Seventh Born (The Witchling Academy #1) by Monica Sanz

Seventh Born by Monica Sanz is a YA Fantasy series of witches, magic, and mystery solving!

“Abomination. Curse. Murderer. All names hurled at eighteen-year-old Seraphina Dovetail. As the seventh-born daughter to a witch, she’s the cause of her mother losing her powers and, in turn, her life.

Abandoned as a child, Sera dreams of becoming an inspector and finding her family. To do that, she must be referred into the Advanced Studies Program at the Aetherium’s Witchling Academy. Her birth order, quick temper, and tendency to set things on fire, however, have left her an outcast with failing marks…and just what Professor Nikolai Barrington is looking for.

The tall, brooding, yet exceedingly handsome young professor makes her a proposition: become his assistant and he’ll give her the referral she needs. Sera is quickly thrust into a world where witches are being kidnapped, bodies are raised from the dead, and someone is burning seventhborns alive. As Sera and Barrington grow ever closer, she’ll discover that some secrets are best left buried…and fire isn’t the only thing that makes a witch burn.“

I have NEVER read a book more like Harry Potter than this one. Picture Hogwarts (yes, this series is set at a magical school) with a murder mystery and a female Harry Potter witchling all in a totally unique story.

The magic system is mysterious and was a little confusing with who the Seventh Borns actually were, but once I got deeper into the story, I really got into how it intertwines with their world. Which in truth was sad in how the society views them and the prejudices they immediately have on each other.

The writing in this book immediately caught my attention. The main character has a snarky, sarcastic dialogue especially between her and the professor. She is definitely the character who likes to speak her mind.

And then there are spooky paranormal elements to the murder mystery that is perfect for a gloomy, Fall reading day. It fit very well with magic vs non magic worlds which I also loved reading. It gave hints of A Darker Shade of Magic vibes as well.

And the ending. Whoa, it was a real plot twist that I never would have seen coming. And I was left wanting more of the cult-like Brotherhood. Yes, there are a ton of different paranormal elements in this story from ghostly photos to magical wands to a lethal cult.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I really can’t wait to see where this series goes. There are so many questions that I now have linking to her past and what will happen with her future murder-solving skills.

I highly recommend this book is you like YA Fantasy books with mystery, spooky moments, and witches!!

Published: 4 September 2018

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 400

How I Read It: eARC

*Disclaimer: I requested a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions only and are not influenced in any way.*

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