Clever, lush, and riveting, with the same wry humor and vivid characters that delighted fans of its prequel, The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic, Emily Croy Barker’s new novel opens a portal into a brilliantly realized world of enchantment, love, and danger. For readers of Philip Pullman, Deborah Harkness, Catherynne Valente, and Susanna Clarke.

Nora knows she needs to move on, and forget about magic. She’s back in graduate school, and her life is going surprisingly well. She doesn’t need to think about other worlds, about enchantments and demons, or about magicians-even though she once aspired to become one herself. Most of all, she really should forget the magician Aruendiel, who shared the secrets of magic with her but fiercely guarded the deepest secrets of his heart.

Then a chance encounter gives Nora the opportunity to slip between worlds again-and the next phase of her magical education begins.

I’m not sure what I love more about How to Talk to a Goddess and Other Lessons in Real Magic-its immersive world of enchantments, so lavishly imagined, or its characters, who are wise and funny and flawed, who win me over with their compelling voices, their wit and heart. A splendid follow-up to The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic-a sparkling, smart, irresistible read. -Sally Rosen Kindred, author of Book of Asters and Where the Wolf

In Emily Croy Barker’s new novel, magic happens exquisitely, seductively, dangerously. -Richard Horan, author of Goose Music and Seeds