Assassin’s Academy: Book One: Rebels: (A Dark Academy Romance)

When I read the series branch name “Assassin’s Academy” – I was expecting it to be similar to the “Assassin’s Magic” series featuring a different assassin’s guild. It is NOT. But I enjoyed it JUST as much as that series, which I think is my favorite so far of Frost’s. The world she has created is dark, expansive, unique, and utterly captivating. Despite reading about the type of creature Peyton is, the storytelling is so good that I had no clue what she was until it was revealed. Nor what Striker is. And WOW Striker. He’s the first true (what I would call) Alphahole that I’ve read, and he’s just sooooo well done. He’s the perfect balance of violence, brutality, and surprisingly honor.

Everything he does has a reason, and despite his tough façade, he ends up really having good intentions for the other students. And Peyton really is his perfect match.
Frost has already introduced soooo many mythical creatures, but she keeps fascinating and surprising me by adding more to the mix. Everyone is so unique. Although the secondary characters remain pretty vague for the most part, she still gives them a sense of depth to them by casting them in this dark DARK storyline. Be forewarned, this is probably the darkest book I’ve read of hers to date and is not for the feint of heart. And the ending is just so completely unexpected that I really don’t know what to expect next. I’m so glad I’m backreading books previously published because I need the next one NOW! I love this world!!!

there will be blood

O.M.G. Wow. This academy is . Read at your own risk! Deadly Supernaturals like No other!! im still trying to figure out what the hell just happened!!! Action, Gory, enemies to crazy Frenemies to a crazy love story! Striker and Peyton are insane. They legit give me Harvey Quinn and Joker vibes!! THEY ARE CRAZY!!! and together… nobody has a chance! That ending tho..had me like Bring it B! Its on like don-king-kong MUST READ!!!

Okay guys you going to have to bear with me on this review…I have so many emotions running through my mind right now. The information is all in my brain but its the whole transferring that into words that’s the problem. But sometimes the transferring process is messy and full of craziness and rambles.

Everly has turned up the dial for this one…believe me you won’t be cold. nahuh.

Everly definitely cranks that dial…instead of heat level being on hot…no, no. It’s more catastrophic levels where from the moment you start reading, it tears at your heart and your just like, “oh its all good, I’m just burning from the intensity your story is bringing me. Don’t mind me.”

Oh and if that’s not enough it’ll feel like your heart is being ripped out a million times over, throughout the WHOLE book.

There won’t be a moments pause. There will be some downtown but yeah no, not really enough to help you gather your fragile little pieces back together…so just grab some duct tape and you’ll be good.

Everly was kind enough to warn us of the intensity and stress levels of this book beforehand, so one book nerd to another this is me relaying her warning.

But don’t let this stop you from reading the book! The best books written are the ones that make you feel something…and if this book doesn’t do that, honestly I don’t know what will.

Okay, a little bit about the story. It starts off with Peyton being taken, forcibly, to this school for the supernaturals where their abilities have been repressed or unknown. It’s a school that basically has a one-way ticket, there is no escaping and those who do…leave in a bodybag…But Peyton is a fighter through and through…and she is determined that she will survive this place. She is not a stranger to mistreatment, abuse, bullying you name it…and because of this, has developed a thick skin and a fiery spirit that won’t go down without a fight.

Her character automatically calls to you and you feel what she is feeling right from the get-go. I think, I was two pages in and I was already talking to Everly and was like my heart….it’s hurting already and I haven’t even made it to the end of chapter one! Peyton is one character that literally just begs you to listen and be apart of her world with her. Which is fantastic and terrifying for you because that means you’re trapped in that hellhole too, not knowing exactly what will happen.

But honestly just throw all caution to the wind…there is no script to follow and honestly you get so involved in the book that even if your brain was working properly, it would be pointless. I was so uncertain at times where Everly was going to take me and was just like…Ehh whatever let’s just ride this crazy train and see where it takes me.

One thing is made very clear from the beginning. This school is no normal school. This is a school designed to try and make everyone there, show their abilities in whatever way the Bloodwing teachers see fit. So basically I’m saying torture. They rough them up, put them in a pit in the dark with these creatures that are meant to be practically un-killable, slice and dice them, make them punch wooden posts and a tonne of other crazy stuff. All in the “name” of getting them to show their powers. The running theory is that with fear that’s when powers show and they really do wrap their hands tightly around that. These teachers are insane and know no limits.

On Peyton’s first day at the school the Headmistress Osprey and her newly assigned compliance guards work some magic on her trying to pull out what her supernatural ability is. Aside from causing her a hell of a lot of pain, they are able to determine nothing. With that happening she is marked as an “Unknown” which is extremely rare. All current students have shown some sign towards where their abilities may lie but aside from one other Striker Draven they are the only ones that are “Unknown”, classing them as a danger. Hence she is secluded in the attic with him. For the “safety” of everyone else.

The thing though is that Mr Draven has a reputation…and it isn’t a good one. He’s mean, cold and rough and likes to push around students. And he is not happy with the new addition to the mix and so he sets his sites on her. But nothing is ever as it seems right? There’s more to the story…the academy has put the students through a lot and they are slow to trust…and Draven his heart has been shut off for way too long (it’s a long story – just know I still love him). Time for Peyton to come and shake some things up…and she isn’t afraid to stand up to him. She’s ready to go head to head with him. Do you reckon she’ll be able to find his heart and finally make him feel again?

So through all this intensity and world, we see a fire that is burning so bright and deep inside each student. Each one has been through hell. And although friendships in a place like Bloodwing is dangerous…that doesn’t stop them from forming connections and friendships that truly touch your heart.

They start to fight, they start to learn about their powers and they learn that giving in isn’t something that is in their blood. Each one start working together to help avoid being killed. You see there are stages within the Academy and you are put through different phases as the teachers learn about their abilities (can you guess they aren’t good phases right?). But with each phase that is meant to help them “control” their powers can cause what is called a “Flicker” fit. Without saying too much…when this happens its B-A-D…and if the teachers or compliance officers notice? Its bye-bye to that person.

I can’t express how much goes down in this book…I’ve only just barely scraped at the surface but please believe me on this, you do not want to miss this intense read! Yes it pulls at your heart strings, yes you feel like your going crazy and HELL YEEESS you will need that book nerd safety kit I talked about because this book brings EVERYTHING! You will not be bored, you will be pulled into this book like Harry Potter is pulled into the pages of Tom’s journal

You will probably want to cry but you will love it with every fibre of your being. The characters and world Everly has created in this book is phenomenal. The friendships and fighting spirit of these characters just can’t be overlooked. You won’t want to. And one little secret between you and me…these students are waaaaay more powerful than the world is prepared for. Think real big. No time for thinking small.

All I can say, with that ending and with everything that goes down…Peyton, Striker, Lucinda, Ashley hell everyone. Their role in everything just reached new proportions. But they’ll be ready. They have to be. I’ll accept nothing else.

For lovers of the Assassin’s Magic book, this is a MUST read. I was speaking to Everly and this book takes place during the end of Assassin’s Maze. You will hear things throughout this book that connect to the story and because I can’t help myself…guess who is the founder of Bloodwing Academy?….Lady Tirelli! Explains a lot right?!

I will carry across Everly’s warning though that this is a dark YA Academy style book and I wouldn’t really recommend a younger audience to read due to some of the content. It’s definitely aimed at a more mature audience. So please do keep that in mind.

I am SOOOO ready for the next book in this series and I’m so excited for you guys to read this! So don’t forget to Pre-order or buy this baby because a book like this shouldn’t be missed.

Happy Readings 🙂

Everything I hoped it would be! So much intrigue and chaos. I LOVE IT!! Peyton and Striker are a pair you don’t want to miss. And that link-in to the rest of the Assassin’s universe? Yessss….
Uggggh — I need more!