Secret Legacy is a promising start for a new adult /paranormal mystery series .

What I liked
1. School settings provide structure to what type of events can be expected in a story .
2. Main character hadn’t started university at the younger age most readers anticipate.
3. Despite being the start of a series the book works well as a stand alone.

What I didn’t like as much

1. We don’t get a great explanation of why she accepts the offer to attend a school she did not apply to and believes she does not belong at .

2. Instant love strikes again. While further books in the series may build the love interest up some more I do not have much invested in a relationship that forms before we have had time to even know the character.

Who would I recommend this one for ?

Readers of the throne of glass series will enjoy this female led paranormal tale.

I enjoyed this book but did not love it. I was kept interested by the family secrets and discovering more about Autumn’s family, her past and her powers. Unfortunately, the insta-love fell short for me. I did not feel a connection between Wade and Autumn. There relationship lacked any spark. Also, the possible love triangle with Colt really turned me off. I personally hate love triangles. I am not sure I will continue with the series.

Thank you Netgalley and author for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Secret Legacy will be released on September 15, 2020.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Seeing this book available for request, I knew I had to give it a shot. Not only did I like the cover but it is about witches...which I also love(see what I did there?). I personally really liked it but I can clearly see that the reviews are very mixed when it comes to this book. People seem to either really like it or really hate it. Much like with most other books, did I like it the whole entire way? Heck no...But I liked it enough to keep going... We start with Autumn Blackwood receiving an acceptance letter from a magical school she didn't even apply to. Okay, that's kinda weird but hey, it's already paid for, why wouldn't you go? And did I mention these kids have powers? Cool, right? Autumn meets Wade in a cemetery and when they start talking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I knew I might befriend them myself. :) Buffy and I go way back. So, blah blah blah, Autumn thinks about backing out of the school for this boy she literally just met and fell in love with and if THAT had happened, I would have given up right there. I cannot stand when someone gives a big thing up for anyone else. The big things are meant to happen. So she goes off to school and starts meeting new(new to her) people and learning about what powers she might have. She sees the ghost of her dead greatgreatgreatgreat grandmother who seems to be trying to tell her something. And at one point she learns something HUGE about herself...but then also learns something huge about Wade. It can't all be good right? In book two, whenever that happens, I guess we will explore what happens in that story... hopefully it isn't too far in the future as I will forget all about what is going on right now.

I really enjoyed reading the book because it was an interesting story with a well written plot and good writing style. It was easy to find in the story and the characters were authentic and well described.

So, it took me a little while to get really invested in this story but the more I kept reading the more I liked it. Wade is sweet and mysterious and definitely my favorite character so far. Autumn is a good character as well and I’m rooting for her and Wade to keep their relationship going. I am not a fan of Colt but I also hate the majority of “the other guy” characters in general. Love triangles really grind my gears so I’m hoping Autumn doesn’t allow him to screw up her thing with Wade.

Thanks Netgalley for letting me check this book out!

This was a nice solid book. I loved the characters and felt like the storyline kept me on my toes. Although I did wish that the book had a more adult vibe instead of ya.

Español:

Este libro lo solicité ya que la sinopsis me llamó mucho la atención.

Nos cuenta la historia de Autumn Blackwood, quien es admitida en Windhaven Academy sin saber como, ya que ella no llenó la solicitud. Esto la lleva a vivir de vuelta a la mansión Blackwood con su padre y a partir de allí conocerá los misterios que rondan su pasado. Ah y antes de mudarse conoce a Wade, un chico perfecto del que se enamora.

Debo decir que el concepto está muy bueno, pero creo que falló en ejecución. El cliché del instalove con Wade se sintió tan falso que nunca pude conectar con esa pareja. La relación de hermanos de Cat y Colt tampoco se siente tan real. Además quedaron algunos cabos sueltos que espero se cierren en la siguiente parte.

Vamos con lo bueno: los capítulos cortos están muy bien y la forma de escribir de la autora te mantiene atrapado y el final te deja con ganas de saber más. El personaje con más aristas y de quien me gustaría saber más es Dominic.

En fin, veremos que trae la segunda entrega.

“Netgalley me dio esta copia a cambio de una reseña honesta.”
——————————————————————————-

English:

I requested this book since the synopsis caught my attention.

This book is about Autumn Blackwood, who is admitted to Windhaven Academy without knowing how, since she did not fill out the application. This leads her to live back to the Blackwood mansion with her father and from there she will know the mysteries that haunt her past. Oh, and before moving, she meets Wade, a perfect boy she falls in love with.

I must say that the concept is very good, but I think it failed in execution. The instalove cliche with Wade felt so false that I could never connect with that couple. Cat and Colt's sibling relationship doesn't feel that real either. There were also some loose ends that I hope will be closed in the next part.

Let's go with the good: the short chapters are very good and the author's way of writing keeps you trapped and the end leaves you wanting to know more. The character with the most edges and who I would like to know more about is Dominic.

Anyway, we'll see what the secuel brings around.

"Netgalley gave me this copy in exchange for an honest review."

I loved the premise of this story. And I really think it can be great. But there are a couple of things that didn't sit well with me while I was reading. The writing itself is fairly choppy, there are some confusing inconsistencies and gaps throughout the book, and the lead character's voice is extremely juvenile to me despite being in her 20s.
I would love to see where the story ends up going, but I'm not sure yet if I'm going to commit to three more books.

I read the whole book in a few hours. It is a New Adult paranormal romance. When 20 year old Autumn is unexpectedly accepted into a university for people with paranormal abilities, she moves back home with her father to attend the school although she didn't apply and doesn't think that she has paranormal abilities.. It was interesting enough for me to read it all, and I gave it a 3 star rating on Goodreads. I hope that people enjoy it. Thank you.

I love a book that leaves you wanting more and this book really nails it.

This story starts with the main character just trying to learn more about herself and her family but is she ready to get the answers she’s looking for ? The main character Autumn jumps feet first into the world of magic after years of wishing for it and makes some friends along the way. With many dark twists and turns this book more than delivers on keeping you on the edge of your seat. I only wish I had gotten to know the characters a bit better. Although I am also left with the sneaky suspicion that it was very intentional that you are left wanting to know more. This left me struggling to get into the beginning of the book because I look for a little more depth in character relationships.

All of that being said I personally haven’t read anything like this book and I am very excited to see where this story goes.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Yes, it drew me in with a cool magic university and magical powers and such but I got really annoyed with how everybody but Autumn was in on a secret and they couldn't just tell her, but led her around to books and unhelpful hints. That really irritates me when that happens in books.

Other than that though, I enjoyed reading it, even though it ended on a cliffhanger and many unanswered questions. Autumn was cool (though I am iffy about Wade) and her friends Cat and Colt were neat. This was a fast read and I think I would have liked it better if the other books were out so I could get the answers.

Ok from my rating you have guessed that this wasn’t a perfect book for me but it is a promising beginning to the series. Autumn was an odd protagonist as she’s twenty years old , still hasn’t started college and has dialogue and internal monologues that felt dated as if someone much older was speaking for her. Plus the fact that she sits around in a cemetery was just such a ridiculous cliche.
Now having said all that I did like that there’s a school for those with paranormal gifts although why Autumn would accept an offer to go there believing she had no magical abilities totally baffled me. Her mother works hard for her living whilst Autumns estranged father who she decides to live with lives in relative luxury which wasn’t really explained very well. Autumn has an instant boyfriend ( honestly I rolled my eyes at that although Wade is perhaps the most interesting character ) and quickly makes friends. What completely saved this book from a lower rating was the final third because then it got really interesting and yes I would like to find out a lot more about what Autumn can do and just why Wade is really in her life.
So perhaps not exactly what I had hoped for but as a YA novel it took the idea of a magical school and gave it a new twist which I liked.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

This book was received as an ARC from Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have been searching for a long time a series that's as good as the House of Night series by P.C and Kristin Cast and I can't stop smiling from ear to ear. Autumn struggles in finding herself when all her friends keep telling her she possesses the great power and as she uncovers her powers she also uncovers secrets of the Blackwood Manor that will change her life for the test of time. The discussions that will generate from our YA readers will be so intriguing that I can't wait to hear.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Nice start but somewhat lost towards the middle and nice tie in to the next novel in the series. I felt this started pretty strong and then lost me for a little bit and then picked me back up. All in all it was a good read, nice story line with interesting characters. Although enjoyable it felt a bit forced and lackluster in cohesion of events and pulling all the parts together. I do love the idea of a magical school and getting powers and belonging but felt that the characters could have been developed a bit more.

This book had me hooked, and quite quickly. The first book in the Windaven Witch Series, and it really lives up to the supernatural elements it promises

Twenty year old Autumn Blackwood is preparing to head to college when she mysteriously gets an acceptance letter to Windhaven Academy, a school for those with supernatural abilities. In the letter she is told all her fees have been paid for. Unsure if she should go, her new boyfriend, Wade, convinces her to give it a try and see what her magical abilities might be. Thus begins a new stage in Autumn's life full of secrets and unexplained occurrences. Will Autumn figure out what is happening before it's too late?

This book has an interesting premise, and I liked where it was trying to go, but it felt flimsy, with underdeveloped characters, no world building, and a number of plot holes. The MC, Autumn, gets into a magical school. She and her mom automatically know exactly where the envelope is from when they receive it in the mail. So everyone knows about the supernatural? They live side by side? What are the rules? Where is the world building that creates this setting and information? Autumn is also 20....and just going away to school? Her insta-love boyfriend (this relationship is so ridiculous), Wade, is 23...and still waiting a year to go to college? Why have they both waited years?

As the story progresses Autumn moves in with her estranged father, and makes some new friends at her new school. I was really confused about this school however. With guidance counselors, a lunch room, bells that ring to signal class changes, and no dorms....this is high school...not college. College does not work like this. The actions and reactions of the characters read as high schoolers as well, not young adults in their 20's.

The story is full of potential with family secrets and an unknown magical world, and was an easy and quick read. It just wasn't developed enough for me to really enjoy it.

*I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

🔮 this was a super quick easy read.

Autumn is living her normal life wither her normal mum in a normal town. She receives a letter with her acceptance into Windhaven and all fees paid offer. She doesn’t know if she has powers or not so she struggles when deciding what route to go down.

Just as she decides it’s time to go and see if she fits in at Windhaven she meets Wade in the cemetery. They instantly fall for each other. He’s new in town and is looking after his sick grandfather as he’s got no family left. He’ll be joining her in Westhaven next semester.

They both go to orientation day and get sent home as two girls go missing. On their way back to the car Autumns car gets keyed by a young man. She doesn’t understand what it means. Veritas vos liberabit.

She befriends Cat and Colton the twins and Dominic (the guy to keyed her car) There’s a secret and everyone knows but Autumn. She’s lead down a path and her past starts to unfold. She’s missing years of her life.

Her friends, who happen to be her old friends help her piece things together but ultimately she has to figure her gifts out herself. Dominic the vandal sees things and knows she won’t safe with wade. I’m so exciting to see what comes next for Autumn.

My first NetGally book and I really enjoyed it! Thank you so much @carissa I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Also 50% of Royalties Donated to the American Cancer Society!

I enjoyed this new series of witches and the magical world around them. Lots of mystery surrounding Autumn, her family and history. In fact there are so many questions to be answered about everyone and everything this book certainly has left the reader wanting more in the second book. I hope some questions are answered a little quicker it was a little frustrating.
This has been a lighter, not so dark and dangerous as some alternatives in this genre.
Had a feel of young adult witches and romances reads which was a nice change for me.

I enjoyed this book. With all the heavy stuff that I tend to read, I like to break it up and read some young adult books too. The book kind of hooked me right in the beginning and pulled me along, making my reading progress because I wanted to find out more and more. An easy, quick read, with well detailed characters and a plot line that could have used a little tweaking but was lovely just the same.

My personal quirks were how the characters consistently seems trail off when they were speaking. As I was reading that I was like finish your sentence! But that's just a pet peeve of mine. The second thing that I don't like in books how quickly couples come together, it's like instapot love. It just doesn't happen that way in real life. I did like the conversations and the relationships, some did feel a little stiff and stilted, but I think that's part of being in that age group - the awkwardness and the fragility. I was hoping to learn more about their supernatural abilities but, being that this is book one in the series, I'm assuming we're going to learn more in further books.

I did enjoy it and I think that it's a great book for young adults. I would buy it for my 16 year old niece.

I would like to thank Carissa Andrews, Author Revolution/ Independent Book Publishers Association and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is set in the future, a whole four years from now. I found this an unnecessary detail. The world is not going to change so drastically in a paranormal sense.  The entire book served as an overall prolonged world-building exercise. The author was only using this book as a set up for a more extensive series. It took far too long for anything to really happen that I struggled to stay interested. I also have issues with the ages of the characters. Autumn is 2o and only just getting started with college. Wade is 23, and he is deferring a year before he even starts. The characters would be more likeable if they were younger, I also hated the insta love. Autumn just meets Wade and shes thinking about giving up going to Windhaven.  That was so unbelievable, it almost turned me off the whole book. 

I did like the idea of the book, discovering family secrets, unknown powers etc. not enough time was devoted to this. There was great potential in this book, but the author was too bogged down by a need to developed a magical world that she lost the whole story. I do think this series deserves a second chance so I will give the second book a chance, but The author really needs to up her game. 

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.