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The Academy Alignment
Who decides what music defines a generation or which war gets funded? Who determines high fashion? Who gets to choose which dusty African village thrives and which suffers famine and genocide?
For centuries, the world’s wealthiest have sent their children to an elite boarding school known as The Academy to ensure continued control over global events. This year, The Academy offered its first scholarship to Peter Foster, a 17 year old from the blue-collar town nearby. Before Peter can get his bearings in this world of unimaginable wealth, sexual gamesmanship and obscene entitlement, he uncovers information about the mysterious and violent disappearance of a recent student — information everyone, even the teachers, is desperate to cover up. As the forces of Light and Dark continue their age-old dance of influence and manipulation, The Academy students fight to run their parents’ empires, and to consolidate wealth and influence at any cost. Peter soon realizes he is up against forces that operate far outside his reality, and he'll have to risk everything, even his life, to expose the truth … even if his discoveries upend the fragile balance of global power.
For centuries, the world’s wealthiest have sent their children to an elite boarding school known as The Academy to ensure continued control over global events. This year, The Academy offered its first scholarship to Peter Foster, a 17 year old from the blue-collar town nearby. Before Peter can get his bearings in this world of unimaginable wealth, sexual gamesmanship and obscene entitlement, he uncovers information about the mysterious and violent disappearance of a recent student — information everyone, even the teachers, is desperate to cover up. As the forces of Light and Dark continue their age-old dance of influence and manipulation, The Academy students fight to run their parents’ empires, and to consolidate wealth and influence at any cost. Peter soon realizes he is up against forces that operate far outside his reality, and he'll have to risk everything, even his life, to expose the truth … even if his discoveries upend the fragile balance of global power.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
285 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2016
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January 23, 2016
*Thank you Netgalley and The Phoenix Organization for giving me a chance to read this.*
Where to begin...
Well, first off, I would like to start by saying that this book isn't what I expected. I thought it was going to be some crazy school teaching kids how to control everything, but you spent most of your time learning about the characters and what not. I actually hoped for more insight on the classes.
When it first started I didn't understand why everything was happening, and it wasn't until almost the end of the book that it all began to make sense. However, the book held my attention. I wanted to know what was happening, the book made sure that it teased you with details throughout each page.
Now the characters. Yes, the characters. At first I thought I was going to hate Peter, but he grew on me, as well as the other characters (except for one). The book left me wanting to know more about them, to understand why they said and did most of the things they did. Of course you can only discover so much in a single book and I hope that there is another book later to satisfy my wants.
I feel like the book carries a great message about good, evil, and how those aspects are influenced.
A few things that put me off about the book is that I felt like the way it was written was more middle grade, however, it contains some strong language and what not, so it fits better in the teen section. Another thing is, sometimes I was confused about who some of the characters were talking to. It, thankfully, states who's point of view you are reading from, but sometimes they would be talking to someone and I felt totally lost about who and what.
Otherwise it was a great book and I am ready for another one (please?) because I just, I seriously yelled "what" on the last page.
Where to begin...
Well, first off, I would like to start by saying that this book isn't what I expected. I thought it was going to be some crazy school teaching kids how to control everything, but you spent most of your time learning about the characters and what not. I actually hoped for more insight on the classes.
When it first started I didn't understand why everything was happening, and it wasn't until almost the end of the book that it all began to make sense. However, the book held my attention. I wanted to know what was happening, the book made sure that it teased you with details throughout each page.
Now the characters. Yes, the characters. At first I thought I was going to hate Peter, but he grew on me, as well as the other characters (except for one). The book left me wanting to know more about them, to understand why they said and did most of the things they did. Of course you can only discover so much in a single book and I hope that there is another book later to satisfy my wants.
I feel like the book carries a great message about good, evil, and how those aspects are influenced.
A few things that put me off about the book is that I felt like the way it was written was more middle grade, however, it contains some strong language and what not, so it fits better in the teen section. Another thing is, sometimes I was confused about who some of the characters were talking to. It, thankfully, states who's point of view you are reading from, but sometimes they would be talking to someone and I felt totally lost about who and what.
Otherwise it was a great book and I am ready for another one (please?) because I just, I seriously yelled "what" on the last page.
January 19, 2016
**Thank you NetGalley and The Pheonix Organization for providing me a review copy of The Academy Alignment by David Davis and Andra St. Invanyi.**
"Why?" "What?" "How?"
Those are my first thoughts reading the prologue of The Academy Alignment.
"What the hell is happening?"
"Why is it happening?"
"How on earth am I going to put this book down?"
I immediately requested a review copy of The Academy after reading the provided blurb in NetGalley. I love stories that are set in boarding schools. I really do. The Academy is a school where only a number of 300 students are allowed, a few yet their family have money almost half of the percentage of the world's wealth.
Peter isn't one of those students. Well he got an outreach scholarship. Reading about a school for elites, and a boy who got a scholarship made me think of Boys Over Flowers, a Korean Novela that I truly love. BoF vibes, but I know it's way different.
Every character, I think, knows something that Peter doesn't. All he have to do is find those things out. But there are rules, and there are prices to pay. Everything in the school is either a trap or a lie. It's like saying, "help, or disappear."
The book was really enthralling, it didn't let me put it down even just for a second. I loved reading it, I loved how I feel like I'm just right beside Peter while he's unraveling the secrets of The Academy, cheering for him, telling him to do this do that, not to do this and that.
One chapter to another, leads from one question to another. A lot of unanswered questions. The mysteries, they unravel with enough time, not slow neither fast. Every chapter I read makes me more interested, eager to know more. It kept me guessing who's on the right side and who's not. Who are trustworthy, and who's veteran in betrayals.
The book would be a perfect one for me, a 5-star, if it wasn't for the way it was written. It was written as if it's for middle grades, pretty much almost the only thing I didn't like in The Academy. Not to mention about some really predictable parts too. As well as the number of point of views. As a reader, more point of views mean more confusions. Guess that one added complexity to the story, and twisted minds to the readers.
Overall, I enjoyed the book! Everyone needs to read this! Though, warning, the book was a real cliffhanger! Because what the hell? ZACH?!
"Why?" "What?" "How?"
Those are my first thoughts reading the prologue of The Academy Alignment.
"What the hell is happening?"
"Why is it happening?"
"How on earth am I going to put this book down?"
I immediately requested a review copy of The Academy after reading the provided blurb in NetGalley. I love stories that are set in boarding schools. I really do. The Academy is a school where only a number of 300 students are allowed, a few yet their family have money almost half of the percentage of the world's wealth.
Peter isn't one of those students. Well he got an outreach scholarship. Reading about a school for elites, and a boy who got a scholarship made me think of Boys Over Flowers, a Korean Novela that I truly love. BoF vibes, but I know it's way different.
Every character, I think, knows something that Peter doesn't. All he have to do is find those things out. But there are rules, and there are prices to pay. Everything in the school is either a trap or a lie. It's like saying, "help, or disappear."
The book was really enthralling, it didn't let me put it down even just for a second. I loved reading it, I loved how I feel like I'm just right beside Peter while he's unraveling the secrets of The Academy, cheering for him, telling him to do this do that, not to do this and that.
One chapter to another, leads from one question to another. A lot of unanswered questions. The mysteries, they unravel with enough time, not slow neither fast. Every chapter I read makes me more interested, eager to know more. It kept me guessing who's on the right side and who's not. Who are trustworthy, and who's veteran in betrayals.
The book would be a perfect one for me, a 5-star, if it wasn't for the way it was written. It was written as if it's for middle grades, pretty much almost the only thing I didn't like in The Academy. Not to mention about some really predictable parts too. As well as the number of point of views. As a reader, more point of views mean more confusions. Guess that one added complexity to the story, and twisted minds to the readers.
Overall, I enjoyed the book! Everyone needs to read this! Though, warning, the book was a real cliffhanger! Because what the hell? ZACH?!
July 14, 2016
*I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Wow. Just wow. This book was such a pleasant surprise. When I saw the cover and read the blurb I did not expect such an awesome book. I expected something like Carry On by Rowell and was partially dreading reading this book and the cover was not that promising either (I know it's a cardinal rule that we should not judge a book by its cover but sometimes you can't help it). This was one of the most unexpected books I've read this whole year.
So I do not know how to write a review of this book without giving out any spoiler. This book is just a maze of mystery. I just couldn't wait to get to the ending at first, I mean the prologue itself got me hooked. But then I figured I had to read it slowly and decipher the meaning slowly as every single action done by the characters were important in the end. The pacing of the story was amazing and manages to keep you at the edge of your chair. Every single character is a mystery you just want to figure out (Though I should accept I really didn't like Sophia). The main character is bit of an idiot but other than that he acts as your usual MC would, rushing to save the world without a care about his own life, saving the life of the girl he loves by even sacrificing his own life. Well that's the basic part of the story. I'm not going to write anything else cuz it'll be a total spoiler.
The characters were all interesting. You get to see the lives of the young and the rich and their partying and how in the end they only are the people who will do good to the world and all that shit. That part annoyed me, maybe cuz I'll never be a part of that? :D who knows. Just reading about that piece annoyed me. I didn't like how they portrayed them being the people who lead the world but then again it's the reality. The terrible truth of the world. But wait, what the hell am I even rambling about? :D
All in all I just want to say this was super awesome book and in any sense for me it was a better mystery than The Girl on the Train even (I keep hearing people say it's one of the best mystery books of the decade, while I on the other hand regretted buying it even). I can't wait to read the second book and see what the hell But what I would have really loved is if they made a movie out of it. Through out the book I just kept having these Harry Potter like images running through my head, I even imagined the Tree to look like the Whomping Willow. Seriously, a movie would be great. Then again this book need a lot more recognition and deserve to be on top shelves.
Wow. Just wow. This book was such a pleasant surprise. When I saw the cover and read the blurb I did not expect such an awesome book. I expected something like Carry On by Rowell and was partially dreading reading this book and the cover was not that promising either (I know it's a cardinal rule that we should not judge a book by its cover but sometimes you can't help it). This was one of the most unexpected books I've read this whole year.
So I do not know how to write a review of this book without giving out any spoiler. This book is just a maze of mystery. I just couldn't wait to get to the ending at first, I mean the prologue itself got me hooked. But then I figured I had to read it slowly and decipher the meaning slowly as every single action done by the characters were important in the end. The pacing of the story was amazing and manages to keep you at the edge of your chair. Every single character is a mystery you just want to figure out (Though I should accept I really didn't like Sophia). The main character is bit of an idiot but other than that he acts as your usual MC would, rushing to save the world without a care about his own life, saving the life of the girl he loves by even sacrificing his own life. Well that's the basic part of the story. I'm not going to write anything else cuz it'll be a total spoiler.
The characters were all interesting. You get to see the lives of the young and the rich and their partying and how in the end they only are the people who will do good to the world and all that shit. That part annoyed me, maybe cuz I'll never be a part of that? :D who knows. Just reading about that piece annoyed me. I didn't like how they portrayed them being the people who lead the world but then again it's the reality. The terrible truth of the world. But wait, what the hell am I even rambling about? :D
All in all I just want to say this was super awesome book and in any sense for me it was a better mystery than The Girl on the Train even (I keep hearing people say it's one of the best mystery books of the decade, while I on the other hand regretted buying it even). I can't wait to read the second book and see what the hell But what I would have really loved is if they made a movie out of it. Through out the book I just kept having these Harry Potter like images running through my head, I even imagined the Tree to look like the Whomping Willow. Seriously, a movie would be great. Then again this book need a lot more recognition and deserve to be on top shelves.
September 1, 2016
The absolute WORST thing about this book is the fact that I got it through NetGalley (**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest reveiw**). Which means it isn't even out yet. Which means I have to wait EVEN LONGER for the sequel. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
This is going to be a difficult review to write because this is one of those books where just about everything I could possibly say about the plot is a spoiler.
This is probably the best synopsis I can give: Peter Foster gets mysterious scholarship for fancy, rich-kid school. Because reasons. Freaky weird magic shit happens. It's a mystery!! Solve the mystery, Peter!! Solve the mystery before it's too laaaaaaate!
I like the pacing on this. You get answers but very slowly. There' not really much in the way of DUN-DUN-DUN!! style reveals. Once it gets going, it's more of a slow, steady drip.
There are a few things I still have questions about, though:
Light spoilers, I'm not giving much away here.
There were a few things I took issue with the book (other than my unanswered questions):
- Peter needs to consult an old book with vellum pages that's in a special, climate-controlled room and he's required to wear gloves to handle. But it's written in completely modern English and formatted kind of like a lab report. Hm-kay...
- It's a bit on the mature side of YA. This isn't really an issue because I don't personally take offense to stuff like this but are we sure we want this marketed to that particular age group? There's quite a bit of underage sex, drugs, and drinking going on in this book. The book doesn't come out and say "Hey, kids, isn't all this stuff super cool and awesome?" but it doesn't exactly condemn it either. (It's all pretty ambiguous. Which is... ironic.)
There's not really a message in this at all. No moral, nothing about doing the right thing in the end. Just a decent story. The sex and drugs and stuff was pretty necessary scene-setting for that story. But yeah. I personally would not give this to a thirteen year old. Seventeen would probably about where I would think a kid would start to handle the content appropriately.
- The planetary alignment. Wtf. None of that made sense to me. The stuff that happened, not just at the campus, but all over the world. And apparently this happens pretty frequently but not frequently at all? I'd be interested in the data behind that one.
The stuff I did like:
- The story was engaging. I was genuinely interested from the get go and always enticed to keep turning pages.
- Most of the characters were pretty well fleshed out. Most of them. Richard and Charley could've used some work in particular. But Sophia was decently done (even if she was a bit of a Mary Sue). You got a pretty good sense of her motivations and her history. Never all the details in this book, but enough. Chloe...
- Chloe is a bullet point unto herself. I really liked Chloe in the worst way. She's a terrible person. For real. Just goddamned awful. But she's like Angelica from the Rugrats. Completely self absorbed and awful but you go, girl. Even if I cannot support the terrible, cruel things you're doing.
- This book is not sugar coated or diluted. I definitely complained about that earlier.... in the sex and drugs area.... But in the dialog and social interaction aspect: yasss. Kids are terrible to each other. Just fucking terrible. In most books, insults are watered down and might as well be: "YO MAMA" "NO, YO MAMA!!" The jabs these kids take at each other? Dayum. Every one is a little bit crueler than the last. Each one makes you question how far is too far? Because fuck. Those were dickbag things to say, kids. Jesus christ.
- Sort of continued from my last point... I loved reading this for terrible reasons. The same kind of reasons that bring you back to awful, just awful reality shows and prime time dramas. I need the juicy gossip. I want to watch the decadent lives of the rich kids and the terrible things they do for their own amusement. I could've read this whole thing wide-eyed with a bucket of popcorn. I would watch a movie or tv series based on this the same way. I would watch the fuck out of this book on screen.
TL;DR: Mysterious book is mysterious. Bratty rich kids with decadent lifestyles do terrible, prime-time-drama-worthy shit to each other. *gasp!* Weird symbols n shit! Wherethefuckisthenextbookineeditnow??
9/1/16 update: Cross-posted to Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2X0...
I've also just seen that this is available from Kindle Unlimited. So yay! :D I love me some KU availability.
This is going to be a difficult review to write because this is one of those books where just about everything I could possibly say about the plot is a spoiler.
This is probably the best synopsis I can give: Peter Foster gets mysterious scholarship for fancy, rich-kid school. Because reasons. Freaky weird magic shit happens. It's a mystery!! Solve the mystery, Peter!! Solve the mystery before it's too laaaaaaate!
I like the pacing on this. You get answers but very slowly. There' not really much in the way of DUN-DUN-DUN!! style reveals. Once it gets going, it's more of a slow, steady drip.
There are a few things I still have questions about, though:
Light spoilers, I'm not giving much away here.
There were a few things I took issue with the book (other than my unanswered questions):
- Peter needs to consult an old book with vellum pages that's in a special, climate-controlled room and he's required to wear gloves to handle. But it's written in completely modern English and formatted kind of like a lab report. Hm-kay...
- It's a bit on the mature side of YA. This isn't really an issue because I don't personally take offense to stuff like this but are we sure we want this marketed to that particular age group? There's quite a bit of underage sex, drugs, and drinking going on in this book. The book doesn't come out and say "Hey, kids, isn't all this stuff super cool and awesome?" but it doesn't exactly condemn it either. (It's all pretty ambiguous. Which is... ironic.)
There's not really a message in this at all. No moral, nothing about doing the right thing in the end. Just a decent story. The sex and drugs and stuff was pretty necessary scene-setting for that story. But yeah. I personally would not give this to a thirteen year old. Seventeen would probably about where I would think a kid would start to handle the content appropriately.
- The planetary alignment. Wtf. None of that made sense to me. The stuff that happened, not just at the campus, but all over the world. And apparently this happens pretty frequently but not frequently at all? I'd be interested in the data behind that one.
The stuff I did like:
- The story was engaging. I was genuinely interested from the get go and always enticed to keep turning pages.
- Most of the characters were pretty well fleshed out. Most of them. Richard and Charley could've used some work in particular. But Sophia was decently done (even if she was a bit of a Mary Sue). You got a pretty good sense of her motivations and her history. Never all the details in this book, but enough. Chloe...
- Chloe is a bullet point unto herself. I really liked Chloe in the worst way. She's a terrible person. For real. Just goddamned awful. But she's like Angelica from the Rugrats. Completely self absorbed and awful but you go, girl. Even if I cannot support the terrible, cruel things you're doing.
- This book is not sugar coated or diluted. I definitely complained about that earlier.... in the sex and drugs area.... But in the dialog and social interaction aspect: yasss. Kids are terrible to each other. Just fucking terrible. In most books, insults are watered down and might as well be: "YO MAMA" "NO, YO MAMA!!" The jabs these kids take at each other? Dayum. Every one is a little bit crueler than the last. Each one makes you question how far is too far? Because fuck. Those were dickbag things to say, kids. Jesus christ.
- Sort of continued from my last point... I loved reading this for terrible reasons. The same kind of reasons that bring you back to awful, just awful reality shows and prime time dramas. I need the juicy gossip. I want to watch the decadent lives of the rich kids and the terrible things they do for their own amusement. I could've read this whole thing wide-eyed with a bucket of popcorn. I would watch a movie or tv series based on this the same way. I would watch the fuck out of this book on screen.
TL;DR: Mysterious book is mysterious. Bratty rich kids with decadent lifestyles do terrible, prime-time-drama-worthy shit to each other. *gasp!* Weird symbols n shit! Wherethefuckisthenextbookineeditnow??
9/1/16 update: Cross-posted to Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2X0...
I've also just seen that this is available from Kindle Unlimited. So yay! :D I love me some KU availability.
March 25, 2016
In a little good news, The Academy has moved up to #24 and #32 on Kindle Amazon for best selling books in kids and teen young adult Fantasy and Supernatural category. This is up from #307 yesterday and 800 a couple of days ago. Its important to note this is updated frequently and accounts for presales since the book isn't even out yet!
January 1, 2016
I was surprised by this novel, to be quite honest. I figured that it would be reminiscent of several other novels that I’ve read that are set in a boarding school type of setting; however, it surprised me. This novel took on the philosophy of light and dark in an intriguing way. Every action is stemmed from light and dark, and each of these actions has a consequence. The novel suggests that there are influences that change each action, that impact each decision but there is one place that is free from these influences — The Academy. This boarding school is built solely for the elite and its doors have been closed to the general public for centuries. The students are the children of the world’s wealthiest individuals, and many of them have known each other since they were young therefore solidifying the clique-ish nature of the ultimate popular group. All of these things perpetually leave Peter Foster, the first scholarship student, at a distinct disadvantage.
With Peter, I’ve discovered that there remains a lot more questions than answers within the text, which either could be described as a disadvantage (because some people hate unanswered questions) or an advantage (because that will urge people to keep reading). One thing is for certain, Peter is extremely important to this battle of light and dark. It appears that without him, this battle of the wills would essentially continue to be moot. Indeed, he is a favorite chess piece for both sides, and neither seems willing to share him. His goal is to do what is right and sometimes, that means indulging both sides of his nature — the light and the dark. He proves to be important not only to his own journey, but to other people’s journeys as well. His journey throughout the novel proves to be complex as he struggles to grasp his new surroundings — and understand them (I kind of like to think of this as the test aspect of the novel, where everything seems to test where he thinks he belongs). Next, he has to deal with this expectation that he will act as some sort of heroic figure to the other characters. Overall, I am curious to see how the entire series plays out in regards to his role since there are a lot of things I am still curious about.
Another POV (point of view) character is Chloe, a young woman who could be described as indulging the dark more so than the light. Whereas Peter is the middle ground, she is most assuredly not. However, a lot of her desires towards the darkness prove to stem from the feelings of insecurity that chases her throughout the novel. She feels that she will never be good enough for anyone, which creates a sort of stilted vanity where she is only as beautiful as her looks — only as worthwhile as the world tells her. She lacks the self-confidence that would make it possible for her to chose anything but the dark. In the dark, she has found her meaning, and therefore she neglects the somewhat essential parts of herself. Even in her most powerful moments — in those chances where she can redeem herself, it is stilted by her vanity, furthered by her desire to be found beautiful and to be wanted. I am curious to see how her character evolves in future novels because I think she has great potential to be a powerful character.
One of the things I really liked about the novel is that the light and dark are not particularly abstract, rather there are two characters that epitomize them. I think that it can be complicated to try to make a character purely one of those things because there is so much gray area in humanity that no one can be described as simply light or simply dark. While many of the characters exemplify the gray area in between both essential aspects of humanity, Dr. Browning is the light and Professor Linden is the dark. Both view their roles as mutually exclusive and more important than the other. There is no balance for the two of them, rather it is a game of dominance to see who could come out on top — who could persuade enough of the people at The Academy to honor one side above the other.
Overall I enjoyed the novel, and I am interested to see how the story develops and the characters change. There are a lot of plot twists and surprising elements to the novel, so I hope this continues in all of the future novels.
With Peter, I’ve discovered that there remains a lot more questions than answers within the text, which either could be described as a disadvantage (because some people hate unanswered questions) or an advantage (because that will urge people to keep reading). One thing is for certain, Peter is extremely important to this battle of light and dark. It appears that without him, this battle of the wills would essentially continue to be moot. Indeed, he is a favorite chess piece for both sides, and neither seems willing to share him. His goal is to do what is right and sometimes, that means indulging both sides of his nature — the light and the dark. He proves to be important not only to his own journey, but to other people’s journeys as well. His journey throughout the novel proves to be complex as he struggles to grasp his new surroundings — and understand them (I kind of like to think of this as the test aspect of the novel, where everything seems to test where he thinks he belongs). Next, he has to deal with this expectation that he will act as some sort of heroic figure to the other characters. Overall, I am curious to see how the entire series plays out in regards to his role since there are a lot of things I am still curious about.
Another POV (point of view) character is Chloe, a young woman who could be described as indulging the dark more so than the light. Whereas Peter is the middle ground, she is most assuredly not. However, a lot of her desires towards the darkness prove to stem from the feelings of insecurity that chases her throughout the novel. She feels that she will never be good enough for anyone, which creates a sort of stilted vanity where she is only as beautiful as her looks — only as worthwhile as the world tells her. She lacks the self-confidence that would make it possible for her to chose anything but the dark. In the dark, she has found her meaning, and therefore she neglects the somewhat essential parts of herself. Even in her most powerful moments — in those chances where she can redeem herself, it is stilted by her vanity, furthered by her desire to be found beautiful and to be wanted. I am curious to see how her character evolves in future novels because I think she has great potential to be a powerful character.
One of the things I really liked about the novel is that the light and dark are not particularly abstract, rather there are two characters that epitomize them. I think that it can be complicated to try to make a character purely one of those things because there is so much gray area in humanity that no one can be described as simply light or simply dark. While many of the characters exemplify the gray area in between both essential aspects of humanity, Dr. Browning is the light and Professor Linden is the dark. Both view their roles as mutually exclusive and more important than the other. There is no balance for the two of them, rather it is a game of dominance to see who could come out on top — who could persuade enough of the people at The Academy to honor one side above the other.
Overall I enjoyed the novel, and I am interested to see how the story develops and the characters change. There are a lot of plot twists and surprising elements to the novel, so I hope this continues in all of the future novels.
July 29, 2019
I was given this ARC by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
There are books that are so good I just want to read them in one sitting. And then there are books I just don’t want to end, so I take twice or even three time as long to read them. The Academy Alignment belongs to the latter category.
The characters were all very engaging and extremely interesting. With focus primarily on one character, the author chose to write the story from the first-person point-of-view, switching characters to provide a greater sense of the story as a whole. They are mysterious, full of secrets and plagued by their very own personal demons.
The plot is equally intriguing, filled with twists and turns and mystery that had me puzzled until the very last chapter. It is straight forward without any unnecessary red herrings or tangents to create more confusion.
I particularly appreciated the writing and the fact that the majority of the story was told from the perspective of the male protagonist. It was refreshing, fast-paced and very much in tune with the teenage spirit.
Overall, a great mystery with paranormal/fantasy elements that has the reader waiting with anticipation for the next installment.
It is a great introduction to an equally great series that could have the potential to be a continuous nail biter. It is difficult to comment on or review this story without giving anything away that could diminish the excitement I think it provides when the reader enters this world with as little of an idea about what is going to happen as possible, which is the driving force and connection between the reader and the protagonist’s journey.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone, who needs a break from female protagonists and appreciates a great story with a male lead.
ElliotScribbles
There are books that are so good I just want to read them in one sitting. And then there are books I just don’t want to end, so I take twice or even three time as long to read them. The Academy Alignment belongs to the latter category.
The characters were all very engaging and extremely interesting. With focus primarily on one character, the author chose to write the story from the first-person point-of-view, switching characters to provide a greater sense of the story as a whole. They are mysterious, full of secrets and plagued by their very own personal demons.
The plot is equally intriguing, filled with twists and turns and mystery that had me puzzled until the very last chapter. It is straight forward without any unnecessary red herrings or tangents to create more confusion.
I particularly appreciated the writing and the fact that the majority of the story was told from the perspective of the male protagonist. It was refreshing, fast-paced and very much in tune with the teenage spirit.
Overall, a great mystery with paranormal/fantasy elements that has the reader waiting with anticipation for the next installment.
It is a great introduction to an equally great series that could have the potential to be a continuous nail biter. It is difficult to comment on or review this story without giving anything away that could diminish the excitement I think it provides when the reader enters this world with as little of an idea about what is going to happen as possible, which is the driving force and connection between the reader and the protagonist’s journey.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone, who needs a break from female protagonists and appreciates a great story with a male lead.
ElliotScribbles
January 9, 2016
*Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of The Academy Alignment (The Academy #1).*
The Academy Alignment was not the story I expected to be, in a good way! I usually like stories set in boarding schools and thought this would be similar to those, but The Academy is on a different level.
The premise of this story is very unique. The Academy Boarding School is one where the students are extremely wealthy. That's why Peter Foster was a little reluctant on attending the school for his senior year from an offered scholarship. Peter didn't grow up rich or privileged and was clearly not like the other students that attend The Academy. When he arrives there, he slowly begins to realize that The Academy is not what he thinks - it is much more. It is hidden with secrets and mysteries and darkness he never imagined. The Academy is a school that has control - not only over their own lives, but of global events. I thought that was such an interesting concept I've never seen before.
This book was fast-paced and always exciting. The mysteries unravel slowly, which I really liked. Not everything was given away all at once, which made me want to keep reading more. The points of view alternate between a few different characters. My favorite point of view to read from was when Peter was telling the story - I found him the easiest to connect with. I had a hard time connecting with a lot of the other characters and understanding their reasoning and thoughts. But I did enjoy reading from the professors and Peter's point of view.
The Academy is an interesting start to a new series full of mysteries and hidden secrets.
The Academy Alignment was not the story I expected to be, in a good way! I usually like stories set in boarding schools and thought this would be similar to those, but The Academy is on a different level.
The premise of this story is very unique. The Academy Boarding School is one where the students are extremely wealthy. That's why Peter Foster was a little reluctant on attending the school for his senior year from an offered scholarship. Peter didn't grow up rich or privileged and was clearly not like the other students that attend The Academy. When he arrives there, he slowly begins to realize that The Academy is not what he thinks - it is much more. It is hidden with secrets and mysteries and darkness he never imagined. The Academy is a school that has control - not only over their own lives, but of global events. I thought that was such an interesting concept I've never seen before.
This book was fast-paced and always exciting. The mysteries unravel slowly, which I really liked. Not everything was given away all at once, which made me want to keep reading more. The points of view alternate between a few different characters. My favorite point of view to read from was when Peter was telling the story - I found him the easiest to connect with. I had a hard time connecting with a lot of the other characters and understanding their reasoning and thoughts. But I did enjoy reading from the professors and Peter's point of view.
The Academy is an interesting start to a new series full of mysteries and hidden secrets.
February 16, 2016
This was a very fun book that kept me up pretty late.
I enjoyed the quick wit and dynamic between the characters. The plot was very well paced and it was a hard book to put down. I am not sure why I didn't write a review right after I finished it, I am pretty sure I finished it pretty late and that is probably why.
This was a fun fantasy novel and I do look forward to this author in the future, especially since this is a new series!
I received a copy of the book on Netgalley in exchange for review.
I enjoyed the quick wit and dynamic between the characters. The plot was very well paced and it was a hard book to put down. I am not sure why I didn't write a review right after I finished it, I am pretty sure I finished it pretty late and that is probably why.
This was a fun fantasy novel and I do look forward to this author in the future, especially since this is a new series!
I received a copy of the book on Netgalley in exchange for review.
June 10, 2016
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley for a fair and honest review.
This book was nothing like I expected. The beginning was a bit confusing, but then I was sucked into the story and didn't want to put it down.
This book was nothing like I expected. The beginning was a bit confusing, but then I was sucked into the story and didn't want to put it down.
September 30, 2018
Un libro para pasar el rato, entretenido, de esos que vienen bien de vez en cuando entre lecturas o cuando no sabes qué leer. Tienes a tu colegio/internado misterioso del que nadie sabe nada, con alumnos ricos, y pasan cosas... Pero la historia no ha llegado a calar del todo en mí, y por eso llevo un buen rato pensando en qué puntuación darle... Creo que lo dejo en un 3 sobre 5 por lo rápido que se lee y hay algo de salseo que ha hecho que el libro se me haga entretenido. Pero con la trama que tiene, podría haber sido muchísimo muchísimo más
May 28, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not shape or change my opinion of the book.
Synopsis: Who decides what music defines a generation or which war gets funded? Who determines high fashion? Who gets to choose which dusty African village thrives and which suffers famine and genocide? For centuries, the world's wealthiest have sent their children to an elite boarding school known as The Academy to ensure continued control over global events. This year, The Academy offered its first scholarship to Peter Foster, a 17 year old from the blue-collar town nearby. Before Peter can get his bearings in this world of unimaginable wealth, sexual gamesmanship and obscene entitlement, he uncovers information about the mysterious and violent disappearance of a recent student information everyone, even the teachers, is desperate to cover up. As the forces of Light and Dark continue their age-old dance of influence and manipulation, The Academy students fight to run their parents' empires, and to consolidate wealth and influence at any cost. Peter soon realizes he is up against forces that operate far outside his reality, and he'll have to risk everything, even his life, to expose the truth even if his discoveries upend the fragile balance of global power."
I was really intrigued with the concept and premise of The Academy Alignment. An academy where the most rich, and powerful send their children in order to carry on the world's most influential decisions...yesss! There were some interesting themes woven in: good/evil, light/dark, social hierarchy, wealth and influence "haves" vs. "have nots" etc. The mysteriousness of the plot kept me turning the pages.
That said I did have some issues. I found the lack of some basic information (while it may have contributed to the mysteriousness) also made it confusing to follow. There was also a disconnect, in my opinion, between the target audience and the writing and some of the content. Most of this book is not mature or sophisticated enough to appeal to an older audience. I think it is geared toward a younger audience, BUT some of the content and writing was inappropriate for that audience. I am a fan of multiple POV's. I find that they can greatly aid in the development of characters; adding some layers and dimensions. I never have a hard time following, but I did at some points in this one.
Given the premise, there was A LOT of potential for just MORE. More eloquent writing, more depth, more dimensions, better developed and more well rounded characters...but this failed to execute a bit for me.
Synopsis: Who decides what music defines a generation or which war gets funded? Who determines high fashion? Who gets to choose which dusty African village thrives and which suffers famine and genocide? For centuries, the world's wealthiest have sent their children to an elite boarding school known as The Academy to ensure continued control over global events. This year, The Academy offered its first scholarship to Peter Foster, a 17 year old from the blue-collar town nearby. Before Peter can get his bearings in this world of unimaginable wealth, sexual gamesmanship and obscene entitlement, he uncovers information about the mysterious and violent disappearance of a recent student information everyone, even the teachers, is desperate to cover up. As the forces of Light and Dark continue their age-old dance of influence and manipulation, The Academy students fight to run their parents' empires, and to consolidate wealth and influence at any cost. Peter soon realizes he is up against forces that operate far outside his reality, and he'll have to risk everything, even his life, to expose the truth even if his discoveries upend the fragile balance of global power."
I was really intrigued with the concept and premise of The Academy Alignment. An academy where the most rich, and powerful send their children in order to carry on the world's most influential decisions...yesss! There were some interesting themes woven in: good/evil, light/dark, social hierarchy, wealth and influence "haves" vs. "have nots" etc. The mysteriousness of the plot kept me turning the pages.
That said I did have some issues. I found the lack of some basic information (while it may have contributed to the mysteriousness) also made it confusing to follow. There was also a disconnect, in my opinion, between the target audience and the writing and some of the content. Most of this book is not mature or sophisticated enough to appeal to an older audience. I think it is geared toward a younger audience, BUT some of the content and writing was inappropriate for that audience. I am a fan of multiple POV's. I find that they can greatly aid in the development of characters; adding some layers and dimensions. I never have a hard time following, but I did at some points in this one.
Given the premise, there was A LOT of potential for just MORE. More eloquent writing, more depth, more dimensions, better developed and more well rounded characters...but this failed to execute a bit for me.
January 21, 2016
**Thank you NetGalley and The Pheonix Organization for providing me a review copy of The Academy: Alignment by David Davis and Andra St. Invanyi.**
"Why?" "What?" "How?"
Those are my first thoughts reading the prologue of The Academy Alignment.
"What the hell is happening?"
"Why is it happening?"
"How on earth am I going to put this book down?"
I immediately requested a review copy of The Academy after reading the provided blurb in NetGalley. I love stories that are set in boarding schools. I really do. The Academy is a school where only a number of 300 students are allowed, a few yet their family have money almost half of the percentage of the world's wealth.
Peter isn't one of those students. Well he got an outreach scholarship. Reading about a school for elites, and a boy who got a scholarship made me think of Boys Over Flowers, a Korean Novela that I truly love. BoF vibes, but I know it's way different.
Every character, I think, knows something that Peter doesn't. All he have to do is find those things out. But there are rules, and there are prices to pay. Everything in the school is either a trap or a lie. It's like saying, "help, or disappear."
The book was really enthralling, it didn't let me put it down even just for a second. I loved reading it, I loved how I feel like I'm just right beside Peter while he's unraveling the secrets of The Academy, cheering for him, telling him to do this do that, not to do this and that. One chapter to another, leads from one question to another. A lot of unanswered questions. The mysteries, they unravel with enough time, not slow neither fast. Every chapter I read makes me more interested, eager to know more. It kept me guessing who's on the right side and who's not. Who are trustworthy, and who's veteran in betrayals.
The book would be a perfect one for me, a 5-star, if it wasn't for the way it was written. It was written as if it's for middle grades, pretty much almost the only thing I didn't like in The Academy. Not to mention about some really predictable parts too. As well as the number of point of views. As a reader, more point of views mean more confusions. Guess that one added complexity to the story, and twisted minds to the readers.
Overall, I enjoyed the book! Everyone needs to read this! Though, warning, the book was a real cliffhanger!
"Why?" "What?" "How?"
Those are my first thoughts reading the prologue of The Academy Alignment.
"What the hell is happening?"
"Why is it happening?"
"How on earth am I going to put this book down?"
I immediately requested a review copy of The Academy after reading the provided blurb in NetGalley. I love stories that are set in boarding schools. I really do. The Academy is a school where only a number of 300 students are allowed, a few yet their family have money almost half of the percentage of the world's wealth.
Peter isn't one of those students. Well he got an outreach scholarship. Reading about a school for elites, and a boy who got a scholarship made me think of Boys Over Flowers, a Korean Novela that I truly love. BoF vibes, but I know it's way different.
Every character, I think, knows something that Peter doesn't. All he have to do is find those things out. But there are rules, and there are prices to pay. Everything in the school is either a trap or a lie. It's like saying, "help, or disappear."
The book was really enthralling, it didn't let me put it down even just for a second. I loved reading it, I loved how I feel like I'm just right beside Peter while he's unraveling the secrets of The Academy, cheering for him, telling him to do this do that, not to do this and that. One chapter to another, leads from one question to another. A lot of unanswered questions. The mysteries, they unravel with enough time, not slow neither fast. Every chapter I read makes me more interested, eager to know more. It kept me guessing who's on the right side and who's not. Who are trustworthy, and who's veteran in betrayals.
The book would be a perfect one for me, a 5-star, if it wasn't for the way it was written. It was written as if it's for middle grades, pretty much almost the only thing I didn't like in The Academy. Not to mention about some really predictable parts too. As well as the number of point of views. As a reader, more point of views mean more confusions. Guess that one added complexity to the story, and twisted minds to the readers.
Overall, I enjoyed the book! Everyone needs to read this! Though, warning, the book was a real cliffhanger!
January 7, 2016
I received this advanced reader copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Such an interesting start to a series. It took a little while to set up and for me to get into it simply because the world needed to be set up, but once I was into it the story went fast and the action stayed moving. I liked that, for a little while, the reader is as lost as the main character without any real idea of what is going on. It kept me on my toes, kept me wondering and theorizing and even then nothing was exactly as I had thought it was going to be. I'm very interested in seeing the sequel to this book.
Such an interesting start to a series. It took a little while to set up and for me to get into it simply because the world needed to be set up, but once I was into it the story went fast and the action stayed moving. I liked that, for a little while, the reader is as lost as the main character without any real idea of what is going on. It kept me on my toes, kept me wondering and theorizing and even then nothing was exactly as I had thought it was going to be. I'm very interested in seeing the sequel to this book.
March 23, 2016
3.5 stars- 4 stars
*I recieved this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I enjoyed this book. My main issue with this book was that I felt confused almost the entire time I was reading it. I feel like a lot of things were unexplained and I know that that was supposed to enhance the *mysterious* aspect of the story but it just made it really confusing and harder to connect with the characters. That being said I did find myself invested in the plot and wanting to continue reading to find out all the things that were hidden from me.
Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8zHA...
*I recieved this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I enjoyed this book. My main issue with this book was that I felt confused almost the entire time I was reading it. I feel like a lot of things were unexplained and I know that that was supposed to enhance the *mysterious* aspect of the story but it just made it really confusing and harder to connect with the characters. That being said I did find myself invested in the plot and wanting to continue reading to find out all the things that were hidden from me.
Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8zHA...
February 8, 2016
I received a free ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review:
In a school that's literally its own world, the forces of light and dark battle for students' souls. The Academy is where all the rich and powerful send their children, to train them for making future world-changing decisions. Peter, the Academy's newest student, is neither rich nor powerful. But when he starts finding secret messages in his dormitory, Peter has to try to work out what happened to the last student who stayed there. Read this for good vs. evil, socialites vs. regular people, and an intriguing mystery!
In a school that's literally its own world, the forces of light and dark battle for students' souls. The Academy is where all the rich and powerful send their children, to train them for making future world-changing decisions. Peter, the Academy's newest student, is neither rich nor powerful. But when he starts finding secret messages in his dormitory, Peter has to try to work out what happened to the last student who stayed there. Read this for good vs. evil, socialites vs. regular people, and an intriguing mystery!
January 21, 2016
The Academy has a tradition of educating the children from the world’s wealthiest families. Beginning this year, they have offered a scholarship to Peter Foster, a townie from down the mountain. Peter does not know what to expect, but when he begins to discover secrets about the disappearance of another student, he can’t help but look into the matter. Unfortunately, everyone is trying to cover up what happened and the forces of Dark and Light are in a constant battle in the world and The Academy. Can Peter overcome the obstacles that are constantly falling in his path? What is he willing to risk in order to bring the truth to light?
The Academy Alignment is the first book in The Academy series. Readers will quickly discover that their heart to pumping hard as the prologue gives quick and brutal glimpses into life and death within The Academy. Davis has created characters that are easy to love, hate and understand. Each chapter is told from multiple points of view so readers can break their reading sessions down into smaller portions if needed. The truth about The Academy is hinted at often and readers will begin to understand the secret, but the true unveiling will not happen until the end of the story. This first book does have a clean ending, yet Davis has set up the storyline to easily move into additional books.
The Academy Alignment is the first book in The Academy series. Readers will quickly discover that their heart to pumping hard as the prologue gives quick and brutal glimpses into life and death within The Academy. Davis has created characters that are easy to love, hate and understand. Each chapter is told from multiple points of view so readers can break their reading sessions down into smaller portions if needed. The truth about The Academy is hinted at often and readers will begin to understand the secret, but the true unveiling will not happen until the end of the story. This first book does have a clean ending, yet Davis has set up the storyline to easily move into additional books.
Read
May 31, 2016I received this book from the Goodreads Giveaways and I really enjoyed reading it. The idea was different from the usual YA fiction reads that are out and I’m anxious to see what happens in the rest of the series.
I think the author did well providing insight to the troubles that young, rich teenagers often go through in their lives. The expectations put on the well-to-do children and the lack of parental appreciation is often overlooked in contrast to the glamorized lives that average society sees. This book emphasized the expectation for these children to work toward influencing the world and it was definitely a new perspective.
I finished the book in a couple days because I kept wanting to know what happened next. Although it wasn’t a deep, thought-provoking read, I did find it creative. I liked the idea of the light and dark forces needing to balance each other out to create alignment. The book began to develop more toward the end of the story and I started to understand the foundation after that.
I think the author did well providing insight to the troubles that young, rich teenagers often go through in their lives. The expectations put on the well-to-do children and the lack of parental appreciation is often overlooked in contrast to the glamorized lives that average society sees. This book emphasized the expectation for these children to work toward influencing the world and it was definitely a new perspective.
I finished the book in a couple days because I kept wanting to know what happened next. Although it wasn’t a deep, thought-provoking read, I did find it creative. I liked the idea of the light and dark forces needing to balance each other out to create alignment. The book began to develop more toward the end of the story and I started to understand the foundation after that.
January 22, 2016
*I received a free copy of this book through NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.*
DNF at about 45%
I just couldn't bring myself to finish this book.
The style it was written in just really wasn't for me and I couldn't relate or connect to any of the characters.
I especially did not like the jumps between the settings, characters, etc. at all.
For me it just disrupted my reading flow and did not help me connect with the story.
I cannot really say much about the overall book as I did not finish it.
I really tried, but I just could not bring myself to it.
However, just because I did not like it does not mean that it is a bad book.
The idea behind this book is really interesting and tastes can be different. So if you are debating whether or not to read it I would check out a few of the other reviews here on goodreads.
DNF at about 45%
I just couldn't bring myself to finish this book.
The style it was written in just really wasn't for me and I couldn't relate or connect to any of the characters.
I especially did not like the jumps between the settings, characters, etc. at all.
For me it just disrupted my reading flow and did not help me connect with the story.
I cannot really say much about the overall book as I did not finish it.
I really tried, but I just could not bring myself to it.
However, just because I did not like it does not mean that it is a bad book.
The idea behind this book is really interesting and tastes can be different. So if you are debating whether or not to read it I would check out a few of the other reviews here on goodreads.
December 30, 2016
The Academy Alignment definitely is and will one of my favorite books I've read. It had everything I look for in a book all wrapped up into one. Drama, suspense, and a touch of romance. This was one of the few books I've read that really kept me interested and compelled me to turn page after page to find out what happens next. The way it was written and the story itself was refreshing and I love the fact that the characters within the book felt real. We can relate or know someone who relate to the characters which made the book that much more of an intriguing read. Absolutely would recommend! :))
September 20, 2016
This is one of the few books that I couldn't guess the ending! There was always something happening that kept you on your toes!
January 12, 2020
Fantastic book. I found the characters wonderful and mysterious. The words were images in my mind. There were times when I put myself in the role of a protagonist. Then there was only the world of the book for me. I didn't even understand what was happening around me. I was looking forward to reading what happens next. It attracted me so much that for two days I did nothing else. I was just reading the book. When it was over I was sad. I wanted more, so I opened the computer and searched for the sequel. Unfortunately I didn't find anything so now I'm reading it for the fourth time. Every time I look forward to seeing what happens next. Each time I am fascinated by the story and its heroes. I'm just looking forward to seeing more of The Academy and my beloved heroes.
February 5, 2019
Love ved it, very engrossing. Read it in 1.5 hours
June 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! Seriously if there were more out I think I would have binged the whole series. I really hope there will be a second book!
January 25, 2016
i received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Thanks!
This book presents an interesting conundrum. I am going to approach it from a couple different perspectives.
1. As a teacher.
When thinking about this book primarily as a book for young adults, I generally feel good about it. I think it has a lot of elements that would make it very well suited for many teen readers. For one, the book moves along at a very fast pace. Even when I wasn't really feeling it, it was still pretty easy to just keep churning right through it.
Additionally, I think the setting and characters would be very appealing to teen readers. There was plenty of action and drama and space to image oneself in the place of Peter at this crazy school for the rich and powerful. I can see how that might be fun, to imagine that such a place exists and that there's the chance that an "every day" person could get plucked from mundanity and thrust into that life.
With all that being said, I can imagine my students enjoying this book series in the future, and I like it when my students read books and enjoy reading books.
2. As a reader.
The real struggle I have with this book is that it started with a really interesting premise (and the prologue bit with James running through the woods was so good) and mystery and really just relied on that to see us all through to the end. The devil is in the details, as the book points out, and the details of this book weren't fully realized. So while yes, I'm sure I'll put this on my classroom library and grin and bear it when kids like to read it, I will simultaneously wish that this book had aimed a bit higher.
For one, the characters were two-dimensional. I wanted the "rich kid" characters to be a little more human. It felt cliche that they were all just money/power/sex hungry beings, but rich kids are no less human than anyone else. They have complex desires and motivations, and I disliked that the book so easily painted them all with the same brush. Peter was no better, perhaps as a result of being meant for readers to paste themselves onto him, but it didn't work out. He starts as a normal kid, and then you find out that oh, he's a computer genius and has a photographic memory (though he can't remember where he saw symbols an hour later at one point). I also literally never understood Peter's motivations for getting involved in the story. He just accepts it as fate or something early on, and I found myself asking repeatedly and more and more frequently as the book went on, "Why do you even care?.
Second, the way the story was told didn't work for me. I disliked the multiple narrators for a couple reasons. They didn't "sound" distinct for one. Sometimes I would start reading after a switch and have to flip back to remind myself whose section it was, and other times the switch would happen for such a short period that I couldn't figure out what the point of changing narrators even was. Also the downfall of having so many narrators in a story that's meant to be mysterious is that, as a reader, I am 100% aware that information is being withheld for no other reason than to make things "mysterious." Conversations between Linden and Browning were pointlessly vague. There's no reason when they were privately talking to each other (or even thinking to themselves) that they would've skirted around the way they did. When I'm reading a mystery, I want to feel like I have a chance to figure things out for myself, and the way this story was set up, there was no chance of that. I knew the whole way that the authors were manipulating the characters in order to not reveal things.
So that's my conundrum for this book. Kids (of high school age, I'd say with the sexual references) who are not picky about what they read or who prefer quick, action-packed books, will probably like this much, much more than I did. Its flaws, however, will mostly limit it to that audience.
This book presents an interesting conundrum. I am going to approach it from a couple different perspectives.
1. As a teacher.
When thinking about this book primarily as a book for young adults, I generally feel good about it. I think it has a lot of elements that would make it very well suited for many teen readers. For one, the book moves along at a very fast pace. Even when I wasn't really feeling it, it was still pretty easy to just keep churning right through it.
Additionally, I think the setting and characters would be very appealing to teen readers. There was plenty of action and drama and space to image oneself in the place of Peter at this crazy school for the rich and powerful. I can see how that might be fun, to imagine that such a place exists and that there's the chance that an "every day" person could get plucked from mundanity and thrust into that life.
With all that being said, I can imagine my students enjoying this book series in the future, and I like it when my students read books and enjoy reading books.
2. As a reader.
The real struggle I have with this book is that it started with a really interesting premise (and the prologue bit with James running through the woods was so good) and mystery and really just relied on that to see us all through to the end. The devil is in the details, as the book points out, and the details of this book weren't fully realized. So while yes, I'm sure I'll put this on my classroom library and grin and bear it when kids like to read it, I will simultaneously wish that this book had aimed a bit higher.
For one, the characters were two-dimensional. I wanted the "rich kid" characters to be a little more human. It felt cliche that they were all just money/power/sex hungry beings, but rich kids are no less human than anyone else. They have complex desires and motivations, and I disliked that the book so easily painted them all with the same brush. Peter was no better, perhaps as a result of being meant for readers to paste themselves onto him, but it didn't work out. He starts as a normal kid, and then you find out that oh, he's a computer genius and has a photographic memory (though he can't remember where he saw symbols an hour later at one point). I also literally never understood Peter's motivations for getting involved in the story. He just accepts it as fate or something early on, and I found myself asking repeatedly and more and more frequently as the book went on, "Why do you even care?.
Second, the way the story was told didn't work for me. I disliked the multiple narrators for a couple reasons. They didn't "sound" distinct for one. Sometimes I would start reading after a switch and have to flip back to remind myself whose section it was, and other times the switch would happen for such a short period that I couldn't figure out what the point of changing narrators even was. Also the downfall of having so many narrators in a story that's meant to be mysterious is that, as a reader, I am 100% aware that information is being withheld for no other reason than to make things "mysterious." Conversations between Linden and Browning were pointlessly vague. There's no reason when they were privately talking to each other (or even thinking to themselves) that they would've skirted around the way they did. When I'm reading a mystery, I want to feel like I have a chance to figure things out for myself, and the way this story was set up, there was no chance of that. I knew the whole way that the authors were manipulating the characters in order to not reveal things.
So that's my conundrum for this book. Kids (of high school age, I'd say with the sexual references) who are not picky about what they read or who prefer quick, action-packed books, will probably like this much, much more than I did. Its flaws, however, will mostly limit it to that audience.
February 10, 2016
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
Oh, where to start.
I had some issues with this book. When you first start the book, you will be confused. You will wonder in the world you are reading, but hang in there, you'll get to normalcy soon. Eventually the author will bring you into more familiar and somewhat understandable territory and this is when I started to think that this was going to be a fun, unique take on the whole 'mysterious boarding school' genre. In ways, it really was, but in other ways... not so much.
Most reviews that I've perused since I finished seem to be quite positive, stating that the beginning was indeed a bit confusing, but that it eventually worked itself out - which, in ways is true, but not in a very satisfying manner. And some things were still left unexplained. I just felt disoriented. As odd as this may sounds, it is still an entertaining story that can be enjoyed if it's not examined too closely.
First off, I am really not a fan of present narration (this is a peeve that I also mentioned with Legacy of Kings, so at least I'm consistent). I didn't like the number of different of points of view either, as they really just lent to quite a bit more confusion. I felt that Peter, Dr. Linden, and Dr. Browning should have been the max points of view. I understand the use of other characters, but quite frankly it just became a bit too much for a book of its size. If this were a larger, more developed story, then I could understand the multiple POVs more.
In regards to the characters, I felt as though they weren't quite as developed as they could have been, and it was disappointing to see them remain in a somewhat two-dimensional form. When it came to the multiple points of views, it was difficult to distinguish one from another - each rich student seemed to have been molded into the same form. Peter started out as a rather promising character, but I quickly found that his actions just didn't make sense to me. His random photographic memory (what was the point of that?) and great computer skills just seemed to be thrown in to make him look better and conveniently move ahead in the plot. He seemed so indirectly involved in the entire story that I almost could't understand why he was even a part of it.
There's a unique take on the use of/influence of light and dark, which was one area of the book that I actually thought could have been a really interesting concept if it had been developed a bit more (or if we heard about it sooner than the end of the book). Perhaps there will be more in subsequent books, but to be honest i'm not sure if I'll be reading them.
The idea was there, but I just felt like it needed to be expanded so much more. I understand what these people do (leaving it vague so as to have no spoilers), but I didn't fully understand why or how. I kept feeling like I missed a couple pages or chapters. Things also felt a little bit too easy for Peter to decipher or figure out; he struggled, but not that much to find the answers he needed. Things seemed to go from zero to hundred in almost no time, and suddenly the end was there and I couldn't figure out what had really happened.
Overall, I am giving this book two-and-half-stars. Two seems a bit too little, but three seems slightly too generous. I would recommend this for someone who wants a new, unique take on a boarding school story and is interested in taking a chance on a new book.
Oh, where to start.
I had some issues with this book. When you first start the book, you will be confused. You will wonder in the world you are reading, but hang in there, you'll get to normalcy soon. Eventually the author will bring you into more familiar and somewhat understandable territory and this is when I started to think that this was going to be a fun, unique take on the whole 'mysterious boarding school' genre. In ways, it really was, but in other ways... not so much.
Most reviews that I've perused since I finished seem to be quite positive, stating that the beginning was indeed a bit confusing, but that it eventually worked itself out - which, in ways is true, but not in a very satisfying manner. And some things were still left unexplained. I just felt disoriented. As odd as this may sounds, it is still an entertaining story that can be enjoyed if it's not examined too closely.
First off, I am really not a fan of present narration (this is a peeve that I also mentioned with Legacy of Kings, so at least I'm consistent). I didn't like the number of different of points of view either, as they really just lent to quite a bit more confusion. I felt that Peter, Dr. Linden, and Dr. Browning should have been the max points of view. I understand the use of other characters, but quite frankly it just became a bit too much for a book of its size. If this were a larger, more developed story, then I could understand the multiple POVs more.
In regards to the characters, I felt as though they weren't quite as developed as they could have been, and it was disappointing to see them remain in a somewhat two-dimensional form. When it came to the multiple points of views, it was difficult to distinguish one from another - each rich student seemed to have been molded into the same form. Peter started out as a rather promising character, but I quickly found that his actions just didn't make sense to me. His random photographic memory (what was the point of that?) and great computer skills just seemed to be thrown in to make him look better and conveniently move ahead in the plot. He seemed so indirectly involved in the entire story that I almost could't understand why he was even a part of it.
There's a unique take on the use of/influence of light and dark, which was one area of the book that I actually thought could have been a really interesting concept if it had been developed a bit more (or if we heard about it sooner than the end of the book). Perhaps there will be more in subsequent books, but to be honest i'm not sure if I'll be reading them.
The idea was there, but I just felt like it needed to be expanded so much more. I understand what these people do (leaving it vague so as to have no spoilers), but I didn't fully understand why or how. I kept feeling like I missed a couple pages or chapters. Things also felt a little bit too easy for Peter to decipher or figure out; he struggled, but not that much to find the answers he needed. Things seemed to go from zero to hundred in almost no time, and suddenly the end was there and I couldn't figure out what had really happened.
Overall, I am giving this book two-and-half-stars. Two seems a bit too little, but three seems slightly too generous. I would recommend this for someone who wants a new, unique take on a boarding school story and is interested in taking a chance on a new book.
January 22, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As soon as I saw the blurb for The Academy Alignment, I knew I wanted to read; boarding school stories are one of my favorite genres. This young adult novel was written by David Davis and Andra St. Ivanyi.
Peter Foster has just received a scholarship to The Academy. He has lived in its shadow for his entire life, but knows very little about the privileged students who attend the exclusive private school. He is immediately embroiled in a mystery, as he tries to figure out what happened to the boy who used to live in his dorm room.
The story is told from multiple perspectives, and the transitions are not always smooth. I was a little confused at first, but I’m glad I stuck with the book. Once things became a little clearer, I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next. I loved the way the students are both manipulators and manipulated.
I would recommend The Academy Alignment. It’s a relatively quick read, and I’m interested to see what direction the series is going to take in the next book.
As soon as I saw the blurb for The Academy Alignment, I knew I wanted to read; boarding school stories are one of my favorite genres. This young adult novel was written by David Davis and Andra St. Ivanyi.
Peter Foster has just received a scholarship to The Academy. He has lived in its shadow for his entire life, but knows very little about the privileged students who attend the exclusive private school. He is immediately embroiled in a mystery, as he tries to figure out what happened to the boy who used to live in his dorm room.
The story is told from multiple perspectives, and the transitions are not always smooth. I was a little confused at first, but I’m glad I stuck with the book. Once things became a little clearer, I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next. I loved the way the students are both manipulators and manipulated.
I would recommend The Academy Alignment. It’s a relatively quick read, and I’m interested to see what direction the series is going to take in the next book.
August 3, 2016
I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was a little unsure of this book when I started it. It had an interesting premise but I had no idea where it was going. I know you do not know everything at the start, but I think a little more would have been better.
The characters were interesting, there was a lot of drama which was unexpected but fun in this type of book. I liked Peter, his inquisitiveness was a really good quality in him. His manner never really changed, he was a good guy through and through, matter what was thrown at him.
Dr Linden and Dr Brown were unique characters, at times it was hard to tell which side they were on at times, which made it a good read. It was the same of the other characters, they seem to switch sides all the time. I would have liked to see more of some if the other characters, some seemed to less of a presence than was necessary and just come in at the important points and I was left thinking "what do they have to do with this?"
Overall an interesting book and well worth the read but not sure if I will read the second one in the series.
4 out of 5 stars
I was a little unsure of this book when I started it. It had an interesting premise but I had no idea where it was going. I know you do not know everything at the start, but I think a little more would have been better.
The characters were interesting, there was a lot of drama which was unexpected but fun in this type of book. I liked Peter, his inquisitiveness was a really good quality in him. His manner never really changed, he was a good guy through and through, matter what was thrown at him.
Dr Linden and Dr Brown were unique characters, at times it was hard to tell which side they were on at times, which made it a good read. It was the same of the other characters, they seem to switch sides all the time. I would have liked to see more of some if the other characters, some seemed to less of a presence than was necessary and just come in at the important points and I was left thinking "what do they have to do with this?"
Overall an interesting book and well worth the read but not sure if I will read the second one in the series.
4 out of 5 stars
January 17, 2016
First let me say thank you to NetGalley for letting me have the chance to read and review The Academy: Alignment by David Davis and Andra St. Ivanyi, I wanted to like this, but I had a really hard time with it. The characters, everyone besides Peter seems really flat and one dimensional. I get that they were meant to be seen as rich kids making their own decisions and floating in this augmented reality of wealth and privilege but they felt so flat and stereotypical. If there had been more to them I may have liked it more. The mystery, the boy who disappeared. I just felt like I received the information too late, it came together too late and then ended. I can't really recommend this book, the idea was there, the idea great, but it just wasn't pushed hard enough and like it's characters fell completely flat.
December 31, 2015
I love a good mystery as much as the next person, but you have to give a little bit away at the beginning to get the reader hooked. This story is just mystery.
A mystery of why the boy is running across a vacant (mysterious) greenspace.
The mystery of why the teachers are hanging out in the chapel. Mystery of why such a secretive and powerful organization would kill off students for what seems to be a game (ala The Decoy Princess, which was a great book with a solid mystery,).
But this book is just too too, I can't even put into words what is bothering me so much , maybe that I don't like one single character and can't understand anyone's motivations.
Not going to finish this one.
A mystery of why the boy is running across a vacant (mysterious) greenspace.
The mystery of why the teachers are hanging out in the chapel. Mystery of why such a secretive and powerful organization would kill off students for what seems to be a game (ala The Decoy Princess, which was a great book with a solid mystery,).
But this book is just too too, I can't even put into words what is bothering me so much , maybe that I don't like one single character and can't understand anyone's motivations.
Not going to finish this one.
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