“The Academie”
Written by Amy Joy
Review written by Diana Iozzia

“The Academie” is a science fiction and dystopian YA novel about a dystopian United States that has created a high school and college school system of boarding schools that requires students to live on campus until 23 years old. Allie’s younger brother, Matt, is suspiciously different after studying there for a year. Allie had made a friend, Bryan, previous to going to this school, and she longs to reconnect with him.
This school is more mysterious and suspicious. Events and occurrences are unexplained and very mysterious. This is a great young adult novel, in my favorite genre: the science fiction/dystopian genre. This intrigued me, because when I was eighteen, I had started writing a story about a corrupt and dystopian boarding school, so I was excited to read this when I received it. I only took about five hours total to read this! It was fantastic.
I had not previously heard of this novel, I had seen it in a list about Dystopian themes, so I was very interested in it. This book is very well-written, with themes similar to “The Matrix” but it felt very sweet and feminine and full of young love. I really hope for a sequel.

I received this as a complementary review copy. ( )

The Academie presents life from the framework of a girl who, despite working hard and following the rules, finds herself locked away. The story is honest and emotional, delving into family, friendships, feelings of isolation, and the need to stand up for what is right. Along the way, readers experience a full range of emotions as they view life from Allie’s perspective—finding true love and having it taken away, dealing with parents that side with the system that locks you away, and finding friends to see you through when it feels like the world is collapsing in on you. More than your typical dystopia, The Academie will keep you guessing until the very end.
When the author can bring out all your emotions she has done her job. Very well written. The characters were very well developed and likeable. I felt like I was there experiencing it all myself.

Another part of this novel that I really enjoyed was the suspense and mystery that I got from reading this book. I thought the book was going to go in one direction, but by the end I was totally wrong and something happened that I did not see coming!! I love when books surprise me and keep me on edge, and this novel definitely did this for me!!

Overall, I really enjoyed The Académie, and I recommend that you all check this book out. Hat’s off to Amy Joy!! ( )

The Academie has an interesting plot. I've never read one like it before. Though I wish more time was spent on this plot. A large part of the story is spent in flashbacks of Allie's family and internet chats. I found this part boring.

I couldn't get into the main character. She's mean. She focuses too much on other females looks and makes judgments from it. The typical ugly = bad, pretty = good. I know this is how most people are in real life, but I don't want to read about it or be in a characters head while they're doing it. I guess I'm just used to authors leaving this aspect of human nature out of their books. She also called her classmates morons for being in basic classes and thought it was sad that her new friend didn't go to college and instead got a job.

I think Shara was my favorite character. I wish we found out what happened to her. She probably got arrested since she didn't show back up, but it was never confirmed, so I don't know for sure.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. ( )

Times are getting crazy. Everyone is scared for their lives so The Academie was created. Everyone under the age of 23 has to attend.
The Academie will provide them with an education, feed them, clothe them, and give them shelter.

Alathea (Allie) Thompson wants nothing to do with The Academie. She doesn't want to leave her family, or Bryan, behind. Her younger brother Matt, is already at The Academie and she doesn't like the way he's changed. She suspects The Academie isn't what everyone thinks it is. There must be more to it than meets the eye.

Life there is boring. They follow the same schedule every day and are rarely allowed to go out. Add to that the fact that she bombed her initial tests, which resulted in her being placed in low-level classes and it basically feels like a prison.

Allie starts noticing some inconsistencies and she starts sharing her findings with her friends and her brother, Matt. When people start disappearing without explanation, Allie suspicions are confirmed. They are hiding something from them.

This book was fast-paced and the chapters were really short. Which is always a plus to me! It kept me interested and I was never bored while reading it. The ending kinda made me mad, but, what are you gonna do...

Overall, it was good. It's reminded me of The Annihilation of Neverland, only The Academie has a creepier feel to it. ( )

ISBN: 9781463692827
Publisher: Self / Indie
Pages: 288

When Allie Thompson graduated, she thought she'd put high school behind her. But when a series of violent outbreaks by teens sends panic surging through the nation, high school is right where Allie finds herself again. Now remolded into what the government calls The Academie, what was once the public school system is now the permanent home of everyone 22 and under.
After a year of college and a lifetime as a model student, Allie doesn't take well to The Academie's militaristic nature or its 16 foot perimeter fences.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was beautifully written and well thought out. I found The Academie to be a bit like Delirium and Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver as well as Variant by Robison Wells, I would definitely recommend this book! My favourite character was Ruby because of her determination to be at home with her daughter and her caring nature. Allie was also one of my favourite characters because of her rebellious nature and her tenacity. I like the cover, it really compliments the story within.

Available at Amazon.co.uk. ( )