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paperbacklass's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Magical Creatures Academy 1: Night Shifter by Lucia Ashta was a perfectly mind-numbing, entertaining and easy read! Sometimes you just need a book that is entertaining and magical. The book was full of magical creatures, shifters and mages. Now, don't expect this book to have an extraordinary plot or development, but some days... that's what the brain needs. I just love these magical academy books! They remind me of an adult Harry Potter with spice!
bouldermimi's review
3.0
Read 4/11/2020
It's really hard not to compare every magical boarding school story to Harry Potter, and I definitely see some similarities. Sorry, my brain just goes there. But there was enough of the story that stood on its own and was very entertaining. The shifters were quite fascinating and I was especially delighted one turned into a skunk! This series is definitely good as a quick, fun, read.
It's really hard not to compare every magical boarding school story to Harry Potter, and I definitely see some similarities. Sorry, my brain just goes there. But there was enough of the story that stood on its own and was very entertaining. The shifters were quite fascinating and I was especially delighted one turned into a skunk! This series is definitely good as a quick, fun, read.
britneysreads00's review against another edition
3.0
This series was amazing and I really got into it.
The first book is about Rina, it starts out the night before her 18th birthday. As time ticks over and she officially turns eighteen, she is supposed to come into her supernatural powers. But nothing happens. At first, she feels like her hopes and dreams of being accepted into The Magical Creatures Academy is a bust. However, there is a knock on the door and her invitation was hand-delivered. The school has never made the mistake of inviting a human into the school. Will she be the first one? Or will her true paranormal side b uncover?
This is quite an anti-climatic book. However, it has a great story with challenges they need to overcome, specifically finding out who Rina is and how she fits into the school. But also with a touch of forbidden love and overcoming it when the odds are stack against you.
The first three in the series flow well together. Haven't yet read past the third book as it changes perspective to one of the side characters.
The first book is about Rina, it starts out the night before her 18th birthday. As time ticks over and she officially turns eighteen, she is supposed to come into her supernatural powers. But nothing happens. At first, she feels like her hopes and dreams of being accepted into The Magical Creatures Academy is a bust. However, there is a knock on the door and her invitation was hand-delivered. The school has never made the mistake of inviting a human into the school. Will she be the first one? Or will her true paranormal side b uncover?
This is quite an anti-climatic book. However, it has a great story with challenges they need to overcome, specifically finding out who Rina is and how she fits into the school. But also with a touch of forbidden love and overcoming it when the odds are stack against you.
The first three in the series flow well together. Haven't yet read past the third book as it changes perspective to one of the side characters.
gumihoreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Shifter school, a big battle brewing, and Rina’s finding her magic.
[b:Night Shifter|44177883|Night Shifter (Magical Creatures Academy, #1)|Lucia Ashta|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551577355l/44177883._SY75_.jpg|68718463] by [a:Lucia Ashta|4576986|Lucia Ashta|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1612477391p2/4576986.jpg] is the number in the Magical Creatures Academy Series and descriptive line. Rina is a newly 18 year old who has just started at the Magical Creatures Academy, but has no idea what her power or gift is. On her birthday, she and her family waited to see what her gift would be, a shifter, wizard, or human, but nothing happened. She became devastated and thought she was going to have to live the rest of her life helping her father. But just when she had all but given up, the Academy that her brother, Ky attends, showed up, personally accepting her into the school. Rina has to go to school and take on the school experiences, surrounded by magical creatures, all while trying to figure out what her gift is.
This was an interesting start to a series. From the fear of being human to suddenly being accepted into shifter school, lots happened for Rina. It was a typical school experience, outside of the magic of course, oh and the rebel shifters. The beginning pulls you in, making you wonder what she is and keeps you reading. I enjoyed the story overall.
As a whole, the story was interesting. There were just a few parts that felt a bit underdeveloped and rushed. The main plot was focused on Rina, but suddenly there was this looming battle. It felt rushed and a bit off. Hopefully it’ll be better explained as the series progresses.
Next Book: [b:Lion Shifter|44670144|Lion Shifter (Magical Creatures Academy #2)|Lucia Ashta|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1554058261l/44670144._SY75_.jpg|69325287]
[b:Night Shifter|44177883|Night Shifter (Magical Creatures Academy, #1)|Lucia Ashta|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551577355l/44177883._SY75_.jpg|68718463] by [a:Lucia Ashta|4576986|Lucia Ashta|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1612477391p2/4576986.jpg] is the number in the Magical Creatures Academy Series and descriptive line. Rina is a newly 18 year old who has just started at the Magical Creatures Academy, but has no idea what her power or gift is. On her birthday, she and her family waited to see what her gift would be, a shifter, wizard, or human, but nothing happened. She became devastated and thought she was going to have to live the rest of her life helping her father. But just when she had all but given up, the Academy that her brother, Ky attends, showed up, personally accepting her into the school. Rina has to go to school and take on the school experiences, surrounded by magical creatures, all while trying to figure out what her gift is.
This was an interesting start to a series. From the fear of being human to suddenly being accepted into shifter school, lots happened for Rina. It was a typical school experience, outside of the magic of course, oh and the rebel shifters. The beginning pulls you in, making you wonder what she is and keeps you reading. I enjoyed the story overall.
As a whole, the story was interesting. There were just a few parts that felt a bit underdeveloped and rushed. The main plot was focused on Rina, but suddenly there was this looming battle. It felt rushed and a bit off. Hopefully it’ll be better explained as the series progresses.
Next Book: [b:Lion Shifter|44670144|Lion Shifter (Magical Creatures Academy #2)|Lucia Ashta|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1554058261l/44670144._SY75_.jpg|69325287]
sienna727's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
gypsydawn's review against another edition
4.0
A magic academy
With a dash of Harry Potter, a touch of wonderland and a sprinkling of fairy dust, this tale emerges as an engrossing and compelling YA academy read of the magical kind. It caught me from the first chapter and refused to let me go, throwing me knee deep into a world filled with every manner of mythical creature, and a few that would serve double duty on eBay (trolls!) It was fun, bringing with it an air of discovery and just the right amount of intrigue to keep me reading.
Pros:
- Leander.... stone cold elf with more secrets than his princely guise can hide.
- Ky, a well loved brother who plays his role, and his creature, well.
- Other Characters, from a snooty skunk to a talking owl, they envelop this story and give it legs to run.
- well edited.
- Fun!
Cons:
- Some parts struck a little too familiar or trite, nothing untoward though.
With a dash of Harry Potter, a touch of wonderland and a sprinkling of fairy dust, this tale emerges as an engrossing and compelling YA academy read of the magical kind. It caught me from the first chapter and refused to let me go, throwing me knee deep into a world filled with every manner of mythical creature, and a few that would serve double duty on eBay (trolls!) It was fun, bringing with it an air of discovery and just the right amount of intrigue to keep me reading.
Pros:
- Leander.... stone cold elf with more secrets than his princely guise can hide.
- Ky, a well loved brother who plays his role, and his creature, well.
- Other Characters, from a snooty skunk to a talking owl, they envelop this story and give it legs to run.
- well edited.
- Fun!
Cons:
- Some parts struck a little too familiar or trite, nothing untoward though.
bouldermimi's review against another edition
3.0
Read 4/11/2020
It's really hard not to compare every magical boarding school story to Harry Potter, and I definitely see some similarities. Sorry, my brain just goes there. But there was enough of the story that stood on its own and was very entertaining. The shifters were quite fascinating and I was especially delighted one turned into a skunk! This series is definitely good as a quick, fun, read.
It's really hard not to compare every magical boarding school story to Harry Potter, and I definitely see some similarities. Sorry, my brain just goes there. But there was enough of the story that stood on its own and was very entertaining. The shifters were quite fascinating and I was especially delighted one turned into a skunk! This series is definitely good as a quick, fun, read.
romantasybooklover's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
tartbarbie's review against another edition
5.0
Opening line
Every light in the living was on, revealing the droopiness of the well-worn furniture.
Review
I picked up this book based on the cover it was bright lots of colors and honestly, it captured my attention. I instantly dove right into Rina's story she's waiting for her birthday to find out if she will have mage magic, shifter magic or be just a human and when the time comes and goes they suspect that she's just human. However, a fairy shows up offering her an invitation to the prestigious Magical Creature Academy but her abilities are unknown. She ventures off with her brother when the school term starts unsure if she's really in the right place as she doesn't know what kind of creature she will become.
Her first day in class finds Rina having to choose if she's a Vampire, shifter or other and not knowing what she is she decides to choose shifter hoping she's gotten the ability from her mother and like her brother. As the school year progresses she attempts to shift but it just doesn't seem to be an option yet but hopefully, she will figure it out before it's too late. As if she doesn't have enough to deal with the school is being threatened.
I like Rina she's an adorable character she's this sweet innocent girl who doesn't know much about the shifter world but is eager and excited to learn about it. I found her refreshing she's not perfect, but she's a total sweetheart even befriending two unlikely friends. She meets two friends right from the start and instantly the three become three peas in a pod. Willow who can shapeshifter into a tree and Jas who can shift into a skunk. However, we also have Rina's older brother Ky who has his two best friends who make an appearance throughout the book.
I've been in a reading slump for a while and this was just the book to pull me out of my funk. The characters are easy to connect with you can't help loving Rina she's just adorable. The concept is also entertaining I like the idea of a secret paranormal Academy it's a popular theme and I think the author has done a great job creating her own unique world. I love the shifters aren't your traditional shifters we have skunks, trees, mountain lions and even the headmaster is an owl. I love that the author has taken a new twist on the shifter concept and featuring other animals. The author has created a quick paced story that I found hard to put down as I was instantly sucked right into Rina's world. It was a lovely story with magical characters and an equally magical world. I can't wait to continue the series.
Every light in the living was on, revealing the droopiness of the well-worn furniture.
Review
I picked up this book based on the cover it was bright lots of colors and honestly, it captured my attention. I instantly dove right into Rina's story she's waiting for her birthday to find out if she will have mage magic, shifter magic or be just a human and when the time comes and goes they suspect that she's just human. However, a fairy shows up offering her an invitation to the prestigious Magical Creature Academy but her abilities are unknown. She ventures off with her brother when the school term starts unsure if she's really in the right place as she doesn't know what kind of creature she will become.
Her first day in class finds Rina having to choose if she's a Vampire, shifter or other and not knowing what she is she decides to choose shifter hoping she's gotten the ability from her mother and like her brother. As the school year progresses she attempts to shift but it just doesn't seem to be an option yet but hopefully, she will figure it out before it's too late. As if she doesn't have enough to deal with the school is being threatened.
I like Rina she's an adorable character she's this sweet innocent girl who doesn't know much about the shifter world but is eager and excited to learn about it. I found her refreshing she's not perfect, but she's a total sweetheart even befriending two unlikely friends. She meets two friends right from the start and instantly the three become three peas in a pod. Willow who can shapeshifter into a tree and Jas who can shift into a skunk. However, we also have Rina's older brother Ky who has his two best friends who make an appearance throughout the book.
I've been in a reading slump for a while and this was just the book to pull me out of my funk. The characters are easy to connect with you can't help loving Rina she's just adorable. The concept is also entertaining I like the idea of a secret paranormal Academy it's a popular theme and I think the author has done a great job creating her own unique world. I love the shifters aren't your traditional shifters we have skunks, trees, mountain lions and even the headmaster is an owl. I love that the author has taken a new twist on the shifter concept and featuring other animals. The author has created a quick paced story that I found hard to put down as I was instantly sucked right into Rina's world. It was a lovely story with magical characters and an equally magical world. I can't wait to continue the series.
randomly_kait's review
3.0
My rating keeps flipping between a 2 and a 3...
This sounds super interesting, and the cover is gorgeous, but I felt like it was a super slow book, and there was a lot of information that needed to be processed and some of it just didn't make sense to me.
This sounds super interesting, and the cover is gorgeous, but I felt like it was a super slow book, and there was a lot of information that needed to be processed and some of it just didn't make sense to me.