monno_moo 's review for:

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

3.0

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While I had been optimistic about this book and had high hopes, I feel I was let down by the book. The story itself had an interesting concept, a harry potter-Esque magic school except for more danger and higher stakes. However, the Author chooses to make the world-building and magic system complicated for no reason and no logic. It didn't seem that difficult to understand at first, but it didn't feel like Noami followed their own rules or didn't tell all of them until halfway through the book. She would add little snippets along the way that felt too long and unessecary. Additionally, the main character was far from likable; even as the plot progressed, I was more interested in the side characters' stories than the main girl! El was mean, rude, and not likable, making It a more difficult read to get through. I was going to rate this two stars originally, but it redeemed itself a little bit with the last few pages to make me bump up the rating. I don't know If I'll read the second installment but by no means am I racing to buy the next book.