Killing November by Adriana Mather Review

Killing November was an exceptional book with a unique premise, engaging characters, and well-wrought details. Overall, I would rate this book a 10/10. Although some may say it's another basic YA book, the premise was well-thought-out and different in many ways from just any other book in a crowded genre. Mather writes fleshed-out characters with a variety of personalities and an incredible range of attitudes.

November, as a main character, was exceptional. Mather was able to maintain the image of a teen while giving November the ability to handle difficult situations with elegance and practice. For example, November would be training with Ash (the love interest). During this time, she would be focused on improving in any given area until her thoughts betray her and she slips and flirts with him for one second. Some words that come to mind when I think of November would be aplomb, focus, dedication, and optimism. Although she of course experiences frustration and anger, she maintains a positive attitude and never loses sight of what matters most-her father.

One of the other elements of this book that I thought separated it from the YA genre was November's primary motivation. Although the love interest often takes up a disproportionate amount of the protagonist's thoughts in a traditional YA book, November is mostly focused on improving her studies so that she can escape or leave Academy Absconditi in order to find and fight for her father, who is in danger. The only other exception to this unspoken rule would be The Hunger Games. Katniss always thinks of her younger sister, Prim, first, and Peeta or Gale second. This type of dedication to family increases my respect for November and shows a level of maturity. However, main characters who are completely wrapped up in another person show lack of focus and I lose respect for them. It’s difficult to be a trailblazer and lead a revolution if you’re worried about why they didn't respond to your text last night. However, one thing Mather does well is maintain Ash and November’s relationship too so that you, as the reader, are still cheering for them.

Additionally, something Mather does well is illustrate the unique setting. Many times, a revolutionary is forced to lead in a broken society for everyone’s safety. This is different. November is not trying to renovate a corrupt government or systematic prejudice but find her father. She undergoes challenges, but it’s not because of the other side's advanced techno-weapons. She’s being forced to learn hand-to-hand combat and deception in a sixteenth-century setting. Academy Absconditi doesn’t use electricity or gadgets, which is refreshing as a reader. Mather includes the right level of detail and description without overwhelming the reader. In reading reviews of almost any book, there are some that will say the author used too much filler description. I'll scroll down and read two more reviews, and another says they want more sensory description. However, this book has just the right amount of sensory details without it feeling filler.

Overall, Mather creates an engaging book, with fleshed-out characters, a unique perspective, and refreshing elements in an overcrowded YA genre. This book is 10/10.