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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
The little details make this book delightful, like the drawings at the start of each chapter, the runic alphabet in the back pages & the two biscuit recipes. I have to admit I did make Bennet's biscuits and they are quite yummy.
The description and characterization are the stars in this tale. A young thief steals a magic stone and becomes a magician's apprentice and must help save the city he lives in. He is an orphan. He has unusually strong powers. He does not have two best friends flanking him or a lightning bolt scar but these are minor details. The plot is predictable with no real twists or surprises, but the characters and writing are charming enough to carry the story. I enjoyed it and it was a quick, fun read. I'll definitely be picking up the next book when it comes out.
The description and characterization are the stars in this tale. A young thief steals a magic stone and becomes a magician's apprentice and must help save the city he lives in. He is an orphan. He has unusually strong powers. He does not have two best friends flanking him or a lightning bolt scar but these are minor details. The plot is predictable with no real twists or surprises, but the characters and writing are charming enough to carry the story. I enjoyed it and it was a quick, fun read. I'll definitely be picking up the next book when it comes out.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the first book I didn't finish. I recall even now, though not unkindly. It taught me that I didn't have to keep pushing through a book even if I wasn't getting anything out of it. I read for many reasons- to learn something, to enjoy myself, to immerse myself in another world, ultimately to get something from the experience. If I'm not, it's okay to move on and let the book find another reader for the time being.
Erin reminded me I read this series (at least the first 3??? Imma have to dig deep to remember if I read the 4th one) with my cousin Charlie back in the day, so many good memories!!! <3333
I read the German translation of this book to my son when he was little. Now I listened to the audio book, and it is just as good as I remember. There is a warmth to it, hard to explain. And Conn is such a free spirit.
The narrator did an excellent job, but I did not love his voice for Conn. Still, I highly recommend. If my memory serves me right there were some illustrations in the book.
The narrator did an excellent job, but I did not love his voice for Conn. Still, I highly recommend. If my memory serves me right there were some illustrations in the book.
While this book has an incredibly simple plot, it was very entertaining and I would definitely read the next in the series (it's supposed to be a trilogy).
I read this one because it was nominated for a Cybil which made me think it must have something good about it and I wasn't disappointed.
Conn, a thief, picks the pocket of Nevery, a wizard, and steals his locus magicalicus--the stone which he uses to access his magic. Normally, if anyone other than the owner of the locus magicalicus touches the stone the result is death--but Conn does not die and Nevery is intrigued. Nevery unwillingly takes Conn on as his apprentice--but this is unusual because Conn has no locus magicalicus of his own. He is given 30 days to find one.
While Conn is searching for his locus magicalicus, Nevery (who has been brought back from a 20 year exile) is working to discover why the city of Wellmet is losing its magic. Is it a natural phenomenon or is someone causing the city's magic levels to decline? He must work with a wizard's counsel, the Underlord, and the duchess to solve this problem--because if the city runs out of magic, the city will die.
While the loose ends are tied up in this book there are definitely enough threads that can be developed more fully in the next two books--like the story of why Nevery was exiled (the only reason given in the book is that he was experimenting with pryotechnics and blew up part of his house--but no real explanation of how that ended up in his exile).
The book also explores an interesting concept, one that comes from Conn--what if magic spells are a different language that wizards use to tell the magic what to do? This implies that magic is a being that exists independent of wizards and their use of it. This is an interesting concept that I hope she explores in later books.
I was pleasantly surprised and would definitely recommend.
I read this one because it was nominated for a Cybil which made me think it must have something good about it and I wasn't disappointed.
Conn, a thief, picks the pocket of Nevery, a wizard, and steals his locus magicalicus--the stone which he uses to access his magic. Normally, if anyone other than the owner of the locus magicalicus touches the stone the result is death--but Conn does not die and Nevery is intrigued. Nevery unwillingly takes Conn on as his apprentice--but this is unusual because Conn has no locus magicalicus of his own. He is given 30 days to find one.
While Conn is searching for his locus magicalicus, Nevery (who has been brought back from a 20 year exile) is working to discover why the city of Wellmet is losing its magic. Is it a natural phenomenon or is someone causing the city's magic levels to decline? He must work with a wizard's counsel, the Underlord, and the duchess to solve this problem--because if the city runs out of magic, the city will die.
While the loose ends are tied up in this book there are definitely enough threads that can be developed more fully in the next two books--like the story of why Nevery was exiled (the only reason given in the book is that he was experimenting with pryotechnics and blew up part of his house--but no real explanation of how that ended up in his exile).
The book also explores an interesting concept, one that comes from Conn--what if magic spells are a different language that wizards use to tell the magic what to do? This implies that magic is a being that exists independent of wizards and their use of it. This is an interesting concept that I hope she explores in later books.
I was pleasantly surprised and would definitely recommend.
I picked this book up because I wanted to see what my eight-year-old was obsessively reading and couldn't put it down either. A magical world, a flawed and interesting main character, a battle between good & evil. It's fast paced an enjoyable for ages 8 -88!
This is a great book reminiscent of Harry Potter or Magyk. I definately can't wait to read the next one.