A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik

From the best-selling author of Uprooted and Spinning Silver comes the enthralling story of a dark sorceress destined to rewrite the rules of magic.

Knowledge grants protection.

That's the official motto of the Scholomance. I suppose we could say it's true... the problem is that it's very difficult to learn here, so the protection we have is rather scarce.

Our dear school does everything it can to devour its students, but now that I'm in my final year and have made a few allies, it has developed a very particular craving for me. Even if I manage to survive the endless waves of maleficaria it showers me with between grueling class projects, I have no idea how my allies and I are going to make it out of the graduation hall alive.

Unless, of course, I finally accept my prophesied destiny and succumb to dark magic and destruction. Of course, that way I'd be out in a flash. Heading down the path of knowledge, no doubt.

But I'm not giving up: not to the mals, not to destiny, and certainly not to the Scholomance. I'll get out of this horrible place with my friends, even if it's the last thing I do.

With keen insight and mordant humor, Novik reminds us that sometimes it's not enough to rewrite the rules: every now and then, you have to smash them to pieces.

Welcome to the second lesson of the Scholomance.

It's time to face the final year. Graduation is just around the corner. And not everyone will survive.

"Truly one of the best fantasy series out there right now."

—Culturess

"The Last Graduate is as addictive a read as A Deadly Education. Warning: the ending is another big cliffhanger."

—BuzzFeed

"Naomi Novik's Scholomance, about young people in a potentially deadly magic school, stands out among novels in the genre. Cruelty, dark humor, and complicated interpersonal politics are an irresistible draw."

—Polygon

"Sarcastic students, gruesome monsters, strengthening friendships, and a touch of romance shape an irresistible read."

—Library Journal (starred review)