An Instruction in Shadow

Inheritance of Magic Book 2: urban fantasy from the author of the million-copy-selling Alex Verus novels

By: Benedict Jacka

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Paperback | 9 September 2025 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
336 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
19.7 x 12.8 x 2.2

Paperback

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MAGIC. POWER. GREED. The ultra-rich control magic-the same way they control everything else-but Stephen Oakwood may just beat them at their own game in this exhilarating contemporary fantasy from the author of the million-copy-selling Alex Verus novels.

Stephen has emerged victorious against the schemes of his aristocratic family. Now he finally has the opportunity to do what he's been wanting to do for a long time: track down his father.

But doing so won't be easy. Stephen's not so isolated any more, but the contacts he's making in the magical world-everyone from the corporation he works for to the mother he's just beginning to reconnect with-all have agendas of their own. And now a new group is emerging from the shadows, calling themselves the Winged. Their leader, the mysterious Byron, promises that he can show Stephen how to find his father...but he wants something in return.

Following that trail will throw Stephen into greater danger than he's ever faced before. To survive, he'll need to use all of his tricks and sigls, and pick up some new ones. Only then will he be able to prevail against his enemies...and find out who's really pulling the strings.

In this series:

AN INHERITANCE OF MAGIC

AN INSTRUCTION IN SHADOW

A JUDGEMENT OF POWERS

About the Author

Benedict Jacka is the author of the Alex Verus series, which began in 2012 with Fated and ended in 2021 with Risen. He's studied philosophy at Cambridge, taught English in China, and worked at everything from civil servant to bouncer before becoming a full-time writer.

Industry Reviews

Harry Dresden would like Alex Verus tremendously - and be a little nervous around him. I just added Benedict Jacka to my must-read list

The new master of magical London

A deft, thrill-ride of an urban fantasy - a stay-up-all-night read

Jacka has drawn a potent new world of magic controlled by a privileged few, and Stephen Oakwood is the sigl-wielding rebel we didn't know we needed

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