I really enjoyed this! I do love zodiac academy and this felt very similar.
The FMC was fierce and strong.
Also enemies to lovers was done so well. The tension, banter, and slow burn! I couldn’t stop listening.

The narration was also fantastic and made it even more enjoyable to listen to.
Looking forward to the next book!

Normally I don’t love books with angels/demons but this was the exception! This was fun. I think fans of zodiac academy will love this

I'm obsessed with this. It was so so good! The audiobook was also fantastic!

There is a lot of comparison to Zodiac Academy, but I haven't read those, so I would describe it as having Crescent City and The Book of Azrael Vibes. Highly recommend.

I listened to this book, even though it wasn't really what I'm into the narration was amazing. I was sucked in so quickly. The story was great I just couldn't connect with the characters. It was well written.

I was initially so reluctant to read Celestial Academy due to its similarities to Zodiac Academy. But I'm so glad I pushed passed these doubts! Wen is such a badass FMC who takes no shit, but who is also loyal to those she cares about. We got a strong found family, an academy setting, as well as a tasty enemies-to-lovers slow burn with lots of tension and banter! The author's added humour had me giggling and kicking my feet at times. The narrator did a wonderful job at demonstrating Wen's sass and Godric's stoic and arrogant attitude. The author illustrates a fantastic mix of magical realism/paranormal aspects and she gives us angels, demons, magic, and a whole lot of adventure! I cannot WAIT for the next book!

Thank you so much to the author, NetGalley and IPBA for the advanced listener copy!

This was absolutely amazing. I had such a great time reading this. Definitely will continue with the rest of the series

Celestial Academy: Essence is a captivating blend of dark academia, urban fantasy, and slow-burn romance. Olivia Pharos crafts a richly detailed world where celestial and infernal politics intertwine, creating a setting that’s both intriguing and immersive.

The protagonist, Wen, stands out with her resilience and wit as she navigates a society that seeks to exploit her unique abilities. Her evolving relationship with Godric, a formidable nephilim, adds depth to the narrative, offering a compelling enemies-to-lovers arc that keeps readers engaged.

While the pacing occasionally slows due to introspective passages, the lyrical prose and philosophical undertones enrich the reading experience. Fans of morally complex characters and atmospheric storytelling will find much to appreciate in this debut.

Thank you to Olivia Pharos and Netgalley for this alc in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started Celestial Academy: Essence by Olivia Pharos and sadly, I wasn't very impressed. That being said, this book was pretty good. It had a solid plot, good banter, and some unexpected twists. Unfortunately it was really hard for me to get over some pretty big setbacks. The world building, especially in the beginning, felt unfinished. We never really got a good picture of where the main character was and how the world ended up in the state it in. The main character calling angels angel holes felt a lot like Aelin referring to males and alpha holes and I would have rather seen something more original. The romance felt forced; I never really felt like they had any chemistry. Also, I wouldn't consider this book dark academia despite how it's marketed. They are at an academy but academia doesn't seem to be the focus. But those things aside, I did enjoy this overall even though it could have used some more polishing. The audiobook was alright. The narration would crackle and have annoying background noise a lot which made it hard to stay focused on the story.

I listened to the audiobook of Celestial Academy: Essence for free thanks to NetGalley, and it turned out to be a great surprise. The world Olivia Pharos created is dark, intense, and full of tension—with celestial politics, supernatural danger, and a forbidden romance that really pulled me in.

I really enjoyed the story and especially the characters—Wen and Godric have an explosive dynamic that kept me hooked. Their enemies-to-lovers tension is full of slow-burn emotion and high stakes. One random detail that stuck with me: the author really seems to love the word antipathy! It’s a small thing, but I noticed it popping up quite a few times.

I’ve been excited to read the second book, NULL, which I believe is already out, but I haven’t been able to find it anywhere yet. I’ve checked the author’s social media pages but haven’t seen any updates, which is a little frustrating—I’m truly invested in this story and want to know what happens next!

Highly recommend if you're looking for a gripping new adult fantasy with emotional depth, strong characters, and an original setting.

Celestial Academy: Essence by Olivia Pharos is the first instalment in the Afterworld series, blending post-apocalyptic fantasy with elements of romance and dark academia. Set in a world where angels and demons dominate, the story follows Wen, a demon-owned human who becomes entangled in the politics of celestial beings after being caught dealing a potent substance known as Angelescence.​
I have to praise the novel for its immersive world-building and the dynamic between Wen and Godric, a powerful Nephilim assigned to oversee her. Their relationship, marked by witty banter and slow-burning tension, adds depth to the narrative. The book's vivid portrayal of a society where humans are at the bottom of the hierarchy, and the inclusion of various supernatural beings, create a rich and engaging setting. ​
Overall, Celestial Academy: Essence offers a compelling mix of fantasy and romance, appealing to fans of series like Crescent City and Zodiac Academy. Its unique take on celestial politics and character dynamics make it a noteworthy addition to the genre.

Celestial Academy: Essence by Olivia Pharos is a captivating blend of dark academia, fantasy, and romance that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The story follows Wen as she is thrust into the mysterious Celestial Academy, where she must survive brutal trials and navigate the complexities of supernatural politics. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Wen and Godric is intense and deeply emotional, filled with tension, passion, and unexpected depth. The author’s world-building is rich and immersive, creating an atmospheric setting that enhances the intrigue and suspense. Overall, the book delivers a gripping narrative with high stakes, complex characters, and an unforgettable romance that lingers long after the final page. If you love dark academia, fantasy, and slow-burn romance, this novel is a must-read!

Celestial Academy: Essence offers an exciting start to Olivia Pharos's series with its unique premise and relatable characters. While it may not be perfect in every aspect, it successfully captures attention through its humor and action-packed storyline.

If you found the intensity of *Zodiac Academy* a bit overwhelming, but still cherished its exceptional world-building and humor, then this book is definitely worth your time. It shares the same vibrant sense of humor and intricate world-building that made *Zodiac Academy* a standout, but it offers a refreshing twist on the enemies-to-lovers trope that won't leave you cringing or in tears.

The interplay of angel and demon lore adds an exciting layer to the story, creating a fascinating backdrop for the characters' development. The dynamics between the protagonists are engaging and filled with witty banter, making their journey feel both entertaining and relatable.

As the plot unfolds, you'll find yourself eagerly anticipating how the story will evolve, especially with the intriguing lore at play. This book promises a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and romance that is sure to captivate readers. Don’t miss out on experiencing this enthralling tale!

Another story of enemies to lovers and a magical school.
As usual, our main character Wen is an orphan and penniless and enterprising girl who is always dancing on the edge of danger. She accidentally got hold of … something left over from a fight between two angels … and accidentally her friend consumed a little of it and her trip was so powerful that Wen realized that it was something she could earn with. And she does earn, and not a little, but still not enough to buy herself free. And then one day, when she is hunting for her new supply again, she gets caught and sent to the academy, where she has to prove her existence to angelic beings, half-angels and other magical youths. On top of that, she also has this mentor who will soon become her lover (of course) and she has to constantly do experiments so that they can understand how she is the only one who can see and collect this essence left over from the clash of the Angels and where she came from in general.
I don't remember how it all ended, but since it's the first part, it obviously had some kind of cliffhanger.
Well, it was, like, the typical growling, self-proclaiming, saving the world with sex story, which was actually mostly nonsense and the sex scenes were completely unnecessary.

Great audiobook and an even better story!
This fantasy story was interesting and didn't seem to follow the classic storyline that has been overdone in recent romantasy stories. This story kept me intrigued the entire time and I found myself easily understanding the fantasy world. I really enjoyed the audiobook and was able to finish it which is hard for me usually.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful fantasy novel and I am looking forward to another book in this world. This was the perfect combination of fantasy and romance.

Pleasantly surprised by this! 3.5 but rounding up to 4 because I believe Olivia Pharos is self publishing these and honestly the story was solid and that's not something I usually say about self-pubbed, mainly due to a lack of editing. But not here!

People have been comparing this to Zodiac Academy - but like a good version of Zodiac Academy - which is a bold claim since people are feral about that series, but as someone who DNFed the first book because it was horrendous, I went into this hopeful but cautious.

And I came out the other side really enjoying this. Suck it Zodiac Academy.

Looks, is it silly? Is it a bit annoying? Yes. Is it anything new? No.
But is it a fun little potato chip book? Absolutely.
A little treat to enjoy; we're going for junk food here, not health.

I did immediately try to find book 2. I've seen people review it on Goodreads so I assumed it was out and I could find it here, or on KU, but unfortunately it looks like it's not actually available. But take that as a glowing endorsement. I listened to this on audio, and was willing to pick up the ebook immediately, even though I don't really have time to physically read a book right now.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Initially I could not finish it. I tried again. I loved the narration and I did appreciate the similarities to other books like zodiac academy. I thought it was okay but I struggled to get through it without breaks.

This book was really good esp if you like zodiac academy I love the slowburn romance and the fast pace! Highly recommend this book if you are into fantasy and high school life if that makes sense I can’t wait to read what’s next

This was a fantastic fantasy. Hearts, love, tension. . I . Right away, I was hooked with how odd this situation was, and things only increased, which had me on the edge of my seat.