At 14, children with magic are transported from their homes into The Scholomance until they “graduate” at 17, but many will not make it out alive due to mal (magic creatures) attacks and other accidents (and a few murders). While some students display an affinity for languages or alchemy, El has an affinity for dark magic and mass destruction and is having enough trouble with the challenge of not going dark (no matter what her grandmother’s prophecy says), but finding friends and a way out without dying is challenge enough. 

These books were read (and enjoyed!) by Courtney Bippley, Main Campus Reference Librarian and podcaster, and Meredith Lewis, the (mostly) Orange County Campus Librarian. 

Title: The Scholomance Series (A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate)

Author: Naomi Novik

Genre: Fantasy, YA-ish, So-You-Want-to-Go-to-Magic-School

Format: Print, but the audiobook narrator is great, too! 

Read Great Things 2021 Challenge Categories: A book that takes place outside the continental United States; A book about social justice or equity; A book recommended by a Durham Tech Library staff member

Read Great Things 2021 Sprint Category: No categories! It’s a book, so it counts! 1 (or 2) of 3 books read after Sept. 1, 2021.