The Scholomance

R. Lee Smith

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you love dark, twisted stories with a heavy dose of horror and a side of unsparing, unconventional storytelling, The Scholomance is right up your alley. R. Lee Smith crafts a vividly disturbing magical school, full of grisly challenges, deranged teachers, and monstrous students. The protagonist, Mara, is an utterly unique blend of telepath, sociopath, and anti-heroine - she’s cunning, ruthless, and absolutely unforgettable. Readers who enjoyed Smith’s Heat or are drawn to grim, adult fantasy brimming with taboo, nightmare fuel, and shocking plot twists will find themselves glued to these pages. If you crave stories that break all the rules, this book delivers.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Many readers struggle with the relentless darkness, the abundance of disturbing content, and the sheer amount of graphic sex and violence. Mara’s manipulative, emotionally detached character and the frequent, often brutal explicit scenes can be alienating. Some find the pacing slow, the middle section bloated, or feel frustrated by Mara’s lack of growth or the repetitive nature of some plot points. Anyone expecting romance (in an uplifting sense), likable leads, or a sense of safety should probably steer clear. Strong content warnings apply for nearly every possible trigger!

Brutal, bizarre, and boundary-pushing, The Scholomance is a standout for horror-fantasy readers with a stomach for the macabre - but it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

About:

The Scholomance by R. Lee Smith is a dark and macabre tale of friendship set in a magical school where few survive. The story follows Mara, a young woman with telepathic abilities, on a relentless quest to save her friend Connie from the horrors of the Scholomance. As Mara delves into this world of dark magic and sinister creatures, she must navigate through a twisted and terrifying landscape to uncover the truth about her friend's disappearance. The book is described as a mix of horror, thriller, and fantasy, with a writing style that intricately weaves together vivid descriptions, intense emotions, and complex character dynamics.

Characters:

Mara is a central figure characterized as a sociopath and antihero, while her friend Connie serves as a contrast and catalyst for the plot.

Writing/Prose:

The author's writing style is dense and richly detailed, evoking a haunting atmosphere that aligns with the dark themes of the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Mara as she attempts to rescue her friend from a demon-run magic school, but it evolves into an exploration of the school's dark landscape and Mara's sociopathic character.

Setting:

The setting is a sinister magical school in Transylvania characterized by violence and a range of twisted creatures, deeply enhancing the storyline's intensity.

Pacing:

The pacing varies; it begins slowly but picks up momentum after a significant buildup, though its rhythm can be disrupted by dense passages and over-detailed scenes.

Mara came home on a Wednesday with a mild sunburn and a bank receipt for eighty-three thousand dollars stuffed indifferently in the front pocket of her jeans. The house looked empty from the street, b...

Notes:

The main character, Mara, is a powerful telepath who masters magic quickly, often in just a day.

The setting is a dark, demon-run school called Scholomance, located in the mountains of Transylvania.

Mara embarks on a quest to rescue her friend Connie, who disappeared after enrolling in Scholomance.

The book features a blend of horror, dark romance, and graphic scenes, including sexual content.

Mara's character is often portrayed as unlikable, described as a sociopath and manipulative.

The magic system in the book adheres to specific rules, making it interesting and nuanced.

Many readers commented on the slow pacing at the beginning, with a pickup around the 20% mark.

The ending features a twist that reframes Mara's actions and motivations in a new light.

The writing has been described as dense but intricately plotted, engaging readers who enjoy complex narratives.

R. Lee Smith's writing style is noted for its evocative storytelling and character depth.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include violence, sexual abuse, body horror, forced pregnancy, and dark themes.

From The Publisher:

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.

January 2012

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411 pages

Ratings (9)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (26):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (10)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (6)

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