The Candidates by Inara Scott
Hardcover, 304 Pages
2010, Hyperion Book CH
ISBN: 1423116364
Series: Book 1 of Delcroix Academy
Synopsis
Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that's not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia's mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just...happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to anyone, believing this way she can suppress her powers and keep them hidden.
But when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy show up in her living room to offer her a full scholarship, Dancia's days of living under the radar may be over. Only, Delcroix is a school for diplomats' kids and child geniuses--not B students with uncontrollable telekinetic tendencies. So why are they treating Dancia like she's special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make Dancia feel welcome.
And then there's her mysterious new friend Jack, who can't stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the Academy and wants Dancia to help him figure out what. But Dancia isn't convinced. She hopes that maybe the recruiters know more about her "gift" than they're letting on. Maybe they can help her understand how to use it...But not even Dancia could have imagined what awaits her behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.
Review
I absolutely loved Delcroix Academy and what it could lead to in future books. Books that I am seriously dying to read already. The Candidates is a very exciting start to a potentially mind-blowing series.
I loved the idea of what a candidate is - the abilities and what they mean for not just the school, but everyone in the world. I really loved The Candidates, but I would have liked it much more if the secret of the school had been brought up sooner in the book. The mystery behind the school's real purpose was introduced and the resolution quickly followed. It was almost back to back - question then answer. Dancia barely had time to wonder what was going on before she learned the truth.
The Candidates begins the series with an interesting love triangle. Dancia has to chose between a good guy who might be bad and a bad guy who might be good. How does one make that kind of choice? The possible futures and motives of each of the guys comes into question numerous times and there really doesn't seem to be any good way to chose between them.
The Candidates had a great message about accepting yourself completely, no matter how different you seem than everyone else. Dancia, the main character, is a 14 year old high school freshman. I feared The Candidates would feel much too young for me. While some of the dating stuff did feel very young, the boarding school environment and many characters with genius level intelligence helped to make the story become more mature and relatable.
The Candidates was seriously cool and shows great potential for starting a positively addictive series. It had a couple of flaws, but it definitely seems to be on the right track in general, especially given how many times I've felt the need to use the word love while writing this review. The Candidates has a vague X-Men feel, but on a uniquely grander scale and I can't wait to read more.
Rating
Links
Inara Scott's website
OMG I soooo agree with your review, I loved this book!!! :)
ReplyDeletePlease accept this Award :)
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/24h2bv3
-Danielle
It sounds great! I've had it on my goodreads list for a while. I'm glad you liked it, I can't wait for it! =)
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to adore this book--I love the premise!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this title before, but the last boarding school book I picked up from one of your reviews was Shadow Hills, and I loved it. This one sounds like it would be just as good. Thanks for the review and for putting this book on my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love the sound of this book! You know, I don't read enough action-y books like this. Plus, it's good to hear that The Candidates isn't a book totally geared at younger readers. I'd love to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteYet again I'm super glad you read and reviewed this. I thought it sounded too young for me and I was going to pass it up. Sounds like that would be a mistake. Added to the TBR. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI just received my copy of that and can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Felicia's comment...and, great review...could feel your enthusiasm.
ReplyDelete@Book Crazy Jenn - It was awesome!
ReplyDelete@Danielle - Thanks!
@cynthial11 - I hope you love it too!
@Felicia - The premise, the very basic idea that everything seemed to stem from, was seriously awesome. I can already see that it's going to be one of those books I push on everyone :)
@Missie - I generally like boarding school novels of all sorts. But if you did enjoy Shadow Hills, I think you'll definitely love The Candidates. They both contain unique twists that very exciting.
@Emidy - I actually thought this was a MG book when I picked it up at BEA. I was pleasantly surprised that it was YA and even more so that they relative youngness of the main character doesn't make the rest of the book feel juvenile.
@Tara SG - I think you'll really like it!
@Page - Wonderful!
@Kittie Howard - Thanks!