Based on your book
by T.Z. Layton
In The Academy VI: Rise of the Scorpions, Leo K. Doyle is back on the pitch, but this time he's fighting for a spot on the U16 team. It’s a whole new ball game, with older, tougher players and the relentless Southwark F.C. Scorpions—a rival team that plays dirty and seems determined to win at any cost. This book throws you right into the heart of a high-stakes season, where every match feels like a battle and every personal challenge, from new friendships to unexpected tragedies, adds to the pressure. It’s a story that pulses with the energy of a crucial game, keeping you on the edge as Leo and his friends navigate intense competition and personal setbacks. If you enjoy an underdog story where friendship and perseverance are key, and you love the thrill of a dramatic race against time, this one will have you cheering.
For readers who connected with the high-stakes competition and journey of growth in The Academy VI: Rise of the Scorpions, we've curated a list of books that hit similar notes. Whether you're drawn to the intense, almost gladiatorial academy settings, the thrill of an underdog fighting against a powerful system, or the deep satisfaction of watching characters overcome adversity through grit and friendship, these stories deliver. You'll find protagonists navigating treacherous environments, forging alliances, and discovering their own strength, much like Leo and his teammates.
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by Naomi Novik
Fans of 'The Academy VI' will appreciate the dark academic setting of the Scholomance, where students must fight for survival against monstrous threats. It features a powerful, snarky female protagonist navigating a cutthroat magical school with high stakes and intense action, mirroring the challenging environment and power struggles found in Layton's series.
This book offers a thrilling academy experience focused on intense, life-or-death training and a strong female lead defying expectations, much like the protagonists in 'The Academy' series. Readers will find a similar blend of high-stakes action, political intrigue, and compelling character relationships set within a dangerous, competitive institution.
If you enjoy stories about young protagonists undergoing rigorous training within a strict societal system, 'Divergent' delivers. It shares themes of self-discovery, rebellion against oppressive structures, and a strong female lead facing extreme challenges, resonating with the 'Academy' series' focus on personal growth amidst conflict.
by Pierce Brown
For readers who appreciate brutal, high-stakes competition and an underdog protagonist rising through a hierarchical system, 'Red Rising' is an excellent match. Its intense, gladiatorial academy setting and deep political intrigue will appeal to fans who enjoy the power dynamics and action of 'The Academy VI'.

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by Holly Black
This book features a mortal girl navigating a dangerous, politically charged fae court, which functions similarly to a treacherous academy where survival depends on wit and alliances. Fans will enjoy the strong female lead, intricate power dynamics, and a captivating enemies-to-lovers dynamic amidst courtly intrigue.
As the title suggests, this series literally takes place in an academy, focusing on the training of vampire guardians and their royal charges. It offers a blend of action, supernatural elements, forbidden romance, and strong female friendships, making it a perfect fit for those who love the academy setting and character-driven drama.
This novel features a protagonist with a dangerous, unique ability navigating a world filled with political machinations and personal challenges, much like the gifted students in 'The Academy' series. It combines adventure, a strong female lead's journey of self-discovery, and intense action sequences.
While not a traditional academy, 'Scythe' presents a unique training and apprenticeship system with incredibly high stakes and moral dilemmas. Readers who enjoy dystopian settings, intense psychological challenges, and thought-provoking power dynamics will find a compelling narrative here.
by R.F. Kuang
For a darker, more mature take on the academy trope, 'The Poppy War' features a brilliant but impoverished girl entering a brutal military academy. It shares themes of intense training, magical abilities, political intrigue, and the harsh realities of war, appealing to those who enjoy gritty, high-stakes narratives.
This book introduces a 'chosen one' protagonist who discovers she has unique powers and is thrust into a magical military academy, the Little Palace. Fans of 'The Academy VI' will enjoy the fantasy setting, political intrigue, strong female lead, and the classic journey of a hero learning to harness their abilities.

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