A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians
The Shadow Histories, Book One
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4.8 • 4 Ratings
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- £3.99
Publisher Description
'A rich, sprawling epic full of history and magic.' Alix E. Harrow, Hugo award-winning author
A sweeping tale of revolution and wonder in a world not quite like our own, A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is a genre-defying story of magic, war, and the struggle for freedom.
It is the Age of Enlightenment -- of new and magical political movements, from the necromancer Robespierre calling for revolution in France to the weather mage Toussaint L'Ouverture leading the slaves of Haiti in their fight for freedom, to the bold new Prime Minister William Pitt weighing the legalization of magic amongst commoners in Britain and abolition throughout its colonies overseas.
But amidst all of the upheaval of the enlightened world, there is an unknown force inciting all of human civilisation into violent conflict. And it will require the combined efforts of revolutionaries, magicians, and abolitionists to unmask this hidden enemy before the whole world falls to chaos.
For more from H.G. Parry, check out The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep
'Impressively intricate; fans of the magic-and-history of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will be delighted.' Alexandra Rowland, author of A Conspiracy of Truths
'A beautiful tapestry of words, a combination of carefully observed and researched history and a well-thought-out and fascinating system of magic. An absolute delight to read.' Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library
'Puts a human face on the titans of the past, while weaving in supernatural elements that add a whole new dimension. I stayed up well past my bedtime to find out what happens next.' Marie Brennan, author of the Memoirs of Lady Trent series
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Parry (The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep) gracefully bends genres into a witty, riveting historical fantasy as, at the end of the 18th century, magical rebellions against oppression spark around the world. In West Africa, a young girl is enslaved and given a new name, Fina. She's taken to work on a Jamaican sugar plantation under the influence of a spell that effectively turns slaves into zombies and robs them of magic of their own. In France, five-year-old Camille Desmoulins is charged with illegal use of magic by the Knights Templar, inciting a fire for revolution in his heart as he grows older. Meanwhile, William Pitt, the newly named prime minister of Britain, fights against troubling legislation limiting magic use to the aristocratic classes. As revolution brews, a dark and powerful shadow works its way across the globe, uniting the disparate cast of characters, who must band together to defeat a sinister mystical force viler than any anti-magic law. Parry has a historian's eye for period detail and weaves real figures from history including Robespierre and Toussaint L'Ouverture throughout her poetic tale of justice, liberation, and dark magic. This is a knockout.
