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A review by a_reader_obsessed
Nightshade Academy by Mel Torrefranca
3.0
3.5 Stars!
For some reason, academy settings always seem so alluring, and this caught my eye!
Set in an alternate reality which echoes imperial China, this has slight shades of [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1586722975l/2767052._SX50_.jpg|2792775], [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618526890l/13335037._SY75_.jpg|13155899], and [b:The Poppy War|35068705|The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)|R.F. Kuang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515691735l/35068705._SY75_.jpg|56364137] as teens across the realm vie to be selected for that rare spot in the Belladonna Guardian Academy. Being chosen is an honor as their families and district get a generous stipend for as long as they remain in the competition, and being the best of the best means a chance to become a guardian of the Force as twenty students are whittled down to the premier five, showing they have what it takes to protect the empire and fight off treacherous traitors.
This story focuses on 15 year old Yahshi who is an unexpected pick. Once at the top of his class, a traumatizing incident several years back causes an obsession in him that he can’t let go of. It’s possible that his inquisitive dogged mind brought him to academy attention, and he’s not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.
As Yahshi fights his suspicions, he also struggles with wanting to know the truth about the venerated Force. He can’t help but admire their cause, nor can he deny his inner competitive side. In such a charged setting, it’s no wonder that motivations are questioned, friends become foes and foes become friends, all with an underlying commentary on indoctrination, political conflict, shades of morality all tied together with plenty of pervasive secrets and hidden agendas.
This had the classic school competition with a pretty cutthroat elimination process. Yahshi is not a prodigy and is not infallible. Each student had their own personal reasons for wanting to be in the academy which was varied and interesting. Be aware that the themes presented in this were quite adult, and I was pleasantly surprised regarding the various ways the author took this story, thinking it would go turn here but ended up going there. Remember too, this is YA. Some actions and reactions were not mature and there is a lot of growing up that was done and still needs to be accomplished.
Overall, I enjoyed this set up, and the premise was interesting. This ends with a big reveal, and I look forward to the next book to see how Yahshi and his friends prevail!
Thank you to the author and Lost Island Press for a copy in exchange for a review posted to Goodreads!
For some reason, academy settings always seem so alluring, and this caught my eye!
Set in an alternate reality which echoes imperial China, this has slight shades of [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1586722975l/2767052._SX50_.jpg|2792775], [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618526890l/13335037._SY75_.jpg|13155899], and [b:The Poppy War|35068705|The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)|R.F. Kuang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515691735l/35068705._SY75_.jpg|56364137] as teens across the realm vie to be selected for that rare spot in the Belladonna Guardian Academy. Being chosen is an honor as their families and district get a generous stipend for as long as they remain in the competition, and being the best of the best means a chance to become a guardian of the Force as twenty students are whittled down to the premier five, showing they have what it takes to protect the empire and fight off treacherous traitors.
This story focuses on 15 year old Yahshi who is an unexpected pick. Once at the top of his class, a traumatizing incident several years back causes an obsession in him that he can’t let go of. It’s possible that his inquisitive dogged mind brought him to academy attention, and he’s not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.
As Yahshi fights his suspicions, he also struggles with wanting to know the truth about the venerated Force. He can’t help but admire their cause, nor can he deny his inner competitive side. In such a charged setting, it’s no wonder that motivations are questioned, friends become foes and foes become friends, all with an underlying commentary on indoctrination, political conflict, shades of morality all tied together with plenty of pervasive secrets and hidden agendas.
This had the classic school competition with a pretty cutthroat elimination process. Yahshi is not a prodigy and is not infallible. Each student had their own personal reasons for wanting to be in the academy which was varied and interesting. Be aware that the themes presented in this were quite adult, and I was pleasantly surprised regarding the various ways the author took this story, thinking it would go turn here but ended up going there. Remember too, this is YA. Some actions and reactions were not mature and there is a lot of growing up that was done and still needs to be accomplished.
Overall, I enjoyed this set up, and the premise was interesting. This ends with a big reveal, and I look forward to the next book to see how Yahshi and his friends prevail!
Thank you to the author and Lost Island Press for a copy in exchange for a review posted to Goodreads!