"At the beginning of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians rose to prominence and changed the history of England. In 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people thought magic had long since died out in England, until the reclusive Mr. Norrell revealed his power and became famous overnight. Soon, another practicing magician appeared, the handsome and fearless young Jonathan Strange. He became Mr. Norrell's apprentice and supported him in the war against France. However, Strange gradually became involved in the most dangerous and wildest forms of magic, which destabilized his relationship with Norrell and put everything he held dear in grave danger."