D.A. {novelette}

Theodora wants to go to UCLA, but instead, she is shanghaied to the space station academy Robert A. Heinlein, RAH for short. She is a space cadet, whether she wants to be or not. D.A., a short novella by Connie Willis, makes a sly critique of the military academy genre epitomized first by Heinlein and later by Orson Scott Card. The title had me scratching my head until I realized it was the key to a joke that powered the plot. Willis is one of the best social critics in science fiction.

I won't tell you what D.A. stands for, as it would ruin the story. I will tell you that this story has gotten me all excited to read more of Connie Willis' books. In my mind, I always thought that she wrote inaccessible sci-fi (fine, go ahead and laugh at me), and maybe she does—I’ll find out soon enough. But this story was an absolute funfest to read. And it only takes about 20-30 minutes if you’re interested in that type of incentive…which I sometime am. (Anything to up my count. Damn you, Goodreads Challenge!)

Theodora attends a traditional high school at a time in the future when most kids are taught in online classes from home but her parents sent her to regular school to increase her chances of getting into The Academy. show more Students spend years trying to get perfect grades, taking classes on obscure space-related topics and learning random skills, all in the hope that they will get selected to go into space. Despite nearly every student dying for the opportunity, Theodora has never had the desire to go so imagine her surprise when a school assembly is called and a representative is there to congratulate her on her acceptance. She never applied, so what the heck is going on?

It’s a bit cliché and reads like a less genius-ridden, war-minded Battle School and Theodora spends most of her time being a downer, complaining, and sneaking around, but I enjoyed where it ended up going at the conclusion. I only wish the story continued so I could see her develop even further. As well as to see what trouble she and Kimkim would get up to together.

This short story came to me as a recommendation from my query for 'YA in space' on Goodreads. Since you can't close a query, I will probably continue to get recs on it until I am 50 but you know what? That sounds great to me! I'll never tire of space stories. Kaethe recced this one to me, and a huge thanks go out to her for it. Even if it is does end up being whatever the female equivalent of blue balls is…in that it ends when I wanted it to go on for much, much longer. show less

More of short story or novella than a full novel, this is an amusing sci-fi tale. Theodora Baumgarten is hilarious. Smart and snarky, she has no interest in the IASA, unlike nearly everyone else she knows. So when she is chosen, having not even applied, she is furious. Using her mind and sheer stubbornness, she sets about to get herself kicked out. But her quest leads her to a conspiracy – a conspiracy that just might be the best thing to ever happen to her.
Although it started a bit slow, the story picked up quickly by the middle. Theodora’s antic made me laugh several times, in particular her snarky mouth towards the IASA students and faculty. And her brilliance at discovering the “secret” was exciting and humorous. I very show more much enjoyed the big reveal at the end, and found it a satisfying end to this light, enjoyable story. Perfect for a quick read and the content is suitable for elementary kids and up. show less

Really good blend of modern science fiction (Japanese-inspired elements, messaging, hacking) with classic (space cadet academy.. in space!). The female main characters are just a bonus.The largest (and perhaps only) problem with this book is that it's not a novel. It's not a novella either, and I wonder if it's even a novelette. It's darned short. And while it does have a conclusion, it's much more of a 'first section of a larger novel' sort of conclusion.It's somewhat like someone told Connie Willis to write a tween book and she didn't know how to handle the length of it.I wish there was more. Is there more? I want to read it if there's more.

This is a slight book, in pages (I borrowed it from the library and read it on the bus on the way home) as well as content: the fun and easy read doesn't quite disguise the fact that the ending isn't just a betrayal of justice, but of the protagonist's character and principles and very nearly her entire free will.

As Nero Wolfe would say, "Very satisfactory!" A quick read and very engaging. Really ripped right along. Loved the solution.

Connie Willis has done it again! D.A. is a short novella jam packed with fun. Theodora Baumgarten has been accepted to the IASA space academy despite the fact she never applied and, unlike nearly all her peers, she has no desire to go. The quick little story moves along at the relentless screwball pace I've come to love Connie Willis for.

Not only is this a great story, the book itself is lovely. Subterranean Press has a reputation for quality and they do deliver.