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A review by theglossreview
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
4.0
4 stars! Fascinating and intriguing. Although sowie reviewers point out that the writing is tedious and repetitive, I would argue that this perfectly underlines the experience of living in The Scholomance — tedious, repetitive work has do be done just to stay alive, eat, collect magic energy, and… well… study. It’s truly a deadly education!
Another point that will be loved or hated is the elaborate inner monologue and exposition… but again, this perfectly represents the experience of the students. They NEED to weigh every piece of information, historical knowledge and every tiny word they say because it will have GRAVE consequences for their survival and social status — two factors that seem to be of equal importance to the Scholomance students.
The reason why it receives 4 instead of 5 stars: It isn’t deeply impactful or life changing. Furthermore, some descriptions are far too graphic and gory.
I enjoyed the main character’s personality and talents that are so exquisitely juxtaposed to the ones of her mother. The theme of an outsider that used to be shunned finally and slowly forming friendships and connections is heartwarming (although the connections are sometimes restricted to someone saving her a seat at a table, a snack or a T-Shirt… because those would usually be hard-earned or traded. Seriously. Even a scrap of metal is worth more than its weight in gold. Every gram is precious. It’s tedious, mean and stressful beyond belief, so that it becomes part of this funnily grotesque world).
Her narrator’s voice is funny, witty, deadpan and serious at all the right times. Overall, the audiobook version in German was a good choice.
Another point that will be loved or hated is the elaborate inner monologue and exposition… but again, this perfectly represents the experience of the students. They NEED to weigh every piece of information, historical knowledge and every tiny word they say because it will have GRAVE consequences for their survival and social status — two factors that seem to be of equal importance to the Scholomance students.
The reason why it receives 4 instead of 5 stars: It isn’t deeply impactful or life changing. Furthermore, some descriptions are far too graphic and gory.
I enjoyed the main character’s personality and talents that are so exquisitely juxtaposed to the ones of her mother. The theme of an outsider that used to be shunned finally and slowly forming friendships and connections is heartwarming (although the connections are sometimes restricted to someone saving her a seat at a table, a snack or a T-Shirt… because those would usually be hard-earned or traded. Seriously. Even a scrap of metal is worth more than its weight in gold. Every gram is precious. It’s tedious, mean and stressful beyond belief, so that it becomes part of this funnily grotesque world).
Her narrator’s voice is funny, witty, deadpan and serious at all the right times. Overall, the audiobook version in German was a good choice.