
A Deadly Education
A Novel (The Scholomance, Book 1)
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Narrated by:
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Anisha Dadia
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By:
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Naomi Novik
About this listen
New York Times Best Seller
From the author of Uprooted and Spinning Silver comes the first book of the Scholomance trilogy, the story of an unwilling dark sorceress who is destined to rewrite the rules of magic.
Finalist for the Lodestar Award
“The dark school of magic I’ve been waiting for.” (Katherine Arden, author of the Winternight Trilogy)
I decided that Orion Lake needed to die after the second time he saved my life.
Everyone loves Orion Lake. Everyone else, that is. Far as I’m concerned, he can keep his flashy combat magic to himself. I’m not joining his pack of adoring fans.
I don’t need help surviving the Scholomance, even if they do. Forget the hordes of monsters and cursed artifacts; I’m probably the most dangerous thing in the place. Just give me a chance and I’ll level mountains and kill untold millions, making myself the dark queen of the world.
At least, that’s what the world expects. Most of the other students in here would be delighted if Orion killed me, like one more evil thing that’s crawled out of the drains. Sometimes I think they want me to turn into the evil witch they assume I am. The school certainly does.
But the Scholomance isn’t getting what it wants from me. And neither is Orion Lake. I may not be anyone’s idea of the shining hero, but I’m going to make it out of this place alive, and I’m not going to slaughter thousands to do it, either.
Although I’m giving serious consideration to just one.
With flawless mastery, Naomi Novik creates a school bursting with magic like you’ve never seen before, and a heroine for the ages - a character so sharply realized and so richly nuanced that she will live on in hearts and minds for generations to come.
The magic of the Scholomance trilogy continues in The Last Graduate.
“The can’t-miss fantasy of fall 2020, a brutal coming-of-power story steeped in the aesthetics of dark academia. ... A Deadly Education will cement Naomi Novik’s place as one of the greatest and most versatile fantasy writers of our time.” (BookPage, starred review)
“A must-read ... Novik puts a refreshingly dark, adult spin on the magical boarding school. ... Readers will delight in the push-and-pull of El and Orion’s relationship, the fantastically detailed world, the clever magic system, and the matter-of-fact diversity of the student body.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
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Critic reviews
“I loved this book. It’s such a nail-biter, it’s funny, it’s thought-provoking, and it’s such a good read.”—BuzzFeed
“Novik deliciously undoes expectations about magic schools, destined heroes, and family legacies. A gorgeous book about monsters and monstrousness, chockablock with action, cleverness, and wit.”—Holly Black, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Hilarious and wild! Take any fictional magic school, make it as over-the-top dangerous as possible, and populate it with a bunch of snarky teenagers; the result is pure batshit fun.”—N. K. Jemisin, New York Times bestselling author of The City We Became
Featured Article: Get Lost in the Drama and Intrigue of Dark Academia
Both an aesthetic and a subgenre of fiction, dark academia explores morally gray characters with impious or evil intentions set against the backdrop of beautiful, hallowed, and unsettling boarding schools and university campuses. The dark academia subgenre encompasses everything from murder mysteries to horror and fantasy, so there's a little something in it for everyone. From angst-filled fiction to brooding novels, we've rounded up the very best listens.
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Story
As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut - a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg's Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard - a business district operated by the Others. Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job.
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WOW!!!!! JUST WOW!
- By AngelaP on 03-16-13
By: Anne Bishop
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Blood of the Earth
- Soulwood, Book 1
- By: Faith Hunter
- Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
- Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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When Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she was almost alone in the world, exiled by both choice and fear from the cult she was raised in, defending herself with the magic she drew from her deep connection to the forest that surrounds her. Now, Jane has referred Nell to PsyLED, a Homeland Security agency policing paranormals, and agent Rick LaFleur has shown up at Nell's doorstep.
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Faith Hunter hits it out of the Park!
- By Teri on 08-03-16
By: Faith Hunter
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Chain of Gold
- The Last Hours
- By: Cassandra Clare
- Narrated by: Finty Williams
- Length: 21 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Cordelia Carstairs is a Shadowhunter, a warrior trained since childhood to battle demons. When her father is accused of a terrible crime, she and her brother travel to London in hopes of preventing the family’s ruin. Cordelia’s mother wants to marry her off, but Cordelia is determined to be a hero rather than a bride. Soon Cordelia encounters childhood friends James and Lucie Herondale and is drawn into their world of glittering ballrooms, secret assignations, and supernatural salons, where vampires and warlocks mingle with mermaids and magicians.
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New Narrator Please!
- By ddavis.97 on 03-04-20
By: Cassandra Clare
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A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons
- By: Kate Khavari
- Narrated by: Jodie Harris
- Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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London, 1923. Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh is the first woman to hold the position at University College of London. When she attends a dinner party for the school, she expects to engage in conversations about the university's large expedition to the Amazon. What she doesn’t expect is for Mrs. Henry, one of the professors’ wives, to drop to the floor, poisoned by an unknown toxin. Dr. Maxwell, Saffron’s mentor, is the main suspect, and evidence quickly mounts.
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Clean cozy mystery
- By dubois940 on 08-21-22
By: Kate Khavari
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His Majesty's Dragon
- Temeraire, Book 1
- By: Naomi Novik
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo - an unhatched dragon egg - fate sweeps Captain Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle.
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Excellent AU period fantasy
- By Melanie on 07-08-10
By: Naomi Novik
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The Witch Collector
- Witch Walker, Book 1
- By: Charissa Weaks
- Narrated by: Meg Sylvan, Tim Campbell
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Raina Bloodgood has one desire: kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. On Collecting Day, she means to exact murderous revenge, but a more sinister threat sets fire to her world. Rising from the ashes is the Collector, Alexus Thibault, the man she vowed to slay and the only person who can help save her sister. Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector or let their empire—and her sister—fall into enemy hands.
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Horrible narration
- By Paige Roberts on 08-14-23
By: Charissa Weaks
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Her Majesty's Royal Coven
- A Novel
- By: Juno Dawson
- Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
- Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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At the dawn of their adolescence, on the eve of the summer solstice, four young girls—Helena, Leonie, Niamh and Elle—took the oath to join Her Majesty's Royal Coven, established by Queen Elizabeth I as a covert government department. Now, decades later, the witch community is still reeling from a civil war and Helena is the reigning High Priestess of the organization. Yet Helena is the only one of her friend group still enmeshed in the stale bureaucracy of HMRC.
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This is the Queer Fantasy you've been looking for
- By Anonymous User on 04-12-23
By: Juno Dawson
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Magic in the Moonlight
- Where the Wild Things Grow, Book 1
- By: Auryn Hadley
- Narrated by: Aiden Snow, Aaron Shedlock, Katana Jones
- Length: 17 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Running to Summerpoint to avoid my failed love life may have seemed drastic, but I'd just inherited a house from a distant relative. The timing was perfect, almost like magic. But the cottage is in need of repairs, the place is in the middle of a forest, and I'm not used to small towns. Then I meet my new contractors. Sexy doesn't begin to describe them. The flirting flows easily, and while they're a well-established couple, it seems they may have room for more. Even better, these guys are quickly getting to be a lot more than just friends.
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lack of plot
- By Meghan on 01-19-25
By: Auryn Hadley
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Among Thieves
- By: M. J. Kuhn
- Narrated by: Zoe Mills
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
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In just over a year’s time, Ryia Cautella has already earned herself a reputation as the quickest, deadliest blade in the dockside city of Carrowwick - not to mention the sharpest tongue. But Ryia Cautella is not her real name. For the past six years, a deadly secret has kept her in hiding, running from town to town, doing whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of the formidable Guildmaster - the sovereign ruler of the five kingdoms of Thamorr. No matter how far or fast she travels, his servants never fail to track her down...but even the most powerful men can be defeated.
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Back alleys & backstabbing = bollicking good times
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 07-17-22
By: M. J. Kuhn
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Sweet Nightmare
- Calder Academy, Book 1
- By: Tracy Wolff
- Narrated by: Suzy Jackson, Andrew B. Wehrlen
- Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Most schools are about being the best. This school? It's about being the worst. Calder Academy is where the rogue paranormals go. The ones who break the rules or lose control. And when that happens for vamps, werewolves, witches, and dark fae? It gets pretty freaking scary. I should know. Because I'm trapped here.
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Love that it’s a twist off Crave
- By Tammy Marshall on 06-09-24
By: Tracy Wolff
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The Beasts We Bury
- By: D. L. Taylor
- Narrated by: Brenda Scott Wlazlo, Jake Chronister
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Daughter and heir to the throne, Mancella Cliff yearns for a life without bloodshed. But as a child, she emerged from the Broken Citadel with the power to summon animals—only after killing them first. Her magic is a constant reminder of the horrors her father, the ruler of the realm, has forced upon her to strengthen their power. Silver is a charming thief struggling to survive in a world torn apart by Mancella’s father’s reign. When a mysterious benefactor recruits him for the heist of a lifetime, a chance to rob the castle, Silver relishes the opportunity for a real future—and revenge.
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Incredible story and narrator
- By Carli Recker on 02-07-25
By: D. L. Taylor
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The Shadow of What Was Lost
- Licanius, Book 1
- By: James Islington
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 25 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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It has been 20 years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs, once thought of almost as gods, were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets.
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Atrocious. Almost abusive.
- By Captain Spanky Of Nazareth on 06-10-20
By: James Islington
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Scythe
- By: Neal Shusterman
- Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
- Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: Humanity has conquered all those things and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life - and they are commanded to do so in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe - a role that neither wants. These teens must master the "art" of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
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Teenage Thumbs up
- By Lila R on 04-01-17
By: Neal Shusterman
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Nightstrider
- Nightstrider, Book 1
- By: Sophia Slade
- Narrated by: Honey St. Dennis
- Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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Wren is a nightmare: a deadly manifestation of the frightening dreams of humans. She is forever bound to the insidious Para Warwick, the only night creature who can cross the boundary between the dream and waking realms. When she fails to retrieve information on a weapon that could finally end Warwick’s reign and is severely punished, she makes a snap decision to aid the growing rebellion in finding it. Here, she meets Alaric, another nightmare hell-bent on atoning for his sins. Though wildly suspicious of one another, they form a tentative pact to take down Warwick once and for all.
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Five stars!
- By Amazon Customer on 10-10-24
By: Sophia Slade
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School for Psychics, Book 1
- By: K.C. Archer
- Narrated by: Madeleine Maby
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Teddy Cannon isn’t your typical 20-something woman. She’s resourceful. She’s bright. She’s scrappy. She can also read people with uncanny precision. What she doesn’t realize: She’s actually psychic. When a series of bad decisions leads Teddy to a run-in with the police, a mysterious stranger intervenes. He invites her to apply to the School for Psychics, a facility hidden off the coast of San Francisco where students are trained like Delta Force operatives: It’s competitive, cutthroat, and highly secretive.
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From fun to addictive
- By Mia on 04-17-18
By: K.C. Archer
Another great story from Naomi Novik
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First off, there are no "teachers" or "professors" in this school. The entire school is controlled by magic. All of the students are magically transported to the school in their first year and remain there until after they graduate. The school is also infested with all kinds of dangerous creatures that prey on the students. However, since untrained magic users have a very low survival rate without proper training, attending the dangerous Scholomance school is one of their only real options.
The MC is a relative outcast. The daughter of a prominent healer and pacifist, she herself has an affinity for spells of dominion and mass destruction (spells that she dare not use or risk corrupting herself and her magic). Throughout the book, she begins to develop a friendship with some of her fellow students, including the wildly popular and heroic boy that has saved her life on multiple occasions. They work together to face the growing threat of the magical creatures that infest the school.
I thought the narrator was perfect for the book as well. She did an excellent job with the different characters and genders.
Honestly, I liked this book enough that I started reading other books by the author after reading this one. She has a pretty interesting imagination and viewpoint on fantasy and magic. I HATED that she left the book in such an obvious cliffhanger... I've often said that writers don't need to do this to keep readers coming back and turns people off more than anything. However, the overall plot and story of the book did conclude (at least) and the ending was more of a setup for the next book.
Wow... A New Take on Magic School
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Another winner from Naomi Novik
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Things I love about these books:
1. The attitude and snark is brilliantly witty. In the first book she comes off as a bit caustic but the personal growth arch of all of the character is awesome.
3. The layers of story. She has some brilliant world building all based on a very simple concept that become layered like a puff pastry. It’s not too much at once so you aren’t slogging through ages of complicated lore.
4. It’s one story spread beautifully through three books BUT each one is a complete story and doesn’t end on a cliff hanger.
5. While romantic interests play a part in the book it’s not the main plot point. Other relationships are equally or more important. She isn’t spending her life wondering if someone likes her / moping over her prospects.
Down sides - I’m a little bit sad that she included some sex in the next two books just because I wanted to read these with my tweens. It’s not too graphic / detailed but enough I wouldn’t recommend it to people under maybe 15y?
Brilliant story
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Dark side of Hogwarts
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Refreshing, sassy and engaging
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A little slow start but worth it
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Impressed!
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There is quite a bit of narration to this story as most of it is the main character's thought processes, so if that annoys you, heads up. Over all I quite enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one.
A Different Kind of Magic School
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I've never blindly pre-ordered a book before, but after Uprooted and Spinning Silver I had the faith.
I'm giving it a 4/5 across the board because there were some extremely hefty information ridden moments throughout the book that I think could have been traded off for more details into the classrooms, daily life, and relationships between factions.
Solid read - though I wish this was a novel vs. a series because I hate to wait.
Another fantastical world!
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