By Nazneen Ahmed Pathak (author)
"A spellbinding magical adventure set in India in 1855 which weaves together magic and history making a fabulous new world as the background to an exciting drama"
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Chompa knows she has special magical powers, in particular the gift of making fire. Her mother, who has magic powers of her own, has always taught Chompa to keep her powers hidden. It is always dangerous to be known to do magic. But when Chompa’s mother is kidnapped, Chompa knows that it is only by using magic that she’ll be able to rescue her.
Chompa’s journey is a dangerous and difficult one which leads her to London and the heart of a terrible plot by ‘the Company’ to make sure that Indian magic is used to their own evil ends. Fearless, feisty Chompa is a great travelling companion for those setting out on this great fast paced adventure.
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.
Read the full description
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 . . .
'City of Stolen Magic is phenomenal - vivid storytelling that skilfully and unflinchingly weaves colonial history into an epic, breathtaking, magical adventure' - Sophie Anderson
'Dazzling from start to finish. A spellbinding adventure fused with Indian folklore which sees glorious heroine Chompa journey from rural India to Victorian London as she searches for her mother' - Abi Elphinstone
'An unexpected gem of a story. Packed with atmosphere - whether the narrow streets and red dust of Dacca or the grimy Dickensian squalor of Spittlelfields - it's populated by larger-than-life characters you will love and hate. 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
'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 in books' - Rashmi Sirdeshpande
'Exhilarating and enthralling - I relished every page. A glorious blend of history, magic and thrilling adventure with a truly unforgettable heroine, this book is rare, rich and special' - Katherine Woodfine
'A wonderfully vibrant debut . . . A vivid magical adventure filled with thrilling characters, pacy storytelling and important historical detail. Children and adults are in for such a treat' - Jasbinder Bilan
'Cracking pace, fabulous magic system, characters, relationships, the whole package!' - Louie Stowell
'An incredible story. I'm blown away by the layers of detail and drama, along with a history we don't see spoken of enough . . . A wonderful, thought-provoking story of magic, community and power - sure to enchant readers' - Radiya Hafiza
'Ahmed Pathak draws heavily on real history to open up conversations about colonialism and empire, while weaving a vivid and richly imagined adventure. A vibrant and important debut, full of magic and mystery.' - The Bookseller
Nazneen Ahmed Pathak is a British Bangladeshi writer, historian and visual artist who lives in the port city of Southampton. She spent most of her teen years in commuter belt suburbia writing, reading, and listening to melancholy indie music, going on to study English literature at the University of Warwick and completing a PhD in Bangladeshi literature at the University of Oxford.
As a historian she researches the geography and history of migration, a subject which is also at the heart of much of her fiction, poetry and visual arts practice. She was selected as one of 12 mentees from 2000 applicants for the 2016/17 inaugural round of Penguin Random House's Write Now mentorship scheme which aims to support and publish underrepresented writers. She has held residencies at Southampton Central Libraries, John Hansard Gallery, Southampton Museums and Archives, and the Francis Crick Institute in association with Poet in the City. She has been published in Poem: International English Language Quarterly, Places of Poetry: Mapping the Nation in Verse (OneWorld Publications), The Puffin Book of Big Dreams (Puffin), and A Match Made in Heaven: British Muslim Women Write About Love and Desire (Hope Road Press).
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Secrets of the Snakestone
India, 1855. The British rule, and all across the country, Indian magic is being stamped out.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed City of Stolen Magic and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
City of Stolen Magic features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Fantasy / Magical, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Historical Fiction, Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
City of Stolen Magic was written by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak and published by Puffin an imprint of Penguin Random House Children's UK
City of Stolen Magic has 362 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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