Academy Earth: Pawns of Prophecy by S.K. Molinari
What's It About?
On Kylie Silvermore’s fifteenth birthday, she receives the gift of being sent away to the Academy by her mother, Queen Dalia of Arania. As a former student of the boarding school, the Queen assures her daughter she will love it.But the idea of being away from home is enough to make Kylie nervous, never mind the fact that the Academy is far from an ordinary school. It is a place for students to learn how to better master their magical abilities. S.K. Molinari’s Academy Earth is also a place where Kylie’s royal status will not matter.
RUMORS, RENOVATIONS AND ROYALTY
Once Kylie arrives and her new-student-nerves subside, she befriends her two roommates: Grace, a quiet bookworm, and Alexandria, an art enthusiast. With the semester officially underway, the trio begins to learn introductory spells while also growing closer to other students. Aside from some questionable comments from the “popular” clique of girls and the stress of developing class crushes, everything appears to be going smoothly.
But just as the girls embrace their feelings of comfort, strange things start happening at the school. There are impromptu “renovations” all over campus as they hear rumors of the earth’s magic weakening. Then a magical lamp shatters as the girls walk past it in the Academy’s hallway and lands them in the nurse’s office. And just when Kylie and her friends think things couldn’t get any more complicated, the Headmistress informs the trio that they are the answer to … an old prophecy?
However, this prophecy calls for a fourth girl, and much to the trio’s dismay, she is a member of the popular clique. With the group complete, the Headmistress explains their task: save the Tree of Euronius, the source of all magic on Earth, and stop the Academy’s magic from weakening. But with the school’s magic already diminishing and the huge amount of spells they have to master, Kylie finds herself questioning if they even have a chance of completing the mission successfully.
FRIENDSHIP FIRST
Academy Earth adds elements of magic to a high school experience familiar to everyone. While the girls face relatable obstacles such as mean girls and cute boys, they are also tasked with learning spells and attending special training to fulfill the prophecy. As their skillset grows, so does their bond, which is showcased through their vibrant personalities and witty remarks to amongst each other.
S.K. Molinari’s writing portrays the stresses of succeeding in school — and saving all of Earth’s magic — in the girl’s thoughts and interactions. As the story progresses, it is impossible not to witness the friendship that grows between Kylie and the rest of the girls in the prophecy, and almost feel as though you are a part of it. Academy Earth is a great fit for anyone who is a fan of light fantasy, stories set at boarding schools, or is looking for a coming-of-age tale with a little extra magic!
Loved this book and can’t wait for the second. Want to see how the author really grows the characters and what in heck happened to Dylan!