I recently delved into the captivating world of "Immortal Consequences," the first book in the Souls of Blackwood Academy Series by I.V. Marie, and it certainly piqued my interest as a fan of dark academia and fantasy. The premise was hard to resist: six rivals competing in a deadly contest at a boarding school located in purgatory, where the only escape is through graduation. Moreover, the beautifully designed hardcover edition—complete with flower-patterned sprayed edges—caught my eye even before I opened the book.
From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the atmospheric setting of Blackwood Academy. The author’s ability to craft a captivating world filled with magic and supernatural elements was commendable. The characters, especially the duality of August and Wren as academic archrivals whose relationship skates the line between obsession and hate, were intriguing. I found myself wanting to uncover the depths of their pasts and how they interlinked with the fate of their peers.
As I journeyed through the book, I was particularly impressed by the action scenes. Cynthia expressed in her review how the twists and turns kept her entertained, and I couldn’t agree more. The pacing of the challenges faced by the students made for exhilarating reading, propelling me forward, page after page. Marie’s writing style was clear and engaging; I had no trouble following the multiple points of view, which added layers to the story rather than confusing it.
However, while the multi-POV approach worked well in parts, it did lead to some drawbacks overall. One of the most significant criticisms I encountered, echoed by other readers, was that the sheer number of perspectives—six, to be exact—meant that none of the characters received the full depth of development they deserved. As one Amazon reviewer noted, their complicated relationships sometimes felt overwhelmingly ambitious, leaving certain vital emotional arcs underexplored. It could also cause the pacing to drag at moments, with events being retold from different angles, leading to redundancy.
Another drawback was the romance subplot, which felt somewhat rushed given the multitude of characters. While I appreciated the tension between August and Wren, the emotional progression seemed jarring at times, echoing what the reviewer pointed out about wanting more space to develop those feelings.
Despite these shortcomings, the book still succeeded in creating an enthralling atmosphere, largely due to the rich world-building and well-crafted magical elements. Melissa pointed out how the story felt reminiscent of both Harry Potter and Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, which resonated with me. I can genuinely say that this book would be a delightful read for anyone who enjoys gothic and magical themes.
Overall, "Immortal Consequences" was a strong start to the series, deserving of its hint of a New York Times Bestseller status and a spot in the Good Morning America YA Book Club. For fans of dark academia and magic, it offers a thrilling ride through trials, rivalries, and the ever-looming threats of purgatory. It may not be perfect, but the beautiful prose, intricate world, and captivating premise certainly made it a worthwhile read for me.
I feel confident in recommending this book to fans of YA fantasy and those intrigued by darkly enchanted settings. I look forward to the next installment and hope for more depth and character exploration as the series develops! This one earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars in my reading journey.