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The Shadow Histories #2
A Radical Act of Free Magic
A 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 young battle-mage Napoleon Bonaparte has summoned a kraken from the depths, and under his command the Army of the Dead have 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 the face of an increasingly fearful and repressive government. 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: the first vampire war in hundreds of years. The enemy blood magician who orchestrated Robespierre's downfall is using the Revolutionary Wars to bring about a return to dark magic to claim all of Europe. Across the world, only a few know of his existence and the choices they make will shape the new age of magic.
The Concord has been broken, and a war of magic engulfs the world.
In France, the brilliant young battle-mage Napoleon Bonaparte has summoned a kraken from the depths, and under his command the Army of the Dead have 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 the face of an increasingly fearful and repressive government. 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: the first vampire war in hundreds of years. The enemy blood magician who orchestrated Robespierre's downfall is using the Revolutionary Wars to bring about a return to dark magic to claim all of Europe. Across the world, only a few know of his existence and the choices they make will shape the new age of magic.
513 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2021
148 people are currently reading
4415 people want to read
About the author
H.G. Parry
9 books1,325 followersH.G. Parry lives in a book-infested flat in Wellington, New Zealand, which she shares with her sister and two overactive rabbits. She holds a PhD in English Literature from Victoria University of Wellington, and teaches English, Film, and Media Studies. Her short fiction has appeared in Intergalactic Medicine Show, Daily Science Fiction, and small press anthologies. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
September 20, 2021
Three books into her career and H.G. Parry has already ascended to the ranks of my favorite writers and storytellers. Radical Act is an absolute delight, full of drama, pathos, action, and, most dear to me, an incredibly deep relationship between Pitt and Wilberforce that left me a little misty-eyed at the story's conclusion.
If you like deeply detailed historical fiction mixed with magic, intrigue, and character-building dialogue, you will love this duology.
A few additional thoughts in the style of the kids is in the place where the cool people congregate: that is to say, my old guy Tik Tok.
If you like deeply detailed historical fiction mixed with magic, intrigue, and character-building dialogue, you will love this duology.
A few additional thoughts in the style of the kids is in the place where the cool people congregate: that is to say, my old guy Tik Tok.
August 28, 2022
A book including magic, vampires, the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, a kraken and a dragon should have been more exciting than this. The story skips around among members of the British government (one of whom, William Pitt, is a vampire fighting his urges), Napoleon Bonaparte (under the sway of another vampire), the slave uprising in Haiti and a pair of magical commoners in England.
These characters talk nearly all the time. When they aren’t conversing, they are debating. I knew what to expect after reading the first book in this duology, but I wanted to know how the story turned out, so I read this book even though I wasn’t really looking forward to it. The story should have been told in a single book, but I think the author was being paid by the word. The second book just treads the same ground as the first and it as very repetitive. If I had to read one more time how pale and tired William Pitt looked I would have screamed. The conflicts with the kraken and dragon manage to be extremely anticlimactic.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
These characters talk nearly all the time. When they aren’t conversing, they are debating. I knew what to expect after reading the first book in this duology, but I wanted to know how the story turned out, so I read this book even though I wasn’t really looking forward to it. The story should have been told in a single book, but I think the author was being paid by the word. The second book just treads the same ground as the first and it as very repetitive. If I had to read one more time how pale and tired William Pitt looked I would have screamed. The conflicts with the kraken and dragon manage to be extremely anticlimactic.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
July 20, 2021
I cannot believe H.G Parry stuck this kind of landing. Absolutely unbelievable.
"A Radical Act of Free Magic" is the second book in a duology which, last year, introduced us to a world of magic crossed with the French Revolution (& Terror), the Haitian Revolution, and the English abolitionist movement. The first book starred countless idealists who, by whatever means they could either stomach or justify to themselves, sought out freedom and justice. This didn't necessarily mean freedom and justice for all, as we soon saw, e.g. the Terror, continued slavery, and the shadowy vampire pulling strings every which way.
But not a single person in the first book thought they were a bad person aiming for bad results. They all thought they were doing the right thing in terms of what mattered to them (so... the vampire manipulating the antagonist forces sees "the right thing" very differently from necromancer Robespierre, escaped slave/revolutionary Fina in Haiti, or abolitionist Wilberforce in England).
This sequel and final installment shows us the limits of idealism. Parry retains most of the cast from the first book (minus a lot of French characters who had an encounter with Madame Guillotine) and lets them mature. Several years have gone by since the events of the last book. Our characters are wiser, more experienced, and also very tired. They are wondering if the goals they set out to accomplish are working, or if their methods are useless, or if their idealism is simply a means of making themselves feel better.
To some extent, all of these doubts are correct. Things are not same for Pitt and Wilberforce as they were in the first book, and the same can be said of Fina's alliance with Toussaint Louverture. Even the vampire's relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte bears little resemblance to his sly manipulation of Robespierre from "A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians." That's not to say that what is broken cannot be mended, and from that mending grow into an alliance stronger than ever before. It just takes the willingness to listen to those doubts in our head and see what can change for the better.
(I'm desperately trying not to spoil anything but in terms of plot: any history enthusiast of the Napoleonic wars and Haitian Revolution would freaking love this book. I'd even recommend it to people who don't typically seek out fantasy books. Parry's research is GOOD. Really, really good. And wherever possible, she makes a point of not "fixing" characters to be more palatable to a modern audience, without sacrificing the things that do make them compelling and worthy of the reader's support. One example is Nelson (more of a supporting character), whom Parry characterizes as brave, loyal to his crew, and willing to put himself in danger in a likely deadly naval battle, but she also makes it clear that he is an anti-abolitionist, and that cannot--and should not--be erased. Pitt and some other political figures are... possibly/likely whitewashed a little. But I will say that even with him, Parry tries to make him face his mistakes and acknowledge them. It just doesn't seem as stark a rebuke as with Nelson.)
On a really positive note, I remember having two bits of criticism for the first book (which was still a 5-star read, for what it's worth). First, the book had nearly no women in it, which was a shame considering there were female historical figures that could have made the cut. Second, the third protagonist Fina (an escaped slave in Jamaica turned revolutionary in Haiti) felt much less developed than the English and French factions.
I guess I should have known Parry would address both of these in the sequel (which, let's be honest, she certainly planned before the first book was even published given the amount of research she had to do). But I never, ever would have guessed Parry would make the two weaknesses of the first book the HEART of the second book.
I loved every single chapter with Fina and her journey in this sequel. Toussaint gets a ton more page-time by extension and (wow wow wow) did I become invested in their push-and-pull partnership, both striving to find the balance between what is right and what is possible.
Moreover, we meet several new female characters such as Hester Stanhope (Pitt's niece) and the most surprising addition, Kate Dove, a commoner with weather magic. Even characters who could have been minimized as "ah, yes, the wife of so-and-so, how lovely she is" and never developed were instead turned into fully realized characters. And, to the detriment of my tear ducts, every single person in the book gets the most moving and, more importantly, satisfying conclusion to their arcs.
Endings are hard to write. Long books with good endings are even harder to write. Parry somehow nails both, with a middle section that keeps you reading until you're barreling towards the conclusion, hoping against all hope that your favorites pull through.
It's been a long journey since the first book, which was one of my first reviews when I joined Netgalley at the start of the pandemic. And now I can honestly say that this sequel is even more ambitious than the first, and it was worth every page. It may not be perfect, and I certainly intend to learn more about this history for myself (literally had no idea who Pitt was in 2019 beyond "... he was a prime minister, yes?"), but I loved this duology, and I cannot wait to read Parry's work in the future (plus an older book seemingly inspired by a Dickens novel? Sign me up.)
Highly, highly recommended to anyone who seeks out historical fiction, characters with highly developed relationships, and stories that let us struggle for the right answer, even where we have the best intentions.
Thank you so much to Redhook and Netgalley for granting me a free eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
"A Radical Act of Free Magic" is the second book in a duology which, last year, introduced us to a world of magic crossed with the French Revolution (& Terror), the Haitian Revolution, and the English abolitionist movement. The first book starred countless idealists who, by whatever means they could either stomach or justify to themselves, sought out freedom and justice. This didn't necessarily mean freedom and justice for all, as we soon saw, e.g. the Terror, continued slavery, and the shadowy vampire pulling strings every which way.
But not a single person in the first book thought they were a bad person aiming for bad results. They all thought they were doing the right thing in terms of what mattered to them (so... the vampire manipulating the antagonist forces sees "the right thing" very differently from necromancer Robespierre, escaped slave/revolutionary Fina in Haiti, or abolitionist Wilberforce in England).
This sequel and final installment shows us the limits of idealism. Parry retains most of the cast from the first book (minus a lot of French characters who had an encounter with Madame Guillotine) and lets them mature. Several years have gone by since the events of the last book. Our characters are wiser, more experienced, and also very tired. They are wondering if the goals they set out to accomplish are working, or if their methods are useless, or if their idealism is simply a means of making themselves feel better.
To some extent, all of these doubts are correct. Things are not same for Pitt and Wilberforce as they were in the first book, and the same can be said of Fina's alliance with Toussaint Louverture. Even the vampire's relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte bears little resemblance to his sly manipulation of Robespierre from "A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians." That's not to say that what is broken cannot be mended, and from that mending grow into an alliance stronger than ever before. It just takes the willingness to listen to those doubts in our head and see what can change for the better.
(I'm desperately trying not to spoil anything but in terms of plot: any history enthusiast of the Napoleonic wars and Haitian Revolution would freaking love this book. I'd even recommend it to people who don't typically seek out fantasy books. Parry's research is GOOD. Really, really good. And wherever possible, she makes a point of not "fixing" characters to be more palatable to a modern audience, without sacrificing the things that do make them compelling and worthy of the reader's support. One example is Nelson (more of a supporting character), whom Parry characterizes as brave, loyal to his crew, and willing to put himself in danger in a likely deadly naval battle, but she also makes it clear that he is an anti-abolitionist, and that cannot--and should not--be erased. Pitt and some other political figures are... possibly/likely whitewashed a little. But I will say that even with him, Parry tries to make him face his mistakes and acknowledge them. It just doesn't seem as stark a rebuke as with Nelson.)
On a really positive note, I remember having two bits of criticism for the first book (which was still a 5-star read, for what it's worth). First, the book had nearly no women in it, which was a shame considering there were female historical figures that could have made the cut. Second, the third protagonist Fina (an escaped slave in Jamaica turned revolutionary in Haiti) felt much less developed than the English and French factions.
I guess I should have known Parry would address both of these in the sequel (which, let's be honest, she certainly planned before the first book was even published given the amount of research she had to do). But I never, ever would have guessed Parry would make the two weaknesses of the first book the HEART of the second book.
I loved every single chapter with Fina and her journey in this sequel. Toussaint gets a ton more page-time by extension and (wow wow wow) did I become invested in their push-and-pull partnership, both striving to find the balance between what is right and what is possible.
Moreover, we meet several new female characters such as Hester Stanhope (Pitt's niece) and the most surprising addition, Kate Dove, a commoner with weather magic. Even characters who could have been minimized as "ah, yes, the wife of so-and-so, how lovely she is" and never developed were instead turned into fully realized characters. And, to the detriment of my tear ducts, every single person in the book gets the most moving and, more importantly, satisfying conclusion to their arcs.
Endings are hard to write. Long books with good endings are even harder to write. Parry somehow nails both, with a middle section that keeps you reading until you're barreling towards the conclusion, hoping against all hope that your favorites pull through.
It's been a long journey since the first book, which was one of my first reviews when I joined Netgalley at the start of the pandemic. And now I can honestly say that this sequel is even more ambitious than the first, and it was worth every page. It may not be perfect, and I certainly intend to learn more about this history for myself (literally had no idea who Pitt was in 2019 beyond "... he was a prime minister, yes?"), but I loved this duology, and I cannot wait to read Parry's work in the future (plus an older book seemingly inspired by a Dickens novel? Sign me up.)
Highly, highly recommended to anyone who seeks out historical fiction, characters with highly developed relationships, and stories that let us struggle for the right answer, even where we have the best intentions.
Thank you so much to Redhook and Netgalley for granting me a free eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 10, 2021
Me: Boy I sure do hate vampires and also the Napoleonic era
Also me: EXCEPT when they involve intricate, shady politics and also INTENSE, COMPLEX LOYALTY AND FRIENDSHIP DYNAMICS
Then, I apparently love those things. This is the slowest political and historical and emotional slow burn ever... the tension! The detail! I loved it.
Like I said about the previous installment in this series, if you are looking for a way to describe the exact opposite of this book, "rip-roaring" would be the adjective you want. It's not rip-roaring at all. Even its most rip-roaring moments mostly consist of people talking and thinking and feeling intensely.
I have to admit that the first half of this story did take me a little bit to get into. I didn't really like spending time with Napoleon. His arrogance is nice, but it was nothing compared to the powerfully compelling emotional trauma of spending time with Desmoulins and Robespierre in the first book. Wilberforce and Pitt were on the outs. The Haitian revolution was still doing its thing.
I enjoyed it, but I was waiting for things to really pop off. And boy, did they.
The best parts of this come after Fina joins forces with the rest of the secret anti-vampire task force. I loved Pitt and Wilberforce, as always. Their friendship is SO GOOD and their banter makes me smile every time. I loved how Pitt's decisions are complexly examined from all sides, and he isn't blatantly painted as correct about everything even though he's obviously one of the central good guys of the story.
The intensity just builds and builds in the last half, until I was fully on the edge of my seat. I loved the eventual resolution, how it was Fina who technically did it but really no one was actually able to do it alone. The bittersweet tone of the ending was just what I expected and hit exactly the right tone.
Overall, this duology is GREAT - such a unique story, and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it.
September 8, 2021
If you'd said to me a week ago, when I started reading this, "Hey Taylor, this book about the French Revolution/Napoleonic Wars with magic, vampires, and Napoleon summoning a kraken is going to DESTROY you emotionally", I would have probably laughed in your face. But oh boy, did this destroy me! I am destroyed. I just... I cannot cope with the sheer perfection of it.
Everyone read this. Everyone read this series.
Everyone read this. Everyone read this series.
November 7, 2021
I did not expect to get emotional about two 18th century politicians who probably wouldn't have given me the time of day in real life, but here we are.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book. I love books that blend history and fantasy elements, and it's very clear that Parry has done her research and integrated a whole range of historical moments into this series. But what I liked about this book, compared to the first in the duology, is that it took my biggest complaint and turned it on its head. A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is largely focused on a bunch of serious men in England and France, with less time dedicated to Fina and Touissant's experience of the slave revolts in Saint Domingue. Here, we spend a lot more time with Fina, as well as some new female characters - but the book is also at pains to point out that you underestimate women and slaves at your peril, and that talking about equality is meaningless if it's not backed up with action.
As for my feelings about Pitt and Wilberforce, who are still at the heart of this novel even with its expanded scope, well - it's pretty clear that they are not good men, in so far as they continue to make choices that are completely incompatible with 21st century values. But they are well-rounded, highly complex, and their banter and friendship is delightful - hence why the ending made me so emotional. Parry's dialogue between the two is seriously on point.
I get why a lot of people were on the fence about the first book (and so was I, in some respects), but I think the sequel is well worth picking up. If none of that sells you, there's also a giant kraken.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this book. I love books that blend history and fantasy elements, and it's very clear that Parry has done her research and integrated a whole range of historical moments into this series. But what I liked about this book, compared to the first in the duology, is that it took my biggest complaint and turned it on its head. A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is largely focused on a bunch of serious men in England and France, with less time dedicated to Fina and Touissant's experience of the slave revolts in Saint Domingue. Here, we spend a lot more time with Fina, as well as some new female characters - but the book is also at pains to point out that you underestimate women and slaves at your peril, and that talking about equality is meaningless if it's not backed up with action.
As for my feelings about Pitt and Wilberforce, who are still at the heart of this novel even with its expanded scope, well - it's pretty clear that they are not good men, in so far as they continue to make choices that are completely incompatible with 21st century values. But they are well-rounded, highly complex, and their banter and friendship is delightful - hence why the ending made me so emotional. Parry's dialogue between the two is seriously on point.
I get why a lot of people were on the fence about the first book (and so was I, in some respects), but I think the sequel is well worth picking up. If none of that sells you, there's also a giant kraken.
January 27, 2025
I want to say this duology is a work for our times, but I hope it lasts longer than that.
I was happy that the slight distance I felt in Book 1 (which came from moving through such an epic 20 year timeframe of history with so many characters in three countries) did not bother me here, as the far flung Haitian, French, and English storylines finally mesh together more closely in a glorious climax.
I’d highly recommend it for readers of Connie Willis��s BLACKOUT/ALL CLEAR duology. Both duologies made me cry—not so much over the fictional elements, but over history itself.
THE SHADOW HISTORIES certainly takes a more unflinching look at history than Willis did, carefully noting the darker side of some of the remarkable men and women who shaped this bloody age of revolution and abolition, and perhaps because of that William Wilberforce and his deep, unconditional friendship with Pitt the Younger and his steadfast faith in God stands out with an astonishing brightness I won’t ever forget.
Parry has the courage to ask genuinely scary questions like: “what is freedom worth? Can we buy freedom with oppression? How much compromise taints the whole endeavour?” The temptation scene is so riveting because it dares to push the reader to imagine if compromising ethics might be worth it to gain peace and freedom.
Finally, I’ve seldom seen such a powerful portrayal of friendship in contemporary literature, and have never seen a public, humble, mercy-based historic evangelical Christianity like Wilberforce’s depicted in a general market, traditionally-published fantasy novel.
I’m exceedingly grateful to HG Parry for these novels.
I was happy that the slight distance I felt in Book 1 (which came from moving through such an epic 20 year timeframe of history with so many characters in three countries) did not bother me here, as the far flung Haitian, French, and English storylines finally mesh together more closely in a glorious climax.
I’d highly recommend it for readers of Connie Willis��s BLACKOUT/ALL CLEAR duology. Both duologies made me cry—not so much over the fictional elements, but over history itself.
THE SHADOW HISTORIES certainly takes a more unflinching look at history than Willis did, carefully noting the darker side of some of the remarkable men and women who shaped this bloody age of revolution and abolition, and perhaps because of that William Wilberforce and his deep, unconditional friendship with Pitt the Younger and his steadfast faith in God stands out with an astonishing brightness I won’t ever forget.
Parry has the courage to ask genuinely scary questions like: “what is freedom worth? Can we buy freedom with oppression? How much compromise taints the whole endeavour?” The temptation scene is so riveting because it dares to push the reader to imagine if compromising ethics might be worth it to gain peace and freedom.
Finally, I’ve seldom seen such a powerful portrayal of friendship in contemporary literature, and have never seen a public, humble, mercy-based historic evangelical Christianity like Wilberforce’s depicted in a general market, traditionally-published fantasy novel.
I’m exceedingly grateful to HG Parry for these novels.
June 23, 2023
Questo secondo libro, che conclude le vicende iniziate nel primo concludendole con le guerre napoleoniche, mantiene pregi e difetti dell'altro: piacerà a chi sarà piaciuto il primo, non piacerà a chi avesse avuto dubbi in precedenza.
Continuo a trovare molto interessante la commistione tra storia reale e fantasy, con la magia da sempre esistente ma regolamentata, e col periodo storico scelto, pieno di cambiamenti e di possibilità.
Dopo aver visto la rivoluzione francese, ovviamente è il tempo di Napoleone. Il condottiero profetizzato dallo Straniero, che avrebbe unito tutta la Francia sotto la sua ombra.
Solo che Napoleone si rivela troppo anche per lui, riuscendo laddove Robespierre aveva fallito.
Meraviglioso il vero motivo dietro le campagne italiana e egiziana di Napoleone, intrigante ciò che si cela dietro alla vittoria di Austerlitz.
Abbiamo Fina che come previsto riveste un ruolo molto importante nella conclusione della vicenda, abbiamo ovviamente Pitt e Wilberforce, lo schiavismo e la repressione della magia, nuovi personaggi e personalità storiche.
Ammetto una leggera delusione allo scontro finale in mare contro l'arma segreta di Napoleone e Lestrange, ho preferito di molto tutta la questione del Kraken, ma ho amato alla follia il rapporto di amicizia tra i due avvocati e politici britannici che abbiamo conosciuto da ragazzi e che ritroviamo ora ormai ben adulti.
L'amicizia indissolubile, la sensazione di essersi allontanati, il sentirsi traditi e l'aver tradito a propria volta la fiducia dell'altro, pur ritenendo di avere avuto ottimi motivi. Il riavvicinamento, il tornare al passato, la battaglia finale e l'ultimo incontro... wow, davvero ben descritto, al cuore dei due libri c'è la loro amicizia ventennale.
Con questo la storia sembrerebbe finita, ma chissà che non ci sia un seguito, magari meno ancorato alla Storia... del resto, lady Hester sembra diretta in Egitto, e chissà cosa potrebbe scovare tra quelle sabbie millenarie oltre al "suo" drago...
Continuo a trovare molto interessante la commistione tra storia reale e fantasy, con la magia da sempre esistente ma regolamentata, e col periodo storico scelto, pieno di cambiamenti e di possibilità.
Dopo aver visto la rivoluzione francese, ovviamente è il tempo di Napoleone. Il condottiero profetizzato dallo Straniero, che avrebbe unito tutta la Francia sotto la sua ombra.
Solo che Napoleone si rivela troppo anche per lui, riuscendo laddove Robespierre aveva fallito.
Meraviglioso il vero motivo dietro le campagne italiana e egiziana di Napoleone, intrigante ciò che si cela dietro alla vittoria di Austerlitz.
Abbiamo Fina che come previsto riveste un ruolo molto importante nella conclusione della vicenda, abbiamo ovviamente Pitt e Wilberforce, lo schiavismo e la repressione della magia, nuovi personaggi e personalità storiche.
Ammetto una leggera delusione allo scontro finale in mare contro l'arma segreta di Napoleone e Lestrange, ho preferito di molto tutta la questione del Kraken, ma ho amato alla follia il rapporto di amicizia tra i due avvocati e politici britannici che abbiamo conosciuto da ragazzi e che ritroviamo ora ormai ben adulti.
L'amicizia indissolubile, la sensazione di essersi allontanati, il sentirsi traditi e l'aver tradito a propria volta la fiducia dell'altro, pur ritenendo di avere avuto ottimi motivi. Il riavvicinamento, il tornare al passato, la battaglia finale e l'ultimo incontro... wow, davvero ben descritto, al cuore dei due libri c'è la loro amicizia ventennale.
Con questo la storia sembrerebbe finita, ma chissà che non ci sia un seguito, magari meno ancorato alla Storia... del resto, lady Hester sembra diretta in Egitto, e chissà cosa potrebbe scovare tra quelle sabbie millenarie oltre al "suo" drago...
July 19, 2021
The mix of the historically accurate with the wildly fantastic is the appeal of many gaslamp fantasies, and A Radical Act of Free Magic finds the perfect balance. It might sound wild to read a series where Robespierre is a necromancer and William Pitt the Younger is a vampire, but the history is pitch-perfect and the fantasy world building is so attuned to it that the fantastic elements are perfectly integrated.
What's more, somehow Parry amps up the suspense when the reader knows the ultimate outcome. We KNOW that Napoleon will become the emperor of France; we KNOW that Admiral Nelson will die at Trafalgar; it's a fact that William Pitt died tragically young. And yet in Parry's hands, each event feels vital and personal. (It's also a fact that reading a non-fiction account of Pitt's leadership of England never made us cry, while we had tears in our eyes at several moments in Radical Act.) Once we finished the narrative, we found ourselves looking up the real history to see how it aligned.
A few more things to point out: The dialogue and relationships between the characters are a real highlight of the whole series. Parry doubles down on the idea that the personal is political, with friendships tested by political decisions and vice versa. Another stellar portion of the series involves slavery in the Caribbean in general and the Haitian Revolution in particular. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars are often presented without any reference to the concurrent fight for abolition and European interests in slavery in the Caribbean. While the books do focus on some of the "Great Men" of the era, they also highlight the stories of women whose stories would have been overlooked.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
What's more, somehow Parry amps up the suspense when the reader knows the ultimate outcome. We KNOW that Napoleon will become the emperor of France; we KNOW that Admiral Nelson will die at Trafalgar; it's a fact that William Pitt died tragically young. And yet in Parry's hands, each event feels vital and personal. (It's also a fact that reading a non-fiction account of Pitt's leadership of England never made us cry, while we had tears in our eyes at several moments in Radical Act.) Once we finished the narrative, we found ourselves looking up the real history to see how it aligned.
A few more things to point out: The dialogue and relationships between the characters are a real highlight of the whole series. Parry doubles down on the idea that the personal is political, with friendships tested by political decisions and vice versa. Another stellar portion of the series involves slavery in the Caribbean in general and the Haitian Revolution in particular. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars are often presented without any reference to the concurrent fight for abolition and European interests in slavery in the Caribbean. While the books do focus on some of the "Great Men" of the era, they also highlight the stories of women whose stories would have been overlooked.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
wish-list
July 21, 2021
Napoleonic magic, where have we seen that used to the optimum afore?
Here is where: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 5, 2023
Not as good as the first book, but still a very good read!
In the first book the conflict feels much more personal to the character, but in this the war just seem very far removed. I think that's why my favourite character in this one was Fina, as her conflict and stakes are still very personal. It also lacks a little bit of mystery compared to the first book. But as I said, still well worth reading.
In the first book the conflict feels much more personal to the character, but in this the war just seem very far removed. I think that's why my favourite character in this one was Fina, as her conflict and stakes are still very personal. It also lacks a little bit of mystery compared to the first book. But as I said, still well worth reading.
July 19, 2021
A Radical Act of Free Magic continues the story of William Pit the Younger, William Wilberforce and Fina from A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians. Several of the main characters did not survive the first book (spoilers for the French Revolution) so we now have Napoléon Bonaparte as the French agent of the Stranger -the last remaining pureblood vampire who'd really like a return to vampiric rule across Europe. Bonaparte, however, has a smaller presence than Robespierre had with more focus on Fina and two new female characters. I like that Parry added more women to the mix and that they all had their own motivations and skills that prove crucial to the story.
The focus still remains on abolition of slavery and the rights of commoners to use magic but this book felt a little less dark and tense than the first- the Terror is over and, although slavery is still present, the characters most closely related to that have progressed in their journeys away from so there's a little more distance to those horrors.
As with the first, this is a book that will enjoyed by those who like fairly slow-paced, political historical fantasy. Although there might not be too many surprises if you know that period of history (the main characters and events are the same as real history but have been tweaked to include magical acts and events, like Nelson's fleet having to deal with a kraken) - the joy comes from the depth of the characters, their motivations and their relationships with each other.
Thanks to Orbit UK for providing a netgalley review copy.
The focus still remains on abolition of slavery and the rights of commoners to use magic but this book felt a little less dark and tense than the first- the Terror is over and, although slavery is still present, the characters most closely related to that have progressed in their journeys away from so there's a little more distance to those horrors.
As with the first, this is a book that will enjoyed by those who like fairly slow-paced, political historical fantasy. Although there might not be too many surprises if you know that period of history (the main characters and events are the same as real history but have been tweaked to include magical acts and events, like Nelson's fleet having to deal with a kraken) - the joy comes from the depth of the characters, their motivations and their relationships with each other.
Thanks to Orbit UK for providing a netgalley review copy.
July 12, 2021
Husband: What's that book about?
Me: Magic. With politics. And history. And "what ifs". And I want this to be real and the series to never end. Pass me the tissues please.
I loved "A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians", so I had high expectations for "A Radical Act of Free Magic". I wasn't let down in any way. In fact, the second book may be a smidgen better. This duology is just perfect. I want to read both books over and over again. Writing, plot, characters, setting(s) - all 5 stars. I can't find a single negative here.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
Me: Magic. With politics. And history. And "what ifs". And I want this to be real and the series to never end. Pass me the tissues please.
I loved "A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians", so I had high expectations for "A Radical Act of Free Magic". I wasn't let down in any way. In fact, the second book may be a smidgen better. This duology is just perfect. I want to read both books over and over again. Writing, plot, characters, setting(s) - all 5 stars. I can't find a single negative here.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
September 8, 2021
This is one of my favourite reads of this year so far, A Radical Act of Free Magic is the final book in The Shadow History duology (A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is the first book) This book to me is magical, excuse my pun , such a wonderful combination of magic and history, I didn’t think however it was quite as dark as A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians but that didn’t affect my enjoyment in anyway at all, it’s still such an engaging and compellingly addictive read. .This duology is perfect To me, definitely recommended read to me
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
July 28, 2021
Full review here: https://dearstrangethings.substack.co...
August 14, 2021
…and the best of you was extraordinary
November 22, 2021
I have quite a few pending reviews to round off the year before my end of year lists. But I just put this book down and was shocked at the lack of buzz on Goodreads for it. Especially since the Goodreads Choice awards first round came up, and this was not even on it (Mostly due to the fewer reviews on the book, I guess).
I usually (almost never) jump from the cozy position in which I find myself, towards the end of a great read and sit down to post my review. I make exceptions when I realise that I have not heard as much about this as I should have, given the number of people who read this complex historical fantasy genre and the sort of good books but not really that got praises sung for them throughout this year!
One of the qualifications I should give, which bolsters the book's objective brilliance, is that I am from the other side of colonialism(being Indian) and have never been swept away by with depiction of 'nobility' or gentlemanliness in the characters of the 1700s-ish. Despite that prior bias, I was rooting for England's victory and that of the core characters. I iterate that I know nothing of the French revolution and the things that happened in the duration that this fictional magic-filled world is based in, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
This is the second book, and I would not recommend coming anywhere near it without having read the first. I found the first book slow but good. It took me forever to work my way through it, and I know many might find it hard too. But the trouble is worth it because the second literally flew through. It did not feel rushed, but after the solid foundation of all the principal characters and their supportive structures, it did not take much to be completely submerged in the events that unfold here.
Magic had long been allowed only to aristocratic classes, and now with war more of a constant than ever before, the norms of the day are being challenged. The bindings holding the status quo are fraying. The enemy has dug in deeper than we can guess, and it is going to take a lot more than friendship for things to work out. It was the kind of book that I would want a friend to pick up and for me to discuss it elaborately with them. If someone would like to talk about it, I am still hyped up. I am not talking about any person or event in particular because the previous book lays the foundation, and I do not want to interfere.
Lastly, the best part of the entire reading experience was the interpersonal bonds between several individual groups/pairings. There is a wife character who was probably the least colourful of any that I have encountered but written in such a way that she endeared herself to me almost immediately, and I looked forward to her subtle presence in the narratives. I waxed poetic (to my husband, unfortunately for him, he was home as I was reaching the final chapters) about the friendships that are all not flowers and kind words, with sharp falling outs and patching ups but done in a way that had me cheering them on as if I was watching it on stage.
The magic, its implications, Slavery, the real battle for freedom and Haiti are all mixed in there in a very cohesive fashion, making it a highly satisfying read.
I highly recommend it to any history buff who is not against a combination of fantasy and good writing mixed in for good measure. I kept postponing reading it because I thought it would be as heavy as the first, but it was released in July, and I should have gotten to it sooner!
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is (as is obvious) entirely based on my own reading experience of this and the previous work in the series.
I usually (almost never) jump from the cozy position in which I find myself, towards the end of a great read and sit down to post my review. I make exceptions when I realise that I have not heard as much about this as I should have, given the number of people who read this complex historical fantasy genre and the sort of good books but not really that got praises sung for them throughout this year!
One of the qualifications I should give, which bolsters the book's objective brilliance, is that I am from the other side of colonialism(being Indian) and have never been swept away by with depiction of 'nobility' or gentlemanliness in the characters of the 1700s-ish. Despite that prior bias, I was rooting for England's victory and that of the core characters. I iterate that I know nothing of the French revolution and the things that happened in the duration that this fictional magic-filled world is based in, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
This is the second book, and I would not recommend coming anywhere near it without having read the first. I found the first book slow but good. It took me forever to work my way through it, and I know many might find it hard too. But the trouble is worth it because the second literally flew through. It did not feel rushed, but after the solid foundation of all the principal characters and their supportive structures, it did not take much to be completely submerged in the events that unfold here.
Magic had long been allowed only to aristocratic classes, and now with war more of a constant than ever before, the norms of the day are being challenged. The bindings holding the status quo are fraying. The enemy has dug in deeper than we can guess, and it is going to take a lot more than friendship for things to work out. It was the kind of book that I would want a friend to pick up and for me to discuss it elaborately with them. If someone would like to talk about it, I am still hyped up. I am not talking about any person or event in particular because the previous book lays the foundation, and I do not want to interfere.
Lastly, the best part of the entire reading experience was the interpersonal bonds between several individual groups/pairings. There is a wife character who was probably the least colourful of any that I have encountered but written in such a way that she endeared herself to me almost immediately, and I looked forward to her subtle presence in the narratives. I waxed poetic (to my husband, unfortunately for him, he was home as I was reaching the final chapters) about the friendships that are all not flowers and kind words, with sharp falling outs and patching ups but done in a way that had me cheering them on as if I was watching it on stage.
The magic, its implications, Slavery, the real battle for freedom and Haiti are all mixed in there in a very cohesive fashion, making it a highly satisfying read.
I highly recommend it to any history buff who is not against a combination of fantasy and good writing mixed in for good measure. I kept postponing reading it because I thought it would be as heavy as the first, but it was released in July, and I should have gotten to it sooner!
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is (as is obvious) entirely based on my own reading experience of this and the previous work in the series.
December 2, 2021
I haven’t seen anyone else note it, but there’s a striking sub-genre of Napoleonic-war-era historical fantasies. On the one hand, there’s Naomi Novik’s His Majesty’s Dragon and its eight sequels. As I recall, that’s pretty solid, and I have come since to admire Novik’s later work all the more. Then there’s Susannah Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell which is merely the best fantasy novel I know of from the last quarter century.
Parry’s two-part imagining of a Napoleonic world filled with magic is somewhere between those two points. At its best, it’s an absolute joy. Parry doesn’t assume a reader’s familiarity with the history and central figures of the period, but it helps. Napoleon is one thing, but how many of us really know William Pitt the Younger, William Wilberforce, or Hester Stanhope?
In her alternate history, Parry gives us each of those as somehow shaped by the capacity to perform magic (or, in Wilberforce’s case, for him to be so innocently absent of magic that it amplifies the saintly qualities that made him one of the great anti-slavery campaigners in Western history). Pitt, who brilliantly led England in the early years of its war with the French Revolutionaries while salvaging the nation’s economy only to die in early middle age, becomes a vampiric blood magician. Gifted with the capacity to tyrannize a nation – in answer to the mysterious stranger who lies behind Robespierre in volume one and Napoleon in volume two – Pitt resists. He’s her great hero, someone who could have become a dictator but who resists the temptation.
Some of the concepts are simply haunting. I read the first volume a year or two ago, yet I never quite lost the image she gives us of the terrors of the French Revolution. As she imagined it, Robespierre, in partnership with Desmoulins, develop the capacity to create an army of the dead. One has the capacity to summon shades their generals can command while the other has the capacity to animate the dead long enough to insert those shades. We then see one victim of the Terror after another sent to the guillotine, chopped, and resurrected as a mindless troop. In the first book, Desmoulins himself is one such victim, a man whose mind we get to know reduced to a machine.
In this volume, we get the battle of Trafalgar reconceived in a way that’s both gripping and clever. I know that history well from a long-ago fascination with Horatio Nelson, and I love the way Parry follows the general plan of the battle. Nelson still splits his line, and Hardy still stands by his side. They still pummel the French by breaking with the conventional strategy of the time, and they still win a victory that keeps the superior French troops – including the army of the dead – from reaching English soil.
Of course, the real-life Nelson didn’t have weather mages pushing the ships forward, nor did he have to confront a kraken compelled to do the will of the French commanders. [SPOILER: Nor did Nelson have to ram the kraken with The Victory going full speed, leading to the great victory but costing Nelson his life – in contrast to the sniper’s bullet that took him out in real life just after the great victory was assured.]
And none of that takes into account the range of characters Parry gives us. By the end, the Jamaican ex-slave Fina emerges as the great magical hope of the nation, someone with the same total power as Pitt and one of only two magicians whom the Stranger fears. Fina’s anger at having been enslaved echoes other anti-slavery concerns of the novel. While I can’t say that concern rises to a full, adult consideration, it does add a dash of urgency and seriousness to what is often a playful work.
All that said, there are some flaws. Part of the brilliance of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is that it takes magic as a consistent metaphor for wisdom, for the sense that humans have the capacity to sort out a world that doesn’t make consistent sense. (I’m simplifying.) Here, magic functions less as a metaphor opening up philosophical inquiry than as a fun element to add to the mix. There’s nothing wrong with that – I’ve played around with the possibility myself (and, note to my average one-half readers per post, I’d love to share a complete but stalled work that attempts to play with magic in a Chicago-gangster world, so please message me if you’re curious) – but it feels less ambitious in the end.
There are also some inconsistency problems. [SPOILER:] Parry sets up a final showdown between Pitt and the Stranger, but it’s not clear why the particular rules apply. The Stranger shouldn’t have to come to England for a magical duel – not for any reasons we’ve learned before this – and Pitt shouldn’t be risking the freedom of all England on a one-on-one match where he has no chance to win. It’s a contrived finale and, while there are feel-good moments, it undermines the larger history she’s done so much to sustain and play with.
Still, the bottom line for anything like this is whether it entertains, and I say yes in a loud voice. Parry has a playful cleverness that rarely lets you down, and she’s so ambitious in her conceptions that I am all in. She has a third novel, not in this series, and I’ve already bought it.
Parry’s two-part imagining of a Napoleonic world filled with magic is somewhere between those two points. At its best, it’s an absolute joy. Parry doesn’t assume a reader’s familiarity with the history and central figures of the period, but it helps. Napoleon is one thing, but how many of us really know William Pitt the Younger, William Wilberforce, or Hester Stanhope?
In her alternate history, Parry gives us each of those as somehow shaped by the capacity to perform magic (or, in Wilberforce’s case, for him to be so innocently absent of magic that it amplifies the saintly qualities that made him one of the great anti-slavery campaigners in Western history). Pitt, who brilliantly led England in the early years of its war with the French Revolutionaries while salvaging the nation’s economy only to die in early middle age, becomes a vampiric blood magician. Gifted with the capacity to tyrannize a nation – in answer to the mysterious stranger who lies behind Robespierre in volume one and Napoleon in volume two – Pitt resists. He’s her great hero, someone who could have become a dictator but who resists the temptation.
Some of the concepts are simply haunting. I read the first volume a year or two ago, yet I never quite lost the image she gives us of the terrors of the French Revolution. As she imagined it, Robespierre, in partnership with Desmoulins, develop the capacity to create an army of the dead. One has the capacity to summon shades their generals can command while the other has the capacity to animate the dead long enough to insert those shades. We then see one victim of the Terror after another sent to the guillotine, chopped, and resurrected as a mindless troop. In the first book, Desmoulins himself is one such victim, a man whose mind we get to know reduced to a machine.
In this volume, we get the battle of Trafalgar reconceived in a way that’s both gripping and clever. I know that history well from a long-ago fascination with Horatio Nelson, and I love the way Parry follows the general plan of the battle. Nelson still splits his line, and Hardy still stands by his side. They still pummel the French by breaking with the conventional strategy of the time, and they still win a victory that keeps the superior French troops – including the army of the dead – from reaching English soil.
Of course, the real-life Nelson didn’t have weather mages pushing the ships forward, nor did he have to confront a kraken compelled to do the will of the French commanders. [SPOILER: Nor did Nelson have to ram the kraken with The Victory going full speed, leading to the great victory but costing Nelson his life – in contrast to the sniper’s bullet that took him out in real life just after the great victory was assured.]
And none of that takes into account the range of characters Parry gives us. By the end, the Jamaican ex-slave Fina emerges as the great magical hope of the nation, someone with the same total power as Pitt and one of only two magicians whom the Stranger fears. Fina’s anger at having been enslaved echoes other anti-slavery concerns of the novel. While I can’t say that concern rises to a full, adult consideration, it does add a dash of urgency and seriousness to what is often a playful work.
All that said, there are some flaws. Part of the brilliance of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is that it takes magic as a consistent metaphor for wisdom, for the sense that humans have the capacity to sort out a world that doesn’t make consistent sense. (I’m simplifying.) Here, magic functions less as a metaphor opening up philosophical inquiry than as a fun element to add to the mix. There’s nothing wrong with that – I’ve played around with the possibility myself (and, note to my average one-half readers per post, I’d love to share a complete but stalled work that attempts to play with magic in a Chicago-gangster world, so please message me if you’re curious) – but it feels less ambitious in the end.
There are also some inconsistency problems. [SPOILER:] Parry sets up a final showdown between Pitt and the Stranger, but it’s not clear why the particular rules apply. The Stranger shouldn’t have to come to England for a magical duel – not for any reasons we’ve learned before this – and Pitt shouldn’t be risking the freedom of all England on a one-on-one match where he has no chance to win. It’s a contrived finale and, while there are feel-good moments, it undermines the larger history she’s done so much to sustain and play with.
Still, the bottom line for anything like this is whether it entertains, and I say yes in a loud voice. Parry has a playful cleverness that rarely lets you down, and she’s so ambitious in her conceptions that I am all in. She has a third novel, not in this series, and I’ve already bought it.
June 3, 2021
!!!!
February 11, 2023
Great way to end these books. So glad I read them.
September 4, 2023
Better but did not tie up the Napoleon storyline satisfactorily :( still, really enjoyed more of the magic!
Read
October 3, 2025Will rate at the end of the year
August 5, 2023
In many ways, this book is an improvement on the first in the series, which was already a high bar to clear. A Radical Act of Free Magic kept almost all of the elements that I loved from the first book while expounding on the things that felt lacking.
I enjoyed the way that the second book gave Fina's story more depth and color than what was covered in the first book. It felt like the Saint Domingue chapters really held their own in this book, instead of playing second fiddle to the England and France sections. Elevating Fina in the narrative gave a more concrete voice to the abolition discussions going on in England and helped the conflict in the Caribbean stand on its own in the context of this story, rather than the first book where it was framed as more of an extension of the European conflict.
I also have to say that I very much enjoyed the inclusion of Hester and Kate in this book as well. Aside from Fina, the first book felt sorely in interesting women, and I was happy to see these two get a share of the story and to see their perspective on how the views of women using magic changed over this period of history.
Something that did bother me a bit in the first book is the way that the revived Vampire War between Pitt and Lestrange was implied to be fueling both the Terror and France and the global slave trade. In a vacuum, this would be a great way to ascribe evil deeds to a villain character; however, given the extremely thorough historical nature of the book, it uncomfortably glosses over the concrete ways in which real, historical humans perpetuated atrocities against slaves for hundreds of years.
I was relieved to see this addressed in the second book. There were two key moments where the conflict of human vs. supernatural causes came to the forefront. The most touching was Fina's speech to Wilberforce. It wasn't a lengthy encounter, but Fina was able to rebuke the idea that abolition would suddenly become easy if they managed to defeat the stranger. She got at the core of the human element of slavery and rightly pointed out that Lestrange was only capitalizing on the extant sentiment of anti-abolition in the British courts. In subtle ways, this book did a better job of recognizing the human element that it took to keep the slave trade moving for the centuries that it did, which I was grateful for.
As for Wilberforce and Pitt, the beginning of the book went rather slowly for me, largely because I felt so awful reading about the dissolution, albeit temporary, of their friendship. I don't consider this a bad thing; H. G. Parry did such a good job of cultivating their friendship as a primary motivator in the first book that while I could understand the reason, it made me unreasonably sad to see the two of them at odds. This made their reunion in the back half of the book all the better.
The only way in which I felt this book pales in comparison to the first (which was still quite good!) is in the portrayal of Napoleon. Napoleon looms so large over 19th century history that I was expecting a bit more from him, especially given how captivating I found Robespierre's chapters in the first book.
This was definitely a fitting capstone for this duology. As in the first book, the care taken to intricately weave a narrative that fits into the existing and meticulously researched historical events while also introducing a cool system of magic and humanizing the prominent historical figures of the time period is truly stunning. I consider the Shadow Histories a tour de force in how to write historical fantasy and will happily be returning for any other offerings that the author has in this vein.
I enjoyed the way that the second book gave Fina's story more depth and color than what was covered in the first book. It felt like the Saint Domingue chapters really held their own in this book, instead of playing second fiddle to the England and France sections. Elevating Fina in the narrative gave a more concrete voice to the abolition discussions going on in England and helped the conflict in the Caribbean stand on its own in the context of this story, rather than the first book where it was framed as more of an extension of the European conflict.
I also have to say that I very much enjoyed the inclusion of Hester and Kate in this book as well. Aside from Fina, the first book felt sorely in interesting women, and I was happy to see these two get a share of the story and to see their perspective on how the views of women using magic changed over this period of history.
Something that did bother me a bit in the first book is the way that the revived Vampire War between Pitt and Lestrange was implied to be fueling both the Terror and France and the global slave trade. In a vacuum, this would be a great way to ascribe evil deeds to a villain character; however, given the extremely thorough historical nature of the book, it uncomfortably glosses over the concrete ways in which real, historical humans perpetuated atrocities against slaves for hundreds of years.
I was relieved to see this addressed in the second book. There were two key moments where the conflict of human vs. supernatural causes came to the forefront. The most touching was Fina's speech to Wilberforce. It wasn't a lengthy encounter, but Fina was able to rebuke the idea that abolition would suddenly become easy if they managed to defeat the stranger. She got at the core of the human element of slavery and rightly pointed out that Lestrange was only capitalizing on the extant sentiment of anti-abolition in the British courts. In subtle ways, this book did a better job of recognizing the human element that it took to keep the slave trade moving for the centuries that it did, which I was grateful for.
As for Wilberforce and Pitt, the beginning of the book went rather slowly for me, largely because I felt so awful reading about the dissolution, albeit temporary, of their friendship. I don't consider this a bad thing; H. G. Parry did such a good job of cultivating their friendship as a primary motivator in the first book that while I could understand the reason, it made me unreasonably sad to see the two of them at odds. This made their reunion in the back half of the book all the better.
The only way in which I felt this book pales in comparison to the first (which was still quite good!) is in the portrayal of Napoleon. Napoleon looms so large over 19th century history that I was expecting a bit more from him, especially given how captivating I found Robespierre's chapters in the first book.
This was definitely a fitting capstone for this duology. As in the first book, the care taken to intricately weave a narrative that fits into the existing and meticulously researched historical events while also introducing a cool system of magic and humanizing the prominent historical figures of the time period is truly stunning. I consider the Shadow Histories a tour de force in how to write historical fantasy and will happily be returning for any other offerings that the author has in this vein.
November 15, 2021
This review will contain spoilers for book 1, A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Orbit. All thoughts are my own.
Despite my complete lack of familiarity with French history, I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and I was extremely excited to see where the author would take in book two. Napoleon appears! (I cry in excitement, knowing absolutely nothing about Napoleon). I can say I’m thoroughly satisfied with this second book of this duology and still sitting in awe by how complete Parry has construct this life-long story of Pitt and Wilberforce.
The highlight of this book is really the continued story and bromance between Pitt and Wilberforce. In book 1, we see them young and bright-eyed, full of energy to improve the treatment of magicians and end the practice of slaver, together. Book 2 sees them older, weary, failing in health. They’ve been forced compromise their principles, then fight each others justifications. Parry does such a phenomenal job bringing these characters and the larger scene of the British Parliamentary politics truly to life. In some ways, Pitt and Wilberforce begin this book as estranged exes, a pair who’ve split over a bad fight but still care for each other as people and it’s a delight to read their ever-progressing relationship. Pitt and Wilberforce show some of the most complex, most intricate, most human characterization I’ve ever read in a series.
Where the climaxes of book 1 were largely events centering people and politics, the major climaxes of book 2 are largely man v nature (kraken, dragon, etc). Depending on the reader, there may be a preference one way or another. Personally, I preferred the political climaxes and the progressively more and more terrible decisions of Robespierre in book 1 to the creature battles of book 2, but other readers may see it different.
Naturally, Radical Act is a book of escalation – the enemy has had his first tastes of defeat, Pitt and Wilberforce are finally aware of the true nature of their opponent, and the battles against slavery and the battles against France grow more and more dire. The pacing in this book is simply magnificent, with its slow builds to set the scene and suddenly you find yourself at the edge of your set anticipating an upcoming chamber debate or house visitation. There are lulls after major events but Parry manages to never let the reader off the hook, letting events build and build until the final climax.
I did wish there was more Napoleon in this book. The first half of this spends a fair amount of time following his early career and maneuverings with The Enemy, which feel like they kind of go nowhere in the second, but given how closely this book follows actual history, that’s probably simply due to how timelines met and diverged.
Overall, I rate this book a 4/5. Pitt and Wilberforce’s ever-developing relationship give me so much life and their characters are crafted just so so perfectly. The pacing of this book really just grips the reader and never lets go. While I would have wanted more political maneuvering, this action in this book is just delightful to read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Orbit. All thoughts are my own.
Despite my complete lack of familiarity with French history, I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and I was extremely excited to see where the author would take in book two. Napoleon appears! (I cry in excitement, knowing absolutely nothing about Napoleon). I can say I’m thoroughly satisfied with this second book of this duology and still sitting in awe by how complete Parry has construct this life-long story of Pitt and Wilberforce.
The highlight of this book is really the continued story and bromance between Pitt and Wilberforce. In book 1, we see them young and bright-eyed, full of energy to improve the treatment of magicians and end the practice of slaver, together. Book 2 sees them older, weary, failing in health. They’ve been forced compromise their principles, then fight each others justifications. Parry does such a phenomenal job bringing these characters and the larger scene of the British Parliamentary politics truly to life. In some ways, Pitt and Wilberforce begin this book as estranged exes, a pair who’ve split over a bad fight but still care for each other as people and it’s a delight to read their ever-progressing relationship. Pitt and Wilberforce show some of the most complex, most intricate, most human characterization I’ve ever read in a series.
Where the climaxes of book 1 were largely events centering people and politics, the major climaxes of book 2 are largely man v nature (kraken, dragon, etc). Depending on the reader, there may be a preference one way or another. Personally, I preferred the political climaxes and the progressively more and more terrible decisions of Robespierre in book 1 to the creature battles of book 2, but other readers may see it different.
Naturally, Radical Act is a book of escalation – the enemy has had his first tastes of defeat, Pitt and Wilberforce are finally aware of the true nature of their opponent, and the battles against slavery and the battles against France grow more and more dire. The pacing in this book is simply magnificent, with its slow builds to set the scene and suddenly you find yourself at the edge of your set anticipating an upcoming chamber debate or house visitation. There are lulls after major events but Parry manages to never let the reader off the hook, letting events build and build until the final climax.
I did wish there was more Napoleon in this book. The first half of this spends a fair amount of time following his early career and maneuverings with The Enemy, which feel like they kind of go nowhere in the second, but given how closely this book follows actual history, that’s probably simply due to how timelines met and diverged.
Overall, I rate this book a 4/5. Pitt and Wilberforce’s ever-developing relationship give me so much life and their characters are crafted just so so perfectly. The pacing of this book really just grips the reader and never lets go. While I would have wanted more political maneuvering, this action in this book is just delightful to read.
September 15, 2022
Doesn't happen very often for me, but A Radical Act of Free Magic was much better than its predecessor.
I have my own blog now, so please do give it a visit if you're interested in my other reviews :)
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I'm not going to lie, I came into this one not expecting a lot of differences to the first experience. But, I happily stand corrected, as this was a lot better for me as a whole.
My main issue in the first book, was that despite the interesting setting with the fantastical twist, it didn't grip me as much because of its characters. Because the point of views were mostly of men in very similar societal positions, and that in turn creates a "same person, but different names" kind of deal that I'm not a fan of anywhere. I lost count of how many times I got confused on which was which as I was following them along.
In A Radical Act of Free Magic that doesn't actually go away as much as I had hoped, but the addition of more point of views, while allocating more pages to the lesser heard so to speak, made the experience better. There are now different perspectives, different motivation and more characters that show case the pretty cool magic system I have seen in the series.
This increase in the fantastical side, with the bigger and more dangerous outcomes because of it made this a treat. The different usages, the destruction, the reveals, the battles and the myths were really fun to read about. That being said, this is not a battle or action heavy book at all.
Talking and discussions are the main form of conflict for most of it, and while the fantastical elements added its own variations to it, it still remained the same for almost all of it. Personally, this was fine for me until the final conflict which was so anticlimactic in comparison to every single other thing in the book till then.
Ideals being challenged, and morality issues are big discussion topics in the duology from the very beginning. Where is the limit? How far are you willing to go? Should you cross that line? and what not were never far from any of the point of views. But in a climax, it's not a very fun thing to see for me and I feel pretty saddened whenever it comes up in conflicts.
That being said, I didn't actually expect to finish this book hoping for more, but that also happened.
Although it's a wish, it's not needed whatsoever because of how well of a conclusionA Radical Act of Free Magic has got. It makes sense, almost all of the plot points were resolved and the character fates for some were to be expected. My own personal gripe with the climax or how it went about doesn't change a lot about my enjoyment while reading this.
I expect that I will be reading through H. G. Parry's other works very soon, and hopefully it'll be just as enjoyable as reading through this book.
I have my own blog now, so please do give it a visit if you're interested in my other reviews :)
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I'm not going to lie, I came into this one not expecting a lot of differences to the first experience. But, I happily stand corrected, as this was a lot better for me as a whole.
My main issue in the first book, was that despite the interesting setting with the fantastical twist, it didn't grip me as much because of its characters. Because the point of views were mostly of men in very similar societal positions, and that in turn creates a "same person, but different names" kind of deal that I'm not a fan of anywhere. I lost count of how many times I got confused on which was which as I was following them along.
In A Radical Act of Free Magic that doesn't actually go away as much as I had hoped, but the addition of more point of views, while allocating more pages to the lesser heard so to speak, made the experience better. There are now different perspectives, different motivation and more characters that show case the pretty cool magic system I have seen in the series.
This increase in the fantastical side, with the bigger and more dangerous outcomes because of it made this a treat. The different usages, the destruction, the reveals, the battles and the myths were really fun to read about. That being said, this is not a battle or action heavy book at all.
Talking and discussions are the main form of conflict for most of it, and while the fantastical elements added its own variations to it, it still remained the same for almost all of it. Personally, this was fine for me until the final conflict which was so anticlimactic in comparison to every single other thing in the book till then.
Ideals being challenged, and morality issues are big discussion topics in the duology from the very beginning. Where is the limit? How far are you willing to go? Should you cross that line? and what not were never far from any of the point of views. But in a climax, it's not a very fun thing to see for me and I feel pretty saddened whenever it comes up in conflicts.
That being said, I didn't actually expect to finish this book hoping for more, but that also happened.
Although it's a wish, it's not needed whatsoever because of how well of a conclusionA Radical Act of Free Magic has got. It makes sense, almost all of the plot points were resolved and the character fates for some were to be expected. My own personal gripe with the climax or how it went about doesn't change a lot about my enjoyment while reading this.
I expect that I will be reading through H. G. Parry's other works very soon, and hopefully it'll be just as enjoyable as reading through this book.
January 29, 2022
I was afraid the sequel to A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians was going to disappoint, but this held up. The French Revolutions has given way to the Napoleonic Wars, and the army of the undead is still a menace. Even worse, Napoleon is being puppeted from behind the scenes by "The Stranger", Europe's last surviving vampire. At the same time, Fina and Toussaint L'Ouverture are struggling to free the enslaved in Haiti and Jamaica. They have allies, but but The Stranger is co-opting their revolution for reasons of his own. The only one who can stand up to this threat is Prime Minister William Pitt, a blood magician who never gave into vampirism. However, the elixir that keeps him from needing to feed on blood to survive is rapidly losing efficacy. He must stop The Stranger before his time runs out.
The final confrontation wasn't flashy or action packed, but it was true to the characters and true to the feel of the book. And the magic was handled in such a way that it wasn't the sole explanation for evil in the world. Highly recommend and will probably re-read in the future.
The final confrontation wasn't flashy or action packed, but it was true to the characters and true to the feel of the book. And the magic was handled in such a way that it wasn't the sole explanation for evil in the world. Highly recommend and will probably re-read in the future.
July 29, 2023
"Is it wrong to fall in love when the world is a mess? That's what people have been doing for a very long time. I don't see that it can get better otherwise."
I found this to be a solid and satisfactory conclusion to this duology that I enjoyed just as equally as book 1. This picks up a couple of years after the ending of A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians and follows three of our previous characters, Pitt, Wilberforce, and Fina, as well as some pov chapters from Napoleon Bonaparte. The tensions and conflicts that were starting to simmer in book 1 boiled over in this book. While this is still one of the most politically heavy series I have every read, this book includes more action than book 1. I also liked how there are more female characters in this book, as opposed to the one female character we got in book 1.
I wasn't sure how this book would end, or how a satisfactory conclusion could come about, but I very much enjoyed the ending. This series somehow stays true to historical events, while creating this entire alternate reality with magic, and I think Parry does such a good job of blending the two together. Parry is definitely on my radar of authors I want to continue reading, and I have a copy of The Magician's Daughter on my tbr pile!
I found this to be a solid and satisfactory conclusion to this duology that I enjoyed just as equally as book 1. This picks up a couple of years after the ending of A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians and follows three of our previous characters, Pitt, Wilberforce, and Fina, as well as some pov chapters from Napoleon Bonaparte. The tensions and conflicts that were starting to simmer in book 1 boiled over in this book. While this is still one of the most politically heavy series I have every read, this book includes more action than book 1. I also liked how there are more female characters in this book, as opposed to the one female character we got in book 1.
I wasn't sure how this book would end, or how a satisfactory conclusion could come about, but I very much enjoyed the ending. This series somehow stays true to historical events, while creating this entire alternate reality with magic, and I think Parry does such a good job of blending the two together. Parry is definitely on my radar of authors I want to continue reading, and I have a copy of The Magician's Daughter on my tbr pile!
August 25, 2021
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Anuska G
In A Radical Act of Free Magic, Parry once again brilliantly blends together intense political intrigue with magic. The narrative constantly jumps between England and France and Saint-Domingue and Egypt, and the switches are seamless every time. In my review of A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians, I mentioned how we didn’t get to see all the different kinds of magic in action much. But in this book we do witness some magical battles, and they were as stunning as I’d hoped they’d be! The final conflict with the French vampire king came about in a very unexpected fashion, even though I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Instead of being action-packed like one would expect a final battle to be, it was laden with emotion, and it struck a chord with me. I’ll admit that even though I was aware of how it all ends, I cried anyway.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
In A Radical Act of Free Magic, Parry once again brilliantly blends together intense political intrigue with magic. The narrative constantly jumps between England and France and Saint-Domingue and Egypt, and the switches are seamless every time. In my review of A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians, I mentioned how we didn’t get to see all the different kinds of magic in action much. But in this book we do witness some magical battles, and they were as stunning as I’d hoped they’d be! The final conflict with the French vampire king came about in a very unexpected fashion, even though I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Instead of being action-packed like one would expect a final battle to be, it was laden with emotion, and it struck a chord with me. I’ll admit that even though I was aware of how it all ends, I cried anyway.
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
August 24, 2021
Another amazing book in this series. The dialogue, the character development, and the imaginative historical fiction is amazing. This book is long but never lulls. It also has very strong female characters that serve important roles in the history making. Parry’s work is creative and dynamic and you really connect and root for her historical interpretation of the characters.
September 2, 2021
Highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator is excellent.
It’s not often (or ever) a book makes me want to immediately go read an in-depth biography of an 18th century British prime minister, but this series does.
It’s not often (or ever) a book makes me want to immediately go read an in-depth biography of an 18th century British prime minister, but this series does.
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