By Fiona Dixon (author) , Nicolette Caven (illustrator)
"A heady story of magic and thievery by an author to watch."
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May 2026 Debut of the Month
Crow is a whirlwind fantasy adventure of magic, skulduggery and escape. Twelve-year-old Crow is a member of the Reavers, a band of young crooks in hock to the ruthless Yarrick. When a routine assignment brings him into contact with the city’s Dreamcatcher, he’s offered a way out but as Crow learns to use his natural magic to create dreams and control them, he’s still determined to help his best friends escape the gangmaster.
And all the while All Souls Eve gets closer, a day when thanks to the alignment of the stars, access to magic increases, dangerously. As Crow realises how great is the threat to his friends and neighbours, he also begins to suspect that Viktor, the man he trusted to teach him magic and more, might be about to betray him.
Crow and his world are living, breathing creations and the tension mounts dramatically as the story reaches its explosive conclusion. Crow is supported and helped by Nekima, a sleek tortoiseshell cat with more than a touch of magic, and she will be a favourite with readers.
Fiona Dixon is a new voice in fantasy and this well-written, intriguing adventure positions her as an author of no small talent.
With an incredible story, a stunning, richly detailed world, and a wonderful cast of characters, Crow: Thief of Magic is an unputdownable, exciting and hugely ambitious fantasy adventure.
Read the full description
Twelve-year-old Crow is a thief.
Scraping a living on the winding streets of Starsgard, Crow works for the leader of the criminal underworld, stealing from the city's wealthy ruling class. But when a routine job takes Crow to the home of a mysterious sorcerer, his whole life is turned upside down - and after a planned heist goes wrong, leaving Crow alone and with nowhere to turn, he finds himself a new position as the sorcerer's apprentice.
Before long, Crow is introduced to the ancient art of dream magic - catching dream essence and using it to create dreams for the rich citizens from whom he once stole. But when Crow learns of an ancient strain of nightmare magic that threatens to unleash devastation on Starsgard, he must make a terrible choice... and decide who he can really trust.
With a stunning, richly-detailed world, an incredible story, and a wonderful cast of characters, Crow: Thief of Magic is an extraordinarily exciting fantasy debut - perfect for fans of Impossible Creatures, His Dark Materials, and Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.
'A unique, beautifully written debut with the heart of a dark fairy tale' - Philippa Leathley
A beautifully written compelling story told with panache and style. A fantastic debut.' – Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
A dream of a book, packed with enchantment, imagination and immersive storytelling.' – Pari Thomson, author of Greenwild
A glorious adventure, glittering with dream magic, danger, and truest friendship. Crow's tale is sure to capture the imaginations of readers everywhere, and linger long after the final page– it is a phenomenal piece of storytelling.' – Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn
'Richly atmospheric and immersive. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the end.' - Clare Harlow, author of Tidemagic
'With her intricate world building and compelling characters, Fiona Dixon invites us into a world of dreams, a world which I would happily never leave. Crow: Thief of Magic fizzes with enchantment and mystery.' – Ash Bond, author of Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm
'An absolute diamond of a magical adventure! Fiona Dixon has created a dazzling fantasy world, woven with epic dream magic and featuring an astounding main character. I loved it!' - Rachel Morrisroe, author of Felix and the Future Agency
' Crow: Thief of Magic is rich with adventure and bright with imagination. I never wanted to leave Starsgard.' – Megan Hopkins, author of Starminster
' Crow: Thief of Magic stole my heart! With every thrilling page, I fell further into the wonderful world of Starsgard. A brilliantly written, magical story of hope, friendship and the power of dreams.' – Becca Rogers, author of The Girl with Gills
Fiona Dixon has been getting lost in fantasy worlds for a long as she can remember. As a child, she spent a lot of time in wardrobes hoping to find a portal to another world or exploring the woods on imaginary adventures. After travelling the globe and working in New York and New Zealand, Fiona now lives in a 200-year-old cottage on the Oxfordshire/ Northamptonshire border with her husband and two cats.
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Fiona Dixon draws on her lifelong love of fantasy stories to create her spellbinding debut novel Crow: Thief of Magic.
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I really enjoyed this magical adventure because unlike lots of other books the main character starts out on the wrong side of the law and as the book unfolds we get to see him change and grow.
I really enjoyed this magical adventure because unlike lots of other books the main character starts out on the wrong side of the law and as the book unfolds we get to see him change and grow. My favourite character is Nekima the talking cat because she is wise and helpful and she is a key part of the reason Crow is able to succeed on his quest. I love how Thea (best name ever!) is so determined and never gives up even after 100 year of trying to warn the apprentices of Victor's terrible plot.... Read Full Review
Fantastic adventure book, definitely worth a read.
I really enjoyed reading Crow: Thief of Magic . It's a fantasy adventure book that is full of magic, mystery, and excitement. The story follows Crow, who gets involved in an amazing adventure and faces lots of challenges along the way. I also liked Crow because he was brave and determined, even when things became difficult. The plot was exciting and kept me interested throughout the book. I also enjoyed the friendships in the story and the message that courage and kindness are important. Overall, I think Crow: Thief of Magic is a great book for anyone who enjoys fantasy stories. It is fun, exciting, and easy to get involved in. I would recommend it to readers who like magic and adventure.... Read Full Review
An engaging fantasy adventure that kept our family hooked. With a great main character, a unique magical world and a more complex plot, this is perfect for children who love their fantasy!
Sometimes I wonder how many imagined magical worlds can be created, and every time I read something as great as Crow: Thief of Magic , I am so impressed that authors can come up with something so unique yet again. I loved delving into Crow’s world, first on the streets of Starsgard (there is a great map at the front of the book which really helps you visualise the story), and then the magical world he enters when he meets Viktor, a magical dream maker. Like the Skandar series, this story kept both myself and my two boys (aged 9 and 13) hooked. We loved the affection felt between the characters, with a brilliant main character, while also enjoying the darker and more mysterious fantasy plot.... Read Full Review
With an incredible story, a stunning, richly detailed world, and a wonderful cast of characters, Crow: Thief of Magic is an unputdownable, exciting and hugely ambitious fantasy adventure. Twelve-year-old Crow is a thief.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Crow: Thief of Magic and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Crow: Thief of Magic features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Fantasy / Magical, Romance / Relationship Stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Magical realism / Magical fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Crow: Thief of Magic was written by Fiona Dixon and published by HarperCollins Children's Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Crow: Thief of Magic has 287 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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