My thoughts...This book is a solid start to an exciting new young adult series. While it does take place at a boarding school, this is not your typical story. The main characters have extraordinary abilities. The main character Dancia is whisked away to this elite school, without realizing she is not alone in her talents. She is a believable character. Dancia is not the most popular girl rolling in money and fancy clothes. She comes from the other side of the tracks. Her vulnerability makes her real. I immediately fell for the bad boy in this story. Despite everyone looking down on him, Jack has an incredibly strong character. He is street smart, original, brave, and unafraid of standing up for himself and his friends. The other characters in the story leave you wondering if they are trustworthy or honest. Even at the conclusion of the book, I still had doubts about the credibility of some of the people
The plot of The Candidates offers something for everyone. A PG rated love triangle, mystery, magic, and page turning suspense fill the pages. Scott's writing draws the reader in on within the first chapter. She is developing a fascinating world that I can't wait to learn more about.
The plot of The Candidates offers something for everyone. A PG rated love triangle, mystery, magic, and page turning suspense fill the pages. Scott's writing draws the reader in on within the first chapter. She is developing a fascinating world that I can't wait to learn more about.
I will preface this review by shallowly admitting I was completely entraced by the cover. It is honestly what drew me in from the beginning.
That being said, I truly enjoyed this book to the point where I read it in one day. While it wasn't necessarily a book I desperately had to finish it, I also didn't feel the need to "take a break" and walk away from the book.
I'm suprised this is Inara Scott's first book - she handled it like a pro. Her characters come off as complete and intriguing, and her settings are lush and descriptive. In fact, had the character of Dancia not announced to readers she was only 14, I think I would have thought she was an older teen for most of the book because of the more sophisticated style of wording Scott uses throughout the book.
THE CANDIDATES doesn't throw anything unexpected at the reader. And while Dancia isn't as extraordinary a character as her power, I found her likeable nonetheless. Even brooding Jack, who could have easily become an obnoxiously predictable "bad boy", was a fun character.
This is also one of the few books I've read with a romantic triangle where I have no idea which couple I'm supposed to invest in. Dancia and Jack have this electric connection because of their gifts, but Dancia and Cam seem more suited for each other in many ways. In most books, I can tell right off the bat which couple the author wants me to ship out of a triangle, but Scott generously lets the reader draw their own conclusions. In a world of Bella & Edward soulmates, that is a refreshing idea. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel, THE WATCHERS, this summer.
That being said, I truly enjoyed this book to the point where I read it in one day. While it wasn't necessarily a book I desperately had to finish it, I also didn't feel the need to "take a break" and walk away from the book.
I'm suprised this is Inara Scott's first book - she handled it like a pro. Her characters come off as complete and intriguing, and her settings are lush and descriptive. In fact, had the character of Dancia not announced to readers she was only 14, I think I would have thought she was an older teen for most of the book because of the more sophisticated style of wording Scott uses throughout the book.
THE CANDIDATES doesn't throw anything unexpected at the reader. And while Dancia isn't as extraordinary a character as her power, I found her likeable nonetheless. Even brooding Jack, who could have easily become an obnoxiously predictable "bad boy", was a fun character.
This is also one of the few books I've read with a romantic triangle where I have no idea which couple I'm supposed to invest in. Dancia and Jack have this electric connection because of their gifts, but Dancia and Cam seem more suited for each other in many ways. In most books, I can tell right off the bat which couple the author wants me to ship out of a triangle, but Scott generously lets the reader draw their own conclusions. In a world of Bella & Edward soulmates, that is a refreshing idea. I'll definitely be checking out the sequel, THE WATCHERS, this summer.
