The Cadet of Tildor
Author: Alex Lidell
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: January 10, 2013
Tour Organized by AToMR Tours
Description:
Tamora Pierce meets George R. R. Martin in this smart, political, medieval fantasy-thriller.There is a new king on the throne of Tildor. Currents of political unrest sweep the country as two warring crime families seek power, angling to exploit the young Crown's inexperience. At the Academy of Tildor, the training ground for elite soldiers, Cadet Renee de Winter struggles to keep up with her male peers. But when her mentor, a notorious commander recalled from active duty to teach at the Academy, is kidnapped to fight in illegal gladiator games, Renee and her best friend Alec find themselves thrust into a world rife with crime, sorting through a maze of political intrigue, and struggling to resolve what they want, what is legal, and what is right.
Alex Lidell (www.alexlidell.com) was a finalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award competition and lives in New Jersey. This is her first novel.
This was a very interesting and action packed novel that features a strong female lead. Renee wasn't put on a pedestal as your typical kick-butt heroine. She has flaws and weaknesses that are visible early on in the story, but she continues on with perseverance and courage - which makes her a worthy main character and heroine of the tale. The plot has many layers and has lots of different sub-plots occurring simulataneously throughout the book. I thought that the way they were written made them flow together effortlessly instead of confusing the reader or battling for the top storyline. I enjoyed reading about the history of Tildor - the Academy, the country, the people - it was very interesting and incredibly detailed. The characters were unique and had distinct personalities, which made it easy to identify with them. The plot was multi-faceted with several stories overlapping, but it made the story all the richer and more exciting to read. The writing was very well done and easily immersed me into the story. There was definitely a lot of action, adventure, a bit of romance, and some suspense woven in. Overall, this novel was a fantastically written story with great world building and an intriguing plot. Fans of fantasy novels will not want to miss it!
Although English is Alex’s primary language, it wasn’t her first. Coming from Russia, Alex learned english in elementary school and fell in love with reading when the school librarian put Tamora Pierce’s ALANNA into her hands. Years later, in college, it was another book that re-united Alex with russian, which she had shunned in adolescence. The Three Musketeers.* Alex thanks both books, and the writers who created them.
Beyond writing, Alex is also a photographer, a horseback rider, and a paramedic. The latter two go hand in hand more often than one would like. She is trying to self-teach herself and her horse to sword-fight.
Alex would love to see THE CADET OF TILDOR in the classroom and is working on developing teacher guides for the novel. She enjoys “e-meeting” both students and educators.
Social Media Links:
Twitter: @alexlidell
Facebook: http://ow.ly/bbdw9
Goodreads: http://ow.ly/bbb9i
Shelfari: http://ow.ly/bbbaP
Library Thing: http://ow.ly/bbbef
Links to find/buy your book:
Amazon: http://ow.ly/bbb0C
Website www.alexlidell.com
$20 Book Depository Gift Card – International
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