The Last Graduate
Author: Naomi Novik
Published by: Penguin Random House UK
Pages: 341
Format: Paperback (Uncorrected Proof copy)
My Rating ★★★★
Published by: Penguin Random House UK
Pages: 341
Format: Paperback (Uncorrected Proof copy)
My Rating ★★★★
‘With our sincerest commiserations, it is time to return to the Scholomance, and this year, graduation – the deadly ritual that leaves few students alive – looms.
As you know, the Scholomance is the only place safe from the countless maleficaria prowling the world in search of vulnerable magic users like yourself, but only your wits, strength and cunning can ensure you make it out alive.’
At the Scholomance, El, Orion, and the other students are faced with their final year--and the looming specter of graduation, a deadly ritual that leaves few students alive in its wake. El is determined that her chosen group will survive, but it is a prospect that is looking harder by the day as the savagery of the school ramps up. Until El realizes that sometimes winning the game means throwing out all the rules . . .
As you know, the Scholomance is the only place safe from the countless maleficaria prowling the world in search of vulnerable magic users like yourself, but only your wits, strength and cunning can ensure you make it out alive.’
At the Scholomance, El, Orion, and the other students are faced with their final year--and the looming specter of graduation, a deadly ritual that leaves few students alive in its wake. El is determined that her chosen group will survive, but it is a prospect that is looking harder by the day as the savagery of the school ramps up. Until El realizes that sometimes winning the game means throwing out all the rules . . .
My thoughts:
The Last Graduate is Naomi Novik’s pulsating sequel to A Deadly Education. This second instalment in the Lessons of the Scholomance series finds Galadriel (El) in even more danger from the dark school of magic as graduation looms.
The school has always done its best to devour its students, but now that El has reached her final year - and somehow won herself a handful of allies along the way - it's suddenly developed a very particular craving ... For her.
She has already managed to survive three years at her deadly magical school, the Scholomance, with her junior year capped by an epic battle against a fearsome assembly of maleficaria, as related in the first book in this fantasy series.
As the savagery of the school ramps up, El is determined that she will not give in - not to the mals, not to fate, and especially not to the Scholomance. If she and her allies are to make it out, El will need to realise that sometimes winning the game means throwing out all the rules. The Last Graduate sees El now in her last year at the Scholomance, and she has worked hard to achieve her goal of becoming part of an alliance of fellow students who will protect each other when they run the gauntlet of ravenous mals that line the hallway leading to the graduation exit. And Orion Lake, the best mal killer in the school, has progressed from mere annoyance to occasionally still aggravating but valued friend. Which makes it difficult when El’s clairvoyant mother sends her an urgent message to keep far away from Orion.
Basically, the second Scholomance book is everything you would want after the first one, except it's darker and even more deadly.
Novik’s distinct writing style is witty and endlessly inventive, with amazing world-building at the heart of the story. El is a fascinating narrator and fun to read. Her story is action packed and hugely entertaining. I love her extremely sarcastic commentary and witty tone, and it’s a pleasure to witness her evolving characterisation as she begins to learn how to control her power.
The Scholomance has always had an international student body, and Novik better fleshes out the diversity in this second novel, with students from different cultures and races playing more significant roles.
Along the way there are also some great moments of friendship, as El (still sensitive and snappish) grows closer to her classmates, especially the members of her alliance, and gradually learns that it’s okay to rely on others. Novik introduces some intriguing new characters, like Liesel, the abrasive, ruthless and brilliant class valedictorian.
All in all, The Last Graduate is a very entertaining second book in the series, and it absolutely hooked me from the first chapter. The book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions and concludes with a jaw-dropping final scene. Admittedly, I've held back on writing this review for a few days while I processed the huge cliff-hanger ending. But I’ve given it a week and am finally feeling a bit calmer now. The ending kills. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s an even bigger cliff-hanger than last time.
I’d recommend reading this series if you have any interest in something sort of Harry Potter-ish, except much darker and features many more carnivorous monsters.
Book three simply cannot come fast enough.
*Thanks again to the author, Penguin Random House and Del Rey books for kindly sending me out an early proof edition with a stunning dust jacket that makes it even more special! *
Overall reaction:
The Last Graduate is Naomi Novik’s pulsating sequel to A Deadly Education. This second instalment in the Lessons of the Scholomance series finds Galadriel (El) in even more danger from the dark school of magic as graduation looms.
The school has always done its best to devour its students, but now that El has reached her final year - and somehow won herself a handful of allies along the way - it's suddenly developed a very particular craving ... For her.
She has already managed to survive three years at her deadly magical school, the Scholomance, with her junior year capped by an epic battle against a fearsome assembly of maleficaria, as related in the first book in this fantasy series.
As the savagery of the school ramps up, El is determined that she will not give in - not to the mals, not to fate, and especially not to the Scholomance. If she and her allies are to make it out, El will need to realise that sometimes winning the game means throwing out all the rules. The Last Graduate sees El now in her last year at the Scholomance, and she has worked hard to achieve her goal of becoming part of an alliance of fellow students who will protect each other when they run the gauntlet of ravenous mals that line the hallway leading to the graduation exit. And Orion Lake, the best mal killer in the school, has progressed from mere annoyance to occasionally still aggravating but valued friend. Which makes it difficult when El’s clairvoyant mother sends her an urgent message to keep far away from Orion.
Basically, the second Scholomance book is everything you would want after the first one, except it's darker and even more deadly.
Novik’s distinct writing style is witty and endlessly inventive, with amazing world-building at the heart of the story. El is a fascinating narrator and fun to read. Her story is action packed and hugely entertaining. I love her extremely sarcastic commentary and witty tone, and it’s a pleasure to witness her evolving characterisation as she begins to learn how to control her power.
The Scholomance has always had an international student body, and Novik better fleshes out the diversity in this second novel, with students from different cultures and races playing more significant roles.
Along the way there are also some great moments of friendship, as El (still sensitive and snappish) grows closer to her classmates, especially the members of her alliance, and gradually learns that it’s okay to rely on others. Novik introduces some intriguing new characters, like Liesel, the abrasive, ruthless and brilliant class valedictorian.
All in all, The Last Graduate is a very entertaining second book in the series, and it absolutely hooked me from the first chapter. The book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions and concludes with a jaw-dropping final scene. Admittedly, I've held back on writing this review for a few days while I processed the huge cliff-hanger ending. But I’ve given it a week and am finally feeling a bit calmer now. The ending kills. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s an even bigger cliff-hanger than last time.
I’d recommend reading this series if you have any interest in something sort of Harry Potter-ish, except much darker and features many more carnivorous monsters.
Book three simply cannot come fast enough.
*Thanks again to the author, Penguin Random House and Del Rey books for kindly sending me out an early proof edition with a stunning dust jacket that makes it even more special! *
Overall reaction:
