Naomi Novik’s Urban Fantasy” Scholomance” series is the epitome of the Dark Academia subgenre. The first novel, “A Deadly Education” does not merely take place in a school with a dark twist, but in a killer school. Students either graduate or literally die trying. Novik has created a world where magical children attract monsters that love to kill them and eat their magic. These maleficaria, or 'mals' are especially attracted to adolescents going through puberty. The teenagers are locked in a boarding school that is in a mystical void and cannot be entered or exited except at graduation time. However, this school is no Hogwarts, there are no teachers, only lessons to be learned, lest you are killed by the many mals roaming the school. Although the odds of living to graduation are slim, chances of survival on the outside are almost nonexistent. Novik is a masterful world builder. Her world is full of hidden buildings, magical spells and dark atmosphere; and every part rings true to the reader.

The main character is Gladriel (El) Higgins who is a Malicifyer, a dark sorceress. It is quite common for a fantasy to hav3e a main character who is destined to be great. There is indeed a prophesy about El. She is not expected to save the world, but to bring death to thousands. She has a powerful dark magic inside. She could easily destroy all the mals in the school but she could just as easily destroy all the students as well. El is afraid of her powers and is insecure and antisocial. She also has a sarcastic acerbic wit, and that voice sets the predominate tone of the book. Despite the dark setting, I was frequently laughing. The other main character is Orlando Lake, He is the exact opposite of El, and the popular young man with a hero complex is always saving everyone… including El, much to her own chagrin. Students are advised not to make friends but alliances. But the loner soon finds herself among a found family. The featured characters are all well rounded and fully fleshed out.

Although this book is labeled as Young Adult because of the protagonists’ age, it is not filled with the normal teen anxiety and will appeal to fantasy lovers no matter their age. I first read the book when it was recently first read it and waited on tenterhooks for each new book of the series. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Urban Fantasy. If you enjoyed Harry Potter or Fourth Wing, you will love these books. I loved this book when I first read it and waited on tenterhooks for the each of the following books. My advice is to have all three on hand to avoid the cliffhangers.

A great fall read! Dark academia vibes while also being a fun read. The grumpy/sunshine romance kept me binging! I also thoroughly enjoyed the representation in this book as a brown girl. It was refreshing to read a brown girl MC without it being centred around her heritage. The world-building and magic system was unique and easy to follow. At times there was too much internal dialogue and the pacing fell short. However, still a great book and I will be reading the next!

A Deadly Education gave me everything I love in a fantasy book: a main character who takes no shit from anybody (El, you are MY QUEEN), an action-packed narrative, friendships and Orion, who completely stole my heart.

I think people who don't enjoy El won't like this book, but honestly, she's the reason I'm giving it 5 stars. I LOVE El, she's rude, sarcastic, she doesn't care about being "nice" or making a good impression: she'll say what she thinks or feels, no matter if it's going to piss people off (even it it's rich and influential enclavers who expects her to suck up for them). She's pessimist and always ready for the worst scenarios, but also clever and very hard-working at the same time. She's a protagonist I not only loved but also rooted for.

Even though this is a character-driven novel - we see most of what's happening through El's eyes, and there's a lot of inner monologues and thoughts as well -, there's lots of action. Since the Scholomance is magic school full of monsters who are attracted to mana (the power wizards use to make spells), we see El and her fellow students being attacked constantly. It's really a survival thing: if you don't pay attention, you can get killed or eaten at any time. I enjoyed specially the worldbuilding regarding to how the school works. The independent study, how each language has different spells, how, if you stare too long to an arabic book, for example, you can end up assigned to arabic class, and who knows what will happen if you don't learn it fast to cast your spells.

I think this story will please not only people who like romance, but the ones who doesn't. We see a bound being created between El and Orion - she, who's always being avoided by everyone, and he, who only has shallow relationships, since everyone who approaches him only wants to take advantage of his power and his protection. Both of them had never had true friends before, people who really cared about them, which makes their friendship even more meaningful. Besides, Orion has a puppy personality: he's polite, sweet, really cares about people and has a big heart, while El is rude and bad-tempered. Basically: I SHIPPED THEM ~SO HARD~. I was screaming heart-eyed at every interaction they had.

At the same time, Naomi Novik didn't make an insta-love or anything: they are friends and that's all. El is very practical, she's focused on surviving the Scholomance, so she's not interested in dating or romance (even though Orion follows her around all the time and everyone thinks they're dating). I hate when a protagonist only thinks about romance and loose focus of her goals, and this has NOT happened here, which I appreciated a lot.

The book ended with a plot twist, and I'm so excited for the next one!! I've just finish it, but I'm already missing El, Orion and everyone. ♡

A Deadly Education is set at The Scholomance, a magical school where there are no teachers and hungry monsters waiting to devour students behind every corner. There are some serious cliques at The Scholomance, but generally each student is out for themselves and will only help you if there is something in it for them. This is rough when you need some friends to watch your back just so you can take a shower to ensure something doesn't come out of the drain to to eat you.

This book was difficult to get into. A Deadly Education is told from the perspective of the main character and the beginning starts off with a lot of world terminology that is very confusing with no context. I'm still uncertain if I understand how the world and magic work. The ending also threw me off because I'm not sure if their plan succeeded and what it meant for the seniors because hardly any narration was happening.

Overall, I enjoyed the dark academia setting and the witty yet snarky main character's view point, however, I wish there was more information about this world so I could truly appreciate what was going on. Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group, and the author for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating-4 Stars
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik completely captive me from start to finish. Set in a British magic school, this coming-of age story is perfect for fans who love Harry Potter but wanted something more darker and more sinister.

A Deadly Education is set at the Scholomance, a place where monsters lurked everywhere. A place where death is always around the corridor. Instead of a male protagonist, this story follows a female protagonist called Galadriel who slowly starts to unravel the secrets of the Scholomance. The main aim of the Scholomance is to survive. Survive and graduate out of the Scholomance.

Starting this book, I was really sceptical about A Deadly Education. On many times, I had tried to read the other authors books but have been unable to get into them. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and really enjoyed it. At first, I felt very overwhelmed by the amount of world building but soon grew to be fascinated by the school history, I grew more fascinated by the world building as I move more into the book.

Throughout the book, Galadriel had a love/hate friendship with majority of the characters through A Deadly Education. It was lovely to see the reluctance Galadriel had about these friendships and the way she swayed between love and hate. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Galadriel and Orion- the heroine who saved her multiple times throughout the story despite her saying she did not need it. It was refreshing to see how this friendship bloomed throughout the story and was lovely to see the meaning why Orion stayed with her.

This book is more aimed at YA but progresses to adult the further you get into the book. This is perfect for people who loved Dark Academic books who are looking for their next magic school read. I was sucked into the Scholomance and I am now really excited to pick up the next one in the series. It had also made me really excited to try again to read other books by Naomi Novik.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group and the author Naomi Novik for letting me have the opportunity to read this book and post a honest review.

This story is written by Naomi Novik and is about a school of magic, where there are no teachers, no holidays, friendships are purely strategic, and the odds of survival are never equal. Once you're inside, there are only two ways out: you graduate or you die. El Higgins is uniquely prepared for the school's many dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out untold millions - never mind easily destroy the countless monsters that prowl the school.

Except, she might accidentally kill all the other students, too. So El is trying her hardest not to use it . . . that is, unless she has no other choice.

These books are absolutely brilliant and written in such a smart way, I just loved everything about them. Novik is a genius with storytelling and world creating and it is just a pleasure to read her books. Definitely recommended!

it’s getting 2.5/.75 (still unsure) because of the magic and the cliffhanger that actually made me interested in seeing how the next book will continue. the magic system and the characters were great (i really liked orion) but the plot and the writing were not it. was there even the plot before the last 100/50 pages?

i’m actually sad this one did not live to my expectations.

A Deadly Education is a new take on dark academia by a masterful fantasy author! The humor is sarcastic, the vibes are monstrous, the world-building is dense and nerdy (a compliment of the highest order!)!

A perfect fit for readers of the huge dark academia trend, or for folks who wanted a spookier and more diverse Harry Potter!

Okay….okay, ehm I don’t really know how to wrap up this reading experience. I went into this book hoping and praying that I was gonna love it. Since it’s dark academia, magic, wizards, a school that literally wants to kill you etc. But I don’t know man, this book just wasn’t given what I wanted it to give. I still love the premise of this story, but I had a really hard time getting through it. I was bored for the better part of this book, it was just sooo drawn out, even though it’s not a thick book (around 350 pages) it felt like it went on forever without getting to the point. Also the grammar and sentence building felt really off at times. I will still probably read the second book (since it’s literally on my shelves), and fingers crossed it’s better then the first book but yeah.

And oh I have to mention our FMC, Galadriel, yeah that’s another weird thing, all of a sudden the author just name drops Lord of the rings and other pop culture stuff, so you’re like when and where does this book take place?? The world building is SO CONFUSING. Okay back to Galadriel, or El, god I strongly dislike her character for like 85% of the book. Slightly redeemed herself towards the end, heavy emphasis on slightly.

Okay ranting over, this was a very mid/average read. I didn’t hate it (even though it might sound like it) but it was just not for me. 2,5 ⭐️

5 stars I absolutely loved this!!!
I loved the world and the school setting. I also really enjoyed El how strong she was and how sassy!

I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this. I love magical school settings, and this did not disappoint. I got some Wednesday vibes from El and that made it even better.
Dark academia, a magical school where monsters jump out at you when you least expect it, characters you love and some you love to hate. If those things sound good to you, read this book! Also, that ending! I need to know why!

ARC review: 2.5 stars

This was just ok for me. I had a really hard time liking the main character. While I liked some of the world building, I really struggled to get into- let alone enjoy- this book. Perhaps it’s because it sided more on the YA rather than the NA but I left this book feeling as though I have had my fill of this world and story. Not for me, but glad it’s for others.


#ADeadlyEducation #NetGalley

Imagine a mysterious school for magic and spellcasting.... only the school is trying to kill you. Students attending the Sholomance are constantly at risk of being devoured by any of the multitude of sinister beasties any time they let their guard down in their dorm rooms, in the halls, in classrooms, in the cafeteria, in the shower, unless they form alliances and use a buddy system, or have very very quick reflexes and a lot of mana. In this magical school we meet Galadriel, who is a deliciously grumpy, sarcastic, prickly pear with a huge chip on her shoulder and a magical affinity for the types of spells that are less of the generally useful sort like levitation, light, unlocking doors, and more of the leveler of armies, lay waste to cities, destroyer of destroyer of worlds variety. But she's reluctant to fully embrace the darkest arts because underneath her prickly exterior she has a kind and decent heart. Her off-putting personality and shadow magic win her almost zero friends, surprisingly, and she's running out of time to form an alliance with some well-connected group who manages to survive until graduation, a violent and deadly contest which claims more students than it matriculates. And much to her aggravation and ire, the bright and shiny BMOC keeps white knighting his way into her life and saving her from deadly attacks she could probably have managed on her own. He's the Metroman to her Megamind, and I loved the salty banter between them.

The writing is clear and skillful, and the world building and magic system are intriguing. Where this book lost some points for me is that the pacing is inconsistent. We are immersed in peril from page one, but scenes where anything really interesting happens are spread far apart, and the long gaps in action are filled with info-dumpy exposition. I'll be honest - I found myself frequently bored, and this book felt wayyyyyyyy longer than it actually is. It also took me longer to read than it should have, because I didn't really connect with it and never felt excited to pick it up.

There is definitely a type of reader who will adore this book. If you are a lover of dark academia and magic, and want to really immerse yourself in this world and its backstories, you will have a fantastic time with this book. If you want to linger in these pages, you will find yourself flying through them. Unfortnately I don't think I'm that person, at least not at this moment in my life. Normally I love to savour a good book, take my time and get lost in its pages, reread especially tasty passages to let it really sink in. But in this case I felt restless and anxious to to be done, and found myself checking the page count like a school clock on Friday. I didn't dislike it at all. It just didn't have the type of pull and momentum I needed to fully engage me. It's also possible this may have worked better for me as an audiobook, so I'd like to try this in the future and give it another chance. I own another book series by this author and I'm looking forward to reading them, as I think the setting and themes may be a better fit for me.

A Perilous School of Magic

"A Deadly Education" by Naomi Novik delves into the life of Galadriel, known as "El," as she navigates her junior year at Scholomance, a perilous school for magic users where students possess interesting affinities. El's affinity for death and destruction aligns with a prophecy her grandmother bestowed upon her, one she's determined to evade at all costs. Her time at Scholomance is far from typical, compounded by her prickly personality. She's declared Orion Lake her nemesis, a student for whom everything comes effortlessly, and who has saved her life and others on multiple occasions. Strangely, Orion seems to enjoy El's harsh treatment. Together, they find themselves embroiled in school mysteries and undertaking a perilous mission to save lives.
There were aspects of this book that I truly relished, but some elements left me mildly annoyed. The setting is fascinating, but the intricacies of how the school operates are revealed in fragments, making it a bit challenging to piece together. Given that we're in the protagonist's mind during her third year, it feels like we should understand certain aspects more clearly. Additionally, El's internal monologue can be quite negative, and her initial rudeness makes her somewhat unlikable. She often makes self-defeating choices. However, over time, she undergoes character development, becoming a more endearing figure. The romantic aspect of the story feels somewhat one-sided, which was a bit perplexing as it's highlighted in the narrative.
Nonetheless, the setting is incredibly intriguing, and the events that unfold solve one problem while paving the way for a larger one in the senior year. I found myself deeply invested in the story and will undoubtedly continue with the series. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with this Advanced Reader Copy.

A Deadly Education is a unique and engaging story and writing style set in Scholomance a school for young sorcerers. Firstly I would like to say I thought this would be a YA veering to adult but I think it is possibly for a slightly younger audience. However I thought the story and characters were great as you get a love hate relationship with them (especially El, our protagonist) I just don't think I resonated with it as much as I thought it would especially with how much I've seen it trending bit I will e checking out more but this author and I think loads of people will love this and fall in love with this story.

This was mildly confusing but somehow fun. I’m not sure how else to explain it because it fully felt like I was reading someone’s diary.

I was lucky enough to get a copy from NetGalley for my true and honest opinion.

"A Deadly Education" by Naomi Novik transports readers into a world brimming with magic, danger, and a touch of dark humour. Novik's unique take on the magical boarding school trope hooked me from the beginning.

The story unfolds at Scholomance, a school for young sorcerers, where students must fend for themselves against malevolent creatures lurking in the shadows. Novik's world-building is impressive, blending the fantastical and mundane in an intricately detailed setting. Her portrayal of the school's enchantments and diverse student body is immersive and engaging.

El, our no-nonsense protagonist, is a character you'll love or hate, but her wit and resilience make her impossible to ignore. Her unique perspective on life within the Scholomance, where survival is the game's name, adds a refreshing layer to the narrative.

The writing style is crisp and engaging, with just the right amount of sarcasm to balance out the moments of tension and peril. Novik's witty narrative voice had me chuckling more than once, providing a much-needed break from the intense atmosphere of Scholomance.

However, my only gripe with the book is that some magical concepts and world-building details can sometimes be overwhelming. It took me a while to fully grasp the intricacies of the Scholomance and the various types of magic.

Despite this, I'm eager to continue with the series. Novik has crafted an undeniably intriguing world and characters, and the tantalizing glimpse into the secrets lurking in the Scholomance has left me hungry for more. "A Deadly Education" is a promising start to what I hope will be an enchanting series.

In conclusion, if you enjoy a unique blend of magic, danger, and dark humour, "A Deadly Education" is definitely worth a read. I can't wait to see where Naomi Novik takes us next in this magical world.

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I received an arc via Netgalley, and am leaving an honest review about the book. I’m thankful to the publisher and the author for giving me this wonderful opportunity!

I finished the entire book and I still don’t understand the premise. There was so much info dump on every single paragraph, I had no idea what to even think. I was so lost. I think I like the idea behind it and the FMC and the MMC? I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series, though, because like I said. I understood none of it.

Thank you to Naomi Novik, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "A Deadly Education: A Novel" for an honest review.

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I flew through this entire series in the space of 6 days, two years after my best friend started requesting of me to read it — Because of that, though, this whole series is a giant blur in my head, and I'm only going to do one review across all three of them together and drop this in all of them. <B>If you happen to be reading this and haven't read Books 2 and 3, avert your eyes!</B>

SPOILERS:

I have so very many feelings about these books.

- About my love of how El had to go through all the struggles of her childhood and of rejecting her nature (due to her mother's love and her own true moral fortitude that is all HER OWN) to be strong enough to do the work that needed doing (and how the prophecy was the only way her grandmother could make sure she was strong enough and would make the right choices not just for herself, but for the whole world)

- About Orion and his creation, what he is and how he is, and that so much that we realize he's missing from book one, and especially in book two, finally makes sense in the end, when we discover what is at the true root of that problem. How he handles it and the choices El makes at the end still make me tear up.

- I do wish we'd gotten to know more about Scholomance. How and why, an what. It's the one thing I went in with my best friend telling me I'd learn more of, but never as much as I'd want to know about it. I do feel the book lacked in shoring that up.

- But I also felt that book 3 foundered for purchase with the Scholomance no longer as the focus of where everyone was and what was happening. My hat is off to the creations of the enclaves and how things piece together. </spoiler>