A Radical Act of Free Magic

Book excerpt: A Radical Act of Free Magic is the epic conclusion to the genre-defying Shadow Histories series following A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians; a sweeping tale of revolution and wonder in a world not quite like our own. The Concord has been broken, and a war of magic engulfs the world. In France, the brilliant young battle-mage Napoleon Bonaparte and has all but conquered Europe. Britain fights back, protected by the gulf of the channel and powerful fire-magic, but Wilberforce's own battle to bring about free magic and abolition has met a dead end. In Saint Domingue, Fina watches as Toussaint Louverture navigates these opposing forces to liberate the country. But there is another, even darker war being fought beneath the surface. A blood magician is using the 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 A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians: 'A rich, sprawling epic full of history and magic' Alix E. Harrow, Hugo award-winning author 'An absolute delight to read' Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library 'Impressively intricate; fans of the magic-and-history of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will be delighted' Alexandra Rowland, author of A Conspiracy of Truths 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.