In this alternate history, Parry imagines the late 18th Century as a tumultuous time for British and French, and their Caribbean colonies...but with the added twist of magic. So yes, the French Revolution is led by Robespierre to unseat (and un-head) the aristocracy, but this time Robespierre is a secret necromancer and Marie Antoinette is a fire mage. William Pitt still becomes a very young Prime Minister in Great Britain, but he's got a magical secret of his own. British abolitionist William Wilberforce is still fighting against slavery, but he's also against the unfair restrictions placed on commoners with magical powers (aristocrats, naturally, are allowed to do as they please, magically speaking).
It's an interesting take on an interesting period in history, and while it's well done, one wonders if the addition of magic is really necessary to "jazz up" this tale. Surely the actual intrigue and conflicts would be enough here. That said, it's a good philosophical fantasy tale, similar to Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (but without all the obnoxious footnotes).
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