Bookworm Will Review 2025 (#59)
Title: The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents
Author: Nicki Pau Preto
Rating: 2.75 / 5
Review: (MILD SPOILERS)
BRCUESIPHOR!
Lavinia "Vin" Lucas is struggling to control her magic. It has become so much trouble that she's been expelled from SEVERAL magic schools and is on her last chance before she's labeled a permanent problem. At Last Hope School boarding school, Vin is slow to adjust to this sudden connect she's feelings to the other students and the school's ideology. Vin soon learns that she isn't who she may be while finding herself stuck in the middle of a revenge plot against the headmistress and a former student.
I had been going back and forth on when I'd read this because I liked the premise and the cover art is just super cool! I love the sketchy texture. Having now listened to the audiobook, I can say that the majority was what I was expecting it to be. It's a fun magical boarding school story with a commentary on how the educational system can and does fail certain individuals. The main cast of characters get to show that labels aren't necessary and that those who reject the norm are still deserving of things like education and acceptance.
Plot wise it was a bit predictable: a new student coming, showing unbelievably rare talent and having to adjust to new responsibility while also trying to stop a group of evil magic users. Though the plot wasn't anything too special, I still appreciated the overall message and tone. Who doesn't enjoy a good story about magical misfits including a talkative one, a brother & sister duo and a wise cracking familiar?
I think what ultimately led me to give it the rating was that the audiobook came off younger than intended. I appreciated all the voices we got, especially for such a large cast of characters, however, felt a bit too unserious at times. Granted again, I'm almost thirty reading MG, so don't let my opinion change your thoughts about reading or listening.
Overall, it was still enjoyable and sure I'd recommend it.
