Stolen Magic: A Fast-Paced Dragon Detective Mystery for Kids (Ages 8-12)

Having been a fan of Levine since Ella Enchanted came out, I was really looking forward to Stolen Magic, the sequel to A Tale of Two Castles. Recently I reread Two Castles in anticipation of its sequel, but after reading the first review here on Amazon I almost didn't buy it. Thankfully, I trusted my gut and went ahead and bought and read it. I couldn't put Stolen Magic down- I loved it! The mystery was very well done with lots of possible, and plausible, suspects. The main characters were as charming as ever and I thoroughly enjoyed this book! My response to the first reviewer's complaint that Lahnt wasn't the "quaint farming community" portrayed in the first book is that the majority of the story doesn't take place in Elodie's hometown and isn't even in a farming community at all. I enjoyed the location and setting of this story and felt it fit perfectly with the world of the first book. As for the reviewer's complaint about Count Jonty Um's presence feeling forced in the book, I don't agree. I think what would have helped would have been a better reminder at the beginning of the story of why the group- girl, ogre, dog, and dragon- were traveling together and why they were in Lahnt. The connection of Stolen Magic to its prequel is brief and incomplete, there's no mention of Tair in the first few chapters, which will make it more difficult for those who haven't read the first book at all/recently to understand/remember the main characters' purpose in being in Lahnt. Here's a reminder: At the end of Two Cities the Count decides to travel to Tair where there are several ogres and where he feels he will better fit in, unlike Two Castles where the "humans are... clannish". He hires Meenore and her assistant to accompany him and his dog, Nesspa, on the journey. Elodie explains that "one way to reach Tair involved crossing Lahnt" where she might see her parents and friend, Albin. The passages from the Count's and Meenore's points of view were a bit distracting, but they were short and necessary to know what the ogre and dragon were experiencing. I loved some of their experiences and felt the writing of these passages fit well with each character's personality. Overall this was yet another charming and enjoyable book by Levine that I'm thrilled to add to my collection of favorite books! Oh, and for those who purchase the Kindle version, be sure to scroll back to the front of the book (my Kindle Fire automatically jumps to the first chapter which is really annoying) to see the two maps, one of Lahnt and the other of the Oase. Sadly, I missed these; they would have been really helpful to consult while reading Stolen Magic. -Rachel

This is an interesting novel about a young girl who works with a dragon detective. IT teaches her how to reason and she becomes its assistant.

Quite a suspenseful and exciting story with engaging characters; especially the heroine. I recommend this to all who enjoy fantasy novels, especially girls.

Stolen Magic continues the story begun in A Tale of Two Castles. Elodie continues in her employment by the dragon Meenore and they are now traveling in the company of the ogre, Count Jonty Um, to Elodie's home island of Lahnt. Due to the theft of a magical artifact, a volcano is about to erupt. Meenore and Jonty Um are trying to save people on the mountain and notify other magical beings who might be able to help, while Elodie is locked in with a collection of people, probably including the thief! Elodie's investigation, interspersed with the uncomfortable adventures of Meenore and Jonty Um, eventually solve the theft. Like all of Levine's books, Stolen Magic is an intriguing tale, furthering the world-building begun in Two Castles. The three main characters also develop more strongly in this book, as we especially become better acquainted with Count Jonty Um. I hope the next book is published soon. I am very excited to see where Elodie goes next on her travels!

I love all of Gail Carson Levine's books! I especially love her story, A Tale of Two Castles. This exciting sequel follows Elodie and her quest to find the missing Replica before Mount Zertrum explodes destroying her homeland. She uses her new skills of deducting and inducing to find the culprit and save her home. I love love love the sequel and really hope Levine writes a third book to finish the series. :)

Stolen Magic lacked much of the unwonted charm of the original. This story felt very contrived. The new information we learn about Elodie's homeland of Lahnt is so different than we read in Tale of Two Casltes I almost felt like I was lied to in the first book . Quaint farming community it is not. Count Jonty Um's presence in this book is very forced. I feel he has no natural place in this story. The passages we read from his point of view are distracting and I found myself skimming them. Elodie and Masteress Meenore we're well written and see their relationship deepen. The only disappointment there was that I did not learn whether Meenore was a he or a she dragon!

A good read-Elodie's adventures continue to draw you in as she and Count Johty and It travel to her own country. Only instead of a glad reunion with her family, she is in danger along with her companions because of a missing relic and an enchanted mountain. This story is so captivating that it's hard to put down even when it's bed time!

This is the second in the series, and we have thoroughly enjoyed reading them aloud as a family. Delightful for both kids and adults. We hope there will be a few more.