"The Magic Thief" is a fantasy novel written by Sarah Prineas. The story follows a young boy named Connwaer, who lives in the city of Wellmet. In this city, magic is a vital part of everyday life and is controlled by a powerful stone called the "locus magicalicus." However, Connwaer, nicknamed Conn, is considered an outsider because he has no magic of his own. Despite his lack of magical ability, Conn has a unique talent for picking locks. One day, he comes across a powerful wizard named Nevery Flinglas, who is searching for a lost piece of the locus magicalicus.
Leo and Piper look for the time ripple that future Bacarra used. Piper finds it, but future Bacarra attacks. Leo tackles him and Piper goes back in time, to the time and place where Phoebe first saved Miles. Future Piper tells present Piper that Phoebe must let Miles die. Present Piper points Phoebe in the wrong direction so they will be too late to save Miles, who is consequently killed in the shootout. Phoebe caresses Miles's body in tears. Both Pipers watch on sadly and then Future Piper fades away.
In A Witch in Time when Phoebe saves the life of her new boyfriend Miles after a premonition, a warlock from the future visits Cole to let him know that the Angel of death is after him. Phoebe and her new boyfriend Miles go upstairs and are starting to get horizontal when Phoebe has a premonition of Miles being caught in a police shootout and shot dead.
One day, he comes across a powerful wizard named Nevery Flinglas, who is searching for a lost piece of the locus magicalicus. Intrigued by Conn's skills, Nevery takes him on as his apprentice. Conn quickly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous plot to steal the magic stones and overthrow the ruler of Wellmet.
A Witch in Time/Plot
Phoebe and her new boyfriend Miles go upstairs and are starting to get horizontal when Phoebe has a premonition of Miles being caught in a police shootout and shot dead. She and Piper barely reach the scene and Piper's car is blocked by a delivery truck. They run to the scene of the shootout and Piper freezes the scene. The suspect is caught and Miles is saved.
Paige has a new "couch buddy" (as Piper calls him) named Max.
On kissing Miles after saving his life, she has another premonition of Miles getting stabbed at the manor. Shortly afterwards, the warlock Bacarra tunnels in from the future. He blinks into Cole's apartment and presents him with Cole's wedding band. He tells Cole that Phoebe had saved a man who was destined to die, and that she would repeatedly save him and after six months she, too, would die. He claims to be Cole's future adviser as ruler of the underworld. Cole does not believe Bacarra, but fades to the manor and warns Piper.
Leo, Miles and the sisters are having dinner when Bacarra blinks in. He throws an athame at Miles, but Phoebe dives over the table and the athame misses. Phoebe has another premonition, this one of Miles falling off a balcony.
The present-day Bacarra is pursuing a witch. The Bacarra from the future cancels the witch's invisibility spell and renders her unconscious. The two Bacarras plot to steal the Book of Shadows by cloaking themselves in good.
Cole tells Piper and Paige what Bacarra told him, that Phoebe must let Miles die to save her own life. Leo says the Elders also think that it might be Miles' time to die. Piper and Paige tell Phoebe but she doesn't believe them.
Future Bacarra blinks into the manor and throws an athame at Piper. She freezes it but Bacarra casts his cancelling spell. Piper is wounded. Present Bacarra blinks in, teleports the athame to him, and with Pipers blood is able to cloak himself and steal the Book of Shadows.
Meanwhile, Miles falls off the balcony and Phoebe saves him again. Miles tells Phoebe to stay away, that he seems to be jinxed. Phoebe hugs him again and has yet another premonition: this one of Cole entering Miles's bedroom as he and Phoebe are asleep. Phoebe confronts Cole in the living room while Miles is sleeping, and Cole assures her that he'll take care of Miles and that he's after Bacarra. Just then, Paige calls Phoebe and tells her what happened. "If I kill him," says Cole, "you'll never trust me." Phoebe decides to trust Cole and go with her sisters.
The two Bacarras blink in while the sisters are preparing a potion and say a spell to remove the sisters' powers. They kill Phoebe and Paige. Leo orbs Piper away in time. Future Bacarra tells present Bacarra to demand his rightful place in the underworld.
Leo and Piper look for the time ripple that future Bacarra used. Piper finds it, but future Bacarra attacks. Leo tackles him and Piper goes back in time, to the time and place where Phoebe first saved Miles. Future Piper tells present Piper that Phoebe must let Miles die. Present Piper points Phoebe in the wrong direction so they will be too late to save Miles, who is consequently killed in the shootout. Phoebe caresses Miles's body in tears. Both Pipers watch on sadly and then Future Piper fades away.
Later that night, Piper and Paige find Phoebe dancing in her bedroom. Phoebe decides to keep going and believe that she will find love again. Piper promises to not stand in her way when she does, which makes Paige and Phoebe suspicious.
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I've always loved stories where a character secretly goes back in time to avert some kind of catastrophe, and A Witch in Time does the surprising thing by having Piper be the one who saves the day, and not the character the rest of the episode is centered around. This episode is all about cause and effect, and revisits the concept of being unable to prevent death. The show explored the same idea in season three's intriguing Death Takes a Halliwell , and this is just as good. Phoebe blindly tries to protect a man who is unfortunately fated to die, and the script neatly folds in themes of time travel and Cole's deep-seated love for his ex-wife to create something surprisingly ambitious.
As Conn delves deeper into the world of magic, he discovers that there is a dark force at work in the city. He must navigate treacherous alliances, uncover ancient secrets, and harness his own hidden powers to save Wellmet from destruction. Along the way, he forms unlikely friendships and learns valuable lessons about loyalty, courage, and the true nature of magic. "The Magic Thief" is a thrilling and imaginative tale that combines elements of adventure, mystery, and magic. It explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of choice. With its vivid world-building and compelling characters, the book captivates readers of all ages and leaves them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Overall, "The Magic Thief" is a captivating and enchanting read that transports readers to a world full of wonder and danger. It is a story of perseverance, self-discovery, and the transformative power of magic, making it a beloved choice among fans of fantasy literature..
Reviews for "Examining the Powerful Themes of Friendship and Loyalty in The Magic Thief"
1. Jennifer - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "The Magic Thief" based on all the positive reviews, but I found it to be a disappointment. The world-building felt shallow and underdeveloped, and the characters lacked depth or complexity. The plot was also predictable and didn't offer any surprises. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Michael - 2/5 stars - "The Magic Thief" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The writing style was bland and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, the protagonist, Conn, was a frustrating character who often made decisions that didn't make sense or were contradictory to his established traits. The lack of clear explanations and world-building left me feeling confused and disconnected from the story. I was disappointed by this book and I wouldn't recommend it.
3. Amanda - 3/5 stars - While "The Magic Thief" had its moments, overall, I found it to be a mediocre read. The plot had potential, but it lacked the necessary depth and complexity to truly captivate me. The pacing felt uneven, with slow and drawn-out sections followed by rushed and over-simplified resolutions. The characters were likable enough, but they didn't have enough development or growth to make a lasting impression. Overall, "The Magic Thief" left me feeling somewhat indifferent and I wouldn't necessarily discourage others from giving it a try, but I also wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.