The AcademyThe Ghost Bird Series
By CL Stone
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There are many books in this series, so I decided to write one review and break it down for you as I read through them.
The Academy: Introductions
The story begins with a girl named Sang sneaking out of her house to try to experience a moment of freedom from her overly crazy and controlling mother. We learn early on that her mother is sick physically but is very abusive to her daughters. If abuse is something that bothers you, understand it's a big part of the story as the background to Sang's nature and situation. Sang befriends a boy her age named Kota (a big no-no as her mother says all boys will rape or murder her- like I said, crazy). She soon finds out that there are six other guys that are bff's with Kota, and now she has become a part of their group. The group though is not all what it seems. Secret glances and code language tell Sang something is up, but their affectionate touches and brotherly demeanor toward her when she desperately needs friends keeps her around and intrigued. This book is truly an introduction of all the characters but their development is well written and important to the storyline.
The Academy: First Days
Sang and the boys are ready to start school, although public school is not the boys real school. The Academy is. Sang relies on them to stay safe inside this rough high school that's full of fights, creeps, and staff that are vengeful all while trying to stay out of trouble at home. The problem is Sang attracts a lot of unwanted attention and not just from her boys. Now the real question is do they allow her into their world completely?
The Academy: Friends vs Family
In this book the boys are really growing attached to Sang, and she's beginning to rely on them and trust them too. But seriously someone needed to call the police on her mother! Geez. This one has serious abuse in it. Lots of secrets about her are revealed too. But the best thing is how much each character wants to take care of the others. It makes me miss my old friends from high school. (I hung out with mostly guys too. It's a totally different atmosphere than girls.)
The Academy: Forgiveness and Permission
I must be hooked because I can't put these books down. This book let's Sang begin to grow more with each boy as well as begin to find her confidence. She has to deal with the creepy colluding school staff and how to defend herself. She risks everything as well. The ending of this book...😲. What a choice everyone will have to make. MUst. KEEp. READING! Lol.
Excuse me, I have book 5 waiting...
The Academy: Drop of Doubt
Lots of action and suspense in this one. Poor Sang is the target of some crazy people and the boys just want to keep her safe. The problem is how can they when they are all targets too?
I keep waiting to see how she will manage all of these boys. I also am curious how old Mr Blackbourne and Dr Green are since they have an interest in Sang as well. I mean she's only 16! She has more than proven though that she is capable of holding her own.
The Academy: Push and Shove
Whoa. Things for Sang just keep going from bad to worse. This poor thing can't catch a break. But it's a good thing she's got 9 hunky guys to take of her. She finds herself nearly kissing most of them, which is confusing. Then it gets saucy and not with who I expected! But I'm okay with it. And the ending, Oh Nathan... Calm it down. Anyway, onto yet another book... I can't stop!!!
The Academy: House of Korba
The gang is still trying to solve the mysteries surrounding the local high school that the Academy boys have infiltrated. Sang seems to be getting stronger and more confident as the series progresses. I like that. We also see the boys trying hard to act more mature for her. Each one though has his own struggles with her and their blood families. This book focuses on Silas and his family. We are also seeing as the stories progress how Sang will be best utilized within the group. She is attentive in ways the boys aren't by noticing things they may miss, and she uses her gut instincts to make decisions in the moment as needed. She seems to center and relax them. She gives them something to fight for and each one is slowly falling in love with her. So far the solution is looking a little polygamist, but hey it's fiction and she's got 9 hunky men after her. But will all be willing to share her. It's an odd concept, but like I said, it's fiction.
The Academy: The Other Side of Envy
This book focuses more on Gabriel, the punkish artsy boy of the group. He has a lower self-esteem that makes him compare himself to the others. But it's his unique gifts that concocts a plan to get Sang away from the evil men who have been following her. Sang also does lots of kissing in this one! She is getting more comfortable with her role within the group desperately trying to keep them all together. The story is so unique that it has kept my interest throughout all of these books so far.
The Academy: The Healing Power of Sugar
This book has a little more focus on Luke and his mysterious disappearances. He's frustrated with his brother, confused about Sang, and still trying to figure out what's going on at the school and the masked person who keeps trying to convince Sang to leave the group. He finally gets his date with her which is sweet. This book will have you wondering who is Luke really and what is he actually up to.
The Academy: First Kiss
Oh boy. Sang is now heading to Academy camp which determines if she's in and if that means she stays with the boys. She is thrust into more of a leadership role at the camp and pushed well beyond her comfort zone. Kota learns everything and the group is at a crossroads.
There were lots of details about the camp I probably could've done without. But we do learn exactly what one of her problems is as a result of everything happening so I see why it's included. And now I continue on...
The Academy: Black and Green
Sang and the group are back from camp and boy oh boy her family life just got weirder. Her dad has returned with his mistress who took over the house claiming it's hers. All the while Sang's stepmom is recovering in the hospital. Sang is forced to move back in with hopes this new woman will be nice. When that plan goes belly up, so does Sang as her fainting episodes continue the group must move up their plans to get her away from her family permanently. This one was some wild cat fight momma drama you want to check out!
Love's Cruel Redemption
Sang is recovering at Kota's house after all her family drama. There's still all the school issues and the masked man to deal with. On top of all of it the crazy neighbor cons Nathan into giving her help by blackmailing him with information on Sang's real mom. The plan backfires and looks like the group may not survive all the doubts that have taken hold of Sang's heart.
* The series continues but the next book is not scheduled for a release date. It's been 2 years so I hope the author plans to continue.
Overall so far here's what I think. This series is addicting. I really enjoy the plot. It's definitely good for older teens and up. I say that because there's a lot of curse words from Gabriel. I mean, a lot. There's also some sexual tension and discussion about things the boys are feeling. So younger teens should probably wait to read these.
Certain characters seems to get more focus than others like North. I wanted more from him. He's the broody angry one. He needs more attention from Sang. Also, I'm waiting on her relationship with Me Blackbourne to fire up beyond a slow simmer. Dude is uptight and needs to relax and enjoy Sang's time with him.
My biggest issue is editing. I let it go as I read, but there were several instances where I had to re-read a sentence. There were run on sentences and missing commas between two independent sentences that had a coordinating conjunction between them. Some times I had to mentally fill in a missing word in a sentence. Editing....must have!
Unsung Requim
This is the next book in the series and it focuses on Victor. He's stuck in the limelight his parents thrust him into. He can't say no. He can't get out. He can't stand that they are trying to set him up with rich girls who only want his status and money when he's in love with Sang. Nothing goes right, and he finds himself trapped after a huge accident. It takes all the group can muster from the Academy to help him.
This one kind of drove me crazy. It was one of those stories that was like watching a trian wreck and holding your breath. By the end I was happy to transition to the next book...
Andrea ❤️
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