An Unkindness of Magicians
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Kat Howard |
| Products | Urban fantasy novel |
| Parent | Saga Press / Simon & Schuster |
An Unkindness of Magicians is a 2017 urban fantasy novel authored by Kat Howard and released through Saga / Simon & Schuster. It earned recognition as an NPR Best Book of 2017 and received the 2018 Alex Award.
Synopsis
Within New York’s secretive magical elite, known as the Unseen World, ancient Houses uphold a tradition of exclusivity, governed by concealed protocols and enduring feuds. The foundation of their dominance is The Turning: a generational magical competition that determines which Houses ascend, preserve their influence, or decline. For generations, House Merlin has maintained supremacy in this hierarchy.
Laurent Beauchamps, a Black outsider from a non-magical background, enters this privileged realm under the guidance of Gray Prospero, the successor of a prominent House. The announcement of an unexpected new Turning, occurring just ten years after the previous one, signals upheaval. Laurent enlists Sydney, an enigmatic magician with her own motives and connections to the elusive House of Shadows, to compete on his behalf in the tournament.
Operating at the margins of the Unseen World, House of Shadows enforces sinister agreements involving a harsh tithe: every family must offer their firstborn child to sustain magic without expense. This pact, forged generations ago by House Merlin, supports the community’s power structure but condemns children to lifelong bondage.
As magic deteriorates and confrontations become lethal, Sydney—partially liberated from the control of Shadows and possessing formidable abilities—aims to dismantle this corrupt arrangement and seek vengeance against those who sacrificed her. She collaborates with Harper, Madison, and Verenice from Shadows in an effort that threatens to destabilize the established order of the Unseen World.
Characters
- Sydney: A formidable magician hired by Laurent to compete in The Turning, the magical contest that decides leadership within the Unseen World. She pursues her own goals while being manipulated by the House of Shadows.
- Laurent Beauchamps: A wealthy Black newcomer striving to found his own House amid an environment dominated by longstanding white aristocratic families. His closest friend and magical guide is Gray Prospero, whose violent deeds Laurent remains unaware of.
- Miranda Prospero: Leader of House Prospero who disowned her son Gray after he committed murder and stole magic from young women. She recruits Ian Merlin, reputed as the most powerful magician, for the competition.
- Ian Merlin: The estranged son of Miles Merlin and sibling to Lara Merlin, representing House Merlin. He consents to represent Prospero on condition that they end their dark pact with House of Shadows. He may confront his sister in a final deadly duel and shares a complicated history with Sydney.
- Miles Merlin: Veteran head of House Merlin and influential figure in the Unseen World who makes a Faustian bargain to preserve his diminishing magical power.
- Harper Douglas: A resolute young woman from the magical periphery seeking justice for her best friend’s murder.
- Shara: The human embodiment bound to House of Shadows.
- Madison: Legal counsel for families within the Unseen World and ally to Sydney and Harper.
- Verenice: The sole known individual to have escaped captivity by House of Shadows before Sydney.
Themes
An Unkindness of Magicians delves into themes of authority and exploitation, portraying how those in privileged positions either deliberately or unknowingly manipulate others to secure or preserve their dominance. This is illustrated through the lethal choices made by Gray Prospero and Miles Merlin, alongside Miranda Prospero’s conscious disregard for the resulting consequences. In contrast, the narrative presents ethical stances through characters like Ian Merlin, who refuses to capitalize on others' suffering; Harper, who seeks justice without relying on magic; Laurent, who opposes Gray’s brutality and relearns magic to challenge the House of Shadows; and Sydney, who ultimately gives up her own safety to defend others during the climactic conflict.
Reception
In her review for Locus Magazine, Liz Bourke commends An Unkindness of Magicians for its richly drawn characters, precise writing style, and gripping suspense. She emphasizes Sydney’s nurturing friendships despite her traumatic background and highlights the nuanced dynamic between Sydney and Ian Merlin, praising Howard’s subtle yet effective exploration of emotional depth.
Mandy Nevius from San Francisco Book Review points out that some aspects of the Unseen World's rules could have been more thoroughly explained but applauds Howard’s vivid depiction of a magical realm filled with sensory detail. She characterizes the narrative as briskly paced and skillfully crafted with a touch of humor, making it an entertaining experience for readers.
Kirkus Reviews remarks on the novel’s unflinching depiction of the underlying corruption within its setting and notes that the intense magical confrontations maintain high tension throughout, although certain pivotal scenes feel somewhat hurried. The review highlights well-developed characters and an engaging revenge storyline, making it appealing to readers who enjoy dark, intricate fantasy involving magic.
Em Nordling at Tor describes the book as "entertaining and fast-moving," declaring it nearly impossible to set aside once started.
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Alex Award | Template:Won | |
| 2017 | NPR Best Book | Template:Won | |
| Locus Award | Best Science Fiction Novel | Template:Nom |
External links
- An Unkindness of Magicians official page at Simon & Schuster