Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

A Matter of Magic (Mairelon #1-2)

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 · rating details · 2,002 ratings · 239 reviews

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 sh...more

Paperback, Omnibus, 448 pages

Published June 8th 2010 by Orb Books

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best Book Covers for 2010

33rd out of 670 books — 2,898 voters

Beautiful Book Covers of 2010

30th out of 328 books — 1,424 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Mar 02, 2011 Miss Clark rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Wrede and Regency Fantasy

Shelves: brambleberry-library, fairytale-fantasy-sci-fi-mythology, historical

Reissue of Magic & Malice (Mairelon the Magician / The Magician's Ward)

3.5 stars

like 3 likes · see review

Aug 13, 2010 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fantasy, romantic

This book actually contains a duology - "Mairelon the Magician" and "The Magician's Ward".

The first in the set, 'Mairelon the Magician', is more about the mystery aspect and a bit of the social conventions of the time, but not much in the way of romance. It was interesting and a fun, though it was slow to start and, overall, just a touch above average.

My biggest complaint about this part was the number of people involved. The mystery surrounds the disappearance of a magical artifact. Our hero,...more

like 6 likes · see review

Jeffrey I loved the original book in this series about the young Kim. I really did not mind how the plot developed because its also about how Kim learns about...more
Aug 13, 2010 06:44am

Colleen I think I was sort of, erm, surprised, I suppose, with the first book, because it/they are billed as Regency romance, and there really isn't much roma...more
Aug 13, 2010 12:42pm

Farfished9 i agree aboot the slow start and there being too many damn characters...I thought this too man...There were hella people after that damn platter thing...more
Dec 14, 2011 08:02am

Dec 09, 2012 Tammy Walquist rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was first recommended to me on Amazon a couple years ago, and I've been excited to read it ever since. However, on the whole I just thought it was okay.

Just to explain, A Matter of Magic is two seperate novels (Mairlon the Magician and The Magician's Ward) published together in one volume, which I think is smart.

While the story itself was just fine, I didn't find myself engaged in it as much as I'd like, especially Mairlon the Magician. I didn't connect as well with the characters as I...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jul 17, 2012 Taylor rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE!

Shelves: kickass-heroine, witches-wizards

I've been looking at this book for the past month or so, but I hadn't really wanted to read it. Until Saturday came along, I hadn't really planned on taking it out, but I for some reason picked it up. And that is something I don't regret. Especially since I ended up reading it in one sitting, unable to put it down.

This book (or should I say books) is quirky for sure. The theives cant that peppers the entire novel left me confused at first, but was easy to understand by the end. Her fear of allow...more

like · see review

Mar 19, 2012 Kayt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist, fantasy

Patricia Wrede is one of those underrated authors who never seems to make a big fuss but writes absolutely brilliant stories. This book contains two that rarely get attention, which is a shame.

I'm horrible at summing things up, but the books feature orphan/street-rate/teen Kim, originally hired to burgle a street magician but who ends up working with him instead to solve a magical mystery. The second book features them both a year later, with Kim living as the magician's ward and, again, getting...more

like · see review

Feb 16, 2011 Kingsgrave rated it 3 of 5 stars

While there was nothing actively disappointing to it, the sad fact was that I found not a lot to this book that really excited me, either. The end of the first book was a confusing name salad, with a big load of exposition at the end seriously dragging down the tension of the scene, and the romance of the second book was a bit told-not-shown for my tastes -- a bit too Regency Romance in the bad way. And that's speaking as one who rather enjoys historical fantasy, and the Regency period in partic...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jan 22, 2011 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-scifi, regencyish-romancish

A Matter of Magic takes place in a Regency-with-magic world similar to Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Chocolate Pot books with Caroline Stevermer. It's actually two novels, Mairelon the Magician and The Magician's Ward. Both stories involve mysteries that I don't bother to follow - it's the setting and the characters that make the book so enjoyable.

The book is like a Georgette Heyer, complete with earls, reticules and romance, with the addition of magic. Kim is an orphan who has been living disgu...more

like 1 like · see review

Nov 20, 2010 Simcha Lazarus rated it 2 of 5 stars

I've been a fan of Wrede's books ever since I discovered her Enchanted Forest Series when I was fourteen. I also recently read her book, Sorcery & Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot which delighted me just as much as her other books. So when I heard about the publication of A Matter of Magic I immediately added it to my wishlist and waited impatiently until I finally got a hold of it. Unfortunately though, A Matter of Magic ended up being rather disappointing and not at all the kind of b...more I've been a fan of Wrede's books ever since I discovered her Enchanted Forest Series when I was fourteen. I also recently read her book, Sorcery & Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot which delighted me just as much as her other books. So when I heard about the publication of A Matter of Magic I immediately added it to my wishlist and waited impatiently until I finally got a hold of it. Unfortunately though, A Matter of Magic ended up being rather disappointing and not at all the kind of book I had come to expect from Wrede.

Part of what makes Wrede's books so charming and delightful are the wit and humor of her female protagonists. I loved Cecelia and Kate from Sorcery & Cecilia and Princess Cimorene from the Enchanted Forest remains one of my favorite book characters. In comparison, Kim was uninteresting and somewhat bland, lacking the verve and the mischievous likability of Wrede's other female protagonists.

On the other hand, I did enjoy the character of Mairelon who reminded me of Howl from Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle.

The story was OK, but didn't really rise above any of the other books with similar plots. It moved a bit slowly for my liking and the end was played out in an unoriginal and chaotic manner with all the characters gathered together as the mystery is revealed, along with everyone's roles in it.

The second book was a bit more interesting, this time taking place in Regency London. The plot was another one that I've read several times already, of an unsophisticated, low-class young woman being taught to become a lady, with some magic thrown in. But although I found it to be an improvement over Mairelon the Magician it still wasn't as good as Wrede's other books.

So would I recommend A Matter of Magic? Perhaps to someone new to fantasy who hasn't already read several similar books already. But I would probably also try to guide them towards Wrede's other books and suggest that they might want to try those instead. Those who are already fans of Patricia Wrede might want to read A Matter of Magic just because she wrote it, and to them I would just offer a warning that in my opinion it's not her best work.
(less)

like 1 like · see review

Nov 15, 2010 Lia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Patricia Wrede was one of my favorite authors as a child, and though I've kept up with her later works (Sorcery and Cecelia, etc), none of them have had the same impact Dealing with Dragons did so many years ago. While the plotline (a mystery) is well done and well thought out, the constant inner thoughts of Kim were not something I needed to hear. The first mystery is easy enough to put together if you are able to keep the large cast of secondary characters straight (and after reading so many c...more

like · see review

Oct 05, 2010 S. rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was disappointed to learn that this is a compilation of two earlier novels by Patricia Wrede. Then I realized that I had not read these in years, and I had a wonderful time reading them again.

The first one is Mairelon the Magician (copyright 1991), in which Kim, the child thief, encounters Mairleon the Magician. They work together to solve a mystery. I like watching Kim grow up as she and Mairelon learn more about each other. Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist certainly inspired this thieves of Lo...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 22, 2010 Terri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

Well I did tell you I’d be back. It says a lot that I fully intended to do other things tonight and the book sucked me back in so thoroughly that I did not do those things.

“A Matter of Magic” is a squashing-together of two of Wrede’s books, “Mairelon the Magician” and “The Magician’s Ward.” It has the added benefit of having beautiful cover art. (See it? See the pretty, pretty cover art?)

In “Mairelon” we meet Kim, a thief who takes a job breaking into a street magician’s wagon on behalf of a mys...more Well I did tell you I’d be back. It says a lot that I fully intended to do other things tonight and the book sucked me back in so thoroughly that I did not do those things.

“A Matter of Magic” is a squashing-together of two of Wrede’s books, “Mairelon the Magician” and “The Magician’s Ward.” It has the added benefit of having beautiful cover art. (See it? See the pretty, pretty cover art?)

In “Mairelon” we meet Kim, a thief who takes a job breaking into a street magician’s wagon on behalf of a mysterious man. The man says he just wants her to see if the magician has a silver bowl in his possession. Said magician, Mairelon, catches Kim when she touches the bag the bowl is wrapped in and it throws her into the wagon’s wall, knocking her unconscious. The bowl, as it happens, is part of a set, along with a platter and two balls, which can work a powerful spell, and Mairelon, the absent-minded young wizard, has been framed for the theft of the platter. Mairelon decides to bring Kim along with him on his search for the platter, to the chagrin of his grouchy companion, Hunch. Kim, tired of living on the street, being constantly hungry, wet, and cold, and hiding the fact that she’s a girl so that she won’t be forced into a brothel, agrees to go with them. On top of encountering many dangerous characters, all after the platter for their own various and dishonorable reasons, Mairelon discovers that Kim has the rare ability to feel magic, and he begins to train her as his apprentice. As in all good YA novels, there is danger, excitement, and a mounting sense that you are juuuust about to figure out what’s been going on since page four.

“The Magician’s Ward” takes off where “Mairelon” left off: that is to say, having solved the mystery of the theft, Kim is now focused on learning magic. Mairelon (or Richard Merrill as he is known in polite society) becomes her guardian, and they are now living in London, where the Season is about to begin. Under the guidance of Mairelon and his mother, Lady Wendall, Kim enters into society with new gowns, dances, dinners, visitations, rides in the park, interested young men, and a debut ball. Of course, it can’t be that easy. (You knew it wouldn’t be. You’re too clever to be thrown, aren’t you?) A rather inept thief attempts to steal a book from the Merrill family’s library, setting off a chain of magical catastrophes. Once again, Mairelon and Kim are mystery-solving, with heavy doses of magical training and dancing thrown in for good measure.

As with many of Wrede’s novels, the reader follows along as the young hero and heroine attempt to unravel the plots of the unscrupulous antagonists, the plots usually being focused on some kind of magical, and therefore dangerous in the wrong hands, object. (See also: “Sorcery and Cecilia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot” and the whole of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.)

I stayed up very, very late last night finishing Mairelon and starting Ward. It was an excellent read, and I found the plot to be very satisfying and intriguing. If you are a fan of who-done-it books, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this. Being an extraordinarily unobservant person, I followed along without ever stopping to seriously question the who or where until they were actually presented to me near the end. (This is NOT the fault of the book: it is a character flaw, but I own up to it, so there you go.)

Wrede does one of my favorite things, which is to write fiesty, capable girl characters. Her characters don’t wait in the corner while there’s sleuthing to be done; they boldly march into danger and whap anyone dumb enough to get in their way. I like that. It’s decisive. 3.5 stars, Ms. Wrede, for two jobs well done!
(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jul 05, 2010 Kristin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This story reminds me strongly of a Nick and Nora mystery, where clues and leads are followed culminating in a gathering of suspects and riddle solving. Even the interaction between Kim and Mairelon has similarities. The only thing i could have asked for is more: more detail and enhancement. The story is wonderful and the characters shine but it's over too fast. Of course this is a YA novel, but I found the mystery more complex than i would have expected, even in the second reading as an adult (...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 02, 2012 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, historical-fiction

You know what they always say: don't judge a book by its cover. But in this case, they were wrong! This book's absolutely gorgeous cover promises all the best of Patricia C. Wrede's considerable talent at writing lively, intelligent and thoroughly charming magical tales for all ages - and it does not disappoint.

I had not realized how much I had missed reading Patricia Wrede's unique brand of fantasy adventure fiction until I found A Matter of Magic by chance. Here, it's combined with a wonderful...more You know what they always say: don't judge a book by its cover. But in this case, they were wrong! This book's absolutely gorgeous cover promises all the best of Patricia C. Wrede's considerable talent at writing lively, intelligent and thoroughly charming magical tales for all ages - and it does not disappoint.

I had not realized how much I had missed reading Patricia Wrede's unique brand of fantasy adventure fiction until I found A Matter of Magic by chance. Here, it's combined with a wonderful Regency England setting (pretty much ticking all the boxes for me). The first book, Mairelon the Magician, reminds me of the Enchanted Forest chronicles with a terrific little mystery and adventurous romp across the countryside as Mairelon, Kim and Hunch attempts to dodge their pursuers and find the Saltash Set at the same time. The second book, The Magician's Ward, is much stronger on the Regency romance aspects, although Wrede keeps the romance very subtle. I think I preferred the adventure of the first one slightly, but watching Kim navigate her way amongst the members of the ton is also a lot of fun.

I really do like Kim; she's eminently sensible and practical, intelligent and with a firm moral compass despite her background as a street thief. The relationship between her and Mairelon grows a lot throughout the two novels, but they retain their awesome dynamic throughout - Kim keeping Mairelon out of trouble with considerable eye-rolling and exasperation, while Mairelon's absentminded good-nature is both endearing and amusing. The ending is jolly satisfying, too, particularly for Mairelon/Kim fans. Kim thankfully remains characteristically grounded throughout the second book despite her changed circumstances and the flurry of ball gowns, marquises and related shenanigans.

The magic is also a lot of fun! There's something I really love about the magic aspect in Patricia Wrede's books - they're so very traditional, but that's the whole charm. They make sense, are vividly crafted and perfectly woven into the plot without being shoved in readers' faces. I know that people always talk about "new magic systems" and so on, but one doesn't always have to reinvent the wheel. Talented writers have a way of taking what's considered done and dusted and turning it into something fresh, which is what Wrede has done here.

A Matter of Magic brings back many fond memories of my younger years spent rereading the Enchanted Forest chronicles. That said, this is a book (or books, I suppose) that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages and interests; this will satisfy fans of fantasy, historical fiction, a good mystery and a spot of romance.(less)

like · see review

Apr 30, 2011 Lee Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: alternate-history, mystery, fantasy, favorites

A simple job, that’s all it was supposed to be. Look around some cove’s wagon, and report back; an easy job for a street urchin and thief like Kim. But no one told her his magic was real. Caught by Mairelon, the performer, Kim quickly realizes that not only is he a true wizard, but a toff (a.k.a. a gentleman) as well, and on the run from, well, pretty much everybody. But he offers her a chance to get out of London, and Kim takes it, little knowing what adventures lie ahead.

Wrede does a wonderful...more

like 2 likes · see review

Nov 11, 2010 K. Bird rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Matter of Magic is a reissue of two books Patricia Wrede wrote a long time ago, but truthfully, they stand up well against anything out there today.

The story of reformed street-waif (cracking lay) Kim who hooks up with Mairelorn the Magician (toff frogmaker)is lovely, full of intrigue, and extremely readable.

Kim's use of thieves cant throughout the book was extremely interesting to read, and the way Mairelorn tried to reform her language believable and funny.

This is not a cliched story of a po...more

like · see review

Apr 21, 2013 Kribu rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance, mystery, magic, london, historical, fantasy

I enjoyed both of the books in this omnibus edition - Mairelon the Magician and The Magician's Ward - quite thoroughly, having a hard time putting the book (or rather my Kindle) down, although I had to, of course; two books, even if neither overly long on their own, are a bit too much to read in one sitting (or day) or two for me.

Anyway, I wouldn't call these books either particularly deep or substantial or unique or original (although I haven't read any regency-with-wizards outside fanfic befor...more

like · see review

Jul 26, 2010 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Matter of Magic was a nice, quick read that fulfilled my desire for both fantasy and historical fiction. Originally published as two separate books, Mairelon the Magician (published in 1991) and The Magician’s Ward (published in 1997), A Matter of Magic gives you both for the price of one.

The stories in both books are not directly related, but it makes sense to offer the reader’s the full tale of Kim and Mairelon in one book. The first part of the book, originally Mairelon the Magician, I fou...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 02, 2011 Selin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Quite immersing, and gripping. Loved the conversations and the difference of language between the classes. Kim was quite a feminist for her time and a very strong character. Mairelon, even though he was the second most important role in the story, wasn't as materialized as I would have liked. I wish the story was longer and we could have a view point from his side as well. A little more description of the appearance of the main characters would be nice as well. But most of all I wish there was m...more

like · see review

Apr 07, 2011 Phaedra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, print

I have always enjoyed Patricia Wrede's books, so even though this didn't sound like my cup of tea I picked it up anyways. The story is very engaging, I like the first book better than the second, but over all it's an entertaining little story. I found the love interest to be a bit thrust upon us, but otherwise I thought it was well crafted. The first book was more a comedy of errors that happened to work out for Mairelon, his mysteriousness works well for his role, and the animosity between Kim...more

like · see review

Jan 27, 2013 Nymeria rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: bought-bec-of-pretty-cover, cookie-book, meh, romance-fail

This book was such a mish-mash of different genres. And they didn't go well together, making the story at times frustrating and at others more than mildly boring. There were so many things thrown together that none of them were really explored in-depth.

I felt like I was reading a non-stop confusing adventure that verged on the farcical -- and not the good kind of farcical. There were almost zero conversations between the characters other than the ones pertaining to the adventure/mystery and I f...more

like · see review

Mar 25, 2013 Resti rated it 4 of 5 stars

Buku ini terdiri atas dua bagian. Tokoh utamanya dan tokoh tokoh yang lainnya sama. Bagian pertama atau cerita pertama tentang awal perjumpaan Kim dengan Merril si penyihir. Disini diceritakan kalau si Merril dituduh mencuri satu set peralatan sihir. Dan petualangan mereka mengumpulkan kembali set peralatan sihir ini lumayan seru. Beberapa tokohnya konyol, jadi buku ini lengkap mulai dari tokoh yang cuek yaitu si Richard Merril, Hunch si tukang menggerutu yang merupakan pelayan setia merril. Kim...more

like · see review

Nov 24, 2012 Hollowspine rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Matter of Magic consisted of the two books in the Magic and Malice series, Mairelon the Magician and The Magician's Ward. I found it strange that this book was published first in the two separate volumes and then in a hardcover omnibus called, Magic and Malice and finally most recently in the paper back edition "A Matter of Magic."

I first became aware of the book, when I was browsing titles on NoveList. I was really looking at Mairelon the Magician, and the premise, a young street girl, disgui...more A Matter of Magic consisted of the two books in the Magic and Malice series, Mairelon the Magician and The Magician's Ward. I found it strange that this book was published first in the two separate volumes and then in a hardcover omnibus called, Magic and Malice and finally most recently in the paper back edition "A Matter of Magic."

I first became aware of the book, when I was browsing titles on NoveList. I was really looking at Mairelon the Magician, and the premise, a young street girl, disguised as a boy, snoops in a caravan for a job, but gets into more than she bargains for when the street performer turns out to be a real magician. It appealed to me for several reasons, and sounded like a fun kid's book. I've enjoyed many tales where women disguise themselves to learn magic or swordplay or just get a fair run at real life (denied to them because of their gender).

However, when I received A Matter of Magic from my local library, first of all I was surprised that it was an adult book. I thought it was children's or maybe teen. Secondly, the cover disappointed me with it's depiction of a very frippery girly girl. Not what I'd been looking forward to at all. But, I try not to judge and all that, so in I plunged. The second disappointment came very early in reading.

Not ten pages into the book Kim's gender is uncovered. It is completely obvious that Mairelon is the love interest and I could almost tell exactly what was going to happen in the rest of the novel. Every time she meets a character that might be either a love interest or a love rival her disguise is worth nothing. Yet to everyone else she is nothing but a street rat.

The rest of the story is about the same. Disappointingly obvious. Kim's realization that she is in love with Mairelon comes near the end, but was so predictable I just about rolled my eyes. Of course Mairelon's infatuation with her was also completely obvious yet of course the two didn't realize it at all. Typical fantasy romance.

I'd say what annoyed me most was how, despite her complaints, easily Kim forgot her 17 years living independently on the streets, how happily she wore skirts, completely disregarding the ease of pants. How easily she was cowed into paying morning calls and taking tea and talking to potential suitors.

The end was a 'happily ever after,' and entirely dull.

Although the writing was good, it was very predictable and not very interesting. Kim was constantly 'stealing' glances at Mairelon, I wonder why he never noticed since he could hardly have any left. There were other little things that got a little old, typical phrases that are so often used in these fantasy romances, unoriginal writing.

I would be a nice story for those who just want fluff, easy reading, nothing too scary, no real surprises. Would be fine for any age as nothing inappropriate ever really occurs. In fact, I'm still surprised that it was cataloged adult.

Overall, it was an okay read, but nothing I'll go back to a second time.(less)

like · see review

Aug 03, 2011 Rhiannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off this is two books in one new addition.

The first book, Mairelon the Magician, would have ranked about a 3 in my mind. It was significantly harder to read due to all of the slang that Kim uses. After about 100 pages or so you can get past it a bit faster, but even after having been used to celtic, italian and other dialects this was difficult. The store itself was fantastic. A young girl taken from the streets and pulled into the most unsuspecting family on the basis of solving a myster...more

like · see review

Aug 14, 2010 Angela James rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, 2010, ya, my-faves

A Matter of Magic is actually an omnibus re-release of two books: Mairelon the Magician and The Magician’s Ward. I’m only a third of the way into The Magician’s Ward, but I quite enjoyed Mairelon the Magician. It’s a YA alternate-history fantasy set in Regency England. In this case, magic is a huge part of the culture of England, and magician’s not a secret at all but living as part of society. In fact, if you’re a magician, you can be part of Society (capital S) even if you’ve come from the gut...more A Matter of Magic is actually an omnibus re-release of two books: Mairelon the Magician and The Magician’s Ward. I’m only a third of the way into The Magician’s Ward, but I quite enjoyed Mairelon the Magician. It’s a YA alternate-history fantasy set in Regency England. In this case, magic is a huge part of the culture of England, and magician’s not a secret at all but living as part of society. In fact, if you’re a magician, you can be part of Society (capital S) even if you’ve come from the gutters.

Mairelon the Magician is a book that doesn’t take itself, or the story, seriously. There are a number of secondary characters to keep track of, but they add to the book’s plot/conflict. The conflict and plot themselves are not complicated, but they’re well-paced, with no extra “filler” and nothing to slow it down, which kept me turning the pages. And though the story doesn’t take itself seriously, and it is a magic-filled fantasy, it makes itself entirely believable, as if this alternate history just could have happened.

I enjoyed both the primary characters (Kim and Mairelon) as well as the robust cast of secondary characters, and I was glad to have the second book to start reading immediately. It’s by no means the best fantasy or alternate history I’ve ever read, but it’s good entertainment, well-paced and fun. And I haven’t felt the urge to skim, haven’t been bored or felt dissatisfied. Since I’ve been in a reading slump, I call that a win!

Originally posted here: http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/blog/...

I finished up A Matter of Magic by Patricia Wrede, which I mentioned here last week. In this case, finishing up means reading book 2, since it was actually a two-book omnibus. I enjoyed book one but I liked book two even more. Though the storylines are all nicely tied up, I liked the characters so much I looked to see if the author had ever written more books in that world, but sadly she had not. Recommended.

http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/blog/...(less)

like 1 like · see review

Jan 10, 2011 Annie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a collection of two books written by Wrede back in the nineties. Our local library only had the second book, "The Magician's Ward," which I read a couple of times as a teen. It has disappeared from the shelves since then, I think.

So, I looked forward to revisiting an old favorite and finally reading the first book.

"Marelion the Magician" wasn't as exciting as "Ward" — besides an explosive start, the main character Kim becomes more of a passive observer to the antics of spies, thieves, in...more

like · see review

Oct 24, 2010 Kathleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

This one took me awhile to get through. I thought that Kim was unrealistically portrayed in her acquiescence to the role of fashionable lady and her ability to pull it off. I know there were a few mentions of gaffs, but it would have been nice if some of the things she did wrong were ones she didn't realize she was doing, instead of her just deciding to talk in street cant. Her "street" speech also struck me as off. And I had a hard time accepting her falling in love with the wizard who took her...more

like · see review

Aug 06, 2011 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Nov 22, 2010 Kricket rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, britain, fantasy, historical-fiction, mystery-suspense-thriller, teen-fiction

a volume combining "mairelon the magician" and "the magician's ward." i found it to be a bit of a mixed bag from book to book-

mairelon the magician: kim is a street thief who passes as a boy to protect herself. she is hired to break into a street magician's wagon, discover if he owns a particular bowl, and report back. the titular magician, mairelon, catches her in the act and convinces her to work as his apprentice after falsely reporting that he doesn't have the bowl. from there, kim helps him...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 30, 2011 Colleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is actually two books, Mairelon the Magician and The Magician's Ward, both by Patricia Wrede. She's a great kids/YA fantasy author, but I found both of these books a little rushed towards the end. While the farces and scrapes are plenty and fun, the endings both required too much verbal explanation by one character to another. Don't tell me, show me. ::sigh:: Aside from that flaw, they were both a lot of fun, very lighthearted, and even with the "Regency Romance" touch at the end of the sec...more

like · see review

Jun 03, 2011 Karen Keyte rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-girls-adventure-mystery, teen-historical, teen-fantasy-scifi

MAIRELON THE MAGICIAN
Almost 17 (at least as near as she can tell), Kim has spent all of her life on the streets of London, living disguised as a boy and struggling just to survive. An orphan with no other means to support herself, Kim once belonged to a family of thieves but an unfortunate run-in with the law has left her more alone than ever, her taste for 'the cracking lay' utterly destroyed. Now she gets by as best she can, so she doesn't hesitate to take a commission to break into a street m...more MAIRELON THE MAGICIAN
Almost 17 (at least as near as she can tell), Kim has spent all of her life on the streets of London, living disguised as a boy and struggling just to survive. An orphan with no other means to support herself, Kim once belonged to a family of thieves but an unfortunate run-in with the law has left her more alone than ever, her taste for 'the cracking lay' utterly destroyed. Now she gets by as best she can, so she doesn't hesitate to take a commission to break into a street magician's wagon just to take a look around. The man who hired her might be a gentry toff (and therefore not to be trusted), but he's offering her the small fortune of five pounds and he hasn't even asked her to steal anything.

Too bad the toff didn't see fit to mention that the the street magician is a real wizard - one who easily sees through her boy's disguise. To Kim's utter amazement, Mairelon offers to take her on as an assistant. He'll teach her to perform stage-show magic tricks, as well as how to speak properly and to read, if she'll instruct him in the art of lock-picking. For Kim, it's a dream come true. She can leave the dangers of London and her life as a boy behind and live in the relative safety of a traveling magician's wagon. And if this toff's offer turns out to be as twisted as the last, she still has that five pounds to fall back on.

It doesn't take Kim long to realize that Mairelon is as familiar with living in disguise as she is. Immediately upon setting off with the wizard and his irascible man-servant Hunch, Kim finds herself embroiled in a world of upper class double-dealing, sinister intrigue and slippery wizard politics. Mairelon is determined to set a past wrong to rights and Kim is equally determined to help him do just that - and if she satisfies her curiosity about the mysterious wizard along the way, so much the better.

The addition of magic to the colorful depiction of Regency England enhances this sweet and utterly charming historical romp through the countryside. Readers new to novels set in this era may find themselves temporarily thrown by Kim's use of the thieves' cant, but they'll quickly adjust as context makes meanings clear. Patricia Wrede is a master storyteller - it's virtually impossible not to be swept along with Kim as she gets caught up in Mairelon's world. Be prepared: as soon as you finish this one, you'll want to move on to the sequel, The Magician's Ward.

THE MAGICIAN’S WARD
For Kim, much has changed since the successful resolution of the affair of the Saltash Set a year ago. An orphan, Kim once lived by her wits on the streets of London, posing as a boy to avoid the additional dangers that plague the city's less fortunate women. Then came the day she crossed paths with Mairelon the Magician (she really cannot think of him as Mr. Richard Merrill, even if it is his proper name). A true wizard, Mairelon had disguised himself as a traveling stage performer to investigate the mysterious theft of the Saltash Set. Somehow Kim got herself mixed up in Mairelon's wild adventure and now that things are more or less normal (well, as normal as they ever get around an eccentric toff like Mairelon), Kim has ended up as Mairelon's ward and apprentice. Kim can hardly believe it. Her, learning to be a lady when she never even let on that she was a girl. Not to mention studying to be a wizard at the same time. It's enough to set her head fair spinning.

Everything was fine while Mairelon and Kim were staying at the Merrill estate in Kent, but since they've come back to London things are altogether different. Mairelon is away at the Royal College of Wizards most days, leaving Kim at the mercy of his very proper paternal aunt, Mrs. Lowe. It seems Mrs. Lowe has taken it upon herself to arrange a suitable marriage for Kim at the very earliest opportunity. But if she thinks Kim is going to meekly let herself be priest-linked to some gentry noodle, she's got another thing coming!

Kim is diverted from her worries about her Society launch and Mrs. Lowe's matrimonial plans when a mysterious (but clearly inept) housebreaker attempts to steal a seemingly inconsequential volume from the Merrill townhouse library. Who would be foolish enough to break into the house of a wizard? Then comes the troubling news that several hedge wizards, untrained practitioners Kim knew in her previous life as a street rat, have been coerced into working for an unscrupulous moneylender with unknown ambitions. The puzzle becomes much more serious when a spell designed to track the would-be thief backfires on Mairelon. The magician and his ward will have to work fast if they are to avoid the dangers threatening to overtake them.

This sequel to Mairelon the Magician, set in the early 19th century against the glittering backdrop of a London Season, is a delightful, adventurous romp through magic, manners and mayhem. Ms. Wrede does a fine job combining the historical (England, just after the defeat of Napoleon) with the fantastic (magic exists and wizards are an accepted part of society). Her characters are fresh and fun (I have a soft spot for Kim with her shady background and her tendency to revert to thieves' cant when stressed) and it is easy to get caught up in the dangers they face. Ms. Wrede's story-telling is first rate.(less)

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Most Awesome ...: A Matter of Magic	25	3	Jan 18, 2013 02:09am
Ladies & Lite...: Official October 2012 Book Discussion: A Matter of Magic	38	61	Dec 09, 2012 09:12am

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Fantasy

290 users

Young Adult

120 users

Fantasy > Magic

65 users

Historical Fiction

55 users

Romance

37 users

Mystery

31 users

Regency

18 users

Fantasy > Supernatural

14 users

Young Adult > Teen

10 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

8 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

The Trouble with Kings
by Sherwood Smith
Liar's Moon
by Elizabeth C. Bunce
Anxious Hearts
by Tucker Shaw
Flecks of Gold
by Alicia Buck
Secondhand Charm
by Julie Berry

About Patricia C. Wrede

Patricia Collins Wrede was born in Chicago, Illinois and is the eldest of five children. She started writing in seventh grade. She attended Carleton College in Minnesota, where she majored in Biology and managed to avoid taking any English courses at all. She began work on her first novel, Shadow Magic, just after graduating from college in 1974. She finished it five years later and started her se...more Patricia Collins Wrede was born in Chicago, Illinois and is the eldest of five children. She started writing in seventh grade. She attended Carleton College in Minnesota, where she majored in Biology and managed to avoid taking any English courses at all. She began work on her first novel, Shadow Magic, just after graduating from college in 1974. She finished it five years later and started her second book at once, having become permanently hooked on writing by this time.

Patricia received her M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1977.
She worked for several years as a financial analyst and accountant, first with the Minnesota Hospital Association, then with B. Dalton Booksellers, and finally at the Dayton Hudson Corporation headquarters.

Patricia finished her first novel in late 1978. In January, 1980, Pamela Dean, Emma Bull, Will Shetterly, Steven Brust, Nate Bucklin, and Patricia Wrede -- all, at that point, hopeful but unpublished -- formed the writer's group that later became known as "The Scribblies." In April of 1980, Patricia's first novel sold to Ace Books. It came out at last in 1982, which is the year she met Lillian Stewart Carl (who introduced her to Lois McMaster Bujold by mail).

In 1985, shortly before the publication of her fifth book, she left the world of the gainfully employed to try winging it on her own.

Her interests include sewing, embroidery, desultory attempts at gardening, chocolate, not mowing the lawn, High Tea, and, of course, reading.
She is a vegetarian, and currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her cats, Merlin, Brisen, and Nimue. She has no children, but as of this writing, she does have four nieces and four nephews ranging in age from seven months to twelve years old and in geographical location from Maine to Alabama.
She has published twelve and a half books:
Shadow Magic, Daughter of Witches, The Seven Towers, Talking to Dragons, The Harp of Imach Thyssel, Caught in Crystal, Snow White and Rose Red, Dealing with Dragons, Mairelon the Magician, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, The Raven Ring, and a collaboration with fellow Minneapolis author Caroline Stevermer, Sorcery and Cecelia, as well as a collection of short stories titled Book of Enchantments. She is also part of the Liavek shared-world anthology. (less)

More about Patricia C. Wrede...

Books by Patricia C. Wrede

Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1)

Searching for Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #2)

Calling on Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #3)

Talking to Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #4)

Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (Cecelia and Kate, #1)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About A Matter of Magic

3 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from A Matter of Magic

“Kim was more than a little inclined to snarl at him, but in the past few days she had learned that snarling at Mairelon did little good. He simply smiled and corrected her grammar.” — 22 people liked it

“I see you've decided to take my advice after all, Richard." Lady Wendall's amused voice said from somewhere above and behind him. "Marrying your ward is *exactly* the sort of usual scandal I had in mind: I wonder it didn't occur to me before.” — 4 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: A Matter of Magic
avg rating	preview: A Matter of Magic Goodreads rating: 3.93 (2002 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7278720-a-matter-of-magic?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312058194l/7278720.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7278720-a-matter-of-magic?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]A Matter of Magic by Patricia C. Wrede[/url]

A Matter of Magic (Mairelon #1-2)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website