Mirror

Larkspur Academy, Book 1

By: Molly Lavenza

Narrated by: Carolyn Kashner

For fans of Michelle Madow and Sarra Cannon.

I’m not an orphan; I just feel like one.

When my father dropped me off at Larkspur Academy with nothing more than my backpack, I didn’t know what to expect.

Definitely not:

A mean girl who looks exactly like me.

A forbidden library full of mysterious books.

Or...

A paranormal mystery I didn’t ask for and can’t possibly solve on my own.

Why me? Why now?

Will the answers help me reign in an escaped power that threatens my classmates, my family, and possibly, the world?

Book-smart and curious Mina Parker loves homeschool life, along with lessons shared by her neighbor and only friend, Kane. The day after her 16th birthday, however, her idyllic days come to an end when her widowed father insists she attend Larkspur Academy, an elite boarding school on the very edge of their small town.

Unceremoniously dropped off at Larkspur’s front door, Mina finds herself at the mercy of the academy’s headmaster, her Uncle Reed. She’s never met him or his daughter, Sunny, who introduces herself by locking Mina alone in the girls’ restroom, even as Mina realizes that her cousin is the very mirror image of herself.

But life at Larkspur shifts from miserable to magical when Mina discovers a secret in the secret school library, one that makes her question her identity, her knowledge, and most of all, her inner strength. Can she she face the challenge, even if it means reaching out to her classmates for help, or will she leave a powerful mystery unsolved, exposing everyone at Larkspur, the town, and beyond to unimaginable danger?

Nancy Drew meets Cardcaptor Sakura in this new magical mystery adventure from the teen author of the Arda Academy and The Changeling Covenant trilogies.

©2021 Molly Lavenza (P)2022 Molly Lavenza

Not really for me

Story is just okay and very slow. This is not for me. Carolyn did an excellent job at narrating

Love Academy Series!!

This is another academy series but I feel it’s a bit different from the ones I normally read full of magic and shifters. This one is about spellbinding.

It’s detailed enough to keep you interested but subtle enough to keep you guessing. I wish the book was a bit longer as it stops kind of abruptly, but I feel this is also a sign of a good novel. It keeps you wanting more.

Will definitely read book two as I have to figure out the connection between Gavin and Meena.

magic & mystery

Mina has quite a first day at Larkspur Academy. Talk about culture shock. Loved how this book started and how it drew me in immediately. Secrets, magic, family, friends and mystery are just a few things that await Mina. I listened to this book on audible and really enjoyed how the narrator switched voices for the characters.

good story

I received a complimentary audio book of Mirror in exchange for an honest review.

I had very high hopes for this book, but was bit let down by it in actuality. I found that the story was decent, but repetitive. I found myself getting annoyed by the repeated phrases and/or situations.
It ends with a doozy of a line, which makes me curious about the sequel.
As far a experience with the audiobook, I struggled with the narrator. She read the book extremely slowly, almost like she was reading to a toddler. I changed the settings to 1.45 speed and the speed was better but she sounded a little like a chipmunk and the pausing was odd.

Interesting premise

This story was fast paced and interesting, and I feel like the world has a lot of potential. I wish the characters had been more fleshed out, and the plot less rushed. The book ends rather abruptly, and while I understand having cliff hangers to keep readers wanting more, it felt like nothing was explained or resolved in this book.

Very detailed introspective look into someone that

is clueless as to her magical abilities. There are so many eating references you probably shouldn't listen if you are dieting. Maybe book two gets a head of steam?
Narrator does an excellent job.

Completely Intrigued

Mina is unceremoniously dropped off at a private school by her father with not so much as an explanation and little in the way of goodbye. Soon she realizes that she won’t be leaving for vacation and that communication with her father is nearly impossible. She also finds out that her uncle, who she never knew existed, is the headmaster. Somehow, she has an uncle and a cousin who both seem to have it out for her.
This first installment of the Larksbur Academy series has me completely engaged. Lavenza’s characters are well written; dripping in mystery and intrigue.
Kashner does an amazing job of giving voice to the mystery and youth portrayed in this story.

Great Beginning of a New Series

Mira is an unusual teenager that is partly raised by a mostly absentee father. The story starts off with Mira being dumped at Larkspur Academy and immediately bullied by her cousin, Sunny. Enter Gavin comes to her rescue and so thus begins their friendship. Kane, her best friend, comes to the academy to help her and is drawn into the adventures. Read on so see how Mira copes with living at Larkspur.

Mysterious story

This story is so mysterious. I have so many questions, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Mina is thrown into a new magical world, while her real life turns into a mystery.

This story definitely keeps you on your toes, and leaves you with a giant cliffhanger that will make you ready to dive into the next book.

Great start to an intriguing story!

Loved this first look into Mina's tale. This book dropped just enough juicy tidbits that I can't wait to find out where the story leads. A great start to a new magical universe.