Writing	★★
Character	★★★
World Building	★★
Plot	★★★

Stovall bravely goes to the magical academy where many have gone before, and while this is somewhere many have ventured, few have done so as successfully. 

Academy Arcanist greatest achievement is its unique magic system based deeply on mythology. But rather than the inspiration coming from stories of myths and heroes, Stovall creates a system that lets magical creatures shine. There are various creatures depicted in this story, some that we are all well versed in and others that are more niche but nevertheless interesting. If you are a fan of mythical and mystical creatures, it’s easy to find something you enjoy. 

This book is a fast read, and a big part of this is Stovall does a very good job of making the reader ask “What’s next?” And as soon as your question is answered another arises. The questions arise in a natural manner, not feeling forced and are often based on your relationship with the characters. 

For the most part, while the story is ultimately plot-driven, the characters play a significant role in enjoyment as there is a lot to be discovered about them. The main character Gray is interesting primarily for his unique bonded creature, but his overall role in the story. That said there are times when the character feels inconsistent and some motivations feel not entirely natural. This doesn’t deter too much from the reading experience, as it is not as strong as the reader’s interest in what is going to unfold. Additionally, this may be more of a qualm for older readers. 

Astra Academy is familiar in a way that makes it comfortable but a little flat. It often feels cut from the same cloth as Hogwarts, which while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing but somewhat disappointing. But knowing this is a much smaller series in a much larger universe, Academy Arcanist is a good opener for what seems to be an epic universe. In addition, it makes it a good introduction to independent fantasy and a good alternative to other aforementioned magical academy stories.

Being the first story from Stovall that I’ve read, in interested exploring their Arcanist universe further. Academy Arcanist is a great starting off point for a series deserving of so much more. It easily rivals novels published by traditional house publishers, reminding us that powerful series can come from anywhere.