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Crystal Wing Academy #1
Outling
Welcome to CrystalWing Academy, where the magical Elite reign...and Outlings are an endangered species.
Magic doesn't exist in the human world. As far as I know. But when I fling a fireball at a bully, my horrified Mom dumps me at CrystalWing Academy, a place straight out of my favorite fantasy books.
They tell me I'm an Outling, a wizard born from non-magical parents. Mom's human. Dad? I don't exactly know who he is....
One thing I do know is I'm not an Elite--descendants of the original six families who split from the Fae ages ago. At seventeen, their children and despised Outlings like me attend the Academy to learn to control our power.
I'm barely on campus when I'm targeted by a mean girl. Figures. Thankfully, the Academy's not all bad. My pixie roommate's awesome. I score a coveted moonstone during Stone Selection. And let's not forget Donovan, a cute guy who seems to like me, not the mean Elite girl who's determined to win him.
Except something's luring students into the forest and draining their power, leaving only shriveled husks behind.
The Headmistress warns me not to investigate, but the killer’s after my friends. Big mistake there. My magical skills may be untrained and wild, but if a power-sucking vamp thinks he can harm people I care about, he’s about to discover I’m a wizard unlike any other.
Magic doesn't exist in the human world. As far as I know. But when I fling a fireball at a bully, my horrified Mom dumps me at CrystalWing Academy, a place straight out of my favorite fantasy books.
They tell me I'm an Outling, a wizard born from non-magical parents. Mom's human. Dad? I don't exactly know who he is....
One thing I do know is I'm not an Elite--descendants of the original six families who split from the Fae ages ago. At seventeen, their children and despised Outlings like me attend the Academy to learn to control our power.
I'm barely on campus when I'm targeted by a mean girl. Figures. Thankfully, the Academy's not all bad. My pixie roommate's awesome. I score a coveted moonstone during Stone Selection. And let's not forget Donovan, a cute guy who seems to like me, not the mean Elite girl who's determined to win him.
Except something's luring students into the forest and draining their power, leaving only shriveled husks behind.
The Headmistress warns me not to investigate, but the killer’s after my friends. Big mistake there. My magical skills may be untrained and wild, but if a power-sucking vamp thinks he can harm people I care about, he’s about to discover I’m a wizard unlike any other.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2019
1394 people are currently reading
1010 people want to read
About the author
Marty Mayberry
27 books191 followersMarty writes young adult fiction and infuses it with suspense, romance, and a touch of humor. When she’s not dreaming up ways to mess with her character’s lives, she works as an RN. She lives in New England with her husband, three children, three geriatric cats, and a spunky Yorkie pup who keeps her on her toes.
She’s a member of YARWA, as well a four-year PitchWars mentor.
Twitter: @marty_mayberry
Website: http://martymayberry.com/
She also writes adult contemporary romance and romantic suspense under the pen name, Marlie May. Marty/Marlie was a 2018 RWA ® Golden Heart ® Finalist in contemporary short and romantic suspense.
She’s a member of YARWA, as well a four-year PitchWars mentor.
Twitter: @marty_mayberry
Website: http://martymayberry.com/
She also writes adult contemporary romance and romantic suspense under the pen name, Marlie May. Marty/Marlie was a 2018 RWA ® Golden Heart ® Finalist in contemporary short and romantic suspense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
December 30, 2021
DNF @ ch. 7.
I wasn't gonna dnf, but life is too short to push myself to read something that honestly I don't like...
I like academy like books, some of they are really interesting and cool. But this one is... too YA. It's like a Harry Potter fanfic, well of course, the MC is named Fleur lol.
Fleur is dumped by her mother at Crystal Wing Academy when she's 7 years old because Fleur used her magic against a boy, without knowing that she's magical and all that shit. But as Fleur is too young to be in the Academy, the headmistress leaves Fleur with a "nanny", Ester, who's half troll and can't go out to the sunlight or else.
10 years go by and the next we know is that Fleur is 17. There's nothing bad about that. But, I would've liked to know what happen in those years, not just "reading and staying in silence" because Ester told her to.
The insta love it's a trope that I really don't tolerate and it was on the third chapter where Fleur and Donovan gave each other that look of "true love"
If I ever write a book academy like, I'll try to avoid make MC's who are really dumb and insta love, lmao.
I wasn't gonna dnf, but life is too short to push myself to read something that honestly I don't like...
I like academy like books, some of they are really interesting and cool. But this one is... too YA. It's like a Harry Potter fanfic, well of course, the MC is named Fleur lol.
Fleur is dumped by her mother at Crystal Wing Academy when she's 7 years old because Fleur used her magic against a boy, without knowing that she's magical and all that shit. But as Fleur is too young to be in the Academy, the headmistress leaves Fleur with a "nanny", Ester, who's half troll and can't go out to the sunlight or else.
10 years go by and the next we know is that Fleur is 17. There's nothing bad about that. But, I would've liked to know what happen in those years, not just "reading and staying in silence" because Ester told her to.
The insta love it's a trope that I really don't tolerate and it was on the third chapter where Fleur and Donovan gave each other that look of "true love"
If I ever write a book academy like, I'll try to avoid make MC's who are really dumb and insta love, lmao.
October 15, 2019
Did not finish at 80% (Chapter 24). I think that it was too YA for me and reading it became a chore. But if you are looking for a book on the younger side of the YA spectrum this might float your boat.
This story takes place within a week's time where nothing significant really happens within 24 chapters. For me, there was no real action and a lot of the characters were bland or their only purpose was to move the plot from A to B (i.e. the super random dragonfly-wtf?). The school was boring, the best friend was one-dimensional, the mean girl was mean but the reader was supposed to be ok with it because she had past trauma (which I call BS on), and there was little to no world-building. Overall, I find this to be a lackluster Harry Potter knock-off with little ingenuity.
This story takes place within a week's time where nothing significant really happens within 24 chapters. For me, there was no real action and a lot of the characters were bland or their only purpose was to move the plot from A to B (i.e. the super random dragonfly-wtf?). The school was boring, the best friend was one-dimensional, the mean girl was mean but the reader was supposed to be ok with it because she had past trauma (which I call BS on), and there was little to no world-building. Overall, I find this to be a lackluster Harry Potter knock-off with little ingenuity.
November 8, 2019
A Fantastic Magical Story!!😢✨💘🔥⚡💥
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Crystal Wing Academy: Outling, Book #1
I was captivated by this magical tale of Fae born 'Elites' & our main character, Fleur, who is an 'Outling' which is a human that can access their magic. They are looked down upon by many Elites but not all!!😡 Fleur hasn't had an easy start to life before attending Crystal Wing Academy. It's actually rather heart breaking.💔😢 She's so excited to attend & finally start to learn about magic. Things don't go completely smoothly for her especially when an Elite takes an interest in her & his life long friend takes offence & is jealous!!😳 Plus someone is stealing power & life, someone has already died!😱💔
This was a fantastic read, A complete page turned from start to finish!!😍 I loved the world built around the story & all of the magical creatures & abilities that are included so far!🙏🌟✨ I think there's so much more to come, I can't wait for book #2 to discover what happens next!😍🎉
Debbie, 1970, UK
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Crystal Wing Academy: Outling, Book #1
I was captivated by this magical tale of Fae born 'Elites' & our main character, Fleur, who is an 'Outling' which is a human that can access their magic. They are looked down upon by many Elites but not all!!😡 Fleur hasn't had an easy start to life before attending Crystal Wing Academy. It's actually rather heart breaking.💔😢 She's so excited to attend & finally start to learn about magic. Things don't go completely smoothly for her especially when an Elite takes an interest in her & his life long friend takes offence & is jealous!!😳 Plus someone is stealing power & life, someone has already died!😱💔
This was a fantastic read, A complete page turned from start to finish!!😍 I loved the world built around the story & all of the magical creatures & abilities that are included so far!🙏🌟✨ I think there's so much more to come, I can't wait for book #2 to discover what happens next!😍🎉
Debbie, 1970, UK
January 2, 2022
This book was so much fun. Can’t wait to see what book 2 holds.
First it’s an academy book, yay! Then the main character is amazing! She’s smart, inquisitive, and funny! There’s a bit of everything in this book. Mystery, family issues, magic. Just so much fun to read. Highly recommend if you’re into fantasy and magic.
First it’s an academy book, yay! Then the main character is amazing! She’s smart, inquisitive, and funny! There’s a bit of everything in this book. Mystery, family issues, magic. Just so much fun to read. Highly recommend if you’re into fantasy and magic.
October 13, 2022
A great trilogy for passing time and it's not a very serious fantasy book but I did enjoy the elements of found family with friends. Our main character is thought of as an Outling that is a mixed breed child of a fae and human only she has unexplainable powers making her stronger than any of the elite (pure breed)
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
August 23, 2019
if you like...
👑 dark princelings
🌠 found magic
💪 strong girls
💋 kissing
...then you’ll love CRYSTALWING ACADEMY by Marty Mayberry!
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this book. I loved Fleur and her intro to CrystalWing Academy, and--of course--Donovan! Can't wait to read Book 2.
👑 dark princelings
🌠 found magic
💪 strong girls
💋 kissing
...then you’ll love CRYSTALWING ACADEMY by Marty Mayberry!
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this book. I loved Fleur and her intro to CrystalWing Academy, and--of course--Donovan! Can't wait to read Book 2.
October 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this. There’s magic, secrets, darkness, it’s based at an Academy. All my favorite things in a magical setting book. This was fast & easy to get into. I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance part. It was too Instalove romance for me. But other than that, I liked it. Plus the way it ended! I got to continue!
January 2, 2020
Dumped, abandoned but still wanted
Awesome. A great first book (and it doesn't seem to be a RH either!) About a young girl dumped at a magically Academy at the age of 10 because she used magic. Her mother had signed away her rights but the Academy found a foster home for her after binding her powers until she could return as a student. Now she's back and a whole new world has opened to her but something is killing students like her (raised in the human world). A new group of friends, a handsome prince, a secret about the magic community, a dragon, a golden dragonfly and a cold stone killer who is draining power out of the people chosen as victims. Can she find out who it is? Why is there so much secrecy about the magic community?
Well paced, good action, engaging storyline and characters that live and breathe not on magic but life.
Awesome. A great first book (and it doesn't seem to be a RH either!) About a young girl dumped at a magically Academy at the age of 10 because she used magic. Her mother had signed away her rights but the Academy found a foster home for her after binding her powers until she could return as a student. Now she's back and a whole new world has opened to her but something is killing students like her (raised in the human world). A new group of friends, a handsome prince, a secret about the magic community, a dragon, a golden dragonfly and a cold stone killer who is draining power out of the people chosen as victims. Can she find out who it is? Why is there so much secrecy about the magic community?
Well paced, good action, engaging storyline and characters that live and breathe not on magic but life.
August 28, 2019
Magic, secrets, academy drama, a touch of romance, and dark shadows make this an easy read to dive into and enjoy.
Fleur was abandoned by her mother at the CrystalWing Academy when she was ten-years-old due to her inability to control her strange powers. Too young to attend, she's shipped off to the care of a cranky woman until she reaches seventeen. When that day arrives and she's schooled into the academy, she's a bit at a loss as any 'outling' (those not born in the magic world) are. She must not only find her way in this new world and learn about her magic, but also figure out what dangerous secrets lie in the forest before more students wind up dead.
The story grabs at the heart-strings right away as an unknowing Fleur is left by her mother and holds harbors a ton of guilt for the damage she's accidentally caused. The author does a good job at setting this tone, and the quickly sweeping over the years while still incorporating the atmosphere of what Fleur faces during that time. And it's exactly this sympathy which makes her fun to root for when her life at the academy hits.
The academy holds everything one should have: nasty girls, bullying, insecurities, friendship, fantastical surprises and a little romance. The danger lurking beyond hangs mostly in the shadows, while Fleur deals with the academy life first, and doesn't really grip until the end. But that's fine because Fleur does have a bit to figure out first. I was a little surprised at how normal she came across after her first initial day or two, since she had lived in pretty isolated circumstances up until that time. The rest slides into teenage drama as it should.
It's a fun read for academy fans and holds some unexpected twists and turns along the way.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
Fleur was abandoned by her mother at the CrystalWing Academy when she was ten-years-old due to her inability to control her strange powers. Too young to attend, she's shipped off to the care of a cranky woman until she reaches seventeen. When that day arrives and she's schooled into the academy, she's a bit at a loss as any 'outling' (those not born in the magic world) are. She must not only find her way in this new world and learn about her magic, but also figure out what dangerous secrets lie in the forest before more students wind up dead.
The story grabs at the heart-strings right away as an unknowing Fleur is left by her mother and holds harbors a ton of guilt for the damage she's accidentally caused. The author does a good job at setting this tone, and the quickly sweeping over the years while still incorporating the atmosphere of what Fleur faces during that time. And it's exactly this sympathy which makes her fun to root for when her life at the academy hits.
The academy holds everything one should have: nasty girls, bullying, insecurities, friendship, fantastical surprises and a little romance. The danger lurking beyond hangs mostly in the shadows, while Fleur deals with the academy life first, and doesn't really grip until the end. But that's fine because Fleur does have a bit to figure out first. I was a little surprised at how normal she came across after her first initial day or two, since she had lived in pretty isolated circumstances up until that time. The rest slides into teenage drama as it should.
It's a fun read for academy fans and holds some unexpected twists and turns along the way.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
September 9, 2019
Wow, really loved this book. I fell even teens and young adults would really like reading this book. We have mystery, suspense, and more. Even the bully isn't much of a bully. Fleur is a outling that does not know who her father is. Her mother does not know what to do with her so drops her off at CrystalWing Academy. She is only 10 and can not start until she turns 17. She is shipped off to live with a person who is down right mean. What will she do when she gets to go to the Academy? What will she do when she finds out what she can do? What about the bully that likes the guy she likes? Can she help the others at the Academy? Will she get kicked out? Who is hunting the kids? There is so much going on I hate to even give more information to ruin the story for you. A must read book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2019
Saw the cover, read this in the blurb “An exciting new world for Potter fans, filled with magic, suspense, a badass heroine, and flirty romance.” and knew I just had to it and omg it was fantastic! Well written this academy read has it all, magic, mystery, danger, romance and twists and turns and a super kick ass blue haired heroine who has you rooting for her the entire read! A highly entertaining storyline and I cannot wait for the next book!
September 12, 2019
Crystal Wing Academy, Book One: Outling by Marty Mayberry is an amazing story that I have fallen in love with. This is book number one in this amazing start to a brand new series writen by a brand new author for me to read. I can not wait to read book number two in this amazing series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about magic, suspense and fantasy in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2019
Not bad
This book dragged on a bit too much for me. It felt like it took way too long to read, when I'm a pretty fast reader. Usually the better the book is the faster I read it. It had some good parts but it definitely got better towards the good. I'll definitely read book 2 as I would like to know what happens next. And hopefully it will pick up a bit more than book 1
This book dragged on a bit too much for me. It felt like it took way too long to read, when I'm a pretty fast reader. Usually the better the book is the faster I read it. It had some good parts but it definitely got better towards the good. I'll definitely read book 2 as I would like to know what happens next. And hopefully it will pick up a bit more than book 1
August 25, 2019
This is a great read. Its an academy read. The Author has brought a Wonderful read, and has done a great job at world building. If you love Fantasy and Magic and twists in turns in an amazing read this is definitely the read for you. And the Characters are brought out so well you feel like your there living Vicariously with the. This is a definite must read.
Shauna Joesten
Shauna Joesten
September 5, 2019
Rated 3.5. CrystalWing is a great read for academy fans. The worldbuilding and storyline is good the only downside for me is the pacing it dragged a bit to much in the first half of the book but it picks up in the second half so i'm glad i didn't give up. Overall still a good read and will grab book 2 cause my curiosity is picked and i want to know what will happen next.
September 7, 2019
I loved reading CrystalWing Academy! The characters are well-written and the world is developed fantastically. Fleur and her friends learn so much and I can't wait for the school year to officially start! I can't wait to see Fleur's power develop and find out her Skapti. I'm dying to know more about the sixth family, as well.
November 6, 2019
This was a decent book. I do find it harder in my older age to enjoy YA books. Ayls is big reason for that. I hate having to deal with people like her and since it's at a school you have to deal with her all the time. The plot itself was interesting though. I do look forward to finding out more about Fleur's past.
December 22, 2019
Crystal Wing is a good book and the start to I feel a good series. I did find it a little slow going, but I still wanted to continue reading. I enjoyed the budding relationship and mystery to be solved. I can’t wait to see what is waiting for Fluer in the next two books.
October 8, 2019
Crystal Wing Academy
Great book,a lot going on.Fleur has a snarky attitude which is great for her character.Learning to be a wizard is hard work.
Great book,a lot going on.Fleur has a snarky attitude which is great for her character.Learning to be a wizard is hard work.
June 3, 2020
Well, this was bad...
One extra star for the great reading voice of Nicole Parnell which was by far the best thing about this book.
I picked this up as an easy listen/guilty pleasure but the only reason I finished it at all was that I didn't have to do the reading myself.
One could argue that as a YA story it shouldn't be judged too harshly but my personal opinion is that excusing flaws in a book with "it's only X, it doesn't have to Y" already ruined a good part of sci-fi, we don't need to do that to another genre.
On to the actual review:
The book starts with a blurp that decides to give away the entire first half of the book, just in case anyone didn't find the story predictable enough or wanted to try to have any doubts if protagonist Fleur would get
What follows is basically a genderswitched Harry Potter except the characters are 17 so there can be kissing.
Is it fair to compare every magic school series to Hogwarts? If the author decides it's an inworld fantasy series that needs referencing no less than 3 times, absolutely yes. It gives off a strong vibe of the author trying to fix some minor things in the Harry Potter series while writing an overall inferior book.
The book starts with the horrible homelife: unknown father, abandoned by her mother at 10 and raised without a speck of love or care, barely any social interaction or entertainment material for 7 years. Rather than producing a socially inept girl with crippling psychological damage this just gives us a normal teenager with a hip fashion sense, keen interest in the other sex and zero inhibition to speak her mind and do what seems right. The author tries to sell her unwillingness to tell the token bully character her life's story and her fear of being kicked out of school to an unknown future as self-doubt stemming from her abandonment but to me that's just common sense. Maybe I'm the weird one here to think "my father is unknown and my mother abandoned me when I was 10" is not something to bring up in a first conversation...
After the events the blurp spoiled for us we get to go on with the murder mystery. Which would be decent enough if not for one major issue: The entire plot is driven by convenient eavesdropping and following people into suspicious locations. In my opinion you don't get more than one conveniently overheard piece of information and one crucial tailing per book (unless your protagonist is an assassin or spy). After Fleur was set up as a booklover I had really expected her to read or recall at least one crucial fact. Not like facts are needed when there are no clues to be discovered and the guilty party is discovered by coincidentally catching them in the act.
At least the author did come up with a unique magic system. Unfortunately it seems to boil down to "concentrate really hard on what you want to happen, then almost collapse from exhaustion". This is rather fortunate for Fleur, who constantly has to use magic no one ever taught her. Being the most powerful student the school has seen in decades and so naturally talented it raises the question why there is a need for a school in the first place, this comes easy to her. So easy in fact that there never really is a point where the outcome is unsure. If things ever start to look remotely tough she resolves the situation easily by spontaneously discovering another of her multiple, unnumbered and mysterious skills.
Which comes as a surprise for the Elites, considering she is just an Outling, a mere human with a random gene mutation and no relation to the founding families - or is she really? Heavy foreshadowing throughout the entire book suggests otherwise. However, this and the other half dozen mysteries that are probably/hopefully going to be adressed at some point in the series will forever elude me. Since the foreshadowing is as subtle as a fireball to the face I probably got a reasonable enough idea anyway.
One extra star for the great reading voice of Nicole Parnell which was by far the best thing about this book.
I picked this up as an easy listen/guilty pleasure but the only reason I finished it at all was that I didn't have to do the reading myself.
One could argue that as a YA story it shouldn't be judged too harshly but my personal opinion is that excusing flaws in a book with "it's only X, it doesn't have to Y" already ruined a good part of sci-fi, we don't need to do that to another genre.
On to the actual review:
The book starts with a blurp that decides to give away the entire first half of the book, just in case anyone didn't find the story predictable enough or wanted to try to have any doubts if protagonist Fleur would get
What follows is basically a genderswitched Harry Potter except the characters are 17 so there can be kissing.
Is it fair to compare every magic school series to Hogwarts? If the author decides it's an inworld fantasy series that needs referencing no less than 3 times, absolutely yes. It gives off a strong vibe of the author trying to fix some minor things in the Harry Potter series while writing an overall inferior book.
The book starts with the horrible homelife: unknown father, abandoned by her mother at 10 and raised without a speck of love or care, barely any social interaction or entertainment material for 7 years. Rather than producing a socially inept girl with crippling psychological damage this just gives us a normal teenager with a hip fashion sense, keen interest in the other sex and zero inhibition to speak her mind and do what seems right. The author tries to sell her unwillingness to tell the token bully character her life's story and her fear of being kicked out of school to an unknown future as self-doubt stemming from her abandonment but to me that's just common sense. Maybe I'm the weird one here to think "my father is unknown and my mother abandoned me when I was 10" is not something to bring up in a first conversation...
After the events the blurp spoiled for us we get to go on with the murder mystery. Which would be decent enough if not for one major issue: The entire plot is driven by convenient eavesdropping and following people into suspicious locations. In my opinion you don't get more than one conveniently overheard piece of information and one crucial tailing per book (unless your protagonist is an assassin or spy). After Fleur was set up as a booklover I had really expected her to read or recall at least one crucial fact. Not like facts are needed when there are no clues to be discovered and the guilty party is discovered by coincidentally catching them in the act.
At least the author did come up with a unique magic system. Unfortunately it seems to boil down to "concentrate really hard on what you want to happen, then almost collapse from exhaustion". This is rather fortunate for Fleur, who constantly has to use magic no one ever taught her. Being the most powerful student the school has seen in decades and so naturally talented it raises the question why there is a need for a school in the first place, this comes easy to her. So easy in fact that there never really is a point where the outcome is unsure. If things ever start to look remotely tough she resolves the situation easily by spontaneously discovering another of her multiple, unnumbered and mysterious skills.
Which comes as a surprise for the Elites, considering she is just an Outling, a mere human with a random gene mutation and no relation to the founding families - or is she really? Heavy foreshadowing throughout the entire book suggests otherwise. However, this and the other half dozen mysteries that are probably/hopefully going to be adressed at some point in the series will forever elude me. Since the foreshadowing is as subtle as a fireball to the face I probably got a reasonable enough idea anyway.
January 23, 2022
I only picked this book because I was in the mood for a magical school-type of story that is easy and light, to listen to while I do chores around the house. It fits those requirements, but it's not the best thing out there. There were moments where you could feel the Harry Potter fandom oozing from the author (I'm a big fan myself, but still weird to see many concepts kinda copied from there). The main character is a typical I'm-shy-and-feel-unworthy-but-everything-magical-comes-easy-to-me Mary Sue. With past trauma packaged up, of course. There were also moments when adults would say something and my reaction was "No adult responsible for children or teenagers would say that". I guess I might not be the target audience...? (32, married with kids). Overall, it was ok-ish. I didn't come in with high expectations and I know I'm usually very hard to satisfy. If you like YA coming-of-age stories, this one will do. If you have expectations about worldbuilding, character development and plot+storyline intricacies, then find something else.
September 1, 2020
Outlying by Marty Mayberry
This was a great read if you enjoy fantasy, which I do. The main character is 10 years old when we meet her. She is being driven to the Academy by her mother because she threw fireballs a the school bully, but she is sure it didn't happen because it is impossible, right? Her mother leaves her with the two adults who meet them. The lady takes her to a home where another lady who is half wizard and half troll will take care of her and "toughen her" so she can survive the Academy. We next meet her at 17 as she is leaving for the Academy which is a school for male and female wizards to develop their magic which comes to them on their 17th birthday. The plot involves a pixie, a prince, a dragonfly, and a dragon! The evil calls to draw the new students to the woods so he can drain them of their magic leaving them dead.
This was a great read if you enjoy fantasy, which I do. The main character is 10 years old when we meet her. She is being driven to the Academy by her mother because she threw fireballs a the school bully, but she is sure it didn't happen because it is impossible, right? Her mother leaves her with the two adults who meet them. The lady takes her to a home where another lady who is half wizard and half troll will take care of her and "toughen her" so she can survive the Academy. We next meet her at 17 as she is leaving for the Academy which is a school for male and female wizards to develop their magic which comes to them on their 17th birthday. The plot involves a pixie, a prince, a dragonfly, and a dragon! The evil calls to draw the new students to the woods so he can drain them of their magic leaving them dead.
January 26, 2021
Fun new book on the magical schools/acamedies scene. Some fun new ideas. Some of it seems repetitive, because, how many ways can you spin this type of story.
Well developed characters. The 1st book ends with some small mysteries to still be solved.
This is a good fun book to loose yourself in. I caught myself, though busy, wanting to read more. Always the sign of a good book for me. 🙂
The author has managed to weave her tale without feeling as if she stepped on toes of the many many authors before her. I felt like her story was well dreamed out. We get to learn how this school works, new characters and more importantly, more fantasy beings were given a new sight into.
I immediately downloaded book two, and will end now to journey to this Academy and learn what is next in store for those I met in the first book. G'night
Well developed characters. The 1st book ends with some small mysteries to still be solved.
This is a good fun book to loose yourself in. I caught myself, though busy, wanting to read more. Always the sign of a good book for me. 🙂
The author has managed to weave her tale without feeling as if she stepped on toes of the many many authors before her. I felt like her story was well dreamed out. We get to learn how this school works, new characters and more importantly, more fantasy beings were given a new sight into.
I immediately downloaded book two, and will end now to journey to this Academy and learn what is next in store for those I met in the first book. G'night
March 12, 2024
4.0 stars
Thanks to the author for this delightful story. I recommend the audiobook. The narrator did a fantastic job. Switching characters was easy to follow. The various voices sounded appropriate to the character. I was very impressed by the voice of an elderly person. What a fantastic job narrating all the generations.
We follow the main character from middle grade when her human mother “gives” her to a magical institution to train her in controlling her magical tendencies. She is placed with a rather grouchy woman to raise her until she is old enough (17) to start learning magic. This part of the child’s life goes by very quickly. Things start to get interesting when she is accepted into The Crystal Academy and the girl is now a young adult.
Recommend.
Recommend.
Thanks to the author for this delightful story. I recommend the audiobook. The narrator did a fantastic job. Switching characters was easy to follow. The various voices sounded appropriate to the character. I was very impressed by the voice of an elderly person. What a fantastic job narrating all the generations.
We follow the main character from middle grade when her human mother “gives” her to a magical institution to train her in controlling her magical tendencies. She is placed with a rather grouchy woman to raise her until she is old enough (17) to start learning magic. This part of the child’s life goes by very quickly. Things start to get interesting when she is accepted into The Crystal Academy and the girl is now a young adult.
Recommend.
Recommend.
December 15, 2022
I was extremely excited when I started reading this book. It has the feels of Harry Potter with the academy and the main character basically been an orphan and a chosen one. The magic system is really unique and I loved how the author explained it! There are so many things to still find out after the first book that I instantly started reading the second!
My only issue was the relationship between the MC and the love interest. It was very insta lovey and then I felt like they never really built a strong relationship. It was a little lacking for me. Hopefully it get's better in the second book.
My only issue was the relationship between the MC and the love interest. It was very insta lovey and then I felt like they never really built a strong relationship. It was a little lacking for me. Hopefully it get's better in the second book.
July 18, 2020
This story really hit the spot. I needed a fun fantasy read that didn't take itself too seriously. It was just the right length but still gave me detailed characters, plenty of action, and a sweet romance. Fleur is left by her mother when she is ten years old at Crystal Wing Academy because she develops magic. She is sent to a foster family until she is old enough for the school. Once there, her adventures take off with a dark figure stalking the kids and only Fleur seems to have the gumption to get to the bottom of the mystery.
February 3, 2021
“This gift of the fae is yours.”
At 10 years old, Fleur's magic is suppressed after her mom brings her to Crystal Wing Academy. The headmistress places her in a home until she turns 17 years old. Orientation for admittance to the Academy is quite different. No one can tell her what her magic is. A mystery surrounds the forest around the academy. Can Fleur aide in solving it? How can she tell who her real friends are?
This is a first read for me from this author. A different approach to magic is refreshing.
At 10 years old, Fleur's magic is suppressed after her mom brings her to Crystal Wing Academy. The headmistress places her in a home until she turns 17 years old. Orientation for admittance to the Academy is quite different. No one can tell her what her magic is. A mystery surrounds the forest around the academy. Can Fleur aide in solving it? How can she tell who her real friends are?
This is a first read for me from this author. A different approach to magic is refreshing.
May 9, 2023
So much fun
I picked up this book on a whim, and I was not disappointed. Fluer is an Outling and at the age of ten hurts a child in her class with a fireball. Her mother takes her to the Crystal Wing Academy and drops her off with the headmistress. Who in turn drops Fluer off in the forest with a witch. Fluer cannot enter the Academy until she's 17 & 7 years later, she's st the gates again. This first novel covers only her orientation week at Crystal Wing Academy! And if it takes over 200 pages for one week, I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of the year.
I picked up this book on a whim, and I was not disappointed. Fluer is an Outling and at the age of ten hurts a child in her class with a fireball. Her mother takes her to the Crystal Wing Academy and drops her off with the headmistress. Who in turn drops Fluer off in the forest with a witch. Fluer cannot enter the Academy until she's 17 & 7 years later, she's st the gates again. This first novel covers only her orientation week at Crystal Wing Academy! And if it takes over 200 pages for one week, I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of the year.
March 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this book.
Simple but creative and easy to read.
The MC is likeable - relatable, she has a strong sense of who she is and she’s independent. She’s not massively boy crazy though there’s a special guy on the radar. There is still so much to find out but so much that we have already learnt about the academy. This book leaves everything open for another mystery to be explored in book 2.
Simple but creative and easy to read.
The MC is likeable - relatable, she has a strong sense of who she is and she’s independent. She’s not massively boy crazy though there’s a special guy on the radar. There is still so much to find out but so much that we have already learnt about the academy. This book leaves everything open for another mystery to be explored in book 2.
May 17, 2020
Good book
I thought the book was really good. Its a little bit different from the other witches and wizard books I've been reading.
Some people had commented in their reviews that the main girl used her powers to easily early on. I didn't find that to exactly be true. With out spoiling the story, she's a Very powerful wizard, so to me it makes sense that she can figure out her powers and isnt afraid to try something new with them.
Very excited to read the next book!
I thought the book was really good. Its a little bit different from the other witches and wizard books I've been reading.
Some people had commented in their reviews that the main girl used her powers to easily early on. I didn't find that to exactly be true. With out spoiling the story, she's a Very powerful wizard, so to me it makes sense that she can figure out her powers and isnt afraid to try something new with them.
Very excited to read the next book!
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