The Last Graduate (The Scholomance, #2)

In "The Last Graduate," the second installment of Naomi Novik's Scholomance trilogy, Galadriel "El" Higgins enters her senior year at the perilous Scholomance, a sentient school where young magicians must navigate constant threats from maleficaria—monstrous creatures that prey on their mana. El, a half-Welsh, half-Indian sorceress, is determined to survive her final year without succumbing to the dark prophecy that looms over her.

As graduation approaches, El forms alliances with fellow students, including the enigmatic Orion Lake, a skilled monster hunter. Together, they confront escalating dangers within the school and the looming threat of war between magical enclaves. El's journey is marked by intense challenges, as she grapples with her own powers and the school's malevolent influence.

The narrative is dark and suspenseful, immersing readers in a world where survival hinges on collaboration and the courage to defy oppressive systems. The atmosphere is intense, with a slow-burn tension that builds as El and her peers strive to rewrite their destinies.