I usually am not super into book covers with photographs of people on them, but Killing November has a bunch of Slytherin-looking kids with weapons, so how could I say no?

As I said, this was a cover buy. So I did no research on it until I was logging it as “started” on Goodreads. There I learned that it is at least a duology, so know that before you jump in. The second book comes out early 2020, so maybe add this to your TBR before then. 

November is 17 and is on her way to private school. Well, she thinks she is on her way and then, very suddenly, she arrives. She doesn’t remember anything past the plane; she just wakes up in the headmaster’s office. She has come to the Academy Absconditi, a preparatory school shrouded in mystery. She learns that she is to start classes immediately, and for some reason, no one likes her. 

Academy Absconditi is unique because it doesn’t teach mathematics or English, it teaches poisons, weaponry, and climbing (among many other things). November assumes it’s a school for assassins, and while she isn’t right, she also isn’t exactly wrong. 

A student dies, relatively soon after November shows up, and everyone blames her. She has to forge friendships and figure out who killed the student, and why everyone is blaming her, before someone also kills her. 

I’m not going to lie and say that I loved this book, because I didn’t. I wasn’t wildly impressed in the first hundred pages, which kind of bummed me out. But by the time I hit the halfway point, Killing November had picked up speed and held my attention. While I’m not itching for the sequel, I’m definitely intrigued, and would like to know what happens next. 

Killing November has kind of a Hogwarts meets Six of Crows vibe to it that i really enjoyed. I think the aesthetic is what pulled me in, and I’m glad overall that I read it. If you’re looking to grab a copy for yourself, you can do so on Barnes and Noble, Target, or check your local bookstore. 

Author

Emily is a 20-something Slytherin and all-around Fangirl living in Baltimore, Maryland. She has a degree in Media and Communications from SUNY Adirondack, where she started her nerd blog, Fangirls Are We. When not at her desk, Emily can be found curled up with the latest in YA Fiction, or instagramming her vast collection of bath products.

Comments are closed.