Rating: 3 out of 5.

This is a decent first book in a new fantasy paranormal series about shapeshifters at war. Nyx is a wolf shapeshifter that can’t shift. When she turns 18 she’s banished from her pack and is recruited to attend Luna Alpha Academy, a school that accepts rejects from packs and trains them to be magical fighters. Nyx is less than thrilled with the prospect, but having nowhere else to go and desperate to become useful so she can return to her pack, she reluctantly agrees.

While at the school Nyx is assigned a mentor named Atlas. He’s an alpha heir with an attitude and they immediately clash. But, Atlas has his own problems and promises to provide Nyx with extra training if she promises to be his mate. Of course, this ticks off the alpha trainer ex-girlfriend, and you can imagine the cliché catfights that ensue. Atlas treats Nyx like an inconvenience one minute, the next he’s all hot and heavy over her. Typical “complicated” male that doesn’t know what he wants. When the shapeshifter enemies strike Atlas’ pack, Nyx and Atlas rush to their aid.

Let me first start by saying this is a quick and easy read and for the most part I enjoyed the book. It’s what I’d call “lite” reading and involves stereotypical characters and tropes, but that’s not to say they can’t be fun to read if you’re looking for something fun and easy to read. Nyx is fairly well developed, although she acts inconsistently at times. Atlas is pretty one-dimensional and his character is all over the place. I enjoyed Nyx’s friends, despite the male friend falling in puppy love with her (pun intended) and acting overly protective of her and wounded when he sees her kissing Atlas. Nyx and Atlas’ “love story” didn’t feel authentic and seemed to go from cold to “I love you and can’t live without you” in an instant. They did have a bit of chemistry, although some of the steamy scenes were a bit cringy.

This is a promising first book in the series and I’m interested to see where the next book goes. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Love Book Tours. All opinions are my own.