The academy saga, book ii:
“Cadet-in-Training”
The Academy Saga: “Cadet-in-Training”
Kate’s destiny has been determined for her.
Hidden out in the country for most of her life, Kate Connelly suddenly wakes up, handcuffed to a hospital bed, in the psyche ward of The Academy. Her crime? Being “gifted.” And it’s Officer “Ranger” Nealson’s job to make her adhere to The Academy’s agenda for her. Even though he’s the one who drugged and dragged her in. Kate’s hate for Ranger, and his academy, is at an all-time high.
Ranger has his work cut out for him . . . and Kate does too. She has to fight through the rigors of the Cadet-in-Training program, and quickly. If not, she’ll lose the one privilege she’s been given at The Academy—access to her precious little brother. And until she graduates from the CIT program, Officer Nealson is banned from Missions.
When General Weston finally offers a juicy recon to Ranger, he wants to jump at the chance to prove himself again. After all, catching bad guys is his thing. Almost all pros for doing it. One con—Cadet Connelly has to ride along.
The hardened officer finds he’s slowly been growing a soft spot for his mentee. But he’s determined not to end up like his father, and former Elite Cadet Pete Davenport—throwing away their career for a girl (not even a woman). And Kate has lingering feelings for Pete, who risked his life to warn her, and conflicting feelings for Ranger. She has to set both aside to focus on completing her first mission.
When the dust settles, old alliances are broken and new ones are formed. But one thing remains the same: Kate’s destiny has been determined for her by The Academy. Ready or not . . . she’s set for Missions. Will one of the former elite cadets step in to help change her fate, or will she be left to fight the Academy’s agenda alone?
Reader Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an unbelievable ride that I did not want to get off!! I couldn’t put it down - I absolutely devoured this book. I am going to need that next book ASAP lol bc I NEED more! It was SOOO good! Even better than the first! The whole story was non stop! I am so in love - I was Team Ranger from book 1 and my love for him grew! It was such a well-written story and the characters were so life-like that you felt like you were right there with them. This book was EVERYTHING!
- Megan Waters
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“HOW COULD YOU END IT RIGHT THERE? AND I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL EARLY 2021?! UNACCEPTABLE.
Ok, so we know what Pete is up to. Which, honestly, I really don't care for his character much so I could have done without his versions. He's a selfish pawn in my opinion.
I still don't know what Kate ultimately sees in him. He's betrayed her ridiculous amounts and she's still a love-sick puppy over him. No wonder Ranger holds so much rage in him...as well as for other things.
At least we get to delve a bit deeper into his character. Though the peaks we are getting still make me wonder why I am rooting for an abuser? He likes to hurt Kate. It makes him feel better. I don't like that. Maybe he will FINALLY get some real help in book 3 and be worthy of Kate...or maybe he will let her go so some mystery dude who deserves her can step in.”
- Michelle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Forget 5 stars...this is 10 stars at least!!!
This book has it all! I cannot believe we have to wait for more after that ending! So many thoughts and theories I have!
Team Pete / Team Ranger…
Ugh!!! I don't want to choose!!! If I absolutely had to I think I would still be Team Pete...but also a little Team Ranger. Here is why:
I feel like Pete wants what is best for her in regards to living her own life. The Academy sucks you in and takes you over. You don't have choices and you do what they say or they'll basically ruin you. Ranger is still Team Academy and I saw flickers of that wavering but not enough to make me switch teams completely.
4% - WHY OH WHY do I have to adult today of all days?! I'm not far in but I already love it. Hurry up lunchtime so I can get some more reading in!
8% - Finally work is over! Got a little reading done but now parental duties. Is it their bedtime yet?
13% - There was a time in my life where I could sit down, start a book, and then finish it. I miss those times. I was warned I might start liking Ranger and I can see it happening. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, I really do not want what Katie and Pete had to be nothing in the end. UGH! Must hide in the bathroom and read a lot today.
23% - I don't want to have to mark this for spoilers but I'm feeling so many emotions!
50% - That night out held so much promise. Why oh why is Ranger this way?! I want to feel bad for him but I'm too darn irritated by his destructive behavior.
58% - I have not given up! We just went camping for the weekend and there wasn't much time to read while walking each of 4 children in turn to the bathroom 7 billion times! I am STILL LOVING IT! I'm so anxious to see how this plays out, he can't think she will leave without her brother?! I mean he said as much...so WHAT IS THE FRIGGIN PLAN MAN?! haha I'll keep reading to find out. Side note: I don't actually mind that it is taking me a while to read it, prolongs the enjoyment, and leaves less time to cry about having to wait for the next one.
71% - Not done reading for the day but so much has happened I need to record these feelings. I am still Team Pete but I absolutely appreciate Ranger and wish he would get his feelings together. To say I was crushed after that 2 am stroll from confinement is an understatement. There were tears. This book is a rollercoaster and I am invested!
97% - THAT WAS INTENSE!!! I'm going to save the last little bit for the morning. I'm just not ready for it to be over. Why did it take all the way to the end for Ranger to get his crap together?!
100% - My heart is racing! I cannot believe I have to wait for more!!”
- Shawn Joy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“CJ Daly has done it again. I am rendered speechless after reading this second installment in The Academy Saga! Well sort of- I will somehow find enough words to write this review. Before I do that though, I will just say (*scream) that I need book 3 immediately. As in, right now, this very second, cannot wait any longer immediately. Just like with the first novel, everything is either perfect or so close near it that it hardly worth mentioning. The physical reactions were even more often and intense this time. Thankfully, I still didn't throw the book, but it did almost happen, but only maybe 10 times, so I consider that a win.
The characters were just as good if not better than they were in the first book. Ranger was definitely better, although I do still have mixed feelings about whether I like him or not. This has nothing to do with the writing at all-the writing was fantastic. It's more of an I don't know about his personality yet. I keep going back and forth on loving him because of some of the more toxic traits he has. However, his flaws help make him more real which makes me love the book even more. All of the characters feel like they could be real people- they are not too perfect or so evil that you can hardly think of them as human. Kate was once again fantastic and I think she is overall someone I would want to be like. I love all of her layers and deep feelings. Even with the limited amount of time we saw Pete, I still love his character so much. He apparently does not need a lot of page time to be loved. The same goes for Andrew. Just to calm any worries you may be having over this, Mikey stays just as adorable as ever.
The plot was absolutely amazing. I loved the transfer from the small town to The Academy and getting to know more about The Academy in general. This book had a ton of action, awkwardness, pain, love, and basically everything one would experience in real life. It was fast-paced and entrancing quite honestly. I found myself unable to resist picking it back up even if I only had a single minute to read. It pained me every time I had to pause to do something else (thank you very much to all of my classes for forcing me to stop- NOT!). The pacing was perfect, the twists were present, and perhaps most importantly the connection was formed.
The emotional rollercoaster that was the first book transformed into a full-on hurricane. I experienced numerous emotions that were like sadness and anxiety (negative but in a good way) then was able to calm down a bit during the eye of the storm just to be thrown into another twist and start feeling those oh my gosh, what just happened I'm not okay emotions again. I am also convinced that this author is the master of making you feel second-hand embarrassment.
The cover is really pretty and meaningful which I love, just like I did with the first book. I also definitely agree with the little bit the author of "The Last Train from Paris" said that is on the cover. The book is 100% binge-worthy!
Overall, this book was another smash hit that I cannot recommend with enough fervor. Hopefully, my love of this series has been evident in my reviews. I need everyone to read the books so that I have an endless supply of people to rave about them with! Pretty please help spread the word about this amazing series and author because both deserve so much praise!”
- @theya_book_talk