Circuits explained without analogies
You don't want analogies since I've heard that those analogies break down when we get to more complex circuits.

Yes, the models fall apart, just like Newtonian physics don't work when you get to light speed.  However most things don't work at light speed thus for 99% of the cases the model is fine. 

The same holds for electronics. 99.99% of the time I do not use the characteristics of an NPN transistor. All I use is an estimated gain and "it starts conducting somewhere around Vbe = 0.6Volts". 

Another example: when I was young I bought an expensive 6.5 digit multimeter because I thought I needed it. Nowadays I solve 9 out of 10 problems with a five dollar 3.5 digit multimeter. (The other 10% require a scope).

Bottom line: start learning the basics. You will not need the quantum mechanics of how semiconductors work for another 10 years.