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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Lucinda Morton-Phillips

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lapidius is the debut novel by Matthew Runals, and the first in A Nation Found series. It tells the story of young cadets sent to Lapidius, a military school that teaches the youth military discipline & tactics to face the war facing them.
It is a young adult dystopian novel with elements of fantasy. We follow a group of friends as they navigate their way through the classes, learning about friendship, cooperation, bravery, magic, intrigue, and hope.
There is great character and world-building, which starts the novel off slow but builds into a faster pace. There is a satisfactory conclusion with room for later novels.

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Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1) by Matthew Runals – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Joey is a young boy of thirteen who lives at home with his mother and sisters, it isn’t an easy life, but it is the one he has been given, but fortunately he has good friends, that is until one day he is sent off by his mother for a better life at Lapidius. Lapidius is a school, but other than that, Joey has no idea of what to expect when he gets there, but the fact that his friends are going with him helps the transition.

After a few days in the wagon travelling to Lapidius, Joey is anxious to get out and see where he is and what his future will look like and at first glance, all he can see is the majesty of the building and the beautiful smells coming from a nearby group of buildings, however, he soon realises that is this is no ordinary school, it is a military one as he sees the officers and cadets who are lining the pathway to the school who are intimidating to the highest degree, not to mention the barracks where he will be staying and the introductory processing he experiences.

This is where anything commonplace disappears and Joey soon discovers that nothing is what it seems and what can only describe as being magic is being used and this terrifies him, especially when horns blare out in the middle of their first night and a cry of “Monsters” goes up in the halls. After everything has settled down and sleep claims him, Joey is awoken early for inspection and his first day of drills, exercise, lessons and chores and his routine for the next few weeks until he discovers which house he will be placed into.

He quickly realises that what he has been taught in school before was seriously lacking and his new lessons are revealing information which he never dreamed could be possible and when he realises that it is the truth, his life changes forever, but will he be able to survive this new world and the monsters within it, or will he fall at the first hurdle? This is a great beginning to an adventure series full of military training and dangerous escapades which will keep you wanting to know what happens next.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Jessica Godwin

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a YA dystopian story that has the same vibes as Hunger Games, Maze Runner, Divergent, and Harry Potter. It’s a coming of age story of four friends that are sent to a mysterious military school and discover magic, monsters, friendship, and a sense of purpose in the world. The characters are wonderfully written and it’s has a lot of details that paint a vivid picture. It was slow going at first but it made up for it by the end as its a great story. As this is the first book in A Nation Found series I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Rose McCaskey

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book had a lot of detail whether it was the characters thoughts and feelings or the locations and people around them. It was a great story that was engaging. The relationships between the characters and the setting were fun and interesting. It is a young adult dystopian story so would be good for young readers. I really liked that the author included a little tidbit at the beginning for each character with a description of them and how they fit into it.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Jamie Truex

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a new author to me so I didn’t know what to expect, but I enjoy dystopian type stories so I gave it a shot. I’m glad I did. You can tell this author put a lot of effort into his writing and knowledge. It’s basically a children’s military school with a fantasy twist. I was drawn in from tbr beginning and will be watching for a second book! I recommend this book for really any age group.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Finn Cunningham

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lapidius is book one in the A Nation Found series by Matthew Runals. An enchanting combination of a military school and monsters. I adored this idea, and it reminded me of Enders Game which I also absolutely loved. This is intended as a YA dystopian fiction but this does also have some of the heavier themes that come with war. This was an amazing read, and a new author to me. I ate this book right up, and I heavily look forward to reading what’s next!

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Kerry Carr

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in A Nation Found Series and the first book I have read by this author. This is a YA adult fantasy adventure which has so much happening that it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I wasn’t too sure what to expect going into this book however I was not disappointed. The author opens us up to a world where it seems all hope is lost until the youth are given something to fight for. The characters is the book are well written and I loved how the boys had banter between themselves just as you know that boys do in real life. Every aspect of this book was well thoughtout out and the characters and surroundings were brought to life.

Joey and his friends and their family’s are struggling to survive as times are hard and their town is losing all hope.
To save their son’s, Joey and his friends are sent to Lapidius. Lapidius is a school where the boys will be educated and feed well.
However things aren’t all that they seem and when they arrive the boys realise the Lapidius is more of a training camp that a school and they are being trained to fight a war that gets closer by the day.
Add to this all the mystery that surrounds Lapidius, the monsters and the adventures that Joey and his friends find themselves on and this becomes one book that you will not be able to put down.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Stephen Rymer

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lapidus By Matthew Runals is a good book for dystopian readers it also has action scenes. It takes place around war and shows how the world can be tragic. The school has many secrets and some fantasy scenes while it teaches them how they are fighting for their country. The kids also have to fight monsters, and they are in a war. This book is a great read for children and adults. It is also for people who like dystopian and fantasy stories.
Stephen Rymer
09/2024

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lapidius is the first book in the A Nation Found series. It’s a children’s series with a magic boarding school and a big tournament-type thing that will appeal to fans of similar series. The dystopian setting is thought-provoking and creates situations where the children are in danger.

There’s a fun group of characters at the centre of this story. As they learn to cope with the rigorous military training and intense social dynamics at Lapidius their strengths, weaknesses and priorities are highlighted. I like that there are a lot of times we see the kids helping each other out!

I would recommend this more for teen/YA readers. Children who are confident readers and are comfortable reading more violent scenes would also enjoy it, and I think it could be a fun book to read together as there is plenty to discuss around the ethics and decisions of different characters.

This book gets four stars from me. I enjoyed the excitement and adventure, and there’s plenty of worldbuilding that has gone into it. I look forward to reading more of the series!

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Crystal Brehant

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a chunky book. At over 400 pages, it’s defintely on the larger size to tackle. However, it needed to be. There was so much detail and world building in this story. There was just so much altogether. You get sucked into a different time and place. It is exactly what you want from a book. This book is geared towards kids, but more so the teenage years. (Depending on the child) Though this is a heavy book with a TON of detail, it is easy to read.
The main character finds himself in what is to be like a military school. He soon has a group of friends who are all training essentially for a game. This will get them ready for the war that is brewing around them. These friends soon discover that there are monsters and magic within.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Amanda Swindle

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1) is a YA Dystopian Fiction full of mystical creatures and monsters all around. While this is intended as a YA, there is some violence and heavier content that comes with a military/war setting, and some parents may not be comfortable with this. The story is a coming of age, incorporating family and friendship bonds, building trust, and young teens finding themselves in a harsh world. When the war comes too close to home, Joey’s mother sends him away to a military school, Lapidius, to keep him safe and to ensure he has food and shelter. Lapidius is not just your every day run of the mill school though, it is a school to hone and perfect skills in a magical world. The kids must learn to trust each other, and themselves, in order to survive. This is a bit on par with Hunger Games or Maze Runner, but also unique and completely different. The setting and characters are believable and easy to follow, with plenty of action. I liked that the ending left things open for more to follow and things can go in so many different directions, so I am interested to see what the next book brings.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Trisha Cargile

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Lapidius” by Matthew Runals offers a thought-provoking narrative set in a declining nation once vibrant with culture and hope. The novel explores the consequences of a society that has lost its way, where greed and numbness have replaced inspiration and purpose. Runals’ portrayal of Novum Albion reflects a deeper commentary on the fragility of societal values and the erosion of identity. Lapidius, a martial institute for children, emerges as a beacon of structure and purpose amid the chaos. Through the experiences of the youth at the school, the story delves into themes of discipline, identity, and the search for meaning in a compromised world. Runals captures the emotional and philosophical struggles of a generation trying to find their place, making this a compelling read for those interested in dystopian themes intertwined with personal growth.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars
Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals

Lapidius is the first book in the A Nation Found Series and is a YA/ Fantasy/Dystopian read that will have you turning the pages till the end. I’m going to be honest I wasn’t sure going in what to expect as this is a new author to me. I had a really hard time getting into the story until several chapters in and by then I was forcing myself to keep going. I’m thinking I’m gonna revist this book at another time see if my opinion changes. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and felt like it was all over the place. I will recommend reading this book if you are into these types of genres. I do look forward to reading more from this Author and I hope this was just a mood .

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Amelia Stansell

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! It’s the first book of the series. The characters in this book are phenomenal. Novum Albion used to be a land that held such greatness and now it is basically a land of the forgotten. Lapidius is a military school for kids. It has this mystery to it. I cannot wait for the next one.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Shannen Kern

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in A Nation Found series as well as the first book I have read by this author. I was completely engrossed in it within the first couple of pages and didn’t put it down until I finished! I may have skipped a day full of chores, but I’m okay with that decision because this book was simply incredible. The characters are well-crafted and even secondary characters are given plenty of backstories and depth. The pacing is well-executed and although I am quite a bit over the target audience age, I fell in love with it. This is a gripping tale that blends adventure, magic, and the harsh realities of war. If you enjoy the Hunger Games and Harry Potter kind of vibes, you will likely jump for joy when reading this book. Even if it may be out of your comfort zone, I implore you to give it a go!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Tausha Treadway

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals. This is my first book by this author but it won’t be my last. I absolutely loved it and its a young adult read. Its the story of 4 boys as they head to a military academy for training. Their parents are at their wits end because of poverty and not being able to provide for their families so Lapidius is their only option. Lapidius is a military academy for training in a war. There is also some extra training thrown in with some magic and dystopian factions thrown in. Friendships are formed between Joey, Kyle, Brian and Lucas and they have build bonds that will never be broken. This book is full of adventure, danger, famine and war but its also full of love and friendship. A great read for the older kids in your life!

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Felicia Belcher

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Zalous

Lapidius follows 4 friends through their time at Military school. Scrimmage matches with a paralysing powder, that also causes pain and eternal pain without the antidote. Each cadets receives powers from a magical cave, as well.

A corrupt officer that abuses his power and instills fear into his cadets, eventually gets caught and banned from the school and turns to the enemy to seek revenge.

Corrupt government steals the monuments from towns to prevent learning for the townspeople of their own history, and their protection from the monsters lurking in the woods, but with it they also start to lose their memories. The fate of nation lies in the hands of the cadets that range from 12-16.

 

Review By @fbelcher93

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Alicia Furlan

LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a world the author has created in this first book of A Nation Found series! In this dystopian novel, Novum Albion is nation facing famine and ruin due to greed and inflation. Hoping for a better future for their kids some parents are choosing to send their children to a military camp, Lapidius. Joey, Kyle, Brian, and Lucas are scared and unsure of what’s to come. What follows is a story of friendship, magic, adventure, and most of all unity.

Gosh, I truly enjoyed this book. Other reviews have compared it to Harry Potter and I have to agree. The author has built a wonderful world and an amazing cast of characters. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Reviewed by @aliciaknoke

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Jenique Bornman

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Gripping Tale of Hope and Redemption

Matthew Runals’ Lapidius is an extraordinary tale that weaves together complex themes of despair, redemption, and the power of unity. Set against the backdrop of Novum Albion, a nation once rich in culture and ideals, the story explores the lives of those abandoned by society, where greed and ignorance have taken root.

The Lapidius institute becomes a beacon of hope for children lost in a compromised nation. Through vivid storytelling, Runals paints a world where strangers forge bonds stronger than blood, where monsters symbolize the inner and outer battles we all face, and where even the most broken can find purpose. The characters’ journeys—from betrayal and hardship to hope and newfound family—are beautifully crafted, making this a must-read for fans of epic tales with heart.

If you’re looking for a deeply emotional and action-packed story of growth, survival, and finding one’s place in the world, Lapidius will leave you spellbound.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by Robin Rankin

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Tale of Two Crushes

This was a cute and wholesome story. So often even the young adult books are more detailed than they should be and not geared towards anyone that young.

Holland is the new girl at school after moving from Colorado. She doesn’t know a single person, that is until a knight in shining armor stepped in to show her around. If only their story was as smooth and easy as their meeting, without the awkwardness.

Holland misses home and her friends but seems to settle in well in her new school, friends and town. Friends are the best and if you’re lucky you can find your best friend like I did mine all those years ago.

The sibling relationships were dead on accurate and may have made me kaufg a few times.

While I was a little older than the target age group I enjoyed Holland’s story and her group of friends.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by Rosanna Ingram

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Holland moves and has to go to a new school, a whole new world of possibilities opens up. This means being able to crush on someone that you haven’t known since you were in diapers. But, what happens when she finds herself crushing on more than one guy. That is a whole new experience!

I enjoyed this story. It was a fast-paced read that made the reader feel like they were experiencing high school right along with Holland. Holland was a fun character…and all her new friends just added to the enjoyment of the story. There was teenage angst and drama in this clean YA romance. I found myself immersed in the story and enjoying every minute of it.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by Mandy Ott

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper is such a feel-good, fast-paced, clean Young Adult romance. I have fallen in love with Cooper’s YA novels over the course of a few books. As with the previous books I’ve read, A Tale of Two Crushes captures the “angst-y,” dramatic, teenage world of high school. My Adult brain kept thinking, “Why doesn’t Holland make the obvious choice?” Then I remembered my high school days and the stars in my eyes whenever a cute boy showed interest in me. High school hormones are no joke! The characters in this book are perfect in their roles. They are so realistically flawed, believable and lovable. The bond between Holland and her family is so wholesome and something we all strive to achieve. And the friendships between Tenley, Dara, Asher, Holland, Ethan, Ryker, and Bryan are amazing! They each bring their own unique, seemingly uncomplimentary personalities and make it work beautifully. Another wonderful read by Cori Cooper!

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by Cindy Mayberry

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great story for YA Readers. Holland is the new kid in high school, she is also late on her first day. But as she goes about her days, she finds herself making friends. While her dream was to go back to Colorado and go to college with her best friend. Things change and she finds herself in a romantic triangle. She is a strong independent young lady and puts up with nothing. The story is funny and the family and friends’ relationships are real. I love this author. Her writing is easy to follow and keeps you engaged in her book. I am looking forward to reading more from her.

Review@cinful

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Emily H

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Joey, Kyle, Brian and Lucas head to a military academy which other kids have been sent to. Nervous to see what the academy is all about, they find it is nothing like they imagined. Trained to be an asset for a war that is coming, they will be put through a grueling change in their life that has Joey concerned about his mom. What will happen when the threat gets closer?

I thought this was written beautifully, very visual in the writing. I could imagine this world, the people and the magical moments that implode on the pages. I definitely will be reading more, very curious to what happens next.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by M Policicchio

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet, YA tale of the new girl getting caught in a difficult situation. Holland just moved to Prescott. It is the first day of school and she meets a dream. He is tall, extremely attractive and super nice. Holland crushes hard on Asher immediately. A couple of days later after having a fight with her locker, Chandler helps Holland out and teaches her how to open the stubborn metal box. Chandler is tall, Hollywood handsome, cocky and for some reason interested in her.

After Chandler invites Holland to a family picnic, she discovers that Chandler and Asher are fraternal twins that have been competing against each other for years. Holland is totally crushing on both brothers but doesn’t want to be just another casualty in the longline of competitions between the Whittaker twins. After a disastrous event, Holland and the twins come to an agreement that she will go out on three dates with each twin and then they would get together to decide the next steps.

The first date with Asher was a perfect wreck with stuff like their picnic getting flooded, their car getting towed, and a lost phone. The first date with Chandler was nice…but he ordered a rare steak for her without asking, paid attention to the scores on his phone during dinner, and was more focused on him than her. The second date with Chandler almost happened but didn’t. Then Holland hd some serious family stuff going on so the dates got postponed.

Holland does figure out which twin is better for her. But I will let you read the book to find out. This author writes sweet, adorable tales of growing up. This is another one.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by Kerry Baker

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a great YA romance story, told from the perspective of a brilliant female main character. Holland was easily the best character in this book. Her whole world seems to be flipped when she moves and find herself involved in a “love triangle”. I loved watching her character develop and how she interacted with the other characters.
This author really knows how to write to her audience. Every book I had read by her is perfectly suited for those intended to read the books. I always find myself engaging with the stories, and this one is no different. This is a great book from start to finish and I would recommend it for any fan of the genre.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by Charlene Pryke

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a Mum to teenagers including twins I really loved this book that contains two sets of twins and their antics and consistent competition with each other.

Holland meets Asher on her first day at school and subsequently meets his twin Chandelier the next day…. Which twin should she go out with ? Ultimately she figures it out but I won’t spoil it you need to pick up a copy and find out.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by Jules Herbert

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cori Cooper did it again! She brought us a wonderful YA Romance filled with likeable, relatable characters that just jumped off the page at you. You really feel like you are there while reading it.
I really enjoyed reading about Holland and her journey as she moves to a new town and slowly adjusts to all the new things around her.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper – Review by Amber Howard

A Tale of Two CrushesA Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don’t remember high school being so complicated but it’s probably because I blocked most of high school out 😂. I really liked the Runway Career event. I think schools should definitely offer something similar.

I love Holland. I think her parents did an amazing job with her. She was a great character. I think the author did an amazing job capturing high school and all of the different groups and personalities. Definitely a 5/5 ⭐️. The artwork on the cover is cute and as a reader I loved all the references to books.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Jessica Mefferd

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1)Lapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book takes you to the country of Novum Albion, where the school of Lapidius is located. You join a group of new cadets arriving for their first year at the prestigious school. Upon starting training and classes, cadets soon realize the education they received at home was very different. While discovering the truth of their countries past, the cadets soon learn “The Game” played at school could soon turn real, as The Embers emerge to try and change the government and country. The story told in multiple POV’s allows you to get to know each character better, especially as there is a lot of world building.

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