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Schooled in Magic #19
The Artful Apprentice
Every magician who wants to be great goes through an apprenticeship, through a period of training under a master who will — hopefully — raise them to mastery themselves. Now, for Emily, the time has come to begin her long-awaited apprenticeship with Void. She must master her powers or risk being destroyed by them.
But as Void introduces her to levels and layers of magic she never even knew existed, she finds herself fighting desperately to keep up, to defeat challenge after challenge to prove her worth to study under him ... perhaps, even, to survive a training course that has killed other — lesser — magicians.
And, when Void sends her to a kingdom she's never visited, on a mysterious mission she has to figure out for herself, she finds herself facing a choice that could destroy her ...
... Or unleash a nightmare that could destroy an entire kingdom.
But as Void introduces her to levels and layers of magic she never even knew existed, she finds herself fighting desperately to keep up, to defeat challenge after challenge to prove her worth to study under him ... perhaps, even, to survive a training course that has killed other — lesser — magicians.
And, when Void sends her to a kingdom she's never visited, on a mysterious mission she has to figure out for herself, she finds herself facing a choice that could destroy her ...
... Or unleash a nightmare that could destroy an entire kingdom.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 23, 2021
I quite liked this instalment in the Schooled in Magic series. With Emily becoming Void’s apprentice it felt like the series went back to it’s roots. Emily being a student again instead of galloping around playing with politics and social change. There’s of course some of that stuff in the book as well since it’s a favourite topic of this author but it’s contained.
Obviously I like Emily as always but I also like Void and it’s really cool that he finally gets some more space in this series. He is not at all the borderline crazy guys that some of the characters have hinted that he is in previous books. He is intelligent, very very skilled in magic and a tough trainer.
In the latter part of the book the training consists of Emily being sent on a case of sorts which takes up a good chunk of the reminder of the book. Basically Emily has to solve a murder mystery. It had a nice twist to it with respect to who was the actual murderer and there was quite a bit of action towards the end.
Some politics crept in as well in this part but it was tolerable. Slight spoiler ahead. I’m actually a bit disappointed about the dragon. I hoped Emily would awe everyone by riding out triumphantly on the dragon but no such luck. In the end the dragon was just a tool though.
Another thing that irks me a bit is this constant harping about Emily not wanting to use the nuke spell and how dangerous it is and so on and so forth. Of course it’s dangerous but it’s a fantasy book. I would love for Emily to chock friends and foe alike by just obliterating some powerful bad guy by a uber-powerful nuke fireball or something.
Any way, overall it’s a very good book. I hope it continues that way now.
Obviously I like Emily as always but I also like Void and it’s really cool that he finally gets some more space in this series. He is not at all the borderline crazy guys that some of the characters have hinted that he is in previous books. He is intelligent, very very skilled in magic and a tough trainer.
In the latter part of the book the training consists of Emily being sent on a case of sorts which takes up a good chunk of the reminder of the book. Basically Emily has to solve a murder mystery. It had a nice twist to it with respect to who was the actual murderer and there was quite a bit of action towards the end.
Some politics crept in as well in this part but it was tolerable. Slight spoiler ahead. I’m actually a bit disappointed about the dragon. I hoped Emily would awe everyone by riding out triumphantly on the dragon but no such luck. In the end the dragon was just a tool though.
Another thing that irks me a bit is this constant harping about Emily not wanting to use the nuke spell and how dangerous it is and so on and so forth. Of course it’s dangerous but it’s a fantasy book. I would love for Emily to chock friends and foe alike by just obliterating some powerful bad guy by a uber-powerful nuke fireball or something.
Any way, overall it’s a very good book. I hope it continues that way now.
May 1, 2020
I have been waiting for this book since the the beginning.
Although slow at first whch was understandable, it developed into a great continuation of the series and I am looking forward to seeing what other skills Emily can develop and master.
Now the wait is on for the next book and for Nanette to get her come-upance.
For those of you who enjoy SciFi as well - I highly recommend the author's Angel in the Whirlwind series.
Although slow at first whch was understandable, it developed into a great continuation of the series and I am looking forward to seeing what other skills Emily can develop and master.
Now the wait is on for the next book and for Nanette to get her come-upance.
For those of you who enjoy SciFi as well - I highly recommend the author's Angel in the Whirlwind series.
June 2, 2020
This was a return to form in the Schooled in Magic series, which I've been enjoying for a number of years now. The previous several installments were okay, but left me somewhat disappointed. But this one was fresh, engaging, and interesting from start to finish. It rekindled me enthusiasm for the series as a whole, and now I'm all the more eager for the next installment, hopefully out soon.
April 29, 2020
Another outing for Emily.
One of the big questions in this series has been who is Void. When Emily begins at long last her apprenticeship with Void, some of the questions begin to be answered. Does Emily have the fortitude to keep the moral compass she brought with her to the nameless world? Will she be destroyed by the inconceivable power of Void and his cronies? Is she really all her reputation indicates?
Neutral approaches all these questions with his typical use of the micro and the macro in his storyline. Emily finds herself in situations both unprecedented and unique as she is.
One of the big questions in this series has been who is Void. When Emily begins at long last her apprenticeship with Void, some of the questions begin to be answered. Does Emily have the fortitude to keep the moral compass she brought with her to the nameless world? Will she be destroyed by the inconceivable power of Void and his cronies? Is she really all her reputation indicates?
Neutral approaches all these questions with his typical use of the micro and the macro in his storyline. Emily finds herself in situations both unprecedented and unique as she is.
April 30, 2020
Fantstic
One of the best book series I have read. They just keep getting better and leave me always wanting more.
One of the best book series I have read. They just keep getting better and leave me always wanting more.
April 28, 2020
Riveting
I couldn't put it down. Finished the book in 3 sittings. Christopher Nuttall does it again much to my delight. As always I highly recommend this and all of his books to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy.
I couldn't put it down. Finished the book in 3 sittings. Christopher Nuttall does it again much to my delight. As always I highly recommend this and all of his books to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy.
May 16, 2020
A strong entry in the series. With so many things leading to the apprenticeship with Void I was nervous I’d be disappointed. But a good schooling section (which I always like in this series) and good characters and plot make this a four star, but the last chapter throws it up to 5. I should check my ratings. I think the early Whitehall was my favourite but this is right up there.
May 6, 2020
Well...
The first half was interesting, the second half had so much political talk the only thing that made me push through and not DNF the book was the mystery. I feel like it’s not the best in the series, but I’m hoping it’s setting up the usual amazing book for next time.
The first half was interesting, the second half had so much political talk the only thing that made me push through and not DNF the book was the mystery. I feel like it’s not the best in the series, but I’m hoping it’s setting up the usual amazing book for next time.
May 17, 2020
Loved it - finally she got to work with Void her mentor and father figure
I enjoy the authors writing style very much. Schooled in Magic is one of favorite series. All the books has various parts of her life mainly hardship but also amazing thrills were her magic grows and perfect. Like all the books but my favorite are the first book schooled in Magic and continues with hard knocks, trial by fire 💓 , work experience when she gets her snake familiar, past tense when she gets to meet the school founder Whitehall and now with artful apprentice. I love void, contrary to people's opinion, void has been great influence in her development. He saved her life more than once and have been her safety blanket from afar with his reputation as one of the more lethal magician. I like to see more of his presence in the following books because he is such an interesting character. I just enjoy their relationship immensely with the mix of respect and care. Can't wait for the next book even thought I totally hate Nanette. I highly recommend this series. 19 Books and I'm still enamored with the series. I most have read all the books around 10 times except for the last 3 I just acquired💕
I enjoy the authors writing style very much. Schooled in Magic is one of favorite series. All the books has various parts of her life mainly hardship but also amazing thrills were her magic grows and perfect. Like all the books but my favorite are the first book schooled in Magic and continues with hard knocks, trial by fire 💓 , work experience when she gets her snake familiar, past tense when she gets to meet the school founder Whitehall and now with artful apprentice. I love void, contrary to people's opinion, void has been great influence in her development. He saved her life more than once and have been her safety blanket from afar with his reputation as one of the more lethal magician. I like to see more of his presence in the following books because he is such an interesting character. I just enjoy their relationship immensely with the mix of respect and care. Can't wait for the next book even thought I totally hate Nanette. I highly recommend this series. 19 Books and I'm still enamored with the series. I most have read all the books around 10 times except for the last 3 I just acquired💕
July 3, 2020
Politics, murder mysteries, and high-end sorcery, what could go wrong?
As you may guess, plenty. Emily was forewarned by Lady Barb; Void believes the end justifies the means. In this case, he believes in trial by fire for his new apprentice, and so dunks her into a complicated situation following the untimely death of a King.
This newest entry in the series keeps on shifting the focus from the old format of magical school into the one of the rising star of Lady Emily, Baroness Cockatrice, Necromancer's Bane and Child of Destiny - yes that's the full official title. As usual for the course, it mixes two different sub-plots, one of exploration of magical stuff, with Emily untangling the hints gleaned from her counterpart in the previous volume, and one of politics. And politics in the Nameless World usually means death, mayhem, and a shitton of problems.
And a slightly surprising re-use of previous plot devices. I'll leave this at that, because you expect her to do "something", but you don't see it coming.
Which, in the end, summarizes why this series remains one of the best long-running fantasy series for something that started as "female harry potter, lol?" for some.
As you may guess, plenty. Emily was forewarned by Lady Barb; Void believes the end justifies the means. In this case, he believes in trial by fire for his new apprentice, and so dunks her into a complicated situation following the untimely death of a King.
This newest entry in the series keeps on shifting the focus from the old format of magical school into the one of the rising star of Lady Emily, Baroness Cockatrice, Necromancer's Bane and Child of Destiny - yes that's the full official title. As usual for the course, it mixes two different sub-plots, one of exploration of magical stuff, with Emily untangling the hints gleaned from her counterpart in the previous volume, and one of politics. And politics in the Nameless World usually means death, mayhem, and a shitton of problems.
And a slightly surprising re-use of previous plot devices. I'll leave this at that, because you expect her to do "something", but you don't see it coming.
Which, in the end, summarizes why this series remains one of the best long-running fantasy series for something that started as "female harry potter, lol?" for some.
May 4, 2020
I loved the book, it brought me back to the first one.
I really like void and I dont think he is an evil character just a practical one, so I was very happy to read a book where this character appears more and where the way to o magic is again explained in more datais, to understand better what is alchemy. High praises for the book!
I wish though that I could give 4.5 stars because I had a problem with the endind
SPOILER ALERT!!!_____
I did not understand why emily could not tell void that Eve was alive. Void is not a mean character, I can not see that he would just go there and kill a little girl that was a solved problem. He is too practical for it to bother him. The girl will be monitored, if she show signs of bursts than they can just go there and kill her. The last part of the book did not make sense for me based on what we learned about the characters in the last 18 books.
All in all the book was great and I love the series it is on my top 5 series of all time
Thanks again for an awesome book!
I really like void and I dont think he is an evil character just a practical one, so I was very happy to read a book where this character appears more and where the way to o magic is again explained in more datais, to understand better what is alchemy. High praises for the book!
I wish though that I could give 4.5 stars because I had a problem with the endind
SPOILER ALERT!!!_____
I did not understand why emily could not tell void that Eve was alive. Void is not a mean character, I can not see that he would just go there and kill a little girl that was a solved problem. He is too practical for it to bother him. The girl will be monitored, if she show signs of bursts than they can just go there and kill her. The last part of the book did not make sense for me based on what we learned about the characters in the last 18 books.
All in all the book was great and I love the series it is on my top 5 series of all time
Thanks again for an awesome book!
March 26, 2021
One of the very best in the series--so well-written! I loved Emily's initial time with Void and how he was teaching her in a way new to her, and how she was pushing herself and absorbing a great deal but also still caring about the downtrodden and the controlled. It was great to get back to the first place she landed in this astounding new world. It was wonderful to get back to "schooling", too, however advanced it is. Love her library time. Then, in a move of very artful plotting, the mystery task (which is a big part of her advancement, I feel, in the end) is an absorbing new development, with all the characters brought to complete life, in a very skillful way. I loved this book from start to finish. Well-done fantasy!
June 5, 2020
As always, a highly enjoyable read!
Void was there when Emily first came to the Nameless World and now that Emily's apprenticeship is finally under way, I enjoyed getting to know Void better. Yes, we have seen him from time to time, usually to save Emily's bacon just in the nick of time, but for the most part, he has been offstage for the majority of this series.
It was also highly interesting to see for the first time Void interacting with his peers.
Highly recommended for fantasy fans, series fans, wizard-school series fans, and people who just enjoy serial action (that is, one chapter at a time!)!
Void was there when Emily first came to the Nameless World and now that Emily's apprenticeship is finally under way, I enjoyed getting to know Void better. Yes, we have seen him from time to time, usually to save Emily's bacon just in the nick of time, but for the most part, he has been offstage for the majority of this series.
It was also highly interesting to see for the first time Void interacting with his peers.
Highly recommended for fantasy fans, series fans, wizard-school series fans, and people who just enjoy serial action (that is, one chapter at a time!)!
July 8, 2020
An apprenticeship with Void, who will gain the most benefit, the student or the Master?
Lady Barb doesn't like or trust Void. Void is one on the most powerful magicians in existence. Lady Barb had been his apprentice, Sergeant Miles doesn't know why she’d left, no one would leave such an apprenticeship unless they had no other choice, she thinks Void has own agenda for Emily. Lady Barb is afraid Emily's choice to apprentice with Void may get herself killed or changed so much that Emily that emerges at the end willing not be the person her friends know and love.
The real character of Void begins to emerge with this book, will you love him or hate him at the end?
Lady Barb doesn't like or trust Void. Void is one on the most powerful magicians in existence. Lady Barb had been his apprentice, Sergeant Miles doesn't know why she’d left, no one would leave such an apprenticeship unless they had no other choice, she thinks Void has own agenda for Emily. Lady Barb is afraid Emily's choice to apprentice with Void may get herself killed or changed so much that Emily that emerges at the end willing not be the person her friends know and love.
The real character of Void begins to emerge with this book, will you love him or hate him at the end?
July 15, 2020
Another awesome book
So, I found the series at the beginning of the year and I have since re-read it twice, once in January and just now, I tend to read alot so I try to re-read before reading a new book in a series especially as long as this one (easy to forget details). Great plotlines, character development is stunning, and the pace in all but one of the SIM novels drags you to the next book even if you want to put it down. Can't say enough good things about the series and Mr. Nuttall
So, I found the series at the beginning of the year and I have since re-read it twice, once in January and just now, I tend to read alot so I try to re-read before reading a new book in a series especially as long as this one (easy to forget details). Great plotlines, character development is stunning, and the pace in all but one of the SIM novels drags you to the next book even if you want to put it down. Can't say enough good things about the series and Mr. Nuttall
August 11, 2020
I absolutely love this series and never want it to finish. Void has been one of my favorite characters for a long while now and it is great to learn more about him. The story delivers all we have come to expect from Christopher Nuttall, more world building, a great build up, an awesome battle at the end and an intriguing epilogue.
Already gotten the next - this series is doing wonders for my reading challenge.
Already gotten the next - this series is doing wonders for my reading challenge.
April 30, 2020
Getting to know Void a bit better
I was happy to get to know a bit more about Void. A very mysterious character so far, but this book deepens our knowledge by quite a bit.
Outside this is another great book in the SiM universe. We learn more about magic, a mysterious problem to solve and some great action!
I was happy to get to know a bit more about Void. A very mysterious character so far, but this book deepens our knowledge by quite a bit.
Outside this is another great book in the SiM universe. We learn more about magic, a mysterious problem to solve and some great action!
April 30, 2020
This series is Unbelievable Great
Who would have thought that the best book yet in a series would be book #19. Emily continues to naturally grow and mature as a person and learn more. This book is part of the payoff for continuing through book 1 to 18. GOT should have been like this. I hope this series never ends.
Who would have thought that the best book yet in a series would be book #19. Emily continues to naturally grow and mature as a person and learn more. This book is part of the payoff for continuing through book 1 to 18. GOT should have been like this. I hope this series never ends.
May 5, 2020
This is so fantastically GREAT
now I wonder how long I have to wait for the next one. I also wonder how long this apprenticeship will take in # of books that is. READ this book more then once!
now I wonder how long I have to wait for the next one. I also wonder how long this apprenticeship will take in # of books that is. READ this book more then once!
May 9, 2020
JUST WOW
ONE OF THE BEST MAGIC SERIES OUT.
I read a lot 300 to 400 books a year and this us by far one the best non urban fantasy series there is. The author Is a master story teller keeping engaged and at the edge of your seat.
ONE OF THE BEST MAGIC SERIES OUT.
I read a lot 300 to 400 books a year and this us by far one the best non urban fantasy series there is. The author Is a master story teller keeping engaged and at the edge of your seat.
May 15, 2020
#19 in the "Schooled in Magic" Series.
Obviously, I enjoy the series if I am 19 books in and keep buying them.
Slower starting off than usual. Still ended up really good, but needed a better liftoff.
Obviously, I enjoy the series if I am 19 books in and keep buying them.
Slower starting off than usual. Still ended up really good, but needed a better liftoff.
June 13, 2020
Yet another excellent tale
I think I'm addicted to this series. Great story telling and consistent character development. I would appreciate it if the death viper could come out to play more often.
I think I'm addicted to this series. Great story telling and consistent character development. I would appreciate it if the death viper could come out to play more often.
June 15, 2020
Brilliant, with a twist!
Emily's story continues in another violins filled with great action and adventure from start to finish. A great teaser to end on! I can hardly wait for the next book
Emily's story continues in another violins filled with great action and adventure from start to finish. A great teaser to end on! I can hardly wait for the next book
July 20, 2020
Not the best of the series, however the known character and new twists make this an enjoyable read.
Christopher Nuttall has an uncanny nack to keep me turning the pages even when I'm sure I know what will happen next.
Christopher Nuttall has an uncanny nack to keep me turning the pages even when I'm sure I know what will happen next.
July 21, 2020
A little short but excellent as always!
As always Chris delivered a excellent story in which Emily grows as a magician and matures as a person, Though her response to hard decisions is still a bit petulant. Can't wait to read Oathkeeper fortunately it released two days ago!
As always Chris delivered a excellent story in which Emily grows as a magician and matures as a person, Though her response to hard decisions is still a bit petulant. Can't wait to read Oathkeeper fortunately it released two days ago!
July 22, 2020
I've enjoyed the series, and I will continue with the next book. Nuttall writes with such ease that it is a joy. I did not necessarily enjoy this book as much as some of the others, but it was still fun.
August 6, 2020
Okay
Okay. I’m loving this apprenticeship and master relationship as it’s pushing Emily’s perception of magic. This is a very interesting concept. The ending was very unexpected and delightful.
Okay. I’m loving this apprenticeship and master relationship as it’s pushing Emily’s perception of magic. This is a very interesting concept. The ending was very unexpected and delightful.
August 13, 2020
More great stuff I am afraid the series will end 😳
This takes a great leap into the higher understanding and tougher decisions that are not always so clear but her instincts always steer her to the correct outcomes.
This takes a great leap into the higher understanding and tougher decisions that are not always so clear but her instincts always steer her to the correct outcomes.
August 18, 2020
Live It!
This was sick a great read.
The trials and tribulations along side the wonderful character relationships as they have evolved keep up in yhis next installment to the "Schooled In Magic" series.
This was sick a great read.
The trials and tribulations along side the wonderful character relationships as they have evolved keep up in yhis next installment to the "Schooled In Magic" series.
August 18, 2020
Great continuation of the story. I loved how Emily is coming into her own but would like to get more on the Jan/Emily situation. Also this seems to be hinting that Emily maybe be getting closer to her counterpart from the other universe?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews