Reading Metrics
Description
When Connwaer, a young thief in Wellmet City, picks the pocket of the powerful wizard Nevery Flinglas, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn into a world of magic and danger. Nevery has returned from exile to investigate why magic is fading from the city, and he takes Connwaer on as his apprentice. Now Connwaer must help Nevery uncover the source of the malevolent Shadows threatening Wellmet before the city's magic disappears entirely.
Quick Summary
Sarah Prineas drops you straight into a gritty city where a street-wise thief named Rowan picks the pocket of the legendary wizard Nevery Flinglas, and that one stolen object sets off a chain of events that pulls her into a secret magical academy, a crumbling city, and a mystery about why the magic that once protected Wellmet is fading. The story crackles with clever banter, a dash of humor, and a dash of danger kids who enjoy a plucky protagonist who solves puzzles and outruns danger will find it hard to put down. While the book is full of wonder and invention (the magic system revolves around "conn" stones that feel tangible and fun), there are moments of real peril that make the stakes feel high without being too scary for younger middle-graders. It's a great pick for fans of fast-paced fantasy like "The Tale of Despereaux" or anyone who likes a heist-style adventure with a magical twist, and it also works well for reluctant readers because the chapters are short and the plot moves at a breezy pace. Parents will appreciate that the story balances humor, heart, and a bit of suspense, offering plenty of talk-about-moments without any heavy-handed lessons.