Spark

Academy of Unpredictable Magic Book 1

By: Sadie Moss

Narrated by: Sarah Puckett

Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

***Academy Reverse Harem***
 

Magic exists. I know - it’s in my blood.

Unfortunately, not all people from magical bloodlines have powers, and at 22, I’m several years past the age they usually appear. So I’ve resigned myself to a boring, magic-less life.

Then something strange happens....

I get stuck in the middle of a bar fight, and instead of just punching the guy back, I blow a hole in the wall.

So...I guess I do have powers. But they’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. This shit is definitely not normal. 

And it seems the magical authorities agree, because they give me a choice: either I go to school to learn to control my crazy new magic, or they’ll take it away. Permanently. 

Now, if I can just survive the bitchy, mean girls determined to take me down a peg; the mysterious attacks on students; the three hot-as-hell guys who don’t seem turned off by my prickly exterior; and the professor who makes me long for detention, maybe I’ll get out of here in one piece. 

Wouldn’t bet on it though. 

Welcome to the Academy of Unpredictable Magic. 

Spark is the first book in the Academy of Unpredictable Magic series, a medium-burn reverse harem story intended for ages 18 plus, featuring a badass chick and the four sexy men who fall in love with her.

©2019 Sadie Moss (P)2019 Sadie Moss

The most unlikable main character ever.

The main character is an idiot. Not in a ditsy way. She goes against all sound logic just to be contrary. She's terrible to perfect strangers with no provocation. It would take a twist of fate, magical insta-lust, and some of that "I can see deeply into your soul and tell exactly who you are just by staring" nonsense to make anyone want to date this girl or even just be her friend. and that's exactly what happens.

She is the cliched "I have been hurt so I'm going to take it out on anyone who comes into contact with me" character. She is the early 20's cliche of constantly insisting that she is an adult and behaves maturely and better than those around her. She also complains about the mean girls at school being rude but is a hypocrite because she treats complete strangers like dirt too.

Sadie Moss is a good writer and keeps the story well paced and interesting, but her characters are lazily shaped. This plot is also ridiculously similar to ACADEMY OF ASSASSINS which is also an RH. The mystery is the exact same. It is also similar to her own story BOUND BY MAGIC in that the main character finds out later in life than most that she has magic. Her writing skill does make for an entertaining read especially if you don't roll your eyes to hard at the MC's "prickly" behavior.

I love the story but the narrator ruins the story

I've already read the book but wanted to have the audio book too, since I love the story so much.
Unfortunately I can't stand the narrator's voice/tone/style. To me it honestly feels like the narrator can't be bothered to try - like she doesn't really want to be doing this.

Regardless, the story is easy and fun. The characters are likable, and I really adore that the MC is in her 22's (versus all the 15-18 year olds). The world-building is interesting; I want to see more from this world in the future!

slow and predicable. whiny heroine.

far too much repetitive internal monologue. heroine claims to be a badass but is very emo, woe is me.

good book but terrible narration

i really enjoyed this book but i honestly had a really hard time getting through it because the narrator is awful. i havent looked at the following books but i hope she isnt the performer or i probably wont consider with the series.

Meh.

The idea for the story was really great, however there wasn't enough meat to the whole thing! I got used to the narrator, although her voice is a little robotic at times. I'm all for RH, but there has to be a real story with it too. This was pretty disappointing. 🙁

narrator cam make or break a story

story cheesy teen drama different story than typical. narrator trying to hard to sound like a young valley type girl or tough street wise her is ok but she has the "A" " AH" SOUND she says at the end of every word.

Awesome Series Start

This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Moss and I was brought to it from the narrator, Ms. Puckett. I’ve fallen in love with Ms. Puckett’s narration and her seamless ability to change tones and accents between her characters.

In honesty, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I love what I’ve found. This series is almost an adult version of another particular magic school series… Here the schooling for magic does not start until college age due to the onset of magic abilities, so the characters are more mature and the events are targeted toward adults.

I really fell in love with the characters and the intensity between them. The heroine may be involved with four different men, but they are all unique and different, which keeps every very interesting. I cannot wait to read more.

I was provided with a free copy of this audio book for my honest review. The views expressed here are entirely my own.

Really?

Elliot is rather conceited. And the oh poor me gets old. How many times does it have to be repeated? Then throw in the gratuitous sex. Sloppy. Ms. Puckett sounds bored reading. Don’t blame her. It is difficult to get into the story. Also disappointed that there wasn’t more on the magic, the training and such. Sex, harem for Elliot, and a smattering of magic. A waste or time and money.

Predictable

Superficial and predictable. Nothing surprising in this harem storyline. A quick easy listen. . . .

Good start to a series

Good start to a series. The characters are well written and their interactions are great. The storyline flows well and keeps you interested until the end.

Unpredictable, Unexpected and out of this World!

I found 'spark' addictive and impossible to put down, it reminded me a bit of a mature and steamy version of the Harry Potter series, every bit as gripping and absorbing with a touch of 'Hunger Games' thrown in! I enjoyed both ya series but 'Spark' gave me an adult, mature and exciting version with attitude, I couldn't put the book down and read the next right after.

Heroine with a chip on her shoulder

Ok so I know life hasn’t been easy for the MC but she kind of treats everyone with a double standard and I don’t think the narrators not so expressive voice helps. Overall I liked the story and I’ll listen to the next and I do love a good academy RH but I hope her personality changes a bit with the next book.

#audiobookobsession🎧

amazing

I couldn't stop listening it was soooo good and I love the characters I will be buying all the books I can't wait 💗 😊

Fantastic start

Elliot believes she doesn’t have magic but when two guys harass her at a nightclub she retaliates. She had to choose between going to the academy for unpredictable magic or having her magic taken away. She chooses the academy but it’s not all plain sailing she has to put up with a group of bitchy girls that act like they are still in school it’s all down to jealousy as she has 3 hot guys looking out for her. Really enjoyed this I love Sadie Moss she does RH that leave you wanting to carry on listening and Sarah Puckett is the perfect narrator.

Paranormal Academy Reverse Harem

Spark by Sadie Moss is a paranormal academy reverse harem that I listened to on audio narrated by Sarah Puckett. This is the first book in the Academy of Unpredictable Magic series.

This is the third series of Sadie's that I have read and it definitely won't be my last. She does an amazing job pulling me into the story. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next I am loving the relationship that is blooming between Elliot, Cam, Asher, Dimitri, and Roman.

I can't wait to dive into the next book in the series Trials so I can get more of their story.

Sarah did an amazing job on the narration! She never disappoints. I love that she uses different voices/tones for each character. It really brings the story to life.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal romances, academy romances, or reverse harems.


Audiobook Obsession Reviewer

an amazing listen

this was a fab listen and it kept me on the edge of the seat. loved the narrator. she really drew you in!

Great beginning of the series!

I truly enjoyed this book, it's fast paced and has a good story line that kept my interest throughout. I like that the relationship between Elliot and her 4 guys, I like the fact that it's not rushed and that we get to see more about how it will develop through the next books. I love all the 4 guys, they have different personalities, they are funny in their own unique way, and throw to the mix teacher/student relationship, things will get pretty interesting.
I will definitely be listening to the next book.

Sarah Puckett provided a perfect narration, her performance was truly great, she portrays all the character in a distinctive way which makes it so easy to listen and enjoy. Her narration is a big pat of what makes this book enjoyable.

I will definitely be listening to the next book, I want to know what else is in store for Elliot and her guys and see how her magic grows.

🎧Audiobook Obsession🎧

A pretty good story!

Good world building, interesting story (something that fits very well in the reverse harem / academy themed books currently available), and an easy and fun few hours spent listening.

It took me a while to get used to the voice on the audiobook - I felt it was a little monotone and it missed the slight inflections of humour, sometimes.

spoiler******** below******

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So, a semi-spoiler. I won't spoil it completely for you.

The ending was a little bit of an anti-climax. it was built up well, and then it was all over with quite a predictable finish. Also, there was a lot of internal monologue throughout the action sequence which slowed the pace a little too much.

3 of the 4 men she was interested in seemed... immature. I wasn't keen on them. it took me the entirety of the book to start to appreciate them. even so, I have my favourite ;)

And there was as a lot of telling about how much of a scrapper/badass/loner the main character was. it would have been nice to have had a scene or two where we could see that.

My Thoughts on Spark

Sadie Moss is quickly rising up to the ranks of one of my favorites paranormal authors. I am slowly getting to that point where if I know I am starting a book by her I can just settle in and enjoy with confidence that this is going to be a good book. Spark was no different. I loved everything about this story. The multi layered relationships between everyone, the mystery going on in the midst of everything, and of course the magic. I'm also super excited that this is just the beginning of this series and that there are many more books to come. I can't wait to see how these characters develop individually as well as in their relationship going forward.

The narration was absolutely A++. I love Sarah Puckett. She not only has a nice variety of tone for multiple characters like this book had, but she also just exudes so much emotion in her voice that I really feel the book when she's performing it. She's absolutely one of my favorites and can probably get me to listen to just about anything. But pair her and Sadie Moss together and you've definitely got a winner for me.

🎧AudiobookObsession Reviewer

good story

Thank goodness this was a strong story. At first I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book as it went on. It started off slow and a little too high school for me but the magic politics were interesting. Then as the story developed and the plot thickened I found myself caring more. The ending truly brought my opinion around. I really liked the twist in the end on who was behind the magic attacks and how it was set up. This particular ending left open enough for a sequel or to end the story as is. I might pick up the second in the future but I am making no rush for it.

My biggest issue with this book was the main character. I wanted to like Elliot and during certain times, I did like her but she was so inconsistent that I just honestly couldn't handle it. Are you shy? Are you closed off? You can beat people up but you didn't understand the physical defense? Elliot was so contradictory to what she claimed her personality was that I was getting annoyed.

But if you can get over a character who thinks she's one thing but another I would recommend this book. It was just a little too much for me to completely enjoy the whole book.

NARRATION
If you've ever listened to a Sarah Puckett narration before than you will understand why I loved this book in audio format. Sarah is fantastic at bringing the story to life and really putting personality into it. I would definitely recommend this audio

#AudiobookObsession