Scholomance - Wyrms.de

sleepyowl_ink@bookwyrm.social reviewed The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik (Scholomance, #3)

Review of 'The Golden Enclaves' on 'Library Thing'

4 stars

Content warning Ending spoilers

Kind of like the last book(s) of Harry Potter, most of the story in this third book takes place outside of the school.

If you take a glimpse at the chapter titles, you can see how El trots around the world to do what she needs to do. In this sense, the third book is more formulaic than the first two in the series, with less deviation from expectations.

Ending spoilers: Kind of like Spinning Silver and Uprooted, Novik gives us a strong, yet poignant ending. It's not a sad ending, but it's also not a rainbow and puppy-dogs, happily-ever-after ending either. It teaches people that your happy ending might not look the way you originally imagined, but it is also not that bad either.

Library Liberty Zed reviewed The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik (Scholomance, #3)

A satisfying conclusion

4 stars

I like how the book explains strategic thinking, the rationality in each situation. But the setting outside the school felt a bit confusing and rushed. The character arks weren't quite as strong. However, it's perfect to end in a trilogy, instead of slogging on and on.

Chris he/they reviewed The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik (Scholomance, #3)

A satisfying conclusion to the series

5 stars

This book was full of gorgeous symmetry and symbology and dramatic irony. Novik is a master at dropping just enough hints for you to start putting together the bigger picture just ahead of the protagonist, making the next twist feel justified or somehow expected even if you couldn't have written a full prediction.

I especially appreciate how Novik continued to explore the unjustness of the enclave system in her world and how the protagonist El was forced to reckon with the practicality of her mission conflicting with her moral revulsion at the existing system. It is very easy to draw a parallel to activists trying to upend existing oppressive structures (racism, sexism, capitalism, etc). This book will help activists articulate their morals and wrestle with the realities of working with or next to an existing system while working to create a more just world.

The only critique I have of …

This book was full of gorgeous symmetry and symbology and dramatic irony. Novik is a master at dropping just enough hints for you to start putting together the bigger picture just ahead of the protagonist, making the next twist feel justified or somehow expected even if you couldn't have written a full prediction.

I especially appreciate how Novik continued to explore the unjustness of the enclave system in her world and how the protagonist El was forced to reckon with the practicality of her mission conflicting with her moral revulsion at the existing system. It is very easy to draw a parallel to activists trying to upend existing oppressive structures (racism, sexism, capitalism, etc). This book will help activists articulate their morals and wrestle with the realities of working with or next to an existing system while working to create a more just world.

The only critique I have of this book is that it was not long enough. Especially the concluding action at the final climax of the story. It was wrapped up so much more quickly than some of the preceding action. I suppose it's a truly excellent book when my main gripe is that it wasn't long enough.

Full and unapologetic 5 stars. This entire series is my favorite magical education series, with far more emotional depth and moral quandaries than anything like Harry Potter and more real life moral application than The Magicians