Okay listen. I’m not a literary critic, I review books based on ✨vibes✨ — and the vibes here were amazing.😌
Was the writing perfect? Not necessarily. Sometimes it was clunky, a little repetitive, descriptions that made me go “wait what??” because things were happening but like… why though? But did I care? No. I got over it fast because I was having so much fun. This book gave me fated mates, magic academy, secret societies, assassins, TRIALS (inspired by greek mythology so think labyrinth, medusa, etc..), and even a one-bed moment (hehe).

Also. The MMC?? Obsessed. With. Her. She literally shows up planning to kill him and he’s like “mhm, let’s turn this into a date” and sets her up a full BUFFET. I mean?? This man said: “On the days I don’t see her, I think about her, and the days that I do see her, I still can’t stop thinking about her.” And I just—!!! Yes please, thank you very much.

Anyway. I loved it. Might not be for everyone. Bring on book two.

I received an ARC of this book and it was a fun and enjoyable read. It had everything I wanted from a YA romantasy - an assassin FMC, a charming prince MMC, lots of tension, angst & yearning, a dual POV, secret societies, found family, lots of magic, and an inn with *only one* bed!!

The FMC was likable and strong — we got snippets of her story, but it feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface in this first installment and there’s a lot more to learn about her story. It will be interesting to explore more of her past in future books.

The greek mythology aspect of the story was well done — it was woven through the story seamlessly and my favorite part was the emergence of some Greek mythology inspired creatures toward the end of the book.

All in all, this was a fun and engaging story perfect for young teens (there is no spice - only fade to black scenes) or those who love YA romantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ever King for the arc for an honest review.


Kiara is on a mission to end the Prince and thus the royal bloodline. She successfully infiltrates the Magic Academy and discovers a shocking truth. She has Magic. Magic that will change everything. Whilst fighting for her own survival she must choose between completing her mission or saving the world with the man she was sent to kill.
What will Kiara do?


I really enjoyed this book.
The characters are badass, mysterious with a touch of sweetness thrown in too.
I loved the dual POV following Kiara and Lucian throughout the story.
If you're into enemies to lovers, secret societys, mysterious characters and deadly trials then this dark academia book is for you!

For those who like magic or really enjoyed reading Zodiac Academy, this is a book you’ll fall for. It has magic Academy’s secret societies and of course, a villain.

She has come to kill the prince. It’s just a job. This isn’t any different than things she’s done before or so she thinks. She’s one of the nameless and this is going to help the kingdom…

He is a princeling. He has his group of friends that are all in his secret society and have his back always. But things are not always as they seem.

One faithful meeting, a sorting ceremony of sorts and a hidden bombshell start the series with a bang.

Get ready to jump into a quick paced action with a side of interest inflamed in interesting ways.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you so much and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I reached eight percent of the book before deciding to mark it as dnf, mostly because I kept fiding plot holes- like how the fmc was mistaken for a mage among the crowd even though she hadn't put on the green uniform everyone else was wearing.

The writing was easy and smooth to read and even though I wasn't into the story, I was never bored as there was alot going on, but not to the point that it was confusing or had to reread a sentence to process it.

If I had read this in my early teens, I would probably have enjoyed it.

This is such a fun ride! I loved the magic system and the dark academia feel of this book! Can’t wait for the second one!

I loved the magic system in this book and the secret society really attracted me to this novel. Both didn't disappoint.

I loved the dark academia magic vibes and I especially liked how the two main characters were well developed and fleshed out while at the same time being romantic and not taking away from the wider plot.

I especially enjoyed that the side characters were well rounded and contributed well to the plot in their own right.

I loved the unique magic system and how fast and well done the world building was. It was so easy to immerse myself into the world and focus on the story! I also loved how strong the FMC was and how she was able to meld into the world even though she didn't feel like she could fit in. She still showed some vulnerability which was a refreshing change. I also loved the academy atmosphere and wished we could have gotten more of that. While there was one point of confusion with a location change, I did not feel that it took away from the storyline at all. I cannot wait to read book 2!

I just finished Academy of Villains by Ever King, and I am absolutely empty now that I finished it—in the best way. This book delivered everything I crave in a fantasy: high stakes, rich worldbuilding, magnetic characters, and a magic system that felt both fresh and deeply immersive.

Our fierce FMC, Kiara, is no ordinary protagonist. Stolen from her childhood and shaped into a lethal weapon by “The Nameless,” a covert assassin program, she is cold, calculated, and undeniably compelling. Her mission? Infiltrate the elite Academy of Magic, track down the cursed prince, and end his life to save a kingdom shrouded in darkness. But nothing is ever that simple. She must remember “without question, without fear.”

Enter Lucien Darkwing—the cursed prince himself. And let me just say: he has firmly claimed a spot in my top five book boyfriends. For those who fell for Xaden Riorson, Lucien is going to steal your heart (and probably your soul). He’s a dark, dangerous, and devastatingly charming shadow-wielder, and yet still feels entirely his own. Every scene with him crackles with intensity.

As the story unfolds, Kiara discovers she possesses a rare and long-lost magic—one that might be the key to breaking the curse strangling their realm. Together, she and Lucien must face ancient trials, unravel tangled secrets, and confront a kingdom corrupted from within. Their connection is electric, their mission nearly impossible—and I couldn’t tear myself away.

The magic system in Academy of Villains was pure brilliance—so vivid it felt like I could grab a grimoire and start casting spells myself. This was a five-star read through and through. Huge thanks to Ever King for crafting such an immersive, unforgettable world. I’m already itching for the next installment!

This book is set at an academy for people have magic and our main character, Kiara, is an assassin on a mission to kill the prince and ends up at the academy and finds out that she has magic. The setting was written so well and I loved reading about the different places at the school. While trying to navigate learning she has magic and completing her mission more and more secrets are being revealed.

The first half of this book was amazing but I feel like pacing in the second half was off and everything felt very rushed. Because of the book feeling rushed there isn’t a ton of world building and I feel like it was hard to really get to know the characters. The concept of this book is great I just wish it had been split into two books so everything could be expanded on.

Your new fantasy obsession - well developed world, enemies to lovers with strong female and male, assassins, secret academy societies, hidden magic, secrets, prophesies, trials, self-discovery, and a definite slow burn with a lot of sizzle (and a bit stabby)! Complex and fast moving plot with a lot of characters and interactions, keeps you totally addicticted from beginning to end.

This was an interesting start to what seems like will be a great series! I do feel the pacing was a little off but can see others really enjoying the roller coaster type speed. From the first chapter the eerie, dark vibes are there and you can immediately feel the FMCs anger and frustration with the world! Again the pacing was a bit hard for me but the ending does leave you hooked ready for the next book. Interesting concept and looks to be a good YA series!

Thank you so much to Ever King and Everkingdom for the eARC of this book. This was a great book, first time read from Ever King for me. It was a true YA closed door romance. It was a perfect dark Fantasy story!

This was such a fun dark academia read. The writing was geared to the YA/closed door romance lovers, and it is a must read for anyone who had a fascination with Greek mythology as a kid. Kiara and Lucien are such interesting characters, uncovering secrets on every page and learning that they are destined to be more.

Okay, this book is everything I didn’t know I needed. It gives major Wizarding World “fanfic in the best way possible” vibes. Think: Hogwarts but make it college-aged, a little morally darker, dripping with tension—both magical and romantic and if the Wizarding World had a king—Grindelwald-style—and the mages and non-mages were at war, both sides thinking they’re the good guys. Then add is some Greek mythology, fated mates and secret societies and you’ve got this romantasy recipe you can’t put down!

The pacing? Fast from page one and never lets up, but still super easy to follow. And although the world feels familiar with the magic academy and elemental houses, it is totally fresh at the same time.

Kiara, our badass FMC, is basically a no-magic assassin who is set on ending the war on her people and breaking the Kings curse by assassinating the prince. And the Cursed Prince? Morally gray and intense in the best way. Their slow-burn romance simmers. Honestly, I can’t wait for this book to blow up like Fourth Wing or ACOTAR.

If you love character-driven stories, magical chaos, secret societies, Greek myth inspo, morally grey characters, and just the right balance of action and emotional stakes — Academy of Villains is your next obsession!

This is a hard one to review, because there's a sort of divide for me in the book. I will say though, that I love, love, LOVE the concept and need book 2 immediately so take the negatives with a grain of salt.

The first 50-60% felt rushed for me. It kinda felt like an info dump that needed to be in two books, not one. There seemed to be more going on and less world building/character building than I like in a story.

HOWEVER

The last part of the book is *chefs kiss* Give me more. I'm leaving it at that because I can't say more without spoiling things

Absolutely loved this! It’s such a fun, addictive read with a fantastic magic system, secret societies, and some challenging trials thrown in. Lucian and Keira are both strong, layered characters with amazing chemistry. Their romance is definitely a key part of the story, but it never takes over the plot—which I really appreciated. If you’re into dark academia vibes with magic, mystery, and a bit of spice, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

I LOVED this story! Think Harry Potter but make it Slytherin, add a FMC assassin who wants to kill the prince, a fated romance that binds them, and Greek mythology references and you’ll have this baby. SO good.

You follow Kiara who is an assassin for the king as she infiltrates the magic academy to kill the prince only to be thrown into the schools magical sorting ceremony where she finds out she has not only magic, but celestial magic—long thought to be eradicated.

Kiara finds out that not everything is as it seems as she has to work together with Prince Lucian to break the curse on the kingdom and his lineage. You get to follow along through magic classes and trials as they work to solve the mysteries and curses.

This is exactly what I wanted in a story and would highly recommend picking up immediately for older teens, young adults, or even older adults if you are like me and love these types of vibes.

This is for you if you love:
✨ Fast paced plot
✨ Fated lovers/heartstrings
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Tension and yearning
✨ Slow burn romance (mostly kissing, one closed door sex scene)
✨ Dark academia Slytherin vibes magical academy
✨ Cursed kingdoms
✨ Greek mythology references
✨ Secret societies
✨ Strong brotherhood
✨ Strong FMC

I can’t wait to see what else this series has in store. Each new book will follow a new couple as it adds on to the current ongoing story line! Book 2 follows Lyla and Bastian and I can’t wait!!

Thank you so much to Ever King and NetGalley for providing this arc. All opinions are my own.

Academy of Villains

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+ .5
(Re-read updated copy from NetGalley)
🫑(closed door)(upper YA)(a bit steamy)

Going into this I barreled through, and was so captivated by the world building, the characters, and the plot. I liked how easy it was to follow, but unique as anything!
And Assassin and Cursed Prince? Oh baby I’m there! I love this plot line and I def have questions….
An absolutely fierce FMC and an obsessed MMC. I love this dynamic and I love Lucien and Kiara.
Plus the romance was very alluring and complex, which made it realistic for me.
As the story got more complex, I was felt such anticipation and anxiety for the characters’ upcoming trials. I like when a book makes my heart race, and this kept me awake.
I will forever love the fated mates troupe, and I think it’s a beautiful and complex part of this story.

I definitely got Harry Potter x Percy Jackson vibes. Honestly it was quite interesting to read the magic system, and the way it’s expressed in the characters.
•
2nd Read:
I still very much enjoyed this and am so excited to start book two. The way this is crafted and nodding back to some of the old legend just ticked that part of my brain and heart that loves storytelling. This is just a great read.

Thanks so much to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!! This is my honest voluntary opinion.

Academy of Villains by Ever King

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this arc.

Overall I enjoyed the book but for me it has a ton of potential, that doesn't quite hit the mark. The parts I really liked were the mythology aspect, the secret societies and the magic system. Other parts of the book were good but not unique enough to stand out.

I liked both Kiara and Lucien as individual characters but some aspects of how their story develops felt rushed. Their relationship which was meant to be enemies to lovers felt like this, as it develops very fast instead of a slow burn. Kiara is introduced to us as an assassin who desperately wants to kill the Crown Prince. She somehow manages to gain entry to the magical school and into a selection ceremony without raising suspicion. A number of chapters later we meet the Headmaster who questions how she got into the school. Whilst Kiara is trying to kill the Prince she also has to battle with the revelation that she herself has magic. Her mage journey seems to be only just beginning and is something I’ll keep wanting to read the series.

Lucian is a well loved prince with a group of friends and protectors. He has the charm and charisma of many MMC’s and also is a shadow wielder (what a surprise). I feel there's far more to his story with his friends and I wish the author dug more into each of them. I know each of the books will focus on one of the friends, but would have been good from Lucians position.

I would have liked to see a bit more of the school as we had parts where it jumped by a week at a time. This would have been a great time to develop the school, classes and some of the side characters like Octavia and Bellatrix.
Overall, I’m curious to read the next book to see how the story develops and learn more about the world.

- Academia
- Mated Love
- Trials
- Shadow daddy