Night School: Legacy by C. J. Daugherty
Atom, 2013. ISBN 9781907411229.
Well worth a read. Night School: Legacy, plunges the reader
into a world of action and intrigue, at the centre of which is the
Cimmeria Academy, a vast gothic mansion that no longer provides
sanctuary and safety for its inhabitants, and indeed, seems to
harbour nothing but secrets and mysteries.
In this, the second book of the Night School series, C. J.
Daugherty wastes no time in immersing the reader in Allie Sheridan's
life at the Academy, a co-educational boarding school that teaches
far more than academic subjects.
Cimmeria Academy is an intimidating place, but it is the one place
where Allie has felt a sense of belonging. Its old world traditions,
its sense of entitlement and privilege, its unusual subjects, and
the friends she makes make her determined to protect it.
Some of the school's traditions are based around nocturnal
activities where night croquet, with glowing balls and racquets and
night tennis, with a net made of fairy lights provide fun as well
athletic training. But then there is the Night School - a society of
elite students so secret that just talking about it can get a member
expelled.
Able to be read as a stand-alone, Daugherty skillfully manages to
supply enough of the back story, and information about the
significant events in the first novel to enable the reader to
understand that Allie's life is far more than it seems.
From a missing brother who she believes may now be the enemy, to a
hithero unknown grandmother, to parents who have lied to her, to
mentors and friends that she no longer completely trusts, Allie's
life seems to controlled by forces that she must discover and
understand, beginning with who her family really is and why the
mysterious Nathaniel is trying to kill her.
Allie soon uncovers a huge conspiracy of which the Night School is
only a small part. However, it is down to these students to ensure
that the Cimmeria Academy and its inhabitants survive.
As Allie tries to find out the truth about what's going on at
Cimmeria, she soon realises that her life and those of her friends,
and the people she cares about is under threat. She must uncover the
truth about who she really is and where she really belongs.
This novel is action packed, and full of danger, intrigue,
excitement and romance.
Ros Lange