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A review by mehsi
The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy by M.A. Larson
5.0
The second book in this amazing series with tons of training, princesses, drama, witches, dragons, and so much more!
I was so happy when I had the chance to read this book, I loved the first one and I was very curious as to how the story would continue. What kind of stuff would happen in Evie's second year at the Academy? Would there be witches? How would her relationship with Remington go (ship ship and ship)? Would any of her friends have to leave the academy (because we are still at Pennyroyal Academy and the tiniest thing can get you kicked out)?
I have to say that at first the book was a bit boring. I was definitely not that motivated to read and it took me 4 days before I finally got back to the book. I struggled again, but then they finally got the academy and I was instantly in love again. I have no clue why, but the outside world just didn't interest me that much. I just wanted more of Pennyroyal Academy. Plus, why didn't any of her friends just tell Evie how to send letters? They should have known she wouldn't have the faintest clue what to do.
The second year at the Academy was one filled with new teachers (and old), new lessons, swordfighting (yes, Evie is learning how to use the sword she got at the beginning, and Basil is just too dang amazing with swordfighting), making food for the new recruits (and there are a ton of them this year), some lessons were calm, but others meant running until your body burst. I also liked that the girls had to do some first year lessons due to what happened in the previous book. I was already wondering how that would be done, but they have to finish that course before they are fully second years.
The lessons? Well, I am not too sure about those that require a person to continue until they drop, but I did like the lessons by the princess turned goat and also the lessons on how to escape, finding hidden entrances. I would have loved to see more lessons, but then the book may have gotten a bit boring and long and that wouldn't be good either.
I loved reading the author's version of Pied Piper of Hameln and Cinderella. Especially Hameln's story had me on the edge of my seat. Oh boy, that is sure a dark and disturbing twist.
Evie was a pretty great character again in this one. I loved how she handled the fame that came with her being the so-called Warrior Princess. She didn't feel cocky, she didn't act like she was better. This is something I see happening so often that it was a relief that Evie stayed her own self. Well, sure, she changed since the first time we saw her, but that is natural. I loved how she was kind and attentive to everyone, and eventually even learned to just tune it all out (which I can imagine, it may be a bit rude, but come on, the girl has a very big year ahead of her and she shouldn't be too distracted).
I loved how she tried to stay close to her dragon family. While she may not have been as close as she was before she went to the Academy, she still wanted to see them. She still tried to be a dragon, yep. No more flying, this time she is trying to breathe fire.
There was some friendship drama, and I just didn't like it. Maggie and Demetra are constantly bickering or ignoring each other. Demetra has new friends and they just don't mix well with Evie, Maggie, and Basil. There is jealousy, there is angry looks. So I was rooting that these girls (and Basil) would just get back together and be the best of friends. At times I was shouting at them to just talk for once and get all the issues out in the open.
Then there was the threat of the witches, Evie saw something that was quite horrifying, there are rogue Princesses (Vertreiben), and then there is the epic ending where everything and everyone clashes. The rogue Princesses? Eh, on the one hand I didn't like them that much. But on the other hand I could sympathise with them. I know how harsh the Academy is with kicking girls out. The smallest bit and you could be on your way home, like that girl who said the wrong word. I can imagine that one would be pissed off. I would also be pissed off if, after all I did and trained, I would get kicked off because of this. I still don't approve of their actions, but I can understand why they would go so far.
The Witches' Night. OMG OMG, I would be so very terrified. One moment you are sleeping and the next you are running for your life and praying that you will make the cut. It was all so terrifying and exciting. Poor girls. I loved Evie though, and especially what she did.
Oh, and I loved reading about the jobs the girls could choose from. Easy jobs, harsher jobs. I am not sure what I would choose, I definitely wouldn't choose the dangerous one though. :P
We also find out some things about Evie's past (like her real name, which was certainly something I hadn't thought of yet).
Then there was the very exciting ending. I won't tell you anything, you will just have to read, but know that you will be on the edge of your seat.
All in all, I could probably talk a lot more about this book as I really liked it, but I think I have said the most important things. I would just recommend this book to everyone, and I am hoping that I will be able to get the 3rd, and I am guessing final, book soon.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was so happy when I had the chance to read this book, I loved the first one and I was very curious as to how the story would continue. What kind of stuff would happen in Evie's second year at the Academy? Would there be witches? How would her relationship with Remington go (ship ship and ship)? Would any of her friends have to leave the academy (because we are still at Pennyroyal Academy and the tiniest thing can get you kicked out)?
I have to say that at first the book was a bit boring. I was definitely not that motivated to read and it took me 4 days before I finally got back to the book. I struggled again, but then they finally got the academy and I was instantly in love again. I have no clue why, but the outside world just didn't interest me that much. I just wanted more of Pennyroyal Academy. Plus, why didn't any of her friends just tell Evie how to send letters? They should have known she wouldn't have the faintest clue what to do.
The second year at the Academy was one filled with new teachers (and old), new lessons, swordfighting (yes, Evie is learning how to use the sword she got at the beginning, and Basil is just too dang amazing with swordfighting), making food for the new recruits (and there are a ton of them this year), some lessons were calm, but others meant running until your body burst. I also liked that the girls had to do some first year lessons due to what happened in the previous book. I was already wondering how that would be done, but they have to finish that course before they are fully second years.
The lessons? Well, I am not too sure about those that require a person to continue until they drop, but I did like the lessons by the princess turned goat and also the lessons on how to escape, finding hidden entrances. I would have loved to see more lessons, but then the book may have gotten a bit boring and long and that wouldn't be good either.
I loved reading the author's version of Pied Piper of Hameln and Cinderella. Especially Hameln's story had me on the edge of my seat. Oh boy, that is sure a dark and disturbing twist.
Evie was a pretty great character again in this one. I loved how she handled the fame that came with her being the so-called Warrior Princess. She didn't feel cocky, she didn't act like she was better. This is something I see happening so often that it was a relief that Evie stayed her own self. Well, sure, she changed since the first time we saw her, but that is natural. I loved how she was kind and attentive to everyone, and eventually even learned to just tune it all out (which I can imagine, it may be a bit rude, but come on, the girl has a very big year ahead of her and she shouldn't be too distracted).
I loved how she tried to stay close to her dragon family. While she may not have been as close as she was before she went to the Academy, she still wanted to see them. She still tried to be a dragon, yep. No more flying, this time she is trying to breathe fire.
There was some friendship drama, and I just didn't like it. Maggie and Demetra are constantly bickering or ignoring each other. Demetra has new friends and they just don't mix well with Evie, Maggie, and Basil. There is jealousy, there is angry looks. So I was rooting that these girls (and Basil) would just get back together and be the best of friends. At times I was shouting at them to just talk for once and get all the issues out in the open.
Then there was the threat of the witches, Evie saw something that was quite horrifying, there are rogue Princesses (Vertreiben), and then there is the epic ending where everything and everyone clashes. The rogue Princesses? Eh, on the one hand I didn't like them that much. But on the other hand I could sympathise with them. I know how harsh the Academy is with kicking girls out. The smallest bit and you could be on your way home, like that girl who said the wrong word. I can imagine that one would be pissed off. I would also be pissed off if, after all I did and trained, I would get kicked off because of this. I still don't approve of their actions, but I can understand why they would go so far.
The Witches' Night. OMG OMG, I would be so very terrified. One moment you are sleeping and the next you are running for your life and praying that you will make the cut. It was all so terrifying and exciting. Poor girls. I loved Evie though, and especially what she did.
Oh, and I loved reading about the jobs the girls could choose from. Easy jobs, harsher jobs. I am not sure what I would choose, I definitely wouldn't choose the dangerous one though. :P
We also find out some things about Evie's past (like her real name, which was certainly something I hadn't thought of yet).
Then there was the very exciting ending. I won't tell you anything, you will just have to read, but know that you will be on the edge of your seat.
All in all, I could probably talk a lot more about this book as I really liked it, but I think I have said the most important things. I would just recommend this book to everyone, and I am hoping that I will be able to get the 3rd, and I am guessing final, book soon.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/