Alassa's Tale: A Schooled in Magic Novella, Book 14.5 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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!

I generally like Nutall's "Schooled in Magic" series. The writing continues on the same good standard, BUT... Some of the ingenuity of main line books of the series is missing with Alassa as main character, perhaps necessarily so. However, the end has a total twist and then stops mid-stream. I understand about sequels, but the author owes the reader a complete story, even if only a novella. Thus the title "Alessa's Tale..." misleads, as this is clearly not ALL of Alessa's tale, but only an incomplete episode. An incomplete book should not get a good grade.

The way Graduation Day ended it's obvious that the Schooled in Magic series is far from ending with Emily's formal education. However, it also leaves the reader wondering what the heck happened in Zangaria after Jade left. Alassa's Tale is a necessary fill in between Graduation Day and whatever comes next to keep the beginning of the next book from being a little redundant. Well done in every aspect, and an excellent place to test the first novella. As for future novellas, I would love to see some background on Lady Barb and Void.

Let me start off with I enjoy the Schooled in Magic series. It is this book that I do not like. It is not a complete story and even with that limitation it does supply value for the money. Mr. Nuttall seems lost with what to do, but feels compelled to write a certain number of words. He repeats the same facts over and over, rather than deliver up a story line that goes anywhere. Louie Lamoure was once asked why it always took six shoots to defeat the villain. He answered at 5 cents a word there is no reason to leave a bullet in the gun. I get the feeling Mr. Nuttall is working under the same considerations. I recommend skipping this book and its sequel and wait until he can serve up the quality we are use to in this series.

Now, where is the rest of it?!?!This was a good read, however it's the kind of thing that makes you wish you could shrink the author to a 2 inch man and put him in a table top until he is forthcoming with the Rest of the story.Cliffhangers are one of my pet peeves! If I like an authors work i will buy it without the teaser, in this case I will be buying The Princess in the tower, despite being irritated with the author over indulging in such childish behavior as to write a cliffhanger to assure sales!He gives a title but not even a publication date!(Ongoing temper tantrum here)Hopefully this is not going to be his new style or i might start waiting until he finishes each series to make purchases...I've gotten stuck too many times by authors who fail to finish what they start, and have too many unfinished story's stuck unresolved in my memory to want more of them.If you don't mind cliffhangers buy it now, if you hate them as much as I do you might want to wait until The Princess in the tower is published before diving in.

Yet again, Christopher Nuttall shows his ability to weave a story that is difficult to put down till the last page is turned. Running a bit concurrently alongside SIM 14,this short story, relays Alassa's experiences during the events of Graduation Day. It doesn't just offer a well crafted change of perspective or revisit Alassa and Imaquia's fate, it also provides a momentum for SIM 15, which, given how the story ends, can't come soon enough.I did find the short story of another character in the SIM world to work very well, as it felt tighter than the longer books that relay Emily's experiences, and offered the chance to revisit some fond characters that SIM 1-7 built up.I am really hoping we will see more short stories set in the same world punctuating Emily's journey through the Nameless World, particularly one that deals specifically with Emily's guardian, Void.While it does stand alone, I would not consider this a book to jump into the Schooled in Magic series if you haven't taken the plunge yet - rather start with book 1 if that is the case.But for those who have already read SIM 1-14, consider this another must read well worth your time and money.

This is a background story, as the Schooled in Magic storyline comes to a close and transitions into its next phase. There is a *very* strongly indicated reading order that you really need to recognize. The blurb calls it Schooled in Magic 14.5. Not quite correct chronologically, but...read Graduation Day first. Yes, that means you've got 14 books to read to get here.If you have, then the overall outline of this book is clear-cut. There are few real surprises, but there's considerable background. That's fine with me, here. 4 stars only because I dislike Zangaria. :)

This is only a short story, and a prelude to the next novel about the Princess being trapped in the Tower prison. I believe, as such, it should have been the opening chapters to that novel and not sold by itself. I found it irritating just to get into the story and find the " to see what happens to Allassa read the next novel".

Other than the fact that I hate courtroom dramas, I enjoyed this novella. As far as Mr. Nuttall has explained the reasoning and proposals for similar views from different people has merit. I look forward to those which I hope will answer some questions, especially the "spy" in the prologue ( I have my idea who that is, but who is she really working for?)Keep up the good work, I look forward to the next book.

I love the Schooled in Magic series and was intrigued by this novella. Set during the events of The Gordian Knot and Graduation Day this tells us what has been going on with Alassa from her point of view. This is an action packed story with little reflection or brooding, thank goodness. Emily really can overdo the angst sometimes. Alassa really shines in this story , bringing her knowledge, passion and practicality to bear on the problem at hand. The book moves the arc plot on a lot and I'd recommend reading it before The Princess in the Tower.... I cannot wait for the next book.

I love the Schooled in magic series, I cannot imagine where Christopher gets HI s ideas from, the characters are so believeable. Look forward to h ow he gets Emily and Jade to rescue Alassa and their friend, although he can be quite ruthless at killing his characters off!

I just love the SIM world this book starts a great twist that has been building for a while the biggest issue is the wait for the next book. I really enjoy a lot of Christopher's books and this series was my first read of his. I know this is a mini book not a full book but its prices as such and it is a very important book in this series.