Celestial Academy: Essence

Afterworld, Book 1

By: Olivia Pharos

Narrated by: Amanda Leigh Cobb

Length: 14 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

In an Afterworld with Hell and Heaven on Earth, I'm the lowest a being can be. My life is one of drudgery, degradation—and danger. And that's before I started dealing Angelescence, a drug only I can produce, and everyone would kill for. Then I make one single mistake, and it gets me arrested, and my terrifying captor drags me to the Celestial Court—on a leash—to stand trial. My sentence?

Conscription to Celestial Academy—with Godric, the most powerful nephilim in history and Heaven's assassin as my mentor. He's been assigned with discovering the root of my unprecedented ability to capture Angel Essence.

We hate our forced proximity—and each other. But our private war takes a backseat as he unearths even more terrible mysteries within me. Meanwhile, lethal trials loom at mid-term, and a devastating internal war as well as another Apocalypse are brewing. And I'm at the center of it all.

©2022 Olivia Pharos (P)2024 Olivia Pharos

THE BEST new fantasy series & my OBSESSION!

I now have this book in EVERY format. I first read it on NetGalley, then went on to buy the ebook, the paperback, the hardcover and now the audiobook. It's simply a MASTERPIECE!

Here's the review I wrote for it, but ever since I wrote it, I think it deserves even more accolades, and I can't understand HOW it's not a mega bestseller. I mean, HOW? WHY aren't everyone reading and listening to this? It's way better than all those mega hyped books out there, by FAR!

What did I just read? This whirlwind of amazing?

First, I can't believe this is a debut! I can't wait until Pharos has a few books under her belt! She'll be an unstoppable force of nature. This series opener is THE strongest I've read in years, and that includes from all the major names! She has a way of starting and ending chapters that FORCE you to read on, and disregard anything else, like necessities and life itself. And that ENDING! I'm in agony here, waiting for the next book.

I won't go into details since many reviewers already did, but this is hands down the best enemies-to-lovers romance I've ever read, and Wen and Godawful (LOL...I love Wen's constant names and insults to this paragon, my new book boyfriend, who even pushed aside Orion and Rhys!) are the new power couple and I can't wait to be there when their complex relationship ignites, and tangles even more.

The world building is amazing, and through the descriptions, I felt I was there. It was like watching a blockbuster movie or series. If those TV networks know what's good for them, one should snatch the rights to this blockbuster up, while they still can.

I can't wait for more, and Pharos has got me as a devoted fan for life.

If you love a unique blend of dystopian and contemporary fantasy, immersive world building, unique characters, laugh out loud wit, agonizing slow burn romance, just do yourself a favor and read this...NOW!

Fourth wing meets zodiac academy meets pure amazingness??!!

Good gracious where do I even start? How about THIS BOOK IS PERFECT?! 😫😫 the narrator did a perfect job of capturing Wen’s sass! This book had me hooked within the first ten seconds, I swear. Some things I think you all would absolutely love about this book too: slow burn (but not like annoyingly slow!), morally grey characters (which are the freaking best!), powerLESS to powerFUL (cause we love a good plot twist!!), banter and great friendships, angels, demons, the SASS! There’s soo much about this book that I absolutely adored and I finished the entire audiobook embarrassingly fast. I had never even heard of this book, I know it hasn’t been out TOO long but it is INSANELY slept on! So. Freaking. Good!!
I took a chance on this one truthfully not knowing what to expect and I’m so glad I did because it’s amazing. Reading this is the perfect “reading slump” breaker too. Because it is dang near impossible to put down once you start. 100000% going to order the physical copy to add to my shelf. I loved it that much.
If anyone is reading this and is unsure, let me beg of you: PLEASE go read this. I can nearly guarantee you will love it. I promise.
Amazing amazing amazing amazing.

It’s giving everything!

Celestial Academy gives big Bryce and Hunt vibes with a mix of Basgiath War College and all I can say is YES! I can’t wait to read the next two books in the series and I hope I don't have to wait too long for the next audiobook!

Wen, a demon-owned human, and angel essence dealer, is captured and brought into Celestial Academy by Godric, sorry, God-Awful, when he realizes she has powers that could help end the war. The banter, the enemies to besties, enemies to lovers, the relationships with the supporting characters, *chefs kiss*. I would love to see this made into a movie! I’d absolutely be there with my popcorn, candy and pop at the midnight release!

Also, as a warning, if you're listening to the audiobook, def recommend pausing BEFORE you start your coffee order at the drive through. LMAO.

Thank you, NetGalley and Olivia Pharos for providing me with an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Everything you want in a series starter, and more.

I'm not normally an audiobook person. (They just don't hold my attention like an actual book does.) But getting to hear a book I've read multiple times, in a character's voice, is amazing. I read a lot, and this book... is my current Roman Empire. I've read Zodiac Academy series, 4th wing and Iron flame, all 5 books of ACOTAR, and TOG, (thats just in the last 6 months) and this book is on par with all of those and it may actually be better.

The narrator hits all the sarcastic whitty marks.
You want slow burn? I got a singular snippet and I almost died.
You want world building? You don't get 1, you get multiverses.
You want drama, mystery, intrigue... you may not be able to handle this many twists.
It's dark academia, enemies to lovers, hidden powers, mystery, intrigue.... What trope are you into? This book has it!

You want bad ass women, sexy ass men, angels, demons, every kind of creature out there? Pffft. This had more than youre ready for.

The imagery this author presents is crazy. The way she writes makes me literally laugh out loud. It is uncanny that I want not just to be Wen, but Sarah, and every member of the UNITAS. I need to know more about every single character, their marks, their powers....

What's the worst part?
Nothing. Null is out and I devoured it like I was starving. I'm so excited for Vortex to come out!!!!! Hurry up and feed my addiction Pharos!!!!!

Loved

My favorite books combined into one, but still being captivating and unique in its own right.

Funny with great banter

This book is hilarious and the story is amazing. The banter is chefs kiss. The awesome narration made it even better.

Fantastic Read!!!

This book masterfully weaves together found family, forced proximity, hidden heritage, and celestial beings in a way that made it impossible to put down. From the moment I entered Wen's world, I was captivated by her fierce determination to survive for her best friend and sister-at-heart, Sarah. Wen's relentless drive to secure their future—whether by producing a rare drug only she can make or risking everything to sell it—kept me glued to the page. Her sass, wit, fear when she's captured, and disbelief at her sentence set the stage for an enthralling story. Add in a brooding protector tasked with uncovering her secrets, and you've got the perfect recipe for a truly addictive read!

I was hooked from start to finish and can't wait to dive into book 2—and eagerly anticipate book 3!

Amazing audiobook and story

I loved this audiobook; it was a quick audiobook that left me wanting more! The main character, Wen, is a demon-owned human in a world where angels and demons are the top of the food pyramid, and humans are the dirt beneath their feet. In order to survive, Wen is an essence dealer which ends up getting her caught by Godric and conscripted into Celestial Academy. Banter ensues, there is some vomiting, and the reader is taken on an epic journey. All in all, it's a fun story that I think everyone should read.

amazing!

This very much had Crescent City meets Fourth Wing vibes and I was here for it! Lots of snark and intrigue and drama. I NEED to know what happens next!

Fantastic post apocalyptic fantasy!

Wen's story is unlike anything else I've read! She is sassy and brave and i feel in love with her immediately. I loved seeing her story unfold and watching her grow! Olivia keeps you guessing at every turn, and I'm usually pretty good at figuring out major plot points. This book has a great slow burn, a strong female lead, a broody winged morally grey mmc and a funny best friend. What more could we ask for?!