A review by ailsaod
The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik

adventurous dark funny hopeful 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

4.0

 Certainly didn't disappoint but I liked the first book a bit more. I think the way the cliffhanger ending of book 1 came into play was good as it made Orion an unknown quantity once again and I liked how Novik uses the characters lack of knowledge about the situation outside the school. However the romance between El and Orion made me want to reach for the eye-bleach. It was just so awkward and they both had a terrible case of the stupids but I'm definitely not saying it was badly written - they are both weird teenagers locked in a building together, if anything it is too accurate. I did like the resulting disapproval from El's mouse familiar though!

While the romance was painful I really enjoyed the platonic relationships and rivalries. After seeing the isolation El experiences at the beginning of book one it is very satisfying to see her with such a great group of friends! El very much grows into herself not just socially but also with regards to her powers and what she wants her life after the Scholomance to look like and that is also really nice to watch. Which makes that ending a real kick in the gut!
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