Book: The CandidatesSeries: Delcroix Academy, Book 1
Authoress: Inara Scott
Pages: 293
Publisher: Hyperion
Publisher: Hyperion
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Goodreads: The Candidates
Genre: YA, Mystery
Book blurb courtesy of Goodreads: "Whenever Dancia she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just...happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to anyone, believing this way she can supress her powers and keep them hidden. But when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy show up in her living room to offer her a full scholarship, Dancia's days of living under the radar may be over."
My summary: Dancia was just beginning to settle in at her new distinguished boarding school, when her friend Jack starts to notice some very odd things about the school, their hosts, and the seemingly normal student-body.
My say: The Candidates is a slow yet deliberate story that concentrates on building characters, relationships, and tensions. What I am really looking forward to is book two. Now that we know what Dancia can do, just what does she plan to do about it?
My love-the-love take: Once again I found myself rooting for the underdog in this love triangle. I do hope Jack will be back.
My warning: You may not love Dancia's choice at the end but don't fret it does have a good resolution.
My cover thoughts: I know the cover seems dark and hellish but don't let that scare you away. What at first glance appears to be flames, is actually the heroine's pulsing energy.
My kiddie-o-meter: There is no sex or foul language. Violence is minimal.
My favorite parts:
- The smoking hot kiss! Man that was good! I still smile when I think of it.
- Dancia's sweet elderly grandmother warmed my heart. I want to go to her house for dinner.
My rating: 4 stars
My contest: Want to try The Candidates? Thanks to the authoress, I have 1 signed hardcover up for grabs. If you are a resident of the US, comment with your email address below. The winner will be announced November 30th.
My final say: Have you read this book? Didn't misunderstood Jack remind you a little of Daniel from The Dark Divine? Bad boys do nothing for me but broken and misunderstood guys always pull at my heart strings.
Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
Didn't read this book yet, but I too will cheer for the underdog. I think. It depends, but they should get some love!
ReplyDeleteLol, anyway, great review! =D
Still haven't read it, but I'm glad you enjoyed it :) Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book, it sounds really good.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
I really want to read this one...but the cover did remind me of a hellish plot...I think thats why I havent...but please count me in!!
ReplyDeletewillowdust@gmail.com
I have been wanting to read this book too--pretty cover
ReplyDeleteaprilmom00@gmail.com
This is on my wish list!!! But I still haven't picked it up. But to tell a secret I love boarding school books, I don't know but I like them! Your comment on the love triangle worries me though.. I hate when I fall in love with the guy she won't probably end up with ...
ReplyDeletemrsvanquish@me.com
(I'm not from the US but I have a US mailing adress;)
Great review and thanks for the giveaway as I have been wanting to read this one! My email is Chris327@mac.com. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThat was quite a hot kissing scene huh? I couldn't decide, but I think I want her to be with Jack.
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I didn't read The Dark Divine, but I really liked The Candidates. I'll definitely read the next one.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this since I saw the cover forever ago on your site! I love your review!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a terrific giveaway! I'm in. Thanks for hosting! reginahott at gmail
I always love how your reviews break the story and your experience with it down into the finest little tidbits that add up to one word...WONDERFUL. ^_^ Seriously! My reviews get so wordy at times, but I can't help it....they start flowing and just won't stop. Anywho...glad to learn a bit more about this book as I've seen the cover/title around and been curious, but not quite enough. Am I now? Yep! So..count me in on the contest too (please)! Happy reading!
ReplyDeletegrgenius(at)gmail(dot)com
I've been wanting to read this book. Thank you for the great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteseriousreader at live dot com
This looks so great! I've been wanting to read it for a while. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteelizabeth.harkinson(at)gmail(dot)com
I like the misunderstood boys. Still haven't read this book, but it sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway.
justaiv09(at)gmail(dot)com
I didn't know there were two boys vying for Danica's affections but I have heard about the awesome grandmother. I'd like to read this :)
ReplyDeletethank you for the giveaway!
piratepenguinreads(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a book I have to read!
ReplyDeleteakaleistar (at) gmail (dot) com
Don't enter me, I just wanted to say I enjoyed your review. I have this book but haven't had the chance to read it yet. I've really been looking forward to it though. Thanks for the update on book #2 as well. Great job! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I like the sound of that kiss. :) lol. I like that there is character development and slow buildings, not always my favourite, but I will give this book a try.
ReplyDeleteI often find myself liking the underdog, did so again with my latest book
ReplyDeleteOOH - this sounds good!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one too! Like you, I was rooting for Jack. I hope he'll be back, definitely. I don't like Mister Perfect.
ReplyDeleteLOL! You always make me laugh when I read your reviews. I don't know who Jack is but bring him back, indeed! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'd really love to read this one, so thanks for the giveaway!
missie at theunreadreader.com
*crosses fingers and toes*
Great giveaway! This book looks really cool!
ReplyDeleteako4eggs at comcast dot net
No I haven't read this one yet but the more I hear about his the more I want to.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I can't wait to see what Danica decides to do with her power and where Jack ends up. I was really rooting for him and I really really hope he has a happy ending some how.
ReplyDeleteFantastic review! I definitely agree about her grandmother, such a sweetheart!
I already have a copy so count me out for the contest, but good luck to everyone else!
Oh this one sounds so good....and I'm with you - I always want to just love on those broken boys and make it all better....ugh, my undoing!
ReplyDeleteplease count me in - anovelsource@gmail.com
I've heard really good things about this book.
ReplyDeleteparanormalfanatic@gmail.com
Smoking hot kiss? Sounds good to me :) Good to know it's not as hellish as the cover!
ReplyDeletemeredithmoore5@gmail.com
ooo that cover is awesome! I'm in on that contest!
ReplyDeleteinfo@tipsyreader.com
A fantastic kiss that lingers..That is m kind of read
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, Juju! I'm dying to read this one...please enter me!
ReplyDeleteiswimforoceans at gmail dot com
I'm glad you explained that cover. sounds like an interesting book
ReplyDeleteHey Juju!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way! I almost always go for the sweet underdog! Great review! I thought the cover was fire at first, but I like it a lot more now that you said it was her energy. I'm definitely going to get this book!
Oops sorry!
ReplyDelete...my email is callmecrazyreviews(at)rocketmail(dot)com
I definitely want to read this book. Please enter me.
ReplyDeletemhs160(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks!
This is one of those books that has been on my radar since I first heard about it. It looks great. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletemindfulmusings(at)live(dot)com
Re-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/11/win-candidates-at-tales-of-whimsy.html
ReplyDeleteGoodluck to everybody entering!!
(not an entry)
i already won this from another contest so please dont enter me :) great review! makes me even more excited for the book
ReplyDeleteExcellent review! I'm glad you said the cover is not flames but energy. I was worried it was hellfire! :)
ReplyDeleteiwouldratherbereading@gmail.com
count me in! i've been wanting to read this book :)
ReplyDeletechelleyreads AT gmail DOT com
Wonderful review, Juju, as always! You've really made me want to read this book, asap. I actually really love the cover. I does look scary though. Hehe! And trust me you're not the only one, I always fall for the underdog too! Thanks so much for the contest, Juju. Please count me in! Thanks! =D
ReplyDeleteBere @ Sueños en la Luna
bere4estrella(at)hotmail(dot)com
I so love your reviews especially because you share the kiddie meter!
ReplyDeletethemgowl at gmail.com
Fab book review! I'm looking forward to reading this book. It's moving up in my TBR pile :) Can't wait to read the smoking hot kiss!
ReplyDeleteLove your review, and I also loved this book. You aren’t the only one rooting for the underdog. I haven’t read The Dark Divine yet so I can’t weigh in on the comparison. Oh and I loved grandma too :)
ReplyDeleteah! hears soo many great things about this book but none of them mentioned a smokin kiss! lol as always fab review juju!
ReplyDeleterteenbookworm at gmail.com
Twitted about your contest at: http://twitter.com/#!/cherrymischivus/status/4571778915500032
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love Daniel, in The Dark Divine. I would love to see if Jack compares. Jessielclark@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAll: Thanks for all your lovely comment and entries :)
ReplyDeleteCherry: As always, you ROCK :) Thank you :)
Christie & Bere & Katie & Blod: Yay! I feel like I'm always rooting for the boy no one else does ;)
Faye & Julie: Yay! It's a really good kiss.
Kelli & Meredith & Tina: I thought the very same thing when I first saw it ;)
Audrey: Yay :)
Cleverly: I knew you'd understand. You're so good at reading between the lines. :)
Stacy & Adriana & Dazzling: LOL In real life I married the sweet solid good guy who it felt "right" with from the beginning but in books I am always attracted to the boy who is misunderstood and needs to be healed and loved. :)
1stdaughter & Kay: OMG me too! I want so much more for Jack. And Kay, I totally feel ya *high five* I keep expecting him to be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or something.
Jenny N.: Yay! Mission accomplished :)
Missie: LOL ahhh thanks :) That's the best compliment :)
I want to read that: You should totally try it :)
Nina: Yay I feel ya :) Let me know what you think! :)
Wrighty: Ahhhh thanks darling :)
Pirate: Good luck sweet pea! :)
GMR: Ahhh *beaming* Hey your reviews rock! Thank gooodness there is so many different kinds of reviews and reviewers out there. It keeps us from sounding like broken records right? :D
Andrea: Yay! Were you rooting for the perfect guy or Jack? You really should try The Dark Divine. It's sooooooooooo good. :)
Gina: Thanks pumpkin :)
Brandi: Totally! And OOoo me too! *high five*
Danny: O yah. That totally happens here. But I have hope :) *fingers crossed*
Ooh, this looks like a great book! I love that the cover is energy and not fire! Please enter me.
ReplyDeletegjmanning(at)wildblue(dot)net
BLM: I feel ya :) Me too! Thanks for entering.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Thanks for the contest!! I've had my eye on this one!!
ReplyDeleteinthehammockblog at gmail dot com
Cool contest!
ReplyDeletebookloversdiary@yahoo.com
Sounds great! I'd love to be entered for this one.
ReplyDeletefollow on gfc
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
***Please note: This contest is closed. The winner was announced 11/30/2010. (http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2010/11/winners-winners-winners-candidates.html)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your interest and for entering. Please continue to check my right hand sidebar for more upcoming contests.***