A Far Better Thing

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell meets A Tale of Two Cities in H. G. Parry’s A Far Better Thing, a heart-rending fantasy of faery revenge set during the French Revolution.Most Anticipated SSF Books 2025—The Nerd Daily, BookPageI feared this was the best of times; I hoped it could not get any worse.The faeries stole Sydney Carton as a child, and made him a mortal servant of the Faery Realm. Now, he has a rare opportunity for revenge against the fae and Charles Darnay, the changeling left in his stead.It will take magic and cunning—cold iron and Realm silver—to hide his intentions from humans and fae and bring his plans to fruition.

"A dazzling incarnation of A Tale of Two Cities; a spellbinding tale of vengeance, violence and enduring heartbreak."-Ariel Kaplan, author of The Pomegranate Gate

"A real heartburner of a novel-passionate, painful, with protagonists who were dragging all the weight of the past and could still strive towards something better for themselves and the ones they loved. The sort of book that one absolutely can't put down, that makes you cry in the best way."-Genevieve Cogman

"This book had me at 'fairy revenge set against the French Revolution' and it did not disappoint! An elegant blend of magic, history and fairy lore that taps deep into what it means to be human-and the love and loss that entails."-Kell Woods, author of Upon a Starlit Tide

"This book is perfect. Human changelings toil in revolutionary Paris and Dickens' London for the world's scariest fairy masters, just glad to be out of the Realm. A stage magician who excels at true magic uncovers a book with claws that our dissolute hero must fight with a sword. H. G. Parry is a brilliant writer who kept me on the edge of my seat, gulping down after page while still relishing all the flavors of her delicious prose."-Ellen Kushner, author of the Tremontaine series

"Parry dazzles in this masterful fantasy riff on A Tale of Two Cities. ... The result is a rip-roaring tale rooted in love, vengeance, and justice. Readers will be wowed."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"With intricate character work and a seamless blend of history, literature, and imagination, this novel crafts a tale as vivid and textured as the classic that inspired it."-Library Journal


Praise for The Magician's Daughter

"The Magician's Daughter is a delightful little fantasy that pulls at all the right heartstrings...For those who fondly remember the works of Frances Hodgson Burnett or Lewis Carroll, this novel will definitely be your (bread, butter and) jam."-Wall Street Journal

"A charming romp of an old-school coming of age fantasy about family and magic that will take your heart for a wild ride."-NPR