When a stranger offers her a small fortune to break into a traveling magician’s wagon, Kim doesn’t hesitate. Having grown up a waif in the dirty streets of London, Kim isn’t above a bit of breaking-and-entering. A hard life and lean times have schooled her in one lesson: steal from them before they steal from you. But when the magician catches her in the act, Kim thinks she’s done for. Until he suggests she become his apprentice; then the real trouble begins.
Kim soon finds herself entangled with murderers, thieves, and cloak-and-dagger politics, all while trying to learn how to become both a proper lady and a magician in her own right. Magic and intrigue go hand in hand in Mairelon the Magician and The Magician’s Ward, two fast-paced novels filled with mystery and romance, set against the intricate backdrop of Regency England.
A Matter of Magic
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"Delightful....Will charm readers." - Publishers Weekly on Mairelon the Magician "A successful blend of Regency romance and historical fantasy in this lighthearted romp that should appeal to fans of both genres." - Library Journal on Mairelon the Magician"
About the Author
Patricia C. Wrede lives in Edina, Minnesota.
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PATRICIA C. WREDE has written many novels, including Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot and The Grand Tour coauthored with Caroline Stevermer, as well as the four books in her own series, the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. She lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
124 of 129 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am extremely happy that Orb Books is issuing this book, reprinting the out-of-print _Mairelon the Magician_ and _The Magician's Ward_ (the sequel) as one attractive and affordable volume.
Patricia Wrede is best known as the author of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles (_Dealing with Dragons_, etc.), but this book is my favorite. It's a fantasy set in Regency England (era of Jane Austen!), but with the addition of magical history and a Society of Wizards. The story begins in Hungerford Market in London, where Kim, a homeless street urchin and expert lock-picker, is hired to break into the wagon of one Mairelon the Magician. Though she is uneasy about the job, Kim agrees. However, as she opens a locked chest, an explosion goes off...
The tightly plotted story is very funny in parts, and the main characters and the dialogue are especially engaging. Kim is a sharp-tongued, tough heroine, motivated by a wish to get out of the streets where she has spent her life. Mairelon is witty and smart, and has a Puckish charm. Recommended for fans of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Jane Austen fans, and for readers looking for an unconventional Cinderella story.
Patricia Wrede is best known as the author of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles (_Dealing with Dragons_, etc.), but this book is my favorite. It's a fantasy set in Regency England (era of Jane Austen!), but with the addition of magical history and a Society of Wizards. The story begins in Hungerford Market in London, where Kim, a homeless street urchin and expert lock-picker, is hired to break into the wagon of one Mairelon the Magician. Though she is uneasy about the job, Kim agrees. However, as she opens a locked chest, an explosion goes off...
The tightly plotted story is very funny in parts, and the main characters and the dialogue are especially engaging. Kim is a sharp-tongued, tough heroine, motivated by a wish to get out of the streets where she has spent her life. Mairelon is witty and smart, and has a Puckish charm. Recommended for fans of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Jane Austen fans, and for readers looking for an unconventional Cinderella story.
43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By SarangHae
Format:Paperback
I love having this omnibus compilation of the Mairelon books and the new cover is beautiful (though I am a bit more partial to the older covers). The Mairelon books are 2 of my top books of all time. It had hit so many of my favorite genres and themes: young adult fiction, fantasy, romance (only a touch), a level-headed, tomboyish heroine, a Cinderella story, comedy of manners, and the Regency period. I have read them every year for the past 7 years and every year, my appreciation for the writing and the wit and humor infused in those pages increase.
I'm not good at summarizing plots, but here goes...
Kim, a London street urchin disguised as a boy, is hired to break into the wagon of Mairelon, a street magician who just so happens to be a real wizard. She is caught and then joins Mairelon and his faithful, but all-too-proper servant, Hunch on a journey through the English countryside to retrieve a magical platter. They become entangled with the 10 or so other people (this includes some Druids-who-aren't-really-Druids) who are also chasing after that platter.
That's only the "Mairelon the Magician" half of this volume. In the second half, "The Magician's Ward", Kim becomes Mairelon's ward and struggles to balance surviving the societal expectations of being a ward of a well-to-do family and dealing with the recent magical skullduggery that is going on in London.
Fans of Wrede and Stevermer's Regency story, "Sorcery and Cecilia", should definitely check this book out. It has the same wit, humor, and feel. Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer fans should also take a look. To get a better sense of this book, please check out the individual Amazon reviews of "Mairelon the Magician" and "The Magician's Ward". They are worded much better than my own review here. I also recommend looking at "A Matter of Magic" as two 200+ page books, as it was originally meant to be read, instead of trying to read both books as one long 400+ page book
I'm not good at summarizing plots, but here goes...
Kim, a London street urchin disguised as a boy, is hired to break into the wagon of Mairelon, a street magician who just so happens to be a real wizard. She is caught and then joins Mairelon and his faithful, but all-too-proper servant, Hunch on a journey through the English countryside to retrieve a magical platter. They become entangled with the 10 or so other people (this includes some Druids-who-aren't-really-Druids) who are also chasing after that platter.
That's only the "Mairelon the Magician" half of this volume. In the second half, "The Magician's Ward", Kim becomes Mairelon's ward and struggles to balance surviving the societal expectations of being a ward of a well-to-do family and dealing with the recent magical skullduggery that is going on in London.
Fans of Wrede and Stevermer's Regency story, "Sorcery and Cecilia", should definitely check this book out. It has the same wit, humor, and feel. Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer fans should also take a look. To get a better sense of this book, please check out the individual Amazon reviews of "Mairelon the Magician" and "The Magician's Ward". They are worded much better than my own review here. I also recommend looking at "A Matter of Magic" as two 200+ page books, as it was originally meant to be read, instead of trying to read both books as one long 400+ page book
41 of 48 people found the following review helpful
By Avid Reader
Format:Paperback
I was really excited that Patricia was coming out with a new book, I'd try anything she writes but be aware this is a reprint of 2 of her earlier books, don't expect anything new if you've read Mairelon the Magician and Magician's Ward.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Very enjoyable read. A new twist to the story of the life of a young magician, old west style! I recommend it for young and adult.
Published 1 month ago by S. Cleek
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorite books for years
I don't like all young adult books about young wizzardy people in alternate England, but I love these two. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Maruimomo
4.0 out of 5 stars
LIked it.
A matter of Magic was a very good read. It is different than anything else I've read, an I found it entertaining.
Published 3 months ago by Sandra E. Harris
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Matter of Magic
It's full of adventure . Also wonderful writing it kept me on the edge of my seat . It was so good I couldn't stop reading. I would really recommend this book.
Published 4 months ago by Fullmoon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!!
I absolutely LOVED it. This book was very well-written and a a fast-paced, interesting plot line. I highly recommend it!
Published 4 months ago by Avry
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad for a fantasy/romance.
A little simplistic, but good for a Tuesday night read. I is not the best work of this author, however.
Published 5 months ago by Janice
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky Farce-like Read
This was one quirky novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The world of this novel is an alternate-type England where it's quite acceptable for people to be wizards, or "frogmakers"... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Myra
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wish there were more
I really like this book and wish Ms. Wrede would consider writing more to the series. Even at only two books i still really enjoyed them.
Published 6 months ago by Star Foreman
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you liked the Enchanted Chocolate Pot series read this!
If you liked the Enchanted Chocolate Pot series read this!
At times these books read like a dress rehearsal for the Enchanted Chocolate Pot series. Read more
At times these books read like a dress rehearsal for the Enchanted Chocolate Pot series. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Making Art
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Matter of Magic
The book, A Matter of Magic, by Patricia Wrede, is a delightful read. It is not heavy too heavily laden with magic and fantasy to be totally in conflict with reality. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jeff Robinson
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