An Unkindness of Magicians: Volume 1

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A fast-paced and thrilling magical adventure, full of duels, betrayals, and dark secrets, An Unkindness of Magicians is deeply absorbing and compelling. Magic is fading and losing its power, despite the immense sacrifices being made on its behalf. Can balance be restored, or will magic be lost forever?  Recommended By Mary Jo S., Powells.com

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.

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

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

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

"An Unkindness of Magicians will please fantasy fans, but mainstream readers looking for mystery, mayhem and a strong female protagonist will fall in love with it as well." Jaclyn Fulwood, Shelf Awareness

"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." Kirkus Reviews

"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.

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. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Roses and Rot. She lives in New Hampshire, and you can find her on Twitter at @KatWithSword.

I could tell you that I saw a flock of birds, and you would probably have some idea of what I meant. You could imagine the feathers and wings, perhaps even hear their song as they flew past. But the picture would differ to some extent for everyone reading this — how could you know if I had seen robins, or seagulls, or geese?...

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