Review by Library Journal Review
After losing her parents at a young age, Sophia DeWinter grows up under her uncle, known as the Collector, who binds her to him to exploit her illusionist talents. In a bid to break the bond, Sophia competes to enter Killmarth College, a magical academy. To pass the test, Sophia partners with botanist Alden Locke, pairing their magic to make the cut and survive. But admittance to Killmarth is no guarantee of safety, as the hopefuls must compete in challenges to gain permanent admittance. To complicate matters, many students face prejudice and discrimination, depending on their lineage and magical power. Alden is happy to partner with Sophia again, but she's not sure if she can trust him. When hopefuls start being murdered outside of challenges, Sophia wonders if she can trust anyone at all. VERDICT Greenlaw (The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells) keeps the excitement, suspense, and romance building throughout to a shocking end, leaving readers eagerly anticipating future installments. Perfect for romantasy readers who love dark academia, such as Elise Kova's Arcana Academy, Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House, or Harper L. Woods's The Coven.--Eve Stano
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