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Academy of Outcasts
A brand new fantasy world from Larry Correia, bestselling author of Monster Hunter International!
All Oz Carnavon ever wanted was to become a master mage.
Except, to do so requires the natural gifts or wealth necessary to secure an appointment to one of the prestigious magical academies in the Core City at the center of the seven realms. Oz had neither.
He was born without magical talent, serving in the elemental plane of fire, a nightmarish hellscape of treacherous lava and vicious monsters, where life is cheap, and escape is rare. But Carnavons never give up.
When Oz fakes his death to get out of his family’s contract and crosses the Nexus gate to sneak into the Core, everything seems to be going according to plan… Until he gets blamed for an assassination attempt on the fire realm’s ambassador.
Now, Oz must become a fugitive in a vast magical city, while trying to earn a place among the magical academies which have nothing but disdain for his kind.
And the clock is ticking, because in one week, the most dangerous wizard in the realm of fire is coming to track him down and drag him back to hell.
Experience this epic new saga from LARRY CORREIA, award-winning author of Monster Hunter International and Saga of the Forgotten Warrior. This progression fantasy epic features a D&D-inspired setting split by portals into elemental realms, slow-growth power progression, magic academies, and unforgettable characters!
All Oz Carnavon ever wanted was to become a master mage.
Except, to do so requires the natural gifts or wealth necessary to secure an appointment to one of the prestigious magical academies in the Core City at the center of the seven realms. Oz had neither.
He was born without magical talent, serving in the elemental plane of fire, a nightmarish hellscape of treacherous lava and vicious monsters, where life is cheap, and escape is rare. But Carnavons never give up.
When Oz fakes his death to get out of his family’s contract and crosses the Nexus gate to sneak into the Core, everything seems to be going according to plan… Until he gets blamed for an assassination attempt on the fire realm’s ambassador.
Now, Oz must become a fugitive in a vast magical city, while trying to earn a place among the magical academies which have nothing but disdain for his kind.
And the clock is ticking, because in one week, the most dangerous wizard in the realm of fire is coming to track him down and drag him back to hell.
Experience this epic new saga from LARRY CORREIA, award-winning author of Monster Hunter International and Saga of the Forgotten Warrior. This progression fantasy epic features a D&D-inspired setting split by portals into elemental realms, slow-growth power progression, magic academies, and unforgettable characters!
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2025
987 people are currently reading
4881 people want to read
About the author
Larry Correia
121 books4,381 followersLarry Correia (born 1977) is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monster Hunter International series, the Grimnoir Chronicles, and the thriller Dead Six.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 29, 2025
Portal fantasy, kind of?
Ozwald is a miner in the deadly fiery world of Fogo. He aims to escape his indentured servitude by becoming a wizard and being accepted into one of the acclaimed academies by the Core - the height of civilisation where gates to all kinds of worlds connect. Despite the fact he is a laughable ranked one self-taught wizard.
Things become more tense when Ozwald’s faked death wasn’t believed and he is being accused of murder and theft on top of that.
First of all, I disagree with the comparisons (which is a major reason I picked this up).
Deadly Education - There is barely any academy setting as Oz keeps getting turned away.
A Darker Shade of Magic - The portal fantasy is more interesting as different worlds represented by different elements (ergo, the different magic types) are connected by gates known as the Nexus. Apart from that, there is no similarity.
I enjoyed the inventiveness of the world. You have many different types of people and creatures. The usual: elves, orcs, gnomes, lizards; but also water dwelling, meat-eating creatures.
I did notice an overuse of exclamation marks for sentences that should be full stops that kept making me backtrack and reread to figure out what I had missed.
At the heart of this is a protagonist who is trying to get by with only his hard work and wits. An idealistic and loyal hero may be overdone, but there is a reason this archetype is so common.
The friendships are heartwarming. Outcasts coming together to stand up for the little guy.
“I think we just formed an illicit underground magical academy. You’re our instructor of earth magic now.”
Krachma snorted at that, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
This is definitely a setting up book and I would be curious to see where it goes.
Physical arc gifted by Aethon books.
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Ozwald is a miner in the deadly fiery world of Fogo. He aims to escape his indentured servitude by becoming a wizard and being accepted into one of the acclaimed academies by the Core - the height of civilisation where gates to all kinds of worlds connect. Despite the fact he is a laughable ranked one self-taught wizard.
Things become more tense when Ozwald’s faked death wasn’t believed and he is being accused of murder and theft on top of that.
First of all, I disagree with the comparisons (which is a major reason I picked this up).
Deadly Education - There is barely any academy setting as Oz keeps getting turned away.
A Darker Shade of Magic - The portal fantasy is more interesting as different worlds represented by different elements (ergo, the different magic types) are connected by gates known as the Nexus. Apart from that, there is no similarity.
I enjoyed the inventiveness of the world. You have many different types of people and creatures. The usual: elves, orcs, gnomes, lizards; but also water dwelling, meat-eating creatures.
I did notice an overuse of exclamation marks for sentences that should be full stops that kept making me backtrack and reread to figure out what I had missed.
At the heart of this is a protagonist who is trying to get by with only his hard work and wits. An idealistic and loyal hero may be overdone, but there is a reason this archetype is so common.
The friendships are heartwarming. Outcasts coming together to stand up for the little guy.
“I think we just formed an illicit underground magical academy. You’re our instructor of earth magic now.”
Krachma snorted at that, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
This is definitely a setting up book and I would be curious to see where it goes.
Physical arc gifted by Aethon books.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
October 7, 2025
Larry Correia is becoming quite the renaissance writer, able to write everything from Epic Fantasy to B-movie horror. This book combines elements of D&D, Sanderson, Progression Fantasy, and Science Fiction worldbuilding and turns it into an entirely entertaining story. I was hooked for the entire book!
First of all, this book blends genres in a fun way. It has a very difinitive magic system that a modern Fantasy would have, but it's worldbuilding regarding the planets and the "core" are very Sci-Fi inspired. Its very much how Sanderson is able to write heavy magic systems and sci-fi worldbuilding. The key difference is that Larry Correia wastes no time in the minutiae and the story has incredibly brisk pacing.
The plot of this book is really engaging, as our intrepid hero tries to escape a life of poverty and servitude and strike it out in the big city, but he faces adversity constantly. This is absolutely not an over-powered character, as he has to work extra hard for what he gets.
We also have a great cast of characters. The main character (Oz Carnavon) is great to follow, but we also follow Trax (who is kind of comedic relief and is absolutely delightful!). Azarin is the female companion with a will-they-won't-they dynamic with Oz. And the antagonists who get in Oz's way were all written competently and I really got frustrated with them. In a good way.
The action is very fast and excellently written as well.
I appreciated how Larry kept the story moving, and when he explored the deeper themes about classism and capitalism, he never really felt preachy or even like he was stopping the story. It felt very organic.
I've seen the book compared to "Guardians of the Galaxy", and if you take out the excessive humor from the Guardians movies, this book absolutely has similar elements to it. It very much is a blend of Mistborn and Guardians of the Galaxy (credit the Reformed Reader for that comparison).
I do have one criticism of the book, but its not actually with the writing at all, but rather with the production of the book. My cover kept changing between font sizes. One chapter might be larger font, another chapter might be incredibly small font. It kept changing back and forth and was distracting and disorienting. I hope Aethon can fix that for subsequent printings.
Overall, I loved this book. I was hooked throughout, thought that it nailed everything it needed to, and I am so excited to read book 2 in May 2026. This really is one of my favorite reads of the year. 9.7 out of 10!
First of all, this book blends genres in a fun way. It has a very difinitive magic system that a modern Fantasy would have, but it's worldbuilding regarding the planets and the "core" are very Sci-Fi inspired. Its very much how Sanderson is able to write heavy magic systems and sci-fi worldbuilding. The key difference is that Larry Correia wastes no time in the minutiae and the story has incredibly brisk pacing.
The plot of this book is really engaging, as our intrepid hero tries to escape a life of poverty and servitude and strike it out in the big city, but he faces adversity constantly. This is absolutely not an over-powered character, as he has to work extra hard for what he gets.
We also have a great cast of characters. The main character (Oz Carnavon) is great to follow, but we also follow Trax (who is kind of comedic relief and is absolutely delightful!). Azarin is the female companion with a will-they-won't-they dynamic with Oz. And the antagonists who get in Oz's way were all written competently and I really got frustrated with them. In a good way.
The action is very fast and excellently written as well.
I appreciated how Larry kept the story moving, and when he explored the deeper themes about classism and capitalism, he never really felt preachy or even like he was stopping the story. It felt very organic.
I've seen the book compared to "Guardians of the Galaxy", and if you take out the excessive humor from the Guardians movies, this book absolutely has similar elements to it. It very much is a blend of Mistborn and Guardians of the Galaxy (credit the Reformed Reader for that comparison).
I do have one criticism of the book, but its not actually with the writing at all, but rather with the production of the book. My cover kept changing between font sizes. One chapter might be larger font, another chapter might be incredibly small font. It kept changing back and forth and was distracting and disorienting. I hope Aethon can fix that for subsequent printings.
Overall, I loved this book. I was hooked throughout, thought that it nailed everything it needed to, and I am so excited to read book 2 in May 2026. This really is one of my favorite reads of the year. 9.7 out of 10!
October 6, 2025
Mistborn meets Guardians of the Galaxy!
This was a roller coaster in narrative form. It was an excellent thrill ride that had twists and turns where I thought I had the story pinned down, then Larry would hit us with another curve that I didn't see coming.
And just like a good thrill ride, this story was FAST. PACED. The first few chapters were that proverbial initial, slow climb, then around chapter 5, you peer over the edge right before you are plummeting into this dynamic story of a motley crew who are thrust into a mystery at breakneck speeds.
The characters are extraordinary. Trax Bloodtrail is genuinely one of my favorite characters of all time. He was absolutely hilarious. Each character felt nuanced and unique enough that the reader would be able to identify who was speaking without any indicators, yet they felt familiar, especially for those who had had that ragtag group of friends.
The setting is boundless. Without going into spoilers, there are portals used in this world that lead to a variety of landscapes that are vastly different from each other. It's almost as if the characters are Larry's favorite toys and he is able to throw them into a new area with new challenges that are both environmental and circumstantial. This is gives Larry an infinite playground for these characters, and I will absolutely be along for the ride!
Finally, the plot isn't something revolutionary, and he leans into some of the tropes that we love, but he was able to spin it in a distinctive way. You have that primary story while you can see the greater plot that is the undercurrent of the series.
For anyone that loves Guardians of the Galaxy, Dungeons & Dragons, Mistborn, or really anyone that has decent tastes at all......you're going to LOVE. THIS. BOOK. This is an EXCELLENT book to get someone hooked on fantasy. A HUGE thank you to @aethonbooks for sending me an ARC and allowing me to dive into this story early. This is my favorite Larry Correia novel that I've read so far and I can't wait for the next one!
This was a roller coaster in narrative form. It was an excellent thrill ride that had twists and turns where I thought I had the story pinned down, then Larry would hit us with another curve that I didn't see coming.
And just like a good thrill ride, this story was FAST. PACED. The first few chapters were that proverbial initial, slow climb, then around chapter 5, you peer over the edge right before you are plummeting into this dynamic story of a motley crew who are thrust into a mystery at breakneck speeds.
The characters are extraordinary. Trax Bloodtrail is genuinely one of my favorite characters of all time. He was absolutely hilarious. Each character felt nuanced and unique enough that the reader would be able to identify who was speaking without any indicators, yet they felt familiar, especially for those who had had that ragtag group of friends.
The setting is boundless. Without going into spoilers, there are portals used in this world that lead to a variety of landscapes that are vastly different from each other. It's almost as if the characters are Larry's favorite toys and he is able to throw them into a new area with new challenges that are both environmental and circumstantial. This is gives Larry an infinite playground for these characters, and I will absolutely be along for the ride!
Finally, the plot isn't something revolutionary, and he leans into some of the tropes that we love, but he was able to spin it in a distinctive way. You have that primary story while you can see the greater plot that is the undercurrent of the series.
For anyone that loves Guardians of the Galaxy, Dungeons & Dragons, Mistborn, or really anyone that has decent tastes at all......you're going to LOVE. THIS. BOOK. This is an EXCELLENT book to get someone hooked on fantasy. A HUGE thank you to @aethonbooks for sending me an ARC and allowing me to dive into this story early. This is my favorite Larry Correia novel that I've read so far and I can't wait for the next one!
October 12, 2025
INCREDIBLY FUN. Cosy meets DCC & D&D?!
I’ve been reading a lot of big epic, dense series this year and some times my brain needs a break. Sometimes I need cosy, funny and whimsical, but I still want, action and epic fantasy.
Academy of Outcasts delivered exactly what I was looking for, a very magical setting of different worlds/realms joined by portals. A slave doing everything he can to become a mage and a rag tag band of misfits.
It’s a little goofy in spots and sometimes how our main character keeps going is a bit ridiculous but overall this was a fun time. Paced out to perfection with small chapters to keep you saying “one more” and likeable characters you want to cheer for with a gripping plot. I’m sad that we only have one book out currently, this is a progression fantasy I want to binge and will certainly be continuing!!
I’ve been reading a lot of big epic, dense series this year and some times my brain needs a break. Sometimes I need cosy, funny and whimsical, but I still want, action and epic fantasy.
Academy of Outcasts delivered exactly what I was looking for, a very magical setting of different worlds/realms joined by portals. A slave doing everything he can to become a mage and a rag tag band of misfits.
It’s a little goofy in spots and sometimes how our main character keeps going is a bit ridiculous but overall this was a fun time. Paced out to perfection with small chapters to keep you saying “one more” and likeable characters you want to cheer for with a gripping plot. I’m sad that we only have one book out currently, this is a progression fantasy I want to binge and will certainly be continuing!!
October 9, 2025
Another masterpiece from the mind of Larry Correia, creator of the Grimnoir, Monster Hunter International and Saga of the Forgotten Warrior series.
Oz is a young man who is an indentured servant working as a laborer on a volcanic planet. After being saved from sure death by a mage his dream is to one day be trained in a magic academy.
Stuff happens (no spoilers) and as he seeks entry into one of the academies to no avail he makes some friends along the way. Oz is persistent, not too magically talented and a good friend.
There's plenty of fun and humor, with Oz serving as a straight man for most of it.
Oz is a young man who is an indentured servant working as a laborer on a volcanic planet. After being saved from sure death by a mage his dream is to one day be trained in a magic academy.
Stuff happens (no spoilers) and as he seeks entry into one of the academies to no avail he makes some friends along the way. Oz is persistent, not too magically talented and a good friend.
There's plenty of fun and humor, with Oz serving as a straight man for most of it.
December 6, 2025
What a great read.
I loved the magic system and the determination Oz had to learn magic. His adventure is original and keeps you on the edge of your seat not wanting to put the book down! Also FANTASTIC side characters.
Trax is a blast to read!
Looking forward to book 2!
I loved the magic system and the determination Oz had to learn magic. His adventure is original and keeps you on the edge of your seat not wanting to put the book down! Also FANTASTIC side characters.
Trax is a blast to read!
Looking forward to book 2!
October 25, 2025
3.5 stars , okay for the most part. Almost 4 stars but a little short. Mc is likable, other characters as well. Story is okay and I liked that it got clued up well.
September 13, 2025
Thank you to Aethon Books For an Arc.
I haven't finished this yet but I am about 29% of the way through. A lot has happened in such a short amount of pages but not in the overwhelming way. There is a lot of world building but it happens along side the action. You get to know the main character Oz very well and then it opens up into this much larger world. The opening page reminded me of the opening page of Red Rising. It just stuck out and made you keep reading while giving you a taste for the terrors of being in the Red (applies to both books lol).
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the interesting mix of characters and their motivations. I liked how distinct they were from each other so there was no way to mix them up. I think that Trax might be one of my favorite characters from any book in a long time. For some reason I picture him as an overgrown, more ferocious Randall from Monsters Inc with the personality of Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy. Any conversation with him was entertaining. It is interesting to see the way the people from the Core have just forgotten about the people from the slumps and how even though you might come from another realm, there is still a hierarchy in a place that was looked at as better. I thought the magic system was cool with how you were able to imbue objects with different magic but you have to have that dust of magic to do so. I really appreciated Ox's code and while this wasn't a built out romance, it was acknowledge that some of his actions weren't done just because he liked the pretty girl but because his morals made to where he wasn't a coward.
Even in this first book in the series, there's corruption, adventure, deep friendship and awesome mage duels. Definitely read this.
Full Plot Summary:
Check out a podcast that I host with my boyfriend where we talk books and book related things:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Xjyht7...
and our Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/talkbooky/
I haven't finished this yet but I am about 29% of the way through. A lot has happened in such a short amount of pages but not in the overwhelming way. There is a lot of world building but it happens along side the action. You get to know the main character Oz very well and then it opens up into this much larger world. The opening page reminded me of the opening page of Red Rising. It just stuck out and made you keep reading while giving you a taste for the terrors of being in the Red (applies to both books lol).
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the interesting mix of characters and their motivations. I liked how distinct they were from each other so there was no way to mix them up. I think that Trax might be one of my favorite characters from any book in a long time. For some reason I picture him as an overgrown, more ferocious Randall from Monsters Inc with the personality of Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy. Any conversation with him was entertaining. It is interesting to see the way the people from the Core have just forgotten about the people from the slumps and how even though you might come from another realm, there is still a hierarchy in a place that was looked at as better. I thought the magic system was cool with how you were able to imbue objects with different magic but you have to have that dust of magic to do so. I really appreciated Ox's code and while this wasn't a built out romance, it was acknowledge that some of his actions weren't done just because he liked the pretty girl but because his morals made to where he wasn't a coward.
Even in this first book in the series, there's corruption, adventure, deep friendship and awesome mage duels. Definitely read this.
Full Plot Summary:
Check out a podcast that I host with my boyfriend where we talk books and book related things:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Xjyht7...
and our Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/talkbooky/
November 21, 2025
This book was so fun. A portal fantasy with elemental magic, found family, and political conspiracies that proved to be utterly delightful. So many aspects of this story reminded me of some of my favorite animes & shows (Danmachi, Black Clover, and Avatar) that it was instantly cozy and just the kind of adventure & hijinx I needed. Definitely recommend and can’t wait for book two.
did-not-finish
December 3, 2025The thing about progression fantasy is it’s always YA and I think that’s the main thing that keeps me from enjoying it. I like stories with more grit and less corn-ball quotes.
I think if you like Phil Tucker or The Wandering Inn you’ll like this .
I think if you like Phil Tucker or The Wandering Inn you’ll like this .
October 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this first book in a brand new series from an author that I already adore.
We get to meet MMC Oz Carnavon who has dreamt for most of his life of becoming a mage. Mr. Correia does a fantastic job of setting up this new world and introducing us to its unique magic system. The world is made up of various realms (there are 7) which are connected to each other by this magical gate that is located in Core City. Core City is at the center of the various realms and the gate has a schedule for letting people move between realms. Oz is from the fire realm and the gate opens to his realm on a particular day each week.
Core City is also the place where all of the magical universities are so Oz comes up with a plan. He has decided to fake his death (so his family is not penalized by his desertion) and plans on sneaking through the gate when it opens in his realm. He then wants to find a way to be accepted into one of the universities so he can finally become a mage. This way, he thinks, he can become wealthy and later go back and free his family from their bonded contracts.
Unfortunately, none of that goes as planned. In fact, it goes as wrong as it could have possibly gone and he finds himself on the run in a foreign realm without any money or any knowledge of how things work.
One of my favorite things about this book were the secondary characters we meet along the way. My absolute favorite was Trax Bloodtrail, a giant fishlike creature who loves to eat people he doesn't like and who can only speak to "certain" people. You have to have a particularly squishy brain to hear him and he speaks by putting images in your brain. Oz has the specific talent of completely understanding him and being able to communicate with him. Trax is adorable and he is trying so hard to understand the "land dweller" people because their customs seem so weird to him.
Trax ends up being the first "outcast" that Oz ends up with as they both start going around to each magical academy to try to get anyone to meet with them and to try to gain admittance. They quickly discover that being admitted to any university is not going to be a possibility.
He is also running from the people trying to capture him for crimes that he did not commit - he definitely has a lot going on.
So, that is how things start and we set off on a wonderful adventure as Oz starts to find friends who are in a similar situation as he is. I absolutely loved this beginning and cannot wait to see what else is in store for this motley crew of characters.
We get to meet MMC Oz Carnavon who has dreamt for most of his life of becoming a mage. Mr. Correia does a fantastic job of setting up this new world and introducing us to its unique magic system. The world is made up of various realms (there are 7) which are connected to each other by this magical gate that is located in Core City. Core City is at the center of the various realms and the gate has a schedule for letting people move between realms. Oz is from the fire realm and the gate opens to his realm on a particular day each week.
Core City is also the place where all of the magical universities are so Oz comes up with a plan. He has decided to fake his death (so his family is not penalized by his desertion) and plans on sneaking through the gate when it opens in his realm. He then wants to find a way to be accepted into one of the universities so he can finally become a mage. This way, he thinks, he can become wealthy and later go back and free his family from their bonded contracts.
Unfortunately, none of that goes as planned. In fact, it goes as wrong as it could have possibly gone and he finds himself on the run in a foreign realm without any money or any knowledge of how things work.
One of my favorite things about this book were the secondary characters we meet along the way. My absolute favorite was Trax Bloodtrail, a giant fishlike creature who loves to eat people he doesn't like and who can only speak to "certain" people. You have to have a particularly squishy brain to hear him and he speaks by putting images in your brain. Oz has the specific talent of completely understanding him and being able to communicate with him. Trax is adorable and he is trying so hard to understand the "land dweller" people because their customs seem so weird to him.
Trax ends up being the first "outcast" that Oz ends up with as they both start going around to each magical academy to try to get anyone to meet with them and to try to gain admittance. They quickly discover that being admitted to any university is not going to be a possibility.
He is also running from the people trying to capture him for crimes that he did not commit - he definitely has a lot going on.
So, that is how things start and we set off on a wonderful adventure as Oz starts to find friends who are in a similar situation as he is. I absolutely loved this beginning and cannot wait to see what else is in store for this motley crew of characters.
November 14, 2025
Just a really good time!
Want to read
August 5, 2025“A Darker Shade of Magic meets A Deadly Education” SOLD. Give it to me.
October 26, 2025
This was a very fun read! If you are looking for a good time with a progression fantasy book that has an interesting elemental magic system and characters that shine, this is the book for you!
October 12, 2025
largely unrealised potential
Disappointing. The protagonist was only slightly less useless at the end than he was at the beginning, and the progress he did make was painful follow.
Oh well, always another.
Disappointing. The protagonist was only slightly less useless at the end than he was at the beginning, and the progress he did make was painful follow.
Oh well, always another.
October 4, 2025
4.5 stars! I had such a blast with this book! I’ll be honest I was kind of expecting to have to work for this one but I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to keep up with everything. There was really good world building and the way that it was written was so easy to follow and the tone of the book was more fun than I was expecting as well! I think that this is one that everyone should check out even if you are intimidated by epic fantasy! These one is good for all levels of epic readers in my opinion!
October 29, 2025
"Academy of Outcasts" by Larry Correia is an engrossing and fast-paced read. The story follows Oz Carnavon, a boy from the fire realm who dreams of becoming a master mage. Fascinated by tales of the Seven Realms since childhood, Oz aspires to earn a place in one of the prestigious magical academies in the Core—hoping to pay off his family’s contract and blast Elementals to pieces for fun and profit.
To escape his family’s contract, Oz fakes his own death—but things don’t go according to plan. Soon, he finds himself on the run in a foreign realm. His adventures with Trax Bloodtrail and their struggle to gain entry into the academies make the story even more captivating.
Oz and Trax are my favorite characters. I truly admire the author’s vivid imagination in crafting such a rich and dynamic fantasy world. The narrative is action-packed, with never a dull moment, and it ends on a compelling note that leaves you eager for more.
These characters will linger in my mind for a long time. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!
To escape his family’s contract, Oz fakes his own death—but things don’t go according to plan. Soon, he finds himself on the run in a foreign realm. His adventures with Trax Bloodtrail and their struggle to gain entry into the academies make the story even more captivating.
Oz and Trax are my favorite characters. I truly admire the author’s vivid imagination in crafting such a rich and dynamic fantasy world. The narrative is action-packed, with never a dull moment, and it ends on a compelling note that leaves you eager for more.
These characters will linger in my mind for a long time. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!
November 6, 2025
Great read!
I enjoyed the main character's struggle to overcome his situation. Believable struggles set inside a fantastic world. Cool magic as well.
I enjoyed the main character's struggle to overcome his situation. Believable struggles set inside a fantastic world. Cool magic as well.
November 19, 2025
If that doesn't work, I will eat them
October 9, 2025
Slow jumbled mess, I stuck it out and finished it. Not worth it…..I like some of the author’s Monster series but this is a hot mess.
October 29, 2025
DNF’d at chapter 5
October 8, 2025
I'm always happy when Larry Correia starts a new series, it doesn't happen often, and sometimes (*cough* dead 6 *cough*) it doesn't work out, but he's an author who just loves to dial things to eleven, and that means that his books tend to move fast, have lots of action and humor, and an oversize helping of imaginative world-building. In Academy of Outcasts, we follow Oz Carnavon, a young man with a lot of ambition and determination but not much talent. Oz was born in Fogo, the realm of fire, a plane of reality dominated by elemental fire where human life is only possible due to liberal use of enchantments and even then it's a nasty brutal and often short existence. Oz and his family have the misfortune to be indentured servants (*cough* slaves *cough*) of the ruling Argent family and serve aboard one of the many barges which float above the shifting lava-wracked surface of Fogo and mine deposits of Red, which is essential to the practice of fire magic, amidst the deadly heat in the barely solid ground, while avoiding the sorts of dangerous creatures capable of surviving in that hellish environment. One day, Oz has his life saved from certain death by a mage working for the Argents and as a result, he decides that he wants to be a mage, as not only will that give him the power to never have to fear the terrors of Fogo, but also the wealth to free his family from their eternal servitude. The only problem is that he has no talent for magic and his efforts to teach himself nearly end in tragedy. Fortunately for our story, Oz is too stubborn to let a thing like nearly blowing himself up stop him from pursuing his ambition, and his obsession only becomes more intense when tragedy strikes, shattering his family. Oz decides to fake his death and sneak through the portal to Core, the city-world realm that binds all the elemental realms together, where he intends to find an academy to teach him magic and realize his goals... and enable his revenge. However, he soon finds that while the people of the Core don't have to deal with the threat of burning alive every single day, life is far from easy or fair there and not only will no academy have him, but he soon finds himself on the run from the law for a crime he didn't commit and in the crosshairs of a psychotic mage, but he promptly escaped into the Core Underground where he made some friends who work together to solve each other's problems and teach each other what little magic they know, and if you need help and you can find them... (no, no, I'm going to stop the A-Team joke right there).
Anyway, I had a lot of fun reading this; it's got a fun cast of characters, Correia does a nice job of blending magic systems and world-building creating not just the setup for the book's story but a number of meta-problems which are threatening the world in general (on various scales, from "Those Crazies are going to reopen the gate where the monsters live" to the existential/apocalyptic) and tying the reasons for our protagonist's problems to the deeper problems of the world without making it seem forced and without putting our well-meaning but over-his-head protagonist in a position where he's the one actually having to save the world. I thought the power balancing in the story was done very well. Oz isn't just wink-nod "weak" but he's the hero so he can win anyway because plot. He's WEAK and he has to win by relying on allies (ah, the many advantages of having a shark-man friend), playing to strengths other than magic, or by being cleverer than his more powerful enemies, and when confronted by anyone with REAL power, Oz has no chance at all. It reminded me somewhat of Tavi from the earlier Codex Alera books (though Oz DOES have some magical power). All in all, I gave this 4 stars but it's a high 4 stars, like 8.5 of 10, I was very tempted to push it over to 5 stars and I'm eagerly looking forward to the second book coming next spring.
Anyway, I had a lot of fun reading this; it's got a fun cast of characters, Correia does a nice job of blending magic systems and world-building creating not just the setup for the book's story but a number of meta-problems which are threatening the world in general (on various scales, from "Those Crazies are going to reopen the gate where the monsters live" to the existential/apocalyptic) and tying the reasons for our protagonist's problems to the deeper problems of the world without making it seem forced and without putting our well-meaning but over-his-head protagonist in a position where he's the one actually having to save the world. I thought the power balancing in the story was done very well. Oz isn't just wink-nod "weak" but he's the hero so he can win anyway because plot. He's WEAK and he has to win by relying on allies (ah, the many advantages of having a shark-man friend), playing to strengths other than magic, or by being cleverer than his more powerful enemies, and when confronted by anyone with REAL power, Oz has no chance at all. It reminded me somewhat of Tavi from the earlier Codex Alera books (though Oz DOES have some magical power). All in all, I gave this 4 stars but it's a high 4 stars, like 8.5 of 10, I was very tempted to push it over to 5 stars and I'm eagerly looking forward to the second book coming next spring.
October 1, 2025
Full transparency: I’m the Director of Publicity for Aethon Books. However, this review is 100% honest, unbiased, and based solely on my reading experience.
TL;DR Review: Enjoyable from start to finish. Easy reading, a fun adventure flavor, and one of my favorite supporting characters in recent years.
Full Review:
What a fun adventure!
Having read Son of the Black Sword, I went into this expecting similarly dark fantasy. What I got instead was a surprisingly upbeat, optimistic, and enjoyable story that felt exactly like a D&D campaign come to life.
Academy of Outcasts follows Oz, a young miner from the fire elemental plane of Fogo. He is a miner collecting Red, the element that generates fire magic. He believes he has the ability to use Red to do magic, and so he practices in secret to develop his gifts—which very nearly has terrible consequences for all involved. But when a pirate attack threatens the crew of the barge he’s protecting, his magic and ingenuity comes in handy to save the day.
Alas, his parents die in the attack, so he swears himself to A) gaining in magical strength so he can B) get vengeance against the pirate crew. This leads him to escape his home plane and make his way to the central “hub world” where all the magical academies are.
Inevitably, a nobody from the plane of fire has no chance of getting into the prestigious academies. Despite his rejection, he’s got the persistence to keep trying, and the optimism to believe he can succeed though failure seems all but certain. His keeping on leads to all sorts of adventures—assassination attempts, spectacular magical battles, run-ins with cutthroats and slavers, and more—but also leads him to find companions-at-arms.
This is where Academy of Outcasts truly shines. While Oz is an easy enough character to follow—likeable, determined, clever, and dedicated—it’s the supporting characters that really ended up hooking me. Particularly Trax, the shark-like creature that feels like a cross between Reichis from Spellslinger and Bruce from Finding Nemo.
The story moves along at a steady clip, enjoyable from start to finish, and sets up many more adventures ahead. The world was richly detailed but never got bogged down in excessive exposition, lore, history, or culture. Really, it was just a beautifully easy read that kept me reading “just one more chapter” more than once.
If you want something light and easy to get into, or you’re new to fantasy and don’t want an overly complex doorstopper, Academy of Outcasts is a read I definitely recommend for you.
TL;DR Review: Enjoyable from start to finish. Easy reading, a fun adventure flavor, and one of my favorite supporting characters in recent years.
Full Review:
What a fun adventure!
Having read Son of the Black Sword, I went into this expecting similarly dark fantasy. What I got instead was a surprisingly upbeat, optimistic, and enjoyable story that felt exactly like a D&D campaign come to life.
Academy of Outcasts follows Oz, a young miner from the fire elemental plane of Fogo. He is a miner collecting Red, the element that generates fire magic. He believes he has the ability to use Red to do magic, and so he practices in secret to develop his gifts—which very nearly has terrible consequences for all involved. But when a pirate attack threatens the crew of the barge he’s protecting, his magic and ingenuity comes in handy to save the day.
Alas, his parents die in the attack, so he swears himself to A) gaining in magical strength so he can B) get vengeance against the pirate crew. This leads him to escape his home plane and make his way to the central “hub world” where all the magical academies are.
Inevitably, a nobody from the plane of fire has no chance of getting into the prestigious academies. Despite his rejection, he’s got the persistence to keep trying, and the optimism to believe he can succeed though failure seems all but certain. His keeping on leads to all sorts of adventures—assassination attempts, spectacular magical battles, run-ins with cutthroats and slavers, and more—but also leads him to find companions-at-arms.
This is where Academy of Outcasts truly shines. While Oz is an easy enough character to follow—likeable, determined, clever, and dedicated—it’s the supporting characters that really ended up hooking me. Particularly Trax, the shark-like creature that feels like a cross between Reichis from Spellslinger and Bruce from Finding Nemo.
The story moves along at a steady clip, enjoyable from start to finish, and sets up many more adventures ahead. The world was richly detailed but never got bogged down in excessive exposition, lore, history, or culture. Really, it was just a beautifully easy read that kept me reading “just one more chapter” more than once.
If you want something light and easy to get into, or you’re new to fantasy and don’t want an overly complex doorstopper, Academy of Outcasts is a read I definitely recommend for you.
October 8, 2025
Have you ever gotten to the big action scene in the last few chapters of a book and you didn’t want to finish because that means the book is over? That’s what happened to me here, and though I have no regrets, it will be a long wait for book two.
Overall this was a very refreshing addition to the progression fantasy genre. The tropes used are great and they really scratch that itch we all want from the genre, but they aren’t so over the top to come across as pandering. I feel this sub category of fantasy really needed something new and well written, and this does that perfectly.
Though the world building is great, and the plot is epic with lots of room for growth, the true star of the show here is the characters. I cannot say enough about how fun, unique, and enjoyable they are as they interact with one another. They all have different and understandable motivations pushing them forward, and everything fits together so perfectly. The way their worlds and environment shaped them changes how they look at everything in the core. This makes everything feel so real, and brings forth so many laugh out loud moments with how their different ways of viewing the world clash. There are so many threads being spun into the story, and so many things being foreshadowed I cannot wait to see the further exploration of this world by these characters.
This is a progression fantasy crafted at the level of a multitime bestseller, and it comes through over and over. I love this genre, but it doesn’t treat those who love it very well. There has been a flood of subpar stories being published, and I lost hope for a while, but this is exactly what was needed. If you love the genre, but also love a damn good story, then you need to pick this up and give it a read.
I’m not a player of table top games, but I never felt my lack of experience made the book any less enjoyable. The world is big, detailed, and rich, with lots of room for exploration and growth as the series progresses. I can’t wait to see where it takes us in future books.
Overall this was a very refreshing addition to the progression fantasy genre. The tropes used are great and they really scratch that itch we all want from the genre, but they aren’t so over the top to come across as pandering. I feel this sub category of fantasy really needed something new and well written, and this does that perfectly.
Though the world building is great, and the plot is epic with lots of room for growth, the true star of the show here is the characters. I cannot say enough about how fun, unique, and enjoyable they are as they interact with one another. They all have different and understandable motivations pushing them forward, and everything fits together so perfectly. The way their worlds and environment shaped them changes how they look at everything in the core. This makes everything feel so real, and brings forth so many laugh out loud moments with how their different ways of viewing the world clash. There are so many threads being spun into the story, and so many things being foreshadowed I cannot wait to see the further exploration of this world by these characters.
This is a progression fantasy crafted at the level of a multitime bestseller, and it comes through over and over. I love this genre, but it doesn’t treat those who love it very well. There has been a flood of subpar stories being published, and I lost hope for a while, but this is exactly what was needed. If you love the genre, but also love a damn good story, then you need to pick this up and give it a read.
I’m not a player of table top games, but I never felt my lack of experience made the book any less enjoyable. The world is big, detailed, and rich, with lots of room for exploration and growth as the series progresses. I can’t wait to see where it takes us in future books.
October 9, 2025
The Review
This was such a robust and detailed read. The author perfectly captured the various settings of this universe, from the gritty and fiery world of Fogo to the Core and beyond. The book expertly infused elements of classism and the balance that is so hard to maintain between wanting to pursue one’s dreams without sacrificing the family and /or home that a person came from into the themes of this narrative, giving the protagonist and the band of other characters who join him on his quest the heart and depth needed to provide their goals a unique and heartfelt emotional pull.
The balance of magic and action was terrific to see come to life on the page, as was the magical system that the author explored. Yet it was the world-building that really captured this world so effortlessly. The wealth of mystical and fantasy characters —from mages and wizards to orcs, gnomes, and more —populated this universe in a way that felt natural and compelling. In contrast, the multidimensional travel and the way those dimensions represented how different classes of people were divided were both fascinating and cut to the heart of many similar issues faced in our world, keeping readers engaged in the story.
The Verdict
Thrilling, compelling, and entertaining, author Larry Correia’s “Academy of Outcasts” is a must-read fantasy novel and a great start to a brand new fantasy series. The twists and turns of the narrative, from the heartbreaking circumstances that shape the protagonist’s motivations in the beginning of the novel to the fight for survival and recognition in a universe that seems determined to leave them behind, and so much more, made this novel atmospheric and engaging.
This was such a robust and detailed read. The author perfectly captured the various settings of this universe, from the gritty and fiery world of Fogo to the Core and beyond. The book expertly infused elements of classism and the balance that is so hard to maintain between wanting to pursue one’s dreams without sacrificing the family and /or home that a person came from into the themes of this narrative, giving the protagonist and the band of other characters who join him on his quest the heart and depth needed to provide their goals a unique and heartfelt emotional pull.
The balance of magic and action was terrific to see come to life on the page, as was the magical system that the author explored. Yet it was the world-building that really captured this world so effortlessly. The wealth of mystical and fantasy characters —from mages and wizards to orcs, gnomes, and more —populated this universe in a way that felt natural and compelling. In contrast, the multidimensional travel and the way those dimensions represented how different classes of people were divided were both fascinating and cut to the heart of many similar issues faced in our world, keeping readers engaged in the story.
The Verdict
Thrilling, compelling, and entertaining, author Larry Correia’s “Academy of Outcasts” is a must-read fantasy novel and a great start to a brand new fantasy series. The twists and turns of the narrative, from the heartbreaking circumstances that shape the protagonist’s motivations in the beginning of the novel to the fight for survival and recognition in a universe that seems determined to leave them behind, and so much more, made this novel atmospheric and engaging.
November 7, 2025
As a total package: It's fine.
The quality oscillates wildly between really good and extremely generic and boring. Battles are a highlight, but every character is content to monologue at seemingly random points because the protagonist knows literally nothing except when he absolutely has to. (The protagonist read a book. This book has some lore about certain races and locations. Every time a character isn't around to spill the beans about some topic, that topic was conveniently in that book)
There's a lot of awfully convenient things that happen. Once or twice, okay, but basically everything that gets mentioned even in passing is immediately used a few chapters later. It makes the story feel more like it's fumbling to sound smarter than it is.
The characters all sound relatively the same and there's little to actually distinguish them as far as personality goes.
But it was still fine. The best thing I can say about the book is that the last handful of chapters are it's best. The entirely of this book should have been spread out across 2 books, though. It would have felt far less contrived when convenient things happen and there would have been more room for actual dialogue between battles. Instead you get periods of time where lore is straight up dumped onto you for a whole chapter followed by entire chapters of battle.
But it was still fine. The last few chapters really do make it more worth reading.
Almost forgot to mention: There are several typos in this book. Where is your editor?
The quality oscillates wildly between really good and extremely generic and boring. Battles are a highlight, but every character is content to monologue at seemingly random points because the protagonist knows literally nothing except when he absolutely has to. (The protagonist read a book. This book has some lore about certain races and locations. Every time a character isn't around to spill the beans about some topic, that topic was conveniently in that book)
There's a lot of awfully convenient things that happen. Once or twice, okay, but basically everything that gets mentioned even in passing is immediately used a few chapters later. It makes the story feel more like it's fumbling to sound smarter than it is.
The characters all sound relatively the same and there's little to actually distinguish them as far as personality goes.
But it was still fine. The best thing I can say about the book is that the last handful of chapters are it's best. The entirely of this book should have been spread out across 2 books, though. It would have felt far less contrived when convenient things happen and there would have been more room for actual dialogue between battles. Instead you get periods of time where lore is straight up dumped onto you for a whole chapter followed by entire chapters of battle.
But it was still fine. The last few chapters really do make it more worth reading.
Almost forgot to mention: There are several typos in this book. Where is your editor?
November 14, 2025
This might be the best entry level Larry Corria book.
Strengths
1. Action is solid as you would expect from Larry
2. I like the day in the life quality of much of the story. Yes there is a big bad at the same time it feels like a guy trying to figure out his place in the world.
3. limited point of view is also a plus.
4. Tracks best character
5. Oz is wise but not so much that he is overpowering. Its nice when a main character can handle there own problems.
Weakness
1. Characters feel a bit paper thin. Oz feels like many other Larry Corria character. The outsiders with something to prove.
2. World is ok but not overly interesting. Mr. Corria likes to have simple naming. In the Son of the Black Sword book. The LAW was the law of the land. In this book Red is the fire magic, clear is air. The whole world is run by a giant clock.
3. Cursing, I know this is little thing but I can listen to this story with my high schooler but I can't listen to it with my younger kids. If Corria has gone the route of Son of the Black sword and used fake swear I think it would added to the world and not taken away from it. We have flying cities but they can't come of with there own swear words?
This is not Larry's best story but its fun and it feels like a cross of Monster Hunter International with the Malcontents. If you have never read a Larry Corria story this is a good place to start.
Strengths
1. Action is solid as you would expect from Larry
2. I like the day in the life quality of much of the story. Yes there is a big bad at the same time it feels like a guy trying to figure out his place in the world.
3. limited point of view is also a plus.
4. Tracks best character
5. Oz is wise but not so much that he is overpowering. Its nice when a main character can handle there own problems.
Weakness
1. Characters feel a bit paper thin. Oz feels like many other Larry Corria character. The outsiders with something to prove.
2. World is ok but not overly interesting. Mr. Corria likes to have simple naming. In the Son of the Black Sword book. The LAW was the law of the land. In this book Red is the fire magic, clear is air. The whole world is run by a giant clock.
3. Cursing, I know this is little thing but I can listen to this story with my high schooler but I can't listen to it with my younger kids. If Corria has gone the route of Son of the Black sword and used fake swear I think it would added to the world and not taken away from it. We have flying cities but they can't come of with there own swear words?
This is not Larry's best story but its fun and it feels like a cross of Monster Hunter International with the Malcontents. If you have never read a Larry Corria story this is a good place to start.
November 24, 2025
‘Academy of Outcasts’ is the first book in a new series by Larry Correia. Oz Carnavon and his family are indentured servants, mining a substance used by Mages in certain spells called Red. Oz hails from an Elemental plane of Fire in the land called Fogo. To escape this slavery, Oz fakes his own death and leaves Fogo where he tries to gain acceptance into an academy of magic (held in a land called the Core). Once he gets to the Core, he witnesses the attempted assassination of the Ambassador from Fogo who was travelling to the Core as well.
As he tries, in vain, to find an academy that will take him on as a student, he meets several others along a similar path to become Mages: Azarin is a female apprentice from the Air Elemental plane (and Oz’s possible love interest) and a Monk named Trax (my favorite character) who adds some comic relief to the story.
The storyline of this book was quite imaginative, with good pacing and world-building. While the writing does not have the prose of Hobb or Rothfuss, and there were a few minor issues, the story itself was well told. I thought that the magic system was unique and I liked the cast of characters. Overall, I really enjoyed this and will certainly look forward to reading the next installment.
If you’re a fan of the dark academia, coming of age type Fantasy, I would recommend checking this one out. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4/5 stars
October 20, 2025
I thought this book had a lot of promise and I think it’s a pretty good start to a new series. There are some familiar tropes from your typical fantasy series but there’s also some twists that make it fresh. For starters the magic is based off of the regions of this world and while mages can learn magic from the other regions it seems that inherit abilities and strength of a mage comes from their home region. The main character is a runaway from his region where he is enslaved to a life of endless servitude along with his family. While he does discover he has a natural magical ability he is considered too weak to join any of the magic schools established in the core region. Along the way he strikes up friendships with other odd characters (and sometimes off creatures) who are similar outcasts.
I do like how the magic system isn’t laid out up front and while I don’t mind explaining a magic system for my understanding I like how this unfolded and while we don’t get all of the magic abilities in this first book it does entice me to read the next to learn more about the world and the magic.
What I wish was improved was more detail about the world about the politics and the system which these characters reside. We learn a bit but I could’ve used another 100 pages to really fill out the world and characters.
Overall I do recommend this book.
I do like how the magic system isn’t laid out up front and while I don’t mind explaining a magic system for my understanding I like how this unfolded and while we don’t get all of the magic abilities in this first book it does entice me to read the next to learn more about the world and the magic.
What I wish was improved was more detail about the world about the politics and the system which these characters reside. We learn a bit but I could’ve used another 100 pages to really fill out the world and characters.
Overall I do recommend this book.
October 28, 2025
“We’ve got a chance… Welcome to the Academy of Outcasts.”
The worst, most infuriating bloodydamn thing about Academy of Outcasts is that book two hasn't been released yet – and won't be out until May 2026. But other than that, it was pretty much straight gas.
The worldbuilding in Academy of Outcasts was somehow both deeply complex and super simple. Same for the magic systems. Correia did a nice job clearly explaining the world's vast scope while attending to the granular details that make a story breathe. In a landscape cluttered with sometimes labyrinthine, over-extended fantasy – looking at you, Sanderson – this was a refreshing read.
To be clear, I’ve never played D&D so I haven’t the foggiest clue what parts of this were based on the game – but it didn’t matter at all. Approach it as progression fantasy, where characters systematically develop their abilities throughout the narrative, and you’re good. The pacing is solid, Oz’s girl is cute, and Trax the squalo is both a good and insane sidekick. I’m also a big fan of morally grey characters like Haddar who play an important role when the MC is too much of a hero.
If you’re looking for a smooooth read that you can’t put down, pick this up. I hit pre-order on book two as soon as I read the final sentence.
Agree with those who have called this the brain child of Mistborn and Guardians of the Galaxy.
The worst, most infuriating bloodydamn thing about Academy of Outcasts is that book two hasn't been released yet – and won't be out until May 2026. But other than that, it was pretty much straight gas.
The worldbuilding in Academy of Outcasts was somehow both deeply complex and super simple. Same for the magic systems. Correia did a nice job clearly explaining the world's vast scope while attending to the granular details that make a story breathe. In a landscape cluttered with sometimes labyrinthine, over-extended fantasy – looking at you, Sanderson – this was a refreshing read.
To be clear, I’ve never played D&D so I haven’t the foggiest clue what parts of this were based on the game – but it didn’t matter at all. Approach it as progression fantasy, where characters systematically develop their abilities throughout the narrative, and you’re good. The pacing is solid, Oz’s girl is cute, and Trax the squalo is both a good and insane sidekick. I’m also a big fan of morally grey characters like Haddar who play an important role when the MC is too much of a hero.
If you’re looking for a smooooth read that you can’t put down, pick this up. I hit pre-order on book two as soon as I read the final sentence.
Agree with those who have called this the brain child of Mistborn and Guardians of the Galaxy.
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