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Belladonna
Maelin
For fans of the Belladonna series and newcomers alike: Uncover the shocking truth behind Maelin’s death through the eyes of a young Blimmery, long before his time as Nightshade Academy’s beloved boarding school instructor.
“My name is Blimmery Owding, and I dug Maelin's grave.”
To salvage his family’s reputation, sixteen-year-old Blimmery joins the Empire’s military boarding school. There, he meets Maelin, a principled orphan, and Taig, her insufferable childhood friend.
Their fates entangle post-graduation, when Blimmery faces a problem—Maelin’s imminent demise. He teams up with Taig to save her, and the odd pair launches a mission that spirals into a night of total devastation.
Lost in the aftermath, Blimmery puts his life on the line to write a book. He titles it Maelin. And these are his words…
“My name is Blimmery Owding, and I dug Maelin's grave.”
To salvage his family’s reputation, sixteen-year-old Blimmery joins the Empire’s military boarding school. There, he meets Maelin, a principled orphan, and Taig, her insufferable childhood friend.
Their fates entangle post-graduation, when Blimmery faces a problem—Maelin’s imminent demise. He teams up with Taig to save her, and the odd pair launches a mission that spirals into a night of total devastation.
Lost in the aftermath, Blimmery puts his life on the line to write a book. He titles it Maelin. And these are his words…
- GenresFantasy
163 pages, ebook
Published May 11, 2024
2 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Mel Torrefranca
6 books477 followersMel Torrefranca is an award-winning author from the San Francisco Bay Area, now residing in the jungly mountains of Northern Thailand. Her books feature morally gray characters, bold endings, and a pinch of awkward humor. Mel discovered her passion for writing at the age of seven and published her debut novel Leaving Wishville before graduating from high school. She also drinks way too many lattes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 31, 2024
Blimmery is one of the sixteen-year-old kids who got selected to enter the military-style Belladona Guardian Academy. He decided to join the academy to restore his family’s reputation after his uncle wrote a notorious and banned book. There’s also Taig, Mister Perfect himself. Taig looks down on Blimmery for ironically coming from a wealthier and more loving family, as Blimmery had quite a sheltered life up to now. And there’s of course the titular Maelin. Blimmery wants to get closer to her. But Taig’s bond with Maelin prevents that from happening.
It’s a story set many years before the events of the Belladonna trilogy. But I would recommend to read Nightshade Academy first. We’ve heard about Maelin’s story in Nightshade Academy, and how Blimmery lied about it in his newspaper article to cover up the truth. Now we get to experience it. We already know the ending. But it’s the journey leading up to it that makes it worth the read.
I really like Blimmery’s character arc here. He’s an introverted person with a passion for writing books, which makes it very easy for me to relate to him for some very mysterious reason. It’s also clear that Blimmery struggles with the way people look at him. As he says it himself: “Just because I like to joke around doesn’t mean I like being the joke.” And as a young adult he’s of course still struggling with his own identity. One of the things I want to highlight from his character arc is that you shouldn’t write or do anything purely for external validation. You should write first and foremost because of the feeling you get from within, because it makes you happy.
The story also shows us how important books are, which I very much appreciate. Because fictional books are indeed doors to the author’s imagination. But even a fictional story can be used as a lens to reveal an important but sometimes inconvenient truth.
It’s a little side story that starts out quite lighthearted but gets darker as the story progresses. It’s a character-driven story that perfectly executes some very emotional and gripping moments. It further fleshes out the character of Blimmery and expands the world building. And it makes sure the hype train doesn’t lose any steam as we eagerly await the second book in the Belladonna trilogy.
It’s a story set many years before the events of the Belladonna trilogy. But I would recommend to read Nightshade Academy first. We’ve heard about Maelin’s story in Nightshade Academy, and how Blimmery lied about it in his newspaper article to cover up the truth. Now we get to experience it. We already know the ending. But it’s the journey leading up to it that makes it worth the read.
I really like Blimmery’s character arc here. He’s an introverted person with a passion for writing books, which makes it very easy for me to relate to him for some very mysterious reason. It’s also clear that Blimmery struggles with the way people look at him. As he says it himself: “Just because I like to joke around doesn’t mean I like being the joke.” And as a young adult he’s of course still struggling with his own identity. One of the things I want to highlight from his character arc is that you shouldn’t write or do anything purely for external validation. You should write first and foremost because of the feeling you get from within, because it makes you happy.
The story also shows us how important books are, which I very much appreciate. Because fictional books are indeed doors to the author’s imagination. But even a fictional story can be used as a lens to reveal an important but sometimes inconvenient truth.
It’s a little side story that starts out quite lighthearted but gets darker as the story progresses. It’s a character-driven story that perfectly executes some very emotional and gripping moments. It further fleshes out the character of Blimmery and expands the world building. And it makes sure the hype train doesn’t lose any steam as we eagerly await the second book in the Belladonna trilogy.
September 2, 2025
4.5 stars
Awww Blimmery 😭🥺 I loved getting his backstory. The concept of him actually writing the book was so cool, it made it so much more sad. Obsessed with this world and these characters!!
Awww Blimmery 😭🥺 I loved getting his backstory. The concept of him actually writing the book was so cool, it made it so much more sad. Obsessed with this world and these characters!!
April 18, 2024
Isn’t that cover just everything.
Going to preface this by saying this is a prologue and I haven’t read the first book yet… so I was not expecting to be sucked into this book like I was.
Mel Torrefranca has a way of making me care for complicated people. I adored the way the two people who carry this book Maelin and Taig are family, a strange crush and yet strangers to the main character Blimmery. I often wondered why Maelin isn’t the protagonist, it would’ve worked. But it wouldn’t have showed the strangeness and beauty of Maelin and Taig. I want what they have, that undeniable connection, and yet absolutely not, because it’s dysfunctional.
I was truly not expecting to love Mae and Taig like that. Especially through the eyes of Blim Blim, who at first seems like your average uncool whining teen boy not, ahem, physically gifted stereotype. I have talked this over with my friends who I have made read her other book Capsule (one of my fav books!) and how Mel Torrefranca has this gift for characters. They seem… strange, awkward in a way. And this sounds like a bad thing, but I promise it’s not.
With most authors this awkward stage is due to a badly written character, and the more you read the more you start to notice it’s single dimensionality. But the opposite happens with Mel’s characters and my friends seem to agree. They’re awkward at first, they just feel… strange. Bluntly written, weird humor coping skills… Hard to explain. Perhaps because despite that bluntness, there’s always the feeling of something she’s not showing you. Some character flaw that will change your perspective on the character. I love her way of writing characters.
Maybe I would’ve liked this more if I had read the first book in the series first. Who knows. I was also nitpicking about Maelin who just… Girl has no survival instinct, apparently.
And that fucking ending. That. Fucking. Ending.
No, I refuse actually…. No. (I’m in denial.)
Either way, thank you so much Lost Island Press and Mel Torrefranca for the arc! I very much enjoyed it… now onto Nightshade Academy!
Going to preface this by saying this is a prologue and I haven’t read the first book yet… so I was not expecting to be sucked into this book like I was.
Mel Torrefranca has a way of making me care for complicated people. I adored the way the two people who carry this book Maelin and Taig are family, a strange crush and yet strangers to the main character Blimmery. I often wondered why Maelin isn’t the protagonist, it would’ve worked. But it wouldn’t have showed the strangeness and beauty of Maelin and Taig. I want what they have, that undeniable connection, and yet absolutely not, because it’s dysfunctional.
I was truly not expecting to love Mae and Taig like that. Especially through the eyes of Blim Blim, who at first seems like your average uncool whining teen boy not, ahem, physically gifted stereotype. I have talked this over with my friends who I have made read her other book Capsule (one of my fav books!) and how Mel Torrefranca has this gift for characters. They seem… strange, awkward in a way. And this sounds like a bad thing, but I promise it’s not.
With most authors this awkward stage is due to a badly written character, and the more you read the more you start to notice it’s single dimensionality. But the opposite happens with Mel’s characters and my friends seem to agree. They’re awkward at first, they just feel… strange. Bluntly written, weird humor coping skills… Hard to explain. Perhaps because despite that bluntness, there’s always the feeling of something she’s not showing you. Some character flaw that will change your perspective on the character. I love her way of writing characters.
Maybe I would’ve liked this more if I had read the first book in the series first. Who knows. I was also nitpicking about Maelin who just… Girl has no survival instinct, apparently.
And that fucking ending. That. Fucking. Ending.
No, I refuse actually…. No. (I’m in denial.)
Either way, thank you so much Lost Island Press and Mel Torrefranca for the arc! I very much enjoyed it… now onto Nightshade Academy!
March 30, 2024
Here I am presenting my kinda messy (but excited!) review for MAELIN:
It was so fun to be a beta and ARC reader for MAELIN this year! I just love the Belladonna world and its characters--Mel Torrefranca did an amazing job with not only this story, but also the first book in the main trilogy, NIGHTSHADE ACADEMY. I hadn't expected much from NA when I ARC-read it back in September '23, but the story was so good I immediately dubbed it a new favorite. So, of course, I was thrilled when the author announced she was publishing a side novella. (And that also meant I wouldn't have to suffer so much between NA and its sequel, UNDERGROUND ROYALTY.)
*many thanks to Lost Island Press for the free advanced copy in exchange for beta reading!
Maelin's CWs: near-suicide, murder, torture, limited curse words
Alrighty, it's time to dive in and tell you all how much I love these fictional people XD. I've read all of Mel's books so far, and by the end of a majority of them, I've come away LOVING her characters. For Belladonna characters specifically, there's something so wholesome about them despite the dark and heavy themes going on.
This book was described as a "comedic tragedy". And it's a comedic tragedy to ITS CORE. Oh my word, the humor in this little novella was hilarious, and it's not even from just one character. I think each one of the trainees were funny in their own way. The ending was definitely tragic, but I loved the story anyway and the characters are worth it!
Doctor Blimmery was such a fun MC. His character voice is absolutely fantastic, and I love the fact he's an author XD. The way he struggles with right vs. wrong was very well-written and Blim Blim's ending was really good, too. Even though he's super conflicted over his morals, Blimmery still chooses to live and fight for good during his final scene. And that's admirable.
Maelin and Taig. Best friends since childhood. Their friendship is suuuuper sweet despite the tension over certain *decisions*. My favorite thing is when characters just CARE for each other (ahem ahem, Yahshi, Vell and Pinto XD), and Mae and Taig's relationship really gave me that. They try their hardest to protect one another (which, for Taig, means being grouchy), and that makes the consequences of Maelin's choices pretty sad.
Wick and Kanter! The list of great characters just goes on! But dang they're sad, too. (LOL, when I look back on the big-picture of this book, it's actually a pretty depressing ending.) However, I loved Wick's sarcastic comments and Kanter's quiet wholesomeness (agh and the part that basically reveals he's felt left out a lot 😔)
Okay, let's talk about worldbuilding!! Guys, I just love this world. It's literally so QUIRKY. If you've read about the Pandas, you know what I mean XD. I hardly ever read YA fiction like this, and it's what makes Blim Blim and Yahshi (from NA)'s stories so unique. As a writer, I now want to pen quirky worlds haha. (Also, I know I've already talked about the characters and their humor a lot, but they're also SO QUIRKY. I just love it.) If quirky-sounding worldbuilding doesn't impress you, then you can also think dark academia, boarding schools, heist-vibes-but-not-a-heist, and elements that remind you of A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
I would definitely recommend reading Nightshade Academy before this novella. Not only is that a PHENOMENAL start to the entire Belladonna world (+ I really want more people to know these stories exist rather than having nobody to talk about them to 😔), but I think I would've enjoyed Maelin less if I didn't have that background.
So, to summarize this extremely disorganized review, I basically want you to toss aside the parts that make this book sound too sad (remember, it's a COMEDIC tragedy, guys) and cling to the parts that make it sound amazing (quirky worldbuilding! amazing characters!) and then go on your way to read the book!
Meanwhile, I'll be waiting over here til' November for Underground Royalty.....
It was so fun to be a beta and ARC reader for MAELIN this year! I just love the Belladonna world and its characters--Mel Torrefranca did an amazing job with not only this story, but also the first book in the main trilogy, NIGHTSHADE ACADEMY. I hadn't expected much from NA when I ARC-read it back in September '23, but the story was so good I immediately dubbed it a new favorite. So, of course, I was thrilled when the author announced she was publishing a side novella. (And that also meant I wouldn't have to suffer so much between NA and its sequel, UNDERGROUND ROYALTY.)
*many thanks to Lost Island Press for the free advanced copy in exchange for beta reading!
Maelin's CWs: near-suicide, murder, torture, limited curse words
Alrighty, it's time to dive in and tell you all how much I love these fictional people XD. I've read all of Mel's books so far, and by the end of a majority of them, I've come away LOVING her characters. For Belladonna characters specifically, there's something so wholesome about them despite the dark and heavy themes going on.
This book was described as a "comedic tragedy". And it's a comedic tragedy to ITS CORE. Oh my word, the humor in this little novella was hilarious, and it's not even from just one character. I think each one of the trainees were funny in their own way. The ending was definitely tragic, but I loved the story anyway and the characters are worth it!
Doctor Blimmery was such a fun MC. His character voice is absolutely fantastic, and I love the fact he's an author XD. The way he struggles with right vs. wrong was very well-written and Blim Blim's ending was really good, too. Even though he's super conflicted over his morals, Blimmery still chooses to live and fight for good during his final scene. And that's admirable.
Maelin and Taig. Best friends since childhood. Their friendship is suuuuper sweet despite the tension over certain *decisions*. My favorite thing is when characters just CARE for each other (ahem ahem, Yahshi, Vell and Pinto XD), and Mae and Taig's relationship really gave me that. They try their hardest to protect one another (which, for Taig, means being grouchy), and that makes the consequences of Maelin's choices pretty sad.
Wick and Kanter! The list of great characters just goes on! But dang they're sad, too. (LOL, when I look back on the big-picture of this book, it's actually a pretty depressing ending.) However, I loved Wick's sarcastic comments and Kanter's quiet wholesomeness (agh and the part that basically reveals he's felt left out a lot 😔)
Okay, let's talk about worldbuilding!! Guys, I just love this world. It's literally so QUIRKY. If you've read about the Pandas, you know what I mean XD. I hardly ever read YA fiction like this, and it's what makes Blim Blim and Yahshi (from NA)'s stories so unique. As a writer, I now want to pen quirky worlds haha. (Also, I know I've already talked about the characters and their humor a lot, but they're also SO QUIRKY. I just love it.) If quirky-sounding worldbuilding doesn't impress you, then you can also think dark academia, boarding schools, heist-vibes-but-not-a-heist, and elements that remind you of A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
I would definitely recommend reading Nightshade Academy before this novella. Not only is that a PHENOMENAL start to the entire Belladonna world (+ I really want more people to know these stories exist rather than having nobody to talk about them to 😔), but I think I would've enjoyed Maelin less if I didn't have that background.
So, to summarize this extremely disorganized review, I basically want you to toss aside the parts that make this book sound too sad (remember, it's a COMEDIC tragedy, guys) and cling to the parts that make it sound amazing (quirky worldbuilding! amazing characters!) and then go on your way to read the book!
Meanwhile, I'll be waiting over here til' November for Underground Royalty.....
March 31, 2024
Firstly, I would like to thank Lost Island Press and Mel Torrefranca for allowing me to recieve an advanced reader copy of Maelin.
I read this in one sitting and was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The plot was engaging, moved quickly, and was extremely interesting as it followed one of the most intriguing guardians from Nightshade Academy, Doctor Blim Blim.
The characters were phenomenal, Taig, Blimmery, Maelin, Wick and Kanter were each distinct from each other and all so well developed as they continued throughout the book. It was a fascinating, but strange experince reading a book where you know the main character dies at the end. Maelin and Yahshi have striking parallels with their drive and motivation and refusal to give up and live with the reality they are forced into. Seeing Maelin unravel throughout the book until eventually succumbing to execution was expected bur somehow Mel shocked me in so many ways leading to the end. Seeing Taig suffer the same downward spiral was completly different from Maelins but mirrored it, where Maelin accepted she was going to be executed but trusted Blim to continue her work, Taig fought with everything he had until he was killed immediately. The relationship was strong, but possibly strained because both of them had no one else. The very small moments where Taig and Blim Blim actually got along, or had a positive response to each other happened because of the care they both had for Maelin.
Wick and Kanter were both extremely well developed, Wicks end was tragic as Blim Blim chose to literally stab him in the chest to spare Taig, the other thing Malein had in life, before her execution but left permanent blood on his hands. Mel wrote this extremely well, without fault I was shocked and felt empathy for the characters who felt so real as I was reading. I appreciated how Kanter developed and by far he came out the least traumatised out of all the characters which mirrors exactly how he was throughout the book, quite, mysterious and uninvolved with the other characters.
The plot didn't have any point of bordem, it was enough to keep you reading while teasing you to go further. The last portion was fast paced but easy to keep up with. The book didn't have unnecessary filler, only showed the essential parts of Blim Blim's time at the academy and beyond.
If you read Nightshade adacdemy I highly recommend this novella as personally, I saw Doctor Blimmery through a significantly different lense than what I did previously, which adds more depth to the belladonna series as a whole.
As usual, while reading I could tell Mel wrote these characters with love and care with every single word, and did give me a few laughs while reading.
Once again thank you for allowing me this oppertunity to ARC read Maelin.
I read this in one sitting and was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The plot was engaging, moved quickly, and was extremely interesting as it followed one of the most intriguing guardians from Nightshade Academy, Doctor Blim Blim.
The characters were phenomenal, Taig, Blimmery, Maelin, Wick and Kanter were each distinct from each other and all so well developed as they continued throughout the book. It was a fascinating, but strange experince reading a book where you know the main character dies at the end. Maelin and Yahshi have striking parallels with their drive and motivation and refusal to give up and live with the reality they are forced into. Seeing Maelin unravel throughout the book until eventually succumbing to execution was expected bur somehow Mel shocked me in so many ways leading to the end. Seeing Taig suffer the same downward spiral was completly different from Maelins but mirrored it, where Maelin accepted she was going to be executed but trusted Blim to continue her work, Taig fought with everything he had until he was killed immediately. The relationship was strong, but possibly strained because both of them had no one else. The very small moments where Taig and Blim Blim actually got along, or had a positive response to each other happened because of the care they both had for Maelin.
Wick and Kanter were both extremely well developed, Wicks end was tragic as Blim Blim chose to literally stab him in the chest to spare Taig, the other thing Malein had in life, before her execution but left permanent blood on his hands. Mel wrote this extremely well, without fault I was shocked and felt empathy for the characters who felt so real as I was reading. I appreciated how Kanter developed and by far he came out the least traumatised out of all the characters which mirrors exactly how he was throughout the book, quite, mysterious and uninvolved with the other characters.
The plot didn't have any point of bordem, it was enough to keep you reading while teasing you to go further. The last portion was fast paced but easy to keep up with. The book didn't have unnecessary filler, only showed the essential parts of Blim Blim's time at the academy and beyond.
If you read Nightshade adacdemy I highly recommend this novella as personally, I saw Doctor Blimmery through a significantly different lense than what I did previously, which adds more depth to the belladonna series as a whole.
As usual, while reading I could tell Mel wrote these characters with love and care with every single word, and did give me a few laughs while reading.
Once again thank you for allowing me this oppertunity to ARC read Maelin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2024
I went into this book knowing that it was a prequel of sorts to the Belladonna series, which I have not read yet, but based on other reviews I was confident that I wouldn't be too confused. Luckily, this was true. I was able to read Maelin with very little confusion, which I appreciated. Piecing how the world worked in this novella was actually quite fun! Overall, reading Maelin was a delightful experience. (Excluding the fact that I knew it was also a tragedy and it did, in fact, hurt my little heart)
From the first few pages of this story, it is made clear that the main character, Blimmery, had something to do with the death of a girl named Maelin and how dangerous it could be for him to be documenting his involvement. The story then jumps into Blimmery's life at Nightshade Academy and the relationships he has with his fellow peers. Blimmery is at the academy to attempt to fix his family's reputation and knows that he must be chosen as one of the final five to become Guardians in order for that to happen. While in school, he forms a close friendship with another student, Wick, and a rivalry with the top student Taig. He also becomes interested in Maelin, Taig's best friend since childhood.
The novella follows Blimmery's time at Nightshade Academy and beyond, spanning about five years in less than 200 pages, and it was quite well done! The entire story is written in Blimmery's words after the events of this story have passed. For large timespans like the one in Maelin, I would normally want the book to be about 300-400 pages, but the author did a good job of making sure they fit in crucial information without making the storyline seem rushed.
This story was very much a tragic comedy, as it is described. I read this in about an hour and a half and found myself laughing multiple times, but as I mentioned before, it did get pretty upsetting once you hit a certain point in the story. But like, upsetting in a good way. It wouldn't be a tragic comedy if it wasn't.
Anyway, to wrap up this review, I enjoyed this novella! I definitely want to read the first book in the Belladonna Series now and see what Blimmery is like in the future. I highly recommend this novella if you've read the series already, or if you're like me and brand new to the series!
Thank you to Lost Island Press for providing an ARC of Maelin! It was a wonderful read.
4 Stars
From the first few pages of this story, it is made clear that the main character, Blimmery, had something to do with the death of a girl named Maelin and how dangerous it could be for him to be documenting his involvement. The story then jumps into Blimmery's life at Nightshade Academy and the relationships he has with his fellow peers. Blimmery is at the academy to attempt to fix his family's reputation and knows that he must be chosen as one of the final five to become Guardians in order for that to happen. While in school, he forms a close friendship with another student, Wick, and a rivalry with the top student Taig. He also becomes interested in Maelin, Taig's best friend since childhood.
The novella follows Blimmery's time at Nightshade Academy and beyond, spanning about five years in less than 200 pages, and it was quite well done! The entire story is written in Blimmery's words after the events of this story have passed. For large timespans like the one in Maelin, I would normally want the book to be about 300-400 pages, but the author did a good job of making sure they fit in crucial information without making the storyline seem rushed.
This story was very much a tragic comedy, as it is described. I read this in about an hour and a half and found myself laughing multiple times, but as I mentioned before, it did get pretty upsetting once you hit a certain point in the story. But like, upsetting in a good way. It wouldn't be a tragic comedy if it wasn't.
Anyway, to wrap up this review, I enjoyed this novella! I definitely want to read the first book in the Belladonna Series now and see what Blimmery is like in the future. I highly recommend this novella if you've read the series already, or if you're like me and brand new to the series!
Thank you to Lost Island Press for providing an ARC of Maelin! It was a wonderful read.
4 Stars
May 5, 2024
Following the events of 'Nightshade Academy', this novella travels back in time to when boarding school tutor Dr Blimmery Owding was a pupil at the academy. After his uncle wrote a seditious book, Blimmery joined Nightshade Academy to revive his family's fortunes. There he befriends roommate, Wick, whilst competing for the five coveted spots against his fellow candidates including Maelin & Taig.
Taig seems to dislike Blimmery for being a 'city boy', but although they are never close friends, there is a friendship of sorts (or maybe even more) between Maelin & Blimmery. After graduation, their paths continue to converge until Maelin crosses a line which has fatal consequences. Blimmery & Taig put aside their differences to launch a rescue bid, but will they succeed?
Mel Torrefranca does it again! This novella set several decades before the events of the first book in the series is nothing short of wonderful. The perfect mix of action, friendship, loyalty, courage, & betrayal in under 200 pages. Both Maelin & Blimmery draw you into the story & even though you know the outcome, it doesn't lose its poignancy. If you haven't read the first book in the series yet, personally I would advise reading it before this novella as it gives you all the background information needed to really become invested in the characters. 5 stars.
My thanks to the author, & publishers Lost Island Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Taig seems to dislike Blimmery for being a 'city boy', but although they are never close friends, there is a friendship of sorts (or maybe even more) between Maelin & Blimmery. After graduation, their paths continue to converge until Maelin crosses a line which has fatal consequences. Blimmery & Taig put aside their differences to launch a rescue bid, but will they succeed?
Mel Torrefranca does it again! This novella set several decades before the events of the first book in the series is nothing short of wonderful. The perfect mix of action, friendship, loyalty, courage, & betrayal in under 200 pages. Both Maelin & Blimmery draw you into the story & even though you know the outcome, it doesn't lose its poignancy. If you haven't read the first book in the series yet, personally I would advise reading it before this novella as it gives you all the background information needed to really become invested in the characters. 5 stars.
My thanks to the author, & publishers Lost Island Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
May 6, 2024
Arc review 💐
I started the book really excited as is right for someone who really enjoyed reading Nightshade academy.
At certain point at around the middle I got a weird feeling about it, not about the story in itself but about the way I was reading I was reading it. Reading it slower was really an option, cause even though I enjoy reading I also tend to use it to distract myself. Especially from the mess of the stress tests give me and so on. My anxiety has been a little a little better at the moment but it’s something I have to deal with along time.
I kept on reading and didn’t get surprised when I ended up liking it quite a lot. Especially some of the writing itself, some sentences that I just couldn’t help but really end up loving.
This book comes out on may 11th. I recommend it to everyone who likes dystopian, mystery and thrillers this wonderful fast pasted read.
Thank you @meltorrefranca and @lostislandpress for letting me read Maelin for an honest review.
I started the book really excited as is right for someone who really enjoyed reading Nightshade academy.
At certain point at around the middle I got a weird feeling about it, not about the story in itself but about the way I was reading I was reading it. Reading it slower was really an option, cause even though I enjoy reading I also tend to use it to distract myself. Especially from the mess of the stress tests give me and so on. My anxiety has been a little a little better at the moment but it’s something I have to deal with along time.
I kept on reading and didn’t get surprised when I ended up liking it quite a lot. Especially some of the writing itself, some sentences that I just couldn’t help but really end up loving.
This book comes out on may 11th. I recommend it to everyone who likes dystopian, mystery and thrillers this wonderful fast pasted read.
Thank you @meltorrefranca and @lostislandpress for letting me read Maelin for an honest review.
May 9, 2024
Thank you to Lost Island Press for allowing me to read an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Maelin — a beautifully written comedic tragedy that engages the reader with equal parts wit, humour, and devastation — follows the story of Blimmery Owding years before he became a boarding school professor at Nightshade Academy. At sixteen-years-old, he joins the Empire’s elite military school to salvage his family’s reputation after his uncle wrote and published a treasonous book. At the academy, he meets an orphaned girl named Maelin, and gets entangled in a petty rivalry with her childhood friend Taig.
Years after their graduation, however, Blimmery soon becomes involved in the events leading to Maelin’s imminent demise. What unfolds throughout the book is a struggle between his passion for writing and his desire to redeem his family name, between being a guardian performing his duties and being a friend to his fellow graduates, and ultimately, between doing the right thing or risking losing his life.
And in this book, through his words, Blimmery makes his decision…
Mel Torrefranca never fails to amaze me writing style, and it has improved significantly across the span of five books. She cleverly delivers Blimmery’s story, giving us a glimpse into the world through his eyes. But not only that—she also always ends her chapters in such a satisfying way that almost punches you in the gut and leaves you wanting more. Personally, I’m a slow reader, but I was constantly flipping through the pages to find out what happens next.
Blimmery was such an interesting character in the first book of the Belladonna trilogy, and getting to read his backstory was a fulfilling and insightful experience. You get to learn more about where he’s coming from and what burden he’s carrying when we see him later on when Yahshi becomes acquainted with him. He is full of humour and playfulness, but also a serious writer that has passion for his craft. I absolutely loved how Blimmery’s passion for writing was at the heart of the conflict of this book.
I also loved reading about the new characters—Maelin, Wick, Kanter, and Taig (yes, this is in order of my favorites lol). I enjoyed reading about the petty rivalry between Blimmery and Taig, and Blimmery being kind of the third wheeler who is just casually observing the dynamic between Maelin and Taig was a nice touch. He’s someone outside who is looking into two people’s intimate world. He’s not really an outsider, but he is also just a watcher, not a participant in their relationship. At least not until the latter part of the book, when there is a dramatic shift in the story’s conflict, and when he has no choice but to get involved.
However, Taig’s dislike for Blimmery started to become a bit annoying as the book went on. That’s probably why I didn’t really gravitate towards him the most among all the other characters. But his relationship with Maelin was interesting to read about — how he is so protective over her and always wants to be by her side. We all need a childhood friend like him, honestly.
I also liked Wick as a friend who stands by Blimmery’s side, and just thinking about what happens at the end makes me want to cry (but I won’t spoil anything). I was curious about Kanter’s character, but I wasn’t really captivated by him at all. It would have been nice to have more page time with him because I felt a little disconnected from truly knowing him.
Maelin, though, was probably my favourite character aside from Blimmery. She has such strong morals and values, and viciously fights for what is right while also showing a little bit of vulnerability towards Blimmery. I loved reading about the quiet moments they shared. Their dynamic was so strong and the bond they shared made me so invested in their story. I liked how Blimmery supports Maelin when something happens to her towards the middle of the story where she gets into a bit of a conflict with her superior guardians. But I loved how Blimmery stood by her side, regardless of the risks.
THE ENDING. I can always expect a gut-wrenching ending when reading Mel’s books. She never fails to deliver on the promise of an ending to a book that will absolutely ruin your day in the best (and saddest) way possible. I was thinking about the ending for probably a few hours after I finished reading. You get to see how the characters learn about the truth of the Empire they work for, the same truth Yahshi encounters in the first book, and how Maelin passes the moral responsibility and obligation to Blimmery to do what he does best: write a good story, while also telling a harsh truth that needs to be heard.
Overall, this novella is tightly-woven into the Belladonna series and will delight anyone wanting to learn more about the world and get some backstory about Blimmery’s character as well. It is a novella with themes such as knowing the truth, and the importance of spreading that truth to counter the ugly lies that threaten to suffocate it forever. Highly recommend reading this one if you are already a fan of the Belladonna series, or even if you’re coming across this series for the first time. Mel Torrefranca always has something in store for everyone.
Maelin — a beautifully written comedic tragedy that engages the reader with equal parts wit, humour, and devastation — follows the story of Blimmery Owding years before he became a boarding school professor at Nightshade Academy. At sixteen-years-old, he joins the Empire’s elite military school to salvage his family’s reputation after his uncle wrote and published a treasonous book. At the academy, he meets an orphaned girl named Maelin, and gets entangled in a petty rivalry with her childhood friend Taig.
Years after their graduation, however, Blimmery soon becomes involved in the events leading to Maelin’s imminent demise. What unfolds throughout the book is a struggle between his passion for writing and his desire to redeem his family name, between being a guardian performing his duties and being a friend to his fellow graduates, and ultimately, between doing the right thing or risking losing his life.
And in this book, through his words, Blimmery makes his decision…
Mel Torrefranca never fails to amaze me writing style, and it has improved significantly across the span of five books. She cleverly delivers Blimmery’s story, giving us a glimpse into the world through his eyes. But not only that—she also always ends her chapters in such a satisfying way that almost punches you in the gut and leaves you wanting more. Personally, I’m a slow reader, but I was constantly flipping through the pages to find out what happens next.
Blimmery was such an interesting character in the first book of the Belladonna trilogy, and getting to read his backstory was a fulfilling and insightful experience. You get to learn more about where he’s coming from and what burden he’s carrying when we see him later on when Yahshi becomes acquainted with him. He is full of humour and playfulness, but also a serious writer that has passion for his craft. I absolutely loved how Blimmery’s passion for writing was at the heart of the conflict of this book.
I also loved reading about the new characters—Maelin, Wick, Kanter, and Taig (yes, this is in order of my favorites lol). I enjoyed reading about the petty rivalry between Blimmery and Taig, and Blimmery being kind of the third wheeler who is just casually observing the dynamic between Maelin and Taig was a nice touch. He’s someone outside who is looking into two people’s intimate world. He’s not really an outsider, but he is also just a watcher, not a participant in their relationship. At least not until the latter part of the book, when there is a dramatic shift in the story’s conflict, and when he has no choice but to get involved.
However, Taig’s dislike for Blimmery started to become a bit annoying as the book went on. That’s probably why I didn’t really gravitate towards him the most among all the other characters. But his relationship with Maelin was interesting to read about — how he is so protective over her and always wants to be by her side. We all need a childhood friend like him, honestly.
I also liked Wick as a friend who stands by Blimmery’s side, and just thinking about what happens at the end makes me want to cry (but I won’t spoil anything). I was curious about Kanter’s character, but I wasn’t really captivated by him at all. It would have been nice to have more page time with him because I felt a little disconnected from truly knowing him.
Maelin, though, was probably my favourite character aside from Blimmery. She has such strong morals and values, and viciously fights for what is right while also showing a little bit of vulnerability towards Blimmery. I loved reading about the quiet moments they shared. Their dynamic was so strong and the bond they shared made me so invested in their story. I liked how Blimmery supports Maelin when something happens to her towards the middle of the story where she gets into a bit of a conflict with her superior guardians. But I loved how Blimmery stood by her side, regardless of the risks.
THE ENDING. I can always expect a gut-wrenching ending when reading Mel’s books. She never fails to deliver on the promise of an ending to a book that will absolutely ruin your day in the best (and saddest) way possible. I was thinking about the ending for probably a few hours after I finished reading. You get to see how the characters learn about the truth of the Empire they work for, the same truth Yahshi encounters in the first book, and how Maelin passes the moral responsibility and obligation to Blimmery to do what he does best: write a good story, while also telling a harsh truth that needs to be heard.
Overall, this novella is tightly-woven into the Belladonna series and will delight anyone wanting to learn more about the world and get some backstory about Blimmery’s character as well. It is a novella with themes such as knowing the truth, and the importance of spreading that truth to counter the ugly lies that threaten to suffocate it forever. Highly recommend reading this one if you are already a fan of the Belladonna series, or even if you’re coming across this series for the first time. Mel Torrefranca always has something in store for everyone.
March 31, 2024
Maelin is a comedic tragedy and it hits the mark on both of those. It’s hard to pull of the perfect balance this genre demands while still keeping the reading experience smooth. Maelin does it just right, allowing you to feel every aspect of the story- laughing one minute and then sobbing the next.
This book feels different to most of the other books Mel has written and it makes sense- it’s not her words, it’s Blimmery’s. Blimmery’s voice is so interesting and his moral conflict over doing good or bad was enticing- every time he does the ‘right thing’ he is faced with consequences. Would you still prevail in favor of the truth when it puts your loved one’s at harm?
The other characters too were well rounded and were fun to read about. My favourites( aside from Blimmery of course) were Kanter, Wick and Maelin. Wick is an amazing side character and pushes Blimmery outside his comfort zones. I absolutely loved Wick during the initial training days, his jokes never failed to make me laugh. Another favorite of mine is Kanter. I can’t exactly put into words how much I love him, he deserved more page time- what a sweet soul. I can't say much about Maelin without giving away half the book, so I won’t except this- It’s hard to come across female characters, or any character at all, who serve as such great role models and embody an entire series. Hopefully that explains my love for Maelin. I didn’t necessarily like Taig but he’s one of the best written characters in this book. Everybody needs a Taig in their lives.
To wrap up- If you’re looking for a quick read that will make you laugh and sob your hearts out at the same time- this is the one. All that to say, Maelin was right- Blimmery does indeed know how to say things in a way that makes people listen.
Thank you to Mel and the team at Lost Island press for the ARC. It was a phenomenal read.
This book feels different to most of the other books Mel has written and it makes sense- it’s not her words, it’s Blimmery’s. Blimmery’s voice is so interesting and his moral conflict over doing good or bad was enticing- every time he does the ‘right thing’ he is faced with consequences. Would you still prevail in favor of the truth when it puts your loved one’s at harm?
The other characters too were well rounded and were fun to read about. My favourites( aside from Blimmery of course) were Kanter, Wick and Maelin. Wick is an amazing side character and pushes Blimmery outside his comfort zones. I absolutely loved Wick during the initial training days, his jokes never failed to make me laugh. Another favorite of mine is Kanter. I can’t exactly put into words how much I love him, he deserved more page time- what a sweet soul. I can't say much about Maelin without giving away half the book, so I won’t except this- It’s hard to come across female characters, or any character at all, who serve as such great role models and embody an entire series. Hopefully that explains my love for Maelin. I didn’t necessarily like Taig but he’s one of the best written characters in this book. Everybody needs a Taig in their lives.
To wrap up- If you’re looking for a quick read that will make you laugh and sob your hearts out at the same time- this is the one. All that to say, Maelin was right- Blimmery does indeed know how to say things in a way that makes people listen.
Thank you to Mel and the team at Lost Island press for the ARC. It was a phenomenal read.
May 15, 2024
This book destroyed me in the best possible way.
May 10, 2024
Thank you to Lost Island Press and Mel Torrefranca for providing me an ARC copy for free in exchange for an honest review.
I always like to start with what I enjoy and begin reviews on a positive note, so let's start there.
I loved the character of Blimmery. His way through the story and his responses were natural, and he was a fantastic lead to fill the protagonist's shoes. Another character that I really enjoyed was Cove. She is my favorite in the story, given that she is helping her cousin through his stress and personal problems. And on top of that she is the most colorful, and those characters usually end up being my favorite.
After reading Nightshade Academy, I was slightly frustrated with the intense world dumping of information. I was so happy to discover that this novella did not use the same tactics for sharing the world the characters live in. Mel Torrefranca could also write a wonderful group of words to paint you a picture; in some moments, it felt like a movie was playing in my mind.
With the smaller page count, the story is fast-paced and can take you through the years this story covers very well. I found that from the late middle to the end, I constantly wanted more, and by the conclusion, I was hooked.
Now, I will share what I didn't particularly enjoy, but I will also provide what I think could have been changed to make the story richer.
Some of the characters in my option fell flat, particularly Maelin. While I understand not being able to thoroughly explore everyone's backstory in the short time of the novella, the focus should have been her and not nearly as much as the others. Since she is the title character, I felt that even though her life was unjustly taken from her, I didn't have a connection with her to care greatly. She was the least involved compared to her male friends. One of the greatest examples of this is when they are trying to break her free from her cell the day before her execution. Blimmery is arguing and has intense conversations with Wick and Taig, while the mission’s focus is behind bars and silent for most of the scene, even though she is the one who is going to be killed the fallowing morning.
Another thing I would have loved to explore is Taig’s and Blimmery's relationship and how they disliked each other. I think it would have made a wonderful element to make something more than simply make it out to be that they don’t get along. In the end, he died without much progress made between them.
To empower the story, this would have been great as a full length novel, and for it to be told though Maelin's eyes. Then I would feel like you're reading her life and how she died trying to do what is right. Given the circumstances, I completely understand why it's told from Blimmery's POV, but when he says things like how it's his fault and how he dug her grave, I think it doesn't partially line up with the story because she just openly admitted to reading illegal literature. So she dug her own grave, not him. Because she could have not read it, helped Blimmery, or simply refused to get involved. But she wanted to know even though she knew her choices came with consequences. And if she did share her secret, It would make more sense for her to tell Taig. Even though he would probably disagree, he wouldn't tell on her because he cared for her so much. When she told basically a stranger and how she then was planned for execution, well, it was kind alike what did you expect?
I think this story would have been great if it was told from Maelin, and at at first she and Blimmery didn't get along because she already had such strong beliefs, and he disagreed only because he feared the truth, which would feed into the narrative of him thinking he's a coward. And by going on a longer journey together, they would understand more about their different values and find the book with Maelin leading the way. And through tragic circumstances, she died protecting Blimmery, which would make the elements of her passing the torch to him stronger, and now it is his turn to go out and spread the truth that Maelin tried so hard to tell. For him to finish what she started. Because she rather handled herself poorly, and there were much better ways to try to rebel than the one she chose. Her death fell flat because she completely had it coming and the fault was her own.
I hope this review doesn't scare any potential readers off because I am a huge fan of Mel Torrefranca, and she is by far one of my favorite authors. However, if I'm being honest, I think since the story was so short, many things couldn't be explained as much as I think they should have been. Because if it was, we would’ve had more time to get to know these characters that I wanted to know more about.
However, if you are a fan of the Belladonna series, then this extra story is one you should check out. Even though I read Nightshade Academy first, the story is written in a way that you don't need to read the main trilogy to understand these characters' world.
Finally, all these options are my own, and no review should ever dampen how much you enjoy a story. Happy reading!
I always like to start with what I enjoy and begin reviews on a positive note, so let's start there.
I loved the character of Blimmery. His way through the story and his responses were natural, and he was a fantastic lead to fill the protagonist's shoes. Another character that I really enjoyed was Cove. She is my favorite in the story, given that she is helping her cousin through his stress and personal problems. And on top of that she is the most colorful, and those characters usually end up being my favorite.
After reading Nightshade Academy, I was slightly frustrated with the intense world dumping of information. I was so happy to discover that this novella did not use the same tactics for sharing the world the characters live in. Mel Torrefranca could also write a wonderful group of words to paint you a picture; in some moments, it felt like a movie was playing in my mind.
With the smaller page count, the story is fast-paced and can take you through the years this story covers very well. I found that from the late middle to the end, I constantly wanted more, and by the conclusion, I was hooked.
Now, I will share what I didn't particularly enjoy, but I will also provide what I think could have been changed to make the story richer.
Some of the characters in my option fell flat, particularly Maelin. While I understand not being able to thoroughly explore everyone's backstory in the short time of the novella, the focus should have been her and not nearly as much as the others. Since she is the title character, I felt that even though her life was unjustly taken from her, I didn't have a connection with her to care greatly. She was the least involved compared to her male friends. One of the greatest examples of this is when they are trying to break her free from her cell the day before her execution. Blimmery is arguing and has intense conversations with Wick and Taig, while the mission’s focus is behind bars and silent for most of the scene, even though she is the one who is going to be killed the fallowing morning.
Another thing I would have loved to explore is Taig’s and Blimmery's relationship and how they disliked each other. I think it would have made a wonderful element to make something more than simply make it out to be that they don’t get along. In the end, he died without much progress made between them.
To empower the story, this would have been great as a full length novel, and for it to be told though Maelin's eyes. Then I would feel like you're reading her life and how she died trying to do what is right. Given the circumstances, I completely understand why it's told from Blimmery's POV, but when he says things like how it's his fault and how he dug her grave, I think it doesn't partially line up with the story because she just openly admitted to reading illegal literature. So she dug her own grave, not him. Because she could have not read it, helped Blimmery, or simply refused to get involved. But she wanted to know even though she knew her choices came with consequences. And if she did share her secret, It would make more sense for her to tell Taig. Even though he would probably disagree, he wouldn't tell on her because he cared for her so much. When she told basically a stranger and how she then was planned for execution, well, it was kind alike what did you expect?
I think this story would have been great if it was told from Maelin, and at at first she and Blimmery didn't get along because she already had such strong beliefs, and he disagreed only because he feared the truth, which would feed into the narrative of him thinking he's a coward. And by going on a longer journey together, they would understand more about their different values and find the book with Maelin leading the way. And through tragic circumstances, she died protecting Blimmery, which would make the elements of her passing the torch to him stronger, and now it is his turn to go out and spread the truth that Maelin tried so hard to tell. For him to finish what she started. Because she rather handled herself poorly, and there were much better ways to try to rebel than the one she chose. Her death fell flat because she completely had it coming and the fault was her own.
I hope this review doesn't scare any potential readers off because I am a huge fan of Mel Torrefranca, and she is by far one of my favorite authors. However, if I'm being honest, I think since the story was so short, many things couldn't be explained as much as I think they should have been. Because if it was, we would’ve had more time to get to know these characters that I wanted to know more about.
However, if you are a fan of the Belladonna series, then this extra story is one you should check out. Even though I read Nightshade Academy first, the story is written in a way that you don't need to read the main trilogy to understand these characters' world.
Finally, all these options are my own, and no review should ever dampen how much you enjoy a story. Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
I just finished reading Maelin, by Mel Torrefranca, a companion novella that is part of the Belladonna Belladonna series. I received an Advanced Reader Copy in ebook format, courtesy of #LostIslandPress.
This novella is written in the words of a young, 22-year old Blimmery Owding, when he first became a guardian of the Empire. If you've read the first book of the Belladonna series (Nightshade Academy), then you may remember Professor Blimmery...and in that story, we hear a little bit about Maelin and her death. What we learn from a young Blimmery in this novella is the true story of what happened, rather than the doctored up version Blimmery was forced to write to satisfy the Empire.
We also learn a bit more about Blimmery himself. He writes that he decided to join the Empire's academy in an attempt to restore his family's reputation after his uncle wrote a scathing book against the Empire and ended up executed by the Empire over it. We learn also that Blimmery is a writer at heart, and hopes to become a writer for the Empire someday.
As Blimmery writes Maelin's story, we learn that Blimmery was not very close with Maelin. Much of that has to do with the difference in their upbringings: Blimmery grew up in the capital city in comfort, while Maelin grew up in an orphanage. However, Taig, another graduate and Maelin's boyfriend, is also a big part of the reason...he doesn't like Blimmery and makes it near impossible for Blimmery to get closer to Maelin.
Blimmery writes about how Maelin starts to question the Empire's actions and the repercussions it causes not just to Maelin, but to all those around her.
MY THOUGHTS:
Though this is a side novella and could be read as a stand-alone book, I suggest reading Nightshade Academy first, so that you can get a more detailed feel for what the academy graduates have to go through in order to become guardians of the Empire. I think knowing this will make the Maelin story much more understandable in terms of why certain characters do the things they do.
I really loved the way Blimmery starts off the story: "If you're reading this book, I must be dead. If I'm not, I will be soon..." Since the Nightshade Academy book features Blimmery as a Professor, we can assume that what he writes in Maelin has stayed hidden from the time he wrote it, at the age of 22. What I came away wondering was, "What happened between then and the time period when Nightshade Academy takes place?" It makes me all the more eager for the 2nd installment of the Belladonna series, because maybe we learn even more about Blimmery's journey.
In terms of the characters, I feel like Torrefranca does a great job creating characters that I cared about, particularly Blimmery, Maelin, and even Taig. I could understand their motivations and reasons for their actions, and I genuinely felt for each of them along the journey this story takes you on.
The story itself gets darker as it progresses, and it pulled at my heartstrings quite a bit. For example, there were several instances of a character wanting to do the right thing but being too afraid to do it. And also instances of knowing the dangers of doing the right thing, and doing it anyway. I was on the edge of my seat throughout, fretting along with the characters as they had to choose the path they needed to take.
This is the 3rd book I've read by Torrefranca, and I truly enjoy her writing style. I'm very much looking forward to not only the next Belladonna series installment, but more from Torrefranca in general. She is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine.
This novella is written in the words of a young, 22-year old Blimmery Owding, when he first became a guardian of the Empire. If you've read the first book of the Belladonna series (Nightshade Academy), then you may remember Professor Blimmery...and in that story, we hear a little bit about Maelin and her death. What we learn from a young Blimmery in this novella is the true story of what happened, rather than the doctored up version Blimmery was forced to write to satisfy the Empire.
We also learn a bit more about Blimmery himself. He writes that he decided to join the Empire's academy in an attempt to restore his family's reputation after his uncle wrote a scathing book against the Empire and ended up executed by the Empire over it. We learn also that Blimmery is a writer at heart, and hopes to become a writer for the Empire someday.
As Blimmery writes Maelin's story, we learn that Blimmery was not very close with Maelin. Much of that has to do with the difference in their upbringings: Blimmery grew up in the capital city in comfort, while Maelin grew up in an orphanage. However, Taig, another graduate and Maelin's boyfriend, is also a big part of the reason...he doesn't like Blimmery and makes it near impossible for Blimmery to get closer to Maelin.
Blimmery writes about how Maelin starts to question the Empire's actions and the repercussions it causes not just to Maelin, but to all those around her.
MY THOUGHTS:
Though this is a side novella and could be read as a stand-alone book, I suggest reading Nightshade Academy first, so that you can get a more detailed feel for what the academy graduates have to go through in order to become guardians of the Empire. I think knowing this will make the Maelin story much more understandable in terms of why certain characters do the things they do.
I really loved the way Blimmery starts off the story: "If you're reading this book, I must be dead. If I'm not, I will be soon..." Since the Nightshade Academy book features Blimmery as a Professor, we can assume that what he writes in Maelin has stayed hidden from the time he wrote it, at the age of 22. What I came away wondering was, "What happened between then and the time period when Nightshade Academy takes place?" It makes me all the more eager for the 2nd installment of the Belladonna series, because maybe we learn even more about Blimmery's journey.
In terms of the characters, I feel like Torrefranca does a great job creating characters that I cared about, particularly Blimmery, Maelin, and even Taig. I could understand their motivations and reasons for their actions, and I genuinely felt for each of them along the journey this story takes you on.
The story itself gets darker as it progresses, and it pulled at my heartstrings quite a bit. For example, there were several instances of a character wanting to do the right thing but being too afraid to do it. And also instances of knowing the dangers of doing the right thing, and doing it anyway. I was on the edge of my seat throughout, fretting along with the characters as they had to choose the path they needed to take.
This is the 3rd book I've read by Torrefranca, and I truly enjoy her writing style. I'm very much looking forward to not only the next Belladonna series installment, but more from Torrefranca in general. She is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine.
May 7, 2024
This short and sweet read has resonated with me on a very personal level. As a writer who’s procrastinating just as much on a writing project as Blimmery, I related a lot to him. More than I should. But ironically, he is not the one I prefer most in here. That was the case at first and only at first. Progressing through the read, I eventually ended up despising him for… something I can’t tell you quite yet, but you’ll find out if you read until the end. He’s such a morally gray (even morally dark, at times) character. Not a “heartless monster” (as he calls himself at one point), though. No one is inherently a monster, it’s all due to the environment they were formed in – here, the ominous Nightshade Academy (or shall I call it Nightmare Academy?), where teenagers became muscular powerhouses at the cost of some (or all) of their humanity. Although Blim Blim certainly has more than some left. But he’s still not the first in my preference hierarchy, but…
…Kanter Lorraine. He’s the classic underdog-turned-victor. The one who is painfully introverted, but so kind, helpful and genuinely caring – in his own awkward way. I felt almost called out in that one scene when he tried to approach the others during their training session, and was… frankly rejected. His mere presence wasn’t tolerated, so he tried to keep to a minimum. To blend in with his surroundings, like a chameleon. That’s exactly how I’ve survived high school. The only thing I can say is that... I really feel seen now. And thank you for that.
Maelin is the second in this hierarchy. She reminded me a lot of Yahshi, which I loved and related to a lot (as for those wondering – he’s the main character of Nightshade Academy, which, if you haven’t figured it by now, you should try and read first, to get more insight – though the novella works well as a standalone, too). A rebel, but a good one, at that. She’s the one who looks like one who could kill you – but is actually a cinnamon roll. Fiery and determined (sometimes even violent, when circumstances ask for it) on the outside, but always kind-hearted on the inside, always putting others’ interest first, and starving for the truth. Ahhh, the truth. The very thing you won’t want to pursue in this guardian world of violence and blind devotion. Not at all.
I love talking about characters, I know. But I really have enough material to talk about here. Mel did, like always, a great job at creating a set of fully fleshed out figures, some of them familiar (to someone who has read Nightshade Academy first), some of them entirely new and surprising.
As for the plot… it is evenly paced. Fast enough that you don’t feel bored, but not so much, so that it doesn’t feel like an action film set at 2x speed. I really liked it, a great improvement from the beta version :D
And, that’s all, folks. Special thanks to Lost Island Press for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange of an honest review – here’s my work. Hope you all found this informative. As for me, I’ll be anxiously waiting for the sequel to the first novel – I really appreciated that this novella was dropped in the meantime. I really needed to connect once more with this fictional world I absolutely love.
…Kanter Lorraine. He’s the classic underdog-turned-victor. The one who is painfully introverted, but so kind, helpful and genuinely caring – in his own awkward way. I felt almost called out in that one scene when he tried to approach the others during their training session, and was… frankly rejected. His mere presence wasn’t tolerated, so he tried to keep to a minimum. To blend in with his surroundings, like a chameleon. That’s exactly how I’ve survived high school. The only thing I can say is that... I really feel seen now. And thank you for that.
Maelin is the second in this hierarchy. She reminded me a lot of Yahshi, which I loved and related to a lot (as for those wondering – he’s the main character of Nightshade Academy, which, if you haven’t figured it by now, you should try and read first, to get more insight – though the novella works well as a standalone, too). A rebel, but a good one, at that. She’s the one who looks like one who could kill you – but is actually a cinnamon roll. Fiery and determined (sometimes even violent, when circumstances ask for it) on the outside, but always kind-hearted on the inside, always putting others’ interest first, and starving for the truth. Ahhh, the truth. The very thing you won’t want to pursue in this guardian world of violence and blind devotion. Not at all.
I love talking about characters, I know. But I really have enough material to talk about here. Mel did, like always, a great job at creating a set of fully fleshed out figures, some of them familiar (to someone who has read Nightshade Academy first), some of them entirely new and surprising.
As for the plot… it is evenly paced. Fast enough that you don’t feel bored, but not so much, so that it doesn’t feel like an action film set at 2x speed. I really liked it, a great improvement from the beta version :D
And, that’s all, folks. Special thanks to Lost Island Press for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange of an honest review – here’s my work. Hope you all found this informative. As for me, I’ll be anxiously waiting for the sequel to the first novel – I really appreciated that this novella was dropped in the meantime. I really needed to connect once more with this fictional world I absolutely love.
December 29, 2025
☆ 4.2
Maelin is a short novella which takes place 36 years before the first book of the Belladonna trilogy 'Nightshade Academy'.
In this book, we get to see what really happened to Maelin from the eyes of Doctor Blimmery.
Before starting with my thoughts, I want to say that if you're planning on reading this book, I highly recommend reading 'Nightshade Academy' first! It will help understand the world building, and different details, like how exactly the Academy works, and why Maelin's story is important.
Now, I think Maelin is a great book. I admire the way in which Mel writes her characters (and in general). I would've liked to have more Maelin interactions though, which was a shame because her name is literally the title of the book hahaha. Some scenes in the first part made me cringe a little bit, but honestly I laughed a looot, which is weird for me to do while reading.
I really enjoyed all the characters, and love the way Mel puts a great deal of time into them. Loved the relationships and especially loved Wick.
While reading I started getting a little mad at Blim, but honestly, I wouldn't be able to do any of the things they did, nor would I be able to endure them, so I won't judge Blim too much for his thoughts. (Bear with me)
Despite some reviews I read before writing this one, I liked the way this is a short story (136 pages), that is constantly making time jumps. Personally, I really enjoyed the pace Mel decided to use with this book, and even believe I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did if it was a full-length Novel. I think, the point of the story is to be quick, the reason Blimmery chose to write this book was to expose the truth and pay tribute to Maelin's death, which means he wouldn't retell deeply or exactly all the details, not writing about his personal relations to everyone, but it's instead a timeline of events. (I hope I'm making myself clear 😭😭)
Also, I must accept I'm a sucker for the books in which a character is retelling something from their past, and occasionally interrupting the story for some thoughts.
And, finally, even though the ending was sad, I think it was good. 🥲 Would definitely recommend this book
That's all! Thank you for reading my review, and I hope it was somewhat helpful :)
Maelin is a short novella which takes place 36 years before the first book of the Belladonna trilogy 'Nightshade Academy'.
In this book, we get to see what really happened to Maelin from the eyes of Doctor Blimmery.
Before starting with my thoughts, I want to say that if you're planning on reading this book, I highly recommend reading 'Nightshade Academy' first! It will help understand the world building, and different details, like how exactly the Academy works, and why Maelin's story is important.
Now, I think Maelin is a great book. I admire the way in which Mel writes her characters (and in general). I would've liked to have more Maelin interactions though, which was a shame because her name is literally the title of the book hahaha. Some scenes in the first part made me cringe a little bit, but honestly I laughed a looot, which is weird for me to do while reading.
I really enjoyed all the characters, and love the way Mel puts a great deal of time into them. Loved the relationships and especially loved Wick.
While reading I started getting a little mad at Blim, but honestly, I wouldn't be able to do any of the things they did, nor would I be able to endure them, so I won't judge Blim too much for his thoughts. (Bear with me)
Despite some reviews I read before writing this one, I liked the way this is a short story (136 pages), that is constantly making time jumps. Personally, I really enjoyed the pace Mel decided to use with this book, and even believe I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did if it was a full-length Novel. I think, the point of the story is to be quick, the reason Blimmery chose to write this book was to expose the truth and pay tribute to Maelin's death, which means he wouldn't retell deeply or exactly all the details, not writing about his personal relations to everyone, but it's instead a timeline of events. (I hope I'm making myself clear 😭😭)
Also, I must accept I'm a sucker for the books in which a character is retelling something from their past, and occasionally interrupting the story for some thoughts.
And, finally, even though the ending was sad, I think it was good. 🥲 Would definitely recommend this book
That's all! Thank you for reading my review, and I hope it was somewhat helpful :)
April 22, 2024
For my Mel Torrefranca’s fans I have huge news: I am excited to announce that a novel set prior to the events of the Nighshade Academy, written from the point of view of Doctor Blimmery, will be coming out soon! And I had the privilege to read the arc in advance thanks to @longislandpress.
Maelin is a trainee at the Belladonna Academy selected at the same time as Blimmery.He keeps training hard to graduate from the Academy, coming from the city and a wealthy family of writers, his objective is to makeup for his uncle’s wrongdoing that shed shame upon his family.
Maelin and Blimmery together with Taeg, Wick and Karnan graduate and become Guardians. Everything seems to work perfectly until four years after graduation, their lives take a steep turn.
Like Yahshi, after an incident at the hospital that led a man to his deathbed, Maelin starts to question the integrity of the Force and the role of the Guardians, this is where the harmony crashes and action and chaos start to take over.
I believe what Maelin really delivers to the reader and the Belladonna series, is how unjust and cruel the Force and the Vakoi Emperor are. The Nighshade Academy was not able to bring us the need to eradicate the those entities, but now with this additional events we can see how crucial is the way Yahshi’s story unfolds for the sake of the Island and its people.
It is a nice addition to the Belladonna series that looks at past occurrences giving us glimpses of things we already knew but also digging deeper into the history of the empire and how Yahshi and his friend’s stories where affected by those events.
I thought the Nighshade Acadamy to be quite crude in a way but definetly this one might feel even more distressing, delivering the true disturbing nature of the Force.
I highly recommend this novel to all the fans of the Belladonna series, but could also be interesting as a standalone for someone who has not read the other book yet.
Maelin is a trainee at the Belladonna Academy selected at the same time as Blimmery.He keeps training hard to graduate from the Academy, coming from the city and a wealthy family of writers, his objective is to makeup for his uncle’s wrongdoing that shed shame upon his family.
Maelin and Blimmery together with Taeg, Wick and Karnan graduate and become Guardians. Everything seems to work perfectly until four years after graduation, their lives take a steep turn.
Like Yahshi, after an incident at the hospital that led a man to his deathbed, Maelin starts to question the integrity of the Force and the role of the Guardians, this is where the harmony crashes and action and chaos start to take over.
I believe what Maelin really delivers to the reader and the Belladonna series, is how unjust and cruel the Force and the Vakoi Emperor are. The Nighshade Academy was not able to bring us the need to eradicate the those entities, but now with this additional events we can see how crucial is the way Yahshi’s story unfolds for the sake of the Island and its people.
It is a nice addition to the Belladonna series that looks at past occurrences giving us glimpses of things we already knew but also digging deeper into the history of the empire and how Yahshi and his friend’s stories where affected by those events.
I thought the Nighshade Acadamy to be quite crude in a way but definetly this one might feel even more distressing, delivering the true disturbing nature of the Force.
I highly recommend this novel to all the fans of the Belladonna series, but could also be interesting as a standalone for someone who has not read the other book yet.
May 1, 2024
Rating: 4/5
I received eARC for my honest opinion.
Pub Date: 5/11
This is a novella that goes back to the past and helps to explain/gives the readers a little more in depth to why somethings happen in the Belladonna books. I loved this book; it gave you so much more and at the same time really sets up to be even more excited for when book 2 comes out of the Belladonna series.
I loved that in this book you will see the POV of Blimmery, you will get to see what happened when he was younger and the reasons that he wrote a book with so many secrets and truths in it. This book is short but wow. Mel Torrefranca knows how to write a book so short and still pack it with so much emotion, tragedy, love, and sadness. I loved that we got to see a different side to Blimmery and to understand him more. I enjoyed learning about his fellow Nightshade Academy graduates. I really liked Wick, he was a great side character that helped bring Blimmery out of his shell, and always had jokes that made me smile. Kanter was my next favorite side character, He was so sweet, and at times he didn’t seem like he was paying attention to what was going on. You later find out that he was, he was just very quiet about it. He really has the sweetest soul to him. I loved Maelin’s character so much, she was smart, fierce, and a great role model for people that want to stand up for what is right. I can’t go into much with her character without giving away a good part of the book but if you read this book, you will understand, and I hope you do and the first book of the Belladonna series. Blimmery, you can’t help but love him. He is smart, determined, and just lovable.
With all that being said, be ready to shed a tear or two with this novella. That ending really tore me up.
I really recommend this novella and the Nightshade Academy book to anyone.
I want to thank Lost Island Press and Mel Torrefranca for the opportunity to review this book.
I received eARC for my honest opinion.
Pub Date: 5/11
This is a novella that goes back to the past and helps to explain/gives the readers a little more in depth to why somethings happen in the Belladonna books. I loved this book; it gave you so much more and at the same time really sets up to be even more excited for when book 2 comes out of the Belladonna series.
I loved that in this book you will see the POV of Blimmery, you will get to see what happened when he was younger and the reasons that he wrote a book with so many secrets and truths in it. This book is short but wow. Mel Torrefranca knows how to write a book so short and still pack it with so much emotion, tragedy, love, and sadness. I loved that we got to see a different side to Blimmery and to understand him more. I enjoyed learning about his fellow Nightshade Academy graduates. I really liked Wick, he was a great side character that helped bring Blimmery out of his shell, and always had jokes that made me smile. Kanter was my next favorite side character, He was so sweet, and at times he didn’t seem like he was paying attention to what was going on. You later find out that he was, he was just very quiet about it. He really has the sweetest soul to him. I loved Maelin’s character so much, she was smart, fierce, and a great role model for people that want to stand up for what is right. I can’t go into much with her character without giving away a good part of the book but if you read this book, you will understand, and I hope you do and the first book of the Belladonna series. Blimmery, you can’t help but love him. He is smart, determined, and just lovable.
With all that being said, be ready to shed a tear or two with this novella. That ending really tore me up.
I really recommend this novella and the Nightshade Academy book to anyone.
I want to thank Lost Island Press and Mel Torrefranca for the opportunity to review this book.
April 7, 2024
First of all, I must say a huge thank you to Lost Island Press for sending me a free advanced copy of Maelin! This is the third book I've read by Torrefranca, and this novella did not disappoint.
Doctor Blimmery is one of my favorite characters, as well as Maelin and Taig. All the characters were incredibly created and each had a distinct character arc that made them interesting, and at times, caused what happened to them to pull at your heartstrings. Maelin is headstrong and willing to do what is right, no matter the cost, Taig is a protector and model student on the outside, but he really is just a lonely lost kid who needs companionship. Blimmery struggles with what others think of him, trying to salvage his family name, by becoming a guardian. Throughout Maelin, an internal war goes on in his mind, trying to figure out what is right and wrong, and what is worth fighting for.
There were so many times I was left speechless and wanted to cry with the characters, which, in my opinion, makes an incredible book that I cannot put down! The plot and the writing style had me on the edge of my seat many times, as well as the internal struggle that Torrefranca did so well in giving each character.
I loved that Blimmery is an author too, and through his writing of this book, we now know the truth about how Maelin died. It shows who he is, and why he is the way he is now. His characterization is well done and I feel so deeply for him and the circumstances he was put through in this novella.
It's wild to think that this book wasn't planned and I am so glad Mel decided to write this!! I strongly recommend "Nightshade Academy", where we learn about Maelin in the first place, but takes place years after Maelin.
Again, thanks to Lost Island Press for allowing me to read Maelin for an honest review. :)
Doctor Blimmery is one of my favorite characters, as well as Maelin and Taig. All the characters were incredibly created and each had a distinct character arc that made them interesting, and at times, caused what happened to them to pull at your heartstrings. Maelin is headstrong and willing to do what is right, no matter the cost, Taig is a protector and model student on the outside, but he really is just a lonely lost kid who needs companionship. Blimmery struggles with what others think of him, trying to salvage his family name, by becoming a guardian. Throughout Maelin, an internal war goes on in his mind, trying to figure out what is right and wrong, and what is worth fighting for.
There were so many times I was left speechless and wanted to cry with the characters, which, in my opinion, makes an incredible book that I cannot put down! The plot and the writing style had me on the edge of my seat many times, as well as the internal struggle that Torrefranca did so well in giving each character.
I loved that Blimmery is an author too, and through his writing of this book, we now know the truth about how Maelin died. It shows who he is, and why he is the way he is now. His characterization is well done and I feel so deeply for him and the circumstances he was put through in this novella.
It's wild to think that this book wasn't planned and I am so glad Mel decided to write this!! I strongly recommend "Nightshade Academy", where we learn about Maelin in the first place, but takes place years after Maelin.
Again, thanks to Lost Island Press for allowing me to read Maelin for an honest review. :)
May 6, 2024
Thanks to Mel Torrefranca and Lost Island Press for the privilege to be able to review the arc of Maelin.
I must admit that getting through this novella took longer than I'd personally like to admit. Because a. exams, and b. my crippling depression that doesn't allow me to get through a major of the works that I read. I read Nightshade Academy last year and I ABSOLUTELY loved it and I really wanted to know more about the special 'Maelin' that had been mentioned so many times.
Here's what I loved about Maelin.
1. Engaging plot: The plot, right from the beginning is amazing. It's rare that fantasy [?] plots stray away from the normal trope and yet are able to be amazing in their own way. The narration of the story through the eyes of Blimmery, his styles and views have kept this plot amazing and fresh and it's breathtaking.
2. Characters: AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING. Blimmery had always been a personal favourite of mine. But seeing the Nightshade Academy life through his eyes was relatable on some level. Like I love writing but am still somewhere that I don't like, and forced to clear my own name, yeah, that resonates on a level.
3. Suspense: Edge of the seat suspense. That's it. I don't think there's anything else I would be able to describe it with.
What I did not like:
Pacing: It was a bit too fast paced for my liking. I mean, I get it, a life or death urgency, but even though I was going through it slower than I'm used to, it felt like that I was trying to catch a running train. Through the middle of the plot, it was sort of difficult to keep track.
An overall of 4.2/5 in a point system, but we don't have the half or point star system on GR.
I must admit that getting through this novella took longer than I'd personally like to admit. Because a. exams, and b. my crippling depression that doesn't allow me to get through a major of the works that I read. I read Nightshade Academy last year and I ABSOLUTELY loved it and I really wanted to know more about the special 'Maelin' that had been mentioned so many times.
Here's what I loved about Maelin.
1. Engaging plot: The plot, right from the beginning is amazing. It's rare that fantasy [?] plots stray away from the normal trope and yet are able to be amazing in their own way. The narration of the story through the eyes of Blimmery, his styles and views have kept this plot amazing and fresh and it's breathtaking.
2. Characters: AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING. Blimmery had always been a personal favourite of mine. But seeing the Nightshade Academy life through his eyes was relatable on some level. Like I love writing but am still somewhere that I don't like, and forced to clear my own name, yeah, that resonates on a level.
3. Suspense: Edge of the seat suspense. That's it. I don't think there's anything else I would be able to describe it with.
What I did not like:
Pacing: It was a bit too fast paced for my liking. I mean, I get it, a life or death urgency, but even though I was going through it slower than I'm used to, it felt like that I was trying to catch a running train. Through the middle of the plot, it was sort of difficult to keep track.
An overall of 4.2/5 in a point system, but we don't have the half or point star system on GR.
May 8, 2024
When I received an ARC for this book, I was so excited. I loved beta reading it, and I was so curious to see how the final version turned out. Here are my thoughts.
Blimmery is an Academy guardian from Nightshade Academy reflecting on the truth of his days at the Academy, specifically the tragedy surrounding Maelin. This book is a comedic tragedy, something I think you need to know before diving into it. There are some really sad parts, but also some hilarious parts. I loved reading it. The humor lightened the mood, but the tragedy parts talked about some really important issues.
I loved how the book explored a lot of human topics, like guilt and uncertainty. Blimmery was a super interesting character, and being in his head and hearing his thoughts was super entertaining. All the characters felt very real and very human. Blimmery makes good and bad decisions. He's not perfect, and neither are any of the other characters. I loved this exploration of good and evil, and how the lines are blurred. There is a difference between wanting to do the right thing and doing the right thing, and I love how this is explored.
This was a pretty short read since it's a novella, which I enjoyed. It's nice to get a complete story after only a few hours of reading. You are just thrown into the world with little introduction, but even if you haven't read Nightshade Academy, I think it's pretty understandable (however, I have, so I can't really speak to if you would be confused or not). Overall, I loved this book. I thought it added a lot to the conversation, a lot of food for thought. It was funny and sad, and a real reflection of the complexities of humanity.
I loved seeing it develop from the story I beta read to this!! Thanks Lost Island Press for the ARC read.
Blimmery is an Academy guardian from Nightshade Academy reflecting on the truth of his days at the Academy, specifically the tragedy surrounding Maelin. This book is a comedic tragedy, something I think you need to know before diving into it. There are some really sad parts, but also some hilarious parts. I loved reading it. The humor lightened the mood, but the tragedy parts talked about some really important issues.
I loved how the book explored a lot of human topics, like guilt and uncertainty. Blimmery was a super interesting character, and being in his head and hearing his thoughts was super entertaining. All the characters felt very real and very human. Blimmery makes good and bad decisions. He's not perfect, and neither are any of the other characters. I loved this exploration of good and evil, and how the lines are blurred. There is a difference between wanting to do the right thing and doing the right thing, and I love how this is explored.
This was a pretty short read since it's a novella, which I enjoyed. It's nice to get a complete story after only a few hours of reading. You are just thrown into the world with little introduction, but even if you haven't read Nightshade Academy, I think it's pretty understandable (however, I have, so I can't really speak to if you would be confused or not). Overall, I loved this book. I thought it added a lot to the conversation, a lot of food for thought. It was funny and sad, and a real reflection of the complexities of humanity.
I loved seeing it develop from the story I beta read to this!! Thanks Lost Island Press for the ARC read.
April 29, 2024
Fans of the Belladonna world, by Mel Torrefranca, will love this prequel novella!
In this book we meet a girl called Maelin, some of her colleagues at the Academy, and the tragic destiny that awaits her for refusing to back down and silence her ideals. It's told through the eyes of his friend Blimmery, who's a character from Book 1 (Nightshade Academy) and has lived through more than meets the eye.
Even though I haven't read Nightshade Academy just yet, it was really easy to understand how the worldbuilding worked and get lost in its rich nuance. I was perfectly able to follow Blimmery's journey as he went through the Academy, then through his job, then through one of the most important decisions of his life and its consequences, and I could hold empathy for him.
Were I to criticise something about the book, it'd be that I didn't find Maelin's actions realistic (I'm talking about the ones that acted as the catalyst for the tragic end). After spending the whole book seeing her as a sweet and cautious girl, it didn't make a lot of sense for her to act so rashly and do what she did, but this is of course a subjective opinion.
Overall this was an excellent novella, with flawless, immersive writing and a character one can empathise with. Don't miss out, and while you're waiting, perhaps give Nightshade Academy a go!
***
TWs: Anxiety, Blood, Death of a friend, Foster care (mentioned), Grief and loss, Gun violence (mentioned), imprisonment and incarceration, Knife violence, Police brutality, Violence
DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this book we meet a girl called Maelin, some of her colleagues at the Academy, and the tragic destiny that awaits her for refusing to back down and silence her ideals. It's told through the eyes of his friend Blimmery, who's a character from Book 1 (Nightshade Academy) and has lived through more than meets the eye.
Even though I haven't read Nightshade Academy just yet, it was really easy to understand how the worldbuilding worked and get lost in its rich nuance. I was perfectly able to follow Blimmery's journey as he went through the Academy, then through his job, then through one of the most important decisions of his life and its consequences, and I could hold empathy for him.
Were I to criticise something about the book, it'd be that I didn't find Maelin's actions realistic (I'm talking about the ones that acted as the catalyst for the tragic end). After spending the whole book seeing her as a sweet and cautious girl, it didn't make a lot of sense for her to act so rashly and do what she did, but this is of course a subjective opinion.
Overall this was an excellent novella, with flawless, immersive writing and a character one can empathise with. Don't miss out, and while you're waiting, perhaps give Nightshade Academy a go!
***
TWs: Anxiety, Blood, Death of a friend, Foster care (mentioned), Grief and loss, Gun violence (mentioned), imprisonment and incarceration, Knife violence, Police brutality, Violence
DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2024
Thank you to Lost Island Press and Mel Torrefranca for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Starting off, I had read Nightshade Academy prior to reading Maelin but the story serves as both a standalone and interesting background to the main story of Nightshade Academy.
Knowing what Blimmery’s future would look like, I was surprised to see the amount of backstory and depth that was able to fit into this novella. I was fond of how the story kept itself interesting by including different elements to keep the reader engaged such as mystery, shocking revelations etc. I also enjoyed the differences among the main character group in the force- none felt stereotypical and I honestly couldn't predict anything any character was going to do next lol.
There are some moments in the plot where I felt a bit disinterested but there was always a development that kept the momentum of the story going. The story’s pacing is great as well. I enjoyed the development of both Blimmery and Maelin’s relationship and Blimmery and Taig’s relationship. (Also loved Kanter's role as a sort of ‘silent protector’-he was my favourite.) The world-building was done really well too, I was able to visualise the captivating world of Vakoi city and really get immersed into the setting.
Very enjoyable read that made me feel happy, sad and everything in between. (I recommend reading with a box of tissues and your favourite snack near you.)
Starting off, I had read Nightshade Academy prior to reading Maelin but the story serves as both a standalone and interesting background to the main story of Nightshade Academy.
Knowing what Blimmery’s future would look like, I was surprised to see the amount of backstory and depth that was able to fit into this novella. I was fond of how the story kept itself interesting by including different elements to keep the reader engaged such as mystery, shocking revelations etc. I also enjoyed the differences among the main character group in the force- none felt stereotypical and I honestly couldn't predict anything any character was going to do next lol.
There are some moments in the plot where I felt a bit disinterested but there was always a development that kept the momentum of the story going. The story’s pacing is great as well. I enjoyed the development of both Blimmery and Maelin’s relationship and Blimmery and Taig’s relationship. (Also loved Kanter's role as a sort of ‘silent protector’-he was my favourite.) The world-building was done really well too, I was able to visualise the captivating world of Vakoi city and really get immersed into the setting.
Very enjoyable read that made me feel happy, sad and everything in between. (I recommend reading with a box of tissues and your favourite snack near you.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
My name is Blimmery Owding, and I dug Maelin's grave.
With that chilling sentence, we step back into the Belladonna series, and I was hooked already.
I am so glad this novella happened. It gives a whole new look at Blimmery, but I also had so many questions about Maelin when she was mentioned in Nightshade Academy. While I would have loved to get more of her thoughts (we do get one chapter slightly told by her), getting to see her from an outside perspective adds a lot. With Yashi we already have someone who isn't so quick to believe the lies of the Force, and who is ready to stand against them. With Blimmery, we have someone who uncovers secrets, but isn't brave enough to act on them.
I feel like it's so easy to want more from Blimmery, to expect him to stand up in a losing battle. Even though we see that's not his personality, we see his hesitation and how unsure he is in himself. And we see how hopeless his situation is in trying to save Maelin.
One thing's for sure - if you're new to the Belladonna series, this is an excellent starting point, or novella to pick up while you're waiting for Underground Royalty. I'm so excited to get back into this world, and I know I'll be going back to Nightshade Academy right away!
Thank you to Mel and Lost Island Press for the ARC. Can't wait for this one to be released!
With that chilling sentence, we step back into the Belladonna series, and I was hooked already.
I am so glad this novella happened. It gives a whole new look at Blimmery, but I also had so many questions about Maelin when she was mentioned in Nightshade Academy. While I would have loved to get more of her thoughts (we do get one chapter slightly told by her), getting to see her from an outside perspective adds a lot. With Yashi we already have someone who isn't so quick to believe the lies of the Force, and who is ready to stand against them. With Blimmery, we have someone who uncovers secrets, but isn't brave enough to act on them.
I feel like it's so easy to want more from Blimmery, to expect him to stand up in a losing battle. Even though we see that's not his personality, we see his hesitation and how unsure he is in himself. And we see how hopeless his situation is in trying to save Maelin.
One thing's for sure - if you're new to the Belladonna series, this is an excellent starting point, or novella to pick up while you're waiting for Underground Royalty. I'm so excited to get back into this world, and I know I'll be going back to Nightshade Academy right away!
Thank you to Mel and Lost Island Press for the ARC. Can't wait for this one to be released!
April 7, 2024
I will start by saying that I never read Belladonna Series, but since this Arc was introduced as gateway for Belladonna and me as a newbie wouldn't miss anything on the process, so I decided to jump in… my first thoughts about the book was that it reminded me of harry potter but instead of magic you had doctors, maybe it would be best for me to have read some books on belladonna universe first… the book centres in a character named Blimmery, and he comes from a family where his own uncle wrote a banned book… and during this book he comes across with his own uncle book, and how that intertwines with Maelin and what went wrong with her…
This book will make you sad… that’s for sure, even if you know the characters or you’re introduced to them as I was… this universe is very messed up.. the difference between life and death could be what books you keep on your bookcase, even more if you have money or not, and who decides if you should be helped hangs in the hands of others… but more about that in the book I wont give spoilers.
For me it was worth of my time… I got sad, but all good stories are meant to touch our soul in a way or in the other…
Thank you Bookfunnel and Lost Island Press, for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
This book will make you sad… that’s for sure, even if you know the characters or you’re introduced to them as I was… this universe is very messed up.. the difference between life and death could be what books you keep on your bookcase, even more if you have money or not, and who decides if you should be helped hangs in the hands of others… but more about that in the book I wont give spoilers.
For me it was worth of my time… I got sad, but all good stories are meant to touch our soul in a way or in the other…
Thank you Bookfunnel and Lost Island Press, for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
May 3, 2024
After reading Mel Torrefranca Nightshade Academy and falling in love with every aspect possible there was no doubt I would be ready this prequal, Maelin.
Maelin, is briefly introduced in NA however you do not necessarily have to read NA 1st.
The main character in the Maelin storyline is Blimmery (who later on becomes Dr Blimmery in NA). Part of me felt like maybe I should have read Maelin 1st because we would then learn Blimerrys history and understand him more but then in NA you learn alot more about the academies daily procedures and how/what the children endure to graduate.
As much as I loved to revisit our favourite academy I unfortunately didn't feel quite the same magic as previously, maybe it was because I knew the ending, maybe because it was so much shorter and it felt over before I'd even begun or possibly I feel disappointed in Blimmery, all these years in between and has he just stayed quiet? Allowed endless unnecessary deaths? That breaks my heart...
I cannot wait for the next installment of the Belladonna Trilogy to catch up with latest excitement.
Thank you so much to #LostIslandPress and #MelTorrefranca for the ARC in exchange for a non biased review of #Maelin
Maelin, is briefly introduced in NA however you do not necessarily have to read NA 1st.
The main character in the Maelin storyline is Blimmery (who later on becomes Dr Blimmery in NA). Part of me felt like maybe I should have read Maelin 1st because we would then learn Blimerrys history and understand him more but then in NA you learn alot more about the academies daily procedures and how/what the children endure to graduate.
As much as I loved to revisit our favourite academy I unfortunately didn't feel quite the same magic as previously, maybe it was because I knew the ending, maybe because it was so much shorter and it felt over before I'd even begun or possibly I feel disappointed in Blimmery, all these years in between and has he just stayed quiet? Allowed endless unnecessary deaths? That breaks my heart...
I cannot wait for the next installment of the Belladonna Trilogy to catch up with latest excitement.
Thank you so much to #LostIslandPress and #MelTorrefranca for the ARC in exchange for a non biased review of #Maelin
May 12, 2024
i couldnt get enough of nightshade academy so i had to be at the front of the line for maelin, mel is so underrated and i need more people to see the light and read her books, her ability to write well written characters that are both flawed yet lovable amazes me all the time. i loved blimmery a lot in NA and didn't realize how deep his character was until i read this, his characterization is well done, we got to see a lot of characters and a glimpse into the world through his eyes, and the burden he carries and i just couldnt stop thinking about how he and yahshi are quite literally tethered and have a lot of parallels and honestly i need to save them all from that messed up universe, i loved the world building's execution, the plot was amazing and got darker as the story progressed, maelin will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat throughout it as you'll have to witness them making decisions that could possibly go wrong or work on their favor! the ending...mel really knows how to write an ending that will make you lose copious amounts of hair.
huge thanks to mel torrefranca and lost island press for providing me with this arc.
huge thanks to mel torrefranca and lost island press for providing me with this arc.
May 23, 2024
I just finished reading "Maelin" by Mel Torrefranca, and it was quite an emotional rollercoaster. The story follows Blimmery Owding, who tries to redeem his family's honor by joining a military boarding school. There, he meets Maelin, an orphan with strong principles, and her friend Taig. The trio's journey is filled with humor and heartbreak, making the novella a compelling read.
I loved how the author made me laugh one minute and cry the next. The characters felt real and their struggles were deeply moving. The book tackles some pretty heavy themes like attempted suicide, torture, and abuse of power, so it's definitely more suited for readers aged 12 and up.
Torrefranca's engaging writing style and the emotional depth of the story make "Maelin" a memorable read. She has this knack for creating morally gray characters and delivering bold, impactful endings. If you're into young adult fiction that tackles serious themes with a touch of humor, this book is definitely worth picking up.
I loved how the author made me laugh one minute and cry the next. The characters felt real and their struggles were deeply moving. The book tackles some pretty heavy themes like attempted suicide, torture, and abuse of power, so it's definitely more suited for readers aged 12 and up.
Torrefranca's engaging writing style and the emotional depth of the story make "Maelin" a memorable read. She has this knack for creating morally gray characters and delivering bold, impactful endings. If you're into young adult fiction that tackles serious themes with a touch of humor, this book is definitely worth picking up.
May 8, 2024
Many thanks to Lost Island Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this story considering that I hadn’t read Nightshade Academy but wow did this make me really want to read it!
Blimmery, Maelin, Taig, Wick and Kanter were just written so brilliantly that in such a short amount of time I adored them and OUCH MY POOR HEART?!? Mel Torrefrance how dare you hurt me this way!!
I loved the tone and storytelling and the fact that the characters were so easy to like and understand. For a reader that knew nothing going in, the story was constructed in a really engaging way and I literally couldn’t put it down I devoured it in one sitting!
All of the characters were so distinct and likeable I really enjoyed getting to know them all!
This has put the Nightshade Academy on my TBR for sure and I can’t wait to read more!
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this story considering that I hadn’t read Nightshade Academy but wow did this make me really want to read it!
Blimmery, Maelin, Taig, Wick and Kanter were just written so brilliantly that in such a short amount of time I adored them and OUCH MY POOR HEART?!? Mel Torrefrance how dare you hurt me this way!!
I loved the tone and storytelling and the fact that the characters were so easy to like and understand. For a reader that knew nothing going in, the story was constructed in a really engaging way and I literally couldn’t put it down I devoured it in one sitting!
All of the characters were so distinct and likeable I really enjoyed getting to know them all!
This has put the Nightshade Academy on my TBR for sure and I can’t wait to read more!
May 10, 2024
MAELIN written by Mel Torrefranca is a novella set in the same world as NIGHTSHADE ACADEMY. It features the story of a girl named Maelin, who is accepted into a prestigious academy to train to be a guardian. It is a coming to age story where the protagonist and the narrator (Blimmery) both face various struggles; notably Blimmery reconciling his own personal desires with what is expected of him. The main theme of the story is Maelin questioning the totalitarian regime which she vowed to serve and ultimately being killed for it. Blimmery feels responsible for her death because he was the person who prompted her into questioning the regime.
I enjoyed the book very much. The plot was very intriguing, the characters were well developed and the world was rich in detail. I just didn't find the various friendships in the book compelling; other than that, it was a great read!!!
I enjoyed the book very much. The plot was very intriguing, the characters were well developed and the world was rich in detail. I just didn't find the various friendships in the book compelling; other than that, it was a great read!!!
April 5, 2024
The novel is narrated by Blimmery Owding from his beginnings at the academy when he meets Maelin. We get to know all his feelings, his progress, the friendships he makes and what his life is like after graduation, but always revolving around Maelin.
It is a novel of characters, where we have Kanter, the introvert and then Maelin and Taig who form an almost inseparable couple and Blim himself with his roommate and friend Wick. All of them are fantastic and will make you laugh, get excited, worry, suffer and even cry.
Maelin is one of those novels you can't stop reading.
No matter if you have read Nightsahade Academy I am sure that any lover of the genre will enjoy this novel immensely.
Thanks to Mel Torrefranca and Bookfunnel for the ARC.
It is a novel of characters, where we have Kanter, the introvert and then Maelin and Taig who form an almost inseparable couple and Blim himself with his roommate and friend Wick. All of them are fantastic and will make you laugh, get excited, worry, suffer and even cry.
Maelin is one of those novels you can't stop reading.
No matter if you have read Nightsahade Academy I am sure that any lover of the genre will enjoy this novel immensely.
Thanks to Mel Torrefranca and Bookfunnel for the ARC.
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