Really enjoyed Olivia Pharos's debut novel, Celestial Academy: Essense. It's a well-crafted training academy novel, focusing on angels and demons, with a heavy dose of romantic tension. I'm a big fan of fantasy, but can often get bogged down with too much world building that focuses on a large amount of made-up references. It's a fine line to navigate - providing enough detail that the reader gets fully immersed, without making them feel like they're taking an advanced level course on a subject they'd never heard of before cracking the spine. Pharos does a great job of using enough elements from our modern world, and references to beings common in our folklore and religious traditions, that we can we can follow along without feeling taxed. I listened to the audio version of the book, and Amanda Leigh Cobb did a great job with inflection and pacing. I often listen to books at 1.5 or 1.75 speed, but I start out getting a feel for the narrator at standard speed so that I can get an accurate feel for the narrator's character voices and their animation. Often times this short stint at 1.0 speed can feel like such a slog - with narrators drawing out every syllable and pause. But Cobb keeps things at a good conversation speed - so much so that I wouldn't have had any issues listening to the entire book at 1.0 speed. I also appreciated the pauses in between chapters and transitions. So much easier to follow along with an audio book that provides distinctions that are visible only on the page. All in all I'm hooked in the storyline. Can't wait to see where our characters lead in the next installment.

I was provided a free copy of this audiobook by NetGalley for my review. (My first NetGalley review!) All opinions expressed are my own.

This book just wasn't for me. Maybe it was the narrator or the book itself. I was not a fan. I did not finish.

This book was very good. Sometimes, it was difficult for me to imagine what was going on because of the angels' power. I see mostly black when I read, so this may not be a problem with other readers.

I loved Wen's relationship with Sarah. That is Found Family at its best. I was surprised at how quickly Jenny became obsessed with Sarah.

I can't wait to read book 2 and find out more of what's going on. So many questions!

This book is entertaining from the first chapter, Wen, the FMC is so funny, I couldn’t help laughing out loud at all of her snaps and remarks throughout the book.

This book was everything I love about romance fantasy: an alternate universe, sizzling tension, feisty female heroine with a lot of wit and foul mouth, brooding and extremely attractive hero, mystery and intrigue.
It was addictive and I couldn’t stop listening.

Now I must own this book as part of my collection. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I have found a new author to love and I am excited for more.

The narrator did such an amazing job, I was fully immersed in the story. I have listened to a few other books narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb and I’ve got to say she does very well with her interpretation of the male voice, sometimes you forget the same narrator is doing all the voices.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the free copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

The world-building is amazing, blending post-apocalyptic vibes with celestial drama. Wen, the main character, is fierce, snarky, and has a no-nonsense attitude, which makes her interactions with Godric, a powerful nephilim, even more enjoyable. Their slow-burn romance is both frustrating and intriguing, adding a lot of tension to the story.

Amanda Leigh Cobb's narration brings Wen's personality to life perfectly, capturing her sass and determination. If you're into enemies-to-lovers with a supernatural twist, this audiobook is definitely worth a listen!

I almost put this book down. The first twenty percent was too manic and unfocused, and then boom something happened. That is where I found the rhythm since this book comes in waves. Slow sections have you trudging to get through, then a race to the next peak, all while watching the battle of good and evil playing out without truly knowing who is good and who is evil.

The age difference within this enemies to friends (they aren’t at the lover’s stage, yet) theme was a bit cringy. Wen is a mouthy sixteen full of insults and questions, Godric, all scowls, and growls, is somewhere between 30 and 30 thousand. For being an “inexperienced” teen girl, her thoughts are spicy with descriptions way beyond her years.

So many characters. There is a glossary at the end, but you might need to keep notes with both names and how they are related to the hierarchy. Lorcan and Gideon, cousins of Godric, bring humor and lighthearted parts that the book needs. Sarah, Wen’s only friend, is reminiscent of Enid Sinclair from the show Wednesday. Yet, there is more to her story, way more, and the reader is just getting to the tell me more parts with her. And the twenty or so others at the academy all vying for a place without dying first.

What carries this book is the banter. You will find yourself laughing and smirking. As far as I can tell, the plan is 7 books, but with the “oh, that’s interesting”, that carries the reader from one chapter to another, there is no telling how far this series can go.

I’m assuming Olivia Pharos is a pseudonym since the writer comes across as someone with more experience than the usual first-time indie author. Be careful while searching out this book, it appears there are a couple of different authors using the same book title.

With Wen’s spicy thoughts, the Celestial Academy falls firmly into the new adult fantasy realm.

Celestial Academy: Essence by Olivia Pharos is a book that had the potential to be a captivating tale of magic, intrigue, and academy life, but unfortunately, it falls short due to its overly complex narrative and scattered plot.

From the start, the audiobook presents a myriad of characters, settings, and plot threads that make it difficult to grasp the central storyline. The author introduces numerous elements without giving the listener enough time to connect with any of them. This results in a confusing experience, where it’s hard to see where the story is heading or to care about the characters and their journeys.

The pacing of the narrative feels uneven, with some parts dragging on while others rush through crucial moments. The overwhelming amount of detail and the constant introduction of new concepts can leave listeners feeling lost, struggling to keep up with what’s happening. The audiobook format only amplifies these issues, as it’s harder to revisit sections that might need a second listen to fully understand.

The narration itself is competent, but it can’t compensate for the convoluted plot. The narrator tries to bring the characters and world to life, but the disjointed story makes it hard to maintain engagement. Despite the narrator’s efforts, the overall experience feels more like a chore than an enjoyable escape into a magical world.

In conclusion, Celestial Academy: Essence might appeal to those who enjoy highly detailed and complex fantasy worlds, but for many, it will be a struggle to stay engaged. The audiobook is particularly challenging due to the dense and confusing storyline, making it difficult to recommend to those looking for a more straightforward and immersive fantasy experience.

A thrilling start to the Afterworld series, blending elements of fantasy, romance, and post-apocalyptic adventure. The story follows Wen, a demon-owned human who finds herself entangled in a dangerous world where Heaven and Hell coexist on Earth. Wen’s life takes a dramatic turn when she is conscripted to the Celestial Academy, a place where angels and demons train.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is a key element, adding tension and depth to Wen’s relationships. However, her character can be a bit too annoying at times, coming off as overly confrontational, especially in her initial interactions with other characters. While this might be intentional to highlight her growth, it’s something that stood out for me.

Regarding the audiobook, I had to adapt to the speed of the narrator at the beginning (it was a bit too fast at the beginning imo). Additionally, the way the narrator portrayed Wen made her even less likable, which affected my overall experience. Regardless, the story was a good one. Because of this, I recommend reading the physical book instead.

Overall, it’s worth the read!

Think Iron Flame in terms of banter and relationship dynamic. In terms of plot and everything else I have nothing to compare it with. It was such a unique experience. The concept of a cold war between Heaven and Hell, children of Archangels and Demons alike coming together to study and enhance their powers it was gripping. Although I must say the whole "lusting" and pining was cringe worthy at best from start to finish. I'm here for the friendship the girls formed and I'm sooo curious to know where the author will take the plot after THAT ending. You bet I'll be reading the next 2 books aswell.

A must read if you enjoy constant banter, love-hate relationships, strong friendship dynamics, a good ol biblical setting with a twist of fantasy, darkness and magic. And of course a good enemies to "you're bearable" trope. Happy reading😉

4.5 rounded up ⭐

Read if you like:
Enemies to lovers
Nephilim, archangels and archdemons
Academy stories
Magic
Sister bond ✨


Ty to NetGalley and publishers for a free Audiocopy! This follows Wen “Gwendolyn”, ,being sentenced to Celestial Academy underneath the control of her angelhole after illegal activities. Wen is a snarky, arrogant, selfless character who would say and do reckless things to save anyone she cares about.

It was laugh out loud funny at times, sit on the edge of your seat gripping, and the English accents with the characters, especially archangels, yessss! I'm here for it. I'm so interested in other Academies too, this world is so rounded and awesome and I haven't even read zodiac academy to be able to compare.

If you're looking for something unique with a great plot and story, this one is for you!

The energy sizzling between Godric and Wen is *chefs kiss*. 🤌🏻 Can't wait to get the second book!

This felt like too many books jumbled into one for me. I didn’t like the FMC nor really the narrator. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was amazing. The storyline was captivating and the characters were gripping. I really enjoyed this and will be going forward and reading more from this author.

Ich habe mich über das Buch sehr gefreut. Es ist nicht nur fließend zum lesen sondern auch sehr spannend.

This was such a good, fun and intense read! It’s like if Hogwarts was a military school for angels and demons. I was unable to put it down. I can’t wait to read the second book!
Thanks NetGalley, and Olivia Pharos for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but I really enjoyed it. I especially liked the audiobook reader and how Wen’s sarcasm really came through. It was hilarious to hear her inner monologue all the time.

I received the audiobook from NetGalley

First, I received an Audiobook ARC from NetGalley!

Wow! I didn’t know what to expect from this audiobook when I started. I found it to be amazing by my standards. It’s a fun take on Angels and Demons. As a student of religion, I appreciate the work that the author did when it comes to who and what the angels are. Keep in mind that it’s fiction so don’t get all picky with details people. Simply enjoy the book for what it is, a very fun ride with a foul mouth FMC.

The narrator did an excellent jobs with all the voice changes. She kept me engaged from start to finish.

Olivia Pharos just filled the romantasy void that the Emperyan Series, Acotar, FBBA, and TOG left, and it was a debut novel, so I see this series and the writing developing and getting better as the books come out. I will most likely be listening to this one again!

I was surprised to see that this was Mrs. Pharos's debut novel! The story was well-developed, and the characters were easy to identify and follow. Additionally, the narrator did a fantastic job!

I will definitely be pre-ordering the subsequent books as they are released.

Thank you to Olivia Pharos via Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this book.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Celestial Academy: Essence by Olivia Pharos.

Celestial Academy: Essence is an absolute masterpiece! Olivia Pharos has woven a spellbinding tapestry of dark fantasy and fiesty romance. The world-building is breathtaking, drawing readers into a realm of angels, demons, and forbidden magic. The characters are complex and captivating, with Wen's journey from enslaved to extraordinary being a heart-pounding rollercoaster which kept me on the edge of my seat for the majority of this story. The slow-burn tension between her and Godric is pure agony and ecstasy.

After listening to the audio book on NetGalley, I'm running to get my hands on the second book Celestial Academy: Null. The immersive experience of listening to the audiobook transported me directly into the world of Celestial Academy, making it even harder to put down. The narrator's performance brought the characters to life in a way that reading the book alone couldn't have matched. Their voice perfectly captured the emotions of the story.

This book is a must-read for fans of fantasy, romance, and unforgettable storytelling! Prepare to be captivated by a dystopian world filled with thrilling tension, compelling characters, and heartwarming friendships.

3.5 STARS. An interesting romantasy that will appeal to fans of Sarah J Maas or Zodiac Academy. It did feel like this has been over done and it was in need of a bit more editing but overall a good start to a new series.

Celestial Academy: Essence follows Wen as she is forced to attend a magical school full of angels and demons. I really enjoyed the main characters and the majority of the secondary characters! I always love a magical school setting, but I wanted slightly more. This book definitely reminds me of Zodiac Academy with different types of magic and without the hardcore bullying. I will be continuing the series and hope to see more world-building and character development.

I received an ALC from Olivia Pharos | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.