Listen- I don't care if people think it's overdone. A magic school? That's the damn dream. And it's gonna grab me. Every. Single. Time. Plus it doesn't hurt that we have a snarky sarcastic FMC and hero who's a bit of a goof- which is always a match made in drama and swoon heaven. This is a dark comedy with all the delicious twists and addictive storytelling. Excited for what will come next.

I'm surprised that I got approved to read this. I don't even remember requesting it unless I did it years ago I just now got approved. The book has been out so long that I already own all of them. I really enjoyed the series but then I have enjoyed all the Naomi Novik books I have read so far.

Naomi Novik has quickly become a must-read author for me. After this book, she’s pretty much a must-buy author (I only have maybe 5 of those, so that says something, I think!). But, still, when requesting this book, what I’d read from her had been both of her fairytale retellings and the first several of her Napoleonic wars/dragon historical fantasy series. This didn’t sound remotely like either of those, instead being billed as a modern, more grim, “Harry Potter” style boarding school story. But man, Novik can do anything, and my trust is now fully earned, no matter how strange the book description is!

Scholomance is technically a school. There are no teachers and students are on their own to make classes and finish homework, sure. But that’s only half, and arguably the less important half, of what this school provides. Instead, it offers magical kids the best chance they have of surviving their juvenile years. Sure, their odds are still pretty darn bad in the school, but better than the next to nothing they have outside. El’s chances have been even worse from the start. Yeah, she has the raw power, but she seems to repel people for some reason. And in a place where forming alliances is a necessary survival tactic, that’s not good. But here, in her second to last year at the school, staring down the barrel of a final year full of even more likely death, El begins to uncover secrets about not only the school, but herself, and the boy who has been roaming around annoyingly playing savior to all this entire time.

I adored everything about this book, so it’s kind of hard to think of where to start when reviewing it. It’s also so totally unique, interesting, and complicated that it’s hard to find the middle ground between reviewing important aspects of the story and not spoiling the fun for new readers. There’s just so much good stuff to unpack!

I guess I’ll start with the world-building itself. The book description has a tough job trying to describe what Scholomance really is, and, as you can see, I probably struggled too in my own summary. That’s because it’s so complicated and well-constructed that it’s almost impossible to really give a broad overview. Novik seems to have thought out every intricate detail for this magical place, from how the cafeteria works, to the menacing library, to the simplest of things, like how the school assigns and monitors homework and what happens if students fall behind. And it’s all just so creative! I can’t think of a single other fantasy story that has anything like the place Novik has thought up here. And that’s saying something, I think, in a genre that is becoming more crowded by the day (especially YA that has a tendency to become trope-ridden and bogged down in certain themes every few years).

One of the most impressive aspects of all of this that, being as complicated and detailed as it all is, our narrator is given a heavy load of information to be handing off to readers. There’s a significant portion of the first half of the book that is largely devoted to detailing all of these little aspects. It would have been so easy for it to have felt like info-dumping or to have dragged down the pacing and plot of the story. But, for one thing, the information being provided is just too interesting on its own to feel bored by. And secondly, our narrator had a fantastic voice from the start that is strong enough to carry this type of detail-ridden load.

El is everything I like in a narrator: snarky, consistently characterized, yet vulnerable in ways that we (and she) discover throughout the story. From the book description, I was kind of expecting some type of tired anti-hero story or quasi-villain plot line for her, but it’s really nothing like that. Sure, her powers are destructive and there’s this pesky doomsday-esque prophesy lingering around her, but she’s just as skeptical of all that nonsense as the reader wants to be. El’s story, here, is not only finding acceptance with some key friends around her, but in accepting what she has to offer. On one hand, she can be overly confident, but on the other, we see her realize her own values and where her personal lines are between survival and standing up for some moral greater good.

And to balance her out, of course, we have a “Chosen One.” This friendship was everything! Both El and Orion’s characters play perfectly off each other. She, stand-offish, uninterested, and, again, snarky. He, bumbling, clueless of his affect on people, and obnoxiously heroic. I loved everything about this friendship and the slow build to sort of romance that it comes to towards the end.

It’s also clear, here, where the comparisons to “Harry Potter” are coming from. Orion Lake is definitely a response to Harry Potter and all of the other “chosen” heroes we see in fantasy fiction. Novik has said that “Spinning Silver” was essentially her “yelling” at the “Rumpelstiltskin” fairytale, and that this would be her yelling at “Harry Potter.” Comparisons to “Harry Potter always make me nervous. For one thing, I love Harry Potter so, for me, a book being compared to it is either going to be a massive let-down of trying to copy something that shouldn’t be copied. Or it’s going to be some type of “response” piece that spends more time criticizing another book series than in being its own thing. Luckily, this falls right in the middle and does it perfectly.

You can definitely see where Novik is making a point about the type of “chosen one” story that Harry Potter tells, but, while she does touch on some of the obvious themes, she also deep dives into a lot of aspects of this type of storyline that one doesn’t often think about. There’s a strong focus on inequality and injustice, but it’s approached through angles and perspectives that are unique to this world. The themes, of course, carry over, but it stays true to the fantasy world it is and the types of justice and injustice that would be inherent to it. It’s left to the reader to transcribe these thoughts onto our own world and our own experiences of injustice within society.

This review has already gotten pretty long, and I could go on and on. But, in this case, I almost feel like the less said the better! There’s so much great stuff to discover here that I don’t want to spoil any more of it! Needless to be said, my copy is already pre-ordered, and I highly recommend any and all fantasy fans to get their hands on this book ASAP!

Rating 10:Breaking fantasy walls that I didn’t know even exited! Simply fantastic!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik is a gripping ride through a world of magic and danger. With a tough and relatable protagonist, El, facing deadly monsters in a unique magical school, the story keeps you hooked from start to finish. The inventive magic system and Novik's immersive writing style create an enthralling atmosphere, even if pacing occasionally falters. If you're up for a spellbinding adventure, dive into this captivating read!

As much as I liked the concept and the plot, the writing really ruined it all for me.

It was so much info text and just rows and rows of text and not enough space between everything. The chapters was long and just packed with information that made little to no sense at al.

This could be so much better than it was.

But I keep reading cuz I didn't want to Dnf it. And I have to say I'm glad I didn't. Cuz the last chapters was great and of course it enden with a cliffhanger.

But for the love of God why can't there be more space between al the scenteses in this book? It's like reading a dictionary.

I just hope book 2 is not in the same format.

This was such a great start to a fantasy series. I loved the dark academia vibes of The Scholomance. I also loved all the characters and how El's friendships with each of them developed over the course of the book.

Ok, there is a lot of good about this book, and a lot of not so good.
As a reading experience, I felt swept into another world, as I always do with Novik's writing. The characters were flawed, and I enjoyed my time with them. I am intrigued enough by the world that I might pick up the following books if I am so inclined.
There are some stereotypes that didn't sit as well with me, and that lowered my rating a bit.
So, all in all, I did enjoy my read. If you are looking for something to replace HP in your life, this may be a good fit for you.

"We're not meant to all survive, anyway. The school has to be fed somehow."

I know that this got a VERY mixed reaction but I loved it and I need The Last Graduate in my life.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Naomi Novik book and I very much enjoyed it. I had no expectations and I enjoyed it enough that I immediately picked up the second one. I really enjoyed the world building and specifically the monsters.

I hear a lot of “it’s Harry Potter, but deadly/higher stakes”. However I would say that this isn’t Harry Potter at all other than it’s a boarding school. I think I would better explain it as fans that previously enjoyed Harry Potter would likely enjoy this book. The deadly school world building is closer to a “much less spicy” Fourth Wing and character vibes closer to the Crush series.

Please be forewarned, I really enjoyed book one and two but I was ultimately let down by the third installment.

I was expecting to really like this book as the plot appealed to me, sort of a more cut throat version of Harry Potter, and I really enjoyed one of the author's other works, the Temeraire series. But I must say I found myself struggling to stay interested, it was very easy to put this book down, and there was no urgency to pick it back up, which is not a good sign for me. I don't think I will be reading the books that follow.

I wished for this book over three years ago and was just now given a copy I'm no longer interested in reading.

I am a big fan of Naomi Novik’s other books, especially Spinning Silver and Uprooted, so of course I pre-ordered A Deadly Education and read it immediately. The marketing of this book as a dark, feminist Harry Potter does it a disservice. Instead, it is a more introspective story of one girl’s struggle with her darker inclinations and her striving to survive in a school that doesn’t protect its students.

I’ve seen a lot of critiques of this book, saying that nothing really happens until the last 75% of the story. And it’s true, if you expect a “typical” action-packed story, you’ll be disappointed. The book is narrated by Galadriel (yes, like that Galadriel), who in her third year at the Scholomance has resigned herself to be a loner. She’s prickly, but for a good reason; everyone in her past has been afraid of her. As her senior year, and eventual graduation approaches, she is trying to figure out how to survive both the day to day and the graduation trial. Much of the book is El’s strategizing and setting the scene for us. It feels very info-dumpy but in a compelling way.

What I love about this book is the unique world that you get thrown into. Novik has created a terrifying, almost sentient school full of monsters. It’s a very intriguing world. I also loved the diversity of the characters: El is half-Welsh, half-Indian and her classmates are from all over the world. El herself is kind of infuriating at first, but as you start to understand why she acts the way she does, you will start to empathize with her.

I think this book struggles the most in its length. If it had just been a bit longer, I think the story would feel more satisfying. That said, it was an enjoyable read, with a fascinating world and a cliffhanger that made me eager for the next book.

TW: death of children; scary monsters/situations

This is not Hogwarts. It is however the start to a great trilogy and gives all the dark academia vibes you want. The characters are great, it's completely bananas why anyone would stay there (if they survive) and it's one of the few trilogies that are cohesive, and satisfying. Definitely pick this one up.

Already read and loved this one, but it was a happy reminder that it's time to reread the trilogy when this popped up on my "granted wish" shelf many moons post pub!

This is a very fun, almost wacky book. Like, what a wild ride. The school setting is unique and interesting, as is the magic system. I also loved the characters. Basically I gobbled this up and then immediately read the second one, if that tells you anything!

This book. I can not explain the entertainment that this book provides. I can not wait to see what happens next!
El is a fantastic main character! She isn't popular with her classmates, or anyone she has ever met. I loved watching her grow into her role and seeing the effect she had on her peers.
Please, please do not compare this book to Harry Potter, they are on complete opposite sides of the magical school spectrum. This school is like Hogwarts meets Deadly Class with a large dose of Hunger Games. It has a fair share of darkness and humor.

It was a mistake to read this after Ninth House, but I was very excited about this and the first line hooked me. And then, instead of being reeled in, I had to sit through the world's longest intro being told by a teen who had never once in her life been told to shut up. I can see why this style works for other people, and even though I usually like cocky protagonists, the infantile tone caught me off-guard at the very beginning and I couldn’t shake it off. I didn’t like the tell-not-show style of this novel at all. I didn’t mind the weak plot – I vibed with the setting and the plot, as sparse as it was.

I can see why people like it, but the rambling only annoyed me and I hated how the narrator broke the fourth wall. It just went on and on and on and I barely made it through this.

Dark Academia? Magic? Yes, please!

There’s something metaphorically poetic (and morbid) in the idea of a school actively trying to kill its students. It was a unique concept and I loved the characterization of the school itself throughout the book.

El is one of my favorite main characters I’ve read in a while. She’s smart, snarky, and knows what she wants. (Or at least she thinks she does.) As we get to know her, her vulnerabilities make it that much easier to connect with her. And I know I already mentioned the snark, but it’s a highlight for sure!

All that being said, some things are so typical they’re easily predictable here. And there were definitely a couple of moments that had me thinking a sarcastic, “Of course.” But I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. A little predictability is good. A dash of unbelievable is expected.

I may have read this one a while ago, but it’s definitely a favorite and one I’m happy to dive back into at any time.

I received a copy of this book from Del Rey via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I don’t know what the point is of a publisher granting a wish nearly THREE YEARS after the book has already been published, but whatever.

I loved this one! A solid 4.5 and such a great and fun opener to the series. I thought the idea and worldbuilding was so cool and I loved El and Orion’s relationship. Since I’ve already read the entire series by now (lol), I’ll give you 3 reviews for the price of one! I think this first book is my favorite, but I also thought the second was great, too. Unfortunately did not much enjoy the finale but I do still love Novik’s books and will continue to read what she writes!

This is a magic school story done right!

I just got approved for this book which had been on my wishlist for a couple years, so by the time I got approved I had already read it a while back. I'm a newcomer to Naomi Novik and am glad that this isn't just another run-of-the-mill magic school HP knockoff. On the contrary, the premise is built well and the story is great. The writing style really worked well and kept the story moving at a great pace. I binged the book in a single day, which is not something I do often.

Overall, it's a great book and I highly recommend it. I will be checking out Novik's other works.