The Secret World of Maggie Grey: A Dark Academy Fantasy: The Secret World of Maggie Grey, Book 1

By Granger

This is the Underground. We go by a different set of rules here--ones steeped in magic, history, and well . . . blood.

Maggie Grey always dismissed her grandmother's tales as superstition. Bedtime stories of vampiric priests, midnight covens, and secret conjurers from her youth during the Civil Rights Era. Even Maggie's stark white hair felt like nothing more than an inherited quirk. But when her grad school presentation retelling those stories catches the interest of her professor, she discovers the truth buried within them. He directs Maggie to Drew Collins University, a hidden HBCU beneath the streets of Atlanta where the legends come to life.

At DCU, necromancy is a major, students with claws and fangs roam the campus, and Maggie leans on a new circle of unlikely allies: Souxie, a mysterious priestess; Asha, a scarred siren; Isis, a water-bending nymph; and Quan, a snarky talking cat. Soon, Maggie learns she comes from the most feared bloodline in the Underground: the First Family, a lineage of vampires whose power has haunted the community for generations. That makes her not only dangerous but a target, especially to Namir, the sharp-eyed werewolf whose family has long despised hers. Distrust simmers between them, even as an undeniable pull grows harder to ignore.

When a murder shatters the campus, suspicion lands on Maggie. Not just because of what she is but because of the family she comes from. In a world where legacy is everything, hers might be the deadliest of all.

This edition features a signed letter from the author and a bonus scene.

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Published Feb 4, 2025

Average rating: 8.24

29 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Medilsom
Jul 01, 2026
7/10 stars
This book came highly recommended and I have to say that I enjoyed the read and look forward to seeing what happens next in the series. I think Quan the cat is my favorite character in the book so far… he’s funny AF and gathers these girls all the way together! 😂 I’m here for the magical HBCU life!
Channn.2
Jun 02, 2026
7/10 stars
This is my first fantasy book ever and I must say it’s a great pick. Setting the scene took a minute but I’ve heard that’s just how fantasy is I wasn’t sure where this book was going or when the plot would thicken but when it did it was good. I’m assuming because it’s a series they wouldn’t give to much away in the first book but I can’t wait to read book 2. Consider me hooked
MURPH JONES
Jun 01, 2026
10/10 stars
Literally became my favorite series
cdlaw97
Sep 22, 2025
10/10 stars
I loved it even better the second time w/ the audiobook. I need the whole series in an audiobook.

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