Akarnae by Lynette Noni is literally everything I look for in a fantasy book. I see a lot of reviews talking about how it's a Harry Potter rip-off, and while there are similarities, I think this book has a life and spirit of its own that was so enjoyable to experience. The components that made this book a 5-star read were the 1) characters, 2) their relationships, 3) the world, and 4) the conflict. So let's break each of those down!

One thing about me is I physically cannot get through a book with boring or dull characters. In Akarnae, there wasn't a single protagonist that I didn't love. The FMC Alex was fiery but compassionate and getting to read about her growth throughout this book as she adjusted to the new world she was thrust into was such a treat. The two close friends she made instantly to help her navigation, Jordan and Bear, were also fun to meet, since they immediately made Alex feel welcome with their warm and witty personalities. The friendship between those three throughout the book was such an important part of what made the book feel alive. And we can't forget the addition to the trio, D.C., who gets off on a shaky start with Alex but then we see them grow their bond and eventually come friends. The found family was such a huge thing about this book that made me love it, and I can't wait to see what is in store for these four in the next books. I'm also intrigued about what's in store for Alex and Kaiden 👀.

Now, with every fantasy novel and every reader, the world-building can be a total make or break. I honestly don't really care about the world being insanely detailed and built—as long as it's unique, makes sense, and there's a bit of history to it, I'm set! And Medora checks all three boxes. The history we learn in this first book is detailed and mysterious, the differences between Medora and regular Earth make it so you're stepping into a whole new world, and most aspects of the world are well thought out and make perfect sense. In this first book, though, we did only stay in Akarnae Academy most of the book, so I do have hopes to explore more of Medora in the next books!!

And lastly, the plot. I may sound crazy for this, but honestly characters are so important to me that I could read the most boring, confusing plot and still eat up every word (I did it with Shadowhunters and Keeper of the Lost Cities). But in Akarnae, the plot was not boring at all! The antagonist's motivations made sense, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to unfold. I do think this book just served as an introduction to a what will hopefully be a bigger conflict, but I love how it balanced both world-building without skirting too far away from creating a conflict.

Overall, Akarnae is a fun fantasy read that I think every fantasy lover will enjoy, and I can't wait to continue reading the series!

I loved the other series by the same author, so I decided to give this one a try. This was absolutely one of the best fantasy worlds I’ve ever been in! I cannot wait to read more in the series. These characters have my whole heart.

As long time lovers of this series, my daughter and I are so excited it is being published in the USA!!

This story is the perfect intro into fantasy reading, but can also be enjoyed by long time fantasy readers, such as myself. It does read a little more middle grade, but the timeless kind like Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia. Meaning it can be enjoyed by a large range of ages.

There is a little romance, it's definitely background to the adventure of being in a new world though. The cast of characters is excellent. They are carved out well and provide further movement in the story.

I would recommend this to anyone!!!

I can barely read books if there isn't any romance present but I didn't miss it at all! Between the effortless worldbuilding and being immediately immersed in Medora, I was so distracted! Lol but I would still ask my sister who the love interest would be and she was like you already met him!
This is a true YA contemporary fantasy!

Alex, never quite fit in with the world around her and one day when a Portal opens to Medora, her life truly begins. Trials, new friendships, and discovering who she really is —all awaits beyond the doorway.

What you'll find:
Sentient Library
Magic School
Combat Training
Slowburn Romance (builds up throughout the series)
Magical Doorways
Hidden Identities
Supernatural Gifts
Found Family
Fantasy Worlds
Action & Adventure
Immortal Princes
And more!!!!

Akarnae completely swept me away from the very first chapter. It has everything I love in a fantasy novel: a magical academy, found family, unforgettable characters, mystery, adventure, and a world that I never wanted to leave. I went in expecting a fun portal fantasy, but it turned out to be so much more.

Alex is an easy protagonist to root for. She's intelligent, funny, and refreshingly relatable as she navigates a completely unfamiliar world. Watching her discover Medora alongside the reader made every new reveal feel exciting. The friendships she builds were one of my favorite parts of the story, and the cast as a whole has incredible chemistry that made me smile throughout.

The world building is imaginative without ever feeling overwhelming, and every new piece of magic or history only made me more invested. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist or revelation kept me hooked. The balance between humor, heart, and high stakes was perfect, making it impossible to put the book down.

This was one of those rare books that reminded me why I love fantasy. It captured that sense of wonder and adventure that makes you want to stay up far too late reading "just one more chapter." I immediately wanted to pick up the next book as soon as I finished.

If you love magical schools, portal fantasy, lovable characters, and stories packed with mystery and heart, Akarnae is an absolute must read. It was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Akarnae by Lynette Noni (Book 1 of The Medoran Chronicles)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Akarnae by Lynette Noni is a young adult, coming-of-age, fantasy. Although there aren't any wizards or witches, the story reminds me in many ways of the Harry Potter books, with a touch of Magic Kingdom For Sale...Sold! by Terry Brooks tossed in for good measure.

16 year old Alexandra Jennings, Alex to her friends, steps through a door and finds herself stranded in Medora, and quickly enrolled in Akarnae Academy, a school for gifted students. With no way to return home, she settles in with her friends' help, and becomes more comfortable in most of her ... unusual ... classes. She also uncovers some of the school's mysteries, and, perhaps most surprising, she learns she may have a larger role than just being a student.. a role that may be crucial in preserving the Medoran people against an ancient threat that has reappeared.

Akarnae is terrific tale of found family, full of adventure, secrets, surprises, hidden places and unexpected danger. The story is an intriguing, fun, fast-paced read, and I was reluctant to put it down at night. I'm really looking forward to reading Noni's second book in the series, Raelia.

Recommended especially for tweens and teens, and anyone who enjoys a fun fantasy full of adventure and intrigue!

Thanks to Astra Publishing House for providing an eARC to review via #NetGalley
The US edition of Akarnae releases on Sept 22, 2026.

#MedoranTeamUS #MedoranABFYR

This was one of the best books I have ever read and I need book 2 (and 3 and 4 and 5) immediately!

Akarnae is a YA fantasy that follows Alex, who ends up in the magical land of Medora by going through a random office door. This is portal fantasy done in an absolutely wonderful way! What truly made this book so wonderful was the characters, the magical world and its history, and the magic system itself!

When Alex falls into this fantasy world, she immediately meets a mysterious man who peaks suspense/interest from the beginning. She then runs into two boys her age, Jordan and Bear, who become her best friends and bring her back with them to Akarnae, the magical university in Medora. The friendship between the main 3 is so powerful and relatable, and often times hilarious, and really gives the story its heart. The way the characters and written, from the main characters to the barely seen side characters, shows them all experiencing growth in different ways and results in characters you will fall in love with and miss as soon as you finish the book! I truly appreciated the depth given to all characters as it made every interaction feel important, not just the central trio relationship.

Now to get into Medora and its history! Since Alex has fallen into this world, she conveniently knows nothing about it just like the reader! This allows Noni to do a fantastic job of slowly revealing details of the world in a natural progression as Alex is discovering things herself. As more is revealed, more questions arise for both Alex and the reader, and it is so fun to learn the history and features of the world alongside the characters. This also results in more small details being shared of the world in addition to the larger ones, but I never found the world or its elements confusing because of this method of storytelling. I absolutely cannot wait for the next 4 books to reveal more about the history of the magic of Medora!

And now, the actual magic system and the magical school of Akarnae! Akarnae is the school in Medora for “gifted students”, which means they have some kind of magical gift that warranted an invite to study at the institution. Students study for multiple years but participate in courses that are separated based on grade level as well as some separated based on aptitude for the taught skill. The dynamics of the school coursework, the detail put into the layout of the institution, and even the amount of information given on the dining hall builds a campus you can picture walking around alongside the characters. However, I haven’t even mentioned my favorite place in this book yet! Akarnae is home to a magical, and very mysterious and maybe a bit mischievous, library! While magical libraries often appear in fantasy novels, this one takes the cake for entertainment, suspense, and just overall wonderful magical qualities. I don’t want to say anything more so that the library’s surprises are in fact surprises for other readers, but it is a fantastically magical portion of the story and so well done!

Finally, Noni really knows how to throw in plot twists that you’ll never see coming! I thought so many times that I knew exactly where the story was going and what would be revealed and I was wrong pretty much every single time! The unpredictability made this such an enticing read, and I finished the book in two days! Honestly, this book has put me in a reading slump where all I want to read is book 2 and all I can think about is book 1, but in the best way!

I would recommend this book for any and all fantasy readers, but especially fans of the YA genre and lovers of portal fantasy specifically! Additionally, I’ve seen a lot of people compare this book to Harry Potter and while there are a few similarities I don’t entirely agree with that comparison, but fans of Harry Potter would absolutely love Akarnae as well! Please check out this wonderful book when it releases September 22, 2026!

Thank you to Astra Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of this wonderful book!

I LOVED the Prison Healer series so I gave this one a go. I am SO glad I did, the world building is SPECTACULAR. I don't think anyone could have done better to put me into it.

What a magical beginning to what I feel will be a great series! I knew that it mentioned it had Harry Potter vibes with a flare of Narnia and X-men, and it delivers! I couldn’t help being fascinated by the world and the people who live there. Lynette has a skill for found family and that is one of the things I enjoyed the most… also loved the combat scene with Kaiden. I’m excited to get into the next book to see where this series takes her next!

Akarnae by Lynette Noni • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Read: 8/30 2026

🌸 Review 🌸

Thank you so much Astra Young Readers and Lynette Noni for this ARC!!

One thing that I love about Lynette Noni is that she always includes found family in her books. She writes the most amazing friendships. I especially loved the Kaldoras (AKA Akarnae’s version of Christmas) scenes!

Another thing that I love is her endings. If you want your jaw to drop, read anything by Lynette Noni. Suspense? Check! Plot twists? Check! Jaw on the floor? Check!

This might be a weird combination, but if you love any of the following (listed in no particular order), you should read this book: Twilight x The Nutcracker and the Four Realms x Barbie and the Secret Door x Monster’s Inc. x Twitches x Shazam x Narnia x Alice in Wonderland x Percy Jackson.

Releases September 22, 2026

4.5🌟  I have loved every book I have read of Noni's and this was no exception! So excited to have her debut series re-released and very grateful for this arc opportunity! I love a portal fantasy and this YA magical academy setting had me captivated with the nostalgia of the stories of my youth! The technology and magic was so cool and the friend group was heartwarming and had great banter. A kind of place that makes you wish you lived there.This is a bingeable read and im so excited for the next book!

Originally published in 2015, Akarnae is a warm hug of nostalgia but stands the test of time. I had an absolute blast reading this one. We follow 16 year old, Alex, who accidentally walks through a portal and winds up in a completely different world. There she enrolls in a school for the gifted, Akarnae, while trying to find a way back to Earth. I couldn’t put Akarnae down and can’t wait for the sequel! Since The Medoran Chronicles is already complete, we don’t have to wait long between releases for the 5 book series.

Read if you like:
YA portal fantasy
Loveable sidekicks
Found family
Sentient library
Chosen One
X-men + Narnia vibes

Did I spend the first 20% of this book calling it Arkana? Yes. Does it have anything in common with Arkana? Not really, I mean they both take place at a school. Did I finally pronounce the dang name right in my head? Maybe? Ok, yes I did. Ah-kar-nay. There. Now you’re ahead of everyone else. (Also bless you Lynette Noni for working in the pronunciation into the dialogue, you are a SAINT.)

This was fantastic! I’ve had back to back heavy reads, and when it’s getting a little too real, a good YA fantasy brings me back to my happy place. This is everything you could want in one book.

We got a school for special abilities - ✅
We got a mysterious library - ✅
We got world travel and being dumped at a school we know nothing about - ✅
We got mysteries upon mysteries - ✅
We got adorable friends that help the protagonist find their footing - ✅✅✅

Everything about this book made me feel wrapped up in a warm hug. You’ve got a great FMC, Alex who doesn’t let people push her around, and absolutely holds her own in a world that isn’t. Bear and “Sparkie” are an adorable duo of friends that help her find her way and have fun. This book hits all the right places for the start of school and spooky season!

This book scratched an itch I didn't know I had until I was reading it. If you're looking for a magic school adventure to read this fall but don't want to read Harry Potter, this is your book.

Girl goes through magical doorway and finds herself in a world she didn't know existed. She then has to make friends and try to blend in, all while searching for a way back to her world. This book offers a glimpse of what classes at Akarnae are like, as well as an introduction to how the magic works (which sometimes is written off as "it just does" but that didn't bother me). There is a sentient library. There are typical high school ish aged shenanigans. There are bad guys and then there's the BIG bad guy. This book serves as an excellent introduction into what I hope to be a terrific fantasy series.

I am a fan of Noni's other works, particularly The Prison Healer. I am familiar with her games. I felt this book was pretty straight forward and lacked some of her usual sneaky twists but I found I didn't mind. The plot and the characters kept the story moving. Once the groundwork was established it was a breeze of a read. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

I have to admit I always listen to the audiobook version of the medoran chronicles because the narrator does such an incredible job voicing all the different characters.

When I first listened to the first book I was immediately hooked and amazed because besides the story starting out like many, with a young main hero going to a magical school, it also is something completely unique. Something that's never been done before. The library I personally always find represents God... in a way... because she is giving Alex always free will. And the option to be brave and take on Aven or to go home. But it also helps her every time she's asking for help. So that I find incredibly awesome.
I'm not going to go too much into detail on what the book is about but let's just say that I HIGHLY encourage everyone to read the rest of the series because this is one of those chronicles that get better and better and better with each book. And it's been my all-time favorite story ever written. Stick with it because I guarantee you, you won't regret it and love it just as much as I do.

I absolutely loved this book! It's like a sci-fi fantasy combo if Harry Potter met Mary poppins meets an academia vibe. I NEED book two asap!!

Lynette Noni’s Akarne is an absolute masterpiece of young adult fantasy that grabs you from page one and simply refuses to let go! Following Alex Jennings as she is mysteriously whisked away to the magical realm of Medora and Akarnae Academy, this book is an exhilarating, immersive ride filled with wonder, danger, and unforgettable friendships.

Noni’s worldbuilding is vibrant and utterly captivating, seamlessly blending futuristic elements with rich, high-stakes magic. The characters feel instantly real—their loyalty, humor, and heart form the true emotional anchor of the story. With crisp pacing, incredible twists, and a growing sense of mystery that keeps you hungrily turning pages late into the night, Akarne is a stellar, unmissable series opener. If you love immersive academy settings and high-energy fantasy adventures, pick this up immediately!


The cover of this new edition is gorgeous, and the formatting elegant and clean.

Five stars!

"Literature may increase one's depth of knowledge, but not all knowledge be found in literature. Only with practical experience can one truly learn and thus be considered knowledgeable."

Alexandria Jennings didn't except to enjoy her stay at boarding school, but she much less expected to step through a doorway to another world. Trapped in Medora, Alex has no choice but to enroll at Akarane Academy, a school for gifted students. Much as her new friends try to make her feel welcomed, Alex can't help but feel out of place in this magical world. But Alex will soon discover just how much she belongs and that she may be the key to saving all of Medora, even if it means she'll never return home.

I absolutely loved this book! It's an amazing start to an equally amazing series. It's underrated for sure! What drew me to Akarnae in the first place was the premise: what would you do if you found yourself walking through a doorway to another world? It's such a fun concept and I loved seeing what the author did with it.

I first read Akarnae and the rest of the Medoran Chronicles a few years back, but was so excited to reread this first book in the series!

This book is a refreshing young adult read and at its core a story about a girl trying to find where she belongs. I relate to Alex a lot about trying to fit in at a strange place and making friends. And Akarnae is just the beginning of Alex's journey and one of the best found family series I have ever read. That being said, I think Alex's arc from beginning to end of the book was done very well and the events in the book really mold her.

I love the Alex's friends and other side characters in this. I think Noni creates really well-rounded characters and even characters like the teachers are colorful. Having read the series, its really fun to reread and see where all the characters started and catch the little hints the author puts in about their backstories and foreshadowing for the future books.

I think the world building in this book is also really unique. While at its core its about characters at a magical school in a magical world, the author blends science, technology and magic together in a very interesting way. I also love the little crumbs in this first book that will lead to even greater world building for Medora in future books!

All in all, Akarane is a must read for anyone who wants to read a story about finding one's self, especially when that someone is transported to a magical world. If you love YA Fantasy, you're gonna love this one!

Thank you to Astra publishing for the ARC of the official US release of the series!

Love, love, love! This is such a fun series and such a great opening to it. The world and characters draw you in. The friendships and dynamics are great. The world and school are so cool. Definitely a fictional world I would love to visit! Excited for the rest of the series!