GoodRead - Night School: Legacy

I managed to nab my hands on a copy of Night School: Legacy when I took part in the Night School Legacy blog tour (did you take part?) so when I have now read it and can be honest with you on my views on the book.

Allie has turned her life around. Before she was forced to join Cimmeria Academy, she was arrested three times and her family was close to a breakdown since her brother's disappearance. But at the Academy, she has got her life back. But after the fire that nearly destroyed the school (and her with it), Allie realises that Cimmeria isn't as safe as she first hoped. The school is at a centre of a conspiracy and outside forces - along with her brother's help - want control of it. And with someone inside the school working as a mole for the enemy, Allie has to be careful who she trusts. But secrets are dangerous things. They can rip the strongest of relationships apart. They can get someone killed.

As you guys are probably away if you go back to my review of Night School (which was last year, I think), I read it thinking it was a standalone and didn't rate it so highly. This time round, I know that Legacy (ok, am shortening it to this, hope that's ok for you guys) was the second book in a series so I knew there would be unanswered questions. I knew things will hit the fan. But when they did...

I really liked it. I walked into this book as if I was greeting an old friend and thoroughly enjoyed it at the beginning. But the end, I wanted to kill a few characters. But that's getting ahead of ourselves. First, let's get into the pros of this book.

It's still a slow thriller. We still have that sense of foreboding. Oh, CJ, you know how to make that work for you. And now we have the feeling of being inside a conspiracy theory, it seems more complex and layered. The character development matches the pace of the book and feels real. Like these characters are growing. And with everything that is slowly unravelling and some of the threads being wrapped up and others left annoyingly dangling (WHO'S THE MOLE, CJ?! WHO?!), making reading the next book interesting ...

I have one or two faults. Sorry, I do. I always do, I find recently. First is character development  Yes, I know I said this is a good thing (and it is), but with a character (naming no names), I wondered if they had a personality transplant. Who was this angry, possessive, controlling person, for they weren't in the first book? And I got so angry over this, the author tweeted me to see if I was ok and had calmed down (I did, but I had to stop reading it for the rest of the day).

The second thing was everyone's reaction. Now, I'm sorry, but one of the bad guys was a former student of Cimmeria and he killed people. Let's say that again. Killed. So, while they was extra security (which is fine), the characters were allowed to do midnight patrols of the grounds (when it has been known that he got pass security on several occasions), have a party at castle ruins because of tradition (again, knowing that a killer could get pass security) and hosting a Winter Ball with high profile people in the world of politics (with again, this guy has got pass security and the fact that there's a mole in the school). Sorry, but I found that hard to believe. I found it hard to believe that, if this was real, that this would be the way to go...

Anyway, Legacy. I liked it. It's better than Night School. And I'm intrigued over the next book, but I kept picking holes in it...

Night School Legacy Tour - Character Soundtrack

Hello! Today, it's my turn as part of the Night School: Legacy blog tour! And I get the wonderful topic of music! So, before I hand you over to the author, C J Daugherty, I want to quickly remind you all that if you are following the tour and you are taking part in the Night School Challenge, remember to find the secret word, click it and you're one step closer to winning a change to be an official Night School member and join CJ in a Google Hangout! 

Now, am handing you over to CJ Daugherty. ENJOY! And the trailer for Night School: Legacy will be at the bottom of this post! 

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When I’m writing the Night School books I can see and hear the characters in my mind. I know exactly what Allie Sheridan sounds like and how she walks, the way her hair is always just a little bit dishevelled.

The same is true of Carter West, Sylvain Cassel and Rachel and all the characters. If I’m completely honest, I feel like I really know them.

I often listen to music when I’m working and there are songs that remind me of each character. When I need inspiration, sometimes I’ll listen to Allie and Carter songs, or soothe my soul with some of Isabelle’s classical music.

Here’s a soundtrack for Night School by character?

What songs make you think of Night School?

Allie Sheridan

"Been Caught Stealing" by Jane’s Addiction

I think this song perfectly captures Allie’s sense of alienation. I’m not sure there’s a better song about adolescent rebellion and thievery.

Carter West

"I Will Dare" by The Replacements

I love this song about taking a chance on someone, and about feeling old while you’re still young. And doubting yourself.

Jo Arringford

"Because I’m Awesome" by the Dollyrots

Come on. This is Jo’s THEME SONG.

Sylvain Cassel

"Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth

This song perfectly captures Sylvain’s coolness. He’s a suave guy – he could be good or bad. To me, the base line in this song is exactly how Sylvain walks.

Rachel Patel

"What’ll I Do" by Lisa Hannigan

I love how this song captures Rachel’s fun side. She’s so smart and focussed but she’s also a funny and adorable 16-year-old girl.

Isabelle La Fanult

"Opus 13" by Dustin O’Halloran

Isabelle loves classical music – it often plays through the speakers in her office. This melancholy song perfectly captures her as I imagine her.

Eloise Derleth

"No Rain" by Blind Melon

Eloise is younger than most of the teachers, and would have been pretty young when this song was out – I imagine her dancing to it as a teenager. Also because I ADORE this video.

Nathaniel

"I’m Not Sorry" by Morrissey

Because he’s really, really not sorry.

Zelazny

"No Fun" by Sex Pistols

Haha – Zelazny and the Sex Pistols! It’s just too perfect! I couldn’t resist. Besides, he’s the right age so it’s entirely possible that he was once a punk. 

I hope you enjoyed this post! Here is the trailer for Night School: Legacy. My thanks goes to CJ Daugherty for taking time out to write this blog post and all the others on the Night School: Legacy blog tour, Atom Books for publishing this series and Midas PR for doing the tour. If you want to continue following the tour or take part, go here. And now, here's the trailer...

Legacy Blog Tour!

Not sure what's happening with me at the moment so BEAR WITH! But, what I do know is that I am taking part in the Night School Legacy blogtour! And we have a banner for you guys!

And, because of this, there's a book trailer too! Just to wet your appetite! Enjoy and I'll see you on the tour! 

Night School: Legacy Blog Tour

Right, who here is a fan of CJ Daugherty? Who is a fan of her Night School series? Who here is excited for the sequel, Legacy? If you are, come here and we can talk.

Over the coming few days, several blogs (mine as well) have joined forces to do a blog tour to get you ready for Legacy. And, because of this, there's a secret. Well, not for long! Who wants to be an Official Member of Night School? If the answer is yes, then the Night School Challenge is for you. Over the course of 14 blog posts, each will have a Secret Word. Find the Secret Word on EACH blog and YOU, my dear reader, are one step closer to being an Official Member. If you are one the lucky few to be selected, you will win special Night School goodies and a chance to hang out with the author herself, CJ Daughterty, in a Google Hangout!

If you're interested, please read all the rules below and GOOD LUCK!!!

Do you have what it takes to face the Night School challenge?

To celebrate the publication of CJ Daugherty’s new book Legacy, she is offering fans of Night School the chance to join Allie and her friends in becoming members of the secret student group Night School. In order to prove you’ve got what it takes to join the highly competitive Night School you will have to distinguish the 14 skills every Night School member should have which will be hidden across the 14 blogs taking part in the tour.

Everyone who successfully completes the challenge will become a Night School member for life and will receive the Night School membership charter andNight School members’ badge as proof of membership, but, because intelligence and speed are two of the most important Night School skills, we will be rewarding those of you who are able to collect and enter the 14 skills in the fastest time. The first ten entrants to correctly enter the 14 skills will win an exclusive members only goodie bag, including: personalised copies of both Legacy and Night School as well as a Night School members material badge which can be sewn onto a book bag or school blazer and a place on an exclusive Google Hangouts chat with CJ Daugherty herself!

Night School Challenge Rules:

1. Visit 14 book blogs between 3^rd – 10^th January
2. Locate and collect 14 Night School Skill words
3. Return to the Night School Members page to enter your collected skills by 13^th January
4. The entry form will be live from January 10^th and will close at midnight on January 13^th
5. If you successfully complete the challenge you will become a Night School member for life – when this happens you will receive a membership charter and Night School members badge to download
6. The first ten people to receive Night School membership will be rewarded for their speed with an exclusive Night School goodie bag and a place on a Google hangouts chat with CJ Daugherty!

For more information, visit the members page on CJ Daugherty’s website here