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Academy of Protectors
by Gray Holborn
Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?
A gripping urban fantasy series opener that prioritizes world-building, demon-hunting action, and slow-burn tension with four brooding love interests. If you love a strong FMC who is socially awkward and unfiltered, plus a world full of demons, vampires, and werewolves — buckle up for an 8-book ride.
Synopsis
Meet Max Bentley: She’s socially awkward, uncommonly naive, and doesn’t have a filter between her brain and her mouth (though she’s heard great things about them and is on the hunt for one of her very own—fingers crossed). Oh! And her whole life is about to implode... You know what’s annoying? Having your first real date interrupted by a werewolf and a hellhound. And while it wasn’t exactly swoon-worthy to watch my date get ripped from my lips, luckily for him, I’m pretty great at kicking ass. I doubt I’ll get that second date any time soon, but I have to say that the whole thing wasn’t a total waste. Now that the monsters have invaded my small town, my family is finally ready to ditch the secluded cabin I grew up in, with nothing but a fat stack of books and TV to keep me and my brother from dying of boredom, for greener pastures. I’ve always dreamed of joining The Protector Guild—a secret establishment that studies captured demons and trains protectors to kill them. And when I enroll in The Guild Academy designed to train protectors to hunt escaped creatures from hell, I’m convinced I’m finally going to find my place in the world—just like the protagonists in all those books I’ve devoured. But I quickly learn that things in The Guild aren’t at all what they seem and I’ve been fed a steaming sack of lies my whole life. Maybe the old isolated cabin wasn’t so bad after all. At least back home I knew who I could trust. Sort of. After meeting a team of mysterious protectors who are way too good looking to be trustworthy, it’s up to my new friends (and enemies) to keep the very demons I’m supposed to be chasing after from chasing me instead. Great. So much for that new and exciting life I’ve always wanted. Clearly, there’s such a thing as too exciting...and that whole ‘careful what you wish for’ thing might have some merit. ◆ Academy of Protectors is the first book in a new series. Max's story is a slow-burn why choose / poly / reverse harem urban fantasy series. Get ready for action, spice, and intrigue.◆
At a Glance
3.71 ★ GoodreadsTop TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Book Details
Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.
3.71 ★
Page CountHow long the commitment is.
202 pages
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.
2021
Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?
Paranormal Romance
PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.
WHY CHOOSE / REVERSE HAREM
POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).
First Person
Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.
Slow Burn
CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.
spoiler
AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
Yes
FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.
Duet Narration
NarratorThe voice in your ears.
Ash Beverly and Hannah Altagracia
TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
Mood & Vibe
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
FMC: the socially awkward underdog sign in to unlock
urban fantasy sign in to unlock
Series setup — the cliffhanger will leave you desperate for the next book, but found family moments and demon-hunting action make it satisfying. sign in to unlock
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