An all-new story arc begins here!
Emily returns to Whitehall, only to discover that things have changed. The new Grandmaster doesn’t want her in his school – and is only willing to accept her as a probationary student. If she wishes to remain at Whitehall, she must work for Professor Locke as an assistant while managing her studies and her growing relationship with Caleb. And, as if that wasn’t enough, she is also expected to mentor a bunch of younger students. Her time is no longer her own.
But when Professor Locke starts opening the tunnels under the school, hunting for the lost secrets of Old Whitehall, he triggers off a series of catastrophes that threaten to tear the school apart. As the staff and students struggle to survive, Emily is forced to solve a disturbing mystery …
… And figure out what it has to do with her private research, before the entire school comes to a final catastrophic end.
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The Chrishanger 
Chris you rock! Most awesome birthday present ever! I can’t wait to start reading it. Now the dilemma becomes do I keep rereading the first 8 books in the series before I read book 9 or just jump right into 9? #lifesproblemsshouldallbethisawesome
I think this was with sleep tonight ^^
Btw. When will Schooled in Magic 10 will arrive? ^^
Probably in two-three months.
Chris
So cool. I already read it from snippets, but bought it on Amazon anyway – you need to get paid after all 🙂
Thank you!
Chris
Great book–but isn’t Emily’s hair supposed to turn white at some point…(picture of her in Aurelius’ library at Mountaintop in Trial by Fire…I hope this means Emily develops greater power, control, and/or abilities–something–when she returns to the present day so it’s not just filler…
Chris has stated that paintings in the Nameless World don’t always show the true appearance of the person the painting is said to be of.
There are several places in the series where Emily sees a painting said to be of her that doesn’t resemble her.
As for that picture in Aruelius’ library, we don’t even know that it is of an actual event let alone if the people in the painting actually looked that way.
Very few historical paintings are accurate
Edward VI was often depicted as being in his late teens, even when he was a child. Elizabeth would have her paintings edited. Etc, etc.
Chris
Talking of paintings, unless my memory fails me, in the Grandmaster’s office during the previous incumbent’s tenure there was a painting that changed each time it was looked at.
And then there is all the flux in this book – statues and books appearing and disappearing.
Could all this be due to shifting timelines?
Remember Yodal doing a commision for painting that always showed the owners face in real time (even in the bath).
The nexus point has killed or transformed people. Maybe her contact with the nexus point has some side effects and one of them is her hair turning white?
Just when I thought I was going to have to go through another chemo with nothing but junk to read! Thanks from the bottom of my heart!
You’re welcome
Chris
Just hit the BUY button, see you all in a few hours. OH thaxs for the early Father’s Day gift =)
Thank You !!! been waiting this.
I think it is a good preperation for 10 but you only understand that if you have read the last 3 pages.
The young girl that we all love and watched turn into a young adult in a school that she loved and tried her best not to destroy as fate drop on her. In book 10 she can now return the love that the school imparted to her and I for one cant wait =)
Keep the flame alive Chris you are doing a very good job
Gazza
Congratulations Chris on a really well done engaging book.
I love how you have grown Emily. And I really feel that the new headmaster is an upgrade to the last one. He feels more grey, neutral and unbiased. All which I feel the head of the school should be.
While I am apprehensive on the whole time travel thing, I believe that you will pull it off.
I am keen and very eager to read the next book and am waiting eagerly for it. Regards.
Hi Chris
Entirely off topic – I have finally got around to your “Empire’s Corps series
I disagree about politics but you write a fine story
I do have one major issue – it’s only small but it nearly caused me to just throw the book away without finishing it (as a Scotsman that is a very rare occurrence)
You can NOT use a breath mask in space – NOT NOT NOT –
Anything to be used in a vacuum must be capable of maintaining pressure – does not have to be 1 atmosphere – you would be able to get away with 1/10th if using pure oxygen
Some sort of lightweight helmet that sealed to a neck ring could work
I know that I have to muzzle my engineering self when reading SF but that is a bit basic
Thanks for letting me know . In which part of the book?
Chris
Second book when Mandy is captured – breath masks and mention of requiring short hair – and on a number of occasions during the book
Reading book 3 at the moment
Comments so far
If a “ship” hits an orbital station – especially a high orbit hard – enough to “knock it out of orbit” both would be vapourised by the impact
(I have only got to the bit when somebody is worrying about it – dunno if it is going to happen)
Loved the book Chris! The ending really made my day because there were parts throughout the book that made me think she had to do something like that, and when my prediction was right I sorta got really excited. Really well written book, kept me interested the whole way through, and left me thinking about what will occur next.
I really enjoyed this book I left a good review on Amazon and shared it on my Facebook page. I love the twist at the end and I am excited to see were you will go with it. I noticed you said Arc as in maybe several books were she is at in the end? One minor thought at the end of the last book It seemed like Emily was extending an olive leaf to Melissa like they were moving towards being friends but then that just kind of dried up?
They’re probably never going to be close – too much bad blood there – but they do have a truce
Chris
Just an idea, and it may not be workable, but Emily could discover humans were brought to this world by the fairie…Also, it seems there are 3 forms of tremendous, out of the ordinary magic–the fairie, demons, and necromancers. Emily has encountered the last two–it might be interesting if at some point, Emily learned how to do fairie magic–say it’s immensely powerful, more instinctual (less structured) magic, that traditional spellcasters cannot cast…
There is also dragon magic. The big problem with dragon and/or fairie is that it could be a form of innate blood magic. As its in their blood, or body(cells) and not so much as a form of magic. Emily biggest problem is one of control and not raw power.
That said Emily’s blood does have in it something that is not found in other humans in the nameless world (see book one) this might be a trigger that could be used to cast a form of magic that is close to a type innate blood magic but not fully dragon or fairie
Not sure what you think you saw in Book One about Emily’s blood, but the only thing special mentioned involves Emily’s DNA.
IE Emily has no relatives in the Nameless World. No brothers/sisters, no parents, etc.
Which was the reason that the standard defenses against somebody using a person’s blood against them didn’t work as well for Emily.
That’s basically true – Emily is completely alone, as far as the magic is concerned.
Chris
They said about Emilys blood only that she has no relatives in this world and which makes blood magic stronger against her (at the other side only her blood can be used against her and not the blood of a close relative since no relative exist).
AND they said they found “weird” things in her blood. Like remenants of dietary supplements etc.
But we already know that humans from another world have come to the Nameless World.
Remember the dragon’s comment in the book 1: “A traveler from another world,” the dragon stated. It wasn’t a question. “How strange. We have not seen one like you for many years.”
I’m still waiting for Chris to explain it that in more detail… I think I know who, but I’m not going to speculate on it.
Ah my bad. I had to go back and reread why Shadye was able to control Emily. I remembered that her blood was unique but not why it was. Start of Chapter 45. I was quite sure that at some time Emily was told that her blood had something in it that set her apart from others. LOL well now I have a reason to reread all 8 books again
There is no reason for humans in both worlds to be so similar unless there was a connection in the distant past. I would expect (along with most of the readers) that humans had been brought there by the other magical species of the Nameless world from our world. A comparison of the languages might give some hints of when and where they came from on Earth.
Actually I have always wondered about Emily’s true father, could he have been Void traveling to Earth? That could explain why he reacted so quickly (in time to save her life) when she was brought to the nameless world, because he was out for her before that. It would also explain why she was so powerful from the very beginning, and why Void seems to care about her at all. Void at least seems to have been well aware that other worlds existed. In fact, his name “Void” seems to indicate that he is very interested in and knowledgeable about what lies between the worlds. He might very well have traveled to Earth, assuming that he could get back. I think his name is a clue that we have been overlooking, even if he is not Emily’s father.
Chris has said that Void is not Emily’s father.
Chris has also said that he was able to save her because he had been keeping a close eye on Shayde. IE Emily was just lucky (or destined) to be rescued by Void.
On the other hand, there does seem to be hints that Void is very knowledgeable about other worlds and how to reach them.
His main comments on returning Emily home (in the first book) included the problem of finding her home world. IE IMO Void could travel between worlds but finding her home world would be hard.
This is a good idea. Maybe when the fairie ask her to fulfill her oath she needs to learn some fairie magic or she creates her own combination of fairie/human magic and she would have the power to defeat a necromancer in single combat, without using the nuke-spell or a nexus point.
It could also be that the fairies want to experimentate with her and she ends up with fairy magic and wings.
Furthermore does she develope a need to conquer them all (since a OP mage who rules over humanity AND the fairies would protect the fairies AND the humans wouldn’t fight her as hard since she would protect the humans against the necromancers and would promise a golden age etc.).
But honestly I think that the fairies in the past will know of Emilys oath and use her to destroy the Empire (or something like that)
Chris,
I downloaded Infinite Regress from Amazon at 1407 (EDT) today, 26 May, I all too quickly finished it and I am writing this at 2241(EDT). That includes a break for dinner and a bottle of wine. I enjoyed the book immensely and I really appreciate your writing so rapidly (and with such consistent high quality), but please sit your a%$ down and get Past Tense out!
Will do
Chris
Great work, but I have one point which has annoyed me through the entire book. Whenever Caleb and Emily are together (which is often) he is either hugging her or holding / squeezing her hand. Because of that, I thought at one point, that Emily has become a little girl who is constantly afraid or in need to be reassured that nothing bad is going to happen. After the events from book 7 and 8 this development of Emily’s character was a bit surprising, because it looked like she had become a lot tougher …or more like a combat sorceress / mediator who can deal with bad situations.
People in love often like to make “physical contact” with the person they love.
It’s more about Emily losing her fear about physical contact with a male.
Of course I know that, “people in love like to make physical contact”, it just felt that she was more scared in this book to let Caleb occur to be the “strong man” and protector.
That’s true – remember being in love for the first time?
Chris
I took it as Caleb trying to be a protector not grasping that Emily is way more capable then he is which is a little frustrating. I kind off want someone more at her level so to speak. He just seems like a sweet first boyfriend really and not her equal.
Though he is smart and studious like her. I am still on the fence about him. And I also felt he pressured her a little to much for sex. Take a hint the girl keeps stiffening up and pulling away.
IMO it wasn’t just about Caleb wanting to have sex with Emily.
It was Caleb wanting to know that he was as important to Emily as he felt that Emily was important to him.
IE He was “feeling” that Emily was taking him for granted.
That too. Emily has a habit of assuming that things won’t change
Chris
That’s true – it’s not entirely a healthy relationship. And it will get rocky in the future.
Chris
Great beginning to at new arc!
I laughed at one point when you described the control room. I pictured Emily going up to the console, and saying “Computer, identify Emily Sanderson for command authorisation.” Then I said to myself; please don’t go there. 🙂
Noticed this book was released last night just before i went to bed… ended up not going to bed til almost 5 am. Although i was a bit disappointed in the lack of explosions (certainly plenty of implosions), i’m really looking forward to book 10. This and Bookworm are some of my favorite fantasy series ever!
First I just wanted to stay that this is my first time writing on your blog and I like your books. I like the Schooled in Magic series best of your books but I also like the Empire corps books but only half way done with that series.
One thing that I like about this series is that it makes me think what could happen during the next book or the series as a whole. I think any author that gets their readers to do this is a good one and at least I will continue to buy their books.
Let me give an example of what I’m thinking that could be just minor or major event in the book when Emily returns.
I do hope that when Emily does return that it been at least 2 to 4 weeks from when she entered the Nexus Point. If she returns at the exact moment know one will know anything but I believe more story and just side story fun could happen if later.
What I think could happen if Emily take a little time return back:
Lady Barb – Would she return to Whitehall demanding where or what happen to Emily? Would she think that Grandmaster Gordian did something to her ?
Void – Would Void start a search with other lone powers or people of strength that could start a rift within the allied lands? He could also go to Whitehall and cause major problems?
Grandmaster Gordian – Would he think that maybe that Emily took off because she has the missing books? He might also think that Whitehall problems were not fix and are still happening to where they limit access to most of Whitehall?
Sergeant Miles – Would he try to find Emily? Maybe requesting Lady Bard to go with him? They could also maybe enter the Blighted lands or other Necromancer lands trying to find Emily?
King Randor and barony of Cockatrice – Would people think that King Randor had assassins kill or capture Emily which could cause trouble with other kingdoms? Could Emily disappearing give the big spark for the barony of Cockatrice to rebel and attack king Randor?
Nexus Point (If Nexus points are connected like lay lines)- When Emily does return could she return to Stronghold school or even in Necromancer lands (If there are Nexus points controlled by Necromancers) in enemy territory and needs help to get back to the allied Lands.
This is just one event that I’m thinking about. Keep up the good work with the Schooled in Magic series!! Can’t wait to see if I even get close to what might happen in the series!
I would bet she arrives befor her depature. She needs to take the books beside the computer. Which she would have done already. (Not sure about the grammar for this time form.)
Great work, keep it up.
Really enjoying this series and Schooled in Magic as well. Thanks for the wonderful stories! Keep them coming! Cannot wait for the next book!
What do you mean by “an all new story arc starts here” like I know the English but in terms of story it might be nice to know what you mean a little more specifically. Like from here out will there be time skips? Will Emily start in the adult realm as opposed to the education realm? Does this mean she will travel? I’m not looking for spoilers but knowing what you mean a little more clearly would be ideal.
Thanks – Jeremy
Chris gives us a “Chris-Hanger” at the end of this book with the “story” continuing to the next book.
IE All of his books are basically “self-contained” stories except for this one. [Smile]
Continuing on with my thoughts about Void, I think that he is as close to being a demon master in the present of the Nameless world as there is. However, he is well aware of the dangers and is probably more interested in the Void between the worlds as a place of very strong magic, and the demons as a source of knowledge and not as tools (which would turn on him eventually). We already know that his focus is in learning more about Magic and I think that the Void is what he is studying most, which makes sense of his name. I still think that there is a possibility that Void is Emily’s true father who visited Earth while studying the Void, and that he left a spell on her to trace and keep track of her, which is why he was able to get to Shadye in time to keep her from being killed.
I also wonder if Lord Whitehall is going to come forward to the present time in the Nameless World. He would make for a very interesting new Grand Master for his school and someone a little more friendly to Emily as well as a strong and powerful mentor to her. He would also lead to a major shack up in the power structure of the Nameless World that Emily is too young and junior to be able to accomplish.
As I have acknowledged in other posts, Void is not Emily’s father, according to Chris. I did think it was a valid point to speculate on.
If Lord Whitehall does come forward, he will be another step in the events happening to the school since Emily arrived. I would consider his arrival as a major positive step, and I would expect Emily to serve an apprenticeship under him when her 6 years at Whitehall are over. I think that she is too tied to the Nexus point now to able to spend a lot of time away from it. i.e. years away, not a couple of months for the next summer episode.