Briefly, I quite enjoyed this novel. It certainly sets up a sequel, which I've already pre-ordered, a fact that might give you some idea of how much I expect to enjoy the next book.
If I were to describe "A Deadly Education" in a way that might make one want to read it, I'd say that the main character is a young woman who has all the makings of an apocalyptically dark sorceress. She fights against this destiny as much as possible, while trying to survive in a school that is literally out to kill her and every other student inside.
So what's "A Deadly Education" about? It's about a school for wizards, an idea that J.K. Rowling obviously made popular and that has spawned many other narratives exploring the many nuances of the trope.
Part of this history of critical reviews of this trope drives "A Deadly Education." In J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World, it never really makes any sense why these schools are filled with deathtraps for children. In "A Deadly Education," you find out that very simply, life for young wizards outside this school would likely prove even more deadly. Moreover, this school isn't supposed to be nearly as deadly as it is, a fact that drives much of the color of the book and much of its action.
Another nuance of magic school tropes is why wizards don't just conquer the world. "A Deadly Education" solves this problem by explaining how magic simply doesn't work in front of mundanes. At the same time, when it does work — when only wizards are watching — it can prove extremely powerful, which gives a good enough reason for why wizards would want to preserve their power, and why they very strictly keep it a secret.
All in all, though, "A Deadly Education" is less a reaction against magic school tropes than it is an exploration of how high school is a living hell for many, and how that reflects genuine problems in society as a whole. This elevates it from "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer," which was clever enough to create a franchise off the former observation but never really crossed over into establishing drama off the latter.
Much of the reason why I liked "A Deadly Education" isn't just because it's fun watching a smart, tough protagonist make her way through an intriguing world, but because the meat of her problem is starkly real to her, and starkly real to many of us. That's much more dramatically satisfying than simply fighting some ordinary monster. And the book doesn't unrealistically say that she's going to solve all the problems of her world — it's how she struggles and keeps on in spite of the enormity of these challenges that make me eager to read more.
The novel is a bit confusing to start with. I did find myself putting it down for a bit here and there, a bit disappointed, as I've quite enjoyed Naomi Novik's other books, such as "Spinning Silver." I fear that might dissuade other readers from continuing. Hopefully, I'm in the majority. Once I got into the groove of this book, I quite enjoyed it, and I'm actually likely going to reread it.
Anyhow, highly recommended.