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The Geomagician

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Brought to you by Penguin.

When a Victorian fossil hunter discovers a baby pterodactyl, she vows to protect him with the help of a fellow scholar – her former fiancé – in this enchanting and transporting historical fantasy. Perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries and A Natural History of Dragons

Mary Anning wants to be a geomagician – a paleontologist who uses fossils to wield magic – but since the Geomagical Society of London refuses to admit women, she’s stuck selling her discoveries to tourists instead. Then an ancient egg hatches in her hands, revealing a loveable baby pterodactyl Mary names Ajax, and she knows that this is the kind of scientific find that could make her career – if she’s strategic.

But when Mary contacts the Society about her discovery, they demand to take possession of Ajax. Their emissary is none other than Henry Stanton, a distinguished (and infuriatingly handsome) scholar... and the man who once broke Mary’s heart. She knows she can't trust her fellow scholars, who want to discredit her and claim Ajax for their own, but Henry insists he believes in the brilliant Mary, and only wants to help her obtain the respect she deserves.

Now Mary has a new mystery to solve that's buried deeper than any dinosaur skeleton: She must uncover the secrets behind the Society and the truth about Henry. As her conscience begins to chafe against her ambition, Mary must decide what lengths she’s willing to go to finally belong – and what her heart really wants.

© Jennifer Mandula 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critics Review

The Geomagician is a delightful book, scholarly and clever but still full of heart. Jennifer Mandula has created a world so vivid and fully realized that it almost breathes, with a complex interweaving of politics, science, religion, and class. Full of wonder and magic, the story will hold onto your imagination even after you've turned the last page. Five baby pterodactyls out of five.
Heather Fawcett, New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series
Mary Anning, magic, politics, and a pterodactyl - with this intriguing mix, this delightful and clever book provides definitive proof that Victorian England needed more dinosaurs!
Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of THE SPELLSHOP
Jennifer Mandula's The Geomagician is a magical story with my favorite sort of heroine - intelligent and strong but with a tender heart. Come for the enchanting writing. Stay for the baby pterodactyl!
Meg Shaffer, USA Today Bestselling Author of The Wishing Game
The Geomagician is an absolute joy of a historical fantasy that feels truly fresh and new. The worldbuilding is so clever, vivid, and fully realized, but it’s the characters that really make this book shine - real, flawed, lovable people with complex relationships that you can root for. There’s magic, romance, political machinations, dinosaurs…what more do you need? I loved this book - Jennifer Mandula is an author to watch.
Martha Waters, author of To Have and to Hoax
A richly imagined world of fossil hunters, magic and scholars, this tale is a delightful twist on Mary Anning and her discoveries on the Jurassic coast. Deftly plotted with a truly unique feel, Mandula has created a triumphant blend of palaeontology and magic with a vibrant cast of characters you will love.
Rachel Greenlaw, author of The Ordeals

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