Charm School

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at first—*another* magic school story? But *Charm School* won me over by refusing to play nice. Chance Fortunato isn’t the ‘chosen one’; he’s the kid who got dragged into this world kicking and screaming, and his resentment is *palpable* in the best way. Reeder’s magic system is refreshingly brutal: spells have physical consequences, and the academy’s ‘prestige’ is built on a rotten foundation of nepotism and exploitation. The plot balances snappy heist-energy set pieces (a cursed library break-in is a standout) with slower burns, like Chance’s reluctant alliances with classmates who are either useful or *dangerously* naive. Thurston’s narration elevates the material significantly. His Chance sounds like a guy who’s two seconds from setting something on fire, but with enough weary charm to keep you rooting for him. The supporting cast gets distinct voices—particularly the slick, aristocratic villains—though a few minor characters blur together in crowded scenes. My only real critique? The mid-book sag loses some momentum when the plot pivots to political maneuvering; the magical action is so vivid that the boardroom intrigue feels less urgent by comparison. Still, the finale delivers a payoff that’s both cathartic and darkly funny, and the audio production (especially the spellcasting sound effects) adds a cinematic punch. If you’re tired of magic schools that feel like a theme park, this is the antidote—messy, bitter, and utterly compelling.