Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

The Last Academy
The Last Academy
The Last Academy
Audiobook6 hours

The Last Academy

Written by Anne Applegate

Narrated by Kate Reinders

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep meets The Sixth Sense in this spine-tingling, unforgettable debut.

Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam's new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don't seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam - and readers - stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut audiobook.
LanguageEnglish
PublisherScholastic
Release dateApr 30, 2013
ISBN9780545622875
The Last Academy

Related to The Last Academy

Related audiobooks

Children's For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for The Last Academy

Rating: 3.9116541327067664 out of 5 stars
4/5

266 ratings25 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It took me more than 3/4 of the book to grasp the twist. And the ending was surprisingly beautiful... life can surprise you and it is rarely black and white.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Wooow. Okay! Good thing i was not spoiled. Now i get the title!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Would have been better if description didn't say like sixth sense. So you were expecting a ghost somewhere.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I didn’t think I would like it because of the ages of the characters, but as I continued I realized there’s more to this book then it seems. Just finish it trust me!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I didn’t see the end coming the way that it did. Plus I didn’t realize that it was a teenaged book either. Non the less it was a great read with a twist at the end. I would still recommend this one to other adults .
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 out of 5 stars)

    Overview: “The Last Academy” presents a captivating premise that immediately piqued my interest. The unexpected twists and turns kept me engaged, and I appreciated the originality of the general idea. However, there are areas where the book falls short, hindering its full potential.

    What Worked:

    Intriguing Premise: The concept behind “The Last Academy” is refreshingly unique. Kudos to the author for crafting an imaginative foundation.

    Areas for Improvement:

    Editing and Grammar: The book would greatly benefit from professional editing. Grammar issues and other inconsistencies occasionally disrupted the flow. A skilled editor could address these issues, enhancing the overall reading experience.

    Balancing Act: While some parts of the story were riveting, others felt like unnecessary detours. Instead of maintaining the mystery’s crescendo, these sections slowed down the pacing. Streamlining the narrative would make it more gripping.

    Book Cover: They say not to judge a book by its cover, but unfortunately, the cover of “The Last Academy” didn’t do it justice. It appeared amateurish and might deter potential readers. A more appealing cover design could attract a wider audience.

    Final Thoughts: “The Last Academy” has immense potential. With the right professionals—editors, cover designers, and perhaps even a bit of restructuring—it could truly shine. I encourage readers to look beyond the cover and explore the intriguing world within. There’s a gem waiting to be polished!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I feel like if I had read this book in middle school I would have liked it more (yes, I know that that is the target audience for YA), but I selected it for light reading while driving around as an adult. I feel that the character development left a lot to be desired, and that the "plot twist" was very predictable. This wasn't a BAD book, and it got the job done for me, but I don't think that this is in my list to read again.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Interesting storyline but hard to follow. No real character development in my opinion. Good enough for a one time read but I won’t be recommending this one to anyone.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Well told story...nice twist at the end. Enjoyed this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    good book, emotional and a unique story. I dont understand why everyone complains that they "figured it out" early on. It's not about you as the reader figuring it out - it's the journey of the character and HER understanding it all. I like it, makes you think.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Well written and well narrated. Intriguing and very interesting premise.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A light read, with a bit of a twist. Worth finishing the book even if you figure out what the twist is (and you probably will) because the last couple chapters have some GREAT character development and were actually my favorite section. I really like the narrator Kathleen as well, her voice felt very appropriate for the story.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wow. I am left speechless by this book. It was outstanding and very beautiful. The last chapters really took my breath away.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Truly unique in its theme and the storytelling was awesome. Surprising and even inspirational at the end. Highly recommend!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Totally unexpected... what I really liked that most books lack it the ending. All was explained, but I didn't see it coming. well done. I will be looking for more books from this author.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Wow. I thought I had an idea of what was going on - and partly I did - but that ending threw me. Well done!

    After meeting a creepy man on an airplane, Kamden sees him again at her new boarding school. When one of her friends mysteriously disappears leaving all her stuff behind - Kamden and her remaining friends try to figure out what is going on and how that man may play into it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Good book... prepare the tissues for last 2 chapters... wow... I kinda figured it out by chapter 19 but the ending was well worth continuing the book...
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed this bit of light reading. Not nearly as bad as others have said. Good narrator as well.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    Interesting premise, terrible execution. I lost count of the number of times I cringed. Similes are awkward and juvenile in a way that gives a bad name to YA Lit and justifies the poor opinion many hold of the genre. I really wish this book had been better executed, because the premise really is intriguing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I loved it then I hated it then I loved and hated it again but it was so incredible.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    If you can get past the boring first part of the book and the excruciating similes, this turns out to be a pretty good book. I'm glad I continued reading because the ending turned out to be surprisingly poignant and well written. Character development is lacking and weird scenes don't make sense until the end.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I am still unsure how I feel about this. Will rate soon.

    Review:
    This is one book that I was really excited for being out this year. Books set in a boarding school are always something I will pick and read about, and this ones synopsis give the impression of a thriller and a mystery combined.

    Camden is the main character, and is getting settled in to her new school. She’s had some issues at home with her best friend, and didn’t get to resolve anything before she left, so she is still upset over what happened. But, Cam has made some new friends, and has a new crush on a boy named Mark so life seems to be moving on. He is one of the upper-class man, he was sweet, and their relationship wasn’t rushed, it was nice to see, no insta-love there, just a crush. There is so much strange stuff going on, it was hard to get to know all the characters that well. But, I did like Cam, she seemed like a pretty good kid, and she cared about others and that showed when one of the girls goes missing, she tries to find out what happened, and just finds more trouble than she bargained for.

    The world building was not what I was expecting. My interest was kept most of the time, and the mystery was one that I wanted to unravel. What was this place, because everything seemed off about it? Was it really a boarding school or something else? But the answers didn’t come until almost the end, and by that point I wasn’t really invested in the story all that much anymore. And I found most of the parts more confusing than anything else. When the big tell all happened, who they all were, what the place was and why they were there, why students disappeared, I began to piece it all together. And the funny thing is, it was right there in the synopsis and I didn’t catch it. The ending was okay, and I expected it to end the way it did. All in all, this is just one of those books that I can’t say that I loved, but that it didn’t live up to what I thought it was going to be. There were some thrilling parts, and the creativity was there and the boarding school set up was done well, but in the end I was just little disappointed.

    It’s definitely one those books that mess with your mind, and I know there are those who love this type of book. If you do then this is a great book for you.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Camden is now in boarding school. She is a bit bummed because she had a terrible fight with her BFF before she left but soon the stresses of boarding school seem to take most of her time. See in boarding school you are with the mean girls 24/7. Heck they are your roommate. And what is with that creepy guy who seems to be a big dog with the school? He just comes and goes. And then one of her friends just disappears leaving all her stuff. Oh, she went back home. Right...I really enjoyed this book. Camden is a great character. She is funny and independent. She is a good friend. I figured out the twist kind of early, but it did not make it any less entertaining. This is a really good choice for teens and tweens.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The Last Academy by Anne ApplegateAfter a falling-out with her best friend, Camden finds herself on a plane to boarding school. She’s excited for a fresh start, but it doesn’t take her too long to figure out that something is seriously wrong with this school.I had a really, really hard time rating this book. For most of the book, I wanted to put the book down and read something else. The plot was slow and seemed to meander everywhere and nowhere. I felt like things would start to get exciting - a clue to the missing kids! - and then suddenly we were supposed to be having fun at a dance or kissing a boy. I had to force myself through 90% of it, but the ending really knocked my socks off. I disliked all of the characters. Why were most of the kids jerks? We are told that Camden is friends with certain people but we never actually see these relationships developed. She pretty much keeps to herself, yet when people start to go missing we’re told that Camden considered them friends. I didn’t connect with anyone of them and I didn’t have anyone to root for.The language also sounded corny and not how teens talk today. I felt like the book was trying to be cool, and failing. So, although I disliked 90% of the book, the ending is amazing. I want to go back and fix the book for the author so it will live up to its ending. Once you read the end, you’ll realize that this story is a fresh and unique concept in YA literature right now. I only wish the whole book was as good as its ending.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I have to admit that I was sort of afraid to read The Last Academy, due to some not-so-positive reviews that were populating the blogosphere. Luckily, I went ahead and took the plunge, because I am definitely one of those in the minority who really enjoyed this book. Don't get me wrong - I can see why it would strike some as weird or "bad" - but for me, the atmosphere and use of mythology were enough to keep me fully engaged in the characters and plot and eagerly turning the pages until the end.Camden was an interesting main character. She's having to deal with a fallout with her best friend, Lia, as well as adjusting to a new school clear across the country from where she grew up. While she did strike me as a bit younger than she was supposed to be, I still ultimately liked how she took the steps necessary to come to terms with her life and the strange occurrences that happen at the school. I don't want to spoil anything, because part of this book's draw for me personally was the way the suspense was written. While I figured out what was going on fairly early on, I still enjoyed watching Camden's journey into the truth and how it impacts her future.One thing that was done incredibly well in this story was the way the setting was written. You get a definite spooky vibe from the school and its faculty, and the way the author involved the paranormal aspects into the plot were first-rate. Camden is well aware that there's something not right with her new school, and I liked the way she continued to delve into the students' stories and try to figure out what was going on with her classmates and herself. Again, it becomes pretty apparent early on what the ultimate truth is going to be, but I still found plenty within the pages to keep me invested in her story.The Last Academy was a good mix of suspense, mythology, and paranormal. It's a quick read that ultimately left me quite satisfied, not only with the plot but also with Camden's personal journey. If you like spooky reads full of atmosphere, and don't mind figuring out the "twist" before the main character does, then I think you'll like this one quite a bit. I know I did!An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.