So far I have two possible fates: die in my dorm or end up as a vampire’s slave.There is no escape out of Nocturnal Academy’s prison school. Being here means I’ve lost my mother, my best friend, and my freedom.Now, Nocturnal Academy plans to make me into a courtesan for the vampires. My only hope out is topping the Placement Tests and becoming the 1 out of 100 fae who gets to shape her own fate. … out of 100 fae who gets to shape her own fate.
But between a mysterious vampire guard confusing my feelings, my nemesis circling in on me like a viper, and a teacher who hates my guts, all my plans are falling apart. If I’m not careful, I won’t even end up as a courtesan, but as dead meat.
Warning: This book contains mature content and possible triggering situations and is therefore only suitable for mature YA and New Adult readers. We recommend Nocturnal Academy for readers 17 and up.
Cruel Elites is a mature YA/New Adult fae academy novel and the first book in the Nocturnal Academy trilogy.
Book Two, Vicious Royals, releases on December 18th and the third book, Savage Monarchs, releases on February 20th.more
Cruel Elites: Nocturna Academy Book 1 by Margo Ryerkerk is an awesme story that I have read. This is book number one in this awesome series that I have loved reading. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy and paranormal romances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Striving to be the best of the best is the only way to ensure control of your life. One out of a hundred. And so this tale continues, with a placement test determining the future for the survivors of this prison academy. I really am enjoying being transported into this tale and truly looking forward to finding out where this author takes these characters. All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
So far I have two possible fates: die in my dorm or end up as a vampire’s slave. What an amazing premise!!!
Ok, this is a heady combination: I just figured out that two of my favorite authors, Margo Ryerkerk and Holly Hook, are out with a new series, Nocturnal Academy. Since I’ve literally loved everything each of these authors have put out, it’s no surprise that I glommed on to the first two books, Cruel Elites and Vicious Royals, and ended up binge reading them into the wee hours. It was worth it as these two books were totally fantastic. I loved half-Fae / hss as of -human Onyx. She may have caught herself into a pretty harsh predicament, forced into the Nocturnal Academy where the options are die in her dorm, end up as a vampire’s slave or, possibly, being one of the tiny number of fae who get out by topping the Placement Tests (if that’s even a real way out). Pretty darn scary stuff but the makings for a superb tale which, in these first two books, is superbly told. I’m definitely looking forward to more in this series and can easily highly recommend these two books.
This is a dark and interesting read about vampires and fae. Well I was sucked into the story from the start with its mystery, lies, intrigue, secrets and twists and turns and cannot wait to see what happens next!
This well-written book is a Fae Academy novel and is the first book in the Nocturnal Academy trilogy. You should read the prequel Wicked Nobles first, which can be found in the Academy of Magic boxset. The characters are wonderful and continue to grow and develop as the story progresses. The story has intrigue, twists, turns, murder, attitude and help from a vampire. a good read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nice story about fae and vampires. Onyx is half fae. She is living in a time vampires ruled over the fae and used some as servants so she knew from a very young age to hide who she is. She did not expected to be betrayed by someone close to her and turned into the vampires. Thus landing her at Nocturna Academy where fae’s are trained.
This book is an interesting and different take on the fae/vampire world. In it vampires rule the world from the shadows and fae who escaped their troubled home world are enslaved. There are limited paths for a future which students learn about in Nocturna Academy. Magic, service or courtesan are the futures for the young students. Onyx a half fae sold to the academy by her mother at first rails against the system and tries to avoid friends while looking for escape. She eventually decides to play by the rules in the hopes of earning a unique chance to choose a path for herself within limits of course.
This is a story on the darker side. Onyx is a complicated and determined young women. Her struggles to overcome resonate deeply. I was drawn into the story from the beginning but at times I found it difficult to read. Not that this is a bad story more that the topics are complex ones. Slavery be it domestic or of a more sexual nature is a intricate basis for the characters and readers.
There are a plethora of academy books out now if light and airy is your thing this is not your book. If you are into a more serious, sometimes dark world then this is a book you should go out and get today.
I received an ARC from the authors. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
In this world, it’s great to be a vampire, but not so great to be Fae. If you were unlucky to be born Fae, your future is to be servants to the vamps. They even make the Fae go to a special academy to learn how to be a proper servant! Would you accept that future? I love Onyx. She’s not the type to just let the vampires decide the future for her. She’s brave, smart, clever, protective, stubborn and very determined to decide her own future! This book has action, vampires, Fae, danger, magic, secrets, survival, bullies and an unlikely ally.
An excellent story full of suspense and unexpected twists that will have you on the edge of your seat. I was hooked from the very beginning. Onyx now realizes there is no way out, winning the independent study position is her only hope to avoid a shameful fate. With a new professor on staff asking questions, she must try harder than ever to hide her powers. Unfortunately, her nemesis Peony knows her secret. This amazing, well-written story is definitely worth giving a read and I look forward to reading more of this great series. I received an advanced copy and absolutely loved it.
Having previously read the prequel of that serie, I couldn’t wait to read Cruel Elite. Recommend reading it first. Wicked noble is part of the Academy of Magic box set.
Cruel elite starts where Wicked noble left us. Onyx is standing over Prince Preston body who she had accidentally killed with her new found powers while he was trying to rape her. A vampire guard, Thorsten, will help her get rid of the body instead of trowing her in the dungeons. She doesn’t know why he’s helping her since vamps rule and fae or half fae in her case serve them.
She still training in the academy either to become a servant or worse a courtesan to the vampire who will buy her once she graduate. But she’s working hard a the chance to be one out of 100 fae who will get the freedom to shape their own life.
But if she’s not careful she won’t only become a vampire playting but might ends up as dead meat.
I have really love the first book in this serie and can’t wait to read the next one.
I have received an arc of this book from one of the author, Holly Hook.
Cruel Elites opens with Onyx standing over the body of a vampire. Said vampire tried to rape her and she killed him. There is a very strong punishment for killing a vampire. Yeah killing this vampire could cost Onyx her life. I can just see her standing there with the body wondering what she is going to do now.
The only option she has is to hide the body if she wants to live. But just as she is trying to drag the body away and hide it she is caught. Luckily the person who catches her is a vampire guard that has been looking out for her and has saved her from some rough places before and helps her to deal with the body.
Onyx is half fae and half human who was sold out by her own mother to the vamps. The vamps take her away to attend Nocturna Academy where she will become a salve to the vamps. At Nocturna Academy students are given points or have them taken away by how well they do in class or by their conduct or attitudes. They also have to take a placement test to see where they fit into jobs that the vamps have prepared for them.
Onyx is very determined to score high so she can make her own choices or as much as that is possible when you are slaves to the vamps. Her main plan is not to become a courtesan or sex slave to the vamps.
Cruel Elites is a very intense read with lots of suspense, secrets, back stabbing, deception, great world building, awesome story line/plot, oh and did I mention twists that will keep the pages turning wondering who the vamp is that keeps saving Onyx or at least what his motive is. I can’t wait for more in this world with vampires and fae.
I highly recommend Cruel Elites to all fans of vampires, fae and suspense novels filled with secrets that is revealed slowly but I do suggest that you read the prequel Wicked Nobles first.
I read the prequel to this series and was hooked. The first book is really good. Onyx is a half Fae who just discovered that she is not without magic as she had thought. Unfortunately, she found out by committing murder with her power. When one of the vampire guards finds her with the body she is sure she is done for, but Thorsten helps her instead of throwing her into the dungeon. As the vamps and Fae show up at the Academy to start the school year, Onyx is given a new roomie. Since she is partially responsible for what happened to the last one, she is determined to keep a distance from Lily. This turns out to be impossible as the weak Fae girl is just as determined to be her friend. Lord knows Onyx needs friends. Find out what happens when a half Fae girl with an attitude takes on a school full of mean, stuck-up vampires. With the help of a couple of friends and one confusing vampire she just might make it through her Placement Trials, maybe.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
There is real truth in the title. There is a great deal of cruelty in this world run by vampires who use the fae as slaves to their needs.
She is sold by her mother into this academy to prepare her for the role the vampires select. The most likely is as a sex slave. If she is lucky, she can become a servant. Only a small group get other options like administrative jobs. Freedom is not an option.
Onyx wants to fight but it leads to more pain each time. She is feeling very lost and alone when the story begins.
The story has many twists and lots of secrets yet to be revealed. I enjoyed the journey and am looking forward to seeing just where her choices lead her.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy I received.
Blimey, Nail Biting & Blood Pumping Adrenaline Fuelled Amazingness!!
Cruel Elites (Nocturna Academy #1)
I’ve been on the edge of my seat waiting for this release since I read the Prequel ‘Wicked Nobles’ in the ‘Academy Of Magic’ boxed set, I highly recommend reading it, it’s in kindle unlimited & is chock full of other brilliant stories too. I *hoped* it would live up to the standard it had set itself but these Author’s absolutely smashed it!
Nocturna Academy is for the Vampire Elite’s ‘children’ & what will become their future slaves, servants, housekeepers, office staff & courtesan’s! Many Fae escaped their Realm & came to Earth years ago due to a civil war between the Summer & Winter Fae Court’s. The exodus occurred because the brutal Winter Fae released a deadly plague on their enemies!! On arrival on earth they were quickly subjugated by the Vampires who control most of the wealth throughout the World. Over the years Fae have had children with Human’s, their magic has become diluted & in some incidents, non existent. It’s mostly these half Fae children that are brought to the Academy now, to train & gain an education. They’re taught the Vampires skewered version of world history & how they’re ‘saving’ the Fae!! The more magic you have the better your contract after the Academy will likely be, the more elegant & talented you are the better your contract will likely be, for those with little to no magic or skills, you’re likely to become a slave or worse for those with great pride & a strong will, A courtesan, a sex slave!!
We start this book right where the prequel finished. Onyx is in the fairy circle with Preston, a teacher at Nocturna Academy and a Fae Prince of the Summer Court, bleeding out at her feet! She’ll be killed, they won’t listen to her & she knows it. She’s in complete shock at what’s happened but knows she has to hide his body or its the end for her regardless! As she’s trying to drag him to a cliff, in complete survival mode, the same guard that’s protected her before, catches her in the act. She tells him what happened and he starts drinking from the Prince then opens a vein in his wrist & pours his blood into his mouth & on the wound. Then he drops him & leaves, she’s slumped on a bench still panicking. The sun starts to rise & his body starts to smoke then crackle, bursts into flame before becoming a charred husk, the wind disintegrates it into ashes & he’s gone, completely, the Vampire saved her yet again, but what will he want?!
It’s not long into the start of term, new Fae & Vampires have arrived, when they’re told about the placement trials. Onyx discovers she’s at the bottom of the list & expected to become a courtesan, her worst nightmare! She quietly approaches Virgie, her enemy’s friend. She’s shown before she’s not the same as Peony though, and asks her for advice. She told her to work hard, keep her mouth shut for once & jump when she’s told to, it’s her only hope! It goes against her very nature but she has to listen, Virgie didn’t have to help her so she’s going to do as she said.
No matter how hard she tries to push her new roommate away, for her own sake, Onyx seems to be poison after all, Lily saves her and she can’t keep her out anymore! The new Home Decor & Career Teacher, who’s a full blood Fae, trapped her in an empty classroom & nearly killed her. Lily had got that guard that keeps saving her, he rescued her again!! Things are going on, lies & implied threats. The threats are constantly on the edges of her life, she feels like she’s living on borrowed time. Peony hasn’t told anyone about her strange magic yet but the evil looks & snide comments are getting worse, she feels like she’s drowning in darkness and is doomed!! And the trials are creeping closer ……
O. M. G just writing this review has my adrenaline spiking all over the place again! Seriously this is one heck a read, if I could give it more than 5 stars I actually would! Its dark, edgy, tension filled, gripping and oh so tantalising, wondering just what that sexy Viking looking guard is up to?! I loved the trio bond that grew between Onyx, Virgie & Lily too The sacrifice made at the end … Just wow, We hope we’d be that person! My honest advice? Read ‘Wicked Nobles’ the prequel, if you can, it’s truly worth it to understand Onyx & the dynamic between her, Peony & the twins. Then devour this baby straight after. Beware – You might want to avoid caffeine
Debbie, 1970, UK
Wow! Talk about a consistent adrenaline rush, suspense, and layers upon layers of lies and intrigue. Onyx is a half fae raised by her human mother. Growing up in a time where vampires lorded over the fae and used them as servants (if you were lucky), courtesan and far worse….suffice to say she knew from a very young age to hide her heritage. The very LAST thing she expected was to be betrayed by someone close to her and turned into the vampires. Thus landing her at Nocturna Academy where fae were trained for their future roles, and history was warped to fit the vampire narrative. Fortunately or unfortunately Onyx has a massive force of will and right vs wrong. Thus making her time at the Academy less than pleasant. She has to figure out what is going on with her magic, hiding the bizarre things happening to her from the fae….all the while desperately attempting to jump through all the books needed to just survive. Something is amiss, and Onyx is determined to save herself and the others. Are there any sympathetic vampires or are they all monsters?. Can she really make a difference? Can the far ever truly escape the thumb of the vampires? Onyx is getting quite the education at this academy, but I’m guessing the vampires have no clue it’s only making her stronger. There are so many twists and turns along the way….I’m greatly looking forward to the next in this series. The prequel is available in the ACADEMY OF MAGIC box set which is now available. Get ready for one suspenseful adventure!