Title: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Targeted Age: 9th - 12th grade
Plot Summary: This book approaches magical boarding schools very differently. It is appropriately named the Deadly Education as death is possible starting in the approach to the front door. The motivation to learn is directly linked to survival. There are no teachers, just a magical school that provides the course schedules but without any teachers or set curriculum. Unity is only found in alliances heading into "graduation" aka the final battle of survival. Into this setting enters Galadriel "El" who has a dangerous amount of power but still has need for alliances and control of her skills.
Justification for book choice: I was intrigued by the title as it was advertised for my neighborhood book club. This is the first in a series of books and was appropriately described as dark academia. Young Adults often seem drawn to horror and thrillers and a school full of monsters trying to kill you at every opportunity fits the bill.
Evaluation:
Characters: There are few characters that are fleshed out in the beginning of this book. I wondered if this was to prepare the readers for the frequent deaths. The initial deaths are characters that are peripheral and little detail is known about them. It is even difficult to understand the main characters El and Orion. They are polar opposites in their magical powers. While opposites often attract, their eventual relationship makes more sense in later books in the series. El is a dark sorceress that has kept her distance from any friendships until alliances become necessary. Her ability to align herself quickly seems a fast transition.
Setting: Death is often accompanied by black or dark colors. That is what the setting for A Deadly Education felt like. The Scholomance magical school is far removed from a colorful place. Shadows are good places for the monsters to hide and traveling alone is never a good idea. The premise for the purpose of the school is depressing - survival of the fittest in a place full of threats from not only monsters but your competition - other students. Classrooms, not safe. Library, not safe. Cafeteria, not safe. Stairwells, not safe. When even private bedrooms need protection - the setting may not be a physical place as much as an atmosphere of death and danger.
Taste: This is probably not a title for young Harry Potter fans. This takes a more adult spin on youth magic themes. It other titles, death is a rarity. A Deadly Education will catch readers unawares if they don't read reviews and the cover intro carefully. But for those that have felt out of place, that are drawn to thrillers and horror themes, this book will find a strong following. In some ways this first book in the trilogy sets up what will happen in the next two books. While I am not usually a horror reader, I did eventually feel drawn to this story and the dilemma they face. I would be cautious in how I recommend this to others.
Citation:
Novik, N. (2023). A Deadly Education. Del Rey.