The Academy Saga: Cadet-in-Training is another gorgeous book I am reading from CJ Daly and an interesting installment in the series. It features Kate “Katie” Connelly, who thought she was living her life the way she wants. She knows she is in trouble when she wakes up tied to a hospital bed in a psych ward in the Academy. She has been drugged and captured by Officer Nealson and now she has to undergo the Cadet-in-Training program, a program that will test her in far more ways than she has ever imagined. Her successful completion of the program will determine the fate of her captor in the Missions but there is something more at stake: her younger brother. While Kate struggles to uncover the hidden agenda of the Academy, her mentor slowly develops feelings for her. She is also attracted to Pete who risked a lot to warn her. Emotions are pulled in different directions while Kate must choose between following rules or her heart.

This is a great story from a wonderful storyteller. There is so much to love in this narrative and I particularly liked the world CJ Daly has invented. The Academy is a symbol of power and rigor, but there is something intriguing about it, something shady that the female protagonist is determined to find out. The author handles conflict in a skillful way. The protagonist is “gifted” and that is why she is held captive and made to undergo the training; I wanted to find out if she can be docile and comply and the suspense pulled me from page to page. She is manipulated, blackmailed, but she plays along. While there is a hidden agenda for her, she has her own plans. This is a novel with strong and sophisticated characters and I loved the way the author crafts the dialogues, keeping them natural and fascinating. The story is told in the first-person narrative and it allows readers to easily get the points of view of the characters. The Academy Saga: Cadet-in-Training features great writing, compelling characters, and a well-imagined and executed plot.

The Academy Saga: Cadet-in-Training is a work of fiction in the romance, suspense, and interpersonal drama sub-genres, and was penned by author CJ Daly. As this high-stakes and action-packed series continues, we find our protagonist Kate in a much worse position than before: locked up in the Academy’s psych ward for her gifts. Ranger Nealson is tasked with putting her through the grueling Cadet In Training program, and he’s determined not to let feelings get in the way of getting rid of Kate and returning to his own missions. As Kate’s feelings grow and change, she tries to resist them and focus on overcoming the Academy’s agenda to get to her little brother and the destiny that awaits her.

Author CJ Daly has crafted a fully immersive romantic suspense novel which also balances itself really well with a mission-driven plot and a tale of personal strength and growth for its central hero. Kate Connelly is a well-developed character for this genre of story: a woman who knows her own mind, and one who can balance her emotions against the trials that the hateful Academy puts upon her. The surrounding story makes for really interesting reading, and the relationship dynamics between Kate, Pete, and Ranger Nealson offer much for romance readers to get their teeth into. What results is a highly engaging series continuation, and I would certainly recommend Cadet-in-Training and The Academy Saga in general to fans of high-stakes action and thrilling romance plots alike.

I am completely obsessed with this series. Team Ranger all the way!