Where I Got the Book: From the book group I have recently joined: Not So YA Book Club at Little Shop of Stories

In Short: Pioneering girl attends a previously all male military school trying to survive against those who want her out.

Sam McKenna is from a military family. Her father is a distinguished lieutenant colonel, one brother was a ranger, and the other has a very promising military career ahead of him. Growing up as an army brat she spends most of her time competing with her brothers seeing who can accomplish the dares that the others challenge them to do. Sam never backs down from a dare.

Last year Sam’s oldest brother killed himself. Before he did, however, he dared her to become part of the first group of girls to ever be admitted to a traditionally all male military high school. As sophomore joining this school Sam will be lumped in with the rest of the freshman recruits and have to go through basic training with them. It means no cell phone, no TV, no free time, and no walking anywhere other than the gutter as long as she’s a recruit. As a female it means everything is going to be twice as hard. Most of the school is in an uproar over females being allowed to attend and several are more than willing to make sure the girls don’t last the year.

While proving herself worthy of admittance to the military school Sam (known as McKenna or Mac by those at the academy) discovers a secret organization known as the “Society” who want her as well as the other female recruits gone and they will stop at nothing to force them out of the school.

This book was amazing! I had to force myself to stop reading at several points because of life needing attention instead of letting me read. Hensley wrote very diverse characters and more than believable scenes. At one point I realized I was unconsciously holding my upper arm forward waiting for another character to see the bruises that Sam/Mac had on her arm. I kept wanting to jump in the book and help her out–or figure out away to get President Obama involved! Some parts genuinely had me holding my breath or had my stomach tied in knots worrying over what would happen to the characters.

I don’t know if there will be a sequel to this book, but I know I will definitely keep an eye out for more by this author. I also absolutely intend on buying this book when it is released.

Red Flags: There is teenage drinking and smoking. Because of the situation I would find it out of the ordinary if there weren’t any cursing and there is, but I don’t think it is excessive. There are some “intimate” moments (some good, some bad), but nothing graphic. Also, we learn more about her brother’s death, but it too is not graphic.