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Neverthorn

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Could a secret in her past be so dark it will reveal she’s not the hero the world needs—but the next villain?

Welcome to Neverthorn Academy.

Where a bunch of magical school misfits are about to save the world.

Or, more likely, die trying . . .

Since dropping out of Neverthorn Academy, after the death of her mother, Harlow Dragon has been working as an enchanted-jewel thief.
The last thing she expects is for the school to make an offer she can’t refuse: come back to Neverthorn and join seven others with secret magical abilities in House Phoenix. There, they’ll be trained in potions, rune casting and combat.

Because Nocta – a powerful dark wizard who has been plaguing the magical realm for decades – has the mortal world in his sights, and the students of House Phoenix are all that stand in his way.

But Harlow failed at Neverthorn once before. And nothing reminds her of this more than tall, brooding Typhon – Harlow’s old classmate and nemesis – who is now the professor tasked with unlocking her own, special power.

Except Harlow is sure that Typhon and the other professors are hiding a dark secret.

One she must figure out before Nocta arrives to bring about the end of the world . . .

© Shannon Mayer 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Action & Adventure Dark Fantasy Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy Magic Wizardry Student Fiction Magic Users

Critic reviews

If you like your heroes messy, your professors brooding, and your fantasies dark, Neverthorn is for you. Prepare to fall. Hard. Like, it’s gonna hurt.
This is a super fun, action-packed magical Academy adventure— perfect for readers of books like Fourth Wing and Zodiac Academy, but who want a main character who is a little bit older, seasoned, and absolutely hilarious!
Neverthorn is for the women who’ve lived, bled, and clawed their way to survive. Dark academia gets a savage, spellbinding twist—and Harlow Daygon is the chaotic queen we didn’t know we needed.
Full of secrets, second chances and slow-burn romance, Mayer’s dark academia romantasy sets the scene for what promises to be a spellbinding fantasy trilogy
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed this story. I deducted a star firstly for the age of the main character as I felt like she would have been better as a 21 year old rather than nearly 30. Secondly the expletive binding curse was slightly irritating and I would have liked a lot more background details about the different rune abilities. The main voice actor was great and it was nice to have 2 voice actors for the male and female characters. The cliffhanger ending was surprisingly good.

Enjoyable and different magical school

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I loved all the characters and the humour that comes through the writing is well presented. Lots of twists and turns. Can’t wait for the next instalment

Couldn’t put it down

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