I read The Academy of Peculiars Box Set: A Paranormal Academy Romance (Academy of the Peculiars Saga Book 4) several months ago. I found the boxset to be engaging and very much a page-turner. Reading each book outside of the boxset is no different. The stories are a cross between the Miss Peregrine series and X-Men. Unlike the kids in the Miss Peregrine books, these young people's libido gets much exercise. Of course, I love the book Stranger, which is the first book in the series. There is action in the story via the Peculiars using those powers in paranormal fights, typically to protect themselves or someone else. There are also budding romances, suspense, and mysteries that are unfolding. Unfortunately, one of the young women experiences what she calls "the incident" that far too many young people experience, especially during their college years.

There are parallels to characters from X-Men and quite a few distinctions. Ethan reminds me of Xavier, and where would a story like this be without a wolf shifter who reminds me of both Wolverine and Wolfsbane. The female characters are different. Sophie, Ellie, Jane, and Brie are best friends, each with a unique power and a vulnerability that makes the men around them quite protective. They are young adults, but there is still an immaturity about them that makes you want to scream at them one minute and protect them from the world the next. There is an interesting and evolving theme of absolute power corrupting absolutely. How it plays out in this story and future storylines will keep you engaged.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Stranger is a new paranormal suspense that is the first book in the Academy of the Peculiar Saga and is the start of Sophie’s journey from never fitting in anywhere to beginning to learn who and what she is and are there others like her. This well- written and exciting storyline has a plot that is suspenseful, dramatic, and action- oriented, with interesting characters and vivid and intense scenes. The storyline begins with Stranger and flows into the next book, Finder. I’m excited to see where this story is going.