I decided that Orion Lake had to die after the second time he saved my life. Everyone loves Orion. Everyone else, that is. Because, if you ask me, he can keep the fancy battle magic to himself. There's no way I'm joining the fan club that worships him like a god. I don't need his help to get out of Scholomance alive, like they do. What can hordes of monsters and cursed artifacts tell me, when the most dangerous thing at school is probably me? Give me a chance and I'll level mountains, kill millions, become the dark queen of the world. At least that's what people expect. Most of the students here would cheer if Orion killed me like those monsters crawling out of the sewers. Sometimes, it seems to me that they want me to become the wicked witch they think I am. The school certainly expects it. But Scholomance won't get what it wants from me. Neither will Orion Lake. I may not be anyone's shining hero, but I will get out of here alive, and I'll do it without having to kill thousands for it. Although I'm seriously considering making an exception for just one. The fantasy novel of the year that you must not miss. A harsh coming-of-age story imbued with dark gothic aesthetics, establishing Naomi Novik as one of the greatest and most versatile authors of our time. BookPage You must read it. Novik creates a fresh, dark, and more adult version of a magical school. Readers will be enchanted by the ups and downs in the relationship between El and Orion, the fantastically complete world, the clever magic system, and the realistic depiction of the complex student body. Publishers Weekly