I liked it. And all I can say is, thank GOD the conniving, jockeying for position, and one-uppmanship of adolescence is decades behind me!
Richelle, I think you've done an excellent job of capturing the flavor of contemporary teen life, while still making it clear that these kids are very much removed from regular society. The Academy kind of reminded me of a kinkier Hogwarts, or the school for mutants from X-men, and I enjoyed the relationship between the tough-gal Rose and gentle Lissa.
The description of Christian Ozera stalking around in his black duster made me chuckle - considering whose board this is on, all I could think of is Christian McGrath, the "official" illustrator of Harry Dresden, and I can't help wondering if there's a bit of a fangirl connection there...