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Nightshade Academy Review

Writer's picture: Dedicated ReaderDedicated Reader

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

Mel Torrefranca contacted me through my book club to see if we were interested in reading the first book in her Belladonna series.


Not only were we super excited, as this was the FIRST time the book club was offered an ARC but we were ecstatic with how good the book was!



Liked ✅

  • Friendship trio

  • Bonds & alliances built

  • Loved the intensities of Chapter 20

  • Emotional distress

  • The ENDING


Thoughts 💭

Nightshade Academy is a bit of a slow burn in the beginning, a lot of that is because of setting up the plot and the characters. The book gave me ‘questioning the government and room for rebellion’ vibes right off the start. I found myself struggling with Yahshi’s internal dialogue but quickly realised he may be onto something.


The development of the trio was awesome. I loved reading about how their differences brought them together. The last few filtration tests had you experiencing Yahshi’s emotional struggle. My emotions were all over the place at the end of Chapter 20, I was questioning Yahshi’s decisions a lot.


Part 2 was a consistent page turner! Mel Torrefranca knows how to emotionally mess with her readers! Reading what Yahshi was going through had me emotionally unstable and ready to pledge my allegiance to anyone BUT the Empire. Not only were my emotions HIGH but all the characters were really going through it. I was so proud Yahshi found the strength to choose his own path, and fight for what he believed in. THAT ENDING!!!! I can’t wait for the next book!


Thank you to Lost Island Press & Mel Torrefranca for the advanced reader copy of Nightshade Academy.


More of my reviews can be found on Fable, Goodreads and Instagram https://linktr.ee/dedicatedreader


The second installment is set to release late 2024! I also had the opportunity to interview Mel Torrefranca, which was an amazing experience!

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