A review by litwtchreads
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I adored the concept behind this book, the plot, description, and the main characters movement throughout the two weeks this book is set in. 

I think I really liked that we were kind of thrown into the middle of the story, and that there were other characters around. I also liked that the "good" guy in the story was also the clueless hot boy himbo tbh and that the school essentially thrived on sacrifices but no one but the main character really acknowledged it. I think also the fact that the main character continually fought her own impulses and the push from the school to be evil and used that to her advantage and still kept quiet about it all was a pretty unique twist. She was supposed to be the main villain but actively chose not to be when she was given the choice with the many-mouths eater and other opportunities. Additionally, I loved the almost ethical discussion without it really being ethical of the ways magic is done - through sacrifice, but not always your own.


 I really really really want to read a sequel from this book because Naomi Novik's world building skills and the depth of the characters even without a full backstory or details was super fascinating. I devoured this book in less than a day and it has still stuck with me weeks after I first read it. 
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