This had such promise, but nothing happened…. It has Zodiac vibes but I definitely didn’t connect in the same way… every time something nearly happened it just fizzled, I wanted so much more. The ending is a cliffhanger yes…. But it’s more just an abrupt stop that wasn’t built up… I wanted to like this- but it fell so flat….

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 — 5/5 stars
🌶️ — Low spice (1/5)
🕯️ — Dark academia
❤️‍🩹 — Bully romance
🔍 — Intrigue & mystery
🧩 — Games (trials)

Altair University is a slow burn in many ways. I started off not liking our FMC, which is hard to me... and then, somehow, I was HOOKED and rooting for her. Amazing character development! This has some serious Zodiac Academy vibes as it is a bully romance that does not hold back. There is a lot of mystery around the characters and their histories which is what kept me reading. Not to mention the slooooow burn romance. The book is a two parter (which I didn't know and was WRECKED when I found out I need to wait until June to find out the conclusion!) I can't wait to find out how Bishop and Alex's story ends. @ambervant did a pretty epic set up in book 1 that I know will pay off in book 2.

2.5 rounded 3

I had high expectations, but in the end it felt flat. From the first few chapters to the end, nothing really happens in this book, and I was just disappointed. Alex has no more answers than the ones she starts with - and yes, I understand this is book one. It does give Zodiac Academy vibes with the "legacies" being bullies, but other than that, it just doesn't work for me. The back and forth between Alex and the boys is just a bit redundant after a few pages.

However, it reads well, and it's easy to read, so pick it up if you like
- Bullies & pranks
- Academia vibes
- There is a ball
- Some kind of game played by students

I received an ARC via NetGalley, but the file couldn't be sent to my Kindle, so I got the book from KU, as it's already published. This review is my own, and I'm leaving it voluntarily.

This felt a lot like zodiac academy but a more young adult version. It was a little hard to get into at the start. We never really get a great answer as to why the boys hate Alex so much other than something her father did. And a lot of the pranks they pulled were very juvenile. That being said, about midway through I did really get into the book and ended up enjoying it very much. I ended up loving Alex’s character and surprisingly really liked Alfie. I will definitely be reading book 2.

Also I absolutely love all of the detailed drawings at the beginning of each chapter!

I adore reading dark academia books, so this title was perfect. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. The storytelling is top-notch, and I was hooked from the start. It's a creative story full of intriguing characters. Worth a look!

I loved the dark gothic school setting. It has a touch of magic. We are following Alex. She is being forced to attend Altair University. When she arrives, she instantly realizes she is going to be miserable. She is instantly bullied by the guys of the Legacy family. She comes to realize that they hate her because of her father's past. A past she never knew of. Alex learns the hard way not to trust anyone at the school. I loved the Alfie character. His magic tricks had me laughing. Poor guy, haha. The ending of the story was the beginning of the games. I can not wait to read Book 2, to see what happens after that cliffhanger!