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Remedial Magic #1
A New Start
As a washed-up and forgotten sorcerer, Aldric’s only goal in life is to get drunk enough to forget his tragic past. That is, until his friends coerce him into a teaching position at one of the most prestigious magic academies in the world. Now he’s saddled with the responsibility of teaching four new pupils, all of whom wonder who this brilliant yet unorthodox man truly is.
But Aldric’s past demons aren’t gone. They’ve only been lying in wait. As wars, rulers and politics all begin to catch up with him, Aldric’s newfound place to belong is threatened by the very things he’s been trying to escape.
It’s time for Aldric to finally confront his past. And learn some new lessons himself.
But Aldric’s past demons aren’t gone. They’ve only been lying in wait. As wars, rulers and politics all begin to catch up with him, Aldric’s newfound place to belong is threatened by the very things he’s been trying to escape.
It’s time for Aldric to finally confront his past. And learn some new lessons himself.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2022
235 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 10, 2022
an excellent story…
…in what’s now a terribly over-worked genre. What surprised me most about the book is Gregg’s choice to make the MC one of the professors, rather than a student. This allowed him to avoid all the usual pitfalls: there are no Mary Sues, no teenaged MCs with miraculous gifts adrift in a sea of hormones, no love triangles or reverse harems—in fact, so far there are no love interests at all (a huge relief as I’d begun thinking that difficult romance was always going to be central to these stories). So refreshing! Also it’s very well written, I liked the plot a great deal and now I really want to hear more about this Adventurers’ Guild and its exploits. On to book 2. . .
…in what’s now a terribly over-worked genre. What surprised me most about the book is Gregg’s choice to make the MC one of the professors, rather than a student. This allowed him to avoid all the usual pitfalls: there are no Mary Sues, no teenaged MCs with miraculous gifts adrift in a sea of hormones, no love triangles or reverse harems—in fact, so far there are no love interests at all (a huge relief as I’d begun thinking that difficult romance was always going to be central to these stories). So refreshing! Also it’s very well written, I liked the plot a great deal and now I really want to hear more about this Adventurers’ Guild and its exploits. On to book 2. . .
May 20, 2024
Very difficult to put down. Having the main POV being a professor at a magic academy instead of a student was a nice twist. The scattered backstory details had me pausing my reading to check for other books by the author (only the sequel). Adding this author to my instant buy list.
September 29, 2022
This author developed a new paradigm. The story line is almost always a student entering a magic academy and all the evil connections that go along with it, but he we have a talented professor with a very complicated past! Now he has to clean up his act, as he no is responsible for four new students. But as he moves toward being an academic it seems his past has come back to haunt him. Not only is it back to haunt hin, but actually may be set to harm his new academy. It seems that all will be in danger unless he steps up to be the man that he was always meant to be. I received this novel from storyorigin. This is my true and honest review.
June 12, 2022
Can I say, "KICK MY OWN SELF" Why did I take so long to read this?
HOLY CRAP ....
Gregg wound up his pitching arm and served a clean three strikes you’re out, with bases loaded.
Remedial magic had me all engrossed and finished in one night.
This book will hook you from page one and will not let go.
Aldric is basically a washed-up sorcerer who wants nothing to do but get drunk and sponge off one of his best friends.
But his best friends have a better idea, they decide to give him a job at the Prestigious Academy where they are both Professors.
Of course, Aldric thinks Zasia and Kedrin are nuts because he has no formal training as a professor.
But Aldric has no choice in the matter, because for some unexplained reason he is a wanted man.
Aldric decides to take the job and ends up loving the job, (I am totally going to skip around, because you HAVE TO READ IT) and ends up with two Noble Heirs in his class.
One haughty brat boy Codrin Caffaret, of House Caffaret and the sweet Lilianna Asimov of House Asimov (who’s family believes that you need to be cut off at a certain age and fend for yourself)
Then there is the over eager, ready to learn Nadrina Flemming, who is a commoner, but more talented than all of them put together. And the sleeper of the class, Alek Carlisle who is also a commoner.
Together with the help of Professor Aldric, he turns these kids into an unstoppable force.
He shows the Nobles how to live life without being given everything, and the commoners that it is ok to question what they do not know.
But amongst this Aldric has been hiding who he really is from his students, and someone has been trying to find him.
That someone wants what he has and will stop at nothing to find it, even if it means killing his friends to get it.
Someone wants to find the Demon Legacy at all costs.
But Aldric has the best friends a person can have. Zasia, Kedrin and Balrus will go to the ends with Aldric.
Aldric just needs to give up feeling the guilt and pain of Miraea. If he can just do that and let go, then maybe he can do what he needs to do.
This review cannot hold a candle to the wonderful world of magic that the book introduces the reader to.
Gregg has sorcerers, enforcers, conjurers, mages, and has Aldric teaching them how to cross reference with each other’s infinites.
Gregg spares no lack of creativity as he takes you on this roller coaster ride of Fantasy.
This book is fun, fantastical, and just like he says at the end of the book.
“AWWW! IT’S OVER?
I NEED TO KNOW WHERE BOOK 2 IS ASAP?
Excellent, Excellent Job Gregg!
HOLY CRAP ....
Gregg wound up his pitching arm and served a clean three strikes you’re out, with bases loaded.
Remedial magic had me all engrossed and finished in one night.
This book will hook you from page one and will not let go.
Aldric is basically a washed-up sorcerer who wants nothing to do but get drunk and sponge off one of his best friends.
But his best friends have a better idea, they decide to give him a job at the Prestigious Academy where they are both Professors.
Of course, Aldric thinks Zasia and Kedrin are nuts because he has no formal training as a professor.
But Aldric has no choice in the matter, because for some unexplained reason he is a wanted man.
Aldric decides to take the job and ends up loving the job, (I am totally going to skip around, because you HAVE TO READ IT) and ends up with two Noble Heirs in his class.
One haughty brat boy Codrin Caffaret, of House Caffaret and the sweet Lilianna Asimov of House Asimov (who’s family believes that you need to be cut off at a certain age and fend for yourself)
Then there is the over eager, ready to learn Nadrina Flemming, who is a commoner, but more talented than all of them put together. And the sleeper of the class, Alek Carlisle who is also a commoner.
Together with the help of Professor Aldric, he turns these kids into an unstoppable force.
He shows the Nobles how to live life without being given everything, and the commoners that it is ok to question what they do not know.
But amongst this Aldric has been hiding who he really is from his students, and someone has been trying to find him.
That someone wants what he has and will stop at nothing to find it, even if it means killing his friends to get it.
Someone wants to find the Demon Legacy at all costs.
But Aldric has the best friends a person can have. Zasia, Kedrin and Balrus will go to the ends with Aldric.
Aldric just needs to give up feeling the guilt and pain of Miraea. If he can just do that and let go, then maybe he can do what he needs to do.
This review cannot hold a candle to the wonderful world of magic that the book introduces the reader to.
Gregg has sorcerers, enforcers, conjurers, mages, and has Aldric teaching them how to cross reference with each other’s infinites.
Gregg spares no lack of creativity as he takes you on this roller coaster ride of Fantasy.
This book is fun, fantastical, and just like he says at the end of the book.
“AWWW! IT’S OVER?
I NEED TO KNOW WHERE BOOK 2 IS ASAP?
Excellent, Excellent Job Gregg!
September 9, 2022
Not worth it
As someone has already mentioned, this is a straight rip of an anime. I was hoping for some kind of variation, but the only variation is names and making the teacher less involved with the kids. Enough changed to MAYBE avoid copyright, not enough for the story to be enjoyed on its own. Not good enough to really recommend it if you haven't seen the, or don't watch, anime. Honestly only finished it only because I was hoping for some significant difference. There was none.
As someone has already mentioned, this is a straight rip of an anime. I was hoping for some kind of variation, but the only variation is names and making the teacher less involved with the kids. Enough changed to MAYBE avoid copyright, not enough for the story to be enjoyed on its own. Not good enough to really recommend it if you haven't seen the, or don't watch, anime. Honestly only finished it only because I was hoping for some significant difference. There was none.
November 3, 2022
I have to say that I loved the premise of this book but, for personal reasons, decided not to keep it. I don’t like blood magic or excessive violence in books. There was also swearing but nothing too explicit. If those things don’t bother you, read it for sure!
July 31, 2022
Well damn, this was a really good book. The humor was on point and well-balanced with some really touching moments. The mystery of our main character, Aldric the professor was very well put together, it was neither obvious nor aggravatingly opaque and impossible to guess, with just enough information leaked to the reader to keep our interest without garnering frustration. The world could probably have been a bit more fleshed out, but that might have taken away from the MC’s mystery. And despite Aldrik’s obvious talent and skill, he has some issues that he’s working through and is not perfect, in fact, none of the characters was perfect. It’s too easy to get annoyed with the “all-powerful male lead against the world” trope. Instead I got to enjoy the uniqueness of each character and how they interacted with each other and learned from each other and how to work better together.
One of my favorite things about this book is the focus on being curious. That students should want to learn, and question not only what they’re being taught, but things that are taken for granted and not explain everything as ‘because magic’. I loved how the MC taught and interacted with his students, and I particularly liked the most curious duo and the mischief they managed to get into.
One of my favorite things about this book is the focus on being curious. That students should want to learn, and question not only what they’re being taught, but things that are taken for granted and not explain everything as ‘because magic’. I loved how the MC taught and interacted with his students, and I particularly liked the most curious duo and the mischief they managed to get into.
November 5, 2022
This was a pretty fun read that accomplished what it set out to do. If the blurb interests you, you'll probably enjoy this.
I will say that the story is nothing new. It's a formula I've seen dozens of times, especially in anime. So take those reviews claiming the author has created something wildly innovative with a barrel of salt. But sometimes the familiar, when done well, is still good and that's the case here.
For an indie-published book, the writing was pretty good. There were a lot of proofreading errors that slipped through, and a few scenes here and there that could use a bit of work to improve clarity, but overall this was a pretty smooth read. The author (or his editor) should probably invest in some editing software since most of the errors I saw are easy to catch if you use something more than Word's basic spell checker.
So temper your expectations and little and sit down for a book that reads like the fantasy equivalent of a comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup on a rainy day.
I will say that the story is nothing new. It's a formula I've seen dozens of times, especially in anime. So take those reviews claiming the author has created something wildly innovative with a barrel of salt. But sometimes the familiar, when done well, is still good and that's the case here.
For an indie-published book, the writing was pretty good. There were a lot of proofreading errors that slipped through, and a few scenes here and there that could use a bit of work to improve clarity, but overall this was a pretty smooth read. The author (or his editor) should probably invest in some editing software since most of the errors I saw are easy to catch if you use something more than Word's basic spell checker.
So temper your expectations and little and sit down for a book that reads like the fantasy equivalent of a comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup on a rainy day.
October 30, 2022
Wow! How have I never head about this book before? Or this series? Or this author!? I really, really liked this book. The writing was very well done, and I didn't catch any spelling or other grammatical errors. The MC was very interesting. Every other fantasy book that I've read has been from the perspective of a young, inexperienced MC who slowly grows into his power. Never from the perspective of an already world traveled, older, OP MC. The fact that he is a teacher rather than a student adds another layer of uniqueness IMO. Simply put, I loved this book. The concepts were great, the characters were compelling and the magic system was interesting (if not unique). The only real criticism I have is that I wish the book was longer. I would have liked there to be more classroom time. More opportunities to show the MC teaching and his students learning. That said, I would highly recommend this book for lovers of fantasy like me. Give it a go. Chances are you won't be disappointed
May 28, 2025
Series of energetic, humorous, & rowdy plot twists & sinister events. . .
. . .that circle around Aldric, our unlikely yet definitively heroic MMC, who happens to be the country's most gifted, dangerously talented sorcerers ever. As they are tied to national political matters and are targeting everything that might be considered Aldric's "legacy," or every single invention including weapons, artifacts, spells, or records pertaining to Aldric & his notes on his work, Aldric's closest friends, the Academy, as well as his students are in potential danger.
Thus we begin Aldric's saga of his life after his greatest tragedy and the tumultuous exploits and intriguing adventures in the quest for the reasons behind the mysterious attempts to acquire Aldric's secrets and to discover who exactly us behind such a quest. Intriguing, hilarious, and highly entertaining, this is a great start to a brilliant series. Five stars...
. . .that circle around Aldric, our unlikely yet definitively heroic MMC, who happens to be the country's most gifted, dangerously talented sorcerers ever. As they are tied to national political matters and are targeting everything that might be considered Aldric's "legacy," or every single invention including weapons, artifacts, spells, or records pertaining to Aldric & his notes on his work, Aldric's closest friends, the Academy, as well as his students are in potential danger.
Thus we begin Aldric's saga of his life after his greatest tragedy and the tumultuous exploits and intriguing adventures in the quest for the reasons behind the mysterious attempts to acquire Aldric's secrets and to discover who exactly us behind such a quest. Intriguing, hilarious, and highly entertaining, this is a great start to a brilliant series. Five stars...
October 29, 2022
I like it
I like it. It’s well written and the story is quite engaging. I like it enough that I’ll be buying and reading the 2nd book.
The book just needs a better editor as there were a few inconsistencies in details:
- In chapter 8 (or was it 9?), after Aldric woke up, Zasia told him that “Rainer will live and has been sent to the capital to stand trial”. Aldric was also told that he “has been asleep the whole day”.
- But a few pages later, when Zasia left & Aldric was talking to two of his students, it was mentioned that Aldric “was currently hospitalized after being in a three day coma” and that “Rainer was dead”.
Please consider hiring an editor for your books. It would be a shame to give up reading these books because of inconsistencies.
I like it. It’s well written and the story is quite engaging. I like it enough that I’ll be buying and reading the 2nd book.
The book just needs a better editor as there were a few inconsistencies in details:
- In chapter 8 (or was it 9?), after Aldric woke up, Zasia told him that “Rainer will live and has been sent to the capital to stand trial”. Aldric was also told that he “has been asleep the whole day”.
- But a few pages later, when Zasia left & Aldric was talking to two of his students, it was mentioned that Aldric “was currently hospitalized after being in a three day coma” and that “Rainer was dead”.
Please consider hiring an editor for your books. It would be a shame to give up reading these books because of inconsistencies.
February 28, 2025
Really?! 5 stars?!
OK, I know, entirely too many 5 star reviews for mediocre books. But hear me out. This book isn't mediocre. Are there a couple spelling errors? Yes. I don't care, I got the intent. Was there a single line where it looks like a word was missing? Yup. Again, don't care. I understood the intent. I base my review entirely on, did I enjoy reading it and am I going to jump right into the next book with gusto? Emphatic yes. For me, the main characters are developed and relatable and the story line gives you just enough to make you truly wonder where it's going to go. I say that part because clearly not all is revealed. But, enough is revealed to properly set the hook so to speak.
OK, I know, entirely too many 5 star reviews for mediocre books. But hear me out. This book isn't mediocre. Are there a couple spelling errors? Yes. I don't care, I got the intent. Was there a single line where it looks like a word was missing? Yup. Again, don't care. I understood the intent. I base my review entirely on, did I enjoy reading it and am I going to jump right into the next book with gusto? Emphatic yes. For me, the main characters are developed and relatable and the story line gives you just enough to make you truly wonder where it's going to go. I say that part because clearly not all is revealed. But, enough is revealed to properly set the hook so to speak.
March 28, 2025
This was a firecracker of a book. Hooked from the first page as we meet Aldric, suckered into becoming a professor by his very dear friends all of whom leap of the page with their own idyosyncracies and foibles.
This is not the typical coming of age story. Yes, it's set in a Magical Academy, but that is the back drop, the real story is discovering who Aldric is, and why his friends are so determined to protect him.
Both Aldric and his students pull you into the story as Gregg slowly dribbles you the rare clue as to who Aldric might actually be, along with a couple of tenacious students determined to find out too.
Read this book in one sitting. So well written, and very easy to read. A definite page turner. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am going straight on to the next book.
This is not the typical coming of age story. Yes, it's set in a Magical Academy, but that is the back drop, the real story is discovering who Aldric is, and why his friends are so determined to protect him.
Both Aldric and his students pull you into the story as Gregg slowly dribbles you the rare clue as to who Aldric might actually be, along with a couple of tenacious students determined to find out too.
Read this book in one sitting. So well written, and very easy to read. A definite page turner. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am going straight on to the next book.
March 24, 2023
Great story that was fast paced and fun.
Not really expecting anything and what a great surprise it became. Fast paced and really a simple read...but the Main Character and support cast dialogue and interaction was very well done. The only critique was that it had some modern dialogue references that pulled you out of the fantasy of the world building that the author had created however it didn't ruin the story. It was a short story but the action was good and fast. The story unfolded well and kept a balanced plot that made sense the entire read.
Really good simple read that covered all the bases! I look forward to book 2 in the series.
Not really expecting anything and what a great surprise it became. Fast paced and really a simple read...but the Main Character and support cast dialogue and interaction was very well done. The only critique was that it had some modern dialogue references that pulled you out of the fantasy of the world building that the author had created however it didn't ruin the story. It was a short story but the action was good and fast. The story unfolded well and kept a balanced plot that made sense the entire read.
Really good simple read that covered all the bases! I look forward to book 2 in the series.
July 15, 2024
I appreciated the story being told from the perspective of the professors rather than the students in this one. I was a little disappointed by what I found to be a lack of true character development. There was a lot of action and the action sequences were well done but I found the story line to be a little disjointed. I am willing to consider that the struggle I had connecting with the story might have something to do with the narrator as I did listen to the audio book of this one. I found the voice acting to be very over the top. The overly dramatic/ whiny performance really didn't work for me at all.
March 29, 2025
Interesting to see the world thru the eyes of a defeated man who later finds his way back.
The MC has been wallowing in depresdion and the bottle for 10 years when a new opportunity is presented. He can become a professor at a mage academy. This position helps him to reclaim his life. Turns out he's an unorthodox high mage who's hiding out from powerful enemys as well as his past mistakes. Though how he accomplished this feat while in his cups is not clear.
The writing was good, the story line interesting and the description of the magic system was coherent. I will soon read the next book in the series.
The MC has been wallowing in depresdion and the bottle for 10 years when a new opportunity is presented. He can become a professor at a mage academy. This position helps him to reclaim his life. Turns out he's an unorthodox high mage who's hiding out from powerful enemys as well as his past mistakes. Though how he accomplished this feat while in his cups is not clear.
The writing was good, the story line interesting and the description of the magic system was coherent. I will soon read the next book in the series.
July 17, 2022
Aldric - an extremely talented sorceror - has been dragged kicking and screaming by his friends to rejoin the world after something big went wrong. Asked to teach a small class of very talented and unusual students, he starts to rediscover a life outside of his misery. Interesting characters with plenty of room to grow. I received this advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
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March 6, 2025Doesn't get any better than this
Only criticism I can think of is that I would love it if it was 30% longer.
It hits all the emotional beats perfectly, but is not emotionally driven and it is also just as perfect with plot and characterisation that makes it one of the most real and human stories. Even in the best series, usually book one is weaker as the author settles into it, but this is perfect from page 1.
Only criticism I can think of is that I would love it if it was 30% longer.
It hits all the emotional beats perfectly, but is not emotionally driven and it is also just as perfect with plot and characterisation that makes it one of the most real and human stories. Even in the best series, usually book one is weaker as the author settles into it, but this is perfect from page 1.
February 15, 2023
A nice school life story, it focus more on the Professor side of things that the students. The characters are liable so far, with some untapped depth, the plot works fine with what it has, and the pacing was well put together, no rush on it neither to slow. If anything, I would like to see more of an advance from the student’s side.
April 1, 2023
Not just good, but great
This book was really good. It had it all humor, great characters, and lots of heart. It is a tad short, but that's a minor quibble.
The funny parts are really funny. Honestly, t I don't think I have laughed harder in my life.
Oh... A warning. There are other parts that will hit you right in the feels. Be warned.
Highly recommended.
This book was really good. It had it all humor, great characters, and lots of heart. It is a tad short, but that's a minor quibble.
The funny parts are really funny. Honestly, t I don't think I have laughed harder in my life.
Oh... A warning. There are other parts that will hit you right in the feels. Be warned.
Highly recommended.
July 9, 2023
The author has managed to condense everything I hate to find in a story into 10%.
An alcoholic MC who's done nothing but live off a friend/girlfriend for 7 years, with responses like "If I want to piss my life down the drain, that's for me to decide!".
The first "course" he gives? An empowered teenager.
I stopped 2 times to read this poor 10%, but it was impossible for me to continue.
An alcoholic MC who's done nothing but live off a friend/girlfriend for 7 years, with responses like "If I want to piss my life down the drain, that's for me to decide!".
The first "course" he gives? An empowered teenager.
I stopped 2 times to read this poor 10%, but it was impossible for me to continue.
August 7, 2024
Awesome read !
Someone recommended this book on a FB urban fantasy page, and I'm so glad they did. I've been in a rut lately. Excellent character development with originality taking you to a believable world of enchantment. I haven't read from this author before, but will definitely be looking for more.
Someone recommended this book on a FB urban fantasy page, and I'm so glad they did. I've been in a rut lately. Excellent character development with originality taking you to a believable world of enchantment. I haven't read from this author before, but will definitely be looking for more.
November 3, 2024
Aldric
A really great first book in a new series. This book hooked me from the first page. Fantastic characters who are engaging and fun. There's action, adventure, a few twists and surprises. Very creative world building. Nathan Gregg can really tell a story. I definitely recommend this book! Now on to book two!
A really great first book in a new series. This book hooked me from the first page. Fantastic characters who are engaging and fun. There's action, adventure, a few twists and surprises. Very creative world building. Nathan Gregg can really tell a story. I definitely recommend this book! Now on to book two!
July 17, 2022
Excited!
Very cool characters, intriguing backstory, dangerous genius, adorable students, magic, mystery, love and redemption, and a very satisfying comeuppance! Loved it and getting the next one!
PS: please improve the editing. This volume contains a very glaring plot error.
Very cool characters, intriguing backstory, dangerous genius, adorable students, magic, mystery, love and redemption, and a very satisfying comeuppance! Loved it and getting the next one!
PS: please improve the editing. This volume contains a very glaring plot error.
August 5, 2022
I loved every word
This book was a nice surprise buy for me. I wasn't expecting to get so hooked on the story and finish so fast. I can't wait to read the next one and hopefully it will be a little longer.
This book was a nice surprise buy for me. I wasn't expecting to get so hooked on the story and finish so fast. I can't wait to read the next one and hopefully it will be a little longer.
September 13, 2022
Fantastic read
What a great start to a new series. The only downside that I can think of is that it was too short. The length of the novel does not take away the rating, but I do wish it was longer.
What a great start to a new series. The only downside that I can think of is that it was too short. The length of the novel does not take away the rating, but I do wish it was longer.
October 19, 2022
Glad I bought this
This was a really good book, in a way it reminded me of Mages Tower, mages hiding from the past and all that, but it's money well spent. (Also for the author typo on page 210, the ONLY one I found)
This was a really good book, in a way it reminded me of Mages Tower, mages hiding from the past and all that, but it's money well spent. (Also for the author typo on page 210, the ONLY one I found)
November 2, 2022
great
In-depth characters. Hints of an interesting and emotional backstory. A tormented main character who is struggling to overcome loss and get back his his life. Look forward to book 2.
In-depth characters. Hints of an interesting and emotional backstory. A tormented main character who is struggling to overcome loss and get back his his life. Look forward to book 2.
January 24, 2023
Harry Potter meets dungeons and Dragons
God story so far far seemed a little short but well written Gregg really tugs at your heartstrings with African the guilt Laden drunk/professor/badass
God story so far far seemed a little short but well written Gregg really tugs at your heartstrings with African the guilt Laden drunk/professor/badass
February 27, 2023
Amusing
Solid use of tropes while still providing something different. Could have developed the school setting a bit more, but perhaps not.
Either way, I am going to go purchase the next book now. This is a decent read.
Solid use of tropes while still providing something different. Could have developed the school setting a bit more, but perhaps not.
Either way, I am going to go purchase the next book now. This is a decent read.
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