Fantasy with a touch of romance!
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read and review Seventh Born by Monica Sanz!
Seraphina lives in a society that's prejudice against her because she’s a seventh born. She’s not allowed to have any friends, not even other seventh borns, and she’s forced to grovel to authority. Sera does have one forbidden friend that’s helpful and kind to her, Mary. As Mary and Sera are gathering books to give themselves a chance to talk to each other, a teen boy “accidentally” knocks books down on top of them. Sera is so angry that she causes his clothes to smolder without using a wand, so he can’t prove her fault without calling her powerful and without getting himself in trouble for dropping the books. A professor gets her out of the situation and later invites her to see him privately. Sera cautiously visits Professor Barrington and is relieved and surprised when he offers her a referral letter if she’ll help him investigate murders and be his investigative assistant. A new world is opened up to Sera as she learns spells, the history and reality of the seventh born persecution and her own abilities. A fantasy with a touch of romance and some twists, 5 stars!

To be honest I found this to be a slow read. The story was good, the characters were great, the world building exquisite but it took too long.

I like the story premise and you really feel for Seraphina. She has 1 friend, a well-off suitor and a quirky but brilliant young teacher how has taken an interest in her at least secretly.
All she wants to do is what almost no one in her station has done ... become an inspector.

Give it a try ... maybe the pacing was only an issue for me.

Reviewed by Jennifer of the GothicMoms Review Team

Seventh born is a first book in The Witchling Academy series. I didn't put any high expectations on this book because I'm not familiar with this author, but boy this book was really good. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The witchy magic in this book was the best thing I loved about it and I quite enjoyed the main characters Sera and Mr. Barrington. Besides the slow burn romance, I really liked the historical vibes, necromancy aspect, and murder mystery in this novel. There is a triangle in this book which is so many reader's pet peeve, but don't worry it's not really central focus of the book and it won't hinder your enjoyment at all. The story was very entertaining and I enjoyed every minute of it. This isn't an action packed novel, it's more like a murder investigation novel and trust me, the twists really surprised me even though I had my suspicions on some of the characters.

The Seventh born witches are cursed abominations in Seraphina Dovetail's world because they not only take away their birth mother's powers but also their life.  They're treated like a bad omen because of their birth order. After Seraphina's mother died giving birth to her, she was abandoned. She remembers nothing about her family and her life before except for the past two years. To bring a new change regarding their cruel treatment towards the Seventh born's, the prestigious Aetherium’s Witchling Academy accepts her as a student in their school, but sadly she wasn't treated as their equal. She was always look down on with disdain by her fellow students and teachers. Sera dreams to become inspector and find her family, but rebelling against them will jeopardize everything and she tries hard to control her quick temper which always sets things on fire. Then she meets the tall, handsome and brooding Young Professor Barrington who makes an offer to become his assistant in exchange for his referral which she really needs. Sera agrees to be his assistant and soon she was thrust into a world filled with illegal and dangerous murder investigations, forbidden necromancy magic, and dark secrets. If the Witchling academy finds about their secret investigations, it'll ruin both of their careers. 

I really enjoyed the main characters Sera and Mr. Barrington. Both of them were pretty much flawed and complex. Sera was fierce, stubborn, and a strong girl with quick temper. I really liked her character. She's a survivor who's gone through physical abuse in her past and I'm glad that she fought back her abuser. Mr. Barrington is a broody and handsome guy who harbored many secrets. His character was very intriguing and I really wanted to know more about him. He's totally swoon worthy. I enjoyed Sera and Barrington working as a team. There is a very light slow burning romance between them, and I can't wait to see how it develops in the second book. Timothy Delacort was the second love interest. He was a pretty likeable guy with sweet personality. He genuinely loves Sera and I felt bad for him at the end. Mary was another character that I liked. She's the only friend of Sera in Witchling Academy. I really liked her, but she does something at the end which really disappointed me. 

The plot was very interesting filled with mystery, suspense, crime, dark magic, horror, and a light romance. Even though it's a little bit slow paced read, the story held my attention throughout. I expected this to be another cliched YA love story, but it really surprised me. The story was very unique and there are a lot of twists and turns which I didn't see coming. I quite enjoyed the mystery surrounding the gruesome murders and also the magic. I enjoyed the writing style of the author. It was very descriptive and easy to understand. The whole book was written in Seraphina's third person pov. The world the author created was pretty good. I loved the historical stetting and the dark atmosphere she has created in the story. The magic was the best thing I loved about this book. I love necromancy and cult aspects in my fantasy reads.  

Overall, I had a great time reading this book! It was a fun read with enjoyable characters. The book finally concluded with no cliffhangers but there are still lots of unresolved questions and I can't wait to find them out in the next book.

This read grips right away, tightens and refuses to let go until the very end.

As the seventh child, Sera is cursed. As is with all seventh borns, Sera's mother died at her birth. What happened after that, Sera hasn't the slightest clue. Her memory is blank outside of the two years following her entrance to the Academy—two horrible years that have left her scarred inwardly and out. Seventh borns have been shunned by society for generations, but thanks to a new program, Sera is allowed to study at the academy and harbors the dream of someday becoming an Inspector, a position unheard of for someone like herself. Not only does she have to face the ridicule and prejudice her classmates and teachers dish out, but due to her horrible temper, she's on the brink of losing her dreams too. When one of her professors offers her a deal, it might be her one chance to become everything she's dreamed of....or loose everything she still has including her life.

This book surprised me. While the blurb and cover immediately drew my interest, the tale was so much better than I expected. Sera is an intriguing young woman with more baggage and secrets than anyone should have. But there's no room for pity, nor does Sera want any. She's determined, despite all of her weaknesses and short comings. She carries a shield of snark and a coat of coldness, all to protect her wonderfully warm heart that she's protecting inside.

Darkness shrouds these pages the entire way through, but it never grows overpowering. The evil is very evil and so covered up in layers of intrigue and secrets that it's not clear what Sera is up against until the very last pages. The mystery is very well paced with bits and pieces of the puzzle dribbling through. The clues not only follow the mystery but weave around the characters surrounding Sera in unexpected ways which deepen their own histories as well. It's well done, holds many surprises, and captures the attention without a moment of boredom.

There is a little taste of school drama in a witch world sense. The young adult audience can connect to Sera without any problem as she suffers from the difficulties with teachers and peers, as well as the expectations of the everyday teen world. Although this aspect is only slight, it gives readers an anchor before the rest of the amazing and rich fantasy of the world around Sera take hold. And the world is rich, dangerous, alluring and simply a delight.

Romance hovers in the pages too, but at a very low-key level, especially at first. Sera is not interested in the more social aspects of life but is very determined in her goal. Her opening up flows smoothly and perfectly with her character development. The hints of romance drip in, increasing toward the end of the book but never running full stream. Trust needs to be built, and that's clear in these pages., which fits superbly with Sera, her past and what still awaits her.

If it were available, I'd already have my hands on the second book of this series. It's that good, and I can only recommend it to fans of magic, intrigue, darker tones, a dash of romance and tons of mystery.

Seraphina “Sera” Dovetail is a witch studying at the Aetheriums Witchling Academy. Not only a witch, Sera is also the seventh-born daughter to a witch. Cursed from birth, she is also the reason why her mother lost all of her powers and ultimately her life as well. Her cursed birthright afforded her no luxuries at the Aetheriums Witchling Academy. She is shunned by the other students and the professors at the academy treat her as if she was nothing. Sera should be grateful to even be attending the witchling academy given her status as a seventhborn. All Sera wants to do is study hard and pass her exams and gain a referral so she can attend The Aetherium School of Continuing Magic. Her only goal is to become an inspector and to hopefully find her father and her other brothers and sisters. Sera’s life is about to change though with the help of Professor Barrington who requires her assistance on a case he is working on and in turn he will give Sera the referral she needs, but what does the case have to do with her and does the case have anything to do with the troubled past she was rescued from?

Seventh Born by Monica Sanz is everything! I cannot gush enough about how much I absolutely adored this story. I will admit I do not read enough books based on the paranormal, but Sanz opened me up to world and a genre I mostly shied away from. The world building is absolutely phenomenal and I felt as if I was taken to a different time and place. The historical aspect of the story really drew me in. I love anything historical from the gowns to the carriages and just the different mannerisms that are so different than today. The magical aspect really shines here because the way Sanz describes magic really feels as if it is brought to life and you can feel the heat radiating in your belly and through your fingertips. The magical aspect was superbly done and really made me fall in love with the lure of magic.

Sera is a character you will instantly feel a connection to. She might not be the most grounded, but she is spirited and has heart. She shows real feelings such as anger and passion and although she may not be able to control her anger at times, hence her always getting into trouble at the academy, she is still passionate about what she is learning as she works to her goal of becoming an inspector. She is faced with many obstacles in her way including the cruelty of the other students making fun of her or just being downright cruel. I am so glad her spirit was never broken during these times. Although, I did feel sorry for her having to go through life feeling as if she didn’t matter. Sera has a heartbreaking backstory, one that is so evil and so emotional, but yet she survived it and even though it made her stronger, you can still see and feel the lingering effects it has on her today. Little by little Professor barrington starts to break down her barriers and in turn it allows Sera to grow as a person and also become stronger. I loved seeing her growth and progress throughout the story.

Professor NIkolai Barrington is definitely my new book boyfriend. He is just so swoon worthy! He is very mysterious, demanding, confident, and definitely very alpha in both demeanor and through his words. He is in his early twenties, but he demands attention. I love the secrecy surrounding him and his family and felt his story interweaved between the main story was done quite well. His interactions with Sera were definitely of the professor and assistant variety, but you can see the spark instantly between Barrington and Sera right from the beginning. I loved seeing the connection they both shared and even though they both tried to fight it, you can feel the passion building up between the both of them. I have to say Barrington was very much a gentleman to Sera as he gained her trust little by little. Like Sera, Barrington also grew as a character and came into his own with the help of Sera. He was also very protective of Sera throughout all of their time together. Barrington is just to die for!

Seventh Born by Monica sanz is a captivating and richly told story full of magic and lure that had me hooked right from the beginning! The story is beautifully written and grabs your attention right from the first page. The story is shrouded in mystery and as you peel back the layers one by one you will be deeply entranced by what is discovered. I highly recommend Seventh Born to be read by fans of both fantasy and the paranormal. Seventh Born is the first book in the Witchling Academy series and I, for one, am wholeheartedly looking forward to more of Sera and Barrington.

Seventh Born by Monica Sanz is the first book of the young adult paranormal fantasy The Witchling Academy. Really this series has a bit of everything wrapped into it with some romance, a historical feel and a murder mystery.

Seraphina Dovetail is a seventh born, and seventh borns are not exactly at the top of the list in the witch community. Despite her unlucky birth order and being abandoned as a child Sera has managed to fulfill her dream of studying at Aetherium’s Witchling Academy.

Things are not easy for Sera at the academy however and when pushed a bit too far Sera finds herself caught using magic without a wand. However instead of punishment Professor Barrington proposes an offer to make Sera his assistant to help with solving murders.

Nope, not for me at all. I really wanted to love this one as it had such an intriguing mix of elements to the story but there were a few things holding me back. First, I felt like this is one that the world and character building were lacking and it was more like being thrust into the deep end without a life jacket. On the other hand I also felt the story dragged and could get a little overly wordy so figure that out, not enough but too much. Then I’m really not a fan of pushing towards a teacher/student relationship so I think I will be skipping any more of the series unfortunately.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Seventh Born is a book full of surprises. You think at first that this book might not be everything you thought it to be but you’re quickly proven wrong. It’s addicting. Fast paced. Suspenseful. Gory. Scary. Full of twist and turns that leaves your jaw on the floor and keeping it that way until the last page.

I had a lot of fun reading this book. I finally found a Witch book that was addicting and exciting. One that is still on my mind. I loved it so much that I dreamt about dead girls being raised from the dead and the mysterious Professor Barrington. You may think that sounds like a nightmare but to me it wasn’t. When a book gets under your skin that much that you dream about it, to me, is a great book.

This book is about seventh born witches. They are born of death and therefore hated. The prejudice is real in this book and I found myself seriously pissed off at some of the side characters. My emotions were everywhere. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and sometimes I did both.

I loved Sera so much. She’s lost everything and went through some horrible things but she was so strong. She’s like a willow tree bending in the wind. You think it might break but it still stands strong and tall. My heart went out to her so much. I was also proud of her. She’s a strong feminine character. She’s really a badass. Lol

Professor Barrington is book boyfriend material. He’s mysterious, strong, handsome, and a bad boy we all love to hate. At first you think he’s a jerk but there’s so much behind his tough guy exterior. I have so much hope for him in the next book.

Overall, this is one book you don’t want to miss out on. The writing isn’t perfect by any means but I think it added to the eerie feel of the book. Book 2 can’t come quick enough. I’m itching to read more!

Seventh Born is a book I initially wanted to read based on the cover (isn’t that cover GORGEOUS?!). But then I read the summary and I knew this was a book I was going to like. Turns out, Seventh Born is a book I ended up loving.

Her whole life, Sera has been told she is nothing but an abomination and that her life will amount to nothing. But she’s determined to live the life she wants and to not be everything she has always been told. Sera wants to be an Inspector, a witch of high ranking, a rank that very few seventh-borns ever reach. And though people at school degrade her and aim to emotionally torture her, she tries to not let that affect her (though there are moments where her fiery anger gets the best of her).

“Her hand tightened on the doorknob, a fierce ache in her heart. She yearned to locate her family, but now there were monsters to find. There would always be monsters to find.”

I really enjoyed the complexity of Sera as the main character. She has a troubled past that still haunts her. She has a family she wants to find. And she has a life she wants to live, even though all odds are against her. She overall is a very complex character, who has magic that’s quite fiery and sometimes unstable. Seeing her navigate through this new chapter in her life, even when her past comes to light, she’s still a strong and brave character, one I feel I would befriend almost instantly.

One of the main reasons Seventh Born hooked me from the beginning was the beautiful writing. Monica Sanz did a wonderful job combining the many aspects needed to bring this book to life: mystery, suspense, magic, tension, and more. Though there was a lack of world building (which I hope to see more of in the second book), it was made up for in suspense and tension. The plot does come together nicely, but, like all great plots in the first book, it doesn’t tie together in a nice bow. Questions remain unanswered that will leave you guessing until book two comes out. If anything, the plot only thickens and leaves a ton open for the series.

“I’ll admit, I’m as confounded by your abilities as you are, but you’re in luck that I’m quite fond of mysteries and that I’m a rather magnificent magician.”

But I have to admit, I instantly fell in love with Professor Barrington. Professor Barrington is the type of character people would deem mysterious and intriguing. He has a life he hides from most and emotions he would prefer to keep hidden. So it was a complete surprise to Sera when he offered her a referral for her program in exchange for her assistance in solving a string of murders. Over the course of the book, Sera sees multiple sides of him, which makes him all the more intriguing. Barrington is an overall great character that adds to the suspense and tension and, of course, the magic. He’s one of those book boyfriends that would keep you entranced. And he sure does in Seventh Born. I can’t wait to see what Barrington brings to book two!

I finished this book in two days, and I can’t wait to read the sequel. I’m ready for more Barrington, suspense, and romantic tension. I can’t get enough of that wonderfully moody professor! Seventh Born is in stores now, so get your copy today!

Yet another book that was nothing like I had imagined (in a good way)! I have no idea why, but for some reason I thought this was going to be a witch story set in present day. In my head it was like the girl version of The Covenant, but with less nudity and more actual plot. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this actually leans more toward historical fiction, which I loved!

I admit that I was a little unsure in the beginning, mostly because I couldn’t tell what Professor Barrington’s intentions were. Both his age and position gave him power over Sera and I was worried he would take advantage. Luckily I had nothing to fear! And as I kept reading, I was captivated by this world and the mystery they were trying to solve so much that it became easy to forget about my initial hesitations.

Actually I really loved both Sera and Professor Barrington! Sera is so fiesty and she doesn’t take anyone’s bad mouthing, so obviously she was my favorite. She’s a seventh born and in this world, every seventh child born causes their mother to die. Because of this, all seventh borns are looked down upon and lead harsh lives filled with prejudice. Just to give you a taste, Sera has to constantly deal with horrid comments like this on a regular basis:

“Unlike you, the students in this school hope to contribute to the magical community. At least have the dignity to appreciate you mother’s sacrifice… or stupidity.”

WHOA. Watching Sera deal with this kind of hostility made me feel for her and I loved that she didn’t lose that fire to fight back. I think that’s really what made me fall for Barrington because he’s the only one that treats her with respect and kindness. Watching their relationship slowly grow over the book was so great and now I’m dying for more! They’re so cute together and I like watching them lean on one another for support.

I also really had fun with the story itself. It’s cool combination of historical fiction meets Sherlock Holmes mystery meets romance. But with witches!! And I’m totally here for it. I can’t wait for the next installment!

↬ FINAL WORD
This was a super fun book that I totally recommend to anyone who loves mysteries, witches, and historical fiction!

The premise for this book is extremely interesting. There is a whole lot going on throughout the book. Sera is the seventh born and this means that she is discriminated against. Between this and the abuse she has withstood from a trusted caretaker she angry and has lots of trust issues, understandably. She wants to be an investigator, but needs a recommendation from a professor in order to get into the school. Enter Professor Barrington, he has offered to help Sera if she helps him with a murder investigation. Professor Barrington really pushes Sera to be better and helps her grow. However, he also knew when to be sensitive in regards to her past. I really loved the two of them together. Their relationship grows slowly and is really wonderful. This book is full of mystery and intrigue. I really enjoyed the mystery and it kept me guessing throughout. There were plenty of twists and turns!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have NEVER read a book more like Harry Potter than this one. Picture Hogwarts (yes, this series is set at a magical school) with a murder mystery and a female Harry Potter witchling all in a totally unique story.

The magic system is mysterious and was a little confusing with who the Seventh Borns actually were, but once I got deeper into the story, I really got into how it intertwines with their world. Which in truth was sad in how the society views them and the prejudices they immediately have on each other.

The writing in this book immediately caught my attention. The main character has a snarky, sarcastic dialogue especially between her and the professor. She is definitely the character who likes to speak her mind.

And then there are spooky paranormal elements to the murder mystery that is perfect for a gloomy, Fall reading day. It fit very well with magic vs non magic worlds which I also loved reading. It gave hints of A Darker Shade of Magic vibes as well.

And the ending. Whoa, it was a real plot twist that I never would have seen coming. And I was left wanting more of the cult-like Brotherhood. Yes, there are a ton of different paranormal elements in this story from ghostly photos to magical wands to a lethal cult.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I really can’t wait to see where this series goes. There are so many questions that I now have linking to her past and what will happen with her future murder-solving skills.

I highly recommend this book is you like YA Fantasy books with mystery, spooky moments, and witches!!

I enjoyed it so much more than I expected!
Listen up, folks. Seventh Born is definitely neither a miracle nor a flawless piece of art. One of my biggest pet peeves (aside from love triangles, instalovetriangles, love squares and every other variation of love geometry) is the lack of solid worldbuilding, and in this case there was zero. Zilch. Nada. Rien. There were also some things about seventhborns, their power and the hatred towards them that were fuzzy to say the least, and Sera was your typical act first-think of consequences later YA heroine. I am sure you're perplexed by now, but there are some serious reasons to grab Seventh Born, since it was an utterly fun and addictive ride.

✔️ Professor Nikolai Barrington
✔️ Witchling Academy
✔️ Mystery
✔️ Magic
✔️ Barrington
✔️ Gruesome murders
✔️ Necromancy
✔️ Slow burn romance
✔️ Dangerous cult
✔️ Cute supernatural pet
✔️ BARRINGTON

“Safety, companionship, and adventure with the possibility of blood, murder, and death, all the while investigating love.”

Monica Sanz inadvertently (or not so much?) described her novel in the above sentence. Seventh Born emanates a sinister vibe, coated in mist, smoke, and scars, smelling of burning flesh and sulfur, touching forbidden aspects of magic. It's the story of a seventhborn, a pariah constantly bullied because of her birth order and things out of her control; about a girl who wishes nothing but to became an investigator and find her family, and is brought one step closer to her goal when her moody and brooding professor asks her help in order to solve some mysterious deaths. Their research will bring them to dangerous paths that will uncover secrets that may shake their beliefs to the core, but they cannot stop, or else more bodies will pile up. And Sera might be one of them.

“There would always be monsters to find.”

And oh my, this novel was full of monsters of all kinds. Most of them were human, embracing cruelty over compassion, power over gentleness, prejudice over justice. And you simply wanted to wear a cape, shed your glasses and defend Sera and all those unfortunate souls like her. But enough with the somber tone, let's focus on other aspects of the story. Namely, Barrington.

The boorish professor clad in black is definitely made of book boyfriend material. That is if you like your book boyfriends shady, mysterious and dangerous but also big softies when it comes to all the things that matter. I loved how he respected Sera, gave her space and time and treated her like a partner (most of the times). There was swooning involved, which arised out of simple gestures and light touches.

Setting Barrington aside, the writing flow was fluid, and the combination of crime, suspense and magic made it difficult to put it down. Mind, though, that there are aspects of the lore that will left you confused, and questions about the world outside the Academy that will not be answered, cue minor frustration. In my case, though, these deficiencies, albeit important, did not deter me from savoring all the things that were done right. Seventh Born is a delicious lil' candy waiting to be relished, and I had a great time doing so!

*ARC generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Note: The quotes used in this review are from an uncorrected text and subject to changes.

seraphina dovetail hasn't had an easy life. the seventh born child of a witch, she's cursed with being the cause of her mother's death and labeled a second class citizen for the rest of her life. her status is marked on her body with a tattoo at her wrist and scars on her back.

when professor nikolai barrington takes her under his wing, it's meant to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. he wants her help in seeking out a murderer. her seventh born status gives her the ability to communicate with spirits, and the magic she holds in reserve only needs to be properly controlled in order to allow her strength as a witch to truly shine.

their relationship is forbidden, and yet everything about their friendship, their feelings for each other simmers beneath the surface of their interactions. barrington fights for sera because he cares, because he wants her to be safe, because there is something about her that calls to him, that inspires him to be a better man.

this book was a very enjoyable read, and if you are into witches and magic and unspoken love, it's got all the right elements.

**seventh born will publish on september 4, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (entangled teen) in exchange for my honest review.

Seventh Born was like visiting an old friend. It had those elements from the stories and series we love. For me it was pulling inspirations from Harry Potter and Vampire Academy, taking place at a boarding school, magic, mystery, a dab of romance & forbidden love . Not to say I am comparing it to those books, but it was definitely reminiscent of those stories for me and gave me those warm fuzzy feelings of nostalgia. Monica Sanz worked some of her own magic in developing a setting and backstory that was so intriguing and mixed with the elements of magic and mystery, it kept me on the edge of my seat, devouring the book.

Sera was an amazing main character that has her own flaws, but is really trying to find herself and her place in this world in which she doesn't belong/wanted. I loved her determination and loyalty. I think her confidence and strength are exactly the qualities that a female lead should have in a book to be a great role model for young girls. She is my favorite character, but I quite enjoyed some of the others, they were complex and well thought out with depth that also gave you a concern for what would happen to them in the end regardless of some events that took place.

This book definitely came as a shock to me and surprised me with how quickly I got drawn into the story and how much I need to rest of the series like last week. Overall I don't know how I can wrap up my feelings about this story without it being a complete gush. From the backstory and history of this world to the present day happenings and unsolved mystery, It created such an atmosphere and places you within the story trying to figure out what is happening right along Sera. There was a wide array of characters each with their own struggles and personalities that have you invested in the people as much as the plot. The overall atmosphere is what you would expect from a mystery novel, it is dark and a little creepy and then add in the fantasy elements, creating such an unknown which drives forward the story. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I think it has elements that could appease a wide audience and believe the story deserves attention!

Seventh Born is the magical story of Seraphina Dovetail, cursed at birth to cause her mother to lose her powers and eventually her life. As a "Seventh Born " she is looked down upon by teachers and fellow students alike , and is often the victim of cruel pranks and abuse. If she is to have any kind of a future she must advance to the next level of training , but in order to do that she will need the help of a tutor. When the tall , darkly brooding and slightly mysterious Professor Barrington requests her assistance with an investigation, she soon finds herself in grave danger, and under attack.
I really liked the world building in this book, and would love to know more about the setting and the magical systems. The character of Seraphina herself is a little unlikable at first, quick to anger and slow to trust, but these characteristics are perfect for her, given what we know about her and her position in society, and as the book develops so too does her character. The love triangle between the Professor, Seraphina and her classmate is well handled , something that could have been difficult to achieve given the relative ages of the professor and student. The mystery of her past is teased throughout the book , and the eventual reveal is dramatic if not unexpected. While the book may have been something of a slow burn, I really enjoyed it, and felt that the slower pace really allowed both character development and a clever plot.

Seventh Born is about a witch named Sera who is the seventh born. Being seventh born isn't a good thing though, Sera is an outcast and only at her academy. The seventh born is a disgrace to the family and the mother of the seventh born dies. Sera is approached by a handsome Professor, Professor Barrington, and makes a deal that if she becomes his assistant and he'll give her the referral she needs.

I enjoyed the story! While reading I definitely was getting Harry Potter vibes. The characters were developed well and Sera and Professor Barrington's relationship burned very slowly which was definitely nice. I liked the plot of the whole "seventh born" and them being hated. It made for an interesting storyline.

The twists and turns the book took were also intriguing. It was an emotional roller coaster the deeper you got into the book and learned secrets.

The major reason that I didn't give this a 5 out of 5 was that I feel as though the novel should've been written in the first person through Sera or switching POV's from Sera or Barrington. I was a bit confused when reading and the world building fell a little flat because the third person POV was a bit confusing and hard to follow at times.

Overall, this is definitely an awesome novel for anyone who likes witches, murders, and hot professors!

This book was such a roller coaster ride. At times you fell in love with the main character in her actions and her thoughts and her believes, and it times you just wanted to slap her and tell her to stop being so stupid. She was portrayed realistically mistakes and all. Her actions were noble and it times selfish. In the end there was a huge plot twist that I did not see coming. It may the story that much more interesting and had me completely consumed. The secondary plot which was not resolved in the first book has me excited to read anything else this author writes.

A seventh born is considered to be the lowest of the low. They have to fight for everything they want, and are discarded like trash. This book seems to follow along with the Harry Potter craze. They go to school to learn the ways of magic so they can make their way in the magical world. The story was hard to get into for me. It seemed slow and daunting. The story did pick up eventually and I really enjoyed the twists and turns. The ending was great, it was just getting there. If you liked Harry Potter, you will probably like this book. Three stars for Seventh Born.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

I'll always give books about magical schools with witchcraft and wizardry a chance because I'm a huge Potterhead. Have I found a book or series that even comes close to the greatness of Harry Potter? No, not yet...and that includes this book here. Seventh Born had glimpses of greatness, and even some stark similarities to the plotline of Harry Potter, but there were some flaws and issues I found within its pages as well.

So right off the bat you're pretty much dropped into the story. There's not much background provided on the characters. There's absolutely no world-building. And problems just sort of arise out of nowhere. It was messy and hard to get into because while you're reading you're trying to form a picture in your head with very little information. It actually reads more like the second book in the series...you know, the one you read after the first book sets the stage for the overall plot to build upon. But I digress.

Have you ever read Harry Potter fanfic? No? Me neither, but I imagine this is what it could be like. Professor Barrington bares a striking resemblance to Professor Snape, just younger and more attractive. Sera is like Hermione, except with shittier circumstances and no Harry and Ron to pal around with. And I guess we could even venture to say that Timothy has some Cedric Digory tendencies with the situations he finds himself in. That doesn't mean I didn't like the characters, I just wish they had been a bit more unique, especially for this particular genre when there are already so many parallels to the world of Hogwarts. I mean, even the baddies were similar.

But despite all that, the story did eventually pull me in. Sure, I skipped through some parts that dragged, but the meat and bones of the story were interesting and grabbed my attention. You might have to wait until around 60% of the book for that to happen, but it does, so....that's not terribly disappointing.

I didn't want the book to end when it did. Everything was finally synching up and Sera and Professor B were kindling their fire, and then it ended. And surprisingly, I DO want to read the next book in the series. I think there's an 83% chance that it's one of those series that gets better as you go, so I'll definitely be on the lookout for that in the next year.

I was super excited to read Seventh Born, but it was unfortunately a miss for me. I ended up skimming large portions because it didn't hold my interest. The world building was practically nonexistent and what we did know was via large info dumps. Rules and history seemed to be added solely for plot movement or because the author needed an outcome. The secondary characters were flat and I found Sera annoying. Just didn't work for me.