A review by jankiap
The Orphan by Wendi L. Wilson

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The first book of the Oberon Academy series, The Orphan, recounts the story of December Thorne and her abrupt change of life. Our girl December is really going through it at the beginning of this book. Honestly, it was giving a One Direction fic circa 2013 where your abusive mom sells you to the group. However, in this case, she ends up going to a fancy private school to escape her foster dad who attempts to assault her. This world is a futuristic view of our current world, where the humans basically fucked up the planet. Another race, the Zephyrs, came to the rescue and revived the crops, cattle, and water supply. Of course, they took advantage and now control everything, although the humans are very grateful.  

When she starts at Oberon Academy, she immediately catches the attention of Easton Oberon, the headmaster Finn's grandson, and of course he has a reputation for trouble.

She learns that everyone is a sylphid and she is at least part Zephyr, so basically she is in enemy territory (and the enemy is right). She ends up with him because she actually has feelings for him (Easton can read emotions and can tell when someone is using him).

She also makes her first friend, Shaela, and I love to see a strong female friendship in a YA fantasy book.

While she is training her powers with Easton and her mentor Rowan, Rowan dies and December learns that she is immune to Finn's powers. 

This book is very reminiscent of the content I was consuming for fun in middle/high school, and I did have a fun time consuming this, even though it wasn't sophisticated or life changing.