Naomi Novik's A Deadly Education immerses readers in a dark, magical school with a compelling main character, El. The novel is praised for its inventive world-building and witty prose, though some find the plot uneven and critique a lack of character development. Overall, it's an engaging read for fans of inventive fantasy.

A reader who enjoys dark academia, magical school settings, and morally complex characters would relish A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik. Comparable to fans of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and Lev Grossman's The Magicians, this book will captivate those who appreciate intricate world-building and intense, character-driven narratives.

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik follows Galadriel "El," a half-Welsh, half-Indian loner navigating her third year at Scholomance, a perilous magical school filled with deadly maleficaria. El works hard to build mana for her spells without resorting to malia. Her life takes a turn when she forms an alliance with Orion Lake, a mal-fighting hero, leading to unexpected friendships and challenges. The novel contains instances of racial and ethnic sensitivity.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Challenging

Naomi Novik

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A Deadly Education

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