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The Academy #2
The Academy: Book 2
Every six months, 450 fifteen-year-olds are kidnapped from their homes across the world. These kidnappings happen in the span of a week, as reliable as clockwork. The victims don’t know each other, or their kidnappers. The fifteen-year-olds either end up with a ‘missing persons’ file gathering dust in a filing cabinet, or they are assumed dead. No one ever discovers what happens to them. The families move on, forever missing their lost loved one. Unknown to them, their child, grandchild, or sibling, has been taken to the Academy.
The Academy, as its members will boast, is the most secretive, powerful organization in the world. The workings of the organization are revealed on a need-to-know basis, and the organization has decided that no one, other than its most trusted members, need to know its true business. Outsiders don’t even know it exists. Occasionally, a hunter or hiker will stumble upon the Academy’s remote location. They are quickly taken care of.
When Asa Palmer, age fifteen, is out running in the woods behind his house, he is taken. Twelve hours later, after being tied and bound, and transported through an underground train station, he finds himself amidst a series of beautifully crafted structures that rest in between a circle of five secluded mountains. He has been chosen as a candidate for the Academy. Each six months, the Academy kidnaps more recruits than they can actually use. For Asa Palmer to live he must undergo body-altering mutations and compete with his cohorts in a series of dangerous and strategy ridden tasks to prove that he is worthy of the Academy’s time.
This book follows Asa Palmer through his second semester in the Academy. The work is 197,000 words long.
The Academy, as its members will boast, is the most secretive, powerful organization in the world. The workings of the organization are revealed on a need-to-know basis, and the organization has decided that no one, other than its most trusted members, need to know its true business. Outsiders don’t even know it exists. Occasionally, a hunter or hiker will stumble upon the Academy’s remote location. They are quickly taken care of.
When Asa Palmer, age fifteen, is out running in the woods behind his house, he is taken. Twelve hours later, after being tied and bound, and transported through an underground train station, he finds himself amidst a series of beautifully crafted structures that rest in between a circle of five secluded mountains. He has been chosen as a candidate for the Academy. Each six months, the Academy kidnaps more recruits than they can actually use. For Asa Palmer to live he must undergo body-altering mutations and compete with his cohorts in a series of dangerous and strategy ridden tasks to prove that he is worthy of the Academy’s time.
This book follows Asa Palmer through his second semester in the Academy. The work is 197,000 words long.
566 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2014
55 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Chad Leito
12 books78 followersChad Leito (AKA William Dye) is a writer from Denton, Texas. He is the author of the Mungus Serial Series and is currently working on a second series, The Academy. He has also written stand alone novel, The Neighborhood.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 16, 2014
“The Academy, Part 2” is a brilliantly written crime/science fiction/mystery novel that really had me on the edge of my seat as I read along. The book picks up right where the first book in the series left off. Without giving the story away, the Academy in the book is trying to build an army through kidnapped 15 year olds who have been subjected to a mutation process. The main character, Asa, is being put through a very grueling testing process with the other kidnapped kids to see who is strong, and who is weak. I really could picture all of the struggles Asa faced, both physically and mentally, which shows how detailed and thought out the characters are. I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone! 5 Stars all the way!!!!
April 30, 2014
If you are unfamiliar with this series, for the most part it follows the standard formula of “special kid goes to a special school” that seems to be quite popular these days. The catch is that the people running the school are trying to kill the kid or get the other kids to kill him. It’s basically if The Hunger Games took place at Hogwarts.
Sadly, this means it also falls into some of the tropes of the genre – adults behave irrationally, the plot could have been resolved in 100 pages if the protagonist had told the correct people what was going on, lots of sneaking around to get information, and so on.
The characters are for the most part written well enough and the story was interesting and had some novel concepts, but otherwise the writing could seriously have benefited by a few more passes by an editor. Frequently there are one or two pages of the main character musing off on a tangent – I found myself skimming over these parts, but the overall effect is they are annoying, unnecessary to the plot, and break up the pacing. Additionally, there were some very basic spelling errors – vial versus vile, moral versus morale – that should have been caught before publication.
Overall, the first book was interesting enough, with enough new concepts that I picked up the second book. However, the issues I’ve mentioned are enough that this is where I’ll stop with this series.
Sadly, this means it also falls into some of the tropes of the genre – adults behave irrationally, the plot could have been resolved in 100 pages if the protagonist had told the correct people what was going on, lots of sneaking around to get information, and so on.
The characters are for the most part written well enough and the story was interesting and had some novel concepts, but otherwise the writing could seriously have benefited by a few more passes by an editor. Frequently there are one or two pages of the main character musing off on a tangent – I found myself skimming over these parts, but the overall effect is they are annoying, unnecessary to the plot, and break up the pacing. Additionally, there were some very basic spelling errors – vial versus vile, moral versus morale – that should have been caught before publication.
Overall, the first book was interesting enough, with enough new concepts that I picked up the second book. However, the issues I’ve mentioned are enough that this is where I’ll stop with this series.
April 13, 2014
Another
Great book! I really want to see another one. I can't wait to see what Adam does. And how asa Life there without Teddy
Great book! I really want to see another one. I can't wait to see what Adam does. And how asa Life there without Teddy
October 2, 2015
Great book! I love this series so far and i cant wait to read the next book. These books are a lot like hunger games. Intense and interesting. I highly recommended them. They are amazing and really well done.
October 4, 2014
An amazing read
Chad leito is an amazing writer. he brings his characters to life. it is like they are in the room with you. personally I can't wait to get a hold on his next book
Chad leito is an amazing writer. he brings his characters to life. it is like they are in the room with you. personally I can't wait to get a hold on his next book
December 14, 2021
Dude Asa pretty much sucks. He is dumber than most everybody. I find the other characters surrounding him are always doing something much cooler than him. Whereas he just gets dragged along it seems by the academy, there are other students just doing more. First book we see that he doesn't ever get his bird to move while Charlotte does using the same item he has access too. It's literally not even an amazing idea, you telling me he never once thought to just put it to sleep with some tranquilizer of any kind? Its literally how every vet ever studies wild animals.
We are introduced to another female sorta love interest, off the rip she is a better character than Asa. She actually does things and isn't busy crying about how hard his life is. She seizes opportunities while he just drifts. I'm on chapter 15 now. I do want to finish the story, but its getting really annoying having my mc be so useless. I pray for some development in this next chapter or I will be forced to drop this. Edit. Got none. The only use our Mc has it parroting information he receives from other people to keep the reader informed, besides that he is pointless.
Edit I am now on chapter 33.
Asa is still an impotent loser. Still getting everything from his team. His powers, his accomplishments, his information, all from his team. He still cries like a child every second chapter. Gah Lee he is so pathetic. Why make Asa the Mc? The only thing special about him is that his father was a big shot and his child was merely a condition within a contract. It's almost like the authors projecting his own weakness into the character. Because I can't fathom ever writing like Teddy once called him, such a "parasitic" character.
So I finished it. He still sugs. Still got bailed out. Still made idiotic decisions. Still is weak. Still dumb. Still looks to cry at any opportune moment. No growth at all.
Apparently Jen catching him kissing Charlotte was enough to dampen how she feels about him. Yeah no. At 15/16 I would bounce from girl to girl and they still came back to me. Especially a head strong girl like Jen, she wouldn't act like there was a "wall" between them, it's just a kiss and Jen is smart enough to realize that the coward Asa wouldn't have initiated the kiss. Charlotte too wouldn't drink herself silly because she misses Asa. Especially after he had described her as looking like she had moved on... And even if she didn't she would have too much self respect to beg and plead. I don't know how you could possibly write more uncharacteristic actions than those. Also Conway(the mentor), Conway is the most useless character ever.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. If not the worst.
We are introduced to another female sorta love interest, off the rip she is a better character than Asa. She actually does things and isn't busy crying about how hard his life is. She seizes opportunities while he just drifts. I'm on chapter 15 now. I do want to finish the story, but its getting really annoying having my mc be so useless. I pray for some development in this next chapter or I will be forced to drop this. Edit. Got none. The only use our Mc has it parroting information he receives from other people to keep the reader informed, besides that he is pointless.
Edit I am now on chapter 33.
Asa is still an impotent loser. Still getting everything from his team. His powers, his accomplishments, his information, all from his team. He still cries like a child every second chapter. Gah Lee he is so pathetic. Why make Asa the Mc? The only thing special about him is that his father was a big shot and his child was merely a condition within a contract. It's almost like the authors projecting his own weakness into the character. Because I can't fathom ever writing like Teddy once called him, such a "parasitic" character.
So I finished it. He still sugs. Still got bailed out. Still made idiotic decisions. Still is weak. Still dumb. Still looks to cry at any opportune moment. No growth at all.
Apparently Jen catching him kissing Charlotte was enough to dampen how she feels about him. Yeah no. At 15/16 I would bounce from girl to girl and they still came back to me. Especially a head strong girl like Jen, she wouldn't act like there was a "wall" between them, it's just a kiss and Jen is smart enough to realize that the coward Asa wouldn't have initiated the kiss. Charlotte too wouldn't drink herself silly because she misses Asa. Especially after he had described her as looking like she had moved on... And even if she didn't she would have too much self respect to beg and plead. I don't know how you could possibly write more uncharacteristic actions than those. Also Conway(the mentor), Conway is the most useless character ever.
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. If not the worst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2015
Scary future for a group of teens
The story is good and sounds somewhat plausible, though I doubt we would enjoy living in the environment this story portrays. 450 teens are kidnapped every six months to attend this Academy where they are molded into mutant fighters or die trying. All the kidnapped teens are within 3 months before or after their 15th birthday. They have 4 semesters of 6 months each to earn enough points to "graduate". Those who fail to earn 1, 000 points at the end of the two years are put out to die at the hand of mutated animals.
This is the second semester and Asa Palmer has survived attacks from fellow classmates, dangerous obstacles and other creatures called Multipliers during his first semester. The creatures used to be human but now they crave biting humans to create more of themselves, or multiplying. The creatures were created by Asa's father so there is a contract Edmund Palmer had with the owners of the company, Alfatrex. The contract states that if any more Multipliers are created, word will reach the news media about Alfatrex and their role in creating the deadly "wolf flu" which kills everyone who contracts it slowly and painfully. The contract also gives penalties if Asa Palmer or Charlotte, a fellow student whose father graduated from the Academy, are harmed. Should that happen, the news media will receive the hidden location of the Academy and what is being done to the teenage students. Alfatrex sells a costly injectable drug which staves off but doesn't cure the virus. The company collects billions and the population is dwindling because of this epidemic. The multiplier creatures are very fast, extremely strong and have black tongues and gums. When they get excited, they drool black liquid which has the serum which changes humans into them if they are bitten.
They can't create more of themselves for two reasons though they would like nothing better. The first is a contract with Asa's father, Edmund Palmer. This contract stops most but not all of them. The second reason is they can only bite one human within a 30 day period. After that, their saliva doesn't have the serum to create more of their kind until another month has passed.
I would like this book much better if the writer bought a dictionary so he could look up the words he uses. He uses "whenever" instead of "when", sow when he means sew while describing how their advanced suits gather threads into words by sewing them but he uses the word sown. There are many instances when he uses a word that sounds like the correct word but it is a different word with an entirety different meaning. He also doesn't know his grammar rules and leaves words out or puts them in the wrong order. If you don't mind puzzling out what he is trying to say, then you might like the story. I would tell the author to hire a professional editor instead of using some random fan who works for free or for little money. You get what you pay for. This book with the right editor could be a five star story.
The story is good and sounds somewhat plausible, though I doubt we would enjoy living in the environment this story portrays. 450 teens are kidnapped every six months to attend this Academy where they are molded into mutant fighters or die trying. All the kidnapped teens are within 3 months before or after their 15th birthday. They have 4 semesters of 6 months each to earn enough points to "graduate". Those who fail to earn 1, 000 points at the end of the two years are put out to die at the hand of mutated animals.
This is the second semester and Asa Palmer has survived attacks from fellow classmates, dangerous obstacles and other creatures called Multipliers during his first semester. The creatures used to be human but now they crave biting humans to create more of themselves, or multiplying. The creatures were created by Asa's father so there is a contract Edmund Palmer had with the owners of the company, Alfatrex. The contract states that if any more Multipliers are created, word will reach the news media about Alfatrex and their role in creating the deadly "wolf flu" which kills everyone who contracts it slowly and painfully. The contract also gives penalties if Asa Palmer or Charlotte, a fellow student whose father graduated from the Academy, are harmed. Should that happen, the news media will receive the hidden location of the Academy and what is being done to the teenage students. Alfatrex sells a costly injectable drug which staves off but doesn't cure the virus. The company collects billions and the population is dwindling because of this epidemic. The multiplier creatures are very fast, extremely strong and have black tongues and gums. When they get excited, they drool black liquid which has the serum which changes humans into them if they are bitten.
They can't create more of themselves for two reasons though they would like nothing better. The first is a contract with Asa's father, Edmund Palmer. This contract stops most but not all of them. The second reason is they can only bite one human within a 30 day period. After that, their saliva doesn't have the serum to create more of their kind until another month has passed.
I would like this book much better if the writer bought a dictionary so he could look up the words he uses. He uses "whenever" instead of "when", sow when he means sew while describing how their advanced suits gather threads into words by sewing them but he uses the word sown. There are many instances when he uses a word that sounds like the correct word but it is a different word with an entirety different meaning. He also doesn't know his grammar rules and leaves words out or puts them in the wrong order. If you don't mind puzzling out what he is trying to say, then you might like the story. I would tell the author to hire a professional editor instead of using some random fan who works for free or for little money. You get what you pay for. This book with the right editor could be a five star story.
June 18, 2014
first sentences
Chapter 1
Asa’s Dad’s Friend’s Friends
It was morning time and Asa was walking through the forest to the side of his dwelling, thinking about his friend. “Something is wrong with Teddy,” he said out loud, and the words made fog in the cold. The sentence was something that he had suspected for the last two weeks, ever since they had finished the King Mountain Task. Still, actually hearing it made him shudder. The Academy had changed the boy who used to look so young with red cheeks and thin blond hair into something… “Scary,” Asa spoke aloud again. He was alone, and roughly one mile deep into the forest that spread over the back portion of the second semester mountain. One month ago, he would have been much too nervous to travel back here alone. With the 100 points he earned after completing the King Mountain Task, Asa had bought additional strength mutations, and was now almost three times as strong as a natural human would be . He could feel the additional strength in every step he took: it was like walking in water , and Asa very much enjoyed the sensation. He carried a spear in his right hand. He had used the drill on his armband to carve the weapon completely out of stone . After two weeks of practice, Asa could sling the projectile at over 80 miles per hour, and at 45 pounds, the weapon still had momentum after slicing its way through a rock dragon. “I’ll be in trouble if I run into a herd of them, though,” Asa said to himself. He liked to talk aloud as he hiked. He found that he wasn’t worried about the possibility of dying back here. He supposed that, like Teddy, he was changing too. He was less fearful of things , and was comfortable roaming the mountainside alone, despite all the mutated animals that resided in the forest.
Leito, Chad (2014-03-31). The Academy: Book 2 (Kindle Locations 29-45). . Kindle Edition.
Chapter 1
Asa’s Dad’s Friend’s Friends
It was morning time and Asa was walking through the forest to the side of his dwelling, thinking about his friend. “Something is wrong with Teddy,” he said out loud, and the words made fog in the cold. The sentence was something that he had suspected for the last two weeks, ever since they had finished the King Mountain Task. Still, actually hearing it made him shudder. The Academy had changed the boy who used to look so young with red cheeks and thin blond hair into something… “Scary,” Asa spoke aloud again. He was alone, and roughly one mile deep into the forest that spread over the back portion of the second semester mountain. One month ago, he would have been much too nervous to travel back here alone. With the 100 points he earned after completing the King Mountain Task, Asa had bought additional strength mutations, and was now almost three times as strong as a natural human would be . He could feel the additional strength in every step he took: it was like walking in water , and Asa very much enjoyed the sensation. He carried a spear in his right hand. He had used the drill on his armband to carve the weapon completely out of stone . After two weeks of practice, Asa could sling the projectile at over 80 miles per hour, and at 45 pounds, the weapon still had momentum after slicing its way through a rock dragon. “I’ll be in trouble if I run into a herd of them, though,” Asa said to himself. He liked to talk aloud as he hiked. He found that he wasn’t worried about the possibility of dying back here. He supposed that, like Teddy, he was changing too. He was less fearful of things , and was comfortable roaming the mountainside alone, despite all the mutated animals that resided in the forest.
Leito, Chad (2014-03-31). The Academy: Book 2 (Kindle Locations 29-45). . Kindle Edition.
December 30, 2014
I am finding it really difficult to read this book. Yes, the writing has marginally improved since the first one, however there is still continuous awkward grammatical uses, such as repetitive uses of the main character's name, even within the same paragraph, and needless repetition of information. Also, the main character is really not at all that bright. He makes observations about one of the characters named Stan who doesn't use proper grammar when speaking, but consistently forgets about his own special abilities, and consistently makes stupid mistakes. There is needless effort in building tension in certain areas, and a constant effort to make the characters "real" which just does not work for me. Although this book is an urban fantasy (of sorts), some elements logically defy belief; I realize that being a fantasy, some suspension of belief is warranted, but really...a "perfectly flat-floored cavern that is thousands of miles long" and high enough to simulate a day and night cycle ??? Just how deep is this cavern??? I almost get the impression that this book is written for the 10-12 year old male population with all the "wish fulfillment" going on. It's just frustrating, because this could be such a fun book to read! To the author, keep on practicing, get a proof read group, and spend some time on editing! I will admit that I plan on reading the third boo (if one is published), just to see where the story goes, and to see if there are any improvements in writing style
September 6, 2015
I stuck with it through the poorly edited first book because the story idea had potential. I made it through 65% of the second book by trying to ignore the content errors (the editing was a bit better in this book due to a reader helping the author as per author's opening statement), but chapter 31 left me feeling so frustrated, I simply gave up. The actions of the supposed brilliant teens were so unbelievably far from brilliant, I could no longer suspend my utter disbelief. I'm beyond disappointed because I hate not finishing a book or series. It's rare that I give up reading something I've put so much time into...
June 7, 2014
Great read
I really liked this book. The plot is really interesting and there is plenty of suspense and action. The fantasy elements are different then your typical book in this sort of dystopian genre. Sure there are some editing issues but it didn't deter me away from a good story. Looking forward to the next one.
I really liked this book. The plot is really interesting and there is plenty of suspense and action. The fantasy elements are different then your typical book in this sort of dystopian genre. Sure there are some editing issues but it didn't deter me away from a good story. Looking forward to the next one.
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June 12, 2014Amazing book!
I have overlooking forward to this book as soon as I finished the first. I tore through the first two and will now wait for the release of any more to follow, great writing and fantastic imagination.
I have overlooking forward to this book as soon as I finished the first. I tore through the first two and will now wait for the release of any more to follow, great writing and fantastic imagination.
January 8, 2015
I am loving the storyline of these books and where it is going however I find the writer does tend to repeat parts of the story over and over and I found myself skipping paragraphs and even pages when he was recapping past events for the 5th or 6th time.
August 10, 2014
Good premise - needs some work on writing fundamentals
Good premise - needs some work on writing fundamentals
The second book in this series definitely improved over the first installment. However, the author still needs to find his rhythm.
Good premise - needs some work on writing fundamentals
The second book in this series definitely improved over the first installment. However, the author still needs to find his rhythm.
July 6, 2014
Very well done. You can tell the author has grown since the 1st book. Still lots of editing issues, but it doesn't detract too badly.
April 1, 2015
Really freaky
September 7, 2015
Soooo Good!
This was such a good book. I really like this series! It is so unique. I read this so fast...I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen.
This was such a good book. I really like this series! It is so unique. I read this so fast...I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen.
June 3, 2014
Thank God for Tom C that's all I can say.
July 23, 2015
Very good read but needs more editing.
April 6, 2018
I love the premise
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews