Unnatural Magic
By (Author) C. M. Waggoner
Penguin Adult
Pamela Dorman Books
5th November 2019
7th November 2019
United States
Paperback
384
Width 139mm, Height 209mm
An enchanting debut historical fantasy starring a young woman with an incredible natural talent for sorcery. A "brilliant and terrifically fun"* debut novel brings an enchanting new voice to fantasy. Onna can write the parameters of a spell faster than any of the young men in her village school. But despite her incredible abilities, she's denied a place at the nation's premier arcane academy. Undaunted, she sails to the bustling city-state of Hexos, hoping to find a place at a university where they don't think there's anything untoward about providing a woman with a magical education. But as soon as Onna arrives, she's drawn into the mysterious murder of four trolls. Tsira is a troll who never quite fit into her clan, despite being the leader's daughter. She decides to strike out on her own and look for work in a human city, but on her way she stumbles upon the body of a half-dead human soldier in the snow. As she slowly nurses him back to health, an unlikely bond forms between them, one that is tested when an unknown mage makes an attempt on Tsira's life. Soon, unbeknownst to each other, Onna and Tsira both begin devoting their considerable talents to finding out who is targeting trolls, before their homeland is torn apart... *Kat Howard, Alex Award-winning author of An Unkindness of Magicians
Praise for Unnatural Magic "The most unique, haunting, magical, treacherous, romantic, combative novel I've read in a long time. Action, betrayal, peoples at war, strange magic and stranger love--a whole new take on fantasy!"--#1 New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce "Unnatural Magic is peopled with unforgettable characters, whose changing relationships form the beating heart of this fast-paced, beautifully written story. Within the compelling tale lie some big themes--power, magic, gender and sexuality among them--and the author weaves them in skilfully, with just the right combination of compassion, insight and humour. This one goes straight onto my Keepers shelf."--Juliet Marillier, Author of The Harp of Kings "I didn't think you could fit so many things I loved into one book--tough-talking lady-trolls and cowardly captains, true love and found families, Holmesian hijinks and gender politics--but C.M. Waggoner made it look easy. Unnatural Magic is a raucous, indulgent delight."--Alix E. Harrow, Nebula and Hugo finalist and author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January "C.M. Waggoner's Unnatural Magic is a brilliant and terrifically fun book. I could have happily spent twice as long with Onna and Tsira in their compelling world and still wanted more. There's adventure and magic and murder, oh--and did I mention how much fun you'll have reading this"--Kat Howard, Alex Award-winning author of An Unkindness of Magicians
C.M. Waggoner is at work on her next novel.