Genre
Audience
14 & Up
Author’s Worldview
Catholic
Year Published
2019
Themes
Reviewed by
M.S. Ocampo
The Academy Saga is a suspenseful contemporary romance. In the small town of Clovis, New Mexico, Katie Connelley is just trying to get by. She balances going to school, taking care of her family farm, and waiting tables at a diner on the weekends. Her younger brother, Andrew is being scouted by the Elite International Academy (EIA). Cadet Pete Davenport has been assigned to mentor him. However, as charming as Cadet Davenport is, and as prestigious as the Academy seems to be, there’s something Katie feels suspicious about. The last thing that Katie wants is to let her younger brother be in the care of strangers. The problem is that she’s not sure if her intuition is right, or if she’s being paranoid like her mother, who passed away.
Cadet Pete Davenport is a very attractive frenemy who falls for Katie’s girl-next-door style. Although the novel is mostly in Katie’s point-of-view, there are some scenes from Pete’s perspective. There’s definitely some truth to Katie’s fears in regards to the EIA, but it’s not certain as to what the Academy’s purpose is. Their business is to recruit the best and brightest, kids with special abilities, and place them in positions of prominence (almost like a junior level CIA).
While this novel is a great suspenseful read, there are some issues that might make readers uncomfortable. Katie’s father is verbally abusive and frequently absent from the story. There are also instances of gaslighting, as Pete is actively making sure that Katie doesn’t interfere with the Academy’s agenda. One other minor nitpick is that I find it hard to believe that Katie, who refuses to say the Lord’s name in vain, would willingly listen to gangsta rap.
Overall, this novel does a great job of telling a suspenseful, thrilling story that’s hard to put down. On top of that, the romance between Katie and Pete is very believable, with a lot of chemistry and tension. I would recommend this novel to fans of James Patterson’s novels or One of Us Is Lying. It’s a great read for a general audience, as there aren’t any overt Catholic themes aside from Katie’s own faith and adherence to a modest lifestyle.
Join Here for FREE to Never Miss a Deal
Find new favorites & Support Catholic Authors
The Book of Saints and Heroes By Andrew & Lenora Lang
Ancient tales of Saints and Heroes retold for Victorians, reprinted for us.
Anna Lucia: Book 2, The Casa Bella Chronicles By Liz Galvano
Can Lucinda heal from her past and learn to love again?
Saint Magnus: The Last Viking by Susan Peek
A young Viking Prince evades a warlord while finding his own harrowing path to sainthood.
The City and The Dungeon by Matthew P. Schmidt
Who knew fighting monsters in a D&D dungeon could convince him that not everything can be attributed to a chance roll of the dice?
The Silence of Bones by June Hur
A young slave girl in ancient Korea investigates a murder & meets real life Korean Catholic saints
Breach! by Corinna Turner
Isaiah’s got a T-rex size problem, but this time, it’s not a dinosaur.
Servant of the Suffering: Rose Hawthorne by Voyage Comics
The great-great-great-granddaughter of a Salem witch trial judge is on her way to Catholic sainthood.
The Rescue Sisters Series Adventures by Karina Fabian
Kickass Catholic Nuns in Space- what more do you need?!
eXtreme Blindside By Leslea Wahl
Can Jake and Sophie find the person responsible for sabotaging the extreme winter sports?
God’s Sparrows By Kathleen Vincenz
Rose didn’t expect to babysit six children, but God had other plans.
Cinderella by Charles Perrault
The true story of the Catholic saint who inspired the myth of Cinderella
Gifts Visible and Invisible
If you are looking for a cozy read to get into the Christmas cheer, this collection has it all.
Messina: Book 1, The Casa Bella Chronicles By Liz Galvano
Romance blossoms in the midst of chaos. A historical romance set in 1901 Italy as a young American doctor proves herself to the haughty Italian lord who has forgotten his faith.
The Divided Kingdom by Allison Ramirez
What sinister secrets hide behind the walls of the Island of Mirror?
Good to the Last Drop by Declan Finn
Marco thought his problems were over when he took on the vampire council, until he gets bit by a werewolf. Will this ruin things with his vampire girlfriend?
Comet Dust by C.D. Verhoff
A Catholic end-of days inspired by the private revelations of the saints.
Lance and the Veil by Kevin Rush
She was Christ’s comforter, he, his executioner. Can the two find love in each other’s arms?
Love, Treachery, and Other Terrors by Katharine Campbell
This quirky, fairytale fantasy is a fun and amusing read with a serious moral backbone.
Through the Ashes by Jacqueline Brown
Fans of The 100 and Runaway’s and The Gifted will find this YA story riveting.
Best Books of 2022
Our favorite book finds of the year!



