Review: Shadowspell Academy : Year of the Chameleon Book 4 by Shannon Mayer

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Academy tropes aren’t really my favorite books but they’re hard to avoid as they’re so many out there. But Shadowspell Academy series written by by K. F. Breene and Shannon Mayer for the first mini-trilogy and now solely by Shannon Mayer for the final three stories, is an excellent read and why I’ll continue to pick up a great series. 

Yes, I’ve blown through the final trilogy and loved it.

Wild and her mixed crew of paranormals have been sorted into their “expected” Houses and now they are expected to spend their next years there, training with their own “magical” counterparts. 

But it doesn’t work out like that as events force everyone together in one place. A House of Wonder that seems to have it in for all of them, old and new enemies everywhere and Wild’s the target of her greatest enemy.

This is the start of a incredible journey, part horror story, outstanding paranormal adventure, that sees not only Wild but her small group of friends/family growing tighter, developing new powers and showing immense strength and resilience. 

Heartbreak, betrayal and high suspense. It’s all here. And it’s amazing. I love Wild so much. And everyone else in her group. 

Highly recommended! Fantastic work in every way by the author. 

Shadowspell Academy (6 book series)

The Culling Trials #1 through 3

Year of the Chameleon #4 through 6 written by Shannon Mayer

Buy link 

 Book 4 of 6: Shadowspell Academy 

Blurb 

You Don’t Choose The Academy. The Academy Chooses You.

“This book is Harry Potter meets the Hunger Games in a bold twist on a classic magical young adult adventure.”
Jaymin Eve, Bestselling Author of Supernatural Academy

I’ve made it through the Culling Trials, the test that proved my mettle against every possible challenge.

I assumed that meant things would settle down and I’d start truly learning.

MNo more danger.

No more death threats.

No more wondering who was out to get me.

Apparently, that was not to be.

I am what this supernatural world calls a Chameleon—a rarity even amongst all these monsters. And rare things are coveted and feared by the most powerful of all—The House Of Wonder.

It’s a good thing I have my crew at my back, because this Academy?

It’s about to get seriously ugly.

Which means this farm girl is ready to play by only one set of rules.

Her own.

Review: Shadowspell Academy: The Culling Trials (Book 2) by K. F. Breene and Shannon Mayer

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The third novel in this portion of this series is excellent. Divided into two trilogies, the three books of The Culling Trials are coauthored by K. F. Breene and Shannon Mayer while the last trilogy is written solely by Mayer. 

So this completes the co-authored mini series, The Culling Trials, and it’s exciting, full of intrigue, surprises, really excellent twists, and leaves our mixed found family of paranormal friends graduating into their respective Houses , ala Harry Potter, and ready for their next chapter as first years. 

Wild and her small crew are headed into the final trials before they are sorted out by their magical abilities into their Houses. If they survive because someone is trying to kill them or just Wild before they can finish. 

And the mystery of their disappearing companions hasn’t been solved yet as a few more teenagers vanish from campus and the authorities have no answers.

Wild and every other person in her group shows realistic personal development as they face growing dangers and a killer that has targeted them. 

I really enjoyed this book, even as I debate going forward without Breene as a coauthor. Her influence in the writing here is clear.

I recommend reading this book as part of the mini-trilogy. Read them in the order they are written. 

Shadowspell Academy (6 book series)

The Culling Trials #1 through 3

Year of the Chameleon #4 through 6 written by Shannon Mayer

Buy link 

        Shadowspell Academy: Culling Trials (Book 3)

    

Blurb 

You Don’t Choose The Academy. The Academy Chooses You.

Being accepted into an elite school of magic, monsters, and assassins was not my idea of higher education. But here I am, fighting my way through the Culling Trials to claim my right to be taught.

As if the gauntlet-type physical and mental tests aren’t enough, people are going missing.

People that are my friends.

In a dangerous world where no one is as they seem, the golden rule is simple: Trust no one. They think we should just look out for ourselves. That we should leave the fallen behind and ask no questions.

They clearly think we’re idiots. I got this far by trusting my instincts, and I’m not going to back down now.

Those kids won’t be left to die.

Not on my watch.

Hijinks Ink Publishing

Publication date

June 11, 2019

Language

‎English

Print length

258 pages

Book 3 of 6

Shadowspell Academy