From the start, there is an awesome camaraderie between Renee and her friends. The give and take of conversation is enjoyable, funny, and very natural. Very fulfilling. What with combat training, rival crime factions, and a few kidnappings, there isn't much time for the characters to sit around and enjoy themselves. However, by the end, the word that best comes to mind is "contentment."

Perhaps one of the best aspects of Cadet of Tildor is the circumstances which force Renee to constantly alter her perspective. This happens multiple times, not only with the main heroine, but also among her acquaintances. The character growth is so palpable. As an example: Renee wants to become a Servant to prove she can be just as strong as the boys. However, through training with a different teacher, she is forced to accept the reality that 1)this is impossible and 2)her notion of strength in a physical sense blinded her from using tactics that would give her the ability to beat them using a different definition.

P.S. Romantic resolution? Nope. Sequel? Please? ( )

I had high expectations going into this book, and at first I was a bit let down. The main character, Renee, starts out a little two-dimensional in some ways. I think this was done on purpose though as she develops so much through the book and grows into a really interesting, three-dimensional character by the end. I loved seeing that. There are interesting moral questions raised in this book and it was interesting to think about them. I'm looking forward to the sequel! ( )

A fantasy novel, The Cadet of Tildor, tells the story of a girl who wants to serve her country.

Cadet Renee de Winter turns her back on her unloving father and chooses the Academy to be a Servant of the Crown. The Academy of Tildor allows all students to be equal—no favors to the rich or anyone else. Each student must prove his/her own abilities. Many do not make it, so it’s an elite solider. Renee is smaller and weaker, so she is on probation. If she can’t pass all areas, she’ll be out of the Academy with no home. Her roommate, Sasha, is the cousin to the king. Alec is one of her best friends. They are surprised to learn that the Commander of the 7th, Korish Savoy, will be pulled from the field to be their instructor.

Savoy doesn’t give Renee an inch. He makes her learn how to sword fight with finesse instead of strength because she can’t win on strength. With three factions warring for power, the King, the Family, and the Madam, someone wants Savoy dead and someone wants to protect him. Renee is pulled into this mystery when Savoy’s young brother is kidnapped and Renee knows she’ll be kicked out of the Academy. With Alec, Savoy, Connor Seaborn, and the dog, they leave to rescue Diam.

If you like fantasy, you’ll like this novel. It’s a page-turner. I will say that you shouldn’t expect any romance. It’s listed as a standalone novel, which I really like because it’s hard keeping up with so many series, but it has the potential to be more than one novel. ( )

At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers, but when her mentor is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and best friend Alec struggle to do what is right in a world of crime and political intrigue. ( )

Review to come ( )