I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and has your attention the whole time. Character development is wonderful & sets up the future of the series nicely.

Dies war das 1. Buch, welches ich von der Autorin gelesen habe. Cover und Klappentext haben mich neugierig gemacht und ich wollte direkt in die Geschichte eintauchen. Da das Buch relativ kurz ist, hatte ich anfangs die Befürchtung, dass eventuell zu viel Inhalt in relativ wenig Zeit gepresst sein könnte und sich die Handlung dadurch sehr schnelllebig anfühlen würde beim Lesen. Dies war jedoch überhaupt nicht der Fall. Ich konnte mich sehr gut in die Geschichte und die Charaktere hineinfühlen und fand den Plot gut ausgebaut. Der Schreibstil ist einfach gehalten und auch die Fantasy- und Mythologie-Aspekte sind so eingebaut, dass ich als Leserin nicht mit Fakten überschüttet wurde. Beide Hauptcharaktere gefielen mir sehr und haben sich gut ergänzt. Der MMC hat mit einem Fluch zu kämpfen, ein Schattenmagier und flirtet neckisch mit Kiara, der FMC - zusammengefasst also alles was ich an MMCs liebe. Was mir besonders gut gefallen hat, war, dass die Autorin Szenen mit viel Spannung und Action so geschrieben hat, dass ich beim Lesen die Emotionen der Charaktere sehr gut mitfühlen konnte und ich das Gefühl hatte Teil der Handlung zu sein. Spice technisch war es ein toller Slow Burn, mit ganz wenig Spice am Schluss, der jedoch nur sehr oberflächlich beschrieben wird. Da wünsche ich mir für die nächsten Bände definitiv Spice Szenen, die mehr ins Detail gehen. Alles in allem fand ich die Geschichte sehr gelungen und freue mich, vor allem nach dem offenen Ende aus Band 1, auf die weiteren Bänder dieser Reihe.

This was the first book I read by Ever King. The beautiful cover and the blurb of the book intrigued me and made me want to read the story immediately. As the book is relatively short, I was initially worried that there might be too much content crammed into a relatively short space of time, which would make the plot feel very fast-paced when reading. This was not the case at all. I was able to empathise with the story and the characters very well and liked how well developed the plot is. The style of writing is kept simple and the fantasy and mythology aspects are included in such a way that I, as a reader, was not overwhelmed with facts. Both main characters are sympathetic and have good chemestry with eachother. The MMC is cursed, a shadowmage and likes to flirt shamelessly with Kiara the FMC - sums up everything I like about MMCs. What I particularly liked was that the author wrote scenes with lots of suspense and action in a way that I could really empathise with the characters' emotions while reading and felt like I was part of the scene. Regarding the spice it is a great slow burn with a little bit of spice at the end which unfortunately is not described in much detail. I would definitely like to see Spice scenes that go into more detail in the next volumes. Overall, I really enjoyed reading the story which left me wanting more at the end. I am looking forward to more Books of this series.

I had a great time reading this book, but I felt a time it was getting a tad repetitive! Overall a super enjoyable book that had me contenting to turn the pages !

When Harry Potter smashes into Percy Jackson and Throne of Glass, you get Academy of Villians. This book was a fantastic introduction to Ever King's fantasy world. There are some normal trope types in the book but also some really unique concepts such as the magic system and settings. Give this book a read!

If you say Greek Mythology you're basically yelling my name. I've been reading those myths ever since I was twelve and it's an old love that never disappears completely. So, when I saw this book on Netgalley I had to request a copy and luckily the author granted me one. I even got a message on my instagram to tell me that I was approved. I was really excited about reading this book and therefore fit it in as soon as I could.

What I absolutely loved about this book was the magic. Although we haven't seen everything yet, the author is luckily not boring us with loads of info dumps, I like the idea of a grimoire appearing when you need it and spells being shown when you need them. I also loved the whole idea of star mages being eradicated for their unique powers and seeing what happened to the world when this magic was eventually brought back.

For me the amount of Greek Mythology could have been a little more. I understand that this is a retelling and the plot does reflect this tale quite nicely, but the world could have felt a little more Greek. Maybe the descriptions just didn't work for me. Maybe I just wanted some more familiar sights and elements. In a way the author built a more original fantasy world, while I was somehow hoping for a more classical world.

However, the characters and their journey absolutely made up for that. I have to admit that the part where the characters actively hate each other doesn't last very long. I therefore wouldn't really call this a haters to lovers. The author did find a way though to build up tension between the characters without giving us too much before the characters are ready for it. I'm also really excited that the next book will star another couple. The waiting for them to fall in love is, after all, the best part!

this book is so good and addictive, I love the plot where our main character tries to kill the princ at the academy but then get’s enrolled in the academy itself where she finds out she is a mage as well. I really liked the setting, but that is pretty easy when it’s set at an academy I really like those boos. the romance did move pretty fast I did not mind that because I love them and their banter. and it’s pretty enemies to lovers. the mythology was good maybe would love to see even more in book two. the magic is fun and for me original, love the secret society and the characters themself. maybe I would have liked to see more academy stuff like different classes.

- dark academia
- enemies to lovers
- mythology
- trials
- badass female main character

will post mine other reviews on Monday December 2 of 2024 on instagram and tiktok

Academy of Villains is a thrilling dive into a world where magic and mayhem collide, delivering a dark academia fantasy with layers of romance, mythology, and intrigue. Ever King weaves an enchanting tale inspired by the Greek myth of Nyx and Erebus, creating a unique narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The story centres on Kiara, a former assassin turned undercover mage, who infiltrates a ruthless magic academy with a mission to end the royal bloodline. But her journey takes an unexpected turn as she uncovers hidden powers within herself and becomes entangled in a web of forbidden secrets, dangerous alliances, and a romance that blurs the line between destiny and desire.

King’s world-building is atmospheric, capturing the eerie yet captivating essence of a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin. The interplay of Greek mythology with dark academia tropes feels fresh and compelling, making the book stand out in its genre. Kiara is a strong, multifaceted heroine, and her internal conflict between vengeance and love is beautifully portrayed.

However, the pacing in some sections feels slightly rushed, particularly in the transitions between action-packed scenes and character-driven moments. A deeper exploration of secondary characters and the mysterious headmaster could have added more depth to the narrative.

Despite these minor critiques, Academy of Villains is a gripping start to what promises to be a mesmerizing series. Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers romances, hidden truths, and magical academies teeming with secrets. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for these characters in the next instalment!

Available now from Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

#Academyofvillains #Everking #Darkacadamia #romantasy #greekmyth #romance #intrigue #secretsociety #assassin #cursed #arcreview #review #netgalley #4stars #love

the concept of academy of villains was promising – i enjoyed the magical elements and the shadow daddy vibes, which added a darker allure to the story ✨

however, the romance didn’t quite hit for me. the enemies-to-lovers trope fell flat as he seemed to fall for her way too soon, and i found myself not fully invested in their relationship or rooting for them to end up together 🥹

the pacing was a major struggle

there were moments bogged down with unnecessary details that didn’t add much to the plot, while other parts felt overly rushed—so much happened in the span of days, sometimes within a single chapter, making it hard to stay grounded in the story

that said, the addition of secret societies added intrigue, and the classic one-bed trope with some forced proximity moments was a fun touch

4.75⭐ if you guys know anything about me, its that i LOVE myself a greek retelling and this is no different. im also not someone who can picture books easily in my head as read but this story and these characters came alive as a movie in my head and i devoured this ARC in two days.

just picture this: darker fantasy, antihero MC's, harry potter-esque world building, slow burn fated enemies to lovers, and chosen one FMC. these are the perfect ingredients for a fantasy book.

our FMC is Kiara, an assassin sent to kill Prince Lucian, our MMC (romantic right?) Kiara was such a badass magic warrior girly and seeing her development in her trust in Lucian and her own powers was just 🤌🤌

Prince Lucian... *screams in book boyfriend* your honor I fear I love this man. like how are you a prince of a corrupt kingdom with shadow powers yet also a cutie?? and this man was DOWN BAD for his girl. their relationship and bond was so precious because they are both such complex characters and i just love them.

I don't read fantasy that often but best believe I will be returning for this sequel and I would loveee to read more of the Raven Society boys and their bonds.
this book is criminally underrated and anyone who likes magic and romance should pick this up!!

A huge thank you to NetGalley , the publisher, and Ever King for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Academy of Villains by Ever King grabs your attention right from the first page. This fast-paced, captivating upper YA dark academia novel draws inspiration from the Greek mythology love story of Nyx and Erebus, with plenty of mythological Easter eggs sprinkled throughout.

The story follows Kiara, our fierce female protagonist and an assassin who discovers she is a starmage, gifted with celestial magic. The male lead, Lucian Darking, is the Crown Prince of Ithaka and a shadowmage wielding dark, cursed magic. Their dynamic leans heavily into the Enemies-to-Lovers trope, with Kiara determined to kill Lucian in order to break a dark curse that haunts the Kingdom of Ithaka. However, Lucian is instantly captivated by Kiara, and despite being opposites in almost every way, their connection is undeniable. Without giving too much away, the plot takes us on a thrilling journey as they meet at the Academy and set out to unravel the mystery of the curse.

Academy of Villains offers a darker, grittier take on Harry Potter, combined with the rich, complex world of Greek mythology—a heady and intriguing blend. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to dive into the next installment. Below are a few quotes that really resonated with me, giving a taste of the magic and tension you can expect from this book.

“They’re coming for her … And I’ll be damned if they touch her”

“He was the darkness I craved, and I was the light he couldn’t escape”

“Nothing stays the same, not forever. The sea teaches us that. You may think you know the course of your journey, but the current has a way of shifting beneath your feet”

“Sacrifice is often the price of change”

“I won’t let fear or doubt hold me back. I am the one they should fear”

“As long as there’s breath in my body, nothing will touch her. Nothing will take her from me. If she hates me for it, so be it. Curse, or no curse, I’ll burn the whole world down before I let her fall”

“If his love is a curse, I’ll wear it like a crown”

“Loyalty can be a fragile thing easily swayed by ambition and fear”

4.75 ⭐

I loved the concept of mages and the academy followed in the story. It was similar to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with the set up except for the things like the magic systems and the characters being teenagers.

The book is said to be "Nyx and Erebus Greek Mythology Retelling" but I'm not really familiar with that myth so I don't know how in line it was to it. However, the plot had me hooked right from the beginning. The 2nd half of the book gave Reckless vibes which I enjoyed a lot.

At some places, I felt like things weren't explained better, like when Lucian's friends reacted some way to something he said and I didn't get why it was a big thing. Small things like that, which made me want to reread the part to understand better. Other than that, it was a good one. I would very much like to read the next one in the series when it's out.

Academy of Villains - by Ever King

I enjoyed this read, an interesting world full of culture and an interesting new magic system. A packed dark academia fantasy with trials and lessons, this was a great start to the series. I read this in one night and couldn't put it down.

Kiara and Lucien are drawn to each other and I absolutely loved their romance and characters both together and apart. So interested in hearing more about the Raven Society too! The closed door romance was well written and went well with the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.25! Okay, this one was a BIG surprise! The title and cover caught my attention and I’ll be forever grateful because I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. It was such a fun read and it reminded me a lot of the feeling of watching Harry Potter for the first time. I loved the characters, the friendships and especially the romance. I’m a sucker for a well-done enemies-to-lovers and I felt this one nailed it. I’ll definitely be recommending this book to everyone!

Great book with an amazing plot. It’ll keep you hooked from the first page to the last. A must read for lovers of fantasy

There are no heroes in this story'

An assassin sneaks into the castle to try to kill the prince and break the curse upon her people only to stumble into a magical sorting ceremony and discover she has a previously thought extinct type of magic. She accidentally reignites the magical bond of love between two people and finds herself bound to the Prince. The prince and the assassin learn that the only way to break the curse is to pass three trials, but they have to do it together.

Honestly, I feel like this book needs some more editing and development. The story and the premise of the book are great and I think it has real potential, I just didn't really like the writing. The beginning feels like we've jumped in mid series or missed a few chapters at the beginning. The world building is minimal and needs more character backstory or even description. I never really felt like I got to know our characters below a surface level. Why do the secret societies all hate each other and are always fighting? I feel like I'm missing something here. None of this is explained. They're all supposed to be Villains and the bad guy but they steal food to give it to starving children and they're off risking their lives to break a curse? Doesn't sound like bad guy behaviour to me.

There was no happy wrap up at the end of book and no massive cliffhanger either. Both of which I'm okay with. I really liked the secret scrolls - it's giving magical gossip girl and I am absolutely here for it. I wish there had been more 'school' because I'm greedy and the few classes we had just were not enough for me.

Tropes include:
- insta love AND slow burn?
- enemies to lovers but not much of the enemies
- only one bed
- fade to black, no real spice

Enemies to lovers. Fated mates. Elemental magic. Greek Mythology. Trials.

The premise of this hooked me from the get go! It’s giving Harry Potter meets Throne of glass.
The academy setting is really cozy, interesting and nostalgic.
I love the magic system - that the magic chooses you- and that each persons grimoire is uniquely their own and inaccessible to anyone else.
The male friendships within this book are brilliant and I love their interactions as a group.
There’s a lot we discover throughout the book with Kiara and Lucian, as both dismantle the views they had of the world and uniting towards a common goal. As a reader you piece it together at the same time.

There’s an interesting moment where as a reader I questioned whether Kiara’s integrity would be swayed when she realised as a mage she could reap the rewards of the system that tried to destroy her. Similarly Lucien refuses to look the other way once he realises the truth, though he’s not currently impacted by the suffering in his kingdom. Both protagonists continue down the hard path, despite the personal risk. This is always inspiring, in fantasy and in life.

Things that could be improved
- The friendships between the women are less fleshed out. Clearly they’re not as well established (eg length of time) which is fine as Kiara is the new kid on the block. I would’ve loved more details about Octavia and her life.
- Some of the passages are almost “over described” and the internal monologue can sound a little too formal which can pull you out of the plot

Bonus point for
- Bastian, hilarious
- Mavros, who doesn’t love an old man who speaks in riddles?
- some really poignant, hard hitting passages towards the end of the book.
- The questions left unanswered makes me want to read the next instalment immediately!

This book was really good but it definitely felt like the storylines were rushed a bit. I am excited to see how the author continues the stories with new characters but in the same universe.

“In that moment, it hits me - he was the darkness I craved, and I was the light he couldn’t escape.”

This was a magical and fun journey and I found the plot gripping and the writing immersive. The vibes are definitely giving Harry Potter mixed with Zodiac Academy and I loved the unique magic system and well established characters and relationships. The romantic part of the story felt natural and well developed and I loved the enemies to lovers trope. This was very much a fade to black romance but that’s what I expected going in, and it was very tastefully done.

I did find that there were certain parts of the story that felt slightly rushed and could have been further developed, but this didn’t happen often and overall I found the story flowed well and I certainly can’t wait for the next instalment!

Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for the ARC!

This story IMMEDIATELY hits in the ground running from the very first page, jumping straight into the action. While I do adore the wonders of world building, it was refreshing immediately being absorbed into this new, fantastic world.

This has the most immaculate dark academia vibes. Anyone who is a Harry Potter fan will fall in love with this book as it feels very nostalgic with a mature storyline. As a true Hufflepuff, it feels like I am moonlighting as a Slytherin, and it feels delectably naughty.
I will always be a sucker for a dual POV, and I really enjoy that both of our MCs are morally gray. It really adds a new perspective and depth that I don’t often get from the fluffy romances I read.

I admire the strength of Kiara. I will admit though, the whole book does amp her up like she is an exceptional assassin, however, the number of times she was caught, or she was being followed feels like the complete opposite. I still love my girly though.
I was swooning for the mysterious, protective nature of Lucian. I also am obsessed with his Raven boys. Surprisingly, I do think I was more infatuated with Kaspian or Atticus.

I know that the author has stated that this was the first book in the series and that “each book in this dark academia fantasy romance is inspired by a Greek mythology love story. Prepare for hidden secrets, powerful spells, and heartfelt relationships.” That makes me think there will definitely be a story for each Raven boy, and I cannot wait. I am absolutely desperate and completely feral for the next book.

First off, thanks for the ARC!

The cover caught my eye, and then the annotation intrigued me too. It's a cool concept, so keep developing it!

She’s supposed to kill the prince but accidentally ends up in an academy where she discovers she’s a mage. Then she decides to go undercover, but things don't go as planned.

I liked the atmosphere, even though everything seemed to move pretty fast, especially the quick spark between them, despite the slow burn (I love slow-burn relationships, with lots of hate stages). I didn’t really feel the "enemies to lovers" vibe since he felt drawn to her right away, but I was still reading with this face: 😏🤭

I enjoyed the mythology in the story, so that’s a plus.

I also liked that magic comes from grimoires, there are secret societies, and a few hot guys, plus the love ties are a bit unusual.

Unfortunately, by the end, I wasn't really dying to find out what happens next.

I expected to see more of the academy stuff, classes, and teamwork to witness the creation of a family that's not blood-related. There’s a bit of dark academia, but it didn’t give off Harry Potter vibes. Sure, there’s sorting and school stuff, but also it lacked a villainous atmosphere.

- Easy to read
- Academia
- Love connections
- From "gotta kill you" to "you’re mine, I’m yours"
- Trials
- Shadow daddy
🏫🗡❤️‍🔥✨️🌑

3.5/5⭐️
1/5🌶