Review: Instantly gripping
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 4, 2014
Chad Leito's `The Academy: Book 1' is probably one of the most compelling, edge-of-your-seat science fiction novel I've read in months--and if you know how hard I am with my sci fi, then you know this is high praise. While it has become fashionable to "throw" readers right in the middle of the action, Leito has the knack for doing it right: he knows what buttons to push to make this novel such a terrific page turner.In the world of `The Academy',  survival depends on one's talents, skills and cunning. Think `The Hunger Games' but with sharp-like-samurai-sword kind of writing, and you get the picture. The novel revolves around Asa Palmer, a teenaged boy who suddenly finds himself in the dubious care of a shady organization called the Academy. The Academy happens to be the most secretive, yet most powerful organization in the world, its headquarters remotely nestled in the heart of five mountains. It maintains its power and muscle by kidnapping teens across the world--450 teens to be exact, taking place every six month like clockwork--to be honed, trained, and eventually "culled" (to get only the best of them). Asa must undergo a series of challenges, and most of these challenges are emotionally riveting--often, Asa has to sacrifice friendship and everything he had previously believed in.What's more, this new version of "Book 1" actually consists of what used to be Book 1 and Book 2--so you get two for the price of one and thereby provides a deeply satisfying setup. Overall, this is a book you will relish and enjoy--tightly written, gripping, absorbing, and ultimately breath-taking: Leito's `The Academy' is a story of such magnitude that it is definitely headed for the big screen (I'm crossing my fingers). Meanwhile, enjoy this book, or send this as a gift to like-minded friends. It will not disappoint. A resounding four-star rating for this one.