but oh well). Farren is so unbelievably bland in personality and she is only defined by her “extra specialness” and her skills that have just fallen into her lap. I sense no camaraderie with her. I don’t want to quite frankly.
Her harem does not fare better in anyway. Storm has anger issues which just poof towards the end because suddenly he sees the error in his ways and realises his obssession with Farren 😐 Killian just comes in swinging with a raging boner for Farren but he’s supposed to be badass (I sense a theme here) 😐 Reaper is a big bad dragon who only goes marshmallow soft for Farren 😐 Loki overcomes deep seated trauma two days into knowing her and has heart eyes ever since 😐 The twins were not even memorable enough to have had a character arc 😐 None of them were actually memorable or distinguishable. You could have interchanged the names on the POV and the tone did not change, the motivations didn’t change, the entire persona didn’t change. They were all the same with the subpar writing style and cliché storylines.
This review is meant as constructive criticism to Parmenter and hopefully they will improve in the future. I see potential because this level of writing felt like something to be written at the complete beginning of one’s career. If they work on their craft a bit more and adapt their writing style to create stories which are elevated and written with finesse, I will pick up another book by them.
October 9, 2022
intriguing new series
I thought this book would be right up my street as it’s RH Academy which are two of my favourite tropes. I really enjoyed reading it and getting to know our main characters. Our FMC Farren has had a tough upbringing and is a real kickass, proficient as an assassin but who’s attending the Onyx Academy to escape from her evil father.
The premise of the storyline is intriguing and I loved how the team after initially underestimating Farren came to bond with her, some like Storm more reluctantly than others.
The teams challenges have started off well and I definitely want to find out what happens next, really enjoyed this book.
I thought this book would be right up my street as it’s RH Academy which are two of my favourite tropes. I really enjoyed reading it and getting to know our main characters. Our FMC Farren has had a tough upbringing and is a real kickass, proficient as an assassin but who’s attending the Onyx Academy to escape from her evil father.
The premise of the storyline is intriguing and I loved how the team after initially underestimating Farren came to bond with her, some like Storm more reluctantly than others.
The teams challenges have started off well and I definitely want to find out what happens next, really enjoyed this book.
October 9, 2022
sigh another amazing read
I love this books so much but that cliff hanger has me itching for the next sigh deffs a amazing book
I love this books so much but that cliff hanger has me itching for the next sigh deffs a amazing book
October 31, 2023
DNF.
I really wanted to enjoy this, as the overall world created so far was interesting. But the writing isn't great, and I had to re read sentences as they were clunky and didn't quite flow.
The FMC is boring, an overly powerful heroine that has been mistreated throughout her life but has a f*ck everyone attitude as she is totally "badass". I have read a few assassin books that seem to create the FMC like this, and it isn't appealing. Even her moments of vulnerability don't feel genuine as she goes from having secrets and distrusting people, to within seconds spilling secrets and bonding with them.
One of my pet peeves is when characters can "see in their eyes they have suffered pain and trauma as like recognises like", its annoying and unrealistic. Just have the characters connect and open up between each other, rather than create some cringe unrealistic moment.
A lot of whiplash moments that just feel disjointed and don't really make sense.
The MMC's disliked her initially, and within the first few pages all bar one suddenly liked her. All the characters had an over the top superior personality, and the MMC's especially were hard to differentiate and I had to keep trying to remember who was who when names were mentioned.
Gave 2 stars for the overall world created, as I liked the idea of the bonded warrior teams bringing together different supernaturals.
I really wanted to enjoy this, as the overall world created so far was interesting. But the writing isn't great, and I had to re read sentences as they were clunky and didn't quite flow.
The FMC is boring, an overly powerful heroine that has been mistreated throughout her life but has a f*ck everyone attitude as she is totally "badass". I have read a few assassin books that seem to create the FMC like this, and it isn't appealing. Even her moments of vulnerability don't feel genuine as she goes from having secrets and distrusting people, to within seconds spilling secrets and bonding with them.
One of my pet peeves is when characters can "see in their eyes they have suffered pain and trauma as like recognises like", its annoying and unrealistic. Just have the characters connect and open up between each other, rather than create some cringe unrealistic moment.
A lot of whiplash moments that just feel disjointed and don't really make sense.
The MMC's disliked her initially, and within the first few pages all bar one suddenly liked her. All the characters had an over the top superior personality, and the MMC's especially were hard to differentiate and I had to keep trying to remember who was who when names were mentioned.
Gave 2 stars for the overall world created, as I liked the idea of the bonded warrior teams bringing together different supernaturals.
May 30, 2023
This was SO terrible. The FMC’s personality made absolutely no sense? Somehow she was both quiet and shy and aggressive and violent - and not in a “hidden personality” way. In a way where it’s like the author wrote four or five entirely different characters and compiled them into one terrible MC. 10/10 do NOT recommend 🫠
May 8, 2023
3.5 stars actually
I did like this story, it’s kind of similar to nikitas other books/characters. Storm was pretty annoying in the first half of the book, like bruh i get why you still hung up on the spoiled princess but after a while i was just rolling my eyes. And also i thought the fmc Farren would put those girls at their place when they called her ugly and a slut, but no she didn’t. Rip
Killian is my fave out of the guys
I did like this story, it’s kind of similar to nikitas other books/characters. Storm was pretty annoying in the first half of the book, like bruh i get why you still hung up on the spoiled princess but after a while i was just rolling my eyes. And also i thought the fmc Farren would put those girls at their place when they called her ugly and a slut, but no she didn’t. Rip
Killian is my fave out of the guys
August 22, 2024
Fun Read
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to book 2. Though this was a mostly positive reading experience, some of what I didn't prefer are the same critiques I have had of all of this author's works.
What I Liked:
*The tropes/elements of the story. In terms of story telling, there wasn't anything new but I love that this author seems to love the same things that I do.
-Previously abused heroine
-Bad@ss heroine
-Large harem
-Devoted harem
-Fated mates or bonds
-Slow burn
-Familiars
*The setting. I am a big fan of academy books and even though there wasn't a lot of on page time in the classroom or doing school work it still felt like an academy book.
*The warrior trials. I love books with a game or contest element.
*The magic. I love magical stories and the types of magic in this one were fun. I can't wait to read more.
What I Didn't Like:
*The contradictory/inconsistent character thoughts/feelings/actions. I don't know how to describe this but with all of this author's characters, it always feels like they completely change personalities within the first book. In the beginning of this one, the main character was hard to get a feel for because she would think one thing then think something else that was contrary to what she had just thought. By the end she seemed like a different character altogether.
*Inconsistencies. The main character stated she had been doing jobs for her father since she was 16. Later it became 15. Also, no one knew she was the one doing jobs for her father but there were assassins after her. It just didn't make sense though there was a lot the reader didn't know so maybe this will make more sense later? There was at least one other example but it is surrounding an incident that happened to the main character that we don't have the full story on so I may be misunderstanding what I thought was an inconsistency.
*Errors,typos,wrong words etc. I was so happy in the beginning of this book because there weren't many errors. Around 40 percent there was a big increase,though the last 20 or 30 percent seemed better. Examples: taught instead of taut (though it was used correctly earlier in the text), rouge instead of rogue (usually when rogue was spelled correctly it was capitalized), to instead of too.
Despite the critiques, I had a great time reading this book and am sad I finished it so soon. I think that those who have enjoyed this author's other books will love this one.
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to book 2. Though this was a mostly positive reading experience, some of what I didn't prefer are the same critiques I have had of all of this author's works.
What I Liked:
*The tropes/elements of the story. In terms of story telling, there wasn't anything new but I love that this author seems to love the same things that I do.
-Previously abused heroine
-Bad@ss heroine
-Large harem
-Devoted harem
-Fated mates or bonds
-Slow burn
-Familiars
*The setting. I am a big fan of academy books and even though there wasn't a lot of on page time in the classroom or doing school work it still felt like an academy book.
*The warrior trials. I love books with a game or contest element.
*The magic. I love magical stories and the types of magic in this one were fun. I can't wait to read more.
What I Didn't Like:
*The contradictory/inconsistent character thoughts/feelings/actions. I don't know how to describe this but with all of this author's characters, it always feels like they completely change personalities within the first book. In the beginning of this one, the main character was hard to get a feel for because she would think one thing then think something else that was contrary to what she had just thought. By the end she seemed like a different character altogether.
*Inconsistencies. The main character stated she had been doing jobs for her father since she was 16. Later it became 15. Also, no one knew she was the one doing jobs for her father but there were assassins after her. It just didn't make sense though there was a lot the reader didn't know so maybe this will make more sense later? There was at least one other example but it is surrounding an incident that happened to the main character that we don't have the full story on so I may be misunderstanding what I thought was an inconsistency.
*Errors,typos,wrong words etc. I was so happy in the beginning of this book because there weren't many errors. Around 40 percent there was a big increase,though the last 20 or 30 percent seemed better. Examples: taught instead of taut (though it was used correctly earlier in the text), rouge instead of rogue (usually when rogue was spelled correctly it was capitalized), to instead of too.
Despite the critiques, I had a great time reading this book and am sad I finished it so soon. I think that those who have enjoyed this author's other books will love this one.
December 25, 2023
I liked the characters and the developing relationships but the plot was amateur week.
Good
1) Female lead was tough, gave as good as she got but still had vulnerabilities
2) The two demon love interests, vampire love interest and shifter love interest were all enjoyable characters
3) Lots of relationship-building
4) No all-consuming instalust or instalove
5) Sex positive
6) Love that enemy bodies are both beheaded and burned!
7) '... as rare as rocking horse shit.'
Mediocre
1) World-building contained an adequate overview but scant details
2) Setting descriptions were general
3) The mate thing popped up but it did not turn anyone into a controlling neanderthal
4) Species are are only explained by their home realms
Bad
1) There was a lot of contrivances and loopholing
2) Plot was repetitive, convoluted and did not make any sense (simple, easy and cheap solution: boom, head shot! And, as an added bonus, no collateral damage like other students!)
3) The Warrior Game selection did not make sense (they want the academy's best of the best but test every student under threat of death for failure, including those who literally have less than two months at the academy and therefore have barely any training )
4) Assassins do not work like that
5) Magic was 'as the plot demands'
6) Characters all think, behave and sound like ordinary humans
7) Characters, especially the female lead, are overpowered
8) The love interests' names were all awful
9) The fae twin love interests had no distinct character or personality
10) Dear Authors, if you insist on putting non-vampire vampires in your story, the least you could do is define them. (Also it's an active ingredient in a vampire's saliva that allows them to heal wounds, not healing magic so can we stop with the healer vampires already, it does not work.)
Am going to try the next one.
Good
1) Female lead was tough, gave as good as she got but still had vulnerabilities
2) The two demon love interests, vampire love interest and shifter love interest were all enjoyable characters
3) Lots of relationship-building
4) No all-consuming instalust or instalove
5) Sex positive
6) Love that enemy bodies are both beheaded and burned!
7) '... as rare as rocking horse shit.'
Mediocre
1) World-building contained an adequate overview but scant details
2) Setting descriptions were general
3) The mate thing popped up but it did not turn anyone into a controlling neanderthal
4) Species are are only explained by their home realms
Bad
1) There was a lot of contrivances and loopholing
2) Plot was repetitive, convoluted and did not make any sense (simple, easy and cheap solution: boom, head shot! And, as an added bonus, no collateral damage like other students!)
3) The Warrior Game selection did not make sense (they want the academy's best of the best but test every student under threat of death for failure, including those who literally have less than two months at the academy and therefore have barely any training )
4) Assassins do not work like that
5) Magic was 'as the plot demands'
6) Characters all think, behave and sound like ordinary humans
7) Characters, especially the female lead, are overpowered
8) The love interests' names were all awful
9) The fae twin love interests had no distinct character or personality
10) Dear Authors, if you insist on putting non-vampire vampires in your story, the least you could do is define them. (Also it's an active ingredient in a vampire's saliva that allows them to heal wounds, not healing magic so can we stop with the healer vampires already, it does not work.)
Am going to try the next one.
February 8, 2023
Not for me
If you like a kickbutt H, who is so badass and can do pretty much everything, This is for you. our H is pretty much a amazing skilled assassin with the best gifts and total control. Her team she just meets in in total awe of her and how completely amazing she is, while being a beautiful babe. so this book has the missing brother who only comes back because of our H. One of our guys is a hostile jerk for reasons unknown. And team is falling in feelings for this killer jewel of a women. 48% dnf.
If you like a kickbutt H, who is so badass and can do pretty much everything, This is for you. our H is pretty much a amazing skilled assassin with the best gifts and total control. Her team she just meets in in total awe of her and how completely amazing she is, while being a beautiful babe. so this book has the missing brother who only comes back because of our H. One of our guys is a hostile jerk for reasons unknown. And team is falling in feelings for this killer jewel of a women. 48% dnf.
September 26, 2025
DNF 26%
Very quick with little development. Thought this was supposed to be slow burn, but not really.
Very quick with little development. Thought this was supposed to be slow burn, but not really.
April 7, 2025
2.48⭐
Guys she's not like other people. And she's been through a lot that she doesn't want to tell people, but ends up telling them by the end of the chapter anyways lol.
No but seriously, this book would've been a hit on Wattpad. At some point it felt as though it had to be satire, but it's definitely not. I just believe that the characters were so stuck trying to be different and mysterious that they absolutely failed. Especially because it was practically made known every other page. I also think that's another reason why it took me so long to finish it because I swear I started this book like a week ago and considering it was less than 400 pages it would usually take me less than 3 days to finish. However not this time.
With that being said, I will be finishing the series because the plot wasn't the worst. It was actually halfway decent and would've been better with nice writing. Also, the cliffhanger has me intrigued.
Guys she's not like other people. And she's been through a lot that she doesn't want to tell people, but ends up telling them by the end of the chapter anyways lol.
No but seriously, this book would've been a hit on Wattpad. At some point it felt as though it had to be satire, but it's definitely not. I just believe that the characters were so stuck trying to be different and mysterious that they absolutely failed. Especially because it was practically made known every other page. I also think that's another reason why it took me so long to finish it because I swear I started this book like a week ago and considering it was less than 400 pages it would usually take me less than 3 days to finish. However not this time.
With that being said, I will be finishing the series because the plot wasn't the worst. It was actually halfway decent and would've been better with nice writing. Also, the cliffhanger has me intrigued.
January 14, 2025
The book is somewhat repetitive but also very easy to read and lowkey entertaining despite not understanding anything that happens.
This starts with an inner monologue filled with infodump that the readers obviously don't know about which isn't properly explained and we, the readers are expected to simply accept.
The FMC is the typical overpowered protagonist who has no real difficulties ans has a harem of hot guys behind her.
Most of the MMC's are carbon copies of each other with no qualities of their own.
The ending? It came out of nowhere.
This starts with an inner monologue filled with infodump that the readers obviously don't know about which isn't properly explained and we, the readers are expected to simply accept.
The FMC is the typical overpowered protagonist who has no real difficulties ans has a harem of hot guys behind her.
Most of the MMC's are carbon copies of each other with no qualities of their own.
The ending? It came out of nowhere.
December 19, 2022
3-
No one can carry the weight of the entire love story even if he is a broody, stoic bastard like Storms and have a sexy brother like his.
THERE ARE ONLY ONE REALLY ENEMIES TO LOVERS INTEREST HERE AND THIS IS A PROBLEM.
They are a lot of guys and only two are interesting and one is already in the lover phase and not in the enemy one…
No one can carry the weight of the entire love story even if he is a broody, stoic bastard like Storms and have a sexy brother like his.
THERE ARE ONLY ONE REALLY ENEMIES TO LOVERS INTEREST HERE AND THIS IS A PROBLEM.
They are a lot of guys and only two are interesting and one is already in the lover phase and not in the enemy one…
May 30, 2024
***WOW! WHAT A READ!***
I loved this book. took me a while to read this, and I absolutely devoured. It's fast-paced and action-packed. I can't wait to dive straight to book 2.
I loved this book. took me a while to read this, and I absolutely devoured. It's fast-paced and action-packed. I can't wait to dive straight to book 2.
November 11, 2024
3.5/4 stars.
The story is nothing originals, but the pace is good and I liked the characters.
The story is nothing originals, but the pace is good and I liked the characters.
Read
June 8, 2025DNF at 73%
The first chapters I was IN, but for some reason I can’t get into it again. I liked the FMC tho.
The first chapters I was IN, but for some reason I can’t get into it again. I liked the FMC tho.
August 12, 2025
This was amazing. I love it so much. Her team is so much fun and I can't wait to see what happens next.
October 12, 2022
It was ok
3.5 but rounded up to 4.
Better than previous books by this author. The characters are the same as the 2 contemporary series, the comments the same there's just some magic thrown in. FMC "underestimated" for someone who is an "assassin" and "strong" she doesn't half crumble and tbf would be killed so fast but conveniently is again "underestimated" and unbeatable. The guys are the same as bow down and finding my home series they are nothing really different, Fallen is Everly but with magic. It's still better than finding my home. Less gratuitous use of "savage grin, smirk, dirty smirk, and you're going to keep us on our toes aren't you *insert pet name*" so for that improvement it is getting there.
Still a young person's book until/unless it gets sexy then who knows! The writing isn't very mature.
Give it a go, don't say no till you tried it.
3.5 but rounded up to 4.
Better than previous books by this author. The characters are the same as the 2 contemporary series, the comments the same there's just some magic thrown in. FMC "underestimated" for someone who is an "assassin" and "strong" she doesn't half crumble and tbf would be killed so fast but conveniently is again "underestimated" and unbeatable. The guys are the same as bow down and finding my home series they are nothing really different, Fallen is Everly but with magic. It's still better than finding my home. Less gratuitous use of "savage grin, smirk, dirty smirk, and you're going to keep us on our toes aren't you *insert pet name*" so for that improvement it is getting there.
Still a young person's book until/unless it gets sexy then who knows! The writing isn't very mature.
Give it a go, don't say no till you tried it.
October 15, 2022
Engaging
Now that was worth reading, can't wait for book 2. The book focuses on building their characters and relationships and the plot foundation. I'm just glad to not be bombarded by smut and actually get a decent plot. It doesn't end up being a Y/A where they don't even hold hands, it's grown-up.
Highly recommended.
Now that was worth reading, can't wait for book 2. The book focuses on building their characters and relationships and the plot foundation. I'm just glad to not be bombarded by smut and actually get a decent plot. It doesn't end up being a Y/A where they don't even hold hands, it's grown-up.
Highly recommended.
April 1, 2024
DNF
I tried to like it, I don’t like leaving bad reviews at all. But this book was so terrible to me, I felt other readers needed to be aware. Reading this book felt like a middle schooler tried to write fanfiction. The grammar was incomprehensible in places (nothing to do with the British-English. It was awful in any dialect). The story was both rushed, and yet lacking details. There were contradicting statements a paragraph apart.
There was also some inherent misogyny, like the main character saying “I hate people. But I hate women more.” Like women aren’t people. And her just assuming that she won’t get along with any women at all, ever.
Overall, this book was confusing and immature, and I just couldn’t finish it. I couldn’t even get halfway through. I’m sorry.
I tried to like it, I don’t like leaving bad reviews at all. But this book was so terrible to me, I felt other readers needed to be aware. Reading this book felt like a middle schooler tried to write fanfiction. The grammar was incomprehensible in places (nothing to do with the British-English. It was awful in any dialect). The story was both rushed, and yet lacking details. There were contradicting statements a paragraph apart.
There was also some inherent misogyny, like the main character saying “I hate people. But I hate women more.” Like women aren’t people. And her just assuming that she won’t get along with any women at all, ever.
Overall, this book was confusing and immature, and I just couldn’t finish it. I couldn’t even get halfway through. I’m sorry.
May 17, 2023
Word vomiting, over explaining, contradicting
DNF 36%
I’m never sure how some books get such great reviews. So much word vomiting, over explaining, contradictory lines in the story. And when the author can’t give a good explanation for why she made things the way they are, it’s just the way it is, nobody knows why.
She’s 21 been beaten and abused and locked up her whole life, except to be sent out as an assassin. She never talks so her voice is really hoarse when she first speaks , but then doesn’t shut up. She was never allowed to eat regular meals. Yet she doesn’t behave like someone like that would. She changes drastically from one paragraph to the next, and at 36% it’s only been like a day and a half. And somehow she hasn’t seen Killian since she was 18 and has never had a life, yet somehow they know each other intimately.
She starts off saying nobody knows she’s an assassin and she so good at what she does, but then the second she meets these guys she would be a danger to them because everyone is trying to kill her?
And she is one of only 2 people who have a familiar, and she has four gifts when most people have two, and she has rare gifts, and she’s the best(her word vomit), but then she’s like “I’m nothing special.” 🤮The book is flat. I don’t feel any real connection to any of the characters. Just Blah. Lost interest.
DNF 36%
I’m never sure how some books get such great reviews. So much word vomiting, over explaining, contradictory lines in the story. And when the author can’t give a good explanation for why she made things the way they are, it’s just the way it is, nobody knows why.
She’s 21 been beaten and abused and locked up her whole life, except to be sent out as an assassin. She never talks so her voice is really hoarse when she first speaks , but then doesn’t shut up. She was never allowed to eat regular meals. Yet she doesn’t behave like someone like that would. She changes drastically from one paragraph to the next, and at 36% it’s only been like a day and a half. And somehow she hasn’t seen Killian since she was 18 and has never had a life, yet somehow they know each other intimately.
She starts off saying nobody knows she’s an assassin and she so good at what she does, but then the second she meets these guys she would be a danger to them because everyone is trying to kill her?
And she is one of only 2 people who have a familiar, and she has four gifts when most people have two, and she has rare gifts, and she’s the best(her word vomit), but then she’s like “I’m nothing special.” 🤮The book is flat. I don’t feel any real connection to any of the characters. Just Blah. Lost interest.
May 11, 2023
Prime example that not every storyteller should be a writer.
I feel like the author has good ideas for the story but desperately needs to employ a ghost writer or take some writing classes. The spelling and grammatical errors are beyond plentiful as is the overuse of various expressions from the characters. They all smirk or raise an eyebrow (or raise an eyebrow with a smirk!) so many times I considered starting a prison tally.
We get an overpowered and arrogant FMC who the men fall all over and of course she doesn’t realize it. And I hate to say it but there’s too many men. I can’t even remember all their names but we get one extremely brief description of how they look then it’s never addressed again so I sometimes fail to remember how they’re supposed to look when suddenly one of them is mentioned to have horns or a tail? There’s a set of twins who remain background characters at best and could have been completely left out with no impact to the story. I’m pretty sure our FMCs hair color is never mentioned either, so the best mental picture I have of her comes from the book cover.
It’s not terrible and I think with a good editor or a ghost writer who would be willing to give constructive feedback this could be really good. The ingredients are all there!
I feel like the author has good ideas for the story but desperately needs to employ a ghost writer or take some writing classes. The spelling and grammatical errors are beyond plentiful as is the overuse of various expressions from the characters. They all smirk or raise an eyebrow (or raise an eyebrow with a smirk!) so many times I considered starting a prison tally.
We get an overpowered and arrogant FMC who the men fall all over and of course she doesn’t realize it. And I hate to say it but there’s too many men. I can’t even remember all their names but we get one extremely brief description of how they look then it’s never addressed again so I sometimes fail to remember how they’re supposed to look when suddenly one of them is mentioned to have horns or a tail? There’s a set of twins who remain background characters at best and could have been completely left out with no impact to the story. I’m pretty sure our FMCs hair color is never mentioned either, so the best mental picture I have of her comes from the book cover.
It’s not terrible and I think with a good editor or a ghost writer who would be willing to give constructive feedback this could be really good. The ingredients are all there!
July 25, 2023
Book was good until they introduced Kill. Then it got weird. Started out with main character being a bada**. I really liked her and was excited to see how she slowly reveals all of herself to the guys. Then Kill was introduced and suddenly she just tells everyone everything. She is no longer a bada**. During fights, she is the only one to get hurt every time.
First book should’ve focused on the trials. Next book should have been her father. There was so much leading up to her father’s death. They talked about how evil he was, how he was into dark magic, how he sent people to kill her. How he had so many people on his side. Yada yada yada. Then it was very anticlimactic. She kills him quick without him saying anything. Done. Over. No point to it at all.
She had too many love interests. No detail about most of them it was hard to keep track. Only main ones were Loki, Kill, and Storm. That should have been it because the others don’t add any value to the book.
Also, she says she has nightmares but then she never does. It’s like the author wanted her to have PTSD but only did one scene which felt very forced.
Overall, it started great but eventually turned into the author telling us everything.
First book should’ve focused on the trials. Next book should have been her father. There was so much leading up to her father’s death. They talked about how evil he was, how he was into dark magic, how he sent people to kill her. How he had so many people on his side. Yada yada yada. Then it was very anticlimactic. She kills him quick without him saying anything. Done. Over. No point to it at all.
She had too many love interests. No detail about most of them it was hard to keep track. Only main ones were Loki, Kill, and Storm. That should have been it because the others don’t add any value to the book.
Also, she says she has nightmares but then she never does. It’s like the author wanted her to have PTSD but only did one scene which felt very forced.
Overall, it started great but eventually turned into the author telling us everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2023
.
I couldn’t get to the end, stopped at 41%.
The use of the word “fuck” happens more than twice in a majority of the book, I usually don’t care about the amount of swearing in a book but it messed up the flow in this way too much.
Additionally, there were a couple things that didn’t quite add up. Like, twenty-five was when they can start being sent to the academy, but Kill was supposed to have been there at twenty-four (earlier if he hadn’t been missing?), unless I just misunderstood that, it doesn’t make sense.
I also don’t appreciate how wishy-washy the characters are. Farren is all, “I can’t tell them nothing, nor can I trust them. And proceeds to run her mouth”. Then the guys and their back and forth emotions, I feel like it’s zipping back to hate and not hate too much within just two days. The dynamic definitely needs work, it’s too splotchy.
I think the general flow of the book is a bit off too, like it’s just hard to keep up with their conversations and actions. The punctuation and grammar needs work.
I couldn’t get to the end, stopped at 41%.
The use of the word “fuck” happens more than twice in a majority of the book, I usually don’t care about the amount of swearing in a book but it messed up the flow in this way too much.
Additionally, there were a couple things that didn’t quite add up. Like, twenty-five was when they can start being sent to the academy, but Kill was supposed to have been there at twenty-four (earlier if he hadn’t been missing?), unless I just misunderstood that, it doesn’t make sense.
I also don’t appreciate how wishy-washy the characters are. Farren is all, “I can’t tell them nothing, nor can I trust them. And proceeds to run her mouth”. Then the guys and their back and forth emotions, I feel like it’s zipping back to hate and not hate too much within just two days. The dynamic definitely needs work, it’s too splotchy.
I think the general flow of the book is a bit off too, like it’s just hard to keep up with their conversations and actions. The punctuation and grammar needs work.
August 11, 2023
This book could have been so much better. I felt the plot was interesting and could have been great. There was way too much explaining in this book though, it got annoying very fast. I skimmed over a lot of it.
Farren was definitely too perfect, she always knew exactly what to say and do for everyone to agree with her and wonder why they never thought of that before (cue the eye-rolling). She's been abused her whole life but just trusts them all within days.
I also didn't see the point of saying Farren didn't like other women and couldn't get along with them. It was unnecessary to the story.
Overall, the group behaved as if they were still in high school instead of the early twenties and I'm not a fan of such immature behavior. I don't think I will continue this series.
Farren was definitely too perfect, she always knew exactly what to say and do for everyone to agree with her and wonder why they never thought of that before (cue the eye-rolling). She's been abused her whole life but just trusts them all within days.
I also didn't see the point of saying Farren didn't like other women and couldn't get along with them. It was unnecessary to the story.
Overall, the group behaved as if they were still in high school instead of the early twenties and I'm not a fan of such immature behavior. I don't think I will continue this series.
January 17, 2024
Pacing is way too fast and too much info dumping.
I’m really only here for the vibes at this point, as I said in the start, the pacing is lightening fast in a very bad way and the info dumping is so bad it makes me cringe.
Also “if people and I are a no go, then women and I are basically hell. If I don’t stab one of them by the end of the first week, I’ll be incredibly surprised” - women hatred for no reason is a Nono for me and gives I’m not like the other girls vibes 🤮
I’m really only here for the vibes at this point, as I said in the start, the pacing is lightening fast in a very bad way and the info dumping is so bad it makes me cringe.
Also “if people and I are a no go, then women and I are basically hell. If I don’t stab one of them by the end of the first week, I’ll be incredibly surprised” - women hatred for no reason is a Nono for me and gives I’m not like the other girls vibes 🤮
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