Tuesday 3 January 2012

Night School by C.J Daugherty

Pages - 456
Published by ATOM books in January 2012

'Hurry up!' 
'Will you chill out? I'm almost finished.'
Her jaw set, Allie crouched in the dark, painting the last 't' as Mark knelt beside her holding a torch. Their voices echoed in the empty corridor. The light beam illuminating her work quivered when he laughed. 
A sudden snapping sound made them both jump.
Lights flickered above them, then flooded the school hallway.
Two uniforms stood by the door. 


Goodreads Summary
Allie Sheridan's world is falling apart. She hates her school. Her brother has run away from home. And she's just been arrested. 
Again. 
This time her parents have finally had enough. They cut her off from her friends and send her away to a boarding school for problem teenagers. 
But Cimmeria Academy is no ordinary school. Its rules are strangely archaic. It allows no computers or phones. Its students are an odd mixture of the gifted, the tough and the privileged. And then there's the secretive Night School, whose activities other students are forbidden even to watch. 
When Allie is attacked one night the incident sets off a chain of events leading to the violent death of a girl at the summer ball. As the school begins to seem like a very dangerous place, Allie must learn who she can trust. And what's really going on at Cimmeria Academy.
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This book explodes with a thrilling opening scene, that finds the protagonist, Allie, in enough trouble to push her family over the edge. You can tell instantly that she is a troubled soul who needs help. She is sassy, tomboyish and full of teenage anger yet she is also a pretty cool character. 


From that first chapter I was sucked in and I knew I wouldn't be able to put the book down until I found out the truth. Imagine a mixture of Hogwarts and Mallory Towers but filled with murder instead of magic. That is what you get. This book blew me away. Half way through, the author had thrown so many red herrings at me, I was convinced that the school was a mental institution  only to discover that I couldn't have got it more wrong if I tried. Talk about, keep me on my toes. I can usually work out which way a book is going, but Night School had me totally fooled from the beginning and the events that passed were surprises to me. I thought the plot of the book was brilliant. The truth behind Night School really amazed me and it is definitely something I haven't read before. 


I loved Carter from the start and I could definitely see his potential long before Allie could. Allie seemed to be blinded to the charms of Sylvian, who I really wasn't keen on from the beginning. I am sure this little love triangle will continue through future books, but I am pretty sure I will be rooting for Carter throughout the series.


The school is really creepy. It has a very Gothic feel to it and the descriptions provide just the right amount of atmosphere to the story. Just my kind of school. I am desperate to discover where the school is that C.J. Daugherty based the book on.


For a debut novel, I thought this was fantastic. The writing is strong throughout and with each cliff hanger ending chapter, I was desperate to read the next. I was lost in the book from the first to the last page.  This is definitely not a book to read whilst you are busy, as you will find yourself cursing at your lack of time to finish it. 

A chilling, nerve racking, nail biting thriller  that left me wanting more. I can't wait for book two! Well done C.J. Daugherty on such a gripping debut. 

10 comments:

  1. Ah! Your review makes me want to read it asap! Going to wait for a free weekend though like you say I probably won't want to put it down else! Fantastic review :)

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  2. I think that this is another book that I'd really like.

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  3. I think that this is another book that I'd really like.'' same here

    tx 4 sharing you;re thoughts

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  4. Wow! You're review just made me want this book even more! I can't wait to read it! Might have to check out my library and see if they can get it in for me!

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  5. Nailbiting? Ohhh, I haven't read anything like this in a long while. I do like the feeling

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  6. I was sucked in from the start too! And was definitely left wanting more. Really liked Allie and Carter as well! Fab review :)

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  7. Jess - you definitely need no distractions for this one. Unless you want to be grumpy with everyone.

    Jules - you will love it.

    Roro - sharing the love.

    Raimy- I would lend you mine but it has already been pilfered by my friend.

    Blodeuedd - it was intense.

    Liz - madness I tell you! I can't wait for the second book.

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  8. Ok, that's it... I'm heading over to The Book Depository to order myself a copy of Night School right now! :)

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  9. I thought this one looked good now I have to read it soon! :D

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