frejawehrling's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow! When I picked this book up, I was expecting another half written fantasy whose focus on imagination and romance weighs up for a lack of good writing. Even though I've previously read Novik's Temeraire series and know that she's a hell of writer, this book surprised me in the best way possible. It IS information heavy, and a lot of the specifics of the world and the monsters in it passed me by, but I think this rather speaks to the ambition to create something new than being a negative trait. I also felt that you don't need to understand the mechanics of the world (or the school) because that's part of magic being something inexplicable and just a part of the characters' reality.
A deadly education is funny, sarcastic and heartfelt. It feels almost Harry Potter-esque in the way that El continues to change for the better while staying true to her ideals. Sometimes, the ride felt a bit too smooth for all the dangers they continously encountered, but I think that the twist at the end weighs up for that. It's dynamically written, completely stays clear of over-used metaphors, and the first-person perspective makes you feel that you really get to know El.
I loved it and can't wait to read the next book!
A deadly education is funny, sarcastic and heartfelt. It feels almost Harry Potter-esque in the way that El continues to change for the better while staying true to her ideals. Sometimes, the ride felt a bit too smooth for all the dangers they continously encountered, but I think that the twist at the end weighs up for that. It's dynamically written, completely stays clear of over-used metaphors, and the first-person perspective makes you feel that you really get to know El.
I loved it and can't wait to read the next book!
dqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.0
knicanor's review against another edition
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lpaton's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jaimiepoettcker's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 stars
*audiobook* Ugh this was so bad and confusing
*audiobook* Ugh this was so bad and confusing
lauralovesowls's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hannahkattt's review against another edition
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
squinnittowinit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A very charming story that was both witty and suspenseful, alternating between detailed world building, dry humor, and well-timed dramatic reveals. Magic weaves with science to create a very unique setting that acts as a character unto itself.
Naomi Novik's story makes poignant remarks on prevalent real-world topics such as classism and privilege, through the lense of a magical society controlled by a fortunate (and greedy) few. She delivers genuine complex emotion as her characters grapple with their anger, their uncertainty, and at the end of the day, their humanity.
4.5 stars because I'm not sure if the author hired a sensitivity consultant or not; there were a couple small moments I didn't feel great about. Additionally, I wasn't sold on the design of the school in this book. Not the literal design, but more the way it was designed and how it's been handled since.
Naomi Novik's story makes poignant remarks on prevalent real-world topics such as classism and privilege, through the lense of a magical society controlled by a fortunate (and greedy) few. She delivers genuine complex emotion as her characters grapple with their anger, their uncertainty, and at the end of the day, their humanity.
4.5 stars because I'm not sure if the author hired a sensitivity consultant or not; there were a couple small moments I didn't feel great about. Additionally, I wasn't sold on the design of the school in this book. Not the literal design, but more the way it was designed and how it's been handled since.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Genocide, Racism, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Vomit, and Sexual content
rrickman33's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 stars
I seriously enjoyed this book. I LOVED Galadriel and Orian and their relationship and all the characters of this book, you definitely can't say there is no character development for Galadriel. I loved the originality of the book and having the design of the school on the inside covers of the book to help readers understand the descriptions. The ending left me happy/mad, how am I to wait for the second book!!
What I didn't love is how detailed Novik made this new world, to the point where there was so much information thrown at me about one thing I would get lost in the paragraph. If some of the info dumps had been edited out I would have enjoyed this book much more.
While I would never myself want to go to a school where 25% of your classmates makes it out alive (hint the title: A Deadly Education), it makes for an intriguing read! If the premise sounds interesting to you then I recommend this book and to read it and decide for yourself. I enjoyed the new world, the school, the characters, and I hope the rest of the series is just as entertaining but less controversial!
---
I had read the reviews on GoodReads about the multiple ways readers had thought this book had racist or insensitive qualities and all the ways others disagreed with them. The author has apologized for many of those points and promised to do better for the rest of the series. I'll point you to their original reviews to see for yourself.
Asma's Review
Mary's Review
I seriously enjoyed this book. I LOVED Galadriel and Orian and their relationship and all the characters of this book, you definitely can't say there is no character development for Galadriel. I loved the originality of the book and having the design of the school on the inside covers of the book to help readers understand the descriptions. The ending left me happy/mad, how am I to wait for the second book!!
What I didn't love is how detailed Novik made this new world, to the point where there was so much information thrown at me about one thing I would get lost in the paragraph. If some of the info dumps had been edited out I would have enjoyed this book much more.
While I would never myself want to go to a school where 25% of your classmates makes it out alive (hint the title: A Deadly Education), it makes for an intriguing read! If the premise sounds interesting to you then I recommend this book and to read it and decide for yourself. I enjoyed the new world, the school, the characters, and I hope the rest of the series is just as entertaining but less controversial!
---
I had read the reviews on GoodReads about the multiple ways readers had thought this book had racist or insensitive qualities and all the ways others disagreed with them. The author has apologized for many of those points and promised to do better for the rest of the series. I'll point you to their original reviews to see for yourself.
Asma's Review
Mary's Review