The Magician’s Daughter

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Thank you to Netgalley and Redhook for providing an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what this book really was going to feel like when I originally requested it from Netgalley. I really enjoyed HG Parry's first novel, The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep, but wasn't really a fan of her next book, A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians. It was a toss up if I'd enjoy The Magician's Daughter, and some early reviews from other bloggers had me a little worried. But, all the worry was for naught, as I really did enjoy this one.

So to start, I don't really think this book has any business being labeled an adult novel. The main character is sixteen, just about to turn seventeen, and for most of the novel, she acts much younger. However, this makes sense within the confines of the story — Biddy was raised on a remote island in the middle of nowhere with only an eccentric magician and his familiar as her adult role models. How would she know how to act in society if she's literally never been around more than one person at a time? In my opinion, The Magician's Daughter reads much more like a YA novel. In fact, reminds me of one of my favorites, Howl's Moving Castle. Basically, The Magician's Daughter is if Howl Pendragon adopted a young girl and had to raise her by himself with a little help from Calcifer. The comparison isn't perfect — Hutchincroft is much more anxious than Calcifer, but overall, the books are similar in really lovely ways.

The setting of the book bounces around a lot, so you see a great deal of London in the 1910's. At one point, Biddy is placed into a poorhouse as a teacher for orphaned girls. Parry does an excellent job of showing how bleak these places were, and you're left feeling like you need to do something. (Biddy felt this way too, of course!) I know these places were true to life, and my heart just shattered when she was taking care of the tiny babies. When it comes to the actual villains of the story, they are appropriately horrifying and terrifying in equal measures. I won't give away any details, but there's a moment in the book where you are scared that everyone has failed and that the bad guys win. Of course, this isn't the case, but oh for that few chapters you are so, so worried.

I really enjoyed The Magician's Daughter, but had just a few tiny things that bothered me. Overall, I'd grant this one four and a half stars! Please do pick it up, and enjoy the story of Biddy and her family trying to bring magic back into the world!