The magic thief [book review]

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The magic thief [book review]

Reynolds, Kate, 1984-

2008-10

Prineas, Sarah. The Magic Thief. Illustrated by Caparo, Antonio Javier. HarperCollins, 2008. ISBN 9780061375873. $16.99. 422 p. Reviewer: Kate Reynolds Reading Level: Primary, Intermediate Rating: Excellent Genre: Fantasy fiction; Subject: Magic--Juvenile fiction; Wizards--Juvenile fiction; Apprentices--Juvenile fiction; Books--Reviews; Conn is a common street pickpocket living in the Twilight of Wellmet, until he steals a wizard's locus magicalicus—the stone that is the focus of a wizard's spells and power. The wizard Nevery, surprised to find that the stone did not kill the young thief, takes him as his apprentice. Conn, however, must first find his own locus magicalicus even while he attends school and helps Nevery unravel the mystery of why magic is disappearing from Wellmet. Prineas' debut novel is full of engaging characters, from Nevery, who was banished twenty years prior for reasons not fully explained to the reader but which somehow involved explosions, to Conn, who isn't sure what age he is and has never attended school but who has great instincts and an even better memory, to Benet, the hired muscle who is rather fearsome but likes to knit and makes delicious biscuits (recipe included!). Other characters are less well defined, but no less interesting. Though told mostly from Conn's first person point of view, the chapters are interspersed with Nevery's journal entries and "notes-to-self". Some of the journal entries have strange characters at the bottom of the page. A key to interpreting these characters is at the back of the book and readers will enjoy finding out what they say. The plot is fast moving, and, though the page total exceeds 400 pages, it would be a good choice for readers not mature enough for the darker themes and events in Harry Potter. Fans of Patricia C. Wrede's Mairelon the Magician and Magician's Ward (Starscape, 2002) will also enjoy this book. Volume 29, no. 1 (September/October 2008)

422 p.

Children's Book and Play Review, October 2008

Book review

Fantasy fiction

Magic--Juvenile fiction

Wizards--Juvenile fiction

Apprentices--Juvenile fiction

Books--Reviews

Mountain West Digital Library

English

text

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