Semester two is here, and my magic is on the lineFreshman year continues, and with the end-of-the-year exam fast approaching, I must work harder than ever if I want to come back to Wicklow next year.With two students losing their magic last semester, two others have been invited to the academy to fill their vacant spots. The first is my long-time friend-with-benefits, Zane. Someone who owes me a … Zane. Someone who owes me a dare that is not what I expected. The next is Callum, a mysterious guy who seems to already know everything our professors are teaching us. Someone who has a skill for getting under my skin.
But now, more than ever, I need to keep focused. Or at the end of the year, everything I’ve worked so hard for will be taken from me forever.
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This was a fun fast-paced academy read!! I enjoyed it so much better than the first book. It did answer a lot questions from the first book that I had.
Picking up a few days after we left off, this book starts out strong and finishes off just as strong. The characters continue to grow, the plot thickens, and the magical world created by the author expands. There are a couple small twists thrown in that aren’t expected but man do they amp up the intrigue. Poor Wren and her love life or lack thereof. Especially when all her friends are doing really well in that area. This though, shows how her character has grown from a girl who really didn’t care about anything to a young woman who cares about everything. The last few chapter had me slightly on the edge of my seat. Great read!
So I just got this book a couple of days ago, I finished it yesterday but between in being Australia Day and my brain was not working to write down words hence my review didn’t actually happen until now…but I def urge you to check it out.
Why is the kicking the review off always the trickiest part lol…okay, umm…I really enjoyed diving back into this world again, it was a fun easy read! For me though, it was just missing something. I didn’t connect to the characters as much as I’d hoped to, for some reason. I think I mentioned this in my review of the first book, but I was really hoping for the bond to grow deeper and help me connect more with the characters. Don’t get me wrong, they are all awesome but I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing for me.
With that being said, I still enjoyed a lot that this story had to offer, even if I had worked out where the book was heading. Who cares if you work the plots out before they happen, everyone likes to be right lol.
I also enjoyed watching on as Wren continued to grow mentally and physically. She continues her good path of working hard and is fully determined to give her everything in completing term two…This is the first time Wren has truly wanted something and is willing to give her all…and that is something worth admiring. Especially considering her lack of commitment prior to her knowing about her magic.
Term Two is a stressful time as everyone tries to prepare themselves for that “little” test at the end of the year, that determines their fate. Whether they have their magic transferred to the students at the top of their class or whether their own magic is doubled. It all hangs in the balance.
I loved watching as the friendships in this story grow…they all learn the importance of teamwork and that’s what I probably loved the most. It just felt so real, that you truly wanted them all to succeed. When I was reading the ending scenes, It felt like my heart was in my throat because I wanted it to all workout. It’s weird because you know that they have to, but there’s something very different when you’re sucked inside and are right there beside them.
A little about this book…well, book two picks up at the end of their break, just before heading back to the Academy. With the new term starting Wren learns that her old-time friend, Zane, you remember him right? The boy she made a deal with before she went to the Academy, and then kinda lost the bet to. That Zane. Well him and another, Callum, transfer to the school, after the two students that lost their magic in the last book had to dropout.
You follow Wren as she learns all she needs to face, with her team, the very deciding test. So for me, not a huge amount happened in the story action wise, but I wasn’t bored! Not at all. It was an easy read which, to be honest, was exactly what I needed, with my terrible brain functioning skills.
Remember how I mentioned the two new transfers? Well Callum has a special talent of getting under Wren’s skin and she always seems to be being paired with him for class…which in my opinion, is awesome and entertaining…but it also helps to push wren harder as our mysterious Callum seems to know way more than his first year status.
Not far into the new semester Wren finds this key…and no I’m not giving a lot of information, but it leads her and Zane to this mysterious shack and they find something quite startling. This was the moment it had me hooked to know more, especially in this department. I’m hoping with this development, that in the next book, we are able to maybe see more into her family’s secrets. We all know that in book one that something is definitely going on between her grandpa and her father. Hello, they won’t even to each other…But in this book, we see that her grandfather may just have tried to cover up something…and I’m guessing it’s something big….and I’m really intrigued to see where this heads….But following this little visit Wren gets a bit sick and something has definitely changed with her and her magic, it’s hard to explain. So I won’t. 😉
Join Wren and her friends as they try and procure their place for their next year at Wicklow Academy. I don’t know about you guys but I’m definitely looking forward to the next semester and seeing where this story leads us. And may a certain young man continue to get under Wren’s skin. Coz I live for those moments lol.
If you’re ready for a magical world of growth and fun, go and get yourself this book. It’s an easy to read book, that you won’t regret. To find out what happens next for Wren and her friends journey and to finally know who gets to double their magic READ this book now!
Thanks Nissa for the opportunity to read your work, It has been an amazing journey that you have taken me on and I can’t wait to see what awaits for your characters.
That’s it for now.
Happy Reading
Wren has changed since she first started at Wicklow Academy. She learns that Zane is transferring to her school and will take part of the trials as well. She is still trying to come to terms with what Sebastian did with the shades. She is hoping that he is ok but she has learned not to trust. She is also being coming friends with Elaine again.
Once school starts, she is introduced to a new student, he rubs her the wrong way. She learns Kaz is dating another woman. Zane is approaching her differently. Her grandfather wants stuff from her too. All she wants is survive the trials.
Wren will learn more about her grandparents. She will learn some secrets that she wishes she didn’t.
There is so much good stuff that Wren will go through with her life and magic. There are secrets to be had. Only sad that her and Kaz are together in this book, as I liked them together.
I am really looking forward to the next book to see what is going to happen.
I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest opinion
Some Surprises, Some Shocks & Some Real Heart Felt Moments Too!! 3.5 Stars
Wicked Academy 2: The Masquerade
Book #2 continues a few days after Wren her team missed the exam but saved her entire year from having their magic stolen by Dark Magic user’s. Her team have all been sworn to secrecy by the Council so can’t tell anyone why they actually missed their exam. Wren & her brother are home for Christmas but their Parents continue to be absent except for her mum’s big party of course! Her Mother continues to emphasise making connections in their circles – Wren thinks having connections with her Family might be nice instead!! Then it’s back to Wicklow ‘Wicked’ Academy.
There is less focus on ‘making out’ & more on ‘making her grades’ for Wren this year. She doesn’t want to lose her magic as it’s the most natural connection she’s ever felt with anything. Even studying isn’t a hardiship, she actually wants to learn all this stuff that’s been hidden from her all of her life! Her Grandad reaches out again and she’s interested in learning why they haven’t had him in their lives all along and how their Grandmother passed away etc!
There are some twists I really didnt expect but I liked them, I think!? It will depend where they go, for this book I liked them! Callum has potential I think. Zane is nice enough but I’m not over what he said about Wren when he was a Bradford Student in Book #1. There were a few bits & pieces that, potentially, have the ability to upend almost everything for Wren & maybe even her family?? We shall see!
I didn’t find this book as gripping or captivating as book #1. I still really like Wren & her independent, progressive personality. She’s determined & strong willed, especially considering how lacklustre her attitude towards most things seemed to be before she had magic & found her purpose!
Debbie, 1970, UK