Book Review: Killing November

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Main Genre: Mystery

I couldn't get enough of this book. I loved it and it had me hooked. All I wanted to do was read this book even when I was quite busy and that is exactly what I did. 

Read on for more details.

Synopsis:

It’s a school completely off the grid, hidden by dense forest and surrounded by traps. There’s no electricity, no internet, and an eye-for-an-eye punishment system. Classes include everything from Knife-Throwing and Poisons to the Art of Deception and Historical Analysis. And all of the students are children of the world’s most elite strategists—training to become assassins, counselors, spies, and master impersonators. Into this world walks November Adley, who quickly discovers that friends are few in a school where personal revelations are discouraged and competition is everything. When another student is murdered, all eyes turn to November, who must figure out exactly how she fits into the school’s bizarre strategy games before she is found guilty of the crime…or becomes the killer’s next victim.

Review:

November was thrown into this weird new school but the classes there didn't seem like regular boarding school classes. Archery, poisons, and deception class definitely aren't subjects she was taught in her old school. Everybody expects her to think this is normal and know all about the school's secret society and their history. Though, she doesn't and getting up to speed causes her to become a suspect in a murder mystery. Her only allies in this dangerous school are her roommate and her twin brother. Together, they try to clear November's name. 

November is outgoing and talkative. She's not trained like the other kids so her emotions are strong and very noticeable. Slowly, she does learn how to be as deceptive as her peers but before she adjusts, she stands out to people especially as she doesn't know what everyone else knows and doesn't know who to trust. She wasn't completely lost though as she has few skills that helped her from being completely useless as compared to the other kids at this school. Nevertheless, November changed quite a bit from the beginning of the book to the end as she became more comfortable with qualities these kids had been taught for years. I liked seeing her from a different perspective.

“Either you’ve suddenly become a good liar or you’re telling the truth. I don’t know which is more unbelievable”

The plot was really fast paced and gripping. I couldn't stop reading and was surprised at multiple occasions. None of the twists were super crazy but they weren't very obvious either. The secret society's history was very interesting to read about and seemed detailed. It did remind me of the Hogwarts houses with the multiple divisions within the whole society and they had according characteristics, so if you're a Harry Potter fan you might enjoy that aspect. The author revealed parts of the information at a time which added onto the plot keeping me engaged. 

“When you’re paying attention, history isn’t linear; it’s a web of interrelated events, each domino toppling the next.”

The mystery was very intriguing considering how it was hard to know who is really on your side and who isn't at this school. Even the adults weren't completely trustworthy. Multiple twists occurred before the mystery actually came to a conclusion. The conclusion I did not see coming but one of the twists I predicted on a whim. Overall it kept me on my toes as I couldn't be sure what's real and what was just set up in this book. 

There was a romance subplot in this story. One of November's allies was named Ashai, Ash for short. November peaked his interest just after their first encounter as she was different from most of the people at this school (I know this sounds like she's a pick-me, but she's not, don't worry). I loved Ashai's character. He was sneaky and mischievous but had his sister's back, Layla, and November's. Speaking of Layla, I liked seeing how overtime Layla and November became friends. Layla was very cold and reserved at first, but she did eventually open up to November some more. 

“Amantes sunt amentes.” Before I can work out the meaning, he smiles. “Lovers are lunatics.”

I really enjoyed the overall vibe of the book. It was dark and delightful. Everyone was deceptive and sneaky and I liked seeing how November picked up and started to learn to be like them. These different classes, like I said earlier, poisons, archery, and deception added an extra flavor to this book that just made this more enjoyable than the regular boarding school books. Now I do feel like wanting to read more boarding school murder mysteries, though, because of this book.

Overall, it was a wonderful read and I think the perfect time to read this book is during the fall as the book gave off dark, cozy vibes and included a murder mystery. If you feel like reading a murder mystery taking place in a boarding school with kids training to be spies and assassins, look no further. This book is exactly that. 

“The framing of history impacts its credibility as much as the facts. Just like a portrait painter who hides his subjects’ flaws changes our impression of them. Peeling away those layers to find the truth is often difficult. And if the person who framed the story is skilled enough, there may always be doubt, so much so that the truth is lost forever.”

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