Academy of Villains: Lessons in Loyalty by Ever King. Book 2 in the Academy of Villains series.

*** Disclosure: I was given an ARC copy by the author in exchange for an HONEST review***

Now to the nitty gritty….

First and foremost, I LIKED this book. There was some obvious improvement in the writing from the first book which was pleasing. The pacing in this book was consistent all the way through in my opinion, however, I do kind of wish there was more DRAMA. 😂 Like I’m lowkey disappointed with the resolution to Devlin?? I felt like there could’ve been more anticipation/suspense throughout the book connected to that which would’ve left me on the edge of my seat.. (I’m just a weirdo who loves it when books throw my emotions around all over the place like a rag doll).

In my review for the first book, I believe my biggest critique was that I felt like a bystander most of the time just standing on the outside of the scenes/not really involved in the story, and I’m happy to say that in this second book, the descriptions of each setting/scene was so much better and it truly felt like I was right there with Lyla & Bastian..

Now I think I might even like Lyla & Bastian even more than Kiara & Lucian 🤭 .. I just felt like the pining between the two of them was ✨immaculate ✨ AND THE PART WHEN LYLA NURSES HIM BACK TO HEALTH!!! *internally screaming* something about a complete badass FMC still being soft and slipping into a care taker role just does something to me!! 😩

My only complaint really, as someone who loves emotionally devastating books, was that there were a few parts where I felt the emotional impact could’ve been more if I wasn’t blatantly told what I should feel and just kinda eluded to, but that didn’t really have any influence to my rating so I guess just a mini critique 🙂

I am so excited to see whose story comes next! I have two couples in mind that I would absolutely die to see as the main characters in the next book 🤍

I believe this book is still rated as YA, however, it did have more of an open door romance in this installment so although I still would recommend it, I’d just add a disclaimer for those who prefer closed door books and younger readers! 😊

i absolutely devoured this book! the first version of Academy of Villains was good. the rerelease was great. and Lessons in Loyalty? AMAZING! ¡ truly have no notes; this was perfection through and through. i've said it once but i'll say it again: Ever King continues to work and hone her craft. her passion and dedication to the stories she's tell bleeds from the page and i'm here for it 😍

the pacing was flawless, the character development for Lyla and Bastian was gorgeous, the initial steps of creating a girl gang had me cheering so hard from the sidelines.
i adore how Ever is approaching this series. she's giving us a love story each book while also progressing the overarching series plots in ways that leave you so satisfied. you're content because the love story has closure but you're also feral for the next book because you need to know what happens!

Ever, as always, thank you for trusting me with an advanced copy of vour story! i love this world and the characters vou created 💛

An Adonis and Aphrodite retelling! I wish I was more familiar with Greek mythology so I could pick up on all the Easter eggs in this book, but still, I loved reading this. It’s got an academy setting with a unique magic system where students use grimoires to help control it and are also divided by magic talent, there’s forest, spirit, star, etc… i loved diving back into this world for Lyla and Bastian’s story, and I can’t wait to see who is up next. A huge bonus to these books is that at the end the author adds details about the Greek mythology and where it came from so that also provides more insight if you missed it during your first read! Love it!!

This book was lots of fun! I love the nods to mythology throughout this series, and it was even more apparent in this book. Lyla is my favorite character so far in this series. I love her nature magic, especially her butterflies. I also really enjoyed Bastian as a broody but protective character.
I really appreciated that we got POVs from Kiara and Lucien as well, so we still got to be in the heads of characters from the first book. I hope that continues throughout the series!

I adored this book. Lessons in Loyalty pulled me deeper into Ithaka with its rich worldbuilding, high emotional stakes, and a cast I’ve grown genuinely attached to. The pacing felt smoother than the first, and I loved how much space there was to explore both the world and the relationships.

Lyla continues to shine. She’s kind without being passive, and her strength feels grounded in quiet resilience. The found family vibes in this book were one of my favorite parts. That sense of connection and loyalty between characters made the emotional moments land even harder.

And Bastian? Still broody, still protective, and somehow even more endearing this time around. His connection with Lyla hit just right and had me all in.

This series gives me everything I want from romantasy. Magic, danger, deep character bonds, and emotional payoff. I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next.

I devoured Academy of Villains last year, because of how well King builds not just her worlds - full of wonder and mythology - but also her relationships and her characters.

With Lessons in Loyalty we pivot away from Kiara and Lucian and look to Lyla, our resident green thumb, and Bastain, our resident mysterious pretty boy, but we maintain with this new relationship King’s perfect grasp of relationships, banter and unlikely connections. From the first few chapters I was HOOKED into their dynamic, which has all the tension, longing and yearning you could desire and HEAPS of angst as Bastian struggles with his loyalties and his feelings for Lyla, who is everything he is not - his perfect opposite. The stakes are high, the tension is on fire, and the swoonworthy, gallant romance is delectable.

A TREAT for my soul, and an incredible continuation of such a unique series which I cannot get enough of. Thank you Ever King for the ARC (and for adding seven book boyfriends to my roster).

4,5✨

Lessons in Loyalty brought what the first part of the series did - it was exciting, it was romantic, it was dark, yet hopeful. It had everything you need for a good fantasy story. I found this book a bit cliched (but that was also the case with the first book) in one or two places, but in the best possible way, so it didn't take away from the reading experience at all!

This book has a very complex world building, which I love! I learned more about the historical background and how the magic system works, and that was terribly exciting for me!

Bastian and Lyla was much more exciting to me than Kiara and Lucian in the first book, and I especially enjoyed reading about them. Bastian grew on me in Academy of Villains, and I liked him even more in this book, and I hope he will play an important role in the rest of the series. Lyla was also really likeable, I found her character very interesting. And their love story was just... incredible. I loved every moment of it, they were so compatible, it was a joy to read about them! Their chemistry was everything to me, I loved them so much.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book, I am looking forward to the next in the series (I beg Tobias to be the next main character, I just love that man)

Lessons in Royalty book two in the Academy of Villains series

5⭐️ Read

I’m obsessed with this world! Lessons in Royalty made this series even better!! I didn’t think that was impossible after the first book Academy of Villains but Miss Ever King did that!


The author has a way of making everything connected whether it’s with big or small details from the story and characters, she does it in a way that’s very entertaining and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Lyla Stark is someone you’ll quickly love she’s a fun character with strong independent vibes. Whether it’s her attitude or smart remarks, she’s going to find a place in your heart very quickly.

Bastian Lightcroft what’s not to love about him He has mysterious dark vibes and secretive which a lot of us love in our book's characters.

It’s the 2nd book in the series but you still get to see familiar faces in this one. Lessons in Royalty is its own story with two different characters. That will find its way into your hearts but once you hear the names of the other characters again you’ll feel like you’re getting to see old friends again.

The world-building is easy to follow. The magic system is unique and fun with a twist. I absolutely love the world-building and the magic system.


What I enjoyed the most about this is the fact that you get a different point of view from this world with different characters and you get to experience a different mystery, a different darkness, a different love story And most of all character development and growth.

The found family in this continues to grow and turn into something that you can’t get enough of. It’s like once this book ends and you turn the last page you say to yourself I wanna read that again to go back to experience it all over again.

What to expect with this book.

💛secrets
💛mystery
💛Found family
💛Romance
💛Light spice
💛Protective love interest
💛Magic and spells
And so much more.


This is one series I think all fantasy readers should give a try. Whether you’re into Greek mythology retelling or not and just love fantasy give this series a try it’s easy to follow and the characters are amazing.

The author Ever King does a fantastic job of tying up her stories in a way where it makes you excited for one book to end and another book to start if that makes sense.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 | 🌶️
(rounding up)

Lessons in loyalty - Aphrodite & Adonis is Book 2 in the Academy of Villains series; a continuation of a dark academia romantasy, where each book explores a different couple inspired by Greek mythology, blending romance, mystery, and rich world-building.

We're back to the kingdom of Ithaka and the Academy of Magic where magic is fading and the ruthless king is seeking immortality through mythical golden apples. Lyla Stark, a young mage and guardian of the greenhouse and of course the golden apple tree, discovers shocking truths when she's magically bonded to Bastian Lightcroft, a man with dangerous secrets. As dark forces rise, Lyla must navigate betrayals, hidden agendas, and the true cost of love.

YES EVER KING! I'm so exciting. Book 2 blew all of my expectations. Everything that I was hoping for from Book 1 (Academy of Villains - Nyx & Erebus) was absolutely delivered with Book 2. The pacing improved. Way more world and character building. More details were provided with classes the magic and more of different characters. I absolutely adore Lyla and Bastian. Kiara and Lucien are still involved and I really enjoy seeing their character growth as well. I cannot wait for Book 3 and I cannot wait to get to know more of the Raven Society and who is part of the warriors!


-- Quotes --

"Because if memories can vanish so easily, how much of Ithaka's history is a lie crated by what's been forgotten? "

"Better to die chasing something extraordinary than live ordinary."

"Without question, without fear."

Thank you to Ever King and #Netgalley for this ARC for my honest opinion.

Firstly thank you Ever King for letting me be an ARC reader for this book!!

Wow what a ride! I loved the first book and this book was just as good! Seeing more of the story unfold in this installment felt like the characters were playing a game of chess. Right when they thought they had the upper hand the other side would make a move that threw off their strategy. And I can’t wait to see where it goes from here! It’s almost like a puzzle and each book gives you a few pieces but they don’t quite make a picture yet! And this books puzzle pieces are Bastian and Lyla.

When we first meet the FMC, Lyla, she spends most of her time in her greenhouse tending her flowers and seems to be a softer character. But the more we learn of her story the more her strength shines through. While others flaunt their power she has a softer quiet power and as the story progresses we see her come more into her power and see what she is truly capable of. And seeing her find herself after seeing her feel helpless was very satisfying and made me cheer her on even more.

The MMC, Bastian, is the opposite of Lyla. Bastian knows exactly what he is capable of and he challenges Lyla to realize what she can be capable of if only she’d push herself. He also has a dark side that he keeps hidden and throughout the story Lyla chips away at the walls he has built to see who he truly is. Watching their banter and insults to each other while also having sweet moments was probably my favorite part.

Overall another fantastic book! If you are a fan of magical academy’s, Greek mythology, political intrigue, prophecies, soul mates and forbidden love then you won’t want to miss this book!

CW: Spice (at least 2 scenes), fantasy violence, slight torture and death

I'm going to need book 3 now, please and thank you!

The second installment in this enchanting series plunges us deeper into a magical kingdom grappling with an enigmatic, potentially malevolent god. The narrative continues to follow a group of students determined to rescue their friend, the prince, and ultimately save their entire realm.

This book shifts its focus to two compelling new characters: Lyla and Bastian. Lyla, a forest mage, resides in the greenhouse and is initially portrayed as beautiful, desirable, and meek. Bastian, a spirit mage and member of the Raven Society—a group serving the crown—stands in stark contrast. He's tragically forced to betray his friends by the formidable Beast of Thorns, Kore, in a desperate bid to protect his family.

Pulled together by an undeniable attraction, Lyla and Bastian find themselves navigating a treacherous path riddled with secrets. Their shared desire, coupled with their individual missions to safeguard the kingdom, continually draws them together. As the story unfolds, Lyla embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning to harness her own power and understand what it means to be a starmarked warrior. Her isolation at the beginning of the book gives way to budding friendships with Octavia and Kiara, a truly satisfying development.

I particularly enjoyed how much this story fleshed out the overarching plot. The series now feels like it can venture down countless fascinating avenues, and I'm eager to explore the perspectives of many more characters. I'm keen to learn more about the witches and the mysterious deal between Tobias and Octavia—I simply crave more of this world! The world-building in this series is exceptionally well-crafted, offering a masterclass in re-imagining classical Greek stories with fresh, captivating twists. I genuinely adore this series and will eagerly devour each new book as long as the author, Ever King, continues to write them. There's so much to uncover, and I often wish I could step into this world myself to unravel all its secrets.

4.5 stars

I loved going back to the Academy of Magic. I also enjoyed that we got to follow Kiara and Lucian along with the rest of the cast from book 1. I also loved following Bastian and Lyla throughout their growth and journey in this book. Their banter was top notch and I loved their dynamic. I was so into the story that I could not put it down and I cannot wait to read more!

I remember requesting the first book in this series through Netgalley. I was positively surprised AND really curious about the other books in the series. I was therefore very glad to become part of the Everkingdom so I could read this arc!

About halfway I discovered that I wasn't really enjoying the book because I was reading it with the wrong mindset. I started this book expecting a romantasy, but it's quite clear that this series no longer fits into that category. This is an epic fantasy with a strong romance plot. The politics is complicated, the pace is relatively slow, a lot is happening around the characters we focus on and it's clear we will only get all pieces of the puzzle when we read all the books in the series.

The world building of this series is phenomenal. Everything is thought out so incredibly well and this book really shows that. We get to explore the kingdom outside the academy a little, we learn more about the history of the kingdom, we learn more about the different types of magic and of course we also learn more about what's actually going on and what fight we're fighting. The moment everyone acknowledges that there are more than 2 sides, is the moment I realised: this is bigger than I thought.

The romance is still a big part of the plot, though. What I especially loved in this book is that this book shows that having a special connection is not enough to have a relationship. A relationship takes time. It takes understanding each other, it takes learning to share your burdens and secrets, it means being there when no-one else is. Both characters needed time, and had to put in some work, to get there. But the journey, heartbreak and pain was totally worth it!

You’ve been invited deeper into the dark intrigue and mystery to uncover the secrets within and outside the wards of the Academy of Magic. Welcome to the labyrinth of secret societies, kings and gods, and witchcraft.

The first book set into motion a tale of events that continues to unravel in book two. The story is richer, the plot is thicker, and the romance is hotter. Let me introduce you to a new favorite couple Lyla Stark and Bastian Lightcroft.

Desperate to uncover more information on star marked while searching for the remaining pendants, soft and sweet Lyla tends to her greenhouse and tries to avoid thinking about a certain member of the raven society that has a penchant for stealing from her plants.

Shackled by hidden masters and desperate to keep his secrets covered, intelligent and wild Bastian Lightcroft spends his days practicing alchemy to craft potions for prospective clients while trying to keep his mind off of his flower girl who he can’t seem to stay away from.

While the raven society hides secrets of their own from one another, they discover they have more in common than they think with Kiara and Lyla and they might need to work together with one another, and potentially a few unlikely allies, to change the fate of what is to come to the Kingdom of Ithaka.

Lessons in Loyalty fully encapsulates the dark academia vibe from Academy of Villians that feels reminiscent of the halls of Hogwarts. For fans of Greek mythology with grimoires filled with magic and spicy moments for romance lovers alike.

I have not been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished it last night! Ever King is a master of world building and lore, and we got so much more of both in Book 2 of the Academy of Villains series. I ate up every second of this book!

The relationships in Lessons in Loyalty were probably my favorite, and not just the romantic ones! I love a strong girl gang, and Lyla definitely found hers in this book. Watching Lyla’s relationship with both Kiara and Octavia strengthen throughout the book was inspiring, and I can’t wait to see where they all go from here!

The Heartstrings struck again, and this time we got to watch Lyla and Bastian’s relationship bloom! The banter between these 2 was delightful, and I could not get enough of their snarky back and forth. Bastian was such a softie only where Lyla was concerned, and those are always my favorite MMCs. I loved how much he wanted to protect her, but more importantly I loved that he wanted to ensure she was capable of protecting herself. Lyla may have been slightly unsure of her ability to do just that at the start of the book, but she was the main badass of this book by the end of it!

We got to learn so much more about the troubles the Kingdom of Ithaka has been facing, and Bastian’s unwilling part he had to play in all of that was absolutely heartbreaking. I’m so glad he has Lyla to help him move forward from here!

I am dying for Book 3, and I cannot wait to see who our next couple will be! I definitely have a few ideas. 😏 thank you so much to Ever King and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC! 💛🏛️✨

I literally love this series and I love Ever King. The way Ever King has taken the Greek gods and turned this story into something beautiful and amazing just is absolutely brilliant. I loved the Bastian and Lyla story so much. Edmund is still my favorite, but I cant wait for the next book! thank you again Ever King!

Lessons in Loyalty is the second book in the Academy of Villains series. Each book follows a different couple inspired by a Greek mythology love story. As the plot is gradually developed throughout the series, it is important to read the books in their publishing order.

The first book of the series got me hooked and now I can't wait for the next one.

Lessons in Loyalty gave me everything I like to read about. Strong female characters with a great development arc. Beatiful friendships. A morally gray MC with a lot of "hidden" green flags. Slow burn romance. A very well writen plot paked with political intrigue.

If you like Greek mythology, magic and romance, please give a chance to this series.

The second book in this magical, myth-inspired series follows Lyla Stark, a strong and quietly powerful FMC, and Bastian Lightcroft, a morally gray member of the Raven Society who carries a deadly secret. Their story blends enemies to lovers tension, touch-her-and-die protectiveness, and a dangerous game of trust and betrayal.

Lyla, the Oracle’s chosen guardian of the Golden Tree and its Apples, lives in the Greenhouse, navigating the unwanted attention of classmates. Bastian, is being used by Kore, working for Moros, to spy—or die. His loyalties are torn between duty, desperation, and an irresistible connection to Lyla.

As the two are forced together by fate and the Oracle’s mission, they uncover dark secrets, unsolved mysteries, memories that had been lost, and the thin line between hero and villain—because sometimes, the villain gets the girl. With rich Greek mythology undertones, elemental magic, and a fierce sense of found family among the Raven Society, this book is layered, emotional, and impossible to put down.

We also get more glimpses of Kiara, Prince Lucian, and the other members of the Raven Society and I’m already desperate for the next book in this amazing series.

🌟 ARC Review: Academy of Villains: Lesson in Loyalty by Ever King 🌟

What a ride! Ever King has delivered an emotionally charged, action-packed story full of morally grey characters, complicated loyalties, and heartbreak that hits deep. Lesson in Loyalty pulled me into a world where villains aren’t just evil—they’re broken, bold, and begging to be understood.

The tension between trust and betrayal kept me on edge the entire time. I found myself rooting for characters I knew I shouldn’t, and questioning every alliance. The emotional stakes were high, and when the plot twists hit—they hurt. There’s something raw and real in the way Ever King writes pain, love, and loyalty, and it stayed with me long after the final chapter.

If you love dark academia vibes, found family twisted by secrets, and characters who are loyal to a fault—this book will wreck you in the best way. I already need the next one.

✨ Thank you Ever King for the ARC—my villain era has officially begun.

Lyla Stark and Bastian Lightcroft's enemies to lovers story is one of the main stories on this amazingly captivating sequel. While Bastian is helping Prince Lucian plot a way to get rid of the demon Moros, Lyla is also figuring out how to activate the runes that she, Kiara, and Octavia found.
Lyla is also slowly falling for Bastian, who mostly uses her to steal her herbs and holds a very dark secret that even kind-hearted Lyla may not be able to forgive.
The academy holds many secrets and passageways that need to be discovered and explored in order to get rid of the God that has taken Ithaka hostage and restore the academy to its former glory.

Thank you, Netgalley and Everkingdom/ Ever King, for this beautiful ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.