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Nightshade Academy #1
Awakened Vampire: Nightshade Academy, Episode 1
Vampirism.
An academy made for monsters.
A guy I want to eat because of a targeted and insatiable bloodlust.
That’s what my life has become.
I’m used to being the weird girl.
When I look at people, I see their Colors instead of their faces.
But I never thought a vampire would rip out of me when a mysterious man told me these simple “Your blood is mine.”
The timing was too perfect.
Right after that, the headmaster of Nightshade Academy kidnapped me before I could hurt someone with my newly “awakened” vampire genes. Now she’s making me attend her school until I’ve relearned how to be a civilized human being.
Well, I want out. I just graduated high school, and I’m not doing college.
Mom is probably worried sick about me.
Then there’s Kian. He’s a student at Nightshade Academy with a Color that’s the perfect complement to mine.
His smell is intoxicating. He fires up my bloodlust without even trying, and that’s when I realize how in trouble I really am.
If I can’t control this bloodlust, I’m going to kill someone.
—
Nightshade Academy is a young adult contemporary fantasy series.
An academy made for monsters.
A guy I want to eat because of a targeted and insatiable bloodlust.
That’s what my life has become.
I’m used to being the weird girl.
When I look at people, I see their Colors instead of their faces.
But I never thought a vampire would rip out of me when a mysterious man told me these simple “Your blood is mine.”
The timing was too perfect.
Right after that, the headmaster of Nightshade Academy kidnapped me before I could hurt someone with my newly “awakened” vampire genes. Now she’s making me attend her school until I’ve relearned how to be a civilized human being.
Well, I want out. I just graduated high school, and I’m not doing college.
Mom is probably worried sick about me.
Then there’s Kian. He’s a student at Nightshade Academy with a Color that’s the perfect complement to mine.
His smell is intoxicating. He fires up my bloodlust without even trying, and that’s when I realize how in trouble I really am.
If I can’t control this bloodlust, I’m going to kill someone.
—
Nightshade Academy is a young adult contemporary fantasy series.
Audible Audio
Published March 28, 2024
About the author
Kestra Pingree
79 books83 followersKestra Pingree is a creative who doesn’t know how to stop. They are first and foremost a writer and storyteller with an endless library of books in their head just waiting to be typed. They are also an artist and animator, as well as a singer, songwriter, and voice actor. One day they swear they’re going to make their own video game, too.
If it involves creating, they are there.
They can also be seen cuddling their cat, reading, or playing video games.
If it involves creating, they are there.
They can also be seen cuddling their cat, reading, or playing video games.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 30, 2022
3.5/ rounded up to four.
I just wish it was longer with more happening.
I just wish it was longer with more happening.
January 28, 2023
She recently graduated from high school and has found work as a waitress at a small riverfront dive, one of those places with gourmet food but a relaxed atmosphere. The place also hired an eclectic crew as servers, or so the story goes, but if you need any proof, looking at her pink hair and well-worn, very distressed, patched-up, painted-on jeans might give you a clue. Her name is Nova, and she keeps a secret from everyone. She can’t see them, but instead, she sees their aura. She must take pictures or see them in a mirror to see their features. And now, she is contemplating taking the rust-orange man’s picture who has been camping out at one of her tables all evening, but when she goes to him again, he grabs her and says something to her. He lets her go, and she runs from him. She went back to the kitchen and out the back door because she could feel the bile in her stomach rising to exit her body. Then she feels him behind her, and he bites her, then lets her go, and wants her to feed just like he fed on her. She can smell a homeless man, but there are other people there. She is knocked down and then hears gunshots and sees the rust-orange man fall next to her, and she can see his features as his aura fades away. As she tries to get to her feet, she is greeted by blackness, and when Nova wakes up, it is at a school for paranormals where she is to learn how to live peacefully with humans. She doesn’t want to be here. She wants to go home to her mother. She wants to leave but does not want to harm anyone.
The world-building is very descriptive, allowing me to see it in my mind’s eye. The character’s background seems developed and rich enough to give a solid source for their interaction. However, the main character that the story revolves around seems just a little too selfish, but for an only child from a broken home, I guess it could be realistic. But it grated on me that she was still negative until the last few chapters. Maybe a few more chapters of a come to senses moment would have dissuaded me from this feeling.
While I enjoyed the story overall, the heroine’s hang-ups left me unsure of her true nature. I give this read four stars out of five stars.
The world-building is very descriptive, allowing me to see it in my mind’s eye. The character’s background seems developed and rich enough to give a solid source for their interaction. However, the main character that the story revolves around seems just a little too selfish, but for an only child from a broken home, I guess it could be realistic. But it grated on me that she was still negative until the last few chapters. Maybe a few more chapters of a come to senses moment would have dissuaded me from this feeling.
While I enjoyed the story overall, the heroine’s hang-ups left me unsure of her true nature. I give this read four stars out of five stars.
November 6, 2019
This is a great first episode to this series! I love academy reads and this one has grabbed me from the get go! A great storyline, different from normal vampire reads with some great characters and I cannot wait to read the next episode!
October 1, 2024
The author should not have narrated the book. The narrator/author’s voice for the audiobook has no emotional inflection. I couldn’t listen to more than 15 minutes of it. It was like Aubrey plaza meets Kristen Stewart meets ai generated voice. The plot was also quite boring.
November 2, 2025
This is a short story, not long enough to be called a book. The story starts out with our young waitress/vampire to be while she is working in a restaurant. She is grabbed by the wrist by one of her customers, a real odd person. His grasp hurts and she struggles to break free. She succeeds and runs out the back into the alley. Things get crazy here and she wakes up in a cell where touching the bars causes extreme pain. She hears footstep coming down the stairs and ... I won't spoil it for you. My dissatisfaction comes from the fact that it ends abruptly and leaves the reader hanging and some of the interaction with her classmates could use some work. I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. You can decide for yourself.
October 4, 2024
Awakened Vampire by Kestra Pingree is the first book in the Nightshade Academy. Nightshade Academy is a school made for monsters of all kinds.
This was a super fun start to the series where we get introduced to the characters, and a bit about the world and the story. I thought the characters were all interesting but the book was way too short, I wanted to know more. The story was getting interesting and I was starting to get invested in the characters, and then it was over. It felt more like the end of a chapter and not the book.
Besides being short, it was an entertaining popcorn read, and I will continue with the series.
This was a super fun start to the series where we get introduced to the characters, and a bit about the world and the story. I thought the characters were all interesting but the book was way too short, I wanted to know more. The story was getting interesting and I was starting to get invested in the characters, and then it was over. It felt more like the end of a chapter and not the book.
Besides being short, it was an entertaining popcorn read, and I will continue with the series.
July 30, 2025
This was very gappy and had plot holes in it that didn't make sense for quite some time. It felt rushed and too short, even for an episode or novella. There wasn't enough emphasis on setting the scene or background story, just straight into a brand new world.
The overall concept is quite ok- similar to other paranormal stories I've encountered, but I just feel like this needs an overhaul, especially given that it's the first part of a story, to help the reader better understand the world they are walking into.
The characters are great, simple but diverse. I might continue with the series to see if it improves but I won't be prioritising it at all.
The overall concept is quite ok- similar to other paranormal stories I've encountered, but I just feel like this needs an overhaul, especially given that it's the first part of a story, to help the reader better understand the world they are walking into.
The characters are great, simple but diverse. I might continue with the series to see if it improves but I won't be prioritising it at all.
December 18, 2025
I enjoyed the book.
however, this is the first time I've listened to something as an audio book instead of actually reading it bc I thought it would make walking on my treadmill more entertaining. but I felt like I was never really sure what the characters were saying out loud or thinking which made it a little confusing. and the narrator was a little full.... I think it was the author, no offense to her. but writing the books may be more her talent than recording them.
just my opinion.
but I am excited to read the next book however I'll probably actually read the book instead of listening.
however, this is the first time I've listened to something as an audio book instead of actually reading it bc I thought it would make walking on my treadmill more entertaining. but I felt like I was never really sure what the characters were saying out loud or thinking which made it a little confusing. and the narrator was a little full.... I think it was the author, no offense to her. but writing the books may be more her talent than recording them.
just my opinion.
but I am excited to read the next book however I'll probably actually read the book instead of listening.
October 6, 2025
🖤 Nova & Kian 🖤
Maybe this would have landed differently had a read the book versus listened to it, but the author should not have narrated this book.
The cadence wasn’t there and left the entire narration feel like I was listening to GPS directions. No emotions or any connections felt real.
I agree with another review - made me think of Kristen Stewart 🤦🏼♀️
The book felt rushed, and left out many explanations, so it just seems like a hodgepodge of information.
Rather than book 1, this should have been the entry novella IMO.
Maybe this would have landed differently had a read the book versus listened to it, but the author should not have narrated this book.
The cadence wasn’t there and left the entire narration feel like I was listening to GPS directions. No emotions or any connections felt real.
I agree with another review - made me think of Kristen Stewart 🤦🏼♀️
The book felt rushed, and left out many explanations, so it just seems like a hodgepodge of information.
Rather than book 1, this should have been the entry novella IMO.
November 4, 2025
It was a quick read, but it was also forgettable. I read it on the bus a few hours ago, and I knew there were quite a few things that I didn't really like about it, but from going to work to getting home from work I've forgotten almost the entire thing.
I remember I felt like it was jumpy and hard to really get into. Things just seemed to jump around all over the place and it was hard to get a feeling for any of the characters.
I also don't get why the main character is so important.
Not something I would be interested in reading any more of.
I remember I felt like it was jumpy and hard to really get into. Things just seemed to jump around all over the place and it was hard to get a feeling for any of the characters.
I also don't get why the main character is so important.
Not something I would be interested in reading any more of.
November 6, 2022
A newly changed vampire is sent away to a school that helps her learn to control her blood lust. That's kind of the main gist of this, but surprisingly not bad.
The biggest thing that I appreciated was that Nova actually tried to not make any connections and remain aloof. That, to me, was more believable than some stories that have immediate bff's and all that. I'm definitely interested enough to give book 2 a try.
The biggest thing that I appreciated was that Nova actually tried to not make any connections and remain aloof. That, to me, was more believable than some stories that have immediate bff's and all that. I'm definitely interested enough to give book 2 a try.
May 29, 2024
This book got 3 stars as I didn't feel a deep connection to the characters due to Nova explaining them by their aura it was hard to constantly figure out who she was talking about. I also wish they would have given more background details and the story felt slightly rushed. It left me with tons of questions! Also just a reminder this is a mini series.
March 29, 2026
Nothing's the same any more
Her whole life she's been different, but learnt to hide it.
Her mother used always standoffish, but she's still her mother.
Then everything changes when she meets her father.
Now she's something completely different, and she doesn't know what's real and what isn't any more.
Her whole life she's been different, but learnt to hide it.
Her mother used always standoffish, but she's still her mother.
Then everything changes when she meets her father.
Now she's something completely different, and she doesn't know what's real and what isn't any more.
June 10, 2022
Has potential
I felt like I was reading a high school student's unfinished creative writing assignment. The plotline is good but would benefit from fewer metaphors, more complexity in the sentences, and a less abrupt ending.
I felt like I was reading a high school student's unfinished creative writing assignment. The plotline is good but would benefit from fewer metaphors, more complexity in the sentences, and a less abrupt ending.
March 28, 2026
Twilight meets Harry Potter at College, with 18 year old Nova being spirited away to Nightshade Academy, a school for supernatural beings. The first book in this series moved quickly, with just enough backstory to connect with the main character and leaves you wanting more.
August 29, 2020
Fasted paced, smooth storyline, intriguing spin, characters are easy to love or dislike. I recommend this book.
October 28, 2020
It's such an amazing book!
Want to Read
November 24, 2020🎁FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (11/24/2020)!🎁
March 21, 2022
Made it to the end
I normally enjoy my vampire genre but not this one. Didn’t think I would make it till the end.
Don’t recommend.
I normally enjoy my vampire genre but not this one. Didn’t think I would make it till the end.
Don’t recommend.
April 28, 2022
Couldn't put it down.
I love the book. I couldn't put down. Great characters. Good book plot. I highly recommend this book to read. You won't regret it.
I love the book. I couldn't put down. Great characters. Good book plot. I highly recommend this book to read. You won't regret it.
May 31, 2022
OMG loved it can't wait till I can get more of the series
Awesome 👍 riveting read
Awesome 👍 riveting read
August 17, 2023
I liked it. More than i thought. But i am not sure if i will continue it. I think i will most likely.
May 22, 2024
Cute and teenagery.
I know not a real word but great syfy for teen ages kids. Nothing to scary so no bad dreams.
I know not a real word but great syfy for teen ages kids. Nothing to scary so no bad dreams.
Read
August 7, 2024Audiobook
March 22, 2025
entertaining... though not keen on chapter books with cliffhanger endings!
August 17, 2025
Not a bad story but some of it just didn't make sense. It almost felt like it started in the middle of the storyline. Won't be reading more of the series.
February 12, 2026
Interesting
This was an interesting take on vampires. I will most definitely be checking out further books and following Nova's adventures.
This was an interesting take on vampires. I will most definitely be checking out further books and following Nova's adventures.
February 18, 2026
A cute little novella, just not really my thing!
March 24, 2026
I liked the book only think I didn’t care for was the AI reading it. Makes it kinda odd
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews