An Inheritance of Magic - by Benedict Jacka (Paperback)

About the Book

"Wealth, education, resources-some people seem to exist in a glittering world on a different plane from the rest of us. Almost as if by...magic. Stephen Oakwood knows there's a magical world hidden from view. Before his father disappeared, he taught Stephen how to create and use sigls to channel power. But unlocking the full potential of drucraft takes money, power, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum-wage job and a cat. When a chance meeting leads to Stephen's skill being recognized by a member of House Ashford, everything changes. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and powerful by hoarding their knowledge, and for a brief moment it seems as though all of that is about to be offered to Stephen. But this isn't that kind of story. House Ashford have no more interest in sharing their privileges with Stephen than they do with anyone else. What they are interested in is increasing their own power, and now Stephen's been thrust into a world he doesn't understand. To survive he'll have to take his talent and build it up into something greater-for only then can he beat them at their own game"--

Book Synopsis

The super-rich control everything--including magic--in this thrilling and brilliant, contemporary fantasy from the author of the Alex Verus novels.

The wealthy seem to exist in a different, glittering world from the rest of us. Almost as if by . . . magic.

Stephen Oakwood is a young man on the edge of this hidden world. He has talent and potential, but turning that potential into magical power takes money, opportunity, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat.

But when a chance encounter with a member of House Ashford gets him noticed by the wrong people, Stephen is thrown in the deep end. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and influential by hoarding their knowledge. To survive, Stephen will have to take his talent and build it up into something greater--for only then can he beat them at their own game.

Review Quotes

Praise for An Inheritance of Magic

"One of the most satisfying contemporary fantasies I have read in a long time; cozy and human, with some good fight scenes to boot. . . . an enchanting journey into a world where sorcery may be for sale, but agency is beyond price."--Wall Street Journal

"Benedict Jacka gives us a flawed protagonist but ensures we are always on his side. Stephen Oakwood has many strikes against him: absent father and mother, financial woes, dead-end jobs. But he perseveres in the face of danger and death, and he loves his cat. It's more than enough. Benedict Jacka is one of my must-reads."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris

"A captivating, compelling story."--SFX Magazine

"Jacka has drawn a potent new world of magic controlled by a privileged few, and Stephen Oakwood is the sigl-wielding rebel we didn't know we needed."--New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill

"A world of magic usually known only to the rich and powerful is put to the test in the page-turning urban fantasy that launches an intriguing new series. . . . there's lots of promise to this eat-the-rich world. Readers will be eager to see where things go next."--Publishers Weekly

"This first entry in Jacka's (Risen) new urban fantasy series combines a coming-of-age and coming-into-power story with a fresh new take on magic. Stephen is a character at a crossroads, and watching him figure out which way to turn and how to amass enough power to make it happen will power the series. . . . Readers looking for a new take on urban fantasy, those who enjoy coming-of-age or training stories, and anyone who likes watching the rich fall will be delighted."--Library Journal

More praise for Benedict Jacka and his novels

"Benedict Jacka writes a deft thrill ride of an urban fantasy--a stay-up-all-night read."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs

"Books this good remind me why I got into the storytelling business in the first place."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher

"Fans of Jim Butcher and Ben Aaronovitch absolutely should not miss this deeply intelligent, morally complex, and action-packed series."--Publishers Weekly

"Benedict Jacka is a master storyteller."--Fantasy-Faction

About the Author

Benedict Jacka is the author of the Alex Verus novels, which began in 2012 with Fated and ended in 2021 with Risen. He studied philosophy at Cambridge, taught English in China, and worked at everything from civil servant to bouncer before becoming a full-time writer. For information about his books, settings, and releases, check his website at BenedictJacka.co.uk or his Twitter at @BenedictJacka.