Title: Fallen Academy: Year Two

Author: Leia Stone

Pub. Date: September 30, 2018

Pages: 288

Pub: Independently Published

Genre: YA Fantasy Paranormal

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Goodreads

Family is everything to Brielle, so when she learns about an opportunity to free her mother from Demon City, she takes it. No matter how dangerous, Brielle will do anything to unite her family in Angel City. All is going according to plan, until her brother’s awakening ceremony. What he is… it shocks everyone, and he’s sent away until he can get his powers under control.

Then Brielle loses someone precious to her and goes to great lengths to get them back, lengths Lincoln doesn’t agree with. He thinks Brielle is too much of a risk taker, too wild, and all he can do is try his best to protect her. But with untold powers rising inside of her, Brielle might go to a place that no one can bring her back from. Not even Lincoln.

Brielle needs to learn to fight the darkness that threatens to take her over, because little by little, she’s losing her light.

This will be a short, spoiler free review. I listened to the audiobook via Audible. Well, this book leaves you jaw dropped and going what the fuck. I loved the ending. I honestly didn’t see it coming.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Brielle is starting to feel less obnoxious and annoying, and more badass. As she learns more about her powers, what she wants and how she wants to live life, she becomes more interesting and a stronger character.

That being said, so much is glossed over in this book. So many huge time jumps – I was honestly confused during some moments. I get that if we were to read about an actual year in the life of Brielle, the book would probably be a thousand pages long. But big-time jumps can be really confusing, and you lose character and world development time. And there’s not enough spice to warrant a lack of development. And yeah, I’m not reading this book for the world building of a high fantasy, but character development? Hell yes.

So much of Brielle and Lincoln’s relationship is glossed over – this is sort of the complaint I had with the first book. Like, I root for them, and love them, but I don’t know exactly why that is – other than they’re the MC’s and therefore I should care. I just wish there was a little more nuance to their characters.

They’re not bad characters – none of them are, well except maybe Tiffany – but their relationships with each other are fairly surface.

But, even with those complaints, the plot was pretty freaking good. So many ups and down, necessary risks, and shocking moments. It’s good, it pretty much has it all. Brielle and Lincoln are cute and snarky as every – their banter flirting is adorable. I will say that how Brielle deals with her anger (and other feelings) felt a little glossed over, but not every book needs to be a deep exposé on how to deal with trauma.

This was just a good second installment, built decently upon the first book and leaves you wanted the third one. I truly wasn’t prepared for the ending, but I’m lowkey excited to find out what happens next. If you’re interested, you can check out my review for Fallen Academy: Year One – here.