Academy 7
10. Anne Osterlund, Academy 7
Aerin is a fugitive slave, fleeing a life of violence and forced labor on the planet of Vizhan. With a dead father and a mother she can’t even remember, she has nowhere to go; that is, until an Alliance spaceship rescues her. Inexplicably, she receives an offer to attend Academy 7, the most prestigious school in the universe. When she arrives at the Academy, she meets Dane, the rebellious son of an important Alliance general. Aerin and Dane soon strike up a friendly rapport, but she must cope with constant fear and insecurity, and Dane has secrets of his own. Their growing friendship tests them both, and eventually they will face the greatest challenge of their lives; but will their fragile trust in each other be able to survive?
I haven’t read much science fiction, and I was intrigued by the blending of genres in this novel. Although I love fantasy, it was a bit of a relief to get through a YA book that didn’t once mention vampires, werewolves, or shapeshifters of any kind. That said, this book doesn’t seem particularly strong as a science fiction novel; while there are a few mentions of advanced technology (spaceships, fancy computers, laser guns, etc.), the sci-fi elements are clearly just a backdrop for the main story of Aerin and Dane. I enjoyed the unfolding of their relationship, and I was glad to see that neither of them had magical powers or a grand save-the-world destiny. At bottom, this book is a nice YA romance with sympathetic protagonists and a few futuristic trappings. It’s not earth-shatteringly unique or excellent, but it is a refreshing change from a lot of the current YA trends.