The year is 1806, and there has been no magic in England for centuries. But while the war against Napoleon rages on the mainland, magic historians discover that there is still one practicing magician: Mr. Norrell, a loner who lives in seclusion at Hurtfew Abbey in Yorkshire. Before the government and high society have recovered from this surprise, a second magician appears: the young, charismatic Jonathan Strange. The two men, who could not be more different, join forces in the service of the Crown to intervene in the war. But Strange is drawn to the dark, mysterious magic of the Raven King, the greatest sorcerer of all time. To learn more about him, he even risks his friendship with his mentor. But Mr. Norrell also has a magical secret that could destroy him and everything he has built if it ever came to light ...