AN UNKINDNESS OF MAGICIANS

A dark tale of revenge and battle magic among New York City’s secretive elite.

Everyone in the Unseen World gets the message: another Turning has begun, which means all magical Houses must once again compete to become the head of New York’s magical world. Old Houses, like House Prospero and House Merlin, the current ruler of the Unseen World, will try to get ahead—or stay on top. Grey, the disinherited son of House Prospero, expelled for “pushing boundaries” with his magic, will attempt to found his own new House, as will his friend Laurent, who’s hired a champion to fight for him—an outsider nobody knows. That outsider, Sydney, an unusually powerful magician, has big plans for this Turning. She aims to do nothing less than disrupt the fundamental ways the Unseen World works, exposing its secrets and punishing those responsible for the injustice at its heart. Meanwhile, Harper is desperately trying to get a glimpse inside the Unseen World and avenge her best friend’s death. In a Turning, nothing is certain. Anyone could win—anyone could die. Sydney is a fascinating character, and her drive for vengeance propels the plot forward. The sickness at the heart of this world is presented in stark and compelling terms, and the many magical battles keep the stakes high, although some of the big moments feel a little rushed.

Strong characters and a captivating revenge plot make this a fun, absorbing read for those who like their magic, and their magicians, dark and twisty.