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Christopher G. Nuttall

The Cunning Man Paperback – October 20, 2021

by Christopher G. Nuttall (Author), Brad Fraunfelter (Illustrator)

338 ratings

Book 1 of 1: The Cunning Man, A Schooled in Magic Spin-Off

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Adam of Beneficence wanted to be a magician, and even undertook a magical apprenticeship, but there isn’t a single spark of magic in his entire body. In desperation, his master arranged for him to study at Heart’s Eye University, a former school of magic that has become a university, a place where magicians and mundanes can work to combine their talents and forge the future together.

But all is not well at Heart’s Eye. The magical and mundane apprentices resent and fear each other, the teaching staff is unsure how to shape the university and, outside, powerful forces are gathering to snuff out the future before it can take shape. As Adam starts his new apprenticeship, and stumbles across a secret that could reshape the world, he finds himself drawn into a deadly plot that could destroy the university ...

... And leave Lady Emily’s legacy in flaming ruins.

Print length

432 pages
Language

English
Publication date

October 20, 2021
Dimensions

6 x 0.98 x 9 inches
ISBN-13

979-8487189660
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Inadvisably Compelled
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Christopher G. Nuttall
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09JVD1HB7
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (October 20, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8487189660
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.98 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,132,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #147,634 in Fantasy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
338 ratings

About the author

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Christopher G. Nuttall

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Christopher Nuttall has been planning sci-fi books since he learned to read. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Chris created an alternate history website and eventually graduated to writing full-sized novels. Studying history independently allowed him to develop worlds that hung together and provided a base for storytelling. After graduating from university, Chris started writing full-time. As an indie author, he has published fifty novels and one novella (so far) through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

Professionally, he has published The Royal Sorceress, Bookworm, A Life Less Ordinary, Sufficiently Advanced Technology, The Royal Sorceress II: The Great Game and Bookworm II: The Very Ugly Duckling with Elsewhen Press, and Schooled in Magic through Twilight Times Books.

As a matter of principle, all of Chris's self-published Kindle books are DRM-free.

Chris has a blog where he published updates, snippets and world-building notes at http://chrishanger.wordpress.com/ and a website at http://www.chrishanger.net.

Chris is currently living in Edinburgh with his partner, muse, and critic Aisha.

Customer reviews

5 star		68%
4 star		25%
3 star		6%
2 star		1%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from the United States

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David O. Pollard

Story that's grown into a good book

Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2021

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I got to read an earlier version of this story which was included in a Magical Schools anthology and was impressed, so picked it up when it was expanded into an e-book. The author expanded the story out and change a few things in it - all to good effect. I'm quite impressed with his efforts, and it gives an unusual insight in the writing process of how a story evolves into a novel.
I'm also glad to see that the author intends to expand this out further with at least one more sequel book.
It's helpful if you've read the Schooled in Magic series, but not a must as it stands on its own pretty well. (I'd recommend reading SiM anyway as it's a great series whether you get this book or not.)

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

PJP

Fills in a gap in the SIM storyline

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2021

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This book introduces a new character (Adam) who is knowledgeable about a lot of aspects of magic while actually being mundane (without magic), and expands on another character (Lilith) that was little more than a passing reference before. It also re-visits some old friends from the SIM series who are now trying to run Heart's Eye, and finding it hard going, because they don't really know what a University is.

There is one character-shift that I found a little too fast and too drastic, but I won't say more because it would be a fairly big spoiler, being central to the story-line.

A definite "do read" for any fan of the SIM universe.
Looking forward to the next in the series.

4 people found this helpful

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MikeB

Really, really good

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2021

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I liked the Schooled In Magic series, but this is better. Nuttall’s considerable writing talents have grown and it’s almost as if he was engaged in an apprenticeship with this series being g his mastery. Just wonderful reading. A carefully crafted story with enough curve balls to keep you reading straight through.

6 people found this helpful

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Robert Redfeather

Excellent first in a trilogy!

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2021

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I like the writing, characters, plot, intrigue, suspense, twists. There are new and old characters present and they worked well. I like the idea of someone well grounded in theory and practicals having the opportunity to learn and use other fields to make new things.

Dislike? Mean people suck. Some will change for the better, some will find new lows to hit. That's the world for you, so can't hold it against the book. You have to have an antagonist, right?

I'd recommend this book to pretty much anyone. No bad language, no egregious violations of Grammer, syntax, or spelling, no egregious violence.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

jay gold

mundane in a land of magic

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2022

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I liked the hero, who is bent on making a name for himself in a world of magic while lacking any. I thought that he would be more likely to veer into the crafts where he could make a name by coming up with science based invention rather than magic. I liked that he did come up with some applications to magic with the help of a mage,Lilly. When presented with the total destruction of the school and town though, instead of coming up with a way to stop it, he just tries to sacrifice himself. I really didn't think that would work. I felt the author needed to end the story somehow and took the easy way out.

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2021

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This book provides a different perspective and insights into the nameless world that can’t be ignored by those who love this series. And although our favorite character Emily isn’t in this book. We get to see what so many people think about her. And what her motives are. It’s very apparent that she’s something to everyone. If you love the SIM universe then you must pick up this book!!

One person found this helpful

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William Ellis

Goatfoot

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2021

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Again, another brilliant novel that investigates the turmoil we are experiencing in our World by showing how man falls into problems in the magical world . The weaknesses men and women have and our willingness to believe what we want be true; is mirrored in this story. It is also well written and entertaining. It makes you look forward to the next story.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Very intense and twisted plots! Keep you riveted and invested! Love all of the series!

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021

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Even in a long series, and this one is 8 years of history, leaves a lot out! It is cool to go back and fill in the holes. Anne McCartney did that in her Pern series. Both turned out awesome! Emily is young, wonder how long he will follow this world, and its' interesting story telling opportunities? Look forward to more. He is an excellent story teller!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

STEPHEN HULLOTT

A REALLY GREAT STORY FROM THE SIM UNIVERSE.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2021

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I too read an earlier version of this story which was included in a Magical Schools anthology and thought it intriguing. I was a little apprehensive of ordering the book as I thought it might just be a padded-out version of his short story. I am glad to say I was proven wrong. Chris has changed quite a few things within the story which has improved it immeasurably.
I am a dyed in the wool fan of Chris Nuttall’s works but also not blind to the odd less than perfect story; I am happy to say, to me, this was amongst the most enthralling of his recent books and bodes well for the remaining two in the series.
Once again, I echo the other correspondents in advising new readers to dip into the ‘Schooled in Magic’ saga to be able to fully appreciate this narrative; that said it is not essential, the book stands well on its own.

StevenP1984aaaa

Excellent new characters and story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2021

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I hadn't read the novella so didn't have any expectations. What I did find was an exciting new beginning to characters and story with a different viewpoint. I was a bit bereft after finishing the SiM arc, can't wait to see what Christopher nuttall does next

David in Edinburgh

An interesting twist

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2021

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A great start to this Spin-Off set of books, main characters now in place. Mundanes do indeed have on involvement which adds to the intrigue of this tale.

Steve

Another worthy read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2021

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Yet another take on the use of magic introducing new characters with different abilities. A worthy spin off from the School of Magic books. I look forward to the promised second book.

hdonk

Brilliant start to a new Nameless World trilogy.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2021

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Introducing new characters, and new facets to the magic system of SIM, Chris' new stories are off to an energetic and exciting start.

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