Now at the start of the nineteenth century, the Raven King is only a myth and England, with its mad King and its dashing poet, no longer believes in magicians. Then Mr Norrell makes his remarkable talents known and is called upon to help the government in their war against Napoleon, While in London, Norrell meets a brilliant young magician called Jonathan Strange and takes him on as a pupil. Together, the two dazzle the country with their feats - but the partnership soon turns to rivalry. For Strange, against Norrell's wishes, begins to go deeper and deeper into the heart of English magic. His curiosity will take both magicians to the shadowy figure of the Raven King...