4.5 Snarky Hopepunk masquerading as Grimdark. Novik paints her most realistic characters in a horribly twisted world that isn't so different from ours on a deeper level. The pacing is great and never seems too hurried or too slow. The school is fascinating if ghastly and the spell-casting is quite original.

There are few real complaints to make. I could have done with a little more in the way of physical description. Even though it's mentioned a couple of times that everybody wears ratty mundane clothing it doesn't really feel like that until later in the book. There is also relatively little architectural detail, unless it becomes really important. The final twist, while certainly effective, is a little clichéd. And of course, the two main characters are both loners with huge heapings of magical ability, but yeah, what did you except when the school is literally trying to get you killed?

Can't wait for the next volume. Fingers crossed that it's not going to turn into a hetero romance. Friendship for the win!