I should have read this book well over a year ago. The reason why it sat on my kindle is by no fault of the author's work. I used to read books on my tablet, but its age is starting to show and it is slower and crashes a lot more than my cellphone.

I didn't even realize my phone had the kindle software until several months later and opened it. Curiously enough, I was able to easily link my account information and out of sheer curiosity, this book was one of the first to link and I opened it. I probably shouldn't try doing odd things with my cellphone when ordering tacos al pastor and beer because then I lose interest in the book and focus on the pork and beer.

And thus, for some odd reason, I kept on leaving this book hanging while I allowed other books a royal welcome. Not any more. I'm trying to tackle my TBR list and while I feel pleased that I have almost finished 50 books and it isn't even August yet, this book was being left out. And so, I finally began it... and discovered the book was a really quick and easygoing read. I finished it the following day. Yaay!

I don't think a plot overview is important because given this book has over 2000 reviews (wow!), anyone interested will have lots of other reviews to look at first. However, as eyewatering and gorgeous as the book cover is, please do not be fooled.

Ilan the thief apprentice/wanted for witchcraft waif is described to be rather homely looking, scrawny, with a slender jaw and an unsightly looking nose. She is well versed in wandering in the Dimming forest without getting lost, hiding and hunting game, but she's rather worthless in a fight.

In a way, it's what I found to be really refreshing about this coming of age story. She isn't the overpowered child of destiny. She knows she was born with magic and it's also the reason why her parents are dead. But she never viewed herself as a fighter. The thieves didn't even want to adopt her. She just came stumbling back into their care like a lost little puppy and they sort of adopted her as their pet. Never treated as an equal in thievery or a love interest to the criminals, just as a sort of helper. Ergo, if you are expecting the story to be about the famous magical bow, you will have to wait until the final 4 chapters to actually see Ilan grab it, but never actually use it.

I for one have a lot of interest in reading the second book to find out what happens. Given the books are around 150 pages long, I'll probably breeze through the series before I know it. ( )

I should have read this book well over a year ago. The reason why it sat on my kindle is by no fault of the author's work. I used to read books on my tablet, but its age is starting to show and it is slower and crashes a lot more than my cellphone.

I didn't even realize my phone had the kindle software until several months later and opened it. Curiously enough, I was able to easily link my account information and out of sheer curiosity, this book was one of the first to link and I opened it. I probably shouldn't try doing odd things with my cellphone when ordering tacos al pastor and beer because then I lose interest in the book and focus on the pork and beer.

And thus, for some odd reason, I kept on leaving this book hanging while I allowed other books a royal welcome. Not any more. I'm trying to tackle my TBR list and while I feel pleased that I have almost finished 50 books and it isn't even August yet, this book was being left out. And so, I finally began it... and discovered the book was a really quick and easygoing read. I finished it the following day. Yaay!

I don't think a plot overview is important because given this book has over 2000 reviews (wow!), anyone interested will have lots of other reviews to look at first. However, as eyewatering and gorgeous as the book cover is, please do not be fooled.

Ilan the thief apprentice/wanted for witchcraft waif is described to be rather homely looking, scrawny, with a slender jaw and an unsightly looking nose. She is well versed in wandering in the Dimming forest without getting lost, hiding and hunting game, but she's rather worthless in a fight.

In a way, it's what I found to be really refreshing about this coming of age story. She isn't the overpowered child of destiny. She knows she was born with magic and it's also the reason why her parents are dead. But she never viewed herself as a fighter. The thieves didn't even want to adopt her. She just came stumbling back into their care like a lost little puppy and they sort of adopted her as their pet. Never treated as an equal in thievery or a love interest to the criminals, just as a sort of helper. Ergo, if you are expecting the story to be about the famous magical bow, you will have to wait until the final 4 chapters to actually see Ilan grab it, but never actually use it.

I for one have a lot of interest in reading the second book to find out what happens. Given the books are around 150 pages long, I'll probably breeze through the series before I know it. ( )

80% of the way in I kind of gave up on it. I got a couple of neat ideas for my D&D campaign but the story itself is taking too long to unfold. This whole novel seems to be an origin story that should have been compressed into 1-4 chapters of a fuller novel. ( )

Magic of Thieves by C. Greenwood is the first installment in the Legends of Dimmingwood series. In a village where magic is forbidden, Ilan must find safety in the forest of Dimmingwood.

Plot 4/5: Good plot about a girl coming into her power.

Characters 5/5: Well fleshed out characters.

World building 4/5: Good world building within the setting.

Pacing 4/5: Steady

Writing 5/5: Very well written.

Overall 4.4

I loved Greenwood's beautifully written storytelling.

Purchased from Amazon. ( )

🙂 A nice first book, building up characters with simple story line. ( )