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A review by confusedvonne
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik
4.0
This was refreshing to read after 'A court of Thorns and Roses'. It had been a while since I last read the first novel in this series, so there was a few things that I had forgotten but it nice to find throughout the chapters there were reminders/recaps from the pervious book - sprinkled throughout as not to info dump.
What I enjoyed how this book was the writing. First person perspective but it didn't hit you over the head with repetitive main character dialogue that I found in ACOTAR. 'The Last Graduate' doesn't treat its readers like children. With such good pacing you don't feel like the characters are forever stuck in one place, even though technically they are stuck in one setting, I didn't need to skim paragraphs as I was hooked from start to end.
I did find El to be a hard main character to like in the first book but I learned to understand and appreciate her more in this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow burn romance - because it just makes more sense that two characters falling in love the moment they see each other and Novik delivered it perfectly.
It was good to see El's mentality change over the course of book 1 and 2 - I did find her want to save everyone in the school to be a bit rushed, though I think it suits her personality well as she can be a bit impulsive.
I also liked that we get to learn more about the other students in greater detail in this novel, which helps grows the atmosphere - they were no longer just back ground characters existing as cardboard cut-outs. And this is representative of El opening up to people more and learning more about her new friends and fellow class mates.
Despite me enjoying this read, I don't think it would be considered 5 starts, mainly as I think this will be a forgetful story. Nothing really wows me like the 'Lock Tomb' or 'The Stormlight Archive' series. It's a good change in the magically school genre but it doesn't impact me much. It's a nice story but not a great story.
I do look forward to finishing this series, as Book 2 leaves you on a cliff hanger, but I wouldn't considered it a favourite yet.
If you are looking for a YA novel that doesn't treat you like a child, than this is a good option for you to try. The main Character, El, is a little roughly around the edges but she has reason for that. But I appreciate the romance as an reward rather than being thrown at as from the beginning.
What I enjoyed how this book was the writing. First person perspective but it didn't hit you over the head with repetitive main character dialogue that I found in ACOTAR. 'The Last Graduate' doesn't treat its readers like children. With such good pacing you don't feel like the characters are forever stuck in one place, even though technically they are stuck in one setting, I didn't need to skim paragraphs as I was hooked from start to end.
I did find El to be a hard main character to like in the first book but I learned to understand and appreciate her more in this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow burn romance - because it just makes more sense that two characters falling in love the moment they see each other and Novik delivered it perfectly.
It was good to see El's mentality change over the course of book 1 and 2 - I did find her want to save everyone in the school to be a bit rushed, though I think it suits her personality well as she can be a bit impulsive.
I also liked that we get to learn more about the other students in greater detail in this novel, which helps grows the atmosphere - they were no longer just back ground characters existing as cardboard cut-outs. And this is representative of El opening up to people more and learning more about her new friends and fellow class mates.
Despite me enjoying this read, I don't think it would be considered 5 starts, mainly as I think this will be a forgetful story. Nothing really wows me like the 'Lock Tomb' or 'The Stormlight Archive' series. It's a good change in the magically school genre but it doesn't impact me much. It's a nice story but not a great story.
I do look forward to finishing this series, as Book 2 leaves you on a cliff hanger, but I wouldn't considered it a favourite yet.
If you are looking for a YA novel that doesn't treat you like a child, than this is a good option for you to try. The main Character, El, is a little roughly around the edges but she has reason for that. But I appreciate the romance as an reward rather than being thrown at as from the beginning.