Stuck In Books: The Apollo Academy by Kimerbly P. Chase

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

The Apollo Academy by Kimerbly P. Chase

Welcome to my stop on THE APOLLO ACADEMY BLOG TOUR!

For the full tour schedule click here.

THE APOLLO ACADEMY:

As the heiress to Titon Technologies, eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon can have whatever she wantsóclothes, expensive gadgets, anything money can buy. All she really wants is to escape her pampered, paparazzi-prone life for the stars. Becoming the first female pilot to train as an astronaut for the Apollo Academy is exactly the chance for which she has been waiting. Everything would be perfect if it weren't for her unreciprocated crush on a fellow student, the sexy astronaut bent on making her life hell, and the fact that someone keeps trying to kill her.

The first in a four book new adult science fiction series, The Apollo Academy, is an action packed
story of love, discovery, and survival.

ON SALE NOW!

BOOK TRAILER:

My Thoughts:

3 stars - The pages flew for this different twist on new adult

This is the first new adult that I've read that really isn't focused on the romance. Set in the future when tech is the candy of choice and the resources of Earth are depleted, space is the quest for answers. Aurora's last name puts her in the spotlight she doesn't want but she's determined to be the first women pilot to make it through the academy. Zane has his own secrets and the academy is his salvation but it doesn't turn out to be as golden as he'd thought. Sky may be an instructor but he's still young and protecting his own secrets. Thrown together, they try and figure out who's threatening the academy and Aurora's life.

The very best part of this book was how easily I devoured it. I've been reading a lot of romance lately, so I was nervous about picking up something more sci fi/dystopia like. But I slipped into it's pages and felt very much at home. The pacing was good, moving the story along quickly. There were a couple places where the timing seemed strange to me or just a little off and that bugged me.

The story was interesting and while I figured out a few things, there were some interesting surprises that I'm sure will be even more exciting in the next book. It was heavy on science, which I found interesting. I loved that each character had their own strong hold on the subject. Aurora was the pilot. Kay was the medical expert. Zane had the tech down and Sky has the power. It makes for an interesting combination.

I like Aurora. She learns to be a stronger person over the course of the book and I like to see that. I like Zane a lot. He's secrets intrigue me the most and I'm looking forward to see where that goes. His part in the book had the "Maximum Ride" feel to it. Sky was interesting, too, but I didn't like how he treated Aurora and Zane in the beginning. And yes, there is a love triangle. I didn't think there would be but it turned up by the end. I hope that gets put down quickly and not something that drags through the series. I definitely have a team and it starts with Z.

While this is billed as new adult, it didn't really feel that way to me. It felt like YA. The characters had moved on to what could be considered college but the control over their lives still felt very much like a boarding school. The romance is there but it certainly wasn't the focus. I don't think it has to be hot and heavy to be new adult for sure but I do think the situations need to reflect that early adulthood time in a persons life. This just felt a lot like YA to me.

I had figured out the ending but I enjoyed watching it unfold. The bad guy was pretty clear and I was right there with Aurora wanting to throw a punch. It does set things up for the next book without being a cliff hanger. I wish there had been a bit more with Zane at the end. I know where and what Aurora and Sky are up to at this point but no idea for Zane. That made me sad. Guess I'll just have to wait for book two.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice change from the heavy romance I have been reading lately. I would recommend this to peeps who enjoy dystopia YA because that's really what it felt like to me.

About the author:

Kimberly P. Chase holds a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which basically means she's kind of a geek and loves flying airplanes. Naturally, her books tend to include aviation, hot flight instructors, aviator glasses, andólet's not forgetókissing! When Kimberly's not writing or reading, she's hanging out with her husband, four-year-old son, and two dogs.

Find Kimberly here: