A budding dark sorceress determined not to use her formidable powers uncovers yet more secrets about the workings of her world in the stunning sequel to A Deadly Education, the start of Naomi Novik’s groundbreaking crossover series. At the Scholomance, El, Orion, and the other students are faced with their final year—and the looming specter of graduation, a deadly ritual that leaves few students alive in its wake. El is determined that her chosen group will survive, but it is a prospect that is looking harder by the day as the savagery of the school ramps up. Until El realizes that sometimes winning the game means throwing out all the rules . . .

A budding dark sorceress determined not to use her formidable powers uncovers yet more secrets about the workings of her world in the stunning sequel to A Deadly Education, the start of Naomi Novik’s groundbreaking crossover series. At the Scholomance, El, Orion, and the other students are faced with their final year—and the looming specter of graduation, a deadly ritual that leaves few students alive in its wake. El is determined that her chosen group will survive, but it is a prospect that is looking harder by the day as the savagery of the school ramps up. Until El realizes that sometimes winning the game means throwing out all the rules . . .

She’s running from her curse. He’s running from his past. Neither can outrun Fate. In a ravaged world torn apart after The Darkest Day, Eleri Fos, the half-Fae, half-Witch Princess of The Underworld, finds herself stranded in the desolate Upperworld and cursed with a deadly touch. Eleri’s only hope is to journey east in search of a rumored entrance back to her realm. Along the way, she crosses paths with a wanted trio of humans—Kai Eogeum, a mysterious protector; Jaycen Ryuk, his troubled companion; and Rina Yarrow, a faithful young woman—who are on their own perilous mission. Despite the fear and distrust her heritage evokes in herself and others, Eleri gradually finds herself drawn into their quest. Feeling an inexplicable pull toward Kai, the group’s enigmatic leader, she struggles to conceal her deadly gift and true identity. Kai Eogeum is a man burdened by his own secrets and a haunting past. Carrying the guilt of those secrets, Kai feels a connection to Eleri he doesn’t quite understand. As they navigate a landscape filled with danger—from cannibalistic foes to the search for a sinister figure known as The Siren—Kai must confront his growing feelings for the mysterious being in their midst. Together, Eleri and Kai’s intertwined journeys reveal a deeper connection and a destiny that neither can deny. As they face old wounds and new revelations, they must decide whether their fragile alliance can withstand the truths that come to light and whether love can bloom even in a life defined by ruin and fear. The end of the world was only the beginning.

Lesson One of the Scholomance: Learning has never been this deadly. A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance, a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death (for real) — until one girl, El, begins to unlock its many secrets. There are no teachers, no holidays, and no friendships, save strategic ones. Survival is more important than any letter grade, for the school won’t allow its students to leave until they graduate… or die! The rules are deceptively simple: Don’t walk the halls alone. And beware of the monsters who lurk everywhere. El is uniquely prepared for the school’s dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out millions. It would be easy enough for El to defeat the monsters that prowl the school. The problem? Her powerful dark magic might also kill all the other students.