Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled to get into the story, I found that worldbuilding was included at the expense of character development and storyline. DNF

Celestial Academy is a gripping blend of dark fantasy and forbidden romance that kept me on the edge of my seat! Wen's journey from an orphaned drug dealer in a brutal Afterworld to a reluctant student at Celestial Academy is both harrowing and exhilarating. Pharos masterfully crafts a world where demons and nephilim collide, filled with intense emotions and high-stakes drama.

The chemistry between Wen and Godric is palpable, driving the enemies-to-lovers dynamic that fans of Crescent City and Zodiac Academy will adore. As their fiery relationship unfolds against a backdrop of impending doom, the story expertly balances thrilling action and deep character development.

With a captivating premise, rich world-building, and a compelling cast, this book is a must-read for anyone craving an epic fantasy filled with suspense and passion. I can’t wait to dive into the next installment!

DNL for 2 reasons, 1 more valid than the other: 1. (more valid) the worldbuilding overtook the story, the character development, the romance, even the action. 2. (less valid) first person present: ugh.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Celestial Academy: Essence by Olivia Pharos is a thrilling and immersive journey into a world of magic, mystery, and celestial beings, perfect for fans of fantasy romance with a twist of the supernatural. Pharos weaves an exciting narrative full of intrigue, danger, and romance that kept me hooked from start to finish.

The protagonist, Seraphina “Sera,” is a strong, relatable character whose journey of self-discovery is one of the book’s highlights. Thrust into the world of Celestial Academy, she’s forced to confront hidden truths about herself and the celestial world she’s now part of. Her determination and strength in the face of danger make her a compelling heroine, and I enjoyed watching her growth as she embraced her new reality.

The world-building in Celestial Academy: Essence is rich and detailed, with Pharos introducing a fascinating blend of celestial lore, academic life, and complex power dynamics. The academy setting, filled with secrets and rivalries, adds an exciting tension to the story. The magic system is intriguing, and the celestial essence that runs through the plot gives it a unique touch compared to other academy-based fantasies.

Romance plays a big role in this book, and the chemistry between Sera and the enigmatic male lead is palpable. Their relationship is full of tension, banter, and slow-burning passion that adds depth to the story. Pharos does a great job of balancing the romance with the action, so the plot moves forward while the romantic tension builds naturally. While the romance is definitely a highlight, I would’ve loved to see even more character development and backstory for some of the secondary characters, who felt a little under-explored.

The pacing is generally good, though there were moments where it felt a bit rushed or where more time could have been spent fleshing out certain plot points. However, the fast-paced action and the constant twists and turns kept the story exciting and hard to put down.

Overall, Celestial Academy: Essence is a captivating and enjoyable read, full of romance, magic, and intrigue. Olivia Pharos has created a world that’s easy to get lost in, with characters you’ll root for and a story that will leave you eager for the next instalment. If you love academy-style fantasy with a celestial twist and plenty of romance, this is definitely worth picking up.

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

I loved everything about this book, there was banter and even some vomiting, lol. Wen was such a cool character and the world was so unique. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the world since it used familiar things but in a unique and new way.

Sadly, reading this book was like pulling teeth. It was very repetitive and a lot of unnecessary words. Sadly, I also did not like the main character one bit.

1.5 / 5.0

This book... is not good. It is a mash-up of other better-written, more popular, interesting fantasy books. I feel like the author had bits and pieces from all these other books that they liked and decided to create a story for all the parts of their favorite books to live in.

It was also incredibly hard to get my copy of this, and then the second book was here and then gone, and it's back again? I don't know. The whole thing feels poorly thought-out and even more poorly executed.

Until Next Time,
MC

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this eARC, kind of, because it was there and then gone within 2 weeks...

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Our FMC is conscripted to the Celestial Academy for her crimes, whilst carrying out her sentence she is assigned to Heavens most ruthless soldier and assassin. They hate each other and their forced proximity and yet they have cravings. Cravings they can't act upon as not only is it forbidden but it could lead to disaster for everybody.

The first chapter captivated me and I was taken on a journey with incredibly high stakes, an enemies to lovers trope, life or death trials, a moody soldier and a sassy female MC to go with it! I really enjoyed the characters and their interactions, not only in a one on one setting but also as a collective. The world building was easy to follow and I didn't feel like information was being thrown at me. There are many fantastical elements in this story, it makes me want to read the next instalment ASAP!

If you are a Fantasy lover you are going to want to pick this up.

It compares to Zodiac Academy but wasn’t as good.

While I enjoyed the banter between our couple, I didn’t quite enjoy the story as much mainly because the start of Wen’s story was confusing as heck. And the dialogue was too drawn out making this plot slow as molasses.

The found family trope was ok but felt like a bunch of teenagers trying to outdo the other out of pettiness and entitlement.

Godric and his broodiness was the saving point for me. I’m not a huge fan of slow burns IF they’re done well for me, but I felt that each encounter between him and Wen had little chemistry and no spark of excitement. Honestly, if this wasn’t an audiobook (in which I could finish quickly), I probably would have DNF’d.

It took a little while to get used to the writing style but once I was invested I really enjoyed this book.
The relationships between the characters were great - although I’m hoping book 2 is less of a slow burn!
I love Wens snark and her reactions made me laugh on multiple occasions HOWEVER does this girl have zero will to survive? 🤣 honestly her mouth is definitely definitely going to get her killed…
I’m really intrigued to find out what’s going to happen next! I honestly have zero idea where the story’s going to go..

Ok, I ended up liking this a lot more than I anticipated! It was a little bit of rocky start and the pacing was off for me in the first 25% but once we actually got to the Divine and the academy, I think the plot really picked up! I'm very intrigued to see where this is going to go.

I really liked our FMC - she is funny and takes no s**t from anyone!

The romance is a veryyy slow burn but I think it had great potential.

Rating: 3.5 stars

*Review will be posted 7/31/24

This book was very painful to get through. I didn't finish it, actually, I had to stop around 25% through and DNF. In all that time I felt like nothing was happening. The pace was agonizingly slow. The writing style was unnecessarily wordy and long, which only made it worse. On top of that, I couldn't connect to the main character at all. Wren came off as very annoying and irritating to me. She was constantly going off on tangents in her inner dialogue, which was also distracting. I think she was the main reason I couldn't get through the book. She just came off as so immature. It was no wonder I couldn't enjoy the romance either. It seemed too forced because from the moment she laid eyes on the male love interest she kept commenting on his body in her head and immediately attracted to him. I just didn't care for any of it. Overall, definitely not for me, unfortunately.

"Celestial Academy: Essence" by Olivia Pharos is a captivating addition to the fantasy genre, drawing readers into a meticulously crafted world of magic and mystery. The book excels in its world-building, with the Celestial Academy itself serving as a character in its own right. The intricate details of the academy’s architecture, the vibrant descriptions of the various realms, and the unique magical systems all contribute to a rich, immersive experience. Pharos' writing style is engaging and fluid, making it easy to lose oneself in the narrative.

The characters in "Celestial Academy: Essence" are well-developed and multifaceted. The protagonist's journey is particularly compelling, with personal growth and self-discovery woven seamlessly into the broader plot. The relationships between characters are nuanced and realistic, adding depth to the story. Each character, from the main hero to the supporting cast, plays a crucial role in driving the plot forward, and their interactions are both believable and emotionally resonant.

One of the standout features of this book is its pacing. Pharos manages to balance action-packed sequences with quieter, more introspective moments. This rhythm keeps readers hooked, eager to see what will happen next while also allowing time for reflection on the story's themes. The plot twists are well-executed, often surprising yet fitting perfectly within the established narrative.

However, while the book shines in many areas, there are moments where the exposition can feel a bit heavy-handed. Some readers might find the initial chapters dense with information, which can slow down the start. Yet, this is a minor drawback in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable read.

Overall, "Celestial Academy: Essence" is a delightful read for fans of fantasy. Olivia Pharos has crafted a compelling story filled with magic, adventure, and heart. It’s a book that promises more excitement in its sequels and leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and here is my honest review.

I love reading fantasy fiction and the premise of this book drew me in. I liked the idea of supernaturals, angels, demons, magic all put together. The book started rather abruptly and it took me some time to understand what was happening. The setting of the book is a dystopian world that could do with a little more description, especially how this world came to be and the hierarchy of the people (both supernatural and human).

I did not easily connect with Wen, though I like that she was looking out for Sarah, her best friend and the one she considered family. I was not a huge fan of her snark nor did I enjoy reading about Godric as much as I would have liked. However, Lorcan, Jinny and some of the others more than made up for this.

The story did pick up about one-third in and started to get more interesting. This helped to read on and soon things started to make sense. Even though I was not a huge fan of Wen, I was interested in her story and origins. I wanted to know what would happen and the ending was a twist I didn't see coming. I am looking forward to then next book in the series, NULL, and I hope that I get more answers to the background and characters.

I'm kicking myself for waiting this long to read this book! My favorite books are supernatural, sarcastic, enemies to lovers and all the other tropes this book had in it. Godric the super sexy and powerful nephilim and Wen the super sarcastic human that finds out she definitely isn't *chefs kiss*. This whole thing is my jam and I need the next book and the entire series asap!

What did I read?! Oh my goodness that was one heck of a story filled with amazing characters, tension building enemies-to-lovers romance, a perfectly crafted slow-burn passion, and tons of mystery and suspense that keep you on the edge of your seat! Outstanding!!!

I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read the zodiac academy series yet, but if this book is comparable, I may have to get my hands on them. I will definitely be continuing the series.

Rich otherworld that is so complex you will wonder if it is indeed real! All the elements - hidden ability, evil power mongers that want to use it - political intrigue - and support where you didn't think it would be. And of course, yea, Armageddon could be coming! A fun read especially for sci-fi fans