Shannon Mayer

neverthorn

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Neverthorn

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.

New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones

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!

C. N. Crawford, author of The Hallowed Games duology

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.

K. F. Breene, USA Today bestselling author of the Shadowspell Academy series

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

From the World of Percy Jackson: The Wild Zone

We Chase Shadows

You, Me & ADHD

We Are Not Machines

Harlow is a 29-year-old wizarding school dropout who is blackmailed into returning to Neverthorn Academy to help defend against the dark wizard Nocta.So now she's stuck retaking all the classes she didn't pass the first time and being mentored by the annoyingly sexy Professor Typhon.But Typhon and the other professors are hiding a secret and Harlow needs to figure out what it is and fast.Because Nocta is coming for Neverthorn and Harlow might be the only one who can stop him.Otherwise the world as she knows it will be destroyed forever

Enrol at Neverthorn and immerse yourself in this spellbinding fantasy, perfect for fans of the Zodiac Academy and Fourth Wing series . . . 
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 
‘This is going to be YOUR NEXT obsession’ 5* Reader Review 
‘Neverthorn was my most anticipated read of 2025. It's safe to say that it lived up to my expectations’ 5* Reader Review 
‘There's magic, mystery and murders and OMGGG that ending!’ 5* Reader Review-- 
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 Daygon 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 . . . 
Tropes: 
<ul><li>Enemies to Lovers</li><li>Second Chance</li><li>Chosen One</li><li>Found Family</li><li>Slow Burn</li><li>Forced Proximity</li><li>Older FMC</li><li>Professor x Student</li><li>Secret/Hidden Identity</li></ul> 
-- 
 
Praise for Neverthorn:- 
 
'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' - New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones of the Charley Davidson series 
 
'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!' C. N. Crawford, author of The Hallowed Games duology 
 
'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' K. F. Breene, USA Today bestselling author of the Shadowspell Academy series 
Neverthorn, Sunday Times bestseller, August 2025

Shannon Mayer is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in the southwestern tip of Canada, on a little island with her family and a farm full of animals (mostly horses, but a few other varieties too). Her stories blend action, magic, humor, and romance. She is known for her ability to write in twists that have left more than one book thrown across the room. Her readers will attest to a simple truth: Shannon does not hold back, and once you start reading, get ready for the ride of your life.

Neverthorn

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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

About Shannon Mayer

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