The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones

You’ll love living in this novel’s brilliantly imagined world. With a quick wit and a big heart, Lex Croucher has written a wondrous book not just about magic and mayhem but also about love and hurt and how we survive it all together * John Green, multimillion-copy bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars *
I was physically incapable of putting this book down. The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones has absolutely everything: the institutional rot and villainy of the System; the toxic romance of social mobility and the spires of dark academia; the brilliantly integrated magical system; second-chance yearning at soul-shattering decibels; the sheer bounty of delightful, irreverent dialogue; every perfect Lex Croucher turn of phrase. Funny, devastating, achingly romantic, a hands-down favorite of the year, and maybe ever. The book itself makes it impossible not to intuitively grasp the nature of a so-called Working - I feel dreamy and half in love just thinking about the chance to return to it, even though I know what sinister turns yet await * Olivie Blake, No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six *
The freshest contemporary fantasy I’ve read in years, with a deeply flawed queer found family and incisive commentary on systemic rot-plus sharp humour, power play, and an unexpectedly tender romance. Fans of The Magicians and Ninth House have found their new obsession * Laura Steven, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Our Infinite Fates and Silvercloak *
This book pulls off the trick of making magic school both wondrously seductive and gut-wrenchingly appalling, thanks to the compelling titular protagonist and, of course, Croucher’s incredible gifts for both storytelling and shoving your most tender emotions into a blender and cranking it up to ten. Wildly creative, very funny, and searingly angry, this is a story I will never forget. (Though I wish I could, so that I could have the pleasure of being ruined by it all over again) * Freya Marske, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Marvellous Light *
Only Lex Croucher could write a book that is so full of wit, yearning, sexual tension, rage, niche cultural references and a powerful dissemination of the elite and the institutions that protect them. Come for the found family and stay for the scathing indictment of privilege - particularly that which forms the backbone of academic institutions. This is dark academia as it should be written * Bea Fitzgerald, Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen *
Witty, sharp and addictive, The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones deftly balances an excoriating take down of the elite with deeply human and tender queer relationships. Croucher is a master of the craft * Kat Dunn, Nero Book Award-shortlisted author of Hungerstone *
What. A. Novel! I wanted to eat it with a spoon. Briar Jones is a wonder: scrappy, strong, vulnerable, and determined. I rooted for them every step of the way. Lex Croucher’s writing is evocative, witty, and affecting, and the world they create is vivid and absorbing. This is a magical boarding school story for our times, and I’m sure it will fly * Stephanie Butland, author of Lost for Words *
Incredibly smart and totally compelling. Croucher explores class, privilege and power through a ragtag rebellion, alongside a deeply yearning romance. I loved every minute * Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Reality Check *
Delicious … The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones is a masterclass in writing nuanced, morally grey, and occasionally unhinged characters. It sucks you into the debauched underworld of an impossibly elite school and doesn’t let go. You, too, will want to scour the library for texts that can unlock the secrets you’re searching for, trawl through forgotten attics for valuables, and get absolutely slaughtered at the local pub. A must-read for any dark academia fan, particularly for those fond of A Deadly Education, or Gideon the Ninth * The Fantasy Hive *

Lex Croucher is a New York Times, Indie & USA Today bestselling author of Gwen and Art Are Not in Love. With a background in social media for NGOs, Lex now writes queer historical rom-coms and fantasy for both adults and teenagers from their flat in London.

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