A Taste of Torment

Shadow Hills Academy: Relentless #1

by Stacey Trombley

A magical prince wants to date me, but there's one big problem.

This prince has claws.

Everyone at Shadow Hills Academy desires the dark and powerful Jarron Blackthorn. But I’m the only one who has seen the terrifying beast beneath his magical façade.

When my sister is murdered, and the case mysteriously dropped, I know where to begin my own investigation—Shadow Hills Academy, an elite school for supernaturals. Technically, I have zero magic, but just enough skills with potions to be accepted. Now I have the means to get close to the most likely culprits—powerful people like the demon prince Jarron.

I was friends with Jarron years ago, before I saw his true form, but I’m still shocked when he reacts to news of my sister’s death with a fierce determination for vengeance. He has an insane plan to help me get access to Elite Hall, where the most powerful students reside—by pretending to date me.

Dating a demon was NOT how I expected this year to start, but his plan will work. Hang on the arm of Jarron Blackthorn, the heir of the Under World, and everyone in school will be so desperate for my friendship they’ll spill their darkest secrets.

I just have to make sure Jarron never learns he is my number one suspect.

Keep your enemies close, right?

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy Romance, Young Adult, Enemies To Lovers

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2022

About the author

Stacey Trombley is the author of several fantasy romance series including WICKED FAE and SHADOW HILLS ACADEMY. Her places to travel list is almost as long as her to-be-read list. Most recently, she spent 9 months living in a van with her family, traveling the US and Mexico. She has many more adventures in mind, both on Earth and in her imagination.
​

Follow her journey on Instagram and Tiktok @StaceyTrombleyAuthor and learn more about her books at www.StaceyTrombley.com

Reviews

[Inés Molina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is the kiss i was expecting. Hoping for. The one that tells me, without a doubt, that he is as desperate for me as i am for him."

Candice goes to the Academy to seek justice for her sisters murder. There she sees her childhood friend who she suspects. Jarron, the demon prince will do anything for her, and she thought demons were just monsters with no feelings. They start to fake date and work together to find her sisters killer but sometimes fake moments feel real, become real.

I'm so excited for the story to continue and see what Candace decides to do next. With the way things ended between Jarron and Candace, the anticipation is going to drive me crazy. I know he won't give up so easily. And her sister's killer is still alive.

"I'm not a deer among wolves. I'm a snake in the grass, i just need to find my poison"

[Inés Molina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is the kiss i was expecting. Hoping for. The one that tells me, without a doubt, that he is as desperate for me as i am for him."

Candice goes to the Academy to seek justice for her sisters murder. There she sees her childhood friend who she suspects. Jarron, the demon prince will do anything for her, and she thought demons were just monsters with no feelings. They start to fake date and work together to find her sisters killer but sometimes fake moments feel real, become real.

I'm so excited for the story to continue and see what Candace decides to do next. With the way things ended between Jarron and Candace, the anticipation is going to drive me crazy. I know he won't give up so easily. And her sister's killer is still alive.

"I'm not a deer among wolves. I'm a snake in the grass, i just need to find my poison"

[Spasticnontastic · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

Didn’t realize it was more YA. A lot of repeating and predictability.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Dayzee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great paranormal academy series!

What an awesome start but i want more! like right now! This wasn’t enough!! This academy had it all! Danger at every corner and one swoony Demon who definitely “falls first” ❤️

I really heart this couple: The monster aka Demon and his human alchemist. To everyone She’s a nobody: the underdog but with her beast at her side, she’s unstoppable. Dam anyone who try’s otherwise. Yaaaz!!! ! #TouchHerAndDie! Cant wait for book two!!!

Beware, this slow burn romance is complicated and a little heartbreaking so be ready! Stacey doesn’t shy to put our Main Characters through the ringer! 😭❤️

#ImWatchingYouStacey😤

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this a lot more if the FMC did not become increasingly insufferable.

Whiney, cowardly, with an insane inferiority complex, and a control freak? Yeah no.

I loved the MMC though. And yeah this is a little too repetitive, a good 100-150 pages could be cut from the middle there with no plot movement too.

3.5/5

[rhi reads x · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh honestly.
i get the premise, i thought the idea of her sister being killed and her wanting revenge was an interesting storyline.
i began to lose interest the moment her and jarron already knew each other (im not saying i NEED enemies to lovers but why was he obsessed and willing to burn the world down for her just for rekindling?)
3 year gap of not knowing each other was boring.

their weird romance i didn’t get or vibe with
then the mention of the games??? didn’t realise we were suddenly reading phantasma???

overall it seemed like a bad combination of cruel prince merging into phantasma and honestly i wanted to DNF half way through - i won’t be reading the rest of the series

also candice is so unlikeable honestly we get it you’re weak and feeble and pathetic u don’t have to remind me every 10 seconds. also she has no back bone and is just overall not a character i care to read more about ever lol

[aninha · Rating 2 out of 5]

ruim mas legal

[Riniya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes/ Key Points:
📓Academy Romance
📓Fake Dating
📓Murder Mystery
📓Revenge
📓Childhood friends to strangers to lovers
📓Touch her and die
📓I would burn the world for you
📓Slow Burn
📓Soul Bonds

TW: Murder, Talk of Murder

Blurb:

My sister was murdered. The authorities and a private investigator abandoned their search within days. They refused to look into the matter and try to find her killer. But I have her journal and with it comes clues. Her murderer is inside the Shadow Hills Academy. He is someone with power, someone who promised her power of her own and there are very few who could do this. Her murderer was also probably her mysterious boyfriend. I will do anything I have to do to find him.

I managed to enter the academy through blackmailing the headmaster. It might not have been the smartest move but it got me where I needed to be. Right in the middle of a school filled with supernaturals who could kill me with a flick of the wrist. They can’t know why I am here. They wouldn’t hesitate to take me off the board if they knew.

My investigation has to be handled with care, but I have no way of entering the Elite Hall without help. That help comes in the form of Jarron. He is the prince of demons, the most powerful person at the school. We used to be friends until I saw what lurks under his skin. He agrees to give me access to Elite Hall and help me find my sisters murderer, but we have to pretend like we are dating. The falseness of our relationship starts to blur and I find feelings starting to form. The only problem? He’s my number one suspect.


Review:

I don’t really have much negative to say about this book. It was a bit slow to start but I think that’s more a me problem than it was this books fault. I am a mood reader and I wasn’t quite in the mood for this book when I started it, but it was quick to pull me in!

This book is filled with hiccups and turns as Candice attempts to solve the mystery of her sisters murder. Things are slow to start but slowly clues start falling into place. For the most part the plot is extremely predictable, there weren’t many shocking moments. The FMC is a ditz at the end with something so obvious being the case but instead of seeing the facts she focuses on Information someone planted in her head. I rolled my eyes hard at the end because it couldn’t have been more clear if there was a sign held up but, what are you going to do.

I really loved the Fake Dating aspect between Candice and Jarron. I loved watching their relationship shift and develop as the plot moved forward. There was one particularly steamy scene that I adored and I hope we get a bit more from them in book two, despite the ending.

I liked that we got to see relationships for Candice outside of Jarron. We got to see her develop friendships with two girls and they had actual conversations that didn’t fully revolve around the romance. I feel like this aspect is missed in a lot of romance books and I love the well rounded feeling it provides. I hope we get to see more of this friendship in the rest of the series get a bit more fleshed out.

I’m eager for book two!

[Monica Shantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so this book... wow. I will start by saying I didn't expect to love it as much as I did but I just did. At no point did this book feel like it dragged. Which I find a lot of books I've been reading lately will do that, so I enjoy that it was just so good.

I also just want to say that part of why my rating of 6/5 stars went up is because it's set in Idaho and I NEVER get to read books set in my home state. Thank you for that.

Where do I even begin? Characters are fun. Really. I also felt like Candice has some traits I don't see often in other characters. Now hear me out... She said she was the kind of girl who knew all the secrets and rumors and is essentially the happy butt end if the gossip. Which I actually liked. It felt refreshing in some odd way and not like she was just a replica of other FMCs. She wasn't the kind of girl to start drama or rumors just for fun but to a tad, she also wanted to show people she wasn't weak and that was her strength. Also, she was strong and badass in her own way but when Jarron offered to protect her and hurt anyone for her, she admitted she liked that. Which again, is oddly refreshing. She doesn't sound exactly like many characters I read and I love it. She proves you can have the best of both worlds.

When I say I couldn't put it down, I mean I couldn't put it down. I took it to work to read in between houses, and I stayed up till 2am to just read.

Also I genuinely love the part when she finally meets his demon form. His demon form seems to love her too. Can I say that's romantic? I don't know but it just is. I need to read book 2, but I guess that's what I get. I knew I'd get into this predicament when I chose to read a book in an incomplete series. I don't regret it. This book is amazing.

I love the ending where Jarron's demon half promises to win her back no matter what. That's what really has me on my toes.

[Lizzie CP · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬,” 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞. “𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐤.”

Candice decided to forgo all the supernatural in her life for good three years ago when she got a taste of how feels to be helpless. It’s until her sister’s murder that she enrolls to Shadow Hills where she’s set in discovering the ended her sister’s life and vows to destroy them no matter what. Her top suspects are two demon royals, Jarron and Trevor Blackthorn, who she once considered friends. When Jarron offers her the opportunity to get closer to the Elite in school she can’t deny it, even if it means fake dating him. Even if it means facing her past, fears and putting her heart on the line.

“𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐢𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.”

As time passes she starts questioning her beliefs and it’s even more set on discovering the truth. But, can she handle it?

I am obsessed with this book, it has everything I could ask for ! That romance and mistery are just the perfect mix, it had me throwing my phone to the wall and wanting to read the next book.

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book had me in its GRIP.

Okay, I first found out about A TASTE OF TORMENT from a random tik tok comment. I was curious and dived in. I never expected to fall into it like I did with the ZODIAC ACADEMY series. And that book series had me in a strangle hold. I couldn't stop reading it and the same thing happened with Trombley's book.

The way the MC frustrated me, but kept me intrigued enough to not stop my reading experience. The way the love interest was just a complete cinnamon roll with her? Melt. I loved these two, even if they literally were so incredibly frustrating.

The friendships were another amazing part of this book and I loved and laughed along with them as they all grew closer.

Is this a perfect read? Absolutely not. But it was a fun, angsty, and addicting read with a great ending. And even though the MC is always reminding us of how weak she actually is and how morally grey she has the potential of being, you will be hooked from page one because, seriously, WILL THEY OR WON'T THEY?

Sigh.

Also, this and book two had me impulse buying the physical copies of all three books because I have no control sometimes.

Happy reading!

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally don’t bother to read YA/Teen books but this book was pretty interesting, however there was a lot of repetition ( I.e I’m weak, avenging her sister’s death, and a couple other things) like we understood the first 5 times it was mentioned.
I also didn’t like how everyone received a description except for Candice (FMC). What did she look like?

Candice only truly suspected one person and that was Jarron, she never even bothered to pick up on the very obvious hints some others were dropping,until it was almost too late.

I will read the next ones because I am pretty sure her viewpoint and some others viewpoint of being second best is wrong. I think she has always been number 1. Also with part of her signature being on the form, what happens now?

[BooksChaosandTea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoon worthy

I wish more authors wrote like this. I am just stunned. I picked the book based of an IG ad. However after being burned by IG book ads before. I decided to read the reviews. Thank goodness. They allowed me to have a better understanding of what I was getting into. I also normally prefer dual points of view. However this book was so good. I'm going to let it go. Now onto this book. Floored....... This book was amazing!!! It had drama, action and potions. What a rollercoaster. The passion that Jarron has for Candice is unmatched.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a binge worthy story! I'm a little upset I have to wait for the next one!

I loved this storyline! Candice is such a strong FMC and she doesn't even realize it. Jarron is your typical demon prince. I loved their chemistry so much!

So many plot twists and that cliff hanger ending has me very impatient for the next book!

[Aleesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

We coulda cut this book in half and not lost ANY of the actual story. There's that much repetition happening.

What you need to know (spoilers, maybe?):

1. The FMC is a weak, pitiful little coward who regularly almost pisses herself when she's forced to interact with... well, anyone. This is not my opinion. She tells you (and herself) this constantly.
2. Weirdly, she's also a vengeful bitch out to slaughter the motherfucker who murdered her sister in cold blood.
3. Her trust issues have trust issues.
4. She's phenomenal at crafting potions; her parents are famous and well-regarded potionmasters.
5. She absolutely positively does not like the Demon Prince she's simultaneously petrified to death of. Nope. Absolutely not. Not even a little bit. She totally doesn't spend the ENTIRE book bouncing back and forth from "omg he's so hot" to "omg he's scary, I can't trust him, he probably killed my sister".
6. The MMC is a demon whose power is ice and, like, he's totally a pro at walking on egg shells to keep his leading lady from piddling all over everything out of fear.
7. Somebody at the school slaughtered The Piddler's baby sister and The Piddler suddenly, 85% of the way through the book, manifests some kind of spine out of nowhere and tries to join some weird Hunger Games competition to find the killer and murder them somehow.
8. In the end, The Piddler maybe has graduated from invertebrate to vertebrate, but still isn't sure she can trust her maybe-boyfriend Demon guy because he's scary looking. Even though he risked everything to come with her into the Not Hunger Games and almost died to keep her safe. But whatever. You know how teenaged girls apparently don't know what the fuck they're feeling, ever.

The End. You're welcome.

Now. If somebody could please tell me why I snorted this up like it was crack cocaine, that'd be great.
Thanks.

--

I don't know what else you could possibly want from me here. I don't know why I stayed up to 3AM reading this book. I don't know why it was so utterly un-put-down-able.

There's nothing miraculous going on in this story. It's every Academy-centric YA story that's ever existed. Wishy-washy FMC can't make her mind up about anything, bad-boy MMC who's actually the softest, sweetest, most precious baby you've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Secondary characters being snotty bitches. Predictable bad guy doing bad shit. Wash, rinse, repeat.

And yet, I was entertained. I was hooked. I had a good freakin' time, damnit.

Chalk this up to this story having that je ne sais quoi.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this was fantastic! The world building is incredible as I found myself drawn into this amazing adventure as we enter the Shadow Hills Academy. The storyline is gripping and enthralling as follow Candice our mc as she tries to find her sister’s murderer with the help of a monster! There’s drama and danger, there’s pain and heartbreak and there’s mystery and intrigue and I just couldn’t put it down! An awesome slow burn romance building within the story filled with twists and turns and a few dark surprises, i am so ready for book two!

[K Chandwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

exciting book

I love The characters, the whole plot and the chemistry between these two! I swear this is a real slow burn but because it’s a slow burn it feels like we actually can build some chemistry between our characters.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled to get in to this book and nearly DNF!
So glad I carried on reading as after 3 or 4 chapters I really started to enjoy!
I really liked Jarron and would of loved his pov! There is definitely more to his character and I can’t wait to read the next book to find out!
I really liked Candice but towards the end she did start to annoy me a bit!
I already have a feeling that Candice is Jarrons chosen and will definitely read the next book to see what happens next!

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop ittttt this had me in all my feels

[Jessica Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly wonderful. Thought it would be a generic story but it turned out to be a page turner

[Hanbbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a book! This book has the perfect Halloween vibs! It's a dark academy with demons, Fae, wolf shifters, trolls and probably a whole lot I forgot😅

From the first page I was sucked into this book, I wanted to get to know this school and wanted to find answers to Candice her problems, although sometimes it felt like they stopped looking😅

Candice is such a strong character, even though she doesn't see it all the times but she has Jarron to remind her that. This book has such amazing tropes: fake dating, revenge, friends to enemies to lovers♥️

The story itself got me hooked, it wanted me to read further, to not stop but just keep going. To finish this amazing book and yes I was amazing. I can't wait to read more about Candice and her lovely friends♥️

Last but not least I want to thank the author for providing me with an earc.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? This is book 1 of a trilogy involving several PNR species. I started it late afternoon yesterday and only stopped reading because I had to sleep. In book one we learn about some of the characters of this series but I feel that there's so much more to them and to the world the author is building, considering the cliffhanger we are left with at the end of the book.

I have to say this book spoke to me a lot or at least to many of my insecurities. I laughed, hated, swooned, you name it... The angles the author is taking are interesting and I love how they're still shrouded in mystery. At this stage, I can only make guesses and I love that. I'm burning to know more. I hope book two won't take too long to be released.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3☆. spoilers ahead.

A Taste of Torment was derivative, predictable, filled with unclear lore and worldbuilding, lacked a consistent plot, and featured a cookie-cutter romance between a bad boy who's actually a gentleman and a girl who the reader isn't supposed to find annoying but does anyway.

And I had a pretty good time with it.

All the things I just said were entirely true--I didn't come out of this experience not noticing the issues with it, but the end--the little twist in the romance plot--still gagged me a bit, and I found myself invested in these characters. Am I going to suggest this novel to someone who wants something of the type of the series this one was clearly taking inspiration from (The Folk of the Air, Zodiac Academy, etc.)? No, because, as I said, there are issues with it. The one that would not stop popping out and irritating me was the inconsistency of the characters, particularly Candice.

She trusts Jarron--and develops to a point where she believes he wouldn't have hurt her sister--but can't tell him that to his face because she actually doesn't believe it... even though she convinced the reader that she does. She finds Jarron's aggressive and possessive side sexy, but he better not say that she's his or that'll really make her angry... unless she's in the mood for it. She kind of likes that she may soon have enough power and influence as Jarron's girlfriend to have him take out whoever she wants him to, or do it herself, but Jarron also isn't allowed to kill anyone because, you know, that's wrong--especially if it results from Jarron's power because she doesn't want to utilize his power... even though she said she did. She values her friendship with Jarron and doesn't want to lose him, except when his demon comes out, and then she's gotta take a second to rethink her choice in close pals.

That's not to mention the lore and plot oddities, like the ending of this trying to imply that Liz was chosen as Jarron's mate by his demon, but that Jarron is somehow a seperate entity that loves Candice--but then the demon goes out of his way to say that he and Jarron are the same. Or how Trevor seemed like public enemy number one for five seconds and then was just a naughty brother that made a bad choice. Or how Candice kept bouncing back and forth between what she thought about Jarron, despite literally going through development to like him. She legit spent most of the book realizing he was a good guy only to say, "Well, actually I don't know that for sure," (which, fair; he would absolutely murder someone if he wanted to, but according to Candice thus far--unless he's in demon form--that's a part of his charm), only to think about it for five seconds once she was on her own and deciding, "Actually, I do know, and I like him." Only to change her mind when she saw him transform. Like, she literally thought he'd kill her, even though she said she believed he wouldn't hurt her and that she understands he is the beast (which she also denies within, like, two chapters).

But at the same time, did the Liz being Jarron's mate thing have me raising my eyebrows in interest despite knowing perfectly well that Jarron and Candice are super-duper lovey-dove soulmates? Hell yeah it did. Did the drama that and Candice's inconsideration of Jarron's feelings bring about make me widen my eyes in shock? Yes they did. Did the presence of this not-so-independent entity inside Jarron make me intrigued about what the hell Jarron actually is and what his history might be? You bet your ass. No, A Taste of Torment isn't what I would call a good YA fantasy, and I don't even know if I could call it 100% entertaining--but it got me. It made me want to read the rest of the series. Did it really need to do anything else?

[Essiery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good! This book is a sweet PNR academy book that had me swooning for the characters. The story also had me turning pages so I ended up reading it in 1 day. I really loved it. This is book 1 in a trilogy, and I cant wait for the rest too come out.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting and absolutely nerve-racking, thrilling YA story! My poor heart is still recovering from the heartbreaking emotions and harrowing danger the heroine faced. The book hangover is real and painful.
A Taste of Torment is told solely from Candice’s perspective—a great move as it means the reader is just as in the dark about who she can trust as she is. I do very much hope we get a dual pov in the next book in this trilogy, however. I’m just too curious and need to know more about a certain demon’s innermost thoughts.
What I love about Candice is that she is so very human. In her frailty, in her fears, in her envy… She is so very scared at times, and rightly so. She is the weak one, surrounded by predators that can end her in the blink of an eye. I loved her ingenuity, her determination and bravery. And that all of it is hard won, facing her fears is never an easy thing. I also think it’s amazing that she doesn’t just change her mind and her whole outlook at a smile or kind word from a beautiful boy. The lure of romance is there but not a magical fix for anything. She isn’t easily persuaded by the manipulations of the supernaturals around her. Her fear is justified and not naively put aside. Her weakness, which she so despises, is one of the body but not of the mind, for she shows moments of cunning and clearheadedness. Candice isn’t this angelic crusader for justice, either. There’s a hint of darkness and ruthlessness about her too. She is a brilliant main character, well-rounded, imperfect, surprising, and intriguing!
Jarron is still a bit of a mystery, but I have such high hopes. He has swoon-worthy written all over him. And that edge of danger and power—really, more than just an edge—that is always there is as scary as it is enticing. The demon is a true demon, fierce and terrifying, not cute or harmless in any way. I adore how he is with Candice. I love how unexpected he is in his own way. The glimpses of vulnerability and depth of emotion… Consider me enthralled.

The worldbuilding is detailed, fascinating and original, but not overwhelming the story or slowing down the pacing in any way. There is no info dumping to be found. The secondary characters are complex too, not easily pinned down as good or bad guys. I’m so in awe of the nuanced character development!
Recommend this so hard. Been a while since I got this lost in a book.

[Makala's Booktopia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! It's been a while since I've read a book that I felt deserved a near perfect rating. But A Taste of Torment hit that mark for me. I loved nearly every page of this book, with its fast-paced story telling and intricate character development.
I was able to read this book without feeling like I was forcing myself to turn the page (which has unfortunately been the case with a lot of my other reads lately). The story flowed so well, and I was impressed with the writing style. Stacey Trombley has got some WORDS in her.
I was so emotionally invested in these characters- I felt their pain, their love, their determination. I was swooning for a lot of this book, the fake dating trope was just *chefs kiss*. The build-up and tension was everything I hoped it would be.
But of course, with good emotions comes the bad, and anytime our girl Candice was dealing with the feelings of heartbreak and sadness, I felt her pain on a whole other level.
There was only a small handful of times that I found myself resisting the urge to somehow hop into this world and knock some sense into these characters. But I'm also thankful that the "miscommunication trope" in this book didn't irritate me as much as they usually do. The ending was nicely done, and it leaves so much room for the story line to continue to grow.
Overall, I'm happy that I found this book, and I am counting down the days until December for the second one.
In the meantime, I'm going to go check out some of Stacey's other works to hopefully fill the void until then.

[Maryam Nass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25 / 5

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! My interest was piqued after I saw that the author described it as “Crave and Twilight, but darker.” What can I say? My inner vampire lover was curious, so I picked it up immediately. And boyyyyyy it did not disappoint!

I would describe this book as a Crave & Harry Potter vibe with just a hint of The Hunger Games. Look, I don’t know. Don’t ask me. It just works and I loved every second of it. 😄

It’s YA, so yeah, there’s not much spice, But I really didn’t care! The tension and angst were enough to keep me satisfied and There were multiple moments that had me fanning myself 🥵

Candice is a pretty cool female MC. I like how honest she was about herself + her intentions. She was kind of a badass given the fact that she was considered “weak” in a school full of powerful supernaturals. She did frustrate me several times Bc she was SO blind to things that were SO obvious 🫠 but it didn’t effect how I felt about the story!

JARRON. Jarrrrrrrrron!! I kept trying to understand why Candice was so hesitant when it came to Jarron’s demon side. It honestly was my favorite thing about him 😍 idk what that says about me 🤣 but he was so casually attractive?? Give me Jarron with or without his demon form tbh 😂 his whole “WHO DID THIS TO YOU?” vibe was really doing it for me and he is officially up there on my book BF list 🥰

The last several chapters were INTENSE and umm? The way Jarron’s demon talks to Candice? EXCUSE ME I was not okay 🥹😩 I’m super excited for Book 2 in December!

[Heather Creeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Type: Dark Fantasy
Ease of read: 5/5
Spice: 1/5
Age range: YA

Candice is your average human living in a world of supernaturals. She swore off all magical things 3 years ago when her best friend came into his inner demon and hurt her sister. Fast forward those 3 years and her sister was murdered but not without leaving pieces of her life in a journal. Candice is determined to find out who killed her and make them pay, even it it costs her, her life.

She is accepted at the Shadow Hills Academy with the help of a little blackmail, but she’s going to have to come face to face with Jarron again and team up to find the killer.

Just because Candice is human doesn’t mean she has no magic, her parents are famous Potion Masters and that family history is why she’s able to be accepted. Pretending to date Jarron Blackthorn gives her access to restricted areas that only upper magical creatures can gain entry to. But is she stepping into a trap?

I loves the banter between the characters. Candice is a sassy and stubborn FMC and she’s ready to kick some butt. She dives head first into the mystery of her sisters murder when the investigation was called off and finding her own clues that may lead her somewhere she cannot escape from, and at what cost?



Tropes:
- Dark fantasy
- Magic
- Demons
- Fake Dating
- Touch her and die
- Friends to Enemies to Lovers
- Slow burn
- Bat boys
- Guy Falls first
- Close proximity

[Sarly📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)


wow i really really loved this. there were points where i actually became anxious with everything going on. i’ll be honest i am more invested in the relationship between candice and jarron than the rest of the book. but it’s still very interesting and i plan on reading the second book. boy did this send me through a wave of emotions. i’m still debating if i want to give it a full 5 stars because it really was SO GOOD. and the cover is absolutely gorgeous. i also LOVE the diversity of the characters, however i do hope we get to see more of them in the other two books. i also really like how the true killer got revealed in the first book and now it’s a mission to find him. i really really loved this. don’t get me wrong though, there were quite a few times where i wanted to slap some sense into her head. but that goes to show a character being well written. she’s dealing with grief and anger and that doesn’t always make a person very rational.

HOWEVER I WILL SAY. ALTHOUGH I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HE IMPRINTED ON LIZ AND I ACTUALLY THINK HE IMPRINTED ON CANDICE IF IT ENDS UP BEING REVEALED THAT HE DID INFACT IMPRINT ON LIZ IMA GONNA BE SO GODDAMN MAD.