Killing November

by Adriana Mather

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch comes a thriller set at a secretive boarding school where students are trained to carry on family legacies that have built--and toppled--empires.

November is as good as dead. She just doesn't know it yet.

At the Academy Absconditi, there's no electricity, no internet, and an archaic eye-for-an-eye punishment system. Classes range from knife throwing and poisons to the art of deception. And the students? Silver-spoon descendants of the world's most elite strategists--all training to become asassins, spies, and master imporsonators.

One is a virtuoso of accents--and never to be trusted. Another is a vicious fighter determined to exploit November's weaknesses. And then there's the boy with the mesmerizing eyes and a secret agenda. November doesn't know how an ordinary girl like her fits into the school's complicated legacy. But when a student is murdered, she'll need to separate her enemies from her allies before the crime gets pinned or her...or she becomes the killer's next victim.

• ISBN10: 0525579117
• ISBN13: 9780525579113
• Publish Date: 25 February 2020 (first published 26 March 2019)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Ember
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780525579113

Reviews

[melanchalina]

Адриана Мэзер "Скажи мне, кто я" (Скажи мне, кто я #1/2)

8,5 из 10

Жанр: YA, триллер
POV: 1POV, от первого лица (она)
Геометрия чувств: прямая
Теги: школа убийц, таинственные общества, убийство среди учеников

РЕЦЕНЗИЯ:
Что ж. Для начала признаюсь, что я с самого начала была необъективна к книге, потому что мне сразу же весьма и весьма понравилось описание, и я дала себе обещание не быть предвзятой. Ну, подумайте сами — закрытая таинственная школа, где подростков из самых влиятельных семей мира, тайно влияющих на самые важные события в мире, обучают искусству убивать, шпионажу, мастерству притворства и подражания — звучит изначально весьма сомнительно, но я люблю такое, люблю сериал «Deadly Class» и поэтому книга сразу оказалась на моем радаре.

Собственно, нет никакого смысла говорить о сюжете, потому что вся суть дана в аннотации, и это все, что вам нужно знать. Вместо этого, я просто отмечу, что события в романе стремительны и захватывают с самого начала. Да, возможно где-то вы быстро обо всем догадаетесь, потому что некоторых штампов автору не удалось избежать, но менее атмосферной и захватывающей книга от этого не становится.

Здесь есть романтическая линия (это ж YA, в конце концов), но она занимает далеко не самое главное значение, наоборот флирт между Эшем и Новембер весьма очарователен и к месту ровно настолько, чтобы дать искру, но не надоесть, а основной упор все же на обучение в школе и поиски убийцы. И это супер круто, потому что игры разума, обучение искусству определять ложь и изучение тайных событий истории, о которых не знают простые смертные. Адриана Мэзер сумела все это преподнести интересно и во все происходящее прямо верится.

А еще, самое главное, Адрианы Мэзер поместила в историю очень харизматичных персонажей. Новембер вообще эстраверт, который не может жить без общения с людьми, видит все в ярких цветах и вся такая яркая, энергичная и живая – очень нетипично на фоне нынешних YA героинь, которые в большинстве своем замкнуты и стараются держаться ото всех особняком. Кстати хорошо раскрыты не только главные герои, но и второстепенные, Арья вон вообще моя любимица, с удовольствием почитала бы про нее отдельный спин-офф, офигенная девчонка.

Подвожу итог. Легко, захватывающе, интересно и с нетерпением жду продолжения.

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

For centuries, a handful of families have been orchestrating some of the biggest historical events. Welcome to the Academy Absconditi, where the children of these elite families come to train and perfect their skills in things, such as: strategy, mind games, subterfuge, knife throwing, climbing, and sword fighting.

When a "family emergency" arose, November was whisked off to this top secret boarding school in an undisclosed location. Little did she know, this was not your average school. Not only did November hone her skills and learn the secrets of her family while at the Academy, she was also forced to fight for her life.

Well, THAT was an unexpected and fantastic surprise! I had loved both of Mather's previous books, and though this one was quite different, it was equally as fabulous and entertaining as the others.

I was quickly wrapped up in the world of the Academy and the Strategia, who are the ruling families. Their connection to prominent world events and how they manufactured them was the stuff conspiracy theorists' dreams are made of. As always, Mather wove lots of interesting historical tidbits into the story, and I was utterly fascinated by the events she chose, as well as how she blended them seamlessly into this tale.

I also loved going to class with November. What they learned and how they learned it was so interesting, but at the same time, terrifying. The Academy dated back to the 1030s, and still subscribed to many archaic rules of justice. Students were punished by being thrown in the dungeon or having to suffer "an eye for an eye" consequence. There was one scene, which was especially savage. I just couldn't believe the culture of this school.

Yes, the Academy was quite an intriguing place, but it was also a place, where you had to constantly watch your back, as November quickly learned. One of the biggest mysteries, which was solved by the end of the book, was who was trying to kill November and why. I was definitely keeping my eyes wide open as November and the twins, Ash and Layla, attempted to solve the mystery themselves. Lots of action, lots of lying, lots of precarious situations -- Mather really kept me on my toes.

The characters, the action, the alliances, the history, the mystery -- I was onboard for it all. I did not realize this was a series, when I selected this book, however, I am now pretty excited about it, because I am itching to learn all I can about the world of the Strategia.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS

[whisperingchapters]

Before Killing November, I hadn't read anything by Adriana Mather, but now I'm looking forward to more!

This story gives a different and refreshing take to YA Mystery involving a school to train spies and assassins. I was intrigued from the start, mainly because there aren't many details concerning November nor the school she's attending. She doesn't even know anything about the school, her family, the politics surrounding the students, etc. Since November woke up at the school, with no recollection of how she get there, she's instantly wary of everyone and gets on the wrong foot with a lot of the students. I have to admit, the story dragged on a little bit and at times, I wanted to stop reading, but I'm glad I didn't. The plot and the characters are quite unique. I loved how the author introduced every character in the story from the beginning. True, I had no idea what their role would be, which is what made the story more interesting.

The majority of the book is spent learning everything about the school and the politics surrounding it, which is needed to understand a lot of what happens, especially the killings. November, along with the few friends she made, start investigating who could be killing and what is their motive. Once the pace of the book started picking up, I couldn't stop reading! Mather's writing style is so descriptive and simple that I felt like I was watching a movie in my head. I also loved the witty conversations, the humor, all the sass and sarcasm coming from November and Ash.

Overall, this was a surprisingly good YA Mystery! I loved the history that Mather added to the story. It kept things moving and super interesting with all the clues it would add to the story. I can't wait for the second book! While it didn't really end in a cliff-hanger, it did left an opening to find out more about what is going on with this academy, politics, history and the people involved with it.