The Face of the Enemy

Schooled in Magic, Book 23

By: Christopher G. Nuttall

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

The Necromantic Wars are over, but there is no peace.

In the aftermath of the struggle, long-held grudges are boiling over and conflicts are breaking out. The monarchs want to settle border disputes, the aristocrats want to impose their will on monarchs and peasants alike, the commoners want freedom and justice, and the magical communities want to rule all or else separate themselves from the mundanes. And most of this chaos is being orchestrated by Emily’s mentor, the sorcerer Void. He believes the only path to salvation for the Allied Lands is to make himself the undisputed ruler of the world.

After discovering the truth – too late – Emily is on the run, blamed for the disorder by friend and foe alike. With a handful of allies by her side, Emily must find a safe place to gather herself and strike back before it is too late to save what remains of the Allied Lands. And yet, as she flees through lands plagued by civil wars and rebellious nobility, hunted by powerful sorcerers, aristocrats and rebels who want to kill her or use her for their own purposes, she is forced to accept it may not be possible to save everything and to realize, as much as she might wish to deny it, that her mentor might be right.

And yet, she also knows the path to hell is paved with good intentions....

©2021 Christopher G. Nuttall (P)2021 Podium Audio

Overall series well-built and plotted

I have enjoyed Schooled in Magic quite a lot, and try not to fall into the trap of "familiarity breeds contempt"...but I could do with less of Emily's struggling thoughts, whininess and sourness. However, I still want her to succeed with the right choices. I disagree with some reviewers who claim there is not enough action. There was almost too much :D. I appreciated how well one of her worst nemeses was woven into the story and how it resolved near the end. Really loved the library card issue near the start of the book. It's a pity, I say sourly, that the last book is out, and the word sour was, in all likelihood, not removed, I feel like I have a lime in my mouth when I think of Emily. Beautifully narrated.

Facey mc face face

can't wait for the next book. Pure gold as always. With a title like "face of the enemy", I thought we would get to see void's real face. We didn't, but maybe it was a metaphorical face.

Epic

Christopher has done it again! This book is epic! Great magic, lots of detail, and a very good look into the Nameless World. Have fun listening!!

Void is not E’s lover?

For many volumes, I had hoped Emily and Void were working toward a romantic relationship. This was thought to be so especially after the end of book 7 and the beginning of book 8-chapter 1. Now he is portrayed as a dastardly villain. I will hold out hope for romance in the end. Throughout the series Void has always been experienced as a force for good and stability for Emily. A stability that she had to leave earth to find in the Un-named Lands.

Schooled in magic goes camping

Pretty self explanatory, this book is just the main characters traveling with very little story. However, the book sets the setting for the next book which will most likely be a good addition to the series.