Imagine Harry Potter, but without the teachers; Hogwarts is constantly on the verge of breaking (and dropping all students into the void), and graduation means finding your way through a horde of monsters that love wizard snacks. Couple that with dark humor, and you’ve got a good idea of what Scholomance is about.
We encounter this terrifying educational experience through the eyes of Galadriel, who prefers to go by El. Look, it’s not her fault that her hippie mother is a Lord of the Rings fan, alright? Although the name is aptly chosen; while her mother is beloved the world over as a fantastic healer in the wizarding community, little El is feared by most people who knew her before she went to the Scholomance. Her own grandmother even rejected her because she had a vision that Galadriel would bring death and destruction to wizards the world over.
Therefore, the name Galadriel fits—if you think about the Dark Queen Galadriel. That scene in the movies when Frodo offers her the ring is fitting.
That turns our heroine into somewhat of a loner. In fact I see some resemblance between Wednesday from the Netflix series and her, in terms of mentality. Or if you know the Discworld series, El is what a young Esme Weatherwax probably would be like.
This story—and the world it belongs in—is rather dark and grim, in case you haven’t noticed yet. Those students have their hands full preparing for their graduation after being locked into the school for four years. Romance isn’t on El’s mind, therefore; which makes the fact the school hero is into her hit just hit harder.
This story is darkly funny; El is a terrific narrator. And the world-building is integrated well into the story, never boring. The pacing is great, and El might be my new favourite sorceress. Really, Hermione is nothing in comparison.
5 out of 5 maleficaria for this start to the series!
Crossing the Pond Reviews 