Assassins' Academy

The Book of Bawb 1

By: Scott Baron

Narrated by: Eric Bryan Moore

Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Even the greatest assassin in the galaxy had to start somewhere.

Life as an orphan was quiet, if not exciting, but that existence was turned upside-down in a life-changing instant. Abruptly snatched up and whisked away light years from home, young Bawb found himself thrust into an entirely new life. One that would see his days filled with brutal training of both mind and body, and where failure could have extreme consequences. It would be a difficult existence of sweat, pain, and struggle, where injury and even death were on the line.

Unbelievable as it seemed, this was his destiny.

Bawb was not just any boy. He was a Wampeh, and among them one of the rarest of his kind, possessing hidden abilities that could lead to his meteoric ascent into the ranks of the Wampeh Ghalian… or could just as easily result in his early demise. The struggle would take years of hard work, but if he overcame all odds and survived the ordeal, he could then count himself among the most elite in the galaxy.

But first there would be training, facing challenges the likes of which his young mind could not yet fathom as he embarked on the long and twisting road leading him to evolve into the great warrior he was destined to be.

Author Note: This series follows the origins and adventures of Bawb, a fan favorite character from the Bad Luck Charlie books (the Dragon Mage series). This series contains no spoilers for the Charlie series. You do not need to have listen to the Charlie books first.

Also related to this series is the Space Assassins series, which takes place directly before these books. The Space Assassins series is closely related and many characters from that series also appear in these books. Note that there are some spoilers if you have not listened to the Space Assassins series first, but none that I feel will ruin that series.

©2024 Scott Baron (P)2024 Scott Baron

It’s not what I expected for better or for worst

The performance is excellent, very well, and doesn’t have actual notes.

The story is much better than his other space assistants' books, but their passing for the book is slow, especially starting with our main character as a master deep into a mission. The litrpg elements fall flat and feel out of place. Also, the AI assists was meant to be some comic relief, but it feels like an afterthought bundled with this litrpg element. I finished the book, but I don’t have much drive to listen to the others.

Great Start

Performance was strong by a narrator I was not familiar with. The plot was laid out pretty well, followed some good points for the "school arc" and with enough originality to keep it interesting. Overall well done. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Got to love Bawb

Having first meet Bawb in the Dragon Mage Series I couldn't wait to see the early life of my favorite character. This story did not disappoint. It is written so you don't need to know anything about previous books that take place in the universe. I can't wait for the next book.

Bawb is my favorite!

The characters were all great! Bawb is awesome. I really liked the pacing and the character development.

Best backstory I've listened to in a long time!

This is another great addition to the universe that brought us The Dragon Mage and the Clockwork Chimera series. Scott Baron brings us the story of how Bawb became the Gheist, and such a story! Mr. Baron brings his clever wit to this new story - I was laughing when Bawb was unable to!

The narrator does a superb job with the myriad of voices needed for this story. His timing is flawless! I am looking forward to hearing from him again.

Read/listen to this book! I could not put it down!

Surprising Gem

This was just an entertaining story that had great world building without feeling like I was lost in details.

Hidden Gem!

An excellent entry point to Scott's "Dragon Mage" Universe. His writing has greatly over the course of over 20 books and it can clearly be seen here. I highly recommend giving it a listen, The book uses an incredible narrator to tell the story.

continuity across titles is outstanding

if you ever wanted to dive into a series of books where the universe spans 20 some odd books with stories and characters that are brought to life in such an outstanding way that you just can't put the book down (or hit pause) this series is for you. this book was spectacular and I will most definitely be listening to it again

Scott Baron outdoes himself

Space Assassins was an absolute bop of a series, one that I listened to twice in quick succession because once wasn't enough. This is the perfect sequel to that series, and I look forward to more adventures of Bawb and visits from the old gang.



For those that have read Space Assassins: Bawb is who you think he is. It does not disappoint seeing interactions between him and Hozark. I love it so damn much.

A Stellar Origin Story

From the moment I hit play on Assassins’ Academy I was hooked. This audiobook, a fantastic addition to Baron’s expansive universe, offers a gripping and sometimes humorous dive into the origins of Bawb, a beloved character from the Bad Luck Charlie series. As someone who’s devoured nearly 20 books in this intricate multiverse, I can confidently say that Assassins’ Academy is a standout but also fits in perfectly with the rest of the stories.

Baron’s ability to flesh out his world continually amazes me. Just when I thought I knew everything about this universe, Assassins’ Academy reveals the rich history of the Wampeh and Bawb’s early struggles. The story takes Bawb from a quiet orphan to a trainee in a brutal academy where failure could mean death. The narrative blends intense training sequences with moments of unexpected humor, a signature of Baron’s style that I’ve come to love. His knack for balancing seriousness and comedy is masterful, making the storyline both engaging and heartwarming.

Eric Bryan Moore’s narration is a perfect match for Baron’s writing. It’s evident that Moore is deeply in sync with Baron’s vision, bringing the characters to life with an authenticity that feels like he’s reading straight from Baron’s mind. Their collaboration feels like an old married couple who know each other’s strengths and play to them effortlessly. Moore’s performance in Assassins’ Academy enhances the already vibrant story, making it an unmissable listen for any fan of the series.

Overall, Assassins’ Academy is a thrilling, humorous, and deeply engaging start to Bawb’s journey. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Scott Baron’s universe or a newcomer, this audiobook offers a delightful mix of action, character development, and perfectly timed humor. It’s a testament to Baron’s storytelling prowess and Moore’s exceptional narration. Dive into this audiobook, and you won’t be disappointed!

Oh and can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is? Wooooo!