THE LAST GRADUATE by Naomi Novik

"The Last Graduate has me waiting on tenterhooks for the final installment of Scholomance!"

The Last Graduate

Posted: November 4, 2021

Audiobook narrated by Anisha Dadia

THE LAST GRADUATE is the second installment in Namoi Novik's Scholomance series, and it continues the story of El and her friends as they try to get out of the school alive. We jump into this story right where the previous one ended, which is a good thing because A DEADLY EDUCATION ended on a major cliffhanger. Though, sadly, it wasn't addressed here. We're going to have to wait until book three for some light to be shed on that particular issue.

I really love the world-building that Naomi Novik has created in this series. We learn more about the creatures in this world and the Scholomance itself, and as with A DEADLY EDUCATION, the author takes the time to develop things. Having said that, I think that if you didn't find the first book captivating, this one isn't going to win you over. The tone and pacing are similar, and I don't think it's enough of a change for anyone to hop on board if they haven't already.

I continue to enjoy El and Orion here. El is incredibly moody, and I appreciate that she's unapologetic about it. We see moody teenage boys in YA a lot, but I feel like the moody teenage girls are just moody enough, but not so much that it could hinder the reader from liking their character. The author doesn't hold back with El's character, and I find that to be a unique element to the story. Many more relationships develop here, and I like how they aren’t all friendships. These are forced relations due to necessity and fear, and I really enjoyed getting more of the students from the Scholomance that have been on the periphery so far.

While this book is YA, it explores a lot of issues with more of an adult tone, including culture and class dynamics. At times, I had to read some parts a few times before I fully understand them, but this ensures I’m paying attention to every word.

I thought THE LAST GRADUATE was a solid second book in the Scholomance series, and with that now trademark cliffhanger ending, I’ll be desperately waiting for the last book in the trilogy!

Narration: I thought Anisha Dadia did a good job here. El’s attitude was captured to a T, as were the rest of the characters. There was good intonation and ramping up during action scenes, and I would listen to more books from the narrator in the future.

Book Summary

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Sequel to the Sunday Times bestselling and Lodestar award-nominated A Deadly Education

'The dark school of magic I have been waiting for' Katherine Arden, author of The Bear and the Nightingale

'Fantasy that delights on every level' Stephanie Garber, author of Caraval
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Return to the Scholomance - and face an even deadlier graduation - in the stunning sequel to the ground-breaking, Sunday Times bestselling A Deadly Education.

The dark school of magic 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.

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. But as the spectre of graduation looms -- the deadly final ritual that leaves few students alive -- 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.
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Wry, witty, endlessly inventive, and mordantly funny -- yet with a true depth and fierce justice at its heart -- this enchanting novel reminds us that there are far more important things than mere survival.