It’s been a while since I started a book and loved every minute of it. There wasn’t a single dull moment in this book. The pacing was fantastic and the world was fascinating that it kept me turning the pages.

I loved the magical system, I could really visualise the runes being cast. The characters you weren’t meant to like, you really didn’t like. The headmaster, for example! He was so annoying and that’s exactly what his character needed.

I loved the lighthearted use of fake swear words. It really amused me. Intrigued to know if that spell sticks outside of Neverthorn.

The secrets littered through the book were masterfully revealed at the right times. Harlow really went on a journey and I was invested in her character’s development throughout.

All in all, I loved it!! It takes a lot for a book to bring out the double exclamation mark. This is everything I want from an urban fantasy book about a magical school. I’m so sad that I have to wait for the next one, I would have happily carried on reading.

I’m so grateful and honoured that I was able to read the e-arc, this book is going to be massive!

I was completely captivated by Neverthorn from the very first page. Shannon Mayer has delivered an absolute knockout with this book. If you’re a fan of Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, or A Deadly Education, you're going to love this book!

One thing that makes Neverthorn stand out is the fact that the FMC Harlow is 29, which is such a change compared to the classic fantasy heroines who are usually more teen than adult. Her grief, resilience, and dry wit are all beautifully written, and it felt so easy to connect with her. Watching her being dragged back into the magical world she walked away from in the first place, and learning to navigate her new life at the Neverthorn Academy was so exciting.

I also loved learning about the magic system and the combination of magical theory, combat training, rune casting, and enchanted jewel theft was so clever. And the slow-burn tension with Professor Typhon? Let’s just say I was hooked. The emotional payoff was 100% worth the wait.

This book was the perfect balance between romance, humour, and suspense. There is growth, friendship, healing, and some underlying sense of hope that makes Neverthorn a book so worth reading.

A Shadowy Return to Magic: A Review of Shannon Mayer's Neverthorn
Shannon Mayer's Neverthorn casts a compelling spell, drawing readers into a darkly enchanting magical academy with a refreshingly seasoned protagonist. Harlow Daygon, a former student who traded spellbooks for thieving enchanted jewels after a personal tragedy, finds herself unexpectedly dragged back to the formidable Neverthorn Academy. This time, it's not for academic pursuits but as part of House Phoenix, a clandestine group of magically gifted misfits tasked with standing against the encroaching darkness of the powerful wizard Nocta.
Mayer masterfully blends familiar tropes of the magical academy setting with a mature and gritty edge. Harlow is no wide-eyed novice; she's a survivor carrying the weight of her past, making her a relatable and engaging lead. Her sharp wit and reluctant heroism inject a welcome dose of realism into a world brimming with potions, rune casting, and looming threats. The supporting cast, particularly the enigmatic and brooding Professor Typhon, Harlow's former classmate and current instructor, adds layers of intrigue and simmering tension. Their history crackles with unspoken words and a compelling dynamic that hints at a slow-burn romance.
The world-building in Neverthorn is rich and detailed, though at times the sheer volume of magical terminology and systems can feel a tad dense initially. However, once the reader finds their footing, the intricate workings of this magical realm become captivating. The narrative weaves a compelling tapestry of mystery and action, with the secrets of Neverthorn Academy slowly unraveling alongside Harlow's own journey of self-discovery and burgeoning power.
The plot moves at a brisk pace, escalating towards a dramatic and twist-filled climax. Mayer skillfully keeps the reader guessing, delivering genuine surprises in the final act that leave a lasting impression and a keen anticipation for the next installment.
For readers who enjoy their fantasy with a touch of darkness, a resilient heroine, and a magical world brimming with secrets, Neverthorn is a captivating read. It offers a fresh perspective on the magical academy genre, proving that sometimes, the most unlikely heroes are the ones who have already faced the shadows.

Neverthorn is so fleshed out, the magical world almost gave me the same feeling as the Potter world does! It did start a bit slower but once it picked up I was completely hooked. Nocta is a menacing villain, while he doesn’t have much page time this still comes across in the way people talk about him. Harlow is so fun to follow, from her humour to her bravery I was rooting for her all the way through. Cannot wait to see where this goes, I hope there is a second book in the not too distant future.

Neverthorn is a fresh and exhilarating twist on the magic academy trope, and it surprised me in the best possible way. Shannon Mayer takes a familiar setting—a school for magic—and injects it with a darker, more grown-up tone that blends mystery, danger, and emotional depth.

Harlow, is not your typical fantasy heroine. At 29, she’s already left the world of magic behind, which makes her return to Neverthorn Academy all the more compelling. There’s something uniquely satisfying about watching a character with real-world baggage try to reclaim lost magic—both literal and metaphorical.

What I really appreciated was the balance between action and introspection. The world Mayer builds is immersive and eerie, filled with strange creatures, secrets, and just enough tension to keep me turning the pages late into the night. The magical elements are fun, but they never overshadow the character development, especially Harlow’s growth as she grapples with her past, her powers, and her place in the world.

That said, some of the language choices—like the euphemisms for swearing—pulled me out of the story occasionally. It felt a little at odds with the otherwise mature tone of the book. Also, while Harlow is supposed to be nearly 30, some of her dialogue and reactions skewed younger at times. But overall, those were small bumps in an otherwise solid read.

The slow-burn romance and the hint of a love triangle added just enough emotional spice without overwhelming the main plot. And the ending? Total cliffhanger. I’m already itching for the sequel.

If you’re looking for a fantasy that delivers both grit and heart, Neverthorn is absolutely worth diving into.

Absolutely loved this dark academia vibe book the fmc is 29 which I think is great! I couldn’t put the book down I was hooked! Definitely a great read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨

Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph and Penguin Random House for the ARC of Neverthorn!

This magical school fantasy has big dark academia energy, with a 29-year-old dropout turned enchanted-jewel thief thrown back into the halls of her old school, where secrets—and a possible prophecy—are waiting to unravel.

I loved the found family vibes of House Phoenix and the dry sarcasm from Harlow, our FMC, even if she read a little young for her age. The “no swearing” rune? Creative but boring by the 30th “fruck.” There’s a hint of romance, but nothing really develops, so don’t go in expecting spice—this one’s slow-burn with the emphasis on sloooow.

The pacing lagged in the middle but picked up massively in the final third, and the ending definitely left me wanting more. I’ll be picking up book two—but I might need a stiff drink to get through another round of “sheet.”

I’ve also preordered the special edition of this 🫶

You know a book is good when you finish it and immediately NEED the second book. Neverthorn was so good, a thoroughly enjoyable read.

We meet our FMC Harlow, a 29 year old magic school dropout, living in the non-magical world. She makes her way in life by working as an enchanted jewel thief while supporting runaway teens, including Opie who was born without magic and abandoned by her family.
When Harlow is captured by her old classmate Typhon (cue brooding love interest) she has no choice but to return to Neverthorn to train with a group of other ex-students who also struggled first time round at the school. A prophecy has foretold that one of them is destined to be the one to defeat Nocta, a powerful dark wizard. They must work together to unlock their powers while discovering the secrets being kept by the school and it's professors.

Things I loved
This book was so fun to read, I couldn't put it down. The FMC is extremely likeable, I felt like you could relate to her reasonings behind her actions. The side characters were all memorable and added to the story. I loved the dynamic of everyone is House Phoenix, real found family vibes. Lots of mystery and slowly finding out things which I love.

Things I didn't love
There could have been more on the romance side of things, just a personal preference. There was a lot of slow burn but it didn't build to anything, but this is left open for future books in the series. The story was a bit predictable but at the same time I didn't mind that, it didn't detract from my enjoyment. The swearing ban was a bit tedious, lots of 'fruck' and 'sheet' which I didn't enjoy, the book did have some real swearing though so I'm hoping this rune can be lifted for book 2.

Overall though I loved this book, I'd probably give it 4.5 stars rather than 5, but as I can't give half stars it feels closer to 5 than 4.
I've got my special edition pre-ordered and I can't wait to receive that.

Thank you to Shannon Mayer, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for this arc copy to review.

Okay, so this is a 4⭐️ rating mainly for the vibes. This book is in no ways perfect, but I read this in two sittings and was hooked nonetheless.

I looove that the FMC isn’t in her teens, and at 29 it is super refreshing. However, I did find her immature most of the time. Instead of sucking it up like an adult when she was forced into situations she didn’t want to be in, she just resorted to trying to run away or get drunk. But! The sarcastic humor and her friendships with her housemates really kept me going.

The romance in this was barely non existent, but there is a will there won’t there with one professor, and a possible lust towards another. I really liked the concept of the bonding link between the FMC and MMC. Especially as she is a bit of a wildfire. There were times that I felt the pacing quite slow, but the last 40% or so went by in such a flash and I devoured every single page!

There were multiple twists throughout the story, and although some are slightly predictable, there were others that threw me, and now I am desperate for a second book! Again, I’m quite glad I didn’t go into this expecting it to be a super serious gothic dark academia book, because it isn’t. But it’s a dark academia fantasy with lots of sarcastic humor, some very morally grey characters, a big bad, and a school with lots of secrets. And I drank it up 🙌🏻

The first half? Stunning. Loved it. The second half? Literally just lost all interest so bad I’m sorry. I won’t be posting a review as I hate posting negative ones & don’t want to impact the writer! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this!

Neverthorn reads like a mash up of The Mortal Instruments meets The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter. In first person, the narrative is from Harlow Daygon's POV who is a Neverthorn Academy dropout, working as a thief, but the school wants her back and they will not take no as an answer. This magical school though is no Hogwarts. With danger and mistrust, Harlow must quickly adapt and learn how to cast runes swiftly, especially as the looming danger of the powerful dark wizard, Nocta, threatens to destroy everything she holds dear.

The concept of having to go back to school, the same one you had as a teenager and now that you're older, is an intriguing idea that gives me the shivers. Now grown up, I would have thought Harlow would bring her life experiences and handle things differently as an adult, but Harlow felt very immature with very little growth throughout. However I did enjoy her wittiness, sarcasm, and her comebacks.

In the first part of the book, there was an opportunity with the rune casting to go into neurodiversity representation, but this was squashed midway. I feel let down by this as it had all of the factors for this type of representation which would have made it a more compelling read. Another thing I feel let down by is the romance. The attempt of a romance triangle as well as showing the love interest Professor Typhon as a 'shadow daddy' felt rushed and not explored to its full potential.

Overall, Neverthorn isn't just a magical wonderous world like Harry Potter or just an action packed scenario with surviving, murderous teenagers like The Hunger Games or a rune casting romance like The Mortal Instruments, but a blend of all of them with humour, friendship, and magical mistakes that don't require a wand.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Michael Joseph for this eARC. This intriguing fantasy takes place at Neverthorn Academy and follows Harlow, who after many years in the non-magic human world has been forced to return to the very place she hated. As much as I enjoyed the premise of this, I would have loved for Harlow to act like the 29 year old she is but it all felt very young, as if the returning mature students were also teenagers. The love interest with Typhon also felt like it fell flat when it had so much potential. I’m interested to see where it goes with book 2.

3.5⭐️. When I first started reading this book, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel. Despite having a heroine in her late 20s, it read very YA (such as “he could shield like a mofo”), which is fine but not my preference. It didn’t help that a rune was placed on the students when they entered Neverthorn, which stopped them from being able to swear. This led to some funny moments but also lent to the general feeling of juvenility. However, I did actually have a lot of fun with the majority of this book. And I think people who enjoyed the writing style of Blood of Hercules might also enjoy this one.

I thought there was the beginning of some really interesting world building. It’s an urban fantasy setting in which there are Dims (humans) and Dwimmers (people with magic). Some Dwimmers also have a Quirk - a singular magical trait that sets them apart from the rest (this could be something minor or something hugely advantageous, like being able to siphon magic off others).

At the start of the book, Harlow is working as a petty thief before finding herself dragged back to Neverthorn Academy, a place she dropped out of as a teenager and had never wanted to return to. There she learns that an evil Dwimmer, Nocta, intends to break through the weave that separates the Dwimmer World and the Everdark – a place where dark magic thrives – allowing the Dwellers who lived there to come across and take over the realm. Harlow is put in House Phoenix with a bunch of other misfits, who are told that they will be the key to saving the Dwimmer world from Nocta.

The found family aspect was a definite highlight, as was Bandit the talking raccoon 🦝. I do think the world building could be developed further, particularly in respect of the enemy (at this stage, we have no idea why he would want to take over the world nor do we really know anything about the Everdark). There are also some smaller aspects (like, at one point near the end, they mention needing to replenish their magic. But it’s never explained how their magic works, how quickly it drains and replenishes etc). I also felt the romance had a really good foundation (slow burn, enemies to lovers) but could have had more tension.

However, the ending was intriguing and I’d be interested to see where the story goes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.

I really, really wanted to like this book. I had such high hopes for it but it sadly fell flat. I didn't get along with the writing style, I thought the FMC seemed far too juvenile for her age and every time there was a 'frunk', 'sheet', or any other fake swear word, I lost the urge to keep reading a bit more.

I am unsure whether this is a YA book or an adult fantasy, but if I had to hazard a guess, it would be YA??? Don't hold me to that though.

Thank you so much for the ARC and I, truly, wish I could have something better to say about it. It just wasn't for me sadly.

A really enjoyable dark academia novel. I enjoyed the school setting, the developing powers of the students and the over arching teachers. A really good read!

Although this book is set in a well travelled magical school trope, it does perform better than many others. My teen granddaughter reports that it is quite good and she likes the world building and the characters.

This was a fun read and had a great setting for a fantasy book, the mix with dark academia really appealed to me. The characters were interesting and engaging to follow and kept me entertained while reading. The plot developed in the way that worked well with the length of the book.

This book has everything. Excitement, intrigue, adventure, found family, friendship, self-discovery, romance and magic.

Shannon Mayer has created a rich world and populated it with interesting, well developed characters.

"Welcome to Neverthorn Academy.

Where a bunch of magical school misfits are about to save the world.

Or, more likely, die trying . . .

--

Since dropping out of Neverthorn Academy, after the death of her mother, Harlow Daygon has been working as an enchanted-jewel thief.

The last thing she expects is for the school to make an offer she can’t refuse: come back to Neverthorn and join seven others with secret magical abilities in House Phoenix. There, they’ll be trained in potions, rune casting and combat.

Because Nocta – a powerful dark wizard who has been plaguing the magical realm for decades – has the mortal world in his sights, and the students of House Phoenix are all that stand in his way.

But Harlow failed at Neverthorn once before. And nothing reminds her of this more than tall, brooding Typhon – Harlow’s old classmate and nemesis – who is now the professor tasked with unlocking her own, special power.

Except Harlow is sure that Typhon and the other professors are hiding a dark secret.

One she must figure out before Nocta arrives to bring about the end of the world . . ."

This book was a bit of a mixed bag, with some aspects I loved and others I wasn't too keen on. The world building starts off pretty good - although later in the book it feels a bit messy. The characters are intriguing to begin with, but then the main character gets annoying. I wasn't convinced by the romance either, which felt quite flat. The magic was interesting and the plot was good, even if the pacing was a bit stop-start. Overall I think plenty of people will love it, but I personally was a bit uncertain.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This book had a lot of elements that I enjoyed and does attract me to a book. This included it having an academic setting where the students are learning to control their magic (very Harry Potter vibes)! We follow our FMC as she goes back to Neverthorn alongside other previous students who all have the potential to be ‘The One’, who will take the place of the last person who’s job it is to protect them from the bad guy. There are some good twists in this and a big secret which our FMC is trying to navigate and understand whilst hiding from her friends and teachers for fear of what it would do if they found out. We see a slight romance / attraction between our FMC and one of her teachers, but I wouldn’t necessarily say this is ‘spicy’ as the book is described.