Sacrifices by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

 This is most definitely a YA book.   That is not to disparage it but a caution that it may be a bit juvenile and if that turns you off , you should be aware of that fact. Spirit White finds herself thrust into horrific circumstances.   Losing her entire family in a mysterious auto accident, she ends up in a pseudo Hogwarts Academy.  This volume in the four book series has the Shadow Knights taking over Oakhurst. 

This story is centered on a group of kids who have all ended up as wards of a school of magic.  They have all been orphaned, most in a violent manner.   The kids discover that their being orphaned was not an accident.  Their protectors, the alumni, are famous game authors who have formed Breakthrough Adventure Systems.   Breakthrough arrives at Oakhurst and take over. 

The kids that band together are a likeable group.   The school is the primary setting and the details are more than sufficient.   The mystery is why some students are periodically disappearing.   The action and plot are nicely done and you can't help but like the characters.  It turns out this the third book of a four book series.   A King Arthur flavor is definitely developing.  

I recommend the book.

web site:  http://www.mercedeslackey.com/

                 http://www.sff.net/people/eluki/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.