The Magic Thief
Author: Kendall Kulper
Publication Date: November 10th 2015
Publisher: Orchard Books
~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~
Even witches fall in love...
Mal has an idylic childhood on Prince Island with Essie, the next witch of Salt and Storm. But all that changes when Essie, in a fit of anger, tells everyone what he really is.
With no choice but to leave his home, Mal becomes the magic thief, stealing magical items for the higest bidder. And when he steals the shar, a knife with the ability to cut the magic out of those it touches, he finally finds a way to get his revenge on the girl he once loved...
I loved The
Witch of Salt and Storm last year, it was something different, the writing was
gorgeous, the characters were strong, the plot so damn clever and an ending
that was true to the story and its main character.
That being
said, The Magic Thief is on a whole other level. Although it is centred and
tied to Prince Island, we get to explore with Mal outside of the island and see
the effect magic has and the way it's used in other parts of the world. We also
get sneaky fun with Boone and Mal as hunters, their (and almost every other
hunter out there) next job trying to find the Tsar and by doing so,
establishing themselves and start a confederation, but to Mal, there's only one
thing in sight: revenge.
I went from serious
highs and lows during reading The Magic Thief, and by that I mean, I really
connected to Mal, he had a lot of highs and lows himself, mostly lows. Being a
blank, Mal's immune to magic, but by being a blank means a monster, living on
Prince Island surrounded by magic and charms, Mal had never felt more at home
with Essie Roe at his side, but having to leave Prince Island with hate in his
heart for everything Roe, it brings out his darker side. Working witch Boone
gave him something back. When you rely on somebody as your home, it can be
taken away, and when you rely on people as your home, you only see what they
want you to see.
Once again,
The Magic Thief is complicated and although not as twisty as its predecessor,
it's not predictable and it has its own twists that play into The Witch of Salt
and Storm.
The Magic
Thief is darker than The Witch of Salt and Storm, broadens the world building
and shows you a different side of it with a complicated character that you
can't help but like, even when he's hard to like, and it tells the story of
Essie (Avery's mother) and Mal, and both books tie into one another perfectly, and I love how it all comes full circle.
Rating: 4.5/5
Salt & Storm was one of my favorite reads of 2014. I haven't read the sequel, Drift & Dagger, yet but I plan to. Did the title of the first book change to The Witch of Salt & Storm, or is there another book I'm missing?
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm pretty sure that this is the other title for Drift & Dagger and The Witch of Salt & Storm is another title for Salt & Storm.
DeleteYes, it is! The UK/US sometimes have different titles for the same book, don't know why...
DeleteNew to me but great to hear about the gorgeous writing
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the Salt & Storm series had two different titles for each book, so when I read through the synopsis of this novel, I had no idea it was part of the same series - it sounds amazing! I didn't read Salt & Storm last year because I thought I saw negative reviews toward it, but I must have mixed it up with some other book because it sounds like a thrill. I can't wait to read it now.
ReplyDeleteYup, it's a weird UK/US thing, same as the covers (though I totally think US wins this round, I mean the UK covers are gorgeous, but not so much IRL) They are very character driven, but at the same time plot driven (does that even make sense? Ha.), it's one of those where all the pieces come together and works out different than you expected. Salt & Storm is a lot slower, and this one is definitely more of a faster (and more interesting) andseeing as it's a prequel sequel, if you didn't want to read S&S, you don't have to. ;)
DeleteHm, I haven't heard of this series before now -- but I appreciate an author who can bring everything full circle with impressive characters like these. I am now off to look this up!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, I never got to Salt and Storm! But now I'd quite like to. Darker is always better. :D
ReplyDeleteI really liked Salt & Storm, so I am glad to hear this is just as good! (I didn't even know she had a new book coming out, so thanks for putting that under my radar too!) Thanks for sharing Kirsty and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
ReplyDeleteSame, and this one is so much better in terms othe plot moving faster (and more action!) :)
DeleteI've heard of the first book but I think this is the first time reading any reviews of any book in the series. It's definitely a sign of great writing when you care about a character that much to feel all the FEELS. :)
ReplyDeleteYup, and it's such gorgeous writing, too. :)
DeleteI really really need to read this series :( so many i haven't read and need to. Glad this one was good too. Sounds like a series worth reading for sure.
ReplyDelete