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.

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!

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.

what the heck!!

this book is so good, its full of action, betrayal, lust, love , and friendship. A girl raised trap in a contract because of what her mother did, then to have everything change and have to go to a school where people look at her different because of her power. not only that then started falling for her 3 bodyguard and her teacher, then to find out that one of her friends stab her in the back. so much going on, but i got to say its keeping me on my toes. i can't wait to read what happens next.

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 Start to the Series

I fell in love with this book. The FMC has just had the world handed to her and it's a wild ride. The various members of her harem are great, with very unique personalities.
I can't wait for the next one.
Would I listen to this book again? YES and I have done so already
Would I recommend this book to others? Yes, with the mention that it is RH and should be 18+

Humorous RH

I really enjoyed the story, and even had moments of laughing out loud. The narration was good. Looking forward to more of the series.

OMG I want to be her

after listening to the story I can't wait to Devour the next one I want to be in the school of sorcery I want to be her the story is so well told that it makes you feel like you're part of the story and if you don't get turned on by some of the scenes something's wrong it's a must-listen must-read got to get the next one

Enjoyed book 1 of the Academy of Sorcery!

This was my first book by this cowriting duo and I really enjoyed the storyline and thought the narration was done very well (not a surprise with how amazing Marnye Young always is!). The story was funny and unpredictable and had loads of tension and sexy times. I did like Jade, Asher, and some of the guys (especially the professor!!), but there were things that kinda took me out of the story a bit which is why I gravitated toward 4 instead of 5 stars for the story (the whiplash I was getting from the guys. It wasn't as smooth as it could have been. I was having issues remembering where they each stood, especially Ryker). I think the idea about her having her important item stolen didnt 100% make sense. With all the power at this school, why couldn't they trace it and figure out where it had been/touched it. I understand it was under wards/spells, but the 4 most powerful beings at the school couldn't take down a couple freshies? I also thought the ending was kinda out of nowhere (in terms of the guys and their relationships) so that kinda took me for a spin. I think this could have been fleshed out a bit more to help with that transition. But overall I was hooked into the audiobook and would listen to more in this series. I

For the narration, Marnye always does a fabulous job. I love her different actions and inflections. She really brings characters to life and makes the story so believable! She always is on my "must listen to" list, hasn't steered me wrong yet!

Hope book 2 is out soon, I want to know what happens next! I don't has as much time to read books anymore with the whole pandemic situation, so audiobooks are my escape. Good job Marnye, Alexa, and Athena ❤️

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

Hoping for More in the Sequel

Jade went from a modern day Cinderella to a high priestess sex goddess in a matter of moments. She now needs to learn how to control and wield her power and has three mages to watch her. Rocco, Ryker, and Thorn were selfish, cold, and utter assholes that I hope get more developed throughout the series and that their relationship with Jade gains more of a connection than it ended with. I probably liked Asher, her best friend, the best out of all of the characters. I think Darius was my favorite guy out of all of them because he seemed like the only one who willingly wanted to help her. Jade put on a tough face, but I feel like her character could have been stronger and less aggressive. I thought it was funny that her magical weapon, Cleo, was a spork and that it seemed to have a personality of its own. I really enjoyed the interesting world building that James and Phoenix created. This book was filled with drama, steam, and humor that kept me intrigued and wanting to know what happens next.
Marnye did a great job with her narration! She managed to bring Jade’s personality to life- the sass, tantrums, and steam. Her male voices weren’t as great, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Loved it! Listen to it!

I honestly loved listening to this story. You could feel the emotion from the characters. Jade discovers she has a special type of magic and needs help mastering its power. By attending a school she finds out exactly how to do this and the men she needs to help aren't all that keen. Definately worth listening too and the narrater is one of the best ive heard so far.

Fantastic start.

I received this book free for an honest review.

This book tells the story of Jade who has been sentence to be a unpaid slave to a nasty wizard.
She receives a letter to the unleashing trials which is mandatory when you are 18 but her boss tears the letter up.
Then 3 of the sexiest men she’s ever seen turn up to escort her to the trials this is when the fun starts.
Jades humour is so good you end up laughing out loud and when her magic is unleashed it’s epic.
Really loved this book and the characters are great Marnye Young does a great job narrating.