Never mix fire with magic!
Conn may only be a wizard's apprentice, but even he knows it's dangerous to play with fire . . . especially around magic. His master, Nevery, warns him that it could all blow up in his face. Besides, they have bigger problems to deal with. There is evil afoot in the city of Wellmet, an evil that isn't human.
But Conn is drawn to the murmurs he hears every time he sets off an explosion—something is trying to talk to him, to warn him. When none of the wizards listen, Conn takes matters into his own hands. His quest to protect everything he loves brings him face-to-face with a powerful sorcerer-king and a treachery beyond even his vivid imagination.
Sarah Prineas works her own spells as she transports us to an extraordinary world where cities are run on living magic and even a thief can become a wizard's apprentice.
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Publishers Weekly
In this thrilling sequel to The Magic Thief, Conn, "a gutterboy from the streets of Twilight," continues to seek solutions and instead finds trouble. Still the unconventional apprentice of Nevery Flinglas, Magister of Wellmet, Conn, having lost his "locus magicalicus" (the stone that allows him to commune with the magic), is forced to improvise when his hometown is threatened by the sorcerer-king Aspeling. To further complicate matters, Conn gets exiled from Wellmet for using pyrotechnics, the Dutchess's daughter is in danger and Conn's "embero" spell turns him into bird instead of a cat. Conn has a heart of gold, but struggles with his past reputation as a thief, and his reluctance to work with a partner holds him back ("I wasn't sure, exactly, what diplomacy was"). Like its predecessor, this story is interspersed with letters and journal entries, as well as skillful etchings, giving readers an intimacy with the characters. Eloquent and suspenseful, this follow-up doesn't disappoint. Ages 10-up.
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VOYA - Teri S. Lesesne
In this second book in The Magic Thief series, Conn has managed to save the town of Wellmet with the assistance of magician and mentor, Nevery. All should be well; however, there is still something lurking beneath the surface, a darkness that compels Conn to leave Wellmet and travel to Desh. It is there that Conn discovers the origin of the darkness. Can a lowly magician-in-training tackle the threats posed by the head magician of Desh, a man whose malevolence is almost palpable? Although this book will stand alone, the relationships among the various key players, introduced in the first volume, deepen. In addition, there are plot threads that are developed in the second book. and some are left dangling for subsequent series novels. Conn, like Harry Potter, is beginning to discover the power of his own magic, although he has little formal training and hardly any control over the outcome of his machinations of the pyrotechnics that serve as the basis of his power. Strong female characters populate Conn's world, opening the series to girls as well as boys. Short chapters with plenty of suspense make it a good choice for reluctant readers. Unfortunately T\the interior illustrations suggest a younger audience, but a good booktalk should help this book find its readers. Reviewer: Teri S. Lesesne
Children's Literature - Kathleen Foucart
The second book in "The Magic Thief" trilogy continues the story of Connwaer, a young pickpocket-turned-wizard's apprentice. After his locus stone is destroyed saving the city of Wellmet from a dangerous machine, Conn needs to find another way to communicate with the magic of the city. Unfortunately, the only way he can do that is to use pyrotechnic magic, which causes explosions. Conn's experiments aren't the only problem facing Wellmet, though. Mysterious figures have been terrorizing the city by night, and Conn and his best friend Rowan are determined to find out who is behind it all. When Rowan's mother, the Duchess, is attacked in her bed, Rowan is determined to go to another city, Desh, to see if they had anything to do with it. Conn soon follows after a disastrous attempt to speak with the magic has him expelled from the city. Desh's young sorcerer-king insists he has nothing to do with the attacks, but Conn's "sure as sure" he is lying. Can Conn save Wellmet? And if he does, will he be allowed back in? This fast-paced magical adventure story is sure to be a hit with fans of the first book, as well as attracting more readers to the series. A great book for fantasy fans who are looking for a captivating tale of magic, danger and intrigue. Reviewer: Kathleen Foucart
School Library Journal
Gr 4–6—At the conclusion of the first volume, wizard's apprentice Conn lost his locus device, which he used to communicate with his city's magic, so at the start of this volume he resorts to pyrotechnic experiments to communicate with Wellmet's magic instead. After his experiments go awry, he is exiled and joins a mission to the city of Desh, which may be the source of the evils plaguing Wellmet. With help from his friend Lady Rowan, leader of the mission, Conn uses his street smarts and his knowledge of magic to try to understand who is behind the malevolent Shadowmen. His goals and guesses are opposed by a variety of characters, leading to intrigue and conflict. Prineas's detailed magic has its own logic, and an abundance of clues to the evil will intrigue and confuse readers as they try to solve the mystery along with the protagonist. Conn's first-person narrative is paired with letters from his mentor and other characters, allowing Prineas to reach beyond the limits of the main character's viewpoint. Conn's relationship with Rowan continues to grow, providing both humor for the story and depth to both characters. A fun read for fans of fantastic adventures.—Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI
Kirkus Reviews
Apprentice magician Conn battles a new magical threat while continuing to drive friend and foe alike mad with irritation in this headlong sequel. As the clueless magicians of the local college continue to deny reality, a rising tide of attacks from Dementor-like Shadowmen prompts the Duchess to send her daughter Rowan to the distant desert city of Desh to see if it has been similarly afflicted. Having blown up his home in a pyrotechnic experiment and left beloved bodyguard/nanny/cook Benet badly injured, remorseful Conn invites himself along-and soon finds evidence that the sorcerer-king of Desh is hiding something ugly indeed. Told in a mix of narrative and correspondence, the tale hurtles along to a climax in which Conn deals Evil a sharp setback that also sets up the next episode. Readers of the opener will understand the sometimes complex relationships better than latecomers, but the sequel stands sturdily on its own, and Conn, equally gifted at picking locks and being a thorn in the side of all, remains a vivid, memorable lead. (maps, recipes, thumbnail bios) (Fantasy. 11-13)
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