Magick of Master Lilly

by Tobsha Learner

An epic historical thriller telling the story of the most influential astrologer in English history, William Lilly - from the bestselling author of SphinxIn 1641, the country of England stands divided. London has become a wasps' nest of spies, and under the eyes of the Roundheads those who practice magic are routinely sent to hang.Living in exile in the Surrey countryside is the Master Astrologer and learned magician William Lilly. Since rumours of occult practice lost him the favour of Parliament, he has not returned to the city. But his talents are well-known, and soon he is called up to London once more, to read the fate of His Majesty the King.What he sees in the stars will change the course of history.Only Lilly and a circle of learned astrologers - Cunning Folk - know that London is destined to suffer plague and fire before the decade is through, and must summon angel and demon to sway the political powers from the war the country is heading toward. In doing so, Lilly will influence far greater destinies than his own and encounter great danger. But there will be worse to come . . .A brilliant tale of the role of magic in the English Civil War, TheMagick of Master Lillyis the story of the most influential astrologer in English history.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, 17th Century, Fiction, Fantasy

480 pages, Paperback

Published June 7, 2018

About the author

Aka T.S. Learner

Tobsha Learner was born and raised in England; she now divides her time between Australia, the UK and the USA. She is well known in Australia as an author and playwright.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magick of Master Lilly will have widespread appeal as it covers many genres including historical fiction, magic, astrology, politics, the plague, civil war, and a little love interest to boot. It also brings to life renowned real life astrologer and magician William Lilly, whose predictions proved frighteningly accurate.

It’s 1641 when we meet Master Lilly. He’s living in exile in Suffolk after losing favour with Parliament, but his talents are well known and respected, and he soon finds himself returning to London after being invited to read the fate of his Majesty the King. Lilly’s reading will ultimately change the course of history.

This was a very turbulent time in history with the English Civil War being particularly brutal, and it also coincided with the Witchfinder Trials in Manningtree Essex, where self imposed Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins wrought fear throughout the country, accusing many innocent souls of witchcraft and condemning them to death. This also meant that it was an extremely dangerous time for astrologers and magicians such as Lilly and his circle of learned astrologers.

Lilly is definitely a character that you’re not going to forget in a hurry, his personality literally jumps from the page, he’s an exceptional astrologer and healer, and can be extremely kind and generous to those less well off than himself, he’s amusing at times, but (having married someone quite incompatible) he’s not the most faithful of husbands, throwing himself into a passionate affair with a lady of the Royal Court!

The research needed to create this intense read must have been phenomenal, and it certainly showed, but if I have one negative, it was that I found the style of writing difficult at times, (though it suited the time period in which it was set). That said, it was a completely absorbing tale of magic and mayhem that transports the reader back to the 17th century, with it’s descriptions of a divided England with spies on every corner and in every tavern. It wasn’t difficult to imagine the filthy streets filled with effluence, the gut churning smells, the resulting plagues, and of course the sense of a time in history where one had to tread very carefully if one wanted to keep one’s head.

All in all, an extremely absorbing narrative that weaves a fictional tale around real historical events and characters, in this most turbulent time in history, and I have to say that I’ve particularly enjoyed spending time in the company of Master Lilly!

*Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere for my Arc. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Magick of Master Lilly' is a gripping and engrossing historical thriller about Master Astrologer and learned magician William Lilly. Given many people have hanged for practicing magic, Mr Lilly is taking quite a chance in continuing with his ways. This is a fictional account of England's most renowned astrologer based in the turbulent times of the English Civil War which took place in the seventeenth century. At its core, it is a novel about the injustice in terms of the treatment those suspected of being witches received at that time.

This is an impressive book which comes across as meticulously research by Learner, and boy can she write! Wow! Admittedly, it took a little while for me to get into the style of writing, but once I was over that hurdle there was absolutely no stopping me! By the time I reached the end I was incredibly sad as though I was saying farewell to a friend. Some historical fiction novels are a real struggle to get into and then to maintain interest can often be a chore rather than a pleasure. Not here! Since I finished I have pre-ordered a copy as an addition to my book shelf and have recommended it to all my bookish friends. I truly love it when a book touches you that much that you feel the need to gush about it everytime you open your mouth! The characters are beautifully drawn and very believable. Of course, Lilly is the star of the show, and I found him so, so intriguing as a person, but the other secondary characters are sufficiently developed too. There is even some humour and dry wit sprinkled among the prose, and I for one always appreciate a giggle when i'm reading. Learner is an author to watch for sure, and I look forward to enjoying her future work. Stunning!

Many thanks to Sphere for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Lilly tells his story in a distinctive narrative voice giving the reader privileged access to many of the pivotal events of the English Civil War. Lilly comes across as slightly pompous, a little arrogant but also with an engaging sense of humour, often expressed in the form of disparaging remarks about fellow astrologers and clients or cheeky asides directed at the reader. ‘At which Tobias collapsed in a chair and began fanning himself with a much-valued volume of Tycho Brahe’s astrological observations. I carefully removed the volume and replaced it with an Nativity of a minor client of no consequence.’

As Lilly’s reputation increases, and despite remarking at one point on ‘humility being one of the conduits to success’, he’s not averse to proudly boasting that ‘…the accuracy of my prediction hath made me, by my own humble reckoning, the most famed Astrologer in the land’.

The reader observes Lilly as he sees clients (or ‘querents’) seeking the benefit of his astrological skills to provide solutions to everything from the location of missing items, the paternity of children, the likelihood of misadventure on the high seas, to the fate of nations.

A chance encounter sees Lilly succumb to the temptations of the flesh, described in intimate detail with no blushes spared. (The author also writes erotic fiction.) In fact, Lilly doesn’t try to resist temptation too hard (pardon the pun) and his dalliance provides him with a vital contact within the Royalist cause as well as, it seems, a soul mate and a welcome distraction from a loveless marriage. Trying to keep a foot in both camps, as it were, by making himself useful to both the Royalists and the Puritans brings him into dangerously close contact with notorious figures such as Matthew Hopkins, the Witch-Finder General, running the risk of denunciation and arrest.

At just under 500 pages (hence the book’s description as ‘an epic telling of the role of magic in the English Civil War’), I confess I found the book a little slow at times. I’ll admit to skimming some of the lengthier and more detailed descriptions of Lilly’s procedures for drawing up his predictions as the book went on. However, I admired the author’s creation of a distinctive narrative voice and the obviously detailed research undertaken into the events of the English Civil War (although, the author does admit to inventing one of the key characters in the book – Lilly’s love interest).

Readers like me interested more in the historical subject matter of the novel may find there is too much of the astrological and occult. Conversely, readers interested in the life of a renowned astrologer (who, I confess, I had never heard of before coming across this book) may find they become too bogged down in historical detail. The Magick of Master Lilly is full of interesting historical detail and colourful characters but I didn’t love it quite as much as I expected.

I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Little Brown, and NetGalley.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 3 out of 5]

'London is now a wasp's nest of spies, and no-one dare even fart for fear of being reported'

Learner has pulled off a fabulous act of ventriloquism here, using the syntax and cadences of the seventeenth century while keeping things readable for a modern audience: it's a shame though that Master Lilly is so garrulous, not least when discussing the full horoscopes of so many characters, that plot momentum frequently stalls and I found boredom setting in.

Overall, this offers a vision of Charles I's court from the 1640s foretelling plague, the Civil Wars and the eventual fate of the king, but doing this via a narrative infused with 'magick' from astrology to the controlling of angels and demons. Real people like John Dee, Artemisia, and Matthew Hopkins rub shoulders with rambunctious characters like Lilley's landlady.

So much potential here but less would have been more.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so wanted to love this book and there was a lot that was great, but the things that niggled me at the beginning just outright annoyed me at the end. If you use the language of the time, you really have to be consistent with it and well versed in it, it was not the case and it just became jarring. The characters never really came alive for me and all the astrology details were just a bit much. It falls into the category of much attempted, less would have been more.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travel back to 1600s London

This was a unique read to say the least! Magic in the time of 1640s England? The role of the magick people, the astrologers in the court when outside the walls the Civil War was exploding? When those who practised magic were sent to hang...

It's a book to immerse yourself in for this is a world recreated from real sources and real historical facts. This excited me when I found out the main character William Lily really existed!

There is a LOT of research in this novel and it rarely gets in the way. However, some parts were tough going as the facts come thick and fast. Stay with it though as the story creaks and groans, sparkles with magic, gasps with the fight between science and religion and ooh the language! The language!

This is what I think might divide readers as it's mostly written in the language of the time. Almost sounds Shakespearian in that olde English way of conversing. I've done English at uni and love Shakespeare but it did slow down the reading somewhat. It wouldn't have been as effective in the modern tongue however but it could have been toned down somewhat I think.

Overall, this is a magical interlude in the stench of London, the pomp of the English court and the shadows of the scientific world and the religious one. There is a LOT to love discovering about the belief system of the time, of the way you could read the stars, the charts and try to both heal and change events. I found the whole story fascinating and almost wanted to go out and buy a telescope and some incense. It's all very immersive.

A tome of a read - but keep this on your wooden desk, close to your quill pen and paper for you shall be writing notes on the wonder of a world hidden in plain sight.

[Gerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Two things first before you continue with this review:-

I’m a little confused by the publishing date and publisher. Goodreads tells me this was published by Sphere on the 7th June 2018 but I requested this from Netgalley from Little Brown Book Group (which may possibly be affiliated with Sphere) with a release date of 1st November 2018. I don’t understand but I may be missing something.
It is a ‘Did Not Finish’ and so my review is based on what I read and not the entire book. I managed to get about 30% of the way through before I sadly bowed out.
The reason’s why I requested ‘The Magick of Master Lilly’ are threefold; I enjoy historical fiction and I especially enjoy historical fiction when there are speculations as to how/ why events occurred (in this case elements of magic and mysticism), I like stories about political intrigue and court scheming and I’m fascinated by the strength of belief that people had in the past that the stars influenced or predicted events and behaviour.

The Magick of Master Lilly combined all those elements and so I found myself interested.

I didn’t know much (read: nothing) of the real William Lilly but a little research told me that he was a particularly astute astrologer who got involved with politics and who predicted The Great Fire of London to scary degrees of accuracy that it was suggested he started it. He didn’t, by the way.

Other reviews I have read have said similar things along the line as this:-

It’s slow to get started but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded.

The problem I have is that I am impatient. I don’t have a lot of time in my life, being one of those modern busy gals and all, and so for me I need a book to get into the events quite quickly. It doesn’t need to rush to it because I can take a build up, but I need it to move a bit quicker than the pace this was setting.

About 30% of the way in and for me, nothing was happening. Master Lilly had reached London and was told that he would need to the plot the astrological chart of King Charles the 1st. When I left him, he was in his study doing so.

That was one of the main reasons for my DNF – I felt that the pacing was too slow. The other reason why this 30% felt too slow in terms of pacing and why it felt nothing was happening was because of the excessive exposition.

I was getting an information dump as to William Lilly’s life before the events of this story, even when it didn’t seem to bear much relevance to the plot. Yes, he was interested in astrology but I don’t need to know how it was financed. Yes, he is an astrologer and so needs to demonstrate this to us (the show not tell) but unfortunately this was shown in more detail than it probably needed to be.

Demonstrating his knowledge worked best when William would refer to certain traits in passing, to paraphrase: ‘my wife is stingy and I would have known this had I paid attention to the fact that her moon was in Venus’ or some-such. But we get a lot of detailed astrological plotting and I felt like it was to show that the author had done their research.

The other main reason I DNF’d is actually one of the stories strengths. Bear with me.

Voice is so hard to do in stories and I think it takes a real skill. It’s easier to get across sometimes in first person point of view (which this book is) but it either works or doesn’t.

The Magick of Master Lilly succeeds in voice. William Lilly’s voice is strong and clear and you should be able to gauge this even from the opening lines. The writer has done well at creating a unique voice for her character, she has also written in a way that dilutes modern speech and has aimed for the language used in the 1600’s. As a technique, this is great. This is skill.

If you like the voice and the language here then this book will immediately be more enjoyable for you. If you don’t, then it won’t. Unfortunately I didn’t like William or his voice and I struggled with the time appropriate language as I didn’t find it the easiest to read.

Ultimately it’s personal taste at the end of the day, and sadly this wasn’t for me but I will use this book as an example of how to create a distinctive character voice and the author must be praised for that.

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master Lilly is an astrologer who also dabbles in the occult. In London in the 1640s the former is acceptable but the latter is a death warrant as both Royalists and Puritans seek out witchcraft. Lilly is a favoured astrologer whose dealings with prominent people on both sides mean that he has knowledge that could be valuable but also dangerous and Lilly is learning to balance both sides. However when he falls in love with a troubled noblewoman Lilly discovers that the predictions he reads in the stars can be more trouble than he wants to know.
It was not until I reached the end of this book and read the author's notes that I realised that William Lilly was actually a real-life character who had a certain degree of fame as an astrologer. So captivating was Learner's prose that I assumed the tale was of a fictional character. Of course the plot and detail are fictional but by marrying the fantastical and bedding it into a well-researched tale of the antecedents of the Civil War Learner has created something special.

[Rachel Stimson · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a concept this book had promise, sadly it did not deliver. The book follows William Lilly, an astrologer and ceremonial magician. The book opens just before the English civil war with Mr Lilly being consulted on matters of high politics.

The author has chosen to try to use the language of the mid seventeenth century, without being acquainted with its usage. The result is a jarring cacophony of pseudo historic and modern English. Had they stuck to modern English nothing would have been lost and the story clearer.

A number of historic facts have been included which are inaccurate or just wrong. For example Marie de Medici did visit England but four years earlier than the novel, Quaker as a term was first recorded in 1650 at the trial of the founder ... and so forth.

I really wanted to like this book but the poor writing style, wooden characters and a lack of basic fact checking was very disappointing. It's only the interesting concept that has merited 2 stars.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

... alas the interpretation he did choose to believe was from a French Catholic Priest (of the Queen’s staff) who did convince him the Angel was in fact a Demon sent by evil Protestant forces to sway him from his true path. And thus the King decided to ignore the warning. [loc. 2462]

A promising premise -- the career of William Lilly, astrologer to King Charles I -- but this novel is badly in need of an editor. I received an advance copy from NetGalley (in exchange for this honest review) and hoped that the issues I noted would be corrected before publication, but a quick check of the sample chapters on Amazon, and the e-text on Google Books, dashed my hopes.

I can forgive the archaisms ('I did love it' instead of 'I loved it', 'it were' rather than 'it was'). The plethora of words used wrongly, whether typos or something else, really bothered me. Ships have 'tall masks'; Charles I is 'short of statue'; Lilly wishes to introduce some 'brevity', but his mistress does not smile ... Sometimes turns of phrase become nonsensical; for 'has not gone amiss' read 'has not been missed' ...

I could go on. And I feel mean and curmudgeonly for picking apart the words and ignoring the story: but it's hard to judge a novel when the act of reading it is fraught with constant small annoyances. (Do not start me on anachronisms. Tattoo! Silhouette! Dachshund!)

Lilly's gift is not only to read the future in the stars (he did, in fact, predict the Great Fire with remarkable accuracy) but 'to manipulate outcomes, not just predict them'. He is engaged to read the King's horoscope, and to exorcise a young girl possessed by a demon -- I admire his handling of the latter case. He's certainly adept at politicking -- both in the mundane world, and in the rarified company of the Grand Council of Theurgy.

But his attitude to his wife (they do not love one another) is despicable, and his treatment of his mistress towards the end of the novel infuriating. I would have liked to warm towards Master Lilly, but despite the very real physical and psychic dangers he endures, I didn't really have a sense of him as a vulnerable, troubled human being.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting, well researched novel into a very English magic in a time of civil unrest, feverish intrigue and whispers in court corners. Nope, not today - rather 17th century intrigue and what was then considered very real if somewhat blasphemous magic.

Master Lilly is not an altogether charming fellow to spend time with, but the world he inhabits and sleazes about in is fascinating to observe. There is a great deal of information in here about magical practices of the time, and how precarious life as a practitioner could be.

This novel would appeal to those that like history, but also those who like a dose of folk horror and magic in the mix. It sheds light on practices that we may deride these days, but which for some still hold fascination and belief. Well worth a read.

With thanks to #Netgalley, #LittleBrown and #TobshaLearner for the ARC copy.

[Linda Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice mix of history, suspense, romance, magic and tension. A fictional story of William Lilly, a philomath in the 1600s. Using astrology, signs, spells and mathematics, he predicted the outcome of battles in the civil war as well as the death of the king. Consulted by Parliamentarians, Royalists, merchants and commoners, men and women who want to know the outcome of their financial affairs, affairs of the heart, and if their loved ones are still alive after battles.
I enjoyed it. Lots of research is obvious and well-known names from the period are mingled with the fictional. Very descriptive writing of the people, places and clothing.

[Miranda Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this lively novel set mostly in 17th century London. It's narrated in the first person by the fascinating astrologer and wizard William Lilly and Learner manages to use the rich language of Milton while making it accessible to modern readers. There's a moving love affair between Lilly and the fascinating Magdalene. I sometimes got lost in the astrology but felt very involved in the unfolding Civil War. There are parallels with our own time: an England split between different tribes, Parliament divided and insulted by an arrogant ruler...

[Robert Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, set at the years of the end of the Monarchy & rise of Oliver Cromwell, this book explores the world of William Lilly, astrologer and occultist who navigates the political turmoil of the time whilst immersing himself in a secret order dedicated to Magick.

Learner isn't afraid to take risks & serves up many brilliant & unsettling passages - mine deep & you get Angela Carter undertows and sympathetic characters that inhabit a world framed by the metaphysical and the supernatural.

Pure, brilliant escapism.

[Peg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1641 story of master astrologer reading fate of King & capital, foreseeing plague & fire of London.
Despite choosing such a fertile ground for this story, I found it a cumbersome read. Didn’t enjoy the style in which it’s written, although fitting for the time, it seemed long winded. Not sure that the verbosity adds, I fairly quickly found it an irritation, but that’s a personal thing, you may enjoy it.

[Julie Friar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master Lilley has to all a delicate oath to ensure his life continues in a country in turmoil. Magic, politics, war, plague and love. Plenty to keep the reader entranced as we follow Lilley and his predictions.

[Farah Mendlesohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the magic which is fun, but not for the English Civil War history which is at best interestingly wrong headed.

[Brent Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars. Enjoyed the story once I got used to the language and pace.

[Naomi]

DNF page 90.Might come back to.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author catalogues the disastrous reign of King Charles 1st, and the chaotic rise of the religious fanatics, while investigating the strange life of an Astrologer, William Lilly, whose astrological predictions were quite famous at the time. Charles 1st inherited the turmoil of Henry and Elizabeth's reigns where they had used the excuse of religious reform to break from the Roman Catholic church. Charles thought he 'ruled' rather than 'reigned,' aided and abetted by Henrietta Maria who was used to absolute monarchs. The resulting chaos created may be responsible for the disruption of many historical timelines. The side-line of astrological description is quite fascinating.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this fascinating insight into the times and politics from a different perspective. Inspired me to want to discover more. Great historical novel thoroughly recommended.

[George1st · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book commences in 1641,.England is in turmoil with the King and Parliament in deadly conflict that will inevitably it seems lead to armed conflict. On the fetid rat infested streets of London the people walk around in a state of fear, foreboding and terror. The country is split in half between the two irreconcilable factions. Informers, spies and double agents are thought to be everywhere and no one is to be trusted. Added to this are the religious differences with the Puritans seeking to destroy forever the feared enemy within Papists. It is against this background that Tobsha Learner has written her novel that interweaves fiction with true events and real historic characters. William Lilly became the most important astrologer in England and during the time of the Civil War he published many popular astrological texts and his annual almanacs would achieve sales of around 30,000 copies a year. His book Christian Astrology published in 1647 is considered such a classic text of astrology that it has never gone out of print. A city of Westminster green plaque can be found on the site of his former house on the Strand in London.

In order to survive, Lilly had to walk a tightrope between the two warring sides ensuring that he had allies in both camps and here Learner presents the almost Machiavellian skills that he needed to employ. Above all though he was a man who desired compromise and reconciliation between the two sides and Learner delves into fiction imagining that he conjured up demons to visit the dreams of both King Charles and Cromwell trying to avoid a future conflict. Although some characters such as Magdalene are fictitious many are not and those drawn from history include Matthew Hopkins, the Witch Finder General who terrorised much of Eastern England during this time.

A great deal of research must have taken place for we not only have accurate portray of what the sights, sounds and smells of London might have been but also accounts of real events such as the siege of Colchester in 1648 and the execution of King Charles a year later. . Like I guess a lot of readers I began my own research into the factual story and it is clear that although this work contains a degree of assumption and poetic licence by the author there is a good degree of truth contained here.

By the end I was quite sad to say farewell to Master Lilly but I felt I gained a little more insight into those tumultuous times. If you like historic fiction then I would certainly recommend this to you.

[Sue Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankyou to NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK, Sphere and the author, Tobsha Learner, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Magick Of Master Lilly in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I found the storyline to be well thought out and written. It was atmospheric in detail and drew me in from the start. I enjoyed this book immensely.
Definitely well worth a read.