Books › Mairelon the Magician
Mairelon the Magician
First published 1991 · 312 pages
A scrappy street thief's cynical world is turned upside down by the discovery of genuine magic and an unexpected apprenticeship.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a classic, charming fantasy adventure where the grit of the city streets gives way to the glittering promise of real magic. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging pace, following a scrappy, cynical underdog who expects a world of swindlers but stumbles into genuine wonder. The tone balances a wry, street-smart edge with the lighthearted warmth of an unexpected apprenticeship. It is a story steeped in themes of survival, trust, and hidden potential, offering a cozy yet adventurous atmosphere. This is a perfect fit for readers who delight in old-school children's fantasy, where clever waifs find their true calling and the magic turns out to be wonderfully, undeniably real.
- Mood
- magical
- gritty-yet-cozy
- wonder-filled
- Tone
- adventurous
- wry
- charming
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- hidden potential · discovering real magic · survival and trust · unexpected mentorship
- The writing
- Accessible and engaging, balancing the rough edges of street life with the spark of classic fantasy adventure.
- The arc
- Moves from cynical survival and suspicion to wide-eyed wonder and unexpected belonging.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love charming, old-school fantasy adventures where scrappy underdogs stumble into worlds of genuine magic.
Content notes
- child poverty
- theft
About the book
Kim doesn't hesitate when a stranger offers her a small fortune to break into the travelling magician's wagon in search of a silver bowl. Kim isn't above a bit of breaking-and-entering. Having grown up a waif in the dirty streets of London-disguised as a boy!-has schooled her in one hard lesson: steal from them before they steal from you.
But there is something odd about this magician. He isn't like the other hucksters and swindlers that Kim is used to. When he catches her in the act, Kim thinks she's done for. Until he suggests she become his apprentice. Kim wonders how tough it could be faking a bit of hocus pocus.
But Mairelon isn't an act. His magic is real.
Description from Open Library.
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