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Darkbirch Academy 4: Stars and Lies
Esme escaped the Ide trials with her life.
What she didn’t escape was him.
Now Dayn is watching her differently, as if whatever happened in the trials changed something between them in a way she doesn't fully understand. But the worst part is the more time she spends alone with him, the harder it becomes to pretend she doesn’t feel it too.
As old secrets begin surfacing within Darkbirch, Esme is pulled deeper into dangerous mysteries, shifting alliances, and truths that were buried for a reason. But with every answer uncovered, the tension between her and Dayn only tightens, until the line between enemy, ally, and something far more dangerous starts to blur completely.
Meanwhile, Brynn is discovering that a Malabranche demon's attention is far more dangerous than Chad's threats ever were.
And the deeper they dig into the lies surrounding Darkbirch… the clearer it becomes that someone has been planning something for a very long time.
What she didn’t escape was him.
Now Dayn is watching her differently, as if whatever happened in the trials changed something between them in a way she doesn't fully understand. But the worst part is the more time she spends alone with him, the harder it becomes to pretend she doesn’t feel it too.
As old secrets begin surfacing within Darkbirch, Esme is pulled deeper into dangerous mysteries, shifting alliances, and truths that were buried for a reason. But with every answer uncovered, the tension between her and Dayn only tightens, until the line between enemy, ally, and something far more dangerous starts to blur completely.
Meanwhile, Brynn is discovering that a Malabranche demon's attention is far more dangerous than Chad's threats ever were.
And the deeper they dig into the lies surrounding Darkbirch… the clearer it becomes that someone has been planning something for a very long time.
- GenresFantasy
472 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 27, 2026
The darker Darkbirch Academy gets, the more obsessed I become.
Darkbirch Academy 4: Stars and Lies by Krista Graves pulls Esme Salem even deeper into a world filled with dangerous secrets, dark magic, dragons, and impossible choices. The tension between Esme and Dayn had me completely hooked, and the gothic fantasy atmosphere made it impossible to put down.
I think this one might be my favorite in the series so far! We still get multiple POVs, with a new character perspective added into the mix. There was so much happening with every character that I felt completely locked in the entire time.
The worldbuilding was fantastic. I love how each book continues to expand the world and introduce new places to explore. And that slow burn? It’s definitely starting to heat up.
That ending??? Where is the next book already? I can’t wait to see how everything comes together.
I also want to thank Krista for allowing me to read these stories. There’s something about this world and these characters that has carved out such a special place in my heart.
Darkbirch Academy 4: Stars and Lies by Krista Graves pulls Esme Salem even deeper into a world filled with dangerous secrets, dark magic, dragons, and impossible choices. The tension between Esme and Dayn had me completely hooked, and the gothic fantasy atmosphere made it impossible to put down.
I think this one might be my favorite in the series so far! We still get multiple POVs, with a new character perspective added into the mix. There was so much happening with every character that I felt completely locked in the entire time.
The worldbuilding was fantastic. I love how each book continues to expand the world and introduce new places to explore. And that slow burn? It’s definitely starting to heat up.
That ending??? Where is the next book already? I can’t wait to see how everything comes together.
I also want to thank Krista for allowing me to read these stories. There’s something about this world and these characters that has carved out such a special place in my heart.
June 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️
Ok I’m very upset this is getting a low rating from me because I absolutely devoured the first 3 books…but this is taking a weird turn from the plot. This has a lot of povs and it gets very distracting and a little overwhelming. I got confused on who I was reading and where we were location wise.
But Dayn and Esme’s POVs were absolutely amazing. That’s what saved this one. They have such amazing tension and chemistry, it keeps you going. This is such a good series but this book just fell a wee bit flat for me.
Now *minor spoiler* but the ending is hinting at one of my least favorite tropes…..(love triangle). Which is completely off base from the plot.
Ok I’m very upset this is getting a low rating from me because I absolutely devoured the first 3 books…but this is taking a weird turn from the plot. This has a lot of povs and it gets very distracting and a little overwhelming. I got confused on who I was reading and where we were location wise.
But Dayn and Esme’s POVs were absolutely amazing. That’s what saved this one. They have such amazing tension and chemistry, it keeps you going. This is such a good series but this book just fell a wee bit flat for me.
Now *minor spoiler* but the ending is hinting at one of my least favorite tropes…..(love triangle). Which is completely off base from the plot.
May 28, 2026
I'm conflicted because I loved the previous installments so much but reading this book felt like a chore half of the time. also I hate the relevations at the end. and the epilogue
May 28, 2026
Wow. I am actually fully annoyed with this book. Because what the hell is going on?
So, Esme was doing the ritual to help bring back the Ides and her grandmother, Esther, during the ritual soulbonded Esme with Merlin. And not only that, she removed the emotional parts of her soul and tried to rewrite her literal essence, fully messing with her. She’s also an Ide now, and by causing this link, it allows Merlin to have a human-like form as Esme is his anchor.
AND now stinking, dirty, backstabbing, betraying grandmonster Esther could now have a form as well because she sacrificed Esme. WTF.
So now, when Esme and Dayn want to fully bond, she can’t because it would always be a partial bond since they have to bond in body, heart, and soul. And the only way to get rid of the bond is to do this stupid Rite of Claim, where the ritual will decide which one is the true bond. However, it’s not just going to be like, “OK, which bond is the natural bond?” It literally forces Esme to go through a full bond with both of them because apparently, since her and Merlin’s bond didn’t get time to mature, it will give a fair chance to both.
What kind of nonsense is this?
And then we ended the epilogue with Dominic Merlin, who was watching Dayn and Esme have sex, and he’s thinking to himself that he didn’t plan to have himself bonded to Esme, but it might be a complication he wants, as he watches her naked. EW. What? I’m actually so upset it’s not even funny.
Then we have all the different subplots going on. Jax, who is Esme’s younger brother, is awake now and is bonded with an Ide. And that Ide is his father. Throughout the book, we were seeing them being able to work together because the father doesn’t want to take control like the others. And we find out in the last couple of chapters that Esther may have caused something that led him to die because he was supposed to go on a reconnaissance mission for something involving the clearbloods, and they changed the mission last minute. And when Esther was telling Esme about the soul link she forcefully gave her, she said a phrase that triggered his memory.
Brynn and Chad are reunited, and Chad’s demon side sees Brynn as his prized one and is completely obsessing over her and wants to fully claim her. And Brynn is all here for it. Chad also managed to create a one-sided bond where he could feel her emotions and even hear things Brynn experiences so he could protect her. Love it.
The only thing with this subplot is I don’t trust Chad’s full demon father because there has to be a reason why his mother would seal him away and hide him from his father. That’s real suspicious. Brynn is also struggling with her Ide that is trying to take over her body, and it seems insanely strong.
Next subplot: the dragons. Dane’s brother, who framed him for killing their father, apparently is colluding with the Clearbloods to attack the Darkbloods.
So, Esme was doing the ritual to help bring back the Ides and her grandmother, Esther, during the ritual soulbonded Esme with Merlin. And not only that, she removed the emotional parts of her soul and tried to rewrite her literal essence, fully messing with her. She’s also an Ide now, and by causing this link, it allows Merlin to have a human-like form as Esme is his anchor.
AND now stinking, dirty, backstabbing, betraying grandmonster Esther could now have a form as well because she sacrificed Esme. WTF.
So now, when Esme and Dayn want to fully bond, she can’t because it would always be a partial bond since they have to bond in body, heart, and soul. And the only way to get rid of the bond is to do this stupid Rite of Claim, where the ritual will decide which one is the true bond. However, it’s not just going to be like, “OK, which bond is the natural bond?” It literally forces Esme to go through a full bond with both of them because apparently, since her and Merlin’s bond didn’t get time to mature, it will give a fair chance to both.
What kind of nonsense is this?
And then we ended the epilogue with Dominic Merlin, who was watching Dayn and Esme have sex, and he’s thinking to himself that he didn’t plan to have himself bonded to Esme, but it might be a complication he wants, as he watches her naked. EW. What? I’m actually so upset it’s not even funny.
Then we have all the different subplots going on. Jax, who is Esme’s younger brother, is awake now and is bonded with an Ide. And that Ide is his father. Throughout the book, we were seeing them being able to work together because the father doesn’t want to take control like the others. And we find out in the last couple of chapters that Esther may have caused something that led him to die because he was supposed to go on a reconnaissance mission for something involving the clearbloods, and they changed the mission last minute. And when Esther was telling Esme about the soul link she forcefully gave her, she said a phrase that triggered his memory.
Brynn and Chad are reunited, and Chad’s demon side sees Brynn as his prized one and is completely obsessing over her and wants to fully claim her. And Brynn is all here for it. Chad also managed to create a one-sided bond where he could feel her emotions and even hear things Brynn experiences so he could protect her. Love it.
The only thing with this subplot is I don’t trust Chad’s full demon father because there has to be a reason why his mother would seal him away and hide him from his father. That’s real suspicious. Brynn is also struggling with her Ide that is trying to take over her body, and it seems insanely strong.
Next subplot: the dragons. Dane’s brother, who framed him for killing their father, apparently is colluding with the Clearbloods to attack the Darkbloods.
May 31, 2026
This book could have easily been a 4-star read for me.
And then it looks like we might be getting a love triangle.
FOUR BOOKS IN.
Why are we doing this?
Not trying to yuck anyone's yum, but I genuinely do not understand the appeal of love triangles. If that's where this is headed, I'm already annoyed. The tension between Esme and Dayn has been one of the best parts of this series, so introducing another person into the mix this late in the game feels completely unnecessary.
We also started getting extra POVs. Jax has been talked about throughout the series, but he's never really been part of what's actively going on because, well...he was pretty much dead. Then all of a sudden he's here and BAM—POV chapter. I wasn't really a fan of that choice.
What has me the most concerned though is where the plot seems to be heading. Everything involving the Ides feels like it's taking the story way off course from what originally got me invested. Instead of building on the original storyline, it feels like we're heading in an entirely different direction.
I've already invested four books into this series. Even though it's never been a favorite, I do care about these characters and I want to know how everything ends. But right now I'm worried we're entering that phase where a TV show goes on for too many seasons and the writing starts getting sloppy. Suddenly there are new storylines, new focus characters, random twists, and the original plot gets shoved to the side. Next thing you know the ending is a disaster and everyone's pretending the last season never happened.
I really hope that's not what's happening here because there are still things I enjoy about this series. The Esme and Dayn tension is top-tier. But between the new POVs, the possible love triangle, and the plot seemingly heading in a completely different direction, this book left me more frustrated than excited for what's next.
And then it looks like we might be getting a love triangle.
FOUR BOOKS IN.
Why are we doing this?
Not trying to yuck anyone's yum, but I genuinely do not understand the appeal of love triangles. If that's where this is headed, I'm already annoyed. The tension between Esme and Dayn has been one of the best parts of this series, so introducing another person into the mix this late in the game feels completely unnecessary.
We also started getting extra POVs. Jax has been talked about throughout the series, but he's never really been part of what's actively going on because, well...he was pretty much dead. Then all of a sudden he's here and BAM—POV chapter. I wasn't really a fan of that choice.
What has me the most concerned though is where the plot seems to be heading. Everything involving the Ides feels like it's taking the story way off course from what originally got me invested. Instead of building on the original storyline, it feels like we're heading in an entirely different direction.
I've already invested four books into this series. Even though it's never been a favorite, I do care about these characters and I want to know how everything ends. But right now I'm worried we're entering that phase where a TV show goes on for too many seasons and the writing starts getting sloppy. Suddenly there are new storylines, new focus characters, random twists, and the original plot gets shoved to the side. Next thing you know the ending is a disaster and everyone's pretending the last season never happened.
I really hope that's not what's happening here because there are still things I enjoy about this series. The Esme and Dayn tension is top-tier. But between the new POVs, the possible love triangle, and the plot seemingly heading in a completely different direction, this book left me more frustrated than excited for what's next.
June 4, 2026
I believe this book is a little better than the previous one since the plot does not feel like filler anymore. The story is getting more complex and has to opportunity to be wrapped up in a very interesting way if done correctly. I believe Chad's journey has good potential to add depth to the final conflict/battle, whatever that's going to be. Same with Jax's potential discovery about his father's disappearance and the fact that current events appear to have been planned a decade in advance. I disagree with the other reviews stating that a love triangle will be introduced. The epilogue is setting the pace for a potential unilateral obsession/infatuation, not a love triangle. Is it weird if the 4th book of a 6 book series? Sure. But I don't think suddenly Esme is going to be conflicted about her feelings for Dayn, not after that confession and 4 books filled with tension and denial.
Overall, I am excited for next installment.
Overall, I am excited for next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2026
Honestly felt like a chore to finish this, the pacing in this series just goes back and forth, random povs from characters that haven’t been involved really in the series, the plot is just going in every which direction all at once, and there BETTER not be the start of a love triangle FOUR FUCKING BOOKS IN, and she STILL doesn’t remember/and he doesn’t tell her about the one other time they fucked????
Unfortunately I can’t stop and will be reading the next ones though.. I hope they’re better 😭
Unfortunately I can’t stop and will be reading the next ones though.. I hope they’re better 😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC 4.5 ⭐️
This is the 4th book in the Darkbirch Academy series and it was good
Sooo much is happening with multiple POV, sooo much magic and ancient history being uncovered to help with the current conundrum
Constant twists and revelations really kept me on my toes, every character has more development and history unearthed
This is a fun series and can't wait for more and there is so much more to come, the last few chapters really throwing the whole story for a loop omg 🤯
This is the 4th book in the Darkbirch Academy series and it was good
Sooo much is happening with multiple POV, sooo much magic and ancient history being uncovered to help with the current conundrum
Constant twists and revelations really kept me on my toes, every character has more development and history unearthed
This is a fun series and can't wait for more and there is so much more to come, the last few chapters really throwing the whole story for a loop omg 🤯
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book 4 in the Darkbirch Academy Series!
This series is fun! It’s full of dark and light magic and I’m still enjoying the world in each book.
These books are addictive once you get into them! They always have a little bit of a slow start and then you hit 50% and you are panic reading! lol
If you like a fun dark magic world then this series is a great fit for you!
I’m looking forward to book 5!
This series is fun! It’s full of dark and light magic and I’m still enjoying the world in each book.
These books are addictive once you get into them! They always have a little bit of a slow start and then you hit 50% and you are panic reading! lol
If you like a fun dark magic world then this series is a great fit for you!
I’m looking forward to book 5!
June 2, 2026
Story doesn't wrap up.
I read the first 3 books believing there was 4 in the series. Waited more than a month for book 4 only to have the ending unfinished. It was entertaining well enough, but there is too many sub plots that need to have their own series and not try to mash them all together into one. Now there may be 2 more books or more to finish which are not even written yet. I will likely forget half the details before they are ready.
I read the first 3 books believing there was 4 in the series. Waited more than a month for book 4 only to have the ending unfinished. It was entertaining well enough, but there is too many sub plots that need to have their own series and not try to mash them all together into one. Now there may be 2 more books or more to finish which are not even written yet. I will likely forget half the details before they are ready.
May 27, 2026
I devoured this book in one sitting! It’s so addictive — the world, the characters. It’s such a page-turner, I can’t get enough. Cannot wait for book 5!!!!
May 28, 2026
I need more!! This series has pulled me in so deep. What did Ester do what is she still trying to do. I need answers lol
May 28, 2026
page turner
Enjoyed every page, the character development was great especially with the complex storyline, lots of twists and turns, can’t wait to read the next instalment!
Enjoyed every page, the character development was great especially with the complex storyline, lots of twists and turns, can’t wait to read the next instalment!
June 2, 2026
Still a good series but this felt like a filler book and ends in a weird twist I don’t think any of us wanted.
June 3, 2026
Dragged
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews