Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Mr Norrell might be the villain of this story. He hoards magic books, not letting anyone else read them, which is villainy enough for us biliophiles, but his control issues don't stop there.

Jonathan Strange might be the villain, obsessed with The Raven King and willing to follow his obsession wherever it leads.

The man with the thistle-down hair is definitely a villain.

Or maybe they're just playing their parts in a larger plan.

I was very pleased with this book. The slow, steady climb, sometimes spiking for brief moments that feel all the more intense for interrupting the rhythm, was magical. Weaved into this are fairytales, folklore, Victorian England, magic, and books. If you enjoy the slow-burn and are ok with the length, this book pays off.