Simon & Schuster | April 2018 | 368 pgs
Source: Library
Teddy Cannon is in her early twenties and she's bright and resourceful. With a bad debt and a bookie who is after her family, Teddy has only one place to try her luck at money - casino at Las Vegas. Heavily disguised as she's banned from casinos, Teddy hopes that her capabilities in reading people would win her some money, after all it's about body language and some instinct. She knew because she knew; and she blames her unpredictable episodes of seizures to anxiety and epilepsy but what she doesn't know is she has psychic abilities. She caught the attention of a mysterious man after she's lost everything and he told her that she could get a chance for redemption at the Whitfield Institute; a facility secluded from the mainland and there students master telepathy and telekinesis as well as investigative skills so they could serve for the government agencies after they've passed the tests.
With nothing to lose, Teddy decided it's the best option considering her current circumstances. Whitfield Institute, like any other schools, have their fair share of elite (so called the Alphas) and misfit students and Teddy finds herself on the latter category with a few others. Among this group is a "weirdo" who could sometimes predict someone's death, a free spirit who could communicate with animals, a girl who could read emotions and empathise through her mind, an awkward psychometric and finally a bad boy who's able to set things on fire.
While Teddy finds it challenging with the training, her biggest challenge lies on her interactions with her fellow students as well as getting recognition from the trainers, especially one who seems to favor the Alphas. As Teddy slowly adapts to Whitfield Institute, she soon learns that there's a connection with her late biological parents and the Institute and she intends to find out more about them. But what most troubling is learning that someone has stolen three vials of blood from the lab and Teddy's is one of them. Teddy feels someone is hiding some secrets and she intends to find out who and why.
School of Psychics has an interesting premise at a glance and I was wowed by the author's imaginative psychic world and an interesting cast of characters. However, my interest didn't go beyond the above as I found the pacing was slowed down towards the middle and got a bit repetitive. Since this is the first book I assume there would be more character developments as the story goes so I wouldn't comment too much about it. Another weak point is although this book is marketed as an adult fantasy, there are times it read like a YA due to the students' dialogues and their behaviours. Despite these shortcomings I thought it was still an entertaining read if one didn't expect too much out of it. Would I consider reading the second book? Maybe. I suppose it has to depend on the plot and if there's more character developments as I feel they're essential as the story goes.
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I've been considering reading this one too. I'm trying to think if I read a review that said much the same - like a YA book, etc. I could see that. Especially with 'school' angle. I like books that have 'teams' and differing paranormal abilities and so I'll probably read this one. Bet there will be a sequel or two.
ReplyDeleteKay - I'll be curious of your thoughts, Kay. Hopefully you'll enjoy it more than I did.
DeleteI was interested in this one, too. I mean, a school for psychics is quite a draw! Since you still found it entertaining, despite the flaws, I'm keeping it on the list. :)
ReplyDeleteJenclair - Yes, I was totally drawn by the psychic element and the school setting but oh well. Maybe the next book will be better.
DeleteI might try this one, too, though the slow pacing worries me a bit. And the fact that it reads like a not-so-good YA book at times. Hopefully the second book will be better? :)
ReplyDeleteLark - I don't know, but I think it might work better if this is more of a YA book instead?
DeleteWell, that’s a shame. It sounded so promising. How does a premise like this turn into a boring slow story? Sigh!
ReplyDeleteJenny - Maybe it's just me. I quite liked the premise, but I just don't understand why the characters behaved like teenagers at times. Sigh.
DeleteSo sad to hear it's boring and slow. I was excited for this one too!
ReplyDeleteAsh - I hope you'll enjoy it more than I did if you do read it, Ash.
DeleteI do like the premise of this one and had it on my list. i must admit the older I get (60's now) the less patience I seem to have for childish behavior LOL (except for my granddaughters of course)
ReplyDeleteDiane - It has a good premise but I just find the characters behaviours didn't match their age at times. Oh well. Hopefully the next book with be better.
DeleteSorry School of Psychics let down a little bit. I don't read YA anymore because I feel like the characters get annoying.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the second book is better.
Naida - I suppose the school setting gives off that YA vibes. I guess I'll decide if I'd read the second book based on the reviews.
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