I decided that Orion Lake needed to die after the second time he saved my life.
Everyone loves Orion Lake. Everyone else, that is. Far as Iβm concerned, he can keep his flashy combat magic to himself. Iβm not joining his pack of adoring fans.
I donβt need help surviving the Scholomance, even if they do. Forget the hordes of monsters and cursed artifacts, Iβm probably the most dangerous thing in the place. Just give me a chance and Iβll level mountains and kill untold millions, make myself the dark queen of the world.
At least, thatβs what the world expects me to do. Most of the other students in here would be delighted if Orion killed me like one more evil thing thatβs crawled out of the drains. Sometimes I think they want me to turn into the evil witch they assume I am. The school itself certainly does.
But the Scholomance isnβt getting what it wants from me. And neither is Orion Lake. I may not be anyoneβs idea of the shining hero, but Iβm going to make it out of this place alive, and Iβm not going to slaughter thousands to do it, either.
Although Iβm giving serious consideration to just one.
With flawless mastery, Naomi Novik creates a heroine for the agesβa character so sharply realized and so richly nuanced that she will live on in hearts and minds for generations to come.