The Magic Thief
 Cover art for The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas | |
| Author | Sarah Prineas |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Antonio Javier Caparo (illustrator) |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Magic Thief trilogy (Book 1) |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | HarperCollins (USA) and Quercus (UK) |
Publication date | 2008 |
| Publication place | USA |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 419 |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-0-06-137587-3 (USA hardcover edition) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| OCLC | 166872403 |
| LC Class | PZ7.P93646 St 2008 |
| Preceded by | NA |
| Followed by | The Magic Thief: Lost |
The Magic Thief is the first book in a children's fantasy trilogy[1] published by HarperCollins in June 2008.[2][3] Authored by American Sarah Prineas and illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo the novel follows the adventures of Connwaer, a thief, who is taken into apprenticeship by Nevery Flinglas, an old wizard.
The sequels The Magic Thief: Lost was published in June 2009 followed by The Magic Thief: Found in May 2010.
Beginnings
Prineas wrote the first chapter of The Magic Thief for Cricket, a literary magazine for young adults, after a request for stories about wizards and serialized fiction.[4] When she felt the characters had more to tell, she expanded it into a novel, and then into a trilogy.
Overview
Connwaer, a pickpocket on the streets of the Twilight side of the city of Wellmet, one day picks the pocket of a powerful wizard named Nevery and steals his locus magicalicus, a special stone that helps wizards connect to the magical power of the city. It should kill Conn, but Nevery stops the process by saying a spell using Conn's name. It turns out that Nevery has just returned (or rather, snuck in) after a 20-year exile, to try to save the town from the leaching of its magic, upon which so much, including its economy, depends. Curious about the boy, Nevery takes him on as a servant and then later an apprentice. Although it is the wizard's job to stem the tide of the disappearing magic, he seems unable to do so. Conn believes he knows the answer, but his enemies are closing in.[5] butthole jqentitvbel;bhtburbuuwbgiurpb ubpjbjietfijpftjbgrsvlbijrtnijrhnirsvgbnij butthole
Characters
- Connwaer/Conn - A former thief who lived alone on the streets of Wellmet. Nevery takes him on as a servant/assistant, but soon very later made Conn his apprentice. Conn is nephew to the Underlord Crowe, and once lived in his house, but later escapes after his mother, Black Maggie, who had tried to thwart Crowe's evil plans, had been murdered by Crowe.
- Nevery Flinglas - A wizard who had been exiled from Wellmet for 20 years after experimenting with pyrotechnics. He returns to solve a magical problem in Wellmet after Brumbee sent him a plea. He is a wizard who, at Conn's prodding, tries to 'think like a thief'. He soon becomes a caring paternal figure to his apprentice.
- Benet - Nevery's bodyguard to make sure that the Duchess nor the underlord will get rid of him. He is on very bad terms with Conn at first. But later seems to feel more affection towards him, giving him haircuts and risking himself to save Conn several times. He is also a great chef. And somewhat taught Connwaer.
- Pettivox - The evil master of Keeston and arch enemy of Nevery Flinglas. Conn guessed that he also beats Keeston. It is revealed that Pettivox is working with the Underlord to drain all the magic from Wellmet and sell it. He is also later appointed the Duchess' magister. He is assumed to have died in an explosion by the end of the first book.
- Keeston - Apprentice of Pettivox. He later became Nevery's assistant. Keeston and Conn dislike each other from the start. They became good friends after Pettivox died.
- Rowan Forestal - Daughter of the Duchess. Enjoys swordfight and adventure. Brumbee sets her to tutor Connwaer when he first become apprentice. The pair quickly became friends and Rowan remains a loyal, dedicating partner to Conn throughout the series.
- Willa Forestal - The Duchess and mother of Rowan. Rules the richer part of Wellmet: The Sunrise. Dislikes Connwaer and all that has got to do with magic. She dies late in the series after prolonged ailment from a magical attack.
- Brumbee - The Principal of Academicos. Brumbee is very knowledgeable, but indecisive and weak.
- Underlord Crowe - Exerts control over the Twilight side of Wellmet. A cold, almost psychopathic individual with no regard for any except for himself. He works with Pettivox and was exiled after Conn foiled his schemes.
- Captain Kerrn - The Captain of the Dawn Palace Guards who serve to protect the Duchess. At first, she dislikes Conn. However, as the series progresses, Kerrn sees his worth and secretly helps him in various times.
Runic Messages
In "The Magic Thief" messages written in the Rune language by Conn are dotted throughout the book in Nevery's Journal. Altogether, there are 10. They are as follows:
- First message, Page 13: "I picked the lock on your journal, Nevery. Conn"
- Second message, page 48: "I like Heartsease. Conn"
- Third message, page 71: "Who you calling servant boy? Conn"
- Fourth message, page 125: "Told you I was a wizard. Conn"
- Fifth message, page 151: "Cannot trust Crowe. Conn"
- Sixth message, page 210: "I am sorry, Nevery. Conn"
- Seventh message, page 256: "Figured out that myself. Conn"
- Eighth message, page 283: "You got it wrong, Nevery. Conn"
- Ninth message, page 326: "Must save the magic. Conn"
- Tenth message, page 395: "Thanks Nevery. Conn" "You are welcome, Conn. Nevery"
Reviews
The Magic Thief has received positive reviews from both Kirkus and the School Library Journal[6] and Teens Read Too.com, claiming that it "stands out from the many fantasy novels on the shelves."[7] KUER-FM hosted a summer book listing, in which book expert Catherine Weller recommended The Magic Thief.[8]
Popular culture
- On March 23, 2010, Sarah Prineas collaborated with the creators of AdventureQuest Worlds to do a special event. The release detailed the players coming to the aid of Conn when Nevery Flinglas and some other wizards are captured. They discover that Pettivox is in collaboration with Drakath in a plot to Chaorrupt all the magic in Lore.[9]