This was a fun book with a beautiful cover. But it definitely read more YA than adult which hampered my enjoyment somewhat. I do see this having a devoted fan base though because what’s not to like about hot angelic men and kick ass fmc’s.

Brielle is heading into a bad situation. To try to save her father, her family is in debt to demons. When a chance to enter the Fallen Academy puts her on the opposite side, no one trusts her and her teachers are hiding something too.

Interesting characters with a somewhat predictable plot. Big revelations at the end of the novel spark my curiosity to explore the next title.

3.5⭐️
I can honestly say I consumed this book within 24 hours of picking it up! And no lie, for the first half I didn’t realize this was a YA! It feels slightly unfair for an adult reader to critique a YA, but this book will appeal to late teens more. After about the midway mark it leans much more heavily to early college hijinks. Overall, this was a fun read! And a little bit confusing for me on the nostalgia scale…

Set in an urban fantasy, Bri is 18 years old, just entering college, and she’s surrounded by hot hot hotty angels and demons as her new powers begin to manifest. Though war rages just outside the city, academy dances, hitting up clubs, and a beach party still occur and this teen gets to live her best life and newfound adult freedom! This was a romp, and a fun form of nostalgia to my own college years! The writing lends itself to a lot of millennial specific tropes though, possibly on accident. For instance, at one point the term “va-jay-jay” is used, which was absolutely part of my vernacular circa 2009 to 2015. And a reference is made to Thor’s hammer, and how an archangel doesn’t know who that is. As an aside and in truth, I was a little apprehensive this would head towards an old stigmafication of the “gay best friend” trope, but it doesn’t, thankfully! And instead there is a surprise sassy favorite side character that appears and steals the show for me! Crossing my fingers for a movie production and release on this one - I do think it has potential to be a newer generations version of Vampire Diaries. Thank you to Leia Stone and Bloom Books for allowing me to receive an ereader copy!

I went into this book just looking for an enjoyable, quick read. What I got was what felt like a night spent on Wattpad or WeInk. Not to say that everything on those apps is bad, but many times the editing is off, plot lines are weak, and character arcs are lacking. This book was inconsistent and confusing. It was like being a monkey on crack bouncing from one limb to another then falling to the ground. I just didn't enjoy it like I thought I would. However, this author does have enjoyable books. And I don't want to give the impression that because I don't like this book I am trashing the author - I just don't think it was the best representation of her works.

Round up to 3.75!

I loved that this was fast paced, addictive, and impossible to put down. If you love Divergent, Hunger Games, or Zodiac Academy, this one needs to be on your TBR. The world and magic system are so unique, and while I still have a million questions about the war and the bigger picture, that just makes me even more excited to dive into the next book.

Brielle is exactly the kind of FMC I love:snarky, sarcastic, and absolutely refusing to be broken, no matter what’s thrown at her. And then there’s Lincoln. Enemies to lovers with a trainer and student dynamic? Sign me up the hell up! The tension between these two was everything, though I need more buildup and even more sparring sessions in book two.

The found family vibes were also perfect! Found family is my favorite trope in a fantasy book so I obviously adored this part the most.Bri’s friend group was so supportive despite their differences, and their dynamic added so much heart to the story. And while some plot points were a little predictable, the pacing was nonstop. I devoured this in one sitting, completely hooked from start to finish.

If you love fast paced romantasy with tension, banter, and an immersive world, Fallen Academy is it. Now excuse me while I jump straight into book two!

This book immediately captured my attention, I am a sucker for dark academia books. I loved the premise of this book, especially that the angels are below the demons and that the FMC was thrown into a difficult situation with the powers of good and bad literally fighting for her. This book had a wonderful character development and I loved the world building.

Also to romance in this book was very hot, I love s good enemies to lovers-trope and this book delivered on that end. Though sometimes it felt like the push and pull was little too extreme, but all and all, I liked it.

Brielle is destined to join the evil side of society after the war between Heaven and Hell literally brings angelic and demonic powers to humans on Earth, due to a desperate bargain made to save her father's life. After her celestial powers are unlocked, the powers of good and evil fight for control of her destiny. While being promised to the dark side, she is allowed to train her powers in the Angel City's Fallen Academy under the hot yet broody Lincoln. What a ride. Action packed and just the right amount of slow burning tension.

An academy for angels rules by arc angels or servitude towards demons, sign me up. This book immediately captured my attention. Our FMC is thrust into a world she never expected. The school setting is great and delivered what most expect and want in a dark academia. I enjoyed the demon and angel history, especially given the color of our FMC’s wings. I will absolutely be reading on to continue the series. My own minor critique for myself was I felt some of the conflicts resolved too quickly. And the romantic interest moved too quickly (this is coming from someone who loves a multi book slow burn). Most people will enjoy their whirlwind romance.

Leria Stone is a comfort fantasy author for me. I love her character development and world-building. She has a way of pulling me in with her story-telling and uniqueness to her worlds. I loved this one, the only problem is I want more and hate the wait.

“Fallen Academy: Year One,” by Leia Stone

A magic academy where the angel is below the demons. I liked the story plot with the demons and angels and the battle between them with the people’s origins being to one or more of the originals. The plot itself so far wasn’t very surprising but I did like it the entire time. I wish there was more about the world because I found it super interesting and unlike what I usually read in most books. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Angels
-Demons
-Magic
-Magic Academy
-Enemies To Lovers

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

The start of this book was really strong, and I was immediately drawn into the world. However, the more I read, the less I was invested in the story.

The romance felt a little weird, one moment they like each other and Bri thinks that Lincoln is the best person on earth, the next she hates him again. The hot and cold was just not it for me.

I did like the friendship between Bri and Shea. I would have liked it even more if seh was stuck a little longer in the Tainted Academy and that Bri should have done more to get her out. Now, it felt a little rushed and not worked out.

I loved this book. I really enjoyed the story, I fell in love with the world, and the characters. I also really enjoy urban fantasy settings and this book delivered on that in the best way! I am so excited read the sequel! Thank you so much to Leia Stone and Bloom books for the eARC!

3.25 🌟 Fast-paced, addictive read with an angels-vs-demons twist. Brielle is a sharp, sassy heroine, and the world is full of high stakes, magic, and action. While the romance felt a bit rushed and the writing repetitive at times, the story kept me hooked, especially with that cliffhanger! If you love paranormal YA with enemies-to-lovers, strong friendships, and plenty of twists, this one’s worth checking out!!

Fallen Academy: Year One is about Brielle who sold her soul to a demon at a young age to save her dad, and it has bad ramifications, and because of that she should be going to Tainted Academy but ends up going to Fallen Academy. This book is labeled Young Adult, but I feel like it reads more upper YA and New Adult, there is no spice just steam but even outside of that some of the things the characters do and say, reads older not in a bad way but more since YA is for such a large age range (12-18) maybe not completely suitable for the lower YA audience. (Which what is appropriate for a 17-year-old is not the same as a 12-year-old.)

This book gives me Zodiac Academy and Mortal Instruments vibes, and I like that about this book. Outside of the Shadowhunter books, there haven't been any books that featured Angels/Demons that I cared for until this one. There is a student/teacher relationship between Brielle and Lincoln, but in a not creepy or typical way, she is 18, he is 22, there doesn't seem to be any real rule that they can't be together, and he is more of her trainer than her teacher. I think the book gives you just enough information about the world and magic system without overexplaining it like a lot of other fantasy books suffer from and that it had almost an ensemble cast feel even though the book was in Brielle's point of view.

I liked the play with the romance here, but I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it. Brielle, and her friends are all interesting, strong, tough, relatable, and you root for them and their friendship. I also rooted for Lincoln and his friendships with his friends, even though we didn't get to see it much in this book, but I hope in this book we get to see it more. This book is fast-paced, and I like that it's not drawn out, especially in certain parts as while is descriptive it is also easy to read.

I will be seeking out the rest of the series, but it's not hard when Leia Stone is an amazing writer, and I am already in love with her Ember Wars Series. If you like magical schools, trainer/trainee relationships, angels vs demons, and a fun cast, then check this out. :) [Why did the mean girl have to have my name though :( ]

Thanks to Bloom Books for the ARC.

I really had high expectations for this book because the blurb was so reminiscent of my all time favorite series, Harry Potter, only that we are dealing with angels and demons here instead of wizards and witches. In the same vein as those books with hero of destiny theme, Fallen Academy follows the story of Brielle Atwater who did not know that she’s the prophesized Messiah who will end or worsen the war between the angels and demons. I will not bore you with the intricacies of what Fallen Academy is all about as the blurb is pretty clear where the story is going.

So why am I giving this book a 3 star when most of the Harry Potter books yielded a 5 star from me? Well, the book just did not resonate with me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Angel vs. Demon stories; as as a matter of fact, Susan Ee’s Angelfall is an all time fave series, too, and the sole reason why I got hooked with Angel stories. Fallen Academy, however, was just a so so for me. Nothing hit the right spot for me. I find the relationship between Lincoln and Brielle forced and too fast-paced, Brielle and the other characters’ development shallow, the plot very unsurprising and averagely (not poorly) executed, and the world building okay. To sum it up, nothing had awed me while reading Fallen Academy Year One.

Since this is the first installment of the series, I expected that there is an elaborate explanation about our Angels and Demons and how the war came to be. I get that most angel and demon stories are inspired from the Bible, I would have expected that the author took the time to put a new spin on a beloved and extremely familiar story. Unfortunately, the book was more focused with Brielle’s feelings for her handsome teacher, Lincoln.

This book has so much potential particularly that the setting, academia, is something that I really love. There are a lot of things to explore and expound on but the romance became the focus of this book. If the romance had been beautifully executed, I would have declared that it’s a win for the book. Unfortunately, the romance also did not do it for me. So what I’m saying is, read this book at your own risk. It might or might not work for you. I enjoyed it at some point but forgot about it most of the time that’s why it took me a long time to read it. Will I read the next installment? Well, that would depend on my patient and my schedule so nothing certain as of this time yet.

I absolutely loved this one. I can’t say enough good things. I will be a long time fan of Leia for years to come now.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Fallen Academy: Year One was a fast-paced, easy read, but it didn’t completely hook me. The story felt rushed at times, and some parts seemed a bit all over the place. While I liked the characters, I didn’t feel a deep connection to them, which made it harder to fully immerse myself in the world. I was hoping for more depth and development, but it just fell a little flat for me. That said, it had some enjoyable moments and might be a fun read for those who love quick, action-packed fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for providing me with this digital arc!

THANK YOU TO BLOOM BOOKS AND THE AUTHOR FOR THIS ARC!!! I absolutely loved this book. The banter, character development, world, and plot twists were amazing. The urban fantasy setting was well written. I cannot wait to read the sequel.

I love this author and her other books. I couldn't wait to read this and was so glad I did. It was everything and more I wanted this book to be.

3.5 ⭐️

First of all, I honestly really enjoyed the book🫶🏻. It kept my interest throughout the entire story, and at times, it gave me strong Divergent and Zodiac Academy vibes.

Here are some of my thoughts:

- I really liked the world the author created, but I think it needed a bit more depth to fully understand the setting in which the story takes place.

- I enjoyed the love story between Lincoln and Brielle from the start, but the time jumps the author included made it hard for me to see how their relationship developed the way I would have liked.

- I also would have liked to see more development in Brielle and some of the secondary characters.

Regardless of that, I really enjoyed the book, and I do plan to read the next ones to see how the story unfolds✨.

Thank you, NetGalley and the author, for sending me the ARC—this is my honest review.