Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher - Review

Knightley Academy is a well thought out, multifaceted novel, about 3 common boys whom find themselves amidst a school, Knightley Academy, full of the more privileged. A school none of them were ever supposed to see the inside of...

Synopsis via goodreads:
Henry Grim has never been in trouble for borrowing a sword from the headmaster's private stores. He has never discovered a forbidden room in a foreign castle, or received a death threat over breakfast.

All Henry knows is life as an orphaned servant boy at the Midsummer School, bullied by the privileged sons of aristocracy. But all that changes when Henry is the first commoner to pass the entrance exam for the prestigious Knightley Academy, where he will be trained as a modern-day knight alongside the cleverest and bravest fourteen-year-olds in the country.

Henry and his roommates, two other students from decidedly un-Knightley backgrounds, are not exactly greeted with open arms by their classmates. In fact, it soon becomes apparent that someone is going to great lengths to sabotage the trio's chances at becoming knights. But Henry soon learns that there is more at stake than his future at Knightley, and only he can sound the alarm. Is anyone going to believe a former servant on the brink of expulsion?

Brimming with wry humor, page-turning suspense, and surprising twists, this first adventure in a memorable new series is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.

Violet Haberdasher has created, with her elegant prose, a novel that captured my heart. With it's alluring characters, and fast pace...I was drawn in, like a bee to honey. While the story did remind me of Harry Potter, the story is very different – not about wizards at all, but rather 3 teenage, common boys whom find themselves in a school, similar to that Harry found himself in...while being different enough to be totally original.

I found Violet to have that “air” about her writing – similar to that of J.K. Rowling – her dept of character, her use of dialogue, and her power to describe, just enough, to give you the idea while leaving enough to fill in the details yourself. Violet has an elegant, regal style to her writing – it's stately, if you know what I mean!

Now, on to the characters – TOTALLY loveable! Henry, Rohan, Adam and Frankie – all adorable, I loved each of them, while they each have similarities, they are also very different, each multifaceted, with several different aspects about them, that made each one, more real! Also, the professors, just when you think you know the “bad” guy – BAM you have no idea, I loved there quirky personalities!

Another thing, I feel I must mention is the narrator – while we don't meet “him” or know exactly who he is, I love his little interjections though out the book, they often made me giggle!

Bottom Line – Electric with fun, Knightley Academy is a total HIT in my book, and for lovers of the Harry Potter series, this one will remind you of those days while offering enough differences to make it worth the read! I give it a 4 mushrooms, and can't wait to read The Secret Battle Society (Knightley Academy, #2), I gotta know where this story is going!

Buy, Borrow or Steal? If you loved Harry Potter, for it's elegant writing, story that left you breathless and excellent characters, Knightley Academy is a book you should have on your shelves.

Knightley Academy
By: Violet Haberdasher
480 Pages
Published: March 9, 2010
Publisher: Aladdin
Received via my own hard earned money.