Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
If you would like to join in, please feel free to enter your link, link back to this post, and then spend some time visiting some of the other posts.
This week’s neglected book
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Series: The Scholomance #1
Published by Random House Publishing Group on September 29, 2020
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * 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.
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, make 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.
Why did I add A Deadly Education to my bookshelf?
I bought a copy of this one from Book of the Month when it was released. I loved Uprooted by Naomi Novik and was eager to read more of her work. Then I heard about the controversy surrounding this book and set it aside. The author did apologize and I am willing to give the book a try. I even picked up the second book in the series shortly after its release but haven’t read either of them yet. Imagine my surprise this week when I opened an email to learn that my wish for the second book in this series, The Last Graduate, had been approved. That book came out in September 2021, why are they granting my wish now? Anyway, I guess it must be time to get busy reading this series since I now owe the publisher a review on NetGalley.
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Would you recommend it?
Look at me having no idea of this controversy. I can understand setting a book aside for that reason (I have done it myself).
I usually try to stay away from books with any sort of controversy connected to them until things die down.
There is a passage in this book that is considered racist and upsetting to a lot of people. I believe that the book has been changed. Here is the author’s apology – https://www.naominovik.com/apology/
I can see why you would set it aside, but now I hope you’ll end up enjoying both books!
I have high hopes for the series, Silvia.
I had no idea that wishes could be granted after publication release. Good to know. I’ve heard good things about her writing so hopefully you enjoy them both.
I have had an approval about 4 months after a book was published but I probably wished for this book close to a year ago and had no idea I could have a book just added to my pile. I do want to read the book so this may be the push that I need.
I enjoyed the books I did read by this author and I haven’t read this one yet!
I am looking forward to this one!
I’m a big fan of Naomi Novik. I LOVED Uprooted and the Temerare? series. I loved this too, even though it is YA. I didn’t know about a controversy. I’ve read this and the next one and am excited for the third one.
I am glad that you liked this one. I have a feeling that I will as well.
You can read more about the controversy here – https://www.naominovik.com/apology/
That cover looks great! Also, I missed these posts. 🙂
Thanks, Joy!
I have been wanting to read this author for ages and have yet to read any of her books. I hope you enjoy this one just as much as you enjoyed Uprooted.