Description of Book:

About the Author:

Excerpt:

Chapter one can be found here: www.magicthief.com

Reviews:

KIRKUS - [starred] Prineas, Sarah
THE MAGIC THIEF: Book One
Illus. by Antonio Javier Caparo
"An uncommonly engaging young narrator kicks this debut fantasy ahead of the general run. Street-rat Connwaer's skill at picking locks and pockets comes back to bite him when he tries to steal the "locus magicalicus" talisman of gruff sorcerer Nevery Flinglas. Suddenly, Conn finds himself apprenticed to the magician, searching for a locus magicalicus of his own (all magicians have to have one), and deeply involved in discovering why all magic is rapidly draining out of the town of Wellmet. Canny, a quick study and endowed with a heroic appetite for biscuits, Conn works his way into the hearts of both his master and the mystery, meeting several memorable characters—notably Benet, a surly hired thug who can cook and knit as well as he can break heads—along the way to a literally explosive climax. All in all a sturdy start, illustrated with Caparo's realistic portraits at the chapter heads and reminiscent of Angie Sage's Septimus Heap tales (Queste, 2008, etc.) in style and setting." (map; glossary, runes and biscuit recipe not seen) (Fantasy. 10-13)

“I couldn’t put it down. Wonderful, exciting stuff.” --Diana Wynne Jones, author of Howl’s Moving Castle

"Sarah Prineas’ vivid descriptions made me feel as if I was walking right next to Conn, her young resourceful hero." –D. J. MacHale author of the Pendragon series

"Thief-erific! Magic-tastic! Biscuit-tacular! The magic may be mysteriously draining from the City of Wellmet, but Sarah Prineas’ captivating first novel has plenty to spare. The misery eels haven’t got a chance against this rip-roaring yarn about a young thief named Conn, his magical ambitions, and his bottomless appetite for biscuits. Conn’s attempts—both sorcerous and light-fingered—to save Wellmet’s magic will enthrall readers, leaving them hungry for more of Conn’s adventures—and perhaps for a biscuit or two!" --Ysabeau Wilce, author of Flora Segunda