The Candidates by Inara Scott
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 293
Source: Accepted pitch from author
Interest: Debut Author
Challenge: 2010 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon
Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that's not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia's mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever 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, belieiving 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. Only, Delcroix is a school for diplomats' kids and child geniuses--not B students with uncontrollable telekinetic tendencies. So why are they treating Dancia like she's special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make Dancia feel welcome.
And then there's her mysterious new friend Jack, who can't stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the Academy and wants Dancia to help him figure out what. But Dancia isn't convinced. She hopes that maybe the recruiters know more about her "gift" than they're letting on. Maybe they can help her understand how to use it...But not even Dancia could have imagined what awaits her behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.
Okay first off, how awesome is Dancia's Grandma. Is that lady not an infinite pool of in your face wisdom! I did not get nearly enough of Granny this time around.
As for the actual novel... I thought it was a little slow at times, but there was a lot of background information that was presented. I'm thinking/hoping that this is going to set us up for something extremely awesome in book two. Speaking of book two, after the ending in book one, I need the sequel, like now!
The mystery surrounding the school is one of the main aspects of the novel that kept me reading. I wanted to know what exactly Delcroix Academy was and why exactly they chose Dancia and Jack, when they were so different from the other students. And even though we're given a glimpse of the secret at the end of the novel, I have a feeling there is so much more going on. You'll be on the end of your seat trying to figure this one out. I'm just hoping that Dancia hasn't gotten herself in deeper than she should have...
The two other characters that were prominent in the novel besides Dancia are Cam and Jack. These two characters could be more different. And even though Jack is the one with the bad boy exterior... I can't help but feel a little uneasy about Cam. I don't want to say much more about it, but I think you'll see what I mean.
Overall, The Candidates is well written, entertaining read, with a unique twist. I'm eagerly awaiting book two!