The Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, the Schooled in Magic series should be read in publication order. Christopher G. Nuttall writes the series in a continuous chronological fashion following the main protagonist, Emily. Reading the books out of order will spoil major political shifts, character developments, and the evolving nature of magic in the Nameless World.
Main Series in Publication Order
- Schooled in Magic (2014)
- Lessons in Etiquette (2014)
- Study in Slaughter (2014)
- Work Experience (2014)
- The School of Hard Knocks (2015)
- Love's Labor's Won (2015)
- Trial by Fire (2015)
- Wedding Hells (2015)
- Infinite Regress (2016)
- Past Tense (2016)
- The Sergeant's Apprentice (2017)
- Fists of Justice (2017)
- The Gordian Knot (2017)
- Graduation Day (2017)
- Alassa's Tale (2018)
- The Princess in the Tower (2018)
- The Broken Throne (2018)
- Cursed (2019)
- Mirror Image (2019)
- The Artful Apprentice (2020)
- Oathkeeper (2020)
- Little Witches (2020)
- The Right Side of History (2021)
- The Face of the Enemy (2021)
- Void's Tale (2021)
- Child of Destiny (2021)
- The Demon's Design (2023)
- The Apprentice Mistress (2024)
- Hour of the Wolf (2026)
The Cunning Man Spin-Off Trilogy
Set at Heart's Eye University—a school founded by Emily to bring magical and non-magical "mundane" students together—this spin-off trilogy follows Adam of Beneficence, a young protagonist without magical talents who must rely on his wits to survive dangerous academic and political conspiracies.
- The Cunning Man (2021)
- The Infused Man (2022)
- The Conjuring Man (2022)
Tales of the Nameless World Collections
If you want to dive deeper into the lore and perspective of other key players in the universe, these collections compile individual character novellas and exclusive side stories:
- Tales of the Nameless World: Volume One (2023) – Features Alassa's Tale, Nanette's Tale, Gennady's Tale, Void's Tale, and the volume-exclusive Marah's Tale.
- Tales of the Nameless World: Volume Two (2024) – Features The Cunning Man's Tale, The Muckraker's Tale, Frieda's Tale, and the volume-exclusives Cat's Tale and Lady Barb's Tale.
- Tales of the Nameless World: Volume Three (2025) – Contains five stories exploring the historical origins of Whitehall and secondary characters.
The Whitehall Era vs. The Outer World: Subseries Breakdown
The main series can be naturally divided into two major eras, marked by Emily's transition from a student to a powerful, independent figure influencing the geopolitics of the Nameless World.
The Whitehall Academy Arc (Books 1–14)
Starting with Schooled in Magic and concluding with Graduation Day, these first fourteen books follow Emily's education at Whitehall School. During this era, Emily must learn to control her raw magical abilities while fending off dark sorcerers, surviving school rivalries, and adapting to a society that views her as a potential "Child of Destiny." These books are characterized by a classic magical school setting blended with Emily's growing realization that she can introduce Earth-based concepts to reform her new home.
The Post-Graduation & Global Scale Arc (Books 15–29)
After graduating in Book 14, Emily steps into the wider world, dealing with royal succession crises, industrial developments, and escalating warfare. This era expands the scope of the narrative from school challenges to international diplomacy, economics, and military strategy. It also includes several "Tales" character perspectives (such as Alassa's Tale and Void's Tale) that are counted as main series entries by retail platforms but serve as side stories focusing on secondary characters during parallel events.
How to Read the Spin-offs and Novellas
While the publication order is the safest reading path, readers often wonder where the spin-offs fit. The spin-off trilogy The Cunning Man is best read after finishing Graduation Day (Book 14), as the creation of Heart's Eye University is a direct consequence of the events of the Whitehall graduation arc. You can also comfortably read the trilogy after completing the main series up to Child of Destiny (Book 26).
For the short story collections, Tales of the Nameless World volumes can be read after Book 26 to fill in gaps about side characters. Note that stories like Alassa's Tale (Book 15) and Void's Tale (Book 25) are officially numbered within the main series by publishers, so following the standard chronological list will naturally guide you through these side perspectives at the right narrative moments.
What to Know Before You Start
Christopher G. Nuttall’s series is not your typical "chosen one" magical school story. While it begins with familiar tropes, it quickly evolves into a smart, rational exploration of what happens when modern ideas meet a feudal fantasy society. Emily does not just fight monsters; she introduces concepts like the printing press, basic economics, public education, and constitutional limits on royal power. This focus on realistic social consequences and a logical, rules-based system of magic sets it apart from softer fantasy series. The tone is approachable, fast-paced, and highly detailed, making it a favorite for fans who appreciate complex worldbuilding and logical progression.