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Summary: J. K. Rowling meets Georgette Heyer
Review: A harmless little tale. Needs to be followed up with the sequel THE MAGICIAN'S WARD. I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books, but I did see the movie. Ms. Wrede's story of Kim and Mairelon reminds me of Harry Potter in his wizard school, but written in the style of a Georgette Heyer regency romance (don't look for any of the romance until THE MAGICIAN'S WARD). I read the two books in one volume entitled MAGIC & MALICE. Very enjoyable!
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Summary: Magic on the streets of London.
Review: A light and very funny fantasy about a thief, a sorceror, and an enchanted serving set. The lodge scene later in the book was a bit confusing, with too many characters and not enough identity to them (or at least, not enough time spent to clearly define them in the reader's mind), and I wish more had been revealed about the magical items in question, but otherwise I enjoyed 'Mairelon' a great deal. I think Doctor Who fans might want to check it out as well; the relationship between Mairelon and Kim is a very Doctor/companion-ish one, and Mairelon himself is suitably mysterious, eccentric, and possesses all the other qualities we love the Doctor for. Think of it as one of his historical adventures, possibly with Paul McGann in the title role.
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Summary: the ending makes the book
Review: First of all, speaking up for the "young readers" whose abilities seem to be taken so lightly by other reviewers...Any kid who actually is a "reader" will have no trouble with this book. I didn't. For me, the ending was what made this book get 5 stars. I have read and reread the book, and every time end up reading the ending out loud to myself, complete with voices to fit each character, and hardly being able to for laughing so hard. Fainting, gunpoint threats, elopement, surprise, and confusion are all packed into the climax. The atmosphere is extremely farcical, which is why I have no problem with the stereotypical characterization of some minor characters- it's supposed to be like that, and it just makes it more funny. I recommend the sequel for those who have no problem with a romance aspect and more civilized adventure. And also read Sorcery and Cecelia.
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Summary: Another absolutely smashing book from Wrede.
Review: From the first page to the last I was wrapped up in this marvelous and hilarious adventure involving a street thief who gets caught up with a common magician who isn't quite who he seems. Kim (the street thief) armed with some wonderfully awful slang (oy, that's thieves cant) her sharp wit and wisdom of the streets stumbles into Mairelon and the complex plot involving stolen magical items, a band of rich young fops playing at being druids, a social-climber, shots in the dark and a healthy dose of the farcical. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested (or not) in fantasy.
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Summary: Fun to read!A favourite!
Review: I absolutely loved this book.Seeing as how I only really got into fantasy books a couple years ago,I've been downright picky!MtM is very fun to read and it had me gasping for air!I have only recently heard about the sequel and was going to get it from the library the other day.Unfortunately,it was checked out-bummer.I hear it's great.Also,I am a big fan of Wrede,and loved her Enchanted Forest Chronicles!!
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Summary: This is a fun, but not great, book.
Review: I found this book to be an enjoyable read, but it was not really a great book. I found the story a little slight, and other than the two main protagonists Kim and Mairelon, there was not a lot of time spent on character development. As the story progressed, I found myself confused by too many secondary characters who acted too similarly to tell them apart. I also wish that more had actually happened in the book. Despite these criticisms, however, I did find myself enjoying the book. I liked the characters of Kim and Mairelon, and found their relationship fun and even a little intriguing. I found myself rooting for Kim, hoping that she would find a way to avoid going back to her life as a street thief. Despite the lack of action in the book, the story moved along nicely, and I found myself looking forward to reading it every night. I immediately started reading the sequel, and currently am enjoying that as well. Therefore, I would have to say that this book is an enjoyable, if not necessarily great, story.
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Summary: Could have been better
Review: I guess I wasn't expecting the ending to be like an Agatha Christie novel, with long-winded speeches about who did what and why. That was a little bit boring, and a disappointment. If the ending were a little less crowded it would have been a better book. The rest I liked, especially the characters of Kim and Hunch.
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Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable
Review: I have to recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a book that includes a strong female character whose main goal is NOT to get the man. Kim is gutsy and tough and not too stupid to take advantage of a good opportunity when it presents itself. Perhaps not the deepest novel ever written I enjoyed ever minute I was immersed in the story and was sad when it came to an end. Please put this and other Patricia Wrede in middle school libraries so that young girls have positive characters to identify with.
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Summary: A most excellent book.
Review: I just finished reading this book and it was great! I just adore Kim. I also like Hunch, he is very funny. Mairelon is superb.I was really suprised when I heard an American was writing about Brits, but I really shouldn't be that suprised. Everyone loves the English.
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Summary: fantasy mystery
Review: I love Patricia c. wrede! she is my all time favorite auther. althought i have read many good books by many good authers Wrede is still my favorite. Mairlon the Magician does not disapoint. Although it is differant than her dealing with dragons series, this book is still great! My only complaint is that the characters get a little confusing. My only suggestion is reading it twice or writting down the character's names. However the book is worth the effort. definatly a great book!
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