What do you think?
Rate this book
Delcroix Academy #1
The Candidates
Dancia Lewis has a secret whenever she sees someone threaten a person she cares about, it's a disaster. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does all she can to avoid getting close to anyone, hoping to suppress her powers and stay under the radar. But when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy offer her a scholarship, she accepts. After all, it's a school for diplomats' kids and prodigies, not B students with uncontrollable telekinetic tendencies. Or is it?
This captivating debut, the first in a series, puts a paranormal twist on private school.
This captivating debut, the first in a series, puts a paranormal twist on private school.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published August 24, 2010
36 people are currently reading
5,349 people want to read
About the author
Inara Scott
24books677followersI wrote my first book when I was in high school--a romance called "A Wild and Stormy Passion," which featured swordplay, kidnapping, a pirate heroine, and lots of naughty bits (that came entirely from my adolescent imagination!). Since then, I've written young adult novels and adult romances of the category, contemporary, and fantasy varieties. My books are romantic and sensual. I like strong women and strong men and the sparks that fly when they get together.
I am a dabbler and an emotional sponge. I can't read scary books or anything with an unhappy ending. I reserve the right to enjoy country music, puppies, true love, and happily ever after.
If you're perusing my ϻӮ shelves, you should know I only review books I want to share the word about. If you ask me, life's too short to read something you don't enjoy.
I am a dabbler and an emotional sponge. I can't read scary books or anything with an unhappy ending. I reserve the right to enjoy country music, puppies, true love, and happily ever after.
If you're perusing my ϻӮ shelves, you should know I only review books I want to share the word about. If you ask me, life's too short to read something you don't enjoy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 430 reviews
May 1, 2011
Unfortunately, my New Year reading began with Inara Scott's The Candidates, the first book in the Delcroix Academy series. You know how you sometimes read a blurb, and it gets you so excited, you just have to go right out and buy the book? For some people it's covers, for me, it's blurbs. (And yes, I am the kind of person who sometimes flips to the last page to know what happens, so sue me!) DisneyHyperion did a great job with the cover and the blurb for this book, which is good, because there ain't nothing between the covers worth selling.
The Candidates revolves around Dancia Lewis, who thinks she is plain, ordinary and not very interesting, except for the fact that around her, strange things begin to to happen to people who try to harm her loved ones. Surprise, surprise, without her knowledge, Dancia is immensely powerful, and the mysterious recruiters for the posh Delcroix Academy are all ready and willing to exploit it. Dancia, of course, is too worried about her tangled love-life to care about what her powers mean and how to learn to use them. Yes, in yet another cliche in a book filled with them, Dancia is torn between her best friend, the rebellious loner and the popular jock with the mysterious motives she cannot fathom.
As all this sarcasm may have told you, I didn't like this book. It's formulaic, unconvincing and drags heavily in parts. But worst of all, I hated, hated, absolutely hated Dancia. She's supposed to be a fourteen-to-fifteen-year-old, but she thinks and acts much older. And not in a good way.
I can understand the premise of someone being afraid of their own power. In fact, it's a great plotline to work with, and can really make the reader sympathize with the heroine. Unfortunately, Inara Scott fails to hit the right chords with Dancia. Dancia's fears over the use of her power make her seem wishy-washy. She hit some boy over the head with a branch when she was a kid, and so now she hates her power? I mean, come on. If she were the strong, tough, kick-ass girl everyone in this novel assumes she is, wouldn't she at least be curious enough to explore the limits of her power before shutting it out? Wouldn't she want to know how and why her power works rather than acting like an ostrich?
And don't even get me started on her friendships. Jack, poor Jack, who was the only halfway decent character in the novel, was still a victim of Inara Scoot's inability to create strong characters. Jack is a street kid, an abandoned, suspicious loner who looks out for number 1. The fact that he finds himself out-of-place at Delcroix and befriends the only other misfit, Dancia, is something I have no issues with. However, when Dancia abandons him, avoiding talking to him and being an awful friend in general, does he cut himself off? No, like a true masochist, he follows her around and talks to her and hangs out with her as if nothing is amiss. Have some pride, boy! And why does the great Dancia Lewis ostracize her so-called best friend anyway? Why, because the boy she's crushing on told her to! Yes, hard though this may be to believe, Dancia the Brave puts her blind infatuation before her best friend. And we're supposed to like this girl?!
And that brings me to pet peeve number three... or maybe five hundred. Cameron. If the author's intention was to create an unlikeable character who shares no chemistry with the female protagonist, well, she's done a bang-up job. Cameron, who's creepy and suspicious-sounding from the first, apparently has the power of persuasion, and yet, somehow, Dancia is not even remotely suspicious when he persuades her that he actually likes her and isn't just hanging around with her because it's his job. And yes, he's another of the morons who thinks this unlikely heroine is strong and attractive. Puh-leeze. When Jack leaves her some books that may hold the secret to her powers and the Watchers, does she decide to gather all the knowledge she can about her new life? No, she refuses to face reality, as usual, buries her head in the sand, and returns the books to Delcroix. Way to be smart and tough and attractive. Dancia's relationship with Cameron reminds me vaguely of Hush Hush. Except in Hush Hush, it's the heroine who's suspicious of her love interest, whereas in this book, its the reader who's suspicious of the heroine's love interest. Dancia, on the other hand, is so blindly infatuated with Cam, she is willing to forgive him his lies, his concealment of his power and hers, his warnings against her best friend, his encouragement for her to spend more time with his ex-girlfriend, etc, etc.
And it sounds like the second installment in the series is going to be worse. Having rejected Jack and refused to listen to his warnings the first time around, is she going to make peace with her chosen path? No, it looks like she's setting out in search of Jack so she can make his life more miserable and involve herself in a love triangle despite her complete lack of chemistry with either one of the male protagonists. I think I would rather kill myself than read The Watchers, but in the event that I'm persuaded to change my mind, you can look forward to another rant later in the year.
The Candidates revolves around Dancia Lewis, who thinks she is plain, ordinary and not very interesting, except for the fact that around her, strange things begin to to happen to people who try to harm her loved ones. Surprise, surprise, without her knowledge, Dancia is immensely powerful, and the mysterious recruiters for the posh Delcroix Academy are all ready and willing to exploit it. Dancia, of course, is too worried about her tangled love-life to care about what her powers mean and how to learn to use them. Yes, in yet another cliche in a book filled with them, Dancia is torn between her best friend, the rebellious loner and the popular jock with the mysterious motives she cannot fathom.
As all this sarcasm may have told you, I didn't like this book. It's formulaic, unconvincing and drags heavily in parts. But worst of all, I hated, hated, absolutely hated Dancia. She's supposed to be a fourteen-to-fifteen-year-old, but she thinks and acts much older. And not in a good way.
I can understand the premise of someone being afraid of their own power. In fact, it's a great plotline to work with, and can really make the reader sympathize with the heroine. Unfortunately, Inara Scott fails to hit the right chords with Dancia. Dancia's fears over the use of her power make her seem wishy-washy. She hit some boy over the head with a branch when she was a kid, and so now she hates her power? I mean, come on. If she were the strong, tough, kick-ass girl everyone in this novel assumes she is, wouldn't she at least be curious enough to explore the limits of her power before shutting it out? Wouldn't she want to know how and why her power works rather than acting like an ostrich?
And don't even get me started on her friendships. Jack, poor Jack, who was the only halfway decent character in the novel, was still a victim of Inara Scoot's inability to create strong characters. Jack is a street kid, an abandoned, suspicious loner who looks out for number 1. The fact that he finds himself out-of-place at Delcroix and befriends the only other misfit, Dancia, is something I have no issues with. However, when Dancia abandons him, avoiding talking to him and being an awful friend in general, does he cut himself off? No, like a true masochist, he follows her around and talks to her and hangs out with her as if nothing is amiss. Have some pride, boy! And why does the great Dancia Lewis ostracize her so-called best friend anyway? Why, because the boy she's crushing on told her to! Yes, hard though this may be to believe, Dancia the Brave puts her blind infatuation before her best friend. And we're supposed to like this girl?!
And that brings me to pet peeve number three... or maybe five hundred. Cameron. If the author's intention was to create an unlikeable character who shares no chemistry with the female protagonist, well, she's done a bang-up job. Cameron, who's creepy and suspicious-sounding from the first, apparently has the power of persuasion, and yet, somehow, Dancia is not even remotely suspicious when he persuades her that he actually likes her and isn't just hanging around with her because it's his job. And yes, he's another of the morons who thinks this unlikely heroine is strong and attractive. Puh-leeze. When Jack leaves her some books that may hold the secret to her powers and the Watchers, does she decide to gather all the knowledge she can about her new life? No, she refuses to face reality, as usual, buries her head in the sand, and returns the books to Delcroix. Way to be smart and tough and attractive. Dancia's relationship with Cameron reminds me vaguely of Hush Hush. Except in Hush Hush, it's the heroine who's suspicious of her love interest, whereas in this book, its the reader who's suspicious of the heroine's love interest. Dancia, on the other hand, is so blindly infatuated with Cam, she is willing to forgive him his lies, his concealment of his power and hers, his warnings against her best friend, his encouragement for her to spend more time with his ex-girlfriend, etc, etc.
And it sounds like the second installment in the series is going to be worse. Having rejected Jack and refused to listen to his warnings the first time around, is she going to make peace with her chosen path? No, it looks like she's setting out in search of Jack so she can make his life more miserable and involve herself in a love triangle despite her complete lack of chemistry with either one of the male protagonists. I think I would rather kill myself than read The Watchers, but in the event that I'm persuaded to change my mind, you can look forward to another rant later in the year.
November 5, 2010
Okay first off, how awesome is Dancia's Grandma. Is that lady not an infinite pool of in your face wisdom! I did not get nearly enough of Granny this time around.
As for the actual novel... I thought it was a little slow at times, but there was a lot of background information that was presented. I'm thinking/hoping that this is going to set us up for something extremely awesome in book two. Speaking of book two, after the ending in book one, I need the sequel, like now!
The mystery surrounding the school is one of the main aspects of the novel that kept me reading. I wanted to know what exactly Delcroix Academy was and why exactly they chose Dancia and Jack, when they were so different from the other students. And even though we're given a glimpse of the secret at the end of the novel, I have a feeling there is so much more going on. You'll be on the end of your seat trying to figure this one out. I'm just hoping that Dancia hasn't gotten herself in deeper than she should have.....
The two other characters that were prominent in the novel besides Dancia are Cam and Jack. These two characters could be more different. And even though Jack is the one with the bad boy exterior... I can't help but feel a little uneasy about Cam. I don't want to say much more about it, but I think you'll see what I mean.
Overall, The Candidates is well written, entertaining read, with a unique twist. I'm eagerly awaiting book two!
As for the actual novel... I thought it was a little slow at times, but there was a lot of background information that was presented. I'm thinking/hoping that this is going to set us up for something extremely awesome in book two. Speaking of book two, after the ending in book one, I need the sequel, like now!
The mystery surrounding the school is one of the main aspects of the novel that kept me reading. I wanted to know what exactly Delcroix Academy was and why exactly they chose Dancia and Jack, when they were so different from the other students. And even though we're given a glimpse of the secret at the end of the novel, I have a feeling there is so much more going on. You'll be on the end of your seat trying to figure this one out. I'm just hoping that Dancia hasn't gotten herself in deeper than she should have.....
The two other characters that were prominent in the novel besides Dancia are Cam and Jack. These two characters could be more different. And even though Jack is the one with the bad boy exterior... I can't help but feel a little uneasy about Cam. I don't want to say much more about it, but I think you'll see what I mean.
Overall, The Candidates is well written, entertaining read, with a unique twist. I'm eagerly awaiting book two!
March 3, 2012
First off I must say that I love, love, LOVE the premise of this book. I have always been fascinated by shows like "Dollhouse" and "Nikkita" where young individuals are trained to be kick-butt superheroes/ spies/ the likes of, able to take on the world and all of that jazz... But then throw in paranormal elements where those individuals are not only kick-butt with their ninja/ assassin/ spy-like skills, but kick-butt with their ninja/ assassin / spy-like skills AND paranormal abilities, and you get a perfect combination- this book.
When I first read that Danica was 14 years old I rolled my eyes, thinking "What am I getting myself into?" Even as a young adult (I am still a young adult right? Peter Pan Syndrome panic attack!!! ;) ), I oftentimes find it difficult to relate to characters on the younger end of the young adult spectrum because I find that they worry too much about trivial things and whatnot- but I didn't find myself thinking that at all while reading this book, in fact I forgot that she was 14- she seemed to be much older, as she was such a strong female with a good head on her shoulders.
Heck, even the (so often overplayed in YA books) love triangle didn't really bother me. As for the boys? Well, me being the lover of the underdog that I am, Jack had me from the get-go. Danica and him share a bond like no other and after being dealt such a happy hand in life I really think that he deserves all of the happiness he can get. As for Cam? Well, he doesn't really do anything for me. I don't know what it is about him, but I just can't make myself love the pretty boy/ jock/ popular boy (though I will admit that learning a bit more about him and his intentions towards the end of the book did boost him up a teeny tiny bit in my eyes).
I found their abilities to be so gosh darn unique! And I cannot help but want to know more about them! This ain't your typical paranormal YA book folks- there ain't no mention of sparkly werewolves/ hot (yet underage) werewolves anywhere- well, at least not yet... ;)
All in all I think that this is an amazing book and I will be the first in line to buy the next book in the series!
When I first read that Danica was 14 years old I rolled my eyes, thinking "What am I getting myself into?" Even as a young adult (I am still a young adult right? Peter Pan Syndrome panic attack!!! ;) ), I oftentimes find it difficult to relate to characters on the younger end of the young adult spectrum because I find that they worry too much about trivial things and whatnot- but I didn't find myself thinking that at all while reading this book, in fact I forgot that she was 14- she seemed to be much older, as she was such a strong female with a good head on her shoulders.
Heck, even the (so often overplayed in YA books) love triangle didn't really bother me. As for the boys? Well, me being the lover of the underdog that I am, Jack had me from the get-go. Danica and him share a bond like no other and after being dealt such a happy hand in life I really think that he deserves all of the happiness he can get. As for Cam? Well, he doesn't really do anything for me. I don't know what it is about him, but I just can't make myself love the pretty boy/ jock/ popular boy (though I will admit that learning a bit more about him and his intentions towards the end of the book did boost him up a teeny tiny bit in my eyes).
I found their abilities to be so gosh darn unique! And I cannot help but want to know more about them! This ain't your typical paranormal YA book folks- there ain't no mention of sparkly werewolves/ hot (yet underage) werewolves anywhere- well, at least not yet... ;)
All in all I think that this is an amazing book and I will be the first in line to buy the next book in the series!
May 18, 2012
I really wanted to like this book. I love the whole X-men feel to it. The writing had a nice flow to it, little slow at times but still not a problem. So why only 1 star? Because Jesus H. Christ on a crutch! How fucking naive can Dancia be?
Here's a helpful hint for the author, you want me to relate and cheer for the MC? Then don't make her an idjit.
Now Jack? -loved- Jack. HE was the smart one. But Dancia? Hell, you let a guy that's half-ass good-looking pay her a little attention and her brain slides right out of her head and lands at her feet as a pile of excrement. She choose Cam over Jack? Are you friggen insane?! Cam.. the guy that's been watching and lying to her the whole time? The guy that has been using powers of persuasion on her the whole time? Not, I repeat, NOT the guy that showed her the truth, that was a true friend for her. Not the guy that was there for her when she needed someone. Not the guy that tried to get the idjit to open her eyes and -see- the danger that was around her? ... Dumbass.
I'm sorry I just can't get behind a book that has such an idiot as the main. I refuse. I would of even swallowed my disgust at yet ANOTHER love triangle and gone along with it if she wasn't so spineless but seriously? The fact that this chick can't even use a little common sense and all it takes is for a guy to -look- at her for her to become a drooling pile does not inspire any warm feelings.
And since I went ahead and looked at the previews for the next book and saw Jack wasn't in it.. FORGET IT! I don't care. I say to Jack, where ever he might be in literary land.. Run. And don't bother coming back for this one. She's a moron. You know you'll just have to save her over and over and over again if you do because all it takes is a good looking guy and she'll lose all common sense and end up doing something stupid. *sage nod*
Here's a helpful hint for the author, you want me to relate and cheer for the MC? Then don't make her an idjit.
Now Jack? -loved- Jack. HE was the smart one. But Dancia? Hell, you let a guy that's half-ass good-looking pay her a little attention and her brain slides right out of her head and lands at her feet as a pile of excrement. She choose Cam over Jack? Are you friggen insane?! Cam.. the guy that's been watching and lying to her the whole time? The guy that has been using powers of persuasion on her the whole time? Not, I repeat, NOT the guy that showed her the truth, that was a true friend for her. Not the guy that was there for her when she needed someone. Not the guy that tried to get the idjit to open her eyes and -see- the danger that was around her? ... Dumbass.
I'm sorry I just can't get behind a book that has such an idiot as the main. I refuse. I would of even swallowed my disgust at yet ANOTHER love triangle and gone along with it if she wasn't so spineless but seriously? The fact that this chick can't even use a little common sense and all it takes is for a guy to -look- at her for her to become a drooling pile does not inspire any warm feelings.
And since I went ahead and looked at the previews for the next book and saw Jack wasn't in it.. FORGET IT! I don't care. I say to Jack, where ever he might be in literary land.. Run. And don't bother coming back for this one. She's a moron. You know you'll just have to save her over and over and over again if you do because all it takes is a good looking guy and she'll lose all common sense and end up doing something stupid. *sage nod*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2010
WOW! This book has just amazed me. From the very beginning it was mysterious, keeping all the secrets, from me demanding me to read on to discover the truth. At first, when I started this book I was a little skeptical. I kept thinking that maybe I might get bored with it, but it soon proved me wrong.
Dancia is scared. Scared for her life as well as others. Always living under the radar, never doing anything to draw attention to herself, she finds it impossible that she has gotten a full ride into the Delcroix Academy. There she finds friends, love and most importantly herself. I love Dancia. Her character was one I admired right away for her selflessness. She always thought of others before herself, and always thought of different ways to do things.
The love interest in this book was maddening! I mean, two great completely cute boys and even I couldn't decide who to side with. Jack or Cam? Jack or Cam? The attraction she held with both of them was great. The drama, plot and the way the whole story paned out was perfect. The ending for me was just right. With all the went on, it was a good touch.
Now for the secret. It was not at all what I was expecting although I was kind of right. The paranormal touch to it was one I seen before, so I wasn't as impressed. But the writing of the book, kept me well in the dark and always looking for more. I am definitely looking forward to read the next book.
Dancia is scared. Scared for her life as well as others. Always living under the radar, never doing anything to draw attention to herself, she finds it impossible that she has gotten a full ride into the Delcroix Academy. There she finds friends, love and most importantly herself. I love Dancia. Her character was one I admired right away for her selflessness. She always thought of others before herself, and always thought of different ways to do things.
The love interest in this book was maddening! I mean, two great completely cute boys and even I couldn't decide who to side with. Jack or Cam? Jack or Cam? The attraction she held with both of them was great. The drama, plot and the way the whole story paned out was perfect. The ending for me was just right. With all the went on, it was a good touch.
Now for the secret. It was not at all what I was expecting although I was kind of right. The paranormal touch to it was one I seen before, so I wasn't as impressed. But the writing of the book, kept me well in the dark and always looking for more. I am definitely looking forward to read the next book.
Read
February 5, 2018So glad I finally picked up this book out of my TBR pile. The boarding school and the two heroes were awesome! I think I'm #TeamJack though. Excited to read more about the various powers the kids at this school have and what they're going to do with them.
April 4, 2011
My experience with books that delve into the realm of the paranormal has rarely been a positive one. I always seem to get my hands on the books that have super lame, female main characters. But, The Candidates showed me strong female lead characters can exist in these types of books. Dancia Lewis was awesooooome! In the beginning, she struggled with low confidence, but over the course of the book she begins to grow into a strong-minded and independent young woman. Her confidence is on occasion punctuated with moments of self-doubt, but she always manages to pull through. I think this is the kind of growth I’ve been missing in so many of the books I’ve read in the past few years with female main characters. And, the fact that her newly confidence waivers on occasion makes Dancia seem real to me; what young adult hasn’t grown up experiencing this?
My only frustration with Dancia is she seems much older than she really is. If she hadn’t said she was 14-year-old and just entering high school, I would have assumed she was about to graduate high school. She’s really mature for her age, and she doesn’t seem as self-involved as other female characters I’ve read about. On one hand, this was a breath of fresh air. On the other hand, it wasn’t entirely believable. I was 14 once and I know 14 year olds– we were never that mature and aware.
The romance in this book doesn’t make me cringe. For once! There are two possible love interests for Dancia. There is Jack, a freshman like Dancia, who comes across as a bad boy and totally unapproachable to those who don’t know him. Then there is Cam, the eleventh grade heart-throb– the “All-American” type, if you will. Like most teenagers, she is at times preoccupied by the thoughts of these two boys, but it’s not constant; Dancia isn’t another Bella Swan. The romantic relationship she develops isn’t even rushed. I just find it absolutely frustrating that characters always go for the love interest opposite of who I would choose. Seriously Dancia, why couldn’t you choose……just kidding!
The pacing in the novel was a little slow, but this didn’t make me read it with any less vim. Much of the action takes place in the last quarter of the book, and once I got there, I couldn’t read or turn the pages fast enough. Otherwise, there was a lot of background information offered in this book; I have to assume this means the next book is going to be totally action packed and full of win! Regardless of the pacing of The Candidates this was a book I simply could not put down.
I thought the only noteworthy downfall for this book was the lack in descriptions of the setting. I understand Delcroix Academy is a big, brick, square doughnut shaped building sitting on the top of a hill, but I’m perplexed about what the inside of the building looks like. In my head, I imagined the inside of the Academy to look the same as my old high schools, which I’m sure is hardly the case. I would hope the inside of Delcroix is significantly more pristine and grand. But, since there weren’t too many descriptions, I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Overall, the book was awesome! I loved the characters, and I’m really intrigued by the storyline. I can’t wait to find out what happens next, so I’m especially eager for the second book to hit shelves!
My only frustration with Dancia is she seems much older than she really is. If she hadn’t said she was 14-year-old and just entering high school, I would have assumed she was about to graduate high school. She’s really mature for her age, and she doesn’t seem as self-involved as other female characters I’ve read about. On one hand, this was a breath of fresh air. On the other hand, it wasn’t entirely believable. I was 14 once and I know 14 year olds– we were never that mature and aware.
The romance in this book doesn’t make me cringe. For once! There are two possible love interests for Dancia. There is Jack, a freshman like Dancia, who comes across as a bad boy and totally unapproachable to those who don’t know him. Then there is Cam, the eleventh grade heart-throb– the “All-American” type, if you will. Like most teenagers, she is at times preoccupied by the thoughts of these two boys, but it’s not constant; Dancia isn’t another Bella Swan. The romantic relationship she develops isn’t even rushed. I just find it absolutely frustrating that characters always go for the love interest opposite of who I would choose. Seriously Dancia, why couldn’t you choose……just kidding!
The pacing in the novel was a little slow, but this didn’t make me read it with any less vim. Much of the action takes place in the last quarter of the book, and once I got there, I couldn’t read or turn the pages fast enough. Otherwise, there was a lot of background information offered in this book; I have to assume this means the next book is going to be totally action packed and full of win! Regardless of the pacing of The Candidates this was a book I simply could not put down.
I thought the only noteworthy downfall for this book was the lack in descriptions of the setting. I understand Delcroix Academy is a big, brick, square doughnut shaped building sitting on the top of a hill, but I’m perplexed about what the inside of the building looks like. In my head, I imagined the inside of the Academy to look the same as my old high schools, which I’m sure is hardly the case. I would hope the inside of Delcroix is significantly more pristine and grand. But, since there weren’t too many descriptions, I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Overall, the book was awesome! I loved the characters, and I’m really intrigued by the storyline. I can’t wait to find out what happens next, so I’m especially eager for the second book to hit shelves!
September 11, 2010
From the onset, it’s pretty clear that Dancia is supposed to be an average, run of the mill character that teenage girls everywhere should be able to relate to. With her average, grades, average appearance, less than impressive wardrobe, and no money or classy possessions to show off, Dancia has pretty much resigned herself to a life less lived. Except, although she seems unwilling to admit it, there is something exceptional about her. She has an odd kind of power and can make things happen with her mind. She doesn’t understand it, she can’t really control it, but whenever she ends up using it, bad things happen. Dancia chooses to ignore her power and enters the big fat land of denial.
The Delcroix Academy recruits her. She doesn’t understand why – Delcroix is supposed to be for talented people, and talent is something she’s seriously lacking. Still, there is no possible way they could know about her abilities, right? That couldn’t really be why they want her, could it?
Jack seems to think so. He’s another recruit, just like Dancia. No special, obvious talents (unless you count a juvie record and a bunch of failed efforts under his belt). But Dancia senses something special about Jack immediately. Something special, in her kind of way. Just when Dancia starts getting close to Jack, Cam puts himself in her line of vision. Dancia doesn’t understand his newfound interest in her – he is the most attractive guy in school after all – but when his attention seems unrelenting, Dancia allows herself to roll with it. Suddenly, she finds herself caught in the middle of a love triangle. Has the world gone completely mad?
Except, she doesn’t like Jack. Honest. She likes Cam. Smart, funny, handsome. Jack is nothing but a troublemaker. So why, if she feels nothing for Jack, does the world stop spinning when he kisses her?
Then the truth comes out about why she was really recruited to Declroix, and all hell breaks loose.
I found Dancia’s naivety completely and utterly frustrating, but if I’m honest with myself, the way she behaved is completely and utterly believable. It’s every girl’s dream come true to have the school hearth throb chasing after you. Unfortunately, I don’t buy it. Even though Cam does seem genuinely interested in Dancia, I refused to let myself believe its true. I can’t pin point it exactly, but there’s just something about it that makes my stomach turn – and not in a good way.
Jack, on the other hand, is totally nuts about Dancia, but I’m not entirely sure it’s for the right reasons. Is he interested in her because of her power, or does he really like her for who she is? I can’t tell yet, but I’m really hoping it’s the latter. In case you didn’t already figure it out, I’m Team Jack.
Delcroix Academy: The Candidates starts off a little slowly, but once the action gets going, it becomes one of those novels that you just can’t put down. It’s Inara Scott’s first novel, and I’m definitely going to be watching to see how this story pans out.
The Delcroix Academy recruits her. She doesn’t understand why – Delcroix is supposed to be for talented people, and talent is something she’s seriously lacking. Still, there is no possible way they could know about her abilities, right? That couldn’t really be why they want her, could it?
Jack seems to think so. He’s another recruit, just like Dancia. No special, obvious talents (unless you count a juvie record and a bunch of failed efforts under his belt). But Dancia senses something special about Jack immediately. Something special, in her kind of way. Just when Dancia starts getting close to Jack, Cam puts himself in her line of vision. Dancia doesn’t understand his newfound interest in her – he is the most attractive guy in school after all – but when his attention seems unrelenting, Dancia allows herself to roll with it. Suddenly, she finds herself caught in the middle of a love triangle. Has the world gone completely mad?
Except, she doesn’t like Jack. Honest. She likes Cam. Smart, funny, handsome. Jack is nothing but a troublemaker. So why, if she feels nothing for Jack, does the world stop spinning when he kisses her?
Then the truth comes out about why she was really recruited to Declroix, and all hell breaks loose.
I found Dancia’s naivety completely and utterly frustrating, but if I’m honest with myself, the way she behaved is completely and utterly believable. It’s every girl’s dream come true to have the school hearth throb chasing after you. Unfortunately, I don’t buy it. Even though Cam does seem genuinely interested in Dancia, I refused to let myself believe its true. I can’t pin point it exactly, but there’s just something about it that makes my stomach turn – and not in a good way.
Jack, on the other hand, is totally nuts about Dancia, but I’m not entirely sure it’s for the right reasons. Is he interested in her because of her power, or does he really like her for who she is? I can’t tell yet, but I’m really hoping it’s the latter. In case you didn’t already figure it out, I’m Team Jack.
Delcroix Academy: The Candidates starts off a little slowly, but once the action gets going, it becomes one of those novels that you just can’t put down. It’s Inara Scott’s first novel, and I’m definitely going to be watching to see how this story pans out.
September 12, 2016
Dancia Lewis has problems, big problems. Whenever Dancia sees someone that might get hurt she has to save them, and with her strange abilities it's possible, but people get hurt. So Dancia avoids using them at all cost by distancing herself from people in order to avoid hurting them. All this changes though when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix academy come and invite her to join the school, a place for rich, gifted children. Dancia thinks she can't possibly fit in, but joins anyway, where she meets dreamy junior Cam, and makes friends for the first time. But as the school year progresses, Dancia wonders why she's here, she isn't gifted outside of her special abilities, and they couldn't possibly know about them, could they?
Just to get things straight, I really would have loved to give this book a one star, it was awful. The only reason that I even gave it two was because of Jack, the-side-character-who-should-have-been-in-a-different-novel, who I loved. If he hadn't been there, one star for sure.
I had decent hopes for this book, private boarding school for kids with special abilities. Sounds great right? WRONG. This book is a bundle of cliché nonsense, a stupid heroine, and stupid love interest. Why do I even get my hopes up?
First, the characters.
Danica, Dancia, Dancia. You actually had some sort of potential, in the beginning you had a selfless attitude, something that made you relevantly bearable, you had good reason for hiding your powers and I liked you for that. But then you become like every other YA heroine, stupid and madly in love with a person as equally stupid as you.
“Everything isn’t about you Dancia.”
This is the best line in the entire book and it's unfortunately the biggest lie in the entire book, because everything, undoubtedly about Danica. (Speaking of which, the name. WTF is that name from? The only explanation of it is that her mother liked the sound of it, that's a stupid reason for giving an ordinary girl such a random and nonsensical name.) the school was practically built for her, Cam was sent to follow her, everybody loves her despite her being utterly useless.
WHY. I don't see why? She has no personality, the characters in the book can't get over how "strong" and "honest" she is but she really isn't! She's boring, dull. Her entire being revolves around Cam leaving nothing else, there is no logical reason for people to like her, she's just so...boring. And also suffering from a severe case of Bella syndrome, in which the clutzy (or below average girl) who doesn't look beautiful at all (but everyone tells her she's gorgeous) falls in love with the random guy for no reason, and finds out in the end that she really is beautiful! Because love interest tells her so!
Which leads me to Cam. Gorgeous, erm, gorgeous, ah...alright he's just gorgeous. THAT IS IT. We don't know anything else about him besides, he's a Junior hitting on a freshman (creepy.) and...he likes Dancia, doesn't like Jack and...is pretty. He's pretty much your average Dave, loves everybody (except Jack) nice to everyone, and has the personality of a daisy. And Dancia loves him. For no reason. He loves her. For no reason.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. IT MADE NO SENSE.
Their relationship was one of the worst, random acts of YA love I have ever been forced to read about, girl meets boy, boy is pretty, girl is not, boy follows girl around school, they speak about five words, girl likes boy because he's pretty, BOY AND GIRL FALL MADLY IN LOVE.
Scott, you are responsible for all mindblowing headaches and screaming fits I experienced while reading this book.
Jack. The saving grace of this whole book, Jack had personality, sure he was doomed. Because interesting ones that actually care about the main character and have personality outside of OH LOOK AT ME I'M SO GORGEOUS never get the girl, sorry Jack. You really should have gone into another novel where you would have been appreciated more.
The plot.
There was no plot. Dancia goes to school, she's special-special. I'm expecting a school like Professor X style, but em, no. It's highschool. For most of the book, nothing happens but highschool FOR MOST OF THE BOOK. And then in the last couple of pages the author remembers that some of her characters are special-special and Dancia has a legit reason for being at the school and so...stuff happens.
No plot, no villain. No point.
What was the author thinking when she wrote this? Was there any planning? Was there a point to this book outside of Cam and Dancia, who had, I might add no chemistry what so ever, had no reason to fall in love outside of Cam using her, which he didn't, I wish he did, I hoped he had, but he didn't. He was just in wuv.) fall in love?
Everything...was so pointless, and made no sense. Anything that showed creativity was squashed, anything that looked like a plot line was killed with the lame excuse of Jack being evils. Which he wasn't, he just didn't like being used by the school, which I might add, who would blame him? The girl he loves is an air-head who loves a guy who was using her for most of the book, everyone in the school mistrusts him, and everyone thinks he's evil for using his powers to defend his mother from his drunk of a father.
Jack. You are so means. So evils. I can't believe you were allowed to live with that under your belt.
I know this isn't a legit review, but this wasn't a legit book. Just like the review has no purpose, the book itself has no purpose!
The only saving point of this book was Jack, but he's not worth the time I wasted, the brain cells I lost, the time I spent screaming at Cam and Danci's stupid relationship, oh, and Dancia's Grandma, who was actually awesome and acted like a real person.
In the end "The Candidates." was a failure, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys shallow relationships! Plotless books! And air-headed heroes with strange, unrealistic names for no reason other than the author thought it sounded cool! Two stars (And only for Jack.)
Just to get things straight, I really would have loved to give this book a one star, it was awful. The only reason that I even gave it two was because of Jack, the-side-character-who-should-have-been-in-a-different-novel, who I loved. If he hadn't been there, one star for sure.
I had decent hopes for this book, private boarding school for kids with special abilities. Sounds great right? WRONG. This book is a bundle of cliché nonsense, a stupid heroine, and stupid love interest. Why do I even get my hopes up?
First, the characters.
Danica, Dancia, Dancia. You actually had some sort of potential, in the beginning you had a selfless attitude, something that made you relevantly bearable, you had good reason for hiding your powers and I liked you for that. But then you become like every other YA heroine, stupid and madly in love with a person as equally stupid as you.
“Everything isn’t about you Dancia.”
This is the best line in the entire book and it's unfortunately the biggest lie in the entire book, because everything, undoubtedly about Danica. (Speaking of which, the name. WTF is that name from? The only explanation of it is that her mother liked the sound of it, that's a stupid reason for giving an ordinary girl such a random and nonsensical name.) the school was practically built for her, Cam was sent to follow her, everybody loves her despite her being utterly useless.
WHY. I don't see why? She has no personality, the characters in the book can't get over how "strong" and "honest" she is but she really isn't! She's boring, dull. Her entire being revolves around Cam leaving nothing else, there is no logical reason for people to like her, she's just so...boring. And also suffering from a severe case of Bella syndrome, in which the clutzy (or below average girl) who doesn't look beautiful at all (but everyone tells her she's gorgeous) falls in love with the random guy for no reason, and finds out in the end that she really is beautiful! Because love interest tells her so!
Which leads me to Cam. Gorgeous, erm, gorgeous, ah...alright he's just gorgeous. THAT IS IT. We don't know anything else about him besides, he's a Junior hitting on a freshman (creepy.) and...he likes Dancia, doesn't like Jack and...is pretty. He's pretty much your average Dave, loves everybody (except Jack) nice to everyone, and has the personality of a daisy. And Dancia loves him. For no reason. He loves her. For no reason.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. IT MADE NO SENSE.
Their relationship was one of the worst, random acts of YA love I have ever been forced to read about, girl meets boy, boy is pretty, girl is not, boy follows girl around school, they speak about five words, girl likes boy because he's pretty, BOY AND GIRL FALL MADLY IN LOVE.
Scott, you are responsible for all mindblowing headaches and screaming fits I experienced while reading this book.
Jack. The saving grace of this whole book, Jack had personality, sure he was doomed. Because interesting ones that actually care about the main character and have personality outside of OH LOOK AT ME I'M SO GORGEOUS never get the girl, sorry Jack. You really should have gone into another novel where you would have been appreciated more.
The plot.
There was no plot. Dancia goes to school, she's special-special. I'm expecting a school like Professor X style, but em, no. It's highschool. For most of the book, nothing happens but highschool FOR MOST OF THE BOOK. And then in the last couple of pages the author remembers that some of her characters are special-special and Dancia has a legit reason for being at the school and so...stuff happens.
No plot, no villain. No point.
What was the author thinking when she wrote this? Was there any planning? Was there a point to this book outside of Cam and Dancia, who had, I might add no chemistry what so ever, had no reason to fall in love outside of Cam using her, which he didn't, I wish he did, I hoped he had, but he didn't. He was just in wuv.) fall in love?
Everything...was so pointless, and made no sense. Anything that showed creativity was squashed, anything that looked like a plot line was killed with the lame excuse of Jack being evils. Which he wasn't, he just didn't like being used by the school, which I might add, who would blame him? The girl he loves is an air-head who loves a guy who was using her for most of the book, everyone in the school mistrusts him, and everyone thinks he's evil for using his powers to defend his mother from his drunk of a father.
Jack. You are so means. So evils. I can't believe you were allowed to live with that under your belt.
I know this isn't a legit review, but this wasn't a legit book. Just like the review has no purpose, the book itself has no purpose!
The only saving point of this book was Jack, but he's not worth the time I wasted, the brain cells I lost, the time I spent screaming at Cam and Danci's stupid relationship, oh, and Dancia's Grandma, who was actually awesome and acted like a real person.
In the end "The Candidates." was a failure, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys shallow relationships! Plotless books! And air-headed heroes with strange, unrealistic names for no reason other than the author thought it sounded cool! Two stars (And only for Jack.)
September 2, 2010
2.5 stars - My thoughts. Here they go ...
Yeahs ::
* The idea is fun, has a X-men feel to it. I like the candidates idea and their "talents". It was an interesting new theory about their powers.
* I'm a sucker for bordering school stories, so the setting won me. Delcroix is an Academy for the especially talented high school kids. Kids spend their week days here and go home for the weekend. Most kids don't realize they are "special".
* Jack, Esther and Hennie. I would have luvd to have friends like them. In fact, I might have.
* I really liked Jack and wished their was more interactions with him.
Nays ::
* There was a lot of missed opportunities for developing the character's relationships. For example ... there was a lot of stated facts letting the reader know that Jack and Dancia are hanging out, or Cam and Dancia hanging out. There should have been more scenes with them interacting, not just stating after the fact. Because of this, I didn't feel their connections like I would have liked.
* Not much happened. This book had no action and the revelation was close to the end.
* Oooooo, Dancia irritated me ever time she was rude to Jack and kissed up to Cam. I still don't understand why she was so rude to Jack. Just because he told her the truth that she didn't want to face, didn't give her the right to treat him like dirt. Why Jack still remained friends with her, was beyond me!
* I never trusted Cam and still don't! Dancia open your eyes!
Plot 2 stars
Cover 3 stars
Writing 2 stars
Setting 3 stars
Originality 3 stars
Characters 3 stars
Romance / Chemistry 1 stars
Drama : Romance 80:20 - I don't know. There is supposed to be a small romance, but I didn't feel it.
Ending 3 stars
Good enough to pick up again 2 stars
Yeahs ::
* The idea is fun, has a X-men feel to it. I like the candidates idea and their "talents". It was an interesting new theory about their powers.
* I'm a sucker for bordering school stories, so the setting won me. Delcroix is an Academy for the especially talented high school kids. Kids spend their week days here and go home for the weekend. Most kids don't realize they are "special".
* Jack, Esther and Hennie. I would have luvd to have friends like them. In fact, I might have.
* I really liked Jack and wished their was more interactions with him.
Nays ::
* There was a lot of missed opportunities for developing the character's relationships. For example ... there was a lot of stated facts letting the reader know that Jack and Dancia are hanging out, or Cam and Dancia hanging out. There should have been more scenes with them interacting, not just stating after the fact. Because of this, I didn't feel their connections like I would have liked.
* Not much happened. This book had no action and the revelation was close to the end.
* Oooooo, Dancia irritated me ever time she was rude to Jack and kissed up to Cam. I still don't understand why she was so rude to Jack. Just because he told her the truth that she didn't want to face, didn't give her the right to treat him like dirt. Why Jack still remained friends with her, was beyond me!
* I never trusted Cam and still don't! Dancia open your eyes!
Plot 2 stars
Cover 3 stars
Writing 2 stars
Setting 3 stars
Originality 3 stars
Characters 3 stars
Romance / Chemistry 1 stars
Drama : Romance 80:20 - I don't know. There is supposed to be a small romance, but I didn't feel it.
Ending 3 stars
Good enough to pick up again 2 stars
February 21, 2010
I would give the book more stars but Delcroix Academy gives me the creeps.
Dancia has special powers- when someone she cares about is threatened, Dancia can manipulate the elements to create a diversion- limbs fall off trees, tires explode, guns fly from hands...When she realized this, she withdrew from relationships and went under the radar, sliding unnoticed through her middle school. It was lonely but no one got hurt. When she emerges a hero in a public shootout the Watchers from Delcroix can finally pinpoint the source of the power usage and control they have been sensing in her area.
Jack, on the other hand has not hidden his abilities and has been in lots and lots of trouble and has been very easy for the Delcroix Watchers to locate.
Both are recruited to the prestigious and exclusive Delcroix Academy. Ostensibly given a chance to develop themselves in a safe environment. Dancia trustingly jumps in- Jack is more suspicious. Frankly so am I, doesn't Dancia remember that one of the many valued talents at Delcroix is persuasion? Why is Jack immune?
This is a series, perhaps we will find out in the future.
Dancia has special powers- when someone she cares about is threatened, Dancia can manipulate the elements to create a diversion- limbs fall off trees, tires explode, guns fly from hands...When she realized this, she withdrew from relationships and went under the radar, sliding unnoticed through her middle school. It was lonely but no one got hurt. When she emerges a hero in a public shootout the Watchers from Delcroix can finally pinpoint the source of the power usage and control they have been sensing in her area.
Jack, on the other hand has not hidden his abilities and has been in lots and lots of trouble and has been very easy for the Delcroix Watchers to locate.
Both are recruited to the prestigious and exclusive Delcroix Academy. Ostensibly given a chance to develop themselves in a safe environment. Dancia trustingly jumps in- Jack is more suspicious. Frankly so am I, doesn't Dancia remember that one of the many valued talents at Delcroix is persuasion? Why is Jack immune?
This is a series, perhaps we will find out in the future.
August 9, 2010
I really wish I would start writing reviews as soon as I finish a book because I am drawing a blank on what to say about this book. I liked it, yes, as you can see by my five star rating. Let's try and detail it up now.
The characters are interesting and intriguing. I instantly wanted to learn more about them when I started reading. I am a Team Jack member ALL THE WAY! I don't like Cam at all and I am actually on Jack's side of the events all the way until the end of the book. I don't trust Mr. Judan or Cam. I also believe that Dancia (cool name) is a bit nieve about her ability and the way she could or could not use it. I think she could have easily figured it all out if she would have applied herself sooner.
The plot of the story is excellent but I think that Dancia is way too hard on Jack through almost the entire book. She is supposed to be his friend not a judge, her treatment of him really annoyed me. Anyway, plot is excellent, moves fast, and you will be done with this book and wanting more before you even feel like you have gotten into it. As with any cliff-hanging ending I wanted way more when I was finished. I will definitely be looking out for the next book!
The characters are interesting and intriguing. I instantly wanted to learn more about them when I started reading. I am a Team Jack member ALL THE WAY! I don't like Cam at all and I am actually on Jack's side of the events all the way until the end of the book. I don't trust Mr. Judan or Cam. I also believe that Dancia (cool name) is a bit nieve about her ability and the way she could or could not use it. I think she could have easily figured it all out if she would have applied herself sooner.
The plot of the story is excellent but I think that Dancia is way too hard on Jack through almost the entire book. She is supposed to be his friend not a judge, her treatment of him really annoyed me. Anyway, plot is excellent, moves fast, and you will be done with this book and wanting more before you even feel like you have gotten into it. As with any cliff-hanging ending I wanted way more when I was finished. I will definitely be looking out for the next book!
December 27, 2019
4 Sterne
Ich fand es wirklich gut!
Mir haben sowohl die Charaktere als auch die Handlung gut gefallen.
Das Ende fand ich wirklich gemein, da Dancia meiner Meinung nach völlig falsch entscheiden hat und ich hoffe sehr das sie und Jack noch eine 2. Chance bekommen werden!
Der Schreibstil hat mir auch gut gefallen, da ich dadurch schnell durchkam und er passend zum Inhalt von spannend zu verwirrt gewechselt hat.
4 Sterne gibt es auch nur deshalb, weil ich unsagbar traurig bin, dass die Triologie nicht abgeschlossen ist und ich daher nicht weiß, ob ich nun weiterlesen soll oder nicht.
Hier noch ein kleiner Hinweis für alle die weiterlesen: der 3. Teil wurde von Inara Scott unter dem Namen ,,the chosen'' auf wattpad veröffentlicht. Natürlich auf Englisch. Allerdings ist dieser auch nur zu 5/6 abgeschlossen.
Trotzdem ist dieses Buch für mich keine Zeitverschwendung gewesen, da ich viel Spaß beim Lesen hatte.
Ich fand es wirklich gut!
Mir haben sowohl die Charaktere als auch die Handlung gut gefallen.
Das Ende fand ich wirklich gemein, da Dancia meiner Meinung nach völlig falsch entscheiden hat und ich hoffe sehr das sie und Jack noch eine 2. Chance bekommen werden!
Der Schreibstil hat mir auch gut gefallen, da ich dadurch schnell durchkam und er passend zum Inhalt von spannend zu verwirrt gewechselt hat.
4 Sterne gibt es auch nur deshalb, weil ich unsagbar traurig bin, dass die Triologie nicht abgeschlossen ist und ich daher nicht weiß, ob ich nun weiterlesen soll oder nicht.
Hier noch ein kleiner Hinweis für alle die weiterlesen: der 3. Teil wurde von Inara Scott unter dem Namen ,,the chosen'' auf wattpad veröffentlicht. Natürlich auf Englisch. Allerdings ist dieser auch nur zu 5/6 abgeschlossen.
Trotzdem ist dieses Buch für mich keine Zeitverschwendung gewesen, da ich viel Spaß beim Lesen hatte.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2013
I got this book as a Christmas gift a year or two ago. Why I ever put off reading it is beyond me. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were relatable in an interesting way. There was Jack, tortured soul Freshman that couldn't catch a break but was obsessed with the main character Dancia. Cam was the greek god-esque Junior that was equally into Dancia but was being forced by the freaky private school they all attended to follow Dancia around. This leads back to Dancia who is the super oblivious main character of the book (also a Freshman like Jack.) Just to make it a little more interesting the author threw in everyone having a super cool power that could do super awesome things. Over all this is a very good book and was easy to read and understand and I think just about everyone could get through it no problem.
May 21, 2012
This book held my interest nicely and revolved around a good plot.
My heart was wrenched in sympathy for jack!
Homeless since he was 10 years old with a drug abuser for a mother and a woman beater for a father can ones life possibly be any worse.
He just doesn't get a break.
My only problem was 14? Really. They seemed more like 16-17 year olds with their mature attitudes etc etc.
I forgot how young they were- that was a bad shout. No-one would believe they were that age and I had to keep telling myself they were.
Great plot, powers, charachters, etc etc.
Quick easy and likeable read.
My heart was wrenched in sympathy for jack!
Homeless since he was 10 years old with a drug abuser for a mother and a woman beater for a father can ones life possibly be any worse.
He just doesn't get a break.
My only problem was 14? Really. They seemed more like 16-17 year olds with their mature attitudes etc etc.
I forgot how young they were- that was a bad shout. No-one would believe they were that age and I had to keep telling myself they were.
Great plot, powers, charachters, etc etc.
Quick easy and likeable read.
July 14, 2010
3.5 Stars
What exactly does Dancia Lewis have? Well other than a startling white girl ‘fro, blue eyes and a mediocre wardrobe. Not much. Dancia has perfected the art of being nondescript. Her two-step jitterbug of misinformation to “not” know someone and her introvertedness pretty much assures that she won’t be noticed. And that’s the way she wants it.
Because when Dancia ends up caring for someone, has friends, or anything remotely resembling a normal life, then things just happen. Weird things-things that she cannot control. Like a power within her that she cannot control if anyone she cares about is threatened. Like that man who threatened her grandmother and who is now in a coma, or that car she spun out of control, or the branch that “accidentally” fell on that guy.
Dancia has learned to tamp down her power. But someone has noticed. When two recruiters from Delcroix Academy come knocking at her door, Dancia and her grandmother don’t know what to expect. But Delacroix does, and they want Dancia-badly in their academy and in their program. Because Dancia is a Level 3 Talent, and Delcroix has been watching her for some time now. Watching her and Jack Landry, another candidate. And he is just as talented as she is. Who will use their talents for good and who will use them for evil?
Inara Scott has written a juicy YA paranormal that hooked me right away. I read it in one sitting. It’s well written and the pace is steady and sure. Scott takes the time to develop Dancia and her relationships with Cam and Jack. In fact, that is the draw to the story. Who is better one for her? The one who is the Watcher? Or the one who frees up her Talent? Unfortunately Dancia is drawn to both of them.
The only hiccup that I care to mention is the big reveal, which ultimately gets drawn out to the end, and is somewhat lackluster. I understand the need for placing the climax near the end, because it sets up the reader for the expected cliff-hanger. After all, there is a sequel in play. Scott is currently writing Delcroix Academy 2 |The Watchers. (and yes I will read that as well)
There is so much latitude with this story that Scott could have developed further. She could have really propped up the backstory of the Governing Council or had the opportunity for some real action scenes involving the Watchers. She definitely sets up what could be potential conflict in #2 with Dancia’s and Jack’s powers. Will they go head to head in the future? Maybe. How will their feelings conflict as well? There is a lot hanging at the end of Delcroix Academy besides your nimble fingers clutching that cliff. Is Delcroix Academy best characterized by sweet love or intrigue? For this particular effort it cannot be both.
I could easily see this series on the telly, it definitely has that Hex feel to it. You’ll be drawn into Dancia’s world-spun along a tale that has an even greater promise of a flourishing series. I look forward to seeing where Scott takes the characters next.
A Fiendishly Bookish Review (and one grumpy cat)
What exactly does Dancia Lewis have? Well other than a startling white girl ‘fro, blue eyes and a mediocre wardrobe. Not much. Dancia has perfected the art of being nondescript. Her two-step jitterbug of misinformation to “not” know someone and her introvertedness pretty much assures that she won’t be noticed. And that’s the way she wants it.
Because when Dancia ends up caring for someone, has friends, or anything remotely resembling a normal life, then things just happen. Weird things-things that she cannot control. Like a power within her that she cannot control if anyone she cares about is threatened. Like that man who threatened her grandmother and who is now in a coma, or that car she spun out of control, or the branch that “accidentally” fell on that guy.
Dancia has learned to tamp down her power. But someone has noticed. When two recruiters from Delcroix Academy come knocking at her door, Dancia and her grandmother don’t know what to expect. But Delacroix does, and they want Dancia-badly in their academy and in their program. Because Dancia is a Level 3 Talent, and Delcroix has been watching her for some time now. Watching her and Jack Landry, another candidate. And he is just as talented as she is. Who will use their talents for good and who will use them for evil?
Inara Scott has written a juicy YA paranormal that hooked me right away. I read it in one sitting. It’s well written and the pace is steady and sure. Scott takes the time to develop Dancia and her relationships with Cam and Jack. In fact, that is the draw to the story. Who is better one for her? The one who is the Watcher? Or the one who frees up her Talent? Unfortunately Dancia is drawn to both of them.
The only hiccup that I care to mention is the big reveal, which ultimately gets drawn out to the end, and is somewhat lackluster. I understand the need for placing the climax near the end, because it sets up the reader for the expected cliff-hanger. After all, there is a sequel in play. Scott is currently writing Delcroix Academy 2 |The Watchers. (and yes I will read that as well)
There is so much latitude with this story that Scott could have developed further. She could have really propped up the backstory of the Governing Council or had the opportunity for some real action scenes involving the Watchers. She definitely sets up what could be potential conflict in #2 with Dancia’s and Jack’s powers. Will they go head to head in the future? Maybe. How will their feelings conflict as well? There is a lot hanging at the end of Delcroix Academy besides your nimble fingers clutching that cliff. Is Delcroix Academy best characterized by sweet love or intrigue? For this particular effort it cannot be both.
I could easily see this series on the telly, it definitely has that Hex feel to it. You’ll be drawn into Dancia’s world-spun along a tale that has an even greater promise of a flourishing series. I look forward to seeing where Scott takes the characters next.
A Fiendishly Bookish Review (and one grumpy cat)
December 14, 2010
Danica is your typical teen with average grades and a relatively normal home life; there's truly nothing remarkable about her. At least that's how it appears to the majority of her peers at Danville Middle School, she's someone everyone knows, but no one knows anything about. Which is exactly how she'd like to keep things. Unfortunately for her she's been picked up on the radar by a rather large and high profile private school for gifted teens, the Delcroix Academy. Before she knows it, she' s been swept into the world Delcroix and has let her guard down enough to welcome friends and even a couple of potential boyfriends into the picture. Delcroix Academy is precisely the place Danica was hoping to avoid in efforts to conceal her hidden gift and by so doing prevent further damage to those around her.
The Candidates is the first in a series of books by Inara Scott that revolve around Delcroix Academy, a school for "gifted" teens. Each student excels at one thing (like math or sports), but is generally pretty well-rounded. For a reason that Danica is unaware of the school has sought her out and would like nothing more than the seemingly average teen to join their ranks. When I initially started reading The Candidates my thoughts were turned to my love of The X-Men and the school for gifted students. Delcroix wasn't far from this, though in all fairness, the majority of the kids were just average teens with a knack for some subject or another. The book didn't start delving into the "gift" Danica has until closer to the end of the book, but to be completely honest...that was just fine with me.
Most of the book delved into the characters and the relationships between each of them. Danica was a fantastic character. Someone completely realistic, and despite the fact that she has powers "a gift" she seems like a typical teenage girl. Of course, with the addition of her powers and a new school to attend come all of the jitters as well as self-preservation techniques she's built up over the last few years. She strives to stay isolated, keeping a "safe" distance from those around her in an effort not to harm anyone unintentionally. But on her first day at Delcroix she ruins every hope she had of staying on this path by befriending not one, but numerous friends. My favorites of course being Hennie, Esther, Cam and Jack. Their interaction and Danica's struggle with who to trust, including herself, and the choices to be made were wonderful.
Delcroix Academy: The Candidates was an immensely enjoyable read; with quite a bit of action and mystery I honestly never felt the need to put the book down. Inara Scott has set the stage for a fantastic new Young Adult series and I can hardly wait for the second in the series, The Watchers, to be released. I'm eager to see where Danica, Cam and Jack all end up and how she will decide where it is she truly belongs. A brilliant beginning to a great new series!
The Candidates is the first in a series of books by Inara Scott that revolve around Delcroix Academy, a school for "gifted" teens. Each student excels at one thing (like math or sports), but is generally pretty well-rounded. For a reason that Danica is unaware of the school has sought her out and would like nothing more than the seemingly average teen to join their ranks. When I initially started reading The Candidates my thoughts were turned to my love of The X-Men and the school for gifted students. Delcroix wasn't far from this, though in all fairness, the majority of the kids were just average teens with a knack for some subject or another. The book didn't start delving into the "gift" Danica has until closer to the end of the book, but to be completely honest...that was just fine with me.
Most of the book delved into the characters and the relationships between each of them. Danica was a fantastic character. Someone completely realistic, and despite the fact that she has powers "a gift" she seems like a typical teenage girl. Of course, with the addition of her powers and a new school to attend come all of the jitters as well as self-preservation techniques she's built up over the last few years. She strives to stay isolated, keeping a "safe" distance from those around her in an effort not to harm anyone unintentionally. But on her first day at Delcroix she ruins every hope she had of staying on this path by befriending not one, but numerous friends. My favorites of course being Hennie, Esther, Cam and Jack. Their interaction and Danica's struggle with who to trust, including herself, and the choices to be made were wonderful.
Delcroix Academy: The Candidates was an immensely enjoyable read; with quite a bit of action and mystery I honestly never felt the need to put the book down. Inara Scott has set the stage for a fantastic new Young Adult series and I can hardly wait for the second in the series, The Watchers, to be released. I'm eager to see where Danica, Cam and Jack all end up and how she will decide where it is she truly belongs. A brilliant beginning to a great new series!
February 27, 2011
Welcome to Delcroix Academy, where we train the elite of the elite.
I adored this book!! And can not wait for book two to come out this year :)
Danica has always sat right in the middle. It's not like she couldn't excel at anything, but she never wanted to. From the first time she realized she had powers, she has decided to lay low, and draw as little attention to herself as possible.
It would be great to have friends, even one friend would be nice. But having an emotional attachment of any kind is dangerous for her. Her powers are connected to her emotions, and she can't control them. When she sees someone in trouble, she just has to help. Unfortunately someone always seems to get hurt, even though she ' saves the day ' for the person she was helping, she manages to make it that much worse for the other guy.
When Mr. Judan and Cam show up one night, no one is more surprised than she is. Delcroix Academy has been a part of Danville for as long as she can remember, but she has never met anyone from the school. Come to think of it, she has never even seen anyone from the school before. All she knows is what the jokes and rumors are, the kids that go to Delcroix are super smart, super rich, and super stuck up.. oh and once they graduate they always end up working for some seriously cool places, like working with the President.
Being accepted to Delcroix was not what Danica expected out of the visit, and it took her awhile to realize that she was finally getting a chance to start over, and get a little excited about it. But at the same time she still wondered exactly why they wanted her, she wasn't that smart, pretty, or rich. She had no special talents. Unless they knew about her powers, but how could they, she had never told anyone.
Jack seems just as much confused and lonely as she is, maybe they are the token poor kids. But the closer Jack and Danica get, the weirder Jack begins to act. He is certain that Delcroix is way more than it seems. He swears he's being followed when he leaves school, and even when he is at school he is seeing ppl watching him everywhere. His paranoia is starting to get to Danica. She cares for Jack, but she is starting to fall in love with Cam, and the more Cam warns her to stay away from Jack, the more she wants to listen. Except that Jack seems to make so much sense at times, as well as when she looks into his eyes, and hears him talk, she knows he believes everything he says is the truth.
When what is going on is finally revealed to Danica, she ends up with a choice to make. Jack or Cam, running or staying. She does what she feels is the right thing, but what if she has taken the wrong path after all?
I adored this book!! And can not wait for book two to come out this year :)
Danica has always sat right in the middle. It's not like she couldn't excel at anything, but she never wanted to. From the first time she realized she had powers, she has decided to lay low, and draw as little attention to herself as possible.
It would be great to have friends, even one friend would be nice. But having an emotional attachment of any kind is dangerous for her. Her powers are connected to her emotions, and she can't control them. When she sees someone in trouble, she just has to help. Unfortunately someone always seems to get hurt, even though she ' saves the day ' for the person she was helping, she manages to make it that much worse for the other guy.
When Mr. Judan and Cam show up one night, no one is more surprised than she is. Delcroix Academy has been a part of Danville for as long as she can remember, but she has never met anyone from the school. Come to think of it, she has never even seen anyone from the school before. All she knows is what the jokes and rumors are, the kids that go to Delcroix are super smart, super rich, and super stuck up.. oh and once they graduate they always end up working for some seriously cool places, like working with the President.
Being accepted to Delcroix was not what Danica expected out of the visit, and it took her awhile to realize that she was finally getting a chance to start over, and get a little excited about it. But at the same time she still wondered exactly why they wanted her, she wasn't that smart, pretty, or rich. She had no special talents. Unless they knew about her powers, but how could they, she had never told anyone.
Jack seems just as much confused and lonely as she is, maybe they are the token poor kids. But the closer Jack and Danica get, the weirder Jack begins to act. He is certain that Delcroix is way more than it seems. He swears he's being followed when he leaves school, and even when he is at school he is seeing ppl watching him everywhere. His paranoia is starting to get to Danica. She cares for Jack, but she is starting to fall in love with Cam, and the more Cam warns her to stay away from Jack, the more she wants to listen. Except that Jack seems to make so much sense at times, as well as when she looks into his eyes, and hears him talk, she knows he believes everything he says is the truth.
When what is going on is finally revealed to Danica, she ends up with a choice to make. Jack or Cam, running or staying. She does what she feels is the right thing, but what if she has taken the wrong path after all?
October 10, 2010
After reading the book description I was eagerly anticipating reading The Candidates. While I enjoyed the idea of the story, the characters seemed a bit off to me. As a reader, characters are what really sell me on book and unfortunately in the case of the Candidates, I was not all that impressed.
Dancia, the book's protagonist, has the potential to be a great character. She is empathetic and possess some wicked awesome powers. There were certain parts of the book in which I enjoyed Dancia's character but I did have a few problems with her as well. First of all, her characters personality isn't really defined in the book. Sure, she is empathetic to those around her, but she really just goes along with what other people are saying. She never really makes her own decisions, just follows what either Jack or Cam tells her. It bothered me that she relied on what Cam said to make her decisions. This brings me to my second major problem with her; she was kind of a terrible friend to Jack. He obviously needed her and she just dropped him because Cam was "worried" about her. Jack was a tremendous friend to her; he was always there when she needed him; he definitely got the short end of the stick on that one.
Another character I had mad issues with was Cam. I just do not like him or trust him. In fact, I think he is kind of a sleaze bucket. He straight up lies to Dancia and pushes her away from Jack. Then, she catches him in a lie and calls him on it, and then forgives him. I don't know if she was just stupid or if he was using his powers on her. Honestly, I think his powers are creepy. I would not want anything to do with that guy. I don't want to give away what his powers are, but I just would not trust my feelings around him anymore.
Obviously, I felt Dancia's love interest should have been Jack. Jack was a far more interesting character and I felt like he actually cared about her. I am afraid we won't see much of him in the next book, which would really disappoint me. Because honestly, I think the rest of the characters are rather boring.
However, like I said before, the storyline has a lot of potential. I am really digging the whole X-men boarding school vibe and I think the books could progress nicely. I am hoping that in the next book Dancia will stand on her own two feet and develop a little more personality.
Dancia, the book's protagonist, has the potential to be a great character. She is empathetic and possess some wicked awesome powers. There were certain parts of the book in which I enjoyed Dancia's character but I did have a few problems with her as well. First of all, her characters personality isn't really defined in the book. Sure, she is empathetic to those around her, but she really just goes along with what other people are saying. She never really makes her own decisions, just follows what either Jack or Cam tells her. It bothered me that she relied on what Cam said to make her decisions. This brings me to my second major problem with her; she was kind of a terrible friend to Jack. He obviously needed her and she just dropped him because Cam was "worried" about her. Jack was a tremendous friend to her; he was always there when she needed him; he definitely got the short end of the stick on that one.
Another character I had mad issues with was Cam. I just do not like him or trust him. In fact, I think he is kind of a sleaze bucket. He straight up lies to Dancia and pushes her away from Jack. Then, she catches him in a lie and calls him on it, and then forgives him. I don't know if she was just stupid or if he was using his powers on her. Honestly, I think his powers are creepy. I would not want anything to do with that guy. I don't want to give away what his powers are, but I just would not trust my feelings around him anymore.
Obviously, I felt Dancia's love interest should have been Jack. Jack was a far more interesting character and I felt like he actually cared about her. I am afraid we won't see much of him in the next book, which would really disappoint me. Because honestly, I think the rest of the characters are rather boring.
However, like I said before, the storyline has a lot of potential. I am really digging the whole X-men boarding school vibe and I think the books could progress nicely. I am hoping that in the next book Dancia will stand on her own two feet and develop a little more personality.
August 24, 2010
Dancia thinks she is a normal teen with a hidden talent. Her main goal in life? To blend in... to never stand out in a crowd... she even has a hilarious two-step policy to avoid making friends. So, when she is "recruited" to the infamous Delcroix Academy, she is shocked. But thing are not as the seem. And this quickly becomes apparent to her that things are not adding up. First, the two of the hottest guys she has ever met... are interested in her. And second, besides her gift, she has no clue as to what the prestigious school wants with her. As Dancia digs deeper into the mysteries, it appears that this school has tons of secrets hidden behind its gates... and she is determined to uncover them.
The Candidates... let's see if I can properly explain how much this novel rocked my socks. From the very first page, I was on a roller coaster. Everything about this novel screams originality and freshness. Yes, it is about superpowers. And yes, they are in a school environment. But none of that matters because Scott presents in a way that is so refreshing. A way that will make you not want to put this book down. Literally.
It is so hard to pinpoint what I loved most about the novel. But if I had to guess, I would probably say the characters... with Dancia and Jack leading the way. It is important to point out that Dancia is a youngish teen at only 14. But I loved that she never felt that way. Not once was I annoyed with her or her actions. Everything just felt right about her character even when I was yelling at her for making a stupid choice. The same can be said about Jack. He is a brilliant character. I fell head over heads for him probably after his second interaction with Dancia. His character is a beautiful spectrum. He can be soft, hard, jaded, or something completely in-between and it all works.
The Candidates is a refreshing and honest look at school life, friendships, and relationships with a twist. This novel honestly blew me away. I literally finished this novel in matter of hours and even then I was like... where is the next book already? Scott has a bright future ahead of her. And I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly recommended.
The Candidates... let's see if I can properly explain how much this novel rocked my socks. From the very first page, I was on a roller coaster. Everything about this novel screams originality and freshness. Yes, it is about superpowers. And yes, they are in a school environment. But none of that matters because Scott presents in a way that is so refreshing. A way that will make you not want to put this book down. Literally.
It is so hard to pinpoint what I loved most about the novel. But if I had to guess, I would probably say the characters... with Dancia and Jack leading the way. It is important to point out that Dancia is a youngish teen at only 14. But I loved that she never felt that way. Not once was I annoyed with her or her actions. Everything just felt right about her character even when I was yelling at her for making a stupid choice. The same can be said about Jack. He is a brilliant character. I fell head over heads for him probably after his second interaction with Dancia. His character is a beautiful spectrum. He can be soft, hard, jaded, or something completely in-between and it all works.
The Candidates is a refreshing and honest look at school life, friendships, and relationships with a twist. This novel honestly blew me away. I literally finished this novel in matter of hours and even then I was like... where is the next book already? Scott has a bright future ahead of her. And I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly recommended.
January 29, 2015
A simple short read
This is the story of Dancia, a simple minded girl from a small town who gets invited or recruited into one of the best private schools for gifted students called Delcroix Academy.However, Dancia isn't as simple as she looks and neither is she as mediocre as she assumes herself to be. She has a special power, a power she tries to suppress and lives like a loner because of the same. This is because according to her, her power does more bad than good like hurting people even when she is trying to help the other's.She has only her Grandmother with whom she is living in the small town of Danville. She does take the hard decision to attend Delcroix academy after Mr Judan, the school's Chief recruiter along with Cameron a.k.a Cam, a school recruiter come "personally" to her house to recruit her.
As we live Dacia's life with her at Delcroix, we can sense her awe and her confusion as to why she is chosen because she doesn't fit.We can actually relate to that feeling of not belonging and not fitting in. Her relationship with Jack Landry, the delinquent hottie and Cameron/Cam is quite engaging.
The mystery deepens as Jack plants doubt in her mind about the school and its principles.The author quite successfully spins a web of mystery that keeps you want to go on reading the book. However,55%
of the book is about school life, thought he usual cliques and clichés have been avoided. There are not many twists and turns but you still want to keep on reading.
It is a simple, straight story delivered in a straight forward way without any pretensions.However. the reader senses the build up towards the finale/book's end.The end was kind of expected. I guess the author did leave some scope for the second book as there is no finality in the first book's ending. Though I did like the book, it was nothing new; a girl with some powers, a school serving as a backdrop and a love triangle.
It was a simple, good read. Nothing mind blowing. Though I would definitely
try the second book.
April 18, 2011
I really enjoyed the overall theme and content of this book. However, I do have to say that this book was full of background information and could be a little slow/boring at times but once you got passed all of that it was a great beginning to what I hope will be an awesome series.
It has all the elements of a great story-the excitement of the paranormal, a typical teen girl and the choices she faces and my absolute favorite the love triangle. I really enjoy action in my books and in this book the action is just getting started making you want even more. You have cars crashing, sink holes opening and invisible walls forming.
All of the characters are interesting, including the ones we barely get to meet. My absolute favorite is Dancia's grandmother. She is absolutely positively enjoyable. I love how she encourages Dancia to what she thinks is right. She is also full of incredible wisdom that sometimes you don't understand right away. I love how she opens up to Jack. I just love everything about her and can not wait until we see what she is up to in the next book. The other two characters that are frequently mentioned throughout this novel is Cam and Jack. As much as I don't like Jack's decision is a much more fascinating character than Cam.
Another positive is that the weather, the scenery and the town's vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there. I loved how the author introduced us to the school. I find it very interesting that the bus is the only vehicle allowed through the main gates. I love the mysterious aura surrounding the school. I have so many questions about the school that were unanswered and all though we were introduced to why Dancia and Jack were chosen to attend we are left wondering so much. Cam came off fake to me and made me very nervous throughout the entire novel.
The Candidates was a quick and enjoyable read however it definetly leaves you wanting to learn more about the school, Dancia and all those around her. I do believe that this book is an intriguing start to a promising new series. I am eagerly awaiting for the second part of this story, The Watchers.
It has all the elements of a great story-the excitement of the paranormal, a typical teen girl and the choices she faces and my absolute favorite the love triangle. I really enjoy action in my books and in this book the action is just getting started making you want even more. You have cars crashing, sink holes opening and invisible walls forming.
All of the characters are interesting, including the ones we barely get to meet. My absolute favorite is Dancia's grandmother. She is absolutely positively enjoyable. I love how she encourages Dancia to what she thinks is right. She is also full of incredible wisdom that sometimes you don't understand right away. I love how she opens up to Jack. I just love everything about her and can not wait until we see what she is up to in the next book. The other two characters that are frequently mentioned throughout this novel is Cam and Jack. As much as I don't like Jack's decision is a much more fascinating character than Cam.
Another positive is that the weather, the scenery and the town's vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there. I loved how the author introduced us to the school. I find it very interesting that the bus is the only vehicle allowed through the main gates. I love the mysterious aura surrounding the school. I have so many questions about the school that were unanswered and all though we were introduced to why Dancia and Jack were chosen to attend we are left wondering so much. Cam came off fake to me and made me very nervous throughout the entire novel.
The Candidates was a quick and enjoyable read however it definetly leaves you wanting to learn more about the school, Dancia and all those around her. I do believe that this book is an intriguing start to a promising new series. I am eagerly awaiting for the second part of this story, The Watchers.
August 16, 2012
lately all the books i attempt to read bore me to death. i could name 3-4 highly rated books i tried to read these last few days and couldn't get past a few chapters...seriously. then i randomly started to read this book and was actually able to finish it in 1-2 days. so one star for that.
the protagonist was, at best, acceptable. a lot of teen-angst,inferiority complex, annoying protective instinct mixed with some supernatural power, and you get your typical fantasy heroin. not really that admirable, compared to some other kick ass protagonists but not entirely unbearable either. Acceptable, yes.
I liked the writing style and the promise of the plot. Though the whole harry-potter-going-hogwart theme has started to get on my nerve. The character of Dancia( the protagonist) developed extactly the way I thought she would, so no surprise there. From being a intentional-loner she changed to a social person, with new friends, crush etc. Although the way she was crushing on Cam( one of her love interest, the hot one, okay another nerve wrecking fantasy feature. what is up with the double love interest? one hot yet nice and another hot yet dark and the girl acting like bella darn) was putting me off...but at her age, we have all been there lol so forgivable.
As for the other characters, they barely had enough impact. Her friends, other popular kids, some high school drama, hardly mentionable. Except for Dancia's love interests, Cam and Jack. Now, i really didn't like Cam, a too-good-to-be-true type. At time he was kind of creepy....as for Jack, he was awesome. until the last chapter i guess. he showed promise. he was both tough and vulnerable and cared about Dancia and had a nice outcast touch and all... then, boom! suddenly he is the bad one and that creepy cam saves the day. or something like that. i really really don't understand why the author would make him a seem terrorist or something and the creepy Cam a hero except maybe i do. the fantasy rule, you need a bad guy good? and it pissed me off at the end it really did i would have given the book four star if it didn't.
the protagonist was, at best, acceptable. a lot of teen-angst,inferiority complex, annoying protective instinct mixed with some supernatural power, and you get your typical fantasy heroin. not really that admirable, compared to some other kick ass protagonists but not entirely unbearable either. Acceptable, yes.
I liked the writing style and the promise of the plot. Though the whole harry-potter-going-hogwart theme has started to get on my nerve. The character of Dancia( the protagonist) developed extactly the way I thought she would, so no surprise there. From being a intentional-loner she changed to a social person, with new friends, crush etc. Although the way she was crushing on Cam( one of her love interest, the hot one, okay another nerve wrecking fantasy feature. what is up with the double love interest? one hot yet nice and another hot yet dark and the girl acting like bella darn) was putting me off...but at her age, we have all been there lol so forgivable.
As for the other characters, they barely had enough impact. Her friends, other popular kids, some high school drama, hardly mentionable. Except for Dancia's love interests, Cam and Jack. Now, i really didn't like Cam, a too-good-to-be-true type. At time he was kind of creepy....as for Jack, he was awesome. until the last chapter i guess. he showed promise. he was both tough and vulnerable and cared about Dancia and had a nice outcast touch and all... then, boom! suddenly he is the bad one and that creepy cam saves the day. or something like that. i really really don't understand why the author would make him a seem terrorist or something and the creepy Cam a hero except maybe i do. the fantasy rule, you need a bad guy good? and it pissed me off at the end it really did i would have given the book four star if it didn't.
August 20, 2010
I absolutely loved Delcroix Academy and what it could lead to in future books. Books that I 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.
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.
June 23, 2010
I had a feeling about Delcroix Academy ever since I added it to my BEA wishlist. Something about it just clicked with me, and since I returned home from my trip, I've just been waiting for the right moment to read it.
That moment, folks, has happened. And it was glorious.
Delcroix Academy is a private school for 'special' students, and Dancia soon finds herself recruited to their ranks. Commence the boarding school/private school introduction - a (mean) roommate, a team of freshmen Dancia is supposed to get to know, new classes.
We find Dancia torn between two boys at the school - Jack and Cam. One's sort of a bad guy, the other sort of a good guy - but it's up to you to decide which is which. I kept flipping my opinions on that throughout the entire book, which was a major part of the appeal. Plus who doesn't love a little romantic triangle?
The climax of the book takes a bit to get set up, but once it does it hits you hard and you begin to understand not only everything you've read so far, but the title of the book as well. From there you speed through to the ending, wishing it weren't over because there are clearly many more things to discuss and many more adventures to be had.
I have a feeling that if Inara Scott keeps writing these books at this pace, they will be a new breed of the Vampire Academy series. The plot starts to show complexity, and the characters certainly have the potential.
I really loved The Candidates. I loved the intrigue, the mystery, the romance, the action. If you've read my reviews before you already know that I love boarding schools. I am very excited to read Delcroix Academy #2 (which doesn't even have a tentative date yet, as far as I know)!
That moment, folks, has happened. And it was glorious.
Delcroix Academy is a private school for 'special' students, and Dancia soon finds herself recruited to their ranks. Commence the boarding school/private school introduction - a (mean) roommate, a team of freshmen Dancia is supposed to get to know, new classes.
We find Dancia torn between two boys at the school - Jack and Cam. One's sort of a bad guy, the other sort of a good guy - but it's up to you to decide which is which. I kept flipping my opinions on that throughout the entire book, which was a major part of the appeal. Plus who doesn't love a little romantic triangle?
The climax of the book takes a bit to get set up, but once it does it hits you hard and you begin to understand not only everything you've read so far, but the title of the book as well. From there you speed through to the ending, wishing it weren't over because there are clearly many more things to discuss and many more adventures to be had.
I have a feeling that if Inara Scott keeps writing these books at this pace, they will be a new breed of the Vampire Academy series. The plot starts to show complexity, and the characters certainly have the potential.
I really loved The Candidates. I loved the intrigue, the mystery, the romance, the action. If you've read my reviews before you already know that I love boarding schools. I am very excited to read Delcroix Academy #2 (which doesn't even have a tentative date yet, as far as I know)!
September 14, 2010
Why I read this: I love boarding school novels and this one had paranormal elements and sounded really good, plus it was the beginning of a series, and I love series.
How is the novel driven: This one is character and plot driven. There is time spent in this the first novel in the series getting to know the characters and the surroundings, but I think it's more plot-driven.
My thoughts: This book was hard to put down. As I stated above - I love boarding school novels so that is what attracted me to this, but really the boarding school aspect in this book is different from most books. This doesn't focus on cliques as much, they are there, but Dancia doesn't want to be noticed or be a member of a popular clique - she wants to fly under the radar and simply learn more about the power she has. The boarding school seems to be a character of it's own, is it normal or is there something else going on there besides typical learning?
Add in two hot guys, one the most popular guy at the school and the other the bad boy and you have the typical love triangle that is not so typical in this book. I really like both Jack and Cam for different reasons as does Dancia. I love the mystery surrounding Jack and the school. And I like Cam because he does seem to care. Dancia is a great character, she's trying to figure her power out, but she's not whiny, and she learns in this book she has strength. She's also not a girl that pines for a boy, in fact she really doesn't want to get involved, she wants to be her own person and I like that in the female leads in YA books.
The book is well-written, the plot moves quickly and since this is part of a series the ending has me eager for the next book so I hope Ms. Scott is writing quickly.
My Rating: 4.75/5.0
How is the novel driven: This one is character and plot driven. There is time spent in this the first novel in the series getting to know the characters and the surroundings, but I think it's more plot-driven.
My thoughts: This book was hard to put down. As I stated above - I love boarding school novels so that is what attracted me to this, but really the boarding school aspect in this book is different from most books. This doesn't focus on cliques as much, they are there, but Dancia doesn't want to be noticed or be a member of a popular clique - she wants to fly under the radar and simply learn more about the power she has. The boarding school seems to be a character of it's own, is it normal or is there something else going on there besides typical learning?
Add in two hot guys, one the most popular guy at the school and the other the bad boy and you have the typical love triangle that is not so typical in this book. I really like both Jack and Cam for different reasons as does Dancia. I love the mystery surrounding Jack and the school. And I like Cam because he does seem to care. Dancia is a great character, she's trying to figure her power out, but she's not whiny, and she learns in this book she has strength. She's also not a girl that pines for a boy, in fact she really doesn't want to get involved, she wants to be her own person and I like that in the female leads in YA books.
The book is well-written, the plot moves quickly and since this is part of a series the ending has me eager for the next book so I hope Ms. Scott is writing quickly.
My Rating: 4.75/5.0
February 22, 2011
I will preface this review by shallowly admitting I was completely entraced by the cover. It is honestly what drew me in from the beginning.
That being said, I truly enjoyed this book to the point where I read it in one day. While it wasn't necessarily a book I desperately had to finish it, I also didn't feel the need to "take a break" and walk away from the book.
I'm surprised this is Inara Scott's first book - she handled it like a pro. Her characters come off as complete and intriguing, and her settings are lush and descriptive. In fact, had the character of Dancia not announced to readers she was only 14, I think I would have thought she was an older teen for most of the book because of the more sophisticated style of wording Scott uses throughout the book.
THE CANDIDATES doesn't throw anything unexpected at the reader. And while Dancia isn't as extraordinary a character as her power, I found her likeable nonetheless. Even brooding Jack, who could have easily become an obnoxiously predictable "bad boy", was a fun character.
This is also one of the few books I've read with a romantic triangle where I have no idea which couple I'm supposed to invest in. Dancia and Jack have this electric connection because of their gifts, but Dancia and Cam seem more suited for each other in many ways. In most books, I can tell right off the bat which couple the author wants me to ship out of a triangle, but Scott generously lets the reader draw their own conclusions. In a world of Bella & Edward soulmates, that is a refreshing idea. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel, THE WATCHERS, this summer.
Originally posted at:
That being said, I truly enjoyed this book to the point where I read it in one day. While it wasn't necessarily a book I desperately had to finish it, I also didn't feel the need to "take a break" and walk away from the book.
I'm surprised this is Inara Scott's first book - she handled it like a pro. Her characters come off as complete and intriguing, and her settings are lush and descriptive. In fact, had the character of Dancia not announced to readers she was only 14, I think I would have thought she was an older teen for most of the book because of the more sophisticated style of wording Scott uses throughout the book.
THE CANDIDATES doesn't throw anything unexpected at the reader. And while Dancia isn't as extraordinary a character as her power, I found her likeable nonetheless. Even brooding Jack, who could have easily become an obnoxiously predictable "bad boy", was a fun character.
This is also one of the few books I've read with a romantic triangle where I have no idea which couple I'm supposed to invest in. Dancia and Jack have this electric connection because of their gifts, but Dancia and Cam seem more suited for each other in many ways. In most books, I can tell right off the bat which couple the author wants me to ship out of a triangle, but Scott generously lets the reader draw their own conclusions. In a world of Bella & Edward soulmates, that is a refreshing idea. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel, THE WATCHERS, this summer.
Originally posted at:
Read
August 12, 2010Final Grade: 85/B
REVIEW: So this book is another girl-with-powers-goes-away-to-boarding-school-meets-mysterious-boys story. Another girl who doesn't know what her powers are or how to control them, only that she's different because she has them. Another mysterious boarding school where things just aren't what they seem. Another love triangle with the polished, popular boy versus the rebel/bad boy/loner.
However, the book's redeemed by a well-written main character, strong voice, and good writing. Though Danica reads a bit older than fourteen-going-on-fifteen, she's still an interesting character. I like how the love triangle totally plays with her mind, sending her flip-flopping between Cam and Jack in a completely realistic manner.
While I liked Jack (guess I go for the broody, bad-boy types, especially those with awesome powers and shady pasts), I really didn't like Cam all that much. I know he was supposed to be the clean-cut, good guy but he completely rubbed me the wrong way. And I really didn't like the way Danica completely lost her mind when she was around him. She was supposed to be friends with Jack but she'd totally ditch him to pant after Cam. Boo on her!
Many of the minor characters were quite well done. I loved Danica's grandmother. She seemed like a sweet lady who did good by Danica (whose parents died when she was young). Danica's first good friends at the academy were interesting characters, too, and good influences on her, helping her break out of her wallpaper mode.
A quick, light summer read redeemed from meh-dom by witty dialogue and some excellent characters.
REVIEW: So this book is another girl-with-powers-goes-away-to-boarding-school-meets-mysterious-boys story. Another girl who doesn't know what her powers are or how to control them, only that she's different because she has them. Another mysterious boarding school where things just aren't what they seem. Another love triangle with the polished, popular boy versus the rebel/bad boy/loner.
However, the book's redeemed by a well-written main character, strong voice, and good writing. Though Danica reads a bit older than fourteen-going-on-fifteen, she's still an interesting character. I like how the love triangle totally plays with her mind, sending her flip-flopping between Cam and Jack in a completely realistic manner.
While I liked Jack (guess I go for the broody, bad-boy types, especially those with awesome powers and shady pasts), I really didn't like Cam all that much. I know he was supposed to be the clean-cut, good guy but he completely rubbed me the wrong way. And I really didn't like the way Danica completely lost her mind when she was around him. She was supposed to be friends with Jack but she'd totally ditch him to pant after Cam. Boo on her!
Many of the minor characters were quite well done. I loved Danica's grandmother. She seemed like a sweet lady who did good by Danica (whose parents died when she was young). Danica's first good friends at the academy were interesting characters, too, and good influences on her, helping her break out of her wallpaper mode.
A quick, light summer read redeemed from meh-dom by witty dialogue and some excellent characters.
April 1, 2011
Gosh, it’s been such a long time since I’ve read this book but there are a few things I clearly remember.
My favorite part of the book was the relationship Dancia had with her grandmother. I thought it was excellently done because I live with my grandparents so I understand the concerns and fears she had about leaving her grandmother alone and wondering if she’d be able to do everything by herself. I think this part of this book rang authentic and true and I easily connected with it.
I was sort of annoyed that the love interest for the character was described as some super hot guy she fell instantly in love/was attracted to but there is an underlying plot twist that comes up later. I don’t know about you but it makes me very suspicious of him. Jack was awesome. I don’t know why she’s making googoo eyes at that guy (forgot his name) when she had better chemistry with Jack! How can you not like him?! He’s so awesome.
The whole darker edge behind the special school she attends while not very unique, it did have me flipping the pages in order to know more. The ending had me craving the next book. Gah! Inara Scott’s writing wasn’t that bad either. Simple and easy to read. Helps with the fast reading.
If you like school books with mysterious backgrounds or stories incorporating magic, I think this might be a good choice for you.
My favorite part of the book was the relationship Dancia had with her grandmother. I thought it was excellently done because I live with my grandparents so I understand the concerns and fears she had about leaving her grandmother alone and wondering if she’d be able to do everything by herself. I think this part of this book rang authentic and true and I easily connected with it.
I was sort of annoyed that the love interest for the character was described as some super hot guy she fell instantly in love/was attracted to but there is an underlying plot twist that comes up later. I don’t know about you but it makes me very suspicious of him. Jack was awesome. I don’t know why she’s making googoo eyes at that guy (forgot his name) when she had better chemistry with Jack! How can you not like him?! He’s so awesome.
The whole darker edge behind the special school she attends while not very unique, it did have me flipping the pages in order to know more. The ending had me craving the next book. Gah! Inara Scott’s writing wasn’t that bad either. Simple and easy to read. Helps with the fast reading.
If you like school books with mysterious backgrounds or stories incorporating magic, I think this might be a good choice for you.
November 4, 2010
If I'd have known that the M.C. of The Candidates was 14, I definitely wouldn't've picked it up. I prefer to read books about people who are my age or older, because I feel slightly weird reading about younger people. But, nonetheless, I did pick it up, and I liked it.
The book starts off kinda slow, and I tired easily of Delcroix Academy descriptions. The whole place was overly exaggerated, and I was shaking my head at times.
BUT, I did like Dancia (different name, eh?) and how she thought things through. Her power is cool, and this definitely earns the author points.
Jack was cool, but we don't really get a good description of how Danica feels towards him. I did not like though, Cam. For some reason he just gave me a funny feeling.
The book was predictable after the first...ten chapters. At least, it was obvious to me what was to come.
The ending was cute, but I don't think that Inara Scott should've ended it as she did. It was a bit of a cliff hanger, readers not knowing (*spoiler*) what the hell was to become of Jack. I mean, he like, just left? How shady was that?
Anyways, I liked the book. Even though it took me more time to read it then it should've, I will be reading the sequel, Delcroix Academy: The Watchers.
The book starts off kinda slow, and I tired easily of Delcroix Academy descriptions. The whole place was overly exaggerated, and I was shaking my head at times.
BUT, I did like Dancia (different name, eh?) and how she thought things through. Her power is cool, and this definitely earns the author points.
Jack was cool, but we don't really get a good description of how Danica feels towards him. I did not like though, Cam. For some reason he just gave me a funny feeling.
The book was predictable after the first...ten chapters. At least, it was obvious to me what was to come.
The ending was cute, but I don't think that Inara Scott should've ended it as she did. It was a bit of a cliff hanger, readers not knowing (*spoiler*) what the hell was to become of Jack. I mean, he like, just left? How shady was that?
Anyways, I liked the book. Even though it took me more time to read it then it should've, I will be reading the sequel, Delcroix Academy: The Watchers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 430 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.