Review

Review: Quests for Glory – A Worthy Addition to the School for Good and Evil Series?

Soman Chainani’s Quests for Glory, the fourth installment in the School for Good and Evil series, arrives riding the wave of the Netflix movie adaptation’s popularity. While the film successfully introduced the world to this enchanting universe, the book offers a deeper dive into the complexities of its characters and the ever-evolving dynamic between Good and Evil.

The premise, picking up after the defeat of the School Master, promises exciting new adventures as students embark on their fourth-year quests. The Camelot Years offer a fresh backdrop, moving beyond the familiar confines of the school and into the wider world. The high stakes – eternal adoration or oblivion – effectively raise the tension, and Chainani skillfully utilizes this to explore the internal struggles of the main characters.

Agatha and Tedros’s quest to restore Camelot is a fitting continuation of their journey, while Sophie’s ambitious plan to reshape Evil adds a compelling layer of intrigue. However, the narrative’s strength lies not just in the grand adventures, but in the subtle shifts in the characters’ personalities. We see them grappling with leadership, the weight of expectations, and the isolating nature of power. The exploration of these themes, particularly the loneliness experienced even amidst success, provides a welcome depth to the otherwise fantastical plot.

While the book successfully builds upon the established lore, it does feel somewhat slower-paced than previous entries. The focus on internal conflicts and character development, while appreciated, might leave some readers longing for the more action-packed sequences that characterized earlier books. Furthermore, the sheer number of characters and their individual quests can occasionally lead to a feeling of narrative sprawl, making it challenging to fully invest in each storyline.

Overall, Quests for Glory is a solid addition to the School for Good and Evil series. While it may not reach the same exhilarating heights of its predecessors, its mature exploration of character development and the complex relationship between Good and Evil makes it a worthy read, especially for fans of the series. The book successfully expands upon the world established in the film, offering a more nuanced and introspective narrative that will resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven storytelling. The ending, though, leaves the door tantalizingly open for future installments, leaving the reader both satisfied and wanting more.