Within the Walls YA, Young Adult Teen 12-18,
Independent
July 27, 2023
Kindle
237
Amazon
Twins Maria and Mario Price are the most ordinary kids in Cinzel Academy. Unappreciated and unpopular, they deem themselves small and insignificant. However, when they witness a paranormal occurrence one night after being locked in the auditorium by accident, they begin to question whether the teachers in their school are in fact human. Another miracle they behold strengthens their belief that Cinzel Academy may be more than just a typical boarding school. A confrontation with one of their teachers leads to the discovery of more secrets and mysteries. Soon, Maria and Mario realize they may be destined for greater things—for within the walls of their school, not everything is as it seems.
Review By S.C. Principale
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
What is happening within the walls of Cinzel Academy? Well, twins Mario and Maria, the unpopular targets of bullies at the school, find out there is much more to this ordinary boarding school than meets the eye. Especially as it transpires that the teachers might not be human!
When Mario and Maria Price first attend Cinzel Academy, they know something is wrong, but they assume it is them. They seem to be targets for bullies. I will say that reading this as someone who had been bullied was particularly traumatizing, especially the scene when one particularly nasty bully, James Jones, tries to get Mario’s pants off. I was completely creeped out by the aura of evil and gang violence coming off some of the bullying scenes, so make sure this wouldn’t trigger you.
But one teacher, the English teacher, Liz, seems to be very protective of the Price children—and soon they discover that she is a witch who guards the school. Mario begins to wonder if there is something in the school worth guarding from evil, but Maria is quick to dismiss the idea, claiming that they’re non-magical folks and this isn’t Hogwarts. Even if there were evil forces in the world, they wouldn’t have any interest in the students at Cinzel.
When Mario and Maria hear Liz and Mrs. Vasquez (who turns out to be a witch, as well) talking, they learn that the teachers are protecting the building and keeping watch at night. The twins decide to ask Liz, whom they trust, but without trying to sound like they know something is up. The banter between Mario and Maria is sweet and realistic. You can tell they are close, but still siblings who pick on one another in a harmless way. But when bullied or in trouble, they have each other’s backs. The heartwarming relationship between these two is the best part of the book. Another highlight is all the wonderful English nerd bits as Liz weaves English language lessons into so much of her dialogue in a natural way.
It transpires that the teachers are all wizards and witches from another world called Ignotus. They have come to Earth and this school for the purpose of protecting the gateway to this magic world, located in the school itself. Another dark witch, Madam Python, wants to infiltrate the school and teach the mortals magic—but teaching is her term for corrupting their minds and controlling them with magic until they are power-hungry creatures who kill humanity. Then they too will be disposed of.
Now that Mario and Maria know the nature of the school and history of Ignotus, they want to help protect the passage from Madam Python. To do this, Liz will take them on as apprentices. At this point, we can see the temptation to use magic against the bullies, but Liz helps them pursue righteousness. She tries to get them into the Coven of Justice with the approval of the other teachers after the kids also see how truly evil Madam Python is through Liz’s magic mirror that shows the actions of the evil witch from a distance.
But Mr. Collins, the principal and head of the coven, declares Liz has broken the rules and must be banished from the coven, although she is allowed to remain on as a teacher. Mario and Maria aren’t accepted as members.
Outcasts together, Liz and the kids become closer, like a family. Lee drops some nods to Matilda and the relationship between Miss Honey and the unusual little outcast pupil. Even Mr. Collins begins to soften over time. One thing that isn’t addressed to my satisfaction is the bullying. It seems like the kids are happier and facing less torment but are still getting bullied by others to some extent. They no longer care thanks to the great secret they share with the teachers and because they’re more confident now. It feels like Lee wanted to create a Harry Potter-Lite with this story, which is fine and fans will enjoy it, but I would like to see bullying dealt with and the bullies removed from the environment.
Madam Python’s soldiers, appropriately called Pythons, find a way to enter the school when Liz is away. The children save Mr. Collin’s life as they battle Python-Skeletons. He sees their value and that the good wizards and witches need allies. Finally, he welcomes Mario, Maria, and Liz back into the fold. But Madam Python isn’t done.
At this point, the story feels a bit rushed and underdone. Madam Python is not a fully-developed character and there is so much room for growth there. There is a predictable final battle where we’re left wondering if the beautiful but evil and insane witch-slash-necromancer-cultish leader is truly dead or alive and in hiding. The school is saved—for now. Evil is in check—for now. Mario and Maria head home for the summer holidays and readers are left wondering if there will be a sequel. I definitely hope there will be! I would read it!
This book is a lovely, short YA magical academy, “good vs. evil” novella. I enjoyed it and I love Hermoine Lee’s charming and light style. While there are things to polish and tighten, I bet the sequel will deliver! (And I hope there is one!)
Y/A & N/A
