Review: C.L. Stone is BRILLIANT! Where does she come up with this stuff?!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 27, 2014
Note: My review compares to the Ghost Bird series a lot so if you haven't read it, you can still see some things I pointed out for this series. If you read this and loved it without reading the GB series yet I'd suggest you get those books, too (& not because it'd help you understand the Academy world but just because they're awesome :D)1st thought: Before reading this series, I was scared it would affect how greatly I feel for this Academy world that I started reading from the characters of the Ghost Bird series (since there are already 9 swoon worthy guys and a great heroine from there). But I mean come on, it's C.L. Stone and her s*** is amazing so I bought it as soon as it was available despite my wariness.2nd thought: I'm towards the beginning of the book and I'm like holy moley, Wil the "nerdling" from the Ghost Bird series is Kayli's brother! It helped me understand a little better (or at least make a better hypothesis on a few things that might happen in the future and why I feel that way). This little part is making me believe one of my suspicions might be correct, although I'm not sure. It just makes me excited to see how everything plays out. You have got to have some major talent to make two different series of the same book world jive and time so well without clashing in a way that discourages you from one or the other.3rd thought: This is more about the characters in reference to the Ghost Bird series, For those of you have read both, Kayli is so different from Sang yet so much alike. Whereas Sang is a bit shy-ish and wouldn't hurt a fly (unless necessary), Kayli isn't afraid to wrestle around and play rough. She can pickpocket whereas Sang can't (lol). I think the easiest way to say it is that Kayli can stand up for her self in a way you notice whereas Sang does it in a sort of subtle way. If you liked Sang, you'd like Kayli in that they aren't afraid to dive in head first to help someone. Summing it up? They've got big hearts are smart, caring, and loyal beings.4th thought: Marc, Axel, Raven, and the twins Brandon and Corey are just as great as the other guys in the Academy and I love reading about them. Don't get me wrong, I love the slow yet progressive pace Sang and the others relationships have in the GB series and I wouldn't change that for anything, but this series kind of gives me my fix when it comes to kisses and such things that I can't wait to happen for Sang. :)It's like the author reads my fantasy mind when it comes to having the heroines in her book being cared for by swoon worthy guys a) without under or over doing it b) without it being to trashy or annoying c) without it just being sex sex sex and no story and d) without the heroine being whiny, pushy, or stupid. Yes, they can make mistakes and have misunderstandings, but it's never been like "Why couldn't that have happened in another way?!" for me. The relationships actually develop and grow, nothing is super rushed, there are some witty and humorous dialogue, and enough goes on to keep you on your toes.<3Reading the little snippets for the future books, Liar and what I now know the 6th book of the Ghost Bird series to be called Push and Shove, I am super duper excited for June and the summer to come for them!! I will definitely be re-reading her books a lot 'til that time comes.