Discover the fantasy and wonder of The Magic Thief, the first book in Sarah Prineas’s acclaimed middle grade fantasy series! Diana Wynne Jones, author of Howl's Moving Castle, said: "I couldn't put it down. Wonderful, exciting stuff."
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 who—or what—is stealing the city of Wellmet's magic.
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"Just saying, I keep hoping somebody will translate this into Portuguese (Portuguese Portuguese that is), this book belongs to that really rare type, the real books perfect for very young BOY readers. There is tons for little girls, for little boys not so much. And this would be so perfect, simple, easy to follow, but with great characters and lots of payoff."
— Hirondelle (4 out of 5 stars)
“What works wonderfully well here is the boy’s irresistible voice.”
— Booklist (starred review)“A delight to read…Since Conn has a lot yet to learn, he is sure to draw avid fans back for more.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)“An uncommonly engaging young narrator kicks this debut fantasy ahead of the general run…Conn works his way into the hearts of both his master and the mystery…along the way to a literally explosive climax.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Readers clamoring for magical tales will enjoy Prineas’ fast-paced first novel…Prineas depicts Conn, the narrator, as refreshingly candid and a quick study while revealing Nevery as insightful and unexpectedly caring…The magical fireworks do not explode until the end, leaving readers confident that Prineas will turn up the heat in the next installment.”
— Publishers Weekly“Prineas has created an appealing cast of characters, which she carefully reveals through their actions. The story is told primarily by Conn, and is interspersed with cryptic journal entries by Nevery, which offer a tantalizing counterpoint to the protagonist’s viewpoint…This novel would work well as a read-aloud, as it has a conversational rhythm that moves the plot along.”
— School Library Journal“It is a mystery accompanied by danger, intrigue, and betrayal. This first book in a projected series will appeal to readers who appreciate Jonathan Stroud and J. K. Rowling…An eccentric cast of characters, sure to figure more prominently in other series books yet to come, are introduced and explained sufficiently here…[as it] illustrates the blend of the comic and darker elements of this novel.”
— VOYA“An amiable tale akin to that of another well-known boy wizard…Young readers will also find the familiar character types and straightforward plotting easy to grasp, while the evolving conflicts and distinctive setting draw them on.”
— Horn Book“Danger, humor, magic, and mystery combine to make an entertaining fantasy tale.”
— Kliatt“This is typical boy-wizard-rags-to-riches fare. What lifts it above the ordinary is a puckish interpretation of its main character, Conn, by narrator Greg Steinbruner. Also in its favor, and something quite often missing in young adult fantasy, is a likable and trustworthy, if somewhat curmudgeonly, adult…Nevery Finglas…Steinbruner’s skillful performance helps differentiate a wide array of characters and enhances the story’s entertainment.”
— AudioFile" This is a really good book. it has a good storyline and interesting characters that keep you reading the book until you are finished. "
— Colin, 2/10/2014" This book is more for younger kids... "
— Sabrina, 2/4/2014" Enjoyable fantasy with steampunky elements; I enjoyed the conceit that industry is powered by magic in the land of Wellmet, with urban decline explained by a decrease in the amount of magic available to Wellmet's wizards. Conn is an endearing main character, whose voice leads us through the majority of the story. The chapters which he narrates are much more compelling than the short snippets we read from the journal of Nevery, the wizard who somewhat unwillingly takes Conn on as an apprentice following Conn's attempt to steal his "locus magicalicus." The plot is familiar but mostly well-done; Conn is "the chosen one" (a la Harry Potter), meant to save Wellmet's magic from destruction. Our young hero recognizes the true villains early on, but cannot convince the arrogant Nevery to listen to him, leaving him to face the baddies on his own. Nevery does not have the gravitas, empathy, or perspective of Dumbledore; in general, the adult characters are not particularly well-drawn, especially the villains, whose motives are unclear. The mystery of the disappearing magic is too straightforward; as I said, Conn figures it out early in the book. The language has a few lovely quirks -- "keen-gleam eyes" (p. 5), "the wizard Nevery loom-doomed up before me" (p. 8), "steep, rain-dark streets" (p. 10). The explicit separation of the haves and have-nots at the demarcation of the river was also interesting; the have-not side of town, in which Conn grew up, had a Dickensian feel to it. "
— Kate, 2/3/2014" The set up is compelling, and the action moves well. Ilike that the Magic is a defined character. This series works as a whole. I am glad to have more to recommend to readers of Angie Sage, Cornelia Funke and Brian Jacques. "
— Brandy, 1/28/2014" I loved it soooooo much! "
— Rachel, 1/25/2014" This is a pretty good start to an awesome series. (: "
— Bethany, 1/22/2014" I never expected it, but I loved this book! "
— Ashley, 1/16/2014" So good. I loved this book it made me happy and curious to find out more! "
— Hayley, 1/9/2014" Read this really quick, always like to check out the Beehive Nominees. That's how I found Jessica Day George last year, and I wasn't sorry. Anyway, good story, liked the main characters a lot. "
— Mindy, 1/7/2014" Fun read. I didn't like that there were no surprises at all. The main character told you everything and no one believed him and then it was true. The end. Other than that, it was a quick, easy read. "
— David, 11/28/2013" A less complicated book about magic and wizards, it makes a quick and easy read. "
— Charlou, 11/1/2013" Cute, fun children's fantasy, first in a trilogy. "
— Lee, 10/17/2013" it was a wonderful book. I think anyone who read it will love it. "
— Amber, 9/10/2013" cool story and setting, with a neat glimpse into the wizard's journal at the end of most chapters. great main and secondary characters with the exception of the wizard who 3/4s of the way through the story becomes a complete idiot (he was great before that) "
— Dru, 7/7/2013" A fun kids book but I had a hard time getting into it at first. It was good, but not great. "
— Mauri, 9/16/2012" What a clever little book. "
— Kim, 7/11/2012" Very good book.I liked the messages that you had to decode best. "
— Sam, 1/17/2012" Very simple, basic fantasy plot and characters, but immensely charming and likable. I particularly liked the sections written as though taken from the older wizard's journal; they were quite the best part. "
— Alisa, 7/19/2011" love it i found itmad interesting a idefinit\ly recomend it to anyone who wants to read sci fi mysery it had me griping the page till the end~!! "
— Helemcole, 6/18/2011" This is a very clever series; an enjoyable read! "
— Sarah, 3/28/2011" For some reason I liked the first two books more than this one but it's a great series. I loved how they caught Conn in the end by setting a biscuits and bacon trap for him. "
— Charlotte, 3/17/2011" This was my favorite of the series thus far. This is turning into quite the magical world with several little intricacies that keep tying it together. It's refreshing to see a series that improves as it goes on and I hope it continues. "
— David, 3/5/2011" Wow, siapa sangka kalo sihir adalah naga? "
— Anne, 2/28/2011" Just as funny, fast-paced, and witty as the first two volumes. "
— Jeffery, 2/20/2011" I really enjoyed this book and this series. They were thoroughly enjoyable. At first I didn't like the end, but after I read the end again I liked it. <br/>This is a series that is definitely worth reading more than once. "
— Breanna, 1/8/2011" Great narration! The magical construct of this world is very interesting and constantly revealing itself through the stories. I see a number of possible paths for the series. The characters are interesting and well-detailed. Can't wait for the next. "
— Angela, 12/31/2010" I really liked the book until the end. I didn't like the wrap-up. I didn't buy a number of the explanations, and I wanted a couple more things to happen before the story ended. Last I looked, this is the end of the story, but I'm still hoping for more. Another book could save the series for me. "
— Pam, 12/28/2010" Loved the whole series from beginning to end. Great job. "
— M, 10/26/2010Sarah Prineas is an author of fantasy fiction books for children, young adults, and grown-ups. She is the author of the Winterling trilogy, the the Ash and Bramble series, and the Magic Thief series, which was published in the United States and in seventeen other languages around the world. She lives in Iowa with her mad-scientist husband, two kids, two dogs, two cats, chickens, and a bunch of goats.
Greg Steinbruner is an actor, audiobook narrator, playwright, and public-speaking consultant. He studied at NYU’s Tisch School and writes, directs, and produces his own plays in New York City. He has lent his vocal talents to such books as The Magic Thief, Larklight, Starcross, and the Origami Yoda series.