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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
The first novel in the Magic Thief series. Conn is a low-life thief when one day he pickpocket’s Nevery’s pocket, stealing his locus magicalius, a stone used by wizards to focus magic and work spells. Instead of punishing Conn, Nevery takes him under his wing and let’s Conn become his apprentice. Now Conn must find his locus magicalius before time runs to out, to prove that is a real wizard. It’s a highly magical tale of finding one’s self and becoming the person you want to be. This novel was beautifully put together, the plot kept the reader engaged, between all the magic, and sudden turn of events, and what seem like betrayals, the novel was extremely entertaining. What really helped the novel was after almost every chapter the author gave the reader Navery’s point of view and that enhanced and gave a lot of insight into the story. Prineas did a really good job of setting her novel up and giving it a fully rounded plot, with loveable characters. Overall, a wonderful first novel can’t wait to see what’s in store for the second novel!
What an utterly charming little book! Prineas's prose sparkles, the characters are vivid and distinctive, and the plot zooms along.
Yes, it may seem like a bit much that Conn is so unspeakably smart and talented (despite his privilege-free life up to the start of the book), but I don't demand that *all* heroes have to struggle mightily to learn magic (not to mention reading). Conn's endearing, cocky self-confidence and believable childishness more than make up for that potential flaw.
It's also clearly aimed at younger readers, but does not talk down to them in the slightest. This is an important trait for any book. It also makes the story a bit more complicated than jacket copy can really explain - the short summary does it less justice than most do. ("Richly detailed" is also a bit of an overstatement, though perhaps it is in comparison to other YA/Juvenile fantasy novels. A lot of it is stock pseudo-Victorian atmosphere, with creative fantasy touches and significant discussion of magical theory.)
Anyway, I loved it and will have to look up the other two books.
Yes, it may seem like a bit much that Conn is so unspeakably smart and talented (despite his privilege-free life up to the start of the book), but I don't demand that *all* heroes have to struggle mightily to learn magic (not to mention reading). Conn's endearing, cocky self-confidence and believable childishness more than make up for that potential flaw.
It's also clearly aimed at younger readers, but does not talk down to them in the slightest. This is an important trait for any book. It also makes the story a bit more complicated than jacket copy can really explain - the short summary does it less justice than most do. ("Richly detailed" is also a bit of an overstatement, though perhaps it is in comparison to other YA/Juvenile fantasy novels. A lot of it is stock pseudo-Victorian atmosphere, with creative fantasy touches and significant discussion of magical theory.)
Anyway, I loved it and will have to look up the other two books.
MSBA Nominee 20092-2010
Quite good. I listened to it on audiobook, but I hear that the physical book has acrostics in it that give out clues to the story. I'd be interested in getting my hands on a copy to check it out.
Quite good. I listened to it on audiobook, but I hear that the physical book has acrostics in it that give out clues to the story. I'd be interested in getting my hands on a copy to check it out.
Reread: Child Edition. I read this book so often as a kid, but I never continued with the series, and donated my well-worn copy when I entered middle school. I'd forgotten how good this book was? Some clunky pacing, to be sure, and the writing style/voice occasionally annoyed me, and I wished the searching for a locus stone plot thread started earlier, but I really enjoyed it as a whole. I love the characters (particularly Benet) and their relationships (particularly Conn and Nevery--getting Nevery's perspective throughout the story is one of my favorite things). I really appreciate how the magic system is so clearly laid out and ready to be discovered, and I love the world, which feels nearly Victorian. The tropes are there, but somehow very fresh. This book has stuck with me in a lot of ways that I didn't fully realize until now and I'm so happy I got to reread it. Onto the sequel!
*edit: forgot to mention and this is for my own benefit but the Wellmet plotline would be interesting as an elaborate metaphor for climate change? Or even just capitalism robbing people of things they need and forcing them to pay for it?
*edit: forgot to mention and this is for my own benefit but the Wellmet plotline would be interesting as an elaborate metaphor for climate change? Or even just capitalism robbing people of things they need and forcing them to pay for it?
I have vague memories of reading this book many years ago, I believe when it came out. The premise was interesting, but it doesn't really explain how this "magic" works, or how you can steal it. Going from our stereotypical image of wizardry, Harry Potter, we draw a blank
Also, this is obviously a middle-grade book, but I found the characters very flat, moreso than can be excused. Conn had little to no personality, his master was just very grumbly and cranky (and stereotypical of adults in kid's books) and there was only one female character, Rowan, who he had little communication and relation with. This book needed a couple more runs through the editing mill before hitting the press, if you ask me.
Also, this is obviously a middle-grade book, but I found the characters very flat, moreso than can be excused. Conn had little to no personality, his master was just very grumbly and cranky (and stereotypical of adults in kid's books) and there was only one female character, Rowan, who he had little communication and relation with. This book needed a couple more runs through the editing mill before hitting the press, if you ask me.
This is another wizarding series but the take on magic is different from most. Fun book!
The first book in a new series about a young thief named Conn. When Conn tries to steal a magic stone from the wizard Nevery the stone should have killed him but doesn't. Nevery is so taken by this that he brings Conn on as his apprentice. Together they must discover where all the magic in Wellmet is going. To do so Conn must face his past and Nevery must learn to trust. A charming book and a promising series.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Mukavan ilmavasti kirjoitettu, lapsille ja nuorille suunnattu fantasiaseikkailu, jonka luimme lasten kanssa iltasaduksi. Kuulijakunta jaksoi keskittyä, sillä tapahtumia ja mielenkiintoisia hahmoja oli sopivassa määrin. Aluksi meinasi kuulemma mennä nuorimmalta paikat ja tyypit sekaisin, mutta tarinaan mukaan pääseminen oli lopulta helppoa, kun asiat alkavat selkiytyä.
Itsenäisesti luettavaksi tämä sopii tekstimäärän perusteella hieman isommille lukijoille - noin 11-vuotiaasta ylöspäin. Aikuisen kanssa yhdessä luettuna toimii jo hieman nuoremmillekin.
Olisi kuulemma voinut olla jännittävämpikin ja olen samaa mieltä, tarina on melko pintaliitoinen eikä hirveän jännittävä, loppurytäkkää lukuunottamatta. Mutta Taikavaras on vasta sarjan ensimmäinen osa, joten täytynee kuitenkin lukea seuraavakin osa, jotta tietää mihin suuntaan tarinaa lähdetään viemään. Sen verran pojatkin kuitenkin tykkäsivät, että haluavat tietää kuinka nuoren Connwearin käy.
Itsenäisesti luettavaksi tämä sopii tekstimäärän perusteella hieman isommille lukijoille - noin 11-vuotiaasta ylöspäin. Aikuisen kanssa yhdessä luettuna toimii jo hieman nuoremmillekin.
Olisi kuulemma voinut olla jännittävämpikin ja olen samaa mieltä, tarina on melko pintaliitoinen eikä hirveän jännittävä, loppurytäkkää lukuunottamatta. Mutta Taikavaras on vasta sarjan ensimmäinen osa, joten täytynee kuitenkin lukea seuraavakin osa, jotta tietää mihin suuntaan tarinaa lähdetään viemään. Sen verran pojatkin kuitenkin tykkäsivät, että haluavat tietää kuinka nuoren Connwearin käy.
This was a fun romp, probably best suited for older grade school kids. The characters are all very appealing although a little stereotypical (street urchin, wizard, mercenary with a heart of gold), but Prineas manages to make them rather fresh.