I AM a real fan of books about magic and magicians so I was more than happy to read The Magic Thief (�6.99, Quercus). The synopsis on the back is brief but grabbed my attention. The story is set in a magical world which is brought brilliantly alive by th

I AM a real fan of books about magic and magicians so I was more than happy to read The Magic Thief (�6.99, Quercus).

The synopsis on the back is brief but grabbed my attention.

The story is set in a magical world which is brought brilliantly alive by the author, Sarah Prineas.

Her writing is very descriptive and it is easy to imagine yourself there when you read her words.

The boy thief Connwear steals a banished wizard's locus magicalicus (magic stone). This should have killed him - but miraculously he survives.

The wizard, Nevery, is intrigued and decides to take the boy on as his apprentice. Together they face the daunting task of saving their land from the death of magic.

The story is full of mystery, suspense and adventure.

The book is mainly written in the first person by the boy apprentice - Connwear, but at the end of some chapters the author includes almost diary-like entries by the magician Nevery.

I like this because it gives the story a different perspective.

I especially liked the last part of the book as all the strands of the story came together for a super ending.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone aged nine and over.

I feel even adults will enjoy it. I can't wait for May 7, when the next book in the trilogy, The Magic Thief: Lost is published.

- SAFIYA ZALOUM, aged 9