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Schooled in Magic #5
The School of Hard Knocks
A plot is being hatched at Mountaintop Academy, a plot that threatens the lives of Emily and her friends... and the integrity of the Allied Lands. In a desperate bid to uncover the secrets of Mountaintop, and recover her stolen notes, Emily goes undercover into Mountaintop, a mission that may cost her everything...
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 21, 2015
The books in the Schooled in Magic series continues to be very enjoyable reading, at least for me. In this instalment Emily makes another trip outside of Whitehall but unlike the other such trips she is actually continuing her schooling, as an undercover student to Mountaintop, another school in the Allied Lands.
In one sense this book gives a bit of an alternate view of magic schooling in the Allied Lands in the sense that the way Mountaintop goes about it is rather different from Whitehall. especially perhaps in terms of the social and authoritarian structures and ways at the two schools.
It was quite fun to read about Emily’s new experiences and how she struggled, adapted and made mistakes. As usual the book is full of interesting characters not to mention a mystery or two. As usual Emily’s curiosity, stubbornness and ignorance about a fair amount of things causes her to wander into quite some adventure and make a few mistakes along the way.
I have to say that I was somewhat split at the end since none of the bad guys were really that bad after all. There was a reason they where doing what they were doing and they seemed to rather firmly believe that it was for the best of the Allied Lands. Several of the characters that one would have expected to be some really bad individuals actually came across as rather reasonable a lot of the time. There are really no simple, stereotypic, bad guys (or god guys) in this book.
The ending was not really what I expected I have to say. The secret of Mountaintop was quite nasty indeed. However, at the very end of the book Mr. Nuttall performs some equally nasty cruelty towards the readers by dropping a last minute huge loose thread in the readers lap. Arrrgggghhhhhh !!!!!
Dammit, I would have bought the next one anyway. You just made the wait a lot more painful Mr. Nuttall :-)
In one sense this book gives a bit of an alternate view of magic schooling in the Allied Lands in the sense that the way Mountaintop goes about it is rather different from Whitehall. especially perhaps in terms of the social and authoritarian structures and ways at the two schools.
It was quite fun to read about Emily’s new experiences and how she struggled, adapted and made mistakes. As usual the book is full of interesting characters not to mention a mystery or two. As usual Emily’s curiosity, stubbornness and ignorance about a fair amount of things causes her to wander into quite some adventure and make a few mistakes along the way.
I have to say that I was somewhat split at the end since none of the bad guys were really that bad after all. There was a reason they where doing what they were doing and they seemed to rather firmly believe that it was for the best of the Allied Lands. Several of the characters that one would have expected to be some really bad individuals actually came across as rather reasonable a lot of the time. There are really no simple, stereotypic, bad guys (or god guys) in this book.
The ending was not really what I expected I have to say. The secret of Mountaintop was quite nasty indeed. However, at the very end of the book Mr. Nuttall performs some equally nasty cruelty towards the readers by dropping a last minute huge loose thread in the readers lap. Arrrgggghhhhhh !!!!!
Dammit, I would have bought the next one anyway. You just made the wait a lot more painful Mr. Nuttall :-)
October 17, 2023
These books continue to frustrate me with repetitive set up, lengthy internal digressions by the main character, and distracting modern pop culture references. That said, I keep reading them. Like popcorn, I just cannot stop. So clearly they are enjoyable, even if I am consistently exasperated by the main character Emily's oblivious blundering through the Nameless World and her continued poorly advised decisions. Part of that may be to generate content, but all of it seems to annoy me.
However, I am now reading book 6 and I don't really anticipate that I will stop reading them, considering I finished this one in one sitting.
TL;DR: I am frustrated by the characters, but I enjoy the world and living in it mentally for 6 hours at a time that I can't stop reading these books.
However, I am now reading book 6 and I don't really anticipate that I will stop reading them, considering I finished this one in one sitting.
TL;DR: I am frustrated by the characters, but I enjoy the world and living in it mentally for 6 hours at a time that I can't stop reading these books.
January 8, 2015
best one so far
Love this series and this one is by far the best yet. The moment I reached about halfway through and read about the only mundane that could take on magicians I had to stop and just laugh for a good while. It's great to see Emily transform from who she was just arriving in Whitehall into someone who isn't afraid to fight for what she believes is right and have the knowledge to do something about it.
As always, can't wait for the next book.
Love this series and this one is by far the best yet. The moment I reached about halfway through and read about the only mundane that could take on magicians I had to stop and just laugh for a good while. It's great to see Emily transform from who she was just arriving in Whitehall into someone who isn't afraid to fight for what she believes is right and have the knowledge to do something about it.
As always, can't wait for the next book.
February 13, 2017
Evil at the heart of a competing school of magic, August 1, 2016
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The School of Hard Knocks (Schooled in Magic Book 5) (Kindle Edition)
This series continues to entertain though Emily needs to show some maturity before long if the series is going to continue to do so. She over comes danger through a combination of luck and thinking that is unconventional in the magic world but she keeps making silly mistakes and freezing in times of crisis.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The School of Hard Knocks (Schooled in Magic Book 5) (Kindle Edition)
This series continues to entertain though Emily needs to show some maturity before long if the series is going to continue to do so. She over comes danger through a combination of luck and thinking that is unconventional in the magic world but she keeps making silly mistakes and freezing in times of crisis.
March 11, 2015
Wow! Mountaintop was VERY different from Whitehall. I loved the different setting and the different types of magic explored.
Can't wait for book #6!
Can't wait for book #6!
December 15, 2021
Up to this point the series has been a three. Barely a 3 for me. Not at all a bad place to be in my rating system. The weak parts were that I didn't much like the main character. I didn't hate her... But I honestly didn't really much want to know her either. To me her bad qualities ever so slightly out weigh her good ones. Which is meh. I can put up with her for the interesting settings and goings on.
But in this novel... The writing just got bad in my opinion. Her actions seemed really out of place for the character they had established. Things felt a bit over contrived to me. It just didn't come together well at all. Still trying the next novel but... I hope this one was just a bump in the road.
I am a bit into the next one... And while the world and goings on are still interesting... the main character is becoming more and more unlikable to me.
But in this novel... The writing just got bad in my opinion. Her actions seemed really out of place for the character they had established. Things felt a bit over contrived to me. It just didn't come together well at all. Still trying the next novel but... I hope this one was just a bump in the road.
I am a bit into the next one... And while the world and goings on are still interesting... the main character is becoming more and more unlikable to me.
October 2, 2017
Just loved this episode in Emily's school training to master the alternative world of magic. The author is gifted at storytelling and plot design. Despite this being the fifth, he keeps surprising me. I know some reviewers don't care for Emily, but her flaws, doubts, decision making, focus, sometimes wrong, make her more believable and interesting. Nuttall does a better job of describing the various forms of magic and making them believable than any fantasy writer I have encountered.
My sole objection to the series is the persistent use of spankings...I realize, however, that I am imposing my own standards and prejudice against spanking, and really should not for this alternative world.
My sole objection to the series is the persistent use of spankings...I realize, however, that I am imposing my own standards and prejudice against spanking, and really should not for this alternative world.
December 16, 2017
16.12.2017 - 4,5*
Lepší než předchozí díl, možná zatím nejlepší v sérii, jelikož autor představil svět a magii způsobem, který jsem opravdu neočekávala. Ten konec. @.@
Hvězdička dolů pro Emily, která mi místy lezla na nervy. Nemůžu si pomoct, ale místy se mi zdála arogantní, sobecká a podivně dětinská, na to, jak dobře byla napsaná a jak hodně se její charakter posunul v průběhu předchozích knih.
Lepší než předchozí díl, možná zatím nejlepší v sérii, jelikož autor představil svět a magii způsobem, který jsem opravdu neočekávala. Ten konec. @.@
Hvězdička dolů pro Emily, která mi místy lezla na nervy. Nemůžu si pomoct, ale místy se mi zdála arogantní, sobecká a podivně dětinská, na to, jak dobře byla napsaná a jak hodně se její charakter posunul v průběhu předchozích knih.
June 4, 2018
I was expecting some epic spying scenes here, but it seems that I wouldn't get any here... I honestly really missed the teacher and other characters in Whitehall, it didn't feel right without them... Emily's newest ally/friend/shadow Frida really pissed me off sometimes, she's just too troublesome and couldn't think straight or WHAT plain stupid?!? Ugh...
Anyway, of course, Emily won the battle in the end just like the previous books... I couldn't wait till the next book I really miss Whitehall!!
Let's we all move on guys~
Anyway, of course, Emily won the battle in the end just like the previous books... I couldn't wait till the next book I really miss Whitehall!!
Let's we all move on guys~
May 27, 2021
Back to school so back to the part of the formula i don't enjoy as much.
Sure it's the 'bad guy' school and he goes out of the way to show that this is more Slytherin than Gryffindor and it's somewhat interesting seeing a different 'philosophy' in action but in the end, it's another stuck at school story.
Enjoyable overall but not my fav setting. Some good characters. Some growth on hooks from previous books. As always these are fast, enjoyable reads.
If you've gone this far, this is more of the same and so you should continue to enjoy.
Sure it's the 'bad guy' school and he goes out of the way to show that this is more Slytherin than Gryffindor and it's somewhat interesting seeing a different 'philosophy' in action but in the end, it's another stuck at school story.
Enjoyable overall but not my fav setting. Some good characters. Some growth on hooks from previous books. As always these are fast, enjoyable reads.
If you've gone this far, this is more of the same and so you should continue to enjoy.
December 31, 2023
The first part of this book is largely a view of an evil version of a wizard's school from the point of view of a student. This is caricatured, but it does give another perspective into the world of the series, including more information on its power structures.
The second part is more action oriented, and is fairly well handled, if a bit of a strain to the verisimilitude for the capabilities of a student.
The overarching plot of the series remains interesting and the protagonist remains unreasonably powerful.
All of which results in an "It's pretty good" rating.
The second part is more action oriented, and is fairly well handled, if a bit of a strain to the verisimilitude for the capabilities of a student.
The overarching plot of the series remains interesting and the protagonist remains unreasonably powerful.
All of which results in an "It's pretty good" rating.
September 27, 2017
Book Five School of Hard Knocks has Emily transferring to Mountaintop, another magical school from which her roommate Lin had transferred in Emily's Second Year.
Mountaintop certainly does things differently, even if overall both Whitehall and Mountaintop cover roughly the same curriculum.
I really enjoyed the getting to see how a rival wizard school operates. And the change of scene really helped keep my interest in the series as strong as ever!
Mountaintop certainly does things differently, even if overall both Whitehall and Mountaintop cover roughly the same curriculum.
I really enjoyed the getting to see how a rival wizard school operates. And the change of scene really helped keep my interest in the series as strong as ever!
February 15, 2018
I still have occasional problems believing the motivation of some of the characters at times, and I have problems with the random philosophical-political observations, not all of which I can agree with. That said, I am thoroughly sold on this series, which is quite long and yet every book is different.
The previous volume was interesting, but slow paced. This one moves much faster and there is more action.
The previous volume was interesting, but slow paced. This one moves much faster and there is more action.
August 25, 2019
Not one of the better books in the series. Not from a plot point of view, just frustrating. Whenever something significant happens, emily is too tired to deal with it and so the story drags on for multiple chapters until it is dealt with, or not touched on again.
Ultimately she spends most of the book too tired to deal with any problems and so everuthing is dragged out as much as possible, resulting in incredible frustration.
Ultimately she spends most of the book too tired to deal with any problems and so everuthing is dragged out as much as possible, resulting in incredible frustration.
May 10, 2021
Great continuation of the series!
Just like the previous novels in this series, Christopher Nuttall continues Emily's schooling in Magic at Whitehall. This time, Emily is asked to skip Third Year and allow herself to be taken to the other Magic School, Mountaintop. Mountaintop has a secret and only Emily can find out what it is. Rather than giving it away, I'll let you find out! Highly recommended!!
Just like the previous novels in this series, Christopher Nuttall continues Emily's schooling in Magic at Whitehall. This time, Emily is asked to skip Third Year and allow herself to be taken to the other Magic School, Mountaintop. Mountaintop has a secret and only Emily can find out what it is. Rather than giving it away, I'll let you find out! Highly recommended!!
September 2, 2025
Although I could read Christopher's book for free with my Kindle subscription, I keep buying them to make sure he gets enough money to keep writing. I have never been disappointed by his books. Sci-Fi and not fantasy is my preference, but I enjoy his development of characters and attempts to make magic more scientific than just waving a hand. This is a fun series, hope Emily starting growing up in the next few books.
December 20, 2019
So this isn’t a review per’se
I’ve read from Schooled in Magic to Mirror Image
And it just occurred to me that Void has told Emily a little about his family, adopted her as his only family, and given her a ring with his family crest on it, excetra and so on......
But does anyone know what his family name was?
(Christopher Nuttall doesn’t have any kind of fan-based contact Info)
I’ve read from Schooled in Magic to Mirror Image
And it just occurred to me that Void has told Emily a little about his family, adopted her as his only family, and given her a ring with his family crest on it, excetra and so on......
But does anyone know what his family name was?
(Christopher Nuttall doesn’t have any kind of fan-based contact Info)
February 5, 2020
Not quite up to the very high standards of the preceding books in the series but still a great read. I guess this is setting things up for later on in the series. Looking forward to getting back to Whitehall and familiar territory but understand the need for this book.
Still loving and recommending both the series and the author.
Still loving and recommending both the series and the author.
July 24, 2017
Another quick read, even if there are things that annoy me, the story flows easily and you keep wanting to know what happens next.
A new setting (again), with some surprises and some rather predictable story elements. I'd write more, but I'd rather keep reading book 6
A new setting (again), with some surprises and some rather predictable story elements. I'd write more, but I'd rather keep reading book 6
December 10, 2018
Fun
Definitely another great read and a great addition to the series. I like that Emily is a flawed character still tries her best in this new and complex world she finds herself in. Looking forward to the next book.
Definitely another great read and a great addition to the series. I like that Emily is a flawed character still tries her best in this new and complex world she finds herself in. Looking forward to the next book.
October 1, 2020
New adventures
Emily continues to both succeed and fail her way thru more adventures. Learning more about the differences between the world of her birth and the one she is growing to love. Hard knocks indeed.
Emily continues to both succeed and fail her way thru more adventures. Learning more about the differences between the world of her birth and the one she is growing to love. Hard knocks indeed.
July 16, 2017
Wow! This series just keeps getting better.
December 30, 2017
So far this is my favourite book out of the series
January 6, 2018
A page turning venture into a very different learning situation.
January 29, 2018
Great read
I really like this series of books poor Emily she does have a rough time of it, but worth reading
I really like this series of books poor Emily she does have a rough time of it, but worth reading
March 7, 2019
Wow
This is a great continuation to this series. Twists and turns with an unexpected plot. I just hope the series will get better.
This is a great continuation to this series. Twists and turns with an unexpected plot. I just hope the series will get better.
May 31, 2018
Good reading!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it and this author. Everything I have read that he has written O have not been able to put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it and this author. Everything I have read that he has written O have not been able to put down.
November 26, 2018
Wow
I have enjoyed reading this series so much. I love the twists and turns the book takes as I read. I can’t wait to read the next book!!
I have enjoyed reading this series so much. I love the twists and turns the book takes as I read. I can’t wait to read the next book!!
March 5, 2019
Enjoyable series, well written and holds interest
June 12, 2020
Still delivering the goods, loving the character development. I will be looking at Christopher's other book series after I finish this one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews