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A review by dedicated_reader
Nightshade Academy by Mel Torrefranca
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Liked ✅
- Building of the friendship trio
- The bond and alliance built
- Loved the intensity of Chapter 20
- Emotional distress
- The ENDING
Didn't Like ❌
- Chapter 20’s ending WHY!?
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 understanding Yahshi’s questioning antics in the beginning but quickly realised he may be onto something.
The development of the trio (Yahshi, Vell and Pinto) was awesome. I loved reading about how their differences and quarks brought them together. I enjoyed the last few filtration tests because you get to experience Yahshi’s emotional struggle with those characters leaving. Every time it gave him an opportunity to process his next steps at the Academy. My emotions were all over the place at the end of Chapter 20, I was questioning Yahshi’s decisions and his intellect. I really could not understand why he chose the path he did.
Part 2 was a consistent page turner throughout. Mel Torrefranca knows how to emotionally mess with her readers! Reading the experiences that 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!
- Building of the friendship trio
- The bond and alliance built
- Loved the intensity of Chapter 20
- Emotional distress
- The ENDING
Didn't Like ❌
- Chapter 20’s ending WHY!?
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 understanding Yahshi’s questioning antics in the beginning but quickly realised he may be onto something.
The development of the trio (Yahshi, Vell and Pinto) was awesome. I loved reading about how their differences and quarks brought them together. I enjoyed the last few filtration tests because you get to experience Yahshi’s emotional struggle with those characters leaving. Every time it gave him an opportunity to process his next steps at the Academy. My emotions were all over the place at the end of Chapter 20, I was questioning Yahshi’s decisions and his intellect. I really could not understand why he chose the path he did.
Part 2 was a consistent page turner throughout. Mel Torrefranca knows how to emotionally mess with her readers! Reading the experiences that 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!