Praise for A Far Better Thing
“A dazzling incarnation of A Tale of Two Cities; a spellbinding tale of vengeance, violence and enduring heartbreak.”—Ariel Kaplan, author of The Pomegranate Gate
“A real heartburner of a novel—passionate, painful, with protagonists who were dragging all the weight of the past and could still strive towards something better for themselves and the ones they loved. The sort of book that one absolutely can't put down, that makes you cry in the best way.”—Genevieve Cogman
“This book had me at 'fairy revenge set against the French Revolution' and it did not disappoint! An elegant blend of magic, history and fairy lore that taps deep into what it means to be human—and the love and loss that entails.”—Kell Woods, author of Upon a Starlit Tide
“This book is perfect. Human changelings toil in revolutionary Paris and Dickens’ London for the world’s scariest fairy masters, just glad to be out of the Realm. A stage magician who excels at true magic uncovers a book with claws that our dissolute hero must fight with a sword. H. G. Parry is a brilliant writer who kept me on the edge of my seat, gulping down after page while still relishing all the flavors of her delicious prose.”—Ellen Kushner, author of the Tremontaine series
“Parry dazzles in this masterful fantasy riff on A Tale of Two Cities. ... The result is a rip-roaring tale rooted in love, vengeance, and justice. Readers will be wowed.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“With intricate character work and a seamless blend of history, literature, and imagination, this novel crafts a tale as vivid and textured as the classic that inspired it.”—Library Journal
Praise for The Magician's Daughter
“The Magician’s Daughter is a delightful little fantasy that pulls at all the right heartstrings…For those who fondly remember the works of Frances Hodgson Burnett or Lewis Carroll, this novel will definitely be your (bread, butter and) jam.”—Wall Street Journal
“A charming romp of an old-school coming of age fantasy about family and magic that will take your heart for a wild ride.”—NPR
“The Magician’s Daughter is that most rare and precious thing: a brand-new classic, both wholly original and wonderfully nostalgic. It’s an absolute treasure.”—Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January
“I love the way Parry blends mythic elements with wit and heart. A fast pace, period detail and an intriguing cast of real, flawed people make The Magician’s Daughter a book to be absolutely devoured.”—Lucy Holland, author of Sistersong
“Innovative fairy tale and deftly researched historical fiction in one . . . HG Parry crafts an evocative world rife with a struggle for equity, justice, and the occasional miracle that readers won’t be able to forget.”—Rowenna Miller, author of Torn
“There are the best kind of fairytale elements in The Magician’s Daughter—the ones that draw you in and make you believe that magic does exist. . . . I absolutely adored it!”—Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter
“A compelling journey into a world of fading myth and mystery, evoking the magic of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by way of The Dark is Rising.”—Cameron Johnston, author of The Maleficent Seven
“This is a fully realized world that feels like a homage to the classic fantasy tales of Diana Wynne Jones.”—Booklist
04/01/2025
In this fantasy reimagining of Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton is more than just an English law clerk in the late 1700s. He is also a mortal servant bound to ruthless fairies, having been switched at birth. His world is upended when he unexpectedly encounters his changeling, Charles Darnay, in court. Such meetings are unprecedented and dangerous, and soon after, a fairy entangles Sydney in a web of schemes. As the Fairy Court's influence spills into the turmoil of the French Revolution, Sydney is drawn into the conspiracy, all while quietly plotting his own revenge. Parry's (The Scholar and the Last Faery Door) storytelling exudes a Dickensian charm, weaving a touch of the fantastical into a beloved classic. Every scene is steeped in atmospheric elegance, capturing a tale of rebellion, suffering, and sacrifice. Sydney, a wretch burdened by envy and lost potential, is a deeply compelling protagonist. Shaped by his circumstances, his struggles and triumphs carry an emotional resonance that makes him profoundly human. VERDICT With intricate character work and a seamless blend of history, literature, and imagination, this novel crafts a tale as vivid and textured as the classic that inspired it.—Andrea Dyba
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