A review by jvantland
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A slow start and my outrage about the concept of the school/sacrificing of these kids nearly had me giving up, but I couldn’t put it down. More of the circumstances of the school’s existence are revealed throughout the book that help give context, but it still leaves you with the unsettling sort of “is this the hunger games and where are the adults and why the hell aren’t they helping” feeling. It took me a while to realize it’s offering a critique of the classist, capitalistic culture, largely because it’s just so hopeless until the final few chapters. Still, I’m curious to see where this series goes. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings