A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik

Fiction

Rating: 6/10

The intricacies and layers to the world of the Scholomance, the school in which our protagonist and narrator, Galadriel, is locked in until she graduates, or dies, are vast. This world is a dangerous one, filled with creatures who feed on those with magic. Further complicating matters is the need to navigate the politics of being a wizard within such close quarters. With teenagers! Did I mention prophecies of death and destruction?  And that the school needs to be feed?

There is certainly no lack of imagination in this story, but it didn’t coalesce in a way that would have elevated it from a good read to a great read.

The stumbling block was the author’s use of exposition to build the narratives lore and explain the mechanics of the magic systems. While it might be efficient in terms of getting large volumes of information out, its prone to being clunky and tedious to read.

What kept me turning the pages were the characters, in particular Galadriel.  She is caustic, rebellious, sarcastic, prickly and altogether unpleasant to be around. Despite that I would have loved more time in her company.

Footnote: Unfortunately, the author wastes the opportunity to delve into the background of her diverse cast of characters, at times even being tone deaf in illustrating cultural elements.