What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
18 days and 03:11:37
25 copies available
U.S. only
Edinburgh Nights #5
Secrets of the First School
Win a free print copy of this book!
18 days and 03:11:37
25 copies available
U.S. only
One final adventure for Ropa Moyo – orphan, mischief-maker and failed magician. Secrets of the First School is the mystery-filled finale to T. L. Huchu’s enchanting Edinburgh Nights series.
‘I’ve had my arse kicked more times than I can count’
Ropa Moyo is dead, banished to the Other Place by the reanimated spirit of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville of Scotland. Turns out being on the losing side sucks worse than being skint.
Now, the Cult of Dundas intends to ascend to godhood, spreading their corrupting reach from Edinburgh to all of Scotland’s schools of magic. Ropa must find some way to escape the Other Place, save her sister and gather allies across the country before Edinburgh falls.
A royal plot, a family secret and a stolen body. As Scotland descends into petty in-fighting, Ropa’s only hope lies in her grandmother’s final the first school of magic.
An ancient power is returning . . . and is hungry for revenge.
* * *
Praise for the Edinburgh Nights
‘Fast-moving and entertaining . . . Stupendously engaging’
– Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series
‘I am such a fan of T. L. Huchu and this series – I recommend it to everyone I meet’
– Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six
‘I highly recommend The Library of the Dead’
– Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series
‘I’ve had my arse kicked more times than I can count’
Ropa Moyo is dead, banished to the Other Place by the reanimated spirit of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville of Scotland. Turns out being on the losing side sucks worse than being skint.
Now, the Cult of Dundas intends to ascend to godhood, spreading their corrupting reach from Edinburgh to all of Scotland’s schools of magic. Ropa must find some way to escape the Other Place, save her sister and gather allies across the country before Edinburgh falls.
A royal plot, a family secret and a stolen body. As Scotland descends into petty in-fighting, Ropa’s only hope lies in her grandmother’s final the first school of magic.
An ancient power is returning . . . and is hungry for revenge.
* * *
Praise for the Edinburgh Nights
‘Fast-moving and entertaining . . . Stupendously engaging’
– Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series
‘I am such a fan of T. L. Huchu and this series – I recommend it to everyone I meet’
– Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six
‘I highly recommend The Library of the Dead’
– Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 2, 2025
164 people want to read
About the author
T.L. Huchu
30 books702 followersT. L. Huchu has been published previously (as
Tendai Huchu
) in the adult market, but the Edinburgh Nights series is his genre fiction debut. His previous books (The Hairdresser of Harare and The Maestro, The Magistrate and the Mathematician) have been translated into multiple languages and his short fiction has won awards. Tendai grew up in Zimbabwe but has lived in Edinburgh for most of his adult life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 10, 2025
i was provided an advanced listening copy of this book through Libra.FM and Pop Fiction, an independent woman-owned bookstore in Nebraska. Consideration Libro.Fm for your audiobook needs as you can purchase books directly from the local store of your choosing.
Oh my god. I have loved this series entirely, at the end of the last book I sat desolate for days wondering how our heroes and my heart could come back. The finale to the series is a nail-biting, heart rending, wonderful, wildly and beautifully twisting end. I never saw the next move coming. I’m sad that to see the series conclude but it was a fantastic stop that seems so applicable to the here and now that it will ring in my heart and mind for a long time.
Oh my god. I have loved this series entirely, at the end of the last book I sat desolate for days wondering how our heroes and my heart could come back. The finale to the series is a nail-biting, heart rending, wonderful, wildly and beautifully twisting end. I never saw the next move coming. I’m sad that to see the series conclude but it was a fantastic stop that seems so applicable to the here and now that it will ring in my heart and mind for a long time.
November 14, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an advance copy of this book, the conclusion of a series, about a young woman in Scotland who has found that everything she has ever known is a lie, and her continuing to fight for what is right, no matter the cost to herself.
Books are a reflection of the society and the people that create them, and the readers who enjoy them. Publishing is not a fast art, a book that is bought now might not appear for a year or two, which shows that the world has been a darker place than most realized. Genre fiction I think captures the thinking of a society in ways that fiction can not. One can disguise the evil we see everyday in fantasy of science fiction settings far easier than regular fiction. If a writer was to say, make a despotic ignorant leader who hurts others for his own enjoyment and power, the writer can deflect and say, oh no this is based on a historical figure from the past, not the current administration. Why would you think that. The sad thing about books that show the world for what it is, is that so many people we thought more of seem to like the authoritarian streak that seems prevalent. The best thing is that there are people willing to fight, to lose, get up and keep fighting. We need stories like that. And a series like this. Secrets of the First School is the fifth and concluding book in the Edinburgh Nights series, written by T.L. Huchu, and tells of a young woman who has lost much, including the truths she counted on to survive, fighting an ancient force that wants to destroy everything, with a willing army of sycophants willing to help.
Ropa Moyo has lost much in the last few weeks. Friends, family, even her life. What has hurt her much though is not dying, but in finding out that everything she thought she was is not only a lie, but a plot for control of everything. The land she lives in, the people around her, even the lines between life and death. Returning to life Ropa has found her body beaten, her ability to channel magic corrupted, but her spirit to fight unbeaten. Though it is getting very hard to keep going. People she thought highly of, institutions she so wanted to be a part of are all bending a knee to the resurrected spirit of Henry Dundas, even with all the killings, the violence, and the fear that is spreading. Ropa finds new allies, in magic users ignored from the past, but time is running out. For Dundas has Ropa's sister, and the alliance Ropa has planned on, is showing signs of falling apart.
A very interesting story, with a good mix of history and folklore from both Scotland and Africa. As I wrote earlier this is the fifth book in the series, so one should start with the earlier books, or one will probably be a little confused. One won't go wrong as they are very good reads. There is a lot of sadness in this book, something that many might be feeling right now. People trusted not doing what is right. Institutions bending a knee for authoritarians. Even doubts about the generations before us, not understanding that they heedless ways have ruined much for further generations. The characters are quite well-developed and have a rich past, pasts that are still being revealed to the reader in the final book. I love the mix of magics, of folktales and mythologies, and the scenes where magic take center stage are quite well done.
A really good series that tells much about the society and world we find ourselves in. And the importance of fighting for what is right. I enjoyed this series, and eagerly await more books from T. L. Huchu.
Books are a reflection of the society and the people that create them, and the readers who enjoy them. Publishing is not a fast art, a book that is bought now might not appear for a year or two, which shows that the world has been a darker place than most realized. Genre fiction I think captures the thinking of a society in ways that fiction can not. One can disguise the evil we see everyday in fantasy of science fiction settings far easier than regular fiction. If a writer was to say, make a despotic ignorant leader who hurts others for his own enjoyment and power, the writer can deflect and say, oh no this is based on a historical figure from the past, not the current administration. Why would you think that. The sad thing about books that show the world for what it is, is that so many people we thought more of seem to like the authoritarian streak that seems prevalent. The best thing is that there are people willing to fight, to lose, get up and keep fighting. We need stories like that. And a series like this. Secrets of the First School is the fifth and concluding book in the Edinburgh Nights series, written by T.L. Huchu, and tells of a young woman who has lost much, including the truths she counted on to survive, fighting an ancient force that wants to destroy everything, with a willing army of sycophants willing to help.
Ropa Moyo has lost much in the last few weeks. Friends, family, even her life. What has hurt her much though is not dying, but in finding out that everything she thought she was is not only a lie, but a plot for control of everything. The land she lives in, the people around her, even the lines between life and death. Returning to life Ropa has found her body beaten, her ability to channel magic corrupted, but her spirit to fight unbeaten. Though it is getting very hard to keep going. People she thought highly of, institutions she so wanted to be a part of are all bending a knee to the resurrected spirit of Henry Dundas, even with all the killings, the violence, and the fear that is spreading. Ropa finds new allies, in magic users ignored from the past, but time is running out. For Dundas has Ropa's sister, and the alliance Ropa has planned on, is showing signs of falling apart.
A very interesting story, with a good mix of history and folklore from both Scotland and Africa. As I wrote earlier this is the fifth book in the series, so one should start with the earlier books, or one will probably be a little confused. One won't go wrong as they are very good reads. There is a lot of sadness in this book, something that many might be feeling right now. People trusted not doing what is right. Institutions bending a knee for authoritarians. Even doubts about the generations before us, not understanding that they heedless ways have ruined much for further generations. The characters are quite well-developed and have a rich past, pasts that are still being revealed to the reader in the final book. I love the mix of magics, of folktales and mythologies, and the scenes where magic take center stage are quite well done.
A really good series that tells much about the society and world we find ourselves in. And the importance of fighting for what is right. I enjoyed this series, and eagerly await more books from T. L. Huchu.
November 11, 2025
Cockburn explains how the rise of scientific magic guided by witchfinders was hastened through the persecution of witches. Over the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries more than two thousand five hundred witches were executed in Scotland. Those were the ones given trials and recorded. Many more were simply erased without any due process, just hearsay. The minds of the people were poisoned. These women who helped so many were seen as something to be loathed and feared. Crude depictions of warty witches flying on broomsticks emerged. The Kirk and Church both were keen to portray them as consorting with the Devil and blamed natural disasters on them. There came a time when the slightest misfortune could be tied to a witch.
When Ben Aaronovitch recommends a series, I tend to sit up and listen. It is safe to say he got this one spot on and it was right up my street.
Magical realism meets dystopian urban fantasy on the streets of Edinburgh after 'the catastrophe' has left the world a rather different place. Natural resources have dwindled, the planet is warming, and a war has seemingly been fought.
In this world lives Ropa with her little sister and grandmother. Ropa makes money delivering messages, usually to the loved ones of the senders. The twist is that Ropa takes these messages from the dead!
Following the events in The Legacy of Arniston House Scottish magic has fallen to the reincarnated Henry Dundas and Ropa has been severed from her body and been banished to 'the Other Place', a realm beyond which her usual ghost-talking takes her. Many others have been lost during the skirmish and all hope seems lost.
That, of course, wouldn't make for much of a book, especially seeing as this is the final installment in the series. Ropa has it all to do and has few to turn to but you know she's not going to give up and always has a trick or two up her sleeve.
There is a frantic pace to this as the tension rises. Ropa has to realise her true path and help will come from an unexpected source. I can't say much more without giving any spoilers, so I will leave with a final 5 star rating for this excellent series.
We teach children with fables.
Those stories are nothing but lies.
Until they are old enough.
But before they can comprehend, first they reject all we have taught.
Until understanding comes to them and they discover deeper meanings within those lies.
And that is how truth is woven into this world.
This is the way.
When Ben Aaronovitch recommends a series, I tend to sit up and listen. It is safe to say he got this one spot on and it was right up my street.
Magical realism meets dystopian urban fantasy on the streets of Edinburgh after 'the catastrophe' has left the world a rather different place. Natural resources have dwindled, the planet is warming, and a war has seemingly been fought.
In this world lives Ropa with her little sister and grandmother. Ropa makes money delivering messages, usually to the loved ones of the senders. The twist is that Ropa takes these messages from the dead!
Following the events in The Legacy of Arniston House Scottish magic has fallen to the reincarnated Henry Dundas and Ropa has been severed from her body and been banished to 'the Other Place', a realm beyond which her usual ghost-talking takes her. Many others have been lost during the skirmish and all hope seems lost.
That, of course, wouldn't make for much of a book, especially seeing as this is the final installment in the series. Ropa has it all to do and has few to turn to but you know she's not going to give up and always has a trick or two up her sleeve.
There is a frantic pace to this as the tension rises. Ropa has to realise her true path and help will come from an unexpected source. I can't say much more without giving any spoilers, so I will leave with a final 5 star rating for this excellent series.
We teach children with fables.
Those stories are nothing but lies.
Until they are old enough.
But before they can comprehend, first they reject all we have taught.
Until understanding comes to them and they discover deeper meanings within those lies.
And that is how truth is woven into this world.
This is the way.
October 25, 2025
T. L. Huchu is back with the final instalment of the Edinburgh Nights series - and it's a wild ride.
Following on from the events in book four, we follow Ropa as she finds herself dead and banished to the otherlands. The Cult of Dundas is determined to ascend to power, and Ropa must find a way to return from the dead, save the ones she loves, and stop the country from falling. But with so many secrets and so many lives at stake, will Ropa succeed?
I've loved every instalment in this series and Secrets of the First School is no exception. Fast paced and incredibly engaging, I couldn't put this book down.
Ropa has such a strong narrative voice, and I have absolutely loved seeing her grow as a character over the course of the five books. She's brilliant and sarcastic and isn't afraid to say what she thinks, but she's also loyal and brave too. She's joined by a really compelling cast of characters, and I would love for there to be a spin-off series with some of the other characters.
As this is the final book in the series, I won't say too much about the plot, but there were lots of twists, secrets finally revealed, and overall, the series comes to a really satisfying conclusion. I love the Edinburgh setting, but I loved that we traveled to new places in this installment, including the Isle of Iona, which is my favourite place to visit.
Huchu has done a magnificent job of bringing the series to a close, and if you're looking for an engaging fantasy series full of adventure and mystery, I highly recommend the Edinburgh Nights series.
Following on from the events in book four, we follow Ropa as she finds herself dead and banished to the otherlands. The Cult of Dundas is determined to ascend to power, and Ropa must find a way to return from the dead, save the ones she loves, and stop the country from falling. But with so many secrets and so many lives at stake, will Ropa succeed?
I've loved every instalment in this series and Secrets of the First School is no exception. Fast paced and incredibly engaging, I couldn't put this book down.
Ropa has such a strong narrative voice, and I have absolutely loved seeing her grow as a character over the course of the five books. She's brilliant and sarcastic and isn't afraid to say what she thinks, but she's also loyal and brave too. She's joined by a really compelling cast of characters, and I would love for there to be a spin-off series with some of the other characters.
As this is the final book in the series, I won't say too much about the plot, but there were lots of twists, secrets finally revealed, and overall, the series comes to a really satisfying conclusion. I love the Edinburgh setting, but I loved that we traveled to new places in this installment, including the Isle of Iona, which is my favourite place to visit.
Huchu has done a magnificent job of bringing the series to a close, and if you're looking for an engaging fantasy series full of adventure and mystery, I highly recommend the Edinburgh Nights series.
October 18, 2025
I’m a bit under the weather, but Edinburgh Nights is among my favourites, and I couldn’t help but read this final installment as fast as I could. I rooted for Ropa, hoped for the best, and was on the edge of my seat.
There’s a lot going on: tension, darkness, some heart-breaking moments, and we learn a lot about Ropa’s background and secrets that were kept hidden.
There’s an excellent mix of mystery, dystopia, fantasy, and a pinch of horror, enough to have a lot of fun and keep turning pages.
The beginning made me think, “Oh, wow, Ropa is down on her luck,” as hell broke loose and we learned a lot about her father and her grandma.
It was a wild ride till the last page, with a lovely (joking) cliffhanger that makes me hope there will be more in the future.
This was a wild and very entertaining novel, with great storytelling and character development. The worldbuilding and the mix of dystopia, dreamlike scenery, and more mundane places were pure magic and brought me to unexpected places.
I’m not good at saying goodbye to the characters in a series I love, and I suffered from book hangover.
I hope there will be another Ropa story, this one is strongly recommended, better if you read the rest of the series before.
Many thanks to TOR UK for this ARC: all opinions are mine.
There’s a lot going on: tension, darkness, some heart-breaking moments, and we learn a lot about Ropa’s background and secrets that were kept hidden.
There’s an excellent mix of mystery, dystopia, fantasy, and a pinch of horror, enough to have a lot of fun and keep turning pages.
The beginning made me think, “Oh, wow, Ropa is down on her luck,” as hell broke loose and we learned a lot about her father and her grandma.
It was a wild ride till the last page, with a lovely (joking) cliffhanger that makes me hope there will be more in the future.
This was a wild and very entertaining novel, with great storytelling and character development. The worldbuilding and the mix of dystopia, dreamlike scenery, and more mundane places were pure magic and brought me to unexpected places.
I’m not good at saying goodbye to the characters in a series I love, and I suffered from book hangover.
I hope there will be another Ropa story, this one is strongly recommended, better if you read the rest of the series before.
Many thanks to TOR UK for this ARC: all opinions are mine.
October 28, 2025
Well, it's been a journey. It's good to get to the end and see Ropa growing into herself. Weirdly, after I finished this, I dreamed about her attending university!
I was glad to see a return to the original magic system from the first book—the interplay between the two and Ropa's relationship to them was the most interesting element of the series, and was rather lacking in the middle books.
I did struggle to get into this fully, though. Ropa's voice is funny and scathing, but can be a little distant, so it's hard to relate on an emotional level. But overall, it was a satisfying conclusion.
I was glad to see a return to the original magic system from the first book—the interplay between the two and Ropa's relationship to them was the most interesting element of the series, and was rather lacking in the middle books.
I did struggle to get into this fully, though. Ropa's voice is funny and scathing, but can be a little distant, so it's hard to relate on an emotional level. But overall, it was a satisfying conclusion.
October 16, 2025
One of the best series I've ever read. Ropa Moyo is a smart mouthed, stubborn badass. I loved her in this book, its hard to say why without giving any spoilers away but IYKYK, after all she was put through aswell. She is definitely a survivor. I liked the plot and was very interested to see some characters i wouldn't have expected to see which just added to the story. There was plenty of action and so much going on but what an absolute bang to end this series on! Ill be sad to leave the characters but this series will always have a place in my heart.
October 20, 2025
Secrets of the First School is the fifth and final book in Huchu's Edinburgh Nights series. Adios Ropa, it's been an absolute blast!
Huchu's world building is incredible and the character development throughout the series has been phenom.
It left me and my emotions all over the place. I am so not ready for this series to be over just yet!
I feel a series re-read coming on...soon!
Huchu's world building is incredible and the character development throughout the series has been phenom.
It left me and my emotions all over the place. I am so not ready for this series to be over just yet!
I feel a series re-read coming on...soon!
November 13, 2025
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group.
This is the fifth in the series, and the end of the fourth really left the readers in a cliffhanger. This book picked up right after the fourth and I greatly enjoyed the twist in this book. This book took the storyline in a bit of a new way and I really hope the series continues. I would love to continue reading this series with the added twist and added storyline.
Additionally, this one was very rooted in family which I loved.
This is the fifth in the series, and the end of the fourth really left the readers in a cliffhanger. This book picked up right after the fourth and I greatly enjoyed the twist in this book. This book took the storyline in a bit of a new way and I really hope the series continues. I would love to continue reading this series with the added twist and added storyline.
Additionally, this one was very rooted in family which I loved.
October 19, 2025
I have really enjoyed this book series, particularly having lived in Edinburgh.
November 1, 2025
A fitting conclusion to the series.
Of course, some of Ropa's actions make me (44) quite mad, but that's an adolescent protagonist for you.
Of course, some of Ropa's actions make me (44) quite mad, but that's an adolescent protagonist for you.
November 10, 2025
Satisfying conclusion to this series. There has been a steady progress throughout in the development of the characters and plot. It end s in a good place
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews