Somehow even better than book one, with an even more viscous cliff hanger. Naomi has created something rather unique, despite writing about a magical school for gifted children which is a topic we might have all thought was rather played out by now. Naomi Novik has proved yet again she has something new to add and she's dragging us all right along with her. This was terrific.

4.5 stars.

I have been checking every day since I finished A Deadly Education and I devoured this one in two days. It suffered a little from middle books syndrome (not quite as exciting as the first) and left on another cliffhanger, but I can't wait for the third (and final?)

I am contemplating starting A Deadly Education again just so I can follow it up with The Last Graduate and fall deep into the Scholomance all over again.

I've been obsessively waiting for this book ever since I finished reading A Deadly Education. And now I sit here obsessively waiting for book #3. Ah the curse of loving a wonderful author!

This picks up right where the first book left off and just doesn't stop. I love the character development and was literally holding my breath to see if my favorites would escape. I'll be recommending A Deadly Education at my library's next staff recommendations program and will tell our patrons to look for this title on 9/28/21.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Senior year is stressful enough with final exams and, you know, just trying to stay alive in a school that actively tries to kill you. El and Orion are back in full force in this second installment by Naomi Novik. This year there's more at stake, more than they even realize. A thrilling follow-up to an amazing series!

I don't even know what to do with myself right now. I've been sitting here blinking into the void for 20 minutes. I'm not going to say it was everything I wanted, as I still don't have answers about that infuriating message (are you kidding me?!), but I'm so delighted with the rest of it that I almost (ALMOST, Ms. Novik) don't mind.

An ominous note from home, a schedule filled with dreaded senior seminars, and a sort-of-maybe boyfriend? Galadriel "El" Higgins definitely has a horrifying final year ahead of her at the Scholomance, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. But she's making friends and alliances despite the odds, and now has the wretched task of trying to survive to see Graduation. But it seems the school isn't too pleased with her heroics, and is doing everything in its power to push El over the edge. El, however, isn't the sort to go down without a fight, and she's got plans to escape the Scholomance once and for all.

Naomi Novik does it again with the second installment of The Scholomance series. El is still the prickly and raging heroine I fell in love with, but now she has everything to lose. I was on the edge of my seat from the first page, and the action continued its rampage all the way to the last. El's final year feels like a sprint to the finish line, complete with an obstacle course full of unexpected hurdles. New characters abound, providing a multifaceted student body and well-crafted senior year of mayhem. If that's not enough, El is also evolving emotionally, with the help of Aadhya, Liu, Chloe, and even Orion (rather emotionally stunted though he may be). What really shines in The Last Graduate is the character development El and the other students experience throughout their senior year. Her inner struggle against turning maleficer, and fulfilling her proscribed destiny tore at my heart strings, as did the strengthening alliance bond. Novik packs her sequel with so many heartwarming moments, even El's towering rage can't resist the tide of emotion.

The Last Graduate provides a uniquely complex story in a standout voice. El is such a strong, unapologetic heroine, finally coming into her own and actively repaying Orion in life-saving moments. Her dedication to doing right, in the face of every expectation otherwise, is inspiring as much as it is delightfully spiteful. Readers will cheer on El and her friends through every emotional, physical, and spell-slinging moment, and will surely be left screaming for more.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for providing me an advanced copy in return for an unbiased review! And thanks to Naomi Novik for creating such a bomb series!!!

I plan on posting this review two weeks before the release date on Goodreads.com