Reviews with content warning for Slavery - The School for Good and Evil

I know a lot of the stereotypes presented in the book are based on tropes often seen in fairytales, but when you spend all 500 pages reenforcing them instead of showing how good and bad people can’t just be categorized into archetypes, it just becomes sexist, fatphobic, and a bunch of other problematic shit. I just don’t understand what exactly was the author’s goal – whether to dismantle or reaffirm fairytale tropes, because it comes off as reaffirming them.

The romance also doesn’t make sense. I know romances between princes and princesses are also part of fairytale tropes, but they were definitely trying to force something real between Agatha and Tedros, and there was just no chemistry at all. Like the only thing that drew him to Agatha during the tests was a “feeling”, and after realizing that she’s good and not a liar, he’s in love with her all of a sudden? Ok. The characters, as well as the story, were very two-dimensional and had no growth, and the ending felt rushed.

I also want to add on that Sophie and Agatha are supposed to be best friends but not only was Sophie a shit person, but she was also a shit friend. Readers are provided plenty of context on why Sophie is perfect for the School of Evil, but we don’t see any good memories between Sophie and Agatha that show why they’re friends with each other. Instead, you see Sophie barge her way to Agatha’s house regularly to build good credit, give her nasty cookies, and call her ugly.

The book felt long and tedious to get through because 1. we saw way too much of Sophie’s POV, especially for how insufferable and unselfaware she is. 2. Agatha just gets manipulated over and over and over again. ENOUGH.

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adventurous hopeful

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I enjoyed reading this book more than I expected to. I have not read a middle grade novel in a long time and I was not sure if I was going to be able to smoothly dive back into books of that demographic. This experience was quite delightful. The plot at first seems very simple and the characters seem a bit one dimensional. However, as the story continues there are deeper themes that are explored well.

The story strongly focuses on the friendship between Agatha and Sophie. The girls are starkly different from each other and their goals and wishes also oppose each other throughout the plot. When Agatha is transported to the School for Good and Sophie is taken to the School for Evil, both of them believe that their positions have been switched. As you get to know Sophie and Agatha's inner thoughts, though, this placement starts to seem more and more appropriate.

Sophie is very spoiled and vain from the beginning and her actions are motivated strongly by self interest. There were moments in the story where it felt like Agatha was the one who clearly cared more about preserving their friendship and Sophie's well being without that sentiment being reciprocated.

Tedros fills the role of the stereotypical love interest. There are tropes that are leaned into very strongly in the world. However, in the same vein all the tropes you would expect from fairy tales are inverted. I absolutely loved the ending. If you only wanted to read this book and not continue the rest of the series you totally can. The ending is conclusive enough that you are able to do that. Although, I found it open ended enough that it piqued my interest and I am excited to continue exploring this world and these characters.

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