The Candidates Review

The Candidates 

retitled The Talents

By Inara Scott

 Summary

Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that’s not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia’s mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just … happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to people, believing this way she can suppress her powers and keep them hidden.

When recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy offer her a full scholarship, Dancia fears her days of living under the radar may be over. But Delcroix is a school for diplomats’ kids and child geniuses  why are they treating Dancia like she’s special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make her feel welcome. And then there’s her mysterious new friend Jack, who can’t stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at Delcroix, and he wants Dancia to help him figure out what…But neither Jack or Dancia could have imagined what’s really going on behind the gates of Delcroix Academy. 

What I Liked

Character
Dancia: I love characters who enjoy running, I'm always envious of their enjoyment and I wished I liked to run for fun, I have a sprinters form not a joggers form. For a young girl she makes some tough decision for herself, like deciding to not have any friends and be invisible so she won't hurt anyone. I like how protective she is of others when she lets herself get involved with people.
Team Boy: Jack vs Cam
Other semi choosing team book with boys that are completely different types of guys.
Jack: He is much like Dancia and trying to hid from being noticed, but he is a major bad boy and even has a record. Jack is completely paranoid and doesn't trust easily.
Cam: On the other hand is Mr. Popular, sweet, completely hot and everyone loves him. But there is this question throughout the whole book, is he for real or is there some ulterior motive and if so what is it?
These two different boys that are very likable yet strange. Dancia likes Jack as a friend and she is completely smitten with Prince Charming Cam. Who will she choose?

Unknown
The book takes a bit of time to explain what is going on in the book. What is the school really about? Who is following Jack? Why is Dancia at a school for genies when she is mediocre? Why is Cam paying so much attention to Dancia? Will Dancia tell anyone about her powers? Why does she have powers? So many questions to be answered and I enjoyed reading every detail and having new information revealed to me.
Talents
It is a bit like Xavier's school in Xmen, but here the kids don't know they have powers and might not ever learn how to use them if they are "good" enough. I love books with superpowers, with powers there is always this power struggle with good and evil that makes for great entertainment.

Would Have Liked

I personally would have like Dancia's age to be a little bit older in the 16+ range and not 14, but with how the "Academy" works her age had to be starting as a high school freshman.

Recommendation 

Got to read this series.

Information 

The Delcroix Academy
genre: YA paranormal

The Candidates/Talents

The Marked April 3rd 2012

Bk 3 working on but not on contract

Would you use your power for the greater good?

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