Lurker here (though I've previously commented on your JS&MN reread over at tor.com, under the same name) -- I enjoy reading con panel writeups, thank you!
+1 to Divine Cities recommendation.
Benedict Jacka is another British author of urban fantasy who writes about questions of governance, though I'm not sure if he really fits in with the others listed -- his Alex Verus books are closer to an adult-focused Harry Potter than to Neverwhere. It's London + mages with a general RPG-ish feel. There's a magical bureaucracy known as the Light Council which regulates magic and fights the rogue Dark mages, but there are more shades of grey than this setup implies: the Light side is mainly interested in protecting its own, unconcerned with the outsiders who fall through the cracks, and some Light mages are just as unscrupulous and self-interested as anyone Dark.
Also I'm reminded of Mr. Norrell's suggestion for how to regulate magic, even if terrible.
no subject
+1 to Divine Cities recommendation.
Benedict Jacka is another British author of urban fantasy who writes about questions of governance, though I'm not sure if he really fits in with the others listed -- his Alex Verus books are closer to an adult-focused Harry Potter than to Neverwhere. It's London + mages with a general RPG-ish feel. There's a magical bureaucracy known as the Light Council which regulates magic and fights the rogue Dark mages, but there are more shades of grey than this setup implies: the Light side is mainly interested in protecting its own, unconcerned with the outsiders who fall through the cracks, and some Light mages are just as unscrupulous and self-interested as anyone Dark.
Also I'm reminded of Mr. Norrell's suggestion for how to regulate magic, even if terrible.