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Schooled in Magic #21
Little Witches
Laughter Academy is in trouble. The student witches are growing increasingly reckless, preying on the mundanes below the mountains as their tutors plot and scheme to take advantage of the chaos. And no one seems to know why.
Emily is in no condition to intervene. But she cannot refuse. Heading to Laughter, Emily finds herself dragged into a world of schoolgirl games, staffroom politics and a deadly plot aimed at the heart of the Allied Lands themselves...
Emily is in no condition to intervene. But she cannot refuse. Heading to Laughter, Emily finds herself dragged into a world of schoolgirl games, staffroom politics and a deadly plot aimed at the heart of the Allied Lands themselves...
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2020
340 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 10, 2021
weakest book in the series
This whole book failed to make me care a single time about any of its side characters. The plot itself was below average and had the distinct smell of filler. So many dump decisions made purely for the sake of plot.
This whole book failed to make me care a single time about any of its side characters. The plot itself was below average and had the distinct smell of filler. So many dump decisions made purely for the sake of plot.
May 30, 2021
Finally
Finally, Nuttall has his mojo back. Readers went through a long slog of poor plotted books.
If by some weird chance this is the first Schooled in Magic book you have picked up, put it back down and start with book one.
Finally, Nuttall has his mojo back. Readers went through a long slog of poor plotted books.
If by some weird chance this is the first Schooled in Magic book you have picked up, put it back down and start with book one.
December 29, 2020
Better then I thought it’d be
I was so mad when it didn’t come out in November. It was both worth the extra wait, and not.
Let me explain.
Barb was asked to teach, but couldn’t go and asked Emily to do so in her stead. Was this genuine or a long schemed manipulated ploy? We probably won’t find out till the next book.
A town that’s practically ruled by girls......isn’t any better then a town ruled by guys. Physical & sexual harassment. Extortion as well as a complete disregard for anyone who doesn’t have magic. Really, the crusade against “them” is a time old tradition in the real world and fiction. And Emily has to explain to fanatics why it’s wrong. She’d have better luck convincing a cult to convert.
Remember Zev? The guy she made the master of Mountaintop? Well she might have made a tentative alliance with him, but Pendal is gonna be avoiding her like the plague.
And we all knew master Lucknow was gonna be a problem. Well that bill came due and it LEFT US IN A FRIGGIN CLIFF HANGER!!!!
When will The Right Side of History come out?!?!
Why is Chris 22 books into the series and just now decided cliff hangers were a good idea?!
So Cruel!!!!
I was so mad when it didn’t come out in November. It was both worth the extra wait, and not.
Let me explain.
Barb was asked to teach, but couldn’t go and asked Emily to do so in her stead. Was this genuine or a long schemed manipulated ploy? We probably won’t find out till the next book.
A town that’s practically ruled by girls......isn’t any better then a town ruled by guys. Physical & sexual harassment. Extortion as well as a complete disregard for anyone who doesn’t have magic. Really, the crusade against “them” is a time old tradition in the real world and fiction. And Emily has to explain to fanatics why it’s wrong. She’d have better luck convincing a cult to convert.
Remember Zev? The guy she made the master of Mountaintop? Well she might have made a tentative alliance with him, but Pendal is gonna be avoiding her like the plague.
And we all knew master Lucknow was gonna be a problem. Well that bill came due and it LEFT US IN A FRIGGIN CLIFF HANGER!!!!
When will The Right Side of History come out?!?!
Why is Chris 22 books into the series and just now decided cliff hangers were a good idea?!
So Cruel!!!!
January 4, 2021
Great book as always in this series. More detective work than some of the other books. Only thing I can complain about is the CLIFFHANGER ending! ARRGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!! I need the next book right now!
February 4, 2021
Love this series and this book was a good addition - I have wanted to learn more about the Laughter school ever since I heard about it and hopefully we will revisit it later.
Seeds have been planted for some future plotlines but I do not wish to give any spoilers.
I wish there was more of Void - one of the series great characters and less of Jan who does not contribute anything also Emily did not really grow much in this story.
Love the series and want it to carry on forever - yet another Christopher Nuttall five star book
Seeds have been planted for some future plotlines but I do not wish to give any spoilers.
I wish there was more of Void - one of the series great characters and less of Jan who does not contribute anything also Emily did not really grow much in this story.
Love the series and want it to carry on forever - yet another Christopher Nuttall five star book
April 8, 2021
I really did enjoy getting to experience yet another magic school in the Allied Lands.
Laughter is different first because it is an all-girls school, and second, because the students aren't called magicians but rather witches, and they definitely fly!
The curriculum in every magic school is somewhat the same and they are all boarding schools. The basics are covered at every school. Flying, on the other hand, is only taught at Laughter.
Emily finds her apprenticeship with Void put on hold unexpectedly when her former mentor Barb shows up at her doorstep asking her to take her place and go teach at Laughter. (Barb had planned to go when she accepted the job but Sgt. Miles is unwell and absolutely needs her.)
So off to Laughter Emily goes, no matter that she is only a few years older than the oldest students.
Sorceress Barb had been approached because something is currently "off" at Laughter. Others had done what they thought were thorough investigations but no one could pin down just what was causing the trouble.
Turns out that the student witches are terrorizing the town not far from the school's gates and the staff is not much better!
Highly recommended for longtime Emily fans, series fans in general, and fantasy fans. Not all of the Schooled in Magic books are set at one of the schools
Some of the books instead cover the wars against the necromancers, civil war in Emily's friend Alassa's country, etc. etc.)
So far, we've had books set at Whitehall (Emily's original school), Mountaintop, and now Laughter.
Plus, after reclaiming Heart's Eye from necromancers, Emily and her friend Caleb have turned this former magic school into a magician-mundane university where both those with magical powers and those without are equally welcome.
A few other magic schools have been mentioned in passing. We’ll see if Emily visits them in the future!
Laughter is different first because it is an all-girls school, and second, because the students aren't called magicians but rather witches, and they definitely fly!
The curriculum in every magic school is somewhat the same and they are all boarding schools. The basics are covered at every school. Flying, on the other hand, is only taught at Laughter.
Emily finds her apprenticeship with Void put on hold unexpectedly when her former mentor Barb shows up at her doorstep asking her to take her place and go teach at Laughter. (Barb had planned to go when she accepted the job but Sgt. Miles is unwell and absolutely needs her.)
So off to Laughter Emily goes, no matter that she is only a few years older than the oldest students.
Sorceress Barb had been approached because something is currently "off" at Laughter. Others had done what they thought were thorough investigations but no one could pin down just what was causing the trouble.
Turns out that the student witches are terrorizing the town not far from the school's gates and the staff is not much better!
Highly recommended for longtime Emily fans, series fans in general, and fantasy fans. Not all of the Schooled in Magic books are set at one of the schools
Some of the books instead cover the wars against the necromancers, civil war in Emily's friend Alassa's country, etc. etc.)
So far, we've had books set at Whitehall (Emily's original school), Mountaintop, and now Laughter.
Plus, after reclaiming Heart's Eye from necromancers, Emily and her friend Caleb have turned this former magic school into a magician-mundane university where both those with magical powers and those without are equally welcome.
A few other magic schools have been mentioned in passing. We’ll see if Emily visits them in the future!
April 3, 2021
Changed my rating from a 4 to a 5
Because , in addition to an excellent mystery-oriented story, Mr N absolutely nails some aspects of teaching & outlooks/ feelings of teachers. . Man it's so great when someone gets it so right.
The Story itself is another excellent addition to Emily's saga, It is an excellent blend of magic and action, a bit of intrigue, some social struggle, some commentary, a new cool place we haven't seen before, friends & enemies and annoying people one can't just smash but have to be clever like Dr Who to solve (enough of) the mystery and save everyone. There's plenty more to be revealed, which always delightful, and Nuttall 's writing is as mostly-very-good as typical for the series. I submitted for correction few typos, mostly minor, and as usual there's a handful of bits that could be worded better, and a few phrases or character's thots that are repeated a bit more often than I think necessary, and over all could be tightened up just a smidgen.
I'm not complaining, I'm grateful that I just got to binge read thru 3 or 4 books without waiting for years, but if I can help make the series even better...., well, that'd be great! I've been absolutely enjoying every installment -- I was overjoyed when Emily came to the end of her schooling and instead of saying The End, Mr N just kept telling us more about this great character in a fantastic world and I'm digging it. (Why is it nameless ? And is calling the nameless world make that its name ? This is one of the 2 biggest issues I have with the series, how would a completely evolved collection of cultures with hundreds or even thousands of years of history never make up a name for their world?) Anywho, this took way longer than necessary to say I like this book, On to the next one !
Because , in addition to an excellent mystery-oriented story, Mr N absolutely nails some aspects of teaching & outlooks/ feelings of teachers. . Man it's so great when someone gets it so right.
The Story itself is another excellent addition to Emily's saga, It is an excellent blend of magic and action, a bit of intrigue, some social struggle, some commentary, a new cool place we haven't seen before, friends & enemies and annoying people one can't just smash but have to be clever like Dr Who to solve (enough of) the mystery and save everyone. There's plenty more to be revealed, which always delightful, and Nuttall 's writing is as mostly-very-good as typical for the series. I submitted for correction few typos, mostly minor, and as usual there's a handful of bits that could be worded better, and a few phrases or character's thots that are repeated a bit more often than I think necessary, and over all could be tightened up just a smidgen.
I'm not complaining, I'm grateful that I just got to binge read thru 3 or 4 books without waiting for years, but if I can help make the series even better...., well, that'd be great! I've been absolutely enjoying every installment -- I was overjoyed when Emily came to the end of her schooling and instead of saying The End, Mr N just kept telling us more about this great character in a fantastic world and I'm digging it. (Why is it nameless ? And is calling the nameless world make that its name ? This is one of the 2 biggest issues I have with the series, how would a completely evolved collection of cultures with hundreds or even thousands of years of history never make up a name for their world?) Anywho, this took way longer than necessary to say I like this book, On to the next one !
August 13, 2021
I'm a big fan of the series. I thought this one was well-plotted. The author's misery at his own school is deeply reflected in this one (again). It is hard for me to accept that such utter cruelty and bad behavior is the norm. At any rate, some of it is well-explained with surprising plot twists. During the course of this installment, I could easily list the Major Flaws in Emily...hard to like her, really, and the change in narrator didn't help. She sounded about 45 years in voice, and not the Emily I know, though the narrator was fine in her own way...just that a change is hard to take in this case. I also see Emily with a big crease between her brows because she is so often scowling or looking sour. Yet...I do really enjoy falling into the series and it is quite absorbing. I've read comments about this volume being sexist against men, but most of the females in the book are portrayed as deeply flawed, so I don't buy that at all.
January 17, 2021
Morals of Magic and the Academy
One of the aspects I appreciate in the Schooled in Magic series is the results of unintended consequences. Emily finds herself in this book placed between a rock and a hard spot in ways she has never experienced before. She is challenged, not only as a warrior and a magician, but as a power in the un named world. No good deed goes unpunished and the results are strikingly unfair. Success it seems is not a reward. The cliff hanger ending leaves Emily in limbo as the push back from the end of the next necromantic wars begins to unravel .
One of the aspects I appreciate in the Schooled in Magic series is the results of unintended consequences. Emily finds herself in this book placed between a rock and a hard spot in ways she has never experienced before. She is challenged, not only as a warrior and a magician, but as a power in the un named world. No good deed goes unpunished and the results are strikingly unfair. Success it seems is not a reward. The cliff hanger ending leaves Emily in limbo as the push back from the end of the next necromantic wars begins to unravel .
February 3, 2021
Well, for some reason I've read 21 books in this series..... This is the definition of YA in some ways (simplistic plots, cardboard characters with telegraphed emotions etc.) but eh.
Not entirely sure why I keep reading this but I think a lot of it is just because of inertia. It's mildly interesting so I keep going. To be clear, I find Christopher Nuttall extraordinarily formulaic, which becomes really clear if you pick up one of his other series......
Still, it's ok as long as you are NOT looking for deep character development........
Not entirely sure why I keep reading this but I think a lot of it is just because of inertia. It's mildly interesting so I keep going. To be clear, I find Christopher Nuttall extraordinarily formulaic, which becomes really clear if you pick up one of his other series......
Still, it's ok as long as you are NOT looking for deep character development........
May 13, 2021
An interesting location without enough meat.
This one can easily be skipped unless you're someone that must read every book in a series. The focus is the all girls/women school Laughter. Other than the setting its quite tame with a less than satisfying conclusion. The missed opportunities are immense(considering it takes place at such a unique locale in the Nameless World). Its one of the least imaginative of the books.
This one can easily be skipped unless you're someone that must read every book in a series. The focus is the all girls/women school Laughter. Other than the setting its quite tame with a less than satisfying conclusion. The missed opportunities are immense(considering it takes place at such a unique locale in the Nameless World). Its one of the least imaginative of the books.
January 4, 2022
Not as strong as the earlier books, however I think its because everything is building up to the end of the series...almost like another scene building situation.
It's a little frustrating that Emily is seeming more naïve than she had been previously, almost as if her character is being made deficient to meet the plot.
I still enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to the conclusion we all see coming.
It's a little frustrating that Emily is seeming more naïve than she had been previously, almost as if her character is being made deficient to meet the plot.
I still enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to the conclusion we all see coming.
March 6, 2021
Felt very disconnected and contrived; needs editing
This is the first in the series that I think Nuttall totally whiffed. The story had no motivation for Emily to go to Mountaintop and get involved. Many grammatical and other errors. E.g. one does not swing from a petard
Hoping the series recovers its usual fun
This is the first in the series that I think Nuttall totally whiffed. The story had no motivation for Emily to go to Mountaintop and get involved. Many grammatical and other errors. E.g. one does not swing from a petard
Hoping the series recovers its usual fun
June 26, 2021
Too many loose threads
Emily was far too easily exhausted, for a killer of necromancers, and Nuttall made zero attempt to remind us who Nadine, Simon, “the hag”, and others from previous books were. Then there are the usual annoyances: misuse of ellipsis and italics, constantly reminding us of Emily’s prudish tendencies, etc.
Emily was far too easily exhausted, for a killer of necromancers, and Nuttall made zero attempt to remind us who Nadine, Simon, “the hag”, and others from previous books were. Then there are the usual annoyances: misuse of ellipsis and italics, constantly reminding us of Emily’s prudish tendencies, etc.
August 16, 2021
Addictive series
I got sucked into this series a few years ago. A friend told
me about it and I was sceptical about it. The beginning premise I thought had been overdone. But, I was wrong, Nuttall takes us on an adventure of ethics, magic and mindset that will make you smile and think. Rarely predictable. I gobble every book he writes like chocolate out of box.
I got sucked into this series a few years ago. A friend told
me about it and I was sceptical about it. The beginning premise I thought had been overdone. But, I was wrong, Nuttall takes us on an adventure of ethics, magic and mindset that will make you smile and think. Rarely predictable. I gobble every book he writes like chocolate out of box.
April 11, 2021
Self preservation, not normal for a human beeing. Inteligence, not useful. Make things that no person will do, like fly when you can teleport, spend power in idiotic things .... what a downturn fron how it started to this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2021
Another good one
Book was a good continuation of Emily’s story, very enjoyable. The end protagonist was never truly revealed which leaves more to be discovered in the upcoming books, can’t wait to read them!
Book was a good continuation of Emily’s story, very enjoyable. The end protagonist was never truly revealed which leaves more to be discovered in the upcoming books, can’t wait to read them!
August 19, 2021
It was pretty interesting. I liked it better than many of the books before it that felt very meh too me. The cliffhanger at the end was a dirty move on Nuttall's part though and that's why I give it a 4 star
grade and not 5 stars.
grade and not 5 stars.
December 24, 2020
Awesome!!!
A great addition and there’s a lot going on in this book. I can’t wait for the next book to be released.
A great addition and there’s a lot going on in this book. I can’t wait for the next book to be released.
December 28, 2020
Great read. This is my favorite series.
An excellent addition to the series. Emily continues to develop as an adult. I recommend the entire series to anyone who likes to read.
An excellent addition to the series. Emily continues to develop as an adult. I recommend the entire series to anyone who likes to read.
January 7, 2021
Probably the worst in the series. Plodding plot line, a few Checkhov’s gun situations where nothing happens with them. Just feels like the author kinda gave up on this one.
March 9, 2021
Liked it even more as Emily learnt a new skill.
March 11, 2021
A fascinating psychological plot.
March 23, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like magic monsters and lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like magic monsters and lots of action.
April 5, 2021
Okay, so things are getting REALLY interesting...
May 4, 2021
This was an ok update to the series. Nothing really innovative. The quality of writing was as expected and i was fun to run through another adventure with Nuttall. Book #20 was much better.
May 11, 2021
Perhaps a little contrived way to do another school, but I enjoyed the variation of the setting. A little too much lecturing at times.
September 20, 2021
Even as the twenty-first book in epic still nice to read.
December 6, 2021
Fun and pacy
A good read, the characters were realistic and fully fleshed out. A fun aside from what I knew was happening next having read it out of order.
A good read, the characters were realistic and fully fleshed out. A fun aside from what I knew was happening next having read it out of order.
January 16, 2025
This feels like just a filler book where the author is saying “see women are horrible and can’t run an all girls school” and why was Emily so weak and tired in this book?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews