City of Stolen Magic
As seen:
By Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, and and, Sandhya Prabhat
avg rating
13 reviews
A spellbinding, epic and heart-racing magical adventure from an exquisite new storytelling talent.
‘Ahmed Pathak is a wonderful new voice; the book took her years to write, and it shows in the depth and care of each beat of the story’ – Katherine Rundell
‘A wonderful writer who paints a thoroughly convincing heroine’ – The Daily Telegraph
India, 1855. The British rule, and all across the country, Indian magic is being stamped out.
More terrifying still, people born with magic are being snatched from their homes. Rumour is that they are being taken across the sea – to England – by the all-powerful, sinister Company.
When Chompa’s home is attacked and her mother viciously kidnapped, Chompa – born with powerful and dangerous magic that she has always been forbidden from using – must travel to the smoky, bustling streets of East London in search of her. But Chompa will discover far more treachery in London than she had bargained for – and will learn that every act of her rare magic comes with a price . . .
‘Cracking pace, fabulous magic system, characters, relationships . . . The whole package’ – Louie Stowell
‘An unexpected gem of a story . . . A stellar setting, a gut-punch of a twist, and an unforgettable heroine. This has all the hallmarks of classic children’s storytelling’ – Nizrana Farook
‘Phenomenal’ – Sophie Anderson
‘Dazzling from start to finish’ – Abi Elphinstone
‘A gripping and spellbinding fantasy woven together with threads of magic, secrets and colonial history . . . An incredible cast of characters and a truly multicultural Victorian London that we don’t see often enough’ – Rashmi Sirdeshpande
‘A wonderfully vibrant debut . . . A vivid magical adventure’ – Jasbinder Bilan
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I enjoyed the historical setting, the opening in India sets things up for later and the action and plot really picks up when they get to London and it's a great twist at the end. Great to discuss global history and ideas about empire and culture
Beautiful, diverse and full of magic and fantasy. Some scary parts so Year 6 appropriate.
I loved this book. I really enjoyed the magic and fantasy element that made some of the very difficult messages palatable.
I also learnt some real home truths about the British Empire and its shocking treatment of the Indian people, although it’s really not about that but a magical romp for Y4 , 5 or 6 in my estimation.
This was a recommended book and I totally agree. It is about a girl with magic called Chompa, her mother who gets taken away by the sinister company of Clive Devaynes in London. Battling the Company, Chompa realises that every act of magic comes with a price...
Wonderful fantasy mixed with history as it tackles how the British Empire and the East India Company devastated the lives of those in India. Lots of themes to discuss and provides valuable insight whilst being thoroughly engaging. Great debut novel.
This book was amazing. A very hard read but very enjoyable. I would really recommend this book!
This book was very exciting and mysterious.
It was really good and I really enjoyed it.
A great story about magic, secrecy and teamwork. Loads of suspense too. I really liked this book overall.
I can already think of several children in my class who will love this book. I loved reading about the djinnborn and finding out more about finger magic. The main characters were well developed and completely different in their personalities from head-strong Chompa to the more sullen Leeza. I enjoyed reading a story that was set in two completely different worlds, both brought to life through the rich description.
I hope there will be further adventures for Chompa as I'd love to know what happened next.
This book is an absolute triumph!
I love fantasty/magical books but this also so cleverly weaves history in as well. Reading the authors notes it raised a lot of questions about the British empire and its appalling treatment of the local people. I think i need to go read and lesrn more.
This book is about a girl named Chompa and her friends.Her mother is kidnapped by the English and Chompa goes to save her.I think the chapters could be a bit shorter but other than that it’s good.
I was fortunate to be allowed early access to this book on Netgalley. The cover appealed and I had heard of the book through my own research for children's books as I am a primary school teacher who is passionate about reading for pleasure.
This book was so exciting from start to finish and I already know some of my pupils that I will recommend this to. I love an adventure story where the main character is female and we are certainly getting more of these from new authors. Chompa is a great character who you really root for throughout. The descriptions in the book of the sights and smells in India and Victorian London are so detailed that you feel transported there.
This book would be good to read with a class (upper primary) because there's so much action that it will keep the children interested and it provides scope for covering so many important topics such as: British imperialism and colonisation, trust, betrayal and bravery. I will definitely be recommending this book at my school.
