The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door

The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H. G. Parry takes readers on a captivating journey into a world where magic still lingers beneath the shadows of post-war England. Set in 1920 Camford, the story centres around Clover, a determined young woman from humble beginnings who has fought her way into England’s secret magical academy. Unlike her elite peers, Clover lacks magical blood and noble connections, but that doesn't deter her from her primary mission: finding a cure for her brother Matthew.

Matthew is one of the few survivors of a devastating faerie attack on the battlefields of World War I, an event that left the doors to faerie country sealed, the study of faerie magic banned, and its victims cursed. Clover's entry into the academy represents a sliver of hope that she might uncover the knowledge needed to save her brother.

As Clover navigates the gilded halls of the academy, she catches the eye of Alden Lennox-Fontaine, a charismatic golden boy, and is drawn into his circle of privileged friends. The summer she spends in Alden's orbit is filled with joyous friendship and mutual study, as Clover becomes seduced by the intoxicating world of magical aristocrats. However, their experiments lead to unforeseen consequences, unearthing old secrets and creating new uncertainties.

Years later, the seals to the faerie world break open, unleashing chaos. Clover knows that their past actions are to blame, and she must reconnect with those she once called friends to seek their help. Together, they face the monumental task of saving their world from the impending dangers wrought by their meddling with faerie magic.

"Easily my favourite read of this year . . . an unputdownable, bittersweet tale" — Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic

"By turns wondrous, haunting and mysterious . . . historical fantasy at its finest" — Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul

The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door expertly blends elements of historical fiction and fantasy, creating a richly imagined world where the echoes of war interweave with the ethereal mysteries of faerie magic. H. G. Parry's masterful storytelling invites readers to ponder themes of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of one’s actions, all within a tale that is as enchanting as it is thought-provoking.