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A review by foxfic
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
This is the first book in The Scholomance trilogy. It’s a dark academia that follows El, a junior in the Scholomance magic school. She’s seemingly destined to become an evil witch the likes the world has never seen, and is trying to avoid this fate while navigating the exceptionally deadly curriculum she’s faced with.
The Scholomance has a high fatality rate — lethal spells, mana-hungry monsters, and in-fighting are all major considerations. Combined with mana being a precious resource for anyone but the most privileged students, the trials within the school typically leave a very small graduating class.
El’s year, though, has a guardian angel — another witch named Orion, who loves fighting monsters and is similarly viewed by other students as a destiny rather than a whole person.
This book was a fantastic. It was funny, had very real stakes, and the magic system was unique and relatively easy to understand. El and Orion are both fully realized characters, and their bonds with other students — and the journeys those students go on throughout the book — all have a very real payoff. Loved it, can’t wait to read the next one.
The Scholomance has a high fatality rate — lethal spells, mana-hungry monsters, and in-fighting are all major considerations. Combined with mana being a precious resource for anyone but the most privileged students, the trials within the school typically leave a very small graduating class.
El’s year, though, has a guardian angel — another witch named Orion, who loves fighting monsters and is similarly viewed by other students as a destiny rather than a whole person.
This book was a fantastic. It was funny, had very real stakes, and the magic system was unique and relatively easy to understand. El and Orion are both fully realized characters, and their bonds with other students — and the journeys those students go on throughout the book — all have a very real payoff. Loved it, can’t wait to read the next one.