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Schooled in Magic #9
Infinite Regress
Emily returns to Whitehall, only to discover that things have changed. The new Grandmaster doesn't want her in his school - and is only willing to accept her as a probationary student. If she wishes to remain at Whitehall, she must work for Professor Locke as an assistant while managing her studies and her growing relationship with Caleb. And, as if that wasn't enough, she is also expected to mentor a bunch of younger students. Her time is no longer her own. But when Professor Locke starts opening the tunnels under the school, hunting for the lost secrets of Old Whitehall, he triggers off a series of catastrophes that threaten to tear the school apart. As the staff and students struggle to survive, Emily is forced to solve a disturbing mystery... And figure out what it has to do with her private research.
258 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2016
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361 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 30, 2016
Okay, I'm a sucker for imaginary worlds crafted with lots and lots of details. For example, in the prior book (Wedding Hells) author Nuttall has an appendix at the end, written in the form of an essay by Emily, the heroine, about what is known of the history of her magic school, Whitehall. Emily draws on 5 or 6 old texts by historians to flesh out the little that is known for sure, and the many details about which there is little agreement among the historians. Just as Winston Churchill or Mary Beard do for the history of King Edward I or Rome in 200 BCE.
Then, the next book, Infinite Regress (this book), explores one aspect of Whitehall tangentially mentioned in the essay.
Of course, Nuttall does the necessary well: he makes me care about what happens to the MCs and twists the plot enough that I don't know what is coming next.
Caution: Start this series at the beginning, with the book Schooled in Magic.
Then, the next book, Infinite Regress (this book), explores one aspect of Whitehall tangentially mentioned in the essay.
Of course, Nuttall does the necessary well: he makes me care about what happens to the MCs and twists the plot enough that I don't know what is coming next.
Caution: Start this series at the beginning, with the book Schooled in Magic.
June 11, 2016
The second arc in the Schooled in Magic series begins with this book, and I'm pleased to say that it has continued in the same exciting and positive vein as the first eight books have done. Good stuff. Very interesting and engaging. I'm really going to miss the characters when this is all eventually over. In this case, the book ends on a cliffhanger of sorts, but thankfully the next book is expected within the next month, so I shouldn't have to wait long to continue.
February 13, 2017
A disaster that they shouldn't be able to blame on Emily, August 4, 2016
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Infinite Regress (Schooled in Magic Book 9) (Kindle Edition)
This is really the first part of a two part story concluded in book 10. Emily is more mature and able in this book, making for better reading. The impulsive idiot in this story is one of the teachers instead of Emily.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Infinite Regress (Schooled in Magic Book 9) (Kindle Edition)
This is really the first part of a two part story concluded in book 10. Emily is more mature and able in this book, making for better reading. The impulsive idiot in this story is one of the teachers instead of Emily.
January 18, 2018
18.1.2018 - 5*
Oh my, Nuttal rozhodně ví, jak na konci pořádně praštit. Zmínila jsem, že je pro mě konec knihy většinou nejdůležitější? Tenhle konec tedy příběh vystřelil až za pětihvězdičkové hodnocení.
(ne že by i předtím nebyl dobrý)
Emily se tentokrát pro změnu nechovala pošetile. Ale na její místo naskočil někdo jiný. A přišla katastrofa. Ale kolem a kolem, wow, jaká to byla jízda. *smích*
Oh my, Nuttal rozhodně ví, jak na konci pořádně praštit. Zmínila jsem, že je pro mě konec knihy většinou nejdůležitější? Tenhle konec tedy příběh vystřelil až za pětihvězdičkové hodnocení.
(ne že by i předtím nebyl dobrý)
Emily se tentokrát pro změnu nechovala pošetile. Ale na její místo naskočil někdo jiný. A přišla katastrofa. Ale kolem a kolem, wow, jaká to byla jízda. *smích*
December 26, 2016
This is a very good addition to the Schooled in Magic series from one of my favorite authors, Christopher Nuttall. Emily is back in school which is my preferred setting, so far at least, for these books. It is well written as one would expect from Christopher Nuttall and there is plenty of mysteries, action and things in general going on.
As stated in the book blurb the new Grandmaster is not very keen on having Emily at the school. He is not really a bad person though and he does seem to come around a bit as the story progresses. Actually there is not really true bad guy in this book. The threat that Emily faces, apart from the usual troubles with boyfriend, other students and the workload, is whatever dark secret is hidden below Whitehall and the nexus point itself.
A secret that Professor Locke is determined to unlock by venturing into the old, blocked off, tunnel network below Whitehall. To no one’s surprise Emily, together with a friend, ends up being his assistant and, again to no one’s surprise, Professor Locke’s fumbling around sets events in motion that might have dire consequences for Whitehall and everyone within its walls.
One thing that annoyed me in the book was the utter stupidity of Professor Locke. He is supposed to be a professor at Whitehall and properly schooled in magic yet he fumbles around like an extra in red t-shirt touching everything he sees.
That is probably the only negative point I can make about this book. It was a joy to read and I could hardly put it down once I started reading it.
Well actually there is one more minor detail. The book ends in a HUGE cliffhanger. Luckily I am a bit behind with my book reading so the next instalment, Past Tense, is already published, purchased and sitting on my tablet.
As stated in the book blurb the new Grandmaster is not very keen on having Emily at the school. He is not really a bad person though and he does seem to come around a bit as the story progresses. Actually there is not really true bad guy in this book. The threat that Emily faces, apart from the usual troubles with boyfriend, other students and the workload, is whatever dark secret is hidden below Whitehall and the nexus point itself.
A secret that Professor Locke is determined to unlock by venturing into the old, blocked off, tunnel network below Whitehall. To no one’s surprise Emily, together with a friend, ends up being his assistant and, again to no one’s surprise, Professor Locke’s fumbling around sets events in motion that might have dire consequences for Whitehall and everyone within its walls.
One thing that annoyed me in the book was the utter stupidity of Professor Locke. He is supposed to be a professor at Whitehall and properly schooled in magic yet he fumbles around like an extra in red t-shirt touching everything he sees.
That is probably the only negative point I can make about this book. It was a joy to read and I could hardly put it down once I started reading it.
Well actually there is one more minor detail. The book ends in a HUGE cliffhanger. Luckily I am a bit behind with my book reading so the next instalment, Past Tense, is already published, purchased and sitting on my tablet.
November 14, 2017
Whitehall comes unraveled in Schooled in Magic's ninth book Infinite Regress.
We've known for some time that Whitehall is like the TARDIS. That is, much bigger on the inside than on the outside. Like Hogwarts, the corridors change (such as the famous moving stairways at Hogwarts). But this time, the tutors & students become trapped inside with no way to contact the outside world (much less bring in supplies like food, etc.).
By book nine, Emily is on the verge of expulsion. She returns to school as a "probationary" student. She and another girl (also on probation) are assigned to assist Professor Locke who wants to explore the tunnels under Whitehall.
Anybody seeing any problems with this idea? (Like, don't fix it if it is not broken and leaving well enough alone??)
Also, Emily's closest friends have left the school. Most students just take four years and then go on with the rest of their lives. Fifth and Sixth Years are more like graduate school.
Fortunately, Emily's boyfriend Caleb is a fellow Fifth Year student. Former rival Melissa has also returned for Fifth Year, even though she got married after Fourth Year. (Emily and Melissa had gotten off to a bad start in their earlier years but become a little closer in Fifth Year.)
Another highly satisfying read!
I was surprised, though, that it ended on a cliffhanger, though. The author actually apologized for this in an Afterward. This is the only novel that took two books to tell the entire story. So, the second half of Infinite Regress is book ten Past Tense. Starting again with Book Eleven, the story will be contained within the one novel.
That said, I strongly recommend the entire Schooled in Magic fantasy series for those who like a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court approach to wizard school fantasy.
We've known for some time that Whitehall is like the TARDIS. That is, much bigger on the inside than on the outside. Like Hogwarts, the corridors change (such as the famous moving stairways at Hogwarts). But this time, the tutors & students become trapped inside with no way to contact the outside world (much less bring in supplies like food, etc.).
By book nine, Emily is on the verge of expulsion. She returns to school as a "probationary" student. She and another girl (also on probation) are assigned to assist Professor Locke who wants to explore the tunnels under Whitehall.
Anybody seeing any problems with this idea? (Like, don't fix it if it is not broken and leaving well enough alone??)
Also, Emily's closest friends have left the school. Most students just take four years and then go on with the rest of their lives. Fifth and Sixth Years are more like graduate school.
Fortunately, Emily's boyfriend Caleb is a fellow Fifth Year student. Former rival Melissa has also returned for Fifth Year, even though she got married after Fourth Year. (Emily and Melissa had gotten off to a bad start in their earlier years but become a little closer in Fifth Year.)
Another highly satisfying read!
I was surprised, though, that it ended on a cliffhanger, though. The author actually apologized for this in an Afterward. This is the only novel that took two books to tell the entire story. So, the second half of Infinite Regress is book ten Past Tense. Starting again with Book Eleven, the story will be contained within the one novel.
That said, I strongly recommend the entire Schooled in Magic fantasy series for those who like a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court approach to wizard school fantasy.
November 5, 2022
An excellent continuation to the story but a bit of a bad telegraph of things to come and, depending on how he wraps it up, minor mysteries past.
Still, everybody is back at school and all the same ploys to make life difficult for students are used to slow progress. Needless adult dislike and teen petulance make the usual interpersonal conflicts stay fresh while the main story progresses at a refreshingly quick rate.
This is more of the same and if you've made it this far into the series, there's probably much you will continue to like and much that will continue to irritate while delivering a solid read you will continue to enjoy.
Still, everybody is back at school and all the same ploys to make life difficult for students are used to slow progress. Needless adult dislike and teen petulance make the usual interpersonal conflicts stay fresh while the main story progresses at a refreshingly quick rate.
This is more of the same and if you've made it this far into the series, there's probably much you will continue to like and much that will continue to irritate while delivering a solid read you will continue to enjoy.
November 27, 2018
So another great book in the series, although there were a couple of parts that I didn't appreciate, like the use of the F word! What the heck, the book doesn't really have much bad language in it, but when the author throws in a random F word, it's just frustrating, because it just seems so out of place. He has done this in the last few books as well, definitely detracts from the story.
Otherwise, great development of the story and love the world that this takes place in. It's a fun read and excited for more.
Otherwise, great development of the story and love the world that this takes place in. It's a fun read and excited for more.
June 25, 2017
Any book that keeps me reading well into the night oblivious to time deserves 5 stars.
The bridge to the next book is telegraphed constantly through this one. I was expecting a cliffhanger that would take books to resolve, but the major story arc of this book is resolved. (I hate when I rely on an author actually finishing his books though I haven't checked if this multi-book arc is fully complete.
On to the next!
The bridge to the next book is telegraphed constantly through this one. I was expecting a cliffhanger that would take books to resolve, but the major story arc of this book is resolved. (I hate when I rely on an author actually finishing his books though I haven't checked if this multi-book arc is fully complete.
On to the next!
March 3, 2020
This book has the two things I really hate in a book - ridiculous and unnecessary romance and but Christopher Nuttall is such a good author I still had to give this book 5 stars.
As I have said before I hate Caleb and feel this pathetic character really detracts from the reading experience. Frieda is pretty good though and that new girl who is on probation with Emily.
As I have said before I hate Caleb and feel this pathetic character really detracts from the reading experience. Frieda is pretty good though and that new girl who is on probation with Emily.
January 24, 2025
The first half or so of this book is a rather typical, "magical school student is unjustly treated for ... reasons" story. But eventually it turns into a much more interesting predicament story that reveals both character and world background that makes the series much more compelling.
I'm not a fan of cliffhanger endings, but at least this one flows directly from the action of the story.
In the end, I liked this book and the more of the series I read, the more I like it as well.
I'm not a fan of cliffhanger endings, but at least this one flows directly from the action of the story.
In the end, I liked this book and the more of the series I read, the more I like it as well.
July 26, 2017
Ok read, though some of my and the ending was quite predictable. Won't stop me from reading the rest of the series though.
Most of the books (especially the latter ones) have been addictive while I read them, and then afterwards, I can't really remember anything much happening there.
Most of the books (especially the latter ones) have been addictive while I read them, and then afterwards, I can't really remember anything much happening there.
September 27, 2017
Standard good form for this series.
Was a bit worried that we'd slip into time travel territory with this novel, but we didn't, however we also didn't break new ground, same basic plot to the others.
Was a bit worried that we'd slip into time travel territory with this novel, but we didn't, however we also didn't break new ground, same basic plot to the others.
October 12, 2018
Probably one of the better of this series. It does take a step back and you start seeing Emily's character over analyzing and over thinking every breath she takes (basically) towards the end of the book. And the story, though it does move forward here, doesn't actually end. It finishes with a cliffhanger that leaves the story feel unresolved.
July 31, 2017
super crazy... make sure you have access to book 10 past tense soon after you finish this one. Its one of those supposed to be one big book but needed to be divided into 2 separate ones. Very climactic!
October 27, 2017
The details of the magic world are amazing, but this time even I lost track of what Emily did near the end, and will have to re-read it. I think I finally need a break, have been drinking these in, one after another ;-).
July 4, 2018
Not a good read
Half a book. No sense and logic in the story line. As if there is an expectation that the next book will explain everything. Not a good book in my opinion,. For me this series is over, I won't continue.
Half a book. No sense and logic in the story line. As if there is an expectation that the next book will explain everything. Not a good book in my opinion,. For me this series is over, I won't continue.
October 11, 2017
3 to 3.5 Stars
Mostly the same as the others. If you liked the others you will like this one, if not than the same.
Mostly the same as the others. If you liked the others you will like this one, if not than the same.
December 25, 2017
Enjoying immensely
I really like this series and have been barely able to put them down. Disagree with author on his statement about "Wheel of Time".
I really like this series and have been barely able to put them down. Disagree with author on his statement about "Wheel of Time".
February 12, 2018
I usually despise cliffhanger books. I have loved this series because it did not indulge in them. I gave it three stars because it is a strong tale and I can see how it fits in the overall arc.
April 9, 2019
Talk about a twist
Oh my god, the series is getting better by every book. I really can't wait for the continuation to this book to find out what happens to Emily.
Oh my god, the series is getting better by every book. I really can't wait for the continuation to this book to find out what happens to Emily.
May 15, 2018
WARNING: This series is addictive.
December 4, 2018
Dark Lady
I always suspected, but I feel that the ending of this book has confirmed my predictions. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Emily now!
I always suspected, but I feel that the ending of this book has confirmed my predictions. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Emily now!
December 12, 2018
Awesome
This is definitely a great read and so far one of my favorites in the series. I am thoroughly excited for book 10 now.
This is definitely a great read and so far one of my favorites in the series. I am thoroughly excited for book 10 now.
August 6, 2019
Confusing in places, but interesting.
April 6, 2020
Enjoyable as usual. Good character interactions.
June 13, 2020
A new grand master heads the school. Not too impressed with the disasters that have plagued the school since Emily has arrived.
May 22, 2024
Note - unlike the series thus far, this book directly leads into book 10; the author refers to them as two halves of the same book.
October 16, 2024
Great addition to the series but the author is still obsessed with baths
March 18, 2017
Cliffhanger!!! Ugh
I usually despise cliffhanger books. I have loved this series because it did not indulge in them. I gave it three stars because it is a strong tale and I can see how it fits in the overall arc. But... cliffhangers ptui...
I usually despise cliffhanger books. I have loved this series because it did not indulge in them. I gave it three stars because it is a strong tale and I can see how it fits in the overall arc. But... cliffhangers ptui...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews