Review: Awesome Read! I'm waiting to get my hands on the next one!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 23, 2012
I was given the opportunity to read this book for free through Goodreads R2R. My review is completely unbiased.Ok, I was slightly hesitant to read this book because I was afraid it might be a book version of Spy Kids or something. But it was a fantastic read! McDonald does a great job of character development and description. You're immediately introduced to The Kennedy Family, a slight twist of humor for us Americans; because they happen to be the world's 3rd richest family with connections to everyone and everything just like JFK's family. But I digress, Donald and Rachel are Tom and Lela's parents and Saki is Lela's dad. Yes you read that correctly, Lela and Tom are not biologically related, yet Rachel and Saki care the Kennedy name as well. If you want to know how that happened, you're going to have to read the book.....The lifestyle described is amazing, children given everything in life who are not spoiled. They each have their own unique talents. Tom loves to fly planes, and knows everything about them; while Lela is one of the greatest fighters the world has never seen.  The teenagers are given the opportunity to go to The Academy; a brand new school for the richest, most influential parents in both politics and the business world to send their children. It's set in an island off of Africa which is guarded by an active military base with over 200 well trained soldiers to watch over the children. These children represent the future of the entire world. The Academy was built to teach these children and teenagers not only the fundamentals of a regular curriculum, but also business acumen, politics, formal etiquette for every part of the world. What could go wrong with all of these soldiers, and navy patrol to watch over these children?Tom and Lela, after failed kidnapping attempts are allowed to go to the Academy. They are ecstatic; it has the latest electronic gadgets, interesting classes, restaurants where they dine, and their friends from all over the world.  As Tom and Lela grew up their father, Donald took them with him on his business trips all over the world. They played with the children of whomever he was meeting with. To say their network of friends are "the most powerful people in the world "is accurate, well at least their parents are. It's a good thing to, because another attempt is underway to kidnap the Tom and Lela once again. The villain has millions of dollars at his disposal, so money is no object to put this plan into motion.Unfortunately for him and his team, he has underestimated the intelligence, cunning, and network of friends these 2 children have. It becomes a race for them to elude their kidnappers and try to get home before their parents are killed. Can they make it in time, or will they get caught in their own trap?This book is intended for YA, but as a "grown up" I loved it! McDonald gives all of his characters enough depth that you feel like you're right there with them. It was so interesting to see this extensive network of friends that the children had developed over the years, and how smart all of the children really are. Yes, I know it's slightly unrealistic, but at the same time it does make me wonder to what extent those types of connections exist, and if the teenagers would be smart enough about their parents business to do something like this.I loved the book so much I'm going to download the 2nd book through Amazon on my iPad, since Barnes and Noble doesn't carry it!! Shame on them for allowing this to slip through the cracks.Grammatically I only noticed 2 errors, and it had to do with the final letter in a word both times. Other than that, it was flawless so all you have to think about it iswhen will you have enough time to sit down and get back to reading! If you're looking for an action books, with lots of twists and turns as well as humor look no further. This is an absolute great escape!