Laws of Magic series - author   novel   fantasy   young adult  
Issue Details: First known date: 2006... 2006 Laws of Magic
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Series of young-adult fantasy steampunk stories.

Notes

  • Steampunk note: The world of this series, though in many ways different to our own, is clearly inspired heavily by turn-oft-the-century Britain and Europe. The focus on magic in combination with advanced mechanical technology in an anachronistic setting places the series as a work of what we might call steampunk fantasy or magical steampunk.

Includes

1
y separately published work icon Blaze of Glory Michael Pryor , Milsons Point : Random House Australia , 2006 Z1286280 2006 single work novel fantasy young adult

'Aubrey Fitzwilliam is the son of a prominent ex-prime minister. He's also brilliant at magic, but he's stuck at military school. At least he has his best friend, George, there to back him up. George would follow Aubrey anywhere - and with Aubrey's talent for thinking up impulsive and daring schemes that will get them both in trouble, that's no easy thing to do.

At a weekend shooting party at Prince Albert's country estate, the boys find themselves in a hotbed of intrigue and politics. They discover a golem, a magical creature built to perform one task: to kill Prince Albert. Aubrey and George are hailed as heroes for foiling the attempt on the prince's life - but who sent the golem, and why? Aubrey is far too curious to let the authorities handle this one, and he and George start investigating.'

Source: Publisher's Blurb

2
y separately published work icon Heart of Gold Michael Pryor , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2007 Z1423425 2007 single work novel fantasy young adult

'At a loss after finishing their end-of-year exams, Aubrey and George travel to the Gallian capital, Lutetia, where it so happens that the lovely Caroline is studying natural history.

'Aubrey wants to pursue a cure for his condition - though his family have other ideas, and he's soon burdened with a royal mystery to solve, old letters to procure, a missing ornithologist to locate and a spot of diplomatic espionage. These tasks should keep Aubrey occupied - but that would be underestimating Aubrey's sense of curiosity and uncanny knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

'Someone is stealing people's souls and turning them into mindless monsters, and the country's magical lifeline, the Heart of Gold, has been stolen, leaving the city in chaos. Aubrey, George, and a somewhat reluctant Caroline are on the case...'

Source: Publisher's blurb

3
y separately published work icon Word of Honour Michael Pryor , North Sydney : Random House , 2008 Z1517531 2008 single work novel young adult fantasy

'Word of Honour begins with a top secret submersible attack boat - with magical enhancements, of course - before moving on to more thrills: a mid-ocean attack on a merchant ship (with the lovely Caroline Hepworth, as well as Aubrey's mother, on board), a world-famous magician with a secret political agenda, a star of the stage who bears a startling resemblance to Aubrey's arch-enemy Dr Tremaine, and the lost magical art of Urbomancy.'

Source: Publisher's Blurb.

4
y separately published work icon Time of Trial Michael Pryor , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2009 Z1635500 2009 single work novel fantasy young adult

'The mysterious Beccaria Cage could be the cure for Aubrey’s condition: a way to reunite his body and soul. But could its usefulness hide something more sinister?

After Aubrey narrowly escapes the worst fate he can imagine, he realises that there is only one thing to do: he must confront his nemesis. With George and Caroline at his side, he travels to Holmland – the home of Dr Tremaine and the heart of hostile territory – only to face magical conundrums, near-death experiences, ghosts, brigands and enemies on their own ground.

Fisherberg is a city on a knife edge. Can Aubrey solve its mysteries before Dr Tremaine’s warmongering machinations tip the world into chaos?'

Source: Publisher's Blurb

5
y separately published work icon Moment of Truth Michael Pryor , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2010 Z1741039 2010 single work novel fantasy young adult

'The unthinkable has happened: Albion is at war. Aubrey and George are swept up into the military – but not in the way they expect. With Caroline drafted into the Special Services, Aubrey is sure the combination of his magic, George’s practical skills and Caroline’s fighting secrets will make them a formidable team. But what if the military hierarchy has other ideas?

When Aubrey’s top secret espionage unit is sent to Gallia to investigate mysterious magical emanations, what they discover is intelligence gold. Holmland is about to unleash an unstoppable horror upon the world. It could win the war within weeks. Aubrey is in a dilemma: should he obey orders and simply observe, or should he and his friends do their best to stop a bloodbath?

Saving thousands of lives could cost Aubrey his own. But that’s never stopped him before.'

Source: Publisher's Blurb

6
y separately published work icon Hour of Need Michael Pryor , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2011 Z1805077 2011 single work novel young adult fantasy

'Aubrey Fitzwilliam, renegade and traitor. Instead of clearing his name in Albion, Aubrey has chosen to pursue his enemy, Dr Mordecai Tremaine, deep into the heart of enemy territory. What he uncovers about Dr Tremaine's plans promises to change the course of the war and the future of humanity itself. A hideous combination of electrical science and soul-shattering magic is bringing the world far closer to the edge of the abyss than anyone apart from Aubrey realises.

Aubrey must risk everything, or there'll be no world left to save.'

Source: Publisher's Blurb

6.5
y separately published work icon Brink of Disaster Michael Pryor , Australia : Michael Pryor , 2020 21480534 2020 single work novella fantasy young adult

'Ten years after the events in 'Hour of Need', the final book in the memorable Laws of Magic series (finalist in the inaugural Sara Douglass Book Series Award), Aubrey Fitzwilliam and his friends confront subterranean phenomena, wayward geologists and malign magic – along with the challenges and delights of the adult world. A fantasy/adventure/romance set in an alternative Edwardian world that is now enjoying the headiness and the pleasures of the 1920s. Huzzah!'

Source : publisher's blurb

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Michael Pryor Leonie Tyle , 2013 single work interview
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 28 no. 2 2013; (p. 4-6)

'Michael Pryor loves nothing more than to dress up in his steampunk fine coat, top hat and brass goggles. He is a true Edwardian steampunk man who has never lost the sense of amazement and awe in the way in which he views the world. His world, strictly speaking is contemporary Melbourne, where he lives with his wife Wendy and daughters, Celeste and Ruby. His imaginary world, however, moves through time and space with only a strict set of rules of Pryor's own making, as we'll see later in this article.' (Author's introduction 4)

[Review] Laws of Magic Lyn Linning , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 26 no. 2 2011; (p. 43-44)

— Review of Laws of Magic Michael Pryor , 2006 series - author novel
The (Not-So-New) Steampunk Revolution James Roy , 2010 single work criticism
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 25 no. 2 2010; (p. 12-14)

Discusses steampunk writing world-wide and traces its history through speculative fiction.

The Series Question Michael Pryor , 2008 single work column
— Appears in: Buzz Words , 15 November no. 46 2008; (p. 41-43)
[Review] Laws of Magic Lyn Linning , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 26 no. 2 2011; (p. 43-44)

— Review of Laws of Magic Michael Pryor , 2006 series - author novel
The Series Question Michael Pryor , 2008 single work column
— Appears in: Buzz Words , 15 November no. 46 2008; (p. 41-43)
The (Not-So-New) Steampunk Revolution James Roy , 2010 single work criticism
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 25 no. 2 2010; (p. 12-14)

Discusses steampunk writing world-wide and traces its history through speculative fiction.

Michael Pryor Leonie Tyle , 2013 single work interview
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , May vol. 28 no. 2 2013; (p. 4-6)

'Michael Pryor loves nothing more than to dress up in his steampunk fine coat, top hat and brass goggles. He is a true Edwardian steampunk man who has never lost the sense of amazement and awe in the way in which he views the world. His world, strictly speaking is contemporary Melbourne, where he lives with his wife Wendy and daughters, Celeste and Ruby. His imaginary world, however, moves through time and space with only a strict set of rules of Pryor's own making, as we'll see later in this article.' (Author's introduction 4)

Last amended 31 Jan 2017 15:58:04
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