The Magic Thief is a fantasy novel written by American author Sarah Prineas. The book was published in 2008 and is the first in a series of the same name. The story follows the adventures of a young boy named Connwaer, who discovers his magical abilities in a city ruled by a magic-hoarding ruling class. The book is set in the city of Wellmet, a place where magic is a highly esteemed and tightly controlled resource. The ruling class, known as the Masters, have monopolized the use of magic and only the privileged few are allowed to practice it. Connwaer, known as Conn, is a young thief who lives on the streets of Wellmet.
This information about The Magic Thief was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
But Conn has little time to search for his stone between wizard lessons and helping Nevery discover who or what is stealing the city of Wellmet s magic. Conn should have dropped dead the day he picked Nevery s pocket and touched the wizard s locus magicalicus, a stone used to focus magic and work spells.
Connwaer, known as Conn, is a young thief who lives on the streets of Wellmet. One day, he steals a precious magical artifact called the locus magicalicus, which unbeknownst to him, belongs to Nevery Flinglas, the Underlord of the city. Nevery is a powerful magician who is banished from the city after failing to prevent a magical theft that resulted in a devastating fire.
The Magic Thief: Book summary and reviews of The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas
In a city that runs on a dwindling supply of magic, a young boy is drawn into a life of wizardry and adventure. Conn should have dropped dead the day he picked Nevery's pocket and touched the wizard's locus magicalicus, a stone used to focus magic and work spells. But for some reason he did not. Nevery finds that interesting, and he takes Conn as his apprentice on the provision that the boy find a locus stone of his own. But Conn has little time to search for his stone between wizard lessons and helping Nevery discover whoor whatis stealing the city of Wellmet's magic.
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"Starred Review. An uncommonly engaging young narrator kicks this debut fantasy ahead of the general run . reminiscent of Angie Sage's Septimus Heap tales. Ages 10-13." - Kirkus Reviews.
This information about The Magic Thief was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
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"Starred Review. An uncommonly engaging young narrator kicks this debut fantasy ahead of the general run . reminiscent of Angie Sage's Septimus Heap tales. Ages 10-13." - Kirkus Reviews.
Upon discovering Conn's unique abilities to sense and absorb magic, Nevery takes him under his wing as his apprentice. As Conn learns more about magic and the workings of the city, he realizes that there is a deeper conspiracy at play. The city's magic is dying, and unless Conn and Nevery can uncover the truth behind the theft of the locus magicalicus and restore the city's magic, Wellmet and its people will be doomed. The Magic Thief is a fast-paced and thrilling adventure, filled with mystery, magic, and intrigue. The characters are well-developed and the world-building is vivid and imaginative. The story explores themes of power, privilege, and the importance of trust and friendship. Overall, The Magic Thief is an enchanting and captivating read that will appeal to both young adult and adult readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure novels. It is a series that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment..
Reviews for "The Magic Thief: Captivating Readers with its Unique Blend of Fantasy and Reality"
1. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Magic Thief" based on the rave reviews, but I was left disappointed. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The world-building was also weak, failing to ignite the imagination. Overall, the book felt rushed and underdeveloped, lacking the magic it promised.
2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't get into "The Magic Thief" at all. The plot was confusing and poorly executed. The writing style was choppy and the pacing was all over the place. The main character, Conn, was a frustrating protagonist with no depth or growth throughout the story. I found myself skimming through the pages just to get to the end and even then, I was left unsatisfied.
3. Roger - 2 stars - "The Magic Thief" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The plot was predictable, and the world-building felt uninspired. The writing style was lackluster, with flat descriptions and dull dialogue. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and their motivations. Overall, the book felt like a missed opportunity and left me underwhelmed.
4. Sarah - 3 stars - While "The Magic Thief" had its moments, I couldn't overlook its flaws. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow build-ups and rushed resolutions. The characters lacked depth and their relationships felt forced. The author attempted to create an intricate magical system, but it ended up being confusing and poorly explained. I appreciated some aspects of the book, but it ultimately fell short of my expectations.