Knightley Academy

Must Read for anyone in the Family

I loved this book so much that I bought a second copy and gave it to my son's principal (she likes similar middle grade books) for her to read and then donate to the school library. I felt this book had a lot of good moral undertone to a very well written plot. I am also excited to read more in this series. I really like the fact that Robyne did not use her real name so these younger readers would not search on her name and find her other books that would not be suited for middle grade readers. It says alot about this author. Henry is a relateable character and is face with teasing and bullying that many young kinds (unfortunately) can relate to. I feel his approach to dealing with it shows how he matures using the guides of the code to maintain his self worth and make him a better knight. Frankie, Adam and Rohan made the perfect companions and the author draws them with a fine tip detail. The several antagonist in this book are equally intriguing and well written. Read it and see what I mean.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Really fun book!

I thought this was a great story, with just the right amount of humor. I didn't realize it was a children's book until I was nearly done. Good for kids and adults. Great lesson in doing the right thing, and winning in the end. LOVE the unexpected twist too!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

great read!

IF YOU ENJOYED J K Rawlings harry potter books, the characters and events of this story will probably appeal.the story length and detail might be a little on the lighter side.Suffice it to say I will be purchasing the sequels as they come up for advance sale.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sure to Enthrall!

"Knightley Academy," by Violet Haberdasher is a fast-paced, exciting adventure! Packed full of suspense, mystery, and humor, this book is unlike any other and is sure to enthrall anyone who reads it! It has fun, unique characters and an imaginative plot, with surprises around every corner! It absorbs the reader so much that they never want to put it down and are actually able to feel apart of the story! Praised by wonderful authors Kaza Kingsley, Dean Lorey, and Tamora Pierce, "Knightley Academy" will surely leave all readers eagerly awaiting the sequel!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

AMAZING BOOK!!!!!

It is somewhat like Harry Potter, but I still love this book. I dont think it's copying Harry Potter. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! READ IT NOW!!!!! IT IS WORTH THE MONEY!!!"

No, it¿s not JUST like Harry Potter

Henry Grimm is an orphan who works in the kitchens of a prestigious boarding school for boys. As a commoner, he is not allowed to take Knighley Academy entrance exam, but, after finding a loophole in the rules, he is admitted as the first commoner to Knightley Academy - a school for Knights. Knightley Academy follows Henry and his friends and the troubles and truimphs they experience during their first year at Knightley.

Initially, you might think that Knightley Academy by Violet Haberdasher, is just another Harry Potter knock-off. There¿s an orphaned boy gaining access to a special school, who is mentored by adults who want him to succeed. A teacher who seems to dislike said boy on sight, a nemisis much like the pointed-chin Malfoy. Even the way the story is written is reminiscent of Harry Potter. However, that¿s where the similarities end.

While the stories do share a lot of similar elements, they are not the same. The idea of a young, unfortunate boy finding out that he¿s special in some way (or in this case, attending a special school), finding friends in unlikely places and over coming a difficult situation - against all odds - is not a new idea. It¿s been written and rewritten for years. It¿s the execution of the idea that makes a story stand out.

I¿d venture to say that Knightley Academy can stand on it¿s own. There were times when I found the prose a little awkward and the situations a little unrealistic. One of the conflicts in the story was related to a political treaty and politics is a main theme that runs through the entire narrative and sometimes reads a bit dry. As the story progresses, it comes into its own, and even though it started slow, the end had me rooting for Henry.

While I wouldn¿t call it original, I think that it is a fun read for young readers. I¿m looking forward to seeing how this story develops.

Amazing, must read!

I love this book. Lets just get that straight. The characters were completely believable and the plot was amazing. The book was extremely, like Harry Potter, which for me wasn't a problem: servant boy, big school, Henry=Harry, Valmont=Voldemort, Professor Snape=Mr. Havelock. But I recommend this to anyone who likes Harry Potter and to those who haven't. Anyone who reads this will fall deeply obsessed, like i am with Frankie. Please read!

Uh...

Guys, let's face it- there's never going to be another book like Harry Potter. Ever. The author specifically said in an interview that she was trying to write a series that would satisfy the craving for another series like it. She honestly tried too hard to do so. If you read the back of the book, it is set in the exact same format as Philosopher's Stone.
So is it worth the money? Nope. Don't buy it, it's not worth your money.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Don't Bother!

This is a total Harry Potter rip-off, and if you're smart, you won't waste your time and money like I did! This writer clearly wants to be like J.K. Rowling, but fails. Why do we need another book that's like Harry Potter and isn't even good. It's boring, and I could never get into it, no matter how hard I tried. The characters aren't anything special, and I couldn't relate to any of them, and I didn't care one way or the other what happened to them. If you want something else to read that's in the vein of Harry Potter, you're better off with someone like Christopher Paolini. But that's just my opinion.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Innovative and Fresh!

Bookworms, I'll tell you upfront: I'm going to have a lot of trouble reviewing KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY for you. I'm not sure how to describe the magical way the story snuck beneath my skin and consumed me. I feel like if I describe it one way, I'll pigeon-hole it and you'll think it's a book that it isn't. Even though it's similar to other works in some ways, it's also unlike anything I've read, in a class of its own. Unputdownable. A perfect blend of reality and fantasy for children, teens, and adults alike.

Ignore the title of this book: If KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY brings up images of knights in shining armor and damsels in distress, you're WRONG. You're also not alone: That's the type of novel I thought I was getting, too. I thought this novel was going to be about a school that taught students how to be a knight. I was hoping for the next RANGER'S APPRENTICE by John Flanagan or SONG OF THE LIONESS (or PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL) series by Tamora Pierce. While this novel IS about knights, it's not about *knights.* When I first started reading and saw the word "car," I thought, "What.? Dashing knights in our world?" And then I kept reading. It takes place at the turn of the century, when electricity is still new and cars are used only by a select few. I grew even more confused. But then I realized how brilliant author Violet Haberdasher (nom de plume) is. Because this world is our world, but it's *not* our world. At one point, there were real knights of old. Eventually, the various countries signed The Longsword Treaty with one another, creating peace and eliminating the need for combat and true knights. Instead, Knights of the Realm now train to be detective knights, police knights, and secret service knights. They might also work in prestigious office positions or for famous families.

KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY also holds a vague similarity to HARRY POTTER, albeit without the use of any magic. The novel centers around an orphaned boy named Henry Grim who has dreamed of one day attending Knightley Academy. Alas, without a proper status or position in life, he has no chance of getting in...until the entrance exams allow all residents at the school where he works to apply. There are a couple of characters reminiscent of beloved members of the POTTER family, as well as a few nuances here and there. Haberdasher wrote a particularly lovely guest post earlier this year on Bookalicio.us about her goals in creating KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY. She wanted a series to fill in the hole left when the POTTER series concluded for fans such as herself who grew up with the novels, something with a similar texture to them. But she didn't want the magic, or a boy who knew nothing about the school he was about to attend, and resolutions that never occurred in the best-selling series. In the guest post, she states, "The hero is the cleverest scholar in his year, hopeless at sports and destined for nothing. And yet.there is something undeniably Potterish about my storytelling." The result is a series with a similar flavor, but different enough that the two truly can't be compared to one another.

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