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    The Magic Thief: A Proper Wizard
    The Magic Thief: A Proper Wizard
    The Magic Thief: A Proper Wizard
    Ebook49 pages38 minutes

    The Magic Thief: A Proper Wizard

    By Sarah Prineas

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    From award-winning author Sarah Prineas comes a brand-new digital short story! This original 50-page short story will enchant fans of the Magic Thief series.

    Thief-turned-wizard Connwaer has earned the reputation as one of the greatest magisters of the age, but not everyone believes in his abilities. When Verent, a young apprentice from neighboring Danivelle, comes to Wellmet to ask for Conn's help with his city's magical problems, he is less than impressed with Conn. Will Verent be able to overcome his misgivings about Conn in order to help his town? And with Conn's help, will Verent become a proper wizard?

    Includes a special sneak peek at the first chapter of The Magic Thief: Home, the fourth installment in the Magic Thief series!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateAug 19, 2014
    ISBN9780062290236
    The Magic Thief: A Proper Wizard
    Author

    Sarah Prineas

    Sarah Prineas lives in the midst of the corn in rural Iowa, where she wrangles dogs, cats, chickens, and goats, goes on lots of hikes, and finds time to write. She is also the author of Ash & Bramble, a retelling of Cinderella. She is married to a physics professor and has two kids. You can visit Sarah online at www.sarah-prineas.com.

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    Reviews for The Magic Thief

    4/5

    37 ratings19 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I absolutely adored this middle grade fantasy by Prineas. I also loved Prineas's Winterling series which is why I originally picked this book up. This book was even better than the Winterling books, it was so magical and just so much fun to read.I listened to The Magic Thief on Audiobook and it was very very well done. The narrator sounded exactly like I imagined Conn would sound. The narrator did all the other character voices really well too. I would highly recommend listening to this on audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks. I really think the absolutely wonderful narration was part of the reason I loved this book so much.Conn is a master lockpick and thief whose main concerns are dodging the ruler of Twilight, Crow, and just trying to survive day to day. That is until he picks the wrong pocket, the pocket of an old wizard named Nevery. Conn accidentally stole Nevery’s magicalicus (a magic stone that should kill anyone who touches it outside of the wizard it belongs to). However the magicalicus didn’t kill Conn and Nevery decides to investigate this further and take Conn on as his apprentice. Nevery is in Wellmet to figure out why the amount of magic in the town is declining. The story starts at a fast pace and never slows down. It's very entertaining, well written and well paced.A big part of what makes this novel wonderful is the plucky protagonist Conn who is just such an optimist. Even when faced with hard situations he just picks himself up and soldiers through. I loved his candid way of thinking and talking and the way he just assumes that most people are good people (despite his background). I also loved the magic throughout and the mystery behind why magic was leaving the city. There are also a lot of interesting steampunk devices throughout and there is a lot of magic combined with science kind of explanations that I enjoyed.This was just a super fun read that just made me feel at happy while I was reading it. Nothing super horrible happens, but there's a good mystery, lots of fun, and lots of quirky characters (who at first seem gruff) but end up really caring about each other.Overall I just loved this book to pieces and will definitely be reading the next in the series! I highly recommend this novel to fantasy readers of all ages. It is one I will definitely be reading with my seven year old son. The story isn’t super complicated but the magic system and mystery are interesting enough that I think that the story would hold the interest of adult readers as well.
    • 4/5
      This was an interesting story. I remember reading this and thinking, "Yeah, this is plausible fantasy and entertaining without being solid action adventure." It was a pretty good story. I managed to pick it up and be done in a few days without taking any major breaks, which for me is always a good sign.
    • 3/5
      While this was hard for me to read and I gave up halfway through, I'm definitely not its target reader. I do think that many boys who like magic and who have become comfortable with chapter books and are ready for a long book (this is 400 pages, though the pages are small) will enjoy this and feel proud to be able to read it. It's about a young ruffian who is picked up by a powerful magician to be his servant, but when the boy shows signs of having special abilities, he becomes more than a servant -- a magician's assistant. First in a series.
    • 1/5
      First person narratives will always bug me, but when they are as droll and stereotypical as whatever this one was called, they make me feel apprehensive about even picking one up again. It's a formulaic children's fantasy book about nothing much, but it should keep kids with little imagination and five tablets happy whilst they all charge.
    • 5/5
      Halfway through the book I went online and ordered the 2nd and 3rd book in the series AND the only other book by the same author that was available on my bookstore's website. I had such fun reading this! The narrator's strong voice, his go-getter attitude, his ideas about his apprenticeship contrasted with the wizard's grumpy, deadpan-snarky journal entries ("boy eats pantry bare") and the unique twists on what seem to be stock characters at first glance (they aren't, really! Loved them all) - seriously, I was grinning broadly during all of this, chuckling happily and laughing out loud.

      The plot is gripping and exciting, if a little predictable: I had a broad idea of what was going on about a third into the book, but thanks to the absolutely entertaining narration and the overall loveableness of the characters and their interactions it didn't lessen the enjoyment one bit, and of course there were twists I didn't see coming, too. I also got a little worried about some of the characters by the end and was genuinely touched by some bits - ah, really, it was just a fantastic read. I gobbled the whole thing up in two sittings (could have been one, but I had to work. Boo boo!).

      As I'm obviously already in love with the characters, their relationships, their world, and the book's idea of magic, I'm VERY much looking forward to the next two books, I can't imagine being disappointed. If you have any love for YA fantasy and Diana Wynne Jones, whose blurb made me read the book (I'm not that easily swayed! I just love DWJ's books), go and give this a try. I can't imagine anyone else being disappointed, either.

      Edit to add: There was quite a bit of seemingly fancy-pants alliteration on the first couple of pages, and I thought "ugh." I got over that quickly, though. Maybe the author did, too, I'm not sure. Anyway, just read on, the style will grow on you.
    • 5/5
      Conn is a thief and he wants to be the apprentice not the servant to Nevery after he successfully pickpockets his locus magicalicus (magic stone). Nevery reluctantly agrees and Conn begins his tasks, school and finding his own magic stone. Great characters, setting and plot; I read it in one sitting even though I knew that this was only the first in a trilogy. Easy read - great for fourth and fifth grade fantasy fans.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      Summary:This is a story of a young child that is a born and raised as a thief. The setting is somewhat in a older times style and era. This little boy, Conn, happens upon thieving an unusual rock from an unsuspecting wizard. This goes through the boy's journey from thief to apprentice wizard. It involves excitement, suspense, and a thrilling adventure, even an adult would enjoy.Personal Reaction:From the very beginning, this story draws you in and will not let go, even the ending makes you beg for more. Has simple but fluent material and words, but some words may be a little difficult for a young child. For non-readers like myself, I had a real hard time putting this book down. Extension Ideas:This could be a useful book to bring into the class to introduce fantasy style books without all of the dragons, and sword fighting, and grueling violence. This also shows how an orphan can go from being an uneducated individual to a remarkable individual, if you push yourself. A very good example of self motivation.
    • 3/5
      I found the first person voice cutesey and off-putting. It brought me up short with every sentence and kept me from getting into the plot.
    • 5/5
      I thought this was a great book about magic and never giving up. I reccomend this book to kids who like magical, anventurous, and cliff hanging books. I can't wait to read the next one!
    • 5/5
      This is a great fast read. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I normally do not like fantasy. You go on a quest with Conn to try and find his magic stone. When most other people think that he will fail, he rises up and even takes on the super villain.
    • 4/5
      An entertaining read about a boy who tries to steal from a magician and then finds himself first a servant and later an apprentice. He also finds himself pivotal to helping save his city.It's a fun read, I really enjoyed the characters and the scenes with Benet knitting tickled my funny bone
    • 5/5
      The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas is a fantastical romp through an imagined world. The city of Wellmet is home to a duchess, wizards, thieves…and magic. However, the magic levels have dipped so low that the city is in danger of dying. In order to rescue Wellmet a wizard named Nevery, who was banished from the city by the duchess twenty years ago, returns. It is upon this return that young Conn, a pick-pocket and lock-pick, steals Nevery’s oculus magicalicus (a wizard’s stone that focuses the use of magic). Conn should have died as soon as he touched the stone, but he didn’t, so Nevery takes him on as a servant. But Conn is not someone who is happy with the status quo, and the clever boy soon convinces Nevery to take him on as an apprentice. The only problem is that he needs to find his on oculus magicalicus within thirty days, and if he doesn’t he will have to choose between servitude to Nevery or going back to his thieving ways on the streets. What follows is a series of adventures and misadventures that are all woven into the mystery of what is happening to the magic of Wellmet as Conn becomes increasingly sure that he is somehow meant to save the magic.The Magic Thief offers a surprisingly fresh storyline in a book rife with magic and wizards. It is told primarily from Conn’s point of view, with a journal entry from Nevery between each of Conn’s chapters. This allows for the reader to know what is going on in both of their minds, and adds interest to the story since they are often thinking opposite thoughts. Conn’s chapters appear as normal text with a small illustration of what or who the focus of the chapter will be on at the beginning. The illustrations are black and white, and the characters that are drawn match their descriptions in the book. Nevery’s journal entries appear on darker pages and are in a script type-setting with the date at the top of the page, making the reader feel as if they truly are reading a journal entry. Each narrator has a strong voice, particularly Conn, who has a lilting way of telling a story and who’s catch-phrase is “sure as sure.” With strong supporting characters who can stand on their own, The Magic Thief weaves an enchanting spell that is sure to captivate readers. This fantasy adventure is best suited for grades 5 – 7. 
    • 4/5
      This book was a short quick read, and filled with action to keep you turning page after page. What I really liked is the really neat illustrations that comes with each chapter. Also in between chapters, is pages that looks like it's from Nevery's journal in his writing and in his point of view which adds a little bit more to the plot to round it out evenly. This was also nice to read and it was a nice addition to the book. What I also enjoyed were the names of the places and setting of the book: City of Wellmet, and within the city there are districts like: The Twilight (bad area!) or The Sunrise (rich area), Heartsease (where Conn and Nevery live). Places like these make the setting more magical and fantastical, but I like it as it adds more feeling to the setting. What's also a neat little add on to the book is at the end you'll find two recipes for biscuits. You'll find in the novel, the significance of them and how they're a very common object in the novel. There is also a glossary and a few extras at the back of the book which is also a nice add on. Conn sort of reminds me of Oliver Twist a little, he's a thief and a street orphan who managed to survive for all this time before he met Nevery. He's very brave and reckless and his curiosity and stubbornness does get the best out of him, but since the book is in his point of view his thoughts were very amusing and sometimes funny to read, especially when he meets with the Duchess and with the incident with the truth serum and the guards (a funny moment in the book). He's a great character, and an exciting one who's not afraid of going out there in the city all by himself which always creates some form of trouble or excitement. However, I wish there was more to Nevery. Hopefully in the next book there will be a little more background information about him. It's certainly not necessary but it's always nice to read about it to give the character a more "rounded" out feel and not be so two dimensional. Another character I am curious about is Benet. I'd like to know more about him as well. It seems at times that background information might be helpful or perhaps would have helped in making the plot and its' characters have more depth but then again, it's not necessary and perhaps it will all be explained in the next books to come.Overall a great page turner with plenty of action, comedy, and fantasy. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Think of Oliver Twist in a fantastical setting. I will definitely be picking up the next book in this series it's certainly well worth it!
    • 4/5
      Conn picks a wizard's pocket and steals his magical focus. It should kill him; when he survives, the wizard is intrigued and makes Conn his servant. But Conn thinks he's an apprentice and concentrates on learning magic. Meanwhile, the magic levels in town are decreasing to dangerously low levels. Natural variation or evil plot?This is fairly generic fantasy, but there are some nice touches and good characterizations.
    • 4/5
      Making a living on the Twilight side of Wellmet, Connwaer (Conn) was commonly referred to as a gutter boy with quick hands as a pick pocket and a lock pick. Picking the pocket of the wizard Nevery Flinglas should have left him dead, but instead it left Nevery interested in why his locus magicalicus (wizards magical stone) had not hurt the street boy. Knowing the magic of Wellmet was declining, Nevery was asked to find the cause and help to solve the problem. Taking Conn on as an apprentice probably wouldn’t help, but since Conn showed some connection to magic, it shouldn’t hurt.****4 Book 1.…. Fun and fast to read. Deceptively large in size (411 pages), odd size and large print, makes it easy to read. Written from Conn’s point of view with a few letters/journal entries from Nevery. Fun wizardry stuff and great descriptions of the people and places. This is a great book for that middle age, not quite old enough for Harry Potter but ready for longer, more detailed story. Really enjoyed the addition of the Runic alphabet and the occasional cryptic message that Conn left for Nevery on his journal notes. Really looking forward to Book 2 (this is suppose to be a trilogy) to see what Conn‘s next great adventure in Wellmet will be.
    • 5/5
      I really just ate this book up. Not only did it have a great plot, fantastic characters and a lot of magic, but it also had frequent journal entries that had little coded messages at the bottom. I had a lot of fun deciphering the codes with the key at the back of the book. This is definitely an easy read - geared towards middle school students. I found it much enjoyable and there is supposedly more to come as this is "Book One".
    • 2/5
      This stubby book, somewhat short and thick and with a jacket that makes it look like an ancient, leather-and-metal-bound tome, outwardly resembles many other recent fantasies – Angie Sage’s Septimus Heap books, for example. And sure enough, there are many familiar elements. An orphan street kid named Conn discovers (after attempting to steal wizard Nevery’s locus magicalus) that he has some latent magical ability and becomes Nevery’s servant/apprentice. Meanwhile, magic is ebbing at a frightening and mysterious rate in their city of Wellmet, and Nevery and Conn have different ideas about what might be causing it – not to mention what the very nature of magic might be.

      Surprise! Prineas has taken a somewhat shopworn formula and made it fresh and vibrant. Conn is tenacious and spunky, as befits a kid who has grown up on the street, and he is also both likable and “true.” I believed in and rooted for him all the way. Nevery is gruff and too focused on his work to pay much attention to Conn, so although he is a decent sort, there is never any annoying sentimentality. Benet, the hired Tough Guy who doubles as Cook, mostly just growls – but he must possess a soft spot somewhere in his grizzled old heart, for he knits Conn a sweater and fixes the broken window in his dismal attic room.

      One interesting feature is Conn’s growing certainty that magic is a living sentient being rather than a resource or force (as Nevery and his fellow wizards believe). We don’t learn why Conn is so adamant about this or what the ramifications are, so perhaps this will be explored in a sequel.

      Kids ages 9 to 12 will likely enjoy this better-than-average fantasy.
    • 3/5
      It took a while for me to really begin to enjoy this book. The writing style is rather choppy; instead of using dialogue for much of what Conn, the main character and narrator, has to say, it's as if he's talking to the reader, and he doesn't always speak in complete sentences. I also found myself comparing the story and the style to Angie Sage's Septimus Heap series, which is far superior to this novel. But once Conn finds his locus magicalicus, a stone every wizard needs in order to do magic, the story picks up and comes into its own. It's obviously set up to be a series, but I haven't decided yet if I'll continue reading them as they come out. It is fairly entertaining, though, and I would recommend it to children, but only after suggesting the Septimus Heap books!

    Book preview

    The Magic Thief - Sarah Prineas

    Dedication

    Dedicated to

    Bre Kenney,

    the best reader ever

    Contents

    Dedication

    The Magic Thief: A Proper Wizard

    Excerpt from The Magic Thief: Home

    Back Ads

    About the Author

    Copyright

    About the Publisher

    The Magic Thief: A Proper Wizard

    To: The Senior Wizard Connwaer

    Heartsease House, Wellmet

    To my respected Colleague:

    As a fellow Wizard I write to you, Connwaer, having heard of your great wizardly Deeds and having read your Disquisition on the draconic Nature of Magic. For our great City of Danivelle has been suffering from an alarming and perhaps even dangerous magical Condition, of which none of the senior Wizards in the City can discover a Cause nor a Cure.

    We grow most Desperate and implore you to assist us in this Matter. Thus, Connwaer, we Wizards of Danivelle send to you one of my most junior Apprentices, Verent, who can most easily be spared at this terrible Time. Verent is a rather bumbling and not-at-all promising Apprentice, so you must treat him not as a proper Wizard, but simply as a simple Messenger. He has been instructed to describe to you our City’s mysterious Affliction and carry back to us your Letter describing what we must do to address the Problem.

    Most sincerely, in great Haste and unease of Mind,

    From: The Senior Wizard Sans-tête Poulet

    Lagrand Place, City of Danivelle

    Verent wasn’t sure why he’d been chosen for this mission. As an apprentice in his last year of schooling, he’d been ordered to go to Wellmet, a cold, rough, industrial city of the north, to meet with the wizard Connwaer, one of the great magisters of the age, who had written a revolutionary paper on the true nature of magic. Verent’s master thought that this wizard Connwaer might be able to help their own city, Danivelle, with a particularly sticky magical problem. Verent wanted to think he’d been chosen because he was the only one who could be trusted to complete the mission. But he suspected that wasn’t the reason. He knew his master thought he was a bumbling oaf of an apprentice.

    Well, this time he would not make any stupid mistakes. No, this time he would prove his competence. Even if he really was just a messenger boy, he would bring back the solution to his city’s magical problem—he would save the day.

    Wellmet itself didn’t make him feel very hopeful, though. As Verent stepped out of the boat that had ferried him from his ship to the dock, he surveyed the wharfs and warehouses of what seemed to be a very rundown, dirty part of the city. It stank of old fish and of . . . unmentionable things. Carefully Verent pulled a scented handkerchief from the pocket of his velvet apprentice’s robe and held it to his nose. He kept his other hand in his other pocket, gripping

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