Title: Faust University
Author: M. Dalto and Laynie Bynum
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Faust University is an assemblage of so many Academy Reads; I don’t know where to start comparing. The book, tongue firmly in cheek, compares it’s invite process to Harry Potter; we can knock that one out. Then I was stuck thinking of Magicians by Lev Grossman, Wonderland Academy by Melanie Karsak, Celestial Academy by Sarah Biglow and Molly Zenk, and Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead as I read it. There were many times Faust Academy picked up on other Paranormal Academy novels before it. Still, when something works, it works for a reason, and the plot of Faust Academy has a lot of real estate. While I was often distracted by the similarities to previous novels I read, I enjoyed the narrative.
Eve gets an invite to a private university, and like magic, she is whisked away to this strange place. Upon arriving, she finds it bizarre and secretive, and even more discussions of sorcery are taking place, summoning and beast mastering, to name a few. She has an instant connection with her new friend, and all goes awry when the two find they have an even more substantial relationship.
There is a great deal of this book people will rail against, and listing them here will spoil it. I will only say that the purists of Harry Potter will probably not enjoy this book. I also think that if you have an extensive reading of PRN Academy books, this book may set you off. I’m generous in this review because I read the book all the way through, and I was able to look past all the similarities.
This book eeks by with a low 3 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary advance copy of this book.
About M. Dalto:
M. Dalto is a bestselling New Adult author of adventurous romantic fantasy stories, having won a Watty award for excellence in digital storytelling for her debut novel, Two Thousand Years, in 2016. She spends her days as a full-time residential real estate paralegal, using her evenings to pursue her literary agenda, and when she’s not writing, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing video games, and drinking coffee. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband, their daughter, and their corgi named Loki.
Connect with M. Dalto:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub | Amazon
About Laynie Bynum:
Laynie Bynum is a Young Adult author from Birmingham, Alabama who writes everything from Contemporary Romance to Urban Fantasy. She is inspired by the works of her favorite authors including Sarah Dessen, John Green, Cassandra Clare, and Neil Gaiman.
When she isn’t crafting characters who reflect her never-ending wanderlust and love of music, she is the one of the co-founders of Sword and Silk Books and the Vice President of Communications for the Young Adult chapter of Romance Writers of America.
In her personal life, she strives to be an excellent mom to her two children, her “bonus kids”, and the small army of woodland creatures she has amassed including a turtle, rabbit, and hedgehog.
Connect with Laynie Bynum:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub | Amazon
