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Academy of Assassins #5

Guardians of the Assassins

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WAR THREATENS THE PARANORMAL COMMUNITY. IF THE ASSASSINS CAN’T PREVENT THE LOOMING BATTLE, SUPERNATURALS WILL CEASE TO EXIST.

Morgan and her mates don’t even have time to settle into their new home before the local wolf pack demands she turn herself over to the alphas. If she refuses, they vow to destroy everything she holds dear.

Not one to back down from a fight, she confronts them and barely manages to escape with her life. Peace in the realm is fragile, and the incident draws the wrong attention. When she and her mates come under attack, secrets in the pack surface, threatening to destroy them from within.

Refusing to give up her home without a fight, Morgan must face a trial with the odds stacked against her. Failure is not an option. As an assassin, it’s her place to decide who lives and dies. If she makes one wrong choice, not only will she lose her new pack and her mates, it could annihilate the entire supernatural community.

An Academy of Assassins Novel: Book 6
Meet the Assassins: Morgan, Kincade, Ascher, Ryder, Draven, Atlas, and Caedmon.

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2022

95 people are currently reading
424 people want to read

About the author

Stacey Brutger

45 books1,285 followers
Stacey Brutger lives in a small town in Minnesota with her husband and an assortment of animals.

When she's not reading (from the towering stack of books she can't resist buying), she enjoys creating stories about exotic worlds and grand adventures...then shoving in her characters to see how they'd survive. She enjoys writing anything paranormal from contemporary to historical.

~~~~~*****~~~~~*****~~~~~*****~~~~~

Where the fanged, furry and spell slingers fight the darkness inside their soul for a chance to claim the one they love.

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5 stars
354 (49%)
4 stars
211 (29%)
3 stars
112 (15%)
2 stars
29 (4%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for evie ☻︎.
88 reviews3 followers
September 15, 2022
definition of assassin in merriam-webster:
a person who commits murder
especially : one who murders a politically important person either for money or from fanatical adherence to a cause


the assassins in this book:
[...] but she was an assassin to the core, born and raised, which meant she couldn’t turn her back on people in need…especially children.


yeah, that pretty much sumps up the book.



overall series rating: 4 ⭐

why four stars, you may ask, if I rated most of the books lower than 3 stars? well, to say the least, i loved and definitely ENJOYED ranting about this book. the series was good honestly; it's just that the execution failed. i could just stop after reading book 1, but I didn't. So i guess that's on me.

I just loved Ryder and Ascher's character and how they are so protective of Morgan. Yey to that. Atleast the three of them made the series tolerable LOL

there were definitely more CRINGE as fuck moments rather than sweet cheesy vanilla moments ,, but this was like the first series who exerted so much negative emotion criticism in me, so I'll give Stacey that LOL i learned something new about myself after this :D

though, are we ignoring the fact that Morgan and Atlas was eye-fucking and crotch-touching while MacGregor was in the same room as them? 😐 Uhm...

also, again, what the fuck happened to that gargoyle guy who was courting Morgan?? is he dead?? what was his relevance to the book aside from giving us false hope that he could be another addition to Morgan's never ending harem?
Profile Image for Natalie  H.
3,622 reviews30 followers
February 13, 2024
February 2024
Kindle edition
KU
RHR bingo 12.

It said The end so maybe that is it this time around. I was in two minds for this one. The writing style is easy to follow and the characters were nostalgic, to the point I want to go back and read from the beginning, even though I'm pretty sure it's a bad idea at the moment. Story wise it felt like dragging out one more, what else can be done. I did like the new mate and the overall character interaction. There's a lot of the mates might be taken away, they don't have a choice, Morgan won't allow that etc, power play, add more to the coven and repeat. The guys did feel a little background at places. It felt like Shade and Loki got more of a spotlight. The whole grandfather thing was a little anti-climatic. Typical continue the legacy ending, although I did like the grabbing of the weapons. Might go back re-read or leave it as done. Dunno.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alicia.
2,384 reviews80 followers
May 5, 2022
This series has evolved alongside Morgan and her guys. From humble orphan academy beginnings and now running her own coven surrounded by her mates, Morgan takes anything thrown at her and adapts, while still staying true to herself.
There's a lot thrown at them in this one (but when hasn't there been?). Though I must say, for assassins, they are very hesitant to kill anyone. Just sayin', a bit more murder would have solved some problems. Damn their moral code.
All the races come into play, legend and history catches up, and Morgan and her guys will fight for their place. It has some really sweet moments, and Morgan is such a great MC to follow. I wasn't entirely sure why everything played out the way it did motivation or logic wise in places, but I enjoyed it anyway. There are still some open threads, and it definitely lends itself to spinoffs with the side characters, but it is still left in a place that feels complete.
There's a lot of action and passion, plans and adventure, and it's a fitting end to the series.
Profile Image for Alice.
1,853 reviews101 followers
May 7, 2022
The story was full of action, and the fae and god backstories and societies were expanded a bit more, but the overall character development continued to be very shallow. It had been a significant period of time since I had read the original series other than a short story in an anthology, and I found it hard to distinguish between each of the men in the harem. Most of them barely got any screen time and didn't do much other than protect and kiss/smut up the FMC Morgan.

Morgan was quite the Mary Sue with an absurd amount of magical abilities and rankings, and it didn't make sense how often she showed a lack of self-confidence and needed to rely on the men around her for decisions. I liked the addition of the new ancient fae to her harem, but I didn't really feel much deep emotional connection to them.

The ending was quite rushed, and I didn't really get the point of this book in the series tbh. The Faerie side plot came out of nowhere, and the resolution was super random and didn't do anything but add another power to Morgan that she didn't do anything about. Many connections like the new vampires and feral wolves she added to join her to live around the house and the magically-protected house itself with and Academy itself weren't really fully explained and resolved.

The epilogue was cute, and I'd probably be interested in reading about the other reverse harems in the world for curiosity's sake, but on its own, the book really wasn't a great story or a good series finale.
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Ratings - completed series:
#1 Academy of Assassins: ★★★★☆
#2 Heart of the Assassins: ★★★☆☆
#3 Claimed by the Assassins: ★★★★☆
#4 Queen of the Assassins: ★★★☆☆
#4.5 Menace to the Assassins: ★★★☆☆
#5 Guardians of the Assassins (this book): ★★★☆☆
Profile Image for Courtney Streckwald.
20 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2024
I liked it, but not really

Spoilers in comment below.








So first off this is supposed to be a reverse harem. This was barely a one star spice series.
Some of the characters that they had a good relationship with would be strong in one book and non existent in another.
They made a deal with a king in one book to take care of her cousin, or nephew. Then in the next book nothing.
They made it seem like she would be in the academy for a while, then all the sudden boom graduates.
I can count on one hand how many sex scenes there are in all 6 books.
They made it seem like she was a virgin the first 4 books. Then the last two all the sudden she isn’t a virgin, and not shy anymore. She would blush at everything. Then when she does finally have sex with her mates it’s so quick. Then that’s it. Multiple mates and no multiple parter sex scenes? Seems like a missed opportunity to me.
They made it seem like she could never show anyone her back symbols.
Was it good? Ehhh would I read it again? No. The concept was good. The delivery was lacking in some areas. Could have been great. But feel short.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
212 reviews
May 28, 2023
I stopped reading at 23% and skimmed to the end. It felt very repetitive from the previous books. Everyone was annoying, and I couldn't stand Morgan. I also didn't understand why she needed another mate after so long. I read the end, and I'm not surprised she had a baby.

I don't understand at all how they are assassins. Why choose that word? They are more like guardians.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ROMEOISNOTFUNNY.
757 reviews12 followers
January 15, 2024
A paranormal RH, assassin girl to assassin Goddess, with spicy moments, lol at mostly Loki and his antics, HEA series.
The ending was satisfying and had me cracking up, too.

Morgan doesn't get a rest. Nope, now more people want her dead. Well, to be honest, they likely aways did, I guess they just waited their turn to try 🤷🏿‍♀️
We learn more about Morgan and her link to the God's. And we get to hear more about Loki and his tippy toe antics. I love that pup!

The guys, well, they develop a little more, but the character development is small compared to Morgan, and even her best friend Beatrice...feel like there's a story in her and her mates there too 😉

There is spice and quick smut. After all, she's a busy Assassin Queen and on her latest life or death forced to prove adventure.
What I love about Morgan is how she can still have the morals and heart pure enough to want to help the worst of people, but she will still assassinate them if they cross her or what's hers

Goddess, Queen of Werewolves and Head of the Academy. The HEA is well deserved
4.7 stars
Profile Image for victoria humble.
6 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2022
Fantastic series

Brilliantly written, highs and lows, and lots of laughter outbursts. Not filled with sex scenes, really well thought out story line from the first line of the first book to the last line of the this last book. Honestly is of been happy for more books but that's just because I enjoyed this series so much. The main character is sassy, thoughtful, kind, hilarious at times, stubborn lol and a joy to follow through the story line. Couldn't recommend this series more 😀
100 reviews3 followers
October 11, 2023
Despite the minor annoyances that have followed me throughout this series (the same annoyances), I really did enjoy the series. Overall the story is good, the adventures progress the overarching saga. The characters are likable. There is good sexual tension (if not enough aka hardly any sex). There were cool and unique takes on some paranormal species.

Here's a satisfying quote showing some of the sexual tension the author creates (context is a mating bite)
"When her lips lightly brushed along his neck, he shivered, his hands tightening around her reflexively... at the feel of her teeth, he bucked against her, and she couldn't help but rub against him. A flash of pleasure and pain echoed through her as her fangs lengthened, puncturing his flesh. Instead of tasting blood, his power flooded her, rich and tangy, like swallowing pure sunlight. ... He grabbed her hips, thrusting up against her without restraint, a shudder going through him."

The only reason I didn't rate the series as five-star overall is due to the low spice, more YA type angsty inner dialogue than I would like, and continuity issues from editing.

Examples:
"She'd had no interaction with other elves besides Caedmon and Atlas, but the stories they told about their own kind were not very favorable."
Except she literally did, she and her guys were captured by a troop of elves in their first adventure to the primordial realm. So...

"Draven - "Fae observe certain formalities " "What the hell?!" She reached out to smack him..."Why the hell didn't you just say that in the first place?"..."Because you're so stubborn that we thought it would be easier to just do it.""
Sure - because lack of communication and trying to trick her into going to the Academy or going upstairs to wait on someone, without just saying "Hey we need to do xyz because of xyz" - has worked SO well in the PAST FIVE BOOKS.

Relationships are based on communication. Enough, Brutger, with these conflict devices that no one needs.

Also her perception of rejection is a bit old by book six. How on earth does
"I gave up hope of ever finding anyone. Now I know that I was just waiting for you."
and "And if the only way to protect me is to finish the mating?" (mate) shook his head and took a step back. "You're not ready for that."
lead to
"Her heart lurched at the distance he put between them, his rejection like a hot knife sliding into her gut."

Come on. Enough. Nothing about this mate's beautiful heartfelt speech said rejection, and it's really tedious at book six for her still to be interpreting a beautiful few sentences like above, into rejection.

And lastly, still we have some sentence choices here and there that the editors should have said "eh, this sounds a bit over the top and doesn't add to the story." - such as "Logically, she could think of a dozen reasons why this would be a disaster, but none of that mattered." You'd think she's thinking of a dozen reasons why some course of action would be disastrous but no, she's thinking that there are a dozen reasons why completing a mating claim with someone who is ALREADY HER MATE could be a disaster. Because literally there are no reasons given or ever talked about again as to why a mateship is a disaster.

It is just another one of those sentences that serves no purpose but to deliver YA angst and the story is better than this.

Again, the concept of this series is pretty cool, the characters are great, there is good sexual tension some of the time. If you go into this series not expecting Tate James amounts of spice, and can handle some angsty sentences, you'll enjoy the series. I'm glad I read it, even though WHILE reading it I was a bit frustrated sometimes.
Profile Image for Sharon D.
14 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2022
So sad its over!

I feel like crying a little that the series is over. I tried to slow down reading it when I saw I only had 175pgs left, but it was no use I got as far as a day. I think this was my favorite book. Seeing
Morgan settle fully into her rightful place and work as a complete unit with her mates. Their adoration of her and her humbleness is a perfect blend of fantasies. I can't wait to see if there will be a spin off series...I'd read it in a heartbeat! (wink...wink)
Profile Image for Daphnne.
1,293 reviews8 followers
May 3, 2022
Loved, loved, loved!

I have loved Morgan and this story from book 1, page 1. This ending was perfect and true to her as a character. Morgan has always done what is right, a savior at heart and her men are her heart and soul. So this ends on another epic adventure full of danger but once again Morgan prevails and that epilogue...well it had be cackling. Well done Stacey Brutger and thank you for sharing such a great and strong FMC and her obsessed warrior mates!
29 reviews
May 23, 2022
enjoyed the epilogue

I’ve been reading this entire series ever since the first book and have enjoyed the story line a great deal. However I could have enjoyed it more without the increased foul language and the detailed sex scenes. The other thing that become annoying was a lot of repeated phrases.
I will say that I would love to see a new series based on her six children 15 years later. That would be awesome!
Profile Image for ISHITA SINGH.
12 reviews
July 31, 2025
the book had few bumpy rides in regard to writing and plot but so far was going good, what irked me the most was the introduction of 6th mate out of nowhere, it was uncalled for and made me loss interest in the book though i pushed through the whole book. i loved the bond of those 5 a lot and this 6th made me felt invasive and just lust due to the mating bond and all. ending could have been lot better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
140 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2022
Intrigue and adventure.

Truly sad to see this series end. It is one in which you want to see the characters develop and mature. The story was well developed. Kept my attention as I impatiently awaited the next story. I would love there to be a new series that featured these characters. There is certainly room for further adventures as well as the addition of new characters.
Profile Image for Ashley MacArthur.
10 reviews
May 5, 2022
What an ending

Oh wow. What an ending! Dare I hope, a new beginning to another series?
It was such a ride following her through so many ups and downs. I am so excited by how well things were wrapped up, even if I can clearly see how much more the story could go of the author is up for it. Good job!
Profile Image for Quinn.
1,207 reviews69 followers
February 11, 2023
3.5 stars

This was an enjoyable 4 star series, but I’m kinda glad it’s done. I liked the mix of supernatural mates, who all had distinct personalities, but I’m not really sure what the point of this book was? It was enjoyable, but really added next to nothing to the overall arc. I’ll definitely read more from this author, hopefully with older characters and more heat!
Profile Image for Amanda Cash.
332 reviews2 followers
May 4, 2022
Amazing ending!

As always Ms Brutger wrote another amazing book. Morgan and the guys are thrown right back into the cross hairs to fight for her right to exist. Action, adventure, love and trusting your family are all themes to this series and this final book drive it home.
Profile Image for Melissa Hickman.
1,042 reviews14 followers
May 5, 2022
LOVED IT!!!!

Such a fantastic series!!!!! I so enjoyed taking this journey with Morgan and her lovely mates!!! Amazing storyline and as usual the writing is flawless!!! I can’t wait to see what this Author has in store for us next!
Profile Image for Jacqueline Chappell.
1,439 reviews18 followers
May 6, 2022
Great finale

Tons of action and intrigue. Wonderful relationships with plenty of steam and romance. So many plot twists to keep you guessing every step of the way. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and this series. Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Angela.
2,448 reviews10 followers
October 20, 2022
Open endings

Good story. But so many open story lines. What about the king? And the kid? When did the siren get her mates? What does it mean she was marked by Faerie? What happened to the ferals? And Thanatos?
Profile Image for Kimberly #Audiofile.
2,559 reviews28 followers
May 31, 2023
So this is where the series ends.
Interesting, there’s one last mate …. Way late to the game.
I wouldn’t actually say too much happens and it ends in a way that the series could be picked back up and built upon at a later date
Profile Image for Kim.
2,026 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2024
Well, I finally finished this series. I spent a lot of the book trying to remember what had happened previously since it's been so long since I had read it. I like this series...don't get me wrong, but this last book seemed the tiniest bit boring.
Profile Image for Margie  Murrow.
496 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2024
Great

Excellent series. The plot was strong and consistent. The characters were interesting and likable. The only small problem I had was that the series was too long and also I had to reread over half of the series to. Get to the end.
1 review
September 14, 2024
A Favourite

This series is one of my favourites, I have loved the journey of Morgan and her mates. In my heart this series deserves nothing less then 5 stars. I hope this isn't the last we see of them though, as it has left me hungry for more...
11 reviews
November 25, 2024
Too much too fast read whole series but so much happened, and alot of different fantasy areas, was not a fan of jumping from fae, to underworld, to Greek gods, so fast and not staying with same theme throughout series
182 reviews
February 22, 2025
Bleeding heart

Once again, we see Morgan thrust into battles, while her bleeding heart continues to get her in trouble. The action ends abruptly but there is an epilogue (with pregnancy). Still little intimacy to be had, which makes it hard to classify this as a romance.
Profile Image for Justyna Wilson.
35 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2022
oh my lord

I ripped through this one!!! Absolutely love it!!! I definitely need Loki to be mine. He is the absolute best!
9 reviews
May 22, 2022
A must read series!!!!

Great conclusion to the story
I loved every bit of it.
I recommend this series to anyone who
loves a stubborn heroin and the alpha males that love her
.
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