Knightley Academy (Knightley Academy, #1)

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Knightley Academy (Knightley Academy #1)

by Violet Haberdasher (Goodreads Author)

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 728 ratings · 154 reviews

Henry Grim is a servant boy at the Midsummer School—until he passes the elite Knightley Academy exam and suddenly finds himself one of the first commoners at the Academy, studying alongside the cleverest and bravest—and most arrogant—young aristocrats in the country. They thwart Henry’s efforts to become a full-fledged Knight of the Realm, but he and two commoner classmate...more

Hardcover, 468 pages

Published March 9th 2010 by Aladdin (first published February 14th 2010)

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2010 Debut Authors (Young Adult & Middle Grade Literature)

131st out of 301 books — 1,970 voters

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Best YA to Appeal to Boys

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Apr 22, 2010 Sheila Beaumont rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kids-middle-grade, historical, school-stories, mysteries-suspense-thrillers, action-and-adventure

I really liked this tale of mystery and adventure set in an alternate-history Victorian England, just before 1900. It's Harry Potter-like in the best ways. There's an appealing orphan boy (named Henry Grim) who unexpectedly finds himself accepted into an elite school; on the train he meets a couple of likable boys who become his friends; and at the school he encounters bullies and hostility, plus an unpleasant, Snape-like professor.

But author Violet Haberdasher (a pseudonym for Robyn Schneider,...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 11, 2012 Ophelia Dagger rated it 4 of 5 stars

I very rarely delve into YA or children's literature, it's just not my thing - I love literary fiction to the extent I sometimes even shy away from strong genre centric novels. However, having seen the author around YouTube, and thinking that she seemed absolutely delightful, I decided to give it a read.

I thought this book was wonderful. Of course, I'm judging it for what it is, I'm not comparing it to the works David Foster Wallace; it's in the 8-12 year old range at book-stores, but I was imm...more I very rarely delve into YA or children's literature, it's just not my thing - I love literary fiction to the extent I sometimes even shy away from strong genre centric novels. However, having seen the author around YouTube, and thinking that she seemed absolutely delightful, I decided to give it a read.

I thought this book was wonderful. Of course, I'm judging it for what it is, I'm not comparing it to the works David Foster Wallace; it's in the 8-12 year old range at book-stores, but I was immediately reminded of the fun and frivolous engagement involved with reading when I was growing up.

This book is has clearly been written by a lover of Harry Potter, I've heard derisive remarks about "copying" and such other nonsense, but the author openly embraces this, with chapter titles such as "The Boy Who Passed" she has embraced her homage overtly. Besides, we're all familiar with the saying that there are "only seven stories in fiction," let's not shoot Knightly Academy because the surface similarities are easier to align.

This is not Harry Potter, it shares a similar 'feel' to HP, it's a trio of misfits in a Victorian Academy for knights... but the characters are their own (and wonderfully drawn), as is the story. I would say that this is not as rich as HP, but then I am of course looking at it having read 7 HP books, and only this, so I am going to leave that comparison there, and talk about Knightly for Knightly.

I have a very poor gauge for how old children are, I have little knowledge of how an eight year old would interpret this, or indeed a twelve year old, but I would suspect reading this would only be an incredibly enriching and positive experience. The book covers many important issues of acceptance and equality in a basic manner without being condescending.

The writing is very clean and tidy, there is little embellishment but, again, this is a children's book, there is no room for purple prose here. As an adult I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, it was a fun break from what I am used to, and it seemed well accomplished for the genre: it was well paced and it held my interest. I cared about the characters and enjoyed being slowly lead along the gentle twists and turns of the plot. I believe to have been afforded the opportunity to read this book fifteen years ago would have been a truly wonderful experience.

I will certainly be reading the sequel :) (less)

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Nov 08, 2010 BookKids rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, midgrade

Set in an all boys school in a turn of the 20th century England similar but not identical to our world’s history, Henry Grim is the servant boy at an elite boy’s middle school. Despite his common upbringing, Henry has a thirst for knowledge that is fed by one of the professors on staff. Henry is finally given the chance when, for the first time in history, he is allowed to sit the Knightley Academy entrance exam despite the fact he is a commoner. Henry, along with two other common boys, are acce...more

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May 02, 2010 Karin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: juvenile-fiction, alternative-history, knighthood, boarding-school, harry-potter-readalikes, young-adult-fiction, books-for-boys, gutsy-girls, borrowed-from-the-library

Henry Grim, 14, was a servant at the exclusive Midsummer School up until recently. When one of the Midsummer professors caught him borrowing textbooks, he decided to tutor him instead of reporting him to school administrators for theft. Henry Grim then became one of the most promising students Midsummer School never had the privilege of teaching! Encouraged by his tutor to take the entrance exams for Knightley Academy, Henry became the first commoner ever to be accepted as a student. His accepta...more Henry Grim, 14, was a servant at the exclusive Midsummer School up until recently. When one of the Midsummer professors caught him borrowing textbooks, he decided to tutor him instead of reporting him to school administrators for theft. Henry Grim then became one of the most promising students Midsummer School never had the privilege of teaching! Encouraged by his tutor to take the entrance exams for Knightley Academy, Henry became the first commoner ever to be accepted as a student. His acceptance paves the way for 2 other unique first years – Adam (who is Jewish), and Rohan (who is of East Indian descent) – who become his roommates and best friends. While the boys study chivalry, military history, medicine, fencing, languages and other disciplines related to knighthood, they must put up with their classmates ridicule and scorn. As the pranks played on them become more serious, however, the boys begin to suspect that someone else is behind them – someone who will do anything (even committing murder) to get them out of Knightley. Will Henry be able to survive the year without landing in an early grave?

This was reminiscent of Harry Potter – but, without the magic.* It’s set in modern times in a world that’s similar to ours (there are different countries/cities, but races and religions are the same). Modern knights are more like police, or detectives, or doctors (depending on their specialties). The characters will easily win readers’ hearts, and a sequel is almost certainly in the works (war with the Nordlands is inevitable). I’m quite looking forward to more from Violet Haberdasher.

* Harry Potter parallels:
Henry = Harry Potter
Adam = Ron Weasley
Rohan & Frankie = Hermione (Rohan doesn’t like to break rules, but will if there’s a good cause, and Frankie is ‘the girl’ – she’s fearless, but more of a tomboy than Hermione)
Lord Havelock = Professor Snape (hates the commoner students and wants them gone)
Valmont = Draco Malfoy (also from Midsummer School – failed the exam, but is Lord Havelock’s nephew and is somehow accepted at Knightley anyway – hates Henry with a misguided passion, but they gradually begin to understand one another, which is possibly a bit more realistic than Harry/Malfoy’s relationship)
Knightley Academy = Hogwarts (both boarding schools)
Professor Stratford = Hagrid/Dumbledore (Professor Stratford is the one who looks out for Henry and wants the best for him)

The big evil they all face is the Nordlands, which may be key in bringing the Knightley students together.(less)

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Mar 27, 2010 Ashley Brooke rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-faves

The first thing that grabbed me about 'Knightley Academy' was the title. It's just a great title. Along with that, the cover is nicely put together and should attract attention. It caught mine pretty much instantly. While the page count looks a bit hefty, don't worry. The text is large and the story moves along in such a way you won't notice anything but the story.

Read the rest of the review here: http://brookesboxofbooks.blogspot.com...

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Dec 31, 2011 Micah rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a hard one to review because so many of the reviews are very eager to do all the Harry Potter comparisons (not without good reason), but that doesn't entirely do the book justice. So I guess I'll get the Harry Potter stuff out of the way first and quickly. This book totally has a Draco Malfroy as well as a Snape. It also has a trio of friends that go on their adventures.
Okay, so what this book really is is an interesting alternate history story where all of Britain is at peace with itse...more

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May 28, 2011 Bonnie at A Backwards Story rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fabulous-books

Bookworms, I’ll tell you upfront: I’m going to have a lot of trouble reviewing KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY for you. I’m not sure how to describe the magical way the story snuck beneath my skin and consumed me. I feel like if I describe it one way, I’ll pigeon-hole it and you’ll think it’s a book that it isn’t. Even though it’s similar to other works in some ways, it’s also unlike anything I’ve read, in a class of its own. Unputdownable. A perfect blend of reality and fantasy for children, teens, and adult...more Bookworms, I’ll tell you upfront: I’m going to have a lot of trouble reviewing KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY for you. I’m not sure how to describe the magical way the story snuck beneath my skin and consumed me. I feel like if I describe it one way, I’ll pigeon-hole it and you’ll think it’s a book that it isn’t. Even though it’s similar to other works in some ways, it’s also unlike anything I’ve read, in a class of its own. Unputdownable. A perfect blend of reality and fantasy for children, teens, and adults alike.

Ignore the title of this book: If KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY brings up images of knights in shining armor and damsels in distress, you’re WRONG. You’re also not alone: That’s the type of novel I thought I was getting, too. I thought this novel was going to be about a school that taught students how to be a knight. I was hoping for the next RANGER’S APPRENTICE by John Flanagan or SONG OF THE LIONESS (or PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL) series by Tamora Pierce. While this novel IS about knights, it’s not about *knights.* When I first started reading and saw the word “car,” I thought, “What…? Dashing knights in our world?” And then I kept reading. It takes place at the turn of the century, when electricity is still new and cars are used only by a select few. I grew even more confused. But then I realized how brilliant author Violet Haberdasher (nom de plume) is. Because this world is our world, but it’s *not* our world. At one point, there were real knights of old. Eventually, the various countries signed The Longsword Treaty with one another, creating peace and eliminating the need for combat and true knights. Instead, Knights of the Realm now train to be detective knights, police knights, and secret service knights. They might also work in prestigious office positions or for famous families.

KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY also holds a vague similarity to HARRY POTTER, albeit without the use of any magic. The novel centers around an orphaned boy named Henry Grim who has dreamed of one day attending Knightley Academy. Alas, without a proper status or position in life, he has no chance of getting in...until the entrance exams allow all residents at the school where he works to apply. There are a couple of characters reminiscent of beloved members of the POTTER family, as well as a few nuances here and there. Haberdasher wrote a particularly lovely guest post earlier this year on Bookalicio.us about her goals in creating KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY. She wanted a series to fill in the hole left when the POTTER series concluded for fans such as herself who grew up with the novels, something with a similar texture to them. But she didn’t want the magic, or a boy who knew nothing about the school he was about to attend, and resolutions that never occurred in the best-selling series. In the guest post, she states, “The hero is the cleverest scholar in his year, hopeless at sports and destined for nothing. And yet…there is something undeniably Potterish about my storytelling.” The result is a series with a similar flavor, but different enough that the two truly can’t be compared to one another.

In KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY, danger lurks on the horizon. The newspapers all buzz about how the Nordlands are doing medical experiments on their citizens, and talk about how women are refused education to the extent that people who break the law are prosecuted. But if these rumors are true, then London is about to go to war for the first time since The Longsword Treaty was set in motion...and knights are no longer trained for combat. It’s a dangerous time to be a young man. London is changing as well: For the first time, Knightley Academy is admitting commoners to its elite knight program due to the discovery of a brilliant young servant named Henry Grim. In addition to accepting Henry into training, the school opens two more spots and admits Adam Beckerman and Rohan Mehta. The three students become roommates and are ostracized by their peers, Henry because he was a servant, Adam because he’s Jewish, and Rohan due to his dark skin. This is hardest on Rohan, who, while orphaned early on, was adopted by a wealthy family and feels equal to the other boys at school despite his appearance. The first year students are too afraid to reach out to the three “common” students due to two students who delight in tormenting them, the pompous Theobold Archer IV and his lackey, Fergus Valmont, with whom Henry is previously acquainted (and not in a pleasant way). The boys must suffer through school, making friends only with Francesca “Frankie” Winter, the Headmaster’s teenage daughter. Soon, terrifying accidents start to occur, and it becomes clear that either someone wants to remove the three common boys from Knightley and restore the school to its superior roots or something more sinister is at play.

KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY is full of adventure, mystery, and intrigue. I had a lot of trouble putting it down and delved right into book two, THE SECRET PRINCE (launching June 28, 2011). The books are currently set to be a trilogy, but they don’t have cliffhanger endings. Rather, they hit the end of term the way the POTTER books due, with the first novel ending as winter break approaches and the second one starting off with second term. Unless the series is extended, the books won’t follow Henry and his friends throughout their years at Knightley, for reasons that will become apparent in book two. KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY was fantastic, and THE SECRET PRINCE is even better. I’ll post a review tomorrow. If you’re looking for a new series that hits your sweet spot and doesn’t leave you frustrated for several years, this is a series you don’t want to miss.

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Mar 20, 2011 Creativity's Corner rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, historical-fiction, fantasy, young-adult

[from the my blog, Creativity's Corner] When I first saw this book on someone else's blog, I didn't know what to think. The post was a guest post from the author, explaining what "Harry Potter Inspired Novel" meant as the term had been used in describing the book. Basically, she explained, Knightley Academy was what came from having practically grown up reading Harry Potter, and desperately wanting something similar to read next. No wands, no magic, none of that stuff, but still Harry Potter ins...more [from the my blog, Creativity's Corner] When I first saw this book on someone else's blog, I didn't know what to think. The post was a guest post from the author, explaining what "Harry Potter Inspired Novel" meant as the term had been used in describing the book. Basically, she explained, Knightley Academy was what came from having practically grown up reading Harry Potter, and desperately wanting something similar to read next. No wands, no magic, none of that stuff, but still Harry Potter inspired. This explanation made me a little worried. How could anyone even try to compare to Harry Potter? I mean, I read fanfics and all, but I didn't know what to expect from a novel that wasn't really fanfic at all. That didn't stop me from checking it out, of course. The chance that it really was just as great as Harry Potter was too much to pass up.

I shouldn't have worried. From the time I picked up the book, I could hardly put it down. For the first few pages I spent a lot of time just finding the similarities, but before long I was so busy following the story that I didn't even notice! In fact, by the end of the book, the thing that stood out to me the most was how unlike Harry Potter it was - and yet how I felt so much like I did when I finished a Harry Potter novel. Books always give me a certain feeling, depending on the type of book, and this one was like reading Harry Potter all over again. It was so wonderful to experience that feeling again! It made me wonder why we haven't seen more of these "Harry Potter Inspired Novels." There's plenty of Twilight inspired type novels after all.

But possibly the best thing about this novel is that it addresses a very serious issue; prejudice. Henry and the other two "common" boys are accepted to a school that is normally reserved for the rich and important and they are bullied because of it. They aren't the only case of prejudice either: The neighboring country is trying to liberate themselves from class prejudice, but they aren't going about it the right way. It certainly makes you think really hard about our belief systems and why we govern ourselves the way we do.

In short, this isn't just a book that is inspired by Harry Potter, it's a book that is in the best tradition of the Harry Potter story. It is a wonderfully entertaining tale that nods towards its predecessor, but stands on its own two feet with a message that makes you think. Definitely give this one a shot! (less)

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Feb 21, 2011 Steve Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm not usually one to read young adult fiction (it's just not my demographic) but this was definitely a great exception. I'm also a little disappointed with the reviews on Amazon that claim this is a Harry Potter knock-off... sure it's about an orphaned young boy who goes to a school for things one doesn't normally go to school for, but that's where the similarity ends, and if that's enough to make it a knock-off, they're both knock-offs of Oliver Twist anyway.

Regardless, this is a quality book...more

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May 24, 2010 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

When a loophole in the rules allows Henry Grim, an orphaned serving boy at Midsummer School, to take the entrance exam for Knightley Academy, he jumps at the chance to better his lot. He is admitted as a sort of social experiment; traditionally the Academy was limited to the aristocracy, but some trustees feel that the turn of the century will bring changes in social structure as well as technology. At the Academy, Henry is paired with two other misfits (one Jewish, one East Indian) and befriend...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Spark740 rated it 2 of 5 stars

Knightley Academy is a fictional fantasy, but the setting is England 1800s, just without exact names. Storyline: Servant boy gets accepted into Knightley Academy . . . and . . . politics happen . . . . and . . . not much else . . . Oh, nuts, now that you know the servant kid gets accepted into Knightley Academy you'll be bored the first four chapters! On the good side of the book, it's very clean and there are one or two good moments. However I was expecting more "dry wit" (Tamora Pierce review...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Trisha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Trisha by: Saw Violet H. at BEA 2010

The world is changing: the separation between the classes is the center around which various camps fight. And Henry Grim, a poor orphan, suddenly finds himself in the middle of it as he is accepted to the elite Knightley Academy. In a very Harry Potter-esque story, Haberdasher sets Grim up as the noble underdog destined to save the world.

I had heard the book channeled the ghost of Harry Potter and the similarities to HP are running amok in the novel. The characters, the events, the plot line, th...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Sue Donym rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because I knew the author from her excellent Youtube videos. She struck me as a funny and immediately likable person, so I felt I owed to her to give her book a chance. Needless to say, this is not (it turns out) a good way to find decent literature, but I did not regret reading this.

In a lot of respects, Knightley Academy is an excellent book, having a followable and very interesting plot, likable characters, a fun and breezy writing style, and ultimately just being a very enjo...more

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Aug 10, 2010 Rhiannon Ryder rated it 3 of 5 stars

Alrighty. So generally, after reading a book by an author I'm unfamiliar with, I jump online and have a look-see. This is when astounding things like sequels, come to my attention, or in this case... that an author isn't a real person but a pseudonym.

Here I was, thinking Knightley Academy was a debut authors first novel. And I suppose, in a way it is, since Violet Haberdasher only started to exist when this book went to print.
Weird right?
I mean outside of Lemony Snicket how many Middle School au...more Alrighty. So generally, after reading a book by an author I'm unfamiliar with, I jump online and have a look-see. This is when astounding things like sequels, come to my attention, or in this case... that an author isn't a real person but a pseudonym.

Here I was, thinking Knightley Academy was a debut authors first novel. And I suppose, in a way it is, since Violet Haberdasher only started to exist when this book went to print.
Weird right?
I mean outside of Lemony Snicket how many Middle School authors hide behind a pseudonym? Anywho, after beating around trying to find a Violet Haberdasher website I finally came to the realization that Violet Haberdasher (I guess it's kind of a weird name, come to think of it) is really Robyn Schneider. I also discovered Simon and Schuster (or Robyn Schneider) really aught to update the Knightley Academy site; seriously, I can't pre-order a published book and the extras page says access forbidden until March 9 2010....uh? isn't it August 2010??

Outside of these oddities I can tell you two things, this book is an entertaining read, and although it's not commented on anywhere that I can find it is surely a series, likely 4 books long.

Henry Grim is an orphan working as a servant in an upper class school, studying on the sly, when he is suddenly given the chance of a lifetime. The prestigious Knightley Academy, for the first time ever, is letting commoners test for entry, and Henry is the first to gain admission. Along with his three new commoner roommates and the daughter of the Headmaster, Henry spends an exciting yet stressful first year at Knightley. Can he come out on top? Or will his first year prove to be his last?

Strikingly similar story arc to Harry Potter (orphan Henry, admission to a school he would never dream of attending, a teacher who seems to be plotting against him, a fellow group of outsiders to befriend, a lurking greater threat outside of school), the Knightley Academy is original while being totally unoriginal. Which is to say I liked it, but there was a familiarity to it that I found disconcerting. Henry's group of friends are fun, especially Frankie the Headmaster's daughter, and the action is largely enjoyable. What I would truly like to see in the next books is for Violet/Robyn to pull away from the Harry Potter story arc and build her own non-referencing world. Honestly, no story which mimics Harry Potter will end up coming out well in the comparison so I wouldn't recommend it.

Since I can't find any further information on her site or the Knightley site about a second book we'll just have to wait and see if I stumble into it down the road. This has the potential to become a really good story, but I have to say the Harry Potter leanings will have to end to be so.
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Dec 12, 2011 Indigo Wayworth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

This book was beautifully written. from believable characters that you can regognise with, to a wonerous world of Knights and 'Codes of Chivialry'. All the things that made an era wonderful are brought into this book.
***SPOILERS AHEAD!!!***
Ms. Haberdasher wrote about a character named Henry Grim, who worked as a servant in the kitchens of the Midsummers Night school, being secretly tutored by Professor Stratford. When the knights fom Knightly Academy come to the school to let 'any residence' tak...more This book was beautifully written. from believable characters that you can regognise with, to a wonerous world of Knights and 'Codes of Chivialry'. All the things that made an era wonderful are brought into this book.
***SPOILERS AHEAD!!!***
Ms. Haberdasher wrote about a character named Henry Grim, who worked as a servant in the kitchens of the Midsummers Night school, being secretly tutored by Professor Stratford. When the knights fom Knightly Academy come to the school to let 'any residence' take the exam, Henry sits the exam, and is the only one to get into the school.
When Henry attends the school he makes friends and rooms with a jewish boy, Adam, and an indian boy who is adopted by a duke, Rohan. They quickly became the targets of Valmont, a boy who went to the Midsummer school who got in because his uncle is a professor, and Theobold.
They also befriend Francesa 'Frankie' Winters, the headmasters daughter who was kicked out of a few finishing schools because of her 'improper' behaviour. She now lived at the school, while Professor Stratford tutored her. She sneaks into the boys room through the window every night, coming to play cards and eat snacks.
Soon the boys become victims of what they think are pranks; newspaper articles indicating that they will be kicked out of Knightly. soon, these pranks escalade into fencing foils that are not blunted, and nuts in the muffins. The boys are pinning these pranks on Valmont and his followers.
then the boys are taken to the Nordlands, which are known for the fact that they have wanted to start a war with the rest of the country for years, for the interschool tournament. One night, when Henry decided to take a look around the school, he found a room full of combat training equipment, when training was illegal. Henry went back to bed, saying that as soon as he got back to school he would inform Sir. Fredrick, the knight who let commoners enter the school and who Henry confided in on various occasions, about his findings.
More exciting things happen to this unlucky trio and the end is filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you flipping each page, holding on for dear life!
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Dec 21, 2012 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-friend-material, good-enough-to-get-physical-copy, gorgeous-covers, all-time-favorites

I have to make this quick. Oh, my, god. This book is amazing! It is so addictive. I just kept wanting to turn page after page, just like The Lincoln Lawyer. The characters are well developed and fantastic, especially Frankie. :) I loved the plot and the themes it holds. "Violet Haberdasher" is a brilliant writer who knows how to captivate an audience. Can't wait for Secret Prince!

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Jun 21, 2012 VaultOfBooks rated it 3 of 5 stars

By Violet Haberdasher. Grade: C. Knightley Academy #1

Henry Grim is a servant boy at the Midsummer School—until he passes the elite Knightley Academy exam and suddenly finds himself one of the first commoners at the Academy, studying alongside the cleverest and bravest—and most arrogant—young aristocrats in the country. They thwart Henry’s efforts to become a full-fledged Knight of the Realm, but he and two commoner classmates are determined to succeed. In the process, the boys uncover a conspira...more By Violet Haberdasher. Grade: C. Knightley Academy #1

Henry Grim is a servant boy at the Midsummer School—until he passes the elite Knightley Academy exam and suddenly finds himself one of the first commoners at the Academy, studying alongside the cleverest and bravest—and most arrogant—young aristocrats in the country. They thwart Henry’s efforts to become a full-fledged Knight of the Realm, but he and two commoner classmates are determined to succeed. In the process, the boys uncover a conspiracy that violates the Hundred Years’ Peace treaty—and could lead to war! Can Henry manage to save his school and country from their enemies—and continue to study at the Academy?

To put it bluntly, Knightley Acadmey were nothing but 469 pages that turned very slowly. I'm not saying the speed never picked up (the last two chapters) or that it was poorly written. And I wouldn't say that this author needs to learn her trade some more. I just think she could have pushed the point of the story a little more.

The length of this book is part of the problem. While all the information given added to the story, it didn't make me feel more endeared to the characters than I already was. All that added information didn't have an actual purpose, I think. There wasn't a lot of depth to the characters themselves and while yes, there was a mystery afoot it was all pretty bland for me.

How the story resolved was unexpected. And it was about the only redeeming quality of the book.
I can't say I would have read the book just to enjoy the end but I do appreciate the fact that there was something unpredictable in this story.

Enthralling book? Hardly. Unless you mean of course, continuing to read because you can't believe this is all there is. There were just too many small scale things happening. Like sabatoge and anoynomous threats. But I've seen that. What I needed was one great cause, but there seemed to be a quite a few small causes in this book. There was Henry being elevated from being just a servant, trying not to get kicked out of Knightley for more reasons than just himself, finding the saboteur, and a possible impending war with the Norlands. How am I supposed to pick from all of these, that have been made to seem equally important, as the one one I will be following through the series? Just what are the Knightley Academy books about?

In the end, I think I came through this book feeling confused about the direction the author was taking. I wasn't on the same page as her when we ended. I'm inclined to think that the reason was that the story progressed a bit too slowly and had too much information. There wasn't a balance between the what the Knightley books were about and the things that happened to the characters along the way. The events that would turn them into the seasoned and experienced people we would see by the end of the series.

Fantasy is my favorite genre. It is the one I soak up the most. The one I learn from the most. And this wasn't a book I would call fantastic.

Originally reviewed at http://the-vault.co.cc/(less)

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Jul 29, 2010 Christa rated it 5 of 5 stars

As I was cleaning up the newshelf at our library my eye was caught by this little gem. This story is about a servant/orphan boy named Henry Grim who works at a posh school for boys called Midsummer School. Here he is secretly tutored in numerous languages, culture and history by Professor Stratford. Henry is encouraged by him to sit the Kightley Academy exam (a school for future Knights) in which no commoner has ever done before. With flying colors he passes the exam and is brought to Knightly A...more

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Oct 03, 2011 Alan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, middle-school

ATOS Book Level: 5.6
Interest Level: Middle Grades Plus (MG+ 6 and up)
AR Points: 12.0
Lexile: 860L
Word Count: 78949

A book for boy's who like knights and fighting for what's right.
I need to start out by saying that I liked this story.
I need to start out that way because I don't understand books like this written into a here and now (or then and now because it's not set in the current time period), or is it really a post apocalyptic book and pretty much all modern conveniences have been lost or for...more

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Mar 26, 2010 Alex Bennett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, signed

All hail Violet Haberdasher! Seriously guys, this book is freaking amazing. I loved loved loved it. Even though I was obsessed before I began, I still would have given this book 5 stars!

The writing is flawless and beautiful. You can see everything so clearly without the book going into too much detail. The dialogue between the characters is so realistic and sometimes laugh out funny that it appears that you are talking to the characters yourself.

The characters themselves are so likeable and fun...more

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May 17, 2013 Ruby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: schools

This book was fairly good; it's about a servant named Henry who gets to go to Knightley Academy- the catch is that he and his two friends are the first commoner students to ever be admitted there! Someone seems to be sabotaging their chances to be knights, like on the back cover, and the three friends are also trying to figure that out. The book is funny, the idea is good, and it isn't boring, but I noticed a lot of things about this book that seemed connected to Harry Potter- the whole school t...more

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May 29, 2010 Alicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-school

Actually, just met this author at the Book Expo in NYC, and when she told me it was about a servant boy who gets into a special school where they teach fencing and languages and diplomacy (and when I learned that Diana Wynne Jones was also one of her favorite authors) I was hooked. It's the first of a trilogy, set in an alternate Victorian England, and beside the smart servant boy, there are 2 other commoners who manage to get into the elite school, and the headmaster's headstrong daughter, all...more

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Dec 20, 2010 Tracie rated it 2 of 5 stars

I truly feel sorry for any author nowadays who wants to place a young character at any kind of school or camp where they learn special powers because they are often accused of copying J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter. However, this book IS a copy. The main character's name is Henry, he's an orphan, he passes a test to attend this prestigious knight school (one of the chapters is "The Boy Who Passed"...just like "The Boy Who Lived" in Harry Potter), he has 2 buddies at school, one a stickler for rules...more

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Feb 27, 2012 Emmet O'Neal Library- Children's Department rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, realistic-fiction

Chivalry is not dead! It is alive and well in the Kightley Academy. As a war looms in the Nordland, our hero a servant boy named Henry Grim, is admitted to this exclusive and prestigious school. I liked this story because it reminded me of the Harry Potter series minus the magic. The book offers humor, fast-paced adventure, and great friendships as Henry and his friends fight against the unknown saboteurs who are attempting to get them thrown out of school because of their race and birth as comm...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Azorianfireflyz added it

I'm having a hard time getting through this book. The main character is likeable, but the more I read into the book, the more it is turning into "just another wanna-be Harry Potter." The first class with Lord Havelock is so painfully similar to the scene in Harry Potter where the hero first attends a potions lesson with Professor Snape.

Knightley Academy - p. 134
"I don't know, sir," Henry said, as Lord Havelock had instructed. "I am unprepared, sir."
"Pity," Lord Havelock said. "And I had harbore...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Elevetha Houre rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Pretty much anyone

Recommended to Elevetha by: Miss Clark

Shelves: cute-and-fun, historical-whatnot, middle-grade, mystery, quite-good, 2012

3 1\2 stars. Wonderful writing. Charming. Henry Grim, a commoner, is accepted (by a twist of a tutor who taught him even though that was against the rules of the school) into the prestigious Knightley Academy. The fate of all other commoners who might have a chance to have a decent education and the beginning of a war hang in the balance between Henry, good grades, and the Nordlands. Saboteurs are attempting to get Henry killed. Or worse, expelled. Loved Frankie and Henry as characters. They wer...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Verena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Verena by: Bonnie at A Backwards Story

Shelves: ya, adventure, fantasy, children, youth

I really enjoyed this book.

I picked it up because it was recommended to Harry Potter lovers, but I actually don't think that it has that much in common with Harry Potter.

Yes, the lead character is named Henry, who is an orphan and who has had a rather difficult life so far, and the setting is a boarding school, but that is as far as it goes. There is no magic, no personal vendettas, just school yard bullying, lessons, mean and nice teachers, pranks and rule-breaking which is common in all boardi...more I really enjoyed this book.

I picked it up because it was recommended to Harry Potter lovers, but I actually don't think that it has that much in common with Harry Potter.

Yes, the lead character is named Henry, who is an orphan and who has had a rather difficult life so far, and the setting is a boarding school, but that is as far as it goes. There is no magic, no personal vendettas, just school yard bullying, lessons, mean and nice teachers, pranks and rule-breaking which is common in all boarding school books (I was at some points reminded of Enid Blyton's St. Clare’s).

On the other hand it still has a fantastic feel because it is "knights". I love knight stories. The Song of the Lioness and The Protector of the Small quartets by Tamora Pierce are my favourites, but this one is quite different because of the setting. You have the feeling that, if history had developed a little differently, this could really have happened in the 1930s(?).

The writing style is nice, too, it was easy to read. In the beginning the author uses an 'omniscious narrator' (which I thought quite weird and I distinctly remember thinking: "If this keeps up I'll have a hard time reading this"), but it ended quite abruptly and gave way to the "third person" style I prefer. The omniscious narrator didn't make an reappearance at the end, though, which I would have expected to give the book a more 'rounded' feel (also, that would have been a nice way to include some foreshadowing)

The story itself is interesting, the characters are well developed and unique, but there is a sad lack of girls , which kinda is to be expected at an all-boys-school, I know. :)(I remember 1 making a regular appearance next to Frankie in the later part of the book)

There are only 2 (and a half) things I don't like about this book, but it has nothing to do with the story. First of all I think the print is way too big. When I picked the book up it looked so big and I expected a very long story, but the print relativated it. I know this book is more geared towards younger readers, but seriously? One or two sizes down would have been nice.

I'm also not a fan of the cover. It is not really ugly, but I don't think it is pretty either. It looks gloomy and foreboding and doesn't really fit with the story.

Lastly, and this is just a personal thing, I really don't like book jackets. They slip and get banged up very easily and I don't want to take them off either because then the book looks boring. I would have preferred a book cover á la Harry Potter :)

I pre-ordered the next one and can't wait to read it.
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Dec 17, 2011 Leonie rated it 2 of 5 stars

I don't really understand why this has so many good reviews. I mean, sure, I was able to pass the time with it, but come on, it is a shameless Harry Potter rip-off almost to the point of copyright infringement. The characters and plot are all copies. The author did the work of writing it all out, but the only imaginative work done here is working out how to try and decently disguise the HP elements. I think it's mean-spirited when people suggest no authors should be allowed to do fun things with...more

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Apr 08, 2010 Laurie(Time Stand Still) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Laurie(Time Stand Still) by: Author Chat

I loved this book so much that I bought a second copy and gave it to my son's principal (she likes similar middle grade books) for her to read and then donate to the school library. I felt this book had a lot of good moral undertone to a very well written plot. I am also excited to read more in this series. I really like the fact that Robyne did not use her real name so these younger readers would not search on her name and find her other books that would not be suited for middle grade readers....more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 30, 2010 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chi-adventure

Guess what another orphan story. Is this all I read?
Orphan sits for the exam for a prestigious academy and gets in, along with 2 other "commoners". People try to sabotage them. Had a Harry Potter feel (the friendship of the outcasts, the boarding school, the sabotage, and the untrustworthy teachers) with no magic whatsoever. There is a great girl character (the daughter of the headmaster) who really made the book for me. Challenges racial, class, and gender stereotypes but does have a negative...more

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About Violet Haberdasher

Author of "Knightley Academy" and 'The Secret Prince" (Knightley Academy #2). Pseudonym of Videoblogger Robyn Schneider.

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The Secret Prince (Knightley Academy, #2)

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Quotes from Knightley Academy

“And as if the professor could read Henry's mind he said, "It's a curious thing, change. You never get used to it and you're never sure where it comes from, but you better learn to expect it."
"I don't recognize the quotation." Henry frowned trying to place it.
"That's because it isn't one. It is simply advice, and advice you'd be well advised to take especially now.” — 3 people liked it

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Knightley Academy (Knightley Academy #1)

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