Review- The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell

The Cadet of Tildor

Alex Lidell

Release Date: January 10, 2013

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Dial (Penguin)

ISBN: 0803736819

Source: ARC from the publisher

Rating: Obsessed!!!!!!!!!

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

From Goodreads.

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.

Ok so I know I talk about how much I love High Fantasy... well peeps get used to it because it is one of my favorite genres! And The Cadet of Tildor just jumped to my top ten list of all-time best High Fantasy books! Just a fyi up front there’s little to no romance in this book so if that’s what you’re looking for it’s not here. But really I didn’t even notice the lack of romance because I was so wrapped up in this amazing story! This story is told in third person so we get to see many of the different characters and I loved every minute of it!

I adored the character of Renee de Winter (I love the tribute to Dumas and The Three Musketeers!). Renee is amazing! She’s strong, extremely loyal and a badass fighter. Then there’s Korrish Savoy; trust me peeps there may not be romance but you will find yourselves falling for this guy! Oh and there’s Renee’s best friend Alec whom I adored and wanted to throttle at the same time!

And there’s magic, cage fighting, sword fights, political intrigue, kidnappings, family problems…. Oh I could go on forever about this book!

I am so happy that this book isn't a stand alone because I think I would go crazy if it was! I want more of this world! I can't get enough of it!!!! 

So since I usually try to share swoon-worthy passages and there was not really any I tried to find one that I think you’ll all enjoy…

Renee did not realize she had tripped until Savoy grabbed her tunic to steady her on her feet. She shuffled to reclaim her balance, her muscles trembling even at rest. She stared at him, aghast. “I—“

“Saw your first battle a day ago.” He put away his blade. “You’ll see more.”

She wiped her face, realizing through a haze of exhaustion that her mind was quiet for the first time since the Queen’s Day dinner. Savoring the tingling relief, she looked at Savoy and knew that he knew. She had needed that fight.

“Thank you, sir.” She chewed at her lip. “Will...will you be bored again tomorrow?”

“Perhaps.”

Renee bowed and drew herself to full height before him. “I will get stronger, sir.”

“Save it for class. Won’t be much use with me.” He shrugged and turned away. “And if you plan to play strength games again, de Winter, don’t bother showing up.”

“Yes, sir.” Renee bowed again. “I—I’ll be here.” One did not turn down a chance to train with the leader of the Seventh, no matter how impractical a style he insisted on teaching.

And, she noted with a smile, the muscles shifting beneath his shirt didn’t hurt either.

Make sure to check out the awesome trailer too!