Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I requested this as soon as I saw it was available, having loved the authors previous book (Some Desperate Glory). This new offering did not disappoint and has firmly established Emily Tesh as one of my favourite authors. I loved almost everything about this book, characters, story and worldbuilding. I appreciated the attention given to the actual process of teaching magic (it is very obvious that the author has a teaching background here) however, I will admit that for some people the frequent mention of the tedious side of teaching and the exploration of inequalities within the education system may be a bit too much. The ending was very satisfying. Highly recommended for those who like dark academia!

The covers are gorgeous, especially the UK edition. That hot pink!

This review has spoilers.

The first 1/3 was exactly what I thought I would be reading - a magic school from the perspective of a teacher - and I adored it.
The imp in the photocopier who ate chocolate digestives! The "oooh, enemies to lovers??" with Laura. A butch lesbian love interest (practically unheard of)! A centuries-old demon summoning!

There's a big ol' demon fight at the school and a spur-of-the-moment kiss (and me, maybe foaming at the mouth).

Then, after the fallout from the demon shenanigans and Laura getting canned and leaving....... I don't even know what happened.

Actually, no - nothing fucking happened.

Nothing happened apart from excruciating minutiae about being a teacher. Nothing happened apart from a posh smarmy dickhead being introduced and oh of course Saffy starts fucking him. Nothing happened apart from bungled in-your-fucking-face social commentary.

Finally, finally, the plot starts moving. The Phoenix takes over - but in the milquetoastiest way possible. There was no build up. Saffy realises oh hang on, this pompous knob is actually up to no good and also he's shagging the 23-year-old.

And then, yeah, the teenagers save the day, and gosh the Phoenix would've got away with it if it weren't for you meddling kids!

Two stars, only because of how much I loved the opening.