Ever King delivers a lush, intoxicating dive into a world of secrets, shadows, and simmering romance. Academy of Villains follows Kiara, a former assassin with a mysterious past, as she infiltrates a prestigious magical academy tied to ancient Greek powers and dark destinies. As Kiara uncovers her latent magic, she gets tangled in deadly politics, cursed legacies, and a forbidden romance with a brooding, tormented prince. 🗡️ Kiara is a Baddie: She's not your typical heroine. A former assassin with sharp wit, haunted past, and serious fight skills — watching her unravel both her power and vulnerability is incredibly satisfying. 👀 Room for More? Honestly, the only downside is how fast you’ll want the next book. It ends on a high note but leaves you desperate for the sequel (and more screen time for the rest of the Raven Society members).

🔥 Final Thoughts:
If you're craving a fast-paced, romantically charged fantasy with morally gray characters, dangerous magic, and a whole lot of secrets — Academy of Villains will devour your weekend. It’s the kind of book that makes you wish you could walk the haunted halls of a magical academy… while kissing a cursed prince in the shadows.

I’m going to be honest, I did not finish this book because of the way there is no real indentation, and just a space for the starting of the paragraphs. I downloaded it on kindle unlimited as well as I wasn’t aware it was already available and I thought it would be different in the published version and it wasn’t. It honestly made it more difficult to read and it was all I could focus on. I read one chapter and I just couldn’t. I’m sure I’d enjoy it otherwise

Academy of Villains is a dark academia fantasy romance that totally delivers on the vibes—magic, secrets, and a seriously addictive plot. From the very first page, I was hooked on Kiara’s mission of revenge and how quickly everything starts to twist when she discovers she actually has magic. The world is full of secret societies, grimoires, cursed princes, and mysterious trials, and it gave me just the right dose of enemies-to-lovers tension, danger, and dark magic.

I wish there had been a bit more world-building and detail in a few places, but overall, this was such a fun, fast-paced read. If you love a magical academy setting and some morally gray characters, this one’s totally for you. I’m really excited to see where the series goes next!

Academy of Villains
- Magical Academy
- Enemies to Lovers
- Shadow Daddy
- Assassin FMC
- Greek Mythology inspired
- Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing meets TOG
- Dark Academia vibes

I loved that the author weaved Greek mythology into the story in a way that made sense with the story. I was hooked after the first chapter. A fantastic read!
I really enjoyed the FMC as well and the MMC.
I will say, something about this story felt like something I’ve read before. Almost like it took pieces of ACOTAR, TOG, HP, and Fourth Wing and slammed it into a book with some Greek mythology. I mean this of course in the nicest way, because I still very much adored this book, the characters and the story.

Thanks to Net Galley and the author for this arc!
It was a cute YA romantasy but also...felt shallow in many ways. It's like it hit all the points you should in a YA Fantasy but...lacked the soul or passion in the story. Very fast. There is no real explanation of world building. You just kind of have to accept that things are happening and you won't get answers. Lots of leaps without the necessary work put in to make it a logical next step. It's kind of an insta love story.

All in all, it was interesting and I dont regret reading it. It felt like an easy read but would have liked more meat in the story!

My main reason for picking this up was because I saw a review that said this book was “so Slytherin coded” and it was “Throne of Glass meets Harry Potter with a Greek mythology twist."
This book did not disappoint, the story flowed well and had the perfect enemies to lovers story. I loved the story and the characters.
Would love to know more about what Kiara’s life was like before she joined the academy.

A fast-paced fantasy with a cool premise and some fun dark academia vibes. I was instantly intrigued by the setup—an assassin meant to kill a prince accidentally ends up at a magic academy? Yes, please. The magic system, secret societies, and mythology were definite highlights, and while the romance leaned more instant attraction than true enemies-to-lovers, it still had its entertaining moments. I was hoping for more academy life and slow-burn tension, but overall it was a quick, fun read with solid atmosphere and a creative magical world.

Academy of Villains by Ever King

Academy of Villains is a dark academia fantasy packed with forbidden magic, slow-burn romance, and enemies-to-lovers tension.

The worldbuilding is lush and gothic, with a sentient school, powerful grimoires, and shadowy secrets. The main characters are both compelling, morally grey characters whose chemistry crackles on the page. The romance is swoony and intense, with just the right amount of angst.

While some pacing issues and lighter mythological elements leave room for more depth, the story is gripping and addictive—a strong start to what promises to be an exciting series.

When I applied for this arc on NetGalley, I'd never have thought to be so intrigued by it. Another book to have kept me up almost all night. I had to fight myself from keeping it down. Kiara is such a badass FMC. She's practically everything a woman wants herself to be. Confident. Independent. Magnificient. Lucien and Kiara's chemistry is wondrously magnific.
It's a bit fast paced, however all the details are so vividly described. I loved reading it. Can't wait for the next book! Applying as soon as the applications start.

This book was AMAZING.
It was so immersive, I felt like i was in the book itself. It would work well as a movie.
I really enjoyed that it wasn't dragged out, and we got to see both povs. The plot was very exciting and there were lots of twists I didn't see coming.
I was hooked the whole time and really enjoyed this gorgeous book. I love school set fantasy books !

Perfect for teens, and those who like romantasy.

“Sacrifice is often the price of change.”

How is this Book not all over the socials?
I was getting Harry Potter/Zodiac Academy vibes but with a Greek twist! I couldn't put it down and was so sad when it was over. I'm so glad this is a series because I can't wait to dive back into the world of villains. This was fast paced and I was having a difficult time trying to find a good place to pause reading. If you love deadly trials, forbidden love, an overprotective MMC or dark academia, pick up this book!

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Academy of Villans is definitely something I would have picked up on my own - I love stories inspired by Greek Mythology. The pacing was great, and the plot flowed smoothly. The author did a great job setting each scene with vivid descriptions, instead of simply telling us what is going on. I loved the characters as well, each having a distinct personality. This would be a good book for those who are just getting started with fantasy, as the fantasy elements were pretty easy to follow

Good read.
It's nothing exactly new - I've noticed many tropes and topics mentioned in different books.
Half of the book was very predicible for me - then author added some new things and I got caught up thinking 'huh. Interesting’.
I had a good time and I'm waiting for the second book 🎉

I was a little uncertain about this one when I first started but then the more I read the more I loved it.

It feels like Harry Potter meets Shadow and Bone in a lot of ways while also being unique. I loved the school concept and the differing types of magic each character has. I'm also a big fan of the "lost magic" suddenly reappearing concept because there's so much you can do with it. There are numerous paths to take and the one taken in this book was a new, interesting take and I fell in love with it.

The FMC and MMC start off very much as enemies and the author does really well not falling into the "insta-love" trap some authors do. The slow building of trust from the FMC fits her personality perfectly. She's naturally against trusting anyone but herself because of how she was raised and the author does really well keeping to that persona and growing it.

I think the only critique I would have is that the ending is somewhat anti-climactic. I was expecting a big cliffhanger or a massive battle or something to make you hold your breath but that doesn't really happen. It just sort of ends with any kind of closure at all and hoping for more in the second one. I will definitely be reading the sequel when it comes out.

Thank you Met Gallery and the Author for the copy of this book.

I was instantly drawn in upon reading the book's blurb. The blend of enemies-to-lovers, magic academy, and Greek Mythology was compelling.

The reimagining of Greek Mythology was skillfully integrated into the narrative. The magic academy evoked Hogwarts, with its Slytherin house ambiance. The magic system was distinctive and engaging. Mages are assigned a grimoire based on their elemental magic, which starts blank and displays spells to the user as needed, while remaining blank to others.

Although the enemies-to-lovers aspect did not align with my expectations, as I prefer the gradual development of love and hate, I still found it enjoyable.

The concept was captivating, and I highly recommend it to fans of dark academia, magic, trials, fated mates, and dual POV. This is a series I plan on devouring! ⚔️

4 🌟 bravo!

What a clever twist on Greek mythology - a subject I rather fancy!

My only complaints are that 1) I wish there was a little more relationship building between Kiara and Lucian. Their relationship was very black and white, and neither of them really did anything to learn about the other.
And 2) there were SO many secrets between the Raven Society members where the storyline could’ve been filled a little more.

———
Kiara is a nameless - a “mundane” hired by the King as a silent assassin. You get a job, you get in, kill, and leave. In and out, you never hesitate.

When she’s assigned to kill Prince Lucian, Kiara breaks into the academy to follow through. Only Lucian catches her first, and she gets dragged into a magic ceremony where she discovers that she’s not mundane, but has been gift a very rare magic - starfire.

Kiara learns that she’s is tied to Prince Lucian by their Heartstring, and they are sent on a journey together to break the curse against his family. Along the way they learn to trust each other and fall in love.

The books ends by them magically walking through a mirror back to the academy, where Lucian fills in his friends about everything they learned.

———
Overall, I’d give the story a 3.75/4 star rating as I felt there were so many details that were left out/could’ve been built up a little more.

Loved this enemies to lovers fantasy. The world was full of dark magic where the fated ones must work together to vanish the dark corruption that has a hold of the king. The magic system is unique with a Grimoire, and I love the dark academic vibes it has going throughout. I want to know more about the Academy of Magic and can not wait to see where this series goes.

This was a fun and easy read. I love dark academia genres, and this delivers exactly that. The story reads more YA since the female main character is around 18 or so, she is an assassin who was raised to hate anyone with magic.

She infiltrates the Academy of Magic to kill Lucian the Dark Prince, but discovers she possesses magic herself. This leads to both a journey of self-discovery and an internal conflict as she grapples with her assassination mission.

There's an intriguing push and pull between her and Lucian, with her celestial magic and his shadow magic drawing them together.

The story weaves together magic, grimoires, curses, and secret societies into its narrative. As the first book in the series, it establishes the foundation while hinting at more intense developments—including possible betrayal—to come.

I particularly appreciate that Kiara and Lucian's relationship reaches a satisfying resolution rather than ending on a cliffhanger. The next book will focus on a different couple as they work to solve the curse.

The romance remains relatively mild, featuring several intimate kisses and one tastefully closed-door scene toward the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see how the series develops.

Thank you NetGalley and Ever King for this book.

Okay—that was deliciously dark, wickedly clever, and way too addictive for my own good.

Academy of Villains isn’t just a book—it’s a full-blown obsession. Ever King throws us into a world where being bad isn’t just accepted—it’s required. And somehow, I found myself falling for every morally gray character like it was a group sport.

This story owns its premise: a school for villains where power games, secrets, and backstabbing are part of the curriculum—and love? Oh, it’s messy, dangerous, and absolutely irresistible. The banter crackles, the tension simmers, and the plot? Twistier than a snake in a pretzel factory.

The world-building is rich and immersive, with just the right amount of darkness to make you feel like you’re sneaking into forbidden halls after curfew. And the characters? Complex, layered, and dripping with charisma. You’ll hate to love them—and love to hate them. Which, let’s be honest, is half the fun.

By the end, I wasn’t just hooked—I was fully initiated into the academy. Crown me, curse me, give me book two right now.

The book was fascinating as far as I have read but the new chapters and additions to the book will add more thrill I'm sure . I haven't posted the review on Social media yet as I will read the upgraded version and give my thoughts at once. Kiara and Lucian's dynamic was tension filled, mysterious and everything you can ask for in a assassin and target romance. The magic - I have always loved magic and the unique magic twist the characters were given was amazing and so knowledgeable and entertaining.. can't wait to read the updated version and get more fun