Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

This book was recommended to me by my mom. I didn't expect much from it, or if I would even finish it because previously the biggest book I had read was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. At one thousand pages, Clarke wrote one intimidating masterpiece. Masterpiece, indeed. After about one hundred pages into the novel, I couldn't put it down. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell are the most fun and interesting characters that I have ever known. The world that they live in, an alternate nineteenth century full of magic and magicians, is realistic as it is fantastic and surprising. Friendship, apprenticeship, love, "The Raven King", and more are all weaved beautifully into a wonderful story. I was never bored in the book despite its length, and even the minor characters were charming. Clarke has admitted that the characters were mainly of the upper class and in her sequel she wants to focus on the lower class, and I can not wait until it is complete. I believe this novel should be among the great science fiction epic series such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. There are also plans to make a movie, which I look forward to as well. In any case, this book is guaranteed to be memorable and enjoyable for readers of any kind.