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The Academy #2
Rogue
Edward made the mistake of taking the only thing I had left to lose and now he's going to pay with his life.
I’ve spent my whole life training to be in the Elite Squad, and I left it all behind without a second thought. I don’t fail. My father made sure that it wasn’t in my D.N.A. to fail. So, I will take him down. I will make him pay for his lies and deceit…but first I will get my son back, or die trying.
Will I be able to expose Edward and the Academy? Will I be able to turn to the one person I’ve always trusted or after working in the darkness so long, is Van just as twisted as my father?
This is book two and conclusion to the Academy Series.
I’ve spent my whole life training to be in the Elite Squad, and I left it all behind without a second thought. I don’t fail. My father made sure that it wasn’t in my D.N.A. to fail. So, I will take him down. I will make him pay for his lies and deceit…but first I will get my son back, or die trying.
Will I be able to expose Edward and the Academy? Will I be able to turn to the one person I’ve always trusted or after working in the darkness so long, is Van just as twisted as my father?
This is book two and conclusion to the Academy Series.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2017
11 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 9, 2019
This book has it all! Suspense, romance, family, satisfaction, twists, & superb characters.
I would call this part two, instead of book 2, since it’s definitely a continuation of the same story arc.
Aria surrounds herself with great people, which she unknowingly brings out the best of. The men, the woman, everyone benefits for having a badass Barbie in their lives! (Well, not the bad guys 😉)
It was great to have Van on the page again, and to see the change in his relationship with Aria. And Cameron and Tali, I love them, and I want more of them. There’s another couple briefly that broke my heart, but man, did it push the story.
And the sweet innocence of pre-school aged Bastian to balance everyone out, to bring them all together, is perfect.
I still need to get my hands on ‘Edward,’ the novella from Aria’s father’s point of view, but I’m a bit nervous. I’m pretty comfortable hating him, what if Ms. Wheeler makes me like him? *sigh* Because I know she can, if she wants to!
I would call this part two, instead of book 2, since it’s definitely a continuation of the same story arc.
Aria surrounds herself with great people, which she unknowingly brings out the best of. The men, the woman, everyone benefits for having a badass Barbie in their lives! (Well, not the bad guys 😉)
It was great to have Van on the page again, and to see the change in his relationship with Aria. And Cameron and Tali, I love them, and I want more of them. There’s another couple briefly that broke my heart, but man, did it push the story.
And the sweet innocence of pre-school aged Bastian to balance everyone out, to bring them all together, is perfect.
I still need to get my hands on ‘Edward,’ the novella from Aria’s father’s point of view, but I’m a bit nervous. I’m pretty comfortable hating him, what if Ms. Wheeler makes me like him? *sigh* Because I know she can, if she wants to!
February 10, 2020
The end
It is a good ending. Although i had my heart rip out at least a couple times, the story ended well. Loved the multiple POVs and that the story was clean all the way through. I fell in love with these characters
It is a good ending. Although i had my heart rip out at least a couple times, the story ended well. Loved the multiple POVs and that the story was clean all the way through. I fell in love with these characters
June 29, 2017
I've possibly overstepped an invisible book world boundary by messaging Author Jaci Wheeler to express my genuine love (okay I was gushing) for Operation Child Soldier. I swear I had no clue she had already finished writing the sequel, but when she offered me an ARC of Rogue, I seriously almost cried. I was prepared to wait months, but within minutes I was greedily devouring it. I "awoke" from my literary stupor a few hours later at "the end" with the best book satiety ever!
Okay, so obviously I LOVED every word of Operation Child Soldier and sometimes that can set a reader up for disappointment with a sequel. Not this time people! Dare I say I enjoyed Rogue even more? As we enter the Rogue stage, Aria's renegade "don't-mess-with-me" attitude is perfectly primed and ready for a fight. She's fierce, tenacious and smart with a team of loyal friends beside her. Multiple POVs can be tricky, but I transitioned between characters seamlessly, in no small part, due to my genuine love for these rich, lively characters and the unprecedentedly badass situations the find themselves in.
One thing I appreciate is that Rogue is frequently surprising and never shies away from honest brutality. This book is full of hard choices and actions that can't be taken back. It is neither gentle nor pandering. From me, that is high praise - I am so tired of books that resort to that lazy psychological manipulation where characters are on the brink of death but miraculously saved or, even worse, brought back from the dead. That is not to say there aren't close calls here, because there are plenty of them, but there is always a cost to the reprieve, whether it be in death, sacrifices or heavy emotional baggage. The price of freedom is steep and, as a reader, I felt it to my core.
Am I finished singing my praises for The Academy Series? No! I'd love to see it as a TV series, a hit to be sure! In the meantime, read this series and discover for yourselves how brilliant it is.
Okay, so obviously I LOVED every word of Operation Child Soldier and sometimes that can set a reader up for disappointment with a sequel. Not this time people! Dare I say I enjoyed Rogue even more? As we enter the Rogue stage, Aria's renegade "don't-mess-with-me" attitude is perfectly primed and ready for a fight. She's fierce, tenacious and smart with a team of loyal friends beside her. Multiple POVs can be tricky, but I transitioned between characters seamlessly, in no small part, due to my genuine love for these rich, lively characters and the unprecedentedly badass situations the find themselves in.
One thing I appreciate is that Rogue is frequently surprising and never shies away from honest brutality. This book is full of hard choices and actions that can't be taken back. It is neither gentle nor pandering. From me, that is high praise - I am so tired of books that resort to that lazy psychological manipulation where characters are on the brink of death but miraculously saved or, even worse, brought back from the dead. That is not to say there aren't close calls here, because there are plenty of them, but there is always a cost to the reprieve, whether it be in death, sacrifices or heavy emotional baggage. The price of freedom is steep and, as a reader, I felt it to my core.
Am I finished singing my praises for The Academy Series? No! I'd love to see it as a TV series, a hit to be sure! In the meantime, read this series and discover for yourselves how brilliant it is.
April 24, 2019
ABSOLUTELY. FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC.
I don't know how Jaci did it but this was just purely amazing. First off, the character development for this series was on point and the way she gives us readers a glimpse of each characters POV is just brilliant.
I don't want to spoil anything but I recommend this series to all readers out there. The characters are all unique and have their own issues that we can all relate to, no one in this book is perfect which makes it all more special to me.
I will forever be a Cam + Tali fan <3 they just brought so much joy for me while reading this series I just can't get enough of them!!
I don't know how Jaci did it but this was just purely amazing. First off, the character development for this series was on point and the way she gives us readers a glimpse of each characters POV is just brilliant.
I don't want to spoil anything but I recommend this series to all readers out there. The characters are all unique and have their own issues that we can all relate to, no one in this book is perfect which makes it all more special to me.
I will forever be a Cam + Tali fan <3 they just brought so much joy for me while reading this series I just can't get enough of them!!
March 7, 2023
Great story!
This story wrapped up nicely as book 2 in a duet. There were however, some things that were a little anticlimactic for me and I’m wondering if this might become a trilogy or perhaps a spinoff series. Either way, this book was very good with some heartbreaking, heartfelt & jaw dropping moments too. There was plenty of family drama and suspense. Bastion will absolutely steal your heart. I love that this book was written in multiple POV’s.
The narration was very good. She really nailed those characters and even brought me to tears a couple of times.
This is book two in a duet series and must be read in order.
I highly recommend this book/series.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
This story wrapped up nicely as book 2 in a duet. There were however, some things that were a little anticlimactic for me and I’m wondering if this might become a trilogy or perhaps a spinoff series. Either way, this book was very good with some heartbreaking, heartfelt & jaw dropping moments too. There was plenty of family drama and suspense. Bastion will absolutely steal your heart. I love that this book was written in multiple POV’s.
The narration was very good. She really nailed those characters and even brought me to tears a couple of times.
This is book two in a duet series and must be read in order.
I highly recommend this book/series.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
March 10, 2023
Aria, Bas, Van, Cam,Tally,Travis, Hayden and N
Book 2 is a great conclusion to this story. There is room to make more story but I like it as 2 books so who knows? So much turmoil here and thoughts of revenge, secrets unveiled, and and power trips. Such a great story. I recommend books 1 & 2 and the narration is great 👍 Sister’s Spotlight 💕
Book 2 is a great conclusion to this story. There is room to make more story but I like it as 2 books so who knows? So much turmoil here and thoughts of revenge, secrets unveiled, and and power trips. Such a great story. I recommend books 1 & 2 and the narration is great 👍 Sister’s Spotlight 💕
July 21, 2017
I didn't know Jaci Wheeler's books, but once I was recomended her books, I had to check them out.I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. But first I had to read Operation Child Soldier, and that's what I did.
I liked Operation Child Soldier a lot. So, this one is the second book of The Academy Series and it was as interesting and epic as the 1st one.
This is only my second review, and I'm not sure if I'm good at it or not. But I enjoyed both books so much that I can't really express myself. I also don't like spoilers, so I'm not going to talk about that. Sorry. Besides, since I'm publishing this review before the release date, Jaci asked to not post any spoilers, and I'm honoring her wishes.
As a writer (at least, I'm trying to be) while reading a book that show us multiple points of view is a treat, especially when it all make sense, because (let's be honest) some books just make it all sound weird. I honestly enjoy know about all the characters while things play out, and when a story is all about unexpected or bad situations, or course I want to know more and what the characters where thinking or doing at that time. They are the fulcral point, people have to make difficult choices or end up doing something that could be surprising to the read but that is brutal and just "WOW", and I truly believe that if we don't get an all round view of the characters involved, then maybe something could be difficult to understand.
Also, another thing I liked in the book was Aria's attitude and her readiness to fight; it was something I enjoyed reading, especially since she was smart, strong headed and had loyal friends beside her, which come one!... How doesn't want to be a strong, smart and determined woman with loyal people that will help us out whenever things get crazy?
Well... I liked the characters. I haven't been reading a lot of YA this year, I don't know why. In any case... One thing I'm always scared when I read a book is about the way the characters are portrayed, the way they sound in my mind. Some times I read a book and go "That doesn't sound real at all." But Jaci's characters were dynamic and another reason why I enjoyed the multiple POVs. The way she did it it sounded right.
I hope I'm making any sense in all this. Like I said, I don't usually do reviews, but because of this book (the series actually) I'm now going to try and write a review for Jaci Wheeler's other books. If the other books are this awesome, I'm so going to read them.
Would I recommend this book? Hell yeah! If I thought that person would enjoy this genre of books , I would recommend The Academy series.
I liked Operation Child Soldier a lot. So, this one is the second book of The Academy Series and it was as interesting and epic as the 1st one.
This is only my second review, and I'm not sure if I'm good at it or not. But I enjoyed both books so much that I can't really express myself. I also don't like spoilers, so I'm not going to talk about that. Sorry. Besides, since I'm publishing this review before the release date, Jaci asked to not post any spoilers, and I'm honoring her wishes.
As a writer (at least, I'm trying to be) while reading a book that show us multiple points of view is a treat, especially when it all make sense, because (let's be honest) some books just make it all sound weird. I honestly enjoy know about all the characters while things play out, and when a story is all about unexpected or bad situations, or course I want to know more and what the characters where thinking or doing at that time. They are the fulcral point, people have to make difficult choices or end up doing something that could be surprising to the read but that is brutal and just "WOW", and I truly believe that if we don't get an all round view of the characters involved, then maybe something could be difficult to understand.
Also, another thing I liked in the book was Aria's attitude and her readiness to fight; it was something I enjoyed reading, especially since she was smart, strong headed and had loyal friends beside her, which come one!... How doesn't want to be a strong, smart and determined woman with loyal people that will help us out whenever things get crazy?
Well... I liked the characters. I haven't been reading a lot of YA this year, I don't know why. In any case... One thing I'm always scared when I read a book is about the way the characters are portrayed, the way they sound in my mind. Some times I read a book and go "That doesn't sound real at all." But Jaci's characters were dynamic and another reason why I enjoyed the multiple POVs. The way she did it it sounded right.
I hope I'm making any sense in all this. Like I said, I don't usually do reviews, but because of this book (the series actually) I'm now going to try and write a review for Jaci Wheeler's other books. If the other books are this awesome, I'm so going to read them.
Would I recommend this book? Hell yeah! If I thought that person would enjoy this genre of books , I would recommend The Academy series.
July 23, 2017
Rogue (The Academy Series Book 2) by Jaci Wheeler is the perfect conclusion to Operation Child Soldier, and I loved, loved, loved it!! It provides the feels: glee, heart-breaking sorrow, laughter, and joy! There is nothing fiercer in the world than a mother. Especially a lethally trained one.
My favorite quote from this book shows my glee in the darker side:
“Aria’s back and she’s going to love making them scream.”
Aria’s “father” made the biggest mistake of his life. He took her son after she left the Academy. He trained her to be ruthless and it is going to be his funeral.
Aria is a trained agent, fighter, and assassin. And now she’s a mother fighting to get her son back. What I love about Aria is that she’s not a cold-blooded killer. She has such a beautiful heart…even while she is forced to use her lethal skills as part of the way to get her son back. There is so much I want to share, but I don’t want to spoil anything.
I will say however, there are so many surprises and jolts in this book! And though I am loving it, there is one event that I’m trying hard not to be mad at Jaci for. What is it? You have to read it to find out! The return of a certain person gave me so much hope for HEA for Aria. She NEEDED to be truly happy for once in her life. I needed her to be happy and boy did Jaci deliver. In spades.
One thing that I learned from Rogue is that no matter where you come from or what had been burned into your psyche, it’s up to you to take the ugly and make something lovely. The journey may be difficult and strewn with hazards, but it is well worth the effort because at the end, it is so incredibly lovely.
I absolutely loved Rogue and all I can think is: #fightlikeagirl!
My favorite quote from this book shows my glee in the darker side:
“Aria’s back and she’s going to love making them scream.”
Aria’s “father” made the biggest mistake of his life. He took her son after she left the Academy. He trained her to be ruthless and it is going to be his funeral.
Aria is a trained agent, fighter, and assassin. And now she’s a mother fighting to get her son back. What I love about Aria is that she’s not a cold-blooded killer. She has such a beautiful heart…even while she is forced to use her lethal skills as part of the way to get her son back. There is so much I want to share, but I don’t want to spoil anything.
I will say however, there are so many surprises and jolts in this book! And though I am loving it, there is one event that I’m trying hard not to be mad at Jaci for. What is it? You have to read it to find out! The return of a certain person gave me so much hope for HEA for Aria. She NEEDED to be truly happy for once in her life. I needed her to be happy and boy did Jaci deliver. In spades.
One thing that I learned from Rogue is that no matter where you come from or what had been burned into your psyche, it’s up to you to take the ugly and make something lovely. The journey may be difficult and strewn with hazards, but it is well worth the effort because at the end, it is so incredibly lovely.
I absolutely loved Rogue and all I can think is: #fightlikeagirl!
August 14, 2017
The follow up book to operation child soldier finishes the tale of Aria a young woman born into the academy an elite school that teaches children to become spies. The end of the last book uncovers some pretty big secrets and this book shows how Aria, with the help of some friends deals with the fallout of those secrets and how she makes them work for her and the small family she's built. Not as dark a tale as the first book this book concludes the story and shows how someone can make the right choices despite their upbringing.
This book was hard to put down and I enjoyed it immensely.
This review was written on behalf of Amo and Sarah's book corner.
This book was hard to put down and I enjoyed it immensely.
This review was written on behalf of Amo and Sarah's book corner.
July 23, 2017
I thought book 1 was good but book two was even better! The twists and turns of this book is amazing. The story is so addictive you will not be able to put it down till you finish. All the feels of this book rip your heart out and crush it into a million different fragments of all emotions. One of 2017 must read books!!
July 23, 2017
Omg I don't even know where to start!
Revenge, justice, pissed off mama bear who is a bad ass assassin. Sounds like a winner to me. But that's not even touching the tip of the iceberg in this book. I highly recommend that you read the 1st book of you haven't already ...cause woo boy ya dont want to miss anything
Revenge, justice, pissed off mama bear who is a bad ass assassin. Sounds like a winner to me. But that's not even touching the tip of the iceberg in this book. I highly recommend that you read the 1st book of you haven't already ...cause woo boy ya dont want to miss anything
January 9, 2019
Absolutely loved this book
The wonderful characters continue their story with twists and turns I wasn't expecting, especially the one that made me ugly cry. We get to know even more of their amazing personalities as the true story unfolds. I loved this series so much more than I was expecting and so glad I read it. Highly recommended.
The wonderful characters continue their story with twists and turns I wasn't expecting, especially the one that made me ugly cry. We get to know even more of their amazing personalities as the true story unfolds. I loved this series so much more than I was expecting and so glad I read it. Highly recommended.
January 4, 2019
Incredible!
So well written! Jaci has created characters that are easy to love in a plot that is believable. Just enough suspense to keep you flipping pages, a dash of romance with that happily ever after feeling and at the end? A desire to keep reading more!!!
So well written! Jaci has created characters that are easy to love in a plot that is believable. Just enough suspense to keep you flipping pages, a dash of romance with that happily ever after feeling and at the end? A desire to keep reading more!!!
March 19, 2019
An amazing sequel, I absolutely loved it. Aria is such a strong and determined woman willing to give all for her adorable son. Bas is such a cutie he wins everyone over. You definitely need to check this book out.
September 3, 2020
Wow! Jaci Wheeler does it again! Book 2 of the Academy series has me feeling so many emotions. I loved the multiple POVs because it just showed us how amazing and unique each character is. There were some that went above and beyond, which left a lasting impression on me.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews