Secrets of the First School

T L Huchu

Book cover for Secrets of the First School
Image for variant 9781250440914
Book cover for Secrets of the First School
Image for variant 9781250440914

Secrets of the First School

Secrets of the First School

T L Huchu

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Critical Reviews

Praise for the Edinburgh Nights series:
"Alluring, shadowy Edinburgh with its hints of sophisticated academic magic will draw you in, but it's Ropa - a hard knocks ghostalker on her paranormal grind to pay the rent - who grabs hold. The moment you meet her, you'll follow wherever she goes."--Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six

"An absolute delight . . . kept me totally hooked."--Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library

"Expertly blending elements of Zimbabwean and Scottish culture, Huchu's occult thriller is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Everything rides on the shoulders of young Ropa in this post-apocalyptic, near-future Edinburgh where magic, science, and monarchy all hold equal sway. Ropa, at only 14, carries an adult's burdens and responsibility with equal parts can-do spirit, stubborn energy, and kicking herself and her friends as necessary. This twisted Edinburgh tries its best to keep her down, but she never stops."--Library Journal, starred review

"Witty, suspenseful, and keenly attuned to real-life socioeconomic hierarchies, this equally entertaining and insightful sophomore outing should keep Huchu's star on the rise."--Publishers Weekly, starred review on The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle

"A fast-paced, future-set Edinburgh thriller. The Library of the Dead mixes magical mysteries with a streetwise style of writing . . . . Roll on the sequel."--The Times (UK)

"Fast-moving and entertaining... Stupendously engaging."--Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series

"What a delight. Great pacing, wonderfully creepy villains, and so much fun!"--A. K. Larkwood, author of The Unspoken Name

"I highly recommend The Library of the Dead."--Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series

​"Perfect for teens and adults, the Edinburgh Nights series just gets stronger with each book.... (The backstabbing! The nefarious lying! The cow-ardly behavior by those who should know better!) What a great group of books these are, and what fun to read them and share them with others."--Locus

"Contemporary fantasy, at its best, is both escapist and urgent: this does both admirably."--The Scotsman

"Ropa is a delight to read, even as her tumble into danger can turn into a bit of a nailbiter."--Booklist

"One of the strangest and most compelling fantasy worlds you'll see all year . . . We can't wait for the next volume."--SFX

"There's magic and mystery in these pages, and with a protagonist like Ropa, you'll be glad you went along for the ride."--BookRiot

"As accessible to first-time readers as to longtime fans. . . . Huchu delivers another satisfying paranormal mystery in his entertaining fourth Edinburgh Nights urban fantasy . . . Huchu's worldbuilding is as immersive and appealing as ever."--Publishers Weekly on The Legacy of Arniston House

Publishing Information

Publisher: Tor Books
Pub date: 2025-12-02
Length: 400 pages

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