The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H.G. Parry

Author: H.G. Parry
Published: October 24th, 2024
Publisher: Orbit
Rating: 5/5

Sypnosis

In 1920s England, Clover, a commoner with no magic, fights her way into the country’s elite magical academy—not for power, but to find a cure for her brother, a survivor of a deadly faerie attack.

Drawn into the dazzling world of aristocratic mages, she befriends golden boy Alden Lennox-Fontaine and his circle, but their experiments unlock dangerous secrets. When their actions lead to the breaking of the faerie seals years later, Clover must reunite with the very people who betrayed her—before the world unravels completely.

Review

H.G. Parry has crafted a mesmerizing blend of historical fantasy and dark academia, weaving together an intricate tale of magic, ambition, and the haunting consequences of past mistakes. Set in a post-WWI England where magic is a privilege reserved for the elite, this novel masterfully explores class divides, academic obsession, and the dangers of tampering with forces beyond human understanding.

At the heart of the story is Clover Hill, an outsider who fights her way into Camford, a prestigious magical academy modeled after Oxbridge. She isn’t there for prestige or power—her sole focus is finding a cure for her brother, who was cursed in a faerie attack during the war. Despite being shunned by the academy’s upper class, Clover catches the attention of Alden Lennox-Fontaine, the golden boy of Camford, and his enigmatic circle of friends. As she is drawn deeper into their world, what begins as an exhilarating academic pursuit soon spirals into a dangerous obsession with forbidden magic—one that will have lasting consequences.

Parry’s decision to frame the novel as a reflective memoir adds a layer of suspense, gradually revealing the weight of past decisions and the regrets that linger long after friendships fracture. The writing is stunning, balancing the allure of academia with the eerie, unpredictable nature of the fae. The novel excels in its character dynamics, with Clover’s relationships—particularly with Alden—adding depth and emotional complexity. The interplay of ambition, loyalty, and betrayal keeps the reader engaged, while the fae themselves are presented in a refreshingly unsettling light—far from the romanticized versions often found in fantasy.

The pacing is deliberate, with the first half immersing readers in Camford’s cloistered, intoxicating world before the narrative takes a darker turn, escalating into high-stakes revelations and heart-wrenching decisions. The novel doesn’t just deliver an enthralling plot; it also offers sharp social commentary on privilege, power, and the cost of knowledge.

For fans of The Secret History, The Magician’s Daughter, or The Raven Cycle, this is an absolute must-read. Richly atmospheric, deeply immersive, and beautifully written, The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door cements Parry as one of the finest voices in historical fantasy today.

Also, did I mentioned this book is one of my favorite books of 2024? You can check out my favorite books of 2024 here.

As always, Thank you for stopping by and Happy Reading!