Léonidas Nightshade And The Amethyst School For Spellcasters by Dion Marc

"....you are perfect. There is nothing wrong with you, nothing." Léonidas Nightshade And The Amethyst School For Spellcasters.

From the blurb:

A chance encounter with the horned god of the forest leaves its mark on Léonidas Nightshade in more

ways than one. Within days Léonidas is torn from his normal rural home and plunged into a new world of magic where he’s forced to come to terms with the truth about his parents and about himself. Half-spellcaster, half-fae royalty, he’s sent to hone his magical craft at the Amethyst School for Spellcasters. But being god-touched makes Léonidas stand out amongst his peers from his very first day, but not in the way he had hoped. What promised to be a chance to learn the magical arts becomes a battle for self-acceptance.

With the help of new-found friends Tamara, Coco and Aamin, Léonidas begins to find himself but is puzzled by the brooding gaze of Atticus Valor, Prince of the Vaewolves – is it love or hate in his eyes? Can Léonidas eventually find the space at the Amethyst School to grow into his magical powers or will the dark forces that covet them conspire against him? And as the predators close in, will he have enough strength to fight them?

Léonidas Nightshade and the Amethyst School for Spellcasters is the first book in a new LGBT YA Dark fantasy series by Dion Marc. Magical realms, queer male leads and high fantasy combine to form the detailed world-building that Marc’s fans have come to expect. Fast-paced action, the turmoil of coming-of-age, and the age-old struggle between good and evil make for an unputdownable story that is set in the 1950’s. Join Léonidas in his epic battle to fight those who would crush not only his body but his spirit as well.

Miki J's Review:

Let's address the elephant - yes, poor orphan boy goes to magical school, makes new friends... maybe... and there's a baddie.  

Okay - now, THIS story is beautifully written - totally gripping and enthralling, I couldn't put the book down. I loved the world building, how it's based in the 1950's (brilliant!!!) and how old mythology is incorporated into the storyline.  

The story has hidden depths, despair and darker themes (TW's!!!!) which gave it a realistic and rawness in the telling. But there are those moments of hope and joy, happiness and new friends/found family.  And I enjoying the fact that we'll be "growing" alongside the characters and getting to know them as they experience life - friendships and relationships (poor Leon .... discovering those feelings during the race... whoopsie... ). Very much looking forward to book 2!! 

Rating: 5 Stars

Léonidas Nightshade And The Amethyst School For Spellcasters is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.