Tag: Academey

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Book Spotlight Thursday: OBSIDIAN SKY by Jill Aster

Training academies and dragon riders are caught in my spotlight today in OBSIDIAN SKY!

Obsidian Sky (Riftborn Series Book 1)

Release Date: February 2, 2026

Genre: Romantasy/ Dragons

🔥Enemies to lovers
🔥Trainer to trainee
🔥Morally gray protector
🔥Fated bond
🔥Deadly training academy trials
🔥Hidden lineage 
🔥Dragon-rider fantasy
🔥Forbidden romance
🔥Love and destruction
🔥High-stakes political intrigue
🔥Destiny/prophecy
🔥Elemental magic system
🔥Immersive fantasy world-building

Thaelyn Marren enters the Asgar Training Academy wanting nothing more than to prove herself amongst the other cadets, where she must endure life-threatening trials in the hope of manifesting air, water, fire, or earth magic. Not to mention, a lucky few will pair with dragons who select their riders with ancient instinct, answering only to those whose souls burn bright enough to match their own.

When Thaelyn’s power stirs in ways no instructor can explain, she draws the attention of the crown, particularly Prince Thorne Dareth, a renowned warrior and a dragon rider. Hardened by discipline and haunted by a kingdom he was born to serve, Thorne sees Thaelyn as a danger to the realm and yet is charged with her training. And amidst clashing personalities, an undeniable pull forms between them, potent enough to awaken dark forces that once tore the world apart.

Now rift-born creatures thought to exist only in nightmares are slipping through the cracks of their reality. And as they push the realm toward open war, Thaelyn may be the only one able to stop what’s coming. That is, only if Thorne can choose between loyalty to his crown or the girl whose power could either save their world or bring it to ruin.

AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jill Aster writes epic fantasy romance. She’s a published curriculum writer and holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Her background in education, which earned the distinction of Master Teacher, has refined her storytelling craft, world-building skills, and character development. Obsidian Sky is her debut fantasy romance and the first book in a planned series titled Riftborn. When she is not teaching literature, writing or reading, she enjoys cooking, baking, photography, and spending time with her husband, two adult children, and their pomsky, Onyx.

Jill has loved fantasy books and been mesmerized by dragons since she was a child. When she decided to write her debut novel, Obsidian Sky, she knew it must contain dragons. Her debut novel, Obsidian Sky is book one in the planned Riftborn Series.

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Book Review: REFORMED by Holly Monroe

Welcome to Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy, where it is not to support your supernatural powers but to REFORM them. Go from supernatural to simply natural!

Reformed (The Rift Wars Book 1)

Publication Date: Feb 21

Genre: PNR/ Why Choose/ Academy

Synopsis

In a realm where being supernatural is all but illegal, Stella Mikers has hidden her supernatural spirit and done it well for over a decade. Up against the wire to produce a piece of hard-hitting journalism to solidify her career and no other ideas, she decides it’s time to come out of hiding and embrace what she truly is – a Valkyrie.

She dusts off her wings and goes undercover at Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy, the prison alternative that boasts the ability to turn supernaturals into simplynaturals, removing what makes them different and allowing them to better assimilate into society.

But there is something fishy about a vampire who can now be a phlebotomist and a necromancer who works as a mortician. Stella is determined to discover what is going on behind those golden gates and expose the Academy to the realm.

What she didn’t expect to find at the Academy were starving vampires who wanted to feed from her feet, a shy cyclops suitemate, or a reaper who is sunshine personified. Even one of her simplynatural professors draws her attention in a way she can’t explain. Stella’s plan didn’t include making friends, but now that she has, she’s dead set on doing whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy has a dark secret, and it’s up to Stella to uncover it before all of them are reformed.

*This slow-burn MFMMM book is intended for adult audiences and contains explicit content*

REVIEW

Reform apparently intrigued me, though I have no recollection of requesting an advance copy to review. Either way, being the book lover that I am and loving things all supernatural, I dove into this book with eagerness only to discover if you’ve seen one academia trope, you have seen them all. Sadly, the author did not bring anything new to this trope, if you call it that, or to the characters or the spice. Now, I like my spice in my books, but it has to fit and blend in. It has to make sense; again, to me, it didn’t (I could go on a tangent). 

 Perhaps maybe I’ve outgrown the academy genre, and my reading tastes are changing, yet I still adored The School For Good and Evil.  While it’s labeled a fairy tale and fantasy, it does feature the academy trope, where it is a school for magical young people.

So, is this book terrible? NO! Many will adore this book. Overall, this book was not for me.

Therefore, my rating is ⭐⭐⭐

REFORMED IS AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Holly Monroe reluctantly lives in Florida. She writes fantasy, paranormal, and omegaverse romances with strong female characters and swoon-worthy men who always get their happily ever after. 

Learn more about the author and her books @authorhollymonroe.

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Book Spotlight Thursday: REFORMED by Holly Monroe

Reformed is the first book in a planned four-book series.  This “why choose” paranormal romance series means our MFC Stella will not have to choose between her love interests.

Reformed (The Rift Wars Book 1)

Expected Publication Date: Feb 21

Genre: PNR/ Why Choose/ Academy

Features

- Why choose

- MFMMM

- Academy (prison reform school)

- Mythology and folklore inspiration

- Slow burn

- Virgin MMCs

- Shy cyclops

- Golden retriever reaper

- Hot for teacher

- Mystery to solve

- Politics and subterfuge

In a realm where being supernatural is all but illegal, Stella Mikers has hidden her supernatural spirit and done it well for over a decade. Up against the wire to produce a piece of hard-hitting journalism to solidify her career and no other ideas, she decides it's time to come out of hiding and embrace what she truly is - a Valkyrie.

She dusts off her wings and goes undercover at Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy, the prison alternative that boasts the ability to turn supernaturals into simplynaturals, removing what makes them different and allowing them to better assimilate into society.

But there is something fishy about a vampire who can now be a phlebotomist and a necromancer who works as a mortician. Stella is determined to discover what is going on behind those golden gates and expose the Academy to the realm.

What she didn't expect to find at the Academy were starving vampires who wanted to feed from her feet, a shy cyclops suitemate, or a reaper who is sunshine personified. Even one of her simplynatural professors draws her attention in a way she can't explain. Stella's plan didn't include making friends, but now that she has, she’s dead set on doing whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Robert Sinclair’s Reformation Academy has a dark secret, and it’s up to Stella to uncover it before all of them are reformed.

*This slow-burn MFMMM book is intended for adult audiences and contains explicit content.*

​

REFORMED Is Available February 21st (tomorrow!)

Available on AMAZON

BOOK REVIEW COMING SOON!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Holly Monroe reluctantly lives in Florida. She writes fantasy, paranormal, and omegaverse romances with strong female characters and swoon-worthy men who always get their happily ever after.

Holly Monroe reluctantly lives in Florida. She writes fantasy, paranormal, and omegaverse romances with strong female characters and swoon-worthy men who always get their happily ever after.