[beespeckled]

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. quick plot: England, the year 1806. England is at war w/Napoleon and it has been centuries since practical magic has been a part of society, but then scholars of magic history find out there is one practicing Magician left, the reclusive Mr. Norrell. Mr. Norrell is pressured to prove his powers, with wonders like making statues speak and sing, when a new young powerful magician appears, Jonathan Strange.
Jonathan becomes Mr. Norrell's pupil. Strange & Norrell are complete opposites in temperament. As Jonathan's powers and skills increase, so do his ambitions.

I have to mention I own this book, but haven't read it yet. I am looking forward to reading it, but I'm always getting book request from the library that take priority! Anyway, this book was hailed as the grown-up Harry Potter by some critics, IT may have even been Stephen King who said this.