Abandon all hope, ye who enter here. The Academy of the Devil is waiting, and there will be no mercy. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the girl who didn’t fit in, the girl who collapsed in the middle of class, just because my brain decided to turn on me. I can’t really complain, though. We don’t live in the Middle Ages, so I have yet to be subjected to an exorcism. I can get treatment for … get treatment for my condition. Epilepsy aside, I can mostly be a normal person and have a normal life.
There’s just one problem. I’m not a normal person. I never have been. And the first time I find this out is upon receiving an exclusive invitation to The Academy of the Devil.
Unfortunately, The Academy of the Devil isn’t like other schools and the current princes of the school have a lot of experience in ripping whatever contender they have to shreds. First, there’s Callum, incubus extraordinaire and leader of the house of Lust. He thrives on making students fall in love with him and then breaking their spirits. Then there’s Mikael, the envious cambion, rumored to enjoy feeding students to the school’s dragon. And last, but not least, the leader of the house of Wrath, the hell hound Stefan. I hear he doesn’t bother with the dragon and just takes care of pests himself.
All of them despise humans. All of them sneer at anyone who displays any kind of weakness. All of them hate me and everything I stand for. That’s fine. I don’t need friends, lovers, or even valued mentors. All I need is to survive my school years with my soul, my sanity and my brain intact.
It’ll be a challenge, but I’ve dealt with worse. I might not be ready for the Academy of the Devil, but they’re not ready for me either.
The Academy of the Devil is a 74k paranormal bully reverse harem romance. All characters involved in the pairing are 18+ years old. But be advised! The series will contain dark themes, including violence, ableism, bullying of a character suffering from an invisible disability, and other similar content that may be disturbing for some readers. Approach with caution. Once you enter The Academy of the Devil, you will never be the same.
Now available for pre-order:
Book 2: A Demonic Year Two – TBR August 15
Book 3: A Sinful Year Three – TBR August 30
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Hellish Year One was one of the best books I’ve read this year. To put that into perspective I need to explain that I read faster than most people and have a near photographic memory, which helps with the quick reading. I read at least 5 books a week, and that’s when I’m not really interested or not trying. So far this year I’ve read 162 books, out of those 162 books I’d put this in the top 5, easily!
It took me a minute to get into this book, but I rarely dnf a book and this one didn’t even come close to meeting the criteria for me to put it down and into my dnf pile. It was just a lot of information to take in, and a lot of background information and lore attached to the world the author created that made it what I consider a slow starter. I don’t mind that, because I LOVE series books, and even more so if they are set in a unique world or environment that is interesting. So to me the slow start was actually a plus, because this world in my opinion was constructed flawlessly. The author did a superb job of giving the demons their own culture, beliefs, dislikes, prejudices and histories. We have so far in book one only cracked the surface of these things and I look forward to learning even more in the future books. I actually hope that she plans to extend the series beyond three books because this series has the potential in my opinion to go for at least 6 books. I’ve seen series that weren’t written as beautifully, constructed as well and weren’t a quarter as interesting as this one go on and on and on for 12 plus books and people love them, so I know the author could extend this and it would hold my interest far more than most.
When I read romance I generally read a lot of dark themes, so none of the scenes where the trigger warning applied bothered me at all, I’ve read much worse. Though I did find myself with a tear in my eye at one point, but I won’t spoil it for you other than to say that I have to REALLY like a book and its characters for it to suck a real emotional reaction out of me. It doesn’t happen often that I laugh out loud literally or cry at a scene in a book, and when I find a book that does evoke that kind of emotion in me I am always in a sort of awe at the author because that must be hard to do, otherwise it wouldn’t be so uncommon, so hats off to Ms. Brandt for that. I don’t often find myself with book hangover, and I have that now. I am genuinely excited for the next book to come out, and I am sad that I have to wait because we got so much amazing information at the end that it sucked me in even further. Just the blurbs for the next two books have me bouncing up and down in anxious anticipation.
The story does contain themes that may be hard for some people to handle, again that’s not a downside to me, because I love an author who isn’t afraid to hold a mirror up to the horrible parts of human nature and show the worst characteristics of human beings. The ableism in this book is no different for me, life isn’t always kind, people are prejudiced, cruel and quite honestly a lot of the time ignorant and the author shows this side of humanity beautifully, in a way to make people question whether they could have ever thought or said or done something that could have possibly hurt someone, either intentionally or unintentionally, that has an illness or disability. So cruel are some human beings that their cruelty doesn’t seem out of place in the world of demons. It really makes one think. I actually think that the illness is portrayed quite well in the book because of the fact that it’s from a patients point of view instead of a doctors, as the author herself explains at the beginning of the book, because you get a glimpse of what its like to live with it yourself in a way that a medical explanation and tons of terms most people wouldn’t understand couldn’t give you.
Overall I would say if you are a fan of RH books or paranormal books this is a great story in a world that I personally found fascinating, so if you’re interested in either of those genre then I would highly, highly recommend you check it out.
I received a free ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
So I’ve read a lot of academy reads lately and there are a lot of great ones out there and this one is very good! A little different from some as this is what they call a bully romance, this reverse harem does contain violence, ableism and bullying but is very addictive! A school of demons this has some steamy scenes, twists and turns and some hot guys and then there’s Alyssa, I just love her! A fantastic start!
A Hellish Year One caught my attention with the description, and it definitely did not disappoint. The idea of the Devil Academy was different from anything I have read thus far. I loved how we met Alyssa at a normal family outing and got to see that small glimpse of her before thrusting her into, well, Hell. I loved how the demons were portrayed in this, and how we got to see glimpses of the classes that Alyssa had to endure. At first she doesn’t seem like it, but she is definitely one surprisingly fierce character, and I love her. She doesn’t let her seizures deter her from what she sets her mind to even though everyone else tells her that her weakness will be her end.
Callum, Mikael, and Stefan surprised me. I couldn’t make up my minds on whether or not I liked them or hated them. At first they’re complete assholes towards her, but then they soften. (as is the usual with bully romance) My feelings towards them are still kind of confusing at the moment, but one can not deny that they are HOT. They’re described in such a way you could feel the pull of seduction that happens there. Just my kind of guys 😉
Everything in this book is described in such a way you feel as if you are really there at the school with them. I loved how it had me fully drawn into the story that I almost forgot it wasn’t real. And even then that was only because I came to the end of book one. This was definitely one of my quicker reads as of lately, taking me only an hour and a half to read it in full. I plan on rereading it when book two comes out!
Also, the uniqueness of the way the school operates and everything is very intriguing. I also loved Redrum, the dragon. Not what I expected at all. This book is full of surprises though. I thought I had it figured out about half way through, but then when it came to the ending.. I was blown away. I was definitely NOT expecting all of that. I can not wait for book two so I can find out just what happens next.
So overall, this book was simply AMAZING. I definitely give it a 5/5 and will recommend to anyone I know. This book keeps you guessing, trying to figure out just what will happen, just to throw a twist your way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 stars for A Hellish Year One by Eva Brandt. This is book one in the Academy of the Devil series. This is a dark paranormal reverse harem bully (somewhat) romance. The first thing is that to me I did not find this book very romantic. It seems to be more about the sexual relationship. Alyssa is a human and has to attend the Academy of the Devil with a bunch of demons. She has an attraction to Callum, Stefan, and Mikeal from the start. I do understand what the author was trying to establish with how demons”love”. To me it fell short in this book. I am hoping for more romance in book two. I do love the story line and the characters.
A Hellish Year One: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Bully Romance by Eva Brandt is a wonderful story that I have read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I have loved reading. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about dark themes, erotica and paranormal romances in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This sorry has an interesting spin on the reign of Hell and how to get school’d in all things demonic. Though the main characters don’t engage in sex with each other, it’s Hell, folks so expect some pretty crazy stuff from the other characters (brother-sister demon orgy!?). Nothing is too explicit that you want to bleach your eyes out, but it gives you the sense of the depravity of the situation without cheapening the story. So expect lust, rage, lies, deceit, and intrigue.
I love reading these type of books that have to deal with a bullying type or romance. It can have tendencies of triggers to some, but being open-minded is key add in the reverse harem and it can make our that much moe intriguing to read and then it is a paranormal romance as well that I had to read it and I can not wait for the rest of the book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Hellish Year One by Eve Brandt is the first book in the Academy of the Devil series. This book features the adventures of a human girl named Alyssa Michaels and her familiar dog Shiro. The story involves how Alyssa works hard to survive being a student at the Academy of the Devil and all the things that happen to her during her first year at the school including the advances of the three princes of hell Mikael, Callum, and Stephen who are all interested in her. This book is so compelling that I couldn’t put it down. The characters are very intriguing and the constant mysterious situations that Alyssa needs to deal with make this book an amazingly entertaining read. This book did what all great books do and appealed to my innermost feelings. It is a wonderful first book series starter that anyone who reads paranormal anything will love. A Hellish Year One is a 5++ star fantastic and compelling story.
I really liked this book. Eva Brandt wrote a great story with great characters. If you love the paranormal then I recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a really great start to what will be an even more amazing series. Loved the characters and the storyline all together. She knows shes different than the humans but not quite sure and the guys at her new school sure make sure she knows that shes not wanted but definitely wont let that stop her. I seriously love bully romances and add that its rh and paranormal and I am just completely in love!! Can not wait for the next one.
Will say I wasn’t sure to give this book a 4 or 5 star, but it did bring in how people with Epilepsy struggle to fit in. Alyssa has been bullied her whole life because of her seizures, but now that she is at the Academy of the Devil it hasn’t changed. They hate humans and I’m human. My dog Shiro is a familiar and they think I should not have one. The three princess are driving her mad. She can not figure them out. Will she be able to handle being there? Can she figure out what is with Callum, Mikael, and Stefan? If they hate humans so much why is she there?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a great start to a new series and a great introduction to a new (to me) author. I think the plot is a good one and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. This book is well written and really caught my attention so that I became invested in Alyssa and Shiro’s story. Great character building in the book and some funny/witty dialogue. I thought it was a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Alyssa who is sent to the academy of the devil which is a school of demons all trying to get the spot of the next Satan. Alyssa being human is thrust into a world she had absolutely no idea about and has to figure out how to survive.
I really enjoyed the familiar relationships that were presented in this book. I like how they had a high value. I loved that they author created a MC who had epilepsy, it’s not something I have seen before. Also all the anime references ( I was waiting for a certain student to be perched on a chair ) really enjoyed those.
The story was alittle bit on the slow side for me. I also wanted alittle bit more from the characters, I don’t feel like I know them that well by the end of the book. So I’m looking forward to getting to know them more in the second book
Amazing … A Hellish day indeed!
Once opened and devoured, its 4am, thanks EVA (wink), it set me up for a hellish day indeed, due to lack of sleep and my mind unable to focus on anything else but the Academy of the Devil and all its “students”.
Alyssa was forced to join the academy all thanks to a deal her ancestor made with the devil, just great right, but at least she has fire in her despite her disability, as long as she can keep it hidden and show no weakness, but can she?
I got sucked into the world that Eva Brandt created finding every creature and demon so intriguing with her descriptions which had my imagination going wild, and wondering what sort of creature is next to pop around the corner. Fantastic world development and writing, thank goodness my collage had no soul eating Egyptian Goddess. The Princess of the academy… damn, yes please, definitely why choose? Although not full on sexy scene yet… it’s a great tease. Amazing twists I did not see coming and insights for the series to come, can’t wait! Not your typical paranormal bully romance, unique in many ways, either way it pulls on your heart strings, weather for a quick giggle, a blush or two or three, or full-blown tears, filled with action, intrigue, secrets and hot men, A Hellish Year One is a MUST READ!
I find with all the new bully academy books coming out it become a bit difficult for me to find something new and different to read but Eva Brandt achieve it with Hellish year one. I love everything about this book the concept of the Devil Academy is different from every thing i’ve read thus far. I was hooked from the start. Hooked on this kick-ass, strong and witty human who is thrown into well …hell, where she is seen as a weak human but i think she the fiercest of them all, hooked on all the other characters who bring life to this story (the school princes, the teachers, the dean, the familiars, the dragon…). It is so well described that it feels like we are part of the story. This is the first time I have read Eva Brandt work and I will say it won’t be last.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am volontarily leaving a review.
Awesome read, well written with a great plot and characters. I was absorbed from beginning to end. I loved this book and cant wait to read the next in the series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Booksprout.
Received ARC for Honest Review.
I Give this book 3.5/5, listing as 4.
Highly Enjoyable Book!
I love Bully romances especially reverse harem ones, and this was a nice addition even though it is a little tamer than my usual types. 🙂
Looking forward to the rest of the series!
As soon as I saw anime was mentioned within the book, my mind immediately switched from ‘real people’ to anime characters, this book has anime potential actually because it’s easy and well written and easy to visualize as one and that was a breath of fresh air to me, it some how made this book even more enjoyable when you ‘watch’ it mentally as an anime or drama.
Really cool, definitely buying!
Looking forward to reading more from this Author! 😀
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a new twist on what demons are supposed to be like. This book had me wanting to read till all hours of the night. I love that Alyssa hasn’t and won’t let anything get in her way or bring her down. The relationship between Callum, Mikael and Stefan is tricky, I cannot wait to see what happens in book 2
This was an amazing start to a new series! I was hooked from the blurb since is was an academy bully RH and it exceeded my expectations and took a shocking and heartbreaking turn at one point. Alyssa is a human who suffers from epilepsy and is forced to go to the Academy of the Devil or else her condition will become severely worse, but at least she can take her best friend/ dog, Shiro. The Academy of the Devil is not at all what she expected and her life turns upside down. Their kind acts different than humans- when someone is nice to you, they have a hidden agenda; when someone, or a group of someones, are mean to you, they like and care about you. Alyssa had a great personality and I was impressed that even with her condition she did her best to not let people push her around and still lived the best life that she could, which I found pretty inspiring. Callum, Stefan, and Mikael were well thought characters with depth and personal growth which I thought made them seem realistic/ human. This book was filled with snark, violence, bullying, steamy scenes, a few twists and turns, but one of them really got to me to where I had to take a break before I could continue reading. I loved the world that Eva has created and I honestly felt like I was there with Alyssa and Shiro on their journey and I was feeling their emotions with them. I enjoyed the different classes that she had to take and how different the teachers were from her normal life. I definitely can’t wait for the next book because I need more answers after that epilogue and Shiro’s short story!
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book has a lot of elements that keep you reading. The main character is Alyssa Michaelis who has been invited to attend the Academy for the Devil. So why does the Devil have an academy? Well I am not going to tell you, guess you will have to.read about that. However, as you know that this academy has to be full of demons, but Alyssa is human!!! So when she gets the invitation, she has a hard time with the explanation. Don’t count her out, even though she is human she is special and is determined to get through her school years. Since she is human, she has to endure the hatred from her classmates. She does meet Mikael, Callum, and Stephen who intrigue her. They are not nice to her and she defends herself to which made me proud of her. She does have tragedy strike her and I literally cried for a least two chapters. This was different but it was a great start for the series. For me it started out slow but totally makes up for it throughout the book. I can’t wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.