Term 1: Unleashing Trials

Academy of Sorcery, Book 1

By: Alexa B. James, Athena Phoenix

Narrated by: Marnye Young

Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

Magic is dangerous. I should know. It got me a 30-year sentence scrubbing toilets for a scumbag wizard. My only hope is the Unleashing, a ceremony that unlocks the dormant powers of magical descendants when we turn 18. Since my mom was a lowly psychic, I don’t expect to be blessed with much more than the ability to forecast the weather. But when the sorcerers unlock my magic, all hell breaks loose. 

Turns out, I’m not a wizard, witch, or even a sorcerer. 

I’m...something else.

Because of my unique abilities, I’m required to attend the Academy of Sorcery until I learn to harness and control my magic. Not only that, but the three sexiest and most powerful sorcerers on campus are assigned to guard me night and day.

Jackpot, right?

Not quite.

Turns out these guys aren’t too happy with the arrangement, and they show it by making my life hell. That’s just the beginning of my troubles. The mean-girl squad declares open season on me, a mysterious woman attacks me every time I step off campus, and my professor is too hot for his own good. And when it’s time to find a weapon to help me master my abilities, my magic chooses...a spork.

It’s going to be a long year.

Note: This is a reverse harem series perfect for listeners who enjoy: light bully romance and enemies-to-lovers, college academies, student-teacher forbidden romance, badass heroine who holds her own against alpha males, and fun, fast-paced listens intended for ages 18+.

©2019 Alexa B. James and Athena Phoenix (P)2020 Alexa B. James and Athena Phoenix

Good but warnings should be told

For the few chapters that I listened to, it was good. The performance is great also. I don't have the stomach for bully stories and when i read that it was light bully i thought i could handle it. I'm all for the sex scenes, alpha males and mean girls in a story with an MC that doesn't back down. It starts off with bully with no break for the MC. I've only made it to chapter five and she is bullied from the moment the book pretty much starts, it hasn't let up but seems to get worse, along with basic imprisonment.

Like I said it's has a good story for those that like stories like this but I wouldn't say this is a light bully romance. The guys aren't Alpha males their you typical pricks that get off making people lower than them feel like shit and keeping them down. Normally that's fine but normally there is something that says; they may be just putting up a front or show a slight hint of kindness or haunted look to let you know they aren't really the pieces of shit as first thought.

I'll admit that I'm only at chapter five and things might change, but I just can't force myself to finish listening and wait for it. I'm only putting up this review up in hopes that someone else doesn't believe they are getting a soft entry into bully romance with this book. If you like bully romance and what seems like a fast-burn RH book than this is the perfect book for you. The performance is great, maybe to good. I felt like i was hurting with the MC, which could be part of the reason i can't finish this book. So happy listening but make sure you can handle bully stories before delving into this one. That'll teach me not to sample the book before buying lol. It's worth the credit or money if you like these types of books.

DNF

I really have to start reading the full blurb. I don’t understand writing/reading bully romance novels. Oh, the guys treat the girl badly, but they’re so attractive she’ll look past it and eventually win them over? Why would you want to be with someone abusive?

A hilariously good RH must-listen!

I have nothing but great things to say about this book! James & Phoenix have created a character in Jade that is the perfect mix of badass, kind, and hilarious. I binge-listened to this book and immediately picked up the next one. Jade’s “issues” with her magic are mortifying enough to cause some hysterically cringeworthy scenes, not to mention the poor girl gets stuck with a magical spork as a weapon. I honestly can’t wait to see what happens to Jade and her boys!

On the Fence

I am not sure how I feel about this. Not a lot happened in the story really. Her orgy magic was a little.....I don't know...much.
I didn't like how the men explained them sleeping with her enemy. Come on that really had my rolling my eyes in frustration.

I'd continue the series to see where the story goes.

The narration was great. Marnye Young delivered a fantastic performance and brings the story to life

Couldn’t stop listening

This story was so addictive. I couldn’t stop listening to it. It is unique and fresh. The performance was spot of as well. I definitely recommend this book!

Unleashing Trials

I read this as part of a book challenge. This is not usually the type of book I choose to read but I have to say I was very surprised. It was very entertaining and fun and the author displayed wait a fun imagination. It was easy to follow it was enjoying to listen to the narrators did a great job portrayed each character. I wish it wasn’t in so many parts and cannot wait till the final book of the series is written

I gave it the old college try & then some.....

Halfway, is where I had to stop to go read several pages of reviews. I had to see if I was being too critical or impatient with the many irregularities I saw between the FMC's backstory & her behavior.

I saw a lot of praise & thought I rushed my judgment; until I kept scanning the reviews. Many others had called-out the issues I struggled with & that solidified me stopping.

The FMC is supposed to have grown up in a rough neighborhood & have experienced a lot of cruel people. Either the authors have no clue how to make a backstory translate into strengths or her backstory is something they have no experience in to make it believable.
If I'm wrong, then there's no excuse for making the FMC run from people laughing at her when she experienced much worse, with others, from her mother's supposed betrayal.

When backstories of the main characters don't align with present behaviors, I run far away from those books; as I absolutely cannot even try to be enthralled in a story when it's inconsistently written.
With no backstory continuity, the character's growth isn't measurable throughout a series.

The bullying was very mild; but didn't even make sense to have senior/grad-level students openly & actively participate in such childish antics displayed. The 3 guys could of shown coldness, ignored her, & many other things that would of shown their elevated status while still adhering to the bully romance genre. All I heard was a pettiness that I expected from others her age, not 3 adult men who were introduced as revered, respected, & essentially idolized sorcerers. Why so inconsistent?

I want to hold onto my copy to see if I can give it another go eventually. If my opinion changes, upon trying again, I'll update my review.

Unleashing trials

Okay, good start to a series. Girl, get taken to a school of magic to unlock her power. just to find out she has some kind of power that gets people in the mood for sex. her power is so strong and can't help what happens. Not only does she have problems with controlling her power, but she has 3 boys that, for some reason, hate her and like her at the same time. And someone out there is trying to hurt her, and of course, she has 3 bullies she has to deal with that are called the bella's just great.

I am addicted! 4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book. I have listened to the audio version at least 3 times. The narrator did a good job. I can’t wait to see what happens in the other books. I have also finished reading the second book without stopping. I am addicted to this series so far.

Will they survive the Unleashing?

Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel

Summary:
If living in a world where everything is scarce and the weather goes form bad to worse is usual fare, Jade is forced to fulfill her mother’s her mother’s sentence of thirty-four years in servitude to Silas, a vampire. Her only hope is that she has hidden magical powers that could be released at the Unleashing, a mandatory ceremony for everyone from a magical family. Now Silas refused to allow Jade to go until two men arrived to ensure she attended. Now Jade’s mother was a psychic so no one expected here to have any magic, but what happened surprised even Jade. Her level of magic came with a price forcing Jade to be sequestered form the other students with three of the strongest upper class students to guard her. For once in Jade’s life she has food to eat and a safe place to live, but is the cost worth it. Most of the students a scared of her abilities and a few hate that someone from what they consider a second class family should have been given such gifts.

Jade has no training setting her at a disadvantage as she tries to learn to control her powers of sexually ensnaring people. Jade has to deal with mean girls, magical complications, growing feelings towards the strongest magical guys in the school, and last but not least fighting to find her way in a world that she had never been a part of.

Great Read

Term 1, Unleashing Trials (Academy of Sorcery #1) was a good read by Alexa B. James. Magic is what lead Jade to having to scrub toilets for a scumbag wizard for the next thirty years. The Unleashing is a ceremony that unlocks the dormant powers of magical descendants when they turn eighteen. Jade doesn't expect much due to her mom being a lowly psychic. She never expected all hell would break loose when the sorcerers unlock her magic. She has unique abilities that mean she must attend the Academy of Sorcery until she can harness and control her magic. But the three sexiest sorcerers on campus are assigned to guard her day and night. They decide to make her life hell because they aren't too happy with the arrangement. The mean girls also decide to make her their prey. Every time she steps off campus, a mysterious woman attacks her. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

Great Introduction to the Series!

This is the first term in the Academy of Sorcery Series, a Paranormal Reverse Harem Series. Jade is a fantastic character, strong, and sassy. Her three powerful sorcerers guards, Rocco, Thorn, and Ryker are alpha, and intriguing. Professor Darius is handsome, protective, and enigmatic. Asher is an amazing supporting character. The world building is fantastic, original, and intriguing, filled with magic, action, mystery, lust, and slow burn romance. The storyline is intricate, fun, entertaining, and intriguing. The light bully, and the forbidden romance, are a great addition to the story. Marnye Young has a beautiful voice, very pleasant to listen to, and easy to understand. She did an outstanding job with the narration. This is a great introduction to the Series, and I can't wait to listen to Fallen Master, the next book in the Series. If you like RH Paranormal Romance, this Series is definitely for you!

Unleashing a great listen

Book 1 in a fantastic new Reverse Harem series. This story has lots of twists and turns between the heroine and all her mates.
Heroine is Jade. Her heros are 3 of Jades Guards and her Teacher.
Jade thinks of herself as a plain one. She’s stick cleaning Silas house for 30 years. Until she has to go to a trial, the trial will show Jade what her power is. Boy Jade and the whole school are shocked when Jade gets to see what her power is. Jade is very powerful. Her guards need to protect themselves plus the school. The girls are very jealous of Jades effect on the opposite $ex . Jade gets a shock when she finds out someone with dark energy wants her to go with them . It ends a powerful cliff hanger looking forward to book 2

Marnye Young performance was fantastic. Her performance draws you into the story. Her tone was perfect for each character. Very smooth and clear and energetic

An entertaining start to the series

I enjoyed this well narrated audiobook. It is a steamy NSFW reverse harem with a whole heap of steam and a nice set up for further books in the series. I am not gripped by the plot yet but I do look forward to seeing what else this series has to offer.

Slow Burn Romance - Steamy

This is a steamy slow burn, reverse harem book with well developed characters and an addictive storyline. Looking forward to book 2.

great story

This is a great book! I love that it picks up where the last left off. The guys in this book are amazing and I can’t wait to get to know them better. This book also kicks up the heat which has been so slow.

Academy of Sorcery

I loved this book. It wan not what I was expecting. This book is super steamy!! I can't wait to see what will happen next term!

Intriguing

This is a promising start to this new series. Jade is an intriguing sassy heroine who goes from being Cinderella to very unexpected and special supernatural. The story keeps you coming back for more with the all of the brilliantly written sexual tension and all the twists and turns. The narrator is a joy to listen to bringing this book to life, I eagerly await book 2.

Explosively Wow...

You gotta just love Jade. I have enjoyed books and audios. But this hits number 2 on my list.

Not going to say more, it's so good, that spoilers will have no effect. So, Go on... I know you want to... Get the book / audio

Loved it!

I just finished and I’m already ready for the next one! This book is a great start to a series