Academy 7 [Paperback]

Anne Osterlund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 14, 2009

With a past too terrible to speak of, and a bleak, lonely future ahead of her, Aerin Renning is shocked to find she has earned a place at the most exclusive school in the universe. Aerin excels at Academy 7 in all but debate, where Dane Madousin?son of one of the most powerful men in the Alliance? consistently outtalks her. Fortunately Aerin consistently outwits him at sparring. They are at the top of their class until Dane jeopardizes everything and Aerin is unintentionally dragged down with him. When the pair is given a joint punishment, an unexpected friendship?and romance?begins to form. But Dane and Aerin both harbor dangerous secrets, and the two are linked in ways neither of them could ever have imagined. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up—In this futuristic tale, two teens with mysterious and difficult pasts meet at the universe's most prestigious and demanding school: Academy 7. Aerin, a foreigner and fugitive slave, knows she does not belong here. Dane, the rebellious younger son of the Alliance's most powerful leader, enrolls partly to thwart his father's control over his life. From the beginning of the school term, Dane's cocky, contrary nature and Aerin's extraordinary combat and computer-savvy land them both in trouble with the school's administrator, a powerful member of the Alliance Council. Aerin, secretive and estranged from nearly all social contact, and Dane, bad-boy, rich-kid heartthrob, are unlikely allies. Each holds a key to information that could cause political repercussions throughout the Alliance, and an uneasy truce develops as they are repeatedly thrown together. The story's pacing, intrigue, and subtly romantic overtones are consistently engaging, but the use of pen and paper and easily hacked computer systems seem anachronistic, and a few futuristic details may need a strong visual imagination. Such effects hardly detract from Osterlund's impressionistic and evocative storytelling style, as the plot moves at light-speed, and the setting and characters are believable. Academy 7 is a satisfying, refreshing portrayal of two smart, desperate, and unhappy young people struggling to make sense of—and better—the world their parents bequeathed them.—Roxanne Myers Spencer, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green END

Review

"The story's pacing, intrigue, and subtly romantic overtones are consistently engaging...satisfying, refreshing." --School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Speak (May 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142414379
• ISBN-13: 978-0142414378
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #601,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anne Osterlund, author of Aurelia, Academy 7, and Exile, grew up in the sunshine of eastern Oregon. She enjoys teaching and presenting to groups who share her passion for language, literature, and imagination. She lives in a cute little yellow house with her best feline friend, Dance, and her own library of young adult books. Anne is currently immersed in writing her fourth novel, with dreams of many more in the future. Come unveil the intrigue at her website. www.anneosterlund.com


Anne's Literary Facts

Favorite Part of Writing: The characters! They talk. Some of them very loud and opinionated, like Aurelia. Others deep and wounded like Aerin. Some of them who just can't wait to make everything on the page explode. Can you say Dane? But they all make writing exhilarating.

Favorite Book: Peter Pan by James Barrie. Because the magic is real. The island is real. The danger is real. What I love about the book is that it all feels real!

Favorite Authors: Tamora Pierce, Sharon Shinn, S.E. Hinton, Louisa May Alcott, Ann Rinaldi, L.M. Montgomery, John Marsden, Maria V. Snyder, Meg Cabot, Sally Watson, Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, and on and on and on.

Favorite Literary Place: Scotland!

Required When Writing: A cat. At least one. Preferably more.

Favorite Movie Based on a Book: Anne of Green Gables

Favorite Literary Event: Sirens, Women in Fantasy Literature Conference in Vail, CO

Best Advice for Aspiring Authors: Write the story you love! The one that refuses to go away or disappear. And then write the next and the next and the next.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read from a new and rising author, September 16, 2009

By 

Ariadne H. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Academy 7 (Paperback)

Aerin Renning is a girl on the run. A fugitive. Who happens to be offered the chance to attend the most prestigious school in her galaxy: Academy 7. The catch? You need to be a citizen of the Alliance. Which is something that Aerin isn't.

Dane Madausin is the son of the Alliance's leading military officer, whose life should have been one of privilege and prestige, but has been that of a rebel. So, against his father's wishes, he is attending Academy 7.

Aerin wants to stay unnoticed, doing her assignments and attending her classes without drawing undue attention to herself or the little differences between her and the other students that could give her away. Dane doesn't care about his reputation and when he thinks that his father is going to order him home, he pulls a stupid prank that lands Aerin in serious trouble. Dane feels guilty for implicating Aerin in his offense and tries to apologize but even though they work together daily on chores as punishment, Aerin wants nothing at all to do with Dane. He is a troublemaker, which leads to attention, which she cannot afford; he got her into trouble and due to other earlier misunderstandings and misleading statements from other spiteful students, Aerin has a very poor opinion of Dane.

Still a tenuous friendship springs to life after Dane discovers that she is not a citizen and they form a bargain - Dane will coach Aerin on the Alliance and she'll teach him fighting, at which she excels. And as their friendship develops, surprising aspects of each character's history and personality are revealed. But is this friendship strong enough to overcome the scars that burden them, the walls that they have built to protect themselves, or the dark past that plagues both Aerin and Dane?

Aerin has been so hurt, so injured by life. She trusts no one, cares for no one. But she retains her courage and dignity. Dane is able to bring a part of her to life that was never allowed to exist before. Dane, as well, as been damaged by his past - abused physically, verbally and emotionally by his father (who could use a few anger management classes), set upon by his brother Paul who plays him against their father. He is furious, lashing out, recklessly endangering his life. But that changes when he meets Aerin. She is the one person who doesn't treat him like the son of the General. She doesn't show him the least bit of respect or deference. But as much as she intrigues him and as much as he admires her, he cannot let her in because that would be too painful.

The suspense and intrigue was overhyped. The big reveal, while certainly tragic, is not all that fraught with peril nor is it as immediately dark and dangerous and terrible as it is made to seem. I blame the cover blurb - don't overstate a matter to get me to read only to have me be disappointed by false advertising.

That said, the friendship story, as it progresses toward something more romantically inclined, is very well done. And for as short a book as this is, I felt that you get the feeling of a lot being done and you feel that sense of time passing and change. You can read 700 page books that get less done, so it is really a compliment when I say that it feels like the story accomplishes something and I honestly wish this book was longer. I never skimmed and did not feel like skipping ahead, a constant trouble with the majority of books I pick up. So a truly excellent blend of pacing, editing and development of character and dialogue that never left me wondering "Why is this here? What is the point? Get on with it already!" If anything, more conversations would have made this book better. And a little less ambiguity in sections.

But with all these secrets beginning to come out, I foresee many troubles ahead for Dane, and especially Aerin. So, please, please, let's see that sequel. Or two. I'll break my "no more trilogies" rule if I can just see their story completed!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More please., September 18, 2009

By 

Allison Murdock "Alli" (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Academy 7 (Paperback)

I'm an adult who's been on a young adult kick for a while, and yes there are a lot of good books out there in this genre that adults as well as younger readers can enjoy and this is definitely one of them. I'm surprised it doesn't have a bigger following than it does honestly.

For me, characters are what makes a good book. The characters, Aerin and Dane and even a number of the supporting characters, are definitely compelling and I found myself very easily intrigued by and drawn into their world. I would also LOVE to see more of these characters in the future. The story flows and the only real problem I have with it is there could've been more. It is a short book and it really could've been longer.

All in all, it's a truly enjoyable read that doesn't leave you hanging at the end. It wraps up very nicely but still leaves you longing to hear more from this world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Academy 7 is a joy of a read!, July 5, 2009

By 

Kristianna Svetich - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Academy 7 (Paperback)

Anne created a wonderful world with Academy 7. The characters are strong, independent and fun. I was so into the story that I almost read it in one day. I had to tell myself to put the book down and save it. I was sad when the story ended and wished for a sequel. Its a true delight to read.