The Candidates (Delcroix Academy, #1)

By Inara Scott

Summary: 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.

My Thoughts: Hmm. Well, at first I was going to pass on reading The Candidates. I've been more selective lately on books I've been reading. And I was going to put this one on the backburner for a while. I picked it up anyway after a few recommendations. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed The Candidates. We are introduced to Dancia who is just your average teenager except she's not! She tries to be invisible but there is more to her than meets the eye. She has a power. She makes things happen without really even trying. Its hard to control. Things just tend to happen when she gets in sticky situations and wants to help people. She helps them without even thinking about it. A reflex. She tries to keep it under wraps but that is easier said than done.

One day, recruiters from Delcroix Academy show up. Delcroix Academy is this super exclusive private school up the road from Danville. She doesn't understand why in the world they would want her. She's so ordinary, poor, nothing special. She decides to take the scholarship and attends. First off, I liked how she made friends even though she told herself she wouldn't get close to anyone. It was fun watching her interact with the girls. Second, I liked the romance aspect of this book. Cam, is totally swoonworthy, older guy, who seems drawn to Dancia. Of course Dancia is a bit worried and cautious, why would a guy like Cam like her? Is there more to his story? Than there is Jack. Sweet Jack. He's a bit of a rebel and troublemaker and also recruited. Dancia finds out he's basically been living on his own, going from place to place, and she befriends him easily. Honestly, I liked Jack much more than Cam and I was silently rooting for him the whole time. His intentions just seemed so much more pure than Cam's. Both of them have their quirks.

I liked the characters, I liked the plot, I liked realizing what their secret talents were. I liked how Cam and Jack both went out of their way to try to explain the truth to Dancia. I liked the book a lot. It was very enjoyable and a neat read.

Dancia also learns there is more to Delcroix Academy than she originally thought. The school is definitely not what she thought it was, is that a good or bad thing?

Overall: I really enjoyed this one! I would have liked to get to know Jack a little bit better but overall, I enjoyed this and can't wait for Book 2: The Watchers.

Cover: I like the cover. I just don't love it.

What I'd Give It: