BOOK REPORT for Delcroix Academy, Book One: The Candidates by Inara Scott
BFF Charm: Yay!
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: All Grown Up
Bonus Factor: Boarding School, Special Powers, Being Watched
Relationship Status: Real Love
The Deal:
Dancia is a perfectly average freshman. Perfectly. And she works hard to be so. She’s careful to maintain average grades, makes sure her wardrobe never stands out, and has no friends. None. Because when she lets herself care about people, strange things happen that usually end up with someone being landed in a hospital. She is afraid of herself, and whatever it is she seems to make happen when someone she loves is threatened.
So when recruiters from super posh Delcroix Academy show up at her grandmother’s door and tell her she’s been selected for a full shcolarship to the boarding school, she’s less than excited. How will she ‘blend’ with super rich, super smart, super talented kids? Lucky for her, or not, super cute Cam is one of the school’s recruiters- and students- and she finds herself unable to say no to joining him at the school.
But mysterious things are afoot at Delcroix, and even as Dancia finds herself making friends with some of the girls, and the mysterious Jack, all while mooning over Cam, she wonders what is the school’s real purpose? Why don’t the dorm windows open, and are the massive gates around the school for the protection of its students, or, as Jack suggests, to keep them locked in?
BFF Charm: Yay!
I love, love, LOVE Dancia’s inner monologue. She’s a smart young woman, with a level head and her feet firmly planted. And even when she flounders around, searching for the right choices to make, I wasn’t annoyed with her process, and like any true BFF, still loved her when I didn’t agree with said choices made. This is a girl I’d be friends for life with.
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Okay, so let me just say that I’ve come to the conclusion that I always pick the WRONG guy. I’m TOTALLY drawn to the dark, brooding, mysterious ones, and they don’t always turn out so great. It wouldn’t be so bad if I could say that I’ve learned from my mistakes and could go back in time and tell my 15-year old self a thing or two. No, I still pick the SAME one! Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed rooting for Dancia and one of the guys- I won’t tell you which one! The chemistry between her and Jack was a lot of fun, and her pining for Cam was equally goose-bump inducing.
Talky Talk: All Grown Up
This debut from Inara Scott was one of the most enjoyable reads I’ve had in a long while. I LOVED her voice, and I think it’s because she writes Dancia a lot wiser and more mature than a lot of YA authors write their heroines. It’s not that she sounded just like a grown up, but because of her circumstances and penchant for introspection, I felt I could really cheer her on without ever getting annoyed at her immaturity.
This book comes out August 24th 2010, so after your post-Mocking Jay crash, when you feel empty inside, and wander around your house calling for Katniss or Peeta or Gale, I recommend putting down your bow and arrow, refilling your glass, and picking up this little gem.
Bonus Factors: Boarding School
What can I say? I’m a sucker for boarding school, and boarding school with mysterious and possibly sinister motives, cute boys, secret passages, cute boys, iron gates, cute…
Bonus Factors: Special Powers
I mean, really, who wouldn’t have wanted special powers when they were in high school, yeah?
Bonus Factors: Being Watched
There’s nothing like feeling like you’re being watched to get the old blood pumping- well, maybe there are a lot more pleasant things, but who is in that sedan, and what about the suits in dark sunglasses? Besides, it’s REALLY hard to make out with the boy you like when you think someone’s behind the bushes.
Casting Call:
Emma Watson as Dancia
I can’t think of an actress who can play calm, cool and level-headed in times of crises- or attacks from the dark lord- better than Ms. Watson.
Richard Madden as Jack
This boy has hard-luck-mysterious-loner-dude written all over that pouty face, so he’s a perfect choice for Jack.
William Moseley as Cam
And few young actors can inspire trust like this one. Especially if he’s holding a sword.
Relationship Status: Real Love
All my little plans and schemes lost like some forgotten dream seems like all I was really doing was waiting for this book.
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AHHHHH BOARDING SCHOOL. I love a good boarding school story! Can’t wait!
um, how have we NOT cast emma watson before? or have we? i can’t believe i’ve been forgetting about her charming luminescence when i click through my mental casting rolodex.
speaking of glaring omissions, um, did we also already discuss the fact that william moseley would make an EXCELLENT peeta? i would eat that dude’s bread ANYTIME.
ANYHOO anyhoo, i am v. v. intrigued by this book, jenny!!! the fact that it includes both boarding school AND a well-developed narrative voice has me pretty much sold. um… maybe i could borrow this from you in may? pretty please?
Jenny, you are such a rock star, reading a book that doesn’t come out until August! Great review, very eloquent.
After that glowing review I have to wait until August to read it??! This book sounds fantastic. Although I might be a bit biased because my sister’s name is Danica
Yes, boarding school! Posh, I’ll bring the book with me! Meredith, I have my friend Talya to thank for making me look like a rock star. She’s my dealer, since, ahem, no publishers are sending me ARCs yet.*
Dancia is a lovely name, and you will enjoy this book so much!
*Jenny Bragdon
214 Chestnut St. #4
Cambridge MA 02139
for all ARCs you’re dying to have reviewed…
Something to read post-Mockingjay??? Count me in. This one sounds fabulous.
OH! And Posh, I CAN’T BELIEVE we haven’t thought of William Moseley for Peeta! He truly would be even more perfect than the Alex Pettyfer!!!!!
amazing but true — there IS someone more perfect than alex pettyfer! although we’d have to cast him as SOMEONE in hg. just because.
and i LOVE emma watson! oh, emma watson, you are so witty and wise, and yet so innocent.
this book sounds magnificent. boarding school, powers, and yet full of substance? i can’t believe i have to wait until august! unless, you know, someone wants to mail me the ARC when they’re finished. just sayin’.
I have to read this book! If the review hadn´t reeled me in (which it did), the Beatles thing would have…