This was such an engaging and magical book! The characters were all well-developed and felt very real to me. Rowan was my favorite character, and I found that he was very likeable but also very flawed. I enjoyed how he started out as this perfect father figure in Biddy's eyes, but then she began to see he was a real person who wasn't perfect, but he still tried his very best.

My one complaint with this book is that the ending felt like it dragged out for way too long. I kept thinking I was near the final act of the book, but there was still so much ground to cover.

Thank you NetGalley and Redhook Books for this copy in exchange for my honest review!

The world built in this story was so magical, for lack of a better word. I could close my eyes and picture everything that was happening through Biddy’s eyes. I loved the historical magic setting, and I think readers of all ages, not just YA will find this as enchanting as I did.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book. As per usual, here I am, a month too late in getting this read and my review completed prior to the book being published.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I preordered this the second that I read the synopsis because it sounded so charming and magical. Don't get me wrong here, it definitely was both of those things, and in the case of The Magician's Daughter, the problem lies with me personally as a reader and is no fault of the books. I think that historical fiction or even magical realism is just not the genre for me. Because the writing here was nice enough, and the story was interesting enough, but I just couldn't find myself invested fully into the story until it was too late.

I think that this book definitely suffered from some pacing issues where the first three quarters of the book seemed to drag on and on and then the last quarter just felt so rushed. It was just instant transportation, leaving meetings, accepting situations and it just felt so out of place and different from the prior three pages. Everything just wrapped up entirely too quickly and conveniently for my liking.

The characters were likable enough but I do ultimately think they are forgettable. Rowen had his reasons for his actions, but he was never grey enough, selfish enough, or took drastic enough measures to protect what he loved that I found myself rooting for him. Biddy on the other hand seemed to accept and fit into a world so easily and picked things up instantaneously for someone who spent sixteen years on a deserted island with one other human and a rabbit for company.

Overall, I definitely think this book will appeal to plenty of readers and would definitely recommend it if you are looking for something with an urban setting and a cozy story about saving the world before magic disappears entirely. If you like found family tropes or fantasy books that don't rely too heavily on romance, this may work for you as well.

An enthralling, enchanting story set in a world of fairy tales and folklore, in which sixteen-year-old Biddy leaves her sheltered childhood behind to help save magic and learn the truth that has been hidden from her all her life.

Review

“Magic isn’t there to be hoarded like dragon’s treasure. Magic is kind. It comes into the world to help. Our job is to make sure it gets to where it needs to go.”

In H. G. Parry’s novel The Magician’s Daughter, sixteen-year-old Biddy lives on the wild, remote, hidden island of Hy-Brasil, cloaked from the world by powerful magic. Her home is an island of fairy stories and folktales, shadowy forests and mysterious castle ruins, black rabbits, and a golden-eyed, shape-shifting animal spirit known as a Púca. Since she washed up on the island in a lifeboat as a baby, Biddy has been brought up by the mage Rowan and his familiar, a rabbit-sometimes-turned-human named Hutchincroft, the only people she has ever known. Through them, she learns that magic is everywhere; in every star, every leaf, and every grain of sand.

Rowan, a powerful magician, regularly transforms himself into a raven to make trips to the mainland for supplies. But Biddy never leaves Hy-Brasil, and her entire worldview stems from books she grows up reading and lessons in spells taught to her by Rowan, even though she understands that she is not a mage herself. Nonetheless, with her origins shrouded in mystery, Biddy dreams she is destined for a great purpose. No longer a child, she finds herself caught between worlds: between her idyllic past childhood and the adulthood for which she yearns and has read about in books; and between the isolated, magic-infused world of Hy-Brasil and the world she longs to see that lies beyond.

However, Rowan’s trips as a raven ominously begin to result in him coming back wounded and one night he does not return at all. Biddy’s use of a spell to find him sparks a series of devastating revelations about the outside world, the perilous place of magic in it, and the true mystery about herself. At last, Biddy will get to leave Hy-Brasil, but only to embark upon a dangerous journey to discover the truth and save magic…

The early chapters of this novel superbly evoke the beauty, wonder, and fairy-tale aura of Hy-Brasil, the joys and adventures of Biddy’s childhood and adolescence, and her deepening relationships with her adopted father and his familiar. The sense of place on the island is powerfully rendered, lending the vivid descriptions an air of enchantment and mystery, while invoking a history that reaches far back into the mists of time. But, like all fairy tales, the initial idyll cannot last, and darkness must ultimately be faced and fought.

The tone of the book effectively changes with Biddy’s impressions of a human world new and unknown to her, dealing perceptively with the sudden shock of crowds of people, trains, chimneys, noise, smells and smoke. The memories of Hy-Brasil and Biddy’s knowledge gleaned only through books provide a stark contrast to the later chapters’ gritty, haunting rendition of the outside world, particularly 1912 London, ravaged by poverty and illness. At the orphanage where she goes to work undercover, Biddy is forced to awaken to a grim reality that would have been hers but for a twist of fate. Through her journey of discovery, it becomes clear that the magical world outside of Hy-Brasil mirrors the darkness and cruelty of the ordinary mortal world in many ways, and Biddy’s choices in the face of what she learns make her a sympathetic and compelling protagonist.

Given that the entirety of the novel is told from Biddy’s teenage POV, it is understandable that there is less insight into some of the other characters, though it does feel that at times it would serve the story well to understand some of their motivations better. One of the more sinister, complex, and resonant of the villains is built up powerfully throughout the narrative, only to make a rather abrupt volte face towards the end, and the dénouement is somewhat too easily resolved as a result. The ending, too, feels a little unfinished, as though there is more of the story left to tell, but, nevertheless, The Magician’s Daughter is a captivating, erudite, beautifully written fantasy about growing up, being unselfish, showing courage, and doing the right thing.

This was such a unique read. I was hooked from the first page and it was so cozy and heartwarming. The relationship dynamics were so enjoyable. Biddy grew up on a magical island, isolated from the world with her guardian Rowan and his familiar, Hutchincoft. Biddy is raised incredibly sheltered, having never set foot off the island, and having never even come in contact with another person aside from Rowan.

The story begins with Biddy becoming increasingly curious about the world outside of the island. However Rowan refuses to allow her to leave for reasons he can't explain. Rowan regularly leaves the island (unbeknownst to Biddy that he leaves in order to "manage" the magic of sorts, to ensure it is evenly distributed. As magic has been slowly disappearing from the world). However on one of his trips, he does not return to the island before dawn. Thus forcing Biddy to go find him. And when she does, she discovers that her guardian has been keeping many secrets from her.

Though Biddy grew up sheltered, she's an incredibly observant and empathetic person. Her journey to discover the truth is so thought provoking and the writing is so beautifully done.

This was a cute and refreshing book, it just took me a long time to get through, not because it was bad, but because I was struggling with YA fantasy in general by the time I got halfway through reading it. I work at BN, where it’s currently the speculative pick of the month, and I definitely will recommend it.

The Magician's Daughter was a sweet and cozy historical fantasy, with elements of mystery that I greatly appreciated and heart-warming character relationships. The perfect break from darker fantasy books.

Thanks to Netgalley and Redhook Books for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Honestly, this was such a charming book, and closer to 3.5 stars. I did really enjoy it for what it was— the kind of book I would have found in a library and zoomed through in a day, just because it was a sweet fantasy. It felt like a solid classic children's fantasy novel. Nothing deeply memorable, but enjoyable and a good way to spend time all the same!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to read and review this novel before the publishing date, and I will not be providing feedback on this title at this time.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Magician's Daughter is a real breath of fresh air in a genre that can sometimes be repetitive in theme. Although the start of this novel is slow and there is a lot of info and building involved it really developed into a gorgeous story of magic and the lengths that someone would go through to both save it and the ppl they love. I loved Biddy, I think that she was really well written as a young character, not to mature and not too childish but just in the right spot in the middle. Rowan was such a broody man and even though he was in a constant state of fighting his own demons his love for Biddy and magic was evident from the start. The real character to steal the show for me was Hutch, what a treasure of a character. The secondary cast was also really well written, and I enjoyed their roles in the story. I loved the magic system in this book each new magical element was introduced and fit seamlessly into the story. The ending for me felt a tad bit rushed, but for me it didn't take anything from my enjoyment of the story. Overall, this is a book that will be with me for a long time!

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- this was a nice read. i quite enjoyed the setting of Ireland and the UK, and reading about biddy and her perilous adventures in order to save her mentor figure, Rowan. the writing style fit the narrative nicely, with the story flowing alongside it.

- for people who enjoy historical fiction and adventurous stories, you will enjoy this read.

This book was the cozy fantasy I've been searching for lately. I loved all the characters and the magic and they will stay with me for a long time. If you are an Alix Harrow fan I think you would also love this book.

This book is like if Howls Moving Castle and A Little Princess had a baby so you can kind of get an idea on what type of feeling this story throws off. It’s about a young girl who has been living on a mythical island off the coast of Ireland all her life. Her only friends are a mage named Rowan and his familiar, a rabbit who can transform in a human. For all her life, this is all she has known until one day Rowan tells her that the magic in the world has pretty much died out and he needs her help to confront The Council who hoards magic for themselves them greedy bastards. She has a special bit of magic in her heart and Rowan needs it to lure out The Council and get some answers. So she journeys off the island for the first time and heads to London.

It’s a fish out of water story but I found it to be a great palette cleanser and refreshing and very magical, whimsical. I did enjoy the first half more than I did the second which makes sense as I’m not the biggest fan of magical realism but overall, I am very happy to have experienced this story. It’s slower paced but written very well. I’ve always wanted to read from this author as I’ve only heard great things and now I know more of what to expect from her other books. I gave this 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a great book to cozy up to.

Last night as I was finishing this book I was actually sad to see it end. This book could easily have a sequel but it really doesn’t need one, and I don’t need an excuse to buy more books. I am clearly a fan of magic as most books I read that aren’t thrillers have some sort of magical element to it, some more subtle than others. I complain a lot when a fantasy story is a series because it seems like that is the formula for a fantasy, that it has to be more than one book. On the other hand when I love the world that I have been emersed in I don’t want it to end.


The Magician’s Daughter is the story of a girl who grows up on enchanted island with a mage and his familiar. Despite her upbringing, Biddy does not have magic of her own. Like many young girls her age who have been sheltered into their teens, she dreams of leaving the island and seeing the world. She wishes to fulfill a desire to do something more and special with her life. She wishes for magic. But magic is becoming scarce and the gaps in which it leaks into the world have closed.


Rowan can use magic, and he often uses it to turn into a raven that can fly across to the mainland and night. You would think with his Robinhood complex that he would be the hero of our story. He steals magic from the council to share it with people who need help or a miracle. One night on such an adventure he becomes trapped and doesn’t return to the island. It is then that Biddy’s story, her adventure begins.


I loved the way this magical world was set up . It feels like a little bit Philip Pullman’s Golden Compass and a little bit Charlie Holmberg’s The Paper Magician. I believe if you have enjoyed either of those books this book will be up your ally. There is the classic light forces and dark forces. The creeping dictator with his malignant misguided pet. There is so much little wonderful quirks and details that bring this story to vivid life even when the main protagonist doesn’t seem to see it and the world seems grey.


My absolute favorite character has to be Hutchencroft! Who wouldn’t want a big soft bunny to be a care taker, who when the feeling strikes can become human and cook bacon?!? And Hutch loves bacon 😉 He is spunky and funny and I love everything about his character!


This book is fantastic. I loved it from beginning to end and I hope to visit this world and Hutch again someday. Okay, and Rowan and Biddy too. I absolutely give this 4.5 out of 5 stars. I am not going to spoil the ending, but let me say the half point lost was due to the ending not fitting my ideal ending for this story. But maybe that will make way for a future in this magical world.

Thank you to Net Galley for giving me a chance to read The Magician's Daughter!

This book is a solid 5 out of 5 Stars! This book is a magical adventure on par with Howls Moving castle, and Ghibli films. This book is reminiscent of the steampunk novel a clockwork princess from Cassandra Clare. This book follows Biddy a young 16 year old girl, who has been raised by a Mage in a world where magic is disappearing. She decides to go on an adventure to help save magic. Her father Rowan gives off a howl vibe, and i could see David Tennant play him in a movie. The book is filled with lots of magic, and its a good coming of age novel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loved howls moving castle and loves the early 1900s. This book is a solid 5 out 5

The Magicians Daughter is a magical historic fantasy; it does have high stakes but it also has a cozy feel to it.
The start is a little slow and was hard for me to get invested in. However, around 30-35% I became hooked. It becomes medium paced and you'll fall in love with all of the characters.

The Magician’s Daughter by H.G. Parry is a beautifully written story of magic, found family, and bravery.

The story centers around Biddy, an almost seventeen year old who shipwrecked onto a mystical island as a baby and is raised by a magician and his familiar. While the island is a wondrous place, with rabbits, dark woods and an ancient history, magic has been fading from the world, and Biddy’s guardian Rowan is in increasing danger as he searches for ways to save it.

When Biddy joins Rowen’s battle against those who want to keep magic for themselves, she discovers that her life, and the world at large, is nothing like she had believed.

With beautiful writing that captures the beauty of nature and folklore, this historical fantasy had everything I was looking for in a cozy weekend read. The characters have sarcastic and loving banter that feels genuine, especially between Rowen and his rabbit familiar Hutchencroft. Biddy’s struggle to find her place in a world she’s never experienced is universally relatable, magical being or not 😄 The escalating battle to save magic (and Rowen) is well written and suspenseful, and who doesn’t love a library that’s hidden in a tree?

Thank you to @netgalley, @orbitbooks_us and Redhook for the advanced copy, I definitely recommend this heartwarming fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook for an e-galley of The Magician's Daughter.

I don't even know where to begin. From immediately loving the characters and their story arcs throughout the book, to the wonderful magic system, to the found family is still a valid family, this book captured my heart.

We have Biddy, Hutch and Rowan living on a secluded island protected by magic. Others can only find the island once every seven years. Biddy has grown up knowing of magic and that Rowan visits the mainland nightly to find magic to bring back. For the world is slowly losing all it's magic and Rowan is bound and determined that that not happen. But one night Rowan doesn't come home. So Biddy must leave the island for the first time ever to find out what happened.

A sweeping story of self-exploration, loving your family even when you don't, and growth, The Magician's Daughter is a delightful read.

I wasn't sure about this one at the beginning, but I ended up enjoying it.

Biddy has grown up on the island of Hy-Brasil. She lives there with her found family Rowan and his familiar Hutchincroft. Rowan is a mage with little magic. That's because almost all the magic has gone out of the world. But together, maybe they can bring it back.

I loved the found family element and the setting. The characters too. I loved the mage/familiar relationship as well. Loving, but also funny at times.

A charming and sweet fantasy with good world building and cozy vibes.

This is a far less ambitious undertaking than Parry’s previous work, and I would argue needs to be read very differently.

I loved the Shadow Histories duology, which is far more erudite writing and blends real history with a magical thread, and does so enormously successfully. This is a much simpler and more straightforward fantasy, and while it’s enjoyable enough and atmospheric, it’s also not especially unique and lacks the sweeping, historical polish that Parry does so well.

This is a good read if you’re looking for sweet, low stakes fantasy that feels cozy and fun and promises a happily ever after, but it’s very different from Parry’s previous work. Something to keep in mind if you’re picky about the type of Fantasy novels you read.