I always knew I was different, but I never imagined how dark that difference would be.

When my absentee father returns to inform me of my true heritage, the way to figuring out this new reality of being half blood sucker is a secret paranormal University nestled in England’s misty forests. It specialises in control and focus for beings like me and those whose default setting is trouble.

When I step through MistHallow University’s hidden gates, I’m plunged into a world of ancient power and forbidden desires.

As my dormant powers awaken, so does a hunger I can’t control and I fall under the spell of four otherworldly men who give trouble a whole new meaning.

Zephyr: a dark fae who is brutally savage and seductive.

Corvus: a vampire who can’t wait to show me the darkness his world revels in.

Ignatius: a fire elemental burning with a passion that draws me in.

Zaiah: a djinn whose every word feels like a wish granted but what’s the catch?

But when a sinister plot unfolds involving ancient prophecies, hidden artifacts, and shadowy enemies, somehow, I’m at the centre of it all.

At MistHallow, every choice has consequences, and the price might just be my soul. Welcome to my descent into the shadows. There’s no turning back now.

My Review

The prologue introduces Adelaide at thirteen during a night that clearly shapes her future. Eight years later we meet her again as she’s pulled into the truth about her paranormal nature. She learns she’s a hybrid, half vampire and half human, and is offered a place at a supernatural university.

After trouble in her human life pushes her decision, she heads off to the academy. The story shifts between her point of view and Corvus, a bat shifter vampire who leans very much into the troublemaker role. From there the cast expands quickly with a dark fae, a djinn, and a fire elemental, so you know chaos is coming.

The academy focuses on training, secrets, and supernatural challenges while Adelaide slowly figures out her powers. The romance elements also grow, including fated mate bonds and reverse harem dynamics. The tone leans darker and occasionally strange, especially during some of the steamy moments.

There’s a lot happening around Adelaide and her relationships, but I struggled with her characterization since she felt inconsistent at times. The hybrid concept and paranormal world were interesting, and the characters had potential, but it didn’t fully pull me in.

The book ends on a cliffhanger. While the setup is intriguing, it wasn’t captivating enough for me to continue the series.

If you would like to read Crimson Shadows by Eve Newton you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you like this book you Amy also enjoy book with these tags and categories: Academy, Hybrid and Dark Themes.