Ava Baldwin has always tried to keep her temper in check, just like her mother taught her. But when a know-it-all classmate won’t stop talking over her, Ava finally explodes — and her classmate Owen freezes completely, totally unresponsive. Owen eventually recovers, but the incident changes everything for Ava.
A Mysterious School in Venice
Ava’s parents whisk her away to the Accademia del Forte, her mother’s mysterious alma mater — a magical boarding school in Venice, Italy. Katherine Marsh builds an atmospheric, myth-steeped world where nothing at the Accademia is quite what it seems, and Ava quickly realizes there’s far more to her outburst — and to herself — than she understood.
Uncovering a Dangerous Secret
When Ava’s new friend Fia is nearly expelled for challenging a teacher, Ava starts to suspect the school is hiding something dangerous. Determined to find the truth, Ava and her friends dig into ancient mythology and the Accademia’s real purpose — an adventure that could change how they see history, mythology, and themselves forever, or put their lives at risk.
Perfect For
6th through 8th grade readers who love mythology, magical school settings, and stories about learning to understand — rather than suppress — strong emotions. A great pick for fans of contemporary myth retellings.