Good vs. Evil: A History - The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani is a fantastical story where two girls named Sophie and Agatha, one pretty and one ugly, are kidnapped from their village to attend the School for Good and Evil (roll credits) where Good students are taught to be our beloved fairy tale heroes and Evil students are taught to be their biggest adversaries. However, when Sophie and Agatha end up in the ‘wrong’ schools, they need to find a way to get home . . . but is that what Sophie wants?

I was hooked on this book from the very first sentence. ‘Sophie has waited all her life to be kidnapped.’ From the very first page, I was invested in the story and the characters and couldn’t wait to see what else was in store. The premise of the novel was one that I had heard of before but the way Chainani executes the idea is unlike any other.

The characters of Sophie and Agatha are so intriguing, whether you like them or not. I personally didn’t like Sophie’s personality much and yet she still interested me and drew me further into the story. They are seem like obvious Good vs. Evil stereotypes and I believe that is what Chainani wanted his readers to think. He wanted us to expect things to be as they seem but then he goes deeper into the truth about these characters. He gives everyone a different motive and pits them against each other.

I loved how the story shows the different ideals and beliefs of both the good and evil sides and demonstrated how the segregation had affected their opinions of the opposite side. We hear their beliefs and arguments and then see how the other side truly is. It was also interesting to see how the two girls reacted when they were put in an environment which they didn’t believe suited them. We see Agatha trying to put up with prissy, pink princesses and Sophie gag at the people she is forced to live amongst.

I’d give this book a 7.5 out of 10, because I loved to message that it presents and I loved to concept but I found some of the plot to be confusing or not greatly explained. I think anyone who is into fantasy novels read this book because it has a really good moral and the characters are honestly fantastic, whether you like them or not.

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