To incorporate magic into history, without it becoming unbelievable or butchering historic facts, is no mere task. And yet HG Parry has succeeded in exactly that. Giving an astonishing history lesson of some of France’s most turbulent times, as well as England’s struggle to become the dominant power in Europe, A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians is a very thrilling tale in which several historical figures get a much more human face as she taps into their emotions, ambitions and lets them grow along the pages. It is a long read, and burns as slow as actual political moves do, so you got to be in for that. But if you like magic and history, The Shadow Histories are for you.