“A wild, energetic novel that proves girls CAN be warriors while still being true to themselves.”
Sarah Dessen

What a satisfying moment! After three years of writing, rewriting, and planning, The Cadet of Tildor, Alex Lidell’s debut YA novel, is in print and on the shelves with a strikingly handsome cover and a sizzling back-of-the book quote.

Knowing Alex’s publishing story, I couldn’t wait to hold a signed copy in my hands and meet her lead character, Renee de Winter. Renee’s smart, tough, vulnerable, determined, and loyal — everything a heroine should be. The Cadet of Tildor is fast-paced, exciting, and satisfyingly complex — a wonderful read.

“Challenge the Odds” — that’s the motto of The Cadet of Tildor. And challenge the odds describes exactly what Alex did to get her book published by Dial, a subsidiary of Penguin. After enduring a year of rejections, Alex challenged the odds by making it to the finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Contest — and winning an agent and a book contract.

Then Alex challenged the odds again by barreling through a series of edits requested by her publisher. With those behind her, she challenged the odds yet again by organizing her own promotional campaign, complete with a beautiful Web site she designed herself, a media kit, a teachers’ program, and a “street team” of volunteers who were given free swag in return for spreading the word about The Cadet of Tildor. And most Amazing of all, after months of research, Alex connected with a group of talented reenacters based in Europe who created a fabulous video for her.

After years of reading YA novels, Alex is now a YA author herself. What a thrill it must be! To see her wonderful Web site and find out more about The Cadet of Tildor, go to http://www.AlexLidell.com. Bravo, Alex — write on!