Mr Norrell travels to London from Yorkshire to offer the government his services as a magician. Sir Walter Pole though refuses to align himself with such a disrespectable art as magic. After Sir Walter's sickly fiancée passes away, Mr Norrell makes a dangerous pact with a mysterious Gentleman to restore her to life. Jonathan Strange discovers that he also has magical powers.

Mr Norrell's magical illusions manage to baffle the French Navy and secure him the loyalty of Sir Walter Pole. Some magic he has used to revive Lady Pole has released something unnatural into Sir Walter's home. Jonathan Strange's magical ability increases and he travels to London take up an apprenticeship with Mr Norrell.

Jonathan Strange travels to Spain. Mr Norrell is attempting to keep his secrets hidden in London.

Norrell's refusal to let Strange study ancient magic causes a split between them.

Strange returns home a hero after helping to win the Battle of Waterloo, and resolves to write a book on ancient magic - to Norrell's horror. Strange's hopes for the future are shattered by a tragedy in his life, and following a confrontation with Norrell, he flees the country, determined to learn the truth about the fairy world - even if doing so costs him his sanity.

Strange is determined to learn the secrets of fairy magic so he can restore Arabella. Believing madness is the key to accessing the fairy world, he seeks a way to drive himself insane. However, the Gentleman does not take kindly to the intrusion into his realm, and unleashes a terrible curse to stop him. Norrell's determination to maintain control of all magic in England costs him dearly when the government turns against him, and Vinculus offers Stephen a means to escape from the Gentleman's clutches.

England is plunged into chaos as ancient magical forces are unleashed. Norrell flees to the safety of his library, but is pursued by Strange who intends to free Arabella before the Gentleman's curse consumes him. Childermass tries to find a way to save Lady Pole, as Stephen is drawn deeper into the sinister world of the Fairy kingdom.