Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy #1)

Marie’s sprawling dark academia fantasy finds six students attending a school in purgatory and competing in high-stakes trials for a shot at a better afterlife. While learning to harness their magical abilities, Blackwood Academy students await grim fates: unless they’re nominated to compete in the Decennial Festival, they’ll eventually forget their human lives and spend eternity reaping souls in the ether of purgatory. The nominee can choose to join the academy’s magical elite or cross over to the Other Side. But when dangerous forces rise up in the ether, Blackwood transforms this year’s festival into a tournament designed to name an order-restoring leader. Contenders include seraphic Wren and her handsome nemesis Augustine; studious Emilio and his crush Olivier; and combative Irene and her grieving bestie Masika. Each member of the large, ambitious cast has much to prove and everything to lose—but when the game’s rules change, will their loyalties follow suit? Uneven pacing deflates splashy reveals; despite somewhat lackluster worldbuilding, though, riveting action and smart banter will drive readers to the next installment of this series launching debut. Ages 14–up. Agent: Gwen Beale, United Talent. (July)