DNF @ 15%
I mostly requested this book because I’ve heard such great things about this author and wanted to give her a try. Also, the premise does sound very cool. The first couple pages, the writing threw me off. It definitely wasn’t mind blowing but it also was just clunky. Even for a teenagers pov it read as very awkward. The explanations about how humanity is stuck in between a war of heaven and hell got my attention and I wanted to learn more about it, despite not liking the writing.
Unfortunately, the side character came along. Our possibly only black/hispanic character in the whole book and she is written in a very stereotypical way. Loud, bitchy, rude, mother abandoning her to demons. Now that isn’t stereotypical but to have no father and then have the mother abandon her, that’s stereotypical. A harmful one at that. Reading her character descriptions immediately turned me off from the book.
Personally for me, I couldn’t continue after that. The not so great writing, the stereotypes, and the fact that I know this is going to be a chosen one story where our main character is an idiot makes me not want to finish.

BOOK: FALLEN ACADEMY: YEAR ONE
AUTHOR: LEIA STONE
PUB DATE: MARCH 202
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I literally read this book in a couple of hours, four hours top. My favorite thing about this book? The cliches! It was a typical YA novel about a special girl with mysterious powers and a handsome love interest, and I loved it. This means a lot to me because it has been a while since I read a YA book that I liked , and I didn't get bored. In addition to this, I loved the world building. It was interesting, and I can't wait to see more of this world!
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I liked the FMC, Brielle. She was someone who wanted to be free, and I loved her love for her friends and family. She's also brave and willing to put in the work to be stronger. I saw her grow from someone who was scared about what her powers would be to someone who has gained a little bit of confidence about her powers and who she is.
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I also liked the side characters consisting of the male love interest, Lincoln and her best friend, Shea. They were an amazing support group to our FMC and they all put their lives on the line for each other. Of course, I liked Lincoln the best! I can't wait to see more of his relationship with Brielle.
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This first book was mainly about introduction, reading about Brielle getting her powers and settling in school. I only got a hint of what's actually happening with the angels and demons. But, I don't mind, I can't wait to see what's coming for the characters in the sequels. I have high expectations
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This book was amazing, and I'm sure you would love this if you love YA and fantasy.
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Wonderful ya novel. Author did a great job. Who doesn't live angels and demons. I can't wait for the coming series.

Fallen Academy: Year One by Leia Stone is an action-packed fantasy novel set in a world where angels and demons battle for control, and humans bear the consequences. The story follows Brielle, a girl born with dark magic in a society where angel-blessed abilities are prized. Expecting to be enslaved to demons, she’s shocked when she’s granted entry into Fallen Academy, a school for the gifted. As she trains alongside powerful students—including the infuriatingly handsome Lincoln—she uncovers secrets about her abilities and the war raging around her.

The book delivers fast-paced action, humor, and a strong heroine who refuses to back down. The chemistry between Brielle and Lincoln adds tension, though their romance follows familiar tropes. With engaging world-building and plenty of twists, this is a fun read for fans of supernatural academy stories.

I loved the world we are put in. It reminded me of the TV show Angel mixed in with Fourth Wing. In this world humans inherit either angelic or demon powers when the turn 18. They are then enrolled in an academy to learn how to use these gifts. Our main fc is bonded to a demon as payback for her mother's deal. When she gains her gifts its determined she must go to angel academy. There she forms a squad of friends and they work together to pass first year. I really enjoyed this and moved 9n to book 2 already. Its part of a 5 book series!!
4.25

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I have enjoyed everything I’ve ever read by Leia Stone and this was no exception. This book felt like Zodiac Academy but with not so much bullying. So maybe a more tame version.

I actually read this book in one sitting and never got bored. It sucked me in from the beginning and I was hooked. Now I can’t wait to read the rest!
4/5 stars and I will buy a physical copy for my shelf.

I’m thrilled with how this turned out! I finished it in just a day and a half—which says a lot considering I have two kids under three. Urban fantasy is definitely my thing, and this story delivers. In this world, humans accidentally inherit angelic or demonic powers due to a war between the two sides. At 18, their fate is revealed, and they begin training at the corresponding academy.

I have to say, a few moments gave me serious Fourth Wing vibes in the best way possible!

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks bloom books for providing an advanced reader’s copy 🤎

(Star rating rounded up from 3.5 stars)

It took me a little while to get into this book. It was not until after we passed the description that can be found on the back of the book that I really started to get into it. Then, I was pleasantly surprised along the way.

I would describe this book as a combination of Fourth Wing (but with demons and not dragons) and the Covenant Series by Jennifer Armentrout.

The conflict of this story was what was really fun to me. Our FMC is super special, so of course, the bad guys are after her while she is just trying to make it through her first year of Fallen Academy. And she has a big 'ol crush on one of her trainers (think Daughter of No Worlds in terms of grumpy x grumpy relationship).

I liked the magical world that we find ourselves in: Angels and Demons were fighting, and they brought their fight to earth, causing humans to gain either Angel or Demon abilities. Now, the world is nothing like it was before, and you need magic in order to survive - which is ruled entirely by luck.

Lincoln, the MMC, was fun. He is grumpy, he has super cool abilities, and he is incredibly good at fighting.

What caused my rating on this book to drop is the massive jumps in time. Six months pass in a single sentence. Then two months. Then another few weeks. I know that not everything needs to be in the book, and I do think that the length of this book is perfect, but the jumps in time were super jarring. The title of this book indicates that we are focusing on Year One, but we skip huge portions of said year one. I honestly would've rather thought that the school years in this book were super short rather than missing these huge chunks of time. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and their relationships because we don't really get to see them develop.

Will I continue to read this series? Probably, but not right away. I'm not super jumpy to get the next book, but if the opportunity arises to read it, I definitely will.

This book is single POV, with a female narrator. It is in first person and falls under 250 pages. This book falls into the category of YA.

Thank you very much to NetGalley, Leia Stone, and Sourcebooks: Bloom Books for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and in no way are influenced by the manner in which I received it.

I think I underestimated me liking this. I knew going into it that it would be ya but I think it was just a little to much of a young adult story. Our main character says things that little kids would say like what the what or frick and I kind of got turned of by the childish saysing every five seconds. All that to say I do think this story has a audience I just don’t think it’s me.

Leia Stone delivered a captivating and fast-paced story that held me spellbound. I flew through the pages, and the story has stayed with me since. While the plot and characters were engaging, the writing style, unfortunately, felt too simplistic at times. The use of contemporary slang in a historical or fantasy setting created a disconnect, which I found distracting. Nevertheless, the compelling plot and the promise of more Brielle's adventures have me eagerly awaiting the sequel.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for this ARC.

I enjoyed this read. It was quick and easy to read, and full of action. I liked the world of angels and demons, as well as the academy setting. Sometimes I felt the writing was a bit hurried but it did add to the pacing of the novel. Intrigued to see what happens next!

This book was a fun read. You have enemies to lever romance and a mfc that takes no prisoners. Plenty of quirkiness to make it fun and down to earth as well as magic and romance to help capture the reader

Fast paced and action packed, i sucked in from the very beginning. Stones writing was superb and so easy to read and follow along.

I have enjoyed Leia Stone's books and really liked this one as well. I liked the world of demons and angels created and told about in the book. Brielle is a strong character and very loyal. I like the Academy world in the book. I enjoyed all the supporting characters. All of the young men to help Brielle help her figure her powers, what's not to like. Especially Lincoln. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.

When the archangels fell to Earth to war with the demons, humans were caught in the crossfire and infected with magic. Our FMC, Brielle, is stuck between worlds, appearing to be both angel blessed and demon cursed.
I absolutely fell in love with her sass and the way she carried herself. It was the perfect, realistic combination for someone who just turned 18, which I think some readers forget that she is so young.
Brielle is incredibly loyal, and I thought her dedication to her best friend Shae made for a great relationship. The way Shae and Brielle interact and become friends with others at the academy really brought out that found family aspect, which I always enjoy.
The book is definitely easy to read and fast paced so it’s never boring. I think the book also nicely set up for the continuation of the series and I’m excited to read more in this world!

This one is for anyone who was obsessed with the fallen angel YA in the 2000s. It’s such a quick, fun read. Definitely recommending this to some of my teens who love a lighthearted paranormal fantasy!

4.5 ⭐️
This was a fun addictive read! In a world where the archangels fell to earth to war with the demons. In the process humans are infected with magic from the crossfire. You are either demon blessed or angel blessed. What a cool magic system!
This was easy to understand without a bunch of info dumping. Fast paced and I never got bored. The characters were easy to love, and I can’t wait to get into the next one. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC copy. 🫶🏻

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# Pages: 352
Publication Date: 03.18.25

“When the angels fell from Heaven and warred on Earth with Lucifer and his demons, powers flared out like the aurora borealis, infecting most of humanity. The Falling turned most of us into some sort of supernatural creature and left the rest human. Your gift depended on whether an angel or demon's power touched you during the fight.”

🪽 Paranormal Romantasy
🪽 Urban Fantasy
🪽 Dark Academia
🪽 Angels & Demons
🪽 Magic
🪽 Forbidden Romance
🪽 High Stakes

**The first in the thrilling Fallen Academy series, sitting at the sweet spot between romantasy and dark academia, with an apocalyptic war between angels and demons thrown in for good measure. Get ready for your new obsession.**

“Fallen Academy: Year One” by Leia Stone is a quick but detailed read. I would not classify it as YA but more NA with detail the book does go into. I did enjoy the concept of Angels and Demons fighting on earth and humans being recruited. The character development was good for a short read. More detail would have been nicer. However, I think it opens up the door for the next of book to go in many different directions and set the rest of the series up. I am excited to read the rest of the books and see how it all goes.

Brielle, our FMC, during her awakening ceremony has a big surprise that happens. It leaves her shocked and shapes the start of her journey. She starts to learn her role and the importance she will play. I have a feeling she will be a badass. I don’t want to go into more detail to not give anything away.

Lincoln, of MMC, becomes her mentor. He is handsome, just as much as he is stubborn. You can tell he tries to resist the urge and attraction to Brielle. With the high stakes happening, he will do anything to keep her safe.

Overall, I did enjoy the read. I think the author laid down some great ground work. The start to the world building and character development is enough to keep me intrigued. The chemistry of our main characters leaves so many questions and I can’t wait to get those answers.

Thank you netgalley and Sourcebooks bloom books for this ARC read.

Thank you to Bloom Books, Leia Stone, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of Fallen Academy: Year One in exchange for my honest review.

Fallen Academy: Year One is a fun young adult fantasy romance novel that takes place during a war between angels and demons. During the war an accident happened, and many of the humans were granted magical powers, either angel powers or demonic powers. Their powers have been locked away until they turn 18, when they are revealed during a ceremony. Brielle is bound for tainted academy having sold herself into slavery to save her father as a kid. When it is revealed that she has celestial powers, she is taken to Fallen City and soon finds herself at the center of the war.

This book was a lot of fun. It was not something that felt super serious, just a fun fast-paced novel with a fun plot and good character development. It definitely felt like a book that was meant for young adults, which is why I would consider it to be a fun read. It was something that I enjoyed reading and was able to remain engaged in despite not being the target audience. I will say I am excited for Year Two to be published because I think that it will be a good time. I truly appreciate books that are a good pallet cleanser where I do not have to think too hard while I am reading it. I was able to remain engaged and loved all the different side characters that were included. Did some things feel like they were resolved too easily? Yes, but I also think given the age demographic the way things were solved was appropriate, versus if it was an adult novel. I think there are going to be a lot of readers who really enjoy this book, and I will say, Leia Stone is slowly becoming an auto-buy author for me because I truly enjoy her books.

I have recently started reading leia stone’s books and I have fallen in love with them! The story was well written and the romance in this book was great!