JE Mar'24 "Grim, sarcastic sass" [32]

 A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

                                              

I sniggered my way through this book. The context of the story is dark, but the action is both clever and funny. There are some great moral quandaries and strong character moments - the 'grumpy teen' can get a bit much but I think it's a fair representation of an awkward, insecure young person.  And the fact that magic is powered by effort and not strength is just genius.

Followed by The Last Graduate and The Golden Enclaves

Warning: some swearing