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A review by michyapril
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
At first, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book because of the YA style of writing (mainly when El would complain about having to be good when she "actually" wanted to be evil). But once she started interacting more with Orion and her two female friends, I really started to warm up to the book and the characters.
I really enjoyed this world! The stakes of their fate were slowly but effectively built, letting you truly understand the potential disaster that the students would endure if our "heroes" didn't save the day. I also think that the school being closed off from the rest of the world brought an interesting perspective. We, as the reader, have no idea what is brewing outside the school because none of the characters do. It made their problem-solving feel way more important to the plot.
My one issue is the almost excessive backstory and info-dumping. Sometimes the info-dumping was useful and helped with world building. But other times, it just felt like too much exposition that distracted me from the actual plot.
I really enjoyed this world! The stakes of their fate were slowly but effectively built, letting you truly understand the potential disaster that the students would endure if our "heroes" didn't save the day. I also think that the school being closed off from the rest of the world brought an interesting perspective. We, as the reader, have no idea what is brewing outside the school because none of the characters do. It made their problem-solving feel way more important to the plot.
My one issue is the almost excessive backstory and info-dumping. Sometimes the info-dumping was useful and helped with world building. But other times, it just felt like too much exposition that distracted me from the actual plot.