Have you ever read a fairytale, or remembered a favorite fable from your childhood, and wished for more? More characters, more backstories, and more truth. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani, tells the story of two girls, Sophie and Agatha, who grow up in a dull, dreary village. Sophie’s greatest desire is to become a princess and escape from her father and his new wife’s family. Agatha lives in a graveyard with only her mother and cat for company. Every four years, two children from their town are stolen to attend the school for Good and Evil; one good child, one evil child. With Agatha’s wicked personality and witchy attitude, everyone in town suspects she’s headed straight for evil, and Sophie’s princess-like looks make her think she’s destined to be good. However, when the two are kidnapped, Agatha is dropped straight into a school filled with princes and princesses, while Sophie must contend with werewolves and witches. The two girls must find a way to get back home while dealing with insane classes (Henchmen training for Sophie, Good deeds for Agatha), young love (in the form of Prince Tedros, heir to Camelot), and an evil headmaster bent on keeping the girls away from each other.
This book is probably one of my favorites of all time. Chainani’s writing style gets me every time. He goes above and beyond, placing you directly in the School for Good and Evil. He’s both witty and funny, quick and heartfelt, sarcastic and heart wrenching. This book will make you laugh and cry, while at the same time begging for a sequel. Good news! This is just the first in a six-book series. I particularly love the subverting of tropes and stereotypes in this novel, as Sophie, while looking the part of a princess, does good deeds not out of a good heart, but a desperate need to prove herself. Agatha, while perhaps not being what one would picture as a “good” fairy tale character, her heart remains pure from the beginning. The romance in this novel is also great, as it goes in an unexpected direction. This is a 5/5, and everyone must read!