Book Review - Fallen Academy: Year 3 & 3.5 by Leia Stone

Mar 23
3 min read

Fallen Academy (Year 3 & Year 3.5)

Author: Leia Stone

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Finished: March 18, 2026

Favorite Moments

The standout moment occurs in the fighting ring. It’s here that Brielle realizes her journey isn't a simple battle of light versus dark or good versus evil. Instead, it’s an acknowledgment that we all carry both within us. The true power comes from accepting every part of who we are and using those elements in harmony because that is the essence of our identity.

Book Cover of Fallen Academy for Book Review

What is it about?

In this third installment (and its companion "half" book), we reunite with Brielle, Lincoln, and their friends Shea and Noah. The narrative primarily focuses on Brielle’s harrowing journey through Hell, detailing the sacrifices and torments she endures to survive her encounter with Lucifer.

While Year 3 belongs to Brielle’s survival story, Year 3.5 (now consolidated into this volume) reconciles the timeline by showing us what the rest of the group was experiencing simultaneously. Bringing these two perspectives together creates a much more cohesive and satisfying reading experience.

What I Liked

The world-building continues to be a highlight. Stone cleverly mirrors the "Hell" of the book with the darker aspects of our own society, suggesting that the behaviors we attribute to demons are often just the extremes of human nature—making the setting feel uncomfortably relatable.

I was particularly struck by a pivotal moment where Brielle, believing that all hope is lost makes the desperate decision to bargain with the Devil. The characters in the book are quick to acknowledge the severity of this error, and the author successfully conveys just how terrible this bargain truly is. However, because the consequences don't reappear before the book concludes, it creates a "calm before the storm" effect. I fully anticipate this choice will come back to haunt her in Year 4.

What I Didn't Like

As a Young Adult novel typically aimed at the 12–18 age range, the ending of Year 3.5 was a significant disappointment for me. There is a descriptive sexual scene that felt entirely out of place. While the author avoids certain explicit words, the level of detail makes it very clear what is happening. This content felt unnecessary; the book was already fantastic, and including this scene makes it inappropriate for the younger youth audience it is marketed toward.

Rating

Story & Structure

Rating: 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 (5/5 Quills) The pacing here is a significant step up from Year 2. Year 3 is fantastically timed, allowing the stakes to rise naturally. Even though Year 3.5 is shorter, it works because the tension has already been expertly established. The plot resolves the "on-paper" conflicts well, though it leaves the emotional fallout of the characters' transformations for the next book.

Writing Style & Prose

Rating: 🪶🪶🪶🪶✧ (4/5 Quills) Stone excels at dual perspectives, giving both Brielle and Lincoln authentic, distinct voices. While the descriptions aren't overly "vivid," they provide just enough scaffolding for the reader’s imagination to take over.

Impact & Immersion

Rating: 🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶 (5/5 Quills) The genius of this book lies in its relatability. By weaving universal human experiences—jealousy, pride, and anger alongside hope, love, and kindness—into a supernatural setting, Stone makes this world feel grounded. You don't just root for the leads; you find yourself deeply invested in the side characters as well.

Final Overall Rating

This installment balances high-stakes action with deep thematic reflection. It is an immersive experience that bridges the gap between paranormal fantasy and the complex realities of the human condition.

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