What do you think?
Rate this book
Schooled in Magic #11
The Sergeant's Apprentice
The Nameless World Goes to War! The necromancers have finally resumed their assault on the Allied Lands, sending a mighty army across the Desert of Death and into the Kingdom of Tarsier. Countless farms, villages and towns have already been destroyed as the host makes its way northwards, striking deep into the kingdom's most vulnerable lands. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, thousands more will be killed when they are sacrificed for power. If the necromancers win the coming battle, it may be the beginning of the end... When Sergeant Miles invites her to join the coalition force, Emily reluctantly accepts. The necromancers have to be stopped, even if it means taking time off from school to serve as the sergeant's apprentice. But with arguing aristocrats, reluctant soldiers, fearful civilians, shadows from her past, a dangerously-sane necromancer and treachery in the ranks, stopping the invasion may cost Emily her life...
260 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2017
298 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 2, 2017
Christopher Nuttall continues his masterpiece, and it remains as gripping and compelling as I have found it from the start. If anything, it just keeps getting better. I know that, whenever it finally does come to an end (say it isn't so!), I'm going to mourn the loss of these characters and their story. This installment is a fairly fast read, both because it is comparatively short and because it is well written and fast moving. Not flawless, but my complaints are relatively minor, whereas the story, the drama, the characters and their relationships, and the larger mystery underlying the entire series have me captivated. Excellent ongoing series.
January 19, 2018
19.1.2018 - 4,5*
Damn it, nevěřila jsem, že to Nuttall vytáhne, ne do půlky knihy. Ale opět, autor spletl a zakončil příběh brilantně. Kloubouk dolů.
Damn it, nevěřila jsem, že to Nuttall vytáhne, ne do půlky knihy. Ale opět, autor spletl a zakončil příběh brilantně. Kloubouk dolů.
April 25, 2018
We know that Emily can usually pull a rabbit out of the proverbial hat when she's up against a necromancer; that is, the end of the book is secure. What this book promised, and totally failed to deliver on, is that maybe she's capable of handling herself and the situation when the situation isn't SHTF.
Unfortunately, like usual, Emily's a doormat until the last 15% of the book. Nothing is learned.
Some of her behavior in the middle is pretty poor even be her standards.
Unfortunately, like usual, Emily's a doormat until the last 15% of the book. Nothing is learned.
Some of her behavior in the middle is pretty poor even be her standards.
January 8, 2017
In this book, Emily is thrown into a war that could end the allied lands, she has no choice but to go. She could have refused to go but she still do it out of duty. We find the usual things that make us love the series, betrayal, stupid nobles, the MC's superbly growing up but still making mistakes and survive them. The book opened even more things to do in the next one, new enemies, new things to develop. I love the synergy of magic and physic that the author has going on for Emily.
What else to say that I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series "Fist Of Justice".
Thanks mister Nuttall.
What else to say that I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series "Fist Of Justice".
Thanks mister Nuttall.
November 27, 2017
War has returned to the Allied Lands on the Nameless World.
What is different this time is that the necromancer leading his army against the Allied Lands appears to be both cunning and inexplicably sane. Emily had been told that necromancers were ALWAYS driven mad by their use of necromancy (the Dark Side, as it were).
But this particular necromancer has seemingly accomplished the impossible. From all accounts, he has not lost his mind, which makes him FAR more dangerous than the ordinary necromancer.
Emily is still only a Fifth-Year student (with one more year to go in her schooling). But the Allied Lands can't do without the Necromancer's Bane and Emily soon finds herself sent to the front.
Fortunately, Sergeant Miles is allowed to take Emily as his (informal) apprentice, much as Lady Barb had some summers ago. Five other actual apprentices are already on the team, all of whom are older, more experienced, and had graduated from school.
Six masters (including Sergeant Miles) make up the rest of the strike team. (Among other things, the apprentices can provide magical power during a combat magic ritual for one of the masters to direct against the foe.)
In addition to the sane necromancer, the Allied Lands is also threatened by the Desert of Death that is blowing sand everywhere and increasing by leaps and bounds. Sand overwhelms farmland, as much an enemy as being killed by an orc (of whom there are plenty in the necromancer's army) or a "twisted human" (once men but now in the thrall of the necromancer).
My favorite part of Book Eleven is that we are introduced to yet another wizard school, Heart's Eye. I had really enjoyed the year in the Harry Potter saga when the other two schools had shown up to compete in the Triwizard Tournament.
Previously in the Schooled in Magic series, we had gotten a closeup look at Whitehall, Mountaintop, and Stronghold. (Some other schools had been mentioned in earlier books. And some additional schools are on the map for this book.)
Heart's Eye had been overwhelmed some 12 years before and now serves as the necromancer's base.
Once again, a highly satisfying read!
What is different this time is that the necromancer leading his army against the Allied Lands appears to be both cunning and inexplicably sane. Emily had been told that necromancers were ALWAYS driven mad by their use of necromancy (the Dark Side, as it were).
But this particular necromancer has seemingly accomplished the impossible. From all accounts, he has not lost his mind, which makes him FAR more dangerous than the ordinary necromancer.
Emily is still only a Fifth-Year student (with one more year to go in her schooling). But the Allied Lands can't do without the Necromancer's Bane and Emily soon finds herself sent to the front.
Fortunately, Sergeant Miles is allowed to take Emily as his (informal) apprentice, much as Lady Barb had some summers ago. Five other actual apprentices are already on the team, all of whom are older, more experienced, and had graduated from school.
Six masters (including Sergeant Miles) make up the rest of the strike team. (Among other things, the apprentices can provide magical power during a combat magic ritual for one of the masters to direct against the foe.)
In addition to the sane necromancer, the Allied Lands is also threatened by the Desert of Death that is blowing sand everywhere and increasing by leaps and bounds. Sand overwhelms farmland, as much an enemy as being killed by an orc (of whom there are plenty in the necromancer's army) or a "twisted human" (once men but now in the thrall of the necromancer).
My favorite part of Book Eleven is that we are introduced to yet another wizard school, Heart's Eye. I had really enjoyed the year in the Harry Potter saga when the other two schools had shown up to compete in the Triwizard Tournament.
Previously in the Schooled in Magic series, we had gotten a closeup look at Whitehall, Mountaintop, and Stronghold. (Some other schools had been mentioned in earlier books. And some additional schools are on the map for this book.)
Heart's Eye had been overwhelmed some 12 years before and now serves as the necromancer's base.
Once again, a highly satisfying read!
February 5, 2025
This volume continues the tradition of mixing in-school with out of school stories. Here, Emily goes to aid the army in its defense against another necromancer, who is even more powerful than the last.
The plot in this book is done well, being largely a siege plot. And the overarching plot of the series seems to be advancing significantly. Some of the revelations here might be the key to actually winning the war.
We get a bit more setting development, both of the political and military dimension and the magical school aspects of society.
Character development is good, with significant changes for the protagonist and minor revelations for many of the continuing supporting characters.
This book won't compete for any best-of lists, but it's a very solid series entry that I enjoyed reading. Recommended.
The plot in this book is done well, being largely a siege plot. And the overarching plot of the series seems to be advancing significantly. Some of the revelations here might be the key to actually winning the war.
We get a bit more setting development, both of the political and military dimension and the magical school aspects of society.
Character development is good, with significant changes for the protagonist and minor revelations for many of the continuing supporting characters.
This book won't compete for any best-of lists, but it's a very solid series entry that I enjoyed reading. Recommended.
January 28, 2018
Love the overall series, and still prefer those set within Emily's school. I do understand the need to make forays out, of course.
The most satisfying aspect of this one was how the author developed Casper, and his entire plot line. He went from someone I couldn't stand at all, to someone I understood well. Two different kinds of feelings, but it just shows how multi-dimensional the author makes his characters, at least his main and secondary ones.
The most satisfying aspect of this one was how the author developed Casper, and his entire plot line. He went from someone I couldn't stand at all, to someone I understood well. Two different kinds of feelings, but it just shows how multi-dimensional the author makes his characters, at least his main and secondary ones.
May 13, 2017
A good installment
The Sergeant's Apprentice had a tighter plot than some of the previous books. The character Emily has grown in many ways and is more confident. Emily's trip into the past and what she learnt there plays an important part in her victory over evil. It was also nice to have Void play a brief but more important part in Emily's adventures.
The Sergeant's Apprentice had a tighter plot than some of the previous books. The character Emily has grown in many ways and is more confident. Emily's trip into the past and what she learnt there plays an important part in her victory over evil. It was also nice to have Void play a brief but more important part in Emily's adventures.
May 26, 2017
This book was slightly weaker than some of the others in the series, mainly because it was so heavy on setup. Not much happened for the majority of the book, to the point where I thought maybe this was going to be entirely setup with the conflict not being resolved until the next book.
March 18, 2020
What can I say about this wonderful series without repeating myself? Love it all. Void really is becoming a great character and Caleb more pathetic with each iteration.
Gotten the next already and can't wait to get going.
Gotten the next already and can't wait to get going.
April 6, 2020
The Schooled in Magic books are generally good, as was this one, but I'm not a fan of having so much of the book dwelling on battles and preparation for battles. I'd prefer the usual clever character interaction.
October 18, 2020
Another rousing good adventure
You might think that stories of magic would pall and become boring. Emily continues to cut a swathe through the Nameless World in her own individual way. Bravo for continuing to stir the pot and creating a new adventure.
You might think that stories of magic would pall and become boring. Emily continues to cut a swathe through the Nameless World in her own individual way. Bravo for continuing to stir the pot and creating a new adventure.
March 23, 2017
i binge read the entire series over a weak and half, pausing just long enough to scour the internet for the next one
June 30, 2017
I was a little worried that after books of setup this would have lost steam and fizzled. No worries. I don't think the next book is out yet, though.
July 27, 2017
Another quick and enjoyable read, I wouldn't have minded if more of the books had a similar setting.
August 16, 2017
Love the Nameless World!
Once again i really really enjoyed the book. The series is very well written and the characters are consistent. I look forward to the next bok.
Once again i really really enjoyed the book. The series is very well written and the characters are consistent. I look forward to the next bok.
December 23, 2017
Another great book in one of my favorite fantasy series.
February 12, 2018
Another quick and enjoyable read, I wouldn't have minded if more of the books had a similar setting.
February 16, 2018
Can't help it I just love books like this and even with all the other issues I have said about the other books in this series, I still like them.
April 28, 2019
What happened?
I cant believe what I just read. The series is getting better and better and I just don't want it to end.
I cant believe what I just read. The series is getting better and better and I just don't want it to end.
December 12, 2018
Good read
Definitely another good read and a great addition to the series to be sure. I’m excited to move onto book 12.
Definitely another good read and a great addition to the series to be sure. I’m excited to move onto book 12.
August 16, 2019
Intense action and deeply satisfying character development.
June 13, 2020
Emily goes to war against a new Necromancer
April 13, 2023
A bit to obvious. It is easy to say "i knew the traitor early" but well...
May 18, 2023
Ooooo the deus ex is strong in this one. A generally enjoyable until the end. Not bad enough to put me off the series but definitely disappointing.
October 21, 2024
Action and adventure throughout the whole book, great addition to the series
March 19, 2017
Excellent
Tightly written, characters that are human, with foibles and strengths. Emily's growth is is well handled as well as her concerns. The series as a whole simply works.
I look forward to the next release.
Tightly written, characters that are human, with foibles and strengths. Emily's growth is is well handled as well as her concerns. The series as a whole simply works.
I look forward to the next release.
March 11, 2017
The Eleventh Book
I've just finished The Sergeants Apprentice. I've read books 6 through 11 in less than 1 week. If you like stories about magic, coming of age, epic fantasy, just plain adventure, I urge you to read all eleven Schooled in Magic books, in order, and enjoy. I guarantee you WILL enjoy. Very difficult to put down, and I eagerly await book 12.
I've just finished The Sergeants Apprentice. I've read books 6 through 11 in less than 1 week. If you like stories about magic, coming of age, epic fantasy, just plain adventure, I urge you to read all eleven Schooled in Magic books, in order, and enjoy. I guarantee you WILL enjoy. Very difficult to put down, and I eagerly await book 12.
February 21, 2017
Awesome awesomeness - what a fantastic series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews