The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani tells the story of Sophie and Agatha, two ordinary girls from Gavaldon. Sophie, obsessed with fairy tales and princes, dreams of living her own princess life; Agatha, thought by the town to be a witch, cares only for her cat and the small sense of normalcy Sophie gives her. But when the two are swept away to the magical School for Good and Evil, their expectations are turned upside down when glass-slipper and pink-gown-wearing Sophie is dropped in the School for Evil, and Agatha, with her black frocks and dislike of everyone, lands in the School for Good. As they navigate new friendships and true love, the school proves to be the one place where they might finally discover who they really are.
I love the way this book addresses tropes and controversial themes of fairy tales. Why are villains always alone while princes and princesses find love? What happens to a princess who doesn't find her prince? Why are princes expected to be the heroes while princesses wait for rescue? What does it mean to be Good or Evil?
Despite being written for a younger audience, this book includes important themes: the importance of platonic love, letting go of tradition, and embracing new mindsets. The writing, healthy blend of humor, and illustrations make these lessons accessible to all readers in a fun, engaging way. Appearances don't mean anything—it's what a person does with their talents that defines whether they're truly Good or Evil.
It's hard to read this book and not root for both Sophie and Agatha, hoping they'll both find their happy ending without losing each other. Both characters are equally compelling, and it's exciting to see how they react to their new lives while fighting for each other.
I rate The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani 5/5 stars. If you love fairy tales, this is the book for you.
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