The Black Serpent kidnapped me. He thinks we're destined to change the world.
I think he's destined to have my foot up his @$$.
But he says Cain University has secrets, and I can't disagree. Returning to campus with my Conduits, I discover not everything here is as it seems.
The man who killed my mother might be closer than I think.
And my powers demand I let my Conduits close so I can kill him... or be killed myself.
Cain University is an adult academy series, similar to The Magicians and Villain Academy. It has blood, gore, mature scenes, laugh out loud comedy, and a reverse harem enemies-to-lovers romance that will scorch off the pages. For readers 18+ only.
Lucy Auburn is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance writer who lives in the Southwest. She loves writing interesting stories about strong women. Some of the writers who inspire her include Patricia Briggs and Sarah J. Maas.
Hmm so maybe I was a little hasty with my review of the last book because this one didn't really go anywhere.
After resolving the cliffhanger in book 1, Ellen is given a Mark to kill. That's all the book focuses on, mixed with some classes at this fake University. Though I like when the harems slowly forms I found myself getting tired of it all, I just wanted her to tell the guys that she wanted all of them and have them deal with it, their jealousy of one another was getting on my nerves.
Last thing I absolutely hated about this book was the fart jokes, I have not heard one funny fart joke, I don't need to hear more. It got aggravating. Despite all that I still look forward to reading the next book.
I'm so sorry but is a casual hookup, as in one that is agreed on between two individuals in the first place, so important vs all the other, more pressing issues? Personally, I'd rather cease all romantic relationships between the heroine and her heroes if said heroes are going to be so immature throughout the whole thing.
It also grinds me so bad whenever one of the guys lowkey talks down to the heroine just because she's as equally attracted to the other. I get that not every rh scenario, the guys are first and foremost going to consider the sharing/whychoose option. I know. But if individually speaking, they're going to be all-out jerks, I hate to see them try the rh part.
I feel exhausted and drained out, tbh. I hate being in the limbo the most - when I don't know exactly if I liked it or not, if it's ok or not. It's like, I'm not in slump but I nitpick the read and pile up all the things I'm irritated about. At the same time, deeming it not enough to actually label it below 3 stars. God why am I so fickle
I wasn’t a big fan of the heroine in the first book, but in this one I downright hated her. She is an immature little brat, that obviously care more about her pussy than anything, I am not up with this petty little games. I would have been okay, if she would have made one mistakes and things got strained, but she is so focused on a hook up, she doesn’t give a shit about the consequences, no matter how much she pretends to. The males aren’t any better. Sorry but that is. It my definition of friendship, it’s kindergarten and I am not up for that.
That combined with a lacking plot building didn’t make for a very interesting read. The beginning felt like it took forever and felt really off, wasn’t flowing natural at all and was more than just a little ridiculous. And I got so sick of the fart jokes, one or two is okay, but they took up so much time, is that really all the “comedy” you are capable of. It got old really fast.
All in all lots of missed opportunities and a wasted premise.
I have decided to start writing reviews to help keep track of why I do or do not finish so many series. As for this series, there are things I did and did not like about it. Start with the good, the biggest plus for this series is that while I get an undercurrent of “fated mates” that is an all too common trope in not just RH but PR, in general, I love how this one is not cut and dry. The author doesn’t use a destined connection or even tries to justify the multiple partners as an expected thing due to some specific paranormal acceptance such as more men to women ratio or a powerful woman needs more than one man. Though there is the out that the Conduits were romantically involved in the past I love how Ellen doesn’t just accept this easily and jumps right into a cohesive poly relationship with four strangers. It is a difficult concept for all parties involved and there are jealousy issues and different degrees of feelings developing at different rates which makes it easy to believe and connect to each relationship individually.
The second thing I enjoyed was, of course, the strength and snark of the protagonist, I tend to like them a bit dark and broken. I like that she isn’t fixed instantly by meeting the men, that she struggles with her powers and isn’t uber-powerful and badass instantly walking into the university. She is flawed and unsure of her place in the world and within herself, which will make for a more dynamic and interesting character arc.
As for the things that I didn’t like, the book it a bit long-winded. Staying too long in her inner monologue and retrospecting drags the book down and had my mind wandering and at points in this book considering moving on when there wasn’t a clear grasp on the main story arc to push me through. At points I had problems caring about what would be accomplished in this book short term when Ellen spends so much time thinking about her mom’s killer, no wait the Mark she has to end by semester, then the other marks, then what about The Black Serpent, oh no an Apocolypse is coming too. I just wish it was guided with more intention and the layers of plot points unfolded a bit softer than being thrown randomly in at different intervals.
Finally, something that has been bothering me about a lot of the Academy type books lately (other than the cliched cliques, which are blissfully absent in this series) is that the setting is an afterthought. Not in a way that I need more descriptions of what it looks like, but in that most of the actions could be happening anywhere. If it is at a university I expect it to feel like they’re at a university with everything that comes with it. While I am not expecting every book to be as involved as Harry Potter, I feel like The Vampire Academy books did a good job of achieving that feel. If they have classes, then make them go to class and put in the world-building to have the classes have substance and purpose. Ellen and her boys don’t even have combat training with weapons or hell even PE. How does everyone have six-packs when they hold hands and lie around classrooms all day?
So future self who will read this review when more books come out, this one left on a doozy of a cliffhanger so it is worth a read if you are on a binge, however not worth the time if you only have time for one book to read for a while.
Well we continue from where we left off in book one. Remember Ellen was taken by the Black Serpent. She learns a little from him and that bit of information is not good. So he wants her to bond to him and be his wife! He seems to not be all there in the head from Ellen's perspective. However she does finally get away from and gets back to the guys. She finally realizes that she needs to start going to classes to get a better handle of her power. When she was kidnapped she found out that she could not use her power where she was. The one thing I disliked about Ellen this time around, is that she kept telling herself that she needed to distance herself from the guys. That she does not know how to love anymore. Unfortunately fate says otherwise when she was paired with them. Will their relationship grow or fall? Can she get over the fact that she is attracted to them? Can the guys realize what they are doing to her? Also Ellen is dead set on finding her mothers killer! So what happens when she comes across him again. The ending of this book was mind blowing!
I love Ellen's snarkiness and personality! Oh boy does it get hot several times. Now if only the guys can decide that they want to share would make it all better. Cannot wait to see what is in store next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I still really like the world built in this book, and I enjoyed reading. But almost nothing plot wise or relationship wise happens in this book. And the dialogue and plot felt really fast and cut short, especially with the ghost parts. It was really wishy washy, FML didnt want to hurt her MLs or start anything, and then she would do both one at a time with each ML. And the MLS wanted to not move on and still try with her, but then get mad and threaten to move on. Idk whats with all this drama when reverse harem exists, they really didnt need to do all that. Their relationships weren’t really built in this book either. Like book one, they just had to fuck after emotional trauma. The writers writing kept pulling me out of the book too with how many times she brought up farts throughout the book. Like it kept being mentioned how stinky the FMLS farts were 😭 that really made me lose interest tbh. Almost nothing happened plot or relationship wise again. And its disappointing because it has so much potential.
This book was a great addition to the series but it's definitely a series to read in order. It has all the goodness from the last book with the suspense, mystery, action and supernatural -ish aspects. Romance wise things really start intensifying in thi is book with even more sexy times. And as far as the reverse harem aspect goes it's there but still growing.we learn a lot in this book and I'm hoping we learn more in the next. Maybe especially more info on each of the guys and more bonding between our group of five. This book had twist and turns to keep you on your toes and does leave you on a bit of a cliffhanger e an if it was one that was intense and left me wanting more. Very good book, hope the next one comes out soon because I need to know what happens; would recommend.
Ellen is trying to get control of her powers with the guys. They will have to work together in order for their powers to work well. When Ellen is kidnapped by the Black Serpent, Ellen learns a few secrets. The guys will come to her rescue but they end up in the wrong place leaving. It will show them things they didn't know will happen. Ellen is starting to have feeling for all the guys, but she is afraid to form any kind of bind. This will hinder their missions and moving forward with their powers. Will Ellen be able to embrace her guys but her powers as well. Will Ellen learn who killed her mother or what secrets her father had.
There is so much going on in this book, the ending was so good. I can't wait to read the next one. I am really enjoying this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Getting involved with her conduits must be a no, no for Ellen but it had been too long for her and Temptation was flipping steaks in front of the hungry. What a mess! Work together or fail and get kicked, that’s the question. With her conduits everything was different and powerful to them all. Finding her family’s killer and hunting the appointed marks was her north but she was not up to face her emotions and what seemed to be her destiny. Intriguing the conduits characters with their weaknesses and different personalities. Liked the detailed descriptions that allowed me to understand better the interesting plot development. Ellen’s way of thinking sometimes made me chuckle other times I was like, seriously? That girl needs to think and make her mind. Action, suspense, drama, bickering, amusing scenes, jealous, danger, mystery, violence, hot passion and an intriguing twist at the end.
Again, this was a whitty, occasionally swear ladden (I LOVED that!), well written Book! Again I got to get to know these characters you and came to love some and continued to love to hate others!
You get to watch Ellen go through being Capturedby The Black Serpent, will she survive this mess to fulfill her Mission? Will Ellen live to graduate from the Cain University? Can Grayson and Levi go from villian'ish to anti-heroes? Will it even turn into Love?
Ellen has managed to get herself one crazy pants of a stalker The Black Serpent and shes still trying to find answers to her mothers death and they may be closer to home then she realizes. Shes one hookup away from a lovers quarrel and her and her boys still have to get them a serial killer or get axed from the Academy theres plenty of sex, drama and visions in this book looks like it may get worse before it gets stabbed to death in Ellen's world your just one step away from a freak out or a killing.
I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
Murder, Blood, Sex, Wit and Sarcasm this series has it all. More so in book 2. It just as dark as the first but the steam level has definitely risen which isnt a shock considering theres four hot guys - Grayson, Mason, Levi and Wyatt in it. Add to that a bad guy who has a fetish for Beauty and the Beast, a wise cracking friend - Eve and a witty kitty - Penny who i loved. I couldnt love this series anymore than i do now. Its so good and my jaw actually dropped with that killer ending. My god it shocked me! In dying for book 3 now
Totally loved this story and how it brings something new to the acadamy table. In this book we see Ellen still captured by the black serpent, and how she fights to find a way back to the acadamy and her conduits. With so many unexpected twists and turns we see Ellen and her conduits face the black serpent and many other obstacles. All while trying to take out her first mark for the acadamy. Will she succeed in her challenges she has to over come and also connect with the guys. Go grab your copy and find out asap
This is book two in the Cain University series and oh my goodness it is really good!! We pick up where we left off; Ellen is trapped in a pocket dimension with the Black Serpent and needs to figure out how the heck to get herself back to Cain University and her Conduits. Upon her return, she realizes the importance of their relationships and figuring out how to come into her power. Such a unique story and characters; I like it, I L-O-V-E it, I want so more of it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow this series is getting so exciting and I can’t stop chuckling about all of the farting that’s going on you just have to laugh plus I have a weird sense of humour. Ellen escaped from the insane Black Serpent and she needs to learn more about how to use her powers so back to the academy she goes. I’m not going to get too much into this story but you do need to read book 1 First Kill because this story continues on from there, this is an amazing story/ series and I can’t wait to read book 3 and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
I freaking loved this book and hate that I need to wait 3 months for the next one! 😭 Great follow up. The mystery of Ellen’s mothers killer is still out there and she and her conduits still struggle to work together and now with more sexual tension! Ellen can’t choose and also can’t commit to the guys who obviously want her. More killing, more sex and more, feelings... are in the future of this team. Such a great book!
Kill or be Killed is the second book in the Cain University series. This is a book I picked up during my Kindle Unlimited trial. Well, this storyline picks up from the prior book, and I have to admit, I still didn't care for Ellen at the end, but I enjoyed the men, the plot, and the humor (except the fart references, mentioned about 18 times, it was beginning to feel as if a teen boy was co-writing). Some nice plot progression and a few surprise twists kept me interested.
Enjoyed book one but this one was a drag. The kidnapping with the beauty and the beast rendition didn't make sense. It wasn't needed. It felt like it took too long for the h to embrace her powers and conduits. I give this one star for making the mc blind in the end as her weakness with a confusing cliffhanger ending. From badass to being weak/handicapped. That pretty much ruined the series for me. Totally disappointed...
Ellen and her band of killers are back with more action, more suspense and more magical wars.
This book brings us 1 step forward to seeing a bond between Ellen and her conduits. We also see her growing as a person, an assassin and someone who accepts that she has a softer side.
All in all this book was great. It had a little bit of everything & in a perfect balance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book has me on the fence. The farting comments were funny a couple of times, now I am cringing like my 9 year old keeps making farting sounds. I like the premise ,the storyline is good. Not sure how I feel about killer affinities giving killers a deadly weakness. Like 4 great guys all seriously handicapped. I'll read the next book but if those weaknesses still don't mesh then no more.
Kill or Be Killed by Lucy Auburn is an awesome story to read. This is book number two in this awesome series that I have loved reading and can not wait to read the next book in this awesome series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy and paranormal romances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cliffhangerrrrrrrrr. Thankfully the next book is nearly out and I can’t wait to read it because my brain can’t brain right now. I have to know. The dynamic of the harem is so different to the usual, got to say I’m really enjoying that aspect of the book and series
This installment in this series made some great progress. I feel the characters were developed more as were emotions. I really enjoyed this book but holy cliff hanger! I can not wait for book 3 I have to know what happened! I also really hope we get some steamy scenes with each of her men or maybe more then 1 at a time.
after being kidnapped by the black serpent Ellen has to find a way to escape him. But it aint going to be easy because he has them in a pocket dimension. But Here comes Penny the Kitty to help facilitate her rescue. I loved the rescue alot and the rest of the book was non stop excitement. i really cant wait to read book 3 im so excited to see what happens.
I was kinda hoping things would pick up a little in the romance department in this book but they really didn’t. I am happy to see by the end the group was getting along slightly better even if it wasn’t that way in the middle. I’m definitely intrigued to see what is happening in this story because my theory was ruled out at the end of the book.
I can't even comprehend what just happened. This book is so amazing. The hunting, the tension, all the different dynamics...it's just perfect. There's so much detail to the story as it unfolds and while sometimes(in some books) it can be to much, this book has the perfect amount of detail without be overly wordy.
I had a great time reading this book I found the characters to be well developed and engaging and the storyline flowed smoothly from beginning to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 stars. Ugh! Another cliffhanger and this time the next book isn’t out until March 27th! Which I suppose is not actually that far away in the scheme of things...I can’t wait to see what happens! I’m excited to read more about Ellen and her guys in the next book!
The book picks up the story right after the first book and it was an engrossing read. Action, adventure, romance, steam, snarky humor, this book has it all. It ends in a cliffhanger, though, and I can't wait for the next book to see what happens next!