For centuries, there
has been a legend of a hidden school where magic is taught by the demons
who dwell there to anyone who seeks them out, but they ask a terrible
price: Anyone who reaches the door of the Scholomance may enter, but the
Devil takes every tenth student who tries to leave.A hidden school. Demonic masters. An inescapable fate for one out of every ten graduates. But Connie would do anything to have the magic her best friend was born with.
And Mara would do anything to get Connie back.
Publisher: A Red Hot Romance Book
Date Published: January 8, 2012
Pages: 563
Genres: Horror, dark fantasy
Content Advisory: This book is intended for mature audiences and contains graphic violence, explicit sexual activity and disturbing imagery.
WOW! Just wow. Went into this book with just the above blurb and I'm so glad I did. I don't want to give too much of the plot because I think it adds to the mystery as well as the development of the story. You won't know what to expect and it just makes it all that much better.Kimara and Connie are childhood friends, however when Mara tells Connie of her telepathic abilities, an obsession grows in Connie. Connie's pursuit of magic leads her to the Scholomance, a Demon school. Two years later Mara gets a letter from Connie stating the location of the school and a note that she was wrong about the school and to save her. Mara goes on to find the school and makes it inside after competing with other blood thirsty applicants. However, all is not what it seems.
Kimara Warner, a blonde haired, white eyed anti-heroine. She was emotionally numb, selfish, callous and pretty much a sociopath. Funny thing is that she denied she was heartless, yet proved time and time again how wrong she was. For example after Connie, her only friend, left for two years, Mara did not even think of her. Connie was not important enough to expend energy on, unless she was there with her. She liked the idea that Connie loved her and thus nurtured it.
Connie Vitelli weak willed, lonely, and yearned for love. She was the middle child of seven children and was friendless until Mara. When she found out about Mara's telepathy, I believe she loved the idea of being unique, maybe she wanted to use the magic to supplement the love she didn't have. We didn't get to see much of Connie, but we did get to know her through Mara.
There were a slew of demons as well as ruthless students that kept me entertained. I don't want to describe any of the demons because I think it's a journey itself to discover each one.
Pros: The world building, mainly the school, which is located in the mountain is undeniably amazing. The dark maze like tunnels, the eerie lamps, demons and the sadistic students just adds to the threatening atmosphere. I loved the writing. Each demon was unique and time was spent well on the ones Smith focused on. The horror aspect was enough for me to keep on reading and yet not leaving me squeamish. The book was long at 563 pages, but the suspense and mystery kept me glued to the pages. There was not really much romance, but there was a subtle love triangle. How does an emotionless women deal with the attentions of demons? Sex, sex, and more sex.
Cons: The ending should have been extended. There really was not much foreshadowing, unless you count the strength of her powers. She didn't struggle like the other humans did, except finding Connie of course. Her gifts made it hard for her to be bullied unlike the other students. I could not relate to Mara at all, her character was too inhumane at times. Definitely some grammatical errors, as well as spelling mistakes, but worth reading nonetheless.
I wholeheartedly recommend The Scholomance for the dark fantasy fans.
Rating: ★★★★★
