The Cadet of Tildor

Gr 8 Up—Cadet Renee de Winter is determined to become a Servant of the Crown. A student at the Academy of Tildor, she has sacrificed her relationship with her father to become a soldier-a sacrifice that might turn out to be useless unless she can figure out a way to keep up with her male classmates. The kingdom of Tildor needs all the help it can get. With a young king, two rival crime organizations, and a significant increase in kidnappings, Renee wants to complete her training and start active duty. Esteemed Servant Commander Korish Savoy is reassigned to teach at the Academy and takes a special interest in Renee-one that brings difficult but important training. When his younger brother is kidnapped, Savoy is kidnapped himself during his brother's rescue, presumably to be forced to fight in illegal gladiator games, and Renee must get him back-no matter what it takes. Lidell's debut novel gives readers an imperfect but admirably courageous, principled, and evolving heroine. Surrounding Renee are a diverse group of multidimensional supporting characters. The world she struggles through is filled with war, crime, and politics, intertwining to create a complex but intriguing plot. Fans of Tamora Pierce and Kristin Cashore should pick up Cadet-as should anyone looking for a fantasy that is, though sounding like an oxymoron, grounded in reality.Emily Chornomaz, Camden County Library System, NJ