The Secret Academy

Star Wars Disney Canon Junior Novel

by Jason Fry

Zare Leonis has reached the Arkanis Imperial Academy, where his sister, Dhara, was taken by evil agents of the Empire. He must win acceptance into a secret society within the school to gain access to the mysterious Area Null, where he believes Dhara is being held. This secret order is loyal to the Academy's commandant and is part of his terrifying vision for the future of the Empire. In trying to save Dhara, Zare will find his loyalty tested as never before and expose old friends to great peril.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

182 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2015

About the author

I am the author of The Jupiter Pirates series published by HarperCollins -- visit the official site at http://jupiterpirates.com.

In addition to Jupiter Pirates, I've written or co-written more than 30 novels and short stories set in the Star Wars galaxy, including The Essential Atlas, The Essential Guide to Warfare, The Weapon of a Jedi, and the Servants of the Empire quartet.

I spent more than 12 years at The Wall Street Journal Online, where I wrote or co-wrote the Real Time and Daily Fix columns. My non-fiction work has appeared on ESPN.com, Yahoo! Sports, Poynter.org, Deadspin and Baseball Prospectus. I blog about the New York Mets at Faith and Fear in Flushing and live in Brooklyn with my wife and son.

Reviews

[Shadowdenizen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm mediocre on the TV show "Rebels", I'm really digging both the Star Wars: Kanan, Vol. 1: The Last Padawan title, and this series.

Honestly, some of the YA Star Wars stuff is more enthralling, and has more of a "Star Wars" vibe than a lot of the EU stuff.

I'd highly recommend this quartet to all SW fans.

[Sophie_The_Jedi_Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.75

Oh, these books are so good.

I had some worries in the previous volume about how things would play out, but this one fulfilled my every hope for the series. I really liked both Zare and Merei's chapters - they were so intense but so thrilling. This series is a really great look into the Imperial situation for average citizens. And the Rebels links are great - there are some cameos, but it's really cool how the books all tie into certain events from the show. I liked it.

4.75/5 stars. I do wish there were more books, but this was a great conclusion.

[ambyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another strong entry into the series, but unfortunately one I have a couple quibbles with: one, I would have preferred the two story lines interwoven instead of separated, and two, I am baffled by Zare's decision at the end to rescue only his sister and completely ignore all the other Project Harvester cells. I assume this plot point was a requirement by the Story Group, to leave Project Harvester open for exploration in future projects, but . . . not even a paragraph about how they try to open the other cells, can't, and feel regret about having to abandon the other kids? It makes for a weird character note.

[Leensey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bro, I thrive in Star Wars pain. This is a children's book for kriff sake, but the way it tackled politics and the destructive nature of selfishness, greed, and power??? along with the timeless message of hope and persisting through the tough times no matter how difficult??? Food to my soul, fuel to my tears, hammer to my heart. Excellent conclusion, or shall I say, beginning, into Zare's Star Wars story.

I kinda want a sequel series of him being an official part of the Rebellion, and oh, don't even get me started about the potential for Dhara as she recovers from the torture of the Inquisitor. Kinda hoping she got to have a conversation with Ezra and Kanan just to help her sort through what being Force sensitive means, and how it's not always that rage to tap into. That she doesn't have to be angry or to let her pain consume her. That the dark side of the Force is a path, but she doesn't have to choose it. She can follow the light, maybe even be a Jedi. Ahhh so many possibilities!!

This "review" doesn't even capture all the things I wanna share about my experience of this book, and this series as a whole.

Just wanna give massive kudos to Fry for wonderfully expanding the Star Wars Rebels story through the eyes of Zare, Merei, and co.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will freely admit that I only began reading this series as a way to just pad my books and pages for the 2020 year. I honestly had zero desire to read yet another set of Disney era Star Wars stuff, nor anything in the YA/young readers category (especially YA Star Wars stuff, which has been a lesson in totally disappointment and frustration).

However, Jason Fry’s Servant of the Empire quadrology (i think that’s the term for a set of 4 stories together), has proven that there are still a few good books mixed in the mess of canon stuff.

I’ve throughly enjoyed the 4 books in this series but The Secret Academy is hands down the best of the bunch. Unlike other YA stuff, this one reads like vintage Star Wars legends books. It’s fast paced, it’s full of great characters, action, and a plot that isn’t bogged down with stupid PC mumbo jumbo or the dumb Skywalker saga sequel stuff (though a reference to Hux’s father is in this one). The plot makes sense in the grand scheme of Star Wars, setting up future events but still feeling totally original at the same time. And while I’m not a huge fan of the Rebels TV show (though it’s growing on me as it’s one of the few Star Wars related things I can watch while I wait for Lucasfilm to re-steer the franchise in the right direction), this book (and entire series) works incredibly well in tying in characters and plot points from the show. Furthermore, Academy has some of the best action and thriller elements I’ve ever seen in a YA novel. Just 2-3 pages of this one book has more tension, explosions, and general adrenaline causing moments than the entirety of Rise of Skywalker. Seriously, this one is that good.

I have no problem in confessing that this batch of Star Wars related material surprised the hell out of me. You can tell by other reviews I’ve done that, in general, the Disney owned Star Wars stuff has been disappointment after disappointment, leading me to ignore a lot of what’s been published in the last 6 or so years. Thankfully this set of books had given me a bit of hope that there are still great Star Wars books out there. I just hope it doesn’t take me another 15 books to find them.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty exciting end to this four-book series about Zane. Some things about the end felt a tad rushed, but overall it was still hard to put down, and I definitely recommend this series for maybe 5th-9th graders who like Star Wars and especially Rebels. Our beloved Rebels characters appear again in this book, which is fun.

Perhaps my favorite thing about the Servants of the Empire series overall is that it does such an excellent job of showing the rot and evil in the Empire, the way it really is versus the deceptive way it portrays itself, and how the slow realization of that makes people like Zane realize they have no choice but to fight back. It raises some moral questions like, how long can you cooperate without becoming part of the evil yourself? When is just ducking your head and going along with it actually moral complicity? It shows characters with real courage. And it shows characters willing to change their minds when confronted with the evidence, as well as characters who just double down on their previous position.

[Matt Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every now and again, you read something from this new Star Wars canon that jumps out and surprises you. I wasn't expecting to like the Servants of the Empire series so much, and I think that's due in large part to the author, Jason Fry, who wrote The Weapon of a Jedi, which I also really enjoyed.

The Servants of the Empire series is fun, fast-paced, and smart without being overly complicated (it is, after all, a middle grade series). Each volume clocks in around 150 pages, so they're short, quick reads.

Excited to see what Fry is doing with The Last Jedi novelization.

[Kaloyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 but easily the best book in the series
Also for a children's book there is a lot of cult activities and torturing of kids

[Sofia Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

This was such a good series to give more closure to Zare's arc from the few moments we saw him in Rebels. I really enjoyed the thought provoking, more grounded and day to day look into Lothal citizens and different types of imperials (or soon to be) throughout the series. It's a tragic but hopeful story, with very good & relatable characters, that still left me wanting more.

I wish the pacing had slowed down a bit at the end. But it still ended up working really well, it would fit right in as a Rebels episode, which was probably the intention!

Also, shout out to the seemless, not overshadowing cameos! I am always glad to see our beloved Spectres! :D

Highly recommend the series to Rebels and SW fans who love this era!

[Jaime K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two parts are Zare and Merei, following both of them along the same timeline, leading up to an event at "The Tower" (part 3).

One of the greatest parts was in Zare's, where Hux brings up scientists who had been trying to develop viruses that would target the clones. That lines up PERFECTLY with Traviss' Clone Wars novels!

Zare: On Arkanis, he is thrown into a new dorming situation, as well as amped up classes & training - such as live fire exercises. There is a group named the Commandant Cadets, who are under the leadership of Hux (the father of who we see in TFA, of course). Zare learns the cost of joining the group and stays true to himself, while getting help from Chiron who was transferred to the planet.
I really like Chiron. His dedication is in the "wrong" place, but he's the kind of person we'd want in the Empire - thinks the Republic was wrong, but will still stand for justice and what he feels is right.

Pages 58-59 offer some insight on stormtrooper training and answers a question I had in the last book as to why troopers would follow cadets (reason: Cadets are training to become officers; troopers are training to best follow orders).

And Beck Ollet is back in play.

Merei: Her story is much more rushed than Zare's, which makes me drop my initial belief this was a 5-star book. I like that she keeps Zare's mother up to date with what she learns about his transfer, and that she is incredibly determined to save Holshef from a deadly fate. But even though she's there for the insurgents attacking the Lothal tower system, and then deals with the Empire investigating at schools, there are fewer details with her part - leading to an uninteresting story.
When she tells her parents about her illegal activities, it's done quickly and not very realistically, as far as I'm concerned.
I do find it interesting that nostalgia is considered a crime on the planet. It's very...Imperial.

Part 3: Just as rushed as Merei's part, if not more so. It's intense but quick, and yet still bittersweet at the end. Zeb, Sabine, and Ezra help the two teens and their families get away from Lothal.
And I want a jogan fruit.

[Richard L. Haas III · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, this was shaping up to be a really solid entry and conclusion for the Servants of the Empire quadrilogy, but a few things go in the way. I’ll start on the negatives so we can end more positively. I’ll try my best to avoid any spoilers.

Aside from some small issues such as a really lame rouse involving Zare and Penn to fool some cadets, the sheer pointlessness of Jax’s character in this book (and honestly his “relationship” with Merei as a whole) or even the disappointment of not exploring how future brothers and sisters of the Inquisitors were being trained at all, there wasn’t much to complain about. As always, Fry was nailing it; but then the first part ends with a big cliffhanger and we switch POV characters from Zare to Merei.

While I was glad we were actually able to follow Merei like we did in previous books, there no reason it should have happened in the middle of the book. Because then, all the time and energy was wasted perfecting Zare’s half, all of a sudden, Merei and then the conclusion (more so the conclusion) had to be rushed. And I honestly do not understand why the decision to break up the parts into chapters were made when the three other books didn’t do that. I feel like the novel could have been stronger if both Zare’s and Merei’s POVs were told concurrently because the cliffhangers were not nearly as strong as they thought they were because...

Once we get back to Zare’s POV during the conclusion, the cliffhanger takes a wild leap and I felt like Fry had to jump through hoops to conclude the story at the 182 page limit (all the books have around the same number of pages so that had to be by design) when really, this could have and should have played out naturally, avoided deus ex machina, and ultimately allowed itself to be close to a page count of 250.

On a more positive note, the book itself was actually really well written. I know I spoke about disappointing story structure above but I’m going to attribute that to the powers at publishing, because the limitations Fry endured were quite obvious— even if they weren’t intentional on his part. Jason Fry knows Star Wars and knows Star Wars storytelling brilliantly, so for those limitations, he handled the novel decently— especially for his target audience. And speaking of target audience, I always enjoy when writers trust their audience to use Wookiepedia to look up an alien but also make it unnecessary to do so. Fry has done that really well here.

He also did a fantastic job finding the profoundness of a concept— something the original trilogy of films did very well itself. What I speak of here is his beautiful prose with regard to scent and memory. I actually added a quote on Goodreads that speaks to this. I was just dumbfounded that something like that could be found in a “junior novel.”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you could edit all four books into one novel and market it as a “adult” novel in the new canon. It’s a good read and pretty fun story to follow alongside watching Rebels. It’s just a shame that we really don’t get to see any of these characters again (except for Commandmant Hex, who would go on to father General Hux from the sequel trilogy).

[DAYADEW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weave, weave weave! Damn, Jason Fry sure knows how to tie in his Rebels novels into the show's episodes, and he's good at it. Everything wraps up beautifully.

Also: parents! Parents who actually get involved! I realize having an orphaned middle grade/YA hero/ine makes it a lot easier for said hero/ine to get away with all sorts of tomfoolery, so having both MCs un-orphaned and dancing around the 'rents when they do a sneaky-sneaky is extra bonus points to any author who pulls it off spectacularly. And anyway, towards the end of the book, the cat's out of the bag and the 'rents have to be brought up to speed regardless, which makes it even more spectacular.

Further character developents abound, most especially Zare's, and even a few side characters (Chiron's he was a well-meaning soul, I wish he hadn't been offed the most surprising of all). Throughout the novel, Zare's good morals continue to be tested as he keeps questioning to what ends he'll have to serve the Empire just to save his sister. I quite enjoyed the secrecy going on around the mysteeeerious Commandant's Cadets; kinda like a creepy school club.

Merei's chapters felt a little rushed imo, especially during the parts where she has to flee from the Empire... which is, yanno, exactly where we want to see more?

Awesome story notwithstanding, it's not without a few loose ends. What would be the fate of Jix (whom I feel really sorry for by the way)? And what about Holshef, the old man Merei's been trying so hard to protect? The biggest question is Zare and Merei's future, their relationship with each other and their actions to fight against the Empire moving forward, or if they will at all. While the conclusion of Dhara's story was... satisfactory, it still kept me thinking. Wouldn't Ezra have felt her sensitivity to the force the way he had felt Kanan's? Wouldn't the Ghost team have done something to hide another Force-sensitive teenager who can clearly use her powers but at the same time is unstable with it? I was rather hoping for an epilogue, but sad to say, that was the end of the series. At least it ended with a group hug. Everybody loves a good group hug, right? I mean, hot damn if I don't deserve a group hug myself after reading all the bittersweet stuff that happened at the concluson.

I'm going to go plant a tree now or something. Stupid Imps destroying nature. Jogan blossoms!!!

[Silver Keeper · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the young former imperial promises Zare and Merei comes to an end.

This final book is a bit different from the previous ones: the school-theme is almost absent leaving more space for the armed conflict between the dark Empire and its citizens forced to become insurgents.
Here the Empire is no longer just a sneaky political force but a full horror that uses every tool to subjugate the people. Project Unity is a good exploration of the brainwash system only mentioned as Project Resurrection in other products (I know, they are two different things, but the one in this novel is clearly a precursor).

3/5 and not more, because I found the ending chapters a bit rushed with some cameos that are not only a deus ex machina but they have a "contractual feeling" too. This is a Rebels spin-of, after all.
This fourth books is divided in chapters, maybe because Fry wanted to make the time more heavy for his characters and used the chapters as a metronome.

But as a whole, Servants of the Empire is one of the best anti-fascist take on Star Wars. Its target audience, junior readers, make it less crude and tragic than other products like Andor but maybe, precisely because of its target, it's very interesting (and useful).

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Todo iba muy bien en esta saga... hasta que terminó. De acuerdo con su "etiqueta" de Junior Novel el final es feliz... (Ups Spoilers) el problema es que es tan gratuito y sencillo que si esto hubiera sido un Adult Novel hubiera jurado que le copiaron el final al Brazil... Excepto que la parte donde todo era un sueño nunca llegó. (Ups otro spoiler pero ese hubiera sido un GRAN final).
Aparte de los vistazos obligados a como funciona el imperio, la exposición de los planes del que, supongo, es el padre del general Hux sobre entrenar stormtroopers desde que son niños y lo que pasaba con los force sensitive que descubría el imperio, la saga no nos brinda mucha nueva información.
Sin embargo es bastante entretenida y lo suficientemente obscura para que un adulto (y un niño) encuentre cosas interesantes y tome la filosofía básica del universo de Star Wars (cuidado del medio ambiente, el lado obscuro del imperio y de los rebeldes, el surgimiento de la rebelión).
En resumen la sencillez de la saga oculta lo bien elaborada y trabajada que está. De lo único que sufre es de sus limites de ¨género¨. Aun así la recomiendo para quienes buscan más cosas del universo de Star Wars.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Academy concludes the Servants of the Empire series as well as the stories of Zare Leonis and Merei Spanjaf (for now at least!). Our heroes have come quite a long way since we first met them and this book really puts them to the test. Plus, we get to see some more familiar faces from Star Wars Rebels in action!

I'm not sure what to really say about this book that would convince you one way or the other. If you've read the first three, you might as well see things through to the end. In my opinion you won't be disappointed by what you get. If you haven't read the first three, then go read my reviews of those to see if you think you should jump into the series.

I definitely liked the final chapter of Servants of the Empire. It had a lot of action but plenty of emotional scenes as well that really make you care about the characters and what happens to them. It was a great little diversion in the Star Wars universe without the major players and high stakes. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing the cast from this series show up in other Star Wars stories in the future.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so sure I would give this book 5 stars, I was on the edge of my seat just waiting for whatever was going to happen...
and then the final act happened. The Ghost crew showed up and it was basically another episode of Rebels again and the Empire inevitably failed to do any damage.

I was hoping for some big reveal, but the stakes just seemed to evaporate in the end. Not to mention the lose threads.
Why did they kidnap his sister and torture her? Why all the big cover up? What about Hux and his commanders?

I was hoping for more but in the end it failed to live up to the expectations that had been built up in thethree novels until now.

It’s still a good read, but not the best I waned.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are such wonderful stories that take place within the Rebels universe. I really liked how Zare and Merei's stories were broken down into two sections, then brought together at the end. Zare took so many risks trying to find his sister and was loyal to a fault. Merei took a lot of risk on her own and their families ended up in danger, but it turns out that is what was needed to help them see the cruelty of the Empire. This story is so wonderfully woven together, both on it's own and how it intersects with the Rebels we know and love from the series. My only gripe is with the ending coming together a little too conveniently. I have a lot of questions about Dhara. Can we get another series about her?

[Boots LookingLand · Rating 3 out of 5]

this seems to be a fun series but does rely heavy on you following along; i picked this up to try it as a stand-alone and there were moments where i got frustrated for either having to play catch-up or when the narrative breaks to a whole different set of characters right in the middle of the story.

all that said, it mostly works and it's mostly fun. i enjoyed learning about Arkanis and diplopods more than anything else. felt less invested in the characters than in the world, though there are some good character moments overall. i expect if you read this whole series in order like you're supposed to, it's probably quite solid.

[Ahdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Secret Academy takes young readers on an exhilarating journey as Zare Leonis, a determined protagonist, embarks on a mission to rescue his sister from the clutches of the Empire's sinister agents. The novel masterfully explores themes of loyalty, courage, and the test of one's convictions, making it a fitting addition to the Star Wars universe. Zare's character development and the captivating plot are further enhanced by the seamless integration with the Rebels series, providing a satisfying conclusion to his adventures. For those who have followed Zare's captivating journey throughout the series, this book is a must-read, offering a compelling and seamless transition into the broader Star Wars narrative.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was definitely blown away by this 4 book Star Wars Rebels spin-off story! This book was my favorite installation to this series. It was filled to the brim with fighting, suspense, and overall chaos for many of the loved characters I had grown to love in this series. Towards the end there were a couple surprises, and I am just overall so excited about this book. Another thing I really liked about this book in particular is that it was divided up into chapters. It was just easier for me to follow along. I am absolutely so thrilled that I read this series and totally recommend it! :D

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this final volume of Servants of the Empire played it a little safe. I was annoyed that they formatted this book differently than the previous 3 as well. Like, this is the only book that has chapters instead of page breaks, the book is chunked into 3 parts, the first and third being about Zare's story line and the second about Merei. There was some pretty significant scenes that were cut during the switching POVs and in the end I still didn't care for Merei. Overall, it was a nice series but it felt middle grade this volume with the happy for everyone ending.

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that Zare is finally in the Arkanis Academy, he has to infiltrate yet another subgroup, in order to have access to the fabled Tower where he expects his sister to be imprisoned.
Many developments tied to the Rebels series happen and things start going bad really fast.
In the end, all the families lives will change forever.
The final is fantastic and has some incredible cameos!
Totally recommended!!!

[Joss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good ending to this story. I was not so keen on the first book, which was very football- and college-oriented, in a very American way. But when the story synced with Star Wars Rebels in the second book, I started enjoying it more. The third book, and then this final fourth one, had a very good Rebels vibe, and the story fits very well with that world overall.

[Raul Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth and final installment does not disappoint! I kept wondering how Jason Fry was going to tie up loose ends. Well done. Nice touch involving the Star Wars Rebels crew, without making them the focus of the story. Will this series ever get a sequel? I need to know what becomes of Dhara!!

My rating: 4 Stars

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was epic!

Wow, this has been a read a long time coming, and I'm so glad I read it. While there was lots of apparent military writing, I loved this book. I just wished that we got to see Dhara talk with Ezra and Kanan; I wanted to see her learn about the force. Oh well. But overall, it was great.

[Graham Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great end to a great series, even though it is a young adult series there is a lot to enjoy for us more mature fans. If you are a fan of Star Wars Rebels then you should read this series. Pure Star Wars.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a conspiracy at the very heart of the Empire and one lonely cadet must risk everything to expose it.

A satisfying end to the story, with enough threads hanging over to launch a new adventure.

[Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid conclusion to the series with good personal stakes. It also has the "school mystery" feel which is relatable to a lot of younger readers. Overall I'd say the series is not must read, but a good supplement to the Rebels series.

[Corey Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice ending, more tense and emotional than I expected. Ties everything set up in previous books in a bow. The sort of book that I would have loved as a kid watching Rebels, highly recommend the whole series.

[Deanna Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️