Heir of Shadows

Daizlei Academy, Book 1

By: Kel Carpenter

Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

Vampire Academy meets X-Men in this completed new adult series!

There’s only one rule in the world I come from: Keep our existence a secret. Period.

The day my sister broke that rule one too many times, I knew there would be consequences. I expected us to be sent to one of those schools for “troubled” kids and, maybe, Daizlei Academy was, in a way.

But really, it was far more complicated than that.

You see, I thought that world had forgotten me. Forgotten us. For years, we were left alone, and one day...we weren’t.

It was only when I got there that I remembered the second rule: Trust no one.

Because, in our world, they would kill me if they knew the truth of what I am.

Daizlei Academy is a school for supernaturals.

And me? I’m so much more.

This is a YA+ academy series with slow-burn romance and a strong but flawed heroine. It is labeled YA(+) for stronger language and some mature situations. As the heroine ages and grows, so does the content of the stories. Heir of Shadows is the first book in the Daizlei Academy Series. 

©2016 Kel Carpenter LLC (P)2020 Kel Carpenter LLC

Heir of Shadows

This is a great slow burn PNR slow burn academy story that was a lot of fun to listen to. Selena has always put her sister first and had to be strong. She has been trying to protect them and make sure her family is safe. These three sisters are definitely interesting and now at the academy where they don’t have to hide their abilities as much things start to get very interesting. The mystery is definitely interesting and kept me engaged. I kept wanting to know more about the sisters and their powers. I definitely can’t wait to find out what else is in store for these characters. The narrator did a great job with the voices and made the story come to life. Definitely a great start to this series.

Strong AF heroine

This book got me out of my reading slump. Stupid covid and virtual school for my kids and stress. It was an amazing ride. All of the characters were awesome and fun to read about. The interactions were great. The fighting scenes were fun to listen to. Loved how they all dismissed her for being a girl and she showed them what's up! I think the only thing I wanted more of would be more World building but I think that it may have given away some things we weren't supposed to know yet. At first I didn't care so much for the narrator. But she did amazing! Loved how each character sounded and the inflections she did. She was even did amazing with the male characters. My favorite was the Russian male teacher. I knew he was hiding something from the beginning! I'm so excited for the next book. I hope we learn more about the world, her "demon", love interest, and so many more questions that that ending left hanging.

Great start

The narrator, Stacey did a wonderful job portraying Selena and the secondary characters. The narrator did a fabulous job using different pitches for the characters that were easy to follow. The storyline was very intriguing. It follows Selena who is a triplet. We follow her and sisters as they attend Daizlei Academy. There is a mystery surrounding Selena that kept me listening to the story as the plot continued. I did feel like there was some things that were missing from the story. I would have liked to have known a bit more about the sup world and how their powers work but I hope that we get that information in the next book. I truly enjoyed the action scenes, and how Selena doesn’t back down. She is a strong female character. If you enjoy YA urban fantasy academy books then you may want to check this series out. It’s a fast paced read that pulls you in from the beginning. Looking forward to listening to the next installment.

Interesting story

Not your typical paranormal story. I liked the realness to it. I can really relate to the main character. The only part I didn’t like was the ages. They start at 15, but I would’ve had them start at 16. All the characters were great. They talked a lot about the boy named White(I forgot his first name Adam or Aaron), but at the end nothing. So I still want to know what his deal was. But it’s okay if book 2 doesn’t say, I was just curious.

heir of shadows

This is an interesting book that will suck you in without you even realizing it. And I admit, at times I wanted to smack Selena upside the head and tell her to just ask for help... I mean seriously girl, but I can also see why she's so protective but damn. Ok, the storyline is interesting and will leave you wanting to know what is going on. What is it about these sisters and their powers that makes them so special. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator, she did an amazing job.

I NEED book 2!

I absolutely loved this book. Selena is a badass girl who is harboring some big secrets. Lucas is a great partner to her and I definitely can’t wait to listen to the rest of the series! Great narration as well!

I am hooked!

I had a lot of fun with this read and I quickly went right to book 2. The relationship between Selena and her sisters reminds me a normal sibling rivalry but no matter how much they fight they will always have each others backs. Selena always had to be the protector and for her to open up and friendship she built with Lucas made my heart warm. It didn’t jump right into instalove which was refreshing even though you can feel something brewing 💜 Can’t wait to see where this story goes!

Awesome

This audio book is just amazing and the narrator is just awesome I love listening to this book

As always I loved it

The voices Stacey managed to accomplish was awesome. I love this book and look forward to listening to the next one. Kel is an amazing writer and this story was the first I ever read from her. Hearing it just made it come to life all over again.

Wow, the FMC is totally BA!

I was intrigued from the get-go with book 1 of Kel's Daizlei Academy series. I have listened to Stacey before on audiobooks so I know I would like her rendition and I was not disappointed. I thought she did a phenomenal job with all the characters and their different personalities. Especially in academy settings, you could get lost with all the various characters but Stacey did a great job making them different so you could know who was who easily. I through the tension she created with Selena and Lucas was fabulous and I could feel it in my bones haha. And the sisters different personalities really shown through. Another great job by Stacey, looking forward to more from her! For the story, I enjoyed the rollercoaster we got in book 1 and I really liked that it was a slowburn and really focused on the story, the relationship building, and the magic part of the world. I think it will really set the stage for the other books in the series (I will be getting them on audio once they are available, for sure!). I think sometimes I couldn't connect with parts of the storyline so that is why its a 4-4.5 star listen for me in that regard. I think the reveal of her power didnt jive with me. Like it didnt make 100% sense with her other powers and it came out of left field. I know authors don't want to give too many things away but I didnt get enough to make the reveal plausible, if that makes sense. Beside that, and sometimes Selena's anger/quick to jump to conclusions, like I said made me disconnect a bit from her. I overall enjoyed the story though and will definitely be checking the rest out because I am now invested haha. I need to know how things work out with Selena and her love interest, and how the fallout will be with the reveals at the end of the book!! I am also excited to see more powers and world building in book 2 and am already putting it on my list of audiobooks to check for weekly, since everything is so backed up in terms of releases (due to the pandemic). I would definitely recommend this audiobook for people who love some twists in their stories, some darkness, and some exciting magic/supernatural elements. If you like the world and relationship building aspect of a story more than STEAM ALL THE TIME haha then this book is definitely for you. I am not a huge fan of academy books (I know this one came out before it became a craze) but this one definitely hooked me ❤️

Obsessed

I loved this book. The performance on the audiobook was spot on, and read at a great pace. I instantly became obsessed with the story needing to know who and what the sisters were. I love how open and full of possibilities the world is with all of the different species, powers and characters. I shall be obsessing over this series and I cannot wait to see what the next term holds for them and to learn more about everything in this world.

Original and addictive

Oh my goodness this book sucked me in.. it is so full of action and feels it was like riding a rollercoaster. I absolutely love the triplets and how different they all are. Selena defiantly was my personal favourite. I loved how unpredictable she is and her struggles with her power, anger, sisters and past. The story is gripping, original, the fight scenes are epic like so good.. the humour is sarcastic which I love absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait for the next one.

Confusing but unfolds!

This one is a bit confusing at first as the story and mystery unfolds but ultimately it leaves you wanting book 2!

A unique character building that keeps you hooked

Selena is not your typical teen, nor your typical supernatural for that matter... And she hates when she is mistaken for a weakling. As you understood, this series revolves around Selena’s life. From the get go, you see that she is a girl in control of herself. She has to. She needs to because if she let’s loose, there is no telling what damages she will cause. We follow her journey with her sisters from foster care to a family she doesn’t know and a world she didn’t grew up with. But one thing is certain, she can’t loosen the tight leash she has on her dormant powers. From the get go, there is no sugar coating in this story because we understand that Selena needs to be tough. I like how even with all the control she must keep on herself, is assertive, knows what she is worth and that she is beautiful. It is a refreshing touch in a world where most of the heroines are insecure about their appeal.

Intriguing start to the series, great narrator!

This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it overall.  It took me a few chapters to get into the book, but the story and concept were very intriguing, despite YA academy not being my favourite genre. Thrust into an academy for gifted supernaturals after spending years on their own hiding their powers from the humans around them, 15 year old triplet sisters Selena, Lily and Alexandra have a dark secret, one they must keep at all costs. All three are powerful but if knowledge of Selena's true strength got out, it could put everyone in danger. Selena was shall I say an interesting character. The book was told from her pov but for most of it, she was actually very hard to like. She'd had it really tough, trying to be the strong one for her sisters, but she had such an attitude that wasn't very endearing. She came across as a moody, controlling, rude, somewhat selfish brat with a superiority complex, even over her fellow supernaturals and teachers.  However as the story developed we came to see a little underneath her armour and how it defended her from people getting too close and finding out what she was. It also helped control her dangerous power. She was fiercely protective of her sisters, even though they all at times rubbed each other up the wrong way, just like the snarky teenagers they were. The mystery surrounding what exactly her powers were built throughout, I was intrigued as to what they might be, however the reveal was not quite as explosive as I expected. Her powers are very cool but I think/hope we have only scratched the surface and there's more to come, especially around the killing gene and the way her darkness needed to be sated as this wasn't explained. I loved Lucas, I am a sucker for green eyes! He was mysterious, patient, kind and understanding and was the only one who saw the real Selena, so knowing how their slow burn connection grew throughout, her reaction at the end was a surprise, or maybe not. There is a lot more to come there! I listened to the audio version and the narrator was very good. She captured Selena's teenage angsty, moody, closed off personality really well. I'm intrigued as to where this story goes next. I hope Selena softens her attitude a bit and lets us in as I want to like her more . She's had a lot to deal with and she is still so young at 16 to be so cynical. Looking forward to more! Story 3.75, narration 4 stars

Refreshing world building and plot

This book was interesting, it was slow at the beginning but picked up, the characters are interesting, the world-building is intriguing, and definitely an interesting plotline, I would've liked more depth and quicker but each author is different. The main character Selena was refreshing, it's not the typical character, she is complex. The audiobook is narrated by Stacey Glemboski, she does a good job narrating, the voice matches the character and the edition was well done. Recommended more as an audiobook.

Great start to series

Once again Kel writes a book that grabs you and holds you hostage. Her character and world building are great and her choice of narrator is great. I can’t wait to see where this story takes us next.

Enjoyable start to new series

The narrator had a lovely clear and expressive voice which I did not tire listening to. The FMC was strong, fiery and caring of her sisters which I admired immensely. The storyline was gripping especially about Selena’s powers which were not to be mentioned to anyone not even the reader which enticed me to read more of the book.

Fantastic

My first ever listen by Kel and hopefully it won't be the last. Thoroughly enjoyed Heir of Shadows and the narrator really helped to keep me engaged and interested. Highly Recommended.

Fantastic read

I absolutely love this story. It captured my attention from the very start and kept me guessing to the very end. The characters are well thought out and hold your attention. This is the start of another fantastic series by Kel Carpenter. The choice of narrator is spot on. I can't wait to listen and read more by this author.