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swaye's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me so fucking happy. I'm so grateful that Abby Craden and her delicious voice exist and I am especially glad that she brought a wonderful new friend into my life! Amy, I can't thank you enough.
momadvice's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's rare to stumble upon a novel of this caliber that has somehow slipped past any reader in my circle, but I found that experience in this magical book that I can assure you will be on my best books of the year list.
This under-the-radar gem won the 2022 Lambda Literary Award for romance and the Golden Crown Literary Society Awards in several categories. Milena McKay is an indie-published author who works in human rights law, which brings a grounded assuredness to an academy under fire for their lack of exclusivity for staff and students.
A chance encounter between two women who meet at a bar doesn't even lead to a name exchange, but neither of them has stopped thinking about the other since. Sam is a closeted school teacher working at a conservative all-girls New England academy, doing her best to lead with love and grace along with her beloved mentor, Orla.
Unfortunately, the school is under financial strain, and the unkept campus and mounting bills have forced the board of trustees to become involved. Not only do they plan to get the Three Dragons Academy back in order, but they will also return the school to its Puritanical rules focused on pulling in the wealthy white students and removing elements of inclusivity that the teachers have tried so sharply to work in contrast of.
Magdalene Nox is sent as the school's new headmistress, and when this ice princess walks into the room, it nearly takes Sam's breath away. The woman with whom she had this memorable night is standing before her, now initiating these archaic rules as a messenger of the trustees. Cate Blanchett-coded with her deep, gruff voice and mannerisms, Sam's recollections of their evening stand in staunch disposition to the rules she's invoking that turn away what the board refers to as "woke agendas" as they try to care for students under their care.
But as you might expect, there is more to Sam and Magdalene's story as the all-girls academy hangs in the balance, which layers in a well-woven mystery in this unexpectedly lush prose as someone tries to destroy both the new agenda and, potentially, the school itself.
This slow-burn love affair has so much longing and yearning that it brought tears to my eyes at different points. It's finely crafted and tuned with gorgeous descriptive language as they explore this island together. While there is undoubtedly spice, the tension sometimes is simply touching one's hand or glimpsing a beautiful neck, which can do as much for the reader. Two mature women mutually respecting one another is lovely, and the progression of their sophisticated love story is an earned experience for the reader.
But the side characters are just as rich, from a cat who has chosen the beloved headmistress as his own to the students who need their fierce protection. As the ocean rolls and the scent of jasmine fills the air around them, you will be transported to this vividly imagined place and rooting for these women to get the happily ever after they deserve.
But I hope this novel is even more enticing, knowing that her other books are as beloved by her loyal fans. I’m excited to dig into the sequel, Magdalene Nox, but I want to assure you that the first novel stands on its own if you want to read only the first.
The audiobook narrator's performance by Abby Craden is shockingly good—so good that I read this novel in 24 hours. Craden’s work has been acknowledged in the AudioFile magazine with an Earphones Award who had named her One of 2012's Best Voices. She’s an award-winning stage actress and a resident artist with prestigious theaters whose assured narration enhances this book’s memorable cast of characters. 10 out of 5 Stars
TAG: LBGBTQ, DARK ACADEMIA, CAMPUS NOVEL
trufyre's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
macaronireads's review
wasn’t really vibing with it. might come back to it in a few months idk
aspen_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Homophobia
coleybooks87's review against another edition
5.0
All I will say is I’m obsessed with this book.. The amount of times I have listened to the audiobook is very embarrassing.. Magdalene f**king Nox is another one of my book crushes…
calliek927's review against another edition
5.0
Milena McKay is just a stunning writer. Her stories are beautifully told and beautifully written with amazing characters.
Sam and Magdeline are re-introduced after a steamy one-night-stand when Mag becomes the new Headmistress of the prestigious private school where Sam teaches. Not only does their meeting become intense and awkward, the changes she wants to make to the school where Sam grew up and now teaches are startling to everyone. And so the story goes.
I will always read anything Milena writes because her lovely prose can't be duplicated and her stories are fantastic.
A 5-star all the way, partial Kindle read and partial Audible with the unbeatable Abby Craden narrating.
Sam and Magdeline are re-introduced after a steamy one-night-stand when Mag becomes the new Headmistress of the prestigious private school where Sam teaches. Not only does their meeting become intense and awkward, the changes she wants to make to the school where Sam grew up and now teaches are startling to everyone. And so the story goes.
I will always read anything Milena writes because her lovely prose can't be duplicated and her stories are fantastic.
A 5-star all the way, partial Kindle read and partial Audible with the unbeatable Abby Craden narrating.
rpow14's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
3.0
I'm pretty torn on the rating for this one. There were good things and not as good things for me. I'll try to flesh out my opinion a bit more...
The good:
A more advanced vocabulary. It was lovely to hear language beyond a basic level. Words can be beautiful and McKay definitely had it going on in this area.
The chemistry was pretty good.
The MCs were honest with each other and communicated like grown-ups. Always a bonus.
The bad:
It felt unnecessarily long.
Without getting into spoiler territory, I just didn't buy all of the various conflicts, motivations, Sam's knowledge and/or ability to figure things out, and M's inability to figure things out. I mean, we're talking a couple of decades of knowledge and experiences gone without a clue on some things. It was just too much for me.
I nearly forgot about the narration! Abby Craden had a lot of voices to handle in this book and I could listen to Sam all day long. But her choice for the headmistress grated on me after only an hour or so. I get that she's written with a deep, sultry sort of voice but 10 hours of it was just too much. If I ever decide to read it again, it'll definitely be an eyeball book.
Okay, after writing all that out, I feel fine with the 3-star rating. And a lot of that is based on the language.
The good:
A more advanced vocabulary. It was lovely to hear language beyond a basic level. Words can be beautiful and McKay definitely had it going on in this area.
The chemistry was pretty good.
The MCs were honest with each other and communicated like grown-ups. Always a bonus.
The bad:
It felt unnecessarily long.
Without getting into spoiler territory, I just didn't buy all of the various conflicts, motivations, Sam's knowledge and/or ability to figure things out, and M's inability to figure things out. I mean, we're talking a couple of decades of knowledge and experiences gone without a clue on some things. It was just too much for me.
I nearly forgot about the narration! Abby Craden had a lot of voices to handle in this book and I could listen to Sam all day long. But her choice for the headmistress grated on me after only an hour or so. I get that she's written with a deep, sultry sort of voice but 10 hours of it was just too much. If I ever decide to read it again, it'll definitely be an eyeball book.
Okay, after writing all that out, I feel fine with the 3-star rating. And a lot of that is based on the language.