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A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians

(The Shadow Histories #1)

H.G. Parry (Goodreads Author)

3.83 · Rating details · 700 ratings · 262 reviews

A sweeping tale of revolution and wonder in a world not quite like our own, A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is a genre-defying story of magic, war, and the struggle for freedom in the early modern world.

It is the Age of Enlightenment -- of new and magical political movements, from the necromancer Robespierre calling for revolution in France to the weather mage Tou ...more

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Hardcover, 531 pages

Published June 23rd 2020 by Redhook

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Jan 15, 2020 Nenia ✨️ I yeet my books back and forth ✨️ Campbell rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical-fiction, les-arcs-de-triomphes, fantasy, life-s-too-fucking-short

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DNF @ p. 184

I had a really tough time reading this book because on the one hand, I wanted to enjoy a dark historical fantasy. In this world, set in the late 18th century, the wealthy aristocracy use magical bracelets to keep the poor from using their magic. Likewise, the slaves who work in plantations are force-fed magical concoctions that turn them into zombies and eradicate their magic, too.

Some people have started to think this is wr ...more

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Aug 18, 2020 Sean Gibson rated it it was amazing

There’s a particular phrase to describe books that are grandly ambitious yet intimately familiar, sweeping in scope yet divinely detailed, plot-rich yet character-driven, and written with impeccable style: “H.G. Parry’s digital finger droppings”

(I say this assuming she types her work and doesn’t write it longhand; if it turns out I’m incorrect in this assumption, then we should modify the phrase to read “H.G. Parry’s inky finger digit droppings,” though that sounds vaguely inappropriate, and al There’s a particular phrase to describe books that are grandly ambitious yet intimately familiar, sweeping in scope yet divinely detailed, plot-rich yet character-driven, and written with impeccable style: “H.G. Parry’s digital finger droppings”

(I say this assuming she types her work and doesn’t write it longhand; if it turns out I’m incorrect in this assumption, then we should modify the phrase to read “H.G. Parry’s inky finger digit droppings,” though that sounds vaguely inappropriate, and also extremely messy.)

If I was enamored of Parry’s The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep, then I am besotted, bedazzled, besmitten, beboopled, and bedraggled with this book (note: not all of those words apply or are even actual words, but they do all start with “be,” so I am to be congratulated for my initial syllabic consistency).

You can reasonably infer that a book whose title riffs on a touchstone of the French Revolution and one of the most influential civil rights documents of all time is going to slather historical references on your cerebellum in the same way my son requests I cover toast with Nutella for him. And, it does. But, not in a heavy-handed way, and not in a way that makes you feel like you’re reading a history book with random bits of fantasticality tossed in for spits and wiggles. Rather, it’s history as accoutrement (what every well-heeled bon vivant is wearing this season, no doubt), with characterization at the forefront even as the mystery deepens in the background and the inexorable pull of monumental events inextricably entwines the fates of our heroes and villains.

Strange and Norrell is an obvious comparison, but where that weighty tome revels in the footnoted minutiae of its world, Declaration is more about the flawed individuals who drive, and then become caught up in, sweeping change. Also, vampires. Because did I mention there are vampires? And necromancers? Not to mention weather mages, slaves in revolt, legendary politicians, religious converts, and the undeniable pleasure of being held in the thrall of an author who both reveres the power of stories and words and is a master of putting them to good use.

The book ends in medias res, naturally, with a sequel on the way, one which Declaration suggests will feature a well-known French conqueror (my money is on Marcel Marceau, with Le Petomane as a dark horse candidate bringing up the rear). If it were ready tomorrow, it wouldn’t be soon enough. I’m in.

If you dig historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, political intrigue, great characterization, and just the right amount of world building, I guarantee you’ll enjoy this.

(Bonus fun trivia fact: the "H" in "H.G." stands for "Hannah," which also happens to be my daughter's name. This bit of coincidence in no way influenced my review, but it did delight me when I found out.) ...more

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Apr 06, 2020 Alix Harrow rated it it was amazing

Sprawling, rich, indulgent, epic, profoundly political, delightfully magical--if you've ever wanted a magic-infused retelling of late 18th century Atlantic politics, this is your book. I just adore a historical novel that takes history seriously, as more than mere aesthetic, and this book takes the political and moral upheavals of the era with gravity and attention. I loved it. ...more

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Apr 24, 2020 Ari rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-reads, favorites, netgalley-arc

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Thank you NetGalley and Redhook for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Symbols had power
only as long as people gave it to them.

I've read my share of Historical Fiction novels and those in the Fantasy genre, but it's not often that I read a story that merges both. There's something hallucinatory about mixing the two, especially when one has grown up hearing and learning so much about a specific group of people—such as the aristocracy ...more

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Sep 24, 2020 Heidi The Reader rated it it was ok

Shelves: the-numinous-book-club, fiction, fantasy-and-sci-fi, historical-fiction

In a world where magic is real and controlled by government authorities, H.G. Parry re-imagines true historical events and people, inviting readers to add an additional layer of conspiracy to movements that changed the course of history like the French Revolution or the slave rebellion in the Caribbean.

The premise didn't work for me for a couple reasons.

I felt like this book minimized the atrocities that were committed during the era. The slave trade and the French Revolution's cost in both huma ...more

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Jul 14, 2020 Celeste rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, alternative-history

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher (Orbit/Redhook) and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is a truly brilliant example of alternative history. Parry managed to stay completely faithful to the persons and events that make up the true history of this time period while deftly adding in the existence of magic and exemplifying how that existence might have impacted the French Revolution and the British fight to abolish the slave trade. I received an eARC of this book from the publisher (Orbit/Redhook) and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is a truly brilliant example of alternative history. Parry managed to stay completely faithful to the persons and events that make up the true history of this time period while deftly adding in the existence of magic and exemplifying how that existence might have impacted the French Revolution and the British fight to abolish the slave trade. Historical figures like William Pitt, William Wilberforce, Toussaint Bréda L’Ouverture, and Maximilien Robespierre are all exquisitely portrayed both as individuals that really existed and fictional characters whose minds were are invited to explore. Parry balanced this contrast beautifully. She could have rewritten history in a way that made it somehow less. She could have stayed so true to history that the narrative felt more like a nonfiction text than a novel. But she did neither of those things. She was able to bridge that divide in a way that both informs and inspires, that encourages both historical curiosity and fantastical imaginings. I’m truly in awe of what she was able to do with this novel.

“And beneath the surface, something was moving. Something that spoke of change, and of revolution, and of blood.”

One of the things I loved most about this book is how the importance in friendship is demonstrated in each of the three plot-lines. Pitt and Wilberforce, Robespierre and Camille, Toussaint and Fina (a character of Parry’s own imagination) are the central hubs around which this triune story orbits, and their relationships with one another play incredibly important roles in history. These relationships are what kept the story from seeming too dry. I especially loved the friendship between Pitt and Wilberforce, and was always excited when the narrative swung back in their direction. Parry has a gift with her craftsmanship of witty dialogue that feels appropriate to the time period without ever seeming stuffy. I found every debate and conversation a pleasure to read because of this.

“It isn’t about proving what we can be. It’s about becoming what we can be.”

Slavery is the most heinous act we as humans have ever wrought upon one another. I didn’t think it could be portrayed in a worse light than its reality, but Parry managed to make it even more horrifying with her addition of spellbinding slaves by forcing them to ingest magical elixirs that deprived them of all outward freewill. I can’t imagine not being able to control my body at all, with every single blink and twitch dictated by someone who has decided that I am property. And to make matters in the book even worse, the spellbound slaves are still completely aware inside their minds and are screaming for release and fighting a losing battle for control of their own bodies. The concept is terrifying.

“To some extent, we all have the capacity to become monsters.”

While I very much enjoyed the book, I must confess that I found myself getting bogged down in the legislation pretty frequently. This isn’t Parry’s fault, as the synopsis is very clear regarding the plot of the book, and it’s a plot that is necessarily very reliant on legality and politics. However, this obviously results in a slower pace and less action that some fantasy readers expect from the books they choose, so just be aware that this book is more of an alternate history that involves magic than it is a fantasy novel. While I haven’t yet read it myself, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell sprang immediately to mind within the first twenty pages, and I believe that fans of that novel will find Parry’s sophomore work very appealing.

“I sometimes think ‘just this once’ is the most dangerous phrase in the English language.”

My only other qualm with A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is Parry’s choice of ending. For such a large, often meandering novel, the ending felt very abrupt and left me unsatisfied. If there is a sequel planned, I will be much more content upon learning of its existence. But as I went into this book believing it to be a standalone, I was a bit frustrated when I read the final chapter and saw that I had reached the end before more of the plot-lines were tied up.

“Liberty, what crimes are committed in your name!”

Parry is a brilliant author. She has a wonderful flow to her prose that feels both effortless and highly intelligent. I know how much research goes into a book like this, but Parry tells the story in such a way that the reader is able to forget how much work went into it and simply lose themselves in the writing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both novels I’ve read from her, and I can’t wait to see what she puts out next. But I’m clinging to hope that said next book will be a continuation of this particular story.

You can find this review and more at Novel Notions. ...more

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Aug 16, 2020 Faith rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed, netgalley

“For a second, the shadow remained still, and the world around them held its breath. Then, with a shriek that faded into a sudden rush of wind, it dispersed into vapor and blew away into nothing.”

I read the author’s first book “The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heap” and I thought that it was charming and witty. Unfortunately, those qualities were missing from this book which is set in England, France and Haiti. It is based on the French Revolution and the Haitian slave revolt - but with magic and va ...more

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Jun 15, 2020 aarya marked it as dnf · review of another edition

Shelves: s-england, theme-c-witch-wizard-sorcerer, theme-politics, year-2020, owned-in-arc-ebook, trope-kidnapping-imprisonment, s-caribbean-mexico-latin-america, did-not-finish, s-france-western-europe, s-1714-1795-early-georgian-era

DNF

2020 resolution: do not finish books that are boring me to tears! Because, god, this is boring as hell. And it shouldn’t have been because I’m the perfect audience for this. I majored in political science, took several classes on political philosophy/18th century revolutions, and am extremely interested in this era of history.

And yet. So boring. Not enough magic, weird narration/POV shifts, lack of investment to any of the characters after a long time... time to call it quits, I think.

Also: ...more

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Oct 07, 2020 Jennifer rated it liked it

DNF - 50%. An earnest, painstakingly researched, blow-by-blow alternate history of The French Revolution and associated events. Magic fuels the primary events detailed within its pages, including a magic serum that allows slave owners to control their slaves, a peasant class denied the ability to use its magic, a prime minister with a dark family secret. It sounds like it should be awesome, yet it never aroused in me anything beyond a mild curiosity at first, progressing into mild impatience. Th ...more

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Jun 16, 2020 Kelsea rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed

WHOA! This book was... breathtaking. In scope, in storytelling, in characters and perspectives and emotions and political machinations.

I seem to have read this at just the right and the wrong time, simultaneously. The wrong time, because this story requires an intense amount of concentration, and thanks to the current state of the world, my reading attention span has been SHORT. But also the right time, because this book is basically historical fantasy about abolition in Europe & the Caribbean. WHOA! This book was... breathtaking. In scope, in storytelling, in characters and perspectives and emotions and political machinations.

I seem to have read this at just the right and the wrong time, simultaneously. The wrong time, because this story requires an intense amount of concentration, and thanks to the current state of the world, my reading attention span has been SHORT. But also the right time, because this book is basically historical fantasy about abolition in Europe & the Caribbean. The debates, the questions, the implications, and the reminders (both of how far we've come and how far we have yet to go) feel very relevant at the moment, when George Floyd's death woke many up to the way systemic racism has been affecting Black people. (The racism is not new; the awareness being raised and universality of racism as a conversation subject is, at the very least, not something that's been tackled on this scale in recent history.)

It took me a while to get into this book. 25% or so. Before that, it felt like a jumble of characters and places. I could tell there was a lot going on, but my mind had trouble grasping it all.

Then... as occasionally happens, something clicked. (Also, it probably helped that my husband watched the baby for a bit so I could actually concentrate without her constantly trying to steal or click on my kindle.) I found myself riveted. Invested. Fully absorbed. Obsessed. In AWE.

Sooooooooo I do want to give readers warning that this book will take time to get into. I've read some of the other reviews saying it's boring or they DNF'd the book, and I honestly understand that. I considered it as well. But I'm so, so glad now that I read on. It's worth it!

Now, onto the actual book. In the alternate historical world of A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians, magic is strictly controlled. The rights of magicians are under debate, and the author doesn't hold back when it comes to the way magicians of different classes and races (well, Black & White, as I recall no mention of other races in the story) are treated starkly differently. The story is as much about slavery and abolition as it is about the rights of magicians. And more than anything else, at its heart is the question of change. How do we bring about change? What's the best way to upend everything? Must it always turn to bloody revolution, or can it be done through peaceful negotiation? Is it fair to ask oppressed people to wait a single minute for freedom in order to usher in a new era with little or no bloodshed? Do the people who benefit from systems of oppression deserve to die for their parts in perpetuating those systems?

This story tackles all of these questions and more. For someone like me, who loves thought-provoking reads, this story was so powerful and generated so many interesting questions without clear-cut answers. It's all so wonderfully complex and interwoven with such brilliance. The magic, the mystery, the characters, the friendships, the absolutely illustrious quotes (mostly from the debate floor)... all of it. This story will appeal to philosophizers, or anyone who's fascinated by morality and moral quandries.

I also think this story will appeal to epic fantasy readers. There are a LOT of perspectives, and while the subject matter places it more squarely in historical fantasy, in scope and scale it reads like epic fantasy.

I do wish Fina's POV was expanded. We get a lot more of the White character's thoughts than the one Black POV. Granted, this may be a matter of the author exercising caution when writing outside her racial lane? But as a reader, I think it would've been interesting to see more of Fina's world and perspective.

I'm also surprised to see that this book isn't labeled as a series. Perhaps that will change? The ending to the story didn't feel like a full resolution. Maybe that's the point, or maybe I need to actually go research and see if this is planned as a series.

Overall, this book is not going to appeal to every fantasy reader, but there is a certain subset who will absolutely LOVE this book. Thank you to Redhook via Netgalley for providing me a free advanced e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Out today (!!!) via Redhook. ...more

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Oct 04, 2020 Jenny Baker marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction, 2020

I don’t like DNF’ing a book, especially when I’m hyped up going into it. As much as I love the story synopsis, the writing style doesn’t work for me. It’s written in a dry, passive voice with a POV that keeps the reader at arm’s length. It was difficult for me to connect with the characters and the story, because it felt like the story was written about the characters rather than as the characters.

I love fantasy, but I typically don’t read a lot of historical fiction, so maybe that’s pa ...more

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Aug 29, 2020 Para (wanderer) rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-in-english, 4-stars, fantasy, rtc, post-medieval

Man, that was the perfect book at the perfect time. It's pretty much a straight retelling of the French revolution except with magic (seriously, if you know history, you know roughly what will happen) and since I'm currently rather taken with the time period, this was exactly what I wanted. My one complaint would be that the pacing could be excruciatingly slow at points.

Still, sequel when???

Longer review to come. ...more

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Jun 24, 2020 Jen rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, fantasy, netgalley

Full disclosure: I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

In this alternate universe, set around the era of the French Revolution, magic is a genetic trait which only the nobility is permitted to exercise, and only if their strain of magic is not classified as dark magic, such as vampirism or necromancy. The Knights Templar act as an international religious judiciary which registers all magic users, polices the use of magic, and even imprisons or execut Full disclosure: I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

In this alternate universe, set around the era of the French Revolution, magic is a genetic trait which only the nobility is permitted to exercise, and only if their strain of magic is not classified as dark magic, such as vampirism or necromancy. The Knights Templar act as an international religious judiciary which registers all magic users, polices the use of magic, and even imprisons or executes offenders. The novel follows several historical figures, from William Wilberforce to Robespierre to Toussaint Louverture, as each grapples with how magical oppression intersects with the real historical oppression they fought.

I had a difficult time writing this review, because it took me a while to figure out how to put into words my discomfort with the premise of this novel. Normally, I have no problem with how urban/historical fantasy layers magic and myth over reality. I was very much looking forward to reading this novel, precisely because it’s such a fascinating era that seems generally under-explored in the fantasy genre. However, I thought the way the author approached the era was fundamentally flawed.

In essence, Parry has layered magical inequality and oppression on top of historical inequality and oppression, and made that magical oppression the primary lens through which the characters understand that inequality and oppression. The abolitionist movement becomes not just about slavery, but about how magic makes slavery even more evil. (Alchemists dose slaves with a potion that robs them of all power to control their bodies.) The French Revolution becomes not just about the aristocracy’s opulence and indifference to the suffering of their subjects, but also about the freedom to use magical gifts. Colonial fear of slave rebellions becomes not just about slave owners’ fear of economic loss and reprisals for their brutality, but also about their fear of their former slaves’ often powerful magic being unleashed upon them. (This treads awfully close to racist beliefs, still pervasive in our contemporary society, that black people are superhuman.)

Also? In this book, the Haitian Revolution doesn’t begin because the slaves in Saint-Domingue rose up and freed themselves, it begins because a white dude frees them of magical alchemy, at the direction of another white dude, which then allows them the freedom to fully liberate themselves. I find that…problematic…to say the least, because it turns a historical example in which black people rescued themselves into a white savior story.

I wanted to like this book. Parry is an engaging writer, and her interpretation of Robespierre in particular was fascinating. Unfortunately, she needed to handle the historical issues with more care. I have no doubt she was well-intentioned as she wrote this book, but I don’t think she had the knowledge and experience to address the slavery and class inequality aspects in a meaningful way. Rather than weaving the idea of magical oppression into historical events in a nuanced way, Parry keeps the revolution and historical figures, but replaces the causes and context of their fight with one of her own invention. ...more

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Jun 13, 2020 The Nerd Daily rated it it was amazing

Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Anuska G

As a historical fantasy enthusiast, A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is everything I could ask for and more from a magic-imbued reimagining of the interrelated histories of the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, and the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire!

A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians presents an alternate version of the late eighteenth century world, a world with magic in it. The story travels b ...more

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Jun 10, 2020 Luna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley, favourites

1. I need the sequel.
2. Perfect historical fantasy.
3. A true successor of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell ( no footnotes though ).
4. I am hoping to meet Napoleon Bonaparte in the next book.
5. Read this book only if you like History or Politics .
6. This book is a mytholization of real history and depicts the Abolitionist movements and the French Revolution with a magical twist.
7. A sequel is definitely coming.
8. Ughhh Robespierre .
9. Full of humour and occasional darkness.

* I received an e-arc ...more

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May 23, 2020 Christi M rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, netgalley

Blending real historical moments with fantasy and magical realism, H.G. Parry creates a story spanning the abolitionist movement through French Revolution set in the late 18th century. Taking historical facts and altering them just enough to fit inside a world where the governance of magic is established by laws and where men such as William Pitt argue on behalf of the commoners who should have more rights and freedom in regards to magic use.

The breadth and scope of the what the author is undert Blending real historical moments with fantasy and magical realism, H.G. Parry creates a story spanning the abolitionist movement through French Revolution set in the late 18th century. Taking historical facts and altering them just enough to fit inside a world where the governance of magic is established by laws and where men such as William Pitt argue on behalf of the commoners who should have more rights and freedom in regards to magic use.

The breadth and scope of the what the author is undertaking is amazing. To research such a political span of time in European history and to adjust it in such a way to where parts of known history are now integrated with magic was truly phenomenal to read. Undeniably A Declaration of Rights of Magicians is an intelligent and well-thought out the book and I am left wondering if my knowledge of the actual subjects will forever be changed.

However, merging the two together also comes at a cost. At times, I was drawn into an incredibly intriguing story and other times I felt like I was back in history class waiting for the bell to ring. It was during these times that I felt the story dragged a little or at least my excitement for the story diminished as we saw things occur off screen, but not on. I thoroughly love and appreciate the concept of the book, but there are other historical events or points in time I enjoy more than than the late 1700s. Maximilien Robespierre, William Pitt, Toussaint Breda, George-Jacques Danton, William Wilberforce among others were names learned long ago – mostly for a test.

Politics can be quite an intriguing subject none more so than the events leading up the French revolution and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction from an alternative world perspective or at least one that is slightly altered. But unfortunately for me, this story didn’t work out as much as I had hoped.

Rating: 3 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Redhook Books for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review. ...more

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Jul 17, 2020 OutlawPoet rated it it was ok

I really wanted to like this book, but I found it so slow that I just didn't finish it.

Yeah, I hate doing that and I actually think the kind of slow burn of this book will completely appeal to others, but it just wasn't for me.

I did like the atmosphere of the book very much. But the plot was plodding and the characters never engaged me.

This may be one of those 'it's not you, it's me' kind of books. Hope you have a better experience with it! ...more

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Aug 11, 2020 Diana added it

Dnf'ed @ pg 306

This has been a love at first sight turned boring book. I loved the summary and the first 300 pages. Then I felt like the story keep stalling, that it took lots of things into consideration: politics, real story, slave abolotion, the fall of the monarchy in france, britan answer to that and to the abolition of the slave trade... but the main problem was that there was too much of everything and I was missing more ejecution, more action.
I didn't mind at the beginning because, hones ...more

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Jun 10, 2020 Katie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, arc

From the first one, I was absolutely enthralled with this book. Historical Fantasy’s not my usual genre, but this one gripped me in a way few books do. Between the complexity and nuances of all the lead characters and the way the author was able to so seamlessly integrate magic into our own world, and account for how society reacts to magic, I absolutely fell in love.

A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians hits a point for me few books seem to manage, which is to so thoroughly integrate magic i From the first one, I was absolutely enthralled with this book. Historical Fantasy’s not my usual genre, but this one gripped me in a way few books do. Between the complexity and nuances of all the lead characters and the way the author was able to so seamlessly integrate magic into our own world, and account for how society reacts to magic, I absolutely fell in love.

A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians hits a point for me few books seem to manage, which is to so thoroughly integrate magic into the small minutiae of society that I’m never left wondering, why don’t people just do X with magic? The book starts with both leads, William Pitt in England and Robespierre in France, fighting for the rights of Commoners to perform magic. If a Commoner family was able to use weathermancy, they would have been able to water their crops and not starve, if a Commoner firemage could heat his house, he wouldn’t risk freezing to death. It’s these little details that I thought fleshed out the book, and this re-imagined 18th century that gave the worldbuilding so much life.

On a larger scale, this Western Europe 18th century has just come out of the American Revolution, and revolution, freedom for all magicians, is in the air. The center of this book is politics, the slow gradual freedoms and allowances that Pitt manages to muster through in England, sharp, explosive rebellions taking place in France, and a fight for freedom from slavery in Haiti.

I admit having absolutely no knowledge of the French Revolution, or this general time period. About halfway through, I asked several friends who’d taken French in high school what role Robespierre had in the Revolution because he seemed like a pretty neat, smart dude. I was laughed at. Turns out, Robespierre was the one running around with the guillotine. Which, frankly, speaks so well to how these characters are developed and characterized. Robespierre doesn’t start his life a bloodthirsty tyrant, and it’s fascinating to be able to follow him throughout this book, reading from his perspective, and seeing that slow descent into tyranny.

Similarly in England, we have William Pitt and his best friend/close political colleague William Wilberforce. Pitt and Wilberforce have this fantastic bromance (is it weird to say important historic political figures have bromances?) and through it, we are able to really delve into the psyche of each. However, with their good friendship emphasized so heavily, it’s clear to the reader that, like all people with different goals and worldviews, they’ll one day have a falling out. And when that happens, as the reader, I feel that I knew both characters so well that I’d never be able to pick a side.

It’s rare that I enjoy Victorian/Regency-esque prose, but Parry really knocks the writing out of the park. The best way I can describe it is Victorian enough, but not so much that it stifles the rest of the story. Pacing wise, the book is fairly slow. For a book about revolutions, the story itself is surprisingly character-driven. Personally, I enjoyed taking a deep-dive into the minds of our different leads, but I’ve had friends complain it’s too slow. Parry is flexing her knowledge of the French Revolution and it shows.

There are two points I want to make note of, however, not necessarily as detractors, but just good information for a reader going into this book. The first is that this book is not a standalone. Beyond the French Revolution, the English trying to decide how to respond, and the Haitian revolution, there’s a shadowy 4th party in the background, pulling strings and pushing pieces around. That character makes small appearances here and there, which led me to believe that they were the final boss of the book. Which they were not.

The second is that when we follow Pitt and Wilberforce, their main focal point is the abolition of the slave trade. While the book doesn’t delve much into the arguments of the opposing side, avoiding it entirely is impossible as well. Even on the Abolitionist side, the arguments often used delve into the economic value and worth of a human life, and in many situations, these debates, to me, were portrayed as old white men calmly discussing slavery with little-to-no input from former slaves. For me, these discussions came off as extremely sanitized with little acknowledgment from the Abolitionists of the racism that was surely rampant during the era. Especially with the current political climate in the US and the Black Live Matter movement, this language may be triggering to some readers.

Overall, I rate this book a 5/5. I was stunned by the worldbuilding and the integration of magic into 18th century Europe and I loved the writing and the sheer character development of the characters we follow. Extremely topical for our current political climate and an absolutely fascinating read! Definitely in contention for my favorite book of 2020. ...more

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Mar 15, 2020 Dave rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-all, netgalley-books, x-netgalley-2020-read, read-have, fantasy-alternate-history

"A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians" is an incredibly clever and bold approach to the fantasy genre. It's an alternate history of the late eighteenth century, the time of the French Revolution's madness and excesses. Shuttling between London, Paris, and Haiti, it's a world filled with magic. In France and England, magic is suppressed by law. The Knights of Templar regulate magicians. Only aristocrats can use it. In France, its use is limited by bracelets. In Haiti, the enslaved drink a pot ...more

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Apr 21, 2020 Sarah-Hope rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, 2020

H.G. Parry's A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is nothing less than epic. On the one hand, it is a fantasy novel, full of magic—much of it dangerous magic. On the other hand it is firmly grounded in global history at the time of the French Revolution. The presentation of figures that are simultaneously fictive and historical is nimbly handled, and these characters are depicted with a fullness that lets readers share their concerns and obsessions. And, in general, the fact that almost all ...more

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Jan 14, 2021 Izzie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, historical-fantasy

I had mixed feelings about this book, even going in - this might just be a personal thing, but I find historical fantasy about real historical figures kind of strange, so I admit I was a little hesitant. But I tried to let go of my prejudices and just dive in, but I found even that hard to do, since the pacing was slow and the moments of action were few and far between, interspersed by long scenes of parliamentary debates and visiting family and friends. Far too many, to the extent that it somet ...more

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Jun 17, 2020 charlotte, (½ of readsrainbow) rated it it was ok

Shelves: adult-lit, historical-fiction, witches-mages-magic-doers, 2-stars, magic-and-fantasy, black-or-african-characters, non-white-characters, review-copies

On my blog.

Rep: Black characters

CWs: graphic descriptions of slavery, gore, murder

Galley provided by publisher

This book, for me, was approximately 500 pages of boredom. I say 500, because for the first 50 or so pages, I thought I might be interested in it. I was quickly disillusioned, and then dragged myself through the rest of the book, in the vain hope that something might actually happen.

Spoiler alert: it did not.

A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is an almost exact retelling of his ...more

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Aug 19, 2020 James rated it it was amazing

Shelves: james, hardcover

I loved this even though it took me some time to get through. In my defense, life has distracted my reading time. But yeah, this was some great historical fantasy that brings to mind Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell. Set around the French and Haitian revolutions, its primary characters include William Pitt, William Wordsworth, Robespierre, and Toussant. My knowledge of this time period is a light, but I found myself returning to wikipedia again and again to find just how closely Parry modeled her ...more

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Dec 07, 2020 C. S. added it

Shelves: netgalley, did-not-finish, fiction

It's with deep regret that I finally admit that I'm just not that into this book and that I'm going to DNF it for now. It should be reading candy for me, but it's just not. The beginning, which set up multiple different characters in very short sections, just didn't give me enough to latch onto. Maybe I'll try it again when the audiobook comes out in January.

If magical alt-history door-stoppers are your thing, give it a try - maybe it'll speak to you in a way i didn't to me. ...more

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Jun 15, 2020 Cheshta Choudhury rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-arcs

The blurb says that "A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is a genre-defying story of magic, war, and the struggle for freedom in the early modern world", and truly, it is just that. Set in the 18th Century and following political and revolutionary leaders from London, Paris, and the Caribbean, the story interweaves events of the French Revolution and slave abolition movement.

There are magicians and the Knight Templars who regulate them. Both France and Britain are struggling for the indepe ...more

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Jun 25, 2020 Andria Potter rated it it was amazing

New favorite of the year!!!! ❤️ 5 🌟 ❤️!!!!

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Oct 19, 2020 Hanzel rated it liked it · review of another edition

History, a story of beforehand, yesteryears, the personalities, events and so forth........

Magic for the mundane, muggles, uninitiated, something to be afraid of, for the wielders of this magnificent energy, cantrips, symbols a joy to behold and held unto.........

A combination of both surely would have been a natural 5, Yes and ...............no.......

The story opens years before the French Revolution, where westerners think was the time of critical thinking and burgeoning concepts of freedom f History, a story of beforehand, yesteryears, the personalities, events and so forth........

Magic for the mundane, muggles, uninitiated, something to be afraid of, for the wielders of this magnificent energy, cantrips, symbols a joy to behold and held unto.........

A combination of both surely would have been a natural 5, Yes and ...............no.......

The story opens years before the French Revolution, where westerners think was the time of critical thinking and burgeoning concepts of freedom from everything(for the slaves moreso), the narrative was simply superb, you can feel the urgency, the pain, suffering of the people that were slowly being introduced, this being an account of an important world event(I had to google the historical figures), I was back to my classroom, simply turning page by page, not to mention, the fleeting descriptions of mages, the abilities.......the mystery of vampire mages(this one further deepened my appreciation of this book), ohhhhhh......did I mention the debates, the words(the single most powerful tool EVER), I was thinking, another all nighter(which are fewer now as my lifeclock starts malfunctioning, must be the age creeping in slowly but surely), one of them moments wherein going to the john, drinking water(sometimes I truly forget about it), I was so obsessed with what was happening, and then..............everything slowed..........my page turning became lesser and lesser, the narrative was still there, the persons are still interesting, they even started showing their true abilities.....but I suddenly found myself just plodding along, not the same zeal, or the why has become a huh(???), then it started again......Necromancers!!!!! Shadowmancers!!!! A vampire mage hiding in the parliamentary......and again.......you stumble to a halt, what once an engaging discourse(the debates), turned into so much word flinging that made the narrative stumble and then completely threw my reading enjoyment, I literally had to force myself to finish the last few chapters, also as I abovementioned, reading on this particular groups of personages, it somehow dampened my curiosity(the magic was still there, but still in glimpses, in phrases...), if not for the way she words each sentences, I would have been bored, really and utterly bored.......

I sincerely wished that the story travelled a different path, is that not the reason why we tell a story as opposed to re-reading an alternate history...........

I am still with Ms. Parry on this one, I believe her storytelling ability, I just hope we do not get a retelling of history again(exciting as it sounds, that is why it is called history, we are supposed to learn from their mistakes)

Ohhhhhh.....there will be a second book......YES!!!!!! ...more

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Jul 05, 2020 Anna Nesterovich rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, historical-fi, first-reads, have-must-have, giveaways

I received a copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I usually get plenty of those, a lot of them are hyped about and come highly recommended, and I am usually pretty disappointed. This time, however, I was not disappointed at all!

This book is BRILLIANT!!!

Well, almost. When I started reading, I didn't expect much, but got more and more interested with every page. To the point, somewhere about half way, where I almost stopped reading, because I was dreading that I received a copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I usually get plenty of those, a lot of them are hyped about and come highly recommended, and I am usually pretty disappointed. This time, however, I was not disappointed at all!

This book is BRILLIANT!!!

Well, almost. When I started reading, I didn't expect much, but got more and more interested with every page. To the point, somewhere about half way, where I almost stopped reading, because I was dreading that the author ruined the ending. It became so good, it seemed there was no way but down. The urge to continue was stronger than the dread though, so I kept reading.

The book defies genre boundaries. I've read plenty of fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction, but this one is historical fantasy :D And historical in this case is very, very historical: well researched and informed. I love it when authors do their homework. Also, historical in this case doesn't mean some alternative history or a different take on the events. It is literally historical. But fantasy. Work it out.

The closer and closer I got to the end, the less and less I was afraid that the end would disappoint. It wouldn't be possible on the last 100 pages? 50 pages? 20 pages? Alas, it is actually possible with just 3 pages left till the end. All this amazing work was actually ruined on the last 3 pages! Where the brilliant writing suddenly turned pompous, orotund, and utterly empty. That is when I looked at the Goodreads page to check if there is another book coming. Authors usually don't do cliffhangers like that, if they are not writing the next installment. Unfortunately, even though the second book is supposedly scheduled for the next year, it doesn't have its own page yet and no information is available.

So now I'm not sure. It was a steady growing 5-star review up till the very last pages, where my opinion plunged to about 3 stars. Since I enjoyed the book very much (and I do want to see the second one), I'm inclined to be lenient and still give it 5 stars. I just need a promise the journey will be as good in the second book. ...more

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Jun 22, 2020 Tara (Spinatale Reviews) rated it really liked it

The first time I picked up A Declaration of the Right of Magicians, I wasn’t sold. So I decided to put it aside and come back to it because I loved the author’s first book. And I’m so glad that I did. If you’ve thought “I want history but make it magic,” pick this one up.

As it says in the Acknowledgments, this book is an amalgam of the real history of Britain, France, and Haiti in the eighteenth century. Just with magic to make things even more interesting. And Parry blended everything together ...more

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About H.G. Parry

H.G. Parry

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H.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 He ...more