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Schooled in Magic #14.5
Alassa's Tale
The kingdom of Zangaria teeters on the edge of civil war. The nobles are plotting another coup, the merchants are demanding political representation and a say in government, and the peasants are on the verge of outright revolt. Even the king is dangerously unstable as he grapples with the problems facing his kingdom. Everyone is preparing for war. It will not be long before all hell breaks loose.
And when a deadly secret from the past resurfaces at the worst possible moment, Princess Alassa, one of Emily's closest friends, finds herself having to make a choice that will put her at the center of the storm and determine the future of the kingdom...
... Or see everything she loves destroyed in the fires of civil war.
And when a deadly secret from the past resurfaces at the worst possible moment, Princess Alassa, one of Emily's closest friends, finds herself having to make a choice that will put her at the center of the storm and determine the future of the kingdom...
... Or see everything she loves destroyed in the fires of civil war.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2018
233 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 12, 2018
This is another great addition to the Schooled in Magic series. I read it a little out of order but, although it's not an entirely stand-alone story, there weren't many spoilers, so I don't feel like it will take anything away from my experience of Gordian Knot or Graduation Day.
According to what he said in the afterward to this book, Mr Nuttall plans to write a series of these novellas following the lives and perspectives if some of the other interesting characters in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I have no doubt the the others will add depth and breadth to Emily's story.
According to what he said in the afterward to this book, Mr Nuttall plans to write a series of these novellas following the lives and perspectives if some of the other interesting characters in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I have no doubt the the others will add depth and breadth to Emily's story.
April 12, 2018
Loved it, and I can't fucking wait for the next books!
Literally checking every 2 days when the next book is finally available on my Kindle.
Hope we get some more POVs like this, I love the way SIM is focused on Emily and her experience, but giving us a novella to get "into Alassa's head" if only for a short while is a great idea and I'm definitely thankful for that book.
Just one minor thing, although I'm absolutely aware that this is just a novella it feels way too short. This basically takes place during the events of Graduation day (minus 1 week or so) and while Emily is experiencing several months, it feels like Alassa's "months" are just a few days. The timeline somehow doesn't make sense.
Also: Nuttall, don't kill the Mouse!
Literally checking every 2 days when the next book is finally available on my Kindle.
Hope we get some more POVs like this, I love the way SIM is focused on Emily and her experience, but giving us a novella to get "into Alassa's head" if only for a short while is a great idea and I'm definitely thankful for that book.
Just one minor thing, although I'm absolutely aware that this is just a novella it feels way too short. This basically takes place during the events of Graduation day (minus 1 week or so) and while Emily is experiencing several months, it feels like Alassa's "months" are just a few days. The timeline somehow doesn't make sense.
Also: Nuttall, don't kill the Mouse!
March 12, 2018
Short story based on the Schooled in Magic series featuring Alassa and her fight to remain Heir to her father's throne.
February 1, 2018
Trouble is still brewing in Zangoria. Alassa was very nearly killed on her wedding day two years ago by peasants on the verge of outright revolt now that Emily's New Learning has allowed anyone to learn to read and do their own sums. The nobles and the merchant class are not any happier, either.
Alassa has been confirmed as Crown Princess but has not yet been able to secure the royal succession by producing a child. To make things even more interesting, her father's unacknowledged bastard son is by now a healthy one-year-old boy.
All of this is coming to a head, of course, while Emily is trying desperately to save Freda at Whitehall (see Graduation Day).
Alassa's Tale is a bridge novella tying together the previous Schooled in Magic books, during which Emily arrives in the Nameless World and learns to be a sorceress at Whitehall, with the next phase of the series in which we see Emily's adventures after she has finished her schooling.
So, no. The story of Emily and her best friends Alassa, Jade, and Imaiqah (as well as Freda) in the Nameless World is far from over and I say hooray to the continuation of the series!
Alassa has been confirmed as Crown Princess but has not yet been able to secure the royal succession by producing a child. To make things even more interesting, her father's unacknowledged bastard son is by now a healthy one-year-old boy.
All of this is coming to a head, of course, while Emily is trying desperately to save Freda at Whitehall (see Graduation Day).
Alassa's Tale is a bridge novella tying together the previous Schooled in Magic books, during which Emily arrives in the Nameless World and learns to be a sorceress at Whitehall, with the next phase of the series in which we see Emily's adventures after she has finished her schooling.
So, no. The story of Emily and her best friends Alassa, Jade, and Imaiqah (as well as Freda) in the Nameless World is far from over and I say hooray to the continuation of the series!
August 21, 2025
This story seems to be the introduction to the second major arc of Schooled in Magic, and covers off-screen events contemporaneous with "Graduation Day".
As an introduction to a new arc, it's not bad, except that it seems to do violence to world elements established earlier in the series. The protagonist (Crown Princess Alassa) doesn't seem to have the same personality she had when we last met. Her father seems to be a caricature of his previous personality. And the kingdom of Zangaria seems to be falling apart at a remarkable pace.
Since this is just a short piece, I didn't expect a huge amount, and that expectation was met. But this felt like a ham-handed reboot rather than a real continuation of the existing story.
Not enough to get me to stop reading a story that I have quite a bit of time investment in, but not a book that makes me eager to continue immediately, either.
As an introduction to a new arc, it's not bad, except that it seems to do violence to world elements established earlier in the series. The protagonist (Crown Princess Alassa) doesn't seem to have the same personality she had when we last met. Her father seems to be a caricature of his previous personality. And the kingdom of Zangaria seems to be falling apart at a remarkable pace.
Since this is just a short piece, I didn't expect a huge amount, and that expectation was met. But this felt like a ham-handed reboot rather than a real continuation of the existing story.
Not enough to get me to stop reading a story that I have quite a bit of time investment in, but not a book that makes me eager to continue immediately, either.
March 31, 2018
Quick short, and a nice diversion from the main series
As the author notes, the series signature is that it has a single protagonist. We always see the entire story thru the eyes of Emily Necromancerbane, Baroness Cockatrice, Child of Destiny. All the other characters we see as Emily sees them. So this diversion shows us a handful of other characters, mainly Alassa.
This is kind of tricky, because that late in the series, you've made your mind about who Alassa is, and seeing her as the main viewpoint for the first times is probably going to clash a bit about your preconceptions. But, overall, I found it well executed.
Still, recommended only if you like the whole Schooled in Magic series.
As the author notes, the series signature is that it has a single protagonist. We always see the entire story thru the eyes of Emily Necromancerbane, Baroness Cockatrice, Child of Destiny. All the other characters we see as Emily sees them. So this diversion shows us a handful of other characters, mainly Alassa.
This is kind of tricky, because that late in the series, you've made your mind about who Alassa is, and seeing her as the main viewpoint for the first times is probably going to clash a bit about your preconceptions. But, overall, I found it well executed.
Still, recommended only if you like the whole Schooled in Magic series.
May 30, 2018
Rövid, de velős. Alassa szemszögéből olvashattuk el ezt a rövid kis részt. Alassa harcol a jogáért, hogy uralkodhasson a jövőben, de még mindig a régi viselkedésének következményeit szenvedi. Nem tisztelik és csak egy ostoba lányt látnak benne. Szerencséjére ott van neki Jade, aki emlékezteti rá, hogy a tiszteletet ki kell érdemelni, nem pedig követelni. Még sokat kell fejlődnie, mind önálló személyként, mind uralkodóként és mind anyaként. Egy valami példaértékű nála, és az pedig a hűsége a barátai felé. Már most látszik, hogy jobb uralkodó lesz, mint az apja, de még hosszú út áll előtte, hogy a népet is meggyőzze erről.
August 26, 2018
This is a long prologue to the next book. So long as you know that, you’ll be fine.
I like how the game being played against her is more adeptly done than she’s really aware of, and some of it is implied rather that in your face stated.
Only downsides are there’s no real end to the story - it’s a prologue - and the constant harping on the place of women in society. We get it: women are part of the caste system. Alassa’s harping petulance on these points seems a bit out of place because it’s the way things are in that world, even if she has to (and wants to) fight against it, but it sounds like Nuttall not quite believing that we’ll accept that their society treats women that way.
I like how the game being played against her is more adeptly done than she’s really aware of, and some of it is implied rather that in your face stated.
Only downsides are there’s no real end to the story - it’s a prologue - and the constant harping on the place of women in society. We get it: women are part of the caste system. Alassa’s harping petulance on these points seems a bit out of place because it’s the way things are in that world, even if she has to (and wants to) fight against it, but it sounds like Nuttall not quite believing that we’ll accept that their society treats women that way.
August 18, 2021
A short story from Schooled In Magic series, we follow the main protagonist Alassa a bit of a diva, two years after a assassination attempt at her wedding, the nobles are trying for another coup, with her fathers the Kings paranoia doubling when he finds out who was behind the attempt, Alassa a powerful magician is maturing into real queen material, married to Jade and pregnant with a new heir is next in line to take the throne, but a young step brother, manipulation, an unrested city and a threat of war may see that all go to hell, brilliantly fast paced, fabulous use of magic, great characters and plot, a nice preformence from the narrator Tavia Gilbert, highly recommend...😁
February 9, 2018
I think this length is too short for the number of characters and amount of history related in the story.
This would certainly not be the place to start reading (not surprising since it's about a secondary character in the Schooled in Magic series).
Apparently the novella will be included as part of the next novel (supposed to be the Princess in the Tower), so this is really for people who can't wait until then.
This would certainly not be the place to start reading (not surprising since it's about a secondary character in the Schooled in Magic series).
Apparently the novella will be included as part of the next novel (supposed to be the Princess in the Tower), so this is really for people who can't wait until then.
June 7, 2018
A good read but I was disappointed when Allassa made such a stupid move trying to spring her friend from jail. Allassa is always complaining that the court has a low opinion of her and she is told she has to earn the respect not just expect it because she’s the crown princess and then she pulls a stupid stunt like that. Makes me wonder if Nuttall has a low opinion of women.
June 18, 2018
Well written and essential, as are all of Господин Nuttall's works. While not having the excitement of the other books, this was a very good story giving background to the main thread of "Emily" Stories. In his afterwords, he states that he intends to include stories about the other main characters in the Schooled in Magic series; to which I say: "Bravo!!"
May 13, 2021
My introduction to the writer and characters. I'm a firm believer in the notion that every novel is someone's first, and that new reader ought to be able to enjoy the story and understand what is happening. Overall, this fit the bill. It took a bit, but I finally got it and began to really enjoy it. The end seemed rushed and contrived, brining my opinion down a notch.
February 2, 2018
Alaska rules! Or not....
Quite a good read. Alaska is a strong character, with a definite independent voice. She had come a long way from her introduction 12 books ago.
And the author's note at the end, puts it all into focus. Its going to be an interesting ride...
Quite a good read. Alaska is a strong character, with a definite independent voice. She had come a long way from her introduction 12 books ago.
And the author's note at the end, puts it all into focus. Its going to be an interesting ride...
February 6, 2018
A nice little side story from the Schooled in Magic series. A quick, enjoyable read, which will contribute to the ongoing story line of the main series. Certainly whetted my appetite for the next regular book to be released.
February 6, 2018
Intrigue and mystery, of course.
Alassa is maturing and becoming queen material. Then intrigue gets involved and the King's paranoia is in the way. How in the world will Nuttall get her out of the Tower? I'm will be glad when he continues this tale.
Alassa is maturing and becoming queen material. Then intrigue gets involved and the King's paranoia is in the way. How in the world will Nuttall get her out of the Tower? I'm will be glad when he continues this tale.
September 24, 2018
2.5 to 3 stars, I don't like .5 of stories any way so that is one reason for the low ratting. If you are following this series you may wish to do this one anyway as it is the setup for the next book.
May 9, 2020
An excellent bridge tale, that filled in the gaps on a book I have already read. I loved hearing the details from Alyssa's point of view, and especially enjoyed scenes with Jade, one of my favourite supporting characters in the terrific series.
February 14, 2018
Nice setup for book 15
March 19, 2018
Great teaser.
And now the wait is on before a “good dose of come-uppance” is served.
And now the wait is on before a “good dose of come-uppance” is served.
April 3, 2018
Perfection
I cannot wait to see how this story continues. The suspense is amazing! This is ultimately one of the best well written series and now a personal favorite. Bravo!
I cannot wait to see how this story continues. The suspense is amazing! This is ultimately one of the best well written series and now a personal favorite. Bravo!
April 29, 2018
Good for fans of the series as a bridge to the next book.
March 9, 2019
Love the series
October 24, 2019
Short and necessarily grim but well crafted.
June 25, 2018
Good setup for the next book, though is it big enough to deserve to stand alone? And does it subtract from the princess in the tower book to not have read this "x.5" book? Probably a little.
January 23, 2018
Decent spin off. If you been reading this series from the beginning you have a clear understanding of where it's going. Nothing much happens until the very end of the book. Less world building and more action would be better.
April 18, 2018
Nice segue into the next book. I read this entire series at the rate of one book a day. I bought the Kindle and Audible version of each book so I could switch back and forth between sitting and reading or driving and working out at the gym.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews