The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani Summary

The School for Good and Evil follows best friends Sophie and Agatha, who are kidnapped to a magical twin-school system training fairy-tale heroes and villains. Despite Sophie’s belief she belongs in the School for Good and Agatha in Evil, they’re placed opposite expectations. The story explores identity, morality, and friendship as they unravel a riddle about love’s role in defining good and evil.

This book appeals to middle-grade and young adult readers who enjoy dark fantasy, subverted fairy-tale tropes, and themes of self-discovery. Fans of series like Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia will appreciate its whimsical yet morally complex world.

Yes—it’s a New York Times bestseller praised for flipping traditional good-vs-evil narratives. Critics highlight its witty dialogue, intricate worldbuilding, and thought-provoking exploration of how appearance and intent shape identity.

Key themes include the fluidity of morality, the dangers of vanity, and the power of friendship over societal labels. The story critiques rigid binaries, showing how good and evil often coexist within individuals.

It subverts expectations by placing a “princess-obsessed” girl in the School for Evil and a “witchy” outcast in the School for Good. The plot dismantles stereotypes, emphasizing inner character over appearances and redefining “happily ever after” through platonic love.

The Storian, a magical self-writing pen, dictates the fate of students by chronicling their fairy tales. It symbolizes the power of storytelling and the cyclical struggle between good and evil, ultimately revealing that true agency lies in defying predetermined roles.

Characters’ outer beauty often misrepresents their inner nature—Sophie’s vanity masks insecurity, while Agatha’s “ugliness” hides compassion. The schools enforce uglification for Evil students, but the climax reveals true identity transcends physical traits.

Some readers critique its handling of beauty standards, noting that Evil students becoming “ugly” reinforces harmful stereotypes. Others find the moral lessons contradictory, particularly when physical transformations still tie to moral alignment.

A central riddle asks, “What’s the one thing Evil can never have and Good can never do without?” The answer—love—drives the plot. Sophie’s sacrificial act for Agatha proves even “Evil” characters can love, dismantling the schools’ rigid teachings.

Chainani holds a Harvard degree in fairy-tale literature and an MFA in film from Columbia. His thesis on “evil women” in folklore directly informs the series’ nuanced villains, blending academic insights with cinematic pacing.

Both feature magical schools and coming-of-age themes, but Chainani’s work focuses more on moral ambiguity than clear heroism. Unlike Harry’s destiny, Sophie and Agatha’s paths are unpredictable, emphasizing choice over fate.

Yes—it’s the first of six books, followed by A World Without Princes and The Last Ever After. The series expands the world’s lore, introducing new characters and deepening conflicts between good and evil.

Its themes of identity, inclusivity, and challenging societal norms align with contemporary discussions about self-expression and moral complexity. The 2023 Netflix adaptation also renewed interest in the series.