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The Academy: A Funny YA Story About a Fashion Blogger Surviving Military School
The Devil Wears Prada meets Private Benjamin in this funny and charming story of a fashionista teen blogger who gets sent to military school, perfect for fans of Sarah Mlynowski and Kasie West.
Frankie Brooks knows what she wants in life: to become the world’s next great fashion editor. All she needs to do is get into the elite American Fashion Academy in New York City. If she gets in, her life plans will be going right on schedule. Anna Wintour, watch out.
But after Frankie messes up one too many times—hey, it’s hard not to prioritize her acclaimed fashion blog above all else—her parents come up with entirely different plans for her future: military school. How is Frankie, the least athletic person in the world, who knows absolutely nothing about the military, going to survive a whole semester at the famed—and feared—Academy?
With classmates who seem to be totally uninterested in her, a course load that’s even more difficult than her old school’s, and the weird War Games competition she has to join, Frankie finds that her life is way tougher than it used to be. And no one, including her roommate Joni, seems to understand Frankie at all.
As she learns how to cope with impossible military drills and intimidating specialized classes and is maybe even falling for super-hot and super-smart cadet Jack Wattson, can Frankie prove to everyone that being a fashionista doesn’t mean she can’t succeed?
Frankie Brooks knows what she wants in life: to become the world’s next great fashion editor. All she needs to do is get into the elite American Fashion Academy in New York City. If she gets in, her life plans will be going right on schedule. Anna Wintour, watch out.
But after Frankie messes up one too many times—hey, it’s hard not to prioritize her acclaimed fashion blog above all else—her parents come up with entirely different plans for her future: military school. How is Frankie, the least athletic person in the world, who knows absolutely nothing about the military, going to survive a whole semester at the famed—and feared—Academy?
With classmates who seem to be totally uninterested in her, a course load that’s even more difficult than her old school’s, and the weird War Games competition she has to join, Frankie finds that her life is way tougher than it used to be. And no one, including her roommate Joni, seems to understand Frankie at all.
As she learns how to cope with impossible military drills and intimidating specialized classes and is maybe even falling for super-hot and super-smart cadet Jack Wattson, can Frankie prove to everyone that being a fashionista doesn’t mean she can’t succeed?
281 pages, Hardcover
First published May 22, 2018
35 people are currently reading
1644 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 27, 2018
RATING: 4/5
ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
[Frankie Brooks knows what she wants in life: to become the world’s next great fashion editor. But when she messes up too many times, her parents come up with entirely different plans for her future: military school. How is Frankie, the least athletic person in the world, who knows absolutely nothing about the military, going to survive a whole semester at the famed—and feared— Academy?]
{This premise reminded me of the movie Cadet Kelly. Anyone remember that one? Hillary Duff was the protagonist.}
I love these types of books! They’re so fuzzy and cute. Definitely recommend it for getting out of a reading slump (it helped me a lot!). The main character reminded me of the girl in Clueless. Frankie might seem like an airhead but she’s lowkey really smart. I loved her relationship with Jack, as well as her friendship with Joni❤️. I also appreciate the character development that was shown towards the end.
ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
[Frankie Brooks knows what she wants in life: to become the world’s next great fashion editor. But when she messes up too many times, her parents come up with entirely different plans for her future: military school. How is Frankie, the least athletic person in the world, who knows absolutely nothing about the military, going to survive a whole semester at the famed—and feared— Academy?]
{This premise reminded me of the movie Cadet Kelly. Anyone remember that one? Hillary Duff was the protagonist.}
I love these types of books! They’re so fuzzy and cute. Definitely recommend it for getting out of a reading slump (it helped me a lot!). The main character reminded me of the girl in Clueless. Frankie might seem like an airhead but she’s lowkey really smart. I loved her relationship with Jack, as well as her friendship with Joni❤️. I also appreciate the character development that was shown towards the end.
May 25, 2018
3.5/5 stars
The Academy is a Young Adult novel. The narrator is 15 year old Frances/Frankie (the story is told in 1st person POV).
Right before reading this book I did not re-read the book blurb. So I really did not even realize the basic premise of this story. All I knew was that Frankie loved fashion and that she was a teen fashion blogger. I loved this part of the story. Frankie wanted to go to fashion school. And I actually really wish that is what this story was about. But it's about a military high school.
The book is still focused a bit on fashion and Frankie's love for it. However, the main focus is definitely the military school. The military school was fine. And there were a lot of interesting characters there. It was definitely a different type of school setting. However, it just wouldn't be my first choice of what to read about.
I did like Frankie. She was so snarky and funny. And she lived and breathed fashion. There is some romance in the story. However, I didn't realize that the main character would only be 15. So the romance is pretty tame.
The book was sweet, funny and enjoyable. I just wish that there had been more fashion in this story.
Is there a sequel to this book? The story was just starting to get interesting when the book ended. I have so many unanswered questions. The ending did not really work for me. But A+ for the stunning cover. I am completely obsessed with it!
Thanks to edelweiss and Balzer + Bray for allowing me to read this book.
The Academy is a Young Adult novel. The narrator is 15 year old Frances/Frankie (the story is told in 1st person POV).
Right before reading this book I did not re-read the book blurb. So I really did not even realize the basic premise of this story. All I knew was that Frankie loved fashion and that she was a teen fashion blogger. I loved this part of the story. Frankie wanted to go to fashion school. And I actually really wish that is what this story was about. But it's about a military high school.
The book is still focused a bit on fashion and Frankie's love for it. However, the main focus is definitely the military school. The military school was fine. And there were a lot of interesting characters there. It was definitely a different type of school setting. However, it just wouldn't be my first choice of what to read about.
I did like Frankie. She was so snarky and funny. And she lived and breathed fashion. There is some romance in the story. However, I didn't realize that the main character would only be 15. So the romance is pretty tame.
The book was sweet, funny and enjoyable. I just wish that there had been more fashion in this story.
Is there a sequel to this book? The story was just starting to get interesting when the book ended. I have so many unanswered questions. The ending did not really work for me. But A+ for the stunning cover. I am completely obsessed with it!
Thanks to edelweiss and Balzer + Bray for allowing me to read this book.
September 27, 2018
Actual Rating 3.75
Frankie, who is a lifestyle blogger and die heart fashionista, but made some mistakes So her parents decided to send her military school as her life is so lacking discipline. Where she met Joni and Jack who made her life easy in military school.
The story was cute and fuzzy, I really enjoyed reading it. The writing wasn’t perfect for me sometimes I got bored but that was for a short duration.
Frankie is interesting as well as an annoying character, I was constantly rolling my eyes on her actions. But she was also fun to read.
There were a few other characters, in the first half of the book they were mysterious.
I can’t say the story was focused on romance it was well balanced, I loved the idea how author relates military and fashion.
I really needed to read a cute and fun book.
Frankie, who is a lifestyle blogger and die heart fashionista, but made some mistakes So her parents decided to send her military school as her life is so lacking discipline. Where she met Joni and Jack who made her life easy in military school.
The story was cute and fuzzy, I really enjoyed reading it. The writing wasn’t perfect for me sometimes I got bored but that was for a short duration.
Frankie is interesting as well as an annoying character, I was constantly rolling my eyes on her actions. But she was also fun to read.
There were a few other characters, in the first half of the book they were mysterious.
I can’t say the story was focused on romance it was well balanced, I loved the idea how author relates military and fashion.
I really needed to read a cute and fun book.
March 4, 2018
I just randomly picked up this book and loved it. Legit.
January 1, 2018
Secret confession: I adore the movie Cadet Kelly. You know, the one staring Hilary Duff about an artistic young girl who gets sent to military school. Mayhem ensues. So this book, The Academy, just called my name and insisted that I read it. The Devil Wears Prada meets Private Benjamin? Yes, please! Sign me up. It shares many similarities to the above mentioned movies. The Academy is at times laugh-out-loud funny and adventurous, but also focuses on the main character learning something about herself and about how she views and treats others.
Frankie dreams of becoming an editor for a top fashion magazine. Her fashion blog is already popular and she has applied to an elite fashion school. But when her parents discover she hosted a party at their home and cheated on her chemistry test, they decide to send Frankie to Albany Military Academy. Frankie is determined to get sent home as soon as possible (the military outfit really doesn’t work with her style), but is surprised to find that her position at the academy just might be worth fighting for after all.
Frankie is our narrator in The Academy. As the story is written from her perspective, readers get a pretty good idea about the type of person she is almost immediately. Frankie says anything and everything she is thinking, and this transfers to the general writing style as she shares every single thought that pops into her head. What could have been an adventure-filled novel instead focuses more on character development, as Frankie tries harder to be ‘good’, fit in, and become a better person. And she kind of needs to. Frankie is snarky in a whiney, snooty way, and she throws internal (and often verbal) insults at pretty much everyone because of their clothing choices. Frankie comes across as immature, bossy, and opinionated, but at least she recognises her flaws and is determined to change them.
The Academy makes use of the humour that results from an independent, head-strong girl trying to fit in at military school. High-ropes courses, archery, PT, and even ‘drop and give me twenty’ push Frankie to her physical limits. There are also friendship clashes and drama, a resident mean girl with which to contend, a hot and talented love interest, and laughably mean commanding officers. There are also some great lines. Frankie’s response to military strategy? “Lie down and play dead.”
The Academy pieces together a humorous story about the challenges faced by a girl born to standout as she tries to fit in.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.
Frankie dreams of becoming an editor for a top fashion magazine. Her fashion blog is already popular and she has applied to an elite fashion school. But when her parents discover she hosted a party at their home and cheated on her chemistry test, they decide to send Frankie to Albany Military Academy. Frankie is determined to get sent home as soon as possible (the military outfit really doesn’t work with her style), but is surprised to find that her position at the academy just might be worth fighting for after all.
Frankie is our narrator in The Academy. As the story is written from her perspective, readers get a pretty good idea about the type of person she is almost immediately. Frankie says anything and everything she is thinking, and this transfers to the general writing style as she shares every single thought that pops into her head. What could have been an adventure-filled novel instead focuses more on character development, as Frankie tries harder to be ‘good’, fit in, and become a better person. And she kind of needs to. Frankie is snarky in a whiney, snooty way, and she throws internal (and often verbal) insults at pretty much everyone because of their clothing choices. Frankie comes across as immature, bossy, and opinionated, but at least she recognises her flaws and is determined to change them.
The Academy makes use of the humour that results from an independent, head-strong girl trying to fit in at military school. High-ropes courses, archery, PT, and even ‘drop and give me twenty’ push Frankie to her physical limits. There are also friendship clashes and drama, a resident mean girl with which to contend, a hot and talented love interest, and laughably mean commanding officers. There are also some great lines. Frankie’s response to military strategy? “Lie down and play dead.”
The Academy pieces together a humorous story about the challenges faced by a girl born to standout as she tries to fit in.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.
July 24, 2018
After cheating on a chemistry test and throwing a party while her parents were away, Frankie's parents decide that military school would be a good place for her to learn some discipline and get her grades back on track. Frankie, however, would rather work on her fashion blog and is appalled at her new situation.
For most of the book, Frankie is the most unlikable character. She is at times snobby, snotty, disrespectful, immature, and materialistic. The only thing she seems to care about is her fashion blog, which she mentions at every chance she gets. I had to keep reminding myself that she's only 16, and that kind of comes with the territory. But when she is answering her phone during training and telling her lieutenant she can't wear her uniform because she already has a "fashion moment" picked out, it was a struggle.
At least, though, Frankie could recognize when she was being snotty and disrespectful; she just couldn't seem to control herself. However, as the book goes on, Frankie gets some extra incentive to keep her grades up and try to make the best of her situation. I liked that she remembered how amazing it felt to be a good student, before her fashion blog took over, and she wanted those feelings of pride and accomplishment again.
The military academy was a really unique setting. I enjoyed learning about its structure and classes. It really seemed like a good place for Frankie to learn discipline and teamwork. The secondary characters also brought a lot of heart to the book, although I could have used less of the romance plotline with fellow student Jack. I really just wanted Frankie to focus and grow. There was a lot of diversity among the students, and it was interesting to learn how they all ended up at this school.
Overall, I thought the book was well-written and the author did a good job in capturing the 16-year-old main character, but I wanted a bit more depth in the story.
For most of the book, Frankie is the most unlikable character. She is at times snobby, snotty, disrespectful, immature, and materialistic. The only thing she seems to care about is her fashion blog, which she mentions at every chance she gets. I had to keep reminding myself that she's only 16, and that kind of comes with the territory. But when she is answering her phone during training and telling her lieutenant she can't wear her uniform because she already has a "fashion moment" picked out, it was a struggle.
At least, though, Frankie could recognize when she was being snotty and disrespectful; she just couldn't seem to control herself. However, as the book goes on, Frankie gets some extra incentive to keep her grades up and try to make the best of her situation. I liked that she remembered how amazing it felt to be a good student, before her fashion blog took over, and she wanted those feelings of pride and accomplishment again.
The military academy was a really unique setting. I enjoyed learning about its structure and classes. It really seemed like a good place for Frankie to learn discipline and teamwork. The secondary characters also brought a lot of heart to the book, although I could have used less of the romance plotline with fellow student Jack. I really just wanted Frankie to focus and grow. There was a lot of diversity among the students, and it was interesting to learn how they all ended up at this school.
Overall, I thought the book was well-written and the author did a good job in capturing the 16-year-old main character, but I wanted a bit more depth in the story.
setting-aside-for-now
April 28, 2018Wanted to try this as I love fish-out-of-water stories but after a few chapters it just wasn't grabbing me.
Read more of my reviews on JenRyland.com! Check out my Bookstagram! Or check out my Jen In Ten reviews on Youtube - get the lowdown on current books in 10-30 seconds!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Read more of my reviews on JenRyland.com! Check out my Bookstagram! Or check out my Jen In Ten reviews on Youtube - get the lowdown on current books in 10-30 seconds!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
December 5, 2022
4.5 stars
Genre: YA Fiction
Other: FLUFFY ROMANCE
It went from me muttering about how the cover didn't match the others on the bookshelf to me reading it until 1:00am in the morning.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Frankie Brooks wants nothing else but to go to fashion school. She can pair outfits and find the perfect colors for clothes, and she even has a blog. But she did NOT expect to be sent to military school.
After Frankie's parents found out about her biggest secrets, she got sent to the Academy to learn discipline. She's going to a place unfamiliar, a place she doesn't understand. Everyday seems to get worse, with constant exercises, running a mile a morning, and academic material that is WAY harder than her old schools. No one gets what she likes - not even her roommate, Joni.
Then, Frankie meets Jack. Jack is Joni's best friend, and Frankie falls in love. She hangs out with him and Joni more, though between all of this, a girl named Amanda seems to have taken a dislike to her and is trying her best to ruin her experience at this school while staying out of view of the teachers.
*SPOILER END*
Usually, I don't point out the romance portion of a book unless I really have something to say about it. If you're looking for a book to relax, here you are. It's sO FLUFFY. The chosen couple are eased into the relationship, and there's no sudden moves or anything like that.
Also, there were so many calm scenes, which (leave it to the imagination of my mind), seemed absolutely b e a u t i f u l.
Now, I love how Frankie is different, and yet she doesn't care. She knows that she is herself, and she accepts that. And you can clearly see, even though there are great parts of her, you can see the negitive parts, too.
I'll also say that sometimes, for someone who likes fast-paced books, this is a good, calm, not too much angst, fast-paced book, though in some scenes it gets a bit dull...
Genre: YA Fiction
Other: FLUFFY ROMANCE
It went from me muttering about how the cover didn't match the others on the bookshelf to me reading it until 1:00am in the morning.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Frankie Brooks wants nothing else but to go to fashion school. She can pair outfits and find the perfect colors for clothes, and she even has a blog. But she did NOT expect to be sent to military school.
After Frankie's parents found out about her biggest secrets, she got sent to the Academy to learn discipline. She's going to a place unfamiliar, a place she doesn't understand. Everyday seems to get worse, with constant exercises, running a mile a morning, and academic material that is WAY harder than her old schools. No one gets what she likes - not even her roommate, Joni.
Then, Frankie meets Jack. Jack is Joni's best friend, and Frankie falls in love. She hangs out with him and Joni more, though between all of this, a girl named Amanda seems to have taken a dislike to her and is trying her best to ruin her experience at this school while staying out of view of the teachers.
*SPOILER END*
Usually, I don't point out the romance portion of a book unless I really have something to say about it. If you're looking for a book to relax, here you are. It's sO FLUFFY. The chosen couple are eased into the relationship, and there's no sudden moves or anything like that.
Also, there were so many calm scenes, which (leave it to the imagination of my mind), seemed absolutely b e a u t i f u l.
Now, I love how Frankie is different, and yet she doesn't care. She knows that she is herself, and she accepts that. And you can clearly see, even though there are great parts of her, you can see the negitive parts, too.
I'll also say that sometimes, for someone who likes fast-paced books, this is a good, calm, not too much angst, fast-paced book, though in some scenes it gets a bit dull...
May 13, 2018
Make clothes, not war.
Unfortunately, I don’t really have many positive things to say about The Academy, and I’m kinda crushed because I wanted to love this so much. We follow fashionista Frankie Brooks as she’s sent to military school after some poor choices on her part. Frankie must learn to navigate military school with discipline and style if she wants to prove to her parents, and herself, that she’s strong and capable of more than she ever dreamed.
I think my biggest problem with the story was that I didn’t like Frankie at all. She might be one of the most annoying MCs I’ve encountered in a while. She’s so naive and could not stop crying. I get she’s in a new environment and is under a lot of pressure, but I couldn’t handle it. I also didn’t like how soft here parents were - they basically wanted her to come home as soon as they dropped her off. And I didn’t really like the romance - there was some unnecessary drama and it just felt bleh. I’m really sad about not loving this because it reminded me of Cadet Kelly, one of my favorite DCOMS, but I just didn’t click with the story.
I received a copy of the book from Balzer + Bray via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2018
The Academy was an easy read that I would put more on the younger end of the young adult spectrum rather than a book for everyone.
The main character wasn't necessarily the most likeable, but one thing that was good was that she does improve on her flaws throughout the novel. She has a relatively young-sounding narrative voice, and while I wouldn't go so far as to call it immature, it did feel quite borderline.
I would probably say I did like the novel overall, but I'm not sure that there are any outstanding positives or negatives about the story or characters. It's one of those "straight through the middle" types in terms of commenting on any particular aspect. The story is simplistic but not written in a boring way. The characters are developed to a degree, but not so far that you feel invested in the romance or their further growth.
I think overall, The Academy was relatively unmemorable as far as contemporary novels go, but this may also be because I was not that invested in it in the first place. I would recommend it only to younger YA readers.
Ratings
Overall: 6/10
Plot: 3/5
Romance: 2.5/5
Writing: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 2/5
The main character wasn't necessarily the most likeable, but one thing that was good was that she does improve on her flaws throughout the novel. She has a relatively young-sounding narrative voice, and while I wouldn't go so far as to call it immature, it did feel quite borderline.
I would probably say I did like the novel overall, but I'm not sure that there are any outstanding positives or negatives about the story or characters. It's one of those "straight through the middle" types in terms of commenting on any particular aspect. The story is simplistic but not written in a boring way. The characters are developed to a degree, but not so far that you feel invested in the romance or their further growth.
I think overall, The Academy was relatively unmemorable as far as contemporary novels go, but this may also be because I was not that invested in it in the first place. I would recommend it only to younger YA readers.
Ratings
Overall: 6/10
Plot: 3/5
Romance: 2.5/5
Writing: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 2/5
March 17, 2020
DNF
slow and typical romance. nothing special.
slow and typical romance. nothing special.
August 8, 2024
This book isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great either. Don’t get me wrong, it has cute moments and it’s an alright read. It’s fast paced enough to keep reading, but it is so all over the place. I genuinely cannot stress it enough how many “chapters” of this book start a scene and then it adds nothing but it’s a scene, then it just skips to next chapter and is never followed up on or elaborated further.
For example, there’s a scene that the cadets are jumping into a pool to learn how to rescue “drowning dummies”. It builds up so much about how the main character Frankie can’t swim and how her friends try and help. Then it just ends with her jumping in the pool and nothing else is talked about further. Like majority of the chapters I feel like are fillers and become fuzzy because they don’t add anything to the story, they just are quick scenes that feel unfinished.
It’s an alright read, not something I would necessarily recommend but also not the worst book I have ever picked up either. Kind of gives off Cadet Kelly vibes for the main character. This book just seems all over the place and lots of it feel unfinished and just random scenes thrown together to form a story/book. Genuinely the best way I can describe it is that I felt like this how my ADHD brain works. Like this is how I tell stories to my partner, I’m here then there then back over here but over there again. Like it was just every direction but a good solid one. A mediocre read!
For example, there’s a scene that the cadets are jumping into a pool to learn how to rescue “drowning dummies”. It builds up so much about how the main character Frankie can’t swim and how her friends try and help. Then it just ends with her jumping in the pool and nothing else is talked about further. Like majority of the chapters I feel like are fillers and become fuzzy because they don’t add anything to the story, they just are quick scenes that feel unfinished.
It’s an alright read, not something I would necessarily recommend but also not the worst book I have ever picked up either. Kind of gives off Cadet Kelly vibes for the main character. This book just seems all over the place and lots of it feel unfinished and just random scenes thrown together to form a story/book. Genuinely the best way I can describe it is that I felt like this how my ADHD brain works. Like this is how I tell stories to my partner, I’m here then there then back over here but over there again. Like it was just every direction but a good solid one. A mediocre read!
July 24, 2018
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the military aspect of the book, but some of the plot was just unnecessary.
March 23, 2019
This ended on a huge cliffhanger, and there are no signs of a sequel..? Did it not get picked up by a publisher to have a sequel orrrr?
Read
June 16, 2020A fun fast read. BUT it felt bad to read a patriotic book about white kids getting verklempt while saluting the flag as our country is in the midst of a national crisis caused by militarized police.
June 6, 2023
so crappy i read 30 pages and just stopped
August 19, 2020
Full Review on The Candid Cover
The Academy by Katie Sise is an entertaining novel that includes both fashion and military boarding school. The plot is so much fun, and the main character is easy to root for. I found that the ending of the book seemed a little too rushed, but overall, I had a great time reading.
This book tells the story of a girl who dreams of attending a fashion academy but is instead sent to a military school to learn discipline. The plot combines two things I love–fashion and boarding school–so I had a feeling it would be a win for me. I found the setting of the book unique, and it was interesting to watch Frankie adapt to such a different environment. This book is amusing, and even though it may not be the most profound book out there, I enjoyed it.
❀ QUIRKY MAIN CHARACTER
Frankie is such an entertaining main character. She is quirky and fashion forward, and she really changes throughout the book. It is so great to see her finally make an effort at military school and find her will to succeed again. I can definitely see where some would find her character annoying since she can come across as a snob at the beginning, but I didn’t have an issue with it since her experiences are amusing and she truly transforms.
❀ RUSHED ENDING
My one criticism of this book is that the ending feels very rushed. A lot of the book talks about a final project Frankie must complete for school as well as a competition called the War Games, and I would have loved to see these in the story. I was looking forward to seeing how Frankie would perform in the competition after such a tense buildup to the qualifying criteria. I would definitely like to read a sequel with these elements if one is ever written.
❀ A STORY ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND FITTING IN
The Academy by Katie Sise blends fashion with military school in a story about friendship and fitting in. I enjoyed the main character’s antics, and she really changes for the better throughout the novel. I did feel like the ending was too sudden, but I would still recommend this one to those who are looking for a fun and quirky read.
The Academy by Katie Sise is an entertaining novel that includes both fashion and military boarding school. The plot is so much fun, and the main character is easy to root for. I found that the ending of the book seemed a little too rushed, but overall, I had a great time reading.
This book tells the story of a girl who dreams of attending a fashion academy but is instead sent to a military school to learn discipline. The plot combines two things I love–fashion and boarding school–so I had a feeling it would be a win for me. I found the setting of the book unique, and it was interesting to watch Frankie adapt to such a different environment. This book is amusing, and even though it may not be the most profound book out there, I enjoyed it.
❀ QUIRKY MAIN CHARACTER
Frankie is such an entertaining main character. She is quirky and fashion forward, and she really changes throughout the book. It is so great to see her finally make an effort at military school and find her will to succeed again. I can definitely see where some would find her character annoying since she can come across as a snob at the beginning, but I didn’t have an issue with it since her experiences are amusing and she truly transforms.
❀ RUSHED ENDING
My one criticism of this book is that the ending feels very rushed. A lot of the book talks about a final project Frankie must complete for school as well as a competition called the War Games, and I would have loved to see these in the story. I was looking forward to seeing how Frankie would perform in the competition after such a tense buildup to the qualifying criteria. I would definitely like to read a sequel with these elements if one is ever written.
❀ A STORY ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND FITTING IN
The Academy by Katie Sise blends fashion with military school in a story about friendship and fitting in. I enjoyed the main character’s antics, and she really changes for the better throughout the novel. I did feel like the ending was too sudden, but I would still recommend this one to those who are looking for a fun and quirky read.
February 5, 2018
Blog | Twitter
**The Academy comes out May 22, 2018**
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins for this copy in exchange for an honest review
I'm not sure quite what to make of The Academy but if I could sum it up in two words, it'd be discipline + fashion-obsessed.
Do those 2 words even go together? Have you ever really thought of them in the same context? 'Cause I didn't. Before.
Frankie was kind of a naive and spoiled girl at the beginning of the book. She didn't like to the follow the rules, but at least she felt guilty for the things she knew she did wrong. And it wasn't a matter of me hating her or anything. Frankly, sometimes I felt for her and was totally on her side of things with the injustice of her situation, and sometimes I just wished she'd get it into her head that she should listen to what people are saying to her. It was all very confusing sometimes!
Being sent to military school for an amateur fashion blogger sounds like a recipe for trouble. She's free-spirited in some sense, and everything that flows through her brain wasn't altogether very serious at first. Yet her character lacked the fun and lightheartedness of other fashion-loving protagonists like those seen in The Devil Wears Prada or the Shopaholic series.
Going into the book, I was rather excited. I needed some lighter fluff after the heavier sci-fi/fantasies I've been diving into lately! And for the most part, The Academy delivered enough of that for me. The plot centres on Frankie finding her way through military school and where she fit into it all. Her upbringing in her community that reared her towards self-thinking and sometimes pure selfishness/disrespect for others wasn't ALWAYS her fault, but it was nice to see her develop an attitude of pride for her country and those who serve for the greater good of all. I liked that this didn't mean she had to give up her love of fashion in order to do that, which to me is a greater message that says you can grow and become better while still maintaining the good in that you love doing.
The love interest, Jack, was nice. Yep, nice. I can't think of too many other words to describe him. Physically he's strong and tall and the kinda guy you'd want to hover and protect you from the bad in the world. Personality-wise, he's sweet and worthy of putting your trust in him.
But. Yes, there's a but. It's like something's missing. It's like this is your general packaging of an altogether great-guy-that-your-protagonist-should-totally-fall-for. He has some back story that makes us feel for him (and the main character), but he's just not too memorable. Their LOVE STORY isn't too memorable.
The relationships with the few other secondary characters were all right too. I personally liked Frankie's roommate, Joni, a lot. Out of any other name thrown out into this story, she's really the only other person who features greatly. Frankie's friendship with her kept her grounded when the going got tough, when it seemed their TAC officer was out to get her or all the training in the world just couldn't help her get any better. I liked that there was emphasis on another relationship besides the romantic side that got highlighted because friendships are just as important.
I mean, there's not too much more to say about this book. It had a good message to send out. Frankie grew up a bit and became someone I could be more proud of than she was initially. And then it ended. Very abruptly, I might add. I'm not sure if the author was planning on adding anything else after, but I suppose it left it a bit more open-ended for you to interpret/imagine how it could've turned out. It was happy, don't get me wrong! But all together, at the end of the day, not too memorable after the last pages were closed.
Overall Recommendation:
The Academy did its best to create a fun story that also had a good message at the end about learning some discipline while maintaining the good pieces of who you are even as you grew for the better. Frankie was an all right protagonist, although she could be rather naive and wrong in her actions at times. While the romance and friendships created in this military school were nice, some of it lacked that extra umph that would've helped translate this story into something more memorable. When all is said and done, this book was fast-paced and NICE, but not profound enough to make it stick out in a genre full of similar stories.
**The Academy comes out May 22, 2018**
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins for this copy in exchange for an honest review
I'm not sure quite what to make of The Academy but if I could sum it up in two words, it'd be discipline + fashion-obsessed.
Do those 2 words even go together? Have you ever really thought of them in the same context? 'Cause I didn't. Before.
Frankie was kind of a naive and spoiled girl at the beginning of the book. She didn't like to the follow the rules, but at least she felt guilty for the things she knew she did wrong. And it wasn't a matter of me hating her or anything. Frankly, sometimes I felt for her and was totally on her side of things with the injustice of her situation, and sometimes I just wished she'd get it into her head that she should listen to what people are saying to her. It was all very confusing sometimes!
Being sent to military school for an amateur fashion blogger sounds like a recipe for trouble. She's free-spirited in some sense, and everything that flows through her brain wasn't altogether very serious at first. Yet her character lacked the fun and lightheartedness of other fashion-loving protagonists like those seen in The Devil Wears Prada or the Shopaholic series.
Going into the book, I was rather excited. I needed some lighter fluff after the heavier sci-fi/fantasies I've been diving into lately! And for the most part, The Academy delivered enough of that for me. The plot centres on Frankie finding her way through military school and where she fit into it all. Her upbringing in her community that reared her towards self-thinking and sometimes pure selfishness/disrespect for others wasn't ALWAYS her fault, but it was nice to see her develop an attitude of pride for her country and those who serve for the greater good of all. I liked that this didn't mean she had to give up her love of fashion in order to do that, which to me is a greater message that says you can grow and become better while still maintaining the good in that you love doing.
The love interest, Jack, was nice. Yep, nice. I can't think of too many other words to describe him. Physically he's strong and tall and the kinda guy you'd want to hover and protect you from the bad in the world. Personality-wise, he's sweet and worthy of putting your trust in him.
But. Yes, there's a but. It's like something's missing. It's like this is your general packaging of an altogether great-guy-that-your-protagonist-should-totally-fall-for. He has some back story that makes us feel for him (and the main character), but he's just not too memorable. Their LOVE STORY isn't too memorable.
The relationships with the few other secondary characters were all right too. I personally liked Frankie's roommate, Joni, a lot. Out of any other name thrown out into this story, she's really the only other person who features greatly. Frankie's friendship with her kept her grounded when the going got tough, when it seemed their TAC officer was out to get her or all the training in the world just couldn't help her get any better. I liked that there was emphasis on another relationship besides the romantic side that got highlighted because friendships are just as important.
I mean, there's not too much more to say about this book. It had a good message to send out. Frankie grew up a bit and became someone I could be more proud of than she was initially. And then it ended. Very abruptly, I might add. I'm not sure if the author was planning on adding anything else after, but I suppose it left it a bit more open-ended for you to interpret/imagine how it could've turned out. It was happy, don't get me wrong! But all together, at the end of the day, not too memorable after the last pages were closed.
Overall Recommendation:
The Academy did its best to create a fun story that also had a good message at the end about learning some discipline while maintaining the good pieces of who you are even as you grew for the better. Frankie was an all right protagonist, although she could be rather naive and wrong in her actions at times. While the romance and friendships created in this military school were nice, some of it lacked that extra umph that would've helped translate this story into something more memorable. When all is said and done, this book was fast-paced and NICE, but not profound enough to make it stick out in a genre full of similar stories.
December 21, 2017
I received a free eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
“There’s only one very good life and that’s the life you know you want and you make it yourself.”
Title: The Academy (Release date: 22nd May 2018)
Author: Katie Sise
Format: eARC
Genre: YA, contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3/5 stars
[Synopsis] (Taken from goodreads)
Frankie Brooks knows what she wants in life: to become the world’s next great fashion editor. All she needs to do is get into the elite American Fashion Academy in New York City. If she gets in, her life plans will be going right on schedule. Anna Wintour, watch out.
But after Frankie messes up one too many times—hey, it’s hard keeping up with classwork and an acclaimed fashion blog—her parents come up with entirely different plans for her future: Military school. How is Frankie, the least athletic person in the world, who knows absolutely nothing about the military, going to survive a whole semester at the famed—and feared—Academy?
With students who seem to be totally uninterested in her, a course-load that’s even more difficult than at her old school, and the weird athletic War Games competition Frankie has to join—her life is way harder than it used to be. And no one, including her roommate Joni, seems to understand Frankie at all.
As she learns how to cope in about a million drills, a hundred different specialized classes, and is maybe even falling for super-hot and super-smart cadet Jack Wattson, can Frankie prove to everyone that being a fashionista doesn’t mean she can’t succeed?
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: This review is based on my opinion only and may contain coarse language)
Frankie wants to be a fashion editor but her parents end up sending her to Military school instead, Frankie is crushed and heartbroken. How is Frankie expected to survive when she has to conform and take part in the athletic War game competition when she’s the least athletic person she knows?
As Frankie struggles, I really felt bad for her, but throughout all her struggles, you can see her strong character arc shining through. Jack is such a rebellious heart-throb.
The book ended with a cliff hanger and a lot of things were left unresolved (I’m not sure if it was intended to be a series?) The story development and Frankie’s character arc was great, but I didn’t connect with this book emotionally as much as I hoped to.
“There’s only one very good life and that’s the life you know you want and you make it yourself.”
Title: The Academy (Release date: 22nd May 2018)
Author: Katie Sise
Format: eARC
Genre: YA, contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3/5 stars
[Synopsis] (Taken from goodreads)
Frankie Brooks knows what she wants in life: to become the world’s next great fashion editor. All she needs to do is get into the elite American Fashion Academy in New York City. If she gets in, her life plans will be going right on schedule. Anna Wintour, watch out.
But after Frankie messes up one too many times—hey, it’s hard keeping up with classwork and an acclaimed fashion blog—her parents come up with entirely different plans for her future: Military school. How is Frankie, the least athletic person in the world, who knows absolutely nothing about the military, going to survive a whole semester at the famed—and feared—Academy?
With students who seem to be totally uninterested in her, a course-load that’s even more difficult than at her old school, and the weird athletic War Games competition Frankie has to join—her life is way harder than it used to be. And no one, including her roommate Joni, seems to understand Frankie at all.
As she learns how to cope in about a million drills, a hundred different specialized classes, and is maybe even falling for super-hot and super-smart cadet Jack Wattson, can Frankie prove to everyone that being a fashionista doesn’t mean she can’t succeed?
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: This review is based on my opinion only and may contain coarse language)
Frankie wants to be a fashion editor but her parents end up sending her to Military school instead, Frankie is crushed and heartbroken. How is Frankie expected to survive when she has to conform and take part in the athletic War game competition when she’s the least athletic person she knows?
As Frankie struggles, I really felt bad for her, but throughout all her struggles, you can see her strong character arc shining through. Jack is such a rebellious heart-throb.
The book ended with a cliff hanger and a lot of things were left unresolved (I’m not sure if it was intended to be a series?) The story development and Frankie’s character arc was great, but I didn’t connect with this book emotionally as much as I hoped to.
June 29, 2025
The way the main character is treated by the academy isn’t just abhorrent but irresponsible. You do not give a weapon to a minor without proper safety training not to mention to training for anything she was expected to do.
Also, the pro-America theme made these feel like a bad pro-military book that would have come out after 9/11 (think Disney channel after it).
Overall, the romance was cute, but that’s really all this had going for it.
Also, the pro-America theme made these feel like a bad pro-military book that would have come out after 9/11 (think Disney channel after it).
Overall, the romance was cute, but that’s really all this had going for it.
October 22, 2023
Deaf reader reviewing books with deaf characters. This book is listed on my ranked list of books with deaf characters.
Sise acknowledges Bernadette Palmese, AuD, at Yale School of Medicine, for answering questions about Jack. This means she had an "expert" reader to address how cochlear implants (CIs) work, but not an actual deaf person who uses CI to serve as sensitivity reader. In other words, she had someone who could answer questions about technical details but not a reader who could provide authentic identity and experience insights? Hm.
Even some of the technical details aren't right.
For example, Frankie sees “tiny, clear tubes snaking over his ears into his mussed hair” which she is “pretty sure” are CIs because she knows a drummer who wears them. I don’t know of any CIs with clear tubes…? Where are the processors, which I assume are behind-the-ear (BTE) if she can see “tubes”?
There's also the fact that Jack, the deaf character, actually hears more than the hearing character. Jack is the one who keeps telling Frankie to be quiet, and he himself can move almost silently while sneaking around. He hears footsteps before Frankie notices them. He recognizes Joni by hearing her whisper in the dark, echo-y stairwell. He has no issue recognizing music and can dance on beat despite being surrounded by laughing and clapping peers.
At the Tombs restaurant, Jack and Frankie take a quiet table in the back. He moves his chair to sit right next to her, probably so the mic can pick up her voice better, which is realistic, and reinforces he doesn’t supplement his hearing with speechreading. He sits in the front of the classroom because in the back there is too much echo, also realistic, and because this school doesn’t have FM systems (even though they should be required through his IEP—and private schools are not exempt from laws like IDEA and the ADA, section 504, etc.).
Jack speaks, no indication that he speechreads. Always mentioning how deep and smooth his voice is, with all kinds of modulations of tone (soothing, sarcastic, urgent, etc.), which is unrealistic because CIs don't code those kinds of subtle shift--meaning he most likely cannot hear these subtleties himself. And he sings. Also not necessarily wrong, but with everything else, underscores the author believes that CIs actually make Jack hearing.
The most damning pieces of evidence for the author's belief that CIs are cures come from Jack's dialog.
First: “When I lost my hearing, my eyesight got crazy good. Even when I got my implants and I could hear again, I swear my eyesight stayed bionic.” If Sise had bothered to get a sensitivity reader, she would know that his eyesight "stayed bionic" because he does not, in fact, "hear again." Jack is still deaf, especially when he takes his CIs off--because they do come off, despite the fact that Sise makes no mention of this whatsoever.
Second: Jack says he can’t serve in the military with his CIs, which he consistently refers to as "these things," which is incredibly odd and off-putting…But anyway, *technically* he can’t serve because he is deaf. He’s disabled. Sise is presenting him as a hearing character, which is extra disappointing considering she had an audiology expert—but then, it’s often the case that experts present the best possible results without discussing, oh, uh, what’s the word—REALITY. A reality that Sise might have been able to represent had she had a deaf consultant in addition to or instead of someone who doesn’t have a lived experience of deafness.
No idea what model of CIs Jack wears, so I'm also not sure if he has sports gear to keep his CIs in place during exercise and training, especially the high rope course where everyone is required to wear helmets. Students are also required to dive into pools (on a whistled cue) and retrieve dummies, in which Jack fully participates with no apparent accommodations. For these exercises, there is no mention of his CIs—whether he removed them or has a waterproofing kit, etc. Absolutely ridiculous.
It becomes clear that Sise didn't actually set out to be inclusive. Or maybe she did and got tired of it partway through when she realized it might actually take work. The very last mention of anything deafness related comes on p. 104 (out of 277). It’s like Sise decided she had said everything that needed to be said about Jack’s deafness and CIs, long before the halfway point of the novel, because his deafness and equipment has zero effect on anything for him—his hearing and speech and his activities.
There was absolutely no point in having a deaf character if she was going to conveniently remove any aspects that would affect the character or the plot.
Sise acknowledges Bernadette Palmese, AuD, at Yale School of Medicine, for answering questions about Jack. This means she had an "expert" reader to address how cochlear implants (CIs) work, but not an actual deaf person who uses CI to serve as sensitivity reader. In other words, she had someone who could answer questions about technical details but not a reader who could provide authentic identity and experience insights? Hm.
Even some of the technical details aren't right.
For example, Frankie sees “tiny, clear tubes snaking over his ears into his mussed hair” which she is “pretty sure” are CIs because she knows a drummer who wears them. I don’t know of any CIs with clear tubes…? Where are the processors, which I assume are behind-the-ear (BTE) if she can see “tubes”?
There's also the fact that Jack, the deaf character, actually hears more than the hearing character. Jack is the one who keeps telling Frankie to be quiet, and he himself can move almost silently while sneaking around. He hears footsteps before Frankie notices them. He recognizes Joni by hearing her whisper in the dark, echo-y stairwell. He has no issue recognizing music and can dance on beat despite being surrounded by laughing and clapping peers.
At the Tombs restaurant, Jack and Frankie take a quiet table in the back. He moves his chair to sit right next to her, probably so the mic can pick up her voice better, which is realistic, and reinforces he doesn’t supplement his hearing with speechreading. He sits in the front of the classroom because in the back there is too much echo, also realistic, and because this school doesn’t have FM systems (even though they should be required through his IEP—and private schools are not exempt from laws like IDEA and the ADA, section 504, etc.).
Jack speaks, no indication that he speechreads. Always mentioning how deep and smooth his voice is, with all kinds of modulations of tone (soothing, sarcastic, urgent, etc.), which is unrealistic because CIs don't code those kinds of subtle shift--meaning he most likely cannot hear these subtleties himself. And he sings. Also not necessarily wrong, but with everything else, underscores the author believes that CIs actually make Jack hearing.
The most damning pieces of evidence for the author's belief that CIs are cures come from Jack's dialog.
First: “When I lost my hearing, my eyesight got crazy good. Even when I got my implants and I could hear again, I swear my eyesight stayed bionic.” If Sise had bothered to get a sensitivity reader, she would know that his eyesight "stayed bionic" because he does not, in fact, "hear again." Jack is still deaf, especially when he takes his CIs off--because they do come off, despite the fact that Sise makes no mention of this whatsoever.
Second: Jack says he can’t serve in the military with his CIs, which he consistently refers to as "these things," which is incredibly odd and off-putting…But anyway, *technically* he can’t serve because he is deaf. He’s disabled. Sise is presenting him as a hearing character, which is extra disappointing considering she had an audiology expert—but then, it’s often the case that experts present the best possible results without discussing, oh, uh, what’s the word—REALITY. A reality that Sise might have been able to represent had she had a deaf consultant in addition to or instead of someone who doesn’t have a lived experience of deafness.
No idea what model of CIs Jack wears, so I'm also not sure if he has sports gear to keep his CIs in place during exercise and training, especially the high rope course where everyone is required to wear helmets. Students are also required to dive into pools (on a whistled cue) and retrieve dummies, in which Jack fully participates with no apparent accommodations. For these exercises, there is no mention of his CIs—whether he removed them or has a waterproofing kit, etc. Absolutely ridiculous.
It becomes clear that Sise didn't actually set out to be inclusive. Or maybe she did and got tired of it partway through when she realized it might actually take work. The very last mention of anything deafness related comes on p. 104 (out of 277). It’s like Sise decided she had said everything that needed to be said about Jack’s deafness and CIs, long before the halfway point of the novel, because his deafness and equipment has zero effect on anything for him—his hearing and speech and his activities.
There was absolutely no point in having a deaf character if she was going to conveniently remove any aspects that would affect the character or the plot.
February 19, 2019
*I received a copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
When I first discovered this book my first thought was “Oh my God it’s Cadet Kelly in book form”. But, it was definitely a slower paced story and Frankie’s character was younger than I was expecting. There was also a lot of focus placed on the fashion side of things, which I didn’t really relate to as much.
Frankie is a rebellious fashion-obsessed girl who is not afraid to break the rules and often gets in trouble. Her parents decide to send her to military school in the hopes that it will teach her discipline, which she is seriously lacking in. The only problem is that she has way too much personality to fit in a uniform. She is definitely free-spirited and she runs a blog all about fashion in the hopes that it will help her get into the industry.
When she discovers that she has a curfew and has to wear a uniform that is basically fashion suicide in her mind, she considers her life ruined. Frankie rubs everyone the wrong way with her lack of respect and inability to follow orders. The only bright spot is that her roommate Joni seems nice enough and is willing to help her get on track before she flunks out and is forced to repeat a grade.
She all but hates her new life until she meets Jack Wattson, who happens to be Joni’s best friend. They definitely had chemistry, but their relationship kind of dwindled a little bit throughout the book. I was like “ARE THEY or AREN’T THEY?” the entire time. I think I kind of expected a bit more romance? This book is definitely on the younger side of YA.
One thing I did appreciate about this story was that it deals strongly with disability in regards to the military as well. The love interest, Jack, is actually deaf, and I found it refreshing.
Overall, this book was definitely an okay read, there was just some things that didn’t quite work for me. Maybe my expectations were too high going in, but the romance was lacking and there wasn’t really a climax. It definitely needed a “wow” factor.
When I first discovered this book my first thought was “Oh my God it’s Cadet Kelly in book form”. But, it was definitely a slower paced story and Frankie’s character was younger than I was expecting. There was also a lot of focus placed on the fashion side of things, which I didn’t really relate to as much.
Frankie is a rebellious fashion-obsessed girl who is not afraid to break the rules and often gets in trouble. Her parents decide to send her to military school in the hopes that it will teach her discipline, which she is seriously lacking in. The only problem is that she has way too much personality to fit in a uniform. She is definitely free-spirited and she runs a blog all about fashion in the hopes that it will help her get into the industry.
When she discovers that she has a curfew and has to wear a uniform that is basically fashion suicide in her mind, she considers her life ruined. Frankie rubs everyone the wrong way with her lack of respect and inability to follow orders. The only bright spot is that her roommate Joni seems nice enough and is willing to help her get on track before she flunks out and is forced to repeat a grade.
She all but hates her new life until she meets Jack Wattson, who happens to be Joni’s best friend. They definitely had chemistry, but their relationship kind of dwindled a little bit throughout the book. I was like “ARE THEY or AREN’T THEY?” the entire time. I think I kind of expected a bit more romance? This book is definitely on the younger side of YA.
One thing I did appreciate about this story was that it deals strongly with disability in regards to the military as well. The love interest, Jack, is actually deaf, and I found it refreshing.
Overall, this book was definitely an okay read, there was just some things that didn’t quite work for me. Maybe my expectations were too high going in, but the romance was lacking and there wasn’t really a climax. It definitely needed a “wow” factor.
July 14, 2023
The Academy is a good coming-of-age YA book but not as good as Sise's other books. I wouldn't say I liked this book as much as I thought I would. I liked the mix of fashion and military to create Frankie's story. Frankie at the beginning of the story has spunk and often breaks the rules because she thinks it's cool, but boy does she go through an awesome transformation at the Albany Military Academy.
As cool as this story was, there were two aspects I did not like. The first is when Frankie first arrived at the Academy. Frankie was not given an adjustment period to understand the parameters of being at a military school and what the expectations and lingo are. Many of the other students have been there or in a similar setting for years or grew up in the military lifestyle. The expectations for Frankie were, in my opinion, too high from the get-go. The other thing I did not like about the Academy is the abrupt ending. The book was starting to get really good with Frankie improving; PT was getting easier, finding a group of friends, a budding romance, an approved leadership project; and BAM over. I was finally starting to get over Frankie being whiney and acting privileged because she was experiencing new situations that opened her up to the world and we don't even get to see her progress to her full potential. There is a lot of emphasis on Frankie's leadership project and her being in the top 50% of cadets to participate in the War Games, but we don't get to see those through either.
While The Academy has good bones, it left me high and dry wanting more and wanting to see Frankie become her best self. I may have enjoyed this book more if I was a tad bit younger, as this is a YA through and through. But it was a good pick me up and distraction from the other book I am reading.
As cool as this story was, there were two aspects I did not like. The first is when Frankie first arrived at the Academy. Frankie was not given an adjustment period to understand the parameters of being at a military school and what the expectations and lingo are. Many of the other students have been there or in a similar setting for years or grew up in the military lifestyle. The expectations for Frankie were, in my opinion, too high from the get-go. The other thing I did not like about the Academy is the abrupt ending. The book was starting to get really good with Frankie improving; PT was getting easier, finding a group of friends, a budding romance, an approved leadership project; and BAM over. I was finally starting to get over Frankie being whiney and acting privileged because she was experiencing new situations that opened her up to the world and we don't even get to see her progress to her full potential. There is a lot of emphasis on Frankie's leadership project and her being in the top 50% of cadets to participate in the War Games, but we don't get to see those through either.
While The Academy has good bones, it left me high and dry wanting more and wanting to see Frankie become her best self. I may have enjoyed this book more if I was a tad bit younger, as this is a YA through and through. But it was a good pick me up and distraction from the other book I am reading.
April 28, 2021
The Academy reminded me of a high school version of the movie Legally Blonde. Sophomore Frankie Brooks has her future all planned--becoming a fashion editor by the time she is 30--and the time she spends on her popular fashion blog is undermining her grades at school. Throwing a party with alcohol while her parents are away, kissing some other girl's boyfriend, and then the final straw, cheating on a chemistry test because she didn't spend the time to study, leads to her parents' decision to send her to a prestigious military academy where they hope she will learn discipline and get her grades back up. Coming in the middle of the semester, the nonathletic Frankie is the only new guy and is constantly messing up in PT and getting demerits for breaking rules. Not to mention how awful it is to wear the exact same thing everyone else is wearing! The author does a good job showing Frankie's character development while letting her retain her strengths and love of fashion. She discovers "the way fashion changed to accommodate wartime and women's changing roles." She learns not to let technology take her out of the moment; that our country is something we all share, something we can all be proud of and feel love for. And she realizes the motivation for the best soldiers is becoming someone who is "brave so that others won't have to be scared."
June 24, 2018
Frankie is such a nice character which was such a happy surprise for me as I was expecting this to just be the standard formula of shallow-girl-learns-a-lesson. Her priorities are a bit messed up as the book begins, but Frankie's heart is in the right place in terms of how she treats people all around her. She truly believes in the power of fashion and uses her knowledge of it for good and to recognize people for their choices, which made me realize that pretty much every other depiction of fashion-obsessed people shows them as bitchy and shallow. I became a little frustrated about a third into the book because Frankie had already said that she needed to take things more seriously and follow the rules a few times but then she had that revelation again and it was presented as something new. But when she actually did get going, it was great - and not totally formulaic. There was not a montage of her working hard and succeeding at everything she did. She did well at some things and barely kept her head above water (literally, in one case) at others but her overall improvement was good. This is a nice, easy story with a surprising dose of patriotism throughout.
January 15, 2018
I picked up this book because I love, love, love the movie Private Benjamin..and while I liked this book I just liked it. Frankie started as a selfish, whiny girl who only wanted to focus on fashion, no matter the cost to her life or the lives around her. When her parents find out that she has done something so awful they decide the only course of action is to ship Frankie off to a military boarding school (her grandfather attended). Of course, Frankie is fish out of water when she starts there...but slowly, with the help of her new friends and a potential love interest, Frankie will begin to grow and learn that you need to take responsibility for your own actions and you need to live your life how you want but without hurting anyone else in the process.
Like I said, I liked this book but I have to say that it didn't really hold a candle to Private Benjamin and maybe that is why I didn't give it a higher rating (maybe my expectations were too high).
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC!
Like I said, I liked this book but I have to say that it didn't really hold a candle to Private Benjamin and maybe that is why I didn't give it a higher rating (maybe my expectations were too high).
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC!
July 31, 2024
I really liked this book. It was almost a 5 starts for me. It was one of the best character development I've read in a long time. Frankie was a real brat when we started the book. Never following any rules and she was always rude with her parents and teachers. But we could tell that she wanted to change and be better, that she wasn't proud of how she was acting with the people around her. We saw pages after pages the huge effort she decide to do to improve herself and her attitude. Frankie is also super funny and I had a little laugh during my read. It was refreshing.
I liked the mix of fashion and military school. It different and you would think that the two don't mix well but it really does and that's something Frankie was able to prove to not just herself but her academy teachers as well.
I did not give it 5 starts because the ending is a little bit disappointing. It finished on a little cliff hanger and there is no book 2. The story line is also not really finished. The book was good enough that I would have definitely read 2 or 3 more books about this.
I liked the mix of fashion and military school. It different and you would think that the two don't mix well but it really does and that's something Frankie was able to prove to not just herself but her academy teachers as well.
I did not give it 5 starts because the ending is a little bit disappointing. It finished on a little cliff hanger and there is no book 2. The story line is also not really finished. The book was good enough that I would have definitely read 2 or 3 more books about this.
July 5, 2018
I feel like this book deserves more hype than it already has.
It seems very frivolous when you first read it but there is so much depth and importance in the message that the author wants to send out through this book.
This book is perfect for young adults working towards breaking into the industry they like, be it the fashion industry or film or whatever.
The plot is intriguing, and the setting is very interesting. It's a short read because the message Katie Sise wants to give her readers is delivered fully by the time the main character achieves her goal. The ending does leave you longing for more of the story, but what needed to be said has been said, and there wouldn't be a point in continuing the story.
I LOVED the main character, Frankie. I wrote more about why I loved her in my blog if you want to check it out! It has no spoilers, so you have no reason to worry!
www.starkreadingmad44196893.wordpress...
It seems very frivolous when you first read it but there is so much depth and importance in the message that the author wants to send out through this book.
This book is perfect for young adults working towards breaking into the industry they like, be it the fashion industry or film or whatever.
The plot is intriguing, and the setting is very interesting. It's a short read because the message Katie Sise wants to give her readers is delivered fully by the time the main character achieves her goal. The ending does leave you longing for more of the story, but what needed to be said has been said, and there wouldn't be a point in continuing the story.
I LOVED the main character, Frankie. I wrote more about why I loved her in my blog if you want to check it out! It has no spoilers, so you have no reason to worry!
www.starkreadingmad44196893.wordpress...
December 29, 2017
Thank you to Edelweiss and Balzer+Bray publishing for the E-Arc copy of this novel.
Frankie Brooks is zeroed in on fashion, but her parents are tired of her continuous lack of focus on anything else. They decide that a semester or more at military school might fix the problem. Frankie is adamant about not going, but once she ends up there it might be the best thing that ever happens to her. Frankie finds that judging a book by it's cover goes both ways. She might be more than they bargained for and they might teach her about having real focus. The Academy is a wonderful book for young adults who like comedy, romance, and life changing experiences. I think that it's fun and will find a audience with older teens.
Frankie Brooks is zeroed in on fashion, but her parents are tired of her continuous lack of focus on anything else. They decide that a semester or more at military school might fix the problem. Frankie is adamant about not going, but once she ends up there it might be the best thing that ever happens to her. Frankie finds that judging a book by it's cover goes both ways. She might be more than they bargained for and they might teach her about having real focus. The Academy is a wonderful book for young adults who like comedy, romance, and life changing experiences. I think that it's fun and will find a audience with older teens.
July 6, 2018
Vapid and annoying with an unlikeable protagonist. Perhaps this review is a bit unfair because I'm not the biggest fashionista. But seriously, I felt like American patriotism was marred in this book. It was so predictable! Of course she gets with the love interest, cleans up her act, and still maintains a passion for fashion. Eye roll. I wanted Frankie to face real struggles, not get everything she wanted, and actually learn her lesson. Life sure is peachy-keen for the privileged, eh? The other characters were flawed and faced real issues, and I didn't need her surface-level pity or sympathy for them.
Plus, the constant exclamation marks made me feel like I was reading a script from the Disney channel!
Plus, the constant exclamation marks made me feel like I was reading a script from the Disney channel!
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