A Radical Act of Free Magic - (Shadow Histories) by H G Parry (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A rich, sprawling epic full of history and magic, Declaration is Jonathan Strange with international politics and vampires. I loved it."―Alix E. Harrow

A sweeping tale of revolution and wonder in a world not quite like our own, A Radical Act of Free Magic is the conclusion to this genre-defying series of magic, war, and the struggle for freedom in the early modern world.

The Concord has been broken, and a war of magic engulfs the world.

In France, the brilliant tactician Napoléon Bonaparte has risen to power, and under his command, the army of the dead has all but conquered Europe. Britain fights back, but Wilberforce's own battle to bring about free magic and abolition has met a dead end in the face of an increasingly repressive government. In Saint-Domingue, Fina aids Toussaint Louverture as he navigates these opposing forces to liberate the country.

But there is another, even darker war being fought beneath the surface: the first vampire war in hundreds of years. The enemy blood magician who orchestrated Robespierre's downfall is using the French Revolutionary Wars to bring about a return to dark magic. Across the world, only a few know of his existence, and the choices they make will shape the new age of magic.

Praise for The Shadow Histories:

"Magnificent...[turns] the part of history class you might have slept through into something new, exciting and deeply magical."―BookPage

"A witty, riveting historical fantasy . . . 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." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The Shadow Histories
A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians
A Radical Act of Free Magic

For more from H. G. Parry, check out The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep.

Review Quotes

"A rich, sprawling epic full of history and magic, Declaration is Jonathan Strange with international politics and vampires. I loved it."--Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January on A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians

"A witty, riveting historical fantasy....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."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) on A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians

""I absolutely loved it. It held my attention from the beginning and throughout. It's 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; splendid and fluid, with beautiful and complex use of language."--Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library on A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians

"Impeccably researched and epically written, this novel is a stellar start to what promises to be a grand new fantasy series."--Booklist (starred review) on A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians

"Impressively intricate; fans of the magic-and-history of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will be delighted."--Alexandra Rowland, author of A Conspiracy of Truths on A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians

"It's no simple task to wrangle fifteen years of tumult in a few hundred pages, but Parry manages it with a deft hand. Her alternate history 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 on A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians

"Magnificent...[turns] the part of history class you might have slept through into something new, exciting and deeply magical."--BookPage on A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians

"A first-rate blend of political drama and magic battle-action....Absolutely superb." --Kirkus

About the Author

H.G. Parry lives in a book-infested flat on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, which she shares with her sister, a cat, three guinea-pigs, and two over-active rabbits. She holds a PhD in English Literature from Victoria University of Wellington, and has taught English, film, and media studies.