The Academy

by John A. Russo

He's a good puppet, he does what they say, but he's programmed for terror, and someone will pay!From legendary horror writer John A. Russo comes The Academy. It's every parent's dream, turning their little darlings into geniuses, super-achievers, perfect little children.And if there's a problem, the Academy fixes that, too. It's a simple operation. Just a little device. Then a teeny pink scar on a tender little skull…One boy knows the secret. Now he wants his mind back. But it's much, much too late. Too late for anything but the ugly feelings. The bad feelings. The messy sexy feelings. The knife-cold hatred, the murderous rage, for total screaming, blood-drenching revenge…Get ready to enroll in THE ACADEMY.Publisher's this is an updated and enhanced edition of the John Russo's 1985 book DAY CARE

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2014

About the author

John A. Russo, sometimes credited as Jack Russo or John Russo, is an American screenwriter and film director most commonly associated with the 1968 horror classic film Night of the Living Dead. As a screenwriter, his credits include Night of the Living Dead, The Majorettes, Midnight, and Santa Claws. The latter two, he also directed. He has performed small roles as an actor, most notably the first ghoul who is stabbed in the head in Night of the Living Dead.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we see how children are put to the max. The Fairchild Institute tries to create competitive and highly trained people, future managers. Problem is, one suspect, steals the identities of those involved in the program and redirects the young people to darker directions. They are turned into monsters with nasty habits. He himself want to satisfy his lust. Will Shana, Ray and Linda survive the going ons in that apparently perfect institute? Interesting John Russo, serious issues and a fast read horror on mind control. Even with all those stereotypical ingredients it's a good satire on parents overburdening their children to prepare them for the "hard" future. Liked the plot and the twist at the end. Really recommended!

[Ms. Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of a waste of time. I thought the story of programming people would be a horror-filled punch bowl of awesomeness, instead it was a sludge of unbelievability and flaky writing. The characters were too dumb and unconvincing to pull this story off.
Skip this read.

[Robert Freese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent thriller about scientists who drop micro implants into kids’ noggins so they can control them. Several subplots (a saboteur trying to compromise the project, a frustrated father determined to kidnap his daughter and a stage mom from hell) collide in the end. I first read this right after it was first published under the title Day Care.