Title: Spark
Series: Academy of Unpredictable Magic #1
Author: Sadie Moss
Genre: Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance
Spice Level: 3/5
Published: May 30, 2019
Format: E-book
Pages: 228
Age Rating: 18+
Re-read: Thrice
Tropes: Alphamales, Professor x Student, Strong Heroine, Suspense, Elementals, Slow Burn
Book Review for Spark:
When you are as obsessed as I am with all things why choose/reverse harem, paranormal, and academy, you want to get your hands on a series with these keywords. Spark, the first book in the Academy of Unpredictable Magic, had all that. The ‘unpredictable’ part intrigued me the most (And I got the book and the entire series for free from the Stuff Your Kindle Day thing).
It started off with a predictable beginning—most paranormal academy romances do—but it eventually stood out with its unique plot, strong characters, and slow-burning romance with tropes like friends-to-lovers and professor-student.
The main heroine, Elliot, has always been an outcast in the magical community, having never manifested her own powers. After her mother’s death, she was left to fend for herself, sacrificing everything to give her younger sister, Maddy, a good life.
When Maddy gains her magical element and heads off to an academy, Elliot is left feeling adrift. But her quiet life is short-lived—her magic erupts unexpectedly during a fight, revealing a rare and dangerous power.
She possesses Unpredictable Magic—a wild, uncontrollable force that doesn’t align with any known elements like water or fire. Now, she must enroll in an academy to master her abilities before they spiral out of control or face the suppression of her power by the circuit (the police force).
Some people can’t even accept those who have different skin colors; how would the general human population ever accept those of us with frightening, powerful magic?
Elliot’s a character I’d love to be friends with. She’s resourceful, loyal, and kind to the people she cares about, and tries not to let life bog her down. Reading her navigate a world that once shunned her—finding her place, discovering its secrets, and carving out her own path—is deeply satisfying as a reader.
Having faced abandonment at a young age, she’s wary of letting people in. But then she meets Cam, Asher, and Dimitri—three best friends in their second year—who quickly become her closest allies. They support her unconditionally, always showing up when she needs them.
To complicate matters, the man she had a one-night stand with turns out to be her professor at the academy, adding a layer of forbidden tension to their already undeniable connection.
“What?” I chuckle weakly as a new thought strikes me. “Did one of you want to go out with me?” The silence is even thicker this time. Oh. Oh. Shit. Who? I glance around, trying to pick out which of the guys looks the most awkward and uncomfortable, but the weird thing is, none of them will meet my eyes. Asher’s blush deepens. Cam shrugs as if to say you nailed it. And Dmitri? He’s still gripping the back of the chair like he’s about to snap it in half. “You mean…” I trail off, then clear my throat and start again. “You mean you all want to date me?”
I loved how their friendship blossomed so naturally. The romance is a slow-burn and though the chemistry is ever-present, the guys decide not to act on it till Elliot is willing to let them in. Cam and Asher bring a lighthearted balance, whereas Dimitri is an alpha hole, protective, and yet a jerk to the heroine.
Then there’s Professor Roman—dark, intense, and utterly focused on Elliot. I couldn’t get enough of his brooding presence. LOL.
Their relationships are bound to grow even deeper in future books, and with the plot and world-building taking center stage as well, the author has done a fantastic job weaving everything together into a compelling, well-structured story.
"It means when you do something wrong and make a mess, you shouldn’t just stand there and say how sad you are about it. Clean up your mess. Because everybody makes mistakes—there’s no way to avoid it. But you can choose whether to clean it up or not, and that’s what people will remember about you. Whether you’re the kind of person who cleans up her mess.”
When it comes to the plot, there’s something nefarious going around in the academy. The students are being attacked by an unknown threat. Naturally, our heroine finds herself at the heart of it all, taking charge and stepping up to save the day.
Elliot’s character development throughout this book is incredible, and this is just the beginning. The series has a strong, promising start—and having read the entire series, I can confidently say it delivers a satisfying and utterly addictive plot.
If you’re looking for all the tropes mentioned in this review—plus a strong heroine you’d want as your best friend, along with a well-rounded plot and immersive world-building—I highly recommend checking out Spark
Looking for similar reads? Here are a few book recommendations:
- The Vixen’s Lead by Tate James (PNR Why Choose Suspense)
- Gypsy Blood by Kristy Cunning (PNR Why Choose)
Spark Blurb:
Magic exists. I know—it’s in my blood.
Unfortunately, not all people from magical bloodlines have powers, and at 22, I’m several years past the age they usually appear. So I’ve resigned myself to a boring, magic-less life.
Then something strange happens…
I get stuck in the middle of a bar fight, and instead of just punching the guy back, I blow a hole in the wall.
So… I guess I do have powers. But they’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. This shit is definitely not normal.
And it seems the magical authorities agree, because they give me a choice: either I go to school to learn to control my crazy new magic, or they’ll take it away. Permanently.
Now if I can just survive the bitchy mean girls determined to take me down a peg, the mysterious attacks on students, the three hot-as-hell guys who don’t seem turned off by my prickly exterior, and the professor who makes me long for detention, maybe I’ll get out of here in one piece.
Wouldn’t bet on it though.
Welcome to the Academy of Unpredictable Magic.
Spark is the first book in the Academy of Unpredictable Magic series, a medium-burn reverse harem story intended for ages 18+, featuring a badass chick and the four sexy men who fall in love with her.
Purchase Links
About Sadie Moss:
Sadie Moss is obsessed with books, craft beer, and the supernatural. She has often been accused of living in a world of her own imagination, so she decided to put those worlds into books.
When Sadie isn’t working on her next novel, she loves spending time with her adorable puppy, binge-watching comedies on Hulu, and hanging out with her family.
She loves to hear from her readers, so if you’d like to say hi, feel free to email her at sadiemoss.author[at]gmail[dot]com.
Next in the Academy of Unpredictable Magic:
