Review: The Candidates (Delacroix Academy #1) by Inara Scott

Hardcover, 293 pages

Released: August 24,2010

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

ISBN13: 9781423116363

Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that's not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia's mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just...happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to anyone, belieiving this way she can supress her powers and keep them hidden.

But when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy show up in her living room to offer her a full scholarship, Dancia's days of living under the radar may be over. Only, Delcroix is a school for diplomats' kids and child geniuses--not B students with uncontrollable telekinetic tendencies. So why are they treating Dancia like she's special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make Dancia feel welcome.

And then there's her mysterious new friend Jack, who can't stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the Academy and wants Dancia to help him figure out what. But Dancia isn't convinced. She hopes that maybe the recruiters know more about her "gift" than they're letting on. Maybe they can help her understand how to use it...But not even Dancia could have imagined what awaits her behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.

My Rating: 4 / 5

My Thoughts:

The main character Dancia has just been invited to join a prestigious boarding school - on full scholarship. What she see's at school are students who excel at one thing or another, she doesn't understand is why they chose her. She's not rich, always tried to make herself invisable & her grades are just average....welll sort of, she does have a super power she can't control.

Being a YA book at a boarding school, you have to expect a love triangle. My heart goes out to the mysterious bad boy, Jack but sadly, Dancia is too infatuated with Cam. Dancia's choices are a tad frustrating but being all of 14 & pursued by the hottie class president of the school, I can cut her some slack. She has been taken from here sheltered life & thrown right into a world she never could have imagined, so in all fairness, I probably wouldn't have believed all the signs either.

I knew coming into this book that it was part of a series so expected to have way more questions then answers. Being book one, there is a lot of building of characters, relationships and the plot is just being developed - but boy, it's going to be a fun ride! I can't wait to see how it all plays out: Is the school really and truly only looking to enhance the supernatural skills for the good of the world? Is Cam really the good preppy guy OR is he brainwashed and totally clueless of the schools ulterior motives? Can Jack be saved before he goes to the dark side or is he already there?

Do you like supernatural powers & conspiracies, boarding schools, shows like Heros and X-Men? If so, this series is perfect for you.