The Magic Thief

Last updated
The Magic Thief
The magic thief by sarah prineas.jpg
Cover art for The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas
AuthorSarah Prineas
Cover artistAntonio Javier Caparo (illustrator)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Magic Thief
Genre Fantasy novel
Publisher HarperCollins (USA) and Quercus (UK)
Publication date
2008
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages419
ISBN 978-0-06-137587-3 (USA hardcover edition)
OCLC 166872403
LC Class PZ7.P93646 St 2008
Preceded byNA 
Followed by The Magic Thief: Lost  

The Magic Thief is the first book in a children's fantasy trilogy [1] published by HarperCollins in June 2008. [2] [3] Authored by American Sarah Prineas and illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo, the novel follows the adventures of Connwaer, a thief, who is taken into apprenticeship by Nevery Flinglas, an old wizard.

Contents

The sequels The Magic Thief: Lost was published in June 2009, followed by The Magic Thief: Found in May 2010 and The Magic Thief: Home in September 2014. There is also a short e-story, A Proper Wizard, released before the fourth sequel.

Beginnings

Prineas wrote the first chapter of The Magic Thief for Cricket , a literary magazine for young adults, after a request for stories about wizards and serialized fiction. [4] When she felt the characters had more to tell, she expanded it into a novel, and then into a trilogy. She later published a stand-alone fourth book, and an e-story.

Overview

Connwaer, a pickpocket on the streets of the Twilight, one day picks the pocket of a powerful wizard named Nevery and steals his locus magicalicus, a special stone that helps wizards connect to the magical power of the city. It should kill Conn, but Nevery stops the process by saying a spell using Conn's name. It turns out that Nevery has just returned (or rather, snuck in) after a 20-year exile, to try to save the town from the leaching of its magic, upon which so much, including its economy, depends. Curious about the boy, Nevery takes him on as a servant and then later an apprentice. Although it is the wizard's job to stem the tide of the disappearing magic, he seems unable to do so. Conn believes he knows the answer, but his enemies are closing in. [5]

Characters

Conn could be any age from twelve to fourteen, and has unkempt black hair that usually obscures his large, bright blue eyes. He is quick-witted, curious, innovative and bold, completely unbound by the deep-rooted beliefs in magic. Several characters noted him for being quiet.
Conn likes reading and thinking about magic, and is a voracious eater. He could touch others' locus stones without dying and has never been ill. Growing up as a thief, Conn learns to be slippery, but he is completely honest (so instead of lying, which he could not do, he sometimes chooses not to reveal), and is sometimes stubborn and impetuous, heading into trouble without much planning beforehand. He wholeheartedly believes the magic must be protected, and that he is chosen to do so by it, and selflessly puts its safety before his own wellbeing. All this coupled with his strange ideas, he has a knack for attracting trouble.

Nevery lives in Heartsease, a mansion on one of the wizard islands in the Wellmet River. The house has been in his family for generations, and have once been grand, but was partially destroyed in Nevery's pyrotechnic experiment and abandoned for decades. Conn discovered his family chronicles and locus stone collection there, which contain records about Nevery's parents, his relatives, and a young girl who might have been his sister or daughter, all of whom long gone, but the cause of his whole family's demise remains unknown.

Though he seems formidable and hard on the outside, Benet has a tendency to understand, as well as notice something wrong with Conn that Nevery frequently overlook, and stood up to his master for his sometimes insensible nature.

Runic Messages

In "The Magic Thief" messages written in the Rune language are dotted throughout the book. Altogether, there are 10. They are as follows:

In "The Magic Thief" book 2 - LOST messages written in the Rune language are dotted throughout the book. Altogether, there are 11. They are as follows:

In "The Magic Thief" book 3 - FOUND messages written in the Rune language are dotted throughout the book. Altogether, there are 16. They are as follows:

In "The Magic Thief" book 4 - HOME messages written in the Rune language are dotted throughout the book. Altogether, there are 15. They are as follows:

Reviews

The Magic Thief has received positive reviews from both Kirkus and the School Library Journal [6] and Teens Read Too.com, claiming that it "stands out from the many fantasy novels on the shelves." [7] KUER-FM hosted a summer book listing, in which book expert Catherine Weller recommended The Magic Thief. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unseen University</span> Fictional school from the Discworld series

The Unseen University (UU) is a school of wizardry in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of fantasy novels. Located in the fictional city of Ankh-Morpork, the UU is staffed by a faculty composed of mostly indolent and inept old wizards. The university's name is a pun on the Invisible College, and many aspects of the university are references to Oxford and Cambridge University. The exploits of the head wizards of the Unseen University are one of the main plot threads in the long-running fantasy series, and have played a central role in 13 novels to date, as well as the four supplementary Science of Discworld novels and the short story, A Collegiate Casting-Out of Devilish Devices.

<i>Howls Moving Castle</i> 1986 fantasy book by Diana Wynne Jones

Howl's Moving Castle is a fantasy novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones, first published in 1986 by Greenwillow Books of New York. It was a runner-up for the annual Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and won the Phoenix Award twenty years later. It was adapted into a critically acclaimed 2004 animated film of the same name, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

In J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, magic is depicted as a supernatural force that can be used to override the usual laws of nature. Many fictional magical creatures exist in the series, while ordinary creatures also sometimes exhibit magical properties. Magical objects are also described. Witches and wizards refer to the rest of the population, who are generally unaware of magic, as "Muggles" in the United Kingdom and "No-Maj" in the United States.

<i>Tehanu</i> 1990 fantasy novel by Ursula K. Le Guin

Tehanu, initially subtitled The Last Book of Earthsea, is a fantasy novel by the American author Ursula K. Le Guin, published by Atheneum in 1990. It is the fourth novel set in the fictional archipelago Earthsea, following almost twenty years after the first three Earthsea novels (1968–1972), and not the last, despite its subtitle. It won the annual Nebula Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Sto Helit</span> Character in Terry Pratchetts Discworld novels

Susan Sto Helit, once referred to as Susan Death, is a fictional character in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of fantasy novels. She is the granddaughter of Death, the Disc's Grim Reaper, and has a number of his abilities. She appears in three Discworld novels: Soul Music, Hogfather, and Thief of Time. Being both human and supernatural, Susan is frequently and reluctantly forced away from her attempts at "normal" life to do battle with malign supernatural forces or to take on her grandfather's job in his absence. Death tends to rely on her in his battles against the Auditors of Reality, particularly in situations where he has no power or influence. As the series progresses, she also begins to take on roles educating children, so that, as Pratchett mentions in The Art of Discworld, she has "ended up, via that unconscious evolution that dogs characters, a kind of Goth Mary Poppins".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elminster</span> Character in Dungeons & Dragons fantasy

Elminster Aumar is a fictional character appearing in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He is also known as the Sage of Shadowdale, and is depicted as a powerful wizard featured in several novels by Forgotten Realms creator Ed Greenwood. Certain aspects of his appearance and demeanor seem to echo Gandalf, Merlin, or Odin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sorcerer's Apprentice</span> Poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe written in 1797. The poem is a ballad in 14 stanzas.

<i>The Thief of Always</i> Novel by Clive Barker

The Thief of Always is a novel by Clive Barker that was published in 1992. The book is a fable written for all ages. Its cover was created by Barker, and the book contains several black and white illustrations by him.

<i>Farseer</i> trilogy Trilogy of fantasy novels by Robin Hobb

The Farseer trilogy is a series of fantasy novels by American author Robin Hobb, published from 1995 to 1997. It is often described as epic fantasy, and as a character-driven and introspective work. Set in and around the fictional realm of the Six Duchies, it tells the story of FitzChivalry Farseer, an illegitimate son of a prince who is trained as an assassin. Political machinations within the royal family threaten his life, and the kingdom is beset by naval raids. Fitz possesses two forms of magic: the telepathic Skill that runs in the royal line, and the socially despised Wit that enables bonding with animals. The series follows his life as he seeks to restore stability to the kingdom.

<i>Rune Soldier</i> Japanese light novel series and its adaptations

Rune Soldier is a Japanese light novel series by Ryo Mizuno, which features the apprentice wizard Louie as the hero. The series takes place on the continent of Alecrast on the world called Forcelia, and is related to the series Sword World RPG. It is a sibling series to Record of Lodoss War, taking place on a continent north of Lodoss Island.

<i>Courtney Crumrin</i>

Courtney Crumrin is an independent comic book series written and illustrated by Ted Naifeh and released through Oni Press.

Thieves and Kings is a Canadian comic book series written, penciled and published independently and irregularly by Mark Oakley.

<i>Flyte</i>

Flyte is a 2006 children's novel by Angie Sage and the second book in the Septimus Heap series. The book's cover was modelled after the in-story book: How to Survive Dragon Fostering: A Practykal Guide with the Flyte Charm lying on top. Flyte was released in March 2006 through HarperCollins and Bloomsbury Publishing.

<i>Magyk</i>

Magyk is a fantasy novel written by English author Angie Sage. It is the first book in the seven-book Septimus Heap series. The sequel, Flyte was released in March 2006, Physik in March 2007, Queste in 2008, Syren in September 2009, Darke in July 2011, and Fyre in 2013. The book cover of Magyk alludes to the diary that the ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia makes for her apprentice, Septimus Heap. The cover also depicts Septimus's Dragon Ring, rendered as if it were sitting atop the diary.

<i>Septimus Heap</i> Series of fantasy novels

Septimus Heap is a series of fantasy novels featuring a protagonist of the same name written by English author Angie Sage. In all, it features seven novels, entitled Magyk, Flyte, Physik, Queste, Syren, Darke, and Fyre. The first, (Magyk), was published in 2005 and the final, (Fyre), in 2013. A full colour supplement to the series, entitled The Magykal Papers, was published in June 2009, and an online novella titled The Darke Toad is also available. A sequel trilogy, The TodHunter Moon Series, set seven years after the events of Fyre, began in October 2014.

<i>The Goblin Mirror</i> 1992 novel by C. J. Cherryh

The Goblin Mirror is a 1992 fantasy novel by science fiction and fantasy author C. J. Cherryh. It was first published in a hardcover edition by Ballantine Books under its Del Rey Books imprint, and featured cover art by Cherryh's brother, David A. Cherry.

"Master and Pupil" is a Danish fairy tale. Andrew Lang included it in The Pink Fairy Book.

<i>Luck in the Shadows</i>

Luck in the Shadows is a fantasy novel by American writer Lynn Flewelling, first book in her Nightrunner series. Set in a fictional universe, the novel follows the adventures of a complex thief and his apprentice as they are targeted by magical forces and attempt to unravel a political conspiracy. It is followed by Stalking Darkness, Traitor's Moon, Shadows Return and The White Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcia Overstrand</span> Fictional character

Marcia Overstrand is a fictional character in the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage. She is a powerful ExtraOrdinary Wizard. Septimus is her apprentice.

<i>The Steerswoman</i> 1989 novel by Rosemary Kirstein

The Steerswoman is a 1989 science fantasy novel by American writer Rosemary Kirstein. It follows the journey of Rowan, who is a Steerswoman in an age that is just beginning to gain technology and advancement. A Steerswoman or Steersman is a traveling scholar looking to supplement as well as share their knowledge. They are required to answer any question put to them by anyone and in turn, any question they ask must be answered truthfully, or the questioner will be placed under a ban where no Steerswoman will ever answer a question from them again.

References