Are There Any Similar Books To Killing November?

If you loved the high-stakes, spy-school vibes of 'Killing November', you're probably craving more books that mix intense training, secret societies, and a dash of ruthless competition. One title that immediately comes to mind is 'this savage song' by Victoria Schwab. It’s got that same gritty, survivalist energy, though with a supernatural twist—think monsters and moral ambiguity in a divided city. The protagonist, Kate, is just as sharp and resourceful as November, and the world-building is equally immersive.

Another great pick is 'the naturals' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. it follows a group of teens recruited by the FBI for their unique skills, kinda like how November’s thrown into this shadowy world of strategists and assassins. The psychological depth and cat-and-mouse games in this series are seriously addictive. For something with a more political edge, 'red queen' by Victoria Aveyard might hit the spot. The protagonist, Mare, is thrust into a world of power plays and Betrayal, much like November, and the tension never lets up.

I’d also throw in 'Finishing School' series by Gail Carriger if you enjoy a lighter, steampunk take on assassin training. It’s got wit, charm, and a killer (pun intended) boarding school setting. And if you’re into the 'trust no one' vibe, 'the lies of locke lamora' by Scott Lynch is a fantastic adult fantasy with heists, deception, and a protagonist who’s always five steps ahead—until he isn’t. These books all capture that blend of cunning and survival that makes 'Killing November' so gripping.

This might be an offbeat suggestion, but consider 'The Library at Mount Char' by Scott Hawkins. It's not a school setting, but it's about a group of 'librarians' raised by a terrifying, god-like figure, each trained in a single, extreme catalog of knowledge (like war, languages of the dead, healing). The found-family-gone-wrong dynamic, the lethal skills, and the absolutely bonkers, darkly creative plot might scratch a similar itch for a unique, brutal, and secretive training environment. It's definitely weirder and more adult than 'Killing November'. For something more YA-focused with a lethal competition angle, 'The Hunger Games' is an obvious parallel in terms of teens using survival skills in a deadly arena, though the setting is completely different. A deeper cut is 'Three Dark Crowns' by Kendare Blake, where triplet queens are raised separately, each trained in a different magical discipline, and must eventually kill each other to claim the throne. It's all about upbringing for a singular, deadly purpose.

Has anyone brought up 'The Bone Houses' by Emily Lloyd-Jones? It's a fantasy about a gravedigger and a mapmaker teaming up to stop the dead from rising in a mist-enshrouded valley. The protagonist, Aderyn, has practical survival skills honed from a hard life. Her partner, Ellis, has scholarly knowledge. Their combined, learned skills are their only weapons against the supernatural threat. It's not a school story, but it's a fantastic example of two people using their specific, non-combat trainings (grave-digging, cartography) in a lethal situation. The emphasis on practical knowledge as a survival tool is a great angle.