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jscarpa14's review against another edition
4.0
Okay I have to again mention the narrator on this book before talking about the story. I own audiobooks for the purpose of helping me sleep because more often than not regardless of the story they put me to sleep instead of keeping me awake the way it would if I picked up the exact same story and read it myself. My mind is more engaged when reading and it doesn't help me sleep at all the way it does most people, for me it's usually the exact opposite, I can be exhausted, plan to read a few pages and then not put down the book until I reach the last page hours later and wide awake. I can count on one hand the number of audiobooks that have had the same affect on me as reading it myself, this is one of them. Conn's voice in narration is just compelling, sort of sly but with that natural innocence of the young. You can just hear that he's a bit of a rebel, a troublemaker without actually being bad just in the sound of his heavily accented voice. If this weren't compelling enough the voices of every other character is distinctive and it's honestly difficult to believe that one person is reading this alone. It's not like many audiobooks where when a female reads the men sound just at bit feminine or when a male reads it the females sound a little on the masculine side. In this book the girls sound like girls even though the narrator is not a girl himself and the grown men have deep, commanding voices while the boys have that hard to describe tone that boys have. While without a good story I couldn't have kept listening the fact that I did listen to instead of read this book should say a lot about the talent of it's narrator.
Now onto the book. Prineas doesn't disappoint in this second edition of The Magic Thief, the danger and the darkness of Conn's story has increased tenfold. What I didn't like though was that sort of family feel I loved about the first novel sort of disintegrated because of Conn's own actions and the destructive damage they caused that created a rift in his makeshift family. Conn just couldn't win in this novel, without a locus magicalicus Conn has to resort to other, more dangerous, methods of attempting to get the Magic of Wellmet to hear him. His conclusion that the magic is a sentient being has caused him to be banned from the school and shunned by most of the other wizards. No one, except those who were present, seems to believe what actually happened at the end of The Magic Thief and Conn, instead of being considered a hero, is instead treated like a leaper among the magical community. The Magic of Well Met is in more danger than ever before, under attack from Shadows that are attacking and killing the people of it's city. Conn has to face challenge after challenge after disappointment in order to save the Magic with which he has such a close bond.
Like I said this book is a whole lot darker than the first novel and at points somewhat dim and depressing. I did however enjoy getting to better know Rowan and Kerrn, though I'll admit both characters frustrated me at times because neither seemed to really understand Conn. While I enjoyed the snippets of Rowan's journal, I missed Nevery's and Bennett's regular presence in the book. And the Ending!!! I have to listen to the next book now, or maybe read it. I meant to go to bed four hours ago, but with an ending like that I need to know what happens next, right now.
If you can't tell from my review, Lost, the second book in the Magic Thief Series is not one to be missed.
Now onto the book. Prineas doesn't disappoint in this second edition of The Magic Thief, the danger and the darkness of Conn's story has increased tenfold. What I didn't like though was that sort of family feel I loved about the first novel sort of disintegrated because of Conn's own actions and the destructive damage they caused that created a rift in his makeshift family. Conn just couldn't win in this novel, without a locus magicalicus Conn has to resort to other, more dangerous, methods of attempting to get the Magic of Wellmet to hear him. His conclusion that the magic is a sentient being has caused him to be banned from the school and shunned by most of the other wizards. No one, except those who were present, seems to believe what actually happened at the end of The Magic Thief and Conn, instead of being considered a hero, is instead treated like a leaper among the magical community. The Magic of Well Met is in more danger than ever before, under attack from Shadows that are attacking and killing the people of it's city. Conn has to face challenge after challenge after disappointment in order to save the Magic with which he has such a close bond.
Like I said this book is a whole lot darker than the first novel and at points somewhat dim and depressing. I did however enjoy getting to better know Rowan and Kerrn, though I'll admit both characters frustrated me at times because neither seemed to really understand Conn. While I enjoyed the snippets of Rowan's journal, I missed Nevery's and Bennett's regular presence in the book. And the Ending!!! I have to listen to the next book now, or maybe read it. I meant to go to bed four hours ago, but with an ending like that I need to know what happens next, right now.
If you can't tell from my review, Lost, the second book in the Magic Thief Series is not one to be missed.
monniebiloney's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It's been so long since I've read this book, and man did I forget almost everything!
Every twist and turn I forgot blew me away!
This book also ups the violence from book 1, which was sort of jarring for me. I was on my seat!
Every twist and turn I forgot blew me away!
This book also ups the violence from book 1, which was sort of jarring for me. I was on my seat!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Blood, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Death
sandraagee's review
4.0
This was a quality sequel that built very well off of relationships and themes that had been in the first book ([b:The Magic Thief: Stolen]). I have somewhat mixed feelings about Conn's taciturn nature - he just doesn't like to talk about his feelings and opinions with others which is sometimes frustrating to the reader, but given some of the circumstances who can really blame him? This quibble aside, this was a very enjoyable book for those who enjoyed the first book in this series, and the ending (the final 10 chapters were probably the most interesting) will definitley leave readers eager for the next installment.
trankin's review
4.0
Enjoyed this book as much as the first. Ended in a way that leaves you waiting for the next one. My 11-year old is anxiously awaiting it's release.
lynnmarie78's review
4.0
I'm becoming a big fan of this series. Magic, humor, excitement, suspense. Anxious to read the next one.
ashleylm's review
3.0
Enjoyable, but not nearly as touching or as much fun as the first book.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
nipomuki's review
4.0
This was as good as the first one, but I remembered it less from my first read about 10 years ago. It got to me and I cried me some tears. Poor Conn, life can be cruel to those who have to follow their own path against not only the will of their enemies, but against the will of those they love.
I am listening to the excellent audio version. Have one more to go, and then will switch to the ebook version for book four and five, as I just realized that I have the whole lot on my Kindle ;-)
I am listening to the excellent audio version. Have one more to go, and then will switch to the ebook version for book four and five, as I just realized that I have the whole lot on my Kindle ;-)
ubalstecha's review
4.0
This second installmnent of Prineas' Magic Thief series picks up where the previous one left off. Conn is still dealing with the fallout from the first volume. He has no locus magicus, so he can not study to be a wizard at the local school. The magisters are not about to make an exception for him given his radical ideas about magic. Finally, he has been ordered to stay away from the Ro, the duchess's daughter.
But something strange and sinister is attacking the citizens of Wellmeet. Known only as the Shadows, they kill by turning their victims into stone. Conn tries to get the city's magic to tell him what is wrong through the use of pyrotechnics, which doesn't sit well with the Magistrates. Exiled, he must find out what is attacking the city's magic and who is behind it.
But something strange and sinister is attacking the citizens of Wellmeet. Known only as the Shadows, they kill by turning their victims into stone. Conn tries to get the city's magic to tell him what is wrong through the use of pyrotechnics, which doesn't sit well with the Magistrates. Exiled, he must find out what is attacking the city's magic and who is behind it.
megyeager's review
5.0
The author upped the ante with this book. The found family trope remains strong, and Conn is still a strong and steadfast protagonist.