Marty Mayberry

Magic, secrets, academy drama, a touch of romance, and dark shadows make this an easy read to dive into and enjoy.

Fleur was abandoned by her mother at the CrystalWing Academy when she was ten-years-old due to her inability to control her strange powers. Too young to attend, she's shipped off to the care of a cranky woman until she reaches seventeen. When that day arrives and she's schooled into the academy, she's a bit at a loss as any 'outling' (those not born in the magic world) are. She must not only find her way in this new world and learn about her magic, but also figure out what dangerous secrets lie in the forest before more students wind up dead.

The story grabs at the heart-strings right away as an unknowing Fleur is left by her mother and holds harbors a ton of guilt for the damage she's accidentally caused. The author does a good job at setting this tone, and the quickly sweeping over the years while still incorporating the atmosphere of what Fleur faces during that time. And it's exactly this sympathy which makes her fun to root for when her life at the academy hits.

The academy holds everything one should have: nasty girls, bullying, insecurities, friendship, fantastical surprises and a little romance. The danger lurking beyond hangs mostly in the shadows, while Fleur deals with the academy life first, and doesn't really grip until the end. But that's fine because Fleur does have a bit to figure out first. I was a little surprised at how normal she came across after her first initial day or two, since she had lived in pretty isolated circumstances up until that time. The rest slides into teenage drama as it should.

It's a fun read for academy fans and holds some unexpected twists and turns along the way.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.… (more)