A review by alphabetseeds
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

adventurous dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I've been meaning to check this series out for a couple years now, and I'm glad I'm finally diving in. After a slower start, I got into the rhythm of El's snarling sarcasm and stream-of-consciousness info-dumping and got invested in her survival and her slowly forming relationships with other students. There's a lot to unpack in her unwillingness to show off her capabilities, her dismissal of Orion's impulse to white-knighting, and then her outright rudeness to privileged students who want to give her attention.

While she goes into a lot - a LOT - of details about some things, there is some handwaving when it comes to action. I have no idea what some of the creatures/mals that attack them look like or even know where to begin - and maybe that's okay, because all signs point to terrifying. With two books left, I assume I'm going to learn a lot and wish I hadn't.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings