Grave Digger Academy II (Grave Digger Academy Book 2) by C.A. King – Review by Ayla Phipps

Grave Digger Academy II by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having read Grave Digger Academy 1, I couldn’t wait to continue Makayla’s story in this book. The author continues not only to build the world but the characters, learning more about how they think, learning how to find their own hints. We start off with Makayla heading to day one of year two at the academy. Only this year is the year of the Inter-Academy Games, winning could give Grave Digger Academy (GDA) some of its prestige back, but losing could lead to the doors being closed for good. Once again, she doesn’t have a slip that tells her where to go to find the portal to her school, so she returns to the library, the place she found it in year one.

Having found a second portal in the library she is surprised to find out from the Headmistress that the year two portal is in the gym and shouldn’t have been able to return through the same place as last year. Confused Makayla and two of her classmates arrive at the school confused about being summoned a week early, during year one orientation week. Quickly it is apparent on why they have returned early; the Headmistress has signed Makayla and her classmates up as the team for GDA in the games. With one major catch, agreeing Makayla would be allowed to visit the town, and hang out with her friends as she pleases, disagreeing would result in the school being locked down with guards and new instructors turning GDA into a prison. Seeing no choice in the decision Makayla and her classmates agree and begin year two. Professor Snailime is a year two instructor; his class is intended to teach the students how to nurture and strengthen their bond with their “helpers” they found in book one. When Makayla states that she has two helpers and that they are a dragon and a gargoyle Snailime refuses to believe her, forcing her class to do the “camping” trip once more with Miss Tallen. Returning Makayla has a third helper considered more dangerous by her professor than her previous two. Being sent to the Headmistress once more she is allowed to keep him but must collaborate with a magical world beast expert once she has learned more about the species of imp she has as a helper. Finally getting a day pass into the town Makayla has one goal to find a jewelry store and try and learn more about her pendant. If only she ever had luck on her side, reaching the town she suddenly finds herself face to face with two of her older brothers Caz and Tye, along with Caz’s nemesis Nami. The three teenage boys are arguing about who will be the one to take out Makayla in the tournament. Frankie makes the biggest point, the Grave Digger Academy team needs Makayla and more importantly they need her helpers, they could be the biggest factor in the games.

Just when you think you know what is going to happen next it catches you off guard and surprises you. Will Makayla and the GDA team surprise everyone as the underdogs, or will the doors close forever? I feel like I know these characters and am constantly routing for them to come out on top. Makayla’s ancestry is against her, everything is trying to lead her one way while she rejects it and sees the good in all things. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Grave Digger Academy 3, and discover what secrets are still hiding in the shadow.

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