A little bit Harry Potter, and little bit Percy Jackson, but for an older audience. If you are looking for a new fantasy adventure series, highly recommend this one!
This story takes place in a very distant future after our own society has been destroyed. The Training Grounds is an elite training academy for young adults who possess rare talents. Recruits are gathered from all over to hone their skills in swordsmanship, magic wielding, archery, blacksmithing, engineering, and more.
Our main character Darius comes from a humble background. Raised by his mother after his father is killed by bandits when he was young, they work together on a farm owned by a wealthy baron. He competes in sword fighting tournaments, an area where he is exceptionally skilled. His life changes when he receives his acceptance letter to the training grounds, and together with his very smart, very nerdy best friend Simon, he sets off on a life-changing adventure.
The Training Grounds is home to a myriad of characters, some that become like family to Darius, while others become enemies. But Darius soon learns that many of those that surround him, both friend and foe, have secrets.
Some of those secrets are deadly.
This book has everything needed to make a great fantasy adventure! It has magic, sword fighting, found family, mysterious hooded figures, and a touch of angsty romance.
I would rate this book pg-13, so while there are themes in it that are more adult than the aforementioned children’s books, it would be appropriate for high school age and up.
There isn’t gore or smut, but there are scenes where weapons are drawn and blood is spilled.
I am looking forward to the next book!