#Orion: we are ENEMIES the war went on for THOUSANDS of years but before that we were like brothers-

[eisenartworks]

Me, delusional: oh boy I sure hope if there's ever a tfone trilogy Megatron gets a redemption ar-

Me, louder: OH BOY I SURE HOPE IF THERE'S EVER A TFO-

[tcplnyteens]

Review: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

The classic magic school meets the morally-gray heroine in A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik. Sixteen-year-old El (short for Galadriel) is among a few thousand other high schoolers living in the Scholomance, a wizard boarding school where they learn spells, alchemy, and artifice (making magical artifacts). But there’s more to this magic school than what meets the eye, because it’s hiding a monstrous secret (literally): the school is constantly under siege by magic-hungry murderous monsters. 

I got this book as my summer reading freebie from TCPL! The library’s summer reading challenge runs from June 25 to August 5 this year, and all you need to do is stop by the teen desk and register to receive a prize book that’s yours to keep! You also get a form to record the number of minutes you spend reading each day, and for every 140 minutes you read, you get one entry into a gift card raffle. There are a lot of really good prize books being offered, so in my opinion it’s totally worth it to sign up for the challenge and get a new book to read! 

A Deadly Education follows El’s junior year of high school as she struggles to survive the monsters lurking in every corner of the school (again, literally) while staying on top of her coursework; trying to make allies and maybe, just maybe, some friends, despite her status as the unpopular loner; and building power for her graduation ceremony, when she must fight a horde of terrifying monsters to get out of the school. El’s not just a typical Scholomance student, though, because of a terrible prophecy that is trying its best to catch up to her. The gist of it is that El has a powerful affinity for spells of mass destruction, and she must painstakingly build up magic or else she’ll turn into a bloodthirsty dark wizard. Because of this, it’s actually quite difficult for her to use magic. On top of all of that, El has to deal with the pesky hero wannabe Orion Lake, who might just turn out to be the friend she’s been looking for. 

I absolutely loved the worldbuilding in this book and I enjoyed learning more about the Scholomance and its monsters as the story went on. The idea of having monsters being the main enemy of this world was a pretty refreshing deviation from the classic wizard-wars trope. The monsters’ lore, the way they can hide in innocuous places and lay siege to the Scholomance at certain times, and the detailed magical procedures the students must take to protect against them were all super unique and fun. The Scholomance itself and all of its quirks, including the murderous library with a mind of its own, the hallways that target students’ mental states, and the spooky void in the dorms, set it apart from all of the magic schools that have come before it and made it into a character of its own. Unlike some other book series, if there were ever a spin-off about the creation of the Scholomance, I would totally read it, because that’s how appealing and interesting this world is. 

On the other hand, the characters in A Deadly Education paled in comparison to the worldbuilding. I’m not saying the characters are bland—they definitely are not—but they are kind of underwhelming. I find it hard to believe that the entire class (minus El) basically worships Orion, who is about as likable and sociable as a sock. And, if I’m being completely honest, I thought El was annoying for a good half of the book. At some point, her edgy brooding monologues about not wanting to turn into a dark sorceress (of which there were many) got old and cringey. I also never really understood why she had to be so rude and bad-mannered to everyone. Even though she was unpopular, it didn’t seem like she was being targeted by the enclave kids, so I found it frustrating that she couldn’t show at least some basic decency to other people. We do eventually get some explanation as to why she acts the way she does when the author explores her hatred of enclaves, so I did eventually come to understand her perpetual rudeness. I really wish this explanation came sooner in the story, because I actually grew quite fond of El by the end of the book. It was super heartwarming and wholesome when she finally realized what friendship feels like after becoming allies with Aadhya and Liu. 

Overall, I would totally recommend A Deadly Education for anyone looking for a fun-filled read to devour in one sitting or let stew over several days, since this book is well-suited for either. There is a substantial amount of violence and foul language in this book, which is not so out-of-place for YA fantasy, but proceed with caution nonetheless! The many parallels to the real world in A Deadly Education make it a thought-provoking read—for example, the enclave kids’ status, which shields from the dangers other wizard kids face and gives them a leg up in getting out of graduation, mirrors the wealth disparities in our world that affect children’s future success. Although this book’s characters are unlikable at times, the exciting plot and rich worldbuilding more than make up for it. A Deadly Education will leave you hungry for more. 

~Tania

[topmoviespicks]

🔥 Transformers One: A Must-Watch Animated Epic! 🔥

Are you ready for an electrifying journey back to the origins of the Transformers universe? 🌌 Transformers One is here to blow your mind! This animated masterpiece takes us deep into the heart of Cybertron, revealing the untold story of how Optimus Prime and Megatron went from best friends to arch-enemies. 🤖💥

Brief About the Movie

Transformers One is an animated action-adventure film that serves as a prequel to the beloved franchise. Set thousands of years before the events we know, it explores the early years of Optimus Prime (then known as Orion Pax) and Megatron (D-16). The movie dives into their friendship, the discovery of dark secrets, and the eventual rift that leads to the epic war on Cybertron. 🌟

Meet the Cast

Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime: Bringing his powerful voice to the noble leader of the Autobots.

Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron: Voicing the complex character who transforms from a friend to a formidable foe.

Scarlett Johansson as Elita: Adding depth to the story with her portrayal of a key character in the Autobots’ journey.

Keegan-Michael Key as B-127: Providing a touch of humor and heart to the narrative.

Plot Highlights

The movie kicks off with Orion Pax and D-16 working as miners on Cybertron. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they uncover a conspiracy involving Sentinel Prime, the last of the 13 Primes. As they grapple with the truth, their differing ideologies set them on a collision course. Orion Pax seeks justice, while D-16, consumed by anger, opts for vengeance. This clash of ideals marks the beginning of their transformation into Optimus Prime and Megatron. ⚔️

Why You Should Watch It

Stunning Animation: The visuals are breathtaking, bringing Cybertron to life like never before. 🌌

Epic Storytelling: The narrative is rich with suspense, drama, and action, keeping you on the edge of your seat. 🎬

Star-Studded Cast: The voice performances are top-notch, adding depth and emotion to the characters. 🌟

Nostalgia and New Beginnings: Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the franchise, this movie offers something for everyone. 🤩

Interactive Elements

Don’t have time to watch the full movie? Check out our exclusive summary to get all the key details in just a few minutes! 📖

Excited to watch the full movie? Click here to stream it now or use our backup server if you encounter any issues! 🎥

SEO and Keywords

Transformers One, Optimus Prime, Megatron, Cybertron, animated movie, Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, action-adventure, prequel, Autobots, Decepticons, Sentinel Prime, movie summary, watch online, stream movie, movie review, movie cast, movie plot, Transformers franchise, animation, movie trailer, movie release, movie news, movie updates.

🔥 Transformers One is not just a movie; it’s an experience you don’t want to miss! Dive into the origins of your favorite characters and witness the epic tale that started it all. 🌟 Ready to be amazed? Watch the full movie now or catch our summary if you’re short on time. Either way, you’re in for a treat! 🍿

Click here to watch the full movie or use our backup server if needed. Enjoy the ride! 🚀

Feel free to share your thoughts and excitement in the comments below! Let’s get the conversation started. 💬

Transformers One is more than just a film; it’s a journey into the heart of Cybertron. Don’t miss out on this epic adventure! 🌌

Ready to join the battle? Click here to watch now! 🎥

Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes content. Follow us for the latest news! 📢

Transformers One: The origin story you’ve been waiting for. Watch it now! 🚀

#TransformersOne #OptimusPrime #Megatron #Cybertron #AnimatedMovie #ChrisHemsworth #BrianTyreeHenry #ScarlettJohansson #KeeganMichaelKey #Autobots #Decepticons #MovieNight #MustWatch #MovieReview #MovieSummary #WatchOnline #StreamMovie