An Unkindness of Magicians (Unseen World, The Book 1)

“A remarkable writer.” —Neil Gaiman, bestselling author of American Gods An Alex Award Winner There is a dark secret that is hiding at the heart of New York City and diminishing the city’s magicians’ power in this fantasy thriller by acclaimed author Kat Howard.In New York City, magic controls everything. But the power of magic is fading. No one knows what is happening, except for Sydney—a new, rare magician with incredible power that has been unmatched in decades, and she may be the only person who is able to stop the darkness that is weakening the magic. But Sydney doesn’t want to help the system, she wants to destroy it. Sydney comes from the House of Shadows, which controls the magic with the help of sacrifices from magicians.

Fran Wilde, award-winning author of Updraft and Horizon.

"This is an amazing book filled with magic, consequences, and what happens when you fight rather than turning away. This is Omelas, for magic. This is the price that must be paid. This is the story the others forgot to tell.”

Kirkus

"Strong characters and a captivating revenge plot make this a fun, absorbing read for those who like their magic, and their magicians, dark and twisty."

Publishers Weekly

"The characters and the Unseen World flourish in her gorgeous prose."

Booklist

"Howard’s vengeance-fueled urban fantasy is stylish, macabre, and spellbinding."

Shelf Awareness

“Imagine the dueling club in Harry Potter all grown up and out for blood.”

San Francisco Book Review

“Howard’s magical world is wonderfully vivid; the magic itself engages all the senses, making each spell feel tangible. The disturbing, thrilling, and lovely moments pulse with striking language, and the fast-paced story is polished with a bit of humor that helps keep the novel light and fun. This riveting book is perfect for readers who want to escape."

Locus Magazine

“A really good book. Its characters come vividly alive, its prose is precisely observed, and it’s both tense and incredibly compelling.”

Tor.com

“Fun and fast-paced read, and is impossible to look away from.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

An Unkindness of Magicians

About the Author

Kat Howard’s short fiction has been nominated for the World Fantasy Award, anthologized in best of and annual best of collections, and performed on NPR. You can find it in her collection, A Cathedral of Myth and Bone. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Roses and Rot and the Alex Award–winning An Unkindness of Magicians. She is also one of the writers of the Books of Magic series, set in the Sandman Universe. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and you can find her on twitter at @KatWithSword.

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