K. C. Archer

audio fiction, 1st in series (~11.5 hrs) - Teddy, a 24-y.o. Stanford-dropout banned from a number of casinos on suspicion of cheating, is in deep gambling debt when a mysterious man with the seemingly magical power of influencing others' minds offers her a solution: if she agrees to enroll at the secret School for Psychics where he works on an island offshore of San Francisco, he'll make sure her adoptive parents don't have to find out about her debts--and maybe she'll even find out a little more about her birth parents.

Fast-paced, lightweight reading with apparently college-aged students that seem more like teenagers (lots of drinking, raging hormones--though possibly Teddy is just further along the sexuality spectrum than most people, it just makes it harder to ship her with any of the eligible bachelors); not particularly diverse as far as I can tell in terms of ethnicity or physical ability/bodytypes. It's enjoyable enough, and if you are looking for a relatively complex world with some twists and lots of action this will fit, but not the best story set at a "magic" school by a long shot.

Read instead: the Scholomance series by Naomi Novik… (plus d'informations)

This is the second book in the School for Psychics series by author K.C. Archer. As it picks up just a few months after the prior book left off and there is little in the way of backstory provided (and no prologue to guide you in), I recommend that you read these books in order.

And you should, because The Astral Traveler's Daughteris a lot of fun – I think in my review of the first book I described it as “A less angsty and depressingThe Magicians meets a more grown up Harry Potter…at the police academy.” After further reflection, however, this series has the feel of a lighter take on Kay Hooper's Bishop/Special Crimes Unit and Bishop Files series and Heather Graham's Krewe of Hunters series, if their paranormal agents honed their skills at a secret college before joining the FBI. Where the first book bounced between the supernatural aspects and the academy aspects (hence the millennial Harry Potter comparison), this book settles more tidily into the thriller category (with some paranormal aspects woven through.)

Teddy Cannon is aptly named, as she is impulsive and explosive. She’s also passionate and flawed, which is why she’s as fun as she is maddening at times. K.C. Archer keeps the action moving as Teddy searches for an organization of terrorist psychics, along with trying to uncover more information about her birth parents (and tries to reconcile the implication that her mother may not be one of the good guys). The characters' skills continue to improve and evolve. This fast-paced plot throws in some twists and turns and as it juggles the mix of storylines. There is a lot going on this this book.

I couldn't decide if ending felt little rushed or was I merely disappointed that I was nearing the end, as there were still questions left unanswered. In the end, The Astral Traveler's Daughter left a good opening for the next addition to the series.… (plus d'informations)