'Rachel Morris is one of the smartest storytellers I have ever met' James Rebanks, author of The Shepherd's Life 'Absolutely enthralling, a real treasure trove of a book - the marrying of history and speculative fiction made for an immensely evocative and fascinating read. The period leaps off the page, bringing the historical figures to life, and painting a detailed picture of not only the physical surroundings of the Elizabethans, but also their spiritual and metaphysical worlds' Naomi Kelsey, author of The Burnings 'A creative, fun history that powerfully evokes the romance of Renaissance magic Marion Gibson, author of Witchcraft: A History in Thirteen Trials 'An exquisitely-crafted, evocative and at times whimsical history that immerses the reader in the mysterious world of Tudor magicians. This is the sort of book that stays with you for a long time' Tracy Borman, author of Elizabeth's Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen 'This is a sparkling mixture of fact and fiction that probably provides the best current introduction for a newcomer to the world of Rennaissance learned magicians. It also consistently recognises the enduring potency of books as vehicles for magic in themselves' Ronald Hutton, author of Queens of the Wild: Pagan Goddesses in Christian Europe A vivid, evocative and stylishly written book that weaves together Morriss own historical research into the extraordinary world of the Renaissance magus with fictional narratives that give life and voice to the people around such men... Its an unusual project, but its illuminated everywhere by Morriss evident intellectual and imaginative excitement at the world she is discovering, as well as her engagement with the ideas of the age and their implications for the understanding of human experience Mathew Lyons, The Broken Compass
