Flight of the Outcast (The Academy Year 1)
Author: Brad Strickland
Publication: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; Original edition (April 1, 2010)
Description: Asteria Locke's Fight has just begun...
Asteria Locke has never left her father's farm on the remote planet of Theron. But in one terrible moment, a surprise attack by space raiders destroys everything she's ever known. Orphaned and alone, Asteria vows to avenge her father's death by joining the Royal Spacefleet Academy. . . even if she has to lie to get in.
Branded an outcast at the Academy from the start, Asteria must work twice as hard as the other students to prove herself. But in time, she suspects that the Aristocrats who torment her have more sinister motives than shaming a commoner. They'll stop at nothing to hide a secret from her father's past-a secret that could shift the balance of power throughout the entire universe.
My Thoughts: This was an exciting middle grade science fiction story. It reminded me a little bit of the Star Wars series in that the main character was an orphan from a rural, out-of-the-way planet who had a father who had been in the star fleet. It is also a boarding school story like Harry Potter.
The main character Asteria decides to take her cousin's place in the Academy after he and her father are killed by Raiders. The story talks about her first year there. The society is divided into Aristos and Commoners. Aristos are the privileged class. Aster is a Commoner whe gets an Aristo rival in one of her classmates. Kayser reminds me a little of Draco Malfoy. He has a sense of entitlement and is willing to cheat his way to success. Aster is a single-minded character who is driven to succeed so that she can avenge the death of her family. She does make some friends, especially Dai who is also a Commoner and an scholarship student.
This was an exciting adventure and I am waiting eagerly for book two in the series. I recommend this for middle graders and YAs who like adventure.
Description: Asteria Locke's Fight has just begun...
Asteria Locke has never left her father's farm on the remote planet of Theron. But in one terrible moment, a surprise attack by space raiders destroys everything she's ever known. Orphaned and alone, Asteria vows to avenge her father's death by joining the Royal Spacefleet Academy. . . even if she has to lie to get in.
Branded an outcast at the Academy from the start, Asteria must work twice as hard as the other students to prove herself. But in time, she suspects that the Aristocrats who torment her have more sinister motives than shaming a commoner. They'll stop at nothing to hide a secret from her father's past-a secret that could shift the balance of power throughout the entire universe.
My Thoughts: This was an exciting middle grade science fiction story. It reminded me a little bit of the Star Wars series in that the main character was an orphan from a rural, out-of-the-way planet who had a father who had been in the star fleet. It is also a boarding school story like Harry Potter.
The main character Asteria decides to take her cousin's place in the Academy after he and her father are killed by Raiders. The story talks about her first year there. The society is divided into Aristos and Commoners. Aristos are the privileged class. Aster is a Commoner whe gets an Aristo rival in one of her classmates. Kayser reminds me a little of Draco Malfoy. He has a sense of entitlement and is willing to cheat his way to success. Aster is a single-minded character who is driven to succeed so that she can avenge the death of her family. She does make some friends, especially Dai who is also a Commoner and an scholarship student.
This was an exciting adventure and I am waiting eagerly for book two in the series. I recommend this for middle graders and YAs who like adventure.
Challenges: RYOB Reading Challenge, 2010 YA Reading Challenge, In the Middle Reading Challenge
Niece #2 really enjoyed this but as you commented thought it was quite similar to Star Wars in places.
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