H.G. Parry Books In Order

Publication Order of The Shadow Histories Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

H.G. Parry is the renowned author of Magician’s Daughter and The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep. Her short fiction stories have been featured on Daily Science Fiction, Intergalactic Medicine Show, and Small Press Anthologies. She holds a Ph.D. from Victoria University in Wellington.

The Magician’s Daughter is set in the 20th century and is the story of a young woman living on an isolated island raised by a magician. She discovers that things aren’t always as they seem, and she must venture into 20th-century England to return magic to the world. This is a charming, whimsical, gentle, and delightful novel about growing up, finding independence, and gathering the courage to do whatever task needs to be done, even in the face of helplessness.

The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is H.G Parry’s debut novel. Rob and Charley, the two brothers at the story’s core, are unique and similar in ways only brothers can be. They argue, quarrel, and care for one another. Rob, the oldest, has endured Charley’s pranks throughout his life, and as he attempts to find happiness with his girlfriend, Lydia, it’s beginning to irritate him.

Moving along at a blistering pace, the two brothers explore their history, family secrets, and long-held grudges seething under their relationship’s skin. The story features various intriguing secondary characters that you will very certainly recognize.
Rob is naturally resentful, envious, and irritated by his brother Charley. In addition to being years ahead of everyone else his age in terms of intelligence, Charley has an extraordinary ability to bring characters from a book to life. When Charley decided to reintroduce Uriah Heep to his book, he warned readers that “a new world was coming, and they wouldn’t like it.” However, when additional fictional characters that Charley hasn’t brought to life start to materialize, the brothers realize that there is someone out there just like Charley—someone who actively and for evil purposes brings characters to life rather than by chance. Rob, who is reluctant to help, and Charley know they must stop this particular individual. Still, it requires everyone – fictional and real- to thwart their scheme before it fully materializes.
There’s no chance you won’t like this book if you love reading, mostly due to the array of characters. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Matilda, Dorian Grey, The White Witch, Lancelot, and Heathcliff are just a few of the literary characters that Parry brings to life. However, the narrative shines out because it is told from Rob’s point of view. Rob has always hated his brother’s gift since it interferes with his life, not simply out of jealousy. He would do anything to keep Charley safe, even get out of bed at five in the morning to assist him in finding his most recent literary escapee.

However, it is through his eyes that the secret is revealed, and we share his concern that Charley could choose his fictional characters over his family’s actual, breathing members. Rob’s viewpoint on Charley’s abilities and the other summoner’s identity is unique since he wants to blend in with his brother’s world but never completely feels at home there. Rob didn’t realize that Charley felt the same way. We get a few scenes from other points of view, including Lydia, Rob’s fiancée, who he has been lying to about Charley’s secret, and Millie Radcliffe-Dix, a fictional kid who was once brought to life. These give the narrative more depth and charm while allowing us to see it from various angles.

Charley doesn’t get a chapter from his point of view. Still, Parry uses him to get at the heart of being a reader, our need to interact with our favorite literary characters, and our recurring urge to disappear into their worlds to escape our own. Returning to a favorite book can only give you the sensation of going home, where nothing can surprise or hurt you, and everything will turn out as it should.

He is the ideal reader, and even if they occasionally face peril, you can’t help but be drawn in by his enthusiasm as the narrative develops. The similarities between Rob and Charlie are well-drawn. Rob is the adult version of us when we stop believing in things like magic. Throughout the story, he gradually realizes that you can remain a grown-up, retain faith in magic, and be awed by the unknown. On the other hand, Charley is the eternal child, wide-eyed and in awe of everything he sees; during the novel, we see Rob finally realize that. It is absolutely lovely to be able to accompany him on that life journey.

The magic system in this book is one of many favorite things you’ll love. The magicians could change their behavior, appearance, and skills in addition to being able to read characters from their books. While Charley can bring characters to life as he wishes, it has been suggested that occasionally, other people may become so emotionally invested in a book or character that they can do the same, allowing their interpretation of the character to emerge.

According to Parry, everyone has a distinct perspective on characters, whether that perspective is colored by a movie adaptation or by the reader’s experiences or feelings while reading. You will enjoy and love all the little scenes in which she delved into this and demonstrated it through the various fictional characters that complete her book, from Dorian Grey, who was an IT genius, to the five different Darcys who were all influenced by different versions of the book/film.

The dynamics between siblings and the relationship between the two brothers is another intriguing. It turns out that the evil powers have always wanted Rob to support his powerful brother since they can see that, like many older brothers, he unintentionally undermines Charley’s sense of self. Rob puts Charley in a precarious position from their wicked objective standpoint.

In summary, H.G Parry wrote this novel as a love letter to all literary analysts, readers, and critics as we analyze a book. The way we understand characters in our minds. And for this reason, it is well justified why there isn’t a single book for every reader. Our personal life preferences and experiences play a big role in interpreting and analyzing any work of literature.