Guardians Gate: Eris Realm: Willows Academy

by A.D. Marie, Adelaide Halliday

Heed the warning, young Reaper. Fate is already moving.

Zoey

I have been walking through a fog, going through the motions. The voices have calmed down, but their presence still reminds me I am cursed to be a Grim Reaper. To add onto my ever-growing pile of stressors, someone is threatening me and my twin. Once again, we find ourselves trapped in a mountain of lies and secrets with no way out.

Emma

I am a terrible, no good, Witch. Every step I take forward, I stray further and further from letting my magic free. No one can know my secret, not yet. But, with no one knowing it is impossible to get any answers. Our parents took us away from this world, and I am dead set on finding out why.

***
The twins continue to struggle with the secrecy and political games of Eris as they search desperately for answers. Will they both survive with their head, hearts, and sanity intact?

NOTE: WILLOWS ACADEMY SERIES IS A NEW ADULT, SLOW BURN, MULTI-POV, M/F, AND F/F HAPPILY EVER PARANORMAL ROMANCE. THIS BOOK FEATURES MATURE THEMES AND CONTENT UNSUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

415 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2023

About the author

Hi!

I write about death, romance, and (sometimes) magic!

(Note: Writes under A.D. Marie & Adelaide Halliday)

Reviews

[Marissa Pekurny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my lord, this book was a wild ride. Zoey and Emma are trying to navigate through school with their powers, Emma is a witch but has a secret and Zoey is finally starting to understand her reaper abilities. Zoey is trying to figure out how to rid herself of the darkness that won't seem to leave her even in her dreams. Emma is trying to figure out how to release her guardian powers. They are both trying to figure out who their parents were and why they hid the girls away. Caleb is trying to help Zoey and Ellie and Hawk are trying to help Emma. There are so many obstacles still in the way for the girls and that ending holy crap. I cried and cannot believe how this book ended, I am patiently awaiting the next book to see what happens next for Emma and Zoey.

[Maggie Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardians Gate had me gripped from the beginning and did a good job keeping me engaged, even through the slower parts. I was pleased to see more character development, especially with Emma as I found her quite whiny and obnoxious in the first book. It seems like the character is finally coming into her own and that she finally has a voice.

The addition of new POVs did a lot in terms of helping with world building, though it still felt a little bit wanting in that department. There are still a lot of questions I have about *redacted* character’s motivations/end goal and I felt like there weren’t many answers to questions that came up in the first book. That said, I think where GG leaves us sets up a lot of potential for developing the world in greater depth and I’m very curious to see where the story goes and to get the answers to the burning questions that remain from book 1.

I enjoyed Dodgers quite a bit and found it to be a fun quick read— Guardians Gate was much the same, but definitely a step up in quality and storytelling. If that’s any indication for A.D. Marie’s growth as an author, I’m eager to see what’s next!



ARC for an honest review
3.5/5 (Rounding up for GR)

[Emma Lounsbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guardians Gate picks up with our main characters, Emma and Zoey, having passed all the Trials that would have otherwise seen them in hot water for unintentionally being Dodgers. We get to watch as they search for answers about themselves, each other, and their parents. It was so satisfying to watch these characters grow and start coming into their own as powerful women. The additional POVs in GG added to the suspense and plot and really gave the book a little something extra. I won’t spoil it for you but the ending of Guardians Gate left me on the edge of my seat with my mouth hanging open (literally).

I can’t say enough good things about this book and author, you’ll just have to read the Willows Academy series for yourself to find out!

[Katt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stand by what I said about the first book - I love love love this series. The first book was pretty good, but this book was better.

I love the magic academy setting and this book features multiple POVs. I sometimes find multiple POVs to be too much, but not in this book. It provided extra insight to characters and their motives one would not have otherwise.

The plot is super engaging and fast paced, but not at the loss of world building or a lack of character development.

Unfortunately, this book leaves you on a pretty big cliffhanger with many question yet to be answered. I absolutely cannot wait until the next one comes out.

[Narlene Murguia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rate: 4.5 ⭐️

Ok the first book was good, but omg this book was even better. I loved the magic academy setting and characters and the multiple POVs. Just gave you so much insight on the characters and their motives. I devoured this book. The plot was good and very well written. I will say the ending to this book leaves you on a pretty big cliffhanger.

[Jaimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I read this one even faster than the first. I loved getting the point of views from Caleb and Kyle in this book. I can’t believe the cliff hanger it left on and that I have to wait till summer for the next one! It was very cruel if you ask me!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the characters in it! I’m not the best with writing reviews but this book is worth the read

[Lisa Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved book one, and I fell even harder with this second one. I cannot wait for the third.