"I picked it up and quickly found myself in a world that was easy to relate to but fascinatingly different and addicting." Miss Remmers
From Amazon.com...
"Henry Grim has never been in trouble for borrowing a sword from the headmasterÕs private stores. He has never discovered a forbidden room in a foreign castle, or received a death threat over breakfast.
All Henry knows is life as an orphaned servant boy at the Midsummer School, bullied by the privileged sons of aristocracy. But all that changes when Henry is the first commoner to pass the entrance exam for the prestigious Knightley Academy, where he will be trained as a modern-day knight alongside the cleverest and bravest fourteen-year-olds in the country.
Henry and his roommates, two other students from decidedly un-Knightley backgrounds, are not exactly greeted with open arms by their classmates. In fact, it soon becomes apparent that someone is going to great lengths to sabotage the trioÕs chances at becoming knights. But Henry soon learns that there is more at stake than his future at Knightley, and only he can sound the alarm. Is anyone going to believe a former servant on the brink of expulsion?"
Book Trailer:
Prior to attending the Author Carnival in NYC I had never heard of Violet Haberdasher or "Knightley Academy." After listening to her speak at the New York Public Library and hear her story of writing "Knightley Academy," I decided that this book would be the one I bought that night (I limited myself).
I am not disappointed.
First of all, Violet is such a cute person. She's tiny (like me) and full of personality — plus, you have to love that British accent. That already sets the tone for this novel. I had been meaning to pick "Knightley Academy" up since returning from BEA, but it wasn't until Christmas break that I actually got around to it. A student of mine begged asked me to finish it so that she could read it when she returned from break. I picked it up and quickly found myself in a world that was easy to relate to but fascinatingly different and addicting. The characters were likeable, if not completely lovable — although throughout most of the novel I did, in my head, read "Henry" as "Harry."
Like "Harry Potter," "Knightley Academy" is set in London, in a school for those with "abilities." The protagonist is an underprivileged orphan, Henry, who befriends to other different boys and a very stubborn young woman. These four become detectives by night (get it... pun?) and struggling students by day who are constantly attacked by their peers and even a particular professor. But these similarities did not detract from Violet's own story. Henry and his friends face whole new challenges and must find away to battle an entirely different kind of evil.
This was a great read and the plot was executed perfectly; the "twist" at the end — I never saw it coming. The falling action and resolution was perfectly timed; the "cliff-hanger" still left me wanting more without feeling like the story had been cutoff at the sentence. I can't wait to read "The Secret Prince" — out this summer!
Listen to Violet read the first chapter of Knightley Academy (you know you want to hear that accent).
Originality: 6/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 9/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 82/100 B
To the FTC, with love: Loved and Bought
To find out more about this series and author, visit the following links: -Visit Violetaround the web here: Website | Blog
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Barnes and Noble