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The School for Good and Evil
(The School for Good and Evil #1)
by
The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from yo
...more
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Hardcover, 488 pages
Published
May 14th 2013
by HarperCollins
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well why cant sophie and agatha be gay
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Start your review of The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil, #1)

Aug 01, 2013
Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
ya,
romance,
middle-school,
kick-ass-heroine,
fairy-tale,
fantasy,
boarding-school,
witches,
magic,
werewolves
The boys went off to fight with swords while girls had to learn dog barks and owl hoots. No wonder princesses were so impotent in fairy tales, she thought. If all they could do was smile, stand straight, and speak to squirrels, then what choice did they have but to wait for a boy to rescue them?If any book ever deserved to be Disney-fied, this would be it.

This book is seriously sweet. It was just delightful. It is a middle grade "alternative" fairy tale which parodies and utilizes fairy tale ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

I was pretty excited to read The School for Good and Evil... until I realized it was a middle grade book. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against middle grade books generally, but the ones I prefer tend to be the meaningful stories starring kids with deeper themes anyone can appreciate, rather than the dumbed down, intentionally silly, or overly simplistic takes most middle grade authors choose to write instead. Still, I gave this one a chance and Soman Chainani actually surprised me a
...more

”Tonight she would be taken into the woods. Tonight she would begin a new life. Tonight she would live out her fairy tale.”
And what a fairy tale it would turn out to be! *lol* I wasn’t all too sure what to expect when I went into this, because all I knew was that one of my favourite bloggers loves this series to bits and pieces and has been raving about it for months. XD I dunno how you usually choose your next book, but for me this was the main reason to finally pick up “The School for Good and ...more
And what a fairy tale it would turn out to be! *lol* I wasn’t all too sure what to expect when I went into this, because all I knew was that one of my favourite bloggers loves this series to bits and pieces and has been raving about it for months. XD I dunno how you usually choose your next book, but for me this was the main reason to finally pick up “The School for Good and ...more

Oct 13, 2020
carol.
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one. Ever.
No one knows a girls’ friendship like a guy, amIrite? Just kidding, totally sexist of me, just like this entire hetronormative mess of a Hogwarts derivative with more contradictory messaging than Trump’s CDC. It can’t decide if it wants to deconstruct fairy tales or affirm them (think Shrek, with less humor); similarly, the definitions of ‘beauty’ and ‘ugly’ (I hearby challenge Chainani to read The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf, click here for an updated interview with Ms. Wolf), as well as definiti
...more

4.5 stars
Now before you do anything, I want you to take a good long look at the blurb.
Sounds cute, right? A re-imagining of fairytales. A Hogwarts-like school where princesses/princes and villains are trained. Two very different girls that hint at an unlikely friendship.
Okay, now throw those thoughts in the lake. Go on.

This book will not be anything like you imagine. Many times have I found myself questioning whether or not it should even be classified as middle-grade. The pretty cover clothes a ...more
Now before you do anything, I want you to take a good long look at the blurb.
Sounds cute, right? A re-imagining of fairytales. A Hogwarts-like school where princesses/princes and villains are trained. Two very different girls that hint at an unlikely friendship.
Okay, now throw those thoughts in the lake. Go on.

This book will not be anything like you imagine. Many times have I found myself questioning whether or not it should even be classified as middle-grade. The pretty cover clothes a ...more

EDIT: After finishing A World Without Princes I realised that I didn't remember what happened in the first book. So, I had to re-read it. The first book is slightly better than the second one. Btw, Tedros needs to be punched! Hard!

Naprosto boží! Jedna z nejlepších knih, kterou jsem letos četla! Chystala jsem se na ni už dlouho, ale říkala jsem si, že počkám až vyjde u nás. Pak jistá osoba z ní byla tak nadšená, že jsem si ji musela přečíst taky. A teď ji doporučuji naprosto všem.
Je spousta retel ...more

Naprosto boží! Jedna z nejlepších knih, kterou jsem letos četla! Chystala jsem se na ni už dlouho, ale říkala jsem si, že počkám až vyjde u nás. Pak jistá osoba z ní byla tak nadšená, že jsem si ji musela přečíst taky. A teď ji doporučuji naprosto všem.
Je spousta retel ...more

Dec 12, 2017
emma
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
fantasy,
3-stars,
reviewed,
owned,
from-publisher-author,
that-setting-tho,
children-s,
dark,
fairytale
AFGHASDFGASHDF THIS BOOK. I’ve never been more emotionally unstable in my life.
Far from true, but still. I’m torn up inside.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
I love the premise of it so much it hurts me to try to put it into words. But I will suffer through this pain for you.
So, The School for Good and Evil focuses on Sophie and Agatha. Sophie is beautiful, shallow, and a bit of a snob. Agatha is ugly, insecure, and very kind. They live in a world in which fairytales happen, and every yea ...more
Far from true, but still. I’m torn up inside.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
I love the premise of it so much it hurts me to try to put it into words. But I will suffer through this pain for you.
So, The School for Good and Evil focuses on Sophie and Agatha. Sophie is beautiful, shallow, and a bit of a snob. Agatha is ugly, insecure, and very kind. They live in a world in which fairytales happen, and every yea ...more


“She had always found villains more exciting than heroes.
They had ambition, passion.
They made the stories happen.
Villains didn't fear death.
No, they wrapped themselves in death like suits of armor!”
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did you ever wish you were part of a fairy tale like Snow White or Cinderella?
Yes? Than that’s the perfect book for you.
Every four years two children are kidnapped from Gavaldon and disappear. This year the mysterious man takes two girls, two friends:
Sophie and Agatha.
But wh ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

3.5
Overall I enjoyed this book. The story was really fun and I liked the way the author played around with fairytale tropes. But what killed it for me was the pacing. It took forever to read because I would read 50 pages but it would feel like 200. And the plot switched between moving too fast and too slow.
I will continue with the next book though since I am invested in the characters but I think I will listen to it on audio because reading this book felt like a workout and I don't have that ki ...more
Overall I enjoyed this book. The story was really fun and I liked the way the author played around with fairytale tropes. But what killed it for me was the pacing. It took forever to read because I would read 50 pages but it would feel like 200. And the plot switched between moving too fast and too slow.
I will continue with the next book though since I am invested in the characters but I think I will listen to it on audio because reading this book felt like a workout and I don't have that ki ...more

Would someone please tell Chainani that girl-on-girl hate and misogyny don't look that cool in the year 2020?
...more

This book is awful. *Drops mic, exits stage*
But for real, this is one of the most disorganized dumpster fires I've ever read.Worse than my writing, and that's a massive feat. *Drops mic and exits stage once again*
I guess I probably have to say more than that. Prepare for an ugly review of an even uglier book. Basically, we have these two girls with as much personality as the computer I'm typing this review on. So none. Because being an evil witch and a happy beautiful princess aren't fl ...more
But for real, this is one of the most disorganized dumpster fires I've ever read.
I guess I probably have to say more than that. Prepare for an ugly review of an even uglier book. Basically, we have these two girls with as much personality as the computer I'm typing this review on. So none. Because being an evil witch and a happy beautiful princess aren't fl ...more

"Now I see why you two are friends," the prince says to the main characters Sophie and Agatha.
But... wait! I want to raise my hand and ask, "Tell me why they are friends!"
This is a problem considering the story hinges on this main point. While Sophie and Agatha are supposedly the best of friends, the character development doesn't show how this happens. When Agatha and Sophie first meet, Sophie isn't Agatha's friend and she says so; she realizes Sophie's just using her. Sophie is beautiful, shall ...more
But... wait! I want to raise my hand and ask, "Tell me why they are friends!"
This is a problem considering the story hinges on this main point. While Sophie and Agatha are supposedly the best of friends, the character development doesn't show how this happens. When Agatha and Sophie first meet, Sophie isn't Agatha's friend and she says so; she realizes Sophie's just using her. Sophie is beautiful, shall ...more

Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!
First of all, if the awesome book trailer for The School of Good and Evil is what created an interest in Chainani's fiction debut, all I can tell you is this:
(Even watching that trailer now, after the fact, I am excited and impressed. And then I remember. And then woe.)
The book sadly doesn't live up to the awesomeness that advertised it. I'm not even a fan of book trailers, but the promotion department for this book deserves a big raise. The editin ...more
First of all, if the awesome book trailer for The School of Good and Evil is what created an interest in Chainani's fiction debut, all I can tell you is this:

(Even watching that trailer now, after the fact, I am excited and impressed. And then I remember. And then woe.)
The book sadly doesn't live up to the awesomeness that advertised it. I'm not even a fan of book trailers, but the promotion department for this book deserves a big raise. The editin ...more

Impressive world-building, bogged down by so. much. plot.
They tried to escape umpteen times. The Good and Evil sides faced off another umpteen times (but someone would always back down). The ending went on and on, with magical and physical battles as well as riddle and prophecy solving. It needed an editor to rein it in very badly. Many of the minor characters were interchangeable, as were the teachers. I had trouble remembering which of the teachers taught at which school, since they all mingl ...more
They tried to escape umpteen times. The Good and Evil sides faced off another umpteen times (but someone would always back down). The ending went on and on, with magical and physical battles as well as riddle and prophecy solving. It needed an editor to rein it in very badly. Many of the minor characters were interchangeable, as were the teachers. I had trouble remembering which of the teachers taught at which school, since they all mingl ...more

So, again, I had a feeling about this book. Before even starting it I knew I'd like it, probably even love it. And it proved me right.
It's impossible for me to dislike a character after such a statement. From the very first page I was sucked into the magical realm of the School for Good and Evil and it didn't let me go until the very last word.
Sophie is a princess at heart. She loves pink, is beautiful, cares for her lo ...more
"Agatha, you dressed as a bride for Halloween."
"Weddings are scary."
It's impossible for me to dislike a character after such a statement. From the very first page I was sucked into the magical realm of the School for Good and Evil and it didn't let me go until the very last word.
Sophie is a princess at heart. She loves pink, is beautiful, cares for her lo ...more

WOW. That turned into a real roller coaster ride at the end. I'm flabbergasted. Need to start the second book ASAP!
...more

Contains minor spoilers and major spoilers which will be blocked off with 🦋🦋🦋
I’ve got 3 questions after reading this book.
1. Why was this book so cringe?
2. Why did it get on my nerve more times than I can count?
3. And why did I genuinely enjoy most it?
Subjective grade- 50%
Plot - 55%
Writing & dialogue- 75%
Worldbuilding - 90%
Character development - 45%
Character relationships - 30%
The school for good and evil follows best friends, Sophie and Agatha who like all children are shrouded in stereotypes. ...more
I’ve got 3 questions after reading this book.
1. Why was this book so cringe?
2. Why did it get on my nerve more times than I can count?
3. And why did I genuinely enjoy most it?
Subjective grade- 50%
Plot - 55%
Writing & dialogue- 75%
Worldbuilding - 90%
Character development - 45%
Character relationships - 30%
The school for good and evil follows best friends, Sophie and Agatha who like all children are shrouded in stereotypes. ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Kindle deal for a limited time 02May18 $1.99 on Amazon
Once upon a time a girl dreamt of being kidnapped….
Wait..What?
Every four years two children from the village are taken away, whisked off to a school where they learn how to be in a fairy tale. One of the children could end up a hero while the other is destined to be the villain. Sophie is sure that once she is taken she will get to find her prince and her happily ever after. She has even found the girl from the village who she is sure will b ...more
Once upon a time a girl dreamt of being kidnapped….
Wait..What?
Every four years two children from the village are taken away, whisked off to a school where they learn how to be in a fairy tale. One of the children could end up a hero while the other is destined to be the villain. Sophie is sure that once she is taken she will get to find her prince and her happily ever after. She has even found the girl from the village who she is sure will b ...more

Nov 24, 2017
Tina ➹ the girl who lives in Fandoms
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
favorite,
reviews,
2017,
want-this-edition,
cover,
all-time-fav,
fav-heroine,
i-recommend,
golden-stars,
wow-end
4.5 Golden Stars
Cute story!
with such a unique idea!
where were you all my life!?
& if that only thing didn't happen in the last page, I would give it 5.
Agatha is my first favourite main heroine of all times! (not a sidekick) she was awesome!
& she's definitely not ugly! fight me!
a unique idea in a unique world! a school for Good and Evil! that was Awesome! with both Nostalgic & new feelings! (I know it's such a contradictory phrase, but it is exactly what I felt)
there was a forest.
there was a palac ...more
Cute story!
with such a unique idea!
where were you all my life!?
& if that only thing didn't happen in the last page, I would give it 5.
Agatha is my first favourite main heroine of all times! (not a sidekick) she was awesome!
& she's definitely not ugly! fight me!
a unique idea in a unique world! a school for Good and Evil! that was Awesome! with both Nostalgic & new feelings! (I know it's such a contradictory phrase, but it is exactly what I felt)
there was a forest.
there was a palac ...more

"Who needs princes in our fairy tale?"
I'm going to kick my past self for never picking up this book when I've wanted to read it for so long. Look at all the fun I missed out on! This was SO good. ...more
I'm going to kick my past self for never picking up this book when I've wanted to read it for so long. Look at all the fun I missed out on! This was SO good. ...more

[4 Stars] Well that was a whirlwind of an adventure if I ever read one! It was fun, hilarious at times, gruesome and shocking, and also just action packed and heart wrenching. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly Chainani is trying to say in this. I get that the main message is that good and evil are more shades of grey than anything else, and it also emphasizes the importance of friendship. But there are certain things that happen in this story that slightly bewilder me. I did enjoy the
...more

Adorable and adventurous, The School for Good and Evil is a fun escape from reality. When beautiful Sophie and weird Agatha end up in the wrong school - perfect Sophie can't be evil now, can she? - they're determined to fix this unforgiving mistake.
This is a magical adventure through and through; the book is set at this School of Good and Evil, a wonderfully imaginative school that trains future fairy tale characters. Meaning when you graduate, you'll be in a fairy tale book; whether a princess ...more
This is a magical adventure through and through; the book is set at this School of Good and Evil, a wonderfully imaginative school that trains future fairy tale characters. Meaning when you graduate, you'll be in a fairy tale book; whether a princess ...more

I was searching for a middle grade book with complicated characters and interesting themes; that is exactly what I found in The School for Good and Evil. Friendship is one of the things this book focusses on most. Agatha and Sophie look like a pair that no one would expect, but their bond continually survives all the obstacles thrown at them. Ultimately it is what's most important in their lives.
My favorite part of this book was the question posed again and again. What is it to be good? Is it ab ...more
My favorite part of this book was the question posed again and again. What is it to be good? Is it ab ...more

This book was great, this book takes a unique spin on classic fairy tales and how their viewed. This is shown well with the two main characters Sophie and Agatha, based on what a classic princess and villain should look like dictates that Sophie "the princess" and Agatha "the villain" but toys with expectations based on appearance. Something that I really liked about this book is the strong friendship between the two main female characters, also the power of forgiving others even when they don't
...more


Once upon a time, in a land far away…
How many times have we seen our dear, precious stories from childhood start that way? How many times have we read about beautiful princesses, tricked by a witch, or a goblin, or other nasty creatures, and eventually saved by the prince and lived a "Happily Ever After"? How many times have we wished for our own fairy tale ending, to have our own prince swoop us up and run off towards the horizon?
I, for one, during my early years, wished for that a lot. I s ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Do you like Sophie?! | 24 | 170 | Nov 03, 2020 01:00PM | |
Buddy Reads (AND ...: The School For Good and Evil | 11 | 21 | Oct 19, 2020 06:02PM | |
Young Readers:
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22 | 26 | Oct 16, 2020 09:49PM | |
A Bookish Adventu...: The School for Good and Evil | 5 | 15 | Oct 15, 2020 06:05PM | |
Bookalicious Book...: The School for Good and Evil Book Discussion! | 13 | 15 | Oct 03, 2020 06:16AM | |
Book Discussion--Book 1 | 2 | 3 | Oct 01, 2020 06:28PM |
Soman Chainani's first novel, THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL, debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List, has been translated into 26 languages across six continents, and will soon be a major motion picture from Universal Studios.
The sequels, A WORLD WITHOUT PRINCES and THE LAST EVER AFTER, debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List as well. Together, the books of the series have been on the ...more
The sequels, A WORLD WITHOUT PRINCES and THE LAST EVER AFTER, debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List as well. Together, the books of the series have been on the ...more
Other books in the series
The School for Good and Evil
(6 books)
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“I'm in a weird place because the book is about to come out. So I'm basically just walking around like a raw nerve and I'm not sure that I...
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“She had always found villains more exciting than heroes. They had ambition, passion. They made the stories happen. Villains didn't fear death. No, they wrapped themselves in death like suits of armor! As she inhaled the school's graveyard smell, Agatha felt her blood rush. For like all villains, death didn't scare her. It made her feel alive.”
—
353 likes
“In the forest of primeval
A school for Good and Evil
Twin towers like two heads
One for the pure
And one for the wicked
Try to escape you'll always fail,
The only way out is
Through a fairytale.”
—
239 likes
More quotes…
A school for Good and Evil
Twin towers like two heads
One for the pure
And one for the wicked
Try to escape you'll always fail,
The only way out is
Through a fairytale.”