Rise of the School for Good and Evil

April 15, 2022
Twin wizards duel, fret, switch roles, and fall for the same guy in this prequel to the popular series. Continuing on the theme that it isn't as easy to distinguish good from evil as it might seem, Chainani goes back to a time when the titular school was run by a pair of immortal adolescents. School Masters Rhian and Rafal have been told that loving one another is the only way to maintain the balance between Good and Evil at the school, but a long run of folk and fairy tales written out by the mysterious pen called the Storian--in which Good triumphs--has led to a fraternal rift. The assignment of decided scapegrace Aladdin to, astonishingly, the School for Good widens the antagonism (could the Storian have made a mistake?). But though Aladdin is the main point-of-view character for major stretches in the early going, no sooner does he hook up with dazzling schoolmate Princess Kyma than the author shoves him deep into the supporting cast to make room for a jealousy-fueled break and some bad behavior that comes when first Rafal then Rhian lock gazes and lips with pirate trainee James Hook (latest of a long line of villains defeated by a certain other ageless teen). Most of the cast reads as White. Lush but rare illustrations underscore dramatic incidents. Series fans may enjoy this patched-together prelude. (Fantasy. 11-14)

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May 30, 2022
In this provocative prequel to the School for Good and Evil series, Chainani expands on the world’s mythos by returning to the institution’s earliest days. Following golden-skinned Rhian and “milky-white” Rafal’s appointments as Masters at the School for Good and Evil, the school—and the twins’ relationship—maintains a precarious balance between the opposing ideologies as they recruit new students. But when the Storian, the magical sentient pen that chronicles fairy tales, unexpectedly selects petty thief and con artist Aladdin, who cues as Middle Eastern, for Good instead of Evil, that balance tips toward chaos. Rafal’s departure from the school necessitates a new Evil Master, and pirate James Hook’s sudden appearance sows bad blood between the brothers, culminating in a battle for the school’s very purpose as fairy tale purveyors. Lush and realistic illustrations are interspersed throughout. An attempted love spell gone awry is largely unexamined, which raises questions regarding consent, and queer themes are thinly explored. While this tale is enriched by previous series knowledge, and fans will enjoy watching the narrative foreshadow events to come, it is still accessible to newcomers. An episodic, adventurous fantasy offering. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Agent: Peter Knapp, Park & Fine Literary and Media.

May 15, 2022
Grades 5-8 In this prequel to Chainani's New York Times best-selling School for Good and Evil series, we meet Rhian and Rafal, the twin brothers chosen by the Storian (a magical pen that writes the fairy tales of this world) to lead the School for Good and Evil because their love for each other, despite opposing natures, will keep the balance between good and evil. The Storian is supposed to favor neither side: sometimes Good wins, and sometimes Evil, just like in real life. Yet lately, Good has seen victory after victory, leaving Rafal, the Evil School Master, wondering if the pen is playing favorites. This is a story meant to show how the School of Good and Evil came about, and for all its strengths, that purpose results in a slightly overlong, anticlimactic ending. The writing is fun and engaging, however, and there are some truly heart-wrenching scenes as the two brothers struggle against their natures and outside forces. Their love for one another is everything, yet for one brother, it may no longer be enough.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 24, 2022

Gr 4-7-In this prequel to the "School for Good and Evil" series, Rafal and Rhian, the twin headmasters for the prestigious academy, have encountered something they never expected. The school's Storian, a magic pen that writes the stories of good and evil legends, has made a mistake-or has it? When young troublemaker Aladdin is chosen for the school of good, Rafal, headmaster of evil, accuses Rhian, headmaster of good, of magicking the pen to do his bidding, upending the balance of good and evil and brotherly love. How will the brothers mend this rift and save the school? A colorful cast of fairy-tale royalty pepper the pages with all of the classic elements of a good versus evil showdown. Readers will recognize their favorite characters, from Aladdin to Captain Hook, and relish a fresh take on their origin stories. Main characters are white, and diverse secondary characters round out a rich cast. Readers who have no prior knowledge of the series will find this prequel somewhat disjointed. VERDICT Action-packed and full of adventure, this series prequel is a summer hit. Purchase where the series is popular and hand it to those who have read the series, but encourage new readers to try other books in the canon first.-Maryjean Riou

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