Academy Bound

De: J.C. Mastro

Narrado por: Fred Berman

"Failure is not an option."

Sixteen-year-old Zachariah Aurelian dreams of joining the prestigious Earth Alliance Fleet Academy, where only the most elite cadets earn a place among the stars. Armed with his unyielding determination and his clever AI companion, Giles, Zach is prepared to tackle the Academy's grueling entrance exams. But the path to Fleet Command is anything but smooth. Simulated space battles push his skills to the breaking point.

Political tensions between Earth and the Independent Colony Worlds threaten to spark another war. And the mystery surrounding his mother’s disappearance—a hero lost in the last war—haunts his every step, driving him to prove her legacy and uncover the truth.

In this high-stakes YA space opera, Zach’s journey weaves together personal resilience, intense competition, and the thrill of adventure against the vast backdrop of a galaxy on the brink of chaos.

With echoes of Ender’s Game, Skyward, and Aurora Rising, Academy Bound delivers a thrilling blend of heart, action, and ambition, perfect for listeners who crave emotionally charged, character-driven science fiction.

Will Zach conquer the odds, find the answers he’s seeking, and prove he’s ready to lead? The stars are waiting.

©2022 J.C. Mastro (P)2024 J.C. Mastro

Excellent example of the genre

I love YA sci-fi. My favorite book ever is Ender's Game. This hits that same sweet spot. It's fun, accessible, and surprising, and I want to spend more time with the characters.

A thrilling story for sci-fi fans

A thrilling story for sci-fi fans. We follow Zachariah, a teen who dreams of getting into an elite academy to train with the top space cadets. Along the way, he has to overcome challenges that push his skills and determination to the limit. The writing is engaging and the world-building is rich and detailed. It has a great mix of action, thrills, and emotions that will delight listeners.

Excellent Thrilling Action!

inspiring protagonist, balancing the pressure of proving himself in grueling simulated space battles The exploration of themes like loyalty, leadership, and sacrifice resonates deeply prove he’s ready to lead will keep you hooked until the very last page. Highly recommended!

May be written with Young Adults in mind, but there are things for Adults of all ages to like about this Book!

Though I took on this book by choice to leave a review, as I love to both read and listen to books, I had mixed feelings about this book and considered asking my 16 year old to just listen to it, and write a few sentences for the review. But as the writer/reviewer that I am, I chose to listen to it personally.
As I stated earlier, I learned this book is aimed at young adults, but after having a brief conversation with the author more recently he said he is interested in keeping it aimed at all adults, though it is sold in the YA section.

The main characters are as a matter of fact a group of 15-16 year old teenagers, and I don't know about you, but I was still a little rowdy back then. It is set in a futuristic time-frame, where it seems that Earth is governed and protected by a political group called Earth's Alliance, and there is another terrorist type group which has been in an on again, off again war with Earth's Fleet which is who the book is mainly about. The students are at the Fleet Academy, learning what they want to do with their lives.

I personally really enjoyed J.C. Mastro's writing, as he kept me really engaged with what was going on at all times. He made me even feel like I was there through his words, and then the narrator, Fred Berman made it even more realistic with his voice and inflections.
As I stated earlier in this review, I have communicated with the author, and in that conversation I learned he is working on the next book. I can hardly wait till it's ready, and have already listened to this book a second time! I hope you ENJOY IT as much as I did!

Very Exciting

Academy Bound is a gripping YA space opera filled with action, heart, and mystery. Perfect for fans of Ender’s Game and Skyward, it’s an exciting journey to the stars you won’t want to miss!

A masterpiece of wild science fiction

Received an audio copy from the author to review, this is an honest review. J.C. Mastro's Academy Bound is a beautifully witty and an exhilarating way to launch a series that's sure to be a roller coaster of a journey. Narrated by Fred Berman, whose performance made the world that Zack Aurelian and his friends exist feel all the more real. And all that Zack has wanted to know is what was his mom's fate after she vanished during a critical mission during her service within the Earth Alliance military. Getting into the Fleet Academy is the only Zack feels he can finally get those desperate answers. And just getting is one battle... and first discovering how the military hierarchy views and values him because of his family history. As Zack's first year unfolds, he finds a sense of friendship as he fights to prove her can command a given crew. When a field trip to a powerful Dreadnaught ship turns dangerously, a harrowing revelation regarding Sack's mother, plunges Zack, his friends and the Fleet Academy heading into another fiery confrontation.


Highly recommended.

Couldn't Stop Listening!

Had me hooked from the very beginning. The blend of rigorous training, political intrigue, and personal mystery created a compelling story that I just couldn't put down. It reminded me of other space academy stories, but instead of focusing solely on the competition, this one went deeper into the characters' motivations and the consequences of their actions, giving it a true sci-fi core. I really loved the relationship between Giles and Zachariah, it was funny and cute cause it reminds me of the relationship we are building with AI in today's time. This is a must-listen for anyone who enjoyed "Ender's Game" and some true good ole fantasy.

a thrilling space opera

Academy Bound is a thrilling YA space opera that masterfully blends action, intrigue, and character-driven storytelling. Zachariah Aurelian’s journey to the prestigious Earth Alliance Fleet Academy is filled with intense simulations, political tension, and the weight of his family’s legacy. The pacing is excellent, keeping the stakes high as Zach faces both external challenges and internal struggles.

Fred Berman’s narration adds depth to the characters, making the story even more immersive. The dynamic between Zach and his AI companion, Giles, is a standout, offering humor and heart. Fans of Ender’s Game and Skyward will find this an exciting, well-crafted adventure that leaves you eager for more. Highly recommended!

A Thrilling YA Space Adventure with Fred Berman

Academy Bound' is a captivating young adult space opera. Fred Berman's narration brings depth and nuance to the characters. The story follows Zachariah Aurelian's thrilling journey to join the Earth Alliance Fleet Academy. With impressive world-building and engaging characters, this audiobook is perfect for fans of YA sci-fi.