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An endlessly fun rollercoaster of a book. The somewhat breathless first-person voice contributes to the unrelenting pace and lets the exposition slide down easily; this isn't my favorite of Novik's books, stylistically, but it's fitting to El, the cynical teenager girl who is our narrator.
El and her foil, Orion, are like the epitome of the Sunshine x Grumpy Kitten entry in the Ship Dynamic meme, and it's great. The world-building is dark and creative, and really really great, with a well-though ...more
El and her foil, Orion, are like the epitome of the Sunshine x Grumpy Kitten entry in the Ship Dynamic meme, and it's great. The world-building is dark and creative, and really really great, with a well-though ...more
Why did I wait so long to read these books?
I may have been put off by the hype, the High School setting and the fact that I have had some truly mediocre experiences with paranormal romance.
But that was a mistake.
I enjoyed the author's writing style from the begining while the narrative developed slowly but surely leaving plenty of plot for the end and ensuring the sense of a complete story even though this is the beginning of a series.
Another reason I tend to avoid stories with magic is that I f ...more
I may have been put off by the hype, the High School setting and the fact that I have had some truly mediocre experiences with paranormal romance.
But that was a mistake.
I enjoyed the author's writing style from the begining while the narrative developed slowly but surely leaving plenty of plot for the end and ensuring the sense of a complete story even though this is the beginning of a series.
Another reason I tend to avoid stories with magic is that I f ...more
SO GREAT. I love being on a roll of deeply enjoyable books.
This reads like Harry Potter meets the Hunger Games with a hero who has Murderbot's snark and Maia's attempts to do good in a world that rewards horrible behavior.
l am thrilled I waited until book two is out so I can start it IMMEDIATELY.
Good: competence, teamwork, found family, world-building, values.
Not good: casual child murder, even if appropriate for plot/world building reasons.
2025 reread: Recommended this to someone, and bungl ...more
This reads like Harry Potter meets the Hunger Games with a hero who has Murderbot's snark and Maia's attempts to do good in a world that rewards horrible behavior.
l am thrilled I waited until book two is out so I can start it IMMEDIATELY.
Good: competence, teamwork, found family, world-building, values.
Not good: casual child murder, even if appropriate for plot/world building reasons.
2025 reread: Recommended this to someone, and bungl ...more
There are a lot of gaps here, but for some reason this book about a school where most students end up dead appealed to me. The Scholomance is a place, a school situated somewhere in the void - neither here nor there. There are no teachers, instead course materials appear and you will - somehow - learn. Students are brought to the school by some magical process, assigned a room they will live in for the next four years, and they left to learn the rules and how to survive. Why? Because monsters. L
...more
DNF Boring being told a story instead of being shown a story.
incredibly good
This is the second time I’ve read this story. It remains tightly and amazingly written. Ends on a note (ha!) that makes you want the next book in your hands instantly. But even if you skipped induction and stopped there so as to make the waiting easier, excellent closure. Would strongly recommend.
This is the second time I’ve read this story. It remains tightly and amazingly written. Ends on a note (ha!) that makes you want the next book in your hands instantly. But even if you skipped induction and stopped there so as to make the waiting easier, excellent closure. Would strongly recommend.
3.75 stars. It was a bit of a slog at times but the last third was great.
4-4.5. I really liked the audiobook.
Aug 27, 2020
Carrie
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Aug 31, 2020
Bethany
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Aug 31, 2020
Kelly
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Sep 23, 2020
Natalie
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Oct 18, 2020
Jessica
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Oct 20, 2020
Emrys
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Nov 20, 2020
Erin
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Nov 25, 2020
Morgan
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Jan 02, 2021
Liz Laurin
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Oct 15, 2021
Beth
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