I was so happy after finishing The Novice to realise there was a novella and, at 100 pages, this novella is decent sized and gives just the right amount of story.

Origins takes place when Summoners realise that commoners and not only nobles have the chance to summon demons and perform magic. Arcturus, who is Fletcher's mentor and teacher in The Novice, is the main character in Origins and the novella gives the reader a look at Votans in a way the other book didn't. The Novice is set in a time where the learning needs to be rushed and it isn't in Origins so the reader is really able to get a feeling for the school and the magic lessons - plus the prejudice that was held against the commoners and dwarves even before it was learned they could do magic.

As I said, the novella was a great size for an extra few hours of enjoyable reading. I just really love this world that I'd happily jump into the next novel in the trilogy if I had it in my hands!