I loved this book!
Zodiac Academy meets Good Omens in the most brilliant way!

I adored the post-apocalyptic setting, the slow burn was delicious and the Unitas were fantastic!

Having finished it, I immediately searched for the second instalment. I can’t wait for it to be released. I need it NOW! EDIT: It has been released! Calling it ‘Null’ is the most confusing thing ever!

This would have been a 5 star read for me (despite my British sensibilities regarding the usage of the word ‘what,’) had it not been for the “Azazel’s dick” incident. I could not move past it. It brought a childish, ridiculous element to the book that was not present anywhere else in the story.

This was so much fun and I love a good magical school! The characters were interesting and I would for sure recommend. Will be adding to our library.

First thank you NetGalley and Olivia Pharos for the opportunity to read the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book would have blown my socks off if I was wearing any. Think Fourth Wing banter, Zodiac Academy education, and Crescent City world building and you get this book. I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to like the book because the first few chapters are so rich in world building and the history of the world, but when the going gets good you can put it down... I know thats not how the saying goes, but its how I felt. Once the story really picked up I honestly could not put the book down. I read it in one day and I am so glad I did. The curve balls are well holy crap curvy.

Olicia Pharos might have just been added to my "I will read anything she writes" list. Her descriptions and thought into details were one of the many reasons this book was outstanding and just what I needed.

The spice level is small, but the well placed spice helps us actually understand a lot in the character development of the FMC and a little of the MMC.

This is a must read if you like academia, heaven/hell, supernatural, touch her and you die vibes, sllloooooowwwwwww burn romance, and/or forced proximity.

In the Afterworld, Wen Wight is a slave to a cruel demon, looking for a way to free herself and her best friend from their indentures. But when she discovers a way to turn the essence of angels into a potent drug, it isn’t long before she’s arrested - and sentenced to be a student at Celestial Academy, because no one’s supposed to be able to do what she does, and the angels want to figure out what she is.

What follows is a delightful story with all my favorite tropes - dark academia, mysterious magic, training to become a badass, unexpected friendships, rivals who become allies, and a deadly set of trials. The writing style could use a little refinement, but overall, I quite enjoyed this story!

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I am CLEARLY late to the game with Celestial Academy and I will be straightforward (and I think it's because I read the ARC version of the book), the first chapter or two had me overwhelmed with the world building. I absolutely loved Zodiac Academy (fantasy worlds in general) which is what initially drove me to read this. Afterworld is my new favorite.

However, despite having a bit of a difficult time tracking everything that had happened out the gate. I felt like I still couldn't put my Kindle down afterward. I LOVE WEN. She is a fighter from the very beginning of her life and everything I want in an FMC with a doesnt take anything from anyone attitude. What she has gone through and continues to, gave me anxiety in the best way possible Godric! The enemies to lovers is my favorite trope and they were perfect. Tension!!

Now that I know there is new version of the book with significant changes and editing, I will 100% be rereading the newer version of the book. This is a completely bingeworthy read.

I'm seeing that the author revamped some things, and the new edition is on KU. I'm going to check out there and report back.

Thank You Netgalley, Seventh Wonder Press, and Olivia Pharos for the ARC copy. Now available on KU. I am not gonna lie this was a hard one to start with the strong language and sarcasm I did not catch on to. I purchased the audio and could get it so much better. I do feel Wen is not for everyone. But she grew on me and Godric was hilarious without him knowing. This is about kids at least it feels like that but with the foul language and context I would put it as the adult side of YA. I will continue the series because it was good. Come in with an open mind and if you love sarcasm and made up swear words and names, you will love this.

Initially, I was skeptical about this book and nearly added it to my DNF pile. However, I'm pleased to report that it exceeded my expectations, compelling me to immediately start the next installment in the series:

Setting and Genre: A unique blend of an academy setting within a post-apocalyptic world.
Romance: features elements of dark romance, adding depth to the narrative.
Personal Growth: Central to the storyline is the theme of self-discovery.
Supernatural Elements: The plot intricately weaves together a diverse cast that includes angels, demons, vampires, witches, faes, and humans.
Plot and Characters: engaging main plot accompanied by interesting side characters that enhance the story.
For those who appreciate a multifaceted narrative with a rich mix of characters and themes, this series promises to be a rewarding read.

Im actually shocked this book isnt rated higher. This book was great. There is so much going on, it never drags. I honestly really loved this one.

This captivating Fantasy Romance is book 1 in the Afterworld series.
The romance in this book is a very slow burn, with enemies to lovers.
The book isn’t spicy at all. There is suggestive language, and innuendos. No actual on page spice happens.
The book moves at a steady pace following the FMC as she is forced to attend an academic institution all while being attached to a Nephilim she cant get along with. Both are trying to solve what she is in secret as quickly, and quietly as possible.
The characters are amusing. The banter, and chemistry between the characters really makes the story irresistible.
The world building is complex, and favorable. The combination of fantasy, post apocalyptic life, and academic themes makes the book an instant page turner.

Wen White is the friend we all want. Rough around the edges but her fierce loyalty is unparalleled! I may be one of the only people who didn’t read this because of its implied vibe similarities to Zodiac Academy (as I havn’t read ZA yet). I requested this ARC because I am a huge sucker for a magical academy setting and Celestial Academy met my expectations. We experience this world through Wens eyes as she navigates a magical system filled with Angels, Archangels, Demons, Nephilim, Angel Graced and more! We get grumpy drill Sargent of a morally gray MMC with our morally grey to survive but has a kind heart FMC. We get enemies to lovers, slow burn, great side characters, forced proximity, fighting to survive and so much more! I’m looking forward to the rest of the series !

I absolutely loved this book. I could not stop thinking about it until I finished it. This book was very close to a five star read for me. I loved the characters and their development. I also really love this world and the politics put in place with the Archangels and the archdemons. It was an interesting twist to the demons since most are just referred to as princes or queens and kings.
How ever what I didn’t care for and stopped it from being a five star is it felt like it really dragged on a lot in the middle. You would get a small taste of the romance beginning and then it was shut down. I think if there had been small conflicts happening in between the training and the final battle the middle of the book would have not felt so long. Apart from the lost and school and the teacher conflict there wasn’t really any pull.
Again I still very much loved this book and look forward to book two coming out so maybe we get some more answers about Godric and what he is truly doing with his training methods…

I just finished “Celestial Academy: Essence” by Olivia Pharos, and I have to tell you all about it. This book is a wild ride through a post-apocalyptic world filled with angels, demons, and all sorts of magical beings. I requested this ARC from NetGalley because it promised “A sexy, gritty Mortal Instruments meets Fourth Wing. Think a military Hogwarts for angels and demons.” How could I resist? So, if you’re into fantasy with a dash of humor and a lot of action, this one might be right up your alley.

What I Liked
So, the story revolves around Wen, this sarcastic and relatable girl who gets thrown into Afterworld that has Hell and Heaven on Earth and ends up partnered with Godric, a powerful nephilim. The banter between Wen and Godric is absolutely my favorite part of the book. They constantly pull on each other’s nerves, and it’s hilarious. Wen’s quick wit and Godric’s brooding nature create such a fun dynamic that you’ll find yourself looking forward to every interaction between them.

Olivia Pharos has done an amazing job with the world-building too. The setting is a vivid post-apocalyptic world where angels and demons reign supreme, and it’s so detailed that you can almost see it. The perspective of the book is from Wen’s point of view, and her commentary is consistently hilarious. You’ll love how she gets through this crazy new world with her snarky attitude.

What Didn’t Resonate with Me
That said, there were times when Wen’s confrontational nature felt a bit over the top. Especially when she first meets her roommates at the academy, she comes off a bit too abrasive. Also, her internal monologues can be a bit lengthy, making it hard to distinguish between her thoughts and actual dialogue at times. But overall, these are minor issues in an otherwise gripping story.

Tropes and Themes
Here are some of the themes and tropes you’ll find in “Celestial Academy: Essence”:

- Enemies to Lovers: The slow-burn tension between Wen and Godric is filled with deliciously frustrating moments.

- Forced Proximity: They’re often thrown together, which makes their interactions even more intense.

- Trials/Contest: The academy students have to go through several trials, and these are written so intricately that you’ll be on the edge of your seat.

- Secret Ability: Wen’s journey of self-discovery is full of surprises.

- Angels and Demons: The classic conflict with a fresh twist.

- Dark Secrets and Elite Academy: The mysterious setting of the academy adds a lot of intrigue.

- Humans vs. ‘Others’: The societal hierarchy and conflicts add depth to the story.

- Found Family: Wen’s bond with her best friend Sarah and others will warm your heart.

Conclusion
“Celestial Academy: Essence” is a great start to Olivia Pharos’s Afterworld series. The rich world-building, engaging characters, and perfect blend of humor and tension make this book a must-read. Plus, the epilogue from Godric’s perspective will leave you waiting for the next book. If you love witty banter, high-stakes action, and a bit of slow burn romance set in a world of angels and demons, you’ve got to check this one out!

This was an absolute blast! The world-building is excellent, and each character is so distinctive that I grew to really care for them and will definitely jump onto the second book.

Certain elements of the worlds and trials the characters are put through felt nostalgic in all the best ways, maturing ideas that I loved in some of my favourite YA books back in the day. The only pitfall is that sometimes descriptions of the story's more fantastical/supernatural features felt a bit convoluted - which, although made sense in the attempt to use words in a new way to describe the indescribable, occasionally lost my attention due to lack of clarity.

Romatasy is a difficult genre to tackle in an original way whilst retaining the tropes and elements we know and love, and Olivia Pharos does a fantastic job. Celestial Academy will give you all the fuzzies and comfort of sipping hot chocolate in your pyjamas for two days straight.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just saw the author revised this and literally said not to read the original version; I can't tell which version the arc here is, so I'm just going to pick it up on KU later. I liked the vibe at the beginning so want to give it the best shot!

The first story in the Celestial Academy series starts slow andbuilds quickly, leaving you wanting more and guessing as to what will happenlater on. I really love the books where the human/supernatural lines are blurred!

This was a story that starts slow and ends fast, leaving you wanting more! It leaves you guessing what will develop as the goes on. A human is unwillingly immersed in the supernatural world and discovers a shocking fate for herself. This story will keep you enthralled with the snarky wit and sass. I highly recommend if you like a good supernatural thriller with a strong heroine and hunky “bad guy”.

I didn't realize the author revamped the title 6 months ago and it wasn't updated on here! I personally was not able to get through this book and DNF'd at chapter 10.

I felt like I was being jerked around from real life to fantasy - the scenes felt this way as well.

Absolutely LOVE this concept and would love to read the updated version!!

I’m a sucker for these kind of supernatural academy romance books. Zodiac academy gave me my first taste and this one is just as entertaining. The writing is perfectly fine for the genre of this book (does need a little bit of editing with some typos still), and the worldbuilding is decent. There is some casual mention of violence, death and sexual assault that is just a bit much, but for these kinds of books that is sort of okay and expected.
I liked it, I like that I still have questions and I really like the romance 😏😏

Saddle up ladies and gentlemen, you're in for a ride across Heaven and with a guidestraight out of Hell. But don't worry, your guide has a guide of her own! She's been taken, literally, under the wing of THE NEPHILIM, GOD HIMSELF, or, as she likes to call him, Godawfull. PS: Death Junior the first is also acceptable as a nickname. And, only in case you're wondering, GOD HIMSELF has a name: Godric.
I must say I wasn't expecting to like this book so much. It took me a while to get past the first 45 pages. Once I did it, good God! Three days and the whole book was read and making my mind race with theories, and a inmense sense of satisfaction because I KNEW.
Even if the book does remind me of Shadow Hunters, and man do I LOVE those books, it also has something makes me think of Vampire Academy. The story is great and I'm sure more is to come, Godric's ego sized greatness, that's for sure.
About this particular book I like how it shows angels and their "angelspawn" just how they were first depicted. Then, we have Death Junior the First's "I'll make a nuclear weapon out of you" which is a very Mulan-core thing to do, specially when having an erection the size of his while you're at it.
Then we have Wen, with her very secret, very German full name, and her very beloved Sarah. I have theories about that, but it's not like I KNOW, yet at least.
And then... THE END, THE PLOTWIST (if you're like me you may see it coming, but it's still impressive), THE IMPLICATIONS... But what makes it my "I'll cry as bad as I did when I read City of Heavenly Fire" and "if this goes like From Blood and Ash did I will fucking cry" is the word SOULMATES. That word means trouble in my mind as I'm sure it'll do back in Heaven, or Hell or wherever the fuck souls are conected.

Amazingly written! Held my interest from the beginning. Slow burn filled with loads of tension! The world building was top notch, and I never questioned what was going on. The main characters are relatable, especially Wen. The enemies to lovers was well written with all the tension. There are so many great things to say about this book, and I’m excited for the next one! I would recommend this book.