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The Caelum Academy Trilogy #3
Nine Lives
The Ghoul population is on the increase.
FACT.
Creatures' numbers are dwindling.
FACT.
Into this sorry state of affairs falls Eve. She's abnormal in all the ways that count to humans, but at Caelum, where she should be among her peers?
Even here she's weird.
No woman has more than one mate.
Eve?
She has seven.
And the creatures that dominate her mind?
There are eight of those battling for power in her soul.
With the war having come to Caelum's front door, Eve and her mates have no option but to escape the perils she faces at an Academy where anyone extraordinary is to be exterminated.
On the path to safety, however, Eve and her mates must uncover exactly who she is, and what, if they can ever hope to lead normal lives.
But with the revelations come more peril than any of them could have imagined.
Will they survive the beginning of the end?
Or were they doomed to fail before they were even born?
Find out in the THIRD and final book in the complete Caelum Academy trilogy.
A Why Choose Romance.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2019
945 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Serena Akeroyd
154 books6,237 followersUSA Today and International Best Selling Author Serena Akeroyd aka G. A. Mazurke is most known for her mafia and MC series set in the Five Points Mob Universe.
Avid reader of all things romance, she first started her career as a why choose author in both contemporary and paranormal.
She eventually made her way to MF romance where she found her groove with the O’Donnelly brothers, the Satan Sinners and most recently the Valentini Family.
In her back list you can find some MM, MF, MFM and Why Choose romances. HEA guaranteed!
When not writing Serena is either reading, traveling or coloring.
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Avid reader of all things romance, she first started her career as a why choose author in both contemporary and paranormal.
She eventually made her way to MF romance where she found her groove with the O’Donnelly brothers, the Satan Sinners and most recently the Valentini Family.
In her back list you can find some MM, MF, MFM and Why Choose romances. HEA guaranteed!
When not writing Serena is either reading, traveling or coloring.
Follow me on Amazon :
Serena Akeroyd
Follow me on Facebook :
Serena Akeroyd Author
Follow me on Instagram :
@serena_akeroyd
Follow me on Bookbub
Serena Akeroyd
Fly into the weird by joining my readers’ group on FB:
Serena Akeroyd's Divas
Follow me on Twitter :
@serenaakeroyd
Want to get my latest news? Sign up for my newsletter:
Newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
July 11, 2019
"I've never heard anything more chauvinistic in all my life and I'm mated to Dre!"
Firstly the covers for the trilogy were amazing and I liked all the characters. Overall it was a good trilogy with the 2nd book being the best. Unfortunately, this one bored me. It went from Djinn to God’s holy mission faster than you could blink, which given the MC’s name should’ve been obvious. It felt like getting smashed in the face with a bible as soon as they left the gates.
The final book completely changed things, the trilogy going from one extreme to the next. It felt like the first and second book of stained egos. There is a loooot of sex, Eve has lost her innocence (in more ways than one) and her violent, b-itchy tendencies that popped up in the previous books are now full throttle. In this one I just didn’t like her that much.
The relationships felt strange to me. I read a manga where the guys fell for the heroine because she was brain washing them with charm magic, it felt a little like that and was kinda creepy. When she didn’t have her fingers in their souls, I liked the bonds between them.
The pack was probably the best part, their interactions with each other outside of Eve after being rivals for so long. Eren, Nestor, Stefan, Samuel, Frazer, Reed and Dre have come a long way since the first book, especially Sam and Dre. Well written, solid ending with epilogue.
Firstly the covers for the trilogy were amazing and I liked all the characters. Overall it was a good trilogy with the 2nd book being the best. Unfortunately, this one bored me. It went from Djinn to God’s holy mission faster than you could blink, which given the MC’s name should’ve been obvious. It felt like getting smashed in the face with a bible as soon as they left the gates.
The final book completely changed things, the trilogy going from one extreme to the next. It felt like the first and second book of stained egos. There is a loooot of sex, Eve has lost her innocence (in more ways than one) and her violent, b-itchy tendencies that popped up in the previous books are now full throttle. In this one I just didn’t like her that much.
The relationships felt strange to me. I read a manga where the guys fell for the heroine because she was brain washing them with charm magic, it felt a little like that and was kinda creepy. When she didn’t have her fingers in their souls, I liked the bonds between them.
The pack was probably the best part, their interactions with each other outside of Eve after being rivals for so long. Eren, Nestor, Stefan, Samuel, Frazer, Reed and Dre have come a long way since the first book, especially Sam and Dre. Well written, solid ending with epilogue.
June 30, 2019
Rating: 4.5 stars for the whole trilogy
I did not enjoy this last book as much as the first two, although I would consider it on the same level as the previous one. This third book really fit into the series and it made sense everything that happened during it would happen at this precise time.
However, it felt like too much information on a very complex universe. I am not Eve, my brain had to implode at some point.
But even if I could rate Nine Lives a tiny bit lower, the trilogy in itself deserves indulgence. Not only the universe was complex and well thought, the story well written and the heroine compelling, the three books were published at the same time for us impatient readers. Serena Akeroyd deserves all the praises for pampering us that much and managing to keep her series to herself until the last word.
non spoilery review will be added on the first book at some point
I did not enjoy this last book as much as the first two, although I would consider it on the same level as the previous one. This third book really fit into the series and it made sense everything that happened during it would happen at this precise time.
However, it felt like too much information on a very complex universe. I am not Eve, my brain had to implode at some point.
But even if I could rate Nine Lives a tiny bit lower, the trilogy in itself deserves indulgence. Not only the universe was complex and well thought, the story well written and the heroine compelling, the three books were published at the same time for us impatient readers. Serena Akeroyd deserves all the praises for pampering us that much and managing to keep her series to herself until the last word.
non spoilery review will be added on the first book at some point
November 4, 2019
DNF at 47%. All the things that bothered me before are still there. Casual dismissal of your FMC ("Eve was the source of our stress"), but oh! It's okay, because she's also the source of your peace (never mind that's from literally controlling you and your mind - yes, I'm being contrary). Now we have confirmation that the OG Eve is responsible for all the bad things in the world, a weak attempt to reconcile religion and evolution, and a complete dismissal of religions around before Christianity and Judaism. But then we get these crazy time jumps with supposedly important information being given to us in the characters' thoughts? Stefan started thinking about a translation that meant going back to his hometown, and I thought I must have missed a chapter. I kept flipping backwards to find the translation part until I finally searched the ebook - nope, that was the first reference to it. We just decided to put this apparently important translation piece in musings rather than an actual event. This kept happening, and I found it quite irksome. Also, despite her showing her power, ability to deal, etc., her men STILL KEEP TREATING HER LIKE A CHILD. You seriously are coddling her so much you won't even mention how much the tea cost? AND she's so clueless she hasn't learned the concept of money at this point with all the reading and tv watching she's done? I don't buy it. And with that, I'm out. Sloppy plotting, overt woman hating, and far too much western religious ideologies being shoved in my face.
August 1, 2019
Awww 🥰
So every time I get to the last book in a series I get like this want to not finish it. I don’t know why. But it’s likely mind is like “You don’t really want to see how this ends, right.” I’m glad I ignored that voice.
The last book went from 0 to 60 so fast. I really love how at the end God played this huge roll in everything set in place. Ultimately everything boiled down to him. And I don’t know if God is actually this way obviously, but he was like an angry parent. Only forgiving the huge sins when you were truly deserving.
I also loved that I was able to learn so many new words. I’ve never had to look up so many words but I am smarter for it so thanks for that.
I truly enjoyed the slow burn of the romance especially between Eve and Dre. And the whole knitting thing. I feel I would die if that mess was real. When it was originally explained I hadn’t really fully grasped the concept but obviously I do now. And mane miss me. But go Eve. Do it girl.
Loved this series and I’m really glad I happened upon because it was so worth the read and apparently all the crazy that went into getting all three out at the same time. Appreciate cha.
So every time I get to the last book in a series I get like this want to not finish it. I don’t know why. But it’s likely mind is like “You don’t really want to see how this ends, right.” I’m glad I ignored that voice.
The last book went from 0 to 60 so fast. I really love how at the end God played this huge roll in everything set in place. Ultimately everything boiled down to him. And I don’t know if God is actually this way obviously, but he was like an angry parent. Only forgiving the huge sins when you were truly deserving.
I also loved that I was able to learn so many new words. I’ve never had to look up so many words but I am smarter for it so thanks for that.
I truly enjoyed the slow burn of the romance especially between Eve and Dre. And the whole knitting thing. I feel I would die if that mess was real. When it was originally explained I hadn’t really fully grasped the concept but obviously I do now. And mane miss me. But go Eve. Do it girl.
Loved this series and I’m really glad I happened upon because it was so worth the read and apparently all the crazy that went into getting all three out at the same time. Appreciate cha.
December 21, 2019
Oh my gosh I am so sad this trilogy is over. What a story. With the characters having even deeper developments, the plot thickened, and it was game over for this chick. The religious overtones in this book won't be for everyone, I get that, but I really enjoyed this whole series from start to end. The author obviously plotted it out well and knew what she was talking about. As always this is told in multiple pov.
September 1, 2020
While this was a trilogy I think it could have used another book or two. Here is where we got to the heart of the story, the "action" as it were and got our answers. Way too much information and story line to get through, we spent so much time at the academy when in the end it had very little to do with the conclusion of the plot.
Not bad but not my favorite either
Not bad but not my favorite either
April 28, 2020
Not at all what I expected that ending to be but amazing nonetheless! Such a great ending to a whirlwind of a series! Huge twist on conventional religion and typical people. Loved every word of this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2025
From bad to worse. The childish writing and constant recaps in the middle of scenes was mind boggling.
October 6, 2022
This has been a really fun series and not at all what I was expecting. Eve has come a long way from her time in the cult. I only wish she went back at some point and had some epic showdown with those crazies. This time around Eve and her men are on the run from the school trying to downplay Eve’s growing powers and tattoos. With a stroke of luck they reach out to historians who may be able to help decipher the markings. Of course nothing is at it seems and these strangers bring with them answers but also more problems. I’ve really enjoyed the bonding between Eve and each of her men. She really does form a unique relationship with them all. I will say with seven of them, I am still probably messing them up in my head. Personally there just wasn't enough story and depth to grow each guys character individuality. I mean 7 men is a lot and Eve is lucky she’s touched by God cuz she’s gotta be one sore and tired woman! Everyone really has to learn to work as a team in this book because with one weak link, the entire world may suffer. No pressure or anything! Been a really fun series and the epilogue was a perfect HEA.
January 24, 2020
3.25 stars
December 22, 2025
Nine Lives is the stunning, epic conclusion of Ms Akeroyd's new academy trilogy. It's mind-blowing, emotional, and thrilling. If you are not reduced to tears by the end of the book then I won't know what else could possibly move you to tears. The ending is Ah-mazing.
What started as an academy series has now morphed into an epic fight between good and evil as Eve follows the roadmap inked on her body to fulfill her destiny. In doing this, Eve has transformed from the innocent, naive girl who set foot in Caelum at the start of the trilogy into a strong, decisive young woman who loves and is loved. She has Chosen well in the short time she's been at Caelum and her life has taken a momentous turn as events and a destiny greater than she could ever imagine engulfs her life and that of her Chosen mates. I'm amazed by her purity of heart and her strength of will and determination as she faces down something of supreme proportions.
By now, we have also learned the histories of all the guys and let me tell you, theirs is a tale you want to know and your heart will ache for them and for the hurt and pain they have endured in their young lives. It's hard to pick a favorite of all the seven guys because they are all unique and special in their own way. Each one brings something different to the table with their individual souls and their personalities. Ms Akeroyd has done a wonderful job of making each guy unique.
Of note for me and what really melted my heart was when Eve told each of the seven men she loved them. It was such a heartwarming moment and yet bittersweet given the circumstances. Follow it up with the incredible ending as Ms Akeroyd does something which I call my "catnip of romance endings" and this book is simply perfection.
Here's the thing. I get if you're not into academy stories (I'm not really, this is my first. YA does not do it for me). I also get if you're not into the whole reverse harem genre, but that said... I would urge you to give this series a shot because it's more than just academy and reverse harem. It's about the transformation of an innocent into a strong, remarkable woman. It's about love and being Chosen. It's about loving despite flaws and quirks (and trust me you'll know what I mean when you meet Dre). It's about sin and forgiveness, good and evil. It's so much more than a bunch of kids going on an adventure. It's about maturing into the men and woman they are meant to be, overcoming insurmountable odds, life, and triumph. So yeah, even if you're not into the two things I mentioned earlier, read this because its a Damn, Good. Read.
Ms Akeroyd, I love your freaky brain. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
What started as an academy series has now morphed into an epic fight between good and evil as Eve follows the roadmap inked on her body to fulfill her destiny. In doing this, Eve has transformed from the innocent, naive girl who set foot in Caelum at the start of the trilogy into a strong, decisive young woman who loves and is loved. She has Chosen well in the short time she's been at Caelum and her life has taken a momentous turn as events and a destiny greater than she could ever imagine engulfs her life and that of her Chosen mates. I'm amazed by her purity of heart and her strength of will and determination as she faces down something of supreme proportions.
By now, we have also learned the histories of all the guys and let me tell you, theirs is a tale you want to know and your heart will ache for them and for the hurt and pain they have endured in their young lives. It's hard to pick a favorite of all the seven guys because they are all unique and special in their own way. Each one brings something different to the table with their individual souls and their personalities. Ms Akeroyd has done a wonderful job of making each guy unique.
Of note for me and what really melted my heart was when Eve told each of the seven men she loved them. It was such a heartwarming moment and yet bittersweet given the circumstances. Follow it up with the incredible ending as Ms Akeroyd does something which I call my "catnip of romance endings" and this book is simply perfection.
Here's the thing. I get if you're not into academy stories (I'm not really, this is my first. YA does not do it for me). I also get if you're not into the whole reverse harem genre, but that said... I would urge you to give this series a shot because it's more than just academy and reverse harem. It's about the transformation of an innocent into a strong, remarkable woman. It's about love and being Chosen. It's about loving despite flaws and quirks (and trust me you'll know what I mean when you meet Dre). It's about sin and forgiveness, good and evil. It's so much more than a bunch of kids going on an adventure. It's about maturing into the men and woman they are meant to be, overcoming insurmountable odds, life, and triumph. So yeah, even if you're not into the two things I mentioned earlier, read this because its a Damn, Good. Read.
Ms Akeroyd, I love your freaky brain. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
November 7, 2019
Aaahhhh.
This book so different from the first one on the series that nobody would ever believe that both have the same protagonist, forget same author.
In this first book, the heroine is a shy, timed, sheltered girl brought up in a cult, while in this one, she is anything but! This situation is exarcebated by the fact that the entire series takes place in less than three months.
The first book in the series was actually pretty nice; not memorable, but not terrible either. The entire concept was original and intriguing. The life of a woman bought up in backward cult who is suddenly pushed into a paranormal 21st century, was quite well explored. True, it was boring and so slow burn (slower than a slug) that heroine barely even kisses one of her seven Beaus, forget mating with any of them.
And then suddenly, it explodes! The pacing is so screwed up, it would give a whiplash to the most adventurous of the readers. In this book, she is bold, sensual and very much accepting of her seven lovers. Did I mention that this change happens in weeks?
Another point of contention, was the plot - full of holes, contradictory and too far out there. It couldn't decide between being religious or non-religious. From one second to next, the local fight turns suddenly global; some hundreds of enemies to hundreds of thousands; and heroine from being a special snowflake to having God-like powers.
I would have a given an extra star to this book, despite being terrible, if it had a satisfactory ending. Unfortunately, no proper epilogue and too many lose ends! It is as if the author lost inspiration to write the last book in the series and write just for the sake of it!
This book so different from the first one on the series that nobody would ever believe that both have the same protagonist, forget same author.
In this first book, the heroine is a shy, timed, sheltered girl brought up in a cult, while in this one, she is anything but! This situation is exarcebated by the fact that the entire series takes place in less than three months.
The first book in the series was actually pretty nice; not memorable, but not terrible either. The entire concept was original and intriguing. The life of a woman bought up in backward cult who is suddenly pushed into a paranormal 21st century, was quite well explored. True, it was boring and so slow burn (slower than a slug) that heroine barely even kisses one of her seven Beaus, forget mating with any of them.
And then suddenly, it explodes! The pacing is so screwed up, it would give a whiplash to the most adventurous of the readers. In this book, she is bold, sensual and very much accepting of her seven lovers. Did I mention that this change happens in weeks?
Another point of contention, was the plot - full of holes, contradictory and too far out there. It couldn't decide between being religious or non-religious. From one second to next, the local fight turns suddenly global; some hundreds of enemies to hundreds of thousands; and heroine from being a special snowflake to having God-like powers.
I would have a given an extra star to this book, despite being terrible, if it had a satisfactory ending. Unfortunately, no proper epilogue and too many lose ends! It is as if the author lost inspiration to write the last book in the series and write just for the sake of it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2020
Good ending to the trilogy
This is the third and final book in the Caelum trilogy. Reverse harem, paranormal slow burn romance. This was definitely a new outlook on paranormal creatures and religion with the idea that creatures have 8 souls (vampire, were, gargoyle, etc) in them and that they were the original creations of God. There wasn’t any editing errors that I noticed and the author did an amazing job of character development. Sometimes, in reverse harem books it can be kind of hard to really develop all of the relationships when there’s more than 5 mates, but Serena did an awesome job of showing them develop feelings for each other. I will say that I wish there was more to Eve and Dre’s relationship. I’m glad that she called him out and told him how he hurt her and that she wouldn’t put up with being treated like crap, but she claimed him right after they talked about their feelings for the first time. I guess I just expected for her to make him work for it a little more.
Overall, it was a great series and I really enjoyed watching Eve grow as a person and with her understanding of how the real world is lived. I also really liked how she questioned Gods plan. I know we aren’t supposed to do that, but were not perfect and people struggle with it all the time, and I like that even though Eve is a Jannah, a child of God, even she questioned her path at one point. It was refreshing.
This is the third and final book in the Caelum trilogy. Reverse harem, paranormal slow burn romance. This was definitely a new outlook on paranormal creatures and religion with the idea that creatures have 8 souls (vampire, were, gargoyle, etc) in them and that they were the original creations of God. There wasn’t any editing errors that I noticed and the author did an amazing job of character development. Sometimes, in reverse harem books it can be kind of hard to really develop all of the relationships when there’s more than 5 mates, but Serena did an awesome job of showing them develop feelings for each other. I will say that I wish there was more to Eve and Dre’s relationship. I’m glad that she called him out and told him how he hurt her and that she wouldn’t put up with being treated like crap, but she claimed him right after they talked about their feelings for the first time. I guess I just expected for her to make him work for it a little more.
Overall, it was a great series and I really enjoyed watching Eve grow as a person and with her understanding of how the real world is lived. I also really liked how she questioned Gods plan. I know we aren’t supposed to do that, but were not perfect and people struggle with it all the time, and I like that even though Eve is a Jannah, a child of God, even she questioned her path at one point. It was refreshing.
July 4, 2019
Fantastic must read trilogy!!
What an amazing finish to the trilogy!!! Absolutely amazing, love how everything was ties up at the end, questions were answered and all the characters were completely explained, absolutely live thos authors works jave uet to read a bad one!!
What an amazing finish to the trilogy!!! Absolutely amazing, love how everything was ties up at the end, questions were answered and all the characters were completely explained, absolutely live thos authors works jave uet to read a bad one!!
May 11, 2023
Rushed.
Lost it's ✨️ spark ✨️
Failed to hold my interest for long.
Note to self: stop forcing yourself to finish series you consider mediocre.
Lost it's ✨️ spark ✨️
Failed to hold my interest for long.
Note to self: stop forcing yourself to finish series you consider mediocre.
August 14, 2019
In Nine Lives, Eve and her 7 boyfriends start the apocalypse to take care of the Ghoul problem once and for all, and maybe get their sex team HEA.
This review is more a reflection of how I feel about the entire trilogy. Which I enjoyed, but it’s more problematic elements have stayed with me.
Along the way, I was pretty engaged with the world building. There’s some interesting Judaeo-Christian mythos behind the paranormal elements, but they don’t always sit comfortably with the mix of supernatural creatures. I really liked the 7 souls in one being concept. I thought Akeroyd really went for it in establishing the epic nature of the stakes.
I’m a bit tired of the single-conflict character in the sex team dynamic, but then reverse harem is not really my cup of tea, so it doesn’t take much for me to find it tiresome. Reverse harems are teams. Ultimately, I think they turn a romance into a book about building effective teams in the workplace, but with sex. I’m more on board if it’s clear that the sex team becomes largely self-managing, and is comfortable with the leadership structure. The sex teams I don’t like are where the heroine’s role is relegated to management of the emotional dynamics of her team, she’s largely responsible for administrative tasks, and has to fight for inclusion in any of the strategic and new business decision making.
I can’t find this sub-genre kinky any more. I mean, I’d probably still feel weird talking about these books in a book group, but only a little bit.
Anyway, I thought Eve was a strong character, and managed to establish her leadership of the sex team pretty well.
What did trouble more was one basic genre problem, and a bigger issue around violence and vengeance and the nature of Good. I’m not going to touch on religion. The series tries to say that it’s not about religion, it’s about God and Faith. That’s arguable, at best.
This series is paranormal + academy + reverse harem + bully romance. There’s the typical bully fake-out of the one team member actively resisting the relationship vibes, and openly contemptuous of the sex team leader. But there’s also the ‘real’ bully - the mean girl. She wants one of the heroine’s men, and she’s prepared to be both mean and violent to get her way.
There’s never much to the mean girl in these types of books. She’s a minor road block, rarely the story’s big bad, and that’s the case here. I’m impatient with her as a trope because she has no nuance. But my bigger problem is that Eve’s method of ending her enemies is overly violent. In the second book, a boy trips her, and she uses her powers to slam him into a glass coffee table. She takes out the mean girl at a party, and while it’s violent, the scene also makes no sense. Eve and her sex team go public at a beach party, but none of the other characters in the book have any stake in the plot, or have any important ties to the sex team. The scene’s message appears to be: haters shouldn’t slut shame us, but the sex team were only there to provoke a reaction. Which again, made no sense, because they were risking exposure of a greater issue than flashing their lifestyle choice at an unappreciative audience would cause.
Eve’s violence in these scenes, and several others in the book, is extreme. The series’ ‘HEA is Eve and her sex team eliminating the bad humans who caused the sex team’s angst when they were young. Eve, in the last third of the book, goes through a crisis of faith, where she wonders whether humanity is worth saving. There’s only one member of her sex team who didn’t have a terrible childhood, and her cult background was also terrible. I can get an argument that it made sense for the character to make those assessments on her very narrow experiences with the world, but I still didn’t like it. Using Judeo-Christian mythos in world building, including souls and powers and apocalypse and then focussing the heroic characters on vengeance isn’t a Good ending, and feels like a deliberate and dark authorial choice.
This review is more a reflection of how I feel about the entire trilogy. Which I enjoyed, but it’s more problematic elements have stayed with me.
Along the way, I was pretty engaged with the world building. There’s some interesting Judaeo-Christian mythos behind the paranormal elements, but they don’t always sit comfortably with the mix of supernatural creatures. I really liked the 7 souls in one being concept. I thought Akeroyd really went for it in establishing the epic nature of the stakes.
I’m a bit tired of the single-conflict character in the sex team dynamic, but then reverse harem is not really my cup of tea, so it doesn’t take much for me to find it tiresome. Reverse harems are teams. Ultimately, I think they turn a romance into a book about building effective teams in the workplace, but with sex. I’m more on board if it’s clear that the sex team becomes largely self-managing, and is comfortable with the leadership structure. The sex teams I don’t like are where the heroine’s role is relegated to management of the emotional dynamics of her team, she’s largely responsible for administrative tasks, and has to fight for inclusion in any of the strategic and new business decision making.
I can’t find this sub-genre kinky any more. I mean, I’d probably still feel weird talking about these books in a book group, but only a little bit.
Anyway, I thought Eve was a strong character, and managed to establish her leadership of the sex team pretty well.
What did trouble more was one basic genre problem, and a bigger issue around violence and vengeance and the nature of Good. I’m not going to touch on religion. The series tries to say that it’s not about religion, it’s about God and Faith. That’s arguable, at best.
This series is paranormal + academy + reverse harem + bully romance. There’s the typical bully fake-out of the one team member actively resisting the relationship vibes, and openly contemptuous of the sex team leader. But there’s also the ‘real’ bully - the mean girl. She wants one of the heroine’s men, and she’s prepared to be both mean and violent to get her way.
There’s never much to the mean girl in these types of books. She’s a minor road block, rarely the story’s big bad, and that’s the case here. I’m impatient with her as a trope because she has no nuance. But my bigger problem is that Eve’s method of ending her enemies is overly violent. In the second book, a boy trips her, and she uses her powers to slam him into a glass coffee table. She takes out the mean girl at a party, and while it’s violent, the scene also makes no sense. Eve and her sex team go public at a beach party, but none of the other characters in the book have any stake in the plot, or have any important ties to the sex team. The scene’s message appears to be: haters shouldn’t slut shame us, but the sex team were only there to provoke a reaction. Which again, made no sense, because they were risking exposure of a greater issue than flashing their lifestyle choice at an unappreciative audience would cause.
Eve’s violence in these scenes, and several others in the book, is extreme. The series’ ‘HEA is Eve and her sex team eliminating the bad humans who caused the sex team’s angst when they were young. Eve, in the last third of the book, goes through a crisis of faith, where she wonders whether humanity is worth saving. There’s only one member of her sex team who didn’t have a terrible childhood, and her cult background was also terrible. I can get an argument that it made sense for the character to make those assessments on her very narrow experiences with the world, but I still didn’t like it. Using Judeo-Christian mythos in world building, including souls and powers and apocalypse and then focussing the heroic characters on vengeance isn’t a Good ending, and feels like a deliberate and dark authorial choice.
July 16, 2019
MM. I liked the first book, 2nd was okay, and the 3rd I don't think I liked very much at all. I gave it a 2 though since the author is a very good writer.
I had about 3 problems with this book and kinda the series at whole but it didn't really bother me too much until the last one.
The first was the sudden shift into christian/jewish religious motifs. And that brings about it's own problems that have been debated to death in all kinds areas.
Second problem I had was the ghouls themselves. It seemed odd to label creatures who had no choice but to be what they are as monsters. Sure they eat humans (woopdedoo so do vampires technically) and have little control of their compulsions, but it seems kinda like victim blaming. It's kinda like killing an animal for killing a human. The animal is being an animal, true to itself, it doesn't operate on the usual human morals. Idk, I feel more sympathy for them than disgust since I can't imagine what it's like to have that much chaos in your head.
Third problem I had was the sexism. I know. "But Wait Person On The Internet! The book has a strong female character and talks about ending the patriarchy among other female empowering things!" I think the best way to sum up what i'm thinking is this picture:
There are numerous places in the book where certain forms of sexism is acceptable, such as men being living weapons (which is mean to men tbh) and women staying behind because apparently research is important and better suited for the fairer sex. And also when the book was saying how women are better at certain thinking processes than men (also mean to men lol). And somehow this all relates to why there are more female ghouls.
I could debate that all day but... yeah. Didn't enjoy the last book too much. I'm wary of Jesus Fan Fiction-y type stuff since it usually disappoints me for reasons similar to those mentioned above, and unfortunately in this case it proved true once again. This author is an excellent writer though, and maybe I'll try out her other books granted they're not much like this one thematically.
Cheers and may the Book Gods bless you!
I had about 3 problems with this book and kinda the series at whole but it didn't really bother me too much until the last one.
The first was the sudden shift into christian/jewish religious motifs. And that brings about it's own problems that have been debated to death in all kinds areas.
Second problem I had was the ghouls themselves. It seemed odd to label creatures who had no choice but to be what they are as monsters. Sure they eat humans (woopdedoo so do vampires technically) and have little control of their compulsions, but it seems kinda like victim blaming. It's kinda like killing an animal for killing a human. The animal is being an animal, true to itself, it doesn't operate on the usual human morals. Idk, I feel more sympathy for them than disgust since I can't imagine what it's like to have that much chaos in your head.
Third problem I had was the sexism. I know. "But Wait Person On The Internet! The book has a strong female character and talks about ending the patriarchy among other female empowering things!" I think the best way to sum up what i'm thinking is this picture:
There are numerous places in the book where certain forms of sexism is acceptable, such as men being living weapons (which is mean to men tbh) and women staying behind because apparently research is important and better suited for the fairer sex. And also when the book was saying how women are better at certain thinking processes than men (also mean to men lol). And somehow this all relates to why there are more female ghouls.
I could debate that all day but... yeah. Didn't enjoy the last book too much. I'm wary of Jesus Fan Fiction-y type stuff since it usually disappoints me for reasons similar to those mentioned above, and unfortunately in this case it proved true once again. This author is an excellent writer though, and maybe I'll try out her other books granted they're not much like this one thematically.
Cheers and may the Book Gods bless you!
January 6, 2022
This was certainly full throttle that’s for sure and I did get the answers to the questions regarding Eve are her origins and purpose but I just wasn’t a fan of the particular story direction and all the religious reasoning behind it. I also thought things fell into place a tad too easily as well. Look this author is a favourite of mine and I love other books of hers a lot this just wasn’t my favourite series she’s written to date. I kept reading here mostly because I wanted answers and as I said earlier I did get them.
I did love the whole pack aspect here and the way they all interacted together but Eve I didn’t like as much in this final book; she just felt a tad megalomaniac at times. This did up the heat factor so that was a big plus and as usual, this was well written and it's maybe more of a it’s not you but me thing.
Overall this series has been a mixed bag some bits I’ve liked others not so much. It is highly imaginative and has an intriguing theme at its centre but ultimately it wasn’t quite my bag and I did have some difficulty connecting with the characters. I also wish it hadn’t gone down the whole religious rabbit hole it did. This was definitely my least favourite in the series so far and for me was mostly just Ok. I’d still read other books written by this author in the future as there’s no question she can spin a yarn this just wasn’t one for me.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
November 18, 2021
I don't like having religion shoved in my face. AT ALL. I also don't like reading the mere thought of two men touching intimately being disgusting. That was unnecessary and just added to the anger i had towards this book and how it ruined this series entirely for me. These two things were somewhat present in the first 2 books but in much less overt ways that made it feel like a story with religion as the base theory but not what the entire story was trying to preach and that the guys were clearly straight but not that even the thought of touching each other while with Eve was vomit inducing.
The ONLY reason i finished this book was because i felt the need to know what happened and to be honest if the homophobia wasn't present i might have given it 2 stars because even with all it's problems i still liked the characters, even though it was hard to make myself continue. I don't feel the need to expose myself to opinions and words that feel hateful towards a part of me and thats what it felt like when i read those phrases in this book.
This is the worst book i have read this year and that is saying something. 1/10
The ONLY reason i finished this book was because i felt the need to know what happened and to be honest if the homophobia wasn't present i might have given it 2 stars because even with all it's problems i still liked the characters, even though it was hard to make myself continue. I don't feel the need to expose myself to opinions and words that feel hateful towards a part of me and thats what it felt like when i read those phrases in this book.
This is the worst book i have read this year and that is saying something. 1/10
July 16, 2019
Review for series overall
So I read book 1 and 2 in a day, sped right through... book 3 on the other hand took over 3 days. It was really slow, there was this huge build up but no fighting, no action. It also became kind of preachy. I saw a few other reviews mention this book was a lot more religious and they found that jarring. To me it wasn’t even the religious aspect per say, because I love Mythos themed novels and am never irked by them but this did become very preachy ‘listen to god, his will, he is guiding, gods love’ I didn’t really need a hidden sermon in my rh trilogy, catch me?
Books 1 and 2 I’d give 4 stars and this book 3. My rating doesn’t reflect any of my feelings on the overtly preachy tone it’s purely because it was slow and a bit of a struggle to get through.
So I read book 1 and 2 in a day, sped right through... book 3 on the other hand took over 3 days. It was really slow, there was this huge build up but no fighting, no action. It also became kind of preachy. I saw a few other reviews mention this book was a lot more religious and they found that jarring. To me it wasn’t even the religious aspect per say, because I love Mythos themed novels and am never irked by them but this did become very preachy ‘listen to god, his will, he is guiding, gods love’ I didn’t really need a hidden sermon in my rh trilogy, catch me?
Books 1 and 2 I’d give 4 stars and this book 3. My rating doesn’t reflect any of my feelings on the overtly preachy tone it’s purely because it was slow and a bit of a struggle to get through.
May 21, 2020
This was the slowest most boring series. I couldn't finish the last book. Its a wonder I finishes the first two but the reviews were so good I thought the last book would pick up. I wanted to get to what all of the hype was about. It got to the point where I don't even care what the hype was about. The books are so slow and nothing of import would happen until the last pages of the book.
From the first book Eve's mood swings and sensitivity was annoying. The guys POV's all read the same; once they were bonded to her it was hard to tell them apart. Most of the narrative add nothing to the story nor does it push forward the plot at all. I skipped pages and missed nothing pivotal to the story.
In short, there was nothing fantastic about this book. The concept of 7 souls was great but the execution was a fail.
From the first book Eve's mood swings and sensitivity was annoying. The guys POV's all read the same; once they were bonded to her it was hard to tell them apart. Most of the narrative add nothing to the story nor does it push forward the plot at all. I skipped pages and missed nothing pivotal to the story.
In short, there was nothing fantastic about this book. The concept of 7 souls was great but the execution was a fail.
August 7, 2021
5/Stars & 3/Slow burn spice & 5/performance
Review:
Wow, I can’t believe I zoomed through these as fast as I did but they were so worth it. This last book brings even bigger bomb shells to the twists I didn’t see coming. It comes down to them fighting to save humanity Good vs Evil...Heaven vs Hell. The epic battle that Eve, and her guys have to wage is what her destiny is about. It may cost them a lot in the end, but her belief in innocence and humanity is the only thing that can save it.The character growth throughout the series is wonderful and I truly enjoyed it. It will be a series I go back to re-read.
Review:
Wow, I can’t believe I zoomed through these as fast as I did but they were so worth it. This last book brings even bigger bomb shells to the twists I didn’t see coming. It comes down to them fighting to save humanity Good vs Evil...Heaven vs Hell. The epic battle that Eve, and her guys have to wage is what her destiny is about. It may cost them a lot in the end, but her belief in innocence and humanity is the only thing that can save it.The character growth throughout the series is wonderful and I truly enjoyed it. It will be a series I go back to re-read.
February 8, 2020
*WARNING* story contains sexual content
Read books 1 & 2 first. This is a great ending to an amazing trilogy. Eve is not only an amazing character, but is original with what she contains and what's she can do. The harem of men that surround Eve all have very different personalities, even in this 3rd book, one of the mates are still holding back from getting close to her. This books down to good verses evil and used religion, but it's done in an unorthodox way. This story should get more than 5 stars for just it's originality.
Read books 1 & 2 first. This is a great ending to an amazing trilogy. Eve is not only an amazing character, but is original with what she contains and what's she can do. The harem of men that surround Eve all have very different personalities, even in this 3rd book, one of the mates are still holding back from getting close to her. This books down to good verses evil and used religion, but it's done in an unorthodox way. This story should get more than 5 stars for just it's originality.
July 15, 2019
This was unusual for me, dropping the last book in a series midway through. I loved the first book, liked the second, and became ambivalent by the third. What shot this book dead in the water for me was the long explanation in the middle of the book that explained all the things. After two books of build-up, it just fell flat...off my kindle shelf, into my DNF bin.
October 7, 2019
“No. I don’t accept it. Sorries are too easy. Sorry is just a word. I need you to mean it, to live by it, or it’s just another statement without intent.”
Not my favorite book of the series. It took me longer to finish than the previous books, but that might have something to do with my reading slump lol. But anyways seriously good series totally recommend people read it.
Not my favorite book of the series. It took me longer to finish than the previous books, but that might have something to do with my reading slump lol. But anyways seriously good series totally recommend people read it.
April 1, 2020
Great ending to a wonderful series
Loved the mythology built into this story, surrounding God, the Devil and the tasks the last Djinn, or Janna as they're called in this series, and her multiple mates were given.
Loved the mythology built into this story, surrounding God, the Devil and the tasks the last Djinn, or Janna as they're called in this series, and her multiple mates were given.
July 9, 2021
The name is The Caelum Academy Trilogy, but by the end of the second book Caelum Academy just has nothing to do with the series anymore. That is a thing with some authors that doesn't understand that academy stories are cool because of the setup, but i guess we have to have a war....
That's when Contemporary Romance RH or even Adult Fantasy always end up winning, a simple adventure with no world ending stakes and every single person as enemy does a better entertaining job. Make a villain and some mini boss and be done. Why we have to save the world every time?
Maybe in Marvel movies is like that, but the HQ , the heroes are not saving the wold every new release, Iron man does not save the world every Thursday(for the reference made in series). All levels of challenges can be and should be explore. You don't need a world ending level of danger to justify a girl with many boyfriends, just like guys never did historically in anywhere around the world just like we don't if we want to start like right now a polyamory relationship. She can be special even if just for then or only in her little piece of the world.
Take the whole social environment away makes everything seem meaningless. There's no one to prove wrong, no respect or recognition to win, no justice to claim, no redemption. Then why suffer?Why struggle? Why care for these situations and people for two whole books only to go away and became a secret hero? Why be a secret chosen one for a handful of people ? A hidden world savior?
Her relationships was build so slowly for a trilogy, there for all of then feels superficial like none of than knows each other and the only reason they are together is because of the stakes. which is sad.
That's when Contemporary Romance RH or even Adult Fantasy always end up winning, a simple adventure with no world ending stakes and every single person as enemy does a better entertaining job. Make a villain and some mini boss and be done. Why we have to save the world every time?
Maybe in Marvel movies is like that, but the HQ , the heroes are not saving the wold every new release, Iron man does not save the world every Thursday(for the reference made in series). All levels of challenges can be and should be explore. You don't need a world ending level of danger to justify a girl with many boyfriends, just like guys never did historically in anywhere around the world just like we don't if we want to start like right now a polyamory relationship. She can be special even if just for then or only in her little piece of the world.
Take the whole social environment away makes everything seem meaningless. There's no one to prove wrong, no respect or recognition to win, no justice to claim, no redemption. Then why suffer?Why struggle? Why care for these situations and people for two whole books only to go away and became a secret hero? Why be a secret chosen one for a handful of people ? A hidden world savior?
Her relationships was build so slowly for a trilogy, there for all of then feels superficial like none of than knows each other and the only reason they are together is because of the stakes. which is sad.
November 21, 2019
Overall, this series was pretty good. There story line, world, and characters were incredibly complex and it had so much potential. This book, however, fell flat for me, and the way the story is wrapped up left a lot to be desired.
First of all, we didn't really get to experience Eve's relationships with her Chosen develop at all. One second she was timid and unsure and the next she was pushing pretty significant sexual boundaries and in love with them. Given Eve's history, it didn't seem realistic, even if she did have eight souls encouraging her. Since all of her Chosen were smitten with her from the get go, aside from Dre, I really expected there to be some sort of build up with her relationship with him. Instead, he was awful to her throughout the entire series until about two thirds of the way though the final book, and then all was immediately forgiven and they started acting like a normal couple in a way that was completely unnatural. I had been looking forward to Dre softening, seeing the error of his ways, and altering his behavior, but that it is not what happened.
I always hate when everything in a story goes wrong and it's just one thing after another and none of the characters can catch a break, but that conflict is completely necessary. There was almost no conflict in this entire book. Yes, they had to find out what her tattoos meant, and then they had to act on it, but literally nothing went wrong. There weren't any hiccups along the way and everything went exactly according to plan (except for that whole Erlik thing, but that was pretty flat because you knew it wasn't going to stick). A lot of this was due to the fact that God (omniscient, all powerful, lives in Heaven God) is pulling all of the strings. Aside from the whole thing being just drenched in Christianity, that takes everything away from the plot and characters. It leaves you questioning if anything that they accomplished was because of their strength of character, or because God was guiding them.
Had this book gone in a different direction, I think the series would have been much stronger. It also would have benefited from being fleshed out a lot more, obviously with more conflict and more character development. Honestly, the first two books could have been one, but for everything that needed to be explained in this one and for who the characters needed to be by the end, this book should have been lengthy enough to be two.
First of all, we didn't really get to experience Eve's relationships with her Chosen develop at all. One second she was timid and unsure and the next she was pushing pretty significant sexual boundaries and in love with them. Given Eve's history, it didn't seem realistic, even if she did have eight souls encouraging her. Since all of her Chosen were smitten with her from the get go, aside from Dre, I really expected there to be some sort of build up with her relationship with him. Instead, he was awful to her throughout the entire series until about two thirds of the way though the final book, and then all was immediately forgiven and they started acting like a normal couple in a way that was completely unnatural. I had been looking forward to Dre softening, seeing the error of his ways, and altering his behavior, but that it is not what happened.
I always hate when everything in a story goes wrong and it's just one thing after another and none of the characters can catch a break, but that conflict is completely necessary. There was almost no conflict in this entire book. Yes, they had to find out what her tattoos meant, and then they had to act on it, but literally nothing went wrong. There weren't any hiccups along the way and everything went exactly according to plan (except for that whole Erlik thing, but that was pretty flat because you knew it wasn't going to stick). A lot of this was due to the fact that God (omniscient, all powerful, lives in Heaven God) is pulling all of the strings. Aside from the whole thing being just drenched in Christianity, that takes everything away from the plot and characters. It leaves you questioning if anything that they accomplished was because of their strength of character, or because God was guiding them.
Had this book gone in a different direction, I think the series would have been much stronger. It also would have benefited from being fleshed out a lot more, obviously with more conflict and more character development. Honestly, the first two books could have been one, but for everything that needed to be explained in this one and for who the characters needed to be by the end, this book should have been lengthy enough to be two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2019
I feel like this book was a bit anticlimactic....
There was a lot more talk on religion but not religion per say. About God.
I’m a devout Christian. Go to church every Sunday. Say my prayers and all that. This book pushes my comforts. I took a step back and was like, Girl this book has shifters, all sorts of creatures, it is obviously not real. So doesn’t that stand to reason this whole bit about God, Adam, and Eve aren’t real either?!?!
After that it was easier to read. But I think by focusing so much on that part, we lost a bit on the relationships. While she does slowly Claim all her men, you’ve lost on the overall relationship. And to be frank non relationship with Dre........ didn’t really like how that one was resolved.
I also felt their ‘fight’ scenes were very anticlimactic. These men are warriors and they did do much for nothing. They were essentially made to protect her................ and they really didn’t do that. Their one actual fight fight, she saves their butts.
Finally I found it weird, and maybe I’m weird or cray libido over here. But this chick has 7 dudes.. well technically 6 cause one is a dbag for basically the whole thing. And she has this crazy 3 some and then nothing. Few weeks later another 3 some...... nothing...... a regular goodie one on one after a few more weeks. There is only once that it is mentioned she had sex other than the first 4 times. The only true break that makes sense is after the first time because they get attacked the next night and she is basically out for almost a week. But upon waking up she has a 3 some. And thus the weird sex circle begins........ I’d be exhausted with all that men goodies all around me. 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
There was a lot more talk on religion but not religion per say. About God.
I’m a devout Christian. Go to church every Sunday. Say my prayers and all that. This book pushes my comforts. I took a step back and was like, Girl this book has shifters, all sorts of creatures, it is obviously not real. So doesn’t that stand to reason this whole bit about God, Adam, and Eve aren’t real either?!?!
After that it was easier to read. But I think by focusing so much on that part, we lost a bit on the relationships. While she does slowly Claim all her men, you’ve lost on the overall relationship. And to be frank non relationship with Dre........ didn’t really like how that one was resolved.
I also felt their ‘fight’ scenes were very anticlimactic. These men are warriors and they did do much for nothing. They were essentially made to protect her................ and they really didn’t do that. Their one actual fight fight, she saves their butts.
Finally I found it weird, and maybe I’m weird or cray libido over here. But this chick has 7 dudes.. well technically 6 cause one is a dbag for basically the whole thing. And she has this crazy 3 some and then nothing. Few weeks later another 3 some...... nothing...... a regular goodie one on one after a few more weeks. There is only once that it is mentioned she had sex other than the first 4 times. The only true break that makes sense is after the first time because they get attacked the next night and she is basically out for almost a week. But upon waking up she has a 3 some. And thus the weird sex circle begins........ I’d be exhausted with all that men goodies all around me. 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
June 29, 2022
Ehh, wanted more with the relationships . I feel like Dre never redeemed himself honestly, and i hated how reed and Frazier made bet about having sex with her and was never brought up again .I'm going to be honest the guys did not the deserve her, they did not stand up for her when Dre was being a dick . And let her think that she wasn't beautiful or was in the pack ...so the guys sucks honestly.
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