Reader-supported: when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
10 books to read next
If you loved The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas
Readers who love The Magic Thief usually enjoy its quiet sense of wonder, a city where magic is fading, and a scruffy, likeable hero who stumbles into a larger mystery. The story balances humour with real stakes, moves at a brisk pace, and treats apprenticeship and friendship with warmth. It suits readers who like magic that feels practical, strange and slightly dangerous.
Ursula K. Le Guin
Like The Magic Thief, it follows a young person learning magic from a wise mentor, with the craft of spellwork treated as serious and demanding. Its calm, thoughtful tone rewards readers who enjoyed Conn's lessons with Nevery.
Diana Wynne Jones
Jones praised The Magic Thief, and this book shares its witty voice and wizard-centred plot. Its cheerful, slightly chaotic magic and sharp humour will feel familiar to fans of Nevery and Conn.
Megan Whalen Turner
Its clever, sly protagonist is a thief whose skills matter as much as any magic, much like Conn's pickpocketing past. Readers who enjoyed Conn's wary, resourceful character will find a similar appeal here.
Jessica Townsend
A gifted but overlooked young heroine is pulled into a hidden magical city with its own rules and tests. Fans of The Magic Thief will appreciate the sense of a secret world and the mix of humour and danger.
Rick Riordan
A boy who discovers he has unexpected powers is drawn into a world of gods and quests. Its fast, funny narration will appeal to readers who liked Conn's sudden leap into a wizard's life.
Kelly Barnhill
Its gentle, dreamlike storytelling and a town shaped by magic will appeal to readers who loved the atmosphere of Wellmet. The emotional warmth and sense of a community built around enchantment are similar.
Brandon Mull
Two siblings uncover a hidden magical preserve with its own dangers and rules, a setting that resembles the secret magic of Wellmet. Readers who enjoyed the careful, rule-bound magic of the Magic Thief will find it satisfying.
J.R.R. Tolkien
A reluctant, ordinary hero is swept into a dangerous quest by a wizard, a pattern that will feel familiar to readers of The Magic Thief. Its warm narration and sense of old magic make it a natural next step.
Norton Juster
A bored boy travels into a strange land full of wordplay and odd characters, with the same playful sense of wonder found in Conn's city. Readers who enjoy inventive worlds and gentle humour will find it rewarding.
L. Frank Baum
A young heroine journeys through a magical land with a memorable cast, and the wizard-led adventure echoes the search and discovery at the heart of The Magic Thief. Its brisk pace and sense of wonder suit middle grade readers.
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. Learn more
