Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

“Aerin Renning is a scarred fugitive, Dane Madousin a rebellious son of privilege. On the surface, they have nothing in common. But the two most competitive freshmen at Academy 7 share an undiscovered bond. Both harbor a dangerous secret that threatens their own destruction. And while their safety depends upon their staying apart, the two are inexplicably drawn to each other. Even as unknown forces conspire to separate them, their competition turns to friendship, and their friendship to romance. Now not only their lives—but their hearts—are at stake. To survive, the two must unite all their knowledge, skills, and gifts to uncover a secret bigger than either could have imagined. A secret as big as the entire universe.”

I really enjoyed this book; I only wish it had been about 100 pages longer. Aerin has had a very hard life. Losing her father from a plane crash, leaving her all alone on a strange new planet where she quickly becomes a slave. After six years, she has had enough and when the opportunity presents itself she risks everything for a chance at freedom. Dane has also had a hard life, although most think he has come from a life of privilege he has been living in the shadow of his older brother and constantly trying to gain the affection of his distant father. Dane and Aerin are brought together when they both are unexpectedly excepted into the best school in the universe, Academy 7. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold; they have good chemistry and have started to build a great friendship. I’m assuming this is the first in a series, at least I hope so. I look forward to seeing what becomes of Dane and Aerin.