The Magic Thief series is a collection of fantasy novels written by Sarah Prineas. The series consists of three books: "The Magic Thief," "Lost," and "Found." The story is set in the fictional city of Wellmet, where magic is a crucial part of everyday life. The main character is Connwaer, a young boy who becomes a thief after discovering his ability to use magic. The first book, "The Magic Thief," introduces Connwaer as he tries to survive on the streets of Wellmet. He steals a precious magical stone called the "heart of the city" and is caught by Nevery, a powerful wizard.
Denial and self-deceit can be so powerful, and people can become so deeply embedded in an alternate reality, that an intervention by family members, medical professionals, lawyers, law enforcement, or therapists is necessary. However, those who are able to break free of denial and summon the strength and courage to face the reality of their situations can slowly begin fighting their way back into life, health, happiness, and integrity.
Your fears can become so powerful that they will seduce you back into an alternative reality where you can justify, rationalize, and make excuses for bad choices, fooling yourself into believing there s really nothing wrong. 1 My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, 2 for people who are wicked and deceitful have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
He steals a precious magical stone called the "heart of the city" and is caught by Nevery, a powerful wizard. Instead of punishing Connwaer, Nevery takes him under his wing as an apprentice. Connwaer learns about the intricacies of magic and becomes determined to find a way to prevent the city from losing its magic.
The Pros and Cons of Denial
Denial is one of those things in life that can be both a blessing and a curse.
For example, after my daughter’s death, being able to push the horror of it out of my mind for a few short minutes and hours afforded me a temporary reprieve from excruciating emotional pain. Putting myself in a “grief coma” during those first few months allowed me the ability to deal with the inescapable reality that I’d never see her again. Shock and denial took the razor-sharp edge off of the unspeakable anguish I felt and helped me survive what the ancients used to call “the dark night of the soul.”
And yet, denial has a point of diminishing returns. The very thing that saves us has the power to destroy us.
At some point, hiding from, denying, repressing, running away from, and avoiding the reality of traumatic and/or challenging situations such as the death of a loved one, alcoholism or drug addiction, threats of violence, a dysfunctional and unethical CEO, an inept board of directors, or even the hidden dangers of an increasingly corrupt democracy can be treacherous. Those who neglect the reality and challenges of their situations may have to hit rock bottom and eventually be forced to take responsibility.
Denial and self-deceit can be so powerful, and people can become so deeply embedded in an alternate reality, that an intervention by family members, medical professionals, lawyers, law enforcement, or therapists is necessary. However, those who are able to break free of denial and summon the strength and courage to face the reality of their situations can slowly begin fighting their way back into life, health, happiness, and integrity.
If you find yourself, or someone you care about, camping out in denial, stuck in a rut, or putting themselves and those around them at risk, here are a few tips:
1. Do an honest self-assessment. Look around you and acknowledge how denial is creating problems at home or at work; or in your health, relationships, finances, and so on. Summon the courage you need to tell the truth.
2. Reach out to others for help and support. Accept the possibility that you really may not be able to get through this alone and tell someone you trust about what’s happening. Chances are there are good people around you who care and can help. Begin to explore your options for getting assistance from them.
3. Formulate an action plan for breaking out of your pattern of denial and dealing with the problems and challenges at hand. Share your plan with someone you trust for a reality check and fine tune it if necessary.
4. Respect the power of your denial. Your fears can become so powerful that they will seduce you back into an alternative reality where you can justify, rationalize, and make excuses for bad choices, fooling yourself into believing there’s really nothing wrong.
5. Remember the end goal. Don’t lose sight of whatever it is that makes facing your situation worth the effort. And don’t lose hope. Whether it’s the love of your family, job, health/well-being, or faith, make the sacrifice. It’s worth it, even when it doesn’t feel that way and you want to just give up.
6. Practice self-compassion. Put self-care practices such as kindness, patience, forgiveness, understanding, encouragement, rest, rejuvenation, and redemption into play as you transition from avoidance to dealing with life’s challenges.
7. Be a warrior. A healthy dose of denial can help you cope with an overwhelming situation while you search for the strength to fight your way back into life. But remember, it’s not a long-term solution. Live one breath, one day at a time; make good choices; practice self-care; build resilience; and slowly become the better, stronger version of yourself.
Learn to recognize the presence and power of denial, especially during life’s tough times. Catch yourself turning away from the painful or uncomfortable sides of life. Sure, if you could simply avoid these daunting challenges and losses, or pretend they don’t exist, you might. Adjusting to change, navigating life’s transitions, and overcoming unwelcome adversity can be extremely difficult. But when you seek extended refuge in denial, the debt eventually comes due. You reach a point of diminishing returns, get stuck, and stagnate, rather than move forward.
Hard as it can be, we’re all better off dealing with life. Take a deep breath, assure yourself that you’ll find a way to address whatever challenges are presenting themselves, surround yourself with loving support, get the help you need, and live forward courageously. It’s in your DNA and resilient spirit to do so.
4 Our Redeemer —the Lord Almighty is his name —
is the Holy One of Israel.
In "Lost," the second book in the series, Connwaer sets out on a dangerous journey to find a powerful magical tool known as the "chimera heart." This tool has the ability to restore magic to the city and save it from disaster. Along the way, Connwaer encounters various challenges and faces the threat of those who want to use the chimera heart for their own selfish purposes. The final book in the series, "Found," follows Connwaer as he continues his quest to save Wellmet. He discovers the truth behind the disappearance of the city's magic and uncovers a plot to control and manipulate its power. Connwaer must use his newly acquired magical skills to outwit his foes and ensure the safety of the city and its inhabitants. The Magic Thief series is a captivating tale of adventure, friendship, and the power of magic. It explores themes of perseverance, loyalty, and the importance of protecting what is valuable. The author's vivid descriptions and engaging storylines make for an enjoyable read for both young and adult readers. Overall, the series is a must-read for fans of fantasy and magic..
Reviews for "The evolution of Owen's character in "The Magic Thief" series"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magic Thief" series. The plot was slow and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. The world-building was also quite weak, as I never felt fully immersed in the magical world the author was trying to create. Overall, I found the series to be dull and uninteresting.
- Michael - 1 star - I was not a fan of "The Magic Thief" series at all. The writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it hard for me to follow the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the overall pacing was way too slow. Additionally, the main character was incredibly annoying and lacked any real growth or development throughout the series. I found myself struggling to finish each book and had no desire to continue with the series.
- Emily - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Magic Thief" series, but I ended up being quite disappointed. The concept of the story had potential, but it fell flat in execution. The plot was cliché and filled with tropes, and the characters were forgettable and inconsistent. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and frustrated. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster and forgettable series.
- John - 2 stars - "The Magic Thief" series was a letdown for me. The writing was mediocre at best, with shallow descriptions and lackluster prose. The pacing was uneven, making it difficult for me to stay engaged in the story. The main character, while initially intriguing, quickly became tiresome and repetitive. I found myself skimming through the books just to get to the end. I would not recommend this series to others.