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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Well Connwaer, it has been a pleasure and an honor, but you and I must be parting ways for now. It won't be long before I revisit the initial leg of your epic journey, for my review and the second installment, aptly titled, [b:Lost,|5801741|Lost (Magic Thief, #2)|Sarah Prineas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348422225s/5801741.jpg|5973719] beckons. Rowan, Nevery, yourself and the gang beckon loud and clear. Until then, I wish you well and good luck as your education continues...and many adventures along the way.:)
Read with Brittany. I liked it ok. The plot moved too slowly for me. Did have some neat elements, though, that kids will like...like diary entries after every chapter with a different phrase written in code. Britt had fun figuring out the code. She's continuing on with the series, but I'm not. We'll pick a different book for bedtime reading.
It has some elements that I really liked. If I had been Prineas's editor, I would have asked for Rowan to be a stronger presence in the story.
2.5
A pretty decent story, if a little typical - orphan boy steals a wizard's locus magicalicus, which should kill him but doesn't. The wizard, intrigued, takes the boy in and the boy just happens to turn out to be a sort of chosen one figure.
The characters were ok, though, again, fairly typical, but my biggest issue was the way Conn, raised poor and uneducated, was naturally good at everything. He learns to read in about a day, and can memorize complicated spells after hearing them twice.
As for interactions, everyone sort of jumped to conclusions, and no one listened to anyone else. I guess, in a way, it makes sense for people to not listen to an untrained boy who used to be a thief but, still, it was annoying when Nevery knew something was going on, but refused to listen to Conn's ideas.
Also, the writing was a bit meh. Very sort of clipped:
"Then I heard it. Step step tap. Step step tap. edged back into my alley shadows to wait, and along he came. Old man, I thought. A bet, bearded, clock-wearing old croakety croak leaning on a cane. Climbing the steep street toward me. Muttering to himself. His purse, I decided, would be paying for my dinner, though he didn't know it yet."
And she's fond of using terms like "light-feather fingers", "keen-gleam eyes" - that sort of thing.
The story alternates between Conn's first person narration, and Nevery's journal, but both are written in a very clipped, matter-of-fact kind of style.
But, for all that, it was a quick read, and rather fun, for all its flaws.
A pretty decent story, if a little typical - orphan boy steals a wizard's locus magicalicus, which should kill him but doesn't. The wizard, intrigued, takes the boy in and the boy just happens to turn out to be a sort of chosen one figure.
The characters were ok, though, again, fairly typical, but my biggest issue was the way Conn, raised poor and uneducated, was naturally good at everything. He learns to read in about a day, and can memorize complicated spells after hearing them twice.
As for interactions, everyone sort of jumped to conclusions, and no one listened to anyone else. I guess, in a way, it makes sense for people to not listen to an untrained boy who used to be a thief but, still, it was annoying when Nevery knew something was going on, but refused to listen to Conn's ideas.
Also, the writing was a bit meh. Very sort of clipped:
"Then I heard it. Step step tap. Step step tap. edged back into my alley shadows to wait, and along he came. Old man, I thought. A bet, bearded, clock-wearing old croakety croak leaning on a cane. Climbing the steep street toward me. Muttering to himself. His purse, I decided, would be paying for my dinner, though he didn't know it yet."
And she's fond of using terms like "light-feather fingers", "keen-gleam eyes" - that sort of thing.
The story alternates between Conn's first person narration, and Nevery's journal, but both are written in a very clipped, matter-of-fact kind of style.
But, for all that, it was a quick read, and rather fun, for all its flaws.
More of a kids' book than YA, but so well-written, and a lot of fun.
I was pleasantly surprised - the main character Conn is refreshing and the storyline is creative. A fun YA fantasy read.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very clever, fun read about a pick-pocket turned wizard apprentice. Reminded me a little of [b:Magyk|769483|Magyk (Septimus Heap, #1)|Angie Sage|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348666259s/769483.jpg|2215929]. Worth the time for some light fun
