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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