Amazon Editors' favorite summer reads
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$3.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Jade Thorn
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Beneath Contempt (Of Magic and Contempt Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jade Thorn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,118 ratings
Dean, Ryan, Oz, Nick and Justin — The Apex. Five of the most sought after shifter-familiars in the country. They’re already an unconventional pack of their own. A lion, two wolves and two dragons; witches everywhere would have given their right arm to bond them.

Held within the confines of the famed Adolphus Academy, where witches went to learn beast taming magic, their only hope of freedom was to challenge a witch strong enough to defeat their beasts.

Trapped until they are bonded, their future and sanity may just rest in the hands of a newly arrived first year student.

As the strongest witch they’d seen in generations, Melody had been bound by her Aunt Georgia in their once prestigious coven, forced to bond and break every shifter they could find. Along with them, she was subjected to cruelty and neglect.

Confined in abject misery, enslaved by a madwoman, Melody was unable to even imagine an end to their torture.

Yet fate and her aunt had other plans. At twenty-five, she was just coming into her majority, and Melody would be sent to Adolphus Academy, where she had to find and bond the members of The Apex. If she failed to do so, she would die. If she succeeded — they did.

How could Melody free these men, without enslaving them to another?


**Warning, this is a dark reverse harem story with elements that may cause some readers distress, including but not limited to descriptions of physical abuse, neglect and death. Please consider carefully before purchasing. Not intended for readers under the age of 18.**
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 5
    Of Magic and Contempt
  2. Print length
    406 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    July 11, 2020
  5. File size
    2.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  24. Trial of the Cursed Egg: Dragonis Academy Year One
    Just released
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
Next page
Loading...

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B086SSR5JH
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 11, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 406 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Of Magic and Contempt
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,118 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jade Thorn

Jade Thorn

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Hi, I'm Jade Thorn,

I'm a stay at home mother of 3 gorgeous wee monsters. I live in Australia with them, their Daddy, our pup, Smudge, and our pet fish.

I've been writing forever it seems. I had a passion for it as young as 9, but it never occured to me that others would like my little stories. I have oodles and oodles of half written pieces and slowly but surely I'm sharing them with you.

I'm finally doing what I've always dreamed of, and it's even better than I imagined. I do hope you enjoy reading my stories as much as I enjoy writing them.

Jade

xoxo

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,118 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book's storyline amazing from start to finish, with well-developed characters and an interesting take on witches. Moreover, they appreciate the emotional depth, with one customer noting how it pulls at the heart, and another highlighting the beautiful world-building. However, the writing quality receives mixed feedback, with some praising the writing while others find it lacking in details. Additionally, the plot receives criticism for its abrupt ending.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

34 customers mention "Storyline"34 positive0 negative

Customers love the storyline of the book, describing it as amazing from start to finish, with one customer noting it's one of their favorite shifter/witch books.

"This book is really good! I love the fact that the characters aren't teenagers. They're in their mid twenties...." Read more

"...attempts to escape it and protect those she cares about is a very compelling storyline. It evoked a lot of empathy...." Read more

"This was such a great read. I was captivated from the beginning and couldn’t put it down...." Read more

"This story line was interesting. I kept reading because I was so hopeful it would take off, but it was just.. lackluster...." Read more

12 customers mention "Character development"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that they are well developed and span 25+ years.

"This book is really good! I love the fact that the characters aren't teenagers. They're in their mid twenties...." Read more

"...This kind of fleshing out is important not only does it make the characters more real but it allows the reader to connect to them...." Read more

"Beneath contempt was slow burn, had a strong character development for the main character, And sets up perfectly for the rest of the series to..." Read more

"...The characters are well developed and the storyline is absolutely stellar...." Read more

11 customers mention "Empathy"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's emotional depth, describing it as heart wrenching and empathetic, with one customer noting how they felt the main character's pain and sorrow.

"...It evoked a lot of empathy. Things I had issue with: The heroine comes off as a little too perfect at times...." Read more

"...Melody and her Apex crew are so emotionally understandable and they drag you in from the beginning to the end...." Read more

"...by virtue of the circumstances of her upbringing, but she's also emotionally wise and selfless...." Read more

"Melody's story is an interesting and heartbreaking one...." Read more

8 customers mention "Strength"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book strong, with one review noting it's a solid start to the series, while another describes it as gritty.

"This is a slow burn reverse harem series that is dark, gritty and an emotional ride from start to finish...." Read more

"...As a mom myself it was very hard reading the beginning, but was a very solid start. Looking forward to the second book." Read more

"Things I love: 1. Strong FMC. Melody has been through ALOT but has still managed to keep her humanity. 2...." Read more

"...Overall it's well written, well edited and a good start for the series." Read more

6 customers mention "Beauty"6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's beauty, with one review highlighting its great world building and another noting its power and humbleness.

"...It was more of who she was, her power and humbleness. They didn’t want any harm to come to her. I can’t wait for the next book." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. The fmc has a beautiful soul who finds light in darkness...." Read more

"...World building is great, and I'm so invested with the characters. Can't wait to see what happens next!" Read more

"This story is heart wrenching, souls shaking, and just downright mind blowing. The feelings you'll get reading this are going to rock your world...." Read more

6 customers mention "Characterization"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the characterization in the book, particularly its interesting take on witches, with one customer noting that the academy is specifically for witches and shifters.

"...If you haven't read you need to check this one out. You have witches and shifters, drama, danger, and you build up them steam as you go...." Read more

"...2. Interesting take on witches, shifters and familiars. 3. It’s academy but that’s not the focus. Things that I don’t love: 1...." Read more

"...What makes this one stand out is that the academy is for witches and shifters only but more than that is that for the most part, everyone is in..." Read more

"Good story, like the creative take on witches and shifters. The bullying and mistreatment of the main character is above and beyond...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it tremendously well written, while others point out issues with over-explanation and lack of detail.

"...It's written really well. This is a SUPER good read!" Read more

"...I really, really don’t understand her aunt’s motivations. It just doesn’t make sense. Why would she be determined to collect all these shifters?..." Read more

"It was well written but the ending was rushed look forward to seeing where she goes with it...." Read more

"...There’s so much repetition and over-explanation that it takes away from the plot. The author focuses on the wrong things...." Read more

6 customers mention "Plot"0 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the plot of the book, with several noting that the ending feels abrupt, and one customer mentioning that it lacks world-building.

"...There’s so much repetition and over-explanation that it takes away from the plot. The author focuses on the wrong things...." Read more

"It was well written but the ending was rushed look forward to seeing where she goes with it...." Read more

"This is a bit of a darker fiction, but it is tremendously well written. The characters are well developed and the storyline is absolutely stellar...." Read more

"...I also liked that the characters were 25+ years. The ending was a little too abrupt for me but I can't wait for book 2...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Janette
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book is really good! I love the fact that the characters aren't teenagers. They're in their mid twenties. And I love the fact that even though this is an RH, that they aren't 'getting down to business' every chance they get. It's written really well. This is a SUPER good read!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Artemism
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed the overall storyline. It was pretty addicting and I actually finished it, which says a lot. Her a suite situation and her attempts to escape it and protect those she cares about is a very compelling storyline. It evoked a lot of empathy.

    Things I had issue with:

    The heroine comes off as a little too perfect at times. A little more imperfection to balance out her character and make her a little more relatable would be nice.

    The guys characters are poorly developed. At one point pretty late in the book I was like “who is Ryan?” and then realized he was one of the wolves. They need more individual attention.

    The two dimensional, screaming, sneering bad girl characters are getting old. I really wish for more complicated cast of characters in these school themed stories. Characters that can make you hate them, but then make you question your own feelings about them. More legit emotions, more background. Every time some pointlessly enraged female screamed at her, I cringed. I include the aunt in this criticism. Despite being such an important character, she is basically just a slightly altered mean girl caricature.

    I really, really don’t understand her aunt’s motivations. It just doesn’t make sense. Why would she be determined to collect all these shifters? She isn’t using them to fight or do anything specific that I can tell. Maybe it just hasn’t been revealed yet. But even if she was using them, wanting to collect strong shifters and then leaving them weak or killing them off defeats the entire purpose of having them.

    Despite all of these criticisms, I still enjoyed the book and will be picking up the next one. Hopefully the guys and villains and the heroine herself will all enjoy some better character development. And hopefully the aunt’s motivations will become clearer.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Maya Monroe
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was such a great read. I was captivated from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. Melody has handled abuse since she was small from those that were supposed to defend her. Getting a glimpse of that abuse to her and
    the shifters helped me understand and empathize with her. Once at college we see how things are supposed to be. That’s when the impact of how horrible her treatment was. Jade Thorn did an amazing job in making me feel for her.
    What really got to me were the Apex. When they are first introduced they seemed like jerks. As I got into the book I saw how they cared for Melody because it wasn’t about her physical aspect that they cared about. It was more of who she was, her power and humbleness. They didn’t want any harm to come to her.
    I can’t wait for the next book.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kasey124
    3.0 out of 5 stars She doesn’t speak to any of the MMCs until page 172!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This story line was interesting. I kept reading because I was so hopeful it would take off, but it was just.. lackluster. There’s so much repetition and over-explanation that it takes away from the plot. The author focuses on the wrong things. There’s pages upon pages of Melody exploring the tunnels. It’s like 5 pages of her figuring out a riddle and staring at a tapestry. She spends time in the library copying tunnel maps, she’s pondering whether the exit in the kitchen is safe. I mean, enough. A lot of that could’ve been cut out without losing the point. Then later when the guys offer to bandage her wounds, it could’ve been a real opportunity to emotionally bond, have them get to know her, etc. But of course that’s like a half page of non-dialogue.

    What really annoys me is that she doesn’t even speak a single word to any of her 5 guys until page 172!!!! Not a single word! She’s running through the damn tunnels and avoiding the boys for ages and I started to skim to get to the part where they freaking meet!!

    Dean was the only distinguishable MMC by the time I gave up at 75%. The rest of the guys are pretty much interchangeable because she doesn’t really get to know any of them. I couldn’t even remember which two were dragon, and that’s probably a sign that they don’t get enough “screen” time. No sexual tension unless you count the guys constantly saying their animal is “riding them” hard and they “want” her. Ugh I wanted to like this so bad, but I gave up..
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Nedia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, sad and amazing.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a slow burn reverse harem series that is dark, gritty and an emotional ride from start to finish. Melody and her Apex crew are so emotionally understandable and they drag you in from the beginning to the end. I have read the first 2 and one clicked the third because this is one you will want to read and love again and again.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Carmen Costa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
    Reviewed in Australia on January 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Omg this book had me hooked from start to finish I had tears my heart broke but was team melody all the way and her men there amazing awesome hot and the teachers are so funny speak what that think can't wait to read more
    Report
  • Inga Calvert
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and thought provoking
    Reviewed in Canada on June 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The story has grabbed hold and now I can't wait to see what happens next! I'm also looking to see the men's characters develop more now that things are rolling. Great read!
    Report
  • Giu Molina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book was impossible to put down, I loved Melody and her shifters, the world created by Jade Thorn and her writing!
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent series well written excellent plot and well deserved five stars would highly recommend series can't wait for the next one ☝
    Report
  • Katie K
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really interesting
    Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book! The whole concept was incredibly interesting and Melody was a great main character. The first chapter made me tear up and got me emotionally invested right from the get go. I can't wait to read the next book!!
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report