A hundred years before Emily, just after the fall of the Empire and the start of the Necromantic Wars, Void worked for the White Council as an agent of last resort, the sorcerer they called upon when no one else could complete the mission. But this mission may make or break him.
Searching for a missing alchemist, Void is drawn into a deadly plot threatening the newborn Allied Lands, one that may send them plunging into ruin. And, as he starts trying to unpick the plot, he is forced to confront a truth that will change his life forever...
At the end of a lot of his books Christopher Nuttall asks us to leave a review - this I am very happy to do, the author really deserves to be widely read and is one of my favorite authors maybe even my favorite. Like many of the other reviewers here, out of the great characters in this wonderful series Void is one of my favorites and this novelette shed some light on this mysterious character and reminds us of at least one other event we would like to know more about. The author leaves open the possibility of expanding this into a full length novel at a later date - hope he does. Really hope this series continues for many books to come, I for one am not even starting to tire of it
One of the aspects that keeps me coming back to Schooled in Magic is the way Emily's introduction of simple tech alters a world. This novella fills in part of the questions relating to Voids motivations in this story. Void has always been a puzzle. Why does he help Emily? How does he manage not to be a man of his time or his world? What aspects of being a lone power hold him in check? How does he manage to not be swayed by the endless power a union with Emily would afford him? This Novella gave me some of the pieces to this puzzle. I look forward to more.
Another great book from Christopher. Void connects with Emily in a dream like state to try to convince her to his side once again, only this time he shows her why the White Council must fall, and why all the Kingdoms must be united into one empire. Even though Emily understands his point, she still does not agree with the way he has gone about it. This book gives you a point of view from Voids perspective as to what is wrong with the Allied Lands, and why he needs to see it changed. This is a short book that takes place right after "Face of the Enemy", And before his next book, "Destiny's Child".
I like this series. The short stories that are part of schooled in magic add intetest to the series. Would like to know what happened to VOID'S brothers.
Void has always been my favorite character in this series and I have wanted to hear his story from childhood to the present situation with Emily. I think starting from his childhood so we can see why he is like he is in maybe ten books or so to meet at the present time with Emily to finish out the tale. Besides he was doing other things while she was in school but what? I think because of the love he has for her he will tell her that the outcome is now in her hands and he returns to being a lone power. Or they both end up in the emperors palace where they both sit on the ( twin ) thrones and survive.
I thought the book will cover more of his life but it was just the one assignment from the white council or to be precise one of the members to go to Yolanda city to investigate the disappearance of several magicians and alchemists. I still enjoyed the book and like to see more regarding his time with his brothers and the fatal accident with their experiments that killed 2 of his brothers.
Loved the book, as I have all of the Schooled in Magic series, just wish it was longer. The notes in the Afterword have me hopeful that Chris will expand on Void's Tale and give more of an insight into Void, his upbringing and what he was doing during the first few books of the series once he realized that Emily was going to be a major player. Again, love the series and not looking forward to it wrapping up.
Great series of books, imaginatively written and at the same time intelligent and insightful. Emily is an ideal heroine. Bright, introspective and always looking for the win-win solution although willing to sacrifice self to protect the innocent. Sometimes a bit overweight but always entertaining the "Schooled in Magic" series is highly recommended.
In high school we read "The Lady and the Tiger" as an example why a story doesn't have to be long or complex to be profound. Chris Nuttall repeats this here. Can you enslave a few a little in order to stop enslavers of the many. Mr. Spock might say yes. We are not so sure
Schooled in Magic may be my favorite fantasy series. This novella gives insight into one of the series most enigmatic characters. It makes me want to reread the entire series and reevaluate Void's decisions with the knowledge of his plans and motivations revealed in this novella. An excellent read that made me think.
This feels like the story of the last straw. So much of the time one feels that Void is indifferent to the chaos of the Allied Lands because he has given up trying to change them… we found out that his indifference was a pose. I like this but I was to see examples of how he gets to the anger and fatigue in this book
Interesting back story for the Schooled in Magic series
I’ve loved the “Schooled in Magic” series, reading each one as it was released. This was a very engaging novella explainingVoid’s actions in the last book. Strongly recommend it if you are up to date on the series. Strongly recommend the entire series if you haven’t read them.
Well, this does explain a lot about Void's mindset though have to say that it also showed that although he planned for a lot he failed spectacularly when attempting to enact change. I wonder how the next book will turn out.
A glimpse of Void before Emily came into the Magical World is eye opening. Why is this character in conflict and what helps lead him to seizing power that in itself is corrupt is a snapshot into this series.
As with every story by Chris, there are corollaries with everyday life and a morality play that teaches while being entertaining. I love his stories and urge others to partake of his rich imagination.
I really enjoy this series, if the author reads this and my opinion even counts. I would like to see that Void and Emily actually come together to make a democracy out of the Empire he thought to create. He become the father to her she needed in the end.
Well worth reading the entire series. More solid writing from the author. Good story, well edited, fairly original and it keeps you wanting to reach the end, that its now several books, not novella, long and hasn't gotten stale tells much.
I love the idea exploration of the most interesting character in the series. We need a bit more violent realism that is not morally objectionable. One of the better novella offerings out there.
I have been enjoying the adventures of Emily since they started to appear in my Kindle. Worthwhile. I hate this format of review,where authors have to guilt trip their readers to
void is.my favourite character after Emily and I would like to see.him dispose of the White Council a and gain support from the Monarchs m the decent Mona
Void has consistently been one of my favorite characters of the Schooled in Magic series so I greatly looked forward to reading this. It opens the door to even more potential backstory, and it's short and sweet.